Propulsion generator and method
AssigneeCoil Solutions, Inc.
InventorsMarvin A. Gregory, Robert J. Kletzel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A propulsion generator which employs one or more unbalanced rotors, such as 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 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.
Claims18
A propulsion generator of 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:
- a plurality of fly wheel housings having a top end and a bottom end, the top end being adapted to connection to the bottom end portion of the string of pipe or to a bottom end of another tubular housing
- wherein each fly wheel housing comprises
- a fluid flow path through the top end and out the bottom end to such that in operation fluid flows through the plurality of fly wheel housings and out the bottom end of a bottom most fly wheel housing
- at least one fly wheel positioned within said fly wheel housing, said at least one fly wheel comprising a center of mass 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, and wherein a malfunction of one fly wheel does not prevent rotation of other fly wheels;
- and
- a plurality of teeth operatively connected to 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 teeth being rotatable as said at least one fly wheel rotates.
A propulsion generator to urge movement of a string of pipe within a well bore, comprising:
- a first fly wheel housing adapted for connection with said string of pipe;
- a second fly wheel housing adapted for connection with said string of pipe;
- a first fly wheel mounted in said first fly wheel housing;
- a second fly wheel mounted in said second fly wheel housing;
- a first mounting for said first fly wheel which controls a center of rotation of said first fly wheel, whereby said center of mass of said first fly wheel is offset from said center of rotation of said first fly wheel;
- a second mounting for said second fly wheel which controls a center of rotation of said second fly wheel, whereby said center of mass of said second fly wheel is offset from said center of rotation of said second fly wheel;
- and
- wherein said first fly wheel housing and said second fly wheel housing define a fluid flow path through said first fly wheel housing and said second fly wheel housing;
- and
- wherein a malfunction of one fly wheel does not prevent rotation of another fly wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.