Acoustic Receiver for Drill String Signal Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current acoustic telemetry methods for oil and gas drilling face challenges in receiving acoustic waves of sufficient amplitude and quality during Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) and Logging-While-Drilling (LWD), particularly due to signal cancellations caused by reflections at specific positions along the drill string, limiting data transmission rates and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method and acoustic receiver system that utilize a combination of axial acceleration and strain sensors, with a controller to combine and condition signals, determining the magnitude of acoustic waves by summing and phase-shifting the signals to overcome position-dependent cancellations, allowing for effective detection of acoustic waves regardless of the sensor's position along the drill string.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sensor (accelerometer or strain gauge) is used to measure acoustic waves on the drill string, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to position-dependent signal cancellations from reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both an accelerometer and a strain gauge into a single measurement system. The accelerometer measures acceleration in the axial direction while the strain gauge measures strain in the axial direction. By merging these two different sensing mechanisms, the system captures both in-phase and quadrature components of the acoustic wave, eliminating position-dependent cancellations and enabling accurate measurement regardless of sensor location on the drill string.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are placed at specific positions along the drill string, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to signal cancellations at reflection nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by utilizing both acceleration and strain measurements simultaneously. By monitoring both parameters and combining their signals, the system adapts to different positions on the drill string and overcomes position-dependent signal cancellations. This allows reliable acoustic wave detection regardless of where the sensor is installed along the drill string.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables a position-independent acoustic receiver, enhancing data transmission reliability and accuracy by effectively detecting acoustic waves even at positions where single-sensor measurements would result in zero or minimal output, thereby improving data collection and transmission rates during drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer for measuring acceleration of the drill string in an axial direction and for outputting an acceleration signal
Implementation Method 2
a strain gauge for measuring strain in the drill string in an axial direction and for outputting a strain signal
Implementation Method 3
combining the acceleration signal and the strain signal to determine a magnitude of the acoustic wave
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic receiver for use on a drill string includes a housing attachable to the drill string; a first sensor mounted within the housing for measuring a first parameter at a first location on the drill string and for generating a first parameter signal representative of the first parameter; a second sensor mounted within the housing for measuring a second parameter at a second location on the drill string and for generating a second parameter signal representative of the second parameter; and a controller mounted within the housing and communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors. The magnitudes of the first and second parameters vary in proportion to magnitude of the acoustic wave and the first and second parameters have a quadrature phase relationship. The controller is configured to combine the first and second parameter signals to determine the magnitude of the acoustic wave.