Computerized truck instrumentation system

• US 4,531,204 A
• Filed: 08/18/1980
• Issued: 07/23/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Vanderschel, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moskowitz, Nelson
• Application Number:
  US06/178,859
• Time in Patent Office: 1,800 Days
• Field of Search: 367/25, 367/34, 181/103, 181/107, 364/422, 346/33 WL, 340/856-858
• US Class Current: 367/25
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/44 using generators and receivers in the same well G01V1/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/00 Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups G01V1/00 - G01V9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/38 Processing data, e.g. for analysis, for interpretation, for correction

Abstract

In a representative embodiment of the invention described herein, a well logging system for investigating subsurface formations is controlled by a general purpose computer programmed for real-time operation. The system is cooperatively arranged to provide for all aspects of a well logging operation, such as data acquisition and processing, tool control, information or data storage, and data presentation as a well logging tool is moved through a wellbore. The computer controlling the system is programmed to provide for data acquisition and tool control commands in direct response to asynchronous real-time external events. Such real-time external events may occur, for example, as a result of movement of the logging tool over a selected depth interval, or in response to requests or commands directed to the system by the well logging engineer by means of keyboard input.

Claims

1. A method of acquiring and processing well logging data which are representative of measurements provided by a well logging tool adapted for investigating characteristics of earth formations around a well bore comprising the steps of:

moving a well logging tool through a well bore;

supporting a measuring means with said well logging tool;

acquiring well logging data relating to a selection of well bore characteristics with said measuring means;

providing selected electrical outputs from said measuring means representative of said acquired data;

receiving and processing said acquired well logging data according to selected sequences of processing steps for each of said selected well bore characteristics, each of said selected sequences having a selected priority level, and wherein processing a first one of said acquired well logging data is in response to the receipt of a first selected electrical output representative of the occurrence of a first selected event and according to a first one of said selected sequences of processing steps associated with said first selected event; and

controlling said receiving and processing in response to said selected electrical outputs such that said selected sequences of processing steps is appropriate for the well bore characteristics represented by said acquired well logging data, said controlling and processing including the steps of;

receiving a second selected electrical output upon the occurrence of a second selected event, said second event indicative of additional required processing of well logging data,

stopping said processing of said first one of said acquired well logging data in response to receiving said second selected electrical output, and storing information relating to the processing of data according to said first sequence of steps,

providing information relating to said second event in response to said received second selected electrical output, including the identification of the required sequence of processing steps necessary for said additional required processing and the selected priority level of said required sequence of steps,

comparing said selected priority level of said first sequence and said required sequence of steps according to a third sequence of steps for determining an execution order for said required sequence and said first sequence, and

processing of said well logging data according to said required sequence and said first sequence as determined by said execution order, said processing including retrieving, said stored information and resuming processing of said first well logging data according to said first sequence of steps.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of receiving and processing includes transmitting control data to said well logging tool in response to the occurrence of at least one of said selected events, and according to one of said selected sequences of processing steps.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein one of said selected events represents well logging depth information.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said selected events represents external request or commands.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of receiving and processing includes storing said well logging data on a storage medium according to one of said selected sequences of processing steps.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of receiving and processing includes displaying said well logging data on a display device according to one of said selected sequences of processing steps.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said selected events may occur asynchronously.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said selected events occurs external to any apparatus used to accomplish said receiving and processing step.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said selected events occurs asynchronously and external to any apparatus used to accomplish said receiving and processing step.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said receiving and processing step and said controlling step is accomplished with a general purpose computer.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said sequences of steps are list of instructions for controlling said general purpose computer.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one of said list of instructions includes instructions to control said computer to provide at least part of said acquired data to peripheral components of said computer.

13. The method of claim 11 and further comprising the step of providing a priority-structured queue for receiving said provided information relating to said second event, as well as other information relating to a selection of other events, and wherein said comparing step includes determining the highest priority information placed in said priority structured queue.

14. Apparatus for acquiring and processing well logging data which are representative of measurements provided by a well logging tool adapted for investigating characteristics of earth formations around a well bore comprising:

means for moving a well logging tool through a well bore;

measuring means supported by said well logging tool for acquiring well logging data relating to a selection of well bore characteristics and for providing selected electrical outputs from said measuring means representative of said acquired data;

means for receiving and processing said acquired well logging data according to selected sequences of processing steps for each of said selected well bore characteristics, each of said selected sequences having a selected priority level, and including means for processing a first one of said acquired well logging data in response to the receipt of a first selected electrical output representative of the occurrence of a first selected event and according to a first one of said selected sequences of processing steps associated with said first selected event; and

means for controlling said means for receiving and processing in response to said selected electrical outputs such that said selected sequences of processing steps is appropriate for the well bore characteristics represented by said acquired well logging data, and means for controlling and processing comprising;

means for receiving a second selected output upon the occurrence of a second selected event, said second event indicative of additional required processing of well logging data,

means for stopping said processing of said first one of said acquired well logging data in response to receiving said second selected electrical output, for storing information relating to the processing of data according to said first sequence of steps, and for providing information relating to said second event in response to said received second selected electrical output, which information includes the identification of the required sequence of processing steps necessary for said additional required processing and the selected priority level of said required sequence of steps, and

means for comparing said selected priority level of said first sequence and said required sequence of steps according to a third sequence of steps for determining an execution order for said required sequence and said sequence such that said processing of said well logging data by said means for receiving and processing is according to said required sequence and said first sequence as determined by said execution order, said processing of said first sequence including retrieving said stored information and resuming processing of said first well logging data.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 and further including means for transmitting control data from said means for receiving and processing to said well logging tool in response to the occurrence of at least one of said selected events and according to one of said selected sequences of processing steps.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 and further including means for providing depth information as one of said selected events.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 and further includes means for storing said well logging data according to one of said selected sequences of processing steps.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 and further including means for displaying said well logging data according to one of said selected sequences of processing steps.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein at least one of said selected events may occur asynchronously.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said means for receiving and processing and said means for controlling is a general purpose computer.