Wired tool string component

• US 8,130,118 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2009
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Hall, David R, Dahlgren, Scott, Schramm, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Benlagsir, Amine
• Application Number:
  US12/432,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20090212970A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 340/853.7, 340/854.8, 340/854.9, 340/855.1, 340/855.2, 166/297
• US Class Current: 340/853.7
• 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

A system is disclosed as having first and second tubular tool string components. Each component has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the first component is coupled to the second end of the second component through mating threads. First and second inductive coils are disposed within the first end of the first component and the second end of the second component, respectively. Each inductive coil has at least one turn of an electrical conductor, and the first coil is in magnetic communication with the second coil. The first coil has more turns than the second coil.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first tubular tool string component, said first tubular string component having a first end, said first end having a first shoulder and a first coupling means, said first shoulder having a first groove formed therein;

a second tubular string component, said second tubular string component having a second end, said second end having a second shoulder and a coupling means, said second shoulder having a second groove formed therein, and said second tubular string component being coupled to said first tubular string component through said coupling means, thereby positioning said second shoulder proximate said first shoulder;

a first inductive coil disposed within said first groove, said first inductive coil having a first electrical conductor having a first number of turns; and

a second inductive coil disposed within said second groove, said second inductive coil having a second electrical conductor having a second number of turns, said second number of turns being greater than said first number of turns, and said second inductive coil being in magnetic communication with said first inductive coil

a third inductive coil in electrical communication with said first inductive coil, said third inductive coil disposed proximate said first end of said first tubular string component, said third inductive coil having a third electrical conductor having a third number of turns;

a fourth inductive coil in electrical communication with said second inductive coil, said fourth inductive coil disposed proximate said second end of said second tubular string component, said fourth inductive coil having a fourth electrical conductor having a fourth number of turns, said fourth inductive coil being in magnetic communication with said third inductive coil.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first magnetically conductive, electrically insulating material disposed within said first groove, wherein said first inductive coil is disposed within a first trough formed within said magnetically conductive, electrically insulation material; and

,

a second magnetically conductive, electrically insulating material disposed within said second groove, wherein said second inductive coil is disposed within a second trough formed within said second magnetically conductive, electrically insulating material.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a downhole power source in electrical communication with at least one of first inductive coil and said second inductive coil.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the downhole power source includes at least one of a generator and a battery.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said third number of turns is equal to said fourth number of turns.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein first and second inductive coils are tuned to a first resonant frequency and said third and fourth inductive coils are tuned to a second resonant frequency.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the system is further adapted to transmit a first electrical signal from the first component to the second component at said first resonant frequency and a second electrical signal from said first component to said second component at said second resonant frequency.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said first electrical signal is a power signal and wherein said second electrical signal is a data signal.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said third inductive coil is disposed proximate said first shoulder and said fourth inductive coil is disposed proximate said second shoulder.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third shoulder proximate said first end and a fourth shoulder proximate said second end, wherein said third inductive coil is disposed proximate said third shoulder and said fourth inductive coil is disposed proximate said fourth shoulder.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a bandpass filter in electrical communication with at least one of the inductive coils.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising electronic circuitry disposed within at least one of said components and in communication with at least one said first inductive coil and said second inductive coil.

13. An drill string component comprising:

a first end;

a second end spaced distant from said first end;

a first inductive coil disposed at said first end, said first inductive coil having a first number of turns and tuned to a first resonant frequency;

a second inductive coil disposed at said first end, said second inductive coil having a second number of turns and tuned to a second resonant frequency;

a third inductive coil disposed at said second end, said third inductive coil having a third number of turns and tuned to a third resonant frequency; and

an electric conductor, electrically coupling said first inductive coil, said second inductive coil, and said third inductive coil to each other.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electrical conductor is selected from the group consisting of coaxial cable, twisted pair of wires, copper wire, and triaxial cable.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said first resonant frequency and said second resonant frequency are different.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is adapted to transmit a first electrical signal from the third inductive coil to the first inductive coil at said first resonant frequency, and a second electrical signal from the third inductive coil to the first inductive coil at said second resonant frequency.