Cylindrical Band Transceivers for Wellbore Signal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication between well tools in a well system is inefficient due to factors like conductive characteristics of the subterranean formation, leading to challenges in maintaining stable signal detection and power transmission, especially with rotating and misaligned components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electromagnetically coupled band-gap transceivers with cylindrically shaped bands that communicate via electromagnetic fields or current transmission, using couplers to reduce attenuation and maintain alignment, allowing for efficient data transfer across long distances and through varying resistivity environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used between well tools, then data transmission is enabled without physical connection, but power transmission efficiency deteriorates due to conductive characteristics of subterranean formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate coupling mechanism consisting of conductive bands and couplers that mediate the power and data transmission between rotating and stationary components. The coupler acts as an intermediary that maintains electromagnetic coupling while allowing relative motion, thus enabling efficient power transmission through the subterranean formation without direct physical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cable connections with an electromagnetic coupling system using conductive bands and couplers. This substitution eliminates the need for physical cable connections while maintaining efficient power and data transmission through electromagnetic fields that can penetrate the subterranean formation.
2Reliability
If cable is used to transmit data between well tools, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but cable wear and failure occur due to rotation and vibration of well components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable system with an electromagnetic coupling system using conductive bands and couplers. This eliminates the mechanical wear and failure modes associated with cables while maintaining reliable data transmission through electromagnetic fields that are not subject to physical degradation from rotation and vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive bands and couplers serve as intermediaries that enable data transmission without requiring direct physical connection. The coupling mechanism maintains electrical continuity through electromagnetic coupling while allowing the rotating and stationary components to move independently, thus eliminating cable wear and failure.
3Ease of operation
If traditional wireless communication is used, then data transmission is enabled, but signal detection stability deteriorates due to rotation and misalignment of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cylindrically shaped conductive bands that wrap around rotating components. The cylindrical geometry ensures that the bands maintain continuous contact and alignment with the coupler regardless of the rotation angle, thus maintaining stable signal detection while allowing free rotation of the well components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler acts as an intermediary that maintains stable electromagnetic coupling between the rotating conductive bands and the stationary receiver. The coupler's design ensures consistent signal transmission despite relative motion and misalignment, thereby stabilizing signal detection.
4Length of stationary object
If electromagnetic coupling is used across long distances, then data transmission range is extended, but signal attenuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the long-distance communication path into shorter segments using multiple couplers positioned at intervals along the wellbore. Each coupler handles a short-range electromagnetic coupling, reducing the attenuation that would occur over long distances. The segmented approach allows signal regeneration and maintains overall communication effectiveness across extended distances.
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 solution enhances power transmission efficiency, increases the lifespan of transceivers, and improves signal quality by maintaining stable communication despite rotation and misalignment, and varying resistivity conditions, enabling reliable data transfer in wellbore environments.
Implementation Method 1
Power supplied to the cylindrically shaped band of one transceiver can generate a voltage between the cylindrically shaped band and the outer housing of the associated subsystem. The voltage can cause the cylindrically shaped band to emit an electromagnetic field through a fluid in the wellbore and the surrounding formation
Implementation Method 2
The voltage can also cause the cylindrically shaped band to transmit current into the fluid in the wellbore and the surrounding formation. If the fluid and formation have a low resistivity, the electromagnetic field emitted by the transceiver can attenuate and the other transceiver can detect the current transmitted through the fluid and the formation
Implementation Method 3
If the fluid and formation have a high resistivity, the current transmitted into the fluid and formation can attenuate and the other transceiver can detect the electromagnetic field emitted by the transceiver
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system for use in a wellbore can include a first cylindrically shaped band that can be positioned around a first outer housing of a first subsystem of a well tool. The first cylindrically shaped band can be operable to electromagnetically couple with a second cylindrically shaped band. The second cylindrically shaped band can be positioned around a second outer housing of a second subsystem of the well tool. The first cylindrically shaped band can electromagnetically couple with the second cylindrically shaped band via an electromagnetic field or by transmitting a current to the second cylindrically shaped band through a fluid in the wellbore.