THERMALLY EXPANSIVE FLUID ACTUATOR DEVICES FOR DOWNHOLE TOOLS AND METHODS OF ACTUATING DOWNHOLE TOOLS

摘要

An actuator device for setting a downhole tool is disclosed. The actuator device comprises a thermally expansive fluid within a chamber. Application of heat to the thermally expansive fluid causes the thermally expansive fluid to expand. In so doing, pressure within the chamber increases causing the downhole tool to be actuated such as by the thermally expansive fluid applying pressure directly to the actuating member or indirectly by allowing hydrostatic wellbore pressure to be allowed to act directly with the actuating member.