Patent Publication Number: US-9404339-B2

Title: Flow-affecting device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. national phase patent application under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2011/066424 entitled “Flow-Affecting Device,” filed Dec. 21, 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to devices for impeding fluid flow in a bore in a subterranean formation in and, more particularly (although not necessarily exclusively), to devices that are capable of impeding fluid flow in a path subsequent to a autonomous valve and/or vortex assembly, based on a direction of fluid flow into the path. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various devices can be installed in a well traversing a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation. Some devices control the flow rate of fluid between the formation and tubing, such as production or injection tubing. An example of these devices is an autonomous valve that can select fluid, or otherwise control the flow rate of various fluids into the tubing. 
     An autonomous valve can select between desired and undesired fluids based on relative viscosity of the fluids. For example, fluid having a higher concentration of undesired fluids (e.g. water and natural gas) may have a certain viscosity in response to which the autonomous valve directs the undesired fluid in a direction to restrict the flow rate of the undesired fluid into tubing. The autonomous valve may include a flow ratio control assembly and a vortex assembly usable to select fluid based on viscosity. The flow ratio control assembly can include two passageways. Each passageway can include narrowed tubes that are configured to restrict fluid flow based on viscosity of the fluid. For example, one tube in the first passageway may be narrower than the second tube in the second passageway, and configured to restrict fluid having a certain relative viscosity more than fluid having a different relative viscosity. The second tube may offer relatively constant resistance to fluid, regardless of the viscosity of the fluid. 
     Fluid entering the vortex assembly via a first passageway, such as a passageway that is tangential to the vortex assembly, may be caused to rotate in the vortex assembly and restricted from exiting an exit opening in the vortex assembly. Fluid entering the vortex assembly via a second passageway, such as a passageway that is radial to the vortex assembly, may be allowed to exit through the exit opening without any, or much, restriction. 
     Although this autonomous valve is very effective in meeting desired fluid selection downhole, devices that can provide additional fluid flow control and/or selection are desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to flow-affecting devices that can respond to direction of fluid flow. 
     One aspect relates to an assembly that can be disposed in a wellbore. The assembly includes a chamber and a flow-affecting device in the chamber. The chamber can be subsequent to an exit opening of a vortex assembly. The flow-affecting device can move between a first position and a second position based on an amount of rotation of fluid entering the chamber from the vortex assembly. 
     Another aspect relates to an assembly that includes a vortex assembly and a flow-affecting device. The vortex assembly includes an exit opening. The flow-affecting device is in a chamber that is in fluid communication with the exit opening. The flow-affecting device can impede fluid flow to a chamber exit opening by an amount that depends on a direction of flow of the fluid entering the chamber through the exit opening. 
     Another aspect relates to an assembly that includes a chamber and a flow-affecting device in the chamber. The chamber can be positioned subsequent to a flow path of an exit opening of a vortex assembly. The chamber includes a chamber exit opening. The flow-affecting device can substantially allow fluid having a first flow path into the chamber from the exit opening to flow through the chamber exit opening and can substantially restrict fluid having a second flow path into the chamber from the exit opening from flowing through the chamber exit opening. 
     These illustrative aspects are mentioned not to limit or define the invention, but to provide examples to aid understanding of the inventive concepts disclosed in this application. Other aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent after review of the entire application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a well system having chambers with flow-affecting devices subsequent to autonomous valves according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber and flow-affecting devices subsequent to a flow path of an autonomous valve according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of a flow-affecting device that is a flapper in a chamber and in an open position according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows the flow-affecting device of  FIG. 3  in a closed position according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber that includes two flow-affecting devices that are flappers in an open position according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows the flow-affecting devices of  FIG. 5  in a closed position according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber that includes two flow-affecting devices that are discs in an open position according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows the flow-affecting devices of  FIG. 7  in a closed position according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a flow-affecting device that is a disc according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber that includes a flow-affecting device that is a washer in a closed position according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  shows the flow-affecting device of  FIG. 10  in an open position according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a flow-affecting device that is a washer according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber that includes flow diverters and flow-affecting devices that are spheroids in a closed position according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  shows the flow-affecting devices of  FIG. 13  in an open position according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber with flow-affecting devices that are spheroids coupled by flexible members according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional side view of a chamber with a flow-affecting device that is a spheroid coupled by a flexible member according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain aspects and embodiments relate to a flow-affecting device in a chamber that is subsequent to an exit opening of an autonomous valve, such as an exit opening of a vortex assembly in an autonomous valve. The flow-affecting device can move from a first position to a second position based on a flow path of fluid flowing from the vortex assembly to the chamber. The flow path may depend on an amount of rotation of the fluid from the vortex assembly. The flow-affecting device in the first position can substantially allow fluid to flow through a chamber exit opening. The flow-affecting device in the second position can substantially restrict fluid from flowing through the chamber exit opening. 
     In some embodiments, substantially allowing fluid to flow through the chamber exit opening may include allowing a majority of the fluid to flow through the chamber exit opening. Substantially restricting fluid from flowing through the chamber exit opening may include preventing at least a majority of the fluid from flowing through the chamber exit opening at least for a certain length of time. 
     For example, a vortex assembly may cause fluid having a certain property to rotate in the vortex assembly, and the fluid continues to rotate as it exits in the vortex assembly into the chamber that includes the flow-affecting device. The flow-affecting device may be configured to respond to the rotating fluid by being in a certain position. Depending on a configuration of the flow-affecting device with respect to an exit opening in the chamber, the flow-affecting device in the certain position can substantially restrict fluid from exiting through the exit opening in the chamber or can substantially allow fluid to exit through the exit opening in the chamber. A vortex assembly may cause fluid having a certain other property to exit to the chamber that includes the flow-affecting device without, or without much, fluid rotation. The flow-affecting device may be configured to respond to the fluid flowing into the chamber without, or without much, fluid rotation by being in a certain other position at which, depending on the configuration of the flow-affecting device with respect to the exit opening in the chamber, the flow-affecting device can substantially allow fluid to, or substantially restrict fluid from, flowing through the exit opening in the chamber. 
     In some embodiments, fluid rotation is configured to actuate the flow-affecting device to, in conjunction for example with an autonomous valve, reduce production of unwanted fluid. 
     These illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed here and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following sections describe various additional embodiments and examples with reference to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, and directional descriptions are used to describe the illustrative embodiments but, like the illustrative embodiments, should not be used to limit the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a well system  100  with chambers having flow-affecting devices according to certain embodiments of the present invention subsequent to autonomous valves. The well system  100  includes a bore that is a wellbore  102  extending through various earth strata. The wellbore  102  has a substantially vertical section  104  and a substantially horizontal section  106 . The substantially vertical section  104  and the substantially horizontal section  106  may include a casing string  108  cemented at an upper portion of the substantially vertical section  104 . The substantially horizontal section  106  extends through a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation  110 . 
     A tubing string  112  extends from the surface within wellbore  102 . The tubing string  112  can provide a conduit for formation fluids to travel from the substantially horizontal section  106  to the surface. Flow control devices  114  and production tubular sections  116  in various production intervals adjacent to the formation  110  are positioned in the tubing string  112 . Each of the flow control devices  114  can include an autonomous valve capable of selectively causing fluid having a certain property to rotate and can include a chamber with a flow-affecting device. 
     On each side of each production tubular section  116  is a packer  118  that can provide a fluid seal between the tubing string  112  and the wall of the wellbore  102 . Each pair of adjacent packers  118  can define a production interval. 
     Each of the production tubular sections  116  can provide sand control capability. Sand control screen elements or filter media associated with production tubular sections  116  can allow fluids to flow through the elements or filter media, but prevent particulate matter of sufficient size from flowing through the elements or filter media. In some embodiments, a sand control screen may be provided that includes a non-perforated base pipe having a wire wrapped around ribs positioned circumferentially around the base pipe. A protective outer shroud that includes perforations can be positioned around an exterior of a filter medium. 
     Flow control devices  114  can allow for control over the volume and composition of produced fluids. For example, flow control devices  114  may autonomously restrict or resist production of formation fluid from a production interval in which undesired fluid, such as water or natural gas for an oil production operation, is entering. “Natural gas” as used herein means a mixture of hydrocarbons (and varying quantities of non-hydrocarbons) that exists in a gaseous phase at room temperature and pressure and in a liquid phase and/or gaseous phase in a downhole environment. 
     Formation fluid flowing into a production tubular section  116  may include more than one type of fluid, such as natural gas, oil, water, steam and carbon dioxide. Steam and carbon dioxide may be used as injection fluids to cause hydrocarbon fluid to flow toward a production tubular section  116 . Natural gas, oil and water may be found in the formation  110 . The proportion of these types of fluids flowing into a production tubular section  116  can vary over time and be based at least in part on conditions within the formation and the wellbore  102 . A flow control device  114  according to some embodiments can reduce or restrict production from an interval in which fluid having a higher proportion of undesired fluids. 
     When a production interval produces a greater proportion of undesired fluids, a flow control device  114  in that interval can restrict or resist production from that interval. Other production intervals producing a greater proportion of desired fluid, can contribute more to the production stream entering tubing string  112 . For example, the flow control device  114  can include the flow-affecting device that can control fluid flow rate based on a rotation of the fluid entering the chamber. 
     Although  FIG. 1  depicts flow control devices  114  positioned in the substantially horizontal section  106 , flow control devices  114  (and production tubular sections  116 ) according to various embodiments of the present invention can be located, additionally or alternatively, in the substantially vertical section  104 . Furthermore, any number of flow control devices  114 , including one, can be used in the well system  100  generally or in each production interval. In some embodiments, flow control devices  114  can be disposed in simpler wellbores, such as wellbores having only a substantially vertical section. Flow control devices  114  can be disposed in open hole environments, such as is depicted in  FIG. 1 , or in cased wells. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a cross-sectional side view of a production tubular section  116  that includes a flow control device  114  and a screen assembly  202 . The production tubular defines an interior passageway  204 , which may be an annular space. Formation fluid can enter the interior passageway  204  from the formation through screen assembly  202 , which can filter the fluid. Formation fluid can enter the flow control device  114  from the interior passageway through an inlet  206  to a flow path  208  of a vortex assembly  210 . Subsequent to an exit opening  212  of the vortex assembly  210  is a chamber  214  that includes flow-affecting devices  215 . In addition to the vortex assembly  210 , the flow-affecting devices  215  can restrict or allow fluid to flow through chamber exit openings  217 . 
     Chambers according to various embodiments of the present invention may be any configuration, and include one, two, or more than two exit openings. Flow-affecting devices according to various embodiments of the present invention can include any configuration, and may be coupled to the chamber, another component or free floating. Examples of flow-affecting devices include, but are not limited to, flappers, washers, discs, and spheroids.  FIGS. 3-16  depict chambers and flow-affecting devices according to some embodiments of the invention. 
       FIGS. 3-4  depict a chamber  302  in a flow path subsequent to an exit opening  304  of a vortex assembly  306 . The chamber  302  includes a chamber exit opening  308  and a flow-affecting device that is a flapper  310 . The flapper  310  may be coupled to the chamber  302 , such as via a pivot  312 , and can be configured to move position in response to a direction of flow of fluid into the chamber  302  through the exit opening  304 . In other embodiments, the flapper  310  is coupled to the chamber  302  via a spring. 
     The chamber  302  includes a protrusion  314  position proximate the chamber exit opening  308 . The protrusion  314  can prevent the flapper  310  in a closed position from completely sealing the chamber exit opening  308  so that the flapper  310  can return to an open position. In other embodiments, the protrusion  314  is coupled to the flapper  310  instead of to the chamber. In still other embodiments, the protrusion  314  is absent. 
