Subsea data and power transmission inductive coupler and subsea cone penetrating tool

• US 7,847,671 B1
• Filed: 07/29/2009
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TGH Incorporated (L E Simmons & Associates Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Perry Slingsby Systems Incorporated (L E Simmons & Associates Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ham, Gregory, Satterfield, Rory, Schouster, Joe, Riachentsev, Valeri
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai; Anh T
• Application Number:
  US12/511,360
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 340/854.3, 340/853.1, 336/178, 336/220, 336/221, 336/212
• US Class Current: 336/220
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0283 characterised by the coupling being contactless, e.g. inductive
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10

Abstract

A subsea data and power transmission apparatus includes primary and secondary open magnetic circuits with coils for wireless data and power transfer between a drilling tool and a drilling rig. The primary magnetic circuit is U-shaped and the secondary is O-shaped. Both magnetic systems are electrically insulated. The electrical signal and power are transferred from one magnetic circuit to another through an air or water gap between the magnetic circuits. The U-shaped and O-shaped magnetic circuits allow communication and power transfer remotely with no mechanical or electrical connectors.

Claims

1. A data and power transmission inductive coupler, comprising:

a) a U-shaped external transformer to be mounted on a stationary rig or subsea construction, said U-shaped external transformer having a coil and an inner circumferential surface;

b) an O-shaped internal transformer to be mounted on a downhole tool having a maximum tool diameter, said O-shaped internal transformer having a coil and an outer circumferential surface for mating with said inner circumferential surface of said U-shaped external transformer;

c) said outer circumferential surface of said O-shaped transformer being equal to or smaller than said inner circumferential surface of said U-shaped external transformer mating therewith;

d) said O-shaped transformer and said U-shaped transformer have no wire connection therebetween;

e) said O-shaped transformer being configured to be wired to tool electronics and batteries;

f) said U-shaped transformer being configured to be wired to surface equipment or other subsea remotely operated units; and

g) said O-shaped transformer having an outer diameter not exceeding the maximum tool diameter, and said O-shaped transformer being divided into two equal halves along said diameter for assembling said O-shaped transformer on the tool.

2. The inductive coupler according to claim 1, wherein each of said transformers contains a magnetic circuit formed of a material selected from the group consisting of solid steel, laminated steel and ferrite.

3. The inductive coupler according to claim 1, wherein each of said transformers contains at least two magnetic circuit components between which said coils are respectively disposed.

4. The inductive coupler according to claim 1, wherein said O-shaped transformer and said U-shaped transformer are mutually spaced apart defining a gap therebetween.

5. The inductive coupler according to claim 4, wherein said gap is an air gap.

6. The inductive coupler according to claim 4, wherein said gap is a water gap.

7. The inductive coupler according to claim 4, wherein said gap is adjustable in width.

8. The inductive coupler according to claim 1, wherein said O-shaped transformer and said U-shaped transformer are freely movable horizontally and vertically relative to each other.

9. A subsea cone penetrating tool, comprising at least one inductive coupler according to claim 1.

10. The subsea cone penetrating tool according to claim 9, wherein each inductive coupler is configured to operate in at least one of a data transfer mode, a power transfer mode or a data-encoded-power mode.

11. The subsea cone penetrating tool according to claim 9, which further comprises a holder supporting said at least one inductive coupler.

12. The subsea cone penetrating tool according to claim 11, wherein said holder has at least one hole formed therein for wires to be connected to said O-shaped transformer, and a junction box for cables to be connected to said U-shaped transformer.

13. The subsea cone penetrating tool according to claim 11, wherein said at least one inductive coupler includes upper and lower inductive couplers mutually spaced apart along said holder, aluminum blocks are disposed between said inductive couplers on said holder, said O-shaped transformers of said inductive couplers are disposed within at least one cutout formed in said holder, and said U-shaped transformers of said inductive couplers are disposed outside said holder.

14. The subsea cone penetrating tool according to claim 11, which further comprises a compartment for batteries and tool electronics.