Downhole tool adapted for telemetry

• US 20040150533A1
• Filed: 02/04/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Fox, Joe
• Granted Patent: US 7,852,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/854.4
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/003 with electrically conducting or insulating means E21B17/028 and E21B17/023 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/07 Telescoping joints for varying drill string lengths; Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency

Abstract

A cycleable downhole tool such as a Jar, a hydraulic hammer, and a shock absorber adapted for telemetry. This invention applies to other tools where the active components of the tool are displaced when the tool is rotationally or translationally cycled. The invention consists of inductive or contact transmission rings that are connected by an extensible conductor. The extensible conductor permits the transmission of the signal before, after, and during the cycling of the tool. The signal may be continuous or intermittent during cycling. The invention also applies to downhole tools that do not cycle, but in operation are under such stress that an extensible conductor is beneficial. The extensible conductor may also consist of an extensible portion and a fixed portion. The extensible conductor also features clamps that maintain the conductor under stresses greater than that seen by the tool, and seals that are capable of protecting against downhole pressure and contamination.

Claims

1. An extensible downhole tool, comprising:

an elongate tube comprising box end and pin end tool joints;

the elongate tube further comprising at least one transmission ring connected to another transmission ring, by means of an extensible transmission line;

wherein

when the tool is connected to another tool having similarly disposed rings, the rings transmit an electronic signal from one tool to another.

2. The downhole tool of claim 1 selected from the group consisting of jars, hammers, and shock absorbers.

3. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the rings consist of a housing and an electrically conductive contact surface.

4. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the rings comprise a housing, an insulated conductor, a polymer, and a magnetically conductive trough.

5. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission rings consist of a housing, an insulated conductor, a polymer, and magnetically conductive trough segments.

6. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission rings are disposed within grooves located in shoulders in the tool joints.

7. The downhole tool of claim 6, wherein the transmission rings are connected to the transmission line through an opening in the wall of the tool joints that connects the grooves with the inside wall of the downhole tool.

8. The tool of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the wall of the grooves comprise a non-circular cross section.

9. The tool of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the wall of the rings diverge upward from the bottom.

10. The tool of claim 6, wherein the transmission rings are interference fit into the grooves.

11. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission rings are provided with discontinuities along their exterior surfaces.

12. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission rings are provided with serrations along their exterior surfaces.

13. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission rings are provided with barbs along their exterior surfaces.

14. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises a coaxially aligned center conductor, a dielectric material, a conductive shield adjacent the dielectric, and a stainless steel tube housing.

15. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises a coaxially aligned center conductor, a dielectric material, a conductive shield adjacent the dielectric, and a helical stainless steel tube housing.

16. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises a sealed, telescoping coaxial connection.

17. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises a flexible elongated portion.

18. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission line is held under compression during the cycling of the tool.

19. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission line is held under tension during the cycling of the tool.

20. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission line is held in tension greater than that seen by the elongated tube during operation of the drill string.

21. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission line is fixed using external clamping devices.

22. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises a connection comprising internal expansion ferrules.

23. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission line has a connection comprising an internal high-pressure seal.

24. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the electronic signal is transmitted continuously during the cycling of the tool.

25. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the electronic signal is transmitted intermittently during the cycling of the tool.