Electromagnetic induction generator for use in a well
AssigneeMarathon Oil Company
InventorsJoseph R. DiSantis, David T. Gerdeman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electromagnetic induction generator for use in a tubular, such as a tubular deployed in a subterranean well during wellbore construction operations, for generating electric current through electromagnetic induction. The electromagnetic induction generator has at least one conductive coil and at least one Halbach array of magnets. One or both of the at least one conductive coil and the at least one Halbach array of magnets is rotated relative to the other to increase the electric current generated. One or more gears may be provided to multiply the generated electric current.
Claims20
A process comprising:
- positioning an electromagnetic induction generator within a subterranean well bore, the electromagnetic induction generator comprising a conductive coil and at least one Halbach array of magnets;
- rotating the conductive coil, the at least one Halbach array of magnets or both the conductive coil and the at least one Halbach array of magnets to produce an electric current.
The process of 3 wherein rotating the tubular rotates the Halbach array in one direction, the process further comprising:
- simultaneously rotating the conductive coil in a direction opposite to the Halbach array.
An assembly for use in a well comprising:
- a housing having axially aligned openings therethrough;
- a tubular capable of being rotated and positioned through the housing via the aligned openings;
- two Halbach arrays of magnets positioned within the housing, each Halbach array generating an axial magnetic field which is directed toward the other Halbach array so as to create a generally cylindrically shaped internal magnetic field;
- and
- a conductive coil positioned on the exterior of the tubular within the housing and the internal magnetic field.
An assembly for use in a well comprising:
- a housing having axially aligned openings therethrough;
- a tubular capable of being rotated and positioned through the housing via the aligned openings, said tubular having at least one first set of teeth extending about substantially the entire outer circumference thereof;
- at least one gear having a generally annular shape and being positioned within said housing, said at least one gear having a second set of teeth extending about substantially the entire inner circumference thereof and meshing with said at least one first set of teeth when positioned between said housing and said tubular;
- at least one set of generally annular Halbach arrays positioned within said housing so as to be generally concentric with and secured to said at least one gear;
- and
- a conductive coil positioned on the exterior of the tubular within the housing and the magnetic field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.