System for wireless communication along a drill string
First Claim
1. A signal coupler adapted for use with a drill string communication system for communicating information along a drill string defining a drill string communication path between a boring tool and a boring machine, the signal coupler adapted to provide a controlled electrical connection between the drill string communication path and a soil engaging electrode, the signal coupler comprising:
- a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; and
a current regulating circuit adapted to adjust a voltage across the primary winding to maintain a substantially constant current amplitude in the primary winding;
wherein a first side of the secondary winding is connected to the drill string communication path and a second side of the secondary winding is connected to the soil engaging electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless communication and drill string telemetry system. The communication system is used for communicating information along a drill string between a boring tool and a boring machine. An insulator assembly provides an electrically insulated gap between the drill string communication path and a soil engaging electrode for the electrical return path. A transmitter assembly includes a data transmitter for encoding and transmitting a data signal. A signal coupler couples the data signal to the drill string and provides a controlled electrical connection between the drill string communication path and the soil engaging electrode. The signal coupler comprises a transformer and a current regulating circuit to adjust a voltage across the transformer'"'"'s primary winding. A receiver assembly is disposed proximate the drilling machine and includes a toroidal pickup coil and a signal processing assembly. The pickup coil has an annulus and is positioned such that the drill string communication path passes through the annulus. The pickup coil produces a signal voltage in response to a signal current on the drill string that the signal processing assembly processes to extract the data signal.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A signal coupler adapted for use with a drill string communication system for communicating information along a drill string defining a drill string communication path between a boring tool and a boring machine, the signal coupler adapted to provide a controlled electrical connection between the drill string communication path and a soil engaging electrode, the signal coupler comprising:
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a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; and a current regulating circuit adapted to adjust a voltage across the primary winding to maintain a substantially constant current amplitude in the primary winding; wherein a first side of the secondary winding is connected to the drill string communication path and a second side of the secondary winding is connected to the soil engaging electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A drill string communication system comprising:
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a drill string; a soil engaging electrode; a signal coupler for providing a controlled electrical connection between the drill string and the soil engaging electrode, the signal coupler comprising; a primary winding having a substantially constant current amplitude; and a secondary winding connected to the drill string and the soil engaging electrode; a data transmitter assembly adapted to encode and transmit a data signal along the drill string; and a receiver assembly adapted to process and extract the data signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for data communication in a drilling operation, the system comprising:
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an electrically insulated drill string; a transmitter assembly supported at a downhole end of drill string and adapted to transmit a signal current comprising an encoded data signal along the drill string based upon a controlled electrical connection between the drill string and a soil-engaging electrode; and a receiver assembly positioned proximate an uphole end of drill string to detect the signal current and extract the data signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for communicating information along a drill string, the method comprising:
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insulating a first end of a drill string from a second end of the drill string; generating an electromagnetic data signal; generating a current on the drill string using a transformer having at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding; adjusting a voltage across the primary winding to maintain a substantially constant current amplitude in the primary winding; and sensing the current on the first end of the drill string using a receiver positioned proximate the first end of the drill string; and extracting the data signal at the second end of the drill string. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A drill string communication system for communicating information along a drill string between a boring tool and a boring machine, the system comprising:
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an insulator assembly defining an electrically insulated gap between a drill string communication path and a soil engaging electrode; a transmitter assembly comprising; a data transmitter assembly adapted to encode and transmit a data signal; and
;a signal coupler comprising a transformer to maintain a substantially constant current amplitude; wherein the transformer is connected to the drill string communication path and the soil engaging electrode; and a receiver assembly comprising; a pickup coil having an annulus and positioned such that the drill string communication path passes through the annulus, the pickup coil adapted to produce a signal voltage in response to a signal current on the drill string communication path; and a signal processing assembly adapted to process the signal voltage from the toroidal pickup coil and to extract the data signal.
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Specification