Control of a component of a downhole tool
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a downhole tool conveyable in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, the downhole tool comprising;
a turbo-alternator disposed in a passageway for drilling mud;
an angular velocity sensor coupled to the turbo-alternator, wherein the angular velocity sensor is configured to sense an angular velocity of the turbo-alternator;
a load sensor coupled to the turbo-alternator, wherein the load sensor is configured to sense a load on the turbo-alternator; and
a controller configured to receive information indicative of the angular velocity and load from the angular velocity sensor and load sensor, respectively, determine a flow rate value of the drilling mud by using the received information, and control a component of the downhole tool based on the flow rate value.
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Abstract
An apparatus including a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation and method of use thereof. The downhole tool may include a turbo-alternator disposed in a passageway for drilling mud, and a controller to: track operating points of the turbo-alternator, determine from the operating points a flow rate of the drilling mud, and control a component of the downhole tool based on the flow rate.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
a downhole tool conveyable in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, the downhole tool comprising; a turbo-alternator disposed in a passageway for drilling mud; an angular velocity sensor coupled to the turbo-alternator, wherein the angular velocity sensor is configured to sense an angular velocity of the turbo-alternator; a load sensor coupled to the turbo-alternator, wherein the load sensor is configured to sense a load on the turbo-alternator; and a controller configured to receive information indicative of the angular velocity and load from the angular velocity sensor and load sensor, respectively, determine a flow rate value of the drilling mud by using the received information, and control a component of the downhole tool based on the flow rate value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, comprising:
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disposing in a wellbore a downhole tool having a turbo-alternator disposed in a passageway for drilling mud; sensing an angular velocity of the turbo-alternator using an angular velocity sensor coupled to the turbo-alternator; sensing a load on the turbo-alternator using a load sensor coupled to the turbo-alternator; determining a flow rate value of the drilling mud by using information indicative of the angular velocity and load from the angular velocity sensor and load sensor, respectively; and controlling a component of the downhole tool based on the flow rate value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification