Autonomous fluid control device having a reciprocating valve for downhole fluid selection

摘要

An apparatus and method autonomously controls fluid flow in a subterranean well, as the fluid changes in a characteristic, such as viscosity, over time. An autonomous reciprocating member has a fluid flow passageway there through and a primary outlet and at least one secondary outlet. A flow restrictor, such as a viscosity dependent choke or screen, is positioned to restrict fluid flow through the primary outlet. A vortex chamber is positioned adjacent the reciprocating member. The reciprocating member moves between a first position where fluid flow is directed primarily through the primary outlet of the reciprocating member and into the primary inlet of the vortex assembly, and a second position where fluid flow is directed primarily through the at least one secondary outlet of the reciprocating member and into the at least one secondary inlet of the vortex assembly. The movement of the reciprocating member alters the fluid flow pattern in the adjacent vortex chamber.

主权项

1. An apparatus for autonomously controlling flow of fluid in a subterranean well, wherein a fluid characteristic of the fluid flow changes over time, comprising:
a vortex assembly defining a vortex chamber and having a primary inlet and at least one secondary inlet; an autonomous reciprocating assembly having a reciprocating member, the reciprocating member defining a fluid flow passageway and having a primary outlet and at least one secondary outlet, the reciprocating member comprising a reciprocating piston positioned in a cylinder wherein a wall of the cylinder restricts flow through the at least one secondary outlet when the reciprocating assembly is in a first position, wherein the primary outlet is positioned at a first end of the piston, and wherein the at least one secondary outlet includes a radial passageway terminating at a radial wall of the piston, and wherein a flow restrictor is positioned at the first end of the piston such that the flow restrictor is disposed within the primary inlet of the vortex chamber when the reciprocating assembly is in a second position, and wherein the at least one secondary outlet is disposed within the at least one secondary inlet of the vortex chamber when the reciprocating assembly is in the second position, and wherein the primary inlet and at least one secondary inlet are distinct from one another; and the reciprocating assembly movable between the first position wherein fluid flow is directed primarily through the primary outlet of the reciprocating member and into the primary inlet of the vortex assembly, and the second position wherein fluid flow is directed primarily through the at least one secondary outlet of the reciprocating member and into the at least one secondary inlet of the vortex assembly, the reciprocating member movable in response to changes in the fluid characteristic.