Toroidal choke inductor for wireless communication and control
First Claim
1. A current impedance apparatus for using a time-varying electrical current in a conductor, comprising an induction choke generally configured for enveloping a portion of said conductor such that with—
- said choke positioned in enveloping relation about said portion of said piping structure, and with a device electrically connected to said conductor between one side of said choke and another side of said choke, a voltage potential is developed on the conductor on each side of said choke when a time-varying electrical current is transmitted through and along said portion of said conductor and such that a portion of said current travels through said device electrically connected to said conductor on each side of said choke.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An induction choke in a petroleum well where a voltage potential is developed across the choke to power and communicate with devices and sensors in the well. Preferably, the induction choke is a ferromagnetic material and acts as an impedance to a time-varying current, e.g. AC. The petroleum well includes a cased wellbore having a tubing string positioned within and longitudinally extending within the casing. A controllable gas lift valve, sensor, or other device is coupled to the tubing. The valve sensor, or other device is powered and controlled from the surface. Communication signals and power are sent from the surface using the tubing, casing, or liner as the conductor with a casing or earth ground. For example, AC current is directed down a casing or tubing or a lateral where the current encounters a choke. The voltage potential developed across the choke is used to power electronic devices and sensors near the choke. Such induction chokes may be used in many other applications having an elongated conductor such as a pipe, where it is desirable to power or communicate with a valve, sensor, or other device without providing a dedicated power or communications cable.
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Citations
77 Claims
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1. A current impedance apparatus for using a time-varying electrical current in a conductor, comprising
an induction choke generally configured for enveloping a portion of said conductor such that with— -
said choke positioned in enveloping relation about said portion of said piping structure, and with a device electrically connected to said conductor between one side of said choke and another side of said choke, a voltage potential is developed on the conductor on each side of said choke when a time-varying electrical current is transmitted through and along said portion of said conductor and such that a portion of said current travels through said device electrically connected to said conductor on each side of said choke. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of powering a device electrically connected to an elongated conductor comprising the steps of:
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positioning an induction choke in concentric relation about a portion of the conductor;
applying a time-varying electrical current to the conductor on one side of the induction choke;
developing a voltage potential on each side of the induction choke when said time-varying electrical current is applied;
using the voltage potential to power a device.
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15. A system for defining an electrical circuit, comprising:
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a piping structure comprising a first end, a second end, and an electrically conductive portion extending from said first end to said second end;
a source of time-varying current electrically connected to said electrically conductive portion of said piping structure at a location along said first end;
an induction choke located about a portion of said electrically conductive portion of said piping structure;
a device comprising two terminals, said device terminals each being electrically connected to said electrically conductive portion of said piping structure such that said choke is located along said piping structure between said electrical connection locations for said device terminals; and
an electrical return electrically connecting between said electrically conductive portion of said piping structure along said second end and said source to complete said electrical circuit, such that said electrical connection for one of said device terminals is between said choke and said electrical connection location along said piping structure for said electrical return. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
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69. A system for defining an electrical circuit, comprising:
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a piping structure comprising a first location, a second location, and an electrically conductive portion extending from said first location to said second location;
two induction chokes, a first of said chokes being located about a portion of said piping structure along said first location, and a second of said chokes being located about a portion of said piping structure along said second location;
a source of time-varying current electrically connected to said electrically conductive portion of said piping structure at a location between said chokes;
a device comprising two terminals, said device terminals each being electrically connected to said electrically conductive portion of said piping structure such that said second choke is located along said piping structure between said electrical connection locations for said device terminals; and
an electrical return electrically connecting between said electrically conductive portion of said piping structure along said second location and said source to complete said electrical circuit, such that said electrical connection for one of said device terminals is between said electrical connection location along said piping structure for said electrical return and said choke.
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70. A method of operating a well having a pipe disposed in the earth comprising the steps of:
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providing an induction choke coupled to the pipe downhole and disposed in enveloping relationship to a portion of the pipe;
coupling time varying current to the pipe uphole relative to the choke;
inhibiting time varying current flow distal to the choke and developing a voltage potential across the choke;
coupling a device to the pipe proximate the choke; and
operating said device with said voltage potential to operate said well.
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- 71. The method of claim 71, including converting said voltage potential to direct current and operating said device coupled to the pip with said direct current.
- 73. The method of claim 73, wherein a number of the devices are powered by the voltage potential developed across a single induction choke.
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77. In a petroleum well having a piping structure embedded in an elongated borehole extending into the earth, the improvement comprising:
an induction choke configured for enveloping a portion of said piping structure and operable for developing a voltage potential on the piping structure on each side of the induction choke when a time-varying current is applied to the piping structure on one side of the induction choke.
Specification