Abstract:
A jar for use in a downhole environment comprises an hydraulic timing device which allows pressure to be controllably increased to a desired level and, on firing, a near-instantaneous release of that pressure, and which allows for selective bi-directional firing of the jar.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to jars used in downhole environments to provide an impact force, such as tools used to loosen stuck tool strings or for fishing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Jars, such as hydraulic jars, are used in downhole environments to provide impact force. Such tools are useful when a fishing or drilling string is stuck within a well bore and it is necessary to apply an impact force at the stuck location of the string to attempt to loosen it. Similarly, jars can be used in conjunction with fishing tools to provide the fishing tool with sufficient force for operation, for example, by providing an upward jarring force after the fishing tool has engaged a stuck tool. 
     Jars may be constructed to provide an impact force in either the “up,” or “upward” (toward the surface) or “down,” or “downward” (away from the surface) directions. Those of skill in the art will recognize that “up” and “down” are so defined because use of horizontal drilling techniques may result in situations in which “up” and “down” are not vertical. Similarly, as used herein, the “lower” portion of a tool or a part thereof is in the “downward” direction in respect to the “upper” portion. For maximum flexibility, ajar can be constructed to provide bidirectional impact, that is, it can fire (provide impact blows) in either the “up” or “down” directions at the choice of the operator on the surface. 
     However, in some applications, particularly those using coiled tubing, the length of the tools used is of great importance. With coiled tubing, it is greatly desirable to have shorter tools, because multiple tools must often be assembled in combination at the surface, and the coiled tubing operation does not allow for successive assembly of tools as the string is run into a pressured hole. Accordingly, it is sometimes desirable to use ajar which fires in only one direction, because the needed apparatus is shorter than one designed for bi-directional use. 
     Jars used in these applications operate by setting, or cocking, the jar, then applying an upward or downward force on the jar. These jars comprise a mandrel, which moves relative to the tool body and which bears the primary impact of the jar. Both the mandrel and the tool body generally have anvil surfaces which form the contact surfaces where the mandrel and the tool body meet. When the tool is released from the set position, the mandrel and the tool body move relative to each other at high speed, and the respective anvil surfaces strike with great force, thus producing the impact force of the jar. The relative direction of travel of the mandrel to the tool body is determined by whether the jar is fired up or down. 
     Although the operation of such tools provides large impact forces where needed, the result is also a large amount of stress on the jar and its various parts. Accordingly, repeated operations of these tools can result in rapid wear and the need to replace or repair the jar. Because reliability of operation is important, it is desirable that a jar be designed and constructed to accommodate repeated high stress. However, the tools are size-constrained by the standard sizes used for downhole operations and the need for limiting the length of the tool, especially in conjunction with coiled tubing operations. In current jars, these factors have limited the ability of the tool to withstand repeated operations without the need for repair or replacement. 
     Accordingly, it is a goal of the invention to provide a jar that is substantially shorter than current jars. 
     It is another goal of the invention to provide a jar with improved capability to withstand repeated operation cycles. 
     It is a further goal of the invention to provide a jar capable of improved impact force. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a hydraulic jar with a mandrel, a spline body, and a hydraulic timing device. The jar comprises an annular tool body, which is mechanically engaged with the spline body at the lower end of the jar. In the preferred embodiment, the spline body is threaded into the tool body. At its lower end, the spline body has a first anvil face which provides an impact surface for operation of the jar when the tool is fired downward. At its upper end, the spline body has a second anvil face which provides an impact surface for operation of the jar when the tool is fired upward. 
     The mandrel comprises an annular body which is essentially cylindrical, and which extends through the spline body into the tool body. The lower end section of the mandrel forms a first stop, the upper end of which comprises an anvil face for engaging the first anvil face of the spline body. The upper end section of the mandrel forms a second stop, the lower end of which comprises an anvil face for engaging the second anvil face of the spline body. Thus, the mandrel body can slide up and down through the spline body, its travel limited only by the engagement of the first and second stops with the spline body. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first stop of the mandrel is a formed portion of the mandrel body, which maximizes the strength of the mandrel. Such maximum strength is desirable due to the force of the impact when the first stop strikes the spline body when the jar is fired. However, the first stop may be made replaceable by making it detachable from the remainder of the mandrel body, as by providing a threaded engagement. In such a case, it is desirable that the threads be radially as far as possible from the longitudinal axis of the jar to avoid undermining the strength of the jar. 
