Method and apparatus for generating electrical energy downhole
First Claim
1. A downhole generator apparatus for producing electricity in a downhole environment, comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical housing comprising a central bore substantially centered within a wall and the wall having substantially uniform thickness around the central bore;
an inlet passing through the wall in communication with said central bore, an outlet passing through wall, and a hollow passageway formed in the wall'"'"'s thickness between the inlet and outlet, said hollow passageway adapted to accommodate a flow of drilling fluid;
a turbine rotatably secured within said hollow passageway of said wall, said turbine adapted to rotate in response to said flow of drilling fluid through said hollow passageway; and
at least one generator operatively connected to said turbine and adapted to generate electricity upon rotation of said turbine.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus that uses the flow of drilling fluid to generate electrical energy in a downhole environment. A substantially cylindrical housing comprises a wall having an inlet, an outlet, and a hollow passageway therebetween. A flow of drilling fluid through the hollow passageway actuates a generator located therein, such that the generator generates electricity to power downhole tools, sensors, and networks. The miniaturization of the generator within the housing wall facilitates an unobstructed flow of drilling fluid through the central borehole of a drill string, while allowing for the introduction of tools and other equipment therein.
74 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A downhole generator apparatus for producing electricity in a downhole environment, comprising:
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a substantially cylindrical housing comprising a central bore substantially centered within a wall and the wall having substantially uniform thickness around the central bore;
an inlet passing through the wall in communication with said central bore, an outlet passing through wall, and a hollow passageway formed in the wall'"'"'s thickness between the inlet and outlet, said hollow passageway adapted to accommodate a flow of drilling fluid;a turbine rotatably secured within said hollow passageway of said wall, said turbine adapted to rotate in response to said flow of drilling fluid through said hollow passageway; and at least one generator operatively connected to said turbine and adapted to generate electricity upon rotation of said turbine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for generating electricity in a downhole environment, comprising:
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a drill string having a central bore therethrough; a substantially cylindrical housing adapted to reside within at least a portion of said central bore, said housing comprising a wall and a bore substantially centered within the wall, said wall having formed therein an inlet in communication with said bore, an outlet, and a hollow passageway in communication with said inlet and said outlet, said hollow passageway being formed in the wall'"'"'s thickness to accommodate a flow of drilling fluid therethrough; a turbine rotatably secured within said hollow passageway of said wall, said turbine adapted to rotate in response to said flow of drilling fluid through said hollow passageway; and at least one generator operatively connected to said turbine and adapted to generate electricity upon rotation of said turbine. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for generating electricity in a downhole drill string, comprising:
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providing a downhole drill string having a central bore; integrating a substantially cylindrical housing into said downhole drill string, said substantially cylindrical housing having a bore substantially centered through said cylindrical housing; integrating into a thickness of a wall of said substantially cylindrical housing a hollow passageway in communication with an inlet and an outlet, said hollow passageway adapted to accommodate a flow of drilling fluid; securing within said hollow passageway a turbine, coupled to a generator, said turbine adapted to rotate in response to said flow of drilling fluid; rotating, by said flow of drilling fluid, said turbine; and generating, via said generator, electricity in response to rotation of said turbine. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification