BR122013002080A2 - expandable countersink, expandable countersink and roller countersink - Google Patents

Abstract

expandable ripper, expandable ripper and roller ripper blade. The present invention relates to a foldable ripper apparatus (100) for drilling an underground formation, which may include a tubular body (108), one or more blades (101, 102, 103), each blade positionally coupled to an inclined rail of the tubular body (108), a thrust sleeve and a drilling fluid flow path extending through an inner bore of the tubular body (108) to guide drilling fluid therethrough. each of one or more blades (101, 102, 103) may be configured to ream an underground formation. the thrust sleeve may be disposed in the inner bore of the tubular body (108) and coupled to each of one or more blades (101, 102, 103) so as to effect axial movement thereof along the rail to a retracted extended position. exposure to a drilling fluid force or pressure in the internal bore flow path. each blade may include one or more roller elements to countersink a borehole.

Description

(54) Title: EXPANDABLE ESCARATOR, EXPANDABLE ESCARATOR AND ROLLER DISCHARGE BLADE (51) Int. Cl .: E21B 10/08; E21B 10/32; E21B 10/62; E21B 7/28 (30) Unionist Priority: 28/01/2009 US 12 / 361,428 (73) Holder (s): BAKER HUGHES

INCORPORATED (72) Inventor (s): STEVEN RADFORD; TIM K. MARVEL (85) Start date of the National Phase:

28/01/2013 (74) Attorney (s): DANNEMANN, SIEMSEN, BIGLER & IPANEMA MOREIRA (86) International Application: PCT US2010022165 of 01/27/2010 (87) International Publication: WO

2010/088231 de 05/08/2010 (57) Abstract: EXPANDABLE BEARING EQUIPMENT, EXPANDABLE BEARING SYSTEM AND ROLLER DISCHARGE BLADE. The present invention relates to a expandable countersinking device (100) for drilling an underground formation, which may include a tubular body (108), one or more blades (101,

102.103), each blade positionally coupled to an inclined tubular body rail (108), a thrust sleeve and a drilling fluid flow path extending through an inner hole in the tubular body (108) to conduct drilling fluid through the same. Each of one or more blades (101,

102.103) can be configured to counter an underground formation. The buoyancy sleeve can be arranged in the inner hole of the tubular body (108) and attached to each of one or more blades (101,102,103) in order to effect the axial movement of the same along the rail to an extended position that resists exposure to a force or pressure of the drilling fluid in the flow path of the inner hole. Each blade may include one or more roller elements for countersinking a well hole.

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Invention Patent Descriptive Report for EXPANSIBLE ESCAREER, EXPANSIBLE ESCAREER AND BLADE ρςηΔΡΡΛηηρΛ nr pm cte ·· Divided from P11007876-2, deposited on 27.01.2010.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of US Serial Patent Application No. 12 / 361,428, filed on January 28, 2009, for Expandable Stabilizer with Roller Countersunk Elements which is partly a continuation of the patent application not provisional no. 11 / 949,259, filed on December 3, 2007, which is currently pending and which claims priority to provisional patent application no. 60 / 872,744, deposited on December 4, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The inventions described and taught here generally relate to an expandable countersinking device for countersinking an underground borehole, and, more specifically, for countersinking an underground borehole below a shell or casing.

Description of the Related Art

Expandable reamers are typically used to widen underground borehole. Conventionally when drilling oil, gas and geothermal wells, the casing is installed and cemented to prevent the borehole walls from being dug into the underground borehole while providing necessary props for the subsequent drilling operation to reach greater depths. The housing is also conventionally installed to isolate different formations, to prevent the cross flow of formation fluids, and to allow pressure and build-up fluid control to be measured while the bore hole is drilled. To increase the depth of a previously drilled probe hole, a new housing is placed inside and extended below the previous housing. While the addition of additional casing allows a borehole to reach greater depths, it has the

2/48 disadvantage of narrowing the borehole. The narrowing of the borehole limits the diameter of any subsequent sections of the well puiquc to blUCd of peiíuidçau and qudíck ud ιυαφα auiviüíld! they have qUc pâssãl through the existing housing. Since reductions in the diameter of the borehole are undesirable because they limit the flow rate of oil and gas production through the borehole, it is often desirable to widen an underground borehole to provide a larger borehole diameter for install additional casing in addition to the previously installed casing, as well as to allow better hydrocarbon production flow rates through the borehole.

A variety of approaches have been employed to widen the diameter of a borehole. A conventional approach used to widen an underground borehole includes the use of eccentric and bicentral drills. For example, an eccentric drill bit with a laterally extended or extended cutting portion is rotated about its axis to produce an enlarged bore diameter. An example of an eccentric drill is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,635,738, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. A bicentral drill assembly employs two longitudinally superimposed drill sections with laterally offset shafts, which, when rotated, produce a large borehole diameter. An example of a bicentral drill is described in United States Patent No. 5,957,223, which is also assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

_ Another conventional approach used to widen an underground borehole includes the use of an extended downhole assembly with a pilot drill bit at its distal end and a countersink assembly at a certain distance above. This arrangement allows the use of any type of standard rotary drill bit, be it a rock drill, a drill bit or another drill bit like the pilot bit. The extended nature of the assembly allows for greater flexibility when passing through tight points in the borehole, as well as the opportunity to effectively stabilize the pilo3 / 48 to drill bit so that the pilot hole and the next countersink cross the intended path to the borehole. This aspect of a rock bottom mount is the father of LiuUiai11ιυι üe siyiníicdi.ivu in the directional direction. The assignee of the present invention designed, for this purpose, as countersinking structures, the so-called countersink wings, which generally comprise a tubular body with a fishing neck with a screw connection on top of it and a clamp matrix surface at the bottom of it also with a threaded connection. US Patents Nos. 5,497,842 and 5,495,899, both assigned to the assignee of the present invention, describe reaming structures including reaming wings. The upper central portion of the reamer wing tool includes one or more longitudinally extending blades which generally protrude radially outwardly from the tubular body, the outer edges of the blades carrying color elements 15 tePDC.

As mentioned above, conventional expandable countersinks can be used to widen an underground borehole and can include blades pivotally or articulated affixed to a tubular body and actuated by means of a piston disposed thereon, as described by United States Patent No. 5,402 .856, to Warren. In addition, U.S. Patent No. 6,360,831 to Akesson et al. Describes a conventional borehole opener comprising a body equipped with at least two borehole opening arms having cutting means that can be moved from one resting position on the body to an active position through exposure to the pressure of the drilling fluid flowing through the body. The blades on these countersinks are initially retracted to allow the tool to travel through the drill hole in a drilling column and, once the tool has passed beyond the end of the housing, the blades are extended so that the hole diameter can be extended. be raised below the housing.

The blades of conventional expandable countersinks were

4/48 dimensioned to minimize a gap between them and the tubular body in order to prevent any drilling mud and fragments of the earth from being deposited in the gap and retaining the blade against the tubular body. The blades of these conventional expandable countersinks use pressure from within the tool to apply radially outward force against pistons that move the blades, driving cutting elements outwardly. It is considered by some that the nature of conventional countersinks allows misaligned forces to bend and jam pistons and blades, preventing springs from retracting blades laterally. Also, designs of these conventional expandable countersink assemblies may fail to assist in retracting the blade when stuck and pressed up against the borehole housing. In addition, some conventional hydraulically driven countersinks use costly seals arranged around a piston, or blade, in a very complex and costly manner, leading to cutting elements. In order to prevent tilting, some conventional countersinks are designed with a different piston shape in order to try to avoid the supposed tilting, requiring corresponding or complex seal configurations. These seals may possibly leak after prolonged use.

Other conventional countersinks require very tight tolerances (such as 0.1524 mm (six thousandths of an inch (0.006) in some areas) around the pistons or blades. Tests suggest this may be a major contributor to the piston problem which fails to retract the blades back to the tool due to the adhesion caused by the drilling mud laden with particulates.

Notwithstanding the various previous approaches to drilling and / or countersinking a larger diameter borehole below a smaller diameter borehole, there is a need for an improved apparatus and methods for doing this. For example, bicentral and countersink mounts are limited in the sense that the passage through the diameter of such tools is not adjustable and is limited by

5/48 countersink diameter. In addition, conventional bicentral and eccentric drills can tend to oscillate and deviate from the path ___— designed for the conduit hole. Conventional expandable pipe assemblies, although sometimes more stable than bicentral and eccentric drills, can be subjected to damage when they pass through a smaller diameter bore or a housing section, they can be damaged. prematurely triggered, or may experience difficulties in removing the borehole after triggering.

Alternatively, expandable countersinks can be used 10 in other countersink applications where widening the borehole may not be the main objective, or none at all. Expandable reamers can be used as stabilizers, centralizers, or for other downhole purposes where contact with the borehole wall can be expected or desired. As mentioned above, an expandable reamer can be useful in its retracted state to travel to a desired location at the bottom of the well, where the reamer can then be expanded. While a reamer can subsequently be used to widen the borehole wall, as described above, there is no such need. For example, the slides of the esca20 reador may not have cutting elements in them and may come into contact with the borehole wall in an effort to stabilize or centralize other downhole equipment. However, as the reamer rotates at the bottom of the well, the blades can be dragged against the borehole wall producing friction in a radial and / or axial direction.

Regarding the radial direction, previous approaches with regard to countersinks or well drilling tools included rotating elements arranged around the external surface of the tools. For example, US Patent No. 4,227,586, to Bassin30 ger, describes a roller countersink assembly to mount ... on a countersink body and having longitudinally sliding support blocks .... As another example, the US Patent No.

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4,693,328, for Furse and others, describes a three-roller centralizer (p4 Iinha32) that is expandable from one position with the rollers retracted to

-a pusión cuiii us luietes tístei iuíuus in a uiâmetiu iiiaiui paia concentric in a hole that is insufficiently countersunk. However, conventional countersinks, such as these, may exhibit disadvantages, such as those discussed above, for example, adhesion or failure in retraction.

Consequently, despite previous approaches, there is a continuing desire to improve or extend the performance of an expandable countersink, despite the type of underground formation that is drilled or countersunk. There is an additional desire to provide a countersink device that provides fail-safe blade retraction, that is robustly designed with conventional sleeve or seal configurations, and that may not require sensitive tolerances between moving parts. There is an additional design in providing such a countersinking device that minimizes the radial torque and friction resulting from the bottom rotation.

The inventions described and taught here are directed to an improved system for boring underground wells, and methods associated with it.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to prevent, or at least substantially eliminate the jamming of the blades by driving cutting elements to widen a borehole, an apparatus is provided in at least one embodiment of the invention featuring blades configured to slide on a rail in the body of the apparatus, allowing greater forces to open the blades of the device to reach a fully extended position without damage or adhesion, while allowing the blades to be directly retracted along the rail.

