Actuator for a separate downhole tool, method and system

Abstract

An actuator for a separate downhole tool, including an electric linear actuator, a latch driven by the linear actuator and configured to interact with and operate a movable component of the separate tool. A subsurface safety valve system, including a subsurface safety valve having a flow tube, the valve lacking an operable actuator, and an actuator runnable into the valve, the actuator latchable to the valve to operate the flow tube. A method for controlling a well including installing a subsurface safety valve in a tubing string at a target location in a borehole of the well, the subsurface safety valve lacking an actuator, running an actuator to the valve, engaging the actuator with the valve, and operating the valve with the actuator. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and an actuator disposed within or as a part of the string.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An actuator for a separate downhole tool, comprising:
 an electric linear actuator;   a latch driven by the linear actuator and configured to interact with and operate a movable component of the separate tool.   
     
     
         2 . The actuator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the linear actuator comprises a motor and screw. 
     
     
         3 . The actuator as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a follower connected to the screw and to the latch. 
     
     
         4 . The actuator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the linear actuator is a linear motor. 
     
     
         5 . The actuator as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a housing, within which is disposed the linear actuator. 
     
     
         6 . The actuator as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the housing defines a chamber, the chamber being filled with clean fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The actuator as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the housing includes a pressure compensation configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The actuator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the actuator further includes a collet, the collet being selectively deflectable into contact with the moveable component of the separate tool. 
     
     
         9 . The actuator as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an inductive coupling connected to the motor. 
     
     
         10 . The actuator as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a battery. 
     
     
         11 . The actuator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the movable component is a flow tube of a subsurface safety valve. 
     
     
         12 . A subsurface safety valve system, comprising:
 a subsurface safety valve having a flow tube, the valve lacking an operable actuator; and   an actuator runnable into the valve, the actuator latchable to the valve to operate the flow tube.   
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the valve includes a valve inductive coupler. 
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the actuator includes an actuator inductive coupler that is in magnetic field communication with the valve inductive coupler when the actuator is latched to the valve. 
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the actuator includes a battery. 
     
     
         16 . A method for controlling a well comprising:
 installing a subsurface safety valve in a tubing string at a target location in a borehole of the well, the subsurface safety valve lacking an actuator;   running an actuator to the valve;   engaging the actuator with the valve; and   operating the valve with the actuator.   
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the engaging includes locking a collet into the valve with the actuator. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , further including inductively powering the actuator while engaged with the valve. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , further including flowing fluid around the actuator while engaged with the valve. 
     
     
         20 . A borehole system comprising:
 a borehole in a subsurface formation;   a string in the borehole; and   an actuator as claimed in  claim 1 , disposed within or as a part of the string.