FLOW-AFFECTING DEVICE
Technical Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to devices for impeding
fluid flow in a bore in a subterranean formation in and, more particularly
(although not necessarily exclusively), to devices that are capable of impeding
fluid flow in a path subsequent to a autonomous valve and/or vortex
assembly, based on a direction of fluid flow into the path.
Background
[0002] Various devices can be installed in a well traversing a
hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation. Some devices control the flow
rate of fluid between the formation and tubing, such as production or injection
tubing. An example of these devices is an autonomous valve that can select
fluid, or otherwise control the flow rate of various fluids into the tubing.
[0003] An autonomous valve can select between desired and undesired
fluids based on relative viscosity of the fluids. For example, fluid having a
higher concentration of undesired fluids (e.g. water and natural gas) may
have a certain viscosity in response to which the autonomous valve directs
the undesired fluid in a direction to restrict the flow rate of the undesired fluid
into tubing. The autonomous valve may include a flow ratio control assembly
and a vortex assembly usable to select fluid based on viscosity. The flow
ratio control assembly can include two passageways. Each passageway can
include narrowed tubes that are configured to restrict fluid flow based on
viscosity of the fluid. For example, one tube in the first passageway may be
narrower than the second tube in the second passageway, and configured to
restrict fluid having a certain relative viscosity more than fluid having a
different relative viscosity. The second tube may offer relatively constant
resistance to fluid, regardless of the viscosity of the fluid.
[0004] Fluid entering the vortex assembly via a first passageway, such
as a passageway that is tangential to the vortex assembly, may be caused to
rotate in the vortex assembly and restricted from exiting an exit opening in the
vortex assembly. Fluid entering the vortex assembly via a second
passageway, such as a passageway that is radial to the vortex assembly,
may be allowed to exit through the exit opening without any, or much,
restriction.
[0005] Although this autonomous valve is very effective in meeting
desired fluid selection downhole, devices that can provide additional fluid flow
control and/or selection are desirable.
Summary
[0006] Certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention are
directed to flow-affecting devices that can respond to direction of fluid flow.
[0007] One aspect relates to an assembly that can be disposed in a
wellbore. The assembly includes a chamber and a flow-affecting device in
the chamber. The chamber can be subsequent to an exit opening of a vortex
assembly. The flow-affecting device can move between a first position and a
second position based on an amount of rotation of fluid entering the chamber
from the vortex assembly.
[0008] Another aspect relates to an assembly that includes a vortex
assembly and a flow-affecting device. The vortex assembly includes an exit
opening. The flow-affecting device is in a chamber that is in fluid
communication with the exit opening. The flow-affecting device can impede
fluid flow to a chamber exit opening by an amount that depends on a direction
of flow of the fluid entering the chamber through the exit opening.
[0009] Another aspect relates to an assembly that includes a chamber
and a flow-affecting device in the chamber. The chamber can be positioned
subsequent to a flow path of an exit opening of a vortex assembly. The
chamber includes a chamber exit opening. The flow-affecting device can
substantially allow fluid having a first flow path into the chamber from the exit
opening to flow through the chamber exit opening and can substantially
restrict fluid having a second flow path into the chamber from the exit opening
from flowing through the chamber exit opening.
[00 0 These illustrative aspects are mentioned not to limit or define the
invention, but to provide examples to aid understanding of the inventive
concepts disclosed in this application. Other aspects, advantages, and
features of the present invention will become apparent after review of the
entire application.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[001 1 Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a well system having
chambers with flow-affecting devices subsequent to autonomous valves
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber and flowaffecting
devices subsequent to a flow path of an autonomous valve
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a flow-affecting device
that is a flapper in a chamber and in an open position according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] Fig. 4 shows the flow-affecting device of Fig. 3 in a closed
position according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber that includes
two flow-affecting devices that are flappers in an open position according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] Fig. 6 shows the flow-affecting devices of Fig. 5 in a closed
position according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber that includes
two flow-affecting devices that are discs in an open position according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Fig. 8 shows the flow-affecting devices of Fig. 7 in a closed
position according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] Fig. 9 is a top view of a flow-affecting device that is a disc
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber that includes
a flow-affecting device that is a washer in a closed position according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Fig. 11 shows the flow-affecting device of Fig. 10 in an open
position according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a flow-affecting device that is a
washer according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber that includes
flow diverters and flow-affecting devices that are spheroids in a closed
position according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] Fig. 14 shows the flow-affecting devices of Fig. 13 in an open
position according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber with flowaffecting
devices that are spheroids coupled by flexible members according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber with a flowaffecting
device that is a spheroid coupled by a flexible member according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description
[0027] Certain aspects and embodiments relate to a flow-affecting
device in a chamber that is subsequent to an exit opening of an autonomous
valve, such as an exit opening of a vortex assembly in an autonomous valve.
The flow-affecting device can move from a first position to a second position
based on a flow path of fluid flowing from the vortex assembly to the chamber.
The flow path may depend on an amount of rotation of the fluid from the
vortex assembly. The flow-affecting device in the first position can
substantially allow fluid to flow through a chamber exit opening. The flowaffecting
device in the second position can substantially restrict fluid from
flowing through the chamber exit opening.
[0028] In some embodiments, substantially allowing fluid to flow through
the chamber exit opening may include allowing a majority of the fluid to flow
through the chamber exit opening. Substantially restricting fluid from flowing
through the chamber exit opening may include preventing at least a majority
of the fluid from flowing through the chamber exit opening at least for a certain
length of time.
[0029] For example, a vortex assembly may cause fluid having a certain
property to rotate in the vortex assembly, and the fluid continues to rotate as it
exits in the vortex assembly into the chamber that includes the flow-affecting
device. The flow-affecting device may be configured to respond to the
rotating fluid by being in a certain position. Depending on a configuration of
the flow-affecting device with respect to an exit opening in the chamber, the
flow-affecting device in the certain position can substantially restrict fluid from
exiting through the exit opening in the chamber or can substantially allow fluid
to exit through the exit opening in the chamber. A vortex assembly may
cause fluid having a certain other property to exit to the chamber that includes
the flow-affecting device without, or without much, fluid rotation. The flowaffecting
device may be configured to respond to the fluid flowing into the
chamber without, or without much, fluid rotation by being in a certain other
position at which, depending on the configuration of the flow-affecting device
with respect to the exit opening in the chamber, the flow-affecting device can
substantially allow fluid to, or substantially restrict fluid from, flowing through
the exit opening in the chamber.
[0030] In some embodiments, fluid rotation is configured to actuate the
flow-affecting device to, in conjunction for example with an autonomous valve,
reduce production of unwanted fluid.
[0031] These illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to
the general subject matter discussed here and are not intended to limit the
scope of the disclosed concepts. The following sections describe various
additional embodiments and examples with reference to the drawings in
which like numerals indicate like elements, and directional descriptions are
used to describe the illustrative embodiments but, like the illustrative
embodiments, should not be used to limit the present invention.
[0032] Fig. 1 depicts a well system 100 with chambers having flowaffecting
devices according to certain embodiments of the present invention
subsequent to autonomous valves. The well system 100 includes a bore that
is a wellbore 102 extending through various earth strata. The wellbore 102
has a substantially vertical section 104 and a substantially horizontal section
106. The substantially vertical section 104 and the substantially horizontal
section 106 may include a casing string 108 cemented at an upper portion of
the substantially vertical section 104. The substantially horizontal section 106
extends through a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation 110.
[0033] A tubing string 112 extends from the surface within wellbore 102.
The tubing string 112 can provide a conduit for formation fluids to travel from
the substantially horizontal section 106 to the surface. Flow control devices
114 and production tubular sections 116 in various production intervals
adjacent to the formation 110 are positioned in the tubing string 112. Each of
the flow control devices 114 can include an autonomous valve capable of
selectively causing fluid having a certain property to rotate and can include a
chamber with a flow-affecting device.
[0034] On each side of each production tubular section 116 is a packer
118 that can provide a fluid seal between the tubing string 112 and the wall of
the wellbore 102. Each pair of adjacent packers 118 can define a production
interval.
[0035] Each of the production tubular sections 116 can provide sand
control capability. Sand control screen elements or filter media associated
with production tubular sections 116 can allow fluids to flow through the
elements or filter media, but prevent particulate matter of sufficient size from
flowing through the elements or filter media. In some embodiments, a sand
control screen may be provided that includes a non-perforated base pipe
having a wire wrapped around ribs positioned circumferentially around the
base pipe. A protective outer shroud that includes perforations can be
positioned around an exterior of a filter medium.
[0036] Flow control devices 4 can allow for control over the volume
and composition of produced fluids. For example, flow control devices 114
may autonomously restrict or resist production of formation fluid from a
production interval in which undesired fluid, such as water or natural gas for
an oil production operation, is entering. "Natural gas" as used herein means a
mixture of hydrocarbons (and varying quantities of non-hydrocarbons) that
exists in a gaseous phase at room temperature and pressure and in a liquid
phase and/or gaseous phase in a downhole environment.
[0037] Formation fluid flowing into a production tubular section 116 may
include more than one type of fluid, such as natural gas, oil, water, steam and
carbon dioxide. Steam and carbon dioxide may be used as injection fluids to
cause hydrocarbon fluid to flow toward a production tubular section 116.
Natural gas, oil and water may be found in the formation 110. The proportion
of these types of fluids flowing into a production tubular section 116 can vary
over time and be based at least in part on conditions within the formation and
the wellbore 102. A flow control device 114 according to some embodiments
can reduce or restrict production from an interval in which fluid having a
higher proportion of undesired fluids.
[0038] When a production interval produces a greater proportion of
undesired fluids, a flow control device 114 in that interval can restrict or resist
production from that interval. Other production intervals producing a greater
proportion of desired fluid, can contribute more to the production stream
entering tubing string 112. For example, the flow control device 114 can
include the flow-affecting device that can control fluid flow rate based on a
rotation of the fluid entering the chamber.
[0039] Although Fig. 1 depicts flow control devices 114 positioned in the
substantially horizontal section 106, flow control devices 114 (and production
tubular sections 116) according to various embodiments of the present
invention can be located, additionally or alternatively, in the substantially
vertical section 104. Furthermore, any number of flow control devices 114,
including one, can be used in the well system 100 generally or in each
production interval. In some embodiments, flow control devices 114 can be
disposed in simpler wellbores, such as wellbores having only a substantially
vertical section. Flow control devices 114 can be disposed in open hole
environments, such as is depicted in Fig. 1, or in cased wells.
[0040] Fig. 2 depicts a cross-sectional side view of a production tubular
section 116 that includes a flow control device 114 and a screen assembly
202. The production tubular defines an interior passageway 204, which may
be an annular space. Formation fluid can enter the interior passageway 204
from the formation through screen assembly 202, which can filter the fluid.
Formation fluid can enter the flow control device 114 from the interior
passageway through an inlet 206 to a flow path 208 of a vortex assembly 210.
Subsequent to an exit opening 212 of the vortex assembly 210 is a chamber
214 that includes flow-affecting devices 2 15 . In addition to the vortex
assembly 210, the flow-affecting devices 2 15 can restrict or allow fluid to flow
through chamber exit openings 217.
[0041] Chambers according to various embodiments of the present
invention may be any configuration, and include one, two, or more than two
exit openings. Flow-affecting devices according to various embodiments of
the present invention can include any configuration, and may be coupled to
the chamber, another component or free floating. Examples of flow-affecting
devices include, but are not limited to, flappers, washers, discs, and
spheroids. Figs. 3-16 depict chambers and flow-affecting devices according
to some embodiments of the invention.
[0042] Figs. 3-4 depict a chamber 302 in a flow path subsequent to an
exit opening 304 of a vortex assembly 306. The chamber 302 includes a
chamber exit opening 308 and a flow-affecting device that is a flapper 310.
The flapper 310 may be coupled to the chamber 302, such as via a pivot 312,
and can be configured to move position in response to a direction of flow of
fluid into the chamber 302 through the exit opening 304. In other
embodiments, the flapper 310 is coupled to the chamber 302 via a spring.
[0043] The chamber 302 includes a protrusion 314 position proximate
the chamber exit opening 308. The protrusion 314 can prevent the flapper
310 in a closed position from completely sealing the chamber exit opening
308 so that the flapper 310 can return to an open position. In other
embodiments, the protrusion 314 is coupled to the flapper 310 instead of to
the chamber. In still other embodiments, the protrusion 314 is absent.
[0044] Flapper 310 may be made from any suitable material. In some
embodiments, the flapper 310 is made from an erosion-resistant material.
Examples of suitable materials include ceramics, metals, plastics, and
composites. In some embodiments, the flapper 310 is a flexible member
coupled to the chamber 302.
[0045] Fig. 3 depicts flapper 310 in an open position, which may be an
initial position of the flapper 310 without the presence of fluid flow. The
flapper 310 can be in the open position in response to fluid that is not rotating,
or that is rotating by a relatively small amount (as depicted by arrows in Fig.
