Electromagnetic lithosphere telemetry system
First Claim
1. A system for telemetry of parameter measurements from the bottom of an oil well to the surface of the earth comprising in combination:
- means for measuring physical parameters in an oil well bore hole;
means for digitizing mesurements of said physical parameters;
means for transmitting said digitized measurements upon a carrier signal, said transmitting means comprising a first solenoidal antenna;
one or more means for receiving signals transmitted by said transmitting means, said receiving means being located between said oil well bottom and said surface;
one or more means for retransmitting received signals, one of said retransmitting means being coupled to each of said receiving means;
one or more second solenoidal antennas, one of said second solenoidal antennas being coupled to said receiving and retransmitting means;
means for receiving retransmitted signals at the surface of the earth; and
said signals transmitted by said transmitting means and said retransmitted signals comprising electromagnetic radiation fields having a frequency below 30 Hz.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lithospheric electromagnetic telemetry system specifically adapted for telemetry of oil well drilling parameters from well bottom to surface of the earth. Sensors measure such parameters as pressure, temperature, salinity, direction of well bore, bit conditions, as well as the standard well logging parameters. The sensor outputs are converted to digital form and stored in a local memory until they are transmitted upon a triggering signal from a surface station. Transmission is accomplished by phase shift modulating an ELF (Extra Low Frequency) or ULF (Ultra Low Frequency) carrier, preferably in the range of 1-30 Hz. Repeater stations which delay and retransmit the signal are spaced along the oil well drill pipe as required. Both the well bottom station and repeaters are mounted inside the oil well drill pipe without substantially decreasing clearance for mud flow.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for telemetry of parameter measurements from the bottom of an oil well to the surface of the earth comprising in combination:
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means for measuring physical parameters in an oil well bore hole; means for digitizing mesurements of said physical parameters; means for transmitting said digitized measurements upon a carrier signal, said transmitting means comprising a first solenoidal antenna; one or more means for receiving signals transmitted by said transmitting means, said receiving means being located between said oil well bottom and said surface; one or more means for retransmitting received signals, one of said retransmitting means being coupled to each of said receiving means; one or more second solenoidal antennas, one of said second solenoidal antennas being coupled to said receiving and retransmitting means; means for receiving retransmitted signals at the surface of the earth; and said signals transmitted by said transmitting means and said retransmitted signals comprising electromagnetic radiation fields having a frequency below 30 Hz. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In combination:
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first means for transmitting a first signal comprising electromagnetic radiation fields having a frequency below 30 Hz, said first transmitting means being located in the region of the surface of the earth; means for receiving said first signal, said receiving means being located below the surface of the earth in the region of a bore hole, said receiving means comprising a solenoidal antenna; said first transmitting means comprising a loop antenna having a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of said bore hole; and means for activating actuating means in response to the received first signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for telemetering measurements from the bottom of an oil well to the surface of the earth comprising the steps of:
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measuring physical parameters in an oil well bore hole; digitizing measurements of said physical parameters transmitting the digitized measurements upon a carrier signal and with a first solenoidal antenna; receiving the transmitted signals at one or more positions between said bottom of said oil well and said surface of the earth with a second solenoidal antenna; retransmitting the received signals at said positions with said second solenoidal antenna; and receiving transmitted signals at said surface of the earth; said transmitted signals and the retransmitted signals comprising electromagnetic radiation fields having a frequency below 30 Hz. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification