Devices and methods for conveying a tool along a wellbore

Abstract

An apparatus for flowing a tool string along a wellbore tubular includes a flow restrictor having a diametrically expanded position and a diametrically retracted position. The flow restrictor sealingly engages the wellbore tubular when in the diametrically expanded position. The apparatus also includes a joint connected to the flow restrictor. The joint actuates the flow restrictor between the expanded position to the retracted position while moving between an open and a closed position.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for flowing a tool string along a wellbore tubular, comprising:
 a flow restrictor having a diametrically expanded position and a diametrically retracted position, wherein the flow restrictor sealingly engages the wellbore tubular when in the diametrically expanded position; and   a joint connected to the flow restrictor, the joint actuating the flow restrictor between the expanded position and the retracted position while moving between an open and a closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flow restrictor expands to engage an inner surface of the wellbore tubular in response to a pressure applied by a fluid flowing in the wellbore tubular. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the joint moves between the open position and the closed position in response to a preset value of applied tension; and further comprising a conveyance device connected to the joint, the conveyance device being configured to apply at least the preset value of the applied tension to the joint. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the conveyance device is one of: (i) a wireline, (ii) a slickline, and (iii) an e-line. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the joint includes a first section in sliding engagement with a second section, and further comprising at least one link having an end connected to the first section, wherein the at least one link radially rotates when the first section moves relative to the second section. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the flow restrictor includes a support and a ring slidably disposed on the body, the ring being connected to one of: (i) the at least one link, and (ii) the first section of the slip joint. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the flow restrictor further includes at least one radially projecting petal coupled to the support, wherein the ring slides over the at least one radially projecting petal when the joint moves between the open and the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the flow restrictor further includes a sail coupled to the support, wherein the ring slides over the sail when the joint moves between the open and the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the flow restrictor includes a shell enclosing the at least one link. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the joint includes a first section in sliding engagement with a second section, wherein the flow restrictor includes a bellows having an upper end connected to the first section of the slip joint and a lower end connected to the second section of the slip joint, and wherein the bellows diametrically expands when the first section of the slip joint slides toward the second section of the slip joint. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a liner lining the flow restrictor, the liner being coupled to the joint, wherein the joint extracts the liner from the flow restrictor while moving from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         12 . A method for flowing a tool string along a wellbore tubular, comprising:
 disposing a flow restrictor and the tool string into the wellbore tubular, wherein the flow restrictor has a diametrically expanded position and a diametrically retracted position;   pumping fluid into the wellbore tubular;   propelling the flow restrictor and the tool string through the wellbore by sealingly engaging a surface of the wellbore tubular with the flow restrictor in the diametrically expanded position;   actuating the flow restrictor from the expanded position to the retracted position by applying a tension force on a joint connected to the flow restrictor; and   retrieving the flow restrictor from the wellbore tubular while the flow restrictor is in the retracted position.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising expanding the flow restrictor to engage an inner surface of the wellbore tubular using a pressure applied by the fluid flowing in the wellbore tubular. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising connecting a conveyance device to the joint, and using the conveyance device to apply at least a preset value of tension to move the joint between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the joint includes a first section in sliding engagement with a second section, and wherein the tension force applied to the first section actuates the flow restrictor to the retracted position. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the flow restrictor includes at least one of: (i) at least one radially projecting petal, (ii) a sail, (iii) a shell and (iv) a bellows. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further diametrically expanding the flow restrictor by using at least one link connected to the joint. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a liner lining the flow restrictor, and further comprising extracting the liner from the flow restrictor while moving from joint from the closed position to the open position.