Method and apparatus for a downhole current generator

• US 5,965,964 A
• Filed: 09/16/1997
• Issued: 10/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Skinner, Neal G., Ringgenberg, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): LABALLE, CLAYTON E
• Application Number:
  US08/931,762
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 310/12, 310/13, 310/15, 310/20, 367/81, 367/82, 367/83, 367/84, 367/85, 290/54
• US Class Current: 310/15
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1876 with reciprocating, linearly oscillating or vibrating parts

Abstract

A downhole current generator generates power in a wellbore and includes a power section and an generator section. The power section has a sleeve slidably disposed within a housing which oscillates in response to the application of fluid pressure to the current generator. A piston is slidably attached to the sleeve and oscillates relative to the sleeve and the housing. The piston extends longitudinally into an generator section and has a plurality of magnets attached thereto which oscillate with the piston. Wire coil sections are fixed relative to the housing of the generator section and are positioned between the oscillating magnets such that a current is induced in the wire coil sections upon oscillation of the magnets.

Claims

1. A downhole current generator for generating current in a wellbore, comprising:

a power section, including;

a first housing;

a sleeve slidably disposed within said first housing such that said sleeve oscillates axially within said first housing in response to changes in fluid pressure across the power section; and

a piston slidably disposed within said sleeve to oscillate axially relative said sleeve and said first housing;

an generator section, including;

a second housing attached to said power section and defining an interior volume into which said piston of said power section extends;

at least two magnets attached to said piston such that said at least two magnets oscillate in response to the oscillation of said piston; and

a wire coil section fixed relative to said second housing of said generator section and positioned to overlap said at least two magnets.

2. The downhole current generator of claim 1 wherein said generator section further includes alternating finger pieces extending longitudinally along said second housing of said generator section and further defining grooves between the finger pieces.

3. The downhole current generator of claim 2 wherein said at least two magnets are attached to said piston to oscillate within said grooves defined by said alternating finger pieces.

4. The downhole current generator of claim 3 wherein a bobbin is attached to said finger pieces and a wire coil is wrapped around said bobbin such that said at least two magnets generate a magnetic field perpendicular to the circumference of said wire coil.

5. The downhole current generator of claim 1 wherein said at least two magnets are fixedly attached to said piston with capscrews.

6. A method of generating power in a wellbore, comprising:

oscillating a piston in a downhole current generator responsive to a differential in fluid pressure across the downhole current applied to said downhole current generator, wherein said step comprises the steps of;

oscillating a sleeve which is slidably disposed within a housing of the power section of said downhole current generator responsive to the change in fluid pressure; and

oscillating said piston relative to said sleeve and said housing responsive to the change in fluid pressure; and

relatively oscillating at least one magnet relative to a wire coil section responsive to the oscillation of said piston to induce a current in said wire coil section.

7. The method of claim 6 further including the steps of:

inserting a downhole current generator into a wellbore, wherein the downhole current generator includes a power section and an generator section; and

applying fluid pressure to the downhole current generator.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of applying a fluid pressure to said downhole current generator further includes the step of pumping fluid into the wellbore.

9. A downhole current generator for generating current in a wellbore, comprising:

a power section, including;

a first housing;

a sleeve slidably disposed within said first housing such that said sleeve oscillates axially within said first housing responsive to changes in fluid pressure across the power section; and

a piston slidably disposed within said sleeve to oscillate axially relative to said sleeve and said first housing;

a generator section which generates a current responsive to oscillations of said piston in said power section.

10. The downhole current generator of claim 9 wherein said generator section comprises:

at least one magnet which oscillates in response to the oscillation of said piston in said power section; and

at least one wire coil section positioned in relation to said plurality of magnets such that a current is induced within said at least one wire coil section in response to oscillations of said plurality of magnets.