Acoustic Transmitter Spring Biasing for Downhole Telemetry

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-well acoustic telemetry systems face difficulties in maintaining adequate acoustic transmission and reception due to external pressures altering system response, necessitating the removal of external factors that affect acoustic transmission and reception.

Innovation Solution

The system employs an elongate tubular housing with a transmitter and receiver, where the transmitter generates acoustic signals by linearly fluctuating in response to electrical signals, and the receiver converts acoustic signals back into electrical signals, utilizing a spring for acoustic coupling and a receiver cap for enhanced alignment and energy transfer, while being isolated to prevent signal interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transmitter is rigidly coupled to the housing, then acoustic transmission is stable, but the system becomes sensitive to external pressure changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic transmission stabilityVSAvoidexternal pressure sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane or diaphragm as the coupling interface between the transmitter and housing. This flexible element allows the transmitter to maintain acoustic coupling while accommodating external pressure changes without rigid stress transmission, thereby resolving the contradiction between stable acoustic transmission and pressure sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary flexible coupling element between the transmitter and housing. This intermediary component decouples the rigid mechanical connection, allowing the transmitter to respond to acoustic signals while the flexible element absorbs external pressure variations, thus eliminating the harmful effect of pressure sensitivity while maintaining acoustic transmission stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the transmitter is isolated from the housing, then external pressure effects are reduced, but acoustic coupling efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal pressure resistanceVSAvoidacoustic energy transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane serves as both an isolating element that protects against external pressure and an acoustic transmission medium. Its flexibility allows it to transmit acoustic vibrations effectively while its encapsulation property isolates the transmitter from harmful external pressure changes, thus resolving the contradiction between pressure resistance and acoustic energy transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If the housing is rigid, then structural strength is high, but acoustic signal transmission is attenuated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing structural strengthVSAvoidacoustic signal transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid housing with a flexible membrane structure that maintains structural integrity while allowing acoustic signal transmission. The flexible material provides sufficient strength to protect internal components while its acoustic transparency allows sound waves to pass through with minimal attenuation, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and acoustic transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 configuration ensures consistent and sensitive acoustic transmission and reception, reducing sensitivity to environmental factors and maintaining acoustic coupling despite external pressures, thereby improving the overall performance of the in-well acoustic telemetry system.

Implementation Method 1

a spring (110) between the receiver cap (112) and the housing (106) biasing the transmitter (102) into acoustic coupling to the housing (106)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic coupling: Acoustics

Implementation Method 2

an elongate transmitter (102) in the tubular housing (106)... The transmitter is adapted to generate an output acoustic signal by linearly fluctuating in response to an electrical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 3

a receiver (104) in the tubular housing (106)... The receiver is adapted to generate another electrical signal by linearly fluctuating in response to an input acoustic signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustoelectric transduction:

Data Source

PatentUS10221683B2Acoustically coupled transmitter for downhole telemetry

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

An in-well type acoustic telemetry system includes an elongate tubular housing, an elongate transmitter in the tubular housing, a receiver in the tubular housing, and a spring between the transmitter and the housing biasing the transmitter into acoustic coupling to the housing. The transmitter is adapted to generate an output acoustic signal by linearly fluctuating in response to an electrical signal. The receiver is adapted to generate another electrical signal by linearly fluctuating in response to an input acoustic signal.