SMART ALTERNATOR

• US 20100039074A1
• Filed: 08/15/2008
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Brand, Helge, Scholz, Eckard
• Application Number:
  US12/192,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20100039074A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 322/28
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/48 Arrangements for obtaining a constant output value at varying speed of the generator, e.g. on vehicle H02P9/04 - H02P9/46 take precedence

Abstract

An alternator an electronic voltage pre-regulation circuit adapted for incorporation into a drill string is provided and includes: a plurality of n-phase generators for providing alternating current (AC), wherein the AC of each generator is rectified to a direct current (DC) voltage using a respective rectifier to provide a DC power supply, and each DC power supply is arranged in series for being one of connected and disconnected from an output of the alternator. A method and a drill string are provided.

Claims

1. An alternator comprising an electronic voltage pre-regulation circuit adapted for incorporation into a drill string, the alternator comprising:

a plurality of n-phase generators for providing alternating current (AC), wherein the AC of each generator is rectified to a direct current (DC) voltage using a respective rectifier to provide a DC power supply, and each DC power supply is arranged in series for being one of connected and disconnected from an output of the alternator.

2. The alternator as in claim 1, further comprising control circuitry for controlling the connection and the disconnection of each DC power supply.

3. The alternator as in claim 2, further comprising switches for the connection and disconnection.

4. The alternator as in claim 3, wherein the switches comprise at least one of MOSFET switches and power diodes.

5. The alternator as in claim 1, wherein each of the n-phase generators comprise a three-phase generator.

6. The alternator as in claim 1, wherein each of the n-phase generators produces an output of about 200 volts.

7. The alternator as in claim 1, further comprising an electronic circuit that regulates output voltage to a substantially constant voltage.

8. A method for providing output voltage to electronics comprised within a drill string downhole, the method comprising:

producing alternating current (AC) using at least one n-phase generator from a plurality of n-phase generators;

rectifying the alternating current from each n-phase generator to provide a direct current (DC) as the output voltage;

monitoring the output voltage; and

if the output voltage is below a desired level, connecting another n-phase generator in series with the at least one n-phase generator to increase the output voltage; and

if the output voltage is above a desired level, disconnecting one of the plurality of n-phase generators from the at least one n-phase generator for decreasing the output voltage.

9. The method as in claim 8, wherein the monitoring is performed on one of a periodic basis and a continuous basis.

10. A drill string for drilling into an earth formation, the drill string comprising:

a source of mechanical energy for turning an alternator, the alternator comprising a plurality of n-phase generators for providing alternating current (AC), wherein the AC of each generator is rectified to a direct current (DC) voltage using a respective rectifier to provide a DC power supply, and each DC power supply is arranged in series for being one of connected and disconnected from an output of the alternator.

11. The drill string as in claim 10, wherein the output from the alternator is adapted for providing power to power consuming components within the drill string.