Patent ID: 9574425
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: E21B,H02K,H02P

Claim:
1. A downhole power generation system comprising: an energy source providing input energy from a rotating drill string during a drilling operation; a hydraulic circuit communicably coupled to the rotating drill string via a coupling to receive the input energy at a hydraulic pump arranged within the hydraulic circuit, wherein the hydraulic pump circulates hydraulic fluid throughout the hydraulic circuit, and wherein the coupling transfers the input energy from the rotating drill string to the hydraulic pump in the form of mechanical energy; a hydraulic motor arranged in the hydraulic circuit; a flow regulation device interposing the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor within the hydraulic circuit, wherein the flow regulating device receives hydraulic fluid flow from the hydraulic pump and provides a regulated hydraulic fluid flow directly to an inlet of the hydraulic motor which converts the regulated hydraulic fluid flow into a power input; and an electrical generator communicably coupled to the hydraulic motor, wherein the electrical generator receives the power input and generates electrical power.