Patent Publication Number: US-2023147862-A1

Title: Release mechanism for a whipstock

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/148,826 filed Jan. 14, 2021, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/220,531 filed on Dec. 14, 2018 and now U.S. Pat. No. 10,934,780. The aforementioned patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a releasable connection between a whipstock and a downhole tool. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to improved axial and torsional load transfer between a whipstock and a milling tool. 
     Description of Related Art 
     It is known in the oil and gas industry to attach a whipstock to a milling tool by a shearable member for deployment into a wellbore. Once the whipstock is in a desired location in the wellbore, an axial load is applied to shear the shearable member and thus separate the milling tool from the whipstock. The shearable attachment between the whipstock and milling tool can be unintentionally sheared if an unexpected obstruction is encountered in the wellbore or during extended reach operations in horizontal wellbores where friction forces are high. During an anchor test, the shearable member is prone to shearing, thereby resulting in the need to remove the whipstock and then initiate a separate retrieval operation to remove the anchor from the wellbore if the anchor fails the test. The shearable members are prone to inadvertent shearing if a torsional load is transferred between the milling tool and the whipstock, such as an operation to orientate a whipstock in a certain direction in the wellbore. 
     There is a need for a releasable connection between a whipstock and downhole tool that will release on command while not inadvertently shearing by the application of a torsional or axial load. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an embodiment, a latch release mechanism includes a housing having a fluid inlet, an actuator piston, a latch member, and a switch. The actuator piston is at least partially disposed in the housing and movable from a first position to a second position in response to fluid communication from the fluid inlet. The latch member is coupled to the actuator piston and movable from a first position to a second position by the actuator piston. The switch has a first configuration, a second configuration, and an intermediate configuration, wherein fluid communication is blocked when the switch is in the first configuration and the intermediate configuration, and wherein the fluid communication is unblocked when the switch is in the second configuration. The actuator piston is movable to the second position when the switch is in the second configuration. 
     In one embodiment, an assembly for use downhole includes an actuator and a switch assembly. The switch assembly has an inlet in selective fluid communication with the actuator, and a switch having a first configuration, an intermediate configuration, and a second configuration. The switch blocks fluid communication between the inlet and the actuator when in the first configuration and the intermediate configuration, and wherein the switch allows fluid communication between the inlet and the actuator when in the second configuration. 
     In one embodiment, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) has a whipstock, a downhole tool having a lock mechanism, and a latch release mechanism attached to the whipstock and configured to releasably attach the whipstock to the downhole tool. The latch release mechanism has an actuator piston, a switch, and a latch member. The actuator piston is movable from a first position to a second position in response to fluid communication. The switch having a first configuration, a second configuration, and an intermediate configuration, wherein fluid communication is blocked when the switch is in the first configuration and the intermediate configuration, and wherein the fluid communication is unblocked when the switch is in the second configuration. The latch member is coupled to the piston and configured to engage the lock mechanism in a first position and to disengage from the lock mechanism in a second position, wherein the latch member is movable from the first position to the second position by the actuator piston when the switch is in the second configuration. 
     In one embodiment of a method of releasing a whipstock from a downhole tool includes running a BHA having the whipstock releasably attached to the downhole tool into a wellbore. The whipstock has a latch release mechanism, and the downhole tool has a lock mechanism, and a latch member of the latch release mechanism is engaged with a locking member of the lock mechanism. The method further includes converting a switch of the latch release mechanism from a first configuration to a second configuration to unblock a fluid communication between a fluid communication line and an actuator piston attached to the latch member. The method further includes releasing the whipstock from the downhole tool by moving the actuator piston coupled to the latch member to disengage the latch member from the locking member in response to the fluid communication in the fluid communication line. 
     In one embodiment, a BHA includes a whipstock having a latch release mechanism and a milling tool having a plurality of blades and a lock mechanism. The BHA further includes a collar coupled to the whipstock and disposed about a portion of the milling tool, wherein the blades of the milling tool abut the collar. The milling tool is releasably coupled to the whipstock by the interaction of the latch release mechanism and the lock mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particularized description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had in reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only the typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a bottom hole assembly disposed in a subsurface formation, the BHA having a milling tool coupled to a whipstock with a latch release mechanism. 
         FIG.  2 A  illustrates an exemplary configuration of the milling tool of the BHA engaged with a collar attached to the whipstock.  FIG.  2 B  illustrates another exemplary configuration of the milling tool engaged with a collar of the whipstock having a plurality of torque keys.  FIG.  2 C  is a cross section of the milling tool as shown in  FIG.  2 B  and illustrates the lock mechanism. 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  illustrate an exemplary cross-sectional view of the whipstock releasably attached to the milling tool. In  FIG.  3 A , the locking member of the lock mechanism is in the extended position. In  FIG.  3 B , the locking member of the lock mechanism is in the retracted position. 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 H  illustrate an exemplary configuration of the whipstock releasably attached to the milling tool via the engagement of the latch release mechanism with the lock mechanism. In  FIG.  4 A , the latch member is shown to be in a first position and engaged with the latch portion of the lock mechanism. In  FIG.  4 B , the latch actuator of the latch release mechanism is shown having a first switch in a first configuration, a second switch in a first configuration, and an actuator piston in a first position. In  FIG.  4 C , the latch actuator of the latch release mechanism is shown having the first switch in a second configuration. In  FIG.  4 D , the latch actuator of the latch release mechanism is shown having the second switch in an intermediate configuration. In  FIG.  4 E , the latch actuator of the latch release mechanism is shown having the second switch in a second configuration. In  FIG.  4 F , the latch actuator of the latch release mechanism is shown having the actuator piston in the second position. In  FIG.  4 G , the latch member is shown to be in a second position and disengaged with the latch portion of the lock mechanism.  FIG.  4 H  illustrates an exemplary connection of the inlet of the latch actuator with the fluid communication line. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  illustrate a cross-sectional view of an exemplary whipstock having the latch release mechanism.  FIG.  5 B  is an enhanced view of the circled region in  FIG.  5 A  and illustrates a cross-sectional view of the latch release mechanism. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  illustrate an exemplary configuration of a connection mechanism of a latch release mechanism.  FIG.  6 A  illustrates the connection mechanism disposed between an anchor and a whipstock.  FIG.  6 B  illustrates a cross-section of the connection mechanism and shows the switch.  FIG.  6 C  illustrates the switch in a first configuration.  FIG.  6 D  illustrate the switch in a second configuration. 
         FIGS.  7 A- 7 B  illustrate an exemplary configuration of a whipstock releasably attached to a milling tool by the engagement of a latch member of the latch release mechanism with the latch portion of the lock mechanism. In  FIG.  7 A , the latch actuator and latch member of the latch release mechanism are shown, and the latch mechanism is further shown to be in a first position such that it is in engagement with the latch portion of the lock mechanism. In  FIG.  7 B , the latch member is shown to be in the second position such that the latch member is disengaged from the latch portion of the lock mechanism. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary configuration of the latch actuator of the latch release mechanism. 
         FIGS.  9 A- 9 B  illustrate a cross-sectional view of an exemplary whipstock having the latch actuator and latch member of the latch release mechanism.  FIG.  9 B  is an enhanced view of the circled region in  FIG.  9 A  and illustrates a cross-sectional view of the latch actuator and latch member of the latch release mechanism. 
         FIGS.  10 A- 10 C  illustrate an exemplary configuration of a downhole tool actuator assembly having a switch assembly and an actuator. In  FIG.  10 A , the switch of the switch assembly is shown to be in a first configuration and an actuator piston of the actuator is shown to be in a first position. In  FIG.  10 B , the switch of the switch assembly is shown to be in an intermediate configuration. In  FIG.  10 C , the switch of the switch assembly is shown to be in a second configuration and the actuator piston of the actuator is shown to be in a second position. 
         FIG.  11 A  illustrates the switch assembly of the downhole tool actuator assembly coupled to a first downhole tool and the actuator of the downhole tool actuator assembly coupled to a second downhole tool.  FIG.  11 B  illustrates the switch assembly of the downhole tool actuator assembly coupled to the first downhole tool and the actuator of the downhole tool actuator assembly coupled to the downhole tool. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a BHA  150  placed in a wellbore  100  within a subsurface formation  110 , according to embodiments disclosed herein. The BHA  150  has a whipstock  200  releasably attached to a downhole tool  300 , such as a milling tool. For example, the whipstock  200  may be attached to the downhole tool  300  by the interaction of a lock mechanism  400  of the downhole tool  300  with a latch release mechanism  250  of the whipstock  200 , as will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     The whipstock  200  has a concave face  210 , a body  220 , and a latch release mechanism  250  coupled to the body  220 . The whipstock  200  is attached to an anchoring mechanism  240 , which secures the whipstock  200  in the wellbore  100 . For example, the anchoring mechanism may include a packer, an inflatable anchor, a slip type anchor, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the body  220  is connected to an anchoring mechanism  240  for securing the whipstock  200  in the wellbore  100 . In some embodiments, the anchoring mechanism  240  is integrated with the whipstock  200 . For the purposes of this illustration, the whipstock  200  is not shown anchored to the wellbore  100  by the anchoring mechanism  240 . 
     The concave face  210  is generally a curved surface. In some embodiments, the concave face  210  is a surface that is primarily flat. The concave face  210  may be most narrow at an upper end. The concave face  210  may be approximately cylindrical at a lower end. The body  220  may be generally cylindrical and extends from the lower end of the concave face  210 . In some embodiments, the whipstock  200  has a fluid communication line  230  that is disposed on, or along at least a portion of the length of the concave face  210 . In some embodiments, the fluid communication line  230  extends along at least a portion of the length of the body  220 . In some embodiments, the fluid communication line  230  extends along both at least a portion of the length of the concave face  210  and at least a portion of the length of the body  220 . In some embodiments, the fluid communication line  230  is disposed within the body  220  of the whipstock  200  and extends along at least a portion of the length of the body  220  and/or the concave face  210 . In other embodiments, the fluid communication line  230  is only partially disposed within the body  220  of the whipstock and extends along at least a portion of the length of the body  220  and/or the concave face  210 . The fluid communication line  230  may be fluidly connected to both the anchoring mechanism  240  and the latch release mechanism  250 . 
     For operational purposes, it may be desirable to secure the whipstock  200  in wellbore  100  so that it is positioned at a particular depth. As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , wellbore  100  is shown as being vertical (i.e., generally parallel to gravitational force) in subsurface formation  110 , but in many circumstances at least a portion of wellbore  100  will not be vertical. Nonetheless, as used herein, “depth” refers to a length along the wellbore  100  measured from the surface. The direction that is locally generally parallel to the wellbore may be referred to as the “axial” direction. Terms such as “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper,” “lower,” etc., should be similarly construed. 
     For operational purposes, it may be desirable to secure the whipstock  200  so that concave face  210  is oriented at a particular orientation relative to the wellbore  100 . The concave face  210  has an angle  215  relative to wellbore  100 . For example, the angle  215  between the center of curvature of the upper end of concave face  210  and the wellbore  100  may help to determine the bit path direction/trajectory during subsequent drilling operations. The angle  215  may be expressed, for example, as a compass measurement or with reference to a clock face. 
       FIG.  2 A  illustrates a collar  280  attached to one end of the whipstock  200 . The collar  280  may be a partial ring attached to the whipstock  200 , such as by welding or a bolt attachment. In another example, the collar  280  is a full ring attached to the whipstock  200 . The whipstock  200  may be manufactured such that the collar  280  is an integral feature. The collar may have a concave region  282 . A face of the milling tool  300  may abut the collar  280 . In another embodiment, the collar  280  abuts the lower portions of the blades  320  of the milling tool  300 . The lower portions of the blades  320  abutting the collar  280 , as shown in  FIG.  2 A , may be cutting faces of the blades  320 . The collar  280  helps accommodate axial load placed on the whipstock  200  by the milling tool  300 . 
       FIG.  2 B  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the collar  280  having a plurality of apertures  284  in the collar  280  for retaining torque keys  286 . As shown in  FIG.  2 A , collar  280  is disposed about a portion of the milling tool  300 . As shown in  FIG.  2 C , the torque keys  286  are at least partially disposed in a corresponding recess  330  formed in the milling tool  300 . In another example, the torque keys  286  are at least partially disposed between adjacent blades  320 . The torque keys  286  allow the transfer of torque between the milling tool  300  and the whipstock  200 . In another embodiment, instead of torque keys  286 , a plurality of castellations in the collar  280  are engaged with a corresponding blade  320  of the milling tool to allow torque transfer between the milling tool  300  and the whipstock  200 . 
       FIG.  3 A-B  illustrates the whipstock  200  releasably attached to the milling tool  300  of the BHA  150 . In one embodiment, the milling tool  300  has a lock mechanism  400  disposed in the milling tool  300 . As illustrated, a locking member  420  is disposed within a bore  410  of the milling tool  300 . The bore  410  may be located proximate to mill face  310 .  FIG.  2 C  illustrates a cross-section view of the milling tool  300  showing the lock mechanism  400 . The bore  410 , as shown in  FIG.  3   , is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the milling tool  300 , but in other embodiments, the bore  410  may be aligned at an angle relative to mill face  310 . The bore  410  and locking member  420  are configured to allow the locking member  420  to move in the bore  410  between an extended position, as shown in  FIG.  3 A , and a retracted position, as shown in  FIG.  3 B . In the extended position, a lower end  425  of the locking member  420  extends outside of the milling tool  300  and at least partially into an aperture  242  of the whipstock  200 . In the retracted position, the end  425  of the locking member  420  does not extend outside of the milling tool  300 . The locking member  420  is biased toward the retracted position by a biasing mechanism  415 , such as a spring. In some embodiments, the bias mechanism  415  may be a magnet or a shape memory alloy. In some embodiments, the bias mechanism  415  may generate a biasing force by using mechanical, electromagnetic, chemical, hydraulic, or pneumatic components. In some embodiments, the biasing mechanism  415  may be located closer to a lower end  425  of the locking member  420 . 
     In some embodiments, the milling tool  300  and whipstock  200  are torsionally coupled by the torque keys  286  and the aperture  242  is sized such that a gap is formed between the locking member  420  and the walls of the aperture  242  of the whipstock  200  when torsional loading is applied to the BHA  150  from the surface. For example, by providing a gap between the portion of the protruding locking member  420  and the whipstock  200 , no torque applied to the milling tool  300  will be transferred to the locking member  420 . Torque is transferred from the milling tool  300  to the whipstock  200  via the torque keys  286 . Thus, the lock mechanism  400  is isolated from torsional loads applied to the whipstock  200  by the milling tool  300 . 
     In some embodiments, the locking member  420  is not isolated from axial and torsional loads applied to the whipstock  200  by the milling tool. For example, the locking mechanism may contact the aperture  242  when axial or torsional loading is applied. For example, axial load may be applied to the locking member  420  if the BHA  150  is lifted or lowered within the well. The locking member  420  is configured to not inadvertently shear from the applied torsional and axial loads. 
     In some embodiments, the lock mechanism  400  includes a plurality of locking members  420 , whereby each locking member protrudes into a corresponding aperture of a plurality of apertures  242  in the whipstock  200 . In some embodiments, the locking member  420  may be shaped as a bolt, pin, a plate, fork, or otherwise shaped to meet manufacturing and/or operational specifications while providing a locking member function and a retraction action. The locking member  420 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  is a pin. In some embodiments, the locking member  420  may have a circular, triangular, square, hexagonal, or other cross-sectional shape to meet manufacturing and/or operational specifications. In some embodiments, the locking member  420  may include a rigid, sturdy material, such as metal, alloy, composite, fiber, etc., to meet manufacturing and/or operational specifications. For example, the locking member  420  is configured to not inadvertently shear from applied torsional or axial loads during normal operation of the BHA  150 . 
     In some embodiments, the milling tool  300  may have an installation aperture  411  coupled to bore  410 . Prior to positioning BHA  150  in wellbore  100 , installation aperture  411  may be utilized to install the locking member  420  and/or spring  415  in the bore  410  so that the locking member  420  is biased toward a retracted position. The concave region  282  of the collar  280  allows access to the installation aperture  411 . The locking member  420  may move in the bore  410  between the retracted position and the extended position. As an example, the locking member  420  will not inadvertently fail thereby causing pre-mature release of the whipstock  200  from the milling tool  300  if an obstruction is encountered during run-in of the BHA  150  or during a test of the anchoring mechanism  240 . In some embodiments, the lock mechanism  400  includes a plurality of locking members, wherein at least one of the plurality of locking members is a locking member  420  that moves without failure during planned operational conditions. 
     A latch portion  430  is disposed at one end of the locking member  420 . When in the extended position, the latch portion  430  protrudes beyond the outer diameter of the milling tool  300 . The latch portion  430  is configured to engage with the latch member  270  of the latch release mechanism  250  to attach the whipstock  200  to the milling tool  300 . In one embodiment, the latch portion  430  includes a recess for engaging the latch member  270 . In one embodiment, the latch portion  430  includes one recess on each side of the locking member  420  for engaging the latch member  270 . 
       FIG.  4 A  illustrates another view of the BHA  150  with the latch member  270  of the latch release mechanism  250  engaged with the latch portion  430  of the lock mechanism  400  to retain the locking member  420  in the extended position. The latch release mechanism  250  includes the latch member  270  and a latch actuator  255  for moving the latch member  270 . The latch actuator  255  is disposed in an aperture  252  of the whipstock  200  and may be affixed to the whipstock  200 , such as by a screws or bolts inserted through mounting bores  513  formed in the housing  500  of the latch actuator  255 . 
     The latch member  270  has a latch  272  attached at one end. The latch  272  of the latch member  270  is configured to engage with the latch portion  430  of the locking member  420 . In one embodiment, the latch  272  includes a two-pronged fork configuration, as shown, that are inserted into the corresponding recess of the latch portion  430 . In one embodiment, the latch  272  includes a two-pronged fork configuration that is inserted into two corresponding recesses of the latch portion  430 . In an alternative embodiment, the latch portion  430  may comprise a bore through the locking member  420  and the latch  272  may comprise a portion of the latch member  270  sized to be inserted into bore forming the latch portion  430 . As shown, the latch member  270  is a rod having an adjustable length with a latch  272  attached at one end. In another embodiment, the latch member  270  may be a rod having a fixed length with a latch  272  attached at one end. In another embodiment, the latch member  270  may be a cable having a latch  272  attached at one end. 
       FIG.  4 B  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the latch actuator  255  of the latch release mechanism  250 . The latch actuator  255  includes a housing  500 , an inlet  548  coupled to the fluid communication line  230 , a first switch  610 , a second switch  620 , and a third piston assembly  530  having an actuator piston  534 . In one embodiment, the first switch  610  is a first piston assembly  510 , and the second switch  620  is a second piston assembly  520 . The first piston assembly  510  is at least partially disposed in a first piston assembly bore  502  of the housing  500 . The second piston assembly  520  is at least partially disposed in the second piston assembly bore  504  of the housing  500 . The third piston assembly  530  is at least partially disposed in the third piston assembly bore  508  of the housing. A fluid communication line  550  allows fluid communication between the first piston assembly bore  502  and the second piston assembly bore  504 . Fluid communication line  552  allows for fluid communication between the second piston assembly bore  504  and the third piston assembly bore  508 . A portion of the latch member  270  may be disposed within the housing  500  or within a channel formed in the housing. 
     The first piston assembly  510  has a housing connection member  512 , first piston  514 , and at least one shearable member  516 . The housing connection member  512  has a bore therethrough to accommodate a portion of the first piston  514 . As illustrated in  FIG.  4 B , the shearable member  516  releasably attaches the first piston  514  to the housing connection member  512  to retain the first piston  514  in the first position. The housing connection member  512  may be threadedly attached to the housing  500 , but it may be attached by other suitable means. One or more sealing members  518  are disposed about the circumference of the first piston  514  and form a seal with the bore  502 . When the piston first  514  is in the first position, the first piston  514  blocks fluid flow and pressure from being transmitted from the inlet  548  to the fluid communication lines  550  and  552 . The first piston  514  is allowed to move to the second position (shown in  FIG.  4 C ) after pressure applied to the first piston  514  from the inlet  548  is sufficient to shear the shearable member  516 . When the first piston  514  is in the second position, it may protrude from the housing connection member  512 . When the first piston  514  is in the second position, fluid communication between the inlet  548  and the bore  504  is established via communication line  550 . 
     The bore  504  has a first piston bore portion  505  and a second piston bore portion  506 . The second piston bore portion  506  has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the first piston bore portion  505 . The first piston bore portion  505  has a first diameter portion  505   a  and a second diameter portion  505   b , wherein the second diameter portion  505   b  has a greater diameter than the first diameter portion  505   a . The second piston assembly  520  has a housing connection member  522 , a second piston  524 , and at least one shearable member  526 . The housing connection member  522  is threadedly attached to the housing  500 , but it may be attached by other suitable means. The housing connection member  522  has a bore accommodating a portion of the second piston  524 . The shearable member  526  releasably attaches the second piston  524  to the housing connection member  522  to retain the second piston  524  in the first position, as shown in  FIG.  4 B . The second piston  524  has a first piston head  527  having a greater piston surface area than a piston surface area of the second piston head  528 . The piston heads  527 ,  528  are spaced apart from each other. One or more sealing members  525  may be disposed about the outer circumference of the first piston head  527  to seal against the first diameter portion  505   a  of bore  504 . One or more sealing members  515  may be disposed about the outer circumference of the second piston head  528  to seal against the second piston bore portion  506 . The one or more sealing members  515 ,  525  may be only one sealing member, such as an O-ring. An optional biasing member  529 , such as a spring, is disposed between the first piston head  527  and the second housing connection member  522 . The first piston head  527  is disposed in the first piston bore portion  505  and the second piston head  528  is disposed in the second piston bore portion  506 . As shown in  FIG.  4 B , the second piston head  528  is disposed in the bore  504  at a location between the fluid communication line  550  and the fluid communication line  552 . In this first position, the second piston  524  blocks fluid flow and pressure from being transmitted from the fluid communication line  550  to the fluid communication  552 . Sufficient pressure may be applied to the second piston  524  from the inlet  548  to shear the shearable member  526  retaining the second piston  524  in the first position. After shearing, the second piston  524  is allowed to move to the second position (shown in  FIG.  4 E ) to unblock fluid and pressure communication between the fluid communication line  550  and the fluid communication line  552 . In the second position, the second piston head  528  is no longer between the fluid communication lines  550 ,  552 . Prior to moving to the second position, the second piston  524  moves to an intermediate position (shown in  FIG.  4 D ) after the shearable member  526  shears. The second piston  524  moves to the intermediate position, and not to the second position, because of the larger piston surface area of the first piston head  527  with respect to the piston surface area of the second piston head  528 . In the intermediate position, the second piston  524  may protrude from the housing connection member  522  while the second piston head  528  is still disposed between the fluid communication lines  550 ,  552  to prevent fluid communication between lines  550  and  552 . After flow and/or pressure applied to the latch release mechanism  250  through the inlet  548  drops below a certain level, the biasing member  529  expands to move the second piston  524  to the second position to allow fluid communication between the fluid communication line  550  and fluid communication line  552 . When the second piston  524  is in the second position, the first piston head  527  is disposed in the second diameter portion  505   b  of the bore  504 . When the first piston head  527  is disposed in the second diameter portion  505   b , the one or more sealing members  525  disposed about the outer circumference of first piston head  527  no longer seal against the first diameter portion  505   a  of the first piston bore portion  505  of the bore  504 . The second piston  524  will not be return to the intermediate position by fluid pressure in the bore  504  after moving to the second position because the first piston head  527  is not in sealing engagement with the second diameter portion  505   b  of the bore  504 . 
     After shearing the shearable members and prior to moving to the second position, fluid pressure fluctuation in the bore  504  may result in the displacement of the second piston  524  by acting on the first piston head  527 . The intermediate position of the second piston  524  is any position that the second piston  524  is in after the shearable members  526  fail and prior to moving to the second position. When in the intermediate position, the one or more sealing members  525  about the outer circumference of the first piston head  527  are maintained in sealing engagement with the first diameter portion  505   a  of the first bore portion  505  of bore  504 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 B , the third piston assembly  530  is at least partially disposed in the bore  508 . The bore  508  is in communication with the fluid line  552 . When the first piston  514  and the second piston  524  are in their respective second positions, then fluid flow and/or pressure is able to be communicated to the bore  508 . The third piston assembly  530  has an actuator piston  534 . The actuator piston  534 , as illustrated in  FIG.  4 B , is a tandem piston  534 . However, it is contemplated the actuator piston  534  could be one piston or more than two pistons coupled together. The bore  508  is configured to receive the one or more actuator pistons  534  of the third piston assembly  530 . The tandem piston  534  have a back member  535  and a recess  536  (see  FIG.  4 F ) between the two individual pistons  534   a,b  of the tandem piston  534  to accommodate the housing  500  between the two individual pistons  534   a,b . The back member  535  may be attached to each of the individual pistons  534   a,b  by screws, as shown, or by some other suitable connection member. The back member  535  may be formed integral with the actuator piston  534 . Sealing members  537  disposed about the individual pistons  534   a,b  to seal against the housing  500 . The sealing members  537  may be an O-ring disposed about each individual piston  534   a,b . The latch member  270  is attached to the third piston assembly  530 , such as being directly attached to the back member  535  or to actuator piston  534 . When the actuator piston  534  moves from the first position (see  FIG.  4 E ) to the second position (see  FIG.  4 F ), then the latch member  270  is able to move relative to the housing  500 , whipstock  200 , and latch portion  430  of the locking member  420 . As a result of the actuator piston  534  moving from the first position to the second position, the latch  272  disengages from the latch portion  430  (see  FIG.  4 G ) to allow the locking member  420  of the lock mechanism  400  to move to the retracted position (see  FIG.  3 B ), thus releasing the whipstock  200  from the milling tool  300 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the fluid communication line  550  has a junction with the first piston bore portion  505  of the second piston bore  504  instead of a junction with the second piston bore portion  506  of the bore  504 . The second piston head  528  of the second piston  524  is disposed between the respective junctions of the fluid communication lines  550 ,  552  with the respective portions  505 ,  506  of the bore  504  in the first and intermediate position. When the second piston  524  is in the second position, then fluid communication between the fluid communication lines  550 ,  552  is established. The shearable members  516 ,  526 , may be shear screws or any another suitable type of frangible member, such as shear rings. The shear strength of the shearable member  526  may be selected to be greater than the shear strength of shearable member  516 . In one embodiment, this difference in shear strength may be selected such that the pressure in fluid communication line  230  required to shear shearable member  526  is greater than the pressure in the fluid communication line  230  required to shear shearable member  516 . Thus, an operator can delay freeing the second piston  524  from the first position for a desired period of time after freeing first piston  514  from the first position. In another embodiment, the shear strength of shearable member  526  can be less than or equal to the shear strength of shearable member  516  such that the shearable member  526  shears after fluid communication from the inlet  548  to the bore  504  is no longer blocked by the first piston  514 . 
     In one embodiment, the first switch  610  has a first configuration corresponding to the first position of the first piston  514  and a second configuration corresponding to the second position of the first piston  514 . The second switch  620  has a first configuration corresponding to the first position of the second piston  524 , an intermediate configuration corresponding to the intermediate position of second piston  524 , and a second configuration corresponding to the second position of the second piston  524 . Fluid communication from the inlet  548  to the bore  508  is blocked by the first switch  610  and the second switch  620  when both switches  610 ,  620  are in their respective first configuration. When the second switch  620  is in the intermediate configuration and the first switch  610  is in the second configuration, fluid communication between the inlet  548  and the bore  508  remains blocked. Fluid communication from the inlet  548  to the bore  508  is unblocked when the first and second switches  610 ,  620  are in their respective second configurations. Once the second switch  620  is in the second configuration, fluid communication between the inlet  548  and the bore  508  is established and the actuator piston  534  of the latch actuator  255  may be moved in response to fluid communication. 
     In one embodiment, the latch actuator  255  has the second switch  620  but the first switch  610  is omitted. In this embodiment, the bore  502  and first piston assembly  510  is omitted and the fluid communication line  550  extends from the inlet  548  to the bore  504 . Fluid communication from the inlet  548  to the bore  508  is blocked by the second switch  620  when the second switch  620  is in the first and intermediate configurations. Fluid communication from the inlet  548  to the bore  508  is unblocked when the second switch  620  is in the second configuration. Once the second switch  620  is in the second configuration, the actuator piston  534  may be moved in response to fluid communication 
     In one embodiment, the first switch  610  of the latch actuator  255  is a rupture disc. The rupture disc is disposed in the fluid communication line  550 . In this embodiment, the rupture disc is used instead of the first piston assembly  510 . The rupture disc is configured to fails at a predetermined pressure. After the rupture disc fails, fluid communication is established between the inlet  548  and the bore  504 . The first switch  610  is in the first configuration prior to the rupture of the rupture disc and in the second configuration after the rupture of the rupture disc. Thus, the rupture disc is ruptured prior to the actuation of the second switch  620 . Fluid communication from the inlet  548  to the bore  508  is blocked by the second switch  620  when the second switch  620  is in the first configuration and the intermediate configuration. Fluid communication is unblocked when the second switch  620  is in the second configuration. Once the second switch is in the second configuration, the actuator piston  534  may be moved in response to fluid communication. 
     The housing  500  may be manufactured by milling a block of material, such as a metal or dense plastic, to form the first piston assembly bore  502 , the second piston assembly bore  504 , and the third piston assembly bore  508 . Threads can be formed in the first piston assembly bore  502  and second piston assembly bore  504  that corresponds to a threaded portion of their respective housing connection members  512 ,  522 . The fluid communication lines  550 ,  552  may be formed by drilling into the block of material, including drilling into the respective bores  502 ,  504  to create a desired junction with the fluid communication lines with the bores. After the fluid connection lines  550 ,  552  are formed, then the holes formed through a side of the housing  500  are plugged with plugs  560  attached to the housing  500 . A bore or channel is formed to accommodate the latch member  270 . However, it is also contemplated that the housing  500  may be 3-D printed, thereby omitting the need for plugs  560 . It is also contemplated that the housing  500  may be integral with the body  220  of the whipstock  200 . 
     An exemplary operation sequence of the latch release mechanism  250  will now be described in more detail. The BHA  150  is deployed in the wellbore  100  to a desired location and the BHA  150  is turned, using a Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) or Logging-While-Drilling (LWD) unit coupled to or integral with the BHA  150 , such that the angle  215  of the concave face  210  relative to the wellbore  100  is oriented in the direction that the sidetrack will be drilled. Once the proper orientation is reached, fluid pressure or flow is communicated through the fluid communication line  230  to the anchoring mechanism  240  to anchor the whipstock  200  to the wellbore. The fluid communication line  230  is also in communication with the latch actuator  255  of the latch release mechanism  250 ; however, fluid communication from the inlet  548  (shown in  FIG.  4 H ) to the bore  508  is blocked by first piston assembly  510  and the second piston assembly  520 . The shearing of the shearable member  516  and  526  may transpire during or after the anchor of the anchor mechanism  240  is set depending on the shear strength of the shearable members  516 ,  526 . After the shearable members  516 ,  526  fail, fluid communication between the fluid communication line  230  and the third piston assembly  530  remains blocked by the second piston head  528  of the second piston  524  because the fluid communicated into the latch release mechanism  250  via the fluid communication line  230  will cause the second piston  524  to move to the intermediate position instead of the second position due to the greater piston surface area of the first piston head  527  relative to piston surface area of the second piston head  528 . 
     After the anchor mechanism  240  is set, and the shearable members  516 ,  526  have been sheared to release their respective pistons  514 ,  524 , the operator initiates a test to determine if the BHA  150  is properly anchored to the wellbore. The test may involve increasing the axial load on the BHA  150  from the surface to determine if the BHA  150  moves beyond an allowable tolerance. 
     If the BHA  150  moves beyond an allowable tolerance, the operator will determine that the anchor mechanism  240  did not properly anchor the BHA  150  to the wellbore  100 . If the anchor mechanism  240  did not satisfactorily anchor the BHA to the wellbore  100 , then the BHA  150  may be retrieved from the wellbore. A retrieval tool is not necessary to retrieve the whipstock  200  or anchoring mechanism  240  from the wellbore  100  because the releasable attachment of the whipstock  200  to the milling tool  300  will not release during the anchor test. Thus, only one trip is needed to remove the BHA  150  from the wellbore  100  if the anchoring mechanism  240  does not properly anchor the BHA  150 . This saves time and costs associated with a retrieval operation as compared to conventional multi-trip retrieval operations. 
     If the anchoring test determines that the BHA  150  is properly anchored to the wellbore  100 , then the operator may proceed with releasing the whipstock  200  from the milling tool  300 . The second piston  524  needs to move to the second position before the whipstock  200  can be released from the milling tool  300 . For example, the pressure in the fluid communication line  230  is lowered to below the biasing force of the biasing member  529  of the second piston assembly  520 . The biasing member  529  is allowed to expand, thereby causing the second piston  524  to move to the second position. In the second position, the second piston  524  no longer blocks fluid communication between the bore  504  and the bore  508 . Thus, fluid communication is established between the fluid communication line  230  and the bore  508 . 
     When the operator is ready to release the whipstock  200  from the milling tool  300 , the pressure and or fluid flow is applied through fluid communication line  230  to move the actuator piston  534  from the first position to the second position. If the operator had stopped fluid flow in the line fluid communication  230 , then pumping is reestablished to actuate the actuator piston  534  of the third piston assembly  530 . 
     The movement of the actuator piston  534  moves the latch  272  of the latch member  270  away from the latch portion  430  of the locking member  420 . Once the latch  272  fully disengages with the latch portion  430  as shown in  FIG.  4 G , then the locking member  420  is moved from the extended position ( FIG.  3 A ) to the retracted position ( FIG.  3 B ), thereby releasing to whipstock  200  from the milling tool  300 . 
     After the whipstock  200  is released, the milling tool  300  may begin a milling operation to create a sidetrack of wellbore  100 . The collar  280  will be completely or partially milled away at the beginning of the operation. The milling tool  300  is moved along the whipstock  200  to form at least a portion of the sidetrack. In some embodiments, a portion of the whipstock  200  and the latch release mechanism  250  will be milled away by the milling tool  300 . In some embodiments, the latch actuator  255  will be milled completely away. Thereafter, what remains of the whipstock  200  may be retrieved from the wellbore  100  by a retrieval tool. 
     The fluid communication line  230  may be connected to a control line (not shown) that extends to the surface. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG.  3 A , the fluid communication line is in fluid communication with a bore  350  of the milling tool  300 . The bore  350  may have a nozzle  352  disposed therein and be in communication with fluid flow paths  354 . Thus, the bore  350  is in fluid communication with the wellbore  100  via the fluid flow paths  354 . The nozzle  352  presents a restriction to fluid flow in the bore  350 . To generate flow through the nozzle  352 , a pressure difference is required, which manifests in a higher pressure in the bore  350  upstream from the nozzle  352  than immediately downstream of the nozzle  352 . This higher pressure is communicated through the fluid communication line  230  to both the anchoring mechanism  240  and the latch release mechanism  250 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , the fluid communication line  230  can be disposed outside of the whipstock  200 ; however, it is contemplated that the fluid communication line  230  may be at least partially disposed within the body  220  of the whipstock  200  as shown in  FIG.  4 H . It is contemplated that the fluid communication line  230  would be in communication with a bore  350  of the milling tool  300  that does not have a nozzle  352 . It is also contemplated that the inlet  548  could not be connected to the fluid communication line  230 , and instead would be sensitive to pressure increase and decreases in the wellbore  100  to actuate the piston assemblies  510 ,  520 ,  530  of the latch release mechanism  250 . 
       FIG.  5 A  illustrates a cross section of whipstock  200  with the latch actuator  255  of the latch release mechanism  250  disposed in the aperture  252 .  FIG.  5 B  is an expanded view of the region circled in  FIG.  5 A . A portion of the fluid communication line  552  is shown. The latch member  270  may also be secured to the housing  500  by at least one shearable member  626 . The shearable members  626  are configured to retain the latch member  270  in engagement with the latch portion  430  of the locking member  420  during run in of the BHA  150  in the event an obstruction in the wellbore contacts a portion of the latch member  270 . The shearable members  626  are sheared, thus releasing the latch member  270  from the housing  500 , by the application of sufficient pressure to the actuator piston  534  after fluid communication is established between the inlet  548  and the third piston assembly  530 . The latch member  270  and the actuator piston  534  is allowed to move once the shearable members  626  are sheared. Thus, the shearable members  626  retain the latch member  270  in a deployment position and retain the actuator piston  534  in the first position prior to being sheared. 
     A gap  602  exists between the back member  535  of the third piston assembly  530  and a wall of the aperture  252  in the body  220  of the whipstock  200 . The gap  602  is sized to allow for the extension of the actuator piston  534  from the first position to the second position. In an alternative embodiment, the gap  602  may be sized such that, just after the actuator piston  534  reaches the second position and thus allows the latch member  270  to disengage with the latch portion  430  of the locking member  420 , the back member  535  contacts the wall of the aperture  252  to prevent further extension of the actuator piston  534  as shown in  FIG.  4 G . Thus, the extension of the actuator piston  534  is physically restrained by the wall of the aperture  252  and not by the engagement of a portion of the actuator piston  534  with the housing  500 . However, it is contemplated that a portion of the actuator piston  534  may limit the extension of the actuator piston  534 . 
     A gap  604 , as shown in  FIG.  5 B , exists between the wall of the aperture  252  and the first piston assembly  510  and the second piston assembly  520 . The gap  604  is configured to accommodate the extension of pistons  514  or  524 . The gap  604  may be omitted if the pistons  514  or  524  do not extend beyond their respective housing connection members  512 ,  522 . 
     The actuator piston  534  and latch member  270  of the latch release mechanism  250 , shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , will move in the downhole direction when the actuator piston  534  moves from the first position to the second position. However, it is contemplated that the latch release mechanism  250  can be inverted such that the extension of the actuator piston  534  and latch member  270  will move in the uphole direction when the actuator piston  534  moves from the first position to the second position. The latch  272  of the latch member  270  would be configured to disengage from the latch portion  430  of the locking member  420  when moved uphole by the actuator piston  534 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , the aperture  252  is formed fully through the body  220  of the whipstock  200 . As shown in  FIG.  4 H , the concave face  210  is partially defined by the aperture  252 . However, it is contemplated that the aperture  252  is only formed partially through the body  220  such that a concave face  210  will not be defined, in part, by the aperture  252 . 
     The latch member  270  may be adjustable in length. An embodiment of the adjustable latch member is illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B . The latch member  270  may be formed from a first latch member  273  coupled to a second latch member  274  via a connection member  275 . The latch  272  of the latch member  270  may be attached to the second latch member  274  and the first latch member  273  may be attached to the third piston assembly  530 . The connection member  275  may be adjusted to change the length of the latch member  270 . For example, the connection member  275  is threadedly connected to at least one of the first and second latch members  273 ,  274 . Rotation of the connection member  275  may axially move the connection member  275  relative to at least one of the first and second latch members  273 ,  274 . During assembly, the latch member  270  may be extended from a retracted position to an extended position so the latch  272  engages the latch portion  430  of the locking member  420 . The abutment of abutment member  276  of the second latch member  274  with an inner surface of the connection member  275  facilitates the translation of the second latch member  274  when the first latch member  273  is translated by the third piston assembly  530 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  5 B , the latch member  270  is attached to the back member  535  and partially disposed within the wall of the body  220  of the whipstock  200 . The latch member  270  may be disposed within a bore formed within the whipstock  200  or a channel  610  formed on the surface of the whipstock  200  as shown in  FIG.  4 G . A latch channel  620  may be formed in the whipstock  200  to accommodate the movement of the latch  272 . The latch member  270  may also be disposed outside of the whipstock  200 . 
       FIGS.  6 A- 9 B  illustrate an alternative embodiment a latch release mechanism  850  releasably connecting a whipstock  702  to a downhole tool  300 , such as a milling tool. The latch release mechanism  850 , whipstock  702 , anchor  704 , and downhole tool  300  may be part of a BHA. The latch release mechanism  850  includes a connection mechanism  701 . As shown in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 B , the connection mechanism  701  includes a tubular sub  700  disposed between a whipstock  702  and an anchor  704 . The tubular sub  700  has a first bore portion  706 , a second bore portion,  708 , and a third bore portion  710  that links the first and second bore portions  706 ,  708 . As shown in  FIG.  6 B , the whipstock  702  is threadedly attached to the second bore portion  708 , and the anchor  704  has a mandrel  720  at least partially disposed within the first bore portion  706 . A biasing member  712  may be disposed about the mandrel  720  and between adjacent faces of the tubular sub  700  and the anchor  704 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 C , the connection mechanism  701  has a switch  630 . The switch  630  is a valve assembly  730  having a first valve member  732  and a second valve member  734  may be at least partially disposed in the third bore  710 . The first valve member  732  may be threadedly attached to the tubular sub  700  or attached by other conventional mechanism. In this embodiment, the first valve member  732  is a tubular sleeve having a bore  705 , and the second valve member  734  is a cylindrical rod. The second valve member  734  is disposed within the bore  705  of the first valve member  732  and movable from a first position ( FIG.  6 C ) to a second position ( FIG.  6 D ). 
     The tubular sub  700  may have an inlet port  714  and an outlet port  716 . The inlet port is in fluid communication with an inlet port  740  of the first valve member  732 . The outlet port  716  is in fluid communication with an outlet port  742  of the first valve member  732 . Sealing members  744  prevent unintended fluid communication between the inlet port  714  and outlet port  716  about the outer circumference of the first valve member  732 . 
     The second valve member  734  has rod body  735 , a first sealing region  750  defined between sealing member  758   a  and sealing member  758   b , and a second sealing region  752  defined between sealing member  758   b  and sealing member  758   c . The sealing members  758   a,b,c  are disposed about the outer diameter of the rod body  735  to seal against the first valve member  732 . The rod body  735  of the second valve member  734  has a spacer portion  754  disposed between the sealing members  758   b ,  758   c . The spacer portion  754  has an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the rod body  735  where seals  758   a,b,c  are disposed. An annular chamber  756  is formed between the outer surface of the spacer portion  754  and the first valve member  732 , the annular chamber  756  being further disposed between the sealing members  758   b ,  758   c . A biasing member  736 , such as a spring, is disposed between a first end  760  of the second valve member  734  and a shoulder of the first valve member  732 . A second end of the second valve member  734  has an outer diameter that is larger than the bore  705  of the first valve member  732 . In one embodiment, the first end  760  is a cap that is attached to the rod body  735  after it is inserted into the first valve member  732  and the biasing member  736  is disposed around the rod body  735 . 
     When the second valve member  734  is in the first position, a portion of the second valve member  734  protrudes into the first bore portion  706  of the tubular sub  700 . Fluid communication between the inlet port  714  and the outlet port  716 , and fluid communication between inlet port  740  and outlet port  742 , are blocked by the second valve member  734  when in the first position. As shown in  FIG.  6 C , the second valve member  734  is positioned such that the outlet port  742  is between two sealing members  758   a,b  defining the first sealing region  750 . 
     When the second valve member is moved to the second position, as shown in  FIG.  6 D , fluid communication is established between the inlet port  714  and the outlet port  716  because the first sealing region  750  no longer blocks the outlet port  742  of the first valve member  732 . In this embodiment, the second valve member  734  has moved left relative to the first valve member  732 . In particular, the sealing member  758   b  has moved to the left of the outlet port  742  while the sealing member  758   c  remained to the right of the inlet port  740 . In this respect, the inlet port  740  is allowed to communicate with the outlet port  742  via the annular chamber  756  between the sealing members  758   b,c.    
     The second valve member  734  is shifted from the first position to the second position by the movement of the mandrel  720  in the first bore  706 . The contact of the mandrel  720  with the second valve member  734  is not by itself sufficient to move the second valve member  734  from the first position to the second position. A force is applied by the mandrel  720  that exceeds the biasing force of the biasing member  736  to move the second valve member  734 . In this respect, the biasing member  736  prevents unintended movement of the second valve member  734 . 
     In one embodiment, one or more optional shearable members (not shown) may attach the anchor  704  to the tubular sub  700 . The shearable members may be sheared upon the application of an axial force from the surface after the anchor  704  has been activated to engage the wellbore  100 . The shearable members will fail in response to an axial force that exceeds the shear strength of the shearable members. Once the shearable members fail, the mandrel  720  is free to axially movable relative to the tubular sub  700 . The biasing member  712  prevents premature engagement of the mandrel  720  with the second valve member  734  after the mandrel  720  is released. 
     If an anchor test determines that the anchor  704  failed to properly set against the wellbore  100 , then the whipstock  702 , anchor  704 , and tubular sub  700  can be removed from the wellbore  100 . If the anchor test determines that the anchor  704  failed to properly set against the wellbore  100 , and the anchor  704  has become stuck, then an axial load can be applied to shear the shearable members to allow the retrieval of the whipstock  702  and the tubular sub  700 . Thereafter, a retrieval operation may commence to retrieve the stuck anchor  704 . 
     If the anchor test is passed, and after the shearable members are sheared, then the operator can increase axial force such that the mandrel  720  moves the second valve member  734  from the first to the second position. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the optional shearable members (not shown) are partially disposed in slots  707  formed in first bore portion  706  of the tubular sub. Thus, the mandrel  720  may move within the tubular sub  700  without shearing the shearable members. The biasing member  712  prevents premature engagement of the mandrel  720  with the second valve member  734 . If an anchor test determined that the anchor  704  failed to properly set against the wellbore  100 , then the whipstock  702 , tubular sub  700 , and anchor  704  may be withdrawn uphole because the shearable members will engage the end of the slot  707  without being sheared. If the test anchor test is passed, then the operator can increase axial loading to cause the mandrel  720  to displace the second valve member  734  from the first position to the second position. The shearable members do not have to be sheared to allow the displacement of the second valve member  734 . 
     The inlet port  714  may be fluidly connected with a fluid communication fluid communication line  230  that is in communication with the anchor  704  and the inlet port  714 . Thus, the inlet port  714  may experience a pressure and/or fluid flow to set the anchor  704 . The second valve member  734  in the first position blocks fluid communication between the inlet port  714  and the outlet port  716  while the anchor is being set. Then, the operator will test the anchor  704  by increasing axial load on the anchor  704 . While the anchor test is performed, fluid flow may be prevented to enter the inlet port  714 , such as by ceasing all pumping operations. The anchor test may result in the mandrel  720  advancing into contact with the second valve member  734  and the movement of second valve member from the first position to the second position. If the test is not passed, then the whipstock  702 , tubular sub  700 , and anchor  704  may be retrieved from the wellbore  100 . If the test is not passed, then the operator may commence an additional test. If the anchor test did not cause the displacement of the second valve member  734 , then axial load can be increased, if necessary, until the second valve member  734  is moved to the second position. If the test is passed, then reestablishing fluid flow and an increase in pressure through the inlet port  714 , such as by resuming pumping operations, will then cause fluid flow and/or pressure to be communicated from the inlet port  714  to the outlet port  716 . In some instances, reestablishment of the fluid flow may still occur if the operator decides to not retrieve the BHA based on other criteria. The outlet port  716  directs fluid to a latch actuator  855  of the alternative latch release mechanism  850 . 
     The latch release mechanism  850  has a latch actuator  855 , a latch member  870 , and the connection mechanism  701 . The latch member  870  may have a latch  872  attached at one end.  FIG.  7 A  shows the whipstock  702  attached to the downhole tool  300 , such as a milling tool. As shown in  FIG.  7 A , the latch  872  is in engagement with the latch portion  430  of the lock mechanism  400  of the downhole tool  300 .  FIG.  7 B  shows the latch member  870  disengaged from the latch portion  430  after the latch member  870  is moved by the latch actuator  855 . The whipstock  702  is released from the downhole tool once the latch member  870  disengages from the latch portion  430  of the lock mechanism  400 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7 A , the latch actuator  855  is disposed in an aperture  762  of the whipstock  702 , which is similar to aperture  252 . The latch actuator  855  may be attached to the whipstock  702  such as by a bolts or screws inserted through mounting bores  813  formed in the housing  800  of the latch actuator  855 . 
