1. A modular setting tool for use in a well comprising:
a sensing and actuation module receptive to at least one input source; and
a power generation module acting upon an output from the sensing and actuation module to supply sufficient energy to set a downhole tool in the well, the power generation module comprising:
a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with a chamber disposed within the housing;
a piston moveably disposed in the chamber, the piston having a first surface area on the end nearest the inlet port larger than a second surface area on the opposite end of the piston near the outlet port; and
a control line in fluid communication with the outlet port.
2. The setting tool of claim 1 in which the at least one input source is a pressure pulse, an electromagnetic signal, an acoustic signal, or a pressure source.
3. The setting tool of claim 1 in which the sensing and actuation module comprises a command compartment and a trigger.
4. The setting tool of claim 3 in which the command compartment comprises a battery, a sensor, and a microprocessor.
5. The setting tool of claim 4 in which the sensor senses a pressure pulse, an electromagnetic signal, an acoustic signal, or a sustained pressure.
6. The setting tool of claim 1 in which there is a plurality of pistons arranged in series and having an ultimate piston to further amplify the pressure applied by the ultimate piston.
7. The setting tool of claim 1 in which the piston collapses an atmospheric chamber as the piston is displaced.
8. The setting tool of claim 1 further comprising one or more rupture disks disposed in the sensing and actuation module.
9. The setting tool of claim 1 in which the power generation module further comprises a rupture disk disposed in the inlet port.
10. The setting tool of claim 1 in which the power generation module further comprises a back-up actuation device.
11. The setting tool of claim 10 in which the back-up actuation device comprises an auxiliary rupture disk.
12. The setting tool of claim 11 in which the back-up device further comprises a check valve.
13. The setting tool of claim 1 in which the power generation module further comprises a compensation feature.
14. The setting tool of claim 13 in which the compensation feature is a spring.
15. The setting tool of claim 1 in which the power generation module further comprises a full throttle feature.
16. The setting tool of claim 15 in which the full throttle feature comprises a full throttle piston disposed in the chamber and a full throttle port in the housing.
17. The setting tool of claim 1 in which the power generation module has an adjustable setting feature.
18. The setting tool of claim 17 in which the adjustable setting feature comprises at least two pistons in which a first piston operates alone or in conjunction with the other pistons to intensify the pressure applied by the first piston.
19. The setting tool of claim 18 in which the other pistons are selectively enjoined from moving with the first piston via a pin inserted through openings in the pistons.
20. The setting tool of claim 1 in which the power generation module further comprises:
a rupture disk disposed in the inlet port; and
a sleeve to protect the rupture disk from premature rupture.
21. The setting tool of claim 20 in which the power generation module further comprises an adjustment spring.
22. The setting tool of claim 1 in which the power generation module further comprises an open port to allow fluid communication between the exterior of the housing and the outlet port.
23. The setting tool of claim 22 in which the power generation module further comprises a filter disposed in the open port.
24. The setting tool of claim 22 in which the power generation module further comprises an equalization port to allow fluid communication between the exterior of the housing and a central region of the chamber.
25. The setting tool of claim 1 in which the power generation module further comprises a velocity valve.
26. The setting tool of claim 1 in which the downhole tool is a valve, a packer, a flow control device, or a sampler.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A dry couple in wheel brake assembly, comprising:
a hub adapted for detachably mounting on an axle of a vehicle with a single retaining nut;
a wheel mounted for rotation on said hub;
at least a stationary component of a brake assembly comprising a caliper assembly including a support member mounted on said hub, the support member having a caliper unit mounted to it and an elongated support housing defining at least one arm and extending to a side of the axis of said axle, the elongated support housing having a portion that extends into a slot in said axle;
a rotating component of a brake assembly mounted on and rotatable with said wheel; and
a brake actuator mounted on said hub for actuating said brake assembly.
2. A brake assembly according to claim 1 wherein said rotating component is a disc.
3. A brake assembly according to claim 2 wherein said disc is detachably mounted to an inner lip within an inner surface of the rim of the wheel.
4. A brake assembly according to claim 1 wherein said rotating component is a disc detachably mounted within an inner portion of the rim of the wheel.
5. A brake assembly according to claim 1 wherein said caliper assembly comprises a self contained hydraulic actuating system which comprises:
a cylinder in said support housing having a free piston mounted therein;
a plurality of pistons in each of said caliper units; and
a cylinder in said support housing having a free piston positioned therein;
a plurality of pistons in each of said caliper units; and
hydraulic fluid passages communicating between said cylinder and said pistons.
6. A brake assembly according to claim 5 wherein said free piston is positioned for engagement and actuation when said hub is detachably mounted on an axle of a vehicle.
7. A brake assembly according to claim 4 wherein said actuator comprises:
a U shaped support member having at least one arm extending to opposite sides of said disc; and
a cylinder on each of said arms for biasing a friction pad into engagement with a surface of said disc.
8. A brake assembly according to claim 1 wherein said brake actuator comprises:
a support member having at least one portion extending to opposite sides of said disc;
at least one brake pad carried by said support member and positioned on each side of said disc; and,
an electric motor for biasing each of said brake pad into engagement with a surface of said disc.
9. A combined wheel and brake pad assembly, comprising:
a hub adapted for detachably mounting on an axle of a vehicle;
a quick connect device for detachably retaining said hub on said axle;
a wheel mounted for rotation on said hub;
at least a stationary component of a brake assembly mounted on said hub wherein said at least a stationary component of the brake assembly comprises a caliper assembly including a support member mounted on said hub, the support member having a caliper unit mounted to it and an elongated support housing defining at least one arm and extending to a side of the axis of said axle, the elongated support housing having a portion that extends into a slot in said axle;
a brake disc detachably mounted on and extending radially inward from the wheel rim and rotatable with said wheel; and
a self contained brake actuation system mounted on said hub for actuating said brake assembly.
10. A brake assembly according to claim 9 wherein said stationary component caliper assembly of said brake assembly mounted on said hub comprises a self contained hydraulic actuating system which comprises:
a cylinder in said support housing having a free piston positioned therein;
a plurality of pistons in each of said caliper units; and
hydraulic fluid passages communicating between said cylinder and said pistons.
11. A brake assembly according to claim 9 wherein said brake actuator comprises:
a support member having portions extending to opposite sides of said disc;
at least one brake pad carried by said support member and positioned on each side of said disc; and,
an electric motor for biasing each of said brake pad into engagement with a surface of said disc.
12. A quick mounting combined wheel and brake assembly, comprising:
a hub adapted for detachably mounting on a suspension of a vehicle by attaching a single retaining device;
a quick connect device for detachably retaining said hub on said suspension;
a wheel having a rim mounted for rotation on said hub;
at least one stationary component of a brake system mounted on said hub wherein said at least a stationary component of the brake assembly comprises a caliper assembly including a support member mounted on said hub, the support member having a caliper unit mounted to it and an elongated support housing defining at least one arm and extending to a side of the axis of said axle, the elongated support housing having a portion that extends into a slot in said axle;
at least one rotating component of a brake system detachably mounted on the rim of said vehicle; and
a self contained brake actuator mounted on said hub for actuating said brake assembly;
wherein the hub, wheel and self contained brake actuator mounted on said hub are removable by removing the single retaining device and sliding the hub off the axle.
13. A brake assembly according to claim 12 wherein said rotating component is a disc detachably mounted within an inner portion of the wheel rim.
14. A brake assembly according to claim 13 wherein said brake actuator comprises:
a support member having portions extending to opposite sides of said disc;
at least one brake pad carried by said support member and positioned on each side of said disc; and,
an electric motor for biasing each of said brake pad into engagement with a surface of said disc.
15. A brake assembly according to claim 12 wherein said caliper assembly comprises a self contained hydraulic actuating system which comprises:
a cylinder in said support housing having a free piston positioned therein;
a plurality of pistons in each of said caliper units; and
hydraulic fluid passages communicating between said cylinder and said pistons.
16. A brake assembly according to claim 12 wherein said retaining device is a threaded retaining nut or bolt.