Inflow control device with preferential fluid restriction

Abstract

An inflow control device (ICD) includes an inlet, an outlet spaced from the inlet, and a flapping member arranged between the inlet and the outlet. The flapping member is responsive to vortex induced vibrations to selectively exclude at least one fluid from passing through the outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inflow control device (ICD) comprising:
 an inlet;   an outlet spaced from the inlet; and   a flapping member arranged between the inlet and the outlet, the flapping member being responsive to vortex induced vibrations to selectively exclude at least one fluid from passing through the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The ICD according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a flow channel having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a base wall joining the first side wall and the second side wall, the flapping member being pivotally suspended between the first and second side walls. 
     
     
         3 . The ICD according to  claim 2 , wherein the flapping member includes a first side, an opposing second side, a rounded leading edge extending between the first side and the second side and a valve portion extending from the rounded leading edge. 
     
     
         4 . The ICD according to  claim 3 , wherein the flapping member includes a first pin extending from the first side into the first side wall and a second pin extending from the second side into the second side wall, the first and second pins pivotally supporting the flapping member between the first and second side walls. 
     
     
         5 . The ICD according to  claim 4 , further comprising: a spring member mounted to one of the first pin and the second pin, the spring member biasing the flapping member to a neutral position. 
     
     
         6 . The ICD according to  claim 5 , wherein the spring member is positioned between the one of the first side wall and the second side wall and the corresponding one of the first side and the second side. 
     
     
         7 . The ICD according to  claim 3 , wherein the inlet is defined between the first side wall and the second side wall and the outlet is defined in the base wall. 
     
     
         8 . The ICD according to  claim 1 , wherein the flapping member includes an airfoil-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         9 . A resource exploration and recovery system comprising:
 a surface system; and   a sub-surface system including a tubular string fluidically connected to the surface system, the tubular string including an inflow control device (ICD) that restricts inflow of one fluid in preference for another fluid, the ICD including:
 an inlet; 
 an outlet spaced from the inlet; and 
 a flapping member arranged between the inlet and the outlet, the flapping member being responsive to vortex induced vibrations to selectively exclude at least one fluid from passing through the outlet. 
   
     
     
         10 . The resource exploration and recovery system according to  claim 9 , further comprising: a flow channel having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a base wall joining the first side wall and the second side wall, the flapping member being pivotally suspended between the first and second side walls. 
     
     
         11 . The resource exploration and recovery system according to  claim 10 , wherein the flapping member includes a first side, an opposing second side, a rounded leading edge extending between the first side and the second side, and a valve portion extending from the rounded leading edge. 
     
     
         12 . The resource exploration and recovery system according to  claim 11 , wherein the flapping member includes a first pin extending from the first side into the first side wall and a second pin extending from the second side into the second side wall, the first and second pins pivotally supporting the flapping member between the first and second side walls. 
     
     
         13 . The resource exploration and recovery system according to  claim 12 , further comprising: a spring member mounted to one of the first pin and the second pin, the spring member biasing the flapping member to a neutral position. 
     
     
         14 . The resource exploration and recovery system according to  claim 13 , wherein the spring member is positioned between the one of the first side wall and the second side wall and the corresponding one of the first side and the second side. 
     
     
         15 . The resource exploration and recovery system according to  claim 11 , wherein the inlet is defined between the first side wall and the second side wall and the outlet is defined in the base wall. 
     
     
         16 . The resource exploration and recovery system according to  claim 9 , wherein the flapping member includes an airfoil-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         17 . A method of passing a selected fluid from an inlet to an outlet of an inflow control device (ICD) comprising:
 passing a non-selected fluid into the inlet of the ICD;   flowing the non-selected fluid over a flapping member positioned downstream of the inlet;   inducing a vortex induced vibration of the flapping member with the non-selected fluid; and   pivoting the flapping member at a selected frequency to inhibit the non-selected fluid passing to the outlet of the ICD.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: biasing the flapping member to a neutral position with a spring. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 passing a selected fluid over the flapping member; and   maintaining the flapping member in the neutral position thereby allowing the selected fluid to flow to the outlet.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein passing the non-selected fluid includes flowing a water-based fluid over the flapping member.