Method and apparatus for communicating coded messages in a wellbore
First Claim
1. A method of communicating a coded message in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node, through a fluid column extending therebetween, comprising the method steps of:
- providing a transmission apparatus at said transmission node which is in communication with said fluid column;
for for generating an acoustic pressure pulse to produce at least a portion of said coded message;
providing a reception apparatus at said reception node which includes;
(a) a rigid structural component with an exterior surface which is in contact with said fluid column and an interior surface which is not in contact with said fluid column;
(b) a sensor assembly which detects elastic deformation of said rigid structural component;
utilizing said transmission apparatus to generate acoustic pressure pulses in said fluid column in a predetermined pattern to generate said coded message; and
utilizing said reception apparatus to detect said coded message in said fluid column through changes in elastic deformation of said rigid structural component.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for communicating coded messages in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node is provided. The coded messages are messages are impressed upon a fluid column which extends between the transmission node and the reception node. A transmission apparatus is provided at the transmission node which is in communication with the fluid column, for altering pressure of the fluid column to generate at least a portion of the coded message. A reception apparatus is provided at the reception node. The reception apparatus includes a rigid structural component with an exterior surface which is in direct contact with fluid column and an interior surface which is not in contact with the fluid column, and a sensor assembly which detects elastic deformation of the rigid structural component. The transmission apparatus is utilized to alter pressure of the fluid column in a predetermined pattern to generate at least one coded message. The reception apparatus is utilized to detect the coded message in the fluid column through changes in elastic deformation of the rigid structural component.
73 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method of communicating a coded message in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node, through a fluid column extending therebetween, comprising the method steps of:
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providing a transmission apparatus at said transmission node which is in communication with said fluid column;
for for generating an acoustic pressure pulse to produce at least a portion of said coded message;providing a reception apparatus at said reception node which includes; (a) a rigid structural component with an exterior surface which is in contact with said fluid column and an interior surface which is not in contact with said fluid column; (b) a sensor assembly which detects elastic deformation of said rigid structural component; utilizing said transmission apparatus to generate acoustic pressure pulses in said fluid column in a predetermined pattern to generate said coded message; and utilizing said reception apparatus to detect said coded message in said fluid column through changes in elastic deformation of said rigid structural component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of switching a remotely located wellbore tool between modes of operation, comprising:
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providing (a) an electrically-actuable wellbore tool, (b) a pressure sensor, and (c) a programmable controller, electrically connected to provide electrical signals from said pressure sensor as an input to said programmable controller; programming said programmable controller to provide a predetermined electrical signal as an output to said electrically-actuable wellbore tool in response to a predetermined input from said pressure sensor; securing said electrically-actuable wellbore tool, said pressure sensor, and said programmable controller to a tubular conduit string; lowering said tubular conduit string within said wellbore to a selected wellbore location; providing a wellbore fluid column in contact with a portion of said tubular conduit but out of contact with said pressure sensor; manipulating pressure of said wellbore fluid column in a predetermined manner to generate a series of transient rapid pressure amplitude changes above a predetermined rate-of-change threshold to stimulate said pressure sensor through said tubular conduit string to produce said predetermined input, without substantially changing volume of said wellbore fluid column; and detecting said series of transient rapid pressure amplitude changes through elastic deformation of a rigid structural component utilizing said pressure sensor; utilizing said programmable processor to provide said predetermined output to switch said electrically-actuable wellbore tool between modes of operation. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for communicating a coded message in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node, through a fluid column extending therebetween, comprising:
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a transmission apparatus at said transmission node which is in communication with said fluid column, for generating an acoustic pressure pulse to produce at least a portion of said coded message; a reception apparatus at said reception node which includes; (a) a rigid structural component with an exterior surface which is in contact with said fluid column and an interior surface which is not in contact with said fluid column; (b) a sensor assembly which detects changes in elastic deformation of said rigid structural component; wherein, during a communication mode of operation; (a) said transmission apparatus is utilized to alter pressure of said fluid column in a predetermined pattern to generate said coded message; and (b) said reception apparatus is utilized to detect said coded message in said fluid column through changes in elastic deformation of said rigid structural component. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. An apparatus for communicating a coded message in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node, through a fluid column extending therebetween, comprising:
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a transmission apparatus at said transmission node which is in communication with said fluid column for applying a series of pressure impulses to said fluid column, each pressure impulse creating a temporary change in fluid pressure amplitude in said fluid column without substantially changing the volume of said fluid column; a reception apparatus at said reception node which includes a sensor assembly for detecting elastic deformation caused by each temporary change in fluid pressure amplitude for each pressure impulse; wherein, during a communication mode of operation; (a) said transmission apparatus is utilized to generate said pressure impulses in a predetermined pattern to generate said coded message; and (b) said reception apparatus is utilized to detect said coded message. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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39. An apparatus for communicating in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node, through a fluid column extending therebetween, comprising:
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a transmission apparatus at said transmission node which is in communication with said fluid column for applying a series of pressure impulses to said fluid column to generate a coded message, each coded message being defined by the following operator-selectable coded message attributes; (a) number of consecutive pressure impulses; and (b) time between consecutive pressure impulses; a reception apparatus, at said reception node, for detecting said coded messages; wherein, during a communication mode of operation; (a) said transmission apparatus is utilized to generate said pressure impulses in a predetermined pattern to generate said coded message; and (b) said reception apparatus is utilized to detect said coded message through monitoring of elastic deformation of a structural component. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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Specification