WO2016003643A1

WO2016003643A1 - Electromagnetic actuator

Info

Publication number: WO2016003643A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/036021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manuel Marya
Original assignee: Schlumberger Canada Limited; Services Petroliers Schlumberger; Schlumberger Holdings Limited; Schlumberger Technology B.V.; Prad Research And Development Limited; Schlumberger Technology Corporation
Priority date: 2014-07-03
Filing date: 2015-06-16
Publication date: 2016-01-07

Abstract

A pump assembly can include an electromagnetic actuator that includes a housing that includes a bore having an axis, a coil disposed about the bore, and a piston disposed at least in part within the bore for motion in axial directions in the bore responsive to current in the coil; and a fluid pump driven by motion of the piston.

Description

ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTUATOR

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of a U.S. Provisional Application having Serial No. 62/020,875, filed 3 July 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Artificial lift equipment such as electric submersible pumps (ESPs) may be deployed for any of a variety of pumping purposes. For example, where a substance does not readily flow responsive to existing natural forces, an ESP may be implemented to artificially lift the substance. To receive power to power an actuator (e.g., an electric motor), an ESP is connected to a cable or cables, which are, in turn, connected to a power drive. Various technologies, techniques, etc., described herein pertain to actuators, etc.

SUMMARY

[0003] A pump assembly can include an electromagnetic actuator that includes a housing that includes a bore having an axis, a coil disposed about the bore, and a piston disposed at least in part within the bore for motion in axial directions in the bore responsive to current in the coil; and a fluid pump driven by motion of the piston. A system can include an electromagnetic actuator that includes a housing that includes a bore having an axis, a coil disposed about the bore, and a piston disposed at least in part within the bore for motion in axial directions in the bore responsive to current in the coil; power circuitry operatively coupled to the coil; and a fluid pump driven by motion of the piston. A method can include energizing coils of a linear actuator; generating force in a ferromagnetic or a substantially non- ferromagnetic material of a piston; reciprocating the piston responsive to the generating force; and driving a fluid pump using the reciprocating piston. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Features and advantages of the described implementations can be more readily understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0006] Fig. 1 llustrates

[0007] Fig. 2 llustrates

[0008] Fig. 3 llustrates

[0009] Fig. 4 llustrates

[0010] Fig. 5 llustrates

[0011] Fig. 6 llustrates

[0012] Fig. 7 llustrates

[0013] Fig. 8 llustrates

[0014] Fig. 9 llustrates

[0015] Fig. 10 illustrates an example of equipment;

[0016] Fig. 1 1 illustrates an example of equipment;

[0017] Fig. 12 illustrates an example of equipment;

[0018] Fig. 13 illustrates an example of equipment as operating in an environment;

[0019] Fig. 14 illustrates an example of equipment;

[0020] Fig. 15 illustrates an example of a method; and

[0021] Fig. 16 illustrates example components of a system and a networked system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following description includes the best mode presently

contemplated for practicing the described implementations. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but rather is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the implementations. The scope of the described implementations should be ascertained with reference to the issued claims.

[0023] As an example, an electromagnetic actuator can include coils that can carry current and generate fields that cause an element or elements to move, for example, in a linear manner. As an example, an electromagnetic actuator may be a linear actuator that can be operatively coupled to a rod of a pump, for example, consider a suck rod of a pump that may be operable in a downhole environment, a surface environment, etc. As an example, an electromagnetic actuator may be implemented as part of a pump system for a well. For example, consider a well that may benefit from implementation of artificial lift technology. As an example, an artificial lift system can include a linear electromagnetic sucker rod pump where a rod is displaced along an axis by an electromagnetic actuator.

[0024] As an example, an electromagnetic sucker-rod pump can utilize magnetic pulse technology in a linear actuator that includes active and/or passive solenoids that can be dynamically controlled (e.g., optionally via sensing) to drive a flow-thru piston having suitable force and stroke to displace a preselected well fluid.

[0025] As an example, an actuator, attached to a sucker-rod module of a pump, may be positioned downhole or at a surface (e.g., close to a production zone) where, by combining with monitoring, the actuator may be dynamically controlled to adjust pump operation. As an example, a method may include potentially adjusting solenoids in a field operation. As an example, a method may include controlling piston strokes via high capacitance and current pulses. As an example, a method may employ a flow-thru high-magnetic permeability piston where the method includes driving the piston to pump fluid. As an example, a method may employ one or more coils for measuring piston velocity (e.g., optionally in relation to flow rate). As an example, a system may employ various materials and combinations of materials that are selected to maximize efficiency and increase run life of equipment.

[0026] As an example, a piston pump with an electromagnetic actuator may be employed in a field operation with an orientation that may be, for example, vertical, horizontal or deviated. As an example, such a pump may be deployed via a cable and/or wireline and be, for example, retrievable via cable and/or wireline. As an example, a piston pump may be suspended via cable and/or wireline.

[0027] As an example, a pump may produce flow measurements, for example, where a solenoid operates passively via a Faraday principle. As an example, a pump may exhibit minimal energy losses owing to minimal friction, number of parts, etc., when compared to a rotary electric motor driven submersible pump. As an example, a pump may be debris tolerant (e.g., compared to rotary electric motor driven submersible pump face seals), may operate with a negligible differential pressure between components (e.g., optionally being made of low-tiers materials), may be relatively easy to assemble, may be relatively immune to scale build-up or corrosion (e.g., via use of low friction coatings). As an example, a system may be manufactured with a potential coil via direct molding, optionally with or without a pothead. As an example, a system may include a junction box.

[0028] As an example, a linear actuator for oil and gas sucker-rod plungers may be electrically powered via electrical cable (e.g., hooked up to an electrical power generator); may utilize a least two induction coils (e.g., solenoids) positioned around a housing and along the length of the actuator to create linear and

reciprocating displacements on a piston placed along the actuator central axis; may convey linear displacement to a rod plunger unit aimed at displacing controlled volumes of fluids; may be positioned in a wellbore near a producing zone, or at the surface, with aim to assist oil and gas pumping operations (e.g., artificial lift).

[0029] As an example, inductive coils of an actuator may include at least two coils (e.g., a sending coil and a receiving coil, optionally switchable). As an example, an actuator may include a series of coils (e.g., some active, some passive and inactive) where at least some of the coils may be used to control a piston motion.

[0030] As an example, a system may include coils that are positioned along an actuator housing in a manner that may be adjustable, for example, based at least in part on reservoir requirements (e.g., production goals, viscosity, pressures, etc.). As an example, coils may be synchronized so that the displacement and velocity of a piston can be controlled. For example, consider the following: (1 ) acceleration from one end to a peak velocity; (2) deceleration to a zero velocity; and/or (3) back travel to initial position (e.g., optionally otherwise controlled by integrated sensors and feedback monitoring).

[0031] As an example, for two coils of a system, when one coils repels a piston (e.g., accelerates it), the other can attract it, implying its poles are reversed or neutralized; when the piston is to be slowed down, a coil may be used to exert a repulsive force opposing direction of displacement.

[0032] As an example, coils may be produced by winding encapsulated extruded wire conductors. As an example, coils may be tapered to create

"implosive" forces with respective axial components to accelerate a rod (e.g., a piston). As an example, wire conductors can be made of conductors with electrical conductivity per weight ratio at least approximately that of copper, and may include copper alloys, twinned copper alloys, CNT-reinforced aluminum, continuous strings or fibers of carbon nanotubes. [0033] As an example, consider high-performance multifunctional carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers that combine the specific strength, stiffness, and thermal conductivity of carbon fibers with the specific electrical conductivity of metals. Such fibers can include bulk-grown CNTs and may be produced by high-throughput wet spinning (see, e.g., Behabtu et al., Strong, Light, Multifunctional Fibers of Carbon Nanotubes with Ultrahigh Conductivity, Science Magazine, 1 1 January 2013, 339 (61 16): 182-186, which is incorporated by reference herein).

