Conductive Slip Ring for LWD Power and Signal Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing logging while drilling (LWD) instruments face challenges in reliable electric power and signal transmission between rotating structures due to harsh environments, high complexity, high costs, and inefficiencies in wireless power transmission and signal communication.
Innovation Solution
A conductive slip ring with a simple structure, comprising a housing, connectors, an output shaft, and an inner core system, using high temperature-resistant materials and a lubricant-filled sealed cavity, along with a support body and electric power and signal transmission device, to facilitate reliable power and signal transfer between rotating components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless communication techniques utilizing electromagnetic waves are used for signal transmission, then communication between instruments is solved, but electric power transmission cannot be solved and the circuit becomes complex with high cost and high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electric power transmission and signal transmission into a single wired connection system through the slip ring assembly. The brush contacts simultaneously transmit both electrical power and signals between the rotating and stationary components, eliminating the need for separate wireless communication systems and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces wireless electromagnetic field-based transmission with a mechanical contact-based slip ring system. The brush physically contacts the rotating contact surface to transmit both power and signals, substituting the complex electromagnetic wave transmission mechanism with a simpler mechanical-electrical contact system.
2Power
If wireless electric power transmission techniques are used, then electric power transmission is achieved, but the failure rate is high in complex downhole environment and transmission efficiency is limited in mud environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wireless electromagnetic power transmission with a mechanical contact-based slip ring system. The brush physically contacts the rotating contact surface to transmit electrical power, providing a reliable wired connection that is not affected by mud environment interference or the inherent instability of wireless power transmission in downhole conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The slip ring assembly is sealed within a housing that creates a protected environment for the brush contacts. This sealing isolates the electrical contact surfaces from the harsh mud environment, preventing corrosion and maintaining reliable power transmission despite the aggressive downhole conditions.
3Reliability
If conventional slip ring structure is used, then electric power and signal transmission between rotating structures is achieved, but the structure is complex and temperature resistance is insufficient in harsh downhole environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the slip ring structure with bearing functionality into an integrated assembly. The slip ring housing incorporates bearing components that support the rotating shaft while maintaining electrical contacts, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall structure while ensuring reliable power and signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs materials with high temperature resistance and mechanical strength for the slip ring components. The housing and internal parts are constructed from materials capable of withstanding harsh downhole temperature and pressure conditions, ensuring the structural integrity and functional reliability of the electrical transmission system.
4Reliability
If sealed cavity with high temperature-resistant lubricant is used, then temperature, pressure, and vibration resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function with the housing structure of the slip ring assembly. The housing itself is designed to form a sealed cavity that contains the lubricant and protects the internal components, integrating the sealing function into the existing structural elements rather than adding separate complex sealing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The high temperature-resistant lubricant within the sealed cavity provides self-lubrication to the brush contacts and moving parts during operation. This self-service lubrication system reduces wear and maintains smooth operation under temperature, pressure, and vibration without requiring external lubrication systems or complex maintenance mechanisms.
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 conductive slip ring provides reliable, efficient, and cost-effective electric power and signal transmission with high temperature, pressure, and vibration resistance, addressing the inefficiencies and complexities of existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
with high temperature-resistant lubricant fully filled in the sealed cavity
Implementation Method 2
the housing of slip ring device, the top connector of slip ring, the bottom connector of slip ring, the output shaft of slip ring, and the end cap of slip ring form a sealed cavity together, with high temperature-resistant lubricant fully filled in the sealed cavity
Implementation Method 3
the electric power and signal transmission device is configured to transfer received electric power and signals to the inner core system of slip ring or transmit the electric power and signals emitted by the inner core system of slip ring
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a conductive slip ring for logging while drilling (LWD) instrument. The present disclosure utilizes a mechanical conductive slip ring to solve the problems of transmission of electric power and signals between two structures that have relative rotation, and the conductive slip ring has a simple structure, doesn't involve any complex circuit, and has low cost and high reliability. With the conductive slip ring in the present disclosure, there is no power transmission efficiency problem or signal transmission error rate problem. The conductive slip ring has high temperature-resistant, pressure-proof, and vibration-roof abilities, and can be applied widely.