The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Aug. 28, 2001

Filed:

Jul. 20, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:

Kenneth L. Schwendemann, Lewisville, TX (US);

Darrin N. Towers, Carrollton, TX (US);

Assignee:
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B 4/300 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B 4/300 ;
Abstract

A tool and method for managing fluid flow in a well use flow control and monitoring functions. A particular tool provides valve and metering functions combined with electrical generator and pump functions. Two of these tools can be used such that one generates electricity downhole to power the other tool to operate as a pump or other flow control. A method of managing fluid flow in a well includes operating the tool in either a generator mode or a pump mode. The tool, which is a flow control device, has a body in which an opening is defined between an annulus outside the body and a flow channel inside. The tool also has a flow control body, a rotor and electromagnetic members. A method includes moving the flow control body, the rotor, and the electromagnetic members together to selectively block or unblock the opening. In a particular version of this method, this movement is axially within the body of the flow control device. A method also includes: producing a fluid from a subterranean formation into the well; separating, in the well, water from hydrocarbons of the fluid; and reinjecting, from within the well, the separated water. Another definition of the method includes generating electricity in the well and operating a pump in the well with the electricity.


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