US 12,276,168 B2
Wellbore satellite launcher system
Ed St George, Red Deer (CA); and Boris P Cherewyk, Red Deer (CA)
Assigned to Isolation Equipment Services Inc., Red Deer (CA)
Filed by Isolation Equipment Services Inc., Red Deer (CA)
Filed on Dec. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/531,342.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/430,871, filed on Dec. 7, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/430,456, filed on Dec. 6, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0183238 A1, Jun. 6, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 23/08 (2006.01); E21B 23/04 (2006.01); E21B 23/06 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 23/0419 (2020.05) [E21B 23/06 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A satellite launcher for delivering satellites into a wellbore comprising:
a body comprising a planar surface and an axial bore extending through the planar surface, the axial bore in communication with the wellbore;
a plurality of satellite tubes, each satellite tube for releasably retaining a satellite and having an open end for facing the planar surface;
a first track system comprising:
a first track extending along the planar surface through the axial bore, the first track defining a first track opening at the axial bore,
a first magazine slideably attached to the first track and movable along the first track, the first magazine for detachably retaining two or more of the satellite tubes, and
a first drive system for moving the first magazine along the first track; and
a second track system comprising:
a second track extending along the planar surface through the axial bore, wherein the second track is angularly offset from the first track relative to the axial bore, the second track defining a second track opening at the axial bore,
a second magazine slideably attached to the second track and moveable along the second track, the second magazine for detachably retaining two or more of the satellite tubes, and
a second drive system for moving the second magazine along the second track,
wherein when one of the satellite tubes is aligned with the axial bore, the satellite contained therein is free to drop out of the satellite tube.