Apparatus and method for downhole communication
First Claim
1. A method of downhole communication comprising the steps of:
- (a) programming each tag of a plurality of tags to emit a unique radio frequency identification signal in the form of a frequency change in a carrier wave between at least two discrete frequencies that are in a frequency range between 10 kilohertz and 200 kilohertz, wherein each said tag of the plurality of tags incorporates a first antenna having an axis;
(b) programming a downhole reader to respond to the unique radio frequency identification signal emitted from said each tag of the plurality of tags, and locating the downhole reader in a downhole location, wherein the downhole reader has a second antenna with an axis;
(c) moving said each tag of the plurality of tags past the downhole reader, wherein at least one tag of the plurality of tags is in an orientation with respect to the downhole reader to enable communication of data from said at least one tag to the downhole reader when said at least one tag moves past the downhole reader, and wherein in said orientation of said at least one tag with respect to the downhole reader, the axis of the first antenna in said at least one tag is oriented at an angle that is equal to 45 degrees or less than 45 degrees with respect to the axis of the second antenna in the downhole reader; and
(d) communicating the data from said at least one tag to the downhole reader for actuating a downhole tool that is responsive to the data emitted by said at least one tag.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for downhole communication and an apparatus for remote actuation of a downhole tool is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: programming at least one tag (20) to emit a radio frequency identification signal in the form of a frequency change in a carrier wave; locating a reader (10) responsive to signals emitted from the at least one tag downhole; moving the at least one tag (20) past the downhole reader (10) such that the downhole reader (10) is capable of reading data from the tag (20) when the tag (20) passes the reader (10); and thereby communicating data from the tag (20) to the reader (10) downhole. Typically, the method includes programming the tag (20) and the reader (10) to communicate data by at least one of the following means: transitions between discrete frequencies; use of specific discrete frequencies; and length of time in which a carrier wave emits a specific frequency in preference to at least one other frequency.
173 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of downhole communication comprising the steps of:
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(a) programming each tag of a plurality of tags to emit a unique radio frequency identification signal in the form of a frequency change in a carrier wave between at least two discrete frequencies that are in a frequency range between 10 kilohertz and 200 kilohertz, wherein each said tag of the plurality of tags incorporates a first antenna having an axis; (b) programming a downhole reader to respond to the unique radio frequency identification signal emitted from said each tag of the plurality of tags, and locating the downhole reader in a downhole location, wherein the downhole reader has a second antenna with an axis; (c) moving said each tag of the plurality of tags past the downhole reader, wherein at least one tag of the plurality of tags is in an orientation with respect to the downhole reader to enable communication of data from said at least one tag to the downhole reader when said at least one tag moves past the downhole reader, and wherein in said orientation of said at least one tag with respect to the downhole reader, the axis of the first antenna in said at least one tag is oriented at an angle that is equal to 45 degrees or less than 45 degrees with respect to the axis of the second antenna in the downhole reader; and (d) communicating the data from said at least one tag to the downhole reader for actuating a downhole tool that is responsive to the data emitted by said at least one tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for actuating a downhole tool, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of tags programmed to emit a unique radio frequency identification signal in the form of a frequency change in a carrier wave between at least two discrete frequencies that are in a frequency range between 10 kilohertz and 200 kilohertz, wherein said each tag of the plurality of tags incorporates a first antenna having an axis; a downhole reader programmed to respond to the unique radio frequency identification signal emitted from said each tag of the plurality of tags, the downhole reader being adapted for deployment in a downhole location; wherein the downhole reader has a second antenna with an axis; wherein said each tag of the plurality of tags is movable past the downhole reader at the said downhole location; such that at least one tag of the plurality of tags is in an orientation with respect to the downhole reader to enable communication of data from at least one tag to the downhole reader when said at least one tag moves past the downhole reader; and wherein in said orientation of said at least one tag with respect to the downhole reader, the axis of the first antenna in said at least one tag is oriented at an angle that is equal to 45 degrees or less than 45 degrees with respect to the axis of the second antenna in the downhole reader; and wherein the downhole tool is coupled to the downhole reader and wherein the data communicated from said at least one tag to the downhole reader causes actuation of the downhole tool. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification