Wired tool string component

• US 7,535,377 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: NovaDrill, Inc. (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Schramm, Paul, Hall, David R., Dahlgren, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong; Albert K
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang; Hung Q
• Application Number:
  US11/421,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20060260798A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 340/853.7, 340/854.8, 340/854.4
• US Class Current: 340/854.8
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/003 with electrically conducting or insulating means E21B17/028 and E21B17/023 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0283 characterised by the coupling being contactless, e.g. inductive
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0285 characterised by electrically insulating elements

Abstract

A system is disclosed as having first and second tubular tool string components. Each component has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the first component is coupled to the second end of the second component through mating threads. First and second inductive coils are disposed within the first end of the first component and the second end of the second component, respectively. Each inductive coil has at least one turn of an electrical conductor, and the first coil is in magnetic communication with the second coil. The first coil has more turns than the second coil.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

first and second tubular tool string components, each component having a shoulder at a first end and a second end, the first shoulder of the first component being coupled to the second shoulder of the second component through mating threads;

first and second inductive coils comprising at least one turn of an electrical conductor lying within a U-shaped magnetically conductive, electrically insulating trough disposed within a groove formed in the first shoulder of the first component and another U-shaped magnetically conductive, electrically insulating through disposed within another groove formed in the second shoulder of the second component, respectively, the first coil being in magnetic communication with the second coil;

wherein the first coil has more turns than the second coil; and

wherein the ratio of the number of turns between the 1st and 2nd coils is selected to optimize the frequencies for the transmission of signals; and

wherein the troughs are brought into proximity of each other when the ends of the components are joined together to perform communication between the coils.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a downhole power source in electrical communication with at least one of the inductive coils.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the downhole power source is selected from the group consisting of generators and batteries.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is adapted to alter voltage from an electrical current transmitted from the first component to the second component through the inductive coils.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second tubular tool string components are selected from the group consisting of drill pipes, production pipes, drill collars, heavyweight pipes, reamers, bottom-hole assembly components, jars, hammers, swivels, drill bits, sensors, subs, or combinations thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is tuned to a resonant frequency.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is further adapted to transmit an electrical signal from the first component to the second component at or about at the resonant frequency.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a bandpass filter in electrical communication with at least one of the inductive coils.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising electric circuit disposed within at least one of the components and in communication with the inductive coils.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a tubular tool string component having a first end and a second end;

first and second magnetically conducting, electrically insulating troughs disposed within grooves formed in shoulders of the first and second ends of the downhole component, respectively, each trough comprising an electrical coil having at least one turn lying therein, the electrical coil of the first trough comprising more turns than the electrical coil of the second trough;

wherein the ratio of the number of turns between the 1st and 2nd coils is selected to optimize the frequencies for the transmission of signals; and

an electrical conductor comprising a first end in electrical communication with the electrical coil of the first trough and a second end in electrical communication with the electrical coil of the second trough;

and wherein the troughs are brought into proximity of each other when the ends of the components are joined together to perform communication between the coils.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electrical conductor comprises a coaxial cable, a twisted pair of wires, a copper wire, a triaxial cable, or combinations thereof.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is tuned to pass an electrical signal from one electrical coil through the electrical conductor to the other electrical coil at a resonant frequency.

13. A method comprising:

providing a data transmission system comprising a plurality of wired drill pipe interconnected through inductive couplers, each inductive coupler having at least one turn of an electrical conductor, the couplers comprising a coil lying within a U-shaped trough of magnetically conductive, electrically insulating material disposed within shoulders located at ends of the pipe, the troughs being in proximity to each other;

generating downhole an electric current having a voltage;

transmitting the electric current to a downhole tool through the data transmission system;

altering the voltage of the electric current through an unequal turn ratio in at least one pair of inductive couplers;

wherein the ratio of the number of turns between the 1st and 2nd coupler is selected to optimize the frequencies for the transmission of signals.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the electric current is generated downhole by a battery.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the electric current is generated downhole by a generator.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the downhole tool is part of a bottom hole assembly.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein altering the voltage of the electric current includes stepping the voltage down to a voltage required by the tool.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the electric current is transmitted to a plurality of downhole tools.