     An embodiment of the latch actuator  855  is illustrated in  FIG.  8   . The latch actuator  855  has a housing  800 , and a piston assembly  830  having at least one actuator piston  834  disposed in a piston assembly bore  808  of the housing  800 . An inlet  848  of the housing  800  is in fluid communication with the bore  808  via a fluid communication line  852 . The housing  800  may be integral with the downhole tool, such as whipstock  702 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  9 A-B , the whipstock  702  may have a collar  280  and an aperture  842 , similar to aperture  242 , to facilitate axial and torsional load applied to the whipstock  702  and downhole tool  300  while isolating the lock mechanism  400  from torsional and/or axial loading. 
     The latch member  870 , having a latch  872 , of the latch release mechanism  850  is connected to the piston assembly  830 . The latch member  870  and latch  872  are similar to the latch member  270  having latch  272 . The latch member  870  may be partially disposed in a wall of the whipstock  702 , a channel formed on an outer surface of the whipstock  702 , or disposed outside of the walls of the whipstock  702 . The latch  872  engages the latch portion  430  of the locking member  420 . Shearable members  826 , similar to shearable members  626 , initially retain the latch member  870  in a fixed position relative to the housing  800 . The shearable members  826  are sheared, thus releasing the latch member  870  from the housing  800 , by the application of sufficient pressure to the actuator piston  834  after the second valve member  734  has been moved to the second position. Thus, the shearable members  826  retain the latch member  870  in a deployment position and retain the actuator piston  834  in the first position prior to being sheared. Once the latch  872  has moved out of engagement with the latch portion  430  of the lock mechanism  400 , then the locking member  420  may retract allowing the release of the whipstock  702  from the downhole tool  300 . The latch member  870  may be partially disposed in housing  800 . The latch member  870  is attached to the actuator piston  834  or a back member  835 . 
     Fluid communication directed to the latch actuator  855  of the latch release mechanism  850  enters the housing via inlet  848 . The inlet  848  is in fluid communication with piston assembly bore  808  via a fluid communication line  852 . The piston assembly  830  may be similar to the third piston assembly  530 . As shown in  FIG.  8   , the actuator piston  834  may be a tandem piston, similar to tandem piston  534 , and has a back member  835 . However, it is contemplated that actuator piston  834  may be one piston or more than two pistons. The actuator piston  834  may have one or more sealing members  837  disposed about each individual piston of the actuator piston  834  to seal against the piston assembly bore  808 . In some embodiments, the one or more sealing members  837  is an O-ring disposed about each individual piston. 
     Fluid flow and or pressure communicated from the outlet port  716  to the piston assembly bore  808  will displace the actuator piston  834  from a first position to a second position. When the actuator piston  834  moves to the second position, then the latch member  870  moves with respect to the latch portion  430 , thereby allowing the locking member  420  to retract. The aperture  762  may be sized sufficiently to accommodate the movement of the actuator piston  834  from the first position to the second position in a similar manner to aperture  252 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  9 A- 9 B , a gap  802  exists between the back member  835  of the piston assembly  830  and a wall of the aperture  762  in the body  703  of the whipstock  702 . The whipstock has a concave face  711 . The gap  802  is sized to allow for the extension of the actuator piston  834  from the first position to the second position. In an alternative embodiment, the gap  802  may be sized such that, just after the actuator piston  834  reaches the second position and thus allows the latch member  870  to disengage with the latch portion  430  of the locking member  420 , the back member  835  contacts the wall of the aperture  762  to prevent further extension of the actuator piston  834  as shown in  FIG.  7 B . Thus, the extension of the actuator piston  834  is physically restrained by the wall of the aperture  762  and not by the engagement of a portion of the actuator piston  834  with the housing  800 . However, it is contemplated that a portion of the actuator piston  834  may limit the extension of the actuator piston  834 . It is contemplated that the latch release mechanism  850  maybe be orientated such that the movement of the actuator piston  834  and latch member  870  occur in either the uphole or downhole direction with respect to the housing  800 . 
     The switch  630  is in the first configuration when the second valve member  734  is in the first position. The switch  630  is in the second configuration when the second valve member  734  is in the second position. Thus, the switch  630  blocks fluid communication from the fluid communication line  230  to the inlet  848 , and thus the bore  808 , when in the first configuration and unblocks fluid communication from the fluid communication line  230  to the inlet  848 , and thus the bore  808 , when in the second configuration. Once the switch  630  is in the second configuration, the actuator piston  834  may be moved in response to fluid communication. 
     An exemplary method of using the alternative latch mechanism  850  will be discussed below. The anchor  704  and whipstock  702  connected to the downhole tool  300  by the engagement of the latch member  870  with the lock mechanism  400  is deployed downhole. Once in the desired location and position within the wellbore  100 , the anchor  704  is set by communicating fluid flow and or pressure from the fluid communication line  230  to the anchor  704 . Fluid communication between the latch actuator  855  and the fluid communication line  230  is blocked during the setting of the anchor  704  by the position of the second valve member  734 . A test of the anchor  704  commences by the application of axial load to the anchor  704  and the cessation of pumping operations. The axial load applied during the test causes the mandrel  720  to move into contact with the second valve member  734  resulting in the second valve member  734  moving from the first to the second position. No fluid flow or pressure is communicated through the valve assembly  730  to the latch actuator  855  because no fluid flow or pressure is being supplied downhole from the surface. 
     If the operator determines that the anchor  704  passes the test, fluid flow and or pressure are supplied downhole. For example, fluid flow from the surface and through the nozzle  352  creates a high-pressure zone in the milling tool bore  350  which allows facilitates fluid communication through the fluid communication line  230  to the valve assembly  730  and the latch actuator  855 . Because the second valve member  734  has moved from the first to the second position, fluid communication between the inlet port  714  and the outlet port  716  is established. Fluid communication is thus allowed between the fluid communication line  230  and the latch release mechanism  850 . The operator then increases pressure until the shearable members  826  shear allowing the latch member  870  and the actuator piston  834  to move. The actuator piston  834  is then displaced from the first position to the second position, causing the latch  872  of the latch member  870  to disengage with the latch portion  430  of the lock mechanism  400  to allow the locking member  420  to retract and thus release the milling tool  300  from the whipstock  702 . Then, the detached milling tool  300  may begin a milling operation to create a sidetrack in the wellbore  100 . The whipstock  702 , tubular sub  700 , and anchor  704  can be removed from the wellbore by a retrieval tool. 
     In some embodiments, the latch release mechanism  250 ,  850  is configured to attach a first downhole tool to a second downhole tool before being actuated to release the first downhole tool from the second downhole tool. In one embodiment, the first downhole tool is a milling tool  300 . In another embodiment, the first downhole tool is a running tool. In another embodiment, the second downhole tool is a packer. In another embodiment, the second downhole tool is an anchor. 
     In one embodiment, the first valve member  732  and sealing members  744  are omitted. A biasing member  736 , such as a spring, is disposed between a first end  760  of the second valve member  734  and a shoulder of the tubular sub  700 . Thus, the second valve member  734  is at least partially disposed in the third bore portion  710 . The annular chamber  756  is formed between the outer surface of the spacer portion  754  and the inner surface of the tubular sub  700 , the annular chamber  756  being further disposed between the sealing members  758   b ,  758   c . The first sealing region  750  of the second valve member  734  blocks fluid communication between the inlet port  714  and the outlet port  716  when the second valve member is in the first position and fluid communication is unblocked when the second valve member  734  is in the second position. 
       FIG.  10 A  shows a downhole tool actuator assembly  1000  having a switch assembly  1002  and an actuator  1010 . As shown in  FIG.  11 A , the switch assembly  1002  may be incorporated into or disposed on a first downhole tool  1210 , and the actuator  1010  may be incorporated into or disposed on a second downhole tool  1220 . The actuator  1010  can activate or operate a downhole tool, such as the second downhole tool  1220 . The switch assembly has a housing  1007  and a switch  1020 . The switch has a piston  1024  initially retained in a first position ( FIG.  10 A ) by at least one shearable member  1026 . The shearable member  1026  may be partially attached to the housing  1004  or to a housing connection member  1022 . The piston  1024  is disposed in a bore  1004  of the housing  1007 . The bore  1004  is similar to bore  504 , in that it has a first bore portion  1005  and a second bore portion  1006 . The first bore portion  1005  has a first diameter portion  1005   a  and a second diameter portion  1005   b , wherein the second diameter portion has a greater diameter than the first diameter portion  1005   a . Fluid communication line  1050  is in communication with inlet  1048  and the bore  1004 . Fluid communication line  1052  is in communication with the bore  1004  and outlet  1049 . One end of the fluid communication lines  1050 ,  1052  may be sealed by plugs  1060  to facilitate manufacturing of the switch assembly  1002 . A fluid communication line  1054  is in communication with the outlet  1049  and the actuator  1010 . The fluid communication line  1054  has a length to span the distance between the outlet  1049  and the actuator  1010 . Thus, the inlet  1048  is in fluid communication with the piston assembly  1010 . The actuator  1010  has a housing  1001  and an actuator piston  1012  at least partially disclosed in the housing  1001 . The actuator piston  1012  is movable from a first position to a second position in response to fluid communication from the inlet  1048 . The actuator  1010  activates or actuates the first downhole tool  1210  when in the actuator piston  1012  is in the second position. 
     The piston  1024  has a first piston head  1027  having a greater piston surface area than a piston surface area of a second piston head  1028 . The first piston head  1027  has one or more sealing members  1025  disposed about the outer circumference of the first piston head  1027  configured to seal against the first diameter portion  1005   a  of the first bore portion  1005  of the bore  1004  when the piston  1024  is in the first position ( FIG.  10 A ) and the intermediate position ( FIG.  10 B ). The second piston head  1028  has one or more sealing members  1015  disposed about the second piston head  1028  and configured to seal against the second bore portion  1006  of the bore  1004 . The one or more sealing members  1015 ,  1025  may be only one sealing member, such as an O-ring. The first piston head  1027  is disposed in the first portion  1005  of the bore  1004 . The second piston head  1028  is disposed in the second bore portion  1006 . When the piston  1024  is in the first position ( FIG.  10 A ) and intermediate position ( FIG.  10 B ), the second piston head  1028  is disposed between the junctions of the fluid communication lines  1050 ,  1052  with the bore  1004  and blocks fluid communication between the fluid communication lines  1050 ,  1052 . Since fluid communication is blocked between the fluid communication lines  1050 ,  1052 , fluid communication is also blocked between the inlet  1048  and the outlet  1049 . The piston  1024  is allowed to move from the first position when fluid pressure applied to the piston  1024  is sufficient to shear the shearable members  1026 . The piston  1024  moves to the intermediate position as shown in  FIG.  10 B , and not the second position as shown in  FIG.  10 C , because of the differential in piston head areas of the piston heads  1027 ,  1028 . The piston surface area of the first piston head  1027  is greater than the piston surface area of the second piston head  1028 . Once pressure decreases below the biasing force of biasing member  1029 , the biasing member  1029  extends moving the piston  1024  to the second position as shown in  FIG.  10 C . Once in the second position, the piston head  1028  no longer blocks fluid communication between the fluid communication lines  1050 ,  1052 . Thus, fluid flow is no longer blocked between the inlet  1048  and the outlet  1049 . 
     Furthermore, once in the second position, the first piston head  1027  is disposed in the second diameter portion  1005   b  of the first bore portion  1005  of bore  1004  and the one or more sealing members  1025  disposed about the outer circumference of the first piston head  1027  no longer seals against the bore  1004 . The piston  1024  will not return to the first or intermediate position by fluid pressure in the bore  1004  after moving to the second position because the first piston head  1027  is not in sealing engagement with the second diameter portion  1005   b  of the first bore portion  1005  of the bore  1004 . 
     The switch  1020  is in the first configuration, as shown in  FIG.  10 A , when the piston  1024  is in the first position. Fluid communication between a fluid communication line  1050  and a fluid communication line  1052  is blocked when the switch  1020  is in the first configuration. The switch  1020  is in an intermediate configuration, as shown in  FIG.  10 B , when the piston  1024  is in the intermediate position after the shearable members  1026  fail. Fluid communication between the fluid communication lines  1050 ,  1052  is blocked when the switch  1020  is in the intermediate configuration. The switch  1020  is in the second configuration, as shown in  FIG.  10 C , when the piston  1024  is in the second position. Fluid communication between the fluid communication line  1050  and the fluid communication line  1052  is unblocked when the piston  1024  is in the second position. Thus, fluid communication between the inlet  1048  and the actuator  1010 , via the fluid communication line  1054  extending from the outlet  1049  to the actuator  1010 , is established when the switch  1020  is in the second configuration. Once the switch  1020  is in the second configuration, the actuator piston  1012  may be moved from the first position (see  FIG.  10 A ) to the second position (see  FIG.  10 C ) in response to fluid communication in the fluid communication line  1230 . The actuator  1010  activates or actuates the second downhole tool  1220  when the actuator piston  1012  is in the second position. 
     The inlet  1048  is in communication with a first branch  1230   a  of the fluid communication line  1230 . The fluid communication line  1230  is also in communication with a first downhole tool actuator  1211  of the first downhole tool  1210  via a second branch  1230   b  of the fluid communication line  1230 . The first downhole tool actuator  1211  is configured to actuate or activate the first downhole tool  1210  in response to fluid communication in the second branch  1230   b  of the fluid communication line  1230 . Thus, the switch  1020  is responsive to the fluid pressures in the fluid communication line  1230  via the inlet  1048 . The switch  1020  of the switch assembly  1002  prevents the actuation or activation of the second downhole tool  1220  while the first downhole tool  1210  is being activated or actuated by the first downhole tool actuator  1211 . 
     For example, the first downhole tool  1210  is activated or actuated by the first downhole tool actuator  1211  in response to a pressure in the fluid communication line  1230  that is higher than the pressure necessary to actuate or activate the second downhole tool  1220  with the actuator  1010 . The shearable members  1026  are configured to shear in response to the pressure needed to operate the first downhole tool actuator  1211  to cause the actuation or activation of the first downhole tool  1210 . The shearable members  1026  may be configured to shear at a pressure greater than necessary to operate the first downhole tool actuator  1211  to cause the actuation or activation of the first downhole tool  1210 . Once the shearable members  1026  fail, the piston  1024  moves from the first position ( FIG.  10 A ) to the intermediate position ( FIG.  10 B ). The piston  1024  does not move to the second position because of the differential in piston head surface areas between the first piston head  1027  and the second piston head  1028 . After the first downhole tool  1210  is actuated or activated by the first downhole tool actuator  1211 , then pressure in the fluid communication line  1230 , and thus the bore  1004 , can be decreased below the biasing force of the biasing member  1029 . As a result, the piston  1024  moves to the second position ( FIG.  10 C ) to establish fluid communication between the first branch  1230   a  of the fluid communication line  1230  and the actuator  1010 . When the piston  1024  is in the second position, fluid communication between the fluid communication line  1230  and the actuator  1010  is established. Thus, the actuator piston  1012  can then be moved in response to fluid communication in the fluid communication line  1230  to activate or actuate the second downhole tool  1220 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  11 B , the switch assembly  1002  is incorporated into or disposed on a first downhole tool  1210  and the actuator  1010  is also incorporated into or disposed on the first downhole tool  1210 . In this embodiment, the actuator  1010  is configured to activate or actuate the first downhole tool  1210  instead of the first downhole tool actuator  1211 . The first downhole tool  1210  is coupled to the second downhole tool  1220 . A second downhole tool actuator  1221  of the second downhole  1220  tool is configured to activate or actuate the second downhole tool  1220  in response to a pressure in the second branch  1230   b  of the fluid communication line  1230 . The fluid communication line  1230  is also in communication with the inlet  1048  of the switch assembly  1002  via the first branch  1230   a  of the fluid communication line  1230 . The switch  1020  of the switch assembly  1002  prevents fluid communication between the fluid communication line  1230  and the actuator  1010  while the second downhole tool  1220  is activated or actuated via the second downhole tool actuator  1221 . 
     For example, the shearable members  1026  are configured to shear in response to the pressure in the fluid communication line  1230  needed to operate the second downhole tool actuator  1221  to cause the actuation or activation of the second down hole tool  1220 . The shearable members  1026  may be configured to shear at a pressure greater than necessary to operate the second downhole tool actuator  1221  to cause the actuation or actuation of the second downhole tool  1220 . Once the shearable members  1026  fail, the piston  1024  moves from the first position ( FIG.  10 A ) to the intermediate position ( FIG.  10 B ). The piston  1024  does not move to the second position because of the differential in piston head surface areas between the first piston head  1027  and the second piston head  1028 . After the second downhole tool  1220  is actuated or activated by the second downhole tool actuator  1221 , then pressure in the fluid communication line  1230 , and thus pressure in the bore  1004 , can be decreased below the biasing force of the biasing member  1029 . As a result, the piston  1024  moves to the second position ( FIG.  10 C ) to establish fluid communication between the fluid communication line  1230  and the actuator  1010 . The actuator piston  1012  can then be moved in response fluid communication in the fluid communication line  1230  to activate or actuate the first downhole tool  1210 . 
     In some embodiments, the switch assembly  1002  is not incorporated into or disposed on a first downhole tool, and is instead located on another downhole tool, such as a tubular sub, and is in fluid communication with the first downhole tool and the actuator  1010 . 
     In some embodiments, the switch assembly  1002  has a second switch (not shown) similar to the first piston assembly  510  having the first piston  514 . The second switch blocks fluid communication between the inlet  1048  and the switch  1020  when the second switch is in a first position. The second switch is movable from the first position to the second position in response to pressure communicated through the inlet  1048 . Once the second switch is in the second position, fluid communication between the inlet  1048  and the outlet  1049  is still blocked by the switch  1020  until the piston  1024  moves to the second position. Instead of the first piston assembly  510 , the second switch maybe a rupture disc may be disposed in the fluid communication line  1050  to initially block fluid communication between the inlet  1048  and the switch  1020  prior to the rupturing of the disc in response to an increase in pressure sufficient to rupture the disc. 
     In one or more embodiments, a latch release mechanism incudes a housing having a fluid inlet and an actuator piston at least partially disposed in the housing and movable from a first position to a second position in response to fluid communication from the fluid inlet. The latch release mechanism further includes a latch member coupled to the actuator piston and movable from a first position to a second position by the actuator piston. The latch release mechanism further includes a switch having a first configuration, a second configuration, and an intermediate configuration, wherein fluid communication is blocked when the switch is in the first configuration and the intermediate configuration, and wherein the fluid communication is unblocked when the switch is in the second configuration. The actuator piston is movable to the second position when the switch is in the second configuration. 
     In one or more embodiments, the switch comprises a piston assembly at least partially disposed in the housing, the piston assembly having a piston with a first piston head and a second piston head, wherein the first piston head has a greater piston surface area than a piston surface area of the second piston head. 
     In one or more embodiments, the piston has a first position corresponding to the first configuration of the switch, a second position corresponding to the second configuration of the switch, and an intermediate position corresponding to an intermediate configuration of the switch. 
     In one or more embodiments, the latch member is adjustable in length. 
