Downhole power generation system with alternate flow paths

• US 9,638,010 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:
  US14/496,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20160090821A1
• 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 device includes a tubular housing configured to be disposed within an annular space and around a portion of production tubing. The housing includes a flow compartment configured to receive a flow of fluid therethrough when the power generation device is in a power generation mode, and an electronics compartment comprising a controller and a power generation unit. The downhole power generation device further includes a turbomachinery system comprising a rotor disposed within the flow compartment and comprising a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blades, wherein the rotor rotates when the flow of fluid traverses the flow compartment. The downhole power generation device also includes a port coupled to the flow compartment, through which fluid enters the flow compartment.

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, the power generation device comprising;

a power generation path configured to receive a flow of fluid therethrough during the power generation mode,

a turbomachinery system comprising a rotor disposed within the power generation path, the rotor comprising a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blades extending from the rotor hub, wherein the rotor rotates when the flow of fluid traverses the power generation path,

a bypass path configured to receive the flow of fluid therethrough during the bypass mode;

a power generation port coupled to the power generation path through which fluid enters the power generation path;

a bypass port coupled to the bypass path through which fluid enters the bypass path; and

a power generation unit coupled to the turbomachinery system and configured to convert rotation of the rotor into electricity.

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

a power storage device electrically coupled to the power generation unit and configured to store power generated by the power generation unit.

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

a control processor configured to control opening and closing of the power generation port and the bypass port.

4. The downhole power generation system of claim 3, wherein the control processor controls opening and closing of the power generation port and the bypass port based on the measured power level of a power storage device.

5. The downhole power generation system of claim 1, wherein the power generation unit comprises a electromagnetic power generation system.

6. The downhole power generation system of claim 1, wherein the power generation unit comprises a piezoelectric power generation system.

7. A downhole power generation device, comprising:

a tubular housing configured to be disposed within an annular space and around a portion of production tubing, the housing comprising;

a flow compartment providing a power generation path for a flow of fluid when the power generation device is in a power generation mode;

an electronics compartment comprising a controller and a power generation mechanism; and

a bypass path for the flow of fluid when the power generation device is in a bypass mode;

a turbomachinery system comprising a rotor, the rotor disposed within the flow compartment and comprising a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blades, wherein the rotor rotates when the flow of fluid traverses the flow compartment; and

a port coupled to the flow compartment, wherein fluid enters the flow compartment through the port during the power generation mode and wherein the port is closed during the bypass mode.

8. The downhole power generation device of claim 7, wherein the tubular housing is partially defined by a central orifice through which the production tubing is disposed, the rotor hub disposed around the orifice.

9. The downhole power generation device of claim 7, wherein the port is controllable to selectively open and close the flow compartment.

10. The downhole power generation device of claim 9, wherein fluid flows through the bypass path during the bypass mode when the flow compartment is closed.

11. The downhole power generation device of claim 9, wherein opening or closing of the flow compartment is controlled by the controller according to one or more predetermined conditions.

12. The downhole power generation device of claim 11, wherein the one or more predetermined conditions comprises an amount of power stored in a power storage device.

13. The downhole power generation device of claim 7, wherein the power generation mechanism converts rotation of the rotor into electricity via electromagnetic power generation.

14. The downhole power generation device of claim 7, wherein the power generation mechanism converts rotation of the rotor into electricity through piezoelectric power generation.