CA-3171350-C - FLUID PULSE GENERATION IN SUBTERRANEAN WELLS

Abstract

A fluid pulse generator can include a fluid motor including a rotor that rotates in response to fluid flow, a variable flow restrictor positioned upstream of the fluid motor and including a restrictor member rotatable relative to a ported member and longitudinally displaceable relative to the rotor. Another fluid pulse generator can include a flex joint or a constant velocity joint connected between the restrictor member and the rotor. In another fluid pulse generator, the variable flow restrictor can include a valve and a fluidic restrictor element, the valve being operable in response to rotation of the rotor, the fluidic restrictor element being configured to generate fluid pulses in response to the fluid flow through a flow path, and the valve being configured to control the fluid flow through another flow path connected in parallel with the first flow path.

Inventors

• Roger L. Schultz
• Andrew M. Ferguson
• Timothy MANKE
• Brett A. Fears

Assignees

• THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20210305

Priority Date

20200305

Claims (20)

1. EMBODIMENTS IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS: 1. A fluid pulse generator for use with a subterranean well, the fluid pulse generator comprising: a fluid motor including a rotor configured to rotate in response to fluid flow through the fluid motor; a variable flow restrictor positioned upstream of the fluid motor, the variable flow restrictor including a restrictor member rotatable by the rotor relative to a ported member to thereby variably restrict the fluid flow; and the restrictor member being longitudinally displaceable relative to the rotor during operation of the fluid pulse generator, in which a variable length connection transmits rotation and torque from the rotor to the restrictor member, and in which the variable length connection comprises a splined connection.
2. 2. The fluid pulse generator of claim 1, in which the fluid flow biases the restrictor member against the ported member.
3. 3. The fluid pulse generator of claim 1, in which a bearing stress between surfaces of the restrictor member and the ported member increases in response to the fluid flow.
4. 4. The fluid pulse generator of claim 3, in which the surfaces of the restrictor member and the ported member are frusta-conical shaped.
5. 5. The fluid pulse generator of claim 1, in which a flow area for the fluid flow through the variable flow restrictor is more than fifty percent open in a majority of each cycle of rotation of the restrictor member.
6. 6. The fluid pulse generator of claim 1, in which a flow area for the fluid flow through the variable flow restrictor is less than fifty percent open in a minority of each cycle of rotation of the restrictor member.
7. 7. The fluid pulse generator of claim 1, in which at least one of the group consisting of a flex joint and a constant velocity joint is connected between the restrictor member and the rotor.
8. 8. The fluid pulse generator of claim 1, in which the restrictor member rotates and revolves about a central longitudinal axis of the fluid motor.
9. 9. The fluid pulse generator of claim 1, in which a bearing section is connected to the rotor on a side of the rotor opposite the variable flow restrictor.
10. 10. A fluid pulse generator for use with a subterranean well, the fluid pulse generator comprising: a fluid motor including a rotor configured to rotate in response to fluid flow through the fluid motor; a variable flow restrictor positioned upstream of the fluid motor, the variable flow restrictor including a restrictor member rotatable by the rotor relative to a ported member to thereby variably restrict the fluid flow, in which the restrictor member is longitudinally displaceable relative to the rotor during operation of the fluid pulse generator, and in which the restrictor member is longitudinally displaceable within the ported member; and at least one of the group consisting of a flex joint and a constant velocity joint connected between the restrictor member and the rotor.
11. 11. The fluid pulse generator of claim 10, in which a splined connection is connected between the restrictor member and the at least one of the group consisting of the flex joint and the constant velocity joint.
12. 12. The fluid pulse generator of claim 10, in which a variable length connection transmits rotation and torque from the rotor to the restrictor member.
13. 13. The fluid pulse generator of claim 10, in which the fluid flow biases the restrictor member against the ported member.
14. 14. The fluid pulse generator of claim 10, in which a bearing stress between surfaces of the restrictor member and the ported member increases in response to the fluid flow.
15. 15. The fluid pulse generator of claim 14, in which the surfaces of the restrictor member and the ported member are frusta-conical shaped.
16. 16. The fluid pulse generator of claim 10, in which the ported member outwardly surrounds the restrictor member.
17. 17. The fluid pulse generator of claim 10, in which the restrictor member is circumferentially rotatable about the ported member.
18. 18. The fluid pulse generator of claim 10, in which the restrictor member periodically blocks the fluid flow radially through the ported member.
19. 19. The fluid pulse generator of claim 10, in which the restrictor member blocks a port formed through the ported member less than fifty percent of a cycle of rotation of the restrictor member.
20. 20. The fluid pulse generator of claim 10, in which the fluid flow is continually permitted through the variable flow restrictor.

