Multi-loop transmission system

• US 7,312,720 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company), Technology Transfer Office, Brigham Young
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Dodge, Carl, Dillon, William G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yacob; Sisay
• Application Number:
  US11/255,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20060038699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 340/855.8, 340/854.8, 340/855.9, 340/853.1, 340/854.1, 340/855.1, 731/52
• US Class Current: 340/855.8
• 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

Abstract

A transmission system between a voltage source and a wireline tool comprising a first loop to transmit a signal between the voltage source and the wireline tool. The first loop has a first transformer coupled to the voltage source. The system also comprises a second loop, electrically independent of the first loop, to transmit the signal between the voltage source and the wireline tool. The second loop has a second transformer coupled to the voltage source. If the first loop fails, the first transformer is isolated from the voltage source.

Claims

1. A transmission system between a voltage source and a wireline tool, comprising:

a first loop to transmit a signal between the voltage source and the wireline tool, said first loop having a first transformer coupled to said voltage source; and

a second loop, electrically independent of the first loop, to transmit the signal between the voltage source and the wireline tool, said second loop having a second transformer coupled to said voltage source;

wherein, if the first loop fails, the first transformer is isolated from the voltage source.

2. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said voltage source is selected from the group consisting of an alternating current (AC) source and a data source.

3. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein the first and second loops are housed in a cable, each of the loops comprising conductors that are located substantially the same distance from the center of the cable.

4. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second loops is for simultaneous transmission of power and data.

5. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second loops is powered by a dedicated voltage source.

6. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein, if the first loop fails, the first loop is used as a reference node for a voltage provided on the second loop.

7. The transmission system of claim 1 further comprising a computer coupled to the first transformer, wherein the computer detects failure of the first loop and isolates the first transformer from the voltage source.

8. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein the first transformer is isolated from the voltage source using a switch matrix.

9. A system for transmitting power between a voltage source and a wireline tool, comprising:

a first transmission loop coupled to the voltage source by way of a first transformer;

a second transmission loop electrically independent of the first transmission loop and coupled to the voltage source by way of a second transformer; and

a switch, coupled to the first transmission loop, that de-couples the first transformer from said voltage source if said first transmission loop fails.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a computer that monitors the first transmission loop for failure and adjusts said switch if the first transmission loop fails.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the voltage source is selected from the group consisting of an alternating current (AC) source and a data source.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second transmission loops simultaneously transmits power and data.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the switch is selected from the group consisting of a manually-activated switch, a relay switch, a transistor, a switch matrix and a diode.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second transmission loops is coupled to a dedicated power source.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the first transmission loop is used as a reference node for a voltage provided on the second transmission loop if the first transmission loop fails.

16. A method of transmitting power between a power source and a wireline tool, comprising:

transmitting power over a first transmission loop and over a second transmission loop electrically independent of the first transmission loop, the first transmission loop coupled to the power source by way of a first transformer and the second transmission loop coupled to the power source by way of a second transformer;

monitoring said transmission loops for failure; and

if said first transmission loop fails, isolating the first transformer from said power source.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein isolating the first transformer from said power source comprises adjusting a switch coupled to said first transformer.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting said switch comprises using a switch selected from the group consisting of a manually-activated switch, a relay switch, a switch matrix, a transistor and a diode.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the power source is selected from the group consisting of an alternating-current (AC) source and a data source.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein transferring power comprises simultaneously transferring different power signals on at least one of the first and second transmission loops.

21. A system for transmission between a power source and a wireline tool, comprising:

first and second transmission loops, the first transmission loop coupled to the power source by way of a first transformer and the second transmission loop coupled to the power source by way of a second transformer, said second transmission loop electrically independent of the first transmission loop;

means for monitoring said transmission loops for failure; and

means for isolating the first transformer from said power source if said first transmission loop fails.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said means for isolating comprises a switch.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein said means for isolating comprises a switch selected from the group consisting of a manually-activated switch, a relay switch, a switch matrix, a transistor and a diode.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein said means for monitoring comprises a computer.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second transmission loops simultaneously transmits different power signals.

26. A computer-readable medium storing computer code which, when executed, causes a processor to perform a method comprising:

transmitting power over a first transmission loop and over a second transmission loop electrically independent of the first transmission loop, the first transmission loop coupled to the power source by way of a first transformer and the second transmission loop coupled to the power source by way of a second transformer;

monitoring said transmission loops for failure; and

if said first transmission loop fails, isolating the first transformer from said power source.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein isolating the first transformer from said power source comprises providing a signal that causes a switch to open, said switch coupled between the first transformer and the power source.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the switch is selected from the group consisting of a relay switch, a transistor and a diode.