US3970877A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power generation in underground drilling operations
Assignee: CHELTENHAM ATTITUDE SYSTEMS Ltd
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Filing: 1974-08-30
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Granted: 1976-07-20
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Expires: 1994-08-30
Abstract
Abstract The electrical power required to drive downhole drilling tools and/or measuring instruments is obtained using means responsive to turbulence in the mud flow past a unit forming part of the drill string. The responsive means may comprise a piezo-electric disc connected to rectifying and smoothing circuits whereby a D.C. output is obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael King Russell
- 👤 Anthony William Russell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:23
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/0085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of generating electrical power in underground drilling operations which involve the flow of mud past a hollow drill string, said method comprising providing a hollow unit forming part of the hollow drill string, said unit including a vibratory flexible element forming part of the outer surface of the unit so as to be distorted by turbulence in said mud flow and means for producing an electrical voltage in response to distortion of said flexible element, wherein vibration of the flexible element results in the production of an output comprising high-voltage pulses and wherein electronic devices are provided to rectify and smooth said output, providing a projection on the outer surface of said unit below said flexible element, and flowing mud down through the inside of said hollow unit and up past the outside of said hollow unit past said projection and then past said flexible element whereby said projection creates turbulence that distorts said flexible element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of generating electrical power in underground drilling operations which involve the flow of mud past a hollow drill string, said method comprising providing a hollow unit forming part of the hollow drill string, said unit including a vibratory flexible element forming part of the outer surface of the unit so as to be distorted by turbulence in said mud flow and means for producing an electrical voltage in response to distortion of said flexible element, wherein vibration of the flexible element results in the production of an output comprising high-voltage pulses and wherein electronic devices are provided to rectify and smooth said output, providing a projection on the outer surface of said unit below said flexible element, and flowing mud down through the inside of said hollow unit and up past the outside of said hollow unit past said projection and then past said flexible element whereby said projection creates turbulence that distorts said flexible element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element is of piezo-electric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element has a layer of piezo-electric material bonded to it.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2848710A
Cited
US2964116A
Cited
US2963099A
Cited
US3789935A
Cited
US3627065A
Cited
US3821726A
Cited
US3800277A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-07-20 | 1980-01-19 | 1980-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-20 | 1984-01-19 | 1984-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-20 | 1988-01-19 | 1988-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |