Fluidic impulse generator
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsRobert Standen, Douglas James Brunskill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for vibrating tubing as it is inserted into a wellbore is disclosed. The device has a fluidic switch that has no moving parts. The fluidic switch is connected to a piston that oscillates back and forth in a cylinder. The piston is the only moving part. As the piston oscillates, it blocks and unblocks openings in the cylinder or other components. The movement of the piston controls the timing of the oscillation, and also generates an impulse or vibration. The vibration may reduce the friction between the tubing and the wellbore.
Claims18
A vibratory impulse generator assembly comprising:
- a source of fluid flow that provides fluid to a first input;
- a housing;
- a fluidic switch within the housing having a first power path and a second power path, wherein the first input provides fluid to the first power path and the second power path;
- a piston inline with the fluidic switch within the housing in communication with the fluidic switch and positioned within a cylinder within the housing, wherein the piston is hollow, having a main piston passage that receives fluid from a fluid passage;
- and
- an interruption valve positioned inline with the fluid passage, the piston being configured to actuate the interruption valve, the interruption valve positioned inline with the piston and at least a portion of the interruption valve within the housing,
- wherein the first power path is connected to a first side of the cylinder and the second power path is connected to a second side of the cylinder, and wherein the source of fluid also provides fluid to the fluid passage.
A fluidic switch comprising:
- a top piece comprising:
- a power input path;
- a connecting power path connected to the power input path;
- a first power path connected to the connecting power path;
- a second power path connected to the connecting power path;
- a first vent positioned between the connecting power path and the first power path;
- a second vent positioned between the connecting power path and the second power path;
- a first trigger path connected to the connecting power path;
- a second trigger path connected to the connecting power path;
- a first feedback path connected to the connecting power path, the first feedback path being separate from the first trigger path and the second trigger path, the first feedback path positioned between the first trigger path and the power input path;
- and
- a second feedback path connected to the connecting power path, the second feedback path being separate from the first trigger path and the second trigger path, the second feedback path positioned between the second trigger path and the power input path;
- and
- a bottom piece comprising:
- a first feedback channel connected to the first power path and to the first feedback path;
- and
- a second feedback channel connected to the second power path and to the second feedback path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.