     The mandrel body comprises a plurality of longitudinal spline slots, which are preferably milled into the outer surface of the mandrel body. Similarly, the spline body comprises a plurality of longitudinal splines which are fittable into the spline slots in the mandrel body. In the preferred embodiment, the spline body comprises a plurality of longitudinal spline slots milled into the inner surface of the spline body which do not extend to either end of the spline body, and splines are set into the spline slots in the spline body. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, the spline body comprises a plurality of sections, preferably two longitudinal halves, into which the splines could be set and which can then be fitted around the mandrel body with the splines in slideable engagement with the spline slots of the mandrel body. Alternatively, the splines may be manufactured as part of the inner surface of the spline body. 
     The spline body and the mandrel are preferably of high strength ferrous or stainless steel. A variety of appropriate materials may be used. Those of skill in the art will recognize that some applications, such as drilling applications, will impose higher torques on the device and will thus require stronger splines than will other applications. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the spline body can be assembled around the mandrel prior to being threaded into the tool body, allowing for a stronger, one-piece mandrel, as well as for ease of assembly and, if necessary, replacement of tool parts while simultaneously avoiding having any internal threaded structures in the impact path. Accordingly, this embodiment provides significant strength advantages and simultaneously provides for ease of maintenance. 
     As those of skill in the art will recognize, it is possible to make variations of the structure of this device without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the spline body could potentially be a cast piece, with the splines extending from the inner surface without the need for milled spline slots or separately formed splines. 
     The spline body additionally preferably comprises a vent extending from the first anvil face of the spline body, through the spline body, providing fluid communication with the outside of the tool body and the annular space inside of the tool body. In the preferred embodiment, the second stop of the mandrel is formed to allow fluid communication between the volumes above and below it within the tool body, that is, it does not form a seal with the tool body. Also in the preferred embodiment, an annular mandrel extension is threaded into and in sealing engagement with the second stop of the mandrel, and a floater provides a seal in the annular space above the second stop of the mandrel. The floater serves to equalize hydraulic pressure above and below it, so that the hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic timer (discussed below) is not contaminated by fluid from outside the tool, but the pressures between the two fluids are automatically equalized. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the mandrel extension further extends into an annular piston body, which is in mechanical engagement with the tool body and serves as an extension thereof. The piston body preferably provides the housing for a hydraulic timing device, although other timing devices, such as mechanical devices known to those of skill in the art, could be used. 
     Prior art hydraulic timing devices sometimes utilize sliding metal-to-metal seals which maintain a sealing engagement with the face of an internal annular body, such as the piston body of the present invention, and a selective sealing engagement with the inside circumference of an external annular body, such as the floater body or pressure body of the present invention. These devices are prepared for firing by first positioning the seal in a sealing engagement with the external annular body by choosing a “vertical” position in which the inside circumference of the external annular body is small enough to engage the seal. The triggering device comprises a fluid channel, which allows a small amount of hydraulic fluid to “leak” around the seal at a known rate, thus allowing the seal to move at a regulated rate relative to the external annular body when tensile or compressive force is applied by the operator at the surface. The fluid channel may be an integral part of the seal, such as a small channel in the seal material, or may otherwise be formed to provide a fluid pathway around the seal. The external annular body is formed with a transition region in which its internal circumference increases beyond the maximum circumference of the seal, so that when the seal reaches this point, the hydraulic seal will be rapidly released and the jar will “fire” in a sudden release of applied force. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sliding metal-to-metal seal is in sealing engagement with the face of the floater body or the pressure body, and in selective sealing engagement with the outer circumference of the mandrel extension. In the preferred embodiment, the selective sealing engagement is accomplished by shaping the mandrel extension so that its outer circumference varies, to provide a region of sufficient circumference to engage the sliding metal-to-metal seal, and a region of insufficient circumference to engage the seal. The device is set for firing by positioning it so that the seal is engaged with the outer circumference of the mandrel extension, then applying tensile or compressive force to the assembly. A fluid channel is provided to allow a controlled “leak” of hydraulic fluid around the seal, allowing the seal to slide in a controlled fashion to the point at which the outer circumference of the mandrel extension slopes inward and the seal is released. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the timing of the device can be altered, for example by changing the size of the fluid channel or the length of the section of the mandrel extension which provides sealing engagement with the sliding seal. 
