Downhole Communication System Cross Talk Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the hydrocarbon exploration and recovery industry, signal coupling or 'cross talk' occurs frequently among multiple conductors used for downhole communication, complicating data transmission and making it difficult to prevent or minimize interference, especially when conductors are bundled for protection.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a method where each downhole device is assigned a unique address, allowing it to transmit encoded data and addresses over conductors, utilizing cross talk to enhance communication by enabling devices not directly connected to receive signals through electromagnetic fields, and incorporates a redundancy mechanism to ensure continued communication in case of device failure, using techniques like time multiplexing to prevent multiple simultaneous transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If multiple conductors are bundled together for protection, then device protection is improved, but signal coupling or cross talk between conductors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconductor protectionVSAvoidsignal coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful cross-talk effect into a beneficial communication mechanism by using electromagnetic induction through the bundled conductors to transmit data. The cross-talk that would normally cause interference is instead utilized to enable wireless data transfer between downhole devices without requiring separate dedicated communication conductors, thereby turning the harmful signal coupling into a useful data transmission pathway.

Inventive Principle:

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conductors are separated to prevent cross talk, then signal interference is reduced, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal interferenceVSAvoidconductor arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of separating conductors to prevent cross-talk, the patent embraces the bundled configuration and uses the resulting electromagnetic coupling as the basis for data transmission. This eliminates the need for complex conductor spacing and insulation arrangements while enabling communication through the naturally occurring electromagnetic fields in the bundled conductor system.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Reliability

If dedicated communication conductors are used for each device, then communication reliability is improved, but the number of conductors and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of conductors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing power conductors serve dual purposes: both powering the downhole devices and transmitting communication data through electromagnetic induction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated communication conductors, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining communication reliability through the use of established, robust power conductor pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the electromagnetic interference that would normally be considered a harmful effect into a useful data transmission mechanism. By using the bundled conductors' natural electromagnetic coupling, the system achieves reliable communication without requiring additional dedicated communication conductors, thereby reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

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

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 approach effectively utilizes cross talk to improve communication reliability and redundancy, allowing for efficient data transmission even when conductors are closely spaced, reducing the need for extensive separation and minimizing the impact of bundling, thereby enhancing the overall communication efficiency and fault tolerance in downhole environments.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the plurality of devices is able to receive and recognize encoded addresses and encoded data in an electrical signal transmitted at least one of the plurality of conductors electrically conductively isolated from the device configured to be receptive to the electrical signal having the encoded addresses and encoded data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8857507B2Downhole communication system and method

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A downhole communication system including a plurality of addressed downhole devices, a plurality of remote devices, and a plurality of conductors. Each of the plurality of conductors is electrically conductively connected to at least one of the plurality of addressed downhole devices and at least one of the plurality of remote devices. The downhole communication system is configured such that at least one of the plurality of devices is able to receive and recognize encoded addresses and encoded data in an electrical signal transmitted to at least one of the plurality of conductors electrically conductively isolated from the device configured to be receptive to the electrical signal having the encoded addresses and encoded data.