     Flapper  310  may be made from any suitable material. In some embodiments, the flapper  310  is made from an erosion-resistant material. Examples of suitable materials include ceramics, metals, plastics, and composites. In some embodiments, the flapper  310  is a flexible member coupled to the chamber  302 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts flapper  310  in an open position, which may be an initial position of the flapper  310  without the presence of fluid flow. The flapper  310  can be in the open position in response to fluid that is not rotating, or that is rotating by a relatively small amount (as depicted by arrows in  FIG. 3 ), entering the chamber  302  from the exit opening  304 . The flapper  310  in the open position can substantially allow fluid entering the chamber  302  from the exit opening  304  to flow to the chamber exit opening  308  and exit the chamber  302 . For example, the flapper  310  may restrict some fluid flow, but allow the majority of the fluid to flow to the chamber exit opening  308 . In other embodiments, flapper  310  does not restrict any fluid flow. 
       FIG. 4  depicts flapper  310  in a closed position. The flapper  310  can be configured to move to the closed position in response to fluid flowing from the exit opening  304  into the chamber  302  rotating by an amount that is above a certain threshold, as shown by arrows in  FIG. 4 . For example, the rotating fluid can cause the flapper  310  to move toward the chamber exit opening  308  to substantially restrict the fluid from flowing to the chamber exit opening  308 , at least for a certain amount of time. Substantially restricting the fluid can include allowing some fluid to flow to the chamber exit opening  308 , but restricting a majority of the fluid. In other embodiments, the flapper  310  restricts all of the fluid from flowing to the chamber exit opening  308  when the flapper  310  is in the closed position. 
     The chamber  302  in  FIGS. 3-4  includes a constrained wall  316  that can direct flow of fluid, whether rotating or not, from the exit opening  304  toward the flapper  310  and the chamber exit opening  308 . 
     Chambers according to other embodiments include more than one chamber exit opening.  FIGS. 5-6  depict a chamber  402  in a flow path subsequent to an exit opening  404  of a vortex assembly  406 . The chamber  402  includes two chamber exit openings  408 ,  410  and includes flow-affecting devices  412 ,  414  that are each flappers. Each of the flow-affecting devices  412 ,  414  is coupled to the chamber  402 , such as via pivots  416 ,  418  or other mechanism. 
     Each of the flow-affecting devices  412 ,  414  can move position in response to a direction of flow of fluid into the chamber  402  through the exit opening  404 . The flow-affecting devices  412 ,  414  are in an open position in  FIG. 5  in response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber  402  without rotation or without rotating by an amount above a certain threshold as shown via arrows. The flow-affecting devices  412 ,  414  in the open position may not restrict, or may not restrict substantially, fluid flowing into the chamber  402  from exiting through chamber exit openings  408 ,  410 . The flow-affecting devices  412 ,  414  are in a dosed position in  FIG. 6  in response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber  402  having a rotation above a certain amount as shown via arrows. The flow-affecting devices  412 ,  414  in the closed position can substantially restrict fluid flowing into the chamber  402  from exiting through chamber exit openings  408 ,  410 . The thresholds for amount of rotation for the open position and the close position may be the same threshold or different thresholds. 
     Protrusions  420 ,  422  may be included in the chamber  402  to prevent the flow-affecting devices  412 ,  414  from completely restricting fluid from flowing through chamber exit openings  408 ,  410  when in the closed position. Protrusion  420  is coupled to flow-affecting device  412 . Protrusion  422  is coupled to an inner wall of the chamber  402  proximate the chamber exit opening  410  to prevent flow-affecting device  414  from completely restricting chamber exit opening  410 . In other embodiments, the chamber  402  does not include protrusions  420 ,  422 . 
     In other embodiments, flow-affecting devices are discs.  FIGS. 7-8  depict a chamber  502  in a flow path subsequent to an exit opening  504  of a vortex assembly  506 . The chamber  502  includes two chamber exit openings  508 ,  510  and includes flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  that are discs or rings. Each of the flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  may float in fluid that is in the chamber  506 , and are configured to move position in response to a direction of flow of fluid into the chamber  502  through exit opening  504 . 
     The flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  are in an open position in  FIG. 7  in response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber  502  without rotation or without rotating by an amount above a certain threshold as shown via arrows. The flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  in the open position may not restrict, or may not restrict substantially, fluid flowing into the chamber  502  from exiting through chamber exit openings  508 ,  510 . The flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  are in a closed position in  FIG. 8  in response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber  502  having a rotation above a certain amount as shown via arrows. For example, rotating fluid entering the chamber  502  as in  FIG. 8  can cause the flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  to move toward chamber exit openings  508 ,  510  and restrict fluid flow to the chamber exit openings  508 ,  510 . The flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  in the closed position can substantially restrict fluid flowing into the chamber  502  from exiting through chamber exit openings  508 ,  510 . The flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  may be sized based on expected flow rates, and expected flow properties. For example, the flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  may have a larger thickness to increase a threshold of fluid rotation at which the flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  move to the closed position. 
     Flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  according to some embodiments may each include an inner opening that can prevent the flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  from completely restricting flow to the chamber exit openings  508 ,  510  when the flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  are in the closed position. 
     In other embodiments, protrusions (not shown) may be included in the chamber  502  and coupled to flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  or an inner wall of the chamber  502 . Protrusions may prevent the flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  from completely restricting fluid from flowing to chamber exit openings  508 ,  510 . In other embodiments, the chamber  502  does not include protrusions or openings in the flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514 . 
     Although  FIGS. 7-8  depict two flow-affecting devices  512 ,  514  and two chamber exit openings  508 ,  510 , one flow-affecting device and/or one chamber exit opening can be used. Moreover, more than two of each component can be used. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a cross-sectional view of a flow-affecting device  600  that is a disc or ring, and that may be suitable for use in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 7-8 . The flow-affecting device  600  includes an outer edge  602 , which may be a lip, and an inner edge  604  defining an inner opening  606 . The outer edge  602  may be sized depending on desired restriction performance in response to amount of fluid rotation. The inner opening  606  may prevent the flow-affecting device  600  from completely restricting fluid from flowing to a chamber exit opening when the flow-affecting device  600  is in a closed position. 
     In some embodiments, flow-affecting devices are washers.  FIGS. 10-11  depict a chamber  702  in a flow path subsequent to an exit opening  704  of a vortex assembly (not shown). The chamber  702  includes two chamber exit openings  706 ,  708  and includes a flow-affecting device  710  that is a washer.  FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of an example of a washer. The flow-affecting device  710  may be floating in fluid in the chamber  702  or may be coupled to the chamber  702 . The flow-affecting device  710  can move position in response to a direction of flow of fluid into the chamber  702  through exit opening  704 . 
       FIGS. 10-11  depict chamber exit openings  706 ,  708  located on sides of the chamber  702 . In other embodiments, the chamber exit openings  706 ,  708  can be located on a bottom of the chamber  702 , relative to the exit opening  704 . Furthermore, other embodiments described above may be configured with chamber exit openings on one or more sides of a chamber. 
     The flow-affecting device  710  is in a closed position in  FIG. 10  in response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber  702  that is rotating by an amount above a certain threshold, as shown by arrows in  FIG. 10 . The closed position may be an initial position of the flow-affecting device  710 . The flow-affecting device  710  in the closed position may substantially restrict fluid from flowing to chamber exit openings  706 ,  708 . In some embodiments, the flow-affecting device  710  includes one or more protrusions (not shown) to prevent the flow-affecting device  710  from completely restricting fluid flow to the chamber exit openings  706 ,  708  when the flow-affecting device  710  is in the closed position. 
     The flow-affecting device  710  is in an open position in  FIG. 11  in response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber  702  without rotating, or without rotating by an amount that is above a certain threshold, as shown by arrows in  FIG. 11 . For example, fluid can flow into the chamber  702 , be guided by a bottom wall of the chamber  702  to flow toward the flow-affecting device  710 , and exert a force on the flow-affecting device  710  to cause the flow-affecting device  710  to move to the open position. 
     Although  FIGS. 10-11  depict two chamber exit openings  706 ,  708 , one chamber exit opening can be used. Moreover, more than two chamber exit openings can be used. 
     Flow-affecting devices according to some embodiments may be discrete component instead of one washer component.  FIGS. 13-14  depict a chamber  902  in a flow path subsequent to an exit opening  904  of a vortex assembly (not shown). The chamber  902  includes two chamber exit openings  906 ,  908  on sides of the chamber  902 , flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912  that are spheroids, and flow diverters  914 ,  916 . Although spheroids are shown, flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912  may be components of any suitable shape. 
     Flow diverters  914 ,  916  may be coupled to the chamber  902  in a fixed position and be configured to differentiate flow between flow paths—e.g., substantially rotating flow path and a substantially non-rotating flow path. 
     The flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912  may float in fluid in the chamber  902 . The flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912  can move position in response to a direction of flow of fluid into the chamber  902  through exit opening  904 . 
     The flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912  are in a closed position in  FIG. 13  in response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber  902  that is rotating by an amount above a certain threshold, as shown by arrows in  FIG. 13 . For example, flow diverters  914 ,  916  can divert rotating fluid to an upper portion of the flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912  such that the flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912  remain in or are moved to the closed position. In some embodiments, the closed position may be an initial position of the flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912 . The flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912  in the closed position may substantially restrict fluid from flowing to chamber exit openings  906 ,  908 . 
     The flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912  are in an open position in  FIG. 14  in response, for example, to fluid flowing into the chamber  902  without rotating, or without rotating by an amount that is above a certain threshold, as shown by arrows in  FIG. 14 . For example, fluid can flow into the chamber  902 , be guided by a bottom wall of the chamber  902  to flow toward a bottom portion of the flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912 , and exert a force on the flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912  to cause the flow-affecting devices  910 ,  912  to move to the open position. 
     In some embodiments, flow-affecting devices that are spheroids, or other suitably shaped components, can be coupled to flexible members to prevent the flow-affecting devices from completely preventing fluid from flowing to chamber exit openings.  FIG. 15  depicts one embodiment of a chamber  1002  that includes flow diverters  1004 ,  1006  and flow-affecting devices  1008 ,  1010 . The flow-affecting devices  1008 ,  1010  are coupled to walls of chamber exit openings  1012 ,  1014  by flexible members  1016 ,  1018 . Flexible members  1016 ,  1018  may prevent flow-affecting devices  1008 ,  1010  from completely preventing fluid from flowing to chamber exit openings  1012 ,  1014  such that suction or other forces may be decoupled, allowing flow-affecting devices  1008 ,  1010  to return to an open position. 
     In some embodiments, flow-affecting devices  1008  can be configured to be in opposite positions (e.g. open and closed positions) in response to the same flow to allow for a chamber exit opening to be selected based on flow. For example, flow-affecting device  1008  can be configured to be in an open position in response to fluid flowing into the chamber  1002  without rotating above a certain threshold, and flow-affecting device  1010  is configured to be in a closed position in response to fluid that flowing into the chamber  1002  without rotating above the threshold. Flow-affecting device  1008  can be in a closed position in response to fluid flowing into the chamber  802  that is rotating above a certain threshold, and flow-affecting device  1010  can be in an open position in response to fluid flowing into the chamber that is rotating above the threshold. Flexible members  1016 ,  1018  can facilitate allowing flow-affecting devices  1008 ,  1010  to be in opposite positions based on the same fluid rotation amount. 
     Flow-affecting devices that are spheroids, or other suitably shaped components, may be implemented with chambers that include one opening.  FIG. 16  depicts one embodiment of a chamber  1102  that includes a flow diverter  1104  and a flow-affecting device  1106  that is a spheroid coupled to a wall of a chamber exit opening  1108  via a flexible member  1110 . The wall of the chamber  1102  opposite the chamber exit opening  1108  may be constrained to direct fluid flow toward the chamber exit opening  1108 , flow diverter  1104  and/or flow-affecting device  1106 . 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments, including illustrated embodiments, of the invention has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this invention.