Inductively coupled method and apparatus of communicating with wellbore equipment
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a liner section having a wall;
an electrical device for positioning outside the liner section in an annular region defined by an outer surface of the liner section and the wellbore;
a first inductive coupler portion provided in a cavity in the wall of the liner section and electrically connected to the electrical device; and
a second inductive coupler portion positioned inside the liner section to communicate electrical signaling with the first inductive coupler portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus that allows communications of electrical power and signaling from downhole component to another downhole component employs an inductive coupler assembly. In one arrangement, one portion of the inductive coupler assembly is attached to a production tubing section and the other portion of the inductive coupler assembly is attached to a casing or other liner section. The production tubing inductive coupler portion is electrically connected to a cable over which electrical power and signals may be transmitted. Such power and signals are magnetically coupled to the inductive coupler portion in the casing or liner section and communicated to various electrical devices mounted outside the casing or liner section. In other arrangements, inductive coupler assemblies may be used to couple electrical power and signals from the main bore to components in lateral branches of a multilateral well.
106 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprising:
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a liner section having a wall;
an electrical device for positioning outside the liner section in an annular region defined by an outer surface of the liner section and the wellbore;
a first inductive coupler portion provided in a cavity in the wall of the liner section and electrically connected to the electrical device; and
a second inductive coupler portion positioned inside the liner section to communicate electrical signaling with the first inductive coupler portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
wherein the first and second inductive coupler portions are in the wellbore above the second liner section. -
13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a protective sleeve to cover the cavity to protect the first inductive coupler portion.
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14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tool to carry the second inductive coupler portion,
the tool to position the second inductive coupler portion in the wellbore.
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15. A method of communicating with an electrical device in a wellbore, having a liner section, the liner section having a wall, the method comprising;
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providing an inductive coupler mechanism, the inductive coupler mechanism comprising a first part inside the liner section and a second part provided in a cavity of the wall of the liner section and electrically connected to the electrical device that is mounted outside the liner section in an annular region defined by an outer surface of the liner section and the wellbore; and
communicating electrical signaling between the first and second parts of the inductive coupler mechanism to communicate with the electrical device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
providing a second liner section below the first liner section; and
providing the inductive coupler mechanism in the wellbore above the second liner section.
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Specification