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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 13, 2015
Filed:
Mar. 26, 2012
Jason D. Dykstra, Carrollton, TX (US);
Michael Linley Fripp, Carrollton, TX (US);
Orlando Dejesus, Frisco, TX (US);
John C Gano, Carrollton, TX (US);
Luke Holderman, Plano, TX (US);
Jason D. Dykstra, Carrollton, TX (US);
Michael Linley Fripp, Carrollton, TX (US);
Orlando DeJesus, Frisco, TX (US);
John C Gano, Carrollton, TX (US);
Luke Holderman, Plano, TX (US);
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus is described for controlling flow of fluid in a subterranean formation based on a selected characteristic of fluid flow, such as viscosity, velocity or density, as that characteristic varies over time. A pathway-dependent resistance assembly, such as a vortex chamber having two inlets and an outlet, provides varying resistance to fluid flow based on the ratio of flow from the inlets, the direction of flow as directed by the inlets, and the characteristic of the fluid. The incoming flow ratio is preferably determined by flowing fluid through a plurality of passageways having differing flow rate responses to fluid having differing characteristics. Fluid of a selected characteristic will encounter lesser resistance to flow across the system, while fluid of an un-favored characteristic will encounter greater resistance to flow. Thus, flow of well fluids can be autonomously restricted as the fluid characteristics change over time.