System and method for steering in a downhole environment using vibration modulation
First Claim
1. A system for communicating within a borehole using controlled vibrations, comprising:
- a movement mechanism configured to use mechanical energy provided by a mechanical energy source to enable translational movement of a first surface relative to a second surface to allow the first surface to repeatedly impact the second surface to produce a plurality of vibration beats, wherein the plurality of vibration beats will occur whenever the mechanical energy is provided by the mechanical energy source at one of at least three impact levels; and
a vibration control mechanism configured to selectively control an amplitude of the plurality of vibration beats to encode information therein, wherein the amplitude of a vibration beat is selectively controlled by regulating the impact of the first surface and the second surface to one of the at least three impact levels.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for communicating within a borehole using controlled vibrations. A movement mechanism uses mechanical energy provided by a mechanical energy source to enable translational movement of a first surface relative to a second surface to allow the first surface to repeatedly impact the second surface to produce a plurality of vibration beats. The vibration beats will occur whenever the mechanical energy is provided by the mechanical energy source at one of at least three impact levels. A vibration control mechanism selectively controls an amplitude of the plurality of vibration beats to encode information therein. The amplitude of a vibration beat is selectively controlled by regulating the impact of the first surface and the second surface to one of the at least three impact levels.
74 Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A system for communicating within a borehole using controlled vibrations, comprising:
-
a movement mechanism configured to use mechanical energy provided by a mechanical energy source to enable translational movement of a first surface relative to a second surface to allow the first surface to repeatedly impact the second surface to produce a plurality of vibration beats, wherein the plurality of vibration beats will occur whenever the mechanical energy is provided by the mechanical energy source at one of at least three impact levels; and a vibration control mechanism configured to selectively control an amplitude of the plurality of vibration beats to encode information therein, wherein the amplitude of a vibration beat is selectively controlled by regulating the impact of the first surface and the second surface to one of the at least three impact levels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for communicating within a borehole using controlled vibrations, comprising:
-
generating a plurality of vibration beats in a downhole tool positioned within the borehole, wherein the plurality of vibration beats are caused by a first surface striking a second surface at one of at least three impact levels; and controlling an amplitude of the plurality of vibration beats to encode information therein, wherein the amplitude of a vibration beat is selectively controlled by regulating the impact of the first surface and the second surface to one of the at least three impact levels. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A system for communicating within a borehole using controlled vibrations, comprising:
-
a processor coupled to a sensor; a memory coupled to the processor and containing a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor, the instructions including; instructions for generating a plurality of vibration beats in a downhole tool positioned within the borehole, wherein the plurality of vibration beats are caused by a first surface striking a second surface at one of at least three impact levels; instructions for detecting the plurality of vibration beats via the sensor; and instructions for controlling an amplitude of the plurality of vibration beats to encode information therein, wherein the amplitude of a vibration beat is selectively controlled by regulating the impact of the first surface and the second surface to one of the at least three impact levels. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A method for communicating within a borehole using controlled vibrations, comprising:
-
causing a plurality of vibration beats to occur in a downhole tool positioned within the borehole, wherein the plurality of vibration beats are caused by a first surface repeatedly striking a second surface; controlling an amplitude of the plurality of vibration beats to one of at least three levels to encode information therein; and maintaining the amplitude of the plurality of vibration beats at a desired one of the at least three levels in response to a detected amplitude of the plurality of vibration beats caused by the forces external to the downhole tool. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
-
Specification