Universal downhole tool control apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. A method for controlling operation of a downhole apparatus in a well responsive to identification codes conveyed from the surface, comprising:
- providing a tubing string in the well having a conveyance passage therein;
providing downhole a detector in communication with said conveyance passage for receiving telemetry element identification codes, and a processor for receiving and processing telemetry element identification codes and having at least one control signal output for controlling operation of said downhole apparatus;
moving a telemetry element having at least one identification code through said conveyance passage from the surface into communication proximity with said detector, wherein the telemetry element is a fluid having a specified property representing an identification code;
processing said at least one identification code of said telemetry element by said processor and providing at least one control signal output based on a preprogrammed response corresponding to said at least one identification code; and
selectively controlling at least one downhole well operation with said at least one control signal output, wherein said detector has the capability of sensing said specified property and generating signal responsive thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for internal data conveyance within a well from the surface to a downhole tool or apparatus and for returning downhole tool data to the surface, without necessitating the provision of control cables and other conventional conductors within the well. One embodiment involves sending telemetry elements such as tagged drop balls or a fluid having specific chemical characteristics from surface to a downhole tool as a form of telemetry. The telemetry element or elements are provided with identification and instruction data, which may be in the form of data tags, such as RF tags or a detectable chemical constituent. The downhole tool or apparatus is provided with a detector and microcomputer and is capable of recognizing the telemetry element and communicating with it or carrying out instructions that are provided in the telemetry data thereof.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method for controlling operation of a downhole apparatus in a well responsive to identification codes conveyed from the surface, comprising:
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providing a tubing string in the well having a conveyance passage therein;
providing downhole a detector in communication with said conveyance passage for receiving telemetry element identification codes, and a processor for receiving and processing telemetry element identification codes and having at least one control signal output for controlling operation of said downhole apparatus;
moving a telemetry element having at least one identification code through said conveyance passage from the surface into communication proximity with said detector, wherein the telemetry element is a fluid having a specified property representing an identification code;
processing said at least one identification code of said telemetry element by said processor and providing at least one control signal output based on a preprogrammed response corresponding to said at least one identification code; and
selectively controlling at least one downhole well operation with said at least one control signal output, wherein said detector has the capability of sensing said specified property and generating signal responsive thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9)
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8. A method for controlling operation of a downhole apparatus in a well responsive to identification codes conveyed from the surface, comprising:
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providing a tubing string in the well having a conveyance passage therein;
providing downhole a detector in communication with said conveyance passage for receiving telemetry element identification codes, and a processor for receiving and processing telemetry element identification codes and having at least one control signal output for controlling operation of said downhole apparatus;
moving a telemetry element having at least one identification code through said conveyance passage from the surface into communication proximity with said detector, wherein the telemetry element is a chemical contained in said fluid, said chemical representing an identification code;
processing said at least one identification code of said telemetry element by said processor and providing at least one control signal output based on a preprogrammed response corresponding to said at least one identification code; and
selectively controlling at least one downhole well operation with said at least one control signal output, wherein said detector has the capability of sensing said chemical and generating a signal responsive thereto.
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10. A universal fluid control system for wells, comprising:
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a tubing string extending from surface equipment to a desired depth within a well and defining a conveyance passage;
a downhole tool adapted for positioning at a selected depth within the well and having a telemetry passage in communication with said conveyance passage;
a telemetry data detector located for acquisition of data associated with said downhole tool;
a microcomputer coupled with said telemetry data detector and programmed for processing telemetry data and providing downhole tool control signals; and
at least one telemetry element of a dimension for passing through said conveyance passage and having an identification code recognizable by said telemetry data detector for processing by said microcomputer for causing said microcomputer to communicate control signals to said downhole tool for operation thereof responsive to said identification code, further comprising a telemetry element velocity control system located within said telemetry passage and having the capability of slowing the velocity of movement of said at least one telemetry element and rotating said at least one telemetry element through said telemetry passage. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A universal fluid control system for wells, comprising:
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a coiled tubing string extending from the surface downhole within a well and defining a conveyance passage;
a well tool for downhole operation having a tool chassis defining an internal passage in communication with said coiled tubing;
a telemetry element having an identification code and being of a dimension for passing through said conveyance passage and into said internal passage; and
a code detector/processor positioned for sensing and processing an identification code of said telemetry element when said telemetry element is in code detecting proximity therewith and providing a control signal to said well tool for operation of said well tool in response to said identification code, further comprising a velocity control system located within said internal passage and having the capability of slowing the velocity of movement of said telemetry element and rotating said telemetry element through said internal passage. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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24. The universal fluid control system of claim 24, wherein:
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said telemetry element has an instruction code in addition to said identification code; and
said code detector/processor detects said instruction code and provides said control signal to said well tool only after having recognized said identification code.
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27. A method of conveying information in a well, comprising:
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providing a tubing string in the well having a conveyance passage communicating with a downhole apparatus, said downhole apparatus comprising a detector for receiving telemetry element identification codes, a processor fur receiving and processing telemetry element identification codes and producing a telemetry signal output, and a telemetry signaling apparatus;
moving a telemetry element having at least one identification code through said conveyance passage from the surface into communication proximity with said detector, wherein the conveyance passage comprises an internal passage capable of reducing the velocity of movement of said telemetry element;
processing said at least one identification code of said telemetry element by said processor and providing at least one telemetry signal output to said telemetry signaling apparatus in response to said at least one identification code; and
said telemetry signaling apparatus sending a signal to the surface in response to said telemetry signal output. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of communicating with a downhole apparatus in a well, comprising:
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providing a tubing string in the well having a conveyance passage communicating with said downhole apparatus, said downhole apparatus comprising a detector for receiving information from a telemetry element and a processor for receiving and processing telemetry element information;
moving a telemetry element having a program code through said conveyance passage from the surface into communication proximity with said detector;
the conveyance path comprising a velocity control system capable of reducing the velocity of the telemetry element andprocessing said program code by said processor such that said processor is programmed by said code. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of conveying information in a well, comprising:
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providing a tubing string in the well having a conveyance passage therein;
providing a downhole apparatus in the well, said downhole apparatus capable of storing data therein;
moving a telemetry element through said conveyance passage from the surface into communication proximity with said downhole apparatus;
providing a telemetry element velocity control system having the capability of causing the moving telemetry element to rotate;
recording data from said downhole apparatus in said telemetry element; and
returning said telemetry element to the surface by fluid flow through said conveyance passage. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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Specification