Swivel assembly

• US 7,193,527 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2004
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intelliserv, Inc. (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Rawle, Michael, Bartholomew, David B., Pixton, David S., McPherson, James, Briscoe, Michael, Bradford, Kline
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US10/710,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20050046586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 340/854.3, 340/853.7, 340/855.1, 324/303, 175/40, 403/23, 403/78, 439/13
• US Class Current: 340/854.3
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/002 Details, e.g. power supply systems for logging instruments, transmitting or recording data, specially adapted for well logging, also if the prospecting method is irrelevant means for transmitting well survey signals E21B47/12; signal transmission systems in general G08C; transmission in general H04B
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32213 Articulate joint is a swivel

Abstract

A swivel assembly for a downhole tool string comprises a first and second coaxial housing cooperatively arranged. The first housing comprises a first transmission element in communication with surface equipment. The second housing comprises a second transmission element in communication with the first transmission element. The second housing further comprises a third transmission element adapted for communication with a network integrated into the downhole tool string. The second housing may be rotational and adapted to transmit a signal between the downhole network and the first housing. Electronic circuitry is in communication with at least one of the transmission elements. The electronic circuitry may be externally mounted to the first or second housing. Further, the electronic circuitry may be internally mounted in the second housing. The electronic circuitry may be disposed in a recess in either first or second housing of the swivel.

Claims

1. A swivel assembly for a downhole tool string, comprising:

first and second coaxial housings cooperatively arranged;

the first housing comprising a first transmission element in communication with surface equipment;

the second housing comprising a second transmission element in communication with the first transmission element and a third transmission element adapted for communication with a network integrated into the downhole tool string;

an electronic circuitry in electrical communications with one of the transmission elements;

a shield is externally mounted to the first or second housing and is adapted to protect a connection between the first and second housings from debris; and

the shield comprises a means for lubricating the connection between the first and second housing.

2. The swivel assembly of claim 1, wherein the second housing is rotational and adapted to transmit a signal between the downhole network and the first housing.

3. The swivel assembly of claim 1, wherein an internal conductor is disposed within a passage of the second housing and connects the second and third transmission elements.

4. The swivel assembly of claim 1, wherein an external conductor connect the first transmission element and surface equipment.

5. The swivel assembly of claim 4, wherein the external conductor is a copper wire, a coaxial a cable, twin axial cable, a triaxial cable, a fiber optic cable, or a ribbon cable.

6. The swivel assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry is disposed in housing externally mounted to the first housing.

7. The swivel assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry is disposed in housing internally mounted in the second housing.

8. The swivel assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry is disposed in housing externally mounted to the second housing.

9. The swivel assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry is disposed in a recess in the second housing.

10. The swivel assembly of claim 9, wherein the recess is between the second and third transmission elements.

11. The swivel assembly of claim 9, wherein the recess is disposed in an inner circumference of the second housing or an outer circumference of the second housing.

12. The swivel assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry is disposed in a recess in the first housing.

13. The swivel assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry comprises components selected from the group consisting of a signal filtering circuit, a signal error checking circuit, a device control circuit, a modem, a digital processor, an optical regenerator, an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, a repeater circuit, a sensor, a router, a switches, memory, an amplifier, a clock source, a data compression circuit, a data rate adjustment circuit, a piezoelectric device, a light, a gauge, a wireless transceiver, a digital/optical converter, an analogue/optical converter, and a microcontroller.

14. The swivel assembly of claim 1, wherein the swivel assembly further comprises an internal power source.

15. A swivel assembly for a downhole tool string, comprising:

first and second coaxial housings;

the first housing comprising a first transmission element in communication with surface equipment;

the second housing comprising a second transmission element in communication with the first transmission element and a third transmission element adapted for communication with a network integrated into the downhole tool string;

the second housing having a cylindrical form comprising an inner circumference and an outer circumference, wherein the second housing is disposed within the inner circumference of the first housing;

an internal conductor disposed in a passage of the second housing and connecting the second and third transmission elements;

a shield externally mounted to the swivel assembly adapted to protect a connection between the first and second housing;

an electronic component in communications with the first transmission element and externally mounted to the first housing;

a shield is externally mounted to the first or second housing and is adapted to protect a connection between the first and second housings from debris; and

the shield comprises a means for lubricating the connection between the first and second housing.

16. The swivel assembly of claim 15, wherein the electronic component comprises components selected from the group consisting of a signal filtering circuit, a signal error checking circuit, a device control circuit, a modem, a digital processor, an optical regenerator, an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, a repeater circuit, a sensor, a router, a switches, memory, an amplifier, a clock source, a data compression circuit, a data rate adjustment circuit, a piezoelectric device, a light, a gauge, a wireless transceiver, a digital/optical converter, an analogue/optical converter, and a microcontroller.

17. The swivel assembly of claim 15, wherein the swivel assembly further comprises an internal power source.