Constricting flow diverter
View Patent ↗In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole assembly has a downhole tool string component with a bore adapted to accommodate drilling mud having a central passage and at least one periphery passage. At least two movable segments are peripherally positioned around a bore wall adapted to constrict a diameter of the central passage and are adapted to divert drilling mud into the at least one periphery passage. At least one opening mechanism is adapted to move a portion of the at least two movable segments toward the bore wall.
1. A downhole assembly, comprising:
a downhole tool string component comprising a bore adapted to accommodate drilling mud comprising a central passage and at least one periphery passage;
at least two movable segments peripherally positioned around a bore wall adapted to constrict a diameter of the central passage adapted to divert drilling mud into the at least one periphery passage; and
at least one opening mechanism adapted to move a portion of the at least two movable segments toward the bore wall;
wherein a turbine body disposed within the bore and the at least two movable segments form a barrier separating the central passage and the at least one periphery passage.
2. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one periphery passage directs drilling mud to a turbine.
3. The downhole assembly of claim 2 , wherein the turbine is in communication with an electrical generator.
4. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one periphery passage directs drilling mud to a downhole hammer, a downhole steering tool, sensors, or combinations thereof.
5. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening mechanism comprises a motor, a spring, a pin, a hydraulic actuator, or combinations thereof.
6. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least two movable segments are interlocked.
7. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein springs connect the at least two movable segments together.
8. The downhole assembly of claim 7 , wherein the springs are adapted to move the at least two movable segments closer to each other.
9. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the downhole assembly is in communication with a telemetry system.
10. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least two movable segments are foils.
11. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least two movable segments comprise a forward tapered face.
12. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least two movable segments comprise a rearward tapered face.
13. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein an edge of the at least two movable segments tapers from a bottom end of the at least two movable segments to a top end of the at least two movable segments.
14. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bore comprises an expanded diameter region.
15. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least two movable segments are adapted to pivot on the opening mechanism.
16. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least two movable segments are adapted to pivot on a stator disposed within the bore.
17. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least two movable segments are adapted to pivot on a wall of the at least one periphery passage.
18. The downhole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least two movable segments close the at least one periphery passage.