In other embodiments of the invention, an expandable countersinking device is provided for countersinking an underground formation that includes a tubular body, one or more blades positionally coupled to the tubular body rail, a thrust sleeve and a fluid flow path.

7/48 drilling extending through the tubular body to conduct the drilling fluid through it. The tubular body includes a longitudinal axis, a thin section, an external surface, and a line that communicates through the tubular body between the inner hole and the external surface, the rail showing an inclination at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis. .

One or more blades each include at least one cutting element configured and oriented to remove material from the wall of a borehole of an underground formation to widen the borehole diameter responsive to the rotation of the apparatus. The buoyancy sleeve is positively coupled to the inner hole of the tubular body and coupled to at least one blade, in order to be configured to selectively allow the communication of the drilling fluid that passes through the tubular body to effect the axial movement of the same responsive at a force or pressure of drilling fluid, so as to pass at least one blade along the rail from a retracted position to an extended countersinking position.

Other embodiments of the expandable countersink apparatus are provided. In at least one embodiment, one or more blades may include one or more roller countersunk elements for countersinking a well. Each roller element can come into contact with the borehole wall when the blades are in one or more positions, which can stabilize or centralize the equipment at the bottom of the well. Blades can, but need not, remove material during reaming operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a side view of one of many embodiments of an expandable countersinking apparatus using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the expandable countersinking device, as indicated by the line in section 2-2 in figure 1 and using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the

8/48 expandable countersink device shown in figure 1 using certain aspects of the present inventions.

The fiyuid 4 illusid view seen in enlarged section from a portion of the expandable countersinking apparatus shown in Figure 3 using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of another portion of the expandable countersinking apparatus shown in Figure 3 using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 6 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of outra in yet another portion of the expandable reamer device shown in Figure 3 using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 7 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of an additional portion of the expandable countersinking device shown in Figure 3 using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a shear assembly of one of many embodiments of an expandable countersinking apparatus using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a nozzle assembly of one of many embodiments of an expandable countersinking apparatus using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 10 illustrates a top view of a blade according to one of many embodiments of the reamer using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 11 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the blade taken along section line 11-11 in Figure 10 using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 12 illustrates a longitudinal end view of the blade of Figure 10 using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along section line 13-13 in Figure 11 using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken at

9/48 along section line 14-14 in figure 11 using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view! a locking sleeve of one of many embodiments of an expandable countersinking apparatus 5 using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 16 illustrates a perspective view of a breech of one of many embodiments of an expandable countersinking apparatus using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 17 illustrates a partial longitudinal illustration in cross section 10 of one of many embodiments of an expandable countersinking device in an initial closed or retracted tool position and using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 18 illustrates a partial longitudinal cross-sectional illustration of the expandable countersinker of Figure 17 in the initial position of the tool, receiving a sphere in a fluid path and using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 19 illustrates a partial longitudinal cross-sectional illustration of the expandable countersinking apparatus of figure 17 in the initial position of the tool in which the ball moves to a ball seat and is capped and uses certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 20 illustrates a partial longitudinal cross-sectional illustration of the expandable countersinking device of Figure 17 in which a shear assembly is triggered as pressure is built up and a travel sleeve begins to lower inside the device, leaving the position initial tool and using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 21 illustrates a partial longitudinal cross-sectional illustration of the expandable countersinking device of Figure 17 in which the travel sleeve moves to a lower retained position while a blade that is pressed by a thrust sleeve under the influence of fluid pressure is moves to an extended position and uses certain aspects of the present inventions.

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Figure 22 illustrates a partial longitudinal cross-sectional illustration of the expandable countersinking device of Figure 17 in which the laminae “in the ílilia rtíprdSeiliada) are uuailíiuas in the pusiuuation uuídliiieiile extended by the buoyancy sleeve under the influence of the fluid pressure and the travel sleeve if moves to the held position and uses certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 23 illustrates a partial longitudinal cross-sectional illustration of the expandable countersinking device of Figure 17 in which the blades (one shown) are retracted to a position retracted by a bias spring, when the fluid pressure is dissipated and uses certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 24 illustrates a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of an expandable countersinking device including a borehole dimension measuring device and using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 25 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one of many embodiments of an expandable countersinking device incorporating a movement limiting element and using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 26 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one of the many embodiments of an expandable countersinking apparatus that incorporates another movement limiting element and utilizes certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 27 illustrates one of many embodiments of the expandable countersinking apparatus having rotating elements and using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 28 illustrates another of many embodiments of the expandable countersinking apparatus having rotating elements and using certain aspects of the present inventions.

Figure 29 illustrates one of many embodiments of an expandable countersinking apparatus having a blade having a roller element and using certain aspects of the present inventions.

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Fig. 30 illustrates another one of many embodiments of an expandable countersinking apparatus having a blade having an angled air element and a special feature.

Fig. 31 illustrates another one of many embodiments of the expandable countersinking apparatus featuring rodent elements and using certain aspects of the present inventions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures described above and the written description of the structures and 10 specific functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what the claimants invented or the scope of the attached claims. Instead, the figures and written description are provided to teach anyone skilled in the art to create and make use of the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the development of an effective commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventions will require numerous specific implementation decisions to achieve the inventor's ultimate goal for commercial realization. Such specific implementation decisions may include, and are probably not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related and other restrictions, which may vary by specific implementation, location and time. While the efforts of an inventor could be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would nevertheless be a routine taken on by those skilled in the art with the benefit of this description. It should be understood that the inventions described and taught here are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Finally, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, one, is not intended to limit the number of items. Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, top, bottom, left,

12/48 right, upper, lower, descending, ascending, lateral, and the like are used in the written description for the sake of clarity in the specific reference to the laws of the invention OR the attached claims. The terms coupling, coupling, coupling, a5 coplator, and similar terms are used widely here and may include any method or device for attaching, bonding, joining, fixing, connecting, joining, inserting into, forming on and in the same, communicate, or otherwise associate, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of element s together and may additionally include, without limitation, integral formation of an element functional with others in a uniform manner. Coupling can take place in any direction, including rotationally. The terms countersink, countersinks, countersinks, and similar terms are used widely here and may include, without limitation, any manipulation, contact or communication with an underground borehole or portion thereof, directly or indirectly, constantly or intermittently, intentionally or unintentionally , and may, but need not, include the widening of a borehole, the removal of a borehole, formation or other materials, or contact with materials at the bottom of the well, ballast compression, pressing, drilling or other downhole processes, or one or more of the above, singly or in combination. Countersinking can occur in any direction and, while countersinking may include widening a well, there is no need for it.

Applicants have created an expandable countersink device to bore an underground formation, which may include a tubular body and one or more blades. Each blade can be positionally coupled to an inclined rail of the tubular body and the reamer can include a thrust sleeve and a flow of drilling fluid extending through an internal hole in the tubular body to guide the drilling fluid through it. Each or more blades can, but need not, include at least one cutting element configured to remove material from a

13/48 underground formation during countersinking. Alternatively, each blade may be smooth, contoured, may have no cutting elements, or a little cut in length. The type of elements required for a specific application, such as smooth or contoured, and may, but need not, include cutting elements, inserts or other elements coupled to them. The buoyancy sleeve can be arranged in the inner hole of the tubular body and can be coupled to one or more of the blades, in such a way as to make the axial movement of it along the rail to an extended position responsive to exposure to a force or pressure , for example, from drilling or other fluid that may be in the flow path of the inner hole. Other embodiments of the expandable countersinking apparatus are also provided. The illustrations presented here are not, in some examples, actual views of any specific reamer tool, cutting element, or other characteristic of a reamer tool, but are idealized representations that are employed to describe the present invention. Additionally, common elements between figures can retain the same numerical designation.

Figure 1 illustrates a side view of one of many embodiments of an expandable countersinking apparatus 100 using certain aspects of the present inventions. The expandable countersinking apparatus 100 may include a generally cylindrical tubular body 108 having a longitudinal axis L.sub.8. The tubular body 108 of the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 may have a lower end 190 and an upper end 191. The terms lower and upper, as used herein with reference to ends 190, 191, refer to typical positions of the ends 190, 191 one with relative to the other, when the expandable countersink device 100 is positioned inside a well. The lower end 190 of the tubular body 108 of the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 may include a set of threads (for example, a threaded male pin element) for connecting the lower end 190 to another section of a drill string or other component, such as of a well-bottom assembly (BHA), such as, for example, a drilling collar or collars leading a pilot drill bro14 / 48 ca to drill a well. Similarly, the upper end 191 of the tubular body 108 of the expandable countersinking device 100 may include a set of lozenges (μυι exampleplei, a threaded female clamp) to connect the upper end 191 to another section of a drill string or other component of a downhole assembly (BHA).

Three sliding cutter blocks or blades 101, 102, 103 (see figure 2) are positionally retained in circumferentially spaced relation in the tubular body 108, as further described below, and can be provided in a position along the expandable countersinking device 100 intermediate to first lower end 190 and second upper end 191. Blades 101, 102, 103 can be made of steel, tungsten carbide, a material composed of matrix particles (for example, hard particles dispersed throughout a metal matrix material ), or other suitable materials, as known in the art. Blades 101, 102, 103 are retained in an initial stowed position within the tubular body 108 of the expandable countersinking apparatus 100, as shown in figure 17, but can be moved responsive to the application of hydraulic pressure to the extended position (shown in figure 22 ) and moved to a stowed position (shown in figure 23), when desired, as will be described here. The expandable countersinking apparatus 100 can, although not be, configured in such a way that the blades 101, 102, 103 engage the walls of an underground formation surrounding a well in which the apparatus 100 is arranged to remove the forming material when blades 101, 102, 103 are in the extended position, but cannot be operable to engage the walls of an underground formation within a well, when blades 101, 102, 103 are in the stowed position. While the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 includes three blades 101, 102, 103, it is contemplated that one, two or more than three blades 30 can be used advantageously. In addition, while the blades 101, 102, 103 are symmetrically positioned circumferentially axially along the tubular body 108, the blades can also be

15/48 positioned circumferentially asymmetrically, as well as asymmetrically along the longitudinal axis L.sub.8 towards each end and iyue iy i. ----- Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the expandable countersinking apparatus 100, as indicated by section line 2-2 in figure 1 and using certain aspects of the present invention. The tubular body 108 can enclose a fluid passage 192 that extends longitudinally through the tubular body 108. The fluid passage 192 can direct the fluid substantially through, for example, an internal hole

151 of a travel sleeve 128 deviating the relationship to substantially protect the blades 101, 102, 103 from exposure to the drilling fluid, particularly in the lateral direction, or normal to the longitudinal axis L.sub.8. Advantageously, the fluid trapped by particulates may, less likely, cause formation or interfere with the operational aspects of the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 by protecting the blades 101, 102, 103 from exposure with the fluid. However, it is recognized that the beneficial protection of blades 101, 102, 103 is not necessary for the operation of the expandable countersinking device 100 where, as explained in more detail below, the operation, that is, the extension of the initial position, of the po20 extended position and retracted position, occurs by an axially directed force which is the free effect of fluid pressure and spring polarization forces. In this embodiment, which is one of many, the axially directed force can directly drive blades 101, 102, 103 by the __axial influence of the drive means, such as a thrust sleeve 115 (shown in figure 3), for example, and without limitation, as best described here below.

