Flow Guide Actuation for Downhole Turbine Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling downhole turbine speed in drilling operations, such as diverting drilling fluid, often require overdesigning the turbine to ensure sufficient torque, leading to inefficiencies and additional costs.
Innovation Solution
A downhole drill string assembly with a turbine and a flow guide that can be adjusted using a feedback loop and actuator to control the flow of drilling fluid, allowing for precise adjustment of turbine rotation speed and torque, utilizing components like fins, flexible vanes, and actuators to optimize fluid flow and communication through pressure pulses or vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If drilling fluid is diverted away from the turbine to control speed, then turbine rotational speed is reduced, but torque delivery becomes insufficient requiring overdesign
Solution Approach 1:
A flow guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the drilling fluid and turbine blades. The flow guide redirects and conditions the fluid flow to optimize its interaction with the turbine blades, enabling speed control while maintaining sufficient torque by improving flow distribution rather than simply diverting fluid away
Solution Approach 2:
The flow guide modifies fluid flow parameters (direction, velocity distribution, angle of attack) to change how the fluid interacts with turbine blades. This allows the turbine to operate at desired rotational speeds while maintaining optimal torque generation through improved flow characteristics
2Force
If turbine is overdesigned to ensure sufficient torque when fluid flow is restricted, then torque delivery is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide serves as a flow conditioning intermediary that prepares the drilling fluid for optimal turbine interaction. This allows the use of a standard turbine design without overengineering, as the flow guide ensures proper flow distribution and angles are achieved
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control function is separated from the turbine itself by introducing a distinct flow guide component. This segmentation allows the turbine to be designed for optimal torque generation while the flow guide handles flow conditioning and speed control, reducing overall system complexity
3Measurement precision
If flow guide is added to control turbine speed precisely, then speed control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide is designed to automatically respond to flow conditions and turbine operation without requiring complex external control systems. The geometry and positioning of the flow guide enable it to self-regulate flow distribution, providing precise speed control through passive flow conditioning rather than active control mechanisms
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
This solution enables efficient control of turbine speed and torque, reducing the need for overdesigning and minimizing costs while enabling effective communication and data transmission through changes in rotational speed and pressure pulses.
Implementation Method 1
A flow guide actuation mechanism controls the flow of drilling fluid to a turbine
Implementation Method 2
The flow guide may be in communication with an actuator
Implementation Method 3
a turbine disposed within the bore and exposed to the drilling fluid
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole drill string assembly comprises a bore there through to receive drilling fluid. A turbine may be disposed within the bore and exposed to the drilling fluid. At least one flow guide may be disposed within the bore and exposed to the drilling fluid wherein the flow guide acts to redirect the flow of the drilling fluid across the turbine. The flow guide may be adjusted by an actuator. Adjustments to the flow guide may be controlled by a downhole telemetry system, a processing unit, a control loop, or any combination thereof. In various embodiments the turbine may comprise rotatable turbine blades.