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Downhole turbine with an adjustable shroud

  • US 10,697,241 B2
  • Filed: 10/28/2015
  • Issued: 06/30/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A power generation system comprising:

  • a shaft;

    a rotor connected to the shaft and adapted to receive a first portion of a power fluid, which first portion of the power fluid imparts rotation to the rotor and the shaft;

    a shroud extending circumferentially about the rotor and the shaft;

    a bypass gap defined between the rotor and the shroud, the bypass gap being adapted to communicate a second portion of the power fluid therethrough; and

    a feedback control system adapted to displace the shroud axially relative to the rotor;

    wherein displacement of the shroud axially relative to the rotor adjusts a size of the bypass gap and, consequently, a ratio of the first portion of the power fluid relative to the second portion of the power fluid;

    wherein the feedback control system comprises;

    a shroud actuator connected to the shroud and adapted to axially displace the shroud relative to the rotor;

    a sensor adapted to detect an output of the power generation system; and

    a controller adapted to control the shroud actuator, based on an output setpoint and the detected output of the power generation system, to axially displace the shroud causing the output of the power generation system to be adjusted closer to the output setpoint;

    andwherein;

    (i) the output of the power generation system is rotation of the shaft; and

    the sensor is adapted to detect the rotation of the shaft;

    (ii) the power generation system further comprises an electric generator connected to the shaft and adapted to convert the rotation of the shaft into an electric output;

    the output of the power generation system is the electric output of the electric generator; and

    the sensor is adapted to detect the electric output of the electric generator;

    (iii) the power generation system further comprises a pump connected to the shaft and adapted to convert the rotation of the shaft into a hydraulic output;

    the output of the power generation system is the hydraulic output of the pump; and

    the sensor is adapted to detect the hydraulic output of the pump;

    or(iv) any combination of (i), (ii), and (iii).

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