Cable Link for Wellbore Telemetry Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wired drill pipe systems face challenges in transmitting high-bandwidth signals through drilling tools like jars and stabilizers, which often lack wiring structures, making it difficult and expensive to provide signal communication across these tools.
Innovation Solution
A cable link system with link connectors and a linking cable having electrical or optical conductors, allowing signal communication between sensors in the drill string and surface equipment, even through tools without internal signal features, by using latchable signal connectors to establish frictional contact within the drilling tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If wired drill pipe systems are used to transmit high-bandwidth signals, then signal transmission rate is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for wiring structures in drilling tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces link connectors as intermediary devices that couple the drill string to external telemetry systems without requiring wiring structures within the drilling tools themselves. The link connectors serve as mediators that enable high-bandwidth signal transmission while maintaining the simplicity of conventional drilling tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the signal transmission path into distinct components: sensors in the drill string, link connectors at strategic locations, and external telemetry systems. This segmentation allows high-bandwidth transmission without requiring every drilling tool component to have wiring structures, as only the link connectors need to interface with the telemetry system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wiring structures are installed in drilling tools like jars and stabilizers, then signal communication capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Link connectors act as intermediary components that provide signal communication capability without requiring modifications to the drilling tools themselves. The connectors interface with existing drill string components and external telemetry systems, eliminating the need to manufacture complex wiring structures within jars, stabilizers, and other drilling tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The link connectors serve multiple functions: they provide signal communication interfaces, couple the drill string to telemetry systems, and enable high-bandwidth data transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate wiring structures in drilling tools, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining communication capability.
3Device complexity
If conventional mud-pulse telemetry is used, then device complexity is kept low, but signal transmission rate is insufficient for detailed subsurface formation information
Solution Approach 1:
The link connectors serve as intermediaries that bridge the gap between simple mud-pulse telemetry and high-bandwidth wired systems. They enable the drill string to interface with external telemetry equipment, allowing high signal transmission rates while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts between different telemetry modes: mud-pulse telemetry for simple applications and high-bandwidth wired communication through link connectors when detailed subsurface formation information is required. This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize between complexity and transmission rate based on operational needs.
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
Enables high-bandwidth communication between drilling instruments and surface equipment without the need for wiring within conventional drilling tools, facilitating efficient data transmission and reducing the complexity and cost of signal communication across drilling tool assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
the linking cable having at least one of an electrical conductor and an optical fiber therein
Implementation Method 2
the linking cable having at least one of an electrical conductor and an optical fiber therein
Implementation Method 3
by using latchable signal connectors to establish frictional contact within the drilling tools
Data Source
AI summary
A cable link may include a first link connector in signal communication with at least one sensor in a drill string and coupled to the drill string, a second link connector spaced apart from the first link connector and in signal communication with a telemetry system, the second connector link coupled to the drill string, and a linking cable having signal connectors at each end thereof, the linking cable having at least one of an electrical conductor and an optical fiber therein, the signal connectors each configured to latch proximate a respective one of the first and second link connector.