HARVESTING VIBRATION FOR DOWNHOLE POWER GENERATION

• US 20090166045A1
• Filed: 03/09/2009
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Walter, Joe, Veneruso, Anthony F., Patel, Dinesh R., Hiron, Stephane, MacDougall, Thomas D., Wetzel, Rodney J.
• Application Number:
  US12/400,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20090166045A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/381
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/04 Gravelling of wells

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.

Claims

1. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:

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 part of the power received by the downhole component.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the downhole component comprises at least one of an electrical submersible pump, a rod pump, or a beam pump.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the downhole component is located within approximately ten feet of the power generator.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power generator is a flexible member with a natural frequency substantially matching the vibrational energy of the downhole component.

5. A system usable with a subterranean well, comprising:

a downhole component located in the subterranean well to receive power and perform a downhole function in response to the received power;

a power generator located downhole in proximity to the downhole component to respond to vibrational energy from the downhole component to generate part of the power received by the downhole component; and

a power storage device used to provide another part of the power received by the downhole component.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the downhole component comprises at least one of an electrical submersible pump, a rod pump, or a beam pump.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the downhole component is located within approximately ten feet of the power generator.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the power generator is a flexible member configured with a natural frequency substantially matching the vibrational energy of the downhole component.

9. A method usable with a subterranean well, comprising:

placing a downhole component at a location within the subterranean well;

providing a power generator proximate to the downhole component;

configuring the power generator to respond to vibrational energy produced by the downhole component to generate part of the power received by the downhole component;

providing a power storage device configured to provide another part of the power received by the downhole component.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the downhole component comprises at least one of an electrical submersible pump, a rod pump, or a beam pump.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the power generator is located within approximately ten feet of the downhole component.