[0034] As an example, consider LITEWIRE™ material (CurTran, LLC, Houston, Texas) as a conductor for one or more coils. LITEWIRE™ material is an aligned structure conductive carbon material (CCM) in wire form that is about 99.9% carbon structure and about 1/5th the weight of copper conductors. For example, a 40lb spool of 10ga 3-wire copper wire has about 200 feet of wire; whereas, a 40lb spool of 10ga 3-wire LITEWIRE™ has about 800 feet of wire. LITEWIRE™ material is stronger than steel and about 20 times stronger than copper. LITEWIRE™ material is creep resistant and expands and contracts about 1/3 less than copper. LITEWIRE™ material is approximately copper wire like at 60HZ, and highly efficient at higher frequencies, voltages and amperes (e.g., more electrical energy can be transmitted with lower losses in the system). LITEWIRE™ material is noncorrosive in most naturally occurring environments, from deep sea to downhole oil and gas.

[0035] As an example, a piston of a linear actuator can include tapering on one or more of its ends to accommodate an axial accelerating force induced by one of several coils. As an example, a piston can include an internal flow diverter. As an example, a piston may be made of material(s) with high magnetic permeability to focus a magnetic field and therefore generate greater electromagnetic forces. As an example, a piston may be dynamically controlled via use of internal sensors and feedback control system. As an example, a piston may be subject to active acceleration and active dampening. As an example, a piston may be metallic, made of polymer composites, or both (polymer composites may be used to reduce weight). As an example, for a metallic piston, a protective coating may include one or more of nickel, cobalt plating, tungsten carbide, diamond/graphite coatings, and

nanostructure coatings produced by PVD, CVD, PA-CVD, magnetron processes, among other processes. As an example, a coating may be selected for a high electrical conductivity to promote high inductive forces. [0036] As an example, a housing of a linear actuator can include nonmagnetic or low-magnetic permeability material(s) including, for example, one or more of austenitic stainless steels, nickel alloys, titanium, polymer composites (e.g. fiber reinforced), etc. As an example, a housing may be coated with a protective layer for corrosion and wear resistance. As an example, for a metallic housing, a protective coating can include one or more of nickel, cobalt plating, tungsten carbide, diamond/graphite coatings, and nanostructure coatings produced by PVD, CVD, PA- CVD, magnetron processes, among others. As an example, a coating may be selected for a high electrical conductivity to promote high inductive forces.

[0037] As an example, a linear actuator can be configured to include a reciprocating stroke that may be as long as a suck rod stroke, optionally shorter depending on one or more use scenarios, etc. As an example, stroke velocity may be controlled by incoming coil current and current changes, including via auxiliary capacitors. As an example, one or more capacitors may be imbedded with one or more coils, for example, as made possible through the use of one or more materials. As an example, one or more capacitors may be positioned upstream, for example, as part of a linear actuator, or another unit, etc.

[0038] As an example, a housing can include one or more connections, including one or more threaded connections, bayonet connections, etc.

[0039] As an example, a linear actuator may be supplemented by LC, RLC, and/or circuitry involving high-value capacitors (e.g., » about 100 Farads).

[0040] As an example, a method can include using one or more

electromagnetic actuators, optionally in combinations with power generator and sucker rod plungers for one or more of the following: to produce from a well, to inject in a well, alternatively to produce or inject, to be placed within a producing zone, and with the combined use of sensors to real-time adjust production to reservoir.

[0041] To understand better how equipment may fit into an overall operation, some examples of processes are described below as applied to basins and, for example, production from one or more reservoirs in a basin.

[0042] Fig. 1 shows examples of geologic environments 120 and 140. In Fig. 1 , the geologic environment 120 may be a sedimentary basin that includes layers (e.g., stratification) that include a reservoir 121 and that may be, for example, intersected by a fault 123 (e.g., or faults). As an example, the geologic environment 120 may be outfitted with any of a variety of sensors, detectors, actuators, etc. For example, equipment 122 may include communication circuitry to receive and to transmit information with respect to one or more networks 125. Such information may include information associated with downhole equipment 124, which may be equipment to acquire information, to assist with resource recovery, etc. Other equipment 126 may be located remote from a well site and include sensing, detecting, emitting or other circuitry. Such equipment may include storage and communication circuitry to store and to communicate data, instructions, etc. As an example, one or more satellites may be provided for purposes of communications, data acquisition, etc. For example, Fig. 1 shows a satellite in communication with the network 125 that may be configured for communications, noting that the satellite may additionally or alternatively include circuitry for imagery (e.g., spatial, spectral, temporal, radiometric, etc.).

[0043] Fig. 1 also shows the geologic environment 120 as optionally including equipment 127 and 128 associated with a well that includes a substantially horizontal portion that may intersect with one or more fractures 129. For example, consider a well in a shale formation that may include natural fractures, artificial fractures (e.g., hydraulic fractures) or a combination of natural and artificial fractures. As an example, a well may be drilled for a reservoir that is laterally extensive. In such an example, lateral variations in properties, stresses, etc. may exist where an

assessment of such variations may assist with planning, operations, etc. to develop the reservoir (e.g., via fracturing, injecting, extracting, etc.). As an example, the equipment 127 and/or 128 may include components, a system, systems, etc. for fracturing, seismic sensing, analysis of seismic data, assessment of one or more fractures, etc.

[0044] As to the geologic environment 140, as shown in Fig. 1 , it includes a well 143 (e.g., a bore). As an example, the geologic environment 140 may be outfitted with equipment 147, which may be, for example, an electric submersible pump (e.g., an ESP as artificial lift equipment).

[0045] Conditions in a geologic environment may be transient and/or persistent. Where equipment is placed within a geologic environment, longevity of the equipment can depend on characteristics of the environment and, for example, duration of use of the equipment as well as function of the equipment. Where equipment is to endure in an environment over an extended period of time, uncertainty may arise in one or more factors that could impact integrity or expected lifetime of the equipment. As an example, where a period of time may be of the order of decades, equipment that is intended to last for such a period of time may be constructed to endure conditions imposed thereon, whether imposed by an environment or environments and/or one or more functions of the equipment itself.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows an example of an ESP system 200 that includes an ESP 210 as an example of equipment that may be placed in a geologic environment. As an example, an ESP may be expected to function in an environment over an extended period of time (e.g., optionally of the order of years). As an example, commercially available ESPs (such as the REDA™ ESPs marketed by

Schlumberger Limited, Houston, Texas) may find use in various applications to move fluid.

[0047] In the example of Fig. 2, the ESP system 200 may be coupled to a network 201 and various components may be disposed in a well 203 in a geologic environment (e.g., with surface equipment, etc.). As shown, the ESP system can include a power supply 205, the ESP 210, a controller 230, a motor controller 250 and a variable speed drive (VSD) unit 270. The power supply 205 may receive power from a power grid, an onsite generator (e.g., natural gas driven turbine), or other source. The power supply 205 may supply a voltage, for example, of about 4.16 kV.

[0048] As shown, the well 203 includes a wellhead that can include a choke (e.g., a choke valve). For example, the well 203 can include a choke valve to control various operations such as to reduce pressure of a fluid from high pressure in a closed wellbore to atmospheric pressure. Adjustable choke valves can include valves constructed to resist wear due to high-velocity, solids-laden fluid flowing by restricting or sealing elements. A wellhead may include one or more sensors such as a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a solids sensor, etc.

[0049] As to the ESP 210, it is shown as including cables 21 1 (e.g., or a cable), a pump 212, gas handling features 213, a pump intake 214, a motor 215, one or more sensors 216 (e.g., temperature, pressure, strain, current leakage, vibration, etc.) and optionally a protector 217.

[0050] As an example, an ESP may include a REDA™ Hotline high- temperature ESP motor. Such a motor may be suitable for implementation in a thermal recovery heavy oil production system, such as, for example, SAGD system or other steam-flooding system. [0051] As an example, an ESP motor can include a three-phase squirrel cage with two-pole induction. As an example, an ESP motor may include steel stator laminations that can help focus magnetic forces on rotors, for example, to help reduce energy loss. As an example, stator windings can include copper and insulation.

[0052] In the example of Fig. 2, the well 203 may include one or more well sensors 220, for example, such as the commercially available OPTICLINE™ sensors or WELLWATCHER BRITEBLUE™ sensors marketed by Schlumberger Limited (Houston, Texas). Such sensors are fiber-optic based and can provide for real time sensing of temperature, for example, in SAGD or other operations. As shown in the example of Fig. 1 , a well can include a relatively horizontal portion. Such a portion may collect heated heavy oil responsive to steam injection. Measurements of temperature along the length of the well can provide for feedback, for example, to understand conditions downhole of an ESP. Well sensors may extend thousands of feet into a well (e.g., 4,000 feet or 1 ,220 m or more) and beyond a position of an ESP.