     Providing a sliding seal which springs inward greatly enhances the strength of the device, because the floater body and the pressure body are of uniform thickness. In the prior art, the thickness of the floater body or pressure body had to decrease at the point at which the seal would release, and remain at this decreased thickness for the length of travel of the mandrel, so that the seal would not catastrophically re-engage with the inner circumference of the floater body or pressure body. Maintaining a uniform thickness of the floater body or pressure body prevents a “weak spot” in the wall of the floater body or pressure body due to the inverse relationship of the hoop stress to the wall thickness. 
     If a bi-directional jar is desired, a second sliding seal may be incorporated into the hydraulic timing mechanism, preferably oriented in the opposite longitudinal direction from the first sliding seal. The overall length of the mechanism can be limited by tapering the outer circumference of the mandrel extension at two locations, forming a “bulge” in the outer circumference which engages one of the two seals when tensile force is applied, and the other of the two seals when compressive force is applied. Those of skill in the art will recognize that it is mechanically possible to provide a bi-directional jar with multiple seals which are oriented in the same longitudinal direction, so long as the fluid flow through the respective fluid channel for each seal is appropriately directed. At some sacrifice of increased tool length, the jar can also be made bi-directional utilizing a single seal and a plurality of tapers on the outer circumference of the mandrel extension separated by sufficient distance to allow the jar to fully travel in either direction. 
     Those of skill in the art will also recognize that the hydraulic timing device of the present invention may be used independently of the spline body and mandrel combination described herein as part of the preferred embodiment of the device. 
     Those of skill in the art will further recognize that terms such as “mandrel extension,” “piston body,” and the like are for convenience only, and that a variety of single- or multi-part assemblies may be utilized in place of these parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     As described above, the jar of the present invention can be used with greater firing loads than similarly sized current jars. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of a bi-directional jar in a first fully “fired” position. 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of a bi-directional jar in the “cocked”/middle position. 
         FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional view of a bi-directional jar in a second fully “fired” position. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sliding seals on a bi-directional jar. 
         FIG. 3A  is an end view of the spline body 
         FIG. 3B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the spline body 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of an upward only jar. 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of an upward only jar including a floater 
         FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of an upward only jar without a floater. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C, three positions of one embodiment of a jar of the present invention are shown. The depicted embodiment is a multi-directional jar, meaning that it can be fired in either an upward or downward direction. Further, the preferred embodiment allows construction of a short jar.  FIG. 1A  shows the jar in an fully “fired” condition, as it would be positioned after the jar was fired to exert an upward force on a stuck body.  FIG. 1B  shows the jar in a “cocked” position.  FIG. 1C  shows the jar in a fully “fired” condition, as it would be positioned after firing the jar to exert a downward force. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1A , the jar  108  comprises a spline body  112 , a floater body  118 , which is threadably connected to the spline body  112  via threading  146 , a piston body  122  threadably connected to the floater body  118 , and a pressure body  126  threadably connected to the piston body  122 . The spline body  112  comprises a first anvil face  130  and a second anvil face  132 . Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the spline body  312  is shown in a larger view, and is shown to additionally comprise a plurality of spline slots  314  (only one such slot is visible due to the cross-sectional view) and vent ports  338 . The vent ports  338  serve to allow fluid communication between the environment outside of the jar  108  (of  FIG. 1 ) and the interior of the jar  108 . The spline body  312  comprises two halves  340  and  342 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A , the jar additionally comprises a mandrel  110  with a plurality of mandrel spline slots  144  extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel  110 . When the spline body  112  is assembled around the mandrel  110 , splines (not shown) are held partially in the spline slots  314  ( FIG. 3 ) of the spline body  112  and partially in the mandrel spline slots  144 , so that the mandrel  110  is rotationally locked into position relative to the spline body  112 , but slidable parallel to its longitudinal axis relative to the spline body  112 . In the preferred embodiment, only two of such splines are used, but more may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. Assembling the spline body from two halves  340  and  342  ( FIG. 3 ) allows the mandrel/spline combination to be easily assembled by enclosing the long section  148  of the mandrel  110  within the two halves  340  and  342  of the spline body  112  before threading the spline body  112  into the floater body  118 . 
