# US 2017/0254182 A1 · Propulsion generator and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0254182 A1 - Document ID: US20170254182A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/603,655 - Filed: 2017-05-24 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-29 - Assignees: Coil Solutions, Inc. - Applicants: Coil Solutions, Inc. - Inventors: Marvin A. Gregory; Robert J. Kletzel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170254182A1 ## CPC - E21B 23/001: {Self-propelling systems or apparatus, e.g. for moving tools within the horizontal portion of a borehole} - E21B 4/02: Fluid rotary type drives - E21B 4/18: Anchoring or feeding in the borehole - E21B 7/24: Drilling using vibrating or oscillating means, e.g. out-of-balance masses (percussion drilling E21B1/00) - E21B 17/20: Flexible or articulated drilling pipes {, e.g. flexible or articulated rods, pipes or cables} - E21B 31/005: {using vibrating or oscillating means} - E21B 19/22: Handling reeled pipe or rod units, e.g. flexible drilling pipes {(lifting or hauling appliances using two or more cooperating endless chains B66D3/003)} - E21B 23/14: for displacing a cable or a cable-operated tool, e.g. for logging or perforating operations in deviated wells - Y10T 29/494: Fluidic or fluid actuated device making - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A propulsion generator which employs one or more unbalanced rotors, such as a fly wheels or other unbalance rotating members, which can be connected at a lower portion of a downhole coiled tubing string or other downhole tubular string for inducing propulsion of the coiled tubing. The unbalanced rotors may, in one embodiment, be oriented at different positions with respect to each other. The instantaneous fluid flow through the propulsion generator is substantially equivalent to the average fluid flow rate through the tool to provide relatively consistent fluid flow to downhole motors below the propulsion generator for operating the drill bit and/or cutters. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A propulsion generator for use in a downhole tool to urge movement of a string of pipe within a well bore, said string of pipe comprising a bottom end portion, comprising: an outer tubular housing mountable to said bottom end portion of said string of pipe, said outer tubular defining a fluid flow path through said outer tubular housing to permit fluid flow through said downhole tool; at least one fly wheel positioned within said outer tubular housing, said at least one fly wheel comprising a center of mass; a plurality of fins operatively connected to said at least one fly wheel and positioned within said fluid path to receive energy from fluid flow through said flow path whereby said at least one fly wheel is rotated, said plurality of fins being rotatable as said at least one fly wheel rotates; and a mounting for said at least one fly wheel which constrains a center of rotation of said at least one fly wheel, whereby said center of mass of said at least one fly wheel is offset from the center of rotation, which results in vibrations being created during rotation of said at least one fly wheel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The propulsion generator of claim 1, wherein said plurality of fins are positioned with respect to said fluid flow path such that during operation as said at least one fly wheel rotates an instantaneous amount of fluid flow through a cross-section of said fluid flow path leading to or leaving from said said at least one fly wheel does not vary by more than 30% from an average amount of fluid flow through said cross-section of said fluid flow path. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The propulsion generator of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of bearing members for said mounting, said plurality of bearings being constructed asymetrically to produce a center of rotation of said at least one fly wheel which is offset from a center of said circumference, whereby said center of mass is offset from the center of rotation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The propulsion generator of claim 1, further comprising a shaft for said at least one fly wheel, said shaft being centrally positioned within said at least one fly wheel, said bearings comprising an inner bearing and an outer bearing, said outer bearing comprising an outer bearing circular circumference, said inner bearing supporting said shaft such that a center of said shaft is offset from a center of said outer bearing circular circumference. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The propulsion generator of claim 1, further comprising a shaft for said at least one fly wheel, said shaft comprising a shaft axis, said shaft axis being positioned at a position offset from a center of an average outer diameter said fly wheel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The propulsion generator of claim 1, further comprising a timing wheel which is mounted within said outer tubular housing whereby a center of mass of said timing wheel and a center of rotation of said timing wheel are coincident. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The propulsion generator of claim 1, wherein said at least one fly wheel is mounted such that said plurality of fins repetitively moves within said fluid path to receive varying energy from said fluid flow whereby a rotational speed of said at least one fly wheel varies during operation. ### Claim 8 A method for making a propulsion generator to urge movement of a string of pipe within a well bore, said string of pipe comprising a bottom end portion, said method comprising: providing an outer tubular housing for said downhole tool; providing that said outer tubular housing defines a fluid flow path through said tubular housing to permit fluid flow there through; providing at least one fly wheel within said outer tubular housing, said at least one fly wheel comprising a center of mass; providing that said at least one fly wheel receives energy for rotation in response to fluid flow through said fluid flow path; and providing that said mounting for said at least one fly wheel controls a center of rotation of said at least one fly wheel, whereby said center of mass of said at least one fly wheel is offset from said center of rotation, which results in vibrations being created during rotation of said at least one fly wheel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising providing bearings to produce a center of rotation of said at least one fly wheel which is offset from a center of an average circumference of said at least one fly wheel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising utilizing a shaft for said at least one fly wheel, and utilizing an inner bearing and an outer bearing wherein said outer bearing comprises an outer bearing circular circumference and said inner bearing supports said shaft such that a center of said shaft is offset from a center of said outer bearing circular circumference. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further utilizing a shaft for said at least one fly wheel, said shaft comprising a shaft axis which is positioned at a position offset from a center of said fly wheel with respect to an average outer circumference of said at least one fly wheel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising utilizing a second wheel comprising a plurality of fins which are positioned to engage fluid flow through said fluid flow path, and providing that a center of mass of said second wheel coincides with a center of rotation of said second wheel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising said propulsion generator is constructed so that that a variation of an amount of instantaneous fluid flow through a cross-section of a fluid flow path leading to or leaving from said at least one fly wheel does not vary by more than 30% than an average amount of fluid flow through said cross-section of said fluid flow path.