# US 11,441,388 B2 · Methods and systems for a flow activated annulus choke device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,441,388 B2 - Document ID: US11441388B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/075,413 - Filed: 2020-10-20 - Published: 2021-05-06 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-11-04 - Assignees: Sharp-Rock Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Sharp-Rock Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Hong Wang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441388B2 ## CPC - E21B 34/08: responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained (E21B34/10 takes precedence) - E21B 2200/02: Down-hole chokes or valves for variably regulating fluid flow - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Systems and methods for a flow activated choke device that is activated by the choke device directly interacting with the flow of fluid in an upstream direction. More specifically, a choke device formed of chain like materials that is configured to be extended in a first mode and compacted in a second mode, wherein the choke device moves from the first mode to the second mode responsive to an upward fluid flow rate being greater than a flow rate threshold. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system with a choke device, the system comprising: a wellbore; a drill string positioned within the wellbore; an annulus between the wellbore and the drill string; a stopper positioned between the drill string and the wellbore, the stopper being configured to reduce a space of the annulus; a blocking element with a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the blocking element being coupled with a lower surface of the stopper, the distal end being configured to move towards the stopper based on a fluid flow rate in a first direction within the annulus being greater than a fluid flow rate threshold and the fluid directly interacting with the blocking element to move the distal end of the blocking element, wherein the first direction is towards a surface of the wellbore, wherein the blocking element includes a plurality of links, wherein the plurality of links are elongated when the fluid flow rate is less than the fluid flow rate threshold, and the plurality of links are accumulated at the stopper when the fluid flow rate is greater than the fluid flow rate threshold, wherein the blocking element of accumulated plurality of links is porous. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of links are spiraled around the drill string when the plurality of links are elongated and when the plurality of links are accumulated. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the stopper is positioned on an inner diameter of a wellbore wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the stopper is positioned on an outer diameter of the drill string. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein an increase of the fluid flow rate being greater than the fluid flow rate threshold is caused by a blowout between the blocking element and an end of the wellbore. ### Claim 6 A system with a choke device, the system comprising: a wellbore; a drill string positioned within the wellbore; an annulus between the wellbore and the drill string; a stopper positioned between the drill string and the wellbore, the stopper being configured to reduce a space of the annulus; a blocking element with a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the blocking element being coupled with a lower surface of the stopper, the distal end being configured to move towards the stopper based on a fluid flow rate in a first direction within the annulus being greater than a fluid flow rate threshold and the fluid directly interacting with the blocking element to move the distal end of the blocking element, wherein the first direction is towards a surface of the wellbore, wherein the blocking element includes a plurality of links, wherein the distal end the plurality of links configured to move along a linear path. ### Claim 7 A method associated with a choke device, the method comprising: positioning a drill string within a wellbore, wherein an annulus is formed between the wellbore and the drill string; positioning a stopper between the drill string and the wellbore, the stopper reducing a space of the annulus; coupling a proximal end of a blocking element with a lower surface of the stopper; increasing a fluid flow rate within the annulus to be above a fluid flow rate, wherein the fluid flow rate is in a first direction, the first direction is towards a surface of the wellbore; moving a distal end of the blocking element towards the stopper based on the fluid flow rate in the first direction being greater than a fluid flow rate threshold, wherein the fluid directly interacts with the blocking element to move the distal end of the blocking element, wherein the blocking element includes a plurality of links; elongating the plurality of links when the fluid flow rate is less than the fluid flow rate threshold; and accumulating the plurality of links at the stopper when the fluid flow rate is greater than the fluid flow rate threshold, wherein the blocking element of accumulated plurality of links is porous. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the space within the annulus at a position corresponding to the stopper is less than a length of some of the plurality of links. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising: spiraling the plurality of links around the drill string when the plurality of links are elongated and when the plurality of links are accumulated. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising: positioning the stopper on an inner diameter of a wellbore wall. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: positioning the stopper on an outer diameter of the drill string. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising: moving the distal end of the plurality links along a linear path. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein an increase of the fluid flow rate being greater than the fluid flow rate threshold is caused by a blowout between the blocking element and an end of the wellbore. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising: coupling weights to the distal end of the blocking element.