ZHU DA (CA)
CLAERHOUT MIKE (CA)
US20160061004A1 | 2016-03-03 | |||
US20080283238A1 | 2008-11-20 | |||
US20170058655A1 | 2017-03-02 |
WE CLAIM: 1. An apparatus for controlling flow of fluids from a subterranean reservoir into production tubing provided in a well in the reservoir, the apparatus comprising: - a base pipe, adapted to be connected to the production tubing, the base pipe having a first end and a second end and at least one port extending through the wall thereof for conducting reservoir fluids into the base pipe; - a screen for filtering reservoir fluids entering the port, the screen being provided on the outer surface of the base pipe; - a nozzle provided between the screen and the port, the nozzle having a nozzle channel for receiving fluids filtered by the screen, the nozzle channel extending between an inlet and an outlet of the nozzle; - the nozzle channel having a throat provided downstream of the nozzle inlet and a diverging section downstream of the throat, whereby the nozzle channel is provided with a converging-diverging profile; and, - a diverter provided adjacent the nozzle outlet for diverting fluid exiting the nozzle into the port, the diverter having a diverter channel extending between an inlet, adapted to receive fluids exiting the nozzle outlet, and an outlet fluidly connected to the port on the base pipe, whereby fluids exiting the diverter enter the port. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle channel includes an outlet section downstream of the diverging section, the outlet section having a constant cross-sectional area extending to the nozzle outlet. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the nozzle channel is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the base pipe. 4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the diverter channel comprises an inlet portion aligned with the nozzle channel and an outlet portion aligned with the port. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the diverter channel comprises an elbow extending from the diverter inlet to the diverter outlet. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the diverter outlet has a larger cross-sectional area than the diverter inlet and wherein the cross-sectional area of the diverter channel increases in a direction from the diverter inlet to the diverter outlet. 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the diverter channel comprises an inlet portion and an outlet portion, the inlet portion and outlet portion being joined at an elbow, the inlet portion extending from the diverter inlet and being generally aligned with the nozzle channel, the outlet portion extending from the elbow to the diverter outlet. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inlet portion of the diverter channel has a constant cross-sectional area and wherein the cross-sectional area of the outlet portion increases in the direction from the elbow to the diverter outlet. 9. The apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein the outlet portion of the diverter channel is angled with respect to the inlet portion of the diverter channel. 10 The apparatus of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the outlet portion of the diverter channel has a conical or frustoconical shape. 1 1. The apparatus of any one of claim 1 to 10, wherein the base pipe includes a first recess to receive the diverter. 12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 1 1 , wherein the base pipe includes a second recess to receive the nozzle. 13. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the screen is retained on the base pipe with one or more collars and wherein at least one of said collars overlaps the nozzle and the diverter. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one collar includes a first recess to receive the diverter. 15. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein the at least one collar includes a second recess to receive the nozzle. 16. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the nozzle channel comprises a smooth surface. 17. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the nozzle channel comprises a stepped surface. 18. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the diverter channel comprises a smooth surface. 19. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the diverter channel comprises a stepped surface. 20. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the diverter includes a recess adapted to receive the nozzle outlet. 21. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the diverter and the nozzle are separate elements. 22. An apparatus for controlling flow of fluids from a subterranean reservoir into production tubing provided in a well in the reservoir, the apparatus comprising: - a base pipe, adapted to be connected to the production tubing, the base pipe having a first end and a second end and at least one port extending through the wall thereof for conducting reservoir fluids into the base pipe; - a screen for filtering reservoir fluids entering the port, the screen being provided on the outer surface of the base pipe; and, - a nozzle provided between the screen and the port, the nozzle having a nozzle channel for receiving fluids filtered by the screen, the nozzle channel extending between an inlet and an outlet of the nozzle; - the nozzle channel having: a throat provided downstream of the nozzle inlet; a diverging section downstream of the throat; and, an outlet section downstream of the diverging section; the outlet section extending to the nozzle outlet and having a constant cross-sectional area. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the nozzle channel is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the base pipe. 24. The apparatus of claims 22 or 23, wherein the base pipe includes a recess to receive the nozzle. 25. The apparatus of any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the screen is retained on the base pipe with one or more collars and wherein at least one of the collars overlaps the nozzle. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least one collar includes a recess to receive the nozzle. 27. The apparatus of any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the nozzle channel comprises a smooth surface. 28. The apparatus of any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the nozzle channel comprises a stepped surface. |
consequently into the lumen of the base pipe 12. As noted above, the base pipe 12 is connected to and forms part of the production string and, as such, the fluids entering through the port 26 are produced at the surface. [0049] As noted above, the base pipe 12 shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes a recess 13 for receiving and retaining the diverter 28. It will be understood that in other embodiments a similar recess may be provided on the base pipe 12 for receiving and retaining the nozzle 32. [0050] The nozzle 32 will now be discussed in further detail. As shown more clearly in Figure 2, the nozzle includes a channel 40 extending there-through, from the inlet 34 to the outlet 36. The channel 40 includes a throat 42 adjacent to and downstream from the inlet 34. Further downstream of the throat 42, the channel 40 includes a diverging region 44 having an increasing cross-sectional area in the direction extending between the throat 42 and the outlet 36. In one aspect, the diverging region 44 extends to the outlet 36. However, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the diverging region 44 extends only partway along the length of the channel 40, terminating in a region of constant cross- sectional area 46. As will be understood, the combination of the throat 42 and the diverging region 44 result in the nozzle having a convergent-divergent channel, such as a Venturi tube. As would be understood by persons skilled in the art, as fluids entering the inlet 34 of the nozzle are passed through the converging throat 42 and the diverging region 44, the pressure of the fluids is dissipated while its velocity is increased. [0051] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the fluid passing through the channel 40 of the nozzle 32 generally maintain a flow path that extends longitudinally along the base pipe 12. Once the fluid passes through the nozzle 32, it enters the diverter 28, which serves to divert the flow path of the fluid from one extending longitudinally to one extending generally radially with respect to the base pipe 12. As shown in the figures, the diverter 28 includes a channel 48 extending between the inlet 38 and outlet 30 thereof. The channel 48 includes a bend resulting in the inlet 38 and outlet 30 being generally orthogonal to each other. As will be understood, fluid entering the nozzle 32 (as described above), subsequently enters the diverter 28 and then into the pipe 12 through the port 26. [0052] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the second collar 22, is sized so as to overlap the wire screen 14 as well as the nozzle 32 and the diverter 28. The collar 22 may be adapted to receive and retain the nozzle 32 and/or the diverter 28 in position over the pipe when the collar 22 is secured thereto. As more clearly shown in Figure 2, the collar 22 is provided with a recess 29 for the purpose of receiving and retaining the diverter 28. It will be understood that in another embodiment the collar 22 may include a further recess for receiving and retaining the nozzle 32. [0053] Figures 3 to 6 illustrate the nozzle of the present description in isolation, wherein the same reference numerals are used to identify similar elements. As shown, the nozzle 32 comprises a body having a generally monolithic structure. The inlet 34, in the same manner as described above, comprises an opening into a channel 40. The channel 40 includes a throat 42 located downstream from the inlet 34. As discussed above, the throat 42 serves as a choke point or point of convergence for fluid flowing there-through. In one embodiment, the throat 42 comprises a smooth curved wall, as illustrated, at both the inlet end and the outlet end thereof. However, in other embodiments, the wall of the throat and the surrounding region of the channel 40 may be provided with a stepped cross-sectional appearance. As discussed above, the throat 42 serves to dissipate pressure of the fluid flowing through the channel 40. As will be understood, by providing the throat with a stepped wall, or other such geometry that is not smooth, the throat will be able to dissipate even further pressure of the flowing fluid. [0054] Downstream from the throat 42, the channel 40 is provided with a region of increasing diameter, or a diverging region 44, and an outlet 36. In one embodiment, as illustrated, the channel 40 includes a region of constant cross-sectional area, 46, between the diverging region 44 and the outlet 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the diverging region 44 and, where present, the region of constant diameter 46 are provided with smooth walls. However, as with the throat 42, the walls of these regions may also, together or
independently, be provided with a stepped or otherwise non-smooth surface to enhance the dissipation of pressure of the fluid flowing there-through. [0055] Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the nozzle 32 while Figure 6 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view thereof. [0056] Figures 7 to 10 illustrate an embodiment of the diverter 28. As shown, the diverter comprises a monolithic element that is positioned within the recess 13 in the base pipe 12 as described above. As also discussed above, the diverter 28 has an opening or inlet 38 that, when in use, receives fluids exiting the nozzle 32. In one aspect, the inlet 38 of the diverter 28 is provided with a recess 39 for receiving the end of the nozzle 32 having the outlet 36. As would be understood, the recess 39 facilitates the flow of fluid from the nozzle outlet 36 into the diverter inlet 38. The diverter 28 also includes an outlet 30 that, when in use, diverts the fluid into a port on the pipe as described above. As mentioned above, the diverter 28 includes an internal channel 48 extending between the inlet 38 and outlet 30 and through which the fluid flows. The channel 48 is shown in phantom in Figures 8 to 10. In the embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 10, the diverter channel 48 comprises an arcuate elbow extending between the inlet 38 and outlet 30. The channel 48 may, in one aspect, comprise a smooth, curved surface shown in phantom at 50 in Figures 8 to 10. In another embodiment, the surface of the diverter channel 48 may have a stepped or other such non- smooth surface. [0057] As also shown, the outlet 30 has a larger cross-sectional area than the inlet 38. As such, the diverter channel 48 is preferably provided with an increasing cross-sectional area extending in the direction from the inlet 38 to the outlet 30. In this way, the diverter serves to further reduce the pressure of the fluid flowing there-through while diverting the fluid into the base pipe. [0058] Figure 1 1 illustrates another embodiment of the diverter wherein like elements are identified with like reference numerals but with the letter "a" added for clarity for elements that are variants. As shown in Figure 1 1 , the diverter 28a includes an inlet 38a and an outlet 30a. Although not shown, the diverter inlet 38a may include a recess (such as that shown at 39 in Figure 7) for receiving the outlet end of the nozzle. In this embodiment, the diverter channel 48a comprises two sections, namely and inlet section 52 and an outlet section 54, that are connected at an elbow 56. As illustrated in Figure 1 1 , the inlet section 52 of the channel 48a comprises a generally linear conduit that is aligned with the channel of the nozzle. As described above, the inlet section 52 of the channel 48a receives fluid exiting the nozzle 32. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 1 , the inlet section 52 of the channel 48a is provided with a generally constant cross-sectional area. As such, the inlet section 52 may be cylindrical in shape. The outlet section 54 of the diverter channel 48a, however, comprises a diverging channel, having an increasing cross-sectional area in the direction towards the outlet 30a. In the embodiment shown, the outlet section 54 has a generally conical, or frustoconical shape extending from the elbow 56 to the outlet 30. As also shown, the outlet section 54 is provided at an angle with respect to the inlet section 52. As will be understood, the diverging nature of the channel 48a, in particular the outlet section 54 thereof, further serves to reduce the pressure of the fluid passing there-through.
[0059] Although the above description includes reference to certain specific
embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Any examples provided herein are included solely for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Any drawings provided herein are solely for the purpose of illustrating various aspects of the description and are not intended to be drawn to scale or to be limiting in any way. The scope of the claims appended hereto should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the above description, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the present specification as a whole. The disclosures of all prior art recited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Next Patent: SENSING SYSTEM