Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120273234 | FLOW-INDUCED ELECTROSTATIC POWER GENERATOR FOR DOWNHOLE USE IN OIL AND GAS WELLS - The present invention is directed to processes (methods) for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.) downhole. The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented. | 11-01-2012 |
20120273235 | FLOW-INDUCED ELECTROSTATIC POWER GENERATOR FOR DOWNHOLE USE IN OIL AND GAS WELLS - The present invention is directed to processes (methods) for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.) downhole. The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented. | 11-01-2012 |
20130056984 | Downhole Power Generation By Way of Electromagnetic Induction - Electrical power may be generated at a downhole position of a production well by way of electromagnetic induction through oscillating linear translation driven by the flow of a fluid being transported by the production well. In exemplary embodiments, a conductive coil is disposed in a fixed position along a length of a production pipe such that the conductive coil encircles the production pipe. A linear translation apparatus is disposed radially inward from the conductive coil and is configured to move linearly parallel to a longitudinal axis of the production pipe and within the conducting coil by harnessing mechanical energy from fluid flowing within the production pipe. Magnets are affixed to the linear translation apparatus to cause electrical power to be generated in the conductive coil by way of electromagnetic induction responsive to the magnets passing by the conductive coil when the linear translation apparatus is in motion. | 03-07-2013 |
20130061899 | Apparatus, System and Method For Generating Power In A Wellbore - An apparatus, system and method provides electrical power in a subterranean well. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator may be positioned and installed in a downhole location in a wellbore. The location of the radioisotope thermoelectric generator may be within a completion string. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator comprises a core having a radioisotope for producing heat, and a thermocouple. The thermocouple comprises at least two different metals, and is positioned adjacent to the core. The radioisotope thermoelectric generator flows heat from the core to the thermocouple to produce electricity that may be stored in an energy storage device, or used to power a component. The produced electrical power may be employed to activate downhole sensors, valves, or wireless transmitters associated with the operation and production of an oil or gas well. | 03-14-2013 |
20130240205 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RESERVOIR PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT - A reservoir production management system includes a plurality of dielectric spectrometers disposed at different locations along the length of production tubing within a wellbore, each of the plurality dielectric spectrometers being in fluid communication with separate producing zones of the reservoir, wherein the plurality of dielectric spectrometers are configured to detect one or more dielectric properties by measuring the response of incident radio waves through fluids from each of the respectively separate producing zones, and a plurality of valves in the production tubing to selectively control production from each of the respectively separate producing zones in response to detected dielectric fluid properties. | 09-19-2013 |
20130284431 | Flow Sensing Apparatus and Methods For Use In Oil and Gas Wells - The present invention is directed to methods for assessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well wherein electric current or electrostatic potential or both are measured to produce data correlating to at least one flow characteristic of a tubular segment in the well. In some embodiments, electric current and electrostatic potential are produced separately for a plurality of segments, and measured. The system further may adjust at least one flow characteristic of a segment of the well to increase hydrocarbon production from the well. | 10-31-2013 |
20140319970 | FLOW ENERGY PIEZOELECTRIC BIMORPH NOZZLE HARVESTER - A flow energy harvesting device having a harvester pipe includes a flow inlet that receives flow from a primary pipe, a flow outlet that returns the flow into the primary pipe, and a flow diverter within the harvester pipe having an inlet section coupled to the flow inlet, a flow constriction section coupled to the inlet section and positioned at a midpoint of the harvester pipe and having a spline shape with a substantially reduced flow opening size at a constriction point along the spline shape, and an outlet section coupled to the constriction section. The harvester pipe may further include a piezoelectric structure extending from the inlet section through the constriction section and point such that the fluid flow past the constriction point results in oscillatory pressure amplitude inducing vibrations in the piezoelectric structure sufficient to cause a direct piezoelectric effect and to generate electrical power for harvesting. | 10-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140020783 | Method and Apparatus for Reducing Fluid Flow Friction in a Pipe - A tubular pipe adapted for transporting oil and water may be treated upon its interior surface to reduce frictional pressure of a multiphase oil/water mixture flowing through the pipe. The tubular pipe may have an interior wall and a central cavity. In some instances, the interior surface is provided with a first textured region being adapted for reducing the adhesive forces of transported oil along the interior wall. A second region upon the interior wall may be adapted for reducing the adhesive forces of water along the interior wall of the tubular pipe. In some applications, riblets may be provided upon the interior pipe wall to further reduce the frictional forces of fluid flowing through the central cavity of the pipe. | 01-23-2014 |
20140103662 | POWER GENERATION IN A TUBULAR STRUCTURE BY WAY OF ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION - Electrical power may be generated by way of electromagnetic induction through oscillating linear translation driven by the flow of a fluid being transported through a tubular structure. In exemplary embodiments, a conductive coil is disposed in a fixed position along a length of a tubular structure such that the conductive coil encircles the tubular structure. A linear translation apparatus is disposed radially inward from the conductive coil and is configured to move linearly parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular structure and within the conducting coil by harnessing mechanical energy from fluid flowing within the tubular structure. Magnets are affixed to the linear translation apparatus to cause electrical power to be generated in the conductive coil by way of electromagnetic induction responsive to the magnets passing by the conductive coil when the linear translation apparatus is in motion. | 04-17-2014 |
20140202705 | Flow Induced Electrostatic Power Generator For Tubular Segments - The present invention is directed to methods for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in a tubular length and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.). The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented. | 07-24-2014 |
20150152716 | Method, System and Apparatus of Erosion Resistant Filtering Screen Structures - An improved particle or sand filtering apparatus, method and system is disclosed. The apparatus may be adapted to filter particles or sand from a particle-laden hydrocarbon fluid by employing a stacked multi-layered screen in an X-Y plane and having at least one screen comprised of a plurality of first wires and a plurality of second wires that are woven. The stacked screen may be placed within a production tubing in a wellbore for the production of hydrocarbons from the wellbore. The apparatus is configured to facilitate passage of particle-laden fluid through the screen in a direction that is substantially parallel to an X-Y plane of the screen. | 06-04-2015 |