Intelligent electrical power distribution system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A downhole tool assembly, comprising;
- a tubular body having a first end and a second end;
a first electrical connector disposed in the first end of said tubular body;
a second electrical connector disposed in the second end of said tubular body;
an electrical tool instrument disposed between the connectors;
a first switch disposed between said first electrical connector and said second electrical connector, said first switch configured to selectively allow a current to flow there through;
a second switch disposed between said first electrical connector and said second electrical connector, said second switch configured to selectively allow a current to flow there through;
a first sensor adapted to sense a current in said first electrical connector;
a second sensor adapted to sense a current in said second electrical connector; and
a microprocessor connected to said first sensor and said second sensor, said microprocessor adapted to cause said first switch to open in response to a current being sensed by both first sensor and said second sensor, and to be closed in response to a current being sensed by only a single one of said first sensor and said second sensor.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A downhole tool assembly with electrical connectors disposed proximate an upper end and a lower end of the tool intelligently distributes electrical power. Switches are disposed between the electrical connectors and selectively allow or disallow electrical continuity between the electrical connectors. A microprocessor is in electrical communication with the electrical connectors and the switches. The microprocessor causes the switches to open or close based on the present of a current at the electrical connectors.
188 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A downhole tool assembly, comprising;
-
a tubular body having a first end and a second end; a first electrical connector disposed in the first end of said tubular body; a second electrical connector disposed in the second end of said tubular body; an electrical tool instrument disposed between the connectors; a first switch disposed between said first electrical connector and said second electrical connector, said first switch configured to selectively allow a current to flow there through; a second switch disposed between said first electrical connector and said second electrical connector, said second switch configured to selectively allow a current to flow there through; a first sensor adapted to sense a current in said first electrical connector; a second sensor adapted to sense a current in said second electrical connector; and a microprocessor connected to said first sensor and said second sensor, said microprocessor adapted to cause said first switch to open in response to a current being sensed by both first sensor and said second sensor, and to be closed in response to a current being sensed by only a single one of said first sensor and said second sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for downhole power distribution, comprising:
-
providing a downhole tool between a first adjacent downhole assembly and a second adjacent downhole assembly, the downhole tool having a first electrical coupling, a second electrical coupling, said first electrical coupling selectively electrically coupled to said second electrical coupling through at least one switch between said first electrical coupling and said second electrical coupling, a first sensor adapted to detect power in said first electrical coupling, and a second sensor adapted to detect power in said second electrical coupling; electrically coupling the downhole tool to the first adjacent downhole assembly and the second adjacent downhole assembly through said first electric coupling and said second electric coupling; supplying power to the downhole tool from only the first adjacent downhole assembly through said first electrical coupling; detecting from the first adjacent downhole assembly at said first electrical coupling and not detecting any power from the second adjacent downhole assembly at said second electrical coupling; and electrically coupling the first electrical coupling and the second electrical coupling in response to detecting the supply of power from the first electrical coupling and not the second electrical coupling. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
-
-
16. A downhole tool assembly, comprising;
-
a first electrical power source; a second electrical power source; an electrical tool instrument electrically coupled to the first electrical power source and the second electrical power source; at least one switch between the first electrical power source and the second electrical power source, the at least one switch adapted to selectively electrically couple when the switch is closed and decouple the first electrical power source and the second electrical power source when the switch is open; a first sensor adapted to detect a current at said first electrical power source; a second sensor adapted to detect a current at said second electrical power source; and a microprocessor in electrical communication with the at least one switch, the first sensor, and the second sensor, the microprocessor adapted to cause the switch to open when the first sensor detects a current and the second sensor detects a current, and close when only the first or only the second sensor detects a current.
-
Specification