Wireless Flow Control Device Self-Recharging Turbine
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow control devices in well operations face challenges in efficiently reestablishing fluid flow after it has been restricted, particularly in hydraulic fracturing and production operations, due to power source depletion and lack of efficient mechanisms for recharging and shifting shiftable apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of wireless flow control devices equipped with a shiftable apparatus, a power source, and an actuation assembly that includes a turbine and rupture disk, allowing for the recharging of the power source through fluid flow and shifting of the shiftable apparatus between positions to control fluid flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a shiftable apparatus is used to control fluid flow through the flow control device, then fluid flow can be restricted or redirected, but the power source becomes depleted and cannot recharge itself
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine is configured to rotate in response to fluid flow through the flow control device, and this rotation is coupled to recharge the power source. This allows the system to self-recharge during operation, eliminating the need for external power sources or manual intervention to restore power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the fluid flow path with the turbine mechanism, so that the same fluid flow that performs the control function also drives the turbine to recharge the power source. This merging of functions allows energy recovery during normal operation.
2Productivity
If the shiftable apparatus is shifted to sever fluid flow paths for well operations, then fluid flow control is achieved, but the mechanism lacks efficient recharging capability
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine-recharging mechanism enables the power source to automatically recharge during fluid flow operations, providing self-sufficiency and eliminating the need for external power supply or manual recharging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a feedback loop where fluid flow through the device drives the turbine, which recharges the power source, ensuring continuous operation capability. The power source status can be monitored and used to control the shiftable apparatus operations.
3Ease of operation
If wireless flow control devices are used in well operations, then remote fluid flow control is enabled, but the device complexity increases due to power management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing self-recharging through the turbine mechanism, the patent eliminates the need for complex external power management systems, battery replacement procedures, or manual intervention, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the wireless design.
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 reestablishment of fluid flow by recharging the power source and shifting the shiftable apparatus, ensuring controlled fluid flow during and after well operations, thereby optimizing the management of fluid flow in wellbore operations.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine configured to rotate in response to fluid flow through the flow control device and recharge the power source
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless flow control device includes a shiftable apparatus and a power source configured to provide power to shift the shiftable apparatus from a first position to a second position. The wireless flow control device also includes a valve that forms a first fluid flow path through the wireless flow control device while the shiftable apparatus is in the first position. The wireless flow control device further includes an actuation assembly, which, when actuated, forms a second fluid flow path through the wireless flow control device, and a turbine configured to recharge the power source.