DOWNHOLE POWER GENERATOR AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A generator for positioning downhole in a drill string to generate rotary power for powering one or more downhole tools, comprising:
- a generally tubular housing for positioning within the drill string and including one or more ports extending radially through the housing;
a rotary shaft positioned at least partially within the housing;
a progressive cavity housing having its bore in fluid communication with the one or more ports, a radial spacing between the drill string and an exterior surface of the progressive cavity housing defining a flow annulus;
a progressive cavity rotor within the progressive cavity housing, the progressive cavity rotor rotating in response to fluid passing through the progressive cavity housing to rotate the rotary shaft; and
a restriction in the annulus downstream from the one or more ports for controlling the fluid flow in the flow annulus and past the restriction, and thereby the fluid flow through the progressive cavity housing.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A generator (10) is provided for positioning downhole in a drill string (12) to generate power powering one or more downhole tools (16, 18). The generator includes a progressive cavity housing (28) and a progressive cavity rotor (13) which rotates in response to fluid passing through the progressive cavity housing. A restriction (36) in the annulus downstream from the ports controls the fluid flow in the annulus and past the restriction, and thereby the fluid flow through the progressive cavity housing. The generator may provide either hydraulic or electrical power, or both, powering the one or more tools.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A generator for positioning downhole in a drill string to generate rotary power for powering one or more downhole tools, comprising:
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a generally tubular housing for positioning within the drill string and including one or more ports extending radially through the housing; a rotary shaft positioned at least partially within the housing; a progressive cavity housing having its bore in fluid communication with the one or more ports, a radial spacing between the drill string and an exterior surface of the progressive cavity housing defining a flow annulus; a progressive cavity rotor within the progressive cavity housing, the progressive cavity rotor rotating in response to fluid passing through the progressive cavity housing to rotate the rotary shaft; and a restriction in the annulus downstream from the one or more ports for controlling the fluid flow in the flow annulus and past the restriction, and thereby the fluid flow through the progressive cavity housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A generator for positioning downhole in a drill string to generate power for powering one or more downhole tools, comprising:
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a generally tubular housing for positioning within a drill string and including one or more ports extending radially through the housing; a rotary shaft positioned at least partially within the housing; a progressive cavity housing having its bore in fluid communication with the one or more ports, a radial spacing between the drill string and an exterior surface of the progressive cavity housing defining a flow annulus; a progressive cavity rotor within the progressive cavity housing, the progressive cavity rotor rotating in response to fluid passing through the progressive cavity housing, and thereby rotating a connecting shaft extending between the rotary shaft and the progressive cavity rotor; and a restriction in the annulus downstream from the one or more ports for controlling the fluid flow in the flow annulus and past the restriction, and thereby the fluid flow through the progressive cavity housing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of generating power downhole for powering one or more downhole tools, comprising:
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providing a generally tubular housing for positioning within the drill string and including one or more ports extending radially through the housing; providing a rotary shaft at least partially within the housing; providing a bore in a progressive cavity housing in fluid communication with the one or more ports, a radial spacing between the drill string and an exterior surface of the progressive cavity housing defining a flow annulus; providing a progressive cavity rotor within the progressive cavity housing, the progressive cavity rotor rotating in response to fluid passing through the progressive cavity housing, and thereby rotating the rotary shaft; and forming a restriction in the annulus downstream from the one or more ports for controlling the fluid flow in the flow annulus surrounding the housing and past the restriction, and thereby the fluid flow through the progressive cavity housing. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification