Granted Patent B2

US 12,281,544 · App. 18/206,233 · Granted Apr 22, 2025

Inventors: Ryan W. McChesney (Carrollton, TX); Stephen Michael Greci (Carrollton, TX); Gordon McLeary (Carrollton, TX)

Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

E21B41/0085E21B43/12

Abstract

Claims (73)

1. A magnetic coupling mechanism in a downhole flow control tool, comprising:

a first chamber configured to receive i) production fluids or ii) injection fluids;

a first component with a plurality of magnets located within the first chamber, and wherein the plurality of magnets are configured in a Halbach Array;

a second chamber;

a second component with a plurality of magnets located within the second chamber, and wherein the plurality of magnets are configured in a Halbach Array;

wherein the first chamber and the second chamber share a non-magnetic separation;

wherein the first component is magnetically coupled to the second component by a plurality of strong magnetic flux,

wherein the downhole flow control tool comprises a valve body with a flow path, an energy harvesting device, an adjustable valve, and a unit controller,

wherein the flow path comprises a first fluid port within a fluid chamber fluidically coupled to a second fluid port via at least one fluid duct,

wherein the energy harvesting device comprises a generator and a turbine assembly,

wherein the turbine assembly is fluidically coupled to the flow path and located between the second fluid port and the fluid chamber, and

wherein the turbine assembly is configured to induce rotation within the generator.

2. The magnetic coupling mechanism of claim 1 , wherein:

the plurality of magnets in the first component are configured to produce a weak magnetic flux directed away from the non-magnetic separation and a strong magnetic flux directed towards the non-magnetic separation.

3. The magnetic coupling mechanism of claim 1 , wherein:

the plurality of magnets in the second component are configured to produce a weak magnetic flux directed away from the non-magnetic separation and a strong magnetic flux directed towards the non-magnetic separation.

4. The magnetic coupling mechanism of claim 1 , wherein:

the first component is configured to axially translate; and

wherein the second component is biased to axially translate by the plurality of strong magnetic flux.

5. The magnetic coupling mechanism of claim 1 , wherein:

the first component is configured to rotationally translate; and

wherein the second component is biased to rotationally translate by the plurality of strong magnetic flux.

6. The magnetic coupling mechanism of claim 1 , wherein:

the first component and the second component are separated by the non-magnetic separation.

7. The magnetic coupling mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first component and the second component are located within the energy harvesting device.

8. The magnetic coupling mechanism of claim 1 , wherein:

the adjustable valve comprises a drive mechanism and a stem head;

wherein the drive mechanism is communicatively coupled to the unit controller;

wherein the stem head is located within the fluid chamber; and

wherein the drive mechanism is configured to position the stem head in i) a first position, ii) a second position, or iii) a third position.

9. The magnetic coupling mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the turbine assembly comprises a Halbach Array of magnets.

10. A method of actuating a downhole mechanism by a magnetic coupling within a downhole tool assembly, comprising:

positioning a first component in a first chamber, wherein the first component comprises a plurality of magnets, wherein the plurality of magnets are configured to produce a strong magnetic flux on a first side;

positioning a second component into a second chamber, wherein the second component comprises a plurality of magnets, wherein the plurality of magnets are configured to produce a strong magnetic flux on a second side;

wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are coupled by a non-magnetic separation;

wherein the first side of the first component is oriented towards the non-magnetic separation;

wherein the second side of the second component is oriented towards the non-magnetic separation;

magnetically coupling the strong magnetic flux on the first side of the first component to the strong magnetic flux on the second side of the second component; and

actuating the second component with the first component,

wherein the downhole tool assembly comprises a valve body with a flow path, an energy harvesting device, an adjustable valve, and a unit controller,

wherein the flow path comprises a first fluid port within a fluid chamber fluidically coupled to a second fluid port via at least one fluid duct,

wherein the energy harvesting device comprises a generator and a turbine assembly,

wherein the turbine assembly is fluidically coupled to the flow path and located between the second fluid port and the fluid chamber, and

wherein the turbine assembly is configured to induce rotation within the generator.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the first chamber comprises the flow path for wellbore fluids.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

rotating the first component with a flowrate of wellbore fluids; and

generating electrical power within the second chamber in response to a rotational motion of the second component.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the second chamber comprises the flow path for wellbore fluids.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

positioning a first component with an actuator into i) a first position, ii) a second position, or iii) a third position; and

changing a flowrate of wellbore fluids within the flow path with a second component in response to the position of the first component.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the wellbore fluids are i) production fluids or ii) injection fluids.

16. A downhole flow control tool system, comprising:

a first component in a first chamber, wherein the first component comprises a plurality of magnets, wherein the plurality of magnets are configured to produce a strong magnetic flux on a first side;

a second component in a second chamber, wherein the second component comprises a plurality of magnets, wherein the plurality of magnets are configured to produce a strong magnetic flux on a second side, and wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are coupled by a non-magnetic separation;

a magnetic coupling by the strong magnetic flux on the first side of the first component and the strong magnetic flux on the second side of the second component; and wherein the magnetic coupling is configured to actuate the second component with the first component,

a valve body with a flow path;

an energy harvesting device;

an adjustable valve; and

a unit controller,

wherein the flow path comprises a first fluid port within a fluid chamber fluidically coupled to a second fluid port via at least one fluid duct,

wherein the energy harvesting device comprises a generator and a turbine assembly,

wherein the turbine assembly is fluidically coupled to the flow path and located between the second fluid port and the fluid chamber, and

wherein the turbine assembly is configured to induce rotation within the generator.

17. The downhole flow control tool system of claim 16 , wherein actuating the second component with the first component further comprises:

rotating the first component within the flow path with a flowrate of wellbore fluids; and

generating electrical power within the second chamber in response to a rotational motion of the second component.

18. The downhole flow control tool system of claim 16 , wherein actuating the second component with the first component further comprises:

positioning the first component with an actuator into i) a first position, ii) a second position, or iii) a third position; and

changing a flowrate of wellbore fluids within the flow path with the second component in response to the position of the first component.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (21)