Systems and methods of harvesting energy in a wellbore

• US 8,633,610 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2011
• Issued: 01/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Dirksen, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Julio Gonzalez
• Application Number:
  US13/170,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20120228882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 290/54, 290/43, 290/1.R, 175/93, 175/320, 166/66.5, 166/65.1, 166/242.1, 166/242.2, 166/248, 366/165.1, 366/174.1, 310/26
• US Class Current: 290/54
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes

Abstract

A system to harvest energy in a wellbore is disclosed. The system includes a flexible member disposed in a wellbore. The flexible member includes at least a portion of a drill string. The system includes an energy harvesting apparatus that includes magnetostrictive material and a conductor coupled to the magnetostrictive material. The energy harvesting apparatus is coupled to the flexible member to transfer forces from the flexible member to impart at least one of a strain or stress in the magnetostrictive material and to induce an electrical current in the conductor.

Claims

1. A system to harvest energy in a wellbore containing a drill string comprising interconnected lengths of pipe, the system comprising:

a flexible member disposed in a wellbore, wherein the flexible member is a first length of pipe of the drill string with a smaller diameter than an adjacent second length of pipe of the drill string; and

an energy harvesting apparatus coupled to an outer surface of the flexible member, the energy harvesting apparatus comprising

magnetostrictive material;

a conductor disposed proximate to the magnetostrictive material;

a first collar and a second collar coupled to the flexible member to transfer forces from the flexible member to the magnetostrictive material, to impart a strain in the magnetostrictive material and to thereby induce an electrical current in the conductor.

2. The system to harvest energy in a wellbore of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is at least a portion of a drill collar.

3. The system to harvest energy in a wellbore of claim 1, wherein the energy harvesting apparatus further comprises a stabilizer.

4. The system to harvest energy in a wellbore of claim 1, wherein the strain is due, at least in part, to an axial tension of the flexible member.

5. The system to harvest energy in a wellbore of claim 1, wherein the strain is due, at least in part, to a radial tension of the flexible member.

6. The system to harvest energy in a wellbore of claim 1, wherein the magnetostrictive material comprises a rod having a longitudinal axis parallel or substantially aligned with an axis of the flexible member.

7. The system to harvest energy in a wellbore of claim 1, wherein the magnetostrictive material comprises a rod having a longitudinal axis perpendicular or substantially perpendicular with an axis of the flexible member.

8. The system to harvest energy in a wellbore of claim 1, wherein the magnetostrictive material comprises a rod having a longitudinal axis at an acute angle with respect to an axis of the flexible member.

9. A method of harvesting energy in a wellbore containing a drill string comprising interconnected lengths of pipe, the method comprising:

coupling a first collar and a second collar of an energy harvesting apparatus to an outer surface of a flexible member of a drill string to transfer forces from the flexible member to magnetostrictive material of the energy harvesting apparatus, to impart a strain in the magnetostrictive material and to thereby induce an electrical current in a conductor of the energy harvesting apparatus that is disposed proximate to the magnetostrictive material, wherein the flexible member is a first length of pipe of the drill string with a smaller diameter than an adjacent second length of pipe of the drill string; and

during the operation of the drill string in a wellbore, harvesting mechanical energy of the flexible member with the energy harvesting apparatus.

10. The method of harvesting energy in a wellbore of claim 9, wherein the flexible member is at least a portion of a drill collar.

11. The method of harvesting energy in a wellbore of claim 9, wherein the energy harvesting apparatus further comprises a stabilizer.

12. The method of harvesting energy in a wellbore of claim 9, wherein the strain is due, at least in part, to an axial tension of the flexible member.

13. The method of harvesting energy in a wellbore of claim 9, wherein the strain is due, at least in part, to a radial tension of the flexible member.

14. The method of harvesting energy in a wellbore of claim 9, wherein the magnetostrictive material comprises a rod having a longitudinal axis parallel or substantially aligned with an axis of the flexible member.

15. The method of harvesting energy in a wellbore of claim 9, wherein the magnetostrictive material comprises a rod having a longitudinal axis perpendicular or substantially perpendicular with an axis of the flexible member.

16. The method of harvesting energy in a wellbore of claim 9, wherein the magnetostrictive material comprises a rod having a longitudinal axis at an acute angle with respect to an axis of the flexible member.