IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0409975
(2012-03-01)
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등록번호 |
US-8975861
(2015-03-10)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Teodorescu, Sorin G.
- Ring, Lev
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
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대리인 / 주소 |
Patterson & Sheridan, LLP
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
8 |
초록
▼
Methods and apparatus are provided for continuously powering tools downhole for extended periods of time, such as for the life of the producing well. Batteries may power the downhole tools, but traditionally, the batteries may last up to 2 years, and in some cases, up to 5 years may be reached with
Methods and apparatus are provided for continuously powering tools downhole for extended periods of time, such as for the life of the producing well. Batteries may power the downhole tools, but traditionally, the batteries may last up to 2 years, and in some cases, up to 5 years may be reached with an optimized data sampling rate and power management scheme. After that time, operations may be halted temporarily for replacing the batteries. According to embodiments of the present invention, in contrast, rechargeable batteries may be utilized downhole to provide power to operate the tools, and rather than halting operations and retrieving the rechargeable batteries to the surface for recharging, reserve batteries may be used for recharging the rechargeable batteries. In many cases, these well tools may be designed to operate for a long period of time (e.g., around 10-20 years), depending on the life of the producing well.
대표청구항
▼
1. An electrical power system located downhole in a wellbore, the system comprising: a rechargeable battery;a first reserve battery located downhole, wherein active chemicals of the first reserve battery are segregated until the first reserve battery is activated; anda control unit for monitoring a
1. An electrical power system located downhole in a wellbore, the system comprising: a rechargeable battery;a first reserve battery located downhole, wherein active chemicals of the first reserve battery are segregated until the first reserve battery is activated; anda control unit for monitoring a power-related parameter of the rechargeable battery, wherein the control unit is configured to: determine the power-related parameter of the rechargeable battery is below a threshold;activate the first reserve battery; anduse the first reserve battery when activated to recharge the rechargeable battery. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein, upon recharging the rechargeable battery, the control unit is configured to power one or more downhole tools with the rechargeable battery. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein, upon powering the one or more downhole tools, the control unit is configured to: determine the power-related parameter of the rechargeable battery is below the threshold;activate a second reserve battery; anduse the second reserve battery when activated to recharge the rechargeable battery. 4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a primary battery, wherein the control unit is configured to: power the one or more downhole tools with the primary battery prior to powering the tools with the rechargeable battery;determine a power-related parameter of the primary battery is below a threshold; andpower the one or more downhole tools with the rechargeable battery upon the determination. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the active chemicals of the first reserve battery comprise: a pair of electrodes; andan electrolyte for activating the first reserve battery upon at least partial insertion of the pair of electrodes into the electrolyte. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the electrolyte is disposed in an electrolyte container that is compartmentalized into capsules for accommodating additional reserve batteries each having a pair of electrodes. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the pair of electrodes for each reserve battery is graduated for activating each reserve battery independently. 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising an actuating mechanism for activating each reserve battery independently. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the actuating mechanism is controlled by at least one of mechanical means, electrical means, electromagnetic means, chemical means, or gravity. 10. The system of claim 6, wherein each of the reserve batteries is activated by releasing respective electrodes into the electrolyte disposed in the electrolyte container. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the respective electrodes are released into the electrolyte container via a trap door. 12. The system of claim 5, wherein the first reserve battery is activated by removing a tab that separates a first electrode from a second electrode of the pair of electrodes. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the power-related parameter comprises a power density level. 14. A method, comprising: determining a power-related parameter of a rechargeable battery of an electrical power system located downhole in a wellbore is below a threshold;activating a first reserve battery located downhole, wherein active chemicals of the first reserve battery are segregated until the first reserve battery is activated; andusing the first reserve battery when activated to recharge the rechargeable battery. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: upon recharging the rechargeable battery, powering one or more downhole tools with the rechargeable battery. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: upon powering the one or more downhole tools, determining the power-related parameter of the rechargeable battery is below the threshold;activating a second reserve battery; andusing the second reserve battery when activated to recharge the rechargeable battery. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: powering the one or more downhole tools with a primary battery prior to powering the tools with the rechargeable battery;determining a power-related parameter of the primary battery is below a threshold; andpowering the one or more downhole tools with the rechargeable battery upon the determination. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the active chemicals comprise an electrode pair and an electrolyte, and wherein the activating comprises inserting the electrode pair into a compartment containing the electrolyte. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the inserting comprises moving the electrode pair. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the inserting comprises moving the compartment containing the electrolyte onto the electrode pair, such that the electrode pair is forced into the compartment. 21. The method of claim 14, wherein the active chemicals comprise a biased electrode pair and an electrolyte, and wherein the activating comprises releasing the biased electrode pair into a compartment containing the electrolyte. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the releasing comprises opening a trap door associated with at least one electrode of the biased electrode pair. 23. The method of claim 14, wherein the power-related parameter comprises a power density level. 24. An electrical power system located downhole in a wellbore, the system comprising: a first reserve battery located downhole;an actuating mechanism configured to activate a second reserve battery located downhole; anda control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to: power a downhole tool with the first reserve battery;determine a power-related parameter of the first reserve battery is below a threshold;actuate the actuating mechanism to activate the second reserve battery; andpower the downhole tool with the second reserve battery when activated. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the reserve batteries comprises: a pair of electrodes for each reserve battery; andan electrolyte container containing an electrolyte for activating the reserve batteries upon at least partial insertion of the pair of electrodes into the electrolyte. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the electrolyte container is compartmentalized into capsules for accommodating respective reserve batteries. 27. The system of claim 25, wherein the pair of electrodes for each reserve battery is graduated for activating each reserve battery independently. 28. The system of claim 24, wherein the actuating mechanism alters a disposition to activate the second reserve battery. 29. The system of claim 28, further comprising: a pair of electrodes for each reserve battery; andan electrolyte container containing an electrolyte;wherein the disposition is altered by at least partial insertion of the pair of electrodes in the electrolyte. 30. The system of claim 24, wherein the actuating mechanism releases a biased electrode pair into a compartment containing an electrolyte to activate the second reserve battery. 31. The system of claim 1, wherein the active chemicals comprise a pair of electrodes and a solid electrolyte, and wherein the active chemicals are segregated until the solid electrolyte is heated to a temperature at which the solid electrolyte becomes conductive.
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