Patterson-UTI Energy. has patented an axial flux generator designed for drilling applications. This generator features a turbine-driven permanent-magnet synchronous design, allowing fluid and debris to flow through it, generating electrical power while eliminating the need for batteries. The innovative design includes a Halbach magnet array for enhanced efficiency. GlobalData’s report on Patterson-UTI Energy gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Patterson-UTI Energy, was a key innovation area identified from patents. Patterson-UTI Energy's grant share as of June 2024 was 44%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Axial flux generator for drilling equipment power generation
The granted patent US12031415B2 describes an innovative axial flux generator designed for use in subsurface environments, particularly within wellbores. The generator features a housing that encloses an interior volume, where a chassis supports various components aligned along a longitudinal axis. Central to its operation is an axial flux motor, which includes a stator with metallic windings and a rotor equipped with a unique magnet array. This array consists of both axial and circumferential magnets, generating magnetic fields that facilitate efficient energy conversion. The design incorporates an annular space that allows fluids, potentially containing debris, to flow through, enhancing the generator's functionality in challenging environments.
Additionally, the patent outlines methods for generating electrical energy using the axial flux generator. By positioning the generator within a wellbore and circulating fluids—such as drilling fluids or seawater—through the annulus, the rotor can be rotated relative to the stator, producing a rotating magnetic flux that generates electrical energy. The patent also includes provisions for integrating turbines to assist in the rotor's rotation, thereby optimizing energy production. Various configurations of the generator are described, including options for multiple rotors and stators, as well as materials designed to minimize eddy current losses. This technology aims to provide reliable electrical power for subsurface equipment, addressing the energy needs of operations in remote and challenging locations.
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GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
