Fluid means for data transmission
First Claim
1. A method of measuring a change in the flow rate of fluid flowing within a drill string in an oil well to transmit information concerning changes in downhole conditions from the bottom of the well to the top of the drill string, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) entrapping a first fluid within a closed container being provided with an escape outlet which outlet restricts fluid flow of the first fluid from said container;
(b) applying a pressure of constant magnitude to the entrapped first fluid;
(c) adding a controlled volume of fluid to the entrapped first fluid at a flow rate and pressure equal to the flow rate and pressure of the first fluid that flows through said escape outlet; and
(d) measuring changes in the flow rate of the first fluid added to the entrapped first fluid to thereby measure any changes in the flow rate of said entrapped first fluid flowing out of the escape outlet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A means to transmit recorded data through a fluid medium is disclosed. The preferred embodiment incorporates a positive displacement fluid pump having constant pressure pumping means connected to pump fluid through a drill string for drilling oil wells. A variable orifice means is located down hole in the drill string which changes orifice diameter responsive to sensed data. The pumped fluid is displaced by a pumping piston driven by a second piston powered by constant pressure hydraulic fluid. The pumped fluid is held at a constant pressure so that a change in orifice diameter will change the volume of the flow through the orifice and likewise change the volume of flow of the hydraulic drive fluid. The flow rate of the hydraulic drive fluid is thus gauged to thereby record the orifice diameter change and in turn receive signals transmitted by the change in orifice diameter.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of measuring a change in the flow rate of fluid flowing within a drill string in an oil well to transmit information concerning changes in downhole conditions from the bottom of the well to the top of the drill string, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) entrapping a first fluid within a closed container being provided with an escape outlet which outlet restricts fluid flow of the first fluid from said container; (b) applying a pressure of constant magnitude to the entrapped first fluid; (c) adding a controlled volume of fluid to the entrapped first fluid at a flow rate and pressure equal to the flow rate and pressure of the first fluid that flows through said escape outlet; and (d) measuring changes in the flow rate of the first fluid added to the entrapped first fluid to thereby measure any changes in the flow rate of said entrapped first fluid flowing out of the escape outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)
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7. A method of conducting measurements while drilling from a downhole location to the surface along a drill string in a well borehole, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) along a drill string positioned in a well borehole and having a variable orifice serially in the drill string for forming measurement signals, pumping drilling fluid along the drill string at a specified pressure; (b) changing the variable orifice to create a change in flow rate of drilling fluid along the drill string; (c) pumping the drilling fluid into the drill string by a hydraulically powered means wherein hydraulic fluid is provided thereto; and (d) changing the flow rate of hydraulic fluid in relation to changes of flow rate of drilling fluid so that changes in the variable orifice are encoded in changes in the hydraulic fluid flow rate to thereby obtain a surface indication of down hole measurements while drilling. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification