Downhole activation system that assigns and retrieves identifiers
First Claim
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1. A system to activate devices in a tool string for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a central controller;
a cable extending into the wellbore;
control units adapted to communicate bi-directionally with the central controller over the cable;
switches controllable by corresponding control units to enable activation of the devices, the controller adapted to assign an identifier to each control unit and verify the assigned identifier prior to activation;
circuitry adapted to bypass a defective control unit or device during an activation sequence, wherein the circuitry includes a timing device operatively coupled to the control unit, the cable coupling the control units; and
cable switches controllable by the central controller to isolate control units from the cable in an open state and to electrically couple control units to the cable in a closed state.
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Abstract
A tool activating system includes multiple control units coupled to activate devices in a tool string positioned in a well. A processor is capable of communicating with the control units to send commands to the control units as well as to retrieve information (such as unique identifiers and status) of the control units. Selective activation of the control units may be performed based on the retrieved information. Further, defective control units or devices may be bypassed or skipped over.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system to activate devices in a tool string for use in a wellbore, comprising:
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a central controller;
a cable extending into the wellbore;
control units adapted to communicate bi-directionally with the central controller over the cable;
switches controllable by corresponding control units to enable activation of the devices, the controller adapted to assign an identifier to each control unit and verify the assigned identifier prior to activation;
circuitry adapted to bypass a defective control unit or device during an activation sequence, wherein the circuitry includes a timing device operatively coupled to the control unit, the cable coupling the control units; and
cable switches controllable by the central controller to isolate control units from the cable in an open state and to electrically couple control units to the cable in a closed state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An activation system for use with a tool string having multiple devices for use in a wellbore, comprising:
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a processor;
control units coupled to control activation of the devices, each control unit assigned a unique identifier by the processor for selectivity of activation;
a link for extending into the wellbore to enable communication between the processor and the control units; and
switches coupled to the link, each switch when open isolating portions of the link and when closed enabling communications between the portions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for activation of devices in a tool string in a well, comprising:
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a processor;
controllers to control activation of the tool string devices;
a communications link between the processor and the controllers, the processor adapted to assign identifiers to the controllers and to verify the assigned identifiers by retrieving the assigned identifiers from the controllers;
timing devices operatively coupled to the controllers; and
bypass switches coupled between successive controllers, each timing device timing out after a predetermined time period to activate a corresponding bypass switch if a corresponding controller is defective. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification