Magnetic Field Data Transmission for Downhole Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mating communication lines is challenging in the downhole drilling and completions industry, particularly for establishing electrical wet connections downhole, where traditional methods require physical connections, limiting data communication capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a magnetic element to create a magnetic field, a sensor to detect changes in the field, and a driver to alter the field based on a data signal, allowing data transmission without physical connections, using a magnetic coil and sensor arrangement that can operate independently of signal amplitude and orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical connections are used for data communication downhole, then reliable data transmission can be achieved, but the complexity and difficulty of mating communication lines increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication line mating complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (physical mating of communication lines) with a magnetic field-based communication system. The transmitter generates a magnetic field that couples with a receiver sensor to transmit data wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical connectors and mating operations while maintaining reliable data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary medium to transfer data between transmitter and receiver. Instead of direct physical contact, the magnetic field serves as the coupling medium that enables energy and data transfer across the gap between communication lines, simplifying the connection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional electrical wet connections are used downhole, then data communication is established, but the ease of operation and flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata communication capabilityVSAvoidconnection establishment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex electrical wet connection system with a magnetic coupling system. The transmitter coil generates a magnetic field that couples with the receiver sensor, eliminating the need for physical mating operations and complex connection procedures while maintaining robust data communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If magnetic field-based communication is implemented, then physical connection requirements are eliminated, but the measurement precision and detection accuracy may be affected by orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical connection requirementVSAvoidsensor detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a bi-axial sensor that measures magnetic field changes in two perpendicular dimensions (x and y axes). This dimensional expansion allows the system to capture complete magnetic field information regardless of the relative orientation between transmitter and receiver, compensating for orientation effects and maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the bi-axial sensor to detect magnetic field changes and processes the signals from both axes to determine the original data signal. The feedback mechanism involves comparing the magnetic field changes detected along different axes to eliminate orientation-dependent errors and recover accurate data transmission.

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

Enables reliable data communication between units without physical connections, ensuring data integrity and flexibility in challenging downhole environments, such as along tubulars in boreholes.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic element for creating a magnetic field... a driver operatively arranged to alter the magnetic field detected by the sensor in accordance with a first signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a sensor operatively arranged to detect changes in the magnetic field... the sensor generating a second signal in response to changes in the magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS8995907B2Data communication system

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A system for communicating between a first unit and a second unit without a physical connection, the system including a magnetic element for creating a magnetic field, a sensor operatively arranged to detect changes in the magnetic field, and a driver operatively arranged to alter the magnetic field detected by the sensor in accordance with a first signal, the first signal operatively arranged to transmit data independent of an amplitude of the first signal, the sensor generating a second signal in response to changes in the magnetic field, the second signal representative of the first signal.