Downhole power generation system and method

• US 9,638,009 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2014
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chevron USA Incorporated (Chevron Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Chevron USA Incorporated (Chevron Corp.)
• Inventors: Kim, Namhyo
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Kenneth L
• Assistant Examiner(s): MACDONALD, STEVEN A
• Application Number:
  US14/496,673
• Publication Number:
  US 20160090819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes

Abstract

A downhole power generation system includes a tubular power generation device configured to be disposed in an annular space around a portion of a production tubing, wherein the power generation device is switchable between a power generation mode and a bypass mode. The system also includes a power storage device electrically coupled to the tubular power generation device and configured to store power generated by the power generation device. The power generation device comprises at least one power generation path and at least one bypass path. The at least one power generation path comprises at least one power generation mechanism which generates power when traversed by fluid. The at least one power generation path is open in the power generation mode and closed in the bypass mode.

Claims

1. A downhole power generation system, comprising:

a tubular power generation device configured to be disposed in an annular space around a portion of a production tubing, wherein the power generation device is switchable between a power generation mode and a bypass mode;

a power storage device electrically coupled to the tubular power generation device and configured to store power generated by the power generation device;

wherein the power generation device comprises at least one power generation path and at least one bypass path, wherein the at least one power generation path comprises at least one power generation mechanism which generates power when traversed by fluid;

wherein the at least one power generation path is open in the power generation mode; and

wherein the at least one power generation path is closed in the bypass mode and the power generation mechanism is isolated from the at least one bypass path.

2. The downhole power generation system of claim 1, further comprising:

a control processor communicatively coupled to the power storage device and the power generation device, wherein the control processor receives a measure of power stored in the power storage device and switches the power generation device between the power generation mode and the bypass mode based on the measure of power.

3. The downhole power generation system of claim 1, wherein the at least one power generation mechanism comprises at least one turbomachinery component.

4. The downhole power generation system of claim 1, further comprising a selector ring, the selector ring comprising a solid surface and at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening aligns with the at least one power generation path and the solid surface covers an opening of the at least one bypass path when the power generation device is in the power generation mode.

5. The downhole power generation system of claim 1, wherein a production fluid flows through the at least one power generation path when the power generation device is in the power generation mode, and the production fluid flows through the at least one bypass path when the power generation device is in the bypass mode.

6. The downhole power generation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the power generation paths and the bypass paths is a tubular orifice formed in the power generation device.

7. The downhole power generation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the power generation paths is inter-connected to at least one of the bypass paths.

8. A downhole power generation system, comprising:

a tubular power generation device comprising a first end and a second end, an outer profile and an inner profile extending between the first end and the second end, the inner profile defining a central orifice configured to receive a length of production tubing therethrough, the power generation device comprising;

at least one power generation path extending from the first end to the second end, the at least one power generation path comprising a fluid driven power generation mechanism disposed therein,

wherein the power generation device further comprises;

at least one bypass path extending from the first end to the second end, the at least one bypass path isolated from the at least one power generation path,

wherein the tubular power generation device is switchable between a power generation mode and a bypass mode, the power generation path being open in the power generation mode and closed in the bypass mode.

9. The downhole power generation system of claim 8, wherein a production fluid enters the power generation device via the first end and exits the power generation device via the second end.

10. The downhole power generation system of claim 8, wherein the at least one power generation mechanism comprises at least one turbomachinery component.

11. The downhole power generation system of claim 8, further comprising:

a selector mechanism disposed on the first end of the tubular power generation device, wherein the selector mechanism opens the power generation path when the device is in the power generation mode and closes the power generation path when the device is in the bypass mode.

12. The downhole power generation system of claim 8, wherein the power generation device forms a fluid tight seal about a production tubing and against a wellbore or casing.

13. The downhole power generation system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the power generation paths and the bypass paths is a tubular orifice formed in the power generation device between the outer profile and the inner profile.

14. The downhole power generation system of claim 8, wherein a production fluid flows through the at least one power generation path when the power generation device is in the power generation mode, and the production fluid flows through the at least one bypass path when the power generation device is in the bypass mode.