Apparatus and methods for self-powered communication and sensor network
First Claim
1. A communication system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a tubular string in a wellbore, the tubular string having a plurality of sections connected by a plurality of connection joints to form the tubular string;
a transducer in a selected connection joint between two adjoining sections of the plurality of sections wherein the transducer is configured to receive a first signal from a preceding section and transmit a second signal related to the first signal over the selected connection joint into a succeeding section for transmission of the second signal to a transducer in a succeeding connection joint; and
a power source configured to generate electrical power to power the transducer, wherein the power source includes a rotor rotating a magnet proximate an electrically conductive coil in the selected connection joint, wherein the rotor is rotated by fluid flowing in the tubular string.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A measurement and communication system for use with a tubular string, comprises a tubular string having a plurality of self-powered, autonomous telemetry stations disposed at predetermined locations along the tubular string. Each autonomous telemetry station is adapted to receive at least one first signal and transmit at least one second signal related to the at least one first signal. Power is extracted from potential energy sources proximate each autonomous telemetry station. A method of communicating information along a tubular string comprises, disposing an autonomous telemetry station at predetermined locations along the tubular string. A preferred transmission path is autonomously determined at each of the autonomous telemetry stations. Information is transmitted along the tubular string according to the autonomously determined preferred path.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A communication system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
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a tubular string in a wellbore, the tubular string having a plurality of sections connected by a plurality of connection joints to form the tubular string; a transducer in a selected connection joint between two adjoining sections of the plurality of sections wherein the transducer is configured to receive a first signal from a preceding section and transmit a second signal related to the first signal over the selected connection joint into a succeeding section for transmission of the second signal to a transducer in a succeeding connection joint; and a power source configured to generate electrical power to power the transducer, wherein the power source includes a rotor rotating a magnet proximate an electrically conductive coil in the selected connection joint, wherein the rotor is rotated by fluid flowing in the tubular string. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for communicating along a jointed tubular in a borehole, comprising:
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extending a tubular string in the borehole, the tubular string having a plurality of sections connected by a plurality of connection joints; disposing a transducer in a selected connection joint between adjoining sections of the plurality of sections, wherein the transducer is configured to receive a first signal at one end of the selected connection joint from a transducer in a preceding section and transmit a second signal related to the first signal wirelessly directly into a succeeding section for transmission of the second signal to a transducer in a succeeding connection joint; and using a power source to generate electrical power to power the transducer, wherein the power source includes a rotor rotating a magnet proximate an electrically conductive coil in the selected connection joint, wherein the rotor is rotated by fluid flowing in the tubular string. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A method for determining a drilling parameter distribution along a drilling tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
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extending a tubular string in the borehole, the tubular string having a plurality of sections connected by a plurality of connection joints; disposing a transducer in a selected connection joint between adjoining sections of the plurality of sections, wherein each transducer is configured to receive a first signal from a preceding section and transmit a second signal related to the first signal wirelessly directly into a succeeding section; supplying electrical power to the transducer in the selected connection joint by a power source, wherein the power source includes a micro-turbine comprising a rotor rotating a magnet proximate within an electrically conductive coil in the selected connection joint, wherein the rotor is rotated by fluid flowing in the tubular string; disposing a sensor for detecting a drilling parameter proximate to at least one of the transducers; detecting the drilling parameter using the sensor; and transmitting the detected drilling parameter to a surface processor. - View Dependent Claims (54)
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55. A communication system for use with a jointed tubular, comprising:
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a tubular string, the tubular string having a plurality of sections connected by a plurality of connection joints; a transducer disposed in each of the plurality of connection joints wherein each transducer is configured to receive a first signal from a preceding section and transmit a second signal related to the first signal wirelessly directed into a succeeding section; and a power source for supplying power to at least one transducer in a selected connection joint, wherein the power source includes a rotor rotating a magnet proximate an electrically conductive coil in the selected connection joint, wherein the rotor is rotated by fluid flowing in the tubular string. - View Dependent Claims (56)
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Specification