System And Method For Wireless Drilling And Non-Rotating Mining Extenders In A Drilling Operation

• US 20140083770A1
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Codazzi, Daniel, Gadot, Raphael, Clark, Brian Oliver
• Application Number:
  US13/797,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20140083770A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/40
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0283 characterised by the coupling being contactless, e.g. inductive
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency

Abstract

Various embodiments of methods and systems for wireless power and data communications transmissions to a sensor subassembly below a mud motor in a bottom hole assembly are disclosed. Power and/or communications are transmitted through stationary or fixed coils. By leveraging resonantly tuned circuits and impedance matching techniques for the stationary coils, power and/or communications can be transmitted efficiently from one stationary coil to the other stationary coil despite any vibration and/or misalignment of the two coils.

Claims

1. A drilling and mining (“

D&

M”

) extender device for communicatively coupling two stationary tools in a bottom hole assembly of a drill string, the extender device comprising;

a first stationary coil associated with a first tool; and

a second stationary coil associated with a second tool;

wherein electrical transmissions between the first and second tools are transmitted wirelessly between the first and second stationary coils via inductive coupling between the coils;

the first stationary coil positioned proximate to the second stationary coil;

the coils are inductively coupled such that;

k=M/√

{square root over (L₁L₂)}≦

0.9, wherein k is the coupling coefficient of the coils, M is the mutual inductance between the coils, and L₁ and L₂ are the self-inductances of the respective coils;

each coil is resonantly tuned with a capacitor such that;

f₁≈

f₂, wherein

2. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 1, wherein the first tool has an impedance as a source, R_S wherein the impedance is governed by the equation:

R_S≈

R₁√

{square root over (1+k²Q₁Q₂)},

wherein R₁ is the series resistance of the first coil, k is the coupling coefficient of the pair of coils, Q₁ is the quality factor associated with the first coil and Q₂ is the quality factor associated with the second coil.

3. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 2, further comprising approximately matching an impedance of the second tool with an impedance of the source by setting:

R_L≈

R₂√

{square root over (1+k²Q₁Q₂)},

wherein R₂ is the series resistance of the second coil, k is the coupling coefficient of the pair of coils, Q₁ is the quality factor associated with primary coil and Q₂ is the quality factor associated with the second coil.

4. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the electrical transmissions are selected from the group of power transmissions and data communication transmissions.

5. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 1, wherein the first coil is of a mandrel type and the second coil is of a annular type.

6. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 1, wherein the first coil is of a mandrel type and the second coil is of a mandrel type.

7. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 1, wherein the first coil is of an annular type and the second coil is of an annular type.

8. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 1, wherein the first tool and second tool mate together using a fixed and non-movable coupling.

9. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 8, wherein the fixed and non-movable coupling comprises a mechanical fastener.

10. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 9, wherein the fixed and non-movable coupling comprises at least one of screw threads, rivets, and welds.

11. A drilling and mining (“

D&

M”

) extender device for communicatively coupling two stationary tools in a bottom hole assembly of a drill string, the extender device comprising;

a first stationary coil associated with a first tool; and

a second stationary coil associated with a second tool;

wherein electrical transmissions between the first and second tools are transmitted wirelessly between the first and second stationary coils via inductive coupling between the coils;

the first stationary coil positioned proximate to the second stationary coil, the first tool and second tool mate together using a fixed and non-movable coupling.

12. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 11, wherein the fixed and non-movable coupling comprises at least one of screw threads, rivets, and welds.

13. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 11, wherein the coils are inductively coupled such that:

k=M/√

{square root over (L₁L₂)}≦

0.9, wherein k is the coupling coefficient of the coils, M is the mutual inductance between the coils, and L₁ and L₂ are the self-inductances of the respective coils;

each coil is resonantly tuned with a capacitor such that;

f₁≈

f₂, wherein

14. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 11, wherein one or more of the electrical transmissions are selected from the group of power transmissions and data communication transmissions.

15. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 11, wherein the first coil is of a mandrel type and the second coil is of a annular type.

16. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 11, wherein the first coil is of a mandrel type and the second coil is of a mandrel type.

17. The drilling and mining extender device of claim 11, wherein the first coil is of an annular type and the second coil is of an annular type.

18. A wireless coupling for drilling comprising:

a first stationary coil attached to a first drilling structure; and

a second stationary coil attached to a second drilling structure;

wherein electrical transmissions between the first and second coils are transmitted wirelessly via inductive coupling between the coils;

the first stationary coil positioned proximate to the second stationary coil, the first drilling structure and second drilling structure being held in position with a fixed and non-movable fastening mechanism.

19. The wireless coupling of claim 18, wherein the fixed and non-movable fastening mechanism comprises at least one of screw threads, rivets, and welds.

20. The wireless coupling of claim 19, wherein the coils are inductively coupled such that:

k=M/√

{square root over (L₁L₂)}≦

0.9, wherein k is the coupling coefficient of the coils, M is the mutual inductance between the coils, and L₁ and L₂ are the self-inductances of the respective coils;

each coil is resonantly tuned with a capacitor such that;

f₁≈

f₂, wherein