Magnetorheological dampener system for protecting well equipment
AssigneeExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
InventorMichael C. Romer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and a method for resisting a fluctuation in a value of a parameter relating to well equipment using a magnetorheological dampener system are described herein. The method includes continuously determining the value of the parameter relating to the well equipment, determining a fluctuation in the value of the parameter, and comparing the fluctuation in the value of the parameter to a preset limit. The method also includes energizing an electromagnet to increase a viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) if the fluctuation exceeds the preset limit.
Claims25
A magnetorheological dampener disposed within well equipment, comprising:
- a storage chamber containing a magnetorheological fluid (MRF);
- an exhaust chamber, comprising a plunger and a spring;
- an orifice that fluidically couples the storage chamber to the exhaust chamber;
- and
- an electromagnet disposed proximate to the storage chamber and the exhaust chamber;
- wherein the electromagnet is configured to increase a viscosity of the MRF to resist a fluctuation in a value of a parameter within the well equipment, and wherein the MRF flows through the orifice and into the exhaust chamber in response to an amount of force that is determined by the viscosity of the MRF;
- and
- wherein the plunger and the spring within the exhaust chamber cause the MRF to flow back through the orifice and into the storage chamber when the amount of force is decreased.
A method for resisting a fluctuation in a value of a parameter relating to well equipment using a magnetorheological dampener system, comprising:
- continuously determining the value of the parameter relating to the well equipment;
- determining a fluctuation in the value of the parameter;
- comparing the fluctuation in the value of the parameter to a preset limit;
- energizing an electromagnet to increase a viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) when the fluctuation in the value of the parameter exceeds the preset limit;
- resisting the fluctuation in the value of the parameter by allowing the MRF to flow from a storage chamber to an exhaust chamber via an orifice in response to an amount of force that is determined by the viscosity of the MRF;
- and
- allowing the MRF to flow from the exhaust chamber back to the storage chamber via the orifice when the amount of force is decreased, wherein a plunger and a spring within the exhaust chamber cause the MRF to flow back through the orifice and into the storage chamber.
A magnetorheological dampener system, comprising:
- a sensor configured to detect a value of a parameter within well equipment;
- a magnetorheological dampener, comprising:
- a storage chamber containing a magnetorheological fluid (MRF);
- an exhaust chamber, comprising a plunger and a spring;
- an orifice that fluidically couples the storage chamber to the exhaust chamber;
- and
- an electromagnet disposed proximate to the storage chamber and the exhaust chamber;
- and
- a controller, comprising:
- a processor configured to implement instructions from a data store;
- and
- the data store, comprising instructions to direct the processor to:
- continuously read the value of the parameter;
- determine a fluctuation in the value of the parameter;
- compare the fluctuation in the value of the parameter to a preset limit;
- and
- energize the electromagnet to increase a viscosity of the MRF when the fluctuation in the value of the parameter exceeds the preset limit;
- wherein the MRF flows through the orifice and into the exhaust chamber in response to an amount of force that is determined by the viscosity of the MRF;
- and
- wherein the plunger and the spring within the exhaust chamber cause the MRF to flow back through the orifice and into the storage chamber when the amount of force is decreased.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.