     In one or more embodiments, the switch is a second switch and the latch release mechanism further includes a first switch having a first configuration and a second configuration. Fluid communication is blocked when the first switch and second switch are both in their respective first configurations and wherein the fluid communication is unblocked when the first switch and the second switch are in their respective second configurations. 
     In one or more embodiments, the first switch is a first piston assembly having a first piston, and the second switch is a second piston assembly having a second piston. The second piston has a first piston head and a second piston head, wherein the first piston head has a greater piston surface area than a piston surface area of the second piston head. 
     In one or more embodiments, an assembly for use downhole includes an actuator and a switch assembly. The switch assembly has a housing having an inlet in selective fluid communication with the actuator, and a switch having a first configuration, an intermediate configuration, and a second configuration. The switch blocks fluid communication between the inlet and the actuator when in the first configuration and the intermediate configuration. The switch allows fluid communication between the inlet and the actuator when in the second configuration. 
     In one or more embodiments, the switch is a piston assembly with a piston having a first piston head and a second piston head, wherein the first piston head has a greater piston surface area than a piston surface area of the second piston head. 
     In one or more embodiments, the piston has a first position corresponding to the first configuration of the switch, a second position corresponding to the second configuration of the switch, and an intermediate position corresponding to the intermediate configuration of the switch. 
     In one or more embodiments, the switch is a first switch, and the switch assembly further includes a second switch having a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the second switch moves from the first configuration to the second configuration prior to the switch converting to the second configuration. 
     In one or more embodiments, the first switch of the switch assembly is a first piston assembly and the second switch of the switch assembly is a second piston assembly. 
     In one or more embodiments, the actuator of the assembly for use downhole is incorporated into a first downhole tool and the switch assembly of the assembly for use downhole is incorporated into a second downhole tool. 
     In one or more embodiments, a bottom hole assembly includes a whipstock, a downhole tool having a lock mechanism, and a latch release mechanism attached to the whipstock and configured to releasably attach the whipstock to the downhole tool. 
     In one or more embodiments, the latch release mechanism of the bottom hole assembly includes an actuator piston movable from a first position to a second position in response to fluid communication. The latch release mechanism further includes a switch having a first configuration, a second configuration, and an intermediate configuration, wherein fluid communication is blocked when the switch is in the first configuration and the intermediate configuration, and wherein the fluid communication is unblocked when the switch is in the second configuration. The latch release mechanism further includes a latch member coupled to the piston and configured to engage the lock mechanism in a first position and to disengage from the lock mechanism in a second position, wherein the latch member is movable from the first position to the second position by the actuator piston when the switch is in the second configuration. 
     In one or more embodiments, the switch of the latch release mechanism comprises a piston assembly having a piston with a first piston head and a second piston head, wherein the first piston head has a greater piston surface area than a piston surface area of the second piston head. 
     In one or more embodiments, the piston has a first position corresponding to the first configuration of the switch, a second position corresponding to the second configuration of the switch, and an intermediate position corresponding to an intermediate configuration of the switch. 
     In one or more embodiments, the switch is a second switch, and the latch release mechanism further includes a first switch having a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the fluid communication is blocked when the first switch and second switch are both in their respective first configurations and wherein the fluid communication is unblocked when the first switch and the second switch are in their respective second configurations. 
     In one or more embodiments, the first switch is a first piston assembly having a first piston, and the second switch is a second piston assembly having a second piston with a first piston head and a second piston head, wherein the first piston head has a greater piston surface area than a piston surface area of the second piston head. 
     In one or more embodiments, a method of releasing a whipstock from a downhole tool includes running a bottom hole assembly having the whipstock releasably attached to the downhole tool into a wellbore, wherein the whipstock has a latch release mechanism, and the downhole tool has a lock mechanism, and wherein a latch member of the latch release mechanism is engaged with a locking member of the lock mechanism. The method further includes converting a switch of the latch release mechanism from a first configuration to a second configuration to unblock a fluid communication between a fluid communication line and an actuator piston attached to the latch member. The method further includes releasing the whipstock from the downhole tool by moving the actuator piston coupled to the latch member to disengage the latch member from the locking member in response to the fluid communication in the fluid communication line. 
     In one or more embodiments, the method includes setting an anchor of the BHA by increasing pressure in the fluid communication line prior to converting the switch. 
     In one or more embodiments the method includes testing the anchor prior to moving the piston coupled to the latch member. 
     In one or more embodiments, the switch converts to an intermediate configuration prior to converting to the second configuration, wherein the fluid communication between the fluid communication line and the piston coupled to the latch member is blocked in the intermediate configuration. 
     In one or more embodiments, a collar is attached to the whipstock and disposed about a portion of the downhole tool, and wherein torque is transferred from the downhole tool to the whipstock via the collar. 
     In one or more embodiments, the bottom hole assembly includes a whipstock having a latch release mechanism, a milling tool having a plurality of blades and a lock mechanism, and a collar coupled to the whipstock and disposed about a portion of the milling tool, wherein the blades of the milling tool abut the collar. The milling tool is releasably coupled to the whipstock by the interaction of the latch release mechanism and the lock mechanism. 
     In one or more embodiments, the collar has a plurality of apertures, and the milling tool has a plurality of recesses. The bottom hole assembly further includes and a plurality of torque keys, wherein each torque key is at least partially disposed in a corresponding aperture and recess, and wherein the torque keys are configured to allow the transfer of torque from the milling tool to the whipstock. 
     In one or more embodiments, the latch release mechanism includes an actuator piston movable from a first position to a second position in response to fluid communication. The latch release mechanism further includes a switch having a first configuration, a second configuration, and an intermediate configuration, wherein fluid communication is blocked when the switch is in the first configuration and the intermediate configuration, and wherein the fluid communication is unblocked when the switch is in the second configuration. The latch release mechanism further includes a latch member coupled to the piston and configured to engage the lock mechanism in a first position and to disengage from the lock mechanism in a second position, wherein the latch member is movable from the first position to the second position by the actuator piston when the switch is in the second configuration. 
     In one or more embodiments, the switch of the latch release mechanism comprises a piston assembly having a piston with a first piston head and a second piston head, wherein the first piston head has a greater piston surface area than a piston surface area of the second piston head. 
     In one or more embodiments, the switch of the latch release mechanism is a piston, and the piston has a first position corresponding to the first configuration of the switch, a second position corresponding to the second configuration of the switch, and an intermediate position corresponding to an intermediate configuration of the switch. 
     In one or more embodiments, the switch is a second switch. The latch release mechanism further includes a first switch having a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the fluid communication is blocked when the first switch and second switch are both in their respective first configurations and wherein the fluid communication is unblocked when the first switch and the second switch are in their respective second configurations. 
     In one or more embodiments, the latch release mechanism has a first and second switch. The first switch is a first piston assembly having a first piston, and the second switch is a second piston assembly having a second piston with a first piston head and a second piston head, wherein the first piston head has a greater piston surface area than a piston surface area of the second piston head. 
     In one or more embodiments, a bottom hole assembly has a milling tool having a lock mechanism, a whipstock, and anchor. The bottom hole assembly has a latch release mechanism having a tubular connection mechanism disposed between the whipstock and anchor and a latch actuator. The tubular connection mechanism has a tubular sub having a bore therethrough a valve assembly. The valve assembly has a first valve member having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a second valve member movable from a first position to a second position, the second valve member having a first sealing region and a second sealing region, wherein when the second valve member is in the first position, the first sealing region prevents fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port, and wherein when the second valve member is in the second position, the second sealing region allows fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port. The latch actuator is coupled to the whipstock and in selective fluid communication with the inlet port. The latch actuator has an actuator piston movable from a first position to a second position in response to fluid communication when the second valve member is in the second position, and a latch member coupled to the piston and movable by the actuator piston from a first position where the latch member is engaged with the lock mechanism to a second position where the latch member is disengaged from the lock mechanism. 
     In one or more embodiments, the bottom hole assembly also has a collar attached to the whipstock, wherein the downhole tool is engaged with the collar when the latch member is in a first position. 
     In one or more embodiments, the collar has a plurality of apertures and the milling tool has a plurality of recesses. A plurality of torque keys is at least partially disposed in a corresponding aperture and recess. 
     In one or more embodiments, the collar has a plurality of apertures and the downhole tool has a plurality of recesses. A plurality of torque keys is at least partially disposed in a corresponding aperture and recess. 
     In one or more embodiments, a biasing member is disposed between a first end of the second valve member and the first valve member, wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the second valve member in the first position. 
     In one or more embodiments, the latch release mechanism includes a tubular connection mechanism having a tubular sub having a bore therethrough and a valve assembly. The valve assembly has a first valve member having an inlet port and an outlet port. The valve assembly also has a second valve member movable from a first position to a second position and having a first sealing region and a second sealing region. When the second valve member is in the first position, the first sealing region prevents fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port. When the second valve member is in the second position, the second sealing region allows fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port. 
     In one or more embodiments, the latch release mechanism includes a latch actuator in selective fluid communication with the inlet port, having a housing, an actuator piston at least partially disposed in the housing and movable in response to fluid communication from the inlet port, and a latch member coupled to the piston and movable from a first position to a second position by the actuator piston. 
     In one or more embodiments, the latch release mechanism includes a biasing member disposed between a first end of the second valve member and the first valve member, and the biasing member is configured to bias the second valve member in the first position. 
     In one or more embodiments, the latch actuator is attached to a whipstock and the connection mechanism is disposed between an anchor and the whipstock. 
     In one or more embodiments, a collar is attached to the whipstock and abuts a milling tool. 
     In one or more embodiments, a plurality of torque keys is partially disposed in recesses in the milling tool and corresponding apertures in the collar. 
     In one or more embodiments, a collar is attached to the whipstock and abuts a downhole tool.