ELECTRICAL ENERGY SUPPLY FOR WELL TOOLS

• US 3,666,030 A
• Filed: 02/21/1971
• Issued: 05/30/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Western Atlas International Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Floyd O. Bohn, Russell A. Mclaughlin
• Inventors: Bohn, Floyd O., McLaughlin, Russell A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, David H.
• Application Number:
  US05/114,924
• Time in Patent Office: 464 Days
• Field of Search: 166/55,55.1,65,65M,239 175/4.56
• US Class Current: 175/4.56
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/1185 Ignition systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 39/00 Generators specially adapted for producing a desired non-sinusoidal waveform
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1869 Linear generators; sectional generators

Abstract

A device for providing an electrical current to a downhole well tools without the requirement of a conductor from the earth'"'"''"'"'s surface. Energy that will subsequently be converted to electrical energy is stored in the well tool. When the electrical current is required, the stored energy is released to drive a permanent magnet through a coil and generate an electric current.

Claims

1. An electrical energy source for a borehole tool, comprising:

a housing adapted to traverse a borehole;

a magnet positioned in said housing;

a coil located in said housing;

electrically actuated means for performing a selected borehole tool operation, electrically connected to said cOil;

storage means located in said housing for storing energy for moving said magnet relative to said coil; and

release means located in said housing for releasing the stored energy in said storage means.

2. The electrical energy source of claim 1 wherein said storage means is a chamber containing compressed gas.

3. The electrical energy source of claim 1 wherein said storage means is a spring.

4. The electrical energy source of claim 3 wherein said electrically actuated means is a perforating gun.

5. The electrical energy source of claim 3 wherein said electrically actuated means is a cutter for tubular goods.

6. An electrical energy source for supplying a surge of electrical energy to a borehole tool, comprising:

a borehole tool housing adapted to traverse a borehole;

an elongated permanent magnet positioned in said housing;

a coil having a central opening positioned in said borehole tool housing;

electrically actuated means for performing a selected borehole tool operation, electrically connected to said coil;

storage means located in said housing for storing energy to drive said magnet through the central opening in said coil; and

controllable release means located in said housing for releasing the stored energy in said storage means upon command.

7. The electrical energy source of claim 6 wherein said storage means is a chamber containing compressed gas.

8. The electrical energy source of claim 6 wherein said storage means is a spring.

9. The electrical energy source of claim 6 wherein said electrically actuated means is a perforating gun.

10. The electrical energy source of claim 6 wherein said electrically actuated means is a cutter for tubular goods.