Sensor Controller Dynamic Data Rate Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wellbore equipment monitoring systems lack efficient control over sensor data rates, leading to unnecessary power consumption and bandwidth overload, as all sensors operate at fixed rates regardless of their criticality or environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A sensor controller dynamically adjusts data rates for each sensor module based on predetermined criteria, prioritizing critical parameters and reducing sampling and transmission during static conditions to conserve power and manage bandwidth effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all sensors operate at fixed high data rates to ensure continuous monitoring, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but power consumption and bandwidth usage increase unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous monitoringVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts sensor data rates based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors parameter changes and automatically increases or decreases sampling frequencies accordingly, transitioning from static fixed rates to adaptive dynamic rates that match actual operational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the data rate parameter based on detected conditions. When critical parameter changes are detected, the system increases the data rate parameter; when conditions are stable, it decreases the data rate parameter, thereby optimizing the balance between monitoring reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If all sensors operate at fixed high data rates to capture critical changes, then measurement precision is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases causing overload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter change detectionVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic data rate adjustment where sensors switch between different sampling frequencies based on operational conditions. This prevents bandwidth overload during stable periods while maintaining high measurement precision when critical changes occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic sampling at variable intervals. During normal conditions, sensors sample at lower frequencies; when critical thresholds are approached or exceeded, the system increases sampling frequency periodically to capture critical changes without持续 high bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If sensors continuously sample and transmit data to monitor equipment operation, then reliability of monitoring is improved, but battery power longevity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment monitoringVSAvoidbattery longevity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts sampling intervals based on operational conditions. During stable periods, it reduces sampling frequency to conserve battery power; when critical conditions are detected, it increases sampling frequency to maintain monitoring reliability, thereby extending battery longevity without sacrificing safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the sampling rate parameter adaptively. By reducing the data rate parameter during normal operation and only increasing it when necessary, the system extends battery life while maintaining adequate monitoring reliability for critical equipment safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If uniform data rates are applied to all sensors, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different sensor criticality and conditions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidsensor prioritization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different data rates to different sensors based on their criticality and operational conditions. Critical sensors receive higher data rates while non-critical sensors operate at lower rates, creating local differentiation in quality without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensors about their operational conditions and criticality to automatically adjust their data rates. This feedback mechanism enables adaptability to individual sensor needs while maintaining overall system simplicity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9816370B2System and method for optimizing an operation of a sensor used with wellbore equipment
Publication Date: 2017.11.14 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • US9816370B2 patent drawing
  • US9816370B2 patent drawing
  • US9816370B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Apparatus and associated methods may relate to a sensor controller configured to apply predetermined criteria to determine when a parameter value sampled by a sensor module meets the predetermined criteria, and in response to making such a determination, adjust a commanded data rate including an update time period. In an illustrative example, the predetermined criteria may be independently defined for each sensor in a network. In examples with a network of sensors, the sensor controller may dictate sensor module operation at differentiated data rates. In an illustrative example, a sensor controller may communicate with a series of pressure level sensor modules connected to a drilling apparatus in a mud logging application. Upon detection of a pressure level change that exceeds a critical condition as determined through comparison with the predetermined criteria, the sensor controller may increase or decrease a data rate of the respective sensor module, for example.