Water Control Device Using Electromagnetics

• US 20090101341A1
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Willauer, Darrin L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,891,430 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/250.150
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/066 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/08 responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained E21B34/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/12 Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells E21B43/25 takes precedence; valve arrangements E21B34/00

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid in a well includes a flow control device and a generator that generates electrical energy in response to a flow of an electrically conductive fluid. The flow control device may include an actuator receiving electrical energy from the generator, and a valve operably coupled to the actuator. The actuator may be configured to operate after a preset value for induced voltage is generated by the generator. The generator may use a pair of electrodes positioned along a flow path of the electrically conductive fluid to generate electrical energy. In one arrangement, one or more elements positioned proximate to the electrodes generate a magnetic field along the flow path of the electrically conductive fluid that causes the electrodes to generate a voltage. In another arrangement, the electrodes create an electrochemical potential in response to contact with the electrically conductive fluid.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid between a wellbore tubular and a wellbore annulus, comprising:

a flow control device configured to control the flow of fluid between the wellbore tubular and the wellbore annulus; and

a generator coupled to the flow control device, the generator configured to generate electrical energy in response to a flow of an electrically conductive fluid through a magnetic field.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flow control device includes an actuator receiving electrical energy from the generator, and a valve operably coupled to the actuator.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the actuator includes one of (i) a solenoid, (ii) a pyrotechnic element, (iii) a heat-meltable element, (iv) a magnetorheological element, (v) an electrorheological element.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the actuator includes an energy storage element to store electrical energy received from the generator.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the actuator is configured to operate after a preset value for induced voltage is generated by the generator.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a power source configured to supply power to the actuator.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flow control device includes circuitry configured to:

(i) detect the electrical energy from the generator, and (ii) actuate a valve upon detecting a predetermined voltage value.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the generator includes:

at least one element configured to generate the magnetic field along a flow path of the electrically conductive fluid.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the generator includes:

a plurality of electrodes positioned along a flow path of the electrically conductive fluid, the plurality of electrodes being electrically coupled to the flow control device; and

at least one element positioned proximate to the plurality of electrodes and being configured to generate the magnetic field along the flow path of the electrically conductive fluid.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the pair of electrodes includes dissimilar metals.

11. A method for controlling a flow of fluid between a wellbore tubular and a wellbore annulus, comprising:

controlling the flow of fluid between the wellbore tubular and the wellbore annulus using a flow control device; and

activating the flow control device using electrical energy generated by a flow of an electrically conductive fluid through a magnetic field.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the flow control device includes a valve that is coupled to an actuator that receives the electrical energy.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the actuator includes one of (i) a solenoid, (ii) a pyrotechnic element, (iii) a heat-meltable element, (iv) a magnetorheological element, (v) an electrorheological element.

14. The method according to claim 12 further comprising:

generating the electrical energy using a generator;

storing energy received from the generator in an energy storage element.

15. The method according to claim 12 further comprising:

generating the electrical energy using a generator; and

operating the actuator after a preset value for induced voltage is generated by the generator.

16. The method according to claim 12 further comprising supplying power to the actuator using a power source.

17. The method according to claim 11 further comprising:

generating electrical energy using a generator;

detecting electrical energy from the generator; and

activating the flow control device upon detecting a predetermined voltage value.

18. The method according to claim 11 further comprising:

generating electrical energy by;

generating the magnetic field using at least one element positioned along a flow path of the electrically conductive fluid.

19. The method according to claim 11 further comprising:

generating electrical energy by positioning a plurality of electrodes along a flow path of the electrically conductive fluid, the plurality of electrodes being electrically coupled to the flow control device.

20. A method for control fluid flow in a well having a wellbore tubular, comprising:

positioning a flow control device along the wellbore tubular;

positioning a plurality of electrodes along a flow of an electrically conductive fluid;

positioning at least one magnetic element along a flow of an electrically conductive fluid;

generating an electrical signal using the plurality of electrodes and the at least one magnetic element; and

actuating the flow control device using the generated electrical signal.