Remote-controlled self-powered clamping system

Abstract

An energy harvesting rotating control device includes an inner member and a locking member. The inner member is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis. The locking member is configured to move toward the longitudinal axis of the inner member and engage a shoulder of the inner member. An actuator is configured to move the locking member when actuated by an electrical power source. The locking member engaging the shoulder of the inner member limits the movement of the inner member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an inner member, at least part of the inner member configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis;   a locking member configured to move toward the longitudinal axis of the inner member and engage a shoulder of the inner member and thereby inhibit longitudinal movement of the inner member; and   an actuator configured to move the locking member, the actuator being configured to be actuated by an electrical power source.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication device operatively associated with the actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the communication device is selected from the group consisting of a wireless communication device and a wired communication device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is electromechanical. 
     
     
         5 . The rotating control device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of locking members, the first locking member configured to engage a first shoulder of the inner member and the second locking member configured to engage a second shoulder of the inner member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the actuator and configured to provide electrical energy to the actuator. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus comprising:
 an outer member;   an inner member disposed concentrically within the outer member, at least part of the inner member configured to rotate relative to the outer member, the inner member having a longitudinal axis;   an energy harvesting device configured to convert the relative rotation of the inner member and outer member to electrical energy;   an electrical energy storage system configured to store electrical energy from the energy harvesting device, the electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the energy harvesting device;   a locking member configured to move toward the longitudinal axis of the inner member and engage a shoulder of the inner member and thereby inhibit longitudinal movement of the inner member relative to the outer member; and   an electromechanical actuator in electrical communication with the electrical energy storage system and configured to move the locking member.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the energy harvesting device comprises an electromechanical generator. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising magnets disposed on the at least part of the inner member configured to rotate relative to the outer member. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the electrical energy storage system comprises an auxiliary connection to provide electrical communication with an auxiliary electrical energy source. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the electromechanical actuator comprises a linear actuator. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the electromechanical actuator comprises a rotary actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the electrical energy storage system is configured to store electrical energy sufficient to actuate the electromagnetic actuator after one month with electrical energy provided to the electrical energy storage system. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 a cylindrical outer member;   a cylindrical inner member disposed concentrically within the cylindrical outer member and configured to rotate relative to the outer member, the cylindrical inner member having a longitudinal axis;   an energy harvesting device configured to convert the relative rotation of the cylindrical inner member and the cylindrical outer member to electrical energy;   an electrical energy storage system in electrical communication with the energy harvesting device;   a first locking member configured to move radially relative to the cylindrical outer member toward the longitudinal axis of the inner member and engage a first shoulder of the cylindrical inner member and thereby prevent longitudinal movement of the cylindrical inner member relative to the cylindrical outer member in a first direction;   a second locking member configured to move axially relative to the cylindrical outer member and engage a second shoulder of the cylindrical inner member and thereby prevent longitudinal movement of the cylindrical inner member relative to the cylindrical outer member in a second direction, the second direction opposing the first direction; and   an electromechanical actuator in electrical communication with the electrical energy storage system and configured to move at least the first locking member.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a second electrical energy storage system in parallel electrical communication with the electrical energy storage system. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a second energy harvesting device in parallel electrical communication with the energy harvesting device. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first locking member is movable independently of the second locking member. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a communication device in electrical communication with the electrical energy storage system. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a data collection module in electrical communication with the electrical energy storage system and informational communication with the communication device,
 wherein the data collection module is configured to collect wellbore data and the communication device is configured to transmit the wellbore data to a remote receiver.