3), entering the chamber 302 from the exit opening 304. The flapper 310 in
the open position can substantially allow fluid entering the chamber 302 from
the exit opening 304 to flow to the chamber exit opening 308 and exit the
chamber 302. For example, the flapper 310 may restrict some fluid flow, but
allow the majority of the fluid to flow to the chamber exit opening 308. In
other embodiments, flapper 310 does not restrict any fluid flow.
[0046] Fig. 4 depicts flapper 310 in a closed position. The flapper 310
can be configured to move to the closed position in response to fluid flowing
from the exit opening 304 into the chamber 302 rotating by an amount that is
above a certain threshold, as shown by arrows in Fig. 4. For example, the
rotating fluid can cause the flapper 310 to move toward the chamber exit
opening 308 to substantially restrict the fluid from flowing to the chamber exit
opening 308, at least for a certain amount of time. Substantially restricting the
fluid can include allowing some fluid to flow to the chamber exit opening 308,
but restricting a majority of the fluid. In other embodiments, the flapper 310
restricts all of the fluid from flowing to the chamber exit opening 308 when the
flapper 310 is in the closed position.
[0047] The chamber 302 in Figs. 3-4 includes a constrained wall 316
that can direct flow of fluid, whether rotating or not, from the exit opening 304
toward the flapper 310 and the chamber exit opening 308.
[0048] Chambers according to other embodiments include more than
one chamber exit opening. Figs. 5-6 depict a chamber 402 in a flow path
subsequent to an exit opening 404 of a vortex assembly 406. The chamber
402 includes two chamber exit openings 408, 410 and includes flow-affecting
devices 412, 414 that are each flappers. Each of the flow-affecting devices
412, 414 is coupled to the chamber 402, such as via pivots 416, 418 or other
mechanism.
[0049] Each of the flow-affecting devices 412, 414 can move position in
response to a direction of flow of fluid into the chamber 402 through the exit
opening 404. The flow-affecting devices 412, 414 are in an open position in
Fig. 5 in response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber 402 without
rotation or without rotating by an amount above a certain threshold as shown
via arrows. The flow-affecting devices 412, 414 in the open position may not
restrict, or may not restrict substantially, fluid flowing into the chamber 402
from exiting through chamber exit openings 408, 410. The flow-affecting
devices 412, 414 are in a closed position in Fig. 6 in response, for example, to
fluid flowing into the chamber 402 having a rotation above a certain amount
as shown via arrows. The flow-affecting devices 412, 414 in the closed
position can substantially restrict fluid flowing into the chamber 402 from
exiting through chamber exit openings 408, 410. The thresholds for amount
of rotation for the open position and the close position may be the same
threshold or different thresholds.
[0050] Protrusions 420, 422 may be included in the chamber 402 to
prevent the flow-affecting devices 412, 414 from completely restricting fluid
from flowing through chamber exit openings 408, 410 when in the closed
position. Protrusion 420 is coupled to flow-affecting device 412. Protrusion
422 is coupled to an inner wall of the chamber 402 proximate the chamber
exit opening 410 to prevent flow-affecting device 414 from completely
restricting chamber exit opening 410. In other embodiments, the chamber
402 does not include protrusions 420, 422.
[0051] In other embodiments, flow-affecting devices are discs. Figs. 7-8
depict a chamber 502 in a flow path subsequent to an exit opening 504 of a
vortex assembly 506. The chamber 502 includes two chamber exit openings
508, 510 and includes flow-affecting devices 512, 514 that are discs or rings.
Each of the flow-affecting devices 512, 514 may float in fluid that is in the
chamber 506, and are configured to move position in response to a direction
of flow of fluid into the chamber 502 through exit opening 504.
[0052] The flow-affecting devices 512, 514 are in an open position in
Fig. 7 in response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber 502 without
rotation or without rotating by an amount above a certain threshold as shown
via arrows. The flow-affecting devices 512, 514 in the open position may not
restrict, or may not restrict substantially, fluid flowing into the chamber 502
from exiting through chamber exit openings 508, 510. The flow-affecting
devices 512, 514 are in a closed position in Fig. 8 in response, for example, to
fluid flowing into the chamber 502 having a rotation above a certain amount
as shown via arrows. For example, rotating fluid entering the chamber 502 as
in Fig. 8 can cause the flow-affecting devices 512, 514 to move toward
chamber exit openings 508, 510 and restrict fluid flow to the chamber exit
openings 508, 510. The flow-affecting devices 512, 514 in the closed position
can substantially restrict fluid flowing into the chamber 502 from exiting
through chamber exit openings 508, 510. The flow-affecting devices 512, 514
may be sized based on expected flow rates, and expected flow properties.
For example, the flow-affecting devices 512, 514 may have a larger thickness
to increase a threshold of fluid rotation at which the flow-affecting devices
512, 514 move to the closed position.
[0053] Flow-affecting devices 512, 514 according to some embodiments
may each include an inner opening that can prevent the flow-affecting devices
512, 514 from completely restricting flow to the chamber exit openings 508,
510 when the flow-affecting devices 512, 514 are in the closed position.
[0054] In other embodiments, protrusions (not shown) may be included
in the chamber 502 and coupled to flow-affecting devices 512, 514 or an inner
wall of the chamber 502. Protrusions may prevent the flow-affecting devices
512, 514 from completely restricting fluid from flowing to chamber exit
openings 508, 510. In other embodiments, the chamber 502 does not include
protrusions or openings in the flow-affecting devices 512, 514.
[0055] Although Figs. 7-8 depict two flow-affecting devices 512, 514
and two chamber exit openings 508, 510, one flow-affecting device and/or
one chamber exit opening can be used. Moreover, more than two of each
component can be used.
[0056] Fig. 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of a flow-affecting device
600 that is a disc or ring, and that may be suitable for use in the embodiments
shown in Figs. 7-8. The flow-affecting device 600 includes an outer edge
602, which may be a lip, and an inner edge 604 defining an inner opening
606. The outer edge 602 may be sized depending on desired restriction
performance in response to amount of fluid rotation. The inner opening 606
may prevent the flow-affecting device 600 from completely restricting fluid
from flowing to a chamber exit opening when the flow-affecting device 600 is
in a closed position.
[0057] In some embodiments, flow-affecting devices are washers. Figs.
10-1 1 depict a chamber 702 in a flow path subsequent to an exit opening 704
of a vortex assembly (not shown). The chamber 702 includes two chamber
exit openings 706, 708 and includes a flow-affecting device 710 that is a
washer. Fig. 12 depicts a perspective view of an example of a washer. The
flow-affecting device 710 may be floating in fluid in the chamber 702 or may
be coupled to the chamber 702. The flow-affecting device 710 can move
position in response to a direction of flow of fluid into the chamber 702
through exit opening 704.
[0058] Figs. 10-1 1 depict chamber exit openings 706, 708 located on
sides of the chamber 702. In other embodiments, the chamber exit openings
706, 708 can be located on a bottom of the chamber 702, relative to the exit
opening 704. Furthermore, other embodiments described above may be
configured with chamber exit openings on one or more sides of a chamber.
[0059] The flow-affecting device 710 is in a closed position in Fig. 10 in
response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber 702 that is rotating by
an amount above a certain threshold, as shown by arrows in Fig. 10. The
closed position may be an initial position of the flow-affecting device 710. The
flow-affecting device 710 in the closed position may substantially restrict fluid
from flowing to chamber exit openings 706, 708. In some embodiments, the
flow-affecting device 710 includes one or more protrusions (not shown) to
prevent the flow-affecting device 710 from completely restricting fluid flow to
the chamber exit openings 706, 708 when the flow-affecting device 710 is in
the closed position.
[0060] The flow-affecting device 710 is in an open position in Fig. 11 in
response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber 702 without rotating,
or without rotating by an amount that is above a certain threshold, as shown
by arrows in Fig. . For example, fluid can flow into the chamber 702, be
guided by a bottom wall of the chamber 702 to flow toward the flow-affecting
device 710, and exert a force on the flow-affecting device 710 to cause the
flow-affecting device 710 to move to the open position.
[0061] Although Figs. 10-1 1 depict two chamber exit openings 706, 708,
one chamber exit opening can be used. Moreover, more than two chamber
exit openings can be used.
[0062] Flow-affecting devices according to some embodiments may be
discrete component instead of one washer component. Figs. 13-14 depict a
chamber 902 in a flow path subsequent to an exit opening 904 of a vortex
assembly (not shown). The chamber 902 includes two chamber exit openings
906, 908 on sides of the chamber 902, flow-affecting devices 910, 912 that
are spheroids, and flow diverters 914, 916. Although spheroids are shown,
flow-affecting devices 910, 912 may be components of any suitable shape.
[0063] Flow diverters 914, 916 may be coupled to the chamber 902 in a
fixed position and be configured to differentiate flow between flow paths -
e.g., substantially rotating flow path and a substantially non-rotating flow path.
[0064] The flow-affecting devices 910, 912 may float in fluid in the
chamber 902. The flow-affecting devices 910, 912 can move position in
response to a direction of flow of fluid into the chamber 902 through exit
opening 904.
[0065] The flow-affecting devices 910, 912 are in a closed position in
Fig. 13 in response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber 902 that is
rotating by an amount above a certain threshold, as shown by arrows in Fig.
3. For example, flow diverters 914, 916 can divert rotating fluid to an upper
portion of the flow-affecting devices 910, 912 such that the flow-affecting
devices 910, 912 remain in or are moved to the closed position. In some
embodiments, the closed position may be an initial position of the flowaffecting
devices 910, 912. The flow-affecting devices 910, 912 in the closed
position may substantially restrict fluid from flowing to chamber exit openings
906, 908.
[0066] The flow-affecting devices 910, 912 are in an open position in
Fig. 14 in response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber 902 without
rotating, or without rotating by an amount that is above a certain threshold, as
shown by arrows in Fig. 14. For example, fluid can flow into the chamber
902, be guided by a bottom wall of the chamber 902 to flow toward a bottom
portion of the flow-affecting devices 910, 912, and exert a force on the flowaffecting
devices 910, 912 to cause the flow-affecting devices 910, 912 to
move to the open position.
[0067] In some embodiments, flow-affecting devices that are spheroids,
or other suitably shaped components, can be coupled to flexible members to
prevent the flow-affecting devices from completely preventing fluid from
flowing to chamber exit openings. Fig. 15 depicts one embodiment of a
chamber 1002 that includes flow diverters 1004, 1006 and flow-affecting
devices 1008, 1010. The flow-affecting devices 1008, 1010 are coupled to
walls of chamber exit openings 1012, 1014 by flexible members 1016, 1018.
Flexible members 1016, 1018 may prevent flow-affecting devices 1008, 1010
from completely preventing fluid from flowing to chamber exit openings 1012,
1014 such that suction or other forces may be decoupled, allowing flowaffecting
devices 1008, 1010 to return to an open position.
[0068] In some embodiments, flow-affecting devices 1008 can be
configured to be in opposite positions (e.g. open and closed positions) in
response to the same flow to allow for a chamber exit opening to be selected
based on flow. For example, flow-affecting device 1008 can be configured to
be in an open position in response to fluid flowing into the chamber 1002
without rotating above a certain threshold, and flow-affecting device 1010 is
configured to be in a closed position in response to fluid that flowing into the
chamber 1002 without rotating above the threshold. Flow-affecting device
1008 can be in a closed position in response to fluid flowing into the chamber
802 that is rotating above a certain threshold, and flow-affecting device 1010
can be in an open position in response to fluid flowing into the chamber that is
rotating above the threshold. Flexible members 1016, 1018 can facilitate
allowing flow-affecting devices 1008, 1010 to be in opposite positions based
on the same fluid rotation amount.
[0069] Flow-affecting devices that are spheroids, or other suitably
shaped components, may be implemented with chambers that include one
opening. Fig. 6 depicts one embodiment of a chamber 1102 that includes a
flow diverter 1104 and a flow-affecting device 1106 that is a spheroid coupled
to a wall of a chamber exit opening 1108 via a flexible member 1110. The
wall of the chamber 102 opposite the chamber exit opening 1108 may be
constrained to direct fluid flow toward the chamber exit opening 1108, flow
diverter 1104 and/or flow-affecting device 1106.
[0070] The foregoing description of the embodiments, including
illustrated embodiments, of the invention has been presented only for the
purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or
to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications,
adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art
without departing from the scope of this invention.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An assembly capable of being disposed in a wellbore, the assembly
comprising:
a chamber that is adapted to be positioned subsequent to an exit
opening of a vortex assembly; and
a flow-affecting device in the chamber, the flow-affecting device being
adapted to move between a first position and a second position based on an
amount of rotation of fluid entering the chamber from the vortex assembly.
2 . The assembly of claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises a chamber
exit opening,
wherein the flow-affecting device in the first position is adapted to
substantially allow fluid to exit through the chamber exit opening,
wherein the flow-affecting device in the second position is adapted to
substantially restrict fluid from exiting through the chamber exit opening.
3 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the flow-affecting device is adapted
to be in the second position in response to the amount of rotation of fluid
entering the chamber exceeding a first threshold amount of rotation,
wherein the flow-affecting device is adapted to be in the first position in
response to the amount of rotation of fluid entering the chamber being below
a second threshold amount of rotation.
4 . The assembly of claim 2, wherein the chamber comprises a second
chamber opening, wherein the flow-affecting device in the first position is
adapted to substantially restrict fluid from exiting through the second chamber
exit opening,
wherein the flow-affecting device in the second position is adapted to
substantially allow fluid to exit through the chamber exit opening.
5 . The assembly of claim 1, wherein the amount of rotation of the fluid is
based on a direction of flow of the fluid entering the chamber from the vortex
assembly.
6 . The assembly of claim 5, further comprising the vortex assembly.
7 . The assembly of claim , wherein the flow-affecting device is adapted
(i) to substantially allow fluid having a first flow path into the chamber from the
exit opening to flow through a chamber exit opening and (ii) to substantially
restrict fluid having a second flow path into the chamber from the exit opening
from flowing through the chamber exit opening.
8 . The assembly of claim , wherein the flow-affecting device is one of:
a flapper;
a disc;
a spheroid; or
a washer.
9 . The assembly of claim 8, wherein the flow-affecting device is the
spheroid, the assembly further comprising:
a flow diverter in the chamber; and
a flexible member coupling the spheroid to part of the chamber.
0. The assembly of claim , further comprising:
a protrusion coupled to one of the flow-affecting device or a wall of the
chamber.
. An assembly capable of being disposed in a wellbore, the assembly
comprising:
a vortex assembly comprising an exit opening; and
a flow-affecting device in a chamber that is in fluid communication with
the exit opening, the flow-affecting device being adapted to impede fluid flow
to a chamber exit opening by an amount that depends on a direction of flow of
the fluid entering the chamber through the exit opening.
12. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the direction of flow of fluid
comprises an amount of rotation of the fluid,
wherein the flow-affecting device is adapted to move between a first
position and a second position based on the amount of rotation of the fluid,
wherein the flow-affecting device in the first position is adapted to
substantially allow fluid to exit through the chamber exit opening,
wherein the flow-affecting device in the second position is adapted to
substantially restrict fluid from exiting through the chamber exit opening.
13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the flow-affecting device is adapted
(i) to substantially allow fluid having a first flow path into the chamber from the
exit opening to flow through the chamber exit opening and (ii) to substantially
restrict fluid having a second flow path into the chamber from the exit opening
from flowing through the chamber exit opening.
14. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the flow-affecting device is one of:
a flapper;
a disc;
a spheroid; or
a washer.
15 . The assembly of claim 14, wherein the flow-affecting device is the
spheroid, the assembly further comprising:
a flow diverter in the chamber; and
a flexible member coupling the spheroid to part of the chamber.
16. An assembly capable of being disposed in a wellbore, the assembly
comprising:
a chamber that is adapted to be positioned subsequent to a flow path
of an exit opening of a vortex assembly, the chamber comprising a chamber
exit opening; and
a flow-affecting device in the chamber, the flow-affecting device being
adapted (i) to substantially allow fluid having a first flow path into the chamber
from the exit opening to flow through the chamber exit opening and (ii) to
substantially restrict fluid having a second flow path into the chamber from the
exit opening from flowing through the chamber exit opening.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein fluid flowing in the first flow path or
the second flow path is based on an amount of rotation of the fluid,
wherein the flow-affecting device is adapted to move between a first
position and a second position based on the amount of rotation of the fluid,
wherein the flow-affecting device in the first position is adapted to
substantially allow fluid to exit through the chamber exit opening,
wherein the flow-affecting device in the second position is adapted to
substantially restrict fluid from exiting through the chamber exit opening.
8. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising the vortex assembly,
wherein the fluid flows into the first flow path or the second flow path
based on a direction of flow of the fluid entering the chamber from the vortex
assembly.
19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the flow-affecting device is one of:
a flapper;
a disc;
a spheroid; or
a washer.
20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the flow-affecting device is the
spheroid, the assembly further comprising:
a flow diverter in the chamber; and
a flexible member coupling the spheroid to part of the chamber.