Parallel Plate Waveguide for Downhole High-Speed Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication methods for oil and gas exploration, such as electrical cables and optical fibers, face limitations in bandwidth and require precise alignment, making them unsuitable for high-speed, flexible data transmission in downhole drilling environments.

Innovation Solution

The use of quasioptical electromagnetic waveguides that propagate frequencies between 30 GHz and 10 THz, allowing for high-speed command and data communication through segmented waveguides in drill pipes without the need for precise alignment, using conductive metal tubes with dielectric layers and capable of single-mode or multimode propagation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If electrical cables are used for high-speed communication, then communication capability is provided, but information bandwidth is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation bandwidthVSAvoidcommunication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical cable transmission with optical fiber transmission, substituting one physical transmission medium with another that operates on different physical principles. Optical fibers use light propagation instead of electrical signals, enabling higher bandwidth and communication speed while overcoming the inherent limitations of electrical cables

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter from electrical signals to optical signals, operating in the light spectrum rather than electrical frequency ranges. This parameter change enables dramatically increased information bandwidth and communication capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If optical fibers are used for high-speed communication, then information bandwidth limitations are overcome, but near perfect optical alignment must be employed for low signal loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal lossVSAvoidoptical alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible optical fiber cables that can bend and adapt to spatial variations without requiring rigid precision alignment. The flexibility allows the optical fibers to accommodate misalignments and spatial deviations while maintaining low signal loss, eliminating the need for near-perfect alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability through flexible optical fiber construction, allowing the system to adjust to changing spatial conditions and alignment variations during installation and operation, rather than requiring fixed precision alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If optical fibers are used for communication, then bandwidth limitations are overcome, but flexibility is reduced due to alignment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication bandwidthVSAvoidinstallation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible optical fiber constructions that can be easily routed and installed in various configurations without requiring rigid support structures or precision alignment fixtures, thereby restoring flexibility and ease of installation while maintaining high bandwidth capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 low-loss, high-speed communication in downhole drilling environments, overcoming bandwidth limitations and alignment issues of traditional methods, facilitating real-time data transmission and reducing power loss during THz wave propagation.

Implementation Method 1

a parallel plate waveguide operatively coupled to the transmitter to propagate the electromagnetic radiation generated from the transmitter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The gap between the two plates is filled with a dielectric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS10553923B2Parallel plate waveguide within a metal pipe

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A pipe has a longitudinal axis. A flex board extends along the longitudinal axis within the pipe and curls around the longitudinal axis. A cross-section of the flex board perpendicular to the longitudinal axis has a flex-board curve shape that has a first section on a first side of a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second section on a second side of the line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first section has a first section shape and the second section has a second section shape. A first conductive stripe is coupled to the flex board, extends along the longitudinal axis, and follows the contour of the first section of the flex board. A second conductive stripe is coupled to the flex board, extends along the longitudinal axis, and follows the contour of the second section of the flex board.