Fluidic Modulator Moveable Element for Mud Pulse Telemetry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mud pulse telemetry systems in drilling operations face issues with high power consumption, limited operating range, susceptibility to noise interference, and inefficiencies in signal modulation, particularly due to the nature of moving parts which can lead to jamming and erosion, affecting the reliability and effectiveness of downhole communication.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a fluidic modulator with a moveable element disposed through a diamond bearing surface into a constricted flow aperture, allowing for pressure signal modulation through dynamic gapping control, amplitude, phase, and frequency adjustments, enabling efficient and robust mud pulse communication with lower power consumption and wider operating range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional moving part valves are used for mud pulse telemetry, then signal modulation capability is achieved, but the system suffers from jamming and erosion due to the nature of moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of downhole communicationVSAvoidjamming and erosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical moving part valves with a voice coil actuator system that uses electromagnetic fields to modulate the mud pulse signal. The voice coil actuator moves a diaphragm or piston without traditional valve mechanisms, eliminating jamming and erosion issues associated with mechanical moving parts while maintaining signal modulation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pneumatic and hydraulic principles by modulating the mud pulse signal through pressure changes in the drilling fluid itself. The voice coil actuator creates pressure variations in the mud column to encode data, utilizing the fluid's compressibility and flow characteristics rather than mechanical valve opening/closing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Power

If high power consumption is used to drive traditional mud pulse modulators, then signal strength is maintained, but the operating range is limited due to power constraints in downhole environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The voice coil actuator uses electromagnetic actuation which is more energy-efficient than traditional mechanical valve systems. The electromagnetic field可以直接 actuate the diaphragm without requiring high-power mechanical drive mechanisms, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate signal strength for communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system optimizes signal parameters such as modulation frequency and amplitude to achieve effective communication with lower power input. The voice coil actuator can precisely control these parameters, allowing efficient use of available power while maintaining signal integrity over extended operating ranges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If conventional signal modulation methods are used, then communication is achieved, but the system is susceptible to noise interference from drilling operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmissionVSAvoidnoise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic-based voice coil actuator produces cleaner, more precise pressure modulations compared to mechanical valve systems. This results in signals with less distortion and better signal-to-noise ratio, improving resistance to drilling noise interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to detect and compensate for noise interference. By monitoring the received signal quality and adjusting modulation parameters accordingly, the system maintains reliable communication despite the noisy downhole environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 fluidic modulator provides improved power efficiency, increased operating range, noise isolation, and enhanced signal modulation capabilities, allowing for high bandwidth communication and flexible signal control, including amplitude and phase modulation, while reducing the risk of jamming and erosion, thus enhancing the reliability of downhole data transmission.

Implementation Method 1

a moveable element having a shaft portion disposed through the body and a tip end selectively positionable in the flow aperture to alter the flow aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid dynamics:

Implementation Method 2

The moveable element may be for example linearly translated through the bearing surface into the flow aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiamond bearing:

Data Source

PatentUS10053919B2Moveable element to create pressure signals in a fluidic modulator

Publication Date: 2018.08.21 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A fluidic modulator in accordance to an aspect includes a body forming a flow aperture between an inlet and an outlet, the flow aperture providing a constriction to a fluid flowing axially from the inlet to the outlet, and a moveable element having a shaft portion disposed through the body and a tip end selectively positionable in the flow aperture to alter the flow aperture.