Flow control device and method

A fluid flow control device for opening or closing a fluid communication of a fluid flow (F) between an external fluid reservoir and a base pipe of a production string, comprising

• a primary flow path arranged inside a fluid control device housing, the primary flow path comprising
• a primary flow path inlet configured to guide a primary fluid flow (F0) axially into the fluid control device housing from the external fluid reservoir during operation, wherein the axial and a radial direction being defined as the direction perpendicular and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base pipe, respectively, and
• a primary flow path outlet configured to guide the primary fluid flow (F0) into the base pipe during operation,
• a secondary flow path comprising a first fluid flow restrictor configured to generate a pressure decrease from a pressure p1 upstream of the first fluid flow restrictor to a pressure p2 downstream of the first fluid flow restrictor, a second fluid flow restrictor arranged downstream of the first fluid flow restrictor and configured to generate a pressure decrease from the pressure p2 upstream of the second fluid flow restrictor to a pressure p3 downstream of the second fluid flow restrictor and a chamber arranged downstream of the first fluid flow restrictor and upstream the second fluid flow restrictor and
• a movable valve element arranged inside the fluid control device housing and configured to close the primary flow path for fluid flow when exposed to a pressure force from within the chamber exceeding a threshold pressure force, wherein the movable valve element comprises a resilient member ensuring a prevailing resilient force on the movable valve element directed away from the primary flow path inlet,
• wherein
• the secondary flow path comprises a secondary flow path inlet arranged within the fluid control device housing having a radial offset to the primary flow path at an entrance of the secondary flow path inlet into the fluid control device housing and
• wherein the secondary flow path inlet is further configured to guide a secondary fluid flow (f) from the fluid reservoir into the secondary flow path of the fluid control device housing
• such that, during operation, the fluid flow (F) is divided into
• the primary fluid flow (F0) entering the fluid control device housing via the first fluid path and
• the secondary fluid flow (f) entering the fluid control device housing via the secondary fluid path.