Downhole Sensor Data Packet Indexing for Vibration Spectrum Reconstruction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current downhole data transmission protocols are limited by bandwidth constraints, typically transmitting only peak-to-peak or average vibration values, which provide limited information about the operational health of downhole devices, whereas raw data transmission could offer a more comprehensive understanding.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize sensors to collect and index raw data, forming data packets including indexed data and index information, and transmitting these packets in a predetermined segment of a communication protocol, allowing for the reconstruction of raw data spectra and providing a more comprehensive understanding of device health.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If only peak-to-peak or average vibration values are transmitted, then bandwidth constraints are satisfied, but information completeness about device health deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission bandwidthVSAvoidvibration data completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data transmission process into multiple components: index information (compact representation) and raw data portions (selectively transmitted). This segmentation allows the system to transmit essential data for spectrum reconstruction while managing bandwidth constraints, resolving the contradiction between transmission capacity and information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by computing and transmitting an index of the vibration data before transmitting the full raw data. This index serves as a compact representation that enables selective reconstruction of vibration spectra, allowing comprehensive health assessment while maintaining bandwidth efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If raw vibration data is transmitted in full, then information completeness about device health is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration data completenessVSAvoiddata transmission bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential characteristics of vibration data by computing an index that captures the spectral content. This extracted index enables reconstruction of vibration spectra without transmitting the complete raw data set, thereby providing comprehensive health information while significantly reducing bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a compact copy or representation of the vibration data through indexing. This index acts as a surrogate that contains sufficient information for spectral analysis and health assessment, eliminating the need to transmit the full raw data while maintaining diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive raw data is collected and transmitted, then diagnostic capability is improved, but communication protocol complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice health assessment accuracyVSAvoidcommunication protocol structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication protocol into distinct functional segments: index information transmission, data portion transmission, and reconstruction processes. This segmentation organizes the complex data flow into manageable components, improving diagnostic capability while maintaining protocol tractability through structured data organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9644475B2Communications protocol for downhole data collection
Publication Date: 2017.05.09 BAKER HUGHES CO
  • US9644475B2 patent drawing
  • US9644475B2 patent drawing
  • US9644475B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of managing data obtained in a borehole is provided. The method includes monitoring a characteristic with at least one sensor and obtaining raw data therefrom; indexing the raw data with the at least one sensor; recording the indexed data with the at least one sensor; forming a data packet with the at least one sensor, the data packet including at least a portion of the indexed data and index information; and transmitting the data packet in a predetermined segment of a communication protocol.