Ferrofluid tool for providing modifiable structures in boreholes

摘要

A tool for providing modifiable structures in a wellbore using ferrofluids in a downhole system is provided. The downhole system can include a tool body, a source of ferrofluid, and a magnet. The magnet can magnetically couple with the ferrofluid from the source for arranging the ferrofluid adjacent for modifying a parameter of an object coupled with or in the tool body when the tool body is positioned in the wellbore.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
introducing, by a downhole system having a tool body, a ferrofluid source, and a magnet, ferrofluid ejected from the ferrofluid source into a position at which the ferrofluid can magnetically couple with the magnet; magnetically coupling the ferrofluid ejected from the ferrofluid source with the magnet; and arranging the ferrofluid to modify a parameter of an object coupled with or in the tool body when the tool body is positioned in a wellbore by controlling at least one of the ferrofluid source or the magnet; wherein arranging the ferrofluid to modify the parameter of the object includes:
modifying a size, a shape, a position, an orientation, or a function of a polymorphic sensor comprised by the object;changing a position of the ferrofluid relative to the tool body to facilitate calibrating a sensor based at least in part on the changed position of the ferrofluid;arranging the ferrofluid to provide a communication link between a first communication device and a second communication device; orcollecting the ferrofluid via a ferrofluid collector to at least one of reduce a size parameter of the object or remove the object.