Piezoelectric Pump for Downhole Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In harsh oil field environments with high temperatures and pressures, existing downhole devices face challenges in efficiently activating electro-mechanical actuators and maintaining pressure differentials due to limited electrical power capacity, leading to excessive power consumption and potential seal failures.

Innovation Solution

A piezoelectric device is introduced, comprising a valve between high and low pressure sources, with a piezoelectric material connected to actuate the valve, and a hydraulic fluid path with check valves to create pressure differentials for downhole tools, utilizing a piezoelectric pump to manage pressure effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electro-mechanical actuator (solenoid) is used to activate downhole devices, then the device can be activated, but a significant amount of electrical power is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice activation capabilityVSAvoidelectrical power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electro-mechanical actuators (solenoids) with a purely mechanical pressure differential system. High pressure fluid from the formation directly actuates pistons that operate valves, packers, and plugs, eliminating the need for electrical power to activate these downhole devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses hydraulic pressure from the formation fluid to directly drive mechanical components. The high pressure source (formation) connects through a valve to a piston, using fluid pressure to actuate downhole tools without requiring electrical power conversion to mechanical motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Stability of the object's composition

If an electro-mechanical actuator is used to hold a position, then the position is maintained, but a significant amount of power is continuously used to maintain the electric field

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition holding capabilityVSAvoidcontinuous power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical pressure differential system is self-sustaining. Once the high pressure source is established and the valve is actuated, the pressure differential automatically maintains the piston position and operates downhole tools without requiring continuous electrical power input to maintain the state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Stress or pressure

If an atmospheric chamber is used to create differential pressure for moving pistons, then pressure differentials can be obtained, but extreme pressure differentials across seals and pressure containing materials occur when hydrostatic pressure exceeds 20,000 psi

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure differential capabilityVSAvoidseal and pressure containing material integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the reference pressure parameter by using the formation pressure itself as the high pressure source rather than using an atmospheric chamber as a low pressure reference. This eliminates the extreme pressure differential across seals that would occur when trying to maintain atmospheric pressure against formation pressures exceeding 20,000 psi.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stress or pressure

If an electrical pump is used to develop differential pressure, then pressure control is improved, but a significant amount of power is necessary to keep the pump operating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure control capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and utilizes the naturally occurring high pressure from the formation fluid itself, eliminating the need for an electrical pump. The high pressure source (formation) directly provides the pressure differential needed to operate downhole tools through a valve and piston mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 piezoelectric device reduces power consumption by leveraging piezoelectric materials to create pressure differentials, enhancing the efficiency of downhole tool operations while withstanding extreme pressures, thus improving the reliability and efficiency of downhole equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric material connected to the member, wherein the piezoelectric material actuates the valve when energized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a piezoelectric material connected to the member, wherein the piezoelectric material actuates the valve when energized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Converse Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8220533B2Downhole piezoelectric devices

Publication Date: 2012.07.17 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a piezoelectric pump may include a hydraulic fluid path between a low pressure source and a high pressure tool port; a fluid disposed in the hydraulic fluid path; a piston in communication with the fluid; and a piezoelectric material connected to the piston to pump the fluid through the high pressure tool port.