Fluidic Siren Telemetry via Rotating Restrictor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional downhole telemetry systems in subterranean hydrocarbon extraction face challenges with expensive and difficult-to-establish wired connections, particularly in complex well environments like extended reach laterals and multi-lateral wells, necessitating a wireless communication method that integrates power generation and telemetry.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electronic controlled fluidic siren system, which uses a turbine-driven siren to create acoustic pulses and an electric motor to adjust rotational velocity, generating a digitally encoded telemetry signal for wireless transmission, enabling self-powered communication through fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections are used for downhole telemetry, then data transmission reliability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with an acoustic communication system that uses sound waves to transmit data through the wellbore fluid. The siren device generates acoustic signals that can be detected by surface equipment, eliminating the need for physical wired connections while maintaining data transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the wellbore fluid (oil, gas, or water) as a medium for acoustic signal transmission. The siren device creates pressure waves in the fluid that carry encoded data from the downhole location to the surface, leveraging the existing hydraulic environment for communication purposes.
2Ease of operation
If wireless acoustic telemetry is implemented, then installation ease is improved, but power generation capability must be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power generation function and telemetry function into a single integrated system. The turbine that generates electrical power from the wellbore fluid flow is mechanically coupled to the siren device, which uses this power to generate acoustic signals for data transmission. This merging eliminates the need for separate power and communication systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The downhole device performs multiple functions: it generates electrical power from fluid flow through the turbine, stores energy in capacitors, controls the siren for acoustic signal generation, and encodes data for transmission. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed in the wellbore environment.
3Loss of time
If turbine-driven siren is used, then self-powered operation is achieved, but rotational velocity control is required for data encoding
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the rotational velocity of the turbine-driven siren to encode data. By varying the rotation speed, the frequency of the acoustic signals changes, allowing binary data (0s and 1s) to be transmitted. This dynamic control enables real-time communication without requiring complex mechanical switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent encodes data by changing the rotational velocity parameter of the siren. Different rotation speeds correspond to different binary values, allowing information to be conveyed through modulation of the acoustic signal frequency. This parameter-based encoding is simpler than mechanical switch-based encoding.
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 provides a cost-effective and efficient means of wireless telemetry in downhole environments, allowing for real-time data transmission of fluid breakthrough events and other wellbore parameters, enhancing the operational efficiency of smart well systems.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine mechanically coupled to the rotating restrictor and configured to rotate in response to fluid flow along a flow path
Implementation Method 2
an electric motor to adjust rotational velocity
Implementation Method 3
create acoustic pulses and an electric motor to adjust rotational velocity, generating a digitally encoded telemetry signal for wireless transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A system for fluidic siren based telemetry is provided. The system includes a non-rotating restrictor and a rotating restrictor positioned relative to the non-rotating restrictor that is configured to control a flow passage to the non-rotating restrictor. The system includes a turbine coupled to the rotating restrictor and configured to rotate in response to fluid flow along a flow path. The system also includes a generator coupled to the turbine and a controller device electrically coupled to the generator. The controller device is configured to provide one or more encoded signals to the generator to adjust a rotational velocity of the rotating restrictor and causing the rotating restrictor to create different acoustic signatures through the flow passage for wireless communication of a telemetry signal to a surface based on the adjusted rotational velocity of the rotating restrictor.