Inertial energy generator for supplying power to a downhole tool
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A rotational inertial energy generator (RIEG) comprisingan inertial mass rotating around a central axis;
- a ratcheting assembly that prevents the mass from rotating in one direction while providing a free-wheeling motion in the other direction; and
a rotor/stator assembly, wherein the rotor/stator assembly is configured to translate shock and vibration energy of the inertial mass into electrical energy.
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Abstract
A downhole power supply is provided that includes an energy storage adapted to operate at high temperatures, and a rotary inertial energy generator to capture the shock energy and vibrational energy of downhole movement of the drill string. The energy storage may include at least one ultracapacitor.
116 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A rotational inertial energy generator (RIEG) comprising
an inertial mass rotating around a central axis; -
a ratcheting assembly that prevents the mass from rotating in one direction while providing a free-wheeling motion in the other direction; and a rotor/stator assembly, wherein the rotor/stator assembly is configured to translate shock and vibration energy of the inertial mass into electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22)
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4. A power supply adapted to supply power to a downhole tool, the power supply comprising:
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an energy generator coupled to a control circuit and a rechargeable energy storage device that is configured to operate at a temperature within a temperature range between about minus 40 degrees Celsius to about 210 degrees Celsius; wherein the energy generator comprises an inertial energy generator (IEG) that is configured for translating shock and vibration energy experienced by the IEG, into electrical energy; and
wherein the control circuit is configured for receiving electrical energy from the IEG and storing the electrical energy in the rechargeable energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of generating power comprising
rotating an inertial mass around a central axis; -
preventing the mass from rotating in one direction while providing a freewheeling motion in the other direction with a ratcheting assembly; and translating shock and vibration energy of the inertial mass into electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification