Intelligent Electrical Power Distribution System

• US 20090151932A1
• Filed: 02/26/2009
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Boswell, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 8,264,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/244.100
• 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: F16L 15/001 with conical threads
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 15/08 with supplementary elements F16L15/04, F16L41/00 and F16L43/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/01 specially adapted for realising electrical conduction between the two pipe ends of the joint or between parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/021 for screw-threaded joints
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10

Abstract

In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole tool assembly comprises electrical connectors disposed proximate an upper end and a lower end of the tool, switches to selectively allow or disallow electrical continuity between the electrical connectors, and a microprocessor in electrical communication with the electrical connectors and the switches.

Claims

1. A downhole tool assembly, comprising;

first and second electrical power connectors disposed in a first section and a second section of the downhole tool, each electrical power connector associated with at least one power source;

an electrical tool instrument disposed intermediate the connectors;

switches intermediate the electrical connectors to selectively allow or disallow power to the electrical tool instrument; and

a microprocessor in electrical communication with the electrical connectors and the switches.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical power connectors comprise inductive coils.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical power connectors comprise conductive rings.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the power sources supply alternating current electrical power.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein rectifiers are disposed intermediate the electrical power connectors and a power consuming circuit of the electrical tool instrument.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the rectifiers are full-wave solid state rectifiers.

7. The assembly of claim 5, wherein one or more electrical filtering devices are disposed intermediate the rectifiers and the power consuming circuit of the downhole tool.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one power source comprises one or more mud driven turbine generators.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more power sources comprise one or more batteries.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein voltage regulators are disposed intermediate the one or more power sources and a power consuming circuit of the electrical tool instrument.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the switches are solid state.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the switches comprise TRIACs.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the switches are electromechanical.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the switches comprise relays.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool comprises resistivity transmitter and receiver coils.

16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool comprises a seismic device.

17. A method for downhole power distribution, comprising:

providing a downhole tool intermediate adjacent downhole assemblies;

electrically coupling the downhole tool to the adjacent downhole assemblies;

supplying power to the downhole tool from one or both of the adjacent downhole assemblies;

detecting the power supply or load from each adjacent downhole assembly; and

switching the downhole tool to accept power from both adjacent downhole assemblies, or to accept power from one adjacent downhole assembly and transfer power to the other adjacent downhole assembly.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the switching is initiated by a microprocessor and the oscillations of an alternating current waveform.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the switching is initiated by a direct current or voltage triggered device.

20. A downhole tool assembly, comprising;

first and second electrical power sources intermediate an electrical tool instrument;

at least one switch intermediate at least one of the electrical sources to selectively allow or disallow power to the electrical tool instrument; and

a microprocessor in electrical communication with the at least one switch.