Air Drilling Microwave Telemetry with Repeater Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Microwave frequency telemetry transmission in downhole drilling operations faces challenges such as signal attenuation and interference due to obstructions in the drill string, particularly in long air drilling operations, where components like one-way valves and foam/mist can impede communication.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication system using a plurality of microwave communication nodes with transceiver subassemblies and reflectors along the drill string, allowing for bidirectional data transmission via microwave signals, with repeater units to enhance signal strength and frequency segmentation to minimize interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If microwave frequency telemetry transmission is used in long drill strings, then data transfer rate is improved, but signal attenuation and interference increase due to obstructions like one-way valves and foam/mist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidsignal transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drill string is divided into multiple segments with repeater units installed at intervals (e.g., every 3000-5000 feet). Each repeater unit receives, amplifies, and retransmits microwave signals, breaking the long transmission path into shorter segments that maintain signal integrity despite obstructions like one-way valves and foam/mist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Repeater units serve as intermediary devices between the surface transceiver and bottom-hole transceiver. These intermediaries actively receive weakened or obstructed signals and regenerate them, ensuring reliable communication through challenging downhole environments where direct transmission would fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If microwave signals are transmitted through the drill string, then wireless communication is achieved, but signal reflection and attenuation occur at components like one-way valves and compressors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidsignal reflection and attenuation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent acknowledges that drill string components necessarily cause signal attenuation and reflection, but converts this challenge into a benefit by positioning repeater units strategically near these obstructions. The repeaters compensate for the inevitable signal degradation caused by one-way valves, compressors, and foam/mist, turning the unavoidable presence of these components into a manageable condition through active signal regeneration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If foam and mist are injected into the drill string to improve air drilling functions, then drilling performance is enhanced, but microwave communication is impeded or interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling performanceVSAvoidcommunication interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Repeater units are installed in advance at predetermined intervals along the drill string before drilling operations begin. This preliminary placement ensures that signal regeneration points are already in position to compensate for the signal attenuation that will inevitably occur when foam and mist are injected during air drilling operations, maintaining communication continuity throughout the drilling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system effectively transmits telemetry and control signals along the drill string, reducing interference and maintaining reliable communication even in challenging air drilling conditions, optimizing signal strength and frequency usage for improved throughput and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a microwave reflector mounted inside the through-bore and upstring of the antenna feed. The reflector comprises at least one aperture and is configured to reflect a range of frequencies including an operating frequency of the downlink transceiver subassembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9856730B2Microwave communication system for downhole drilling

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 ALTAN TECH

AI summary

In one embodiment of the invention, an air drilling downhole telemetry and control system is disclosed, comprising a telemetry and control interface, a topside unit, one or more repeater units, a bottom hole unit, and an air filled drill string composed of a drill pipe acting as a circular waveguide, wherein the topside unit is disposed at the surface end of the drill string, the repeater units are disposed along the drill string, and the bottom hole unit is disposed at the terminal end of the drill string, and each unit is a communications node along a communications link existing between the telemetry and control interface and the bottom hole unit. Each unit comprises a communications subsystem, a power subsystem, and optionally a telemetry and control subsystem. The communications subsystem contains a message buffer system capable of temporarily storing communications during a communications link disruption event. Obstructions along the drill string, such as one-way valves, are incorporated into the repeater units disposed along the drill string.