Liquid valve for flow control devices

摘要

Certain aspects of the present invention are directed to a liquid valve assembly that can be disposed in a wellbore through a fluid-producing formation. The liquid valve assembly can include a housing and a liquid valve. The housing can define an inner chamber and an opening adapted to allow fluid to flow between the inner chamber and a passageway. The liquid valve can be disposed in the inner chamber. The liquid valve can include a yield stress fluid. The yield stress fluid can prevent fluid from flowing between the inner chamber and the passageway.

主权项

1. A liquid valve assembly configured for being disposed in a wellbore through a fluid-producing formation, the liquid valve assembly comprising:
a housing defining an inner chamber and an opening adapted to allow fluid to flow between the inner chamber and a passageway; a liquid valve disposed in the inner chamber, the liquid valve comprising a yield stress fluid configured for preventing the fluid from flowing between the inner chamber and the passageway, wherein the yield stress fluid comprises a magnetorheological fluid; and an actuation mechanism configured to increase a yield stress of the magnetorheological fluid by generating a magnetic field within the inner chamber having a flux perpendicular to a flow path that includes the inner chamber and the passageway, wherein the increased yield stress is adapted to prevent a separation of the magnetorheological fluid in response to a force exerted on the magnetorheological fluid by a contact between the magnetorheological fluid and the fluid flowing into the inner chamber.