Generator driven by drill pipe

Abstract

A rotating control device for sealing about a drill pipe can include a seal which can sealingly engage the drill pipe, and a generator which generates electricity in response to rotation of the drill pipe while the seal sealingly engages the drill pipe. A method of generating electricity from rotation of a drill pipe can include sealingly engaging the drill pipe with a seal of a rotating control device, and generating electricity in response to the rotation of the drill pipe. A system for generating electricity can include a rotating control device which seals about a drill pipe while the drill pipe rotates, the rotating control device comprising a seal and a generator which generates electricity in response to rotation of the drill pipe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotating control device for sealing about a drill pipe, comprising:
 at least one seal which can sealingly engage the drill pipe; and   a generator which generates electricity in response to rotation of the drill pipe while the seal sealingly engages the drill pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The rotating control device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal rotates with the drill pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The rotating control device of  claim 1 , wherein the generator is mechanically coupled to the drill pipe via the seal. 
     
     
         4 . The rotating control device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal grippingly engages the drill pipe and thereby transfers torque to the generator. 
     
     
         5 . The rotating control device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is contained in an outer housing assembly, and wherein the seal rotates relative to the outer housing assembly in response to rotation of the drill pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The rotating control device of  claim 1 , wherein the generator is positioned in a bearing assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The rotating control device of  claim 1 , wherein the generator comprises a rotor which rotates relative to a stator of the generator in response to rotation of the seal. 
     
     
         8 . The rotating control device of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator, and wherein the generator supplies electrical power to the actuator. 
     
     
         9 . The rotating control device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor, and wherein the generator supplies electrical power to the sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The rotating control device of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery, and wherein the generator charges the battery. 
     
     
         11 . The rotating control device of  claim 1 , further comprising electronic circuitry, and wherein the generator supplies electrical power to the electronic circuitry. 
     
     
         12 . A method of generating electricity from rotation of a drill pipe, the method comprising:
 sealingly engaging the drill pipe with at least one seal of a rotating control device; and   generating electricity in response to the rotation of the drill pipe.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the seal and generator are components of a rotating control device which seals about the drill pipe as the drill pipe rotates. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the generating further comprises rotating the seal with the drill pipe. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising mechanically coupling the generator to the drill pipe via the seal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the seal grippingly engaging the drill pipe and thereby transferring torque to the generator. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the seal is contained in an outer housing assembly, and wherein the seal rotates relative to the outer housing assembly in response to rotation of the drill pipe. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the generator is positioned in a bearing assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the generator comprises a rotor which rotates relative to a stator of the generator in response to rotation of the seal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the generating further comprises the generator supplying electrical power to an actuator. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the generating further comprises the generator supplying electrical power to a sensor. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the generating further comprises the generator charging a battery. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the generating further comprises the generator supplying electrical power to electronic circuitry. 
     
     
         24 . A system for generating electricity, comprising:
 a rotating control device which seals about a drill pipe while the drill pipe rotates, the rotating control device comprising at least one seal and a generator which generates electricity in response to rotation of the drill pipe.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the seal rotates with the drill pipe. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the generator is mechanically coupled to the drill pipe via the seal. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the seal grippingly engages the drill pipe and thereby transfers torque to the generator. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the seal is contained in an outer housing assembly, and wherein the seal rotates relative to the outer housing assembly in response to rotation of the drill pipe. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the generator is positioned in a bearing assembly. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the generator comprises a rotor which rotates relative to a stator of the generator in response to rotation of the seal. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising an actuator, and wherein the generator supplies electrical power to the actuator. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising a sensor, and wherein the generator supplies electrical power to the sensor. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising a battery, and wherein the generator charges the battery. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising electronic circuitry, and wherein the generator supplies electrical power to the electronic circuitry.