Downhole Tool with Integrated Circuit

Abstract

A downhole tool has a tubular body with an end, an exterior wall, and a bore. A mating surface is formed intermediate the exterior wall and the bore in the end of the tubular body. The mating surface is adapted to couple to a second downhole tool and has an integrated circuit. In several embodiments, the integrated circuit is an RFID circuit in communication with a downhole network through an inductive coupler. A tool identification system has surface equipment with RFID interrogating circuitry connected to a protected integrated RFID circuit in a downhole tool string component through a downhole network. A method for identifying a tool in a downhole tool string includes transmitting signals between surface equipment and identification circuitry in the tool through the downhole network.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the field of downhole drilling. More specifically, it relates to downhole tools in a tool string with protected integrated circuits. [0002] Due to high costs associated with drilling for hydrocarbons and extracting them from underground formations, efficiency in drilling operations is desirable to keep overall expenses down. Electronic equipment may be useful in drilling operations to accomplish many tasks, such as providing identification information about specific downhole components to surface equipment, performing downhole measurements, collecting downhole data, actuating tools, and other tasks. [0003] Notwithstanding its utility in the drilling process, downhole has proven to be a rather hostile environment for electronic equipment. Temperatures downhole may reach excesses of 200° C. Shock and vibration along a tool string may knock circuitry out of place or damage it. A drilling mud with a high pH is often cir...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] It should also be understood that for the purposes of this specification the term “protected” refers to a state of being substantially secure from and able to function in spite of potential adverse operating conditions.

Problems solved by technology

Notwithstanding its utility in the drilling process, downhole has proven to be a rather hostile environment for electronic equipment.

Temperatures downhole may reach excesses of 200° C. Shock and vibration along a tool string may knock circuitry out of place or damage it.

The drilling mud and other downhole fluids may also have a detrimental effect on electronic equipment downhole exposed to it.

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