Mechanical Wave Communication Across Drill String Tool Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems for petroleum recovery operations face limitations in data transfer rate due to power consumption and propagation distance, restricting the ultimate data transfer rate across tool joints in drilling and downhole environments.
Innovation Solution
The use of electromechanical transducer elements, such as piezoelectric or magnetorestrictor devices, to convert electrical signals into mechanical signals for transmission across tool joints, allowing for higher bandwidth communication through mechanical coupling, and subsequent conversion back into electrical signals, enabling a downhole communications network for bidirectional information transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If mud pulsing or inductive signal transfer is used for communication, then communication capability is achieved, but data transfer rate is limited due to power consumption and propagation distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical/inductive signal transfer with mechanical wave transmission through the drill string. Mechanical transducers convert electrical signals to mechanical vibrations that propagate through the drill string structure, eliminating the limitations of inductive coupling and enabling higher data transfer rates without proportional increases in power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mechanical transducers as intermediary devices that convert electrical signals to mechanical vibrations and back. These transducers act as mediators between the electrical communication system and the mechanical drill string structure, enabling efficient signal transmission through the drill string while maintaining electrical isolation.
2Loss of information
If inductive signal transfer is used across tool joints, then communication is enabled, but propagation distance and bandwidth are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes inductive signal transfer with mechanical wave propagation through the drill string. Mechanical vibrations can travel longer distances through the solid structure of the drill string with less attenuation compared to inductive signals, enabling communication across the entire well depth with higher bandwidth capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the cylindrical geometry of the drill string as a waveguide for mechanical vibrations. The curved, continuous structure of the drill string provides an efficient path for mechanical wave propagation, allowing signals to travel along the length of the drill string with minimal loss and enabling long-distance communication.
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 approach enhances data transfer rates and communication efficiency across tool joints, allowing for a wider bandwidth and potential for multiple, simultaneous bi-directional channels, improving drilling efficiency and reducing costs by leveraging mechanical coupling and auto-tuning to adapt to varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The use of electromechanical transducer elements, such as piezoelectric or magnetorestrictor devices, to convert electrical signals into mechanical signals
Implementation Method 2
The use of electromechanical transducer elements, such as piezoelectric or magnetorestrictor devices, to convert electrical signals into mechanical signals
Implementation Method 3
convert electrical signals into mechanical signals for transmission across tool joints, allowing for higher bandwidth communication through mechanical coupling, and subsequent conversion back into electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to communicate, by an information-bearing signal across a mechanical interface, between a pair of electromechanical transducer elements when the pair is compressively loaded. Compressive loading may occur after coupling a male portion of a pipe joint to a female portion of the pipe joint to form the pipe joint. A first one of the pair of electromechanical transducer elements may be included in the male portion, and a second one of the pair may be included in the female portion. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.