[0053] In the example of Fig. 2, the controller 230 can include one or more interfaces, for example, for receipt, transmission or receipt and transmission of information with the motor controller 250, a VSD unit 270, the power supply 205 (e.g., a gas fueled turbine generator, a power company, etc.), the network 201 , equipment in the well 203, equipment in another well, etc.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 2, the controller 230 may include or provide access to one or more modules or frameworks. Further, the controller 230 may include features of an ESP motor controller and optionally supplant the ESP motor controller 250. For example, the controller 230 may include the UN ICONN™ motor controller 282 marketed by Schlumberger Limited (Houston, Texas). In the example of Fig. 2, the controller 230 may access one or more of the PIPESIM™ framework 284, the ECLIPSE™ framework 286 marketed by Schlumberger Limited (Houston, Texas) and the PETREL™ framework 288 marketed by Schlumberger Limited (Houston, Texas) (e.g., and optionally the OCEAN™ framework marketed by Schlumberger Limited (Houston, Texas)).

[0055] As an example, the one or more sensors 216 of the ESP 210 may be part of a digital downhole monitoring system. For example, consider the

commercially available PHOENIX™ MULTISENSOR XT150™ system marketed by Schlumberger Limited (Houston, Texas). A monitoring system may include a base unit that operatively couples to an ESP motor (see, e.g., the motor 215), for example, directly, via a motor-base crossover, etc. As an example, such a base unit (e.g., base gauge) may measure intake pressure, intake temperature, motor oil

temperature, motor winding temperature, vibration, currently leakage, etc. As an example, a base unit may transmit information via a power cable that provides power to an ESP motor and may receive power via such a cable as well.

[0056] As an example, a remote unit may be provided that may be located at a pump discharge (e.g., located at an end opposite the pump intake 214). As an example, a base unit and a remote unit may, in combination, measure intake and discharge pressures across a pump (see, e.g., the pump 212), for example, for analysis of a pump curve. As an example, alarms may be set for one or more parameters (e.g., measurements, parameters based on measurements, etc.).

[0057] In the example of Fig. 2, the motor controller 250 may be a

commercially available motor controller such as the UNICONN™ motor controller. The UN ICONN™ motor controller can connect to a SCADA system, the

ESPWATCHER™ surveillance system, etc. The UNICONN™ motor controller can perform some control and data acquisition tasks for ESPs, surface pumps or other monitored wells. The UNICONN™ motor controller can interface with the

PHOENIX™ monitoring system, for example, to access pressure, temperature and vibration data and various protection parameters as well as to provide direct current power to downhole sensors (e.g., the sensors 216). The UNICONN™ motor controller can interface with fixed speed drive (FSD) controllers or a VSD unit, for example, such as the VSD unit 270.

[0058] For FSD controllers, the UN ICONN™ motor controller can monitor ESP system three-phase currents, three-phase surface voltage, supply voltage and frequency, ESP spinning frequency and leg ground, power factor and motor load.

[0059] For VSD units, the UNICONN™ motor controller can monitor VSD output current, ESP running current, VSD output voltage, supply voltage, VSD input and VSD output power, VSD output frequency, drive loading, motor load, three- phase ESP running current, three-phase VSD input or output voltage, ESP spinning frequency, and leg-ground.

[0060] In the example of Fig. 2, the ESP motor controller 250 includes various modules to handle, for example, backspin of an ESP, sanding of an ESP, flux of an ESP and gas lock of an ESP. The motor controller 250 may include any of a variety of features, additionally, alternatively, etc.

[0061] In the example of Fig. 2, the VSD unit 270 may be a low voltage drive (LVD) unit, a medium voltage drive (MVD) unit or other type of unit (e.g., a high voltage drive, which may provide a voltage in excess of about 4.16 kV). As an example, the VSD unit 270 may receive power with a voltage of about 4.16 kV and control a motor as a load with a voltage from about 0 V to about 4.16 kV. The VSD unit 270 may include commercially available control circuitry such as the

SPEEDSTAR™ MVD control circuitry marketed by Schlumberger Limited (Houston, Texas).

[0062] As an example, power cables (e.g., and MLEs if present) that can resist damaging forces, whether mechanical, electrical or chemical, may help ensure proper operation of a motor, circuitry, sensors, etc.; noting that a faulty power cable (or MLE) can potentially damage a motor, circuitry, sensors, etc.

[0063] Commercially available power cables include the REDAMAX™

HOTLINE™ ESP power cables (e.g., as well as motor lead extensions "MLEs"), which are marketed by Schlumberger Limited (Houston, Texas). As an example, a REDAMAX™ HOTLINE™ ESP power cable can include combinations of polyimide tape, lead, EPDM, and PEEK to provide insulation and a jacket. Lead walls can provide for compatibility with high gas/oil ratio (GOR) and highly corrosive conditions. Armor can mechanically protect the cable and may be galvanized steel, heavy galvanized steel, stainless steel, or MONEL™ alloy. The pothead is an electrical connector between a cable and an ESP motor that may be constructed with metal- to-metal seals. A pothead can provide a mechanical barrier to fluid entry in high- temperature applications. As an example, a motor may include a pothead and optionally an electrical connector unit. As an example, a pothead may be an electrical connector unit.

[0064] As an example of a REDAMAX™ HOTLINE™ ESP power cable, a 5 kV round ELBE G5R can include solid conductor sizes of 1 AWG/1 , 2 AWG/1 and 4 AWG/1. As another example, a 5 kV flat EHLTB G5F can include a solid conductor size of 4 AWG/1. As to some examples, dimensions may be, for round

configurations, about 1 inch to about 2 inches in diameter and, for flat configurations, about half an inch by about 1 inch to about 2 inches. [0065] Fig. 3 shows an example of a system 300 that includes an actuator module 310 and a pump module 380. As shown, the actuator module 310 includes an inductive coil 311 and an inductive coil 312, an actuator housing 313 and a piston 314 with an inductive coupler, for example, consider a piston with a piston head and a piston shaft where the piston head includes material or materials that can respond to a field or fields of one or more coils. As an example, a rail 317 or rails may be provided to guide movement of the piston 314 in a bore of the housing 313 (e.g., consider a notch in the piston 314 that can receive a portion of the rail 317). As an example, one or more portions of the housing 313 may be coupled via one or more coupling mechanisms 318, for example, for assembly and disassembly. As an example, a coupling mechanism 319 may be provided to couple the housing 313 to one or more other components such as, for example, the pump module 380.

[0066] As shown in the example of Fig. 3, one or more power cables 301 extend to the inductive coils 31 1 and 312 where the one or more power cables 301 may be operatively coupled to power circuitry 305. Such one or more power cables may be electrically coupled to a power source that may provide current for operation of the system 300 (e.g., as may be controlled at least in part via the power circuitry 305). As an example, current may flow in the coils 31 1 and 312 to promote movement of the piston 314 along an axis of the housing 313. In such a manner, the piston 314 may drive a sucker mechanism of the pump module 380 to cause fluid flow (e.g., pumping of fluid). As an example, the pump module 380 may be or include a sucker pump (e.g., or sucker pumps). As an example, a pump module may include a mechanism that acts to control flow in a particular direction (e.g., consider a unidirectional valve).

[0067] As an example, in the actuator module 310 of Fig. 3, the coils 31 1 and 312 may be optionally asymmetrical (e.g., as to increase efficiency). As an example, the housing 313 may optionally include a low friction coating and/or surface treatment. As an example, the piston 314 may optionally be made of non- deformable (e.g., strong) high-magnetic permeability material (e.g., also may include internal construction with coils and power units). As an example, the piston 314 may be constructed of a material that amenable to induction of eddy currents therein (e.g., surface currents with a skin depth). As an example, a piston may operate via one or more of reluctance and inductance. As an example, the piston 314 may optionally include, internally, a passageway or passageways for fluid flow. As an example, a system may include a flow diverter.

[0068] The actuator module 310 of Fig. 3 may be an electromagnetic actuator that includes the housing 313 that includes an axis; an induction coil 31 1 ; and a piston 314 disposed at least in part within the housing 313, the piston 314 being reciprocating in axial directions responsive to current in the induction coil 31 1. In such an example, reciprocating may be achieved via use of the induction coil 31 1 and the induction coil 312; noting that a number of induction coils, shape, configuration, etc. may be provided.