With reference to figure 2, to better describe aspects of the invention, blades 102 and 103 are shown in the initial or retracted positions, while blade 101 is shown in the outward or extended position. The expandable reaming device a30 100 can, but need not, be configured in such a way that the outermost radial or lateral extension of each of the blades 101, 102, 103 is lowered into the tubular body 108, when in

16/48 initial or retracted position, so that it cannot extend beyond the largest extension of the outer diameter of the tubular body 108. Such an arrangement can protect the blades iüi, 102, 103 in the nieuiud eiii that an expandable countersinking device 100 is disposed inside of a borehole housing, 5 and may allow the expandable countersink apparatus 100 to pass through such a housing into a borehole. In other embodiments, the more radial extent of the blades 101, 101, 103 may coincide with the outer diameter of the tubular body 108 or slightly extend beyond it. As illustrated by blade 101, the blades can extend beyond 10 the outer diameter of the tubular body 108, when in the extended position, to engage the borehole walls in a countersinking operation.

Figure 3 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the expandable countersinking apparatus shown in figures 1 and 2 taken along section line 3-3 shown in figure 2 and using certain aspects of the present invention. Reference can also be made to figures 4-7, which show partial longitudinal views enlarged in cross section of various portions of the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 shown in figure 3. Reference can also be made again to figures 1 and 2, as desired. The tubular body 108 positionally holds three blocks or cutter blades 101, 102, 103 respectively on the three blade tracks 148. Blades 101, 102, 103 can each, but need not, conduct a plurality of cutting elements 104 to engage the material of an underground formation defining the wall of an open borehole, when the blades 101, 102, 103 are in an extended position (shown in figure 22). The cutting elements 104 can be compact polycrystalline diamond cutters (PDC) or other cutting elements known to those skilled in the art and are described in U.S. Patent No. 7,036,611, entitled Expandable reamer for widening drillholes while drilling and methods of use, the full description of which is incorporated herein for reference.

The expandable countersinking apparatus 100 may include a shearing mount 17/48 to hold the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 in the initial position with the fixing of the travel sleeve 128 towards the upper extremity and end of the branch. Also shown in Figure 8, which shows a partial view of the shear assembly 150. The shear assembly 150 may include a locking sleeve 124, a number of shear screws 127 and the travel sleeve 128. The sleeve locking means 124 can be retained inside an internal hole 151 of the tubular body 108 between an opening 152 and a retaining ring 132 (shown in figure 7), and can include an O-ring seal 135 to prevent the fluid from flowing between the outer hole 153 of the locking sleeve 124 and the inner hole 151 of the tubular body 108. The locking sleeve 124 can include shear slits 154 to retain each of the shear screws 127, where, in the current embodiment of the invention, each shear screw 127 can be threaded into a shear hole 155 of the travel sleeve 128. Shear screws 127 can retain the travel sleeve 128 within the inner hole 156 of the locking sleeve 124 in such a way that traditionally prevent the travel sleeve 128 axially from moving in one direction at the bottom of the pit 157, that is, towards the lower end 190 of the expandable countersinking device 100. the locking sleeve 124 may include an internal opening 158 to prevent the travel sleeve 128 moves, for example, towards the top of the well 159, that is, towards the upper end 191 of the expandable countersinking device 100. An O-ring seal 134 seals the travel sleeve _128 between the inner hole 156 of the locking sleeve 124. When the shear screws 127 are sheared, for example, the travel sleeve

128 can axially travel within the tubular body 108 towards the bottom of the well 157. Advantageously, the portions of the shear bolts 127, when sheared, will be retained within the locking sleeve 124 and the travel sleeve 128, in such a way as to prevent that the portions are soluble or have housed in other components, while the borehole will be exposed. While shear bolts 127 are shown, other shear elements can be advantageously used, for example, without limitation, a shearing rod, a shearing wire or a shearing pin, singly or in combination. Optionally, other elements of cisaiharfiOiιίυ could inuluii a skid to positive - ¹ --— positive retention within constituent components after being unloaded, similar to the shear screws 127 of the current embodiment of the invention.

With reference to figure 6, the locking sleeve 124 can additionally include a crimp 160 that axially retains a sealing sleeve 136 between the inner hole 151 of the tubular body 108 and an outer hole

162 of the travel sleeve 128. The locking sleeve 124 may also include one or more ears 163 and one or more holes 161 axially spaced around it. When the travel sleeve 128 positions a sufficient axial distance in the direction at the bottom of the pit 157, one or more ears 163 may jump radially inward in such a way as to stop the movement of the travel sleeve 128 between the ears 163 of the locking sleeve 134 and between a shock absorbing element 125 mounted on an upper end of the sealing moon 126. Also, as long as the travel sleeve 128 positions a sufficient axial distance in the direction at the bottom of the shaft 157, one or more holes 161 of the locking sleeve 124 can be fluidly exposed, which can allow the fluid to communicate with a nozzle intake port 164 from the fluid passage 192. The shock absorbing element 125 of the sealing sleeve 126 can provide retention spring of the travel sleeve 128 with the ears of the locking sleeve 124 and can also mitigate the impact shock, as can be caused by the travel sleeve 128, when its movement is interrupted by the sealing sleeve 126.

The shock absorbing element 125 may comprise a flexible or malleable material, such as, for example, an elastomer or other polymer. In at least one embodiment, for example, the shock absorbing element 125 may comprise a nitrile rubber. The use of a shock absorbing element 125 between the travel sleeve 128 and the sealing sleeve 126 can reduce or prevent deformation by

19/48 less than the travel sleeve 128 or the sealing sleeve 126 which may otherwise occur due to the impact between them.

You should know that any shock absorbing seal or seal described herein that can be included within the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 may comprise any suitable material, as is known in the art, such as, for example, a polymer or a elastomer. Optionally, a material comprising a sealing element can be selected for use at a relatively high temperature (for example, about 204.4 degrees Celsius (400 degrees

Fahrenheit) or more). For example, the seals may be comprised of Teflon ™, polyetheretherketone material (PEEK ™), a polymer material, or an elastomer, or it may comprise a metal-to-metal seal suitable for expected borehole conditions according to an expected borehole condition. specific application. Specifically, any sealing element or shock absorbing element described here, such as shock absorbing element 125 and sealing elements 134 and

135, discussed above, or sealing elements, such as the seal 136 discussed below, or other sealing elements included by an expandable reamer device of the invention, can comprise any material configured for use in relatively high temperature, highly borehole environments. corrosive, or any condition required by a specific application.

Sealing sleeve 126 may include an O-ring

136, such as to seal it between the inner hole 151 of the tubular body 108, and / or a T-seal 137, as well as to seal it between the outer hole 162 of the travel sleeve 128, which can, but does not need , complete the fluid seal between the travel sleeve 128 and the nozzle inlet orifice 164. Additionally, the sealing sleeve 126 can axially align, guide and / or support the travel sleeve 128 within the tubular body 108, singularly or in combination. In addition, the seals of the sealing sleeve 136 and 137 can also prevent hydraulic fluid from leaking from inside the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 out of the expandable countersinking apparatus 100

20/48 through the nozzle intake port 164 before the travel sleeve 128 is released from its initial position, for example.

an exn ei i iiuaue nu íuuuu uu puçu 1G5 ua! uvd uc course 120 (see also figure 5), which can include a seat stop sleeve 5 130, can be aligned, axially guided and / or supported by an annular piston or release sleeve 117. The release sleeve 117 (“lowlock sleeve”) can be axially coupled to a thrust sleeve 115 that can be cylindrically retained between the travel sleeve 128 and the inner hole

151 of the tubular body 108. When the travel sleeve 128 is in the ready or initial position during drilling, hydraulic pressure may act on the thrust sleeve 115, as well as concentric to the tool shaft and with the release sleeve 117 between the outer hole 162 of the travel sleeve 128 and inner hole 151 of the tubular body 108, for example. With or without hydraulic pressure, when the expandable countersink device 100 is in the initial position, the thrust sleeve 115 may be prevented from moving towards the top of the well 159 by an unlocking assembly, such as, for example, one or more hooks 166 of the unlocking sleeve 117.

The hooks 166 can be positionally retained between an annular groove 167 in the inner hole 151 of the tubular body 108 and the seat stop sleeve 130. Each dog 166 of the unlocking sleeve 117 is a crimp or locking dog hitch featuring an expandable stopper 168 which can engage the groove 167 of the tubular body 108 when compressively engaged by the seat stop sleeve 130. The hooks 166 hold the unlocking sleeve 117 in place and can prevent the thrust sleeve 115 from moving in the direction towards from the top of the well 159 until the end or seat stop sleeve 130, with its larger outer diameter 169, runs past the unlocking sleeve 117, which may allow hooks 166 to retract axially inward in the direction of the diameter smaller external 170 of the travel sleeve 128. When the hooks 166 retract axially inward, for example, they can be disengaged from the groove 167 of the tubular body 108, which may allow

21/48 that the thrust sleeve 115 is subjected to hydraulic pressure mainly in the axial direction, as well as in the direction at the top of the well 159.

The track link 150 may require an affirmative act, such as introducing a sphere or other restraining element into the expandable countersink apparatus 5, to cause the pressure in the hydraulic fluid flow to increase, before the shear 127 shear.

The bottom end of the well 165 of the travel sleeve 128 may include inside its inner bore a ball locking sleeve 129 which can include a plug 131. An O-ring seal 139 can also provide a seal between the locking sleeve ball 129 and plug 131. A ball-shaped restraining element 147, for example, can be introduced into expandable countersinking apparatus 100 in order to allow operation of expandable countersinking apparatus 100 to initiate or trigger the action of the shear assembly 150. After ball 147 is introduced, the fluid will drive ball 147 into ball locking sleeve 129, which can allow ball 147 to be retained and sealed by the cap seat piece 131 and the locking sleeve ball 129. If or when ball 147 obstructs the flow of fluid that is trapped in ball 129 trapping sleeve, fluid or hydraulic pressure may form within the expanding countersink device 100 until, for example, shear bolts 127 shear. After shearing the shear bolts 127, the travel sleeve 128 together with the coaxially retained seat stop sleeve 130 may axially travel, under the influence of hydraulic pressure, for example, in the direction at the bottom of the well 157 until the sleeve path 128 is again axially retained by the locking sleeve 124, which, as described above, moves to a lower position. After that, for example, the fluid flow can be restored through the fluid orifices 173 in the travel sleeve 128 above the ball 147.

Optionally, the ball 147 used to activate the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 can engage the ball locking sleeve 129 and the plug 131 which include malleable features, such that the

22/48 sphere 147 can be molded into them as it is seated. This can prevent sphere 147 from moving around and potentially cause problems or expansion of οροί cli iu esucireãdür expandable 100.

Also, in order to support the travel sleeve 128 and mitigate the 5 vibration effects after the travel sleeve 128 is axially retained, for example, the seat stop sleeve 130 and the end of the well 165 of the travel sleeve. path 128 can be retained in a stabilizer sleeve 122. Reference can also be made to figures 5 and 22. The stabilizer sleeve 122 can be attached to the inner hole 151 of the tubular body 108 and retained between a retaining ring 133 and a protective sleeve. 121, which can be maintained by the annular opening 171 in the inner hole 151 of the tubular body 108. The retaining ring 133 can be kept within an annular groove 172 in the inner hole 151 of the tubular body 108. The protective sleeve 121 can provide protection of the erosive nature of the hydraulic fluid to the tubular body 108, for example, allowing the hydraulic fluid to flow through the fluid holes 173 of the travel sleeve 128, reach the protective sleeve 121 and pass the stabilizer sleeve 122 when o the travel sleeve 128 is retained therein.

After the travel sleeve 128 travels far enough to allow the hooks 166 of the release sleeve 117 to be disengaged from the groove 167 of the tubular body 108, for example, the hooks 166 of the release sleeve 117, which can be connected to the sleeve thrust 115, they can all move towards the top of the well159. Reference can also be made to figures 5, 6 and 21. In order for the buoyant sleeve 115 to move towards the top of the well 159, the differential pressure between the inner hole 151 and the outer side 183 of the tubular body 108 caused by the flow of hydraulic fluid must be sufficient to overcome the restoring force or polarization of a spring 116, which can be any force or polarization required by a specific application. The compression spring 116 which can resist the movement of the buoyant sleeve 115 in the direction at the top of the well 159 can be retained on the outer surface 175 of the buoyant sleeve 115, for example, between a ring 113 connected in

23/48 a groove 174 of the tubular body 108 and the release sleeve 117. The thrust sleeve 115 can axially travel in the direction at the top to move beyond the upper opening of the ring 113 and beyond the protective sleeve 5 184 in the direction at the bottom of the well 157. Thrust sleeve 115 may include a seal, such as the T 138 seal, between the tubular body 108, a seal, such as the T 137 seal, between the travel sleeve 128, and a seal , such as the axial seal 141, between the travel sleeve 128 and the thrust sleeve 115.

The buoyant sleeve 115 may include in its section at the top of the well 176 a yoke 114 coupled to it, as shown in figure 6, for example. The yoke 114 (also shown in figure 16) can include three arms 177, each of which can be coupled to one of the blades 101, 102, 103, for example, by a hinge provided with a pin

178. Each arm 177 may include a formed surface suitable for expelling debris, for example, as blades 101, 102, 103 are retracted in the direction of the retracted position. The formed surface of the arms 177, in conjunction with the adjacent body cavity wall 108, may provide included angles of approximately 20 degrees, which may be preferable to dislodge or remove any heaped shale, and may additionally include surface material from below friction in such a way as to prevent adherence by formation cuts or other debris. The pin-provided hinge 178 can include a hinge 118 that attaches a blade to arm 177, where hinge 118 can be attached to the blade by a pin, such as a blade pin 119, and secured by a retaining ring 142, and the hinge 118 can be coupled to the arm 177 by a breech pin 120, which is secured by a cotter pin 144, for example. The hinge provided with pin 178 may allow the blades 101, 102, 103 to rotate rotationally around the arms 177 of the breech 114, particularly as the drive means directly transports the blades 101, 102, 103 between the extended positions and retracted. Advantageously, the actuating means, that is, the thrust sleeve 115, the yoke 114, and / or the articulation

24/48

178, can directly retract, as well as extend the blades 101, 102, 103, whereas conventional knowledge has directed the use of one part to capture hydraulic pressure to force the blade out and another part, such as a spring, to force the blades inward.

In order that the blades 101, 102, 103 can transit between the extended and retracted positions, they can each be positionally coupled to one of the blade rails 148 in the tubular body 108, as particularly shown in figures 3 and 6. Blade 101 can also be shown in figures 10-14. The blade track 148 may include a dovetail groove 179 which can axially extend along the tubular body 108, such as at an oblique slope 180 having an acute angle to the longidutinal axis L ₈ . Each of blades 101, 102, 103 may include a dovetail shield 181 that substantially matches the dovetail groove 179 of blade rail 148 in order to slide slides 101, 102 slidably , 103-to tubular body 108. When thrust sleeve 115 is influenced by hydraulic pressure, for example, blades 101, 102, 103 may extend upward and outward through a blade through hole 182 to the position extended, such as getting ready to countersink the wall of the well or formation. The blades

101, 102, 103 can be pushed along the blade rails 148 until, for example, the forward movement is stopped, such as by the tubular body 108 or the upper stabilizer block 105 which is coupled to the tubular body 108. In position up-out or fully extended, blades 101, 102, 103 can, but need not, be positioned such that the cutting elements 104 widen a borehole in the underground formation in a prescribed amount, which can be any quantity, including none. When the hydraulic pressure provided, for example, by the flow of drilling fluid through the expandable countersinking device 100 is released, the spring 116 can press the blades 101,

102, 103 through thrust sleeve 1115 and the joint provided with pin 178 for the stowed position. If the assembly is not readily retracted by the spring force, when the tool is pulled upwards onto a casing shoe, for example, the shoe may come into contact with blades 101, 102, 103, the quo being able to press or force them downwards on the rails 148, in such a way as to allow the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 to be retracted from the borehole. In this regard, the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 may include a retraction guarantee feature to further assist in removing the expandable countersinking apparatus from a borehole. The slope 180 of the blade rails 148 can be of any value, but is shown in this exemplary embodiment of the invention to be about 10 degrees, taken with respect to the longitudinal axis L ₈ of the expandable countersinking device 100. While the slope 180 of the rails of blade 148 is shown to be about ten degrees, it can vary from a greater extent to a lesser extent than that illustrated. However, the slope 180 should not be less than substantially 35 degrees, for reasons discussed below, to obtain the full benefit of this aspect of the invention. Blades 101, 102, 103, which are locked on blade rails 148 with dovetail bulkheads 181 as they are additionally driven to the extended position can allow for wider tolerances as compared to conventional hydraulic countersinks , which may require strict tolerances between the blade pistons and the tubular body to radially drive the blade pistons to their extended position. Consequently, blades 101, 102, 103, may be more robust and less likely to start or fail due to fluid blockage. In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, blades 101, 102, 103 can have a wide gap in the grooves 179 of the blade rails 148, such as a gap of 1.5875 mm (1/16 inch), more or less, between the bulkhead in the form of swallowtail 181 and the groove in the form of swallowtail 179. It should be recognized that the term swallowtail, when referring to groove 179 or bulkhead 181, is not limiting, but is directed largely towards structures in which each blade 101, 102, 103 can be retained with the body

26/48

108 of the expandable countersink device 100, while additionally allowing blades 101, 102, 103 to pass between two or more positions ¹ - - »x ..: u, - --i-ia -: 4 sn ---- x _____ x ~ iyu uuo uiiiiuo uc ιαιιιιιια — nu ouiii uuwci J kz iuà ^ üXX ^ TT ^ CTV ^ i

Advantageously, the natural reactive forces that can act on the cutters 104 on the blades 101, 102, 103 during the rotation of the expandable countersinking device 100 when engaging a formation while drilling the borehole can further help to push the blades 101, 102 , 103 in the extended outward direction, retaining them with this force in their fully outward or extended position. Drilling forces acting on the cutters 104, therefore, together with a higher pressure inside the expandable countersinking device 100 creating a pressure differential with that of the borehole external to the tool, can additionally help to retain the blades 101, 102, 103 in the extended or out position. Also, as the expandable countersink device 100 is countersinking or drilling, the fluid pressure should be reduced when the combination of the 180 slope of the blade rails 148 is, for example, sufficiently shallow, allowing reactive forces acting on cutters 104 or blades 101, 102, 103 displace the polarization effect of bias spring 116. In this regard, the application of hydraulic fluid pressure can be substantially minimized, while drilling, as a mechanical advantage can allow forces Reactives acting on cutters 104, when coupled with the substantially shallower slant 180 of rails 148, provide the reaction force required to hold blades 101, 102, 103 in their extended positions. Conventional reamers, which may have blades extending substantially laterally outward from an extension of 35 degrees or greater (referenced to the longitudinal axis), may require full, continued application of hydraulic pressure to keep the blades in one extended position. Consequently and unlike the case with conventional expandable countersinks, the blades 101, 102, 103 of the expandable countersink device 100 may tend to open, as opposed to the tendency to close, when they will be scarred.

27/48 a borehole. The direction of the free cutting force and, therefore, of the reactive force can be adjusted by changing the rear tilt, exposure and lateral tilt of the oortadoroc 104, for example, which may or may not be present, to better achieve a free tending force moving the blades

101, 102, 103 for its most complete outward extension. A similar effect can also be achieved without the use of cutters 104, as, for example, in other embodiments described here.

Another advantage of a so-called shallow rail, that is, the substantially small slope 180 having an acute angle, can be, for example, a greater efficiency of spring force retraction. The improved retraction efficiency allows improved or customized spring rates to be used to control the extent of the bias force by spring 116, such as selecting the required bias force to be overcome by hydraulic pressure to start moving or fully extending the biases. blades 101, 102, 103. Also, with improved retraction efficiency, a greater guarantee of blade retraction can be obtained, for example, when the hydraulic fluid pressure is eliminated from the expandable countersink device 100. Optionally, the spring can be preloaded when the expandable countersink apparatus 100 is in the initial or retracted position, which may allow a minimum amount of retraction force to be constantly applied.

Another advantage provided by the blade rails 148 may be the unique design of each groove in the form of dovetail 179, a groove 179 being provided to receive one of the dovetail bulkheads opposite 181 of the guides 187 on each side of the blades 101,

102, 103. In conventional expandable countersinks, each side of a movable blade may include a plurality of fins or channels to be received in the opposite channels or fins of the countersink body, respectively, where such arrangements can be highly prone to adhesion, when, for example, the blades are subjected to operational forces and pressures. In addition to the ease of extending and retracting the blade without adherence along the track 148 or on it, the unique design of the bulkhead and ra28 / 48 cooperating groove can provide structural non-adherence support for blade operation, particularly when engaging a formation while scoring for example

In addition to the upper stabilizing block 105, the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 may include an intermediate stabilizing block 106 and a lower stabilizing block 107. Optionally, the intermediate stabilizing block 106 and the lower stabilizing block 107 can be combined into a unitary stabilizing block. The stabilizer blocks 105, 106, 107 help to center the expandable countersinking device 100 in the drilling hole10 while traveling to position through a housing or an inner lining column or, for example, while drilling and countersinking the hole polling. As mentioned above, the upper stabilizer block 105 can be used to stop or limit the forward movement of the blades 101, 102, 103, which can determine the extent to which the blades 101, 102, 103 can engage a borehole while drilling. The upper stabilizer block 105, in addition to providing a rear stop to limit the lateral extension of the blades, can provide additional stability when, for example, blades 101, 102, 103 are retracted and the expandable countersink device 100 of a drill string is positioned inside a borehole in an area where an expanded borehole is not desired while the drill string is rotating.

Advantageously, the upper stabilizer block 105 can be mounted, removed and / or replaced by a technician, particularly in the field, which can allow the extent to which blades 101, 102, 103 engage the borehole to be readily enlarged or decreased to a different extent than illustrated. Optionally, it is recognized that an associated stop on one side of the block 105 rail can be adapted to control the extent to which the blades 101, 102, 103 can extend laterally, when fully positioned in the extended position along the rail tracks. blade 148. Stabilizer blocks 105, 106, 107 may include hard-faced bearing blocks (not shown),

29/48 for example, to provide a surface to come into contact with a borehole wall while stabilizing the device in the same

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□ üiuiitU Liiiiti UpVruyciU uU pUii vii viyuV.

Also, the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 may include a tungsten carbide pier 5, as shown in figure 9. The nozzles 110 are provided to cool and clean the cutting elements 104, for example, or to eliminate debris from the blades 101, 102, 103 during drilling. The nozzles 110 can include a seal, such as an O-ring seal 140, between each nozzle 110 and the tubular body 108 to provide a seal between the two components. As shown, nozzles 110 are configured to direct drilling fluid to blades 101, 102, 103 in the direction at the bottom of the well 157, but can be configured to direct the fluid laterally, towards the top of the well 159, or in any direction required by a specific application.

The expandable countersink device, or countersink, 100 is now described in terms of its operational aspects. Reference can be made to figures 17-23, in particular, and optionally to figures 1-16, as desired. The expandable countersink device 100 can be installed in a downhole assembly above a pilot drill and, if included, above or below the measurement device while drilling (MWD) and incorporated in a rotary steerable system (RSS) and system rotating closed loop (RCLS), for example. Before firing the expandable countersink device 100, the expandable countersink device 100 can be held in an initial retracted position, as shown in figure 17. For example, the travel sleeve 128 inside the expandable countersink device 100 can isolate the flow path of fluid and prevent inadvertent extension of the blades 101, 102, 103, as previously described, and can be retained by the shear assembly 150, such as with the shear screws 127 attached to the locking sleeve 124, which can be connected to the body tubular 108. As long as the travel sleeve 128 is kept in the starting position, the blade drive means can be prevented from directly driving the blades 101, 102, 103, driven by polarizing forces 30/48 or hydraulic forces. The travel glove 128 may have, at its lower end, an enlarged end piece, such as a seat stop glove 130. This larger diameter seat stop glove 130 can hold the hooks 166 of the release glove 117 in a fixed position, which can prevent thrust sleeve 115 from moving upwards under the effects of differential pressure and drive blades 101, 102,

103. Hitch hooks 166 can lock the hitch or expandable holder 168 into a groove 167 in the inner hole 151 of the tubular body 108. When it is desired to fire the expandable countersinking device 100, the flow of drilling fluid may be momentarily stopped, if required, and a ball 147, or other fluid restraining element, can be dropped on the drill string and pumped the drill fluid resumed. Ball 147 can move towards the bottom of well 157 under the influence of gravity and / or the flow of the drilling fluid, as shown in figure 18. After a short time, for example, ball 147 can reach a seat of ball locking sleeve 129, as shown in figure 19. Ball 147 can stop the flow of drilling fluid, which can cause pressure to form above it in the drill string. As the pressure is formed, the ball can be additionally seated in the cap 131 or against it, which can be made of a resilient material, such as tetratuoroethylene (TFE), or coated with it.

With reference to figure 20, at a predetermined pressure level, which can be adjusted based, for example, on the number and individual shear strengths of the shear screws 127 (formed of brass or other suitable material) initially installed in the apparatus expandable countersink 100, the shear bolts 127 may fail in the shear assembly 150, which may allow the travel sleeve 128 to be unsealed and move downward. As the travel sleeve 128 with the long end of the seat stop sleeve 130 moves downwards, the engagement hooks 166 of the unlocking sleeve 117 can be free to move inward in the direction31 / 48

smaller diameter of the travel sleeve 128 and be released from the body 108. Crv * Anrtfnrmr »ili + O 4 limo rJnn + rrí 117 can be connected to the pressure driven thrust sleeve 115 5 which can now move upwards under the influence of fluid pressure in the as the fluid can pass through the fluid orifices 173 outside placed as the travel sleeve 128 moves downwards. At As the fluid pressure is increased, the polarization force of the spring can be overcome, which can allow the thrust sleeve 115 to 10 move towards the top of well 159. Thrust sleeve 115 can be connected to breech 114 which can be connected by mounting pins and hinge 178 on the three blades 101, 102, 103, which can now be moved upward by the buoyancy sleeve 115. In the upward movement, the blades 101, 102, 103 can each follow a ramp or rail 148 in the 15 which they are mounted, through a type of groove in the form of tail -modified square swallow 179 (shown in figure 2), for example. With reference to figure 22, the course of blades 101, 102, 103 can be stopped in the fully extended position by the face pads upper stabilizer blocks 105, for example. Optionally, 20 as mentioned above, an adapted stabilizer block can be mounted on the expandable countersinker 100 prior to drilling in order to adjust and limit the extent to which blades 101, 102, 103 can be extend. With blades 101, 102, 103 in the extended position, countersinking of a borehole can begin. 25 As the countersink happens with the appliance expandable countersink 100, the lower and intermediate hard face pads 106, 107 can help to stabilize the tubular body 108, for example, in the as the cutters 104 on blades 101, 102, 103 will larger borehole and the upper hard face pads 105 also 30 can help stabilize the top of the expandable countersink 100 when blades 101, 102, 103 are in the stowed position. After the travel sleeve 128 with ball 147 moves

32/48 downwards, it can be stopped with the flow deviation or the fluid orifices 173 located above the ball 147 in the travel sleeve 128 coming out

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4W VI IUUL · UUIU-1 1 I, M UUU MM to help prevent or minimize damage from erosion of the drilling fluid flow that falls on it. The flow of drilling fluid can then continue until the downhole assembly, and the upper end of the travel sleeve 128 can be trapped, that is, locked, between the ears 163 of the locking sleeve 124 and the absorbing element. shock 125 of the sealing sleeve 126 and the lower end of the travel sleeve 128 can be laterally stabilized by the stabilizer sleeve 122.

When the drilling fluid pressure is released, spring 116 can assist in driving release sleeve 117 and thrust sleeve 115 with connected blades 101, 102, 103 back down and in substantially to their original position or starting to the stowed position, see figure 23. However, once the travel sleeve 128 has moved to a locked down position, the larger diameter seat stop sleeve 130 can no longer retain the hooks 166 outside and in the groove 167, with the coupling or unlocking sleeve 117 disengaged and subjected to pressure differentials for subsequent operation or activation.

Whenever the flow of drilling fluid is re-established in the drill pipe and through the expandable countersinking device 100, the thrust sleeve 115 with yoke 114 and blades 101, 102, 103 can move upward with blades 101, 102, 103 following ramps or rails

148 to again cut or countersink the prescribed diameter in a borehole. Whenever the flow of drilling fluid is interrupted, that is, the differential pressure falls below the restoring force of spring 116, blades 101, 102, 103 can be retracted, as described above, through spring 116

In aspects of the invention, the expandable countersink device

100 can overcome disadvantages of conventional countersinks. For example, a conventional hydraulic countersink may have used

33/48 inside the tool to apply force against the cutter pistons that moved radially outward. It is felt by some that the nature of the punching porp-iitiij rii fnrçoc Hopolir> hoHç> g inrlinoceQi-n o yrri would lose the pistons, preventing the springs from retracting them. With the provision of the expandable countersinking device 100 which slides each blade upwards on a relatively shallow angled ramp, greater drilling forces can be used to open and extend the blades to a maximum position while transferring forces through the wedge stop. upper hard face without any damage to it and subsequently10 allowing the spring to retract the blades thereafter without jamming or tilting.

The expandable countersink device 100 may include blades which, if not retracted by the spring, can be pushed down the rail ramp through contact with the borehole wall, for example, or the housing, which may allow the expandable countersink device 100 is pulled through the housing, providing a type of fail-safe function. The expandable countersink device 100 may or may not be sealed around the blades, but does not require seals on it, such as the high cost or adapted seals used in some conventional expandable countersinks.

The expandable countersink apparatus 100 may include free spans ranging from ‘approximately 0.254 mm (0.010 of an inch) to 0.0762 mm (0.0030 of an inch), for example, between adjacent parts having dynamic seals between them. Dynamic seals can all be conventional circular seals, or they can be adapted seals, or any type of seal required by a specific application. In addition, the sliding mechanism or drive means, which may include the blades on the rails, may include free spans ranging from about 1.27 mm (0.050 of an inch) to about 0.254 mm (0.0100 of an inch), particularly around portions of swallowtail, for example. Free spans in the expandable countersink device, blades and rails can vary up to a point somewhat greater or less than

34/48 that indicated here. The free spans and greater tolerances of the parts of the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 can promote the ease of operation, rnHii-yido rl onr ^ rAnpin miipono r \ f \ r particulate in the drilling fluid and formation debris cut from the borehole wall, for example.

Additional aspects of the expandable countersink device 100 are now provided:

The blade 101 can be held in place along the rail 148 (shown in figure 2) by guides 187. The blade 101 can include corresponding guides 187, as shown in figures 10-14, for example. Each guide 187 can be comprised of a single bulkhead 108 oppositely located on each side of the block 101 and can include a theta angle that can be selected to prevent adherence with the corresponding guides of the rail 148 or for another purpose required by a specific application. The included theta angle of the bulkheads 181 of the blade 101 in this embodiment can be about 30 degrees, for example, such that the blade 101 can be prone to move away from the rail 148 in the body 108 or provide a free span around when, for example, subjected to hydraulic pressure.

Blades 101, 102, 103 can be connected by a breech 114 with the hinge assembly, as described here, which can allow blades 101, 102, 103 to move upward and radially outward along the 10 ramp degrees, in this embodiment of the invention, insofar as the actuation means, i.e., the yoke 114 and the thrust sleeve 115, move axially upwards. The link of the hinge assembly can, but does not need to be provided with a pin either in the blocks or in the breech in a similar manner. The hinge assembly, in addition to allowing the drive medium to directly extend and retract the blades 101, 102, 103 substantially in the longitudinal or axial direction, can allow the extension upward and radially outward of the blades 101, 102, 103 with rotation through an angle, which can be any angle, approximately 48 degrees in this embodiment of the invention, during direct action 35/48 of the drive means and blades 101, 102, 103.

In the event that blades 101, 102, 103 somehow do not

-move back at the break of the blade 148 under the polarization force of the retraction spring 116, then the expandable countersinking device 100 is pulled from the borehole, the contact with the borehole wall can hit the blades 101, 102, 103 at the 180 inclination of the rails 148. If necessary, the blades 101, 102, 103 of the expandable countersinking device 100 can be pulled against the housing, which can push the blades 101, 102, 103 101, 102, 103 additionally back to the stowed position, which can allow access and removal of the expandable countersinking device 100 through the housing. In other embodiments of the invention, the travel sleeve can be sealed to prevent fluid flow out of the tool through the blade through holes 192, and, after firing, the seal can be maintained.

The nozzles 110, as mentioned above, can be directed in the flow direction through the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 from inside the tubular body 108 downwards and out radially to the annular crown between the tubular body 108 and a borehole. Directing the nozzles 110 in such a downward direction can cause the counter flow as the flow exits the nozzle and mixes with the annular mobile counter flow that returns to the borehole and can improve cleaning and removal of cuts. Nozzles 110 can be driven on blade cutters 101, 102, 103 for maximum cleaning, and can be directionally optimized using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis.

The expandable countersink device 100 can include a protective threaded connector 109, such as the one shown in figure 4, which can be connected to the lower housing connection of countersink body 108. With the possibility of body 108 being a one-piece design , the protective threaded connector 109 allows the connection between the two to be more resistant (with a higher compounding torque) than a conventional two-piece tool with an upper and lower connection.

36/48

The protective threaded connector 109, although not required, provides a more efficient connection to other downhole equipment or tools. Air - »/ ~ l« ~ »r \ i ilron rJo r» 1K r> rO -> rnoHr \ r nvnn r »o í \ í / -d d ΠΠ are now provided: 5 The shear bolts 127 of the shear assembly 150, which retain the travel sleeve 128 and the locking sleeve 124 in the initial position, can be used to provide or create a trip, being released when the pressure is formed at a predetermined value, which can be any value. The predetermined value at which the shear bolts 10 shearing under drilling flow pressure within the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 may preferably be 6.89 MPa, (1000 psi) for example, or even 13, 79 MPa (2000 psi). It is recognized that the pressure can vary to a greater or lesser extent than that presented here to fire the expandable countersink device 100. Optionally, it is 15 It is known that a high pressure at which the shear bolts 127 shear can be provided to allow the spring element 116 conditionally configured and pressed to a greater extent than in order to additionally provide the desired blade retention guarantee with the release of hydraulic fluid. Optionally, one or more blades 101, 20 102, 103 can be replaced by stabilizer blocks presenting guides and bulkheads, as described here, to be received in the slots 179 of the rail 148 in the expandable countersink device 100, which can be used as the expandable concentric stabilizer instead of a countersink, which can additionally be used on a drill string with 25 other concentric countersinks or eccentric countersinks. Alternative- in particular, one or more blades 101, 102, 103 may include one or more roller elements, as will be further described below. Optionally, blades 101, 102, 103 can each include which, a row or three or more rows of cutting elements 104 instead 30 of the two rows of dimension elements 140, shown in figure 2. Advantageously, two or more rows of cutting elements help to prolong the blades 101, 102, 103, particularly when drilling in

37/48 hard formations. Blades 101, 102, 103 can include any of the above elements, either singly or in combination, as required by a

-cooperative application .—------------—

Figure 24 shows a cross-sectional view of a rendering of an expandable countersinking device 10 showing a measuring device 20 according to another embodiment of the invention. The measuring device 20 can provide an indication of the distance between the expandable reamer 10 and a borehole wall that is drilled, which can allow a determination to be made as to the extent to which the expandable reamer 10 can widen a borehole. As shown, the measuring device 20 can be mounted on the tubular body 108 generally in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L ₈ of the expandable countersinking device 10. The measuring device 20 can be coupled to a communication line 30 which extends through a tubular body 108 of the expandable reamer 10 that can include an end connection 40 to the upper end 191 of the expandable reamer 10. End connection 40 can be configured for connection compatibility with specific or specialized equipment, such as a subassembly of Communication

MWD. The communication line 30 can also be used to supply power to the measuring device 20. The measuring device 20 can be configured to detect, analyze and / or determine the size of the borehole, or it can be used simply to detect at which the size of a borehole can be analyzed or determined by other equipment, as understood by one skilled in the MWD technique, thus providing a substantially accurate determination of a borehole size. The measuring device 20 may become instrumental in determining when the expandable countersinking device 10 is not drilling in its intended diameter, allowing re-medial measurements to be taken than drilling for prolonged durations or thousands of meters to bore a borehole that it may then have to be countersunk again.

38/48

The measuring device 20 may be part of a nuclear-based measurement system, as described in US Patent No. 5,175,429, jjujuujuji <- / uuiiuu, vi uuuvi lyuu uu i ^ uui v »iuiuii i ii ^ i nu ii iuvji pui uum i4V | Ui pru reference, and is assigned to the assignee of the invention described here. The measuring device 20 can also include sonic gauges, proximity sensors, or other suitable sensors to determine a distance between a borehole wall and the expandable countersinker 10. Optionally, the measuring device 20 can be configured, mounted and used to determine the position of the movable blades and / or support wedges of the expandable countersinking apparatus 20, where the minimum countersinking bore diameter can be deduced from such measurements. Similarly, a measuring device can be positioned inside the movable blade so as to be in contact with the formation in the borehole wall or close to the formation in the borehole wall, such as when the mobile blade is driven to its extension more external.

Figure 25 shows a cross-sectional view of a movement limiting element 210 for use with an expandable countersinking device 200 to limit the extent to which the blades can extend outwardly. As discussed above with respect to blocks 105 including a rear stop to limit the extent to which the blades can extend upward and outward along the blade tracks, the movement limiting element 210 can be used to limit the extent in the drive means, i.e., the thrust sleeve 115, can extend towards the top of the axial well 159. The movement limiting element 210 may have a cylindrical sleeve body 212 positioned between an outer surface of the thrust sleeve 115 and the inner hole 151 of the tubular body 108. As shown, the spring 116 can be located between the movement limitation element 210 and the tubular body 108 while a base end 211 of the movement limitation element 210 is retentively retained between the spring 116 and the retaining ring 113. When the thrust sleeve 115 is subjected to movement, for example, such as by hydraulic fluid pressure, as described above, the

39/48

spring 116 can compress in the direction at the top of well 159 until that, for example, its movement is controlled by the limiting element —Motion movement 210 quo & spring 116 and thrust sleeve 1T5- 5 additionally be moved in the direction at the top of well 159. In this respect, the blades of the expandable countersinking device 200 can prevented from extending beyond the limit established by the element 10 movement limitation 210. As shown in figure 26, another limiting element of movement 220 for use with an expandable countersink device 200 can be configured with a spring box body 222 having an open cylindrical section 223 and a base end 221. A portion of the spring 226 can be contained within the open cylindrical section 223 of the spring box 222 with base end 221 resting between the spring 116 and an upper end of the unlocking sleeve 117. The movement 15 The spring 116 and thrust sleeve 115 can be controlled, for example, when the body of the spring box 222 is extended to the incident contact with the retaining ring 113 or a protrusion or opening 188 located in the inner hole 151 of the body tubular 108. 20 While the movement limitation members 210 and 220 (shown in figures 25 and 26) are generally described as being cylindrical, they can have other shapes and configurations, for example, a pedestal, a leg or an elongated segment, without limitation. In a sense very wide, the movement limiting element can allow the extent of axial movement to be controlled to varying degrees for a variety 25 application uses, particularly when different drill bits have to be countersunk with an expanded countersink device 30 common level requiring only minor modifications to it. In other embodiments, the movement limitation members 210 or 220 can be simple structures to limit the extension in which the actuation means can be extended to limit the movement of the blades. For example, a movement limitation element can be a cylinder that floats within the space between the outer surface of the

40/48 buoyancy 115 and the inner hole 151 of the tubular body 108 or between spring 116 and buoyancy sleeve 115 or spring 116 and tubular body 108, for example.

with reference to figures 1-23, it can provide a robust drive of the 5 blades 101, 102, 103 along the same non-stick path (in the other direction), which can be a substantial improvement over conventional countersinks with an integral piston to the blades of them to accumulate hydraulic pressure to operate it externally and thus require a differently located force mechanism, such as springs to retract the blades back inward. In this regard, the expandable countersinking apparatus may include an activation means, that is, the hinge assembly, the breech, the thrust sleeve, and / or other components to be the same components to extend and retract the blades, allowing the driving force moves the blades to be accommodated along the same path, but in opposite directions. With conventional countersinks, the actuation force to extend the blades may not be guaranteed to be lodged in exactly the opposite directions and at least not along the same path, which can increase the likelihood of adherence. The expandable countersink apparatus described here can overcome the deficiencies associated with conventional countersinks.

In another aspect of the invention, the expandable countersinking device 100 drives the drive means, that is, the thrust sleeve, axially in a first direction, while forcing the blades to move to the extended position (the blades being directly coupled to the glove em25 pull for a breech and articulation assembly). In the opposite direction, the thrust sleeve directly retracts the blades by pulling, through the breech and hinge assembly. In this way, activation can provide a direct extension and retraction of the blades, regardless of the polarization force or hydraulic fluid, as conventionally provided.

