PEIZOELECTRIC GENERATOR PARTICULARLY FOR USE WITH WELLBORE DRILLING EQUIPMENT
First Claim
1. An electric power generator, comprising:
- a conduit disposed in a wellbore penetrating subsurface formations; and
at least one piezoelectric transducer in contact with the conduit, the piezoelectric transducer configured to undergo stress in response to vibration in the conduit, the transducer comprising a plurality of piezoelectric crystals stacked in a thickness direction and each polarized in the thickness direction, wherein the transducer comprises at least one ofa composite rubber layer disposed between successive piezoelectric crystals and at least one support at a longitudinal end of the transducer configured to cause the crystals to bend in response to vibration in the conduit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electric power generator includes a conduit disposed in a wellbore penetrating subsurface formations and at least one piezoelectric transducer in contact with the conduit. The piezoelectric transducer is configured to undergo stress in response to vibration in the conduit. The transducer includes a plurality of piezoelectric crystals stacked in a thickness direction and each polarized in the thickness direction. The transducer comprises at least one of a composite rubber layer disposed between successive piezoelectric crystals, and at least one support at a longitudinal end of the transducer configured to cause the crystals to bend in response to vibration in the conduit.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An electric power generator, comprising:
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a conduit disposed in a wellbore penetrating subsurface formations; and at least one piezoelectric transducer in contact with the conduit, the piezoelectric transducer configured to undergo stress in response to vibration in the conduit, the transducer comprising a plurality of piezoelectric crystals stacked in a thickness direction and each polarized in the thickness direction, wherein the transducer comprises at least one of a composite rubber layer disposed between successive piezoelectric crystals and at least one support at a longitudinal end of the transducer configured to cause the crystals to bend in response to vibration in the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for generating electrical power in a wellbore, comprising:
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at least one of moving a conduit through a wellbore and moving fluid through the conduit in the wellbore; and coupling vibrations induced in the conduit to a piezoelectric transducer, the vibrations induced by at least one of lateral vibration thereof, movement of fluid therethrough, movement of fluid outside thereof, and operation of a drill bit at a lower end thereof, wherein the transducer includes a plurality of piezoelectric crystals stacked in a thickness direction and each polarized in the thickness direction, and at least one of a composite rubber layer disposed between successive piezoelectric crystals and at least one support at a longitudinal end of the transducer configured to cause the crystals to bend. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification