Downhole filter
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsPaul David Metcalfe, Wayne Rudd
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A downhole filter comprises a tubular member having a wall defining a plurality of openings. The openings have an outer width less than an inner width. The parts of the opening defining the smaller width are defined by radially outer parts of the openings, such that particulates or sand prevented from passing through the openings will tend to be retained to the outside of the tubular member.
Claims30
A downhole filter comprising a tubular member having a wall defining at least one opening, at least a portion of the opening having an outer width less than an inner width, wherein an edge portion of the at least one opening is hardened by a quenching process.
A wellbore filter comprising a tubular member having at least one opening therethrough, the at least one opening having a serpentine configuration, wherein an edge portion of the at least one opening is hardened by a quenching process.
A method of filtering wellbore fluids, the method comprising:
- placing a downhole filter within a wellbore, the downhole filter comprising a tubular member defining at least one opening, at least a portion of the opening having an outer width less than an inner width, wherein an edge portion of the opening is hardened by a quenching process;
- and
- passing wellbore fluids into an interior passage of the tubular member through the opening.
A downhole filter arrangement comprising a tubular member having a wall defining at least one laser-cut perforation, wherein an outer edge portion of the perforation has been quenched.
A method of filtering wellbore fluids, the method comprising:
- forming a downhole filter, comprising:
- forming at least one opening in a wall of a tubular, at least a portion of the opening having an outer width less than an inner width;
- and
- quenching an edge portion of the opening;
- placing the downhole filter within a wellbore;
- and
- passing wellbore fluids into an interior passage of the tubular through the at least one opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.