Wired tool string component

• US 7,382,273 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: NovaDrill, Inc. (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Dahlgren, Scott, Schramm, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr.; Timothy
• Application Number:
  US11/421,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20060260801A1
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 340/854.8, 340/855.1, 340/855.2, 175/40
• US Class Current: 340/854.8
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/003 with electrically conducting or insulating means E21B17/028 and E21B17/023 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0283 characterised by the coupling being contactless, e.g. inductive
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0285 characterised by electrically insulating elements

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed as having a downhole string component having first and second ends. The first end has first and second signal couplers, and the second end has third and fourth signal couplers. An electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the first, second, third, and fourth signal couplers. The first and third signal couplers have a first band pass filter with a first resonant frequency and the second and fourth signal couplers have a second band pass filter with a second resonant frequency.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a downhole tool string component having first and second ends;

the first end comprising first and second signal couplers;

the second end comprising third and fourth signal couplers;

an electrical conductor in electrical communication with the first, second, third, and fourth signal couplers;

wherein the first and third signal couplers comprise a first band pass filter with a first resonant frequency and the second and fourth signal couplers comprise a second band pass filter with a second resonant frequency.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal couplers are inductive couplers.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inductive couplers are disposed within a magnetically conducting, electrically insulating trough.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to transmit a data signal from the first signal coupler through the electrical conductor to the second signal coupler.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the data signal is transmitted on a carrier signal at or about at the first resonant frequency.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to transmit a power signal from the third signal coupler through the electrical conductor to the fourth signal coupler.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a downhole generator supplies the power signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the power signal is transmitted at or about at the second resonant frequency.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the band pass filters comprises at least one of the circuit elements of the group consisting of inductors, capacitors, active filters, passive filters, integrated circuit filters, and combinations thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein independent data signals are transmitted from the first and second inductive couplers through the electrical conductor to the third and fourth inductive couplers, respectively.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising electronic circuitry disposed within the downhole component and in communication with the electrical conductor.

12. A downhole tool, comprising:

a groove formed proximate an end of the downhole tool;

a magnetically conducting, electrically insulating material comprising a first and second trough;

a first electrically conductive coil disposed within the first trough comprising a first geometry adapted to transmit a signal at a first optimal frequency; and

a second electrically conductive coil disposed within the second trough comprising a second geometry adapted to transmit a signal within a second optimal frequency.

13. The downhole tool of claim 12, wherein the first and second geometries substantially differ in their number of turns, diameter, type of material, surface area, length or combinations thereof.

14. The downhole tool of claim 12, wherein the downhole tool is drill pipe, production pipe, a drill collar, a heavy weight pipe, reamer, a bottom-hole assembly component, tool string component, a jar, a hammer, swivel, drill bit, a sensor, a sub, or combinations thereof.

15. The downhole tool of claim 12, wherein the first and second troughs comprise different diameters and/or depths.

16. The downhole tool of claim 12, wherein the magnetically conductive, electrically insulating material proximate the first trough comprises a different permeability than the magnetically conductive, electrically insulating material proximate the second trough.

17. The downhole tool of claim 12, wherein an electrical conductor is disposed axially within a bore of the downhole tool and is in electrical communication with both the first and second electrically conductive coils.

18. A downhole tool string, comprising:

a first wired tool string component comprising a first inductive coupler proximate a pin end and a second wired tool string component comprising a second inductive coupler proximate a box end;

the pin end of the first component being threadedly connected within the box end of the second component such that the first and second inductive couplers are adjacent one another;

each coupler having a magnetically conductive material with a first coil disposed within a first trough formed in the magnetic material and a second coil disposed within a second trough also formed in the magnetic material; and

the first coils of both the pin and box ends comprising a first geometry adapted to transmit a signal at a first frequency and the second coils of both the pin and box ends comprise a second geometry adapted to transmit signals at a different frequency.

19. The downhole tool string of claim 18, wherein the first wired component comprises a power source.

20. The downhole tool string of claim 19, wherein an electrical device disposed within the second wired component is in communication with the power source through the first coils, the second coils or combinations thereof.