Screen and bypass arrangement for LWD tool turbine

• US 5,626,200 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 05/06/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Company
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Company
• Inventors: Tomek, Martin L., Gilbert, Gregory N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Hoang C.
• Application Number:
  US08/476,970
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 175/40, 175/45, 367/83, 367/85
• US Class Current: 175/40
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/002 Down-hole drilling fluid separation systems containers comprising collecting means with a strainer E21B27/005; subsoil filtering E21B43/02; down-hole production separators E21B43/38
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes

Abstract

A logging-while-drilling tool for use in a wellbore in which a well fluid is circulated into the wellbore through the hollow drill string. In addition to measurement electronics, the tool includes an alternator for providing power to the electronics, and a turbine for driving the alternator. The turbine blades are driven by the well fluid introduced into the hollow drill string. The tool also includes a deflector to deflect a portion of the well fluid away from the turbine blades.

Claims

1. A logging-while-drilling tool for use in a wellbore having a hollow drill string positioned in the wellbore, wherein a well fluid is being circulated into the wellbore through the hollow drill string, the tool comprising:

(a) an elongated tool body adapted to be positioned within the hollow drill string and sized to form an annular fluid flow passage between the drilling string and the tool body for allowing passage of the drilling fluid;

(b) drilling string coupling attached to a top end of the tool body for coupling the tool to the drill string;

(c) measurement electronics attached to the tool body for gathering wellbore information;

(d) an alternator attached to the tool body for generating electrical power for the measurement electronics;

(e) a turbine attached to the tool body, and having blades adapted to be driven by the well fluid being circulated through the annular fluid flow passage; and

(f) a deflector positioned on the tool between the top end and the turbine, and adapted to cause a portion of the well fluid to bypass the turbine blades.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the deflector is a screen.

3. The tool of claim 2 wherein the deflector is a slotted screen.

4. The tool of claim 1 wherein the turbine further comprises a shroud around the turbine blades.

5. The tool of claim 4 wherein the deflector is a slotted screen.

6. A logging-while-drilling tool for use in a wellbore having a hollow drill string positioned in the wellbore with the string having an inner diameter D, wherein a well fluid is being circulated into the wellbore through the hollow drill string, the tool comprising:

(a) an elongated tool body having upper and lower portions of diameter D1 and D3, respectively, and a middle portion of diameter D2, with D>

D3>

D1>

D2, such that tool body can be positioned within the hollow drill string to form an annular fluid flow passage between the drilling string and the tool body for allowing passage of the drilling fluid, and wherein said passage has greater cross-sectional area at the middle portion of the tool than at the lower and upper portions of the tool;

(b) drilling string coupling attached to a top end of the tool body for coupling the tool to the drill string;

(c) measurement electronics attached to the tool body for gathering wellbore information;

(d) an alternator attached to the tool body for generating electrical power for the measurement electronics;

(e) a turbine attached to the middle portion of the tool body, having blades adapted to be driven by the well fluid being circulated through the annular fluid flow passage; and

(f) a deflector positioned on the tool between the top end and the turbine, and adapted to deflect a portion of the well fluid away from the turbine blades.

7. The tool of claim 6 wherein the deflector is a slotted screen.

8. The tool of claim 6 wherein the turbine further comprises a shroud around the turbine blades.