Helical Conductor Transducer for Borehole Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication techniques for borehole drilling, such as acoustic mud pulse telemetry and electromagnetic wireless links, face challenges like low data rates, unreliability, and signal attenuation, making it difficult to efficiently transmit data from the drill head to the surface, especially in deep boreholes.
Innovation Solution
A compact, low-profile transducer using a helical conductor is mounted on the drill pipe to excite TM surface waves on a mud-coated drill pipe, enabling efficient data transmission as a single conductor transmission line, which supports propagation without spherical wave loss and can be accommodated in standard boreholes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If acoustic mud pulse telemetry is used for data transmission, then the equipment is simple and can be accommodated in standard boreholes, but the data rate is very low and reliability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the acoustic-mechanical mud pulse telemetry system with an electromagnetic field-based single conductor transmission line system. The helical conductor transducer converts electrical signals to electromagnetic surface waves that propagate along the drill pipe, eliminating the need for complex acoustic transducers and mud pulse generation mechanisms while achieving higher data rates and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter from acoustic pressure waves in fluid to electromagnetic surface waves on a conductive structure. This parameter change enables faster data transmission speeds while maintaining compatibility with standard borehole drilling operations through the drill pipe
2Productivity
If electromagnetic wireless telemetry is used for data transmission, then the data transmission speed is faster compared to acoustic mud pulse telemetry, but signal attenuation is significant in deep boreholes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the drill pipe coated with drilling mud as an intermediary transmission medium. This single conductor transmission line structure guides electromagnetic surface waves along the drill pipe length, preventing spherical wave propagation and associated energy loss. The drilling mud coating acts as a dielectric layer that confines the electromagnetic energy to the pipe surface, reducing attenuation in deep boreholes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional spherical wave propagation in free space to two-dimensional surface wave propagation confined to the drill pipe surface. This dimensional change restricts energy dispersion and reduces attenuation, enabling reliable signal transmission over long distances in deep boreholes while maintaining high data transmission speeds
3Reliability
If conventional coaxial horn structure is used to excite surface waves, then the surface waves can be excited effectively, but the launcher diameter is very large and cannot be accommodated in standard boreholes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conventional large-diameter coaxial horn structure into a compact helical conductor configuration wrapped around the drill pipe. This segmentation allows the same surface wave excitation function to be achieved with a much smaller transverse footprint that fits within standard borehole dimensions while maintaining effective electromagnetic coupling to generate surface waves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the helical conductor transducer directly onto the drill pipe surface, with the helical turns wrapped around the pipe in a compact configuration. This nesting arrangement achieves effective surface wave excitation while minimizing the transducer's external dimensions, allowing it to be accommodated within the confined space of standard boreholes
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 reliable and faster data transmission with reduced attenuation, allowing for effective communication during borehole drilling by converting the drill pipe into a single conductor transmission line that supports TM surface waves, overcoming the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
excite TM surface waves on a mud-coated drill pipe, enabling efficient data transmission as a single conductor transmission line
Implementation Method 2
A compact, low-profile transducer using a helical conductor is mounted on the drill pipe to excite TM surface waves
Data Source
AI summary
A borehole drilling communication system that includes a hydraulic drill, a communication module, and a transducer. The hydraulic drill has a drill pipe and a drill head where the communication module is located, The transducer has an input end and is mounted on the drill pipe adjacent the communication module. The communication module includes a first output terminal electrically connected to the drill pipe and a second output terminal electrically connected to the input end of the transducer. The transducer includes a helical conductor that is positioned coaxially over a section of the drill pipe at the drill head, with the helical conductor terminating at an electrically isolated free end. During use in borehole drilling, data sent from the communication module is launched by the transducer and transmitted along the drill pipe as a single conductor transmission line.