[0069] In the example of Fig. 3, a rail such as the optional rail 317 (e.g., or rails) may operate to guide motion of the piston 314, for example, to avoid rotation of the piston 314. As an example, a rail may be part of a mechanism such as, for example, a braking mechanism. In such an example, eddy currents may be generated that can act to slow a piston. A braking mechanism may generate a drag force as in an eddy current brake where the drag force is an electromagnetic force between magnetized object and a nearby conductive object that are in relative motion. In such an example, eddy currents may be induced in the conductor through electromagnetic induction where the eddy currents act to oppose a field of the magnetized object.

[0070] As an example, a rail may be non-conductive over a portion and conductive over a portion, for example, to spatially determine where braking may occur. As an example, a rail may include one or more permanent magnets, include magnetizable material (e.g., for temporary magnetization), include non-conductive material and/or include conductive, substantially non-ferromagnetic material. As an example, a piston may include ferromagnetic material that can be magnetized by a field generated via current in a coil where such magnetization may interact with a nearby conductive component such as a conductive portion of a rail (e.g., or rails). In such an example, the piston may be slowed via a drag force (e.g., via eddy current braking).

[0071] Fig. 3 also shows an example of a pump mechanism 382 in two states. As shown, the pump mechanism 382 includes a sucking rod, a plunger, a riding valve with inlets and a standing valve with inlets. The plunger may be disposed in a casing such as, for example, a well casing. As an example, on an upstroke (right), the riding valve can be closed and the standing valve can be opened. In such an example, fluid above and within the plunger is lifted (e.g., out of a cased region) while more fluid is pumped (e.g., into a well) and, for example, on a down stroke, the riding valve can be opened and the standing valve can be closed such that fluid flows into the plunger and fluid is blocked from leaving (e.g., a well).

[0072] As an example, a design of a pump may consider depth in a well of the pump, for example, to calculate an amount of fluid that can be pumped per stroke. Such an amount may be a volume of fluid (Vf) that fits in a cylinder of height L and cross sectional area Ap: Vf = Ap L. In such an example, the volume can then be multiplied by the density of the fluid and by acceleration of gravity (g) to determine a weight of the column of fluid the pump is to lift.

[0073] As an example, a sucker rod plunger may be capable of performing with a stroke of about a meter with a rate of about seven cycles per minute. Such performance may be calculated in terms of barrels per minute, for example, of fluid. As an example, the system 300 may be configured to perform with a stroke of about a meter with a rate of about seven cycles per minute.

[0074] As an example, a system may include an ESP/HPS motor (e.g., downhole or surface), a gear box, a lead screw/nut subassembly.

[0075] As an example, a linear actuator may include features that allow for operation via electromagnetism and/or materials with particular properties (e.g., magnets, magnetostrictive, electro-strictive).

[0076] As to a system that utilizes a rotary electric motor to actuate a sucker rod, consider a method 410 of Fig. 4, which includes blocks 414, 418, 422, 426, 430, 434, 438 and 442. As explained in the text of Fig. 4, the block 414 can provide electrical power that can drive a rotary electric motor per the block 434 where rotary to linear conversion occurs via the block 438 to drive a sucker rod plunger per the block 442. As shown, the block 418 can provide for conveying power downhole via one or more cables, the block 422 can provide for electrical connections from the cable or cables (e.g., optionally via motor lead extensions) to a pothead of a motor, the block 426 can provide equipment such as shafts and couplings to convey rotary motion of the motor to another component, and the block 430 can provide a protector that can help to shield a motor from a downhole environment (e.g., fluid, etc.). As mentioned, the block 434 can represent the motor that can rotate a shaft via conversion of electrical power to mechanical power and the block 438 can provide a rotary to linear converter, which operates with some loss of efficiency as rotary mechanical motion is converted to linear mechanical motion. In the method 410 of Fig. 4, various pieces of equipment can reduce efficiency during operation of the sucker rod plunger (e.g., of a sucker rod pump) of the block 442.

[0077] Fig. 5 shows an example of a method 510 that can be implemented using a linear actuator to drive a pump (e.g., a sucker rod pump, etc.). For example, consider an electromagnetic linear actuator that can include a housing that includes an axis; an induction coil; and a piston disposed at least in part within the housing, the piston being reciprocating in axial directions responsive to current in the induction coil (see, e.g., the example actuator module 310 of Fig. 3). In such an example, the piston may be operatively coupled to a pump (e.g., a sucker rod pump, etc.) where linear motion of the piston can move a component of the pump in a linear manner (e.g., to pump fluid).

[0078] In the example of Fig. 5, the method 510 includes a generation block 514 where electrical power is provided as may be generated via a surface

generation facility, a conveyance block 518 for conveying power downhole via one or more cables, and an electrical connection block 522 for conveying the power via one or more electrical connections to a linear actuator, which per a motor block 534, may be considered to be a linear motor that converts electrical power to mechanical power. As shown, the method 510 includes a motion block 530 for generating linear motion via the action of the motor where a plunger block 534 can harness the linear motion to cause a sucker rod plunger to move in a manner that causes fluid to be pumped. As an example, the sucker rod plunger may be operated with or without a separator (e.g., for separating material, a phase of material, etc.). As an example, a separator may be a gas/liquid separator.

[0079] As an example, an assembly may operate via reluctance where attractive ferromagnetic properties of an object, with respect to a coil, can generate acceleration. As an example, an assembly may operate via inductance where an accelerating force is repulsive and due in part to eddy currents induced in an object when the coil is energized. As an example, a type of ferromagnetism may be referred to as ferrimagnetism where some of magnetic ions subtract from a net magnetization (e.g., if they are partially anti-aligned). As an example, an assembly may operate via one or more mechanisms (e.g., reluctance, inductance, etc.). In such an example, the assembly may generate linear motion (e.g., via conversion of electrical energy to mechanical energy). [0080] Fig. 6 shows an example of an assembly 600 that includes a coil 610 and a movable object 620. In such an example, the object 620 may include a material such as iron, steel, etc. that can interact with a field generated by the coil 610. For example, the object 620 may be attracted into a bore of the coil 610.

[0081] As an example, the coil 610 may be energized to generate a field that magnetizes the object 620. In such an example, two separate magnets may be created, one of the coil 610 and another of the object 620 where the object 620 is magnetized with "poles" of approximately the orientation of the field of the coil 610 (see, e.g., the collection of individual poles 625). Thus, in such a manner, an end of the object 620 can be attracted to an end of the bore of the coil 610. As an example, if the object 620 were a permanent magnet, the direction of current energizing the coil 610 and the orientation of the object 620 would result in either attraction or repulsion (e.g., depending on respective field orientations).

[0082] In the example of Fig. 6, the object 620 may accelerate into the bore of the coil 610 where flux linkage may increase, generating an induced voltage in the coil 620 that can opposes a supply voltage. Such a mechanism can act to reduce current in the coil 620 and the magnetic field which, in turn, can induce a voltage that tries to maintain the current of the coil 620. Speed of an object can affect this mechanism, for example, a slower speed of the object may have a lesser effect on current in a coil compared to a faster speed of the object.

[0083] In Fig. 6, a plot 650 shows an approximate relationship between force and position of the object 620 with respect to the coil 610 (e.g., a force-displacement curve). The relationship is indicative of the object 620 being an asymmetric object as the zero force crossing point is not at the center of the coil 610 (e.g., force drops to zero just beyond the midpoint). A force-displacement curve may be tailored, for example, by geometry of a coil, geometry of an object, etc.

[0084] As shown in the plot 650, the force gradient is quite steep as the object 620 crosses the midpoint of the coil 610. A current pulse may be shaped based at least in part on such information. For example, where rapid deceleration of the object 620 due to current in the coil 610 is to be avoided or minimized, a current pulse to the coil 610 may be extinguished promptly (e.g., turning the current off when the object 620 reaches the midpoint of the coil 610). As an example, a current pulse may be shaped to achieve a desired behavior of an object in a coil. As an example, force on an object may be increased by, for example, one or more of increasing the number of turns of a coil, increasing current to a coil, and increasing a change in flux linkage. As an example, an assembly may optionally employ a series of coils, which may be supplied with current in a coordinated manner (e.g., to control motion of an object).