Description

WO 2021/178786 PCT /US2021/021065 FLUID PULSE GENERATION IN SUBTERRANEAN WELLS TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an example described below, more particularly provides for fluid pulse generation in wells. BACKGROUND It can be advantageous in some situations to be able to periodically or intermittently restrict or block fluid flow through a tubular string in a well. Such fluid flow restrictions can result in corresponding fluid pulses being produced in the tubular string. In some examples, the fluid pulses can aid in advancing the tubular string through the well, such as, by causing vibration of the tubular string, producing a water hammer effect, and/or reducing friction between the tubular string and a wall of a wellbore. Therefore, it will be appreciated that improvements are continually needed in the art of generating fluid pulses in subterranean wells. Such improvements may be useful in a variety of different well operations (for example, drilling, completion, stimulation, injection, production, etc.) and for a variety of different purposes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of an example of a well system and associated method which can embody principles of this disclosure. FIG. 2 is a representative cross-sectional view of an example of a fluid pulse generator and a fluid motor that may be used with the FIG. 1 system and method. FIG. 3 is a representative cross-sectional view of an example of a flex joint section and a bearing section of the fluid motor. FIG. 4 is a representative cross-sectional view of an example of the fluid pulse generator. WO 2021/178786 PCT /US2021/021065 FIG. 5 is a representative perspective and partially cross-sectional view of the fluid pulse generator. FIG. 6 is a representative perspective and partially cross-sectional view of the fluid pulse generator. FIG. 7 is a representative perspective view of an example of a ported member of the fluid pulse generator. FIG. 8 is a representative top view of an example of a restrictor member and the ported member in a partially restricted configuration. FIG. 9 is a representative top view of the restrictor member and the ported member in a substantially restricted configuration. FIG. 10 is a representative top view of the restrictor member and the ported member in a substantially unrestricted configuration. FIG. 11 comprises representative top views of the restrictor member and the ported member in a succession of configurations making up a complete cycle. FIG. 12 is a representative cross-sectional view of another example of the fluid pulse generator and an upper portion of the fluid motor. FIG. 13 is a representative cross-sectional view of the FIG. 12 fluid pulse generator. FIG. 14 is a representative cross-sectional and perspective view of the FIG. 12 fluid pulse generator. FIG. 15 is a representative partially cross-sectional and perspective view of the FIG. 12 fluid pulse generator. FIG. 16 is a representative perspective view of a restrictor member, ported member, bearing assembly and flex joint of the FIG. 12 fluid pulse generator. FIG. 17 is a representative perspective view of the restrictor member, ported member, bearing assembly and flex joint of the FIG. 12 fluid pulse generator. FIG. 18 is a representative perspective and partially cross-sectional view of another example of the fluid pulse generator and an upper portion of the fluid motor. FIG. 19 is a representative cross-sectional view of the FIG. 18 fluid pulse generator and the upper portion of the fluid motor. FIG. 20 is a representative cross-sectional view of another example of the fluid pulse generator and an upper portion of the fluid motor. FIGS. 21 & 22 are representative cross-sectional views of the FIG. 20 fluid pulse generator in respective substantially unrestricted and substantially restricted configurations. WO 2021/178786 PCT /US2021/021065 FIGS. 23-32 are representative side and perspective views of a restrictor member of the FIG. 20 fluid pulse generator. FIG. 33 is a representative schematic view of another example of the system and method. FIGS. 34 & 35 are representative perspective and partially cross-sectional views of another example of the fluid pulse generator and an upper portion of the fluid motor. FIG. 36 is a representative cross-sectional view of a rotary valve assembly, inner mandrel and constant velocity joint used with the FIGS. 34 & 35 fluid pulse generator. FIG. 37 is a representative perspective view of the rotary valve assembly, inner mandrel and constant velocity joint used with the FIGS. 34 & 35 fluid pulse generator. FIG. 38 is a representative exploded perspective view of the rotary valve assembly and inner mandrel used with the FIGS. 34 & 35 fluid pulse generator. FIGS. 39, 40 & 41 are representative respective top, bottom perspective and top perspective views o