Mechanically Adjustable Inflow Control Device

Abstract

An adjustable inflow control device features a mechanically rotatable sleeve that advances or retreats axially when rotated in opposed directions to cover or uncover a labyrinth flow path from an inlet to an outlet. When used for inflow the outlet is into a tubular string to a surface location. The more the sleeve is retracted away from the labyrinth path the less resistance to flow is offered and vice versa. Another way to mechanically alter the flow resistance is to have an outer housing with a spiral groove and an axially movable inner mandrel with another spiral groove. The mandrel can be axially advanced with rotation when connected with a thread. Advancing the mandrel so that there is more overlap between the spiral patterns increases resistance to a give flow rate and vice versa. A gap between the mandrel and housing allows the mandrel to rotate and translate.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An adjustable flow control device between a tubular string and a surrounding annular space, comprising:
 a housing having a first port to the annular space and a second spaced apart port to the tubular string;   a labyrinth flow path between said first and second ports;   a rotatably mounted member in said housing, whereupon rotation of said member changes resistance to a predetermined flow between said ports.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said member translates while rotating.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said member comprises a sleeve.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said member is engaged to said housing for said rotation with a driving thread form.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said member is engaged to said housing with a j-slot mechanism having slots of different lengths.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 movement of said member engages a seal between said member and said housing to selectively close flow between said ports.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 axial movement of said member varies the length of said labyrinth passage between said ports.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said housing comprises one of a spiral flow channel or spiral ridge on an interior wall thereof.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 said member comprises the other of a spiral flow channel or spiral ridge on an exterior wall thereof.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 relative rotation between said member and said housing alters overlap between said spiral flow channel and said spiral ridge.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said spiral flow channel and said spiral ridge have the same pitch.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said spiral flow channel and said spiral ridge when overlapping present a continuous spiral gap in between.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 a seal engages between said spiral flow channel and said spiral ridge at substantial overlap therebetween.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said member is rotatably driven relative to said housing with a threaded drive connection therebetween.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the pitch of said drive connection is substantially equal to the pitch of said spiral flow channel or said spiral ridge.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tool insertable in the tubular string to rotate said member;   said member comprises at least one tab or profile adapted to be engaged by a tool advanced in the tubular string.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein:
 said member or said housing comprising a signal transmitter to communicate with said tool to communicate to a remote location which member in the tubular string is being rotated.