Self-Cleaning Impulse Turbine Using Mechanical Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Debris buildup on turbines in downhole tools, such as impulse turbines, impairs their functionality by preventing the rotor from rotating, necessitating additional measures beyond conventional coatings to ensure normal operations.
Innovation Solution
Inducing vibrations within the turbine using components like weights, fins, or nozzles to create imbalances, turbulence, or pressure variances, which mitigate debris accumulation on the rotor and bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional coatings are applied to turbine components to prevent debris buildup, then debris resistance is improved, but the turbine still experiences debris accumulation that prevents rotor rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration to the turbine rotor through an imbalance weight that rotates with the rotor. This vibration creates dynamic forces that prevent debris from accumulating on the rotor blades and surfaces, thereby maintaining rotor rotation capability even in debris-contaminated environments where conventional coatings fail
2Adaptability or versatility
If the turbine operates in fluid contaminated with solids, then the turbine can function in harsh downhole environments, but debris builds up on the rotor and bearings preventing normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating imbalance weight generates mechanical vibration that continuously sheds debris from the rotor and bearing surfaces. This vibration mechanism enables the turbine to maintain ease of operation and continuous functionality in harsh downhole environments contaminated with solids, overcoming the debris accumulation problem
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine system performs self-cleaning through the vibration generated by its own rotating components. The imbalance weight creates vibration that automatically removes debris from critical surfaces without requiring external cleaning mechanisms, enabling self-maintaining operation in contaminated environments
3Reliability
If vibrations are induced within the turbine to mitigate debris buildup, then debris shedding is improved, but the turbine requires additional components to generate the vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The imbalance weight serves multiple functions: it generates the mechanical vibration needed for debris shedding while also being part of the rotor's rotational mass that converts fluid energy to mechanical work. By making the vibration-generating component integral to the rotor assembly, the patent avoids adding separate vibration generation devices, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
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
Maintains bearing speed and facilitates turbine startup by effectively shedding debris, ensuring continuous operation despite contaminated wellbore fluids.
Implementation Method 1
the rotor may utilize the flow of fluid to rotate about a central axis and generate power... the rotor may utilize the flow of fluid to rotate about a central axis and generate power for the downhole tool
Implementation Method 2
one or more components of an impulse turbine configured to induce a vibration within the turbine. The vibrations induced within the turbine may mitigate and/or prevent debris building up on surfaces of the components such as the faces of the rotor
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus configured to be positioned in a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation. The apparatus comprises one or more components configured to induce a vibration within a turbine to mitigate debris buildup on a rotor of the turbine, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about a central axis when a flow of fluid interacts with the turbine.