Switching device for, and a method of switching, a downhole tool
First Claim
1. A method of activating a downhole tool for use in an oil, gas or water well, wherein the downhole tool has an electronics module, a battery, a tool antenna, and an actuator forming a closed electrical circuit in the downhole tool with no external electrical connections;
- and wherein the method includes the step of switching the closed circuit to an active configuration prior to running the downhole tool into the well, wherein the step of switching to the active configuration comprises energizing the tool antenna in response to a signal received from an activator when the activator is passed through the tool throughbore adjacent to the tool antenna.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The switching device comprises an electronic switch embedded within a downhole tool (100) and an activator for remote switching of the electronic switch. The activator may be a handheld unit that is used at the surface of the wellbore by an operator or may be a wireline run unit. The activator permits wireless and contactless activation of the electronic switch without the need for mechanical switches which could provide a point of failure for the downhole tool. The electronic switch comprises an electronics module and a power source such as one or more batteries wherein in the active configuration, the switch can allow electrical connection between the electronics module and the power source and in the inactive configuration, the switch prevents electrical connection between the electronics module and the power source.
320 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of activating a downhole tool for use in an oil, gas or water well, wherein the downhole tool has an electronics module, a battery, a tool antenna, and an actuator forming a closed electrical circuit in the downhole tool with no external electrical connections;
- and wherein the method includes the step of switching the closed circuit to an active configuration prior to running the downhole tool into the well, wherein the step of switching to the active configuration comprises energizing the tool antenna in response to a signal received from an activator when the activator is passed through the tool throughbore adjacent to the tool antenna.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Specification