     The jar additionally comprises a mandrel extension  136  which is preferably threadably connected to the mandrel  110 . The mandrel  110  and the mandrel extension  136  are annular cylindrical bodies. 
     The mandrel  110  comprises a first stop  140  which, if the mandrel  110  is slid fully into the remainder of the jar assembly, will contact against the first anvil face  130  of the spline body  112 . Similarly, the mandrel  110  comprises a second stop  142  which will arrest motion of the mandrel  110  in the opposite direction by contacting the second anvil face  132  of the spline body  112 . When the jar is “fired,” the first stop  140  or second stop  142  (depending on direction of travel) transfer the rapid relative motion of the spline body  112  to a jarring force against the mandrel  110 , and thus into a fishing tool (not shown) or other tool attached to the mandrel  110 . 
     The above-described combination of mandrel  110  and spline body  112  allows the spline body  112  and the first stop  140  and second stop  142  of the mandrel  110  to be made with a relatively large thickness of solid material around their respective annular cores, providing improved strength and durability over previously existing tools. 
     To allow equalization of pressure between the inside of the jar  108  and the environment outside the jar  108 , the vents  138  in the spline body  112  allow fluid to enter or exit the jar  108  via the spline body  112  and around the mandrel  110  via fluid channel  134  ( FIG. 1C ). An annular floater  116  may be used to seal the fluid in the timing portions (discussed below) of the jar  108  from contaminants in external fluids. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the timing portion of the jar  108  ( FIG. 1 ) is shown in greater detail in its “cocked” position. The jar  108  is set in this “cocked” position, from which it may be fired either up or down.  FIG. 2  shows the end of the floater body  218 , the piston body  222 , and the end of the pressure body  226 . The mandrel extension  237  extends through the annular space provided by the piston body  222 . The mandrel extension  237  has a circumferential bulge  236  over a portion of its length. The bulge  236  is sufficiently large to allow selective engagement between the mandrel extension  237  and first and second sliding seals  220  and  221 . First sliding seal  220  provides a fluid seal between the mandrel extension  237  and the floater body  218 , and second sliding seal  221  provides a fluid seal between the mandrel extension  237  and the pressure body  226 . However, first and second sliding seals  220  and  221  also comprise first and second calibrated channels  234  and  235 , respectively. Thus, first sliding seal  220  provides a substantial fluid seal between annular space  238  and the floater body bore  240 , but allows fluid under pressure to travel at a controlled rate via first calibrated channel  234 . First calibrated channel  234  may be created by making a channel in the first sliding seal  220 , or by making a channel in the floater body  218 , with which the first sliding seal  220  is engaged. Similarly, second sliding seal  221  provides a substantial fluid seal between annular space  238  and the pressure body bore  242 , but allows fluid under pressure to travel at a controlled rate via second calibrated channel  235 . Second calibrated channel  235  may be created by making a channel in the second sliding seal  221 , or by making a channel in the pressure body  226 , with which the second sliding seal  221  is engaged. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A  at the end  152  of mandrel extension  136 , nut  124  provides a seal to prevent pressure leakage from the jar mechanism. Pressure body  126  is connected to top sub  128 , allowing the jar  108  to be connected via top sub  128  to another device, such as a tool string or coiled tubing for run-in to a downhole environment. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1  and the expanded view of  FIG. 2 , when the jar  108  is positioned to apply force to some object, the jar  108  will then be “fired” to effect that force. For example, any of a variety of fishing tools (not shown) which are well known in the art may be attached to the mandrel  110 , and in turn be used to grab or connect to a stuck object or a working tool. When it is desirable to fire the jar  108 , either upward or downward force is applied to the jar  108  via its connecting top sub  128 . This force causes the piston body  222  to attempt to move relative to the mandrel extension  237 , because mandrel extension  237  and mandrel  110  are held in place by being connected to the stuck object, thereby “cocking” the jar in preparation for firing it. 
     The amount of hydraulic pressure which builds up before the jar  108  fires (and thus the amount of force transmitted to the mandrel  110  and the stuck object) is determined by the force applied to the jar  108 . The timing of the firing is controlled by the timing mechanism within the piston body  222 . If the jar is being fired “upward” (that is, movement of the piston body to the right side of  FIG. 2  relative to the mandrel extension  237 ) the motion will be resisted by the near hydraulic lock caused by the contact between first sliding seal  220  and the mandrel extension  237 . However, some slow relative motion is allowed because the first calibrated channel  234  allows a small controlled flow of fluid around first sliding seal  220 . This slow relative motion between first sliding seal  220  and the mandrel extension  237  will continue until the first sliding seal  220  reaches the first end  239  of bulge  236  in the mandrel extension  237 . At this point, first sliding seal  220  will no longer maintain a seal, and the hydraulic pressure built up in the jar  108  will release, with a resulting very rapid impact between the second anvil face  132  of the spline body  112  and the second stop  142  of the mandrel  110 . 
     Conversely, if the jar is being fired “downward” (that is, movement of the piston body to the left side of  FIG. 2  relative to the mandrel extension  237 ) the motion will be resisted by the near hydraulic lock caused by the contact between second sliding seal  221  and the mandrel extension  237 . However, some slow relative motion is allowed because the second calibrated channel  235  allows a small controlled flow of fluid around second sliding seal  221 . This slow relative motion between second sliding seal  221  and the mandrel extension  237  will continue until the second sliding seal  221  reaches the second end  241  of bulge  236  in the mandrel extension  237 . At this point, second sliding seal  221  will no longer maintain a seal, and the hydraulic pressure built up in the jar  108  will release, with a resulting very rapid impact between the first anvil face  130  of the spline body  112  and the first stop  140  of the mandrel  110 . 
     The timing of the jar  108 , and the amount of stored pressure which is released on firing and the amount of force transferred to the stuck object, is determined by the length of the bulge  236  and the rate of flow allowed through first or second calibrated channels  234  or  235 , together with the amount of force applied to the jar  108  by the operator. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , alternative embodiments of the jar  408  are shown. These embodiments of the jar  408  are somewhat more compact than those of  FIG. 1 , because the jar  408  is configured to only be fired in the “upward” direction. Thus, there is a single sliding seal  420  in initial contact with the bulge  438  of the mandrel extension  436 . Thus, this configuration eliminates the extra length required to allow the jar  408  to fire in either direction. 
     The alternative embodiments of  FIGS. 4B and 4C  show the jar  408  with ( FIG. 4B ) and without ( FIG. 4C ) floater  416 . If no floater is used, it is necessary to supply an  0 -ring seal  437  or other appropriate seal. Those of skill in the art will recognize that this alternative embodiment can also be applied to the bidirectional jar of  FIG. 1 . The absence of the floater  416  allows for an additional reduction in the overall length of the jar  408 . 
     The above examples are included for demonstration purposes only and not as limitations on the scope of the invention. Other variations in the construction of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and those of skill in the art will recognize that these descriptions are provide by way of example only.