Magnetic switch and uses thereof in wellbores
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorKeven O'Connor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a string for placement in the wellbore and a switch on an outside of the string, wherein the switch includes a plurality of magnetic elements that provide a continuous electrical when the plurality of magnetic elements are aligned by an externally applied magnetic field. In one embodiment, the switch includes a channel that houses the plurality of magnetic elements that remain unaligned until the magnetic elements are aligned by the externally applied magnetic field.
Claims21
An apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a string for placement in the wellbore;
- and
- at least one switch on an outside of the string, the switch including a ring having a circumferential channel on its outer periphery and a plurality of magnetic elements within the channel that provide a continuous electrical connection when the plurality of magnetic elements are aligned along a center of a channel by a magnetic field.
A magnetic switch comprising:
- a circular member having a groove formed around its outer periphery;
- and
- a plurality of magnetic elements that are unaligned until aligned into a bottom of the groove by an external magnetic field, wherein the aligned magnetic elements provide a continuous electrical connection.
A method of providing an electrical connection in a wellbore, comprising:
- providing a string for placement in the wellbore;
- and
- placing at least one switch on an outside of the string, the switch including a circular member having a channel formed around its outer periphery and a plurality of magnetic elements in the channel that provide a continuous electrical connection when the plurality of magnetic elements are aligned into a center of the channel by an external magnetic field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.