Additional embodiments of the expandable countersink device

100 will now be described, where elements common to those embodiments described above will maintain the same numbering. As mentioned

41/48 above, the countersink 100 can include one or more countersink components coupled to one or more of the blades 101, 102, 103. While some countersink components can be configured to cut or remove material from the borehole, there is no need of this. Alternatively, countersinking components can be configured to countersink the borehole without removing material, removing very little material, or as another example, coming into contact with the borehole wall only as required to center or stabilize the equipment. according to a specific application, which may or may not include cutting, drilling, or other reaming processes, constantly, intermittently, collectively or otherwise. The embodiments described below function largely as those described above, the mechanics of the various embodiments being similar or identical, except as otherwise expressly stated, subtly or otherwise. For the sake of efficiency and clarity, each structure or function pertaining to each embodiment will not be repeated below where that structure or function was described above, although references to the figures above may be made from time to time in order to fully describe the inventions here.

Figure 27 illustrates one of many embodiments of the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 featuring rolling elements and using certain aspects of the present invention. Unless otherwise indicated, the embodiment of figure 27 generally operates in the same manner as those embodiments described above, where the differences are described in greater detail below. Blades 101, 102, 103 (103n is not shown in figure 27) of countersink 100 can include rolling elements, such as roller countersink elements 202, 204. Each blade 101, 102 can include any number of roller elements 202, 204, and can preferably include one per blade. Each blade 101, 102 may, but need not, include one or more roller elements 202, 204 individually, or together with one or more other countersinking components required by a specific application, such as, for example, one or more elements

42/48 cutters, such as PDC 206 cutters. Each cutter element 202, 204 may include a body, such as cutter body 208, which may preferably be cylindrical, but which could be any application. specific. The rocker body 206 can be formed of any material, such as a composite material, but it can preferably be formed of steel. The roller body 206 may be smooth, contoured, textured or otherwise configured for countersinking, such as having inserts, for example, one or more tungsten carbide 210 buttons, or other inserts required by a specific application. Each roiete element

202, 204 can be coupled to a blade 101, 102 so that at least a portion of the rod element, or an element attached to it, can extend radially outwardly with respect to the radially outermost surface 212 of the associated blade 101, 102. For example, the rod elements 202, 204 can be coupled in such a way that they define the outermost, or expanded, diameter of the countersink 100, when the countersink 100 is in the expanded state (corresponding to a retracted diameter), so to come into contact with the well during countersinking, constantly, intermittently or otherwise.

Figure 28 illustrates another of many embodiments of the expandable countersink apparatus 100 featuring rolling elements and using certain aspects of the present invention. Each rod element 202 can be coupled to a blade 101 in any manner required by a specific application and can preferably be rotatably coupled to it. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of figure 28, which is one of many, the rod element 202 may be disposed within the blade body 101, in whole or in part. For example, the rod body 208 can be coupled to the shaft 214 and the combination thereof can be attached to the blade 101, such as rod holders 216, for example. Rod holder plates 218 can be attached to blade 101, for example, to hold rod holder 202 in place. While the retaining plates 218 are shown to include holes for coupling purposes, such as for screws or bolts (not shown), it will be understood that the roller element 202 can be coupled in any manner required by a specific application, such as, for example, by welding, friction, fixing uu quciiquei iiiéiuuu. AuiCiüliâhiieiile, u eieiιιθιliu de lüieíe 202 puue sei attached to the blade 101 to be easily removable or replaceable, although there is no need for it. Roller element 202 can be any size with respect to the size of block 101 or hole 217 in block 101 to receive roller element 202. For example, the receptacle or hole

217 may be large enough to allow roller element 202 to rotate in it, which may include inserts 210. As another example, roller element 10 may be substantially smaller than hole 217, or of any size, as required by a specific application. While one or more exemplary embodiments may use roller elements 202 having diameters such as 25.4 mm (one inch), 50.8 mm (two inches) or, as another example, 76.2 mm (three inches15), each roller element can be larger or smaller than this size, or any size in between. One skilled in the art will understand that each roller element 202 can be any size required by a specific application and that, while each roller element 202 can be the same size in a specific application, there is no need for it, the size may vary between one or more roller elements 202.

Referring to Figure 28, each roller element 202 may include one or more bearings, such as roller bearings 220, for rotation about the longitudinal axis of roller shaft 214. For example, roller element 202 may include a bearing 220 at each end, which can be coupled to shaft 214, as shown in figure 27 as an example, or which can be coupled in any way that allows roller element 202 to rotate with respect to blade 101. Like other examples, bearings 220 can be coupled to or near receptacles 216 or between shaft 214 and roller body 208, in such a way as to allow roller body 208 to rotate about shaft 214 while shaft 214 remains substantially static. While the bearings 220 consider the rotation in the radial direction, the roller element 202 can, but does not

44/48 need to include one or more bearings considering the axial direction, such as thrust bearing 220, singly or in combination with one or more radial bearings. For example, as countersink 100 moves up or down the shaft, the roller element 202 can be forced 5 towards the top of the shaft or at the bottom of the shaft and the thrust bearings, such as the thrust bearing 222, which can reduce the friction between the roller element 202 and the blade 101, for example. It will be understood that thrust bearing 222 is shown in figure 28 for exemplary purposes only and that any bearing can be used, as required by a specific application, separately or in conjunction with other components on the rotation support, such as lubricants or shims. copper and beryllium, for example.

Figure 29 illustrates one of the many embodiments of an expandable countersinking device 100 having a blade 101 having a roller element 202 and using certain aspects of the present invention. As discussed above, the blade 101 can have a roller element 202 coupled to it, which can include a shaft 214, a roller body 208, and / or other countersinking components. Roller element 202 can be coupled, for example, to slots in blade 101, which can include coupling retaining plates 218 to block 101 to hold roller element 202 in position, such as parallel to the shaft axis, parallel or angled with respect to the outer surface of the block or the rail on which the block slides, or in any position required by a specific application. Retaining plates 218 may, but need not, include holes 224, such as for screws, bolts, or pins (not shown) or may alternatively be coupled in any manner required by a specific application, for example, as described above. In addition, the roller element 202 may include rotational support components, such as, for example, bearings, which may include rotation in any direction, such as radially or longitudinally. As examples, bearings can be placed between the roller body 208 and the retaining plates 218, between the shaft 214 and the blade 101, between the roller body 208 and the shaft 214, or in

45/48 any location, singly or in combination, as will be understood in the art. Three roller bearings 226 are shown in figure 29 for illustrative purposes only and one skilled in the art will understand that the bearings can be of any type or size required by a specific application and they can be coupled in any location and in any way. As examples, bearings 226 or 222 (figure 28) can be ball bearings, roller bearings, thrust ball bearings, deep groove ball bearings, or any type of bearings, formed from any material, which may allow movement low friction or other movement required by a specific application.

Fig. 30 illustrates another of the many characteristics of an expandable reamer 100 having a blade 101 having an angled roller element 202 and using certain aspects of the present invention. While the roller element 202 is shown to be substantially parallel with the radially outermost surface of the blade - 101, there is no need for this. As shown in figure 20, the roller element 202 can be bent from the outer surface of the blade 101, or not parallel to it, or as another example, from the longitudinal axis of the well, such as by an angle a, to countersink a drilling hole, as required by a specific application. In such an embodiment, which is one of many, borehole countersinking may, but need not, include ballasting or the removal of a certain amount of material from the borehole wall during operations. The angle of deviation α from the longitudinal axis of the well can be chosen based on any number of factors, including, but not limited to the borehole diameters before or after countersinking, and how much, if any, material can be roughed out or removed or, as another example, the aggressiveness of the outer surface configuration of the roller body 208, which may, but need not, include one or more inserts 210. As mentioned above with respect to one or more other embodiments, the roller 202 may include one or more bearings, such as, for example, thrust bearing 228, which can operate alone or in conjunction with

46/48 other bearings to support the rotation of one or more components of the roller element 202 and which can be coupled, for example, to each ex tr ^ míHaH ^ Hn plpmpntn Hp rnlptft? 0? or nourish location, as required by a specific application.

Figure 31 illustrates another of the many embodiments of the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 showing roller elements 202, 204, 205 and using certain aspects of the present invention. Similar to the description in figure 2 above, figure 31 shows the blades 101, 102, 103 showing roller elements 202, 204 and 205, respectively, where the blade 101 is shown in the outward or extended position. Blades 102 and 103 are shown in two of the many stowed positions. For example, blade 102 shows a retracted position where one or more inserts 210, in whole or in part, and at least a portion, such as the outer surface, of roller body 208 of roller element 204 extends beyond the portion radially15 outermost body of blade 102. As another example, blade 103 shows another retracted position where at least a portion of one or more inserts 210 extends beyond the radially outermost portion of the body of blade 103, but where the body roller element 208 of roller element 205 remains radially within the blade body 103. In the embodiment of roller element 204, for example, both roller body 208 and one or more inserts 210 may come into contact with the hole wall drilling during countersinking operations. On the other hand, in the embodiment of the roller element 205, one or more inserts 210, in whole or in part, may come into contact with the borehole wall during countersinking operations, but the roller body 208 may not enter in contact with the borehole wall because the outer surface of the roller body 208 can be arranged radially within the outermost portions of the blade body 103. As mentioned above with reference to figure 2, the expandable countersinker 100 can, but need not, be configured in such a way that the outermost radial or lateral extension of each of the blades 101, 102, 103 is lowered into the tubular body 108, when in the initial or retracted positions, so as not to

47/48 can extend beyond the greater extension of the outer diameter of the tubular body 108. Such an arrangement can protect the blades 101, 102, 103 insofar as the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 is disposed within a borehole housing, and may allow the expandable countersinking apparatus 100 to pass through such a housing into a borehole. In other embodiments, the outermost radial extent of blades 101, 102, 103 including their respective roller elements 202, 204, 205 may coincide with or slightly extend beyond the outer diameter of tubular body 108. As illustrated by blade 101, the blades can extend beyond the outer diameter of the tubular body 108, when in the extended position, to engage the borehole walls in a countersinking operation. As illustrated by blades 102 and 103, blades can, but need not, extend beyond the outer diameter of the tubular body 108, when in one or more retracted positions, in such a way as to engage the walls of a borehole during operations countersinking. For example, a specific application, one of many, may require that two different borehole diameters be countersunk, in the same well or in different wells. Consequently, blades 101, 102, 103 having roller elements 202, 204, 205 may define a first countersinking diameter, which may be larger or smaller than the outer diameter of the tubular body 108, in the retracted position, and may define a second countersink diameter, such as a larger diameter, when countersink 100 is manipulated to the expanded position. As an example, a first countersink diameter, such as when blades 101, 102, 103 are retracted, may be about 269.875 mm (10 5/8 inches), and a second countersink diameter, such as when blades 101, 102, 103 are expanded, it may be about 311.15 mm (12 1/4 inches). One skilled in the art will understand that the countersink diameters can be any diameter required by a specific application, whether larger or smaller than those diameters discussed here.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Consequently, it is intended that the invention be used in ^{conjunction with the} attached claims and their legal equivalents.

