Harvesting Vibration for Downhole Power Generation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
- a winding located downhole in the well;
a member to move relative to the winding in response to vibration occurring in the well to cause a signal to be generated on the winding; and
a circuit coupled to the winding to respond to the signal to provide power to operate a component located downhole in the well.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system that is usable with a subterranean well includes a winding, a member and a circuit. The winding is located downhole in the well, and the member moves relative to the winding in response to vibration occurring in the well to cause a signal to be generated on the winding. The circuit is coupled to the winding to respond to the signal to provide power to operate a component located downhole in the well.
139 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a winding located downhole in the well;
a member to move relative to the winding in response to vibration occurring in the well to cause a signal to be generated on the winding; and
a circuit coupled to the winding to respond to the signal to provide power to operate a component located downhole in the well. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a tubular string comprising a central passageway and a flow diverter located in the central passageway to enhance vibrational energy in the tubular string in response to a flow contacting the flow diverter; and
a power generator located downhole in proximity to the flow diverter to respond to the vibrational energy to generate power for a downhole component. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a tubular string comprising a central passageway having a varying cross-section to enhance vibrational energy in the tubular string in response to a flow through the cross-section; and
a power generator located downhole in proximity to the varying cross-section to respond to the vibrational energy to generate power for a downhole component. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a chamber located downhole in the well, the chamber comprising at least one opening to receive an inlet fluid flow and at least one opening to provide an outlet fluid flow;
an untethered member to move freely in the chamber in response to the inlet fluid flow to generate vibrational energy; and
a power generator located downhole in proximity to the chamber to respond to the vibrational energy to generate power for a downhole component. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a tubular string extending into the well, the string comprising a passageway to receive a fluid flow;
a flexible member comprising a first end attached to the tubular string and a second free end located in the passageway to generate vibrational energy; and
a power generator separate from the flexible member and located downhole in proximity to the flexible member to respond to the vibrational energy to generate power for a downhole component. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a downhole component located in the subterranean well to receive power and perform a downhole function in response to the received power; and
a power generator located downhole in proximity to the downhole component to respond to vibrational energy from the downhole component to generate the power received by the downhole component. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a tubular string extending into the well, the tubular string comprising a wall defining a passageway through the string and having a varying thickness to amplify a fundamental mode of vibration of the tubular string; and
a power generator located downhole and coupled to the tubular string to respond to vibrational energy from the tubular string to generate power for a downhole component. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a multiphase fluid mixer located in the subterranean well; and
a power generator located downhole in proximity to the mixer to respond to vibrational energy from the mixer to generate power for a downhole component. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a tubular member located downhole in the subterranean well, the tubular member comprising a wall defining a passageway to receive a fluid flow and a groove formed in the wall to enhance vibrational energy produced by the fluid flow; and
a power generator located downhole in proximity to the groove to respond to vibrational energy from the mixer to generate power for a downhole component. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a sandscreen; and
a power generator mounted to the sandscreen to respond to vibrational energy from the sandscreen to generate power for a downhole component. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a tubular member comprises a side pocket eccentric to a central passageway of the tubular member; and
a power generator located in the side pocket to respond to vibrational energy to generate power for a downhole component.
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36. A method usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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deploying wireless tags in the well to measure properties of the well as the tags flow through the well; and
using vibrational energy transferred to the tags during the flowing through the well to activate the tags. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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39. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a plurality of generators located downhole in the well, each of the generators independently generating power in response to vibrational energy, wherein the generators are electrically coupled together to each contribute to a stored energy. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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42. A method usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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initiating a flow from a surface of the well; and
using vibrational energy from the flow to power a downhole component. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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detecting vibrational energy downhole in the well; and
using the detected vibrational energy to evaluate possible blockage in a downhole tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (48)
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49. A method usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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detecting vibrational energy generated downhole;
identifying one of a plurality of downhole tools capable of generating the vibrational energy;
using the identification to acknowledge operation of said identified tool. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51)
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52. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a downhole component; and
a controller to operate the component independently from a command from the surface of the well in response to a sensed characteristic downhole, wherein at least one of the downhole component and controller receive power generated downhole from vibrational energy.
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53. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
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a drilling string comprising a drill bit and a motor to operate the drill bit; and
a sensor to sense a drilling characteristic, wherein the motor is located between the sensor and the motor, and sensor is powered by electrical power generated from vibrational energy downhole. - View Dependent Claims (54)
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Specification