Pulse width modulated downhole flow control
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A downhole flow control system, comprising:
- a flow control device including a flow restrictor which variably restricts flow through the flow control device, and an actuator which varies a vibratory motion of the restrictor to thereby variably control an average flow rate of fluid through the flow control device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pulse width modulated downhole flow control. A downhole flow control system includes a flow control device with a flow restrictor which variably restricts flow through the flow control device. An actuator varies a vibratory motion of the restrictor to thereby variably control an average flow rate of fluid through the flow control device. A method of controlling flow in a well includes the steps of: installing a flow control device in the well, the flow control device including a flow restrictor which variably restricts flow through the flow control device; and displacing the restrictor to thereby pulse a flow rate of fluid through the flow control device.
81 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A downhole flow control system, comprising:
a flow control device including a flow restrictor which variably restricts flow through the flow control device, and an actuator which varies a vibratory motion of the restrictor to thereby variably control an average flow rate of fluid through the flow control device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of controlling flow in a well, the method comprising the steps of:
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installing a flow control device in the well, the flow control device including a flow restrictor which variably restricts flow through the flow control device; and displacing the restrictor to thereby pulse a flow rate of fluid through the flow control device, the displacing step comprising operating an actuator to variably control vibratory displacement of the restrictor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of controlling flow in a well, the method comprising the steps of:
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installing a flow control device in the well, the flow control device including a flow restrictor which variably restricts flow through the flow control device; displacing the restrictor to thereby pulse a flow rate of fluid through the flow control device; and vibrating the restrictor in response to flow of fluid through the flow control device, thereby generating electricity.
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33. A method of controlling flow in a well, the method comprising the steps of:
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installing a flow control device in the well, the flow control device including a flow restrictor which variably restricts flow through the flow control device; and displacing the restrictor to thereby pulse a flow rate of fluid through the flow control device; creating a pressure differential upstream of an opening, thereby biasing the restrictor to displace in a direction to increasingly restrict flow through the opening; utilizing a biasing device to bias the restrictor in a direction to decreasingly restrict flow through the opening; and adjusting downhole a biasing force applied to the restrictor by the biasing device.
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Specification