Canted Helix Flowmeter Collapsible Spinner Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinner tool arrays used for measuring fluid flow in oil and gas wells are prone to clogging and inaccurate due to bearing issues and partial blockage of fluid flow, leading to unreliable measurements in multiphase flows with phase segregation and varying velocities.
Innovation Solution
A canted helix flowmeter with collapsible spinner arms and helical blades deployed at a predetermined angle, where the helical blades rotate parallel to the fluid flow, avoiding any components that could obstruct the flow and allowing for accurate measurement of fluid flow by averaging local variations in speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spinner tool arrays use bearings and impellers mounted on arms, then flow measurement can be performed, but the bearings clog with dirt and particles causing friction increase and rotation speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bearing component entirely from the flow sensor design. Instead of using bearings to support the impeller, the invention uses a direct mounting structure where the impeller is held by a holding structure that emerges from the tool body, eliminating the bearing clogging issue while maintaining rotational measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified holding structure with magnets instead of complex bearing mechanisms. The magnets are embedded in the holding structure and interact with magnets on the impeller to provide both support and measurement functionality, replacing the need for precise mechanical bearings
2Measurement precision
If bearings and holding structure are disposed in the path of fluid flow before the impeller, then the impeller can be supported, but the flow is partially blocked affecting measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes components that block the flow path. The holding structure is designed to emerge from the tool body in a manner that does not obstruct the fluid flow to the impeller, allowing accurate measurement without flow blockage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the holding structure and magnets in a dimensional arrangement that does not interfere with the flow path to the impeller. The structure is configured to provide support while maintaining clear flow access, changing the spatial arrangement to eliminate blockage
3Measurement precision
If spinner arms are deployed parallel to fluid flow direction at different locations, then flow measurement at multiple points is achieved, but the device becomes complex and prone to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple independent flow sensors mounted on the tool body at different locations. Each sensor is a simple unit with an impeller and holding structure, avoiding the complexity of a single large array while maintaining the ability to measure flow at multiple points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the complex bearing mechanisms and elaborate arm structures from each flow sensor. By using simplified holding structures with direct mounting and magnet interactions, the device reduces complexity while maintaining measurement capability at multiple locations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The canted helix flowmeter provides reliable and accurate fluid flow measurements by minimizing clogging risks and ensuring no obstruction in the flow path, effectively handling multiphase flows with varying velocities and phase segregation.
Implementation Method 1
The helical blade is configured to rotate due to a fluid flowing substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tool body, around a rotation axis extending along the spinner arm on which the helical blade is mounted
Implementation Method 2
measuring rotating speeds of the helical blades
Data Source
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AI summary
Flowmeters and methods of measuring a fluid flow or manufacturing flowmeters are presented. A flowmeter has a tool body and one or more spinner arms configured to extend with a first end away from the tool body and a second end joined to the tool body, when deployed to measure a fluid flow. Each spinner arm includes a helical blade configured to rotate due to a fluid flowing substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tool body, around a rotation axis between the first end and the second end.