Design and parametric simulation of radially oriented electromagnetic actuators

Abstract

This thesis presents the design and simulation of an electromagnetic actuator system capable of delivering large pulses of radial force onto a cylindrical surface. Due to its robust design, simple control scheme, and large output force capability, the actuator design is developed to be considered for wellbore manipulation and other downhole oil exploration and production activities. The complete simulation - including capacitor bank power supply, solid state switching circuit, transducer, and target formation - is a thirteen value lumped parameter model. The simulation was used heavily in the design and refining of two experimental prototype systems. These prototypes showed excellent model-experiment matching. The experimental prototypes are 2.5" radius, 12" length cylindrical transducers that exert nearly 10 psi onto a simulated rock formation with 2 MN/m radial stiffness, increasing the formation radius 3.5 mm during 5 ms pulse events. It is with this experimentally validated simulation that we project forward a manufacturable system capable of exerting pulses of hundreds of psi in magnitude over durations of 1 - 10 ms onto wellbore sized cylindrical surfaces.