Intelligent electrical power distribution system

• US 8,264,369 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2009
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Boswell, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Gay, Jennifer H
• Assistant Examiner(s): AGA, TAMATANE J
• Application Number:
  US12/393,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20090151932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 340/854.8, 340/855.1, 340/855.9
• 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: F16L 15/001 with conical threads
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 15/08 with supplementary elements F16L15/04, F16L41/00 and F16L43/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/01 specially adapted for realising electrical conduction between the two pipe ends of the joint or between parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/021 for screw-threaded joints
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10

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.

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.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical connectors comprise inductive coils.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical connectors comprise conductive rings.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein rectifiers are disposed between the electrical connectors and a power consuming circuit of the electrical tool instrument.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the rectifiers are full-wave solid state rectifiers.

6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein one or more electrical filtering devices are disposed between the rectifiers and the power consuming circuit of the downhole tool.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the switches are solid state.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the switches comprise triodes for alternating current (TRIACs).

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the switches are electromechanical.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the switches comprise relays.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool comprises resistivity transmitter and receiver coils.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool comprises a seismic device.

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.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising, detecting power at both the first adjacent downhole assembly and the second downhole assembly and decoupling the electrical coupling of the first downhole assembly and the second downhole assembly in response to detecting power at both the first adjacent downhole assembly and the second downhole assembly.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the coupling of the first adjacent assembly and the second adjacent assembly is initiated by either a direct current source or an alternating current source.

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.