Staggered Connector Ring for Downhole Tool Crosstalk Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional downhole tools face challenges in reducing crosstalk between transmitter and receiver signals due to their design, which often requires separate connector rings and electronics carriers, increasing tool length and cost while compromising signal accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A staggered connector ring assembly that combines transmitter and receiver electronics using a single connector ring and electronics carrier, with sensor connectors staggered along the axial length to maintain signal separation and reduce crosstalk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate connector rings and electronics carriers are used for transmitter and receiver sensors, then signal separation is improved, but device complexity and tool length increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal separationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines transmitter and receiver sensor connectors into a single connector ring assembly, integrating multiple functions into one unified structure. This merging approach reduces the number of separate components while maintaining signal separation through staggered positioning, directly resolving the contradiction between signal separation and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs staggered positioning of transmitter and receiver sensor connectors along the longitudinal axis of the connector ring, utilizing the axial dimension to separate signals spatially. This dimensional arrangement allows both signal types to coexist in a single connector ring without interference, achieving signal separation without requiring separate connector rings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If separate connector rings and electronics carriers are used for transmitter and receiver sensors, then signal interference is reduced, but tool length increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrosstalk reductionVSAvoidtool length
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging transmitter and receiver connectors into a single connector ring with staggered positioning, the patent eliminates the need for separate connector rings and electronics carriers. This integration maintains crosstalk reduction through spatial separation while compacting the overall structure to reduce tool length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The staggered axial positioning of connectors utilizes the longitudinal dimension within the connector ring to achieve signal separation. This approach reduces harmful electromagnetic interference between transmitter and receiver signals without extending the tool length, as both connector types share the same compact connector ring structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If separate connector rings and electronics carriers are used for transmitter and receiver sensors, then signal accuracy is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges transmitter and receiver sensor connectors into a single connector ring assembly, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration maintains signal accuracy through staggered positioning while lowering manufacturing costs by eliminating redundant parts and simplifying the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector ring assembly serves multiple functions by accommodating both transmitter and receiver sensor connectors within a single unified structure. This multi-functional design maintains the signal accuracy requirements for both sensor types while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost compared to producing separate dedicated connector rings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11111736B2Connector ring
Publication Date: 2021.09.07 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC
  • US11111736B2 patent drawing
  • US11111736B2 patent drawing
  • US11111736B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A connector ring comprising a body extending along a longitudinal axis and two sets of sensor connectors. The first set of sensor connectors comprises one or more transmitter sensor connectors coupled with the body and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, the one or more transmitter sensor connectors having a first end. The second set of sensor connectors comprises one or more receiver sensor connectors coupled with the body and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, the one or more receiver sensor connectors having a first end. The first end of the transmitter sensor connectors and the first end of the receiver sensor connectors are staggered along the longitudinal axis.