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Downhole power generation and communications apparatus and method

  • US 8,009,059 B2
  • Filed: 09/02/2004
  • Issued: 08/30/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method to periodically communicate with a sensor installed downhole in a completed well, the method comprising periodically and repeatedly:

  • activating a surface pressure wave generator to transmit pressure waves to excite a downhole energy converter, wherein said energy converter comprises one of a magnetostrictive material or a single crystal piezoelectric;

    storing electrical energy from said downhole energy converter in a downhole energy storage device;

    after storing electrical energy in the device, powering up the sensor and a downhole control module both powered by electrical energy from the device;

    accumulating data received from said downhole sensor in the downhole control module;

    transmitting said data from said downhole control module to a surface signal processing unit, wherein the step of transmitting said data from said downhole control module to said surface signal processing unit comprises said module controlling a pressure wave telemetry unit to modify and reflect the pressure waves back to the surface location; and

    deactivating the surface pressure wave generator, allowing electrical energy remaining in the storage device to be consumed and shutting down the sensor and control module.

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