SWITCHING DEVICE FOR, AND A METHOD OF SWITCHING, A DOWNHOLE TOOL

• US 20150322748A1
• Filed: 07/17/2015
• Published: 11/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Petrowell Limited (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: PURKIS, Daniel George
• Granted Patent: US 9,631,458 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/00 Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/1185 Ignition systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/002 Details, e.g. power supply systems for logging instruments, transmitting or recording data, specially adapted for well logging, also if the prospecting method is irrelevant means for transmitting well survey signals E21B47/12; signal transmission systems in general G08C; transmission in general H04B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 47/00 Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the relay and designed to obtain desired operating characteristics or to provide energising current

Abstract

The switching device comprises an electronic switch embedded within a downhole tool (100) and an activator for remote switching of the electronic switch. The activator may be a handheld unit that is used at the surface of the wellbore by an operator or may be a wireline run unit. The activator permits wireless and contactless activation of the electronic switch without the need for mechanical switches which could provide a point of failure for the downhole tool. The electronic switch comprises an electronics module and a power source such as one or more batteries wherein in the active configuration, the switch can allow electrical connection between the electronics module and the power source and in the inactive configuration, the switch prevents electrical connection between the electronics module and the power source.

Claims

1. A switching device for a downhole tool, the switching device comprising an electronic switch for accommodation within a downhole tool and an activator for remote switching of the electronic switch.

2. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 1, wherein the activator is adapted for wireless activation of the electronic switch.

3. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 1, wherein the activator is constructed to enable contactless activation of the electronic switch.

4. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 1, wherein the electronic switch can be switched between an inactive and an active configuration by the activator.

5. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 1, wherein the electronic switch can comprise a closed electrical system with no external electrical connections and comprises electrical components and no mechanical components.

6. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 1, wherein the electronic switch comprises an electronics module and a power source wherein in the active configuration, the switch can allow electrical connection between the electronics module and the power source and in the inactive configuration, the switch prevents electrical connection between the electronics module and the power source.

7. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 6, wherein the electronics module and the power source are housed within a sidewall of the downhole tool and the power source comprises a battery.

8. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 1, wherein the electronic switch comprises an electronic latch, such that once the electronic switch is switched into the active configuration, the electronic latch retains the electronic switch in the active configuration.

9. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 6, wherein the electronics module comprises a receiver and the activator can energise the receiver in order that the activator can communicate with the electronics module.

10. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 9, wherein the receiver is constructed and arranged to receive a signal from the activator, wherein the receiver is electrically connected to the electronics module.

11. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 1, wherein the activator comprises a transmitter to transmit electromagnetic energy for remotely communicating with the electronic switch.

12. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 11, wherein the receiver and the activator are remotely communicable with one another.

13. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 11, wherein the receiver can also act as a transmitter to transmit information to the activator.

14. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 13, wherein the electronic switch can communicate information regarding whether the electronic switch is in the active configuration or the inactive configuration.

15. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 13, wherein the electronic switch can communicate a unique address allowing identification and status of the tool.

16. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 9, wherein the electronics module further comprises a rectifier to convert electromagnetic energy received from the activator via the receiver into direct current, which can then be used to switch the electronic switch into the active configuration.

17. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 9, wherein the receiver comprises an antenna and the activator comprises a hand held device.

18. The switching device for a downhole tool according to claim 6, wherein the electronic switch comprises a timer and the activator can command the switch into an active configuration, to be carried out after a predetermined time delay.

19. The downhole tool comprising the switching device of claim 1.

20. The downhole tool according to claim 19, further comprising a throughbore wherein the activator is sized to travel within the throughbore of the downhole tool, wherein the activator and the downhole tool are arranged such that the activator is inserted into the through bore of the tool to activate the tool.

21-26. -26. (canceled)