Additional embodiments using one or more aspects of the inventions described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of the Applicant's invention. For example, each blade can include cutters, stabilizing components, roller elements, or other components, in any combination. In addition, the various methods and embodiments of the expandable reamer can be included in mutual combination to produce variations of the described methods and embodiments. The discussion of singular elements can include plural elements and vice versa.

The order of the steps may occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described here can be combined with other steps, interspersed with the mentioned steps, and / or divided into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been functionally described and can be realized as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions.

The inventions have been described in the context of preferred embodiments and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Modifications and obvious changes to the described embodiments are available to those skilled in the art. The described and non-described embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived by the Claimants, but instead, in accordance with patent laws, the Claimants intend to fully protect all these modifications and improvements that fall within the scope or equivalent range of the following claims.

1/7

Claims (4)

1/24 1. Expandable countersink device (100) for countersinking a hole = - = ——-— of the cond? Gcm in '.' ^mQ r ^ rmaçãn qi iht ^ rrânpa characterized by comoreender: 5 a tubular body (108) having a longitudinal axis, an inner hole, an outer surface, a plurality of upward and outward sloping rails within the tubular body (108) between the inner hole and the outer surface at an acute angle the longitudinal axis; a drilling fluid flow path extending 10 through the tubular body (108) to conduct a drilling fluid therethrough; a plurality of blades (101, 102, 103) circumferentially spaced and extending, in general, radially and longitudinally, each blade slidably engaged with a rail of the plurality of rails, leading to at least one roller element in it and movable along its associated rail between an extended position and a stowed position; and a drive structure positioned inside the tubular body (108) and configured to directly move the blades (101, 102, 103) on the tracks in opposite directions responsive to pressure 20 of the drilling fluid within the flow path and an opposing force. 2/24 2/7 4. Expandable countersinking device (100), according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the polarizing force is effected by a pui uiTiü C3trüturQ uC spring. —— 5. Expandable countersinking device (100), according to rei5 vindication 1, characterized by the fact that the drive structure is selectively operable responsive to the pressure of drilling fluid inside the internal hole. 6. Expandable countersink device (100), according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the at least one element of 10 roller defines a countersinking radially outer diameter of the countersink, when the blade leading the roller element is in one or more positions. 7. Expandable countersink device (100), according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises: 15 an axially extending travel sleeve within the tubular body (108) and having a reduced orifice in cross-sectional area responsive to the presence of a restricting element to develop axial force with the drive structure responsive to the drilling fluid flowing through of the same; 20 in which an initial position of the travel sleeve prevents the drive structure from moving the blades (101, 102, 103) beyond the starting position and protects the drive structure from the pressure of the drilling fluid within the inner hole; and a shot position of the travel sleeve that allows the 25 drilling fluid communicates with the drive structure to directly move the blades (101, 102, 103) on the rails. 8. Expandable countersinking device (100) according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the restraining element comprises a sphere dimensioned and configured to engage the 30 travel on a complementarily dimensioned seating surface and configured to substantially prevent the flow of drilling fluid through it and cause the travel sleeve to shift within the 2. Expandable countersinking device (100) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the force is a polarizing force provided by a structure oriented substantially in line with the longitudinal axis and in contact with the drive structure to retain at 25 blades (101, 102, 103) in a stowed position on the rails with force, the stowed position corresponding to no more than an initial diameter of the expandable countersinking device (100). 3/7 expandable countersink to a position that allows communication between the drilling fluid inside the inner hole and the drive structure. vindication 1, characterized by the fact that an extended position plus the outer 5 of the movable blades (101, 102, 103) is adjustable. 10. Expandable countersinking device (100) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises a replaceable stabilization block disposed near a longitudinal end of the tracks to limit the extent of movement out of the blades10 (101, 102, 103) furniture in it. 11. Expandable countersinking device (100) for countersinking a borehole in an underground formation, characterized by comprising: a tubular body (108) having a longitudinal axis, an external surface, and a rail inside the tubular body (108), the inclined rail 15 up and out at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis; a drilling fluid flow path extending through an internal hole in the tubular body (108); a blade having at least one roller element configured to remove material from an underground formation during countersinking and slidably coupled to the rail; a buoyant sleeve disposed inside the inner hole of the tubular body (108) and directly coupled to the blade, the buoyant sleeve configured to move axially upwards responsive to a pressure of _______ drilling fluid that passes through the inner hole to extend the blade to 25 along the rail; and a travel sleeve coupled to an internal hole of the travel sleeve and configured to selectively allow communication of the drilling fluid that passes through the internal hole with the thrust sleeve to effect axial movement thereof and to secure the thrust sleeve. in 30 an initial position before moving it. 12. Expandable countersink device (100) according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises It is a compression spring arranged inside the inner hole of the tubular body (108) and in contact with the buoyancy sleeve to polarize the buoyancy sleeve 11 ^ 1 I í nr-ι ».« - ιιΊ ι '! Ί- ίίΡιΙΓι ρη ^ ίΡιΓί ** ^r ' * t ^l O'd ⁿ . 13. Expandable countersinking device (100), according to rei5 vindication 11, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises a movement limiting element coupled between the tubular body (108) and the thrust sleeve to limit an extension of the axial movement of the buoyancy sleeve. 14. Expandable countersinking device (100) for countersinking a borehole 10 in an underground formation, characterized by comprising: a tubular body (108) having a longitudinal axis and at least one rail within a wall of the tubular body (108) tilted up and out at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis; a drilling fluid flow path that extends through an internal hole in the tubular body (108); at least one blade having at least one roller element configured to bore an underground formation, to at least one slide slidably coupled to at least one track; a thrust sleeve disposed within the inner hole of the tubular body 20 (108) and directly coupled to at least one blade, the thrust sleeve configured to move axially upwards responsive to a pressure from the drilling fluid that passes through the inner hole to extend at least one blade along the track; a longitudinal polarization element disposed inside the hole 25 inside the tubular body (108) and in contact with the buoyancy sleeve; and a movement limiting element coupled between the tubular body (108) and the thrust sleeve to limit an extent of axial movement of the pressure responsive thrust sleeve. 15. Expandable countersinking device (100), according to rei30 vindication 14, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises a path sleeve coupled to an internal hole of the buoyancy sleeve to selectively allow the communication of the drilling fluid that passes to 5 / 7 through the inner hole with the thrust sleeve to make the axial movement in it and configured to positionally secure the thrust sleeve --- V ™? pecjç? O ÍNÍC ?? J?.!? ♦ ?? ^Hri rnr. \ / Im ^ ntn the same_ ₌₌₌₌₌ 16. Expandable countersinking device (100), according to rei5 vindication 14, characterized by the fact that the movement limiting element fluctuates with the movement of the polarizing element while limiting the extent of axial movement of the buoyant uva. 17. Expandable reamer for countersinking a borehole in an underground formation, characterized by comprising: 10 a body having a longitudinal axis; a drilling fluid flow path extending through the body to conduct the drilling fluid therethrough; a plurality of blades (101, 102, 103) driven by the body at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, each blade 15 showing at least one roller element coupled to it; and an actuator positioned within the body and configured to directly drive the plurality of blades (101, 102, 103) between an extended position and a retracted position in response to a pressure provided by the drilling fluid within the flow path and a force 20 opposite. 18. Expandable reamer, according to claim 17, characterized in that it additionally comprises at least one polarization element coupled to the actuator to provide the opposing force and additionally include structure to selectively limit movement 25 of the plurality of blades (101, 102, 103) in addition to an outermost extended position corresponding to an expanded diameter of the expandable countersinking apparatus (100). 19. Expandable reamer, according to claim 18, characterized by the fact that each roller element is an 30 cylindrical roller coupled to the corresponding blade so that at least a portion of each element of the plurality of roller elements collectively defines the expanded diameter so that each roller element 6/7 rotate around its longitudinal axis, when the roller element comes into contact with the borehole wall while the countersink is = 8 ^ = ^ 20. Expandable reamer according to claim 17, 5 characterized by the fact that the retracted position corresponds to a retracted diameter and in which each roller element is a cylindrical roller element coupled to the corresponding blade so that at least a portion of each element of the plurality of roller elements collectively define the retracted diameter so that each roller element rotates around its 10 longitudinal axis, when the roller element comes into contact with the borehole wall while the countersink is in the stowed position. 21. Expandable countersink, according to claim 17, characterized in that the longitudinal axis of the roller element is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the well hole during countersinking. 15 22. Expandable reamer, according to claim 17, characterized in that the longitudinal axis of the roller element is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the well hole during countersinking. 23. Expandable reamer, according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that the outer surface of the roller element is 20 smooth. 24. Expandable reamer, according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that the outer surface of the roller element has inserts coupled to it. 25. Expandable reamer according to claim 17, 25 characterized by the fact that at least one roller element has an external surface having a plurality of inserts coupled to it, and in which the roller element is coupled to the blade in a way that at least a portion of an insert from the plurality of inserts comes into contact with the well bore during countersinking. 30 26. Expandable reamer, according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that at least one roller element has an external surface presenting a plurality of coupled inserts 7/7 thereto, and where the roller element is coupled to the blade so that at least one insert of the plurality of inserts and at least a portion of the outer surface of the roller element comes into contact with the well bore during countersinking. 5 27. Roller countersink blade for an expandable countersink for countersinking a well hole, characterized by comprising: a block with an external surface, a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the well hole, and a structure to slide the block into an expandable reamer 10 minus a rail for arranging a blade in a retracted position, an expanded position, or any position between them; a roller element having a cylindrical roller body coupled to an axis, the roller element having an external countersinking surface and a longitudinal axis of rotation; and 15 in which the roller element is pivotally coupled to the block so that at least a portion of the countersinking surface protrudes beyond the outer surface of the block. 28. Roller countersink blade according to claim 27, characterized by the fact that the longitudinal axis of the 20 roller is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the block. 29. Roller countersink blade according to claim 27, characterized in that the longitudinal axis of the roller element is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the block. 30. Roller countersink blade according to claim 27, characterized in that the countersink surface comprises a plurality of inserts coupled thereto. 31. Roller countersink blade according to claim 30, characterized in that the portion of the countersinking surface that protrudes beyond the outer surface of the block consists only of 30 in at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of inserts. 3. Expandable countersink device (100), according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises 30 structure to selectively limit the movement of the blades (101, 102, 103) along the rails in addition to an extended position corresponding to an expanded diameter of the expandable countersinker (100). 4/24 s