Capacitive Touch Controller for Downhole Tool Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional downhole tools require disassembly or wired connections for programming, which pose risks due to mechanical weak points and potential fluid access, and existing wireless solutions are unreliable and pose intrinsic safety issues, necessitating a more reliable and intrinsically safe control method.
Innovation Solution
A touch-operated control device integrated into the downhole tool, featuring a stationary touch-sensitive surface and microprocessor, allowing programming without disassembly or external equipment, using a capacitive touch sensor and LED indicators for operation and diagnostics, with a pressure-balanced or pressure-retaining design to withstand downhole conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections or switches are employed on downhole tