Downhole communication devices and methods of use

• US 8,179,278 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2008
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Shakra, Fred, Louden, Phil, Kotsonis, Spyro
• Primary Examiner(s): Gay, Jennifer H
• Application Number:
  US12/325,499
• Publication Number:
  US 20100133006A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• Field of Search: 340/854.3, 340/853.1, 340/854.4, 340/855, 340/855.8, 340/855.5, 367 81- 83, 175/40, 175/57
• US Class Current: 340/854.4
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling

Abstract

A downhole communication device comprises a first energy harvesting device; a downhole transceiver in communication with the first energy harvesting device; an accumulator in communication with the energy harvesting device; and a microcontroller. The microcontroller manages communication between the first energy harvesting device, transceiver, and accumulator.

Claims

1. A downhole communication device comprising:

a first energy harvesting device;

a downhole transceiver in communication with the first energy harvesting device;

an accumulator in communication with the energy harvesting device; and

a microcontroller, wherein said microcontroller manages communication between the first energy harvesting device, transceiver, and accumulator;

estimates energy in the accumulator; and

regulates power flow from the accumulator.

2. The downhole communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor in communication with the microcontroller and the downhole transceiver.

3. The downhole communication device of claim 2, wherein the sensor is in wired communication with the microcontroller.

4. The downhole communication device of claim 2, wherein the sensor is in wireless communication with the microcontroller.

5. The downhole communication device of claim 2, further comprising:

a second energy harvesting device, wherein the second energy harvesting device is in communication with the sensor.

6. The downhole communication device of claim 1, wherein the downhole transceiver is in communication with a second downhole transceiver located distant to the first downhole transceiver.

7. The downhole communication device of claim 1, wherein the first energy harvesting device is a substantially continuous power generator.

8. The downhole communication device of claim 7, wherein the substantially continuous power generator is one or more selected from the group consisting of:

a triboelectric generator, an electromagnetic generator, and a thermoelectric generator.

9. The downhole communication device of claim 1, wherein the first energy harvesting device is a sporadic power generator.

10. The downhole communication device of claim 9, wherein the sporadic power generator is a piezoelectric generator.

11. The downhole communication device of claim 1, wherein the accumulator is one or more selected from the group consisting of:

a hydro-pneumatic accumulator, a spring accumulator, an electrochemical cell, a battery, a rechargeable battery, a lead-acid battery, a capacitor, and a compulsator.

12. The downhole communication device of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to regulate the release of power from the accumulator.

13. The downhole communication device of claim 1 wherein the microcontroller estimates existing energy stored in the accumulator.

14. The downhole communication device of claim 1 wherein the downhole transceiver is selected from the group consisting of:

an electrical transceiver, a hydraulic transceiver, and an acoustic transceiver.

15. A drilling control system comprising:

an uphole communication device;

a downhole communication device comprising;

a first energy harvesting device;

a first downhole transceiver in communication with the first energy harvesting device;

a first accumulator in communication with the first energy harvesting device;

a first microcontroller, wherein the first microcontroller manages communication between the first energy harvesting device, the first downhole transceiver, and the first accumulator; and

a sensor in communication with the microcontroller and the first downhole transceiver; and

at least one repeater comprising;

a second energy harvesting device;

a second downhole transceiver in communication with the second energy harvesting device;

a second accumulator in communication with the second energy harvesting device; and

a second microcontroller, wherein the second microcontroller manages communication between the second energy harvesting device, the second downhole transceiver, and the second accumulator, wherein at least one of the first microcontroller and the second microcontroller estimates energy stored in and regulates power flow from at least one of the first accumulator and the second accumulator.

16. The drilling control system of claim 15 further comprising:

an uphole communication device comprising;

a power source; and

a receiver electrically coupled to the power source.

17. The drilling control system of claim 16, wherein the uphole communication device further comprises:

a transmitter electrically coupled to the power source.

18. The drilling control system of claim 17, wherein the downhole communication device further comprises:

a receiver electrically coupled with the microprocessor.

19. A method of downhole drilling comprising:

providing a downhole component comprising;

a first energy harvesting device;

a first downhole transceiver in communication with the first energy harvesting device;

a first accumulator in communication with the first energy harvesting device;

a first microcontroller, wherein the first microcontroller manages communication between the first energy harvesting device, the first downhole transceiver, and the first accumulator; and

a sensor in communication with the microcontroller and the first downhole transceiver;

providing at least one repeater comprising;

a second energy harvesting device;

a second downhole transceiver in communication with the second energy harvesting device;

a second accumulator in communication with the second energy harvesting device; and

a second microcontroller, wherein the second microcontroller manages communication between the second energy harvesting device, the second downhole transceiver, and the second accumulator;

providing an uphole component comprising;

a power source; and

a receiver electrically coupled to the power source;

obtaining drilling data from the sensor;

transmitting the drilling data from the downhole component to the first of the at least one repeater;

relaying the drilling data to any subsequent repeaters;

transmitting the drilling data from the last of the least one repeater to the uphole component; and

using at least one of the first microcontroller and the second microcontroller to estimate energy in and to control power flow from at least one of the first accumulator and the second accumulator.