[0085] As an example, increasing flux linkage, for a given coil current, can increase the force on an object. As an example, flux linkage may be enhanced by using an object with a higher saturation flux density (e.g., consider a material such as iron-cobalt). As an example, flux linkage may be enhanced by adding external iron (e.g., or material with similar magnetic properties) to a flux path around a coil. As an example, material may be included in an assembly that acts to "focus" a field (e.g., a field concentrator, etc.). For example, consider material disposed within a bore of a coil that acts to focus a field from a larger axial length of the coil at a first radial position to a smaller axial length within the bore at a second, smaller radial position.

[0086] As an example, an increase in flux linkage can produce increased inductance which can increase a time constant of a circuit. Where a time constant is to be limited, as an example, a method can include operating an assembly at a higher voltage with an external resistor (e.g., to achieve similar dynamic and peak current).

[0087] As to saturation, it may be defined as a state in which material has reached maximum magnetization. Referring to the inset of the collection of individual poles 625 of Fig. 6, the poles may be considered to be microscopic atomic dipoles. As mentioned, in the presence of an external field such dipoles tend to align themselves with the external field. Such a phenomenon can depend on field strength where a stronger field can result in a greater percentage (e.g., or greater degree) of alignment. Ultimately, saturation exists where a high percentage of poles align with an external field.

[0088] In the example of Fig. 6, attraction between the object 620 and the coil 610 may be explained by charge motion: motion of charge in the coil 610 (i.e., coil current) and orbital electron motion in the object 620 (e.g., dipoles).

[0089] As an example, consider the force between two infinite parallel current carrying wires where the force between these wires will be (a) attractive if the currents are parallel and (b) repulsive if the currents are anti-parallel. If wire currents are in the same direction, the force is attractive. Further force between two loops will depend on diameter, respective current, and separation, as well as the medium in which they are placed (e.g. free space, air, vacuum, etc.). Increasing the current in either loop will increase the force.

[0090] In the example of Fig. 6, the coil 610 may be considered to be a number of wire loops, each carrying current and the object 620 may be considered to be composed of a number of tiny current loops (e.g., orbital electrons). In such an example, in an unmagnetized ferromagnetic material, the tiny current loops are organized into small groups called domains. These domains may be orientated in random directions so that macroscopically, the material exhibits no magnetization (e.g., consider the poles 625 of Fig. 6 being randomly oriented where they are not in the presence of the field of the coil 610). When an external field is applied, the loops within the domains can experience a torque force which tries to align them with the field. This means that domains which are originally more aligned with the field tend to grow at the expense of the less well aligned domains such that the better aligned domains "hijack" loops from the surrounding less well aligned ones. The stronger the external field becomes, the more fully aligned the loops become.

[0091] Saturation of an object may be considered analogous to a loop reaching a maximum current. However, force depends on current in two interacting loops. As current may be increased in a coil, an attractive force will increase even though the object is saturated (current fixed).

[0092] As an example, an object may be modeled as a single "large" dipole (e.g., as a sum of many individual dipoles) that has its maximum pole strength determined by its saturation magnetization. As a field of a coil tends to be stronger towards the center of the coil, an induced front pole of an object experiences an attractive force which is stronger than the repulsive force generated by a rear pole of the object, resulting in a net attraction.

[0093] A material may be characterized by a value of saturation flux density, however, flux density may not be limited to this value. If the field is increased around a saturated material, the flux density will continue to increase with a dB/dH equal to vacuum. The reason for this is that the material includes space and the space contributes to the flux with a relative permeability of 1. Such phenomena may be considered when using B-H curves (e.g., for finite element analyses) such that an appropriate dB/dH can be used for large values of field (e.g., beyond a material's saturation point). [0094] Fig. 7 shows an example of an assembly 700 that includes a coil 710 that can generate a field that can generate eddy currents in an object 720 (e.g., currents with a skin depth, etc.). In such an example, the object 720 may be movable with respect to the coil 710 via action of the induced eddy currents. In such an example, the object 720 can be substantially non-ferromagnetic (e.g., consider a material such as copper, aluminum, conductive carbon-based material, etc.). In such an example, a starting position of the object 720 can be slightly off-center in the coil 710 such that it can experience a net force when the coil 710 is energized. In such an example, the impulse experienced by the object 720 can depend on mutual inductance and magnetic diffusion processes. As shown in the example of Fig. 7, the object 720 is repelled away from the coil 710 (see, e.g., the force direction "F").

[0095] As shown in Fig. 7, the coil 710 can include a coil current direction and the object 720 can include an eddy current direction where the directions may be opposite. For example, the coil current direction may be clockwise and the eddy current direction counter-clockwise or vice versa.

[0096] As an example, an assembly can include multiple stages. As an example, an assembly can include a plurality of individual drive coils that can be made short axially compared to an axial length of an object (e.g., to provide for a smooth axial acceleration profile).

[0097] As an example, an object may be solid or hollow. As an example, an object can include a coil shorted on itself. As an example, an object may be at least in part tubular, for example, where it rides in a cavity surrounded by drive coils, optionally with an inner guide.

[0098] Fig. 8 shows an example of an assembly 800 that includes coils 810 and 812 and objects 820 and 822 as well as a shaft 840, which may be reciprocating via energizing the coils 810 and 812. For example, consider a plot 850 of energy versus time for the coils 810 and 812. In such an example, the energy may generate fields that can interact with the objects 820 and 822 to cause the shaft 840 to reciprocate. As an example, an end or ends of the shaft 840 may be operatively coupled to a mechanism such as, for example, a pump.

[0099] While the plot 850 illustrates energy as substantially square pulses (e.g., or square waves), energy may be provided to one or more coils in a shaped manner (e.g., curved, sinusoidal, full, half, less than full, less than half, etc.). As an example, energy provided to one or more coils may be periodic. As an example, energy provided to one or more coils may vary with respect to time, for example, to accelerate or decelerate an object or objects (e.g., a piston, etc.).

[00100] As an example, an assembly can include sensor circuitry. For example, sensor circuitry may sense one or more electric, magnetic or

electromagnetic fields, etc. Such fields may change in a manner that can be related to position of an object with respect to a coil, an object with respect to coils and/or objects with respect to coils.

[00101 ] Fig. 9 shows an example of a solenoid 910 and various equations. As an example, a solenoid may be an inductive coil (e.g., set as active or passive). As shown in Fig. 9, a magnetic field, B, produced by the solenoid 910 may be derived from Ampere's law, where μ₀ is the magnetic constant, μ_Γ is the relative permeability, N a number of turns of solenoid 910, and I the current. As shown, the magnetic field within the solenoid 910 is may be quite uniform; also it may be redistributed (e.g., focused) by inserting within a bore of the solenoid 910 a high magnetic permeability (μ_Γ) material.

[00102] The inductance of a solenoid, or the property of a conductor by which a change in current through it "induces" a voltage (e.g., electromotive force) in both the conductor itself (e.g., self-inductance) and in one or more nearby conductors (e.g., mutual inductance) may also be defined via an equation in Fig. 9 where A is the inner space (e.g., core) cross-sectional area, and L the length of the solenoid. The inductance is a property that can be used, for example, to characterize a linear actuator. As an example, a linear actuator may be part of circuitry to create pulses, control maximum current and thus actuation force. Two of the equations in Fig. 9 show force produced by a solenoid where, H may be a gap between the solenoid and a metallic part within (e.g., may also represent an air gap).

[00103] From the equations, to determine actuation force, a linear actuator may be characterized by one or more of: Number of turns, N; Current, I; Distance to coil, H (e.g., may be relatively short for a high attraction/repulsion); and Inner material magnetic permeability, μ_Γ (e.g., which may be relatively high).

[00104] As an example, a method can include creating short pulses of high current using capacitance-inductance circuits, referred as LC circuits; noting that RLC circuits may optionally be implemented. As an example, consider an LC circuit such as that of Fig. 10. Specifically, Fig. 10 shows an example of an assembly 1000 that includes an LC circuit that can be utilized, for example, in magnetic pulse welding and forming equipment or other equipment. As an example, various features of such circuitry may be implemented in a system that includes one or more linear actuators. As an example, various features of the assembly 1000 may be implemented to induce eddy currents in an object or objects.

[00105] As shown in the example of Fig. 10, the assembly 1000 includes an AC power supply 1001 (e.g., supply connections), a charger 1002, one or more capacitors 1003, a high current switch 1004 and a coil 1005. In such an example, supplied AC power may be used to charge one or more capacitors that can be discharged (e.g., via one or more switches) to provide current to one or more coils, which can generate one or more fields. As an example, the power circuitry 305 of the assembly 300 of Fig. 3 may optionally include one or more features of the assembly 1000. For example, the power circuitry 305 may include one or more capacitors and, for example, one or more switches that can control current to one or more coils (e.g., to drive a piston, etc.).

[00106] As to magnetic pulse welding, magnetic forces can be used to join two types of metal together. For example, in Fig. 10, a component A and a component B are shown as being in a bore about which the coil is disposed. In such an example, component A and component B may be metals that are electrically conductive. Energy supplied to the coil may interact with at least one of the components A and B to thereby form a weld between component A and component B.

[00107] Thus, as an example, a magnetic pulse welding process may use AC current that is passed through a conductive coil where one or more metal components are positioned proximate to the coil. In such an example, a magnetic field can be created by the coil where, in at least one of the metal components, an eddy current (e.g., or eddy currents) are generated. The eddy current, which may be considered to be a second current (e.g., Lorentz force), can cause acceleration of an object (e.g., a component). In such an example, a base object (e.g., a base component) may be placed in the path of an accelerated object (e.g., an accelerated component) thereby causing an impact between the two objects that creates a solid state weld between the two objects. Currents used in magnetic pulse types of welding may reach as high as, for example, about one million amperes and velocity of an accelerated object may reach, for example, 800 meters per second.

[00108] In Fig. 10, with energy stored in the one or more capacitors 1003 (e.g., or bank of capacitors) dispersed in the solenoid (e.g., the coil 1005) and this energy being conserved, an energy balance is illustrated as a first equation where V is the voltage across the capacitance, and I the current discharge, which may be rearranged as shown as a second equation in Fig. 10. By substituting current, I, and inductance, L, into the previous equation for the inductive force, F, a third equation may be formed, as shown in Fig. 10. The force equation indicates that force is directly proportional to the capacitance, C, a quadratic function of the voltage, V, and the reciprocal of the gap with the coil, H, as already shown in the previous equation for the inductive force.

[00109] As mentioned, an assembly may be operated to generate an eddy current or eddy currents in at least one object or component. As to the number of eddy currents generated, this may depend on geometry of the object or component, construction of the object or component, etc. For example, where an object includes one or more slots or insulated strips, these may partition the object or component and result in regions where individual regions may include one or more eddy currents. As an example, eddy current techniques may be implemented for detecting cracks in a metal object where, for example, a crack acts as an air gap that partitions regions of the metal object.

[00110] Eddy currents, which may also be referred to as Foucault currents, can exist as loop currents (e.g., circular, oval, etc.) when induced within a conductive material in response to a changing magnetic field in the conductive material, due to Faraday's law of induction. For example, eddy currents can flow in closed loops within conductors. As explained above, one or more eddy currents may be induced within a nearby conductive material by a time-varying magnetic field created by an AC electromagnet or transformer, for example, or by relative motion between a magnet and a nearby conductor. The magnitude of the current in a given loop in a conductive material tends to be approximately proportional to strength of a magnetic field, area of the loop, and the rate of change of flux, and inversely proportional to the resistivity of the conductive material.

[00111 ] By Lenz's law, an eddy current can create a magnetic field that opposes the magnetic field that created it, and thus eddy currents can react back on the source of the magnetic field. For example, a nearby conductive surface will exert a drag force on a moving magnet that opposes its motion, due to eddy currents induced in the surface by the moving magnetic field. Such an effect may be employed in eddy current brakes, which, for example, may be used to hinder rotation of a component of a power tool when it is turned off.

[00112] As an example, a system may include developing high forces to overcome mechanical work to transport a volume and/or mass of fluid from one position to another. In such an example, the force may be a short transient force where description of fluid displacement includes time integration. For example, if a given mass of fluid, rri_f, is to be displaced, the mass will be accelerated by the force produced by a coil or coils during a short impulse. In such an example, this can accelerate a piston and cause a change in piston velocity from zero to a maximum, then a subsequent deceleration caused by fluid dampening and optionally one or more additional coils potentially turned active. In turn, a sequence in events may be summarized in a relationship, starting from Newton's second law rearranged so as conserve momentum. Thus, as shown in Fig. 10, force may be described as a function of time (see, e.g., the integral equation of Fig. 10).

[00113] Fig. 1 1 shows various scenarios 1 1 10, 1 120, 1 130 and 1 140 with current in a coil with respect to a "north" end of a magnet and a "south" end of a magnet where velocity is represented with respect to the magnet, noting that a reverse technique may be implemented, for example, with a moving coil, or, for example, a combination of moving components.

[00114] According to Lenz's law, when an emf is generated by a change in magnetic flux according to Faraday's law, the polarity of the induced emf is such that it produces a current whose magnetic field opposes the change which produces it. As illustrated in Fig. 1 1 , the induced magnetic field inside a loop of wire acts to keep the magnetic flux in the loop constant. In the example scenarios 1 1 10, 1 120, 1 130 and 1 140, if the B field is increasing, the induced field acts in opposition to it. If it is decreasing, the induced field acts in the direction of the applied field to try to keep it constant.

[00115] As explained with respect to the assembly 600 of Fig. 6, a coil may be energized to produce a field and an object in the field may be magnetized (e.g., approaching saturation). In such an example, the field may be defined using "N" and "S" and magnetization of the object may be defined using "N" and "S" where the N-S direction of the magnetization of the object is approximately the same as the N-S direction of the field. Phenomena described with respect to various scenarios of Fig. 1 1 may apply to the assembly 600 of Fig. 6. As an example, a reversal of a direction of current in a coil may act to "desaturate" an object and, for example, reverse the direction of magnetization in the object.

[00116] As an example, an assembly may include a movable object such as a piston where the movable object includes material that responds to one or more fields generated by one or more coils of the assembly. As an example, a movable object may include ferromagnetic material and/or substantially non-ferromagnetic material. As an example, an assembly may employ reluctance and/or inductance to move and/or to resist movement of an object. For example, a piston may include a portion that is ferromagnetic and a portion that is substantially non-ferromagnetic. In such an example, the ferromagnetic portion may be driven and/or hindered via reluctance (e.g., via magnetic saturation and/or desaturation, etc.) and the non- ferromagnetic portion may be driven and/or hindered via inductance (e.g., eddy current generation).

[00117] As an example, where a magnetized ferromagnetic material portion of a movable object moves in a bore formed by or adjacent to a substantially non- ferromagnetic material, the magnetization in the ferromagnetic material portion may generate one or more eddy currents in the substantially non-ferromagnetic material, for example, to cause braking of the ferromagnetic material portion (e.g., a nearby conductive surface can exert a drag force on a moving magnet that opposes its motion due to eddy current generation).

[00118] As an example, an assembly can include one or more controllers that can control energy supplied to one or more coils (e.g., to move, position, stop, etc. one or more objects). As an example, an assembly may include one or more controllers that can control position of one or more coils. As an example, an assembly may include one or more controllers that can control position of one or more substantially non-ferromagnetic components. For example, consider a tube formed of aluminum that may be positioned proximate to a magnet (e.g., optionally a magnetized ferromagnetic material component) to thereby exert a drag force on the magnet (e.g., via movement of at least one of the magnet and the tube).

[00119] As an example, where an assembly is conveyed in a bore in a geologic environment, one or more coils of the assembly may be energized to generate a substantially static magnetic field (e.g., or fields). In such an example, a movable object such as a piston can include one or more ferromagnetic portions that may become or approach saturation in the presence of the magnetic field (e.g., or fields) such that the piston rests in an approximately zero force position. In such an example, movement of the piston axially away from the zero force position may be resisted (see, e.g., the plot 650 of Fig. 6). In such a manner the piston may "float" at or near the zero force position while being deployed. Such an approach may, for example, help to protect the piston during deployment (e.g., to resist axial and/or other movement of the piston responsive to navigating a path along a bore) and, for example, where the piston is operatively coupled to a pump, the pump may be in an unactuated state such that the pump does not substantially entrain fluid, material, etc. during deployment. Once the assembly achieves a target location in the bore of the geologic environment, the assembly may be operated to move the piston in a manner to drive the pump (e.g., to pump fluid, etc.).

[00120] Fig. 12 shows an example of an actuator module 1210 that includes a set of coils 121 1 -1 and 121 1 -2, a set of coils 1212-1 and 1212-2, a housing 1213, a piston head 1214 and a piston shaft 1216 where motion of the piston head 1214 may be controlled via energy supplied to one or more of the coils 121 1-1 , 121 1 -2, 1212-1 and 1212-2. Fig. 12 also shows axes of a cylindrical coordinate system (e.g., r, z, Θ) along with a top view and a bottom view of the piston head 1214, which may include one or more openings 1215 (e.g., for passage of fluid such as liquid or gas that may be within the housing 1213). In Fig. 12, positions of the coils 121 1-1 , 121 1-2, 1212-1 and 1212-2 may be defined by coordinates within the cylindrical coordinate system. As shown, the coils may be spaced axially and positioned a radial distance from a longitudinal axis (e.g., z-axis) of the actuator module 1210. As an example, the axial positions may determine an axial throw of the piston head 1214. As an example, one or more of the coils 121 1-1 , 121 1-2, 1212-1 and 1212-2 may be used to accelerate and/or decelerate the piston head 1214 (e.g., depending on current supplied thereto).

[00121 ] As an example, the piston head 1214 may be constructed at least in part from one or more ferromagnetic materials which may, for example, be magnetized by a field or fields generated by one or more of the coils 121 1-1 , 121 1 -2, 1212-1 and 1212-2. As an example, the piston head 1214 may be constructed at least in part from one or more substantially non-ferromagnetic materials in which may, for example, be induced one or more eddy currents by a field or fields generated by one or more of the coils 121 1-1 , 121 1-2, 1212-1 and 1212-2. As an example, the piston head 1214 may be constructed at least in part from one or more ferromagnetic materials and at least in part from one or more substantially non- ferromagnetic materials.

[00122] As an example, the actuator module 1210 may include one or more substantially non-ferromagnetic materials in which the piston head 1214, when magnetized, may induce one or more eddy currents. In such an example, the piston head 1214 may be decelerated. For example, a portion of an actuator module may include an aluminum tube where movement of a magnet in a bore of the aluminum tube induces one or more eddy currents in the aluminum tube that resist the field of the magnet and hence motion of the magnet. As an example, an actuator module may optionally include one or more permanent magnets. For example, consider an actuator module that includes a permanent magnet and at least one non-permanent magnet portion constructed of ferromagnetic material and/or at least one

substantially non-ferromagnetic material portion. As an example, an actuator module may be a hybrid module that includes one or more coils and one or more of ferromagnetic material and substantially non-ferromagnetic material and optionally at least permanent magnet material. For example, consider a reluctance and inductance hybrid actuator module where such a module may optionally include one or more permanent magnets.

[00123] Referring again to Fig. 12, as shown, power cables may be electrically coupled to the coils 121 1 and 1212 whereby delivery of power can cause the piston head 1214 and piston shaft 1216 to translate in the housing 1213, for example, to drive a rod of a pump, etc. As an example, while Fig. 12 shows two sets of coils 1211 and 1212, a number of coils may be odd/even, one set, more than one set, more than two sets, etc.

[00124] As an example, an electromagnetic actuator may be part of a system that includes various components. As an example, such a system may include one or more of the components of the system 200 of Fig. 2. For example, consider a drive adapted to control a linear electromagnetic actuator where one or more cables supply power to the actuator.

[00125] As an example, an electromagnetic actuator may be part of a system that includes various components and may be suitable for operating in a geologic environment such as one or more of the environments 120 and 140 of Fig. 1. [00126] Fig. 13 shows an example of a system 1300 in a geologic environment 1301 that includes a wellhead 1302, a power cable 1303, a casing 1304, production tubing 1305, a packer 1306, a flow line 1307 and a pump assembly 1310 driven by a linear actuator (see, e.g., the actuator module 310 of Fig. 3, the actuator module 1210 of Fig. 12, etc.). As shown, the pump assembly 1310 may pump fluid from a location to another location (e.g., from below the packer 1306 to the flow line 1307).

[00127] Fig. 14 shows an example of a system 1400 that includes cables 141 1 , a pump 1412, a pump intake 1414, a converter 1413, a motor 1415 and sensors 1416; noting that various pieces of equipment may be optional. As shown, the converter 1413 may convert linear movement of a component to rotary movement of a component. For example, the motor 1415 may be a linear actuator that can be operatively coupled to a rotary pump via the converter 1413. As an example, the converter 1413 may include a transmission with gears such as G1 , G2, . . ., GN, that determine a number of revolutions for a stroke length.

[00128] As an example, a linear actuator may be configured to drive one or more pieces of equipment. As an example, a linear actuator may be configured to drive a piston pump and/or to drive a rotary pump (e.g., centrifugal radial/mixed flow pump).

[00129] Fig. 15 shows an example of a method 1500 that includes a

transmission block 1510 for transmitting power via one or more cables, an energize block 1520 for energizing one or more coils, a generation block 1530 for generating force in a ferromagnetic or a substantially non-ferromagnetic material of a piston, a drive block 1530 for driving a piston in a reciprocating manner responsive to the energizing and a drive block 1540 for driving a fluid pump for pumping fluid using energy of the piston (e.g., linear, translational energy of the piston).

[00130] As an example, a method such as the method 1500 of Fig. 15 can include energizing coils of a linear actuator per the energize block 1520; generating force in a ferromagnetic or a substantially non-ferromagnetic material of a piston per the generation block 1530; reciprocating the piston responsive to the generating force per the drive block 1540; and driving a fluid pump using the reciprocating piston per the drive block 1550.

[00131 ] As an example, an assembly may include ferromagnetic and substantially non-ferromagnetic material where the assembly may operate via reluctance and/or inductance. As an example, an assembly may include one or more coils that include carbon (e.g., as a lightweight conductive material such as LITEWIRE™ material). As an example, an assembly may include a piston that includes a coil or coils, which may include, for example, carbon (e.g., as a lightweight conductive material such as the LITEWIRE™ material). As an example, eddy currents may be generated in a material that includes carbon (e.g., a conductive carbon material). In such an example, a piston that includes conductive carbon may be movable via inductance (e.g., at least in part via generation of eddy currents in the conductive carbon material). As an example, a piston may include a carbon composite material or may be made of a carbon composite material. In such an example, the piston may include ferromagnetic material embedded in or otherwise supported by the carbon composite material (e.g., to allow for operation of the piston via reluctance) and/or the piston may optionally include substantially non- ferromagnetic, conductive material embedded in or otherwise supported by the carbon composite material (e.g., to allow for operation of the piston via inductance). As an example, a carbon composite material may be conductive and be substantially non-ferromagnetic and, for example, used as a piston or a part of a piston that can be driven at least in part via eddy current generation in the carbon composite material.

[00132] As an example, a carbon-based conductive material may be greater than about 80 percent carbon by volume. As an example, a material such as the LITEWIRE™ material, in wire form, may be greater than about 95 percent carbon by volume. Such electrically conductive material may be suitable for use in an actuator, for example, as part of a coil, as part of a piston, etc.

[00133] As an example, a pump assembly can include an electromagnetic actuator that includes a housing that includes a bore having an axis, a coil disposed about the bore, and a piston disposed at least in part within the bore for motion in axial directions in the bore responsive to current in the coil; and a fluid pump driven by motion of the piston. In such an example, the piston can include ferromagnetic material where, for example, current in the coil induces a net magnetic pole in the ferromagnetic material.

[00134] As an example, a ferromagnetic material of a piston can be

magnetized, for example, in a first direction and then, for example, magnetized in a second, different direction. As such, the ferromagnetic material may be considered to not be a permanent magnet, which may be characterized as having a magnetic field direction that remains substantially constant with respect to time. As an example, an assembly can include an actuator that includes ferromagnetic material and one or more coils where energy in the one or more coils can alter the overall magnitude and/or direction of a magnetic field of the ferromagnetic material, for example, where such a magnetic field may be created within the ferromagnetic material by energy in at least one of the one or more coils.

[00135] As an example, a ferromagnetic material in an actuator may include a substantially conical shape. In such an example, the shape of an object may alter force with respect to a field depending on axial position of the object with respect to the field.

[00136] As an example, a piston can include substantially non-ferromagnetic material where current in a coil of an actuator can induce one or more eddy currents in the substantially non-ferromagnetic material. As an example, such a substantially non-ferromagnetic material can include at least one of aluminum, copper and a conductive carbon-based material.

[00137] As an example, a substantially non-ferromagnetic material in an actuator may include a substantially conical shape. In such an example, the shape of an object may alter force with respect to a field depending on axial position of the object with respect to the field.

[00138] As an example, a pump assembly can include an actuator that includes at least two coils disposed at two different axial positions. Such positions may determine at least in part, for example, a stroke length of a piston where motion of the piston can be controlled at least in part by energy in at least one of the at least two coils.

[00139] As an example, a pump assembly can include an actuator that includes a housing where an axis of a coil disposed about and/or within the housing aligns with an axis of a bore of the housing.

[00140] As an example, a piston can include a coupling that couples the piston to a rod of a fluid pump. In such a manner, an actuator may control motion of the piston to thereby control pumping of the fluid pump.

[00141 ] As an example, a pump assembly can include sensor circuitry that senses at least one parameter associated with movement of a piston. As an example, the sensor circuitry can include one or more coils. As an example, sensor circuitry may sense at least one parameter affected by an eddy current. [00142] As an example, a system can include an electromagnetic actuator that includes a housing that includes a bore having an axis, a coil disposed about the bore, and a piston disposed at least in part within the bore for motion in axial directions in the bore responsive to current in the coil; power circuitry operatively coupled to the coil; and a fluid pump driven by motion of the piston. In such an example, the power circuitry can include capacitors that discharge to supply current to the coil. As an example, a system can include a fluid pump that is a rod pump. As an example, a fluid pump may be a rotary pump that can be operatively coupled to a piston via a linear to rotary motion converter. As an example, a system can include sensor circuitry that senses at least one parameter associated with movement of a piston.

[00143] As an example, a method can include energizing coils of a linear actuator; generating force in a ferromagnetic or a substantially non-ferromagnetic material of a piston; reciprocating the piston responsive to the generating force; and driving a fluid pump using the reciprocating piston.

[00144] An electromagnetic actuator can include a housing that includes an axis; an induction coil; and a piston disposed at least in part within the housing, the piston being reciprocating in axial directions responsive to current in the induction coil. In such an example, the electromagnetic actuator may include at least two induction coils. As an example, an axis of an induction coil may align with an axis of a housing. As an example, a piston can include a coupling that couples the piston to a rod of a pump.

[00145] As an example, an electromagnetic actuator can include sensor circuitry that senses at least one parameter associated with movement of the piston. In such an example, the sensor circuitry can include a coil.

[00146] As an example, a system can include an electromagnetic actuator that includes a housing, an induction coil and a piston disposed at least in part within the housing; and a pump operatively coupled to the piston. In such an example, the pump may be rod pump. As an example, a pump may be a rotary pump operatively coupled to a piston via a linear to rotary motion converter.

[00147] As an example, a system can include sensor circuitry that senses at least one parameter associated with movement of a piston. In such an example, the sensor circuitry can include a coil. [00148] As an example, a method can include energizing coils of a linear actuator; reciprocating a piston responsive to the energizing; and driving a fluid pump using the reciprocating piston.

[00149] As an example, a system may implement one or more features of an electromagnetic pulse welding, forming, crimping, etc., technology (e.g., for sealing nuclear wastes in canisters, etc.); electromagnetic liquid metal pump technology; magnetic train (maglev) technology; electromagnetic gun technology;

electromagnetic pump liquid metal computer cooler technology; electromagnetic rocket launching technology; etc.

[00150] As an example, one or more methods described herein may include associated computer-readable storage media (CRM) blocks (e.g., consider a non- transitory storage medium that is not a carrier wave). Such blocks can include instructions suitable for execution by one or more processors (or cores) to instruct a computing device or system to perform one or more actions. As an example, equipment may include a processor (e.g., a microcontroller, etc.) and memory as a storage device for storing processor-executable instructions. In such an example, execution of the instructions may, in part, cause the equipment to perform one or more actions (e.g., for controlling, pumping, sensing, telemetry, etc.).

[00151 ] According to an embodiment, one or more computer-readable media may include computer-executable instructions to instruct a computing system to output information for controlling a process. For example, such instructions may provide for output to sensing process, an injection process, drilling process, an extraction process, an extrusion process, a pumping process, a heating process, etc.

[00152] Fig. 16 shows components of a computing system 1600 and a networked system 1610. The system 1600 includes one or more processors 1602, memory and/or storage components 1604, one or more input and/or output devices 1606 and a bus 1608. According to an embodiment, instructions may be stored in one or more computer-readable media (e.g., memory/storage components 1604). Such instructions may be read by one or more processors (e.g., the processor(s) 1602) via a communication bus (e.g., the bus 1608), which may be wired or wireless. The one or more processors may execute such instructions to implement (wholly or in part) one or more attributes (e.g., as part of a method). A user may view output from and interact with a process via an I/O device (e.g., the device 1606). According to an embodiment, a computer-readable medium may be a storage component such as a physical memory storage device, for example, a chip, a chip on a package, a memory card, etc.

[00153] According to an embodiment, components may be distributed, such as in the network system 1610. The network system 1610 includes components 1622- 1 , 1622-2, 1622-3, . . . 1622-N. For example, the components 1622-1 may include the processor(s) 1602 while the component(s) 1622-3 may include memory accessible by the processor(s) 1602. Further, the component(s) 1602-2 may include an I/O device for display and optionally interaction with a method. The network may be or include the Internet, an intranet, a cellular network, a satellite network, etc.

Conclusion

[00154] Although only a few examples have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the examples. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means- plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words "means for" together with an associated function.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A pump assembly comprising:

an electromagnetic actuator that comprises

a housing that comprises a bore having an axis,

a coil disposed about the bore, and

a piston disposed at least in part within the bore for motion in axial directions in the bore responsive to current in the coil; and

a fluid pump driven by motion of the piston.

2. The pump assembly of claim 1 wherein the piston comprises ferromagnetic material.

3. The pump assembly of claim 2 wherein current in the coil induces a net magnetic pole in the ferromagnetic material.

4. The pump assembly of claim 1 wherein the ferromagnetic material comprises a conical shape.

5. The pump assembly of claim 1 wherein the piston comprises substantially non-ferromagnetic material.

6. The pump assembly of claim 5 wherein current in the coil induces eddy currents in the substantially non-ferromagnetic material.

7. The pump assembly of claim 5 wherein the substantially non-ferromagnetic material comprises at least one of aluminum, copper and conductive carbon-based material.

8. The pump assembly of claim 1 wherein the substantially non-ferromagnetic material comprises a conical shape.

9. The pump assembly of claim 1 comprising at least two coils disposed at two different axial positions.

10. The pump assembly of claim 1 wherein an axis of the coil aligns with the axis of the bore of the housing.

1 1. The pump assembly of claim 1 wherein the piston comprises a coupling that couples the piston to a rod of the fluid pump.

12. The pump assembly of claim 1 comprising sensor circuitry that senses at least one parameter associated with movement of the piston.

13. The pump assembly of claim 12 wherein the sensor circuitry comprises a coil.

14. The pump assembly of claim 12 wherein the sensor circuitry senses at least one parameter affected by an eddy current.

15. A system comprising:

an electromagnetic actuator that comprises

a housing that comprises a bore having an axis,

a coil disposed about the bore, and

a piston disposed at least in part within the bore for motion in axial directions in the bore responsive to current in the coil;

power circuitry operatively coupled to the coil; and

a fluid pump driven by motion of the piston.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the power circuitry comprises capacitors that discharge to supply current to the coil.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the fluid pump comprises a rod pump.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the fluid pump comprises a rotary pump operatively coupled to the piston via a linear to rotary motion converter.

19. The system of claim 15 comprising sensor circuitry that senses at least one parameter associated with movement of the piston.

20. A method comprising:

energizing coils of a linear actuator;

generating force in a ferromagnetic or a substantially non-ferromagnetic material of a piston;

reciprocating the piston responsive to the generating force; and

driving a fluid pump using the reciprocating piston.