Downhole tool with turbine-powered motor

Abstract

A tool for moving within a passage comprises an elongated body having an internal fluid chamber, at least one gripper assembly engaged with the body, a turbine, and a power transmission assembly. The body is configured to be secured to a fluid conduit so that a first fluid flowing through the conduit flows into the internal fluid chamber of the body. The gripper assembly has an actuated position in which the gripper assembly grips onto an inner surface of the passage to substantially limit relative movement between the gripper assembly and the inner surface. The gripper assembly also has a retracted position in which the gripper assembly permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper assembly and the inner surface of the passage. The turbine is configured to receive the first fluid flow through the internal fluid chamber, the turbine having an output shaft configured to rotate as the first fluid flows through the turbine. The power transmission assembly is configured to convert rotation of the output shaft into power for moving the gripper assembly to its actuated position.

1 . A tool for moving within a passage, comprising: 
 an elongated body having an internal fluid chamber, the body configured to be secured to a fluid conduit so that a first fluid flowing through the conduit flows into the internal fluid chamber of the body;    at least one gripper assembly engaged with the body, the gripper assembly having an actuated position in which the gripper assembly grips onto an inner surface of the passage to substantially limit relative movement between the gripper assembly and the inner surface, the gripper assembly having a retracted position in which the gripper assembly permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper assembly and the inner surface of the passage;    a turbine configured to receive the first fluid flow through the internal fluid chamber, the turbine having an output shaft configured to rotate as the first fluid flows through the turbine; and    a power transmission assembly configured to convert rotation of the output shaft into power for moving the gripper assembly to its actuated position.    
   
   
       2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the power transmission assembly comprises: 
 a generator operatively connected to the output shaft of the turbine so that rotation of the output shaft causes the generator to produce electricity; and    a motor configured to be powered by electricity generated by the generator, the motor configured to cause the gripper assembly to move to its actuated position.    
   
   
       3 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the tool includes a closed system for converting a circulating flow of a second fluid into movement of the tool within the passage, the closed system comprising: 
 the at least one gripper assembly, the gripper assembly configured to utilize fluid pressure to move to its actuated position;    at least one propulsion assembly on the body, the propulsion assembly configured to utilize fluid pressure to propel the body within the passage when the gripper assembly is in its actuated position;    a valve assembly configured to direct fluid to and from the gripper assembly and the propulsion assembly to produce movement of the body within the passage;    and    a pump configured to circulate the second fluid through the closed system;    wherein the motor is operatively connected to power the pump.    
   
   
       4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit comprises coiled tubing.  
   
   
       5 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein the power transmission assembly is adapted to substantially linearly convert changes in flow rate of the first fluid through the fluid conduit into changes in velocity of the body or propulsion thrust provided by the propulsion assembly to the body.  
   
   
       6 . A method of moving a tool within a passage, comprising: 
 providing an elongated body having an internal fluid chamber;    securing the body to a fluid conduit so that a first fluid flowing through the conduit flows into the internal fluid chamber of the body;    providing at least one gripper assembly engaged with the body, the gripper assembly having an actuated position in which the gripper assembly grips onto an inner surface of the passage to substantially limit relative movement between the gripper assembly and the inner surface, the gripper assembly having a retracted position in which the gripper assembly permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper assembly and the inner surface of the passage;    providing a turbine configured to receive the first fluid flow through the internal fluid chamber, the turbine having an output shaft configured to rotate as the first fluid flows through the turbine;    providing a power transmission assembly configured to convert rotation of the output shaft into power for moving the gripper assembly to its actuated position; and    pumping the first fluid through the conduit into the internal fluid chamber of the body and through the turbine.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein providing a power transmission assembly comprises: 
 providing a generator operatively connected to the output shaft of the turbine so that rotation of the output shaft causes the generator to produce electricity; and    providing a motor configured to be powered by electricity generated by the generator, the motor configured to cause the gripper assembly to move to its actuated position.