Downhole tool actuating arrangement and method of resetting at least one downhole tool

Abstract

A downhole tool actuating arrangement includes, a control system configured to communicate pressurized fluid to at least one downhole tool actuatable by pressure changes in the control system, a check valve in operable communication with the control system configured to prevent fluid flow through the check valve in a direction opposite to flow that causes increases in pressure in the control system, and a bleed device. The bleed device is in operable communication with the control system downstream of the check valve, wherein downstream is defined by a direction of flow that causes the check valve to open. The bleed device is configured to allow fluid flow therethrough when pressure on the control system side of the bleed device is greater than on a side opposite the control system.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A downhole tool actuating arrangement, comprising:
 a control system configured to communicate pressurized fluid to at least one downhole tool actuatable by pressure changes in the control system;   a check valve in operable communication with the control system configured to prevent fluid flow through the check valve in a direction opposite to flow that causes increases in pressure in the control system; and   a bleed device in operable communication with the control system downstream of the check valve, downstream being defined by a direction of flow that causes the check valve to open, the bleed device being configured to allow fluid flow therethrough in response to pressure on the control system side of the bleed device being greater than on a side opposite the control system.   
     
     
         2 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the bleed device is configured to be fluidically connected to a control system that was previously positioned downhole. 
     
     
         3 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the control system has been functionally operated prior to connection of the bleed device. 
     
     
         4 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the bleed device is configured to be fluidically connected to the control system downstream of the check valve and the check valve was positioned downhole prior to installation of the bleed device. 
     
     
         5 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the bleed device ports fluid exhausted therethrough to an annular space between a tool string and a structure. 
     
     
         6 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein the structure is selected from the group consisting of an open hole, a liner and a casing. 
     
     
         7 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the bleed device ports fluid exhausted therethrough to an exhaust line from a multi-cycle device. 
     
     
         8 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 7 , wherein the multi-cycle device is a single line switch. 
     
     
         9 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 8 , wherein the bleed device provides fluidic communication between an inlet to the bleed device and an exhaust of the single line switch. 
     
     
         10 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the bleed device allows substantially constant flow therethrough regardless of a pressure differential applied thereacross. 
     
     
         11 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the substantially constant flow is in a range of about 35 to 40 ml per minute. 
     
     
         12 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the substantially constant flow continues to flow through the bleed device while tools are actuated by the pressure increases. 
     
     
         13 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one downhole tool is resettable in response to pressure decreases in the control system due to fluid flowing through the bleed device. 
     
     
         14 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 13 , wherein flow through the bleed device allows the at least one downhole tool to reset automatically. 
     
     
         15 . The downhole tool actuating arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter between the control system and the bleed device. 
     
     
         16 . A method of resetting at least one downhole tool, comprising:
 opening a check valve in operable communication with a control system the control system being in operable communication with the at least one downhole tool;   increasing pressure in the control system;   actuating the at least one downhole tool;   decreasing pressure upstream of the check valve;   closing the check valve;   bleeding fluid from the control system through a bleed device downstream of the check valve;   decreasing pressure in the control system downstream of the check valve; and   resetting the at least one downhole tool.   
     
     
         17 . The method of resetting at least one downhole tool of  claim 16 , further comprising continuously bleeding fluid through the bleed device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of resetting at least one downhole tool of  claim 16 , further comprising flowing a substantially constant flow through the bleed device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of resetting at least one downhole tool of  claim 16 , further comprising porting fluid bled through the bleed device to an annulus between a tool string and a structure surrounding the tool string. 
     
     
         20 . The method of resetting at least one downhole tool of  claim 16 , further comprising supplying fluid to a multi-cycle device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of resetting at least one downhole tool of  claim 20 , further comprising bleeding fluid through the bleed device upstream of the multi-cycle device to an exhaust line from the multi-cycle device.