Acoustic Receiver Waveguide Curvature for Signal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In acoustic communications, particularly in downhole applications, it is challenging to predetermine the location of signal strength peaks and nulls on the communication channel due to dynamically changing transfer functions caused by stress, strain, bending, and other operational conditions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an acoustic receiver with a waveguide that follows a path changing direction, such as a curved or sinusoidal path, allows for spatial signal diversity by acoustically coupling multiple sensors at different positions along the waveguide, ensuring detection of signals near peak signal strength even with changing channel conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single acoustic sensor is coupled to the communication channel at a fixed position, then the device complexity is low, but the received signal strength is sub-optimal due to inability to adapt to changing standing wave patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceived signal strengthVSAvoidacoustic receiver structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic receiver is segmented into multiple sensors (first sensor and second sensor) positioned at different locations along the waveguide. This segmentation allows the system to sample multiple points of the standing wave pattern simultaneously, increasing the probability that at least one sensor will be positioned near a signal peak, thereby improving received signal strength reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide is configured with a curved or sinusoidal path rather than a straight configuration. This dimensional change in the waveguide geometry creates spatial diversity along the communication channel, allowing sensors to be positioned at different effective locations relative to the standing wave peaks and nulls, thus improving signal detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors are positioned at different locations along a curved waveguide path, then spatial signal diversity is improved, but the device complexity and physical extent increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial signal diversityVSAvoidwaveguide configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide is designed with a curved or sinusoidal path instead of a straight configuration. This curvature allows the waveguide to sample different spatial positions along the communication channel while maintaining a compact physical footprint, thereby achieving spatial signal diversity without proportionally increasing the device's overall extent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide structure is configured to fit within or around the acoustic communication channel (such as drill string or casing). This nesting approach allows the waveguide to achieve extended effective length for signal sampling while being constrained within the limited space of the downhole environment, reducing the need for excessive physical extent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the waveguide follows a straight path, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to achieve spatial diversity and adapt to changing channel conditions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to changing transfer functionVSAvoidwaveguide path

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates multiple sensors that can independently detect signals at different positions along the waveguide. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to changing standing wave patterns caused by variations in drill string stress, strain, and bending, as the curved waveguide ensures that at least one sensor will be positioned near a signal peak under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach enhances the probability of detecting signals with optimal signal strength, thereby increasing the usable communication signal bandwidth and improving the reliability of acoustic communication in downhole environments.

Implementation Method 1

an acoustic receiver which comprises a waveguide that provides a path for conducting acoustic waves from an acoustic communication channel to a plurality of sensors acoustically coupled to the waveguide at respective positions spaced along a length of the waveguide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS20250116189A1Acoustic receiver

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 RAPTOR DATA LTD

AI summary

An acoustic receiver is provided for receiving acoustic signals from an acoustic communication channel. The acoustic receiver comprises a waveguide; and at least first and second sensors for sensing the acoustic signals, the sensors being in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The first and second sensors are acoustically coupled to the waveguide at respective first and second positions spaced from each other along a length of the waveguide. The length of the waveguide between the first and second positions follows a path that changes direction to thereby limit an extent of the waveguide.