Downhole turbine

• US 7,434,634 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2007
• Issued: 10/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: NovaDrill, Inc. (SLB)
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Wise, Daryl, Nelson, Nathan, Dahlgren, Scott, Lundgreen, David
• Primary Examiner(s): DANG, HOANG C
• Application Number:
  US11/940,117
• Time in Patent Office: 335 Days
• Field of Search: 175/107, 166/65.1
• US Class Current: 175/107
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/62 characterised by parts, e.g. cutting elements, which are detachable or adjustable E21B10/64 takes precedence; for roller bits E21B10/20; for augers E21B10/44
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes

Abstract

In one aspect, a downhole assembly has a downhole tool string component with a bore adapted to accommodate drilling mud. A fluid barrier is disposed within the bore and has a cylindrical portion substantially aligned with the bore. A drive shaft is sealed within and substantially coaxial with the cylindrical portion and has a first magnet disposed on its outer surface. A turbine assembly is disposed around the cylindrical portion of the fluid barrier and has an inner diameter and outer surface. The outer surface of the turbine assembly has a plurality of turbine blades. The inner diameter of the turbine assembly has a second magnet disposed within a region defined by the turbine blades and is in magnetic communication with the first magnet of the drive shaft, wherein when the drilling mud engages the turbine blades the first and second magnets rotate the drive shaft with the turbine assembly.

Claims

1. A downhole assembly, comprising:

a downhole tool string component comprising a through bore adapted to pass drilling mud from a first end of the component to a second end of the component;

a turbine assembly being disposed within the bore and in communication with a downhole electrical generator through a drive shaft;

the generator comprises a plurality of electrically conducting coils disposed around a rotor with at least one magnetic element, which rotor is connected to the driveshaft;

the generator comprises a characteristic of having a range of rotor rotational velocity to which the generator produces an optimal amount of power;

the turbine assembly comprises an overall characteristic which causes the turbine assembly to stall when engaged by drilling mud at a turbine rotational velocity which causes the rotor to exceed a maximum rotational velocity of the range.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the turbine assembly comprise a through bore.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the turbine assembly is in mechanical communication with the generator.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the turbine assembly is in magnetic communication with the generator.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one turbine blade comprises a fluid trip which is adapted to stall the blade at a predetermined velocity.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the trip comprises a concavity formed in a leading portion of a section of the blade.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the concavity separates a first and second upper camber.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second upper cambers comprise substantially equivalent curvatures.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the concavity comprises an acute transition from the first to the second camber.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the acute transitions forms an angle of at least 75 degrees.

11. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one blade is a spiral or straight blade.

12. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one blade comprises a truncated trailing portion.

13. The assembly of claim 5, wherein a trailing portion of the at least one blade comprises a profile segment that forms an angle greater than 25 degrees.

14. The assembly of claim 5, wherein a trailing portion of the at least one blade comprises a concavity.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a gear box is intermediate the turbine assembly and the generator.

16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the generator is in electrical communication with a downhole steering systems.

17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the generator is in electrical communication with a downhole sensor.

18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the generator is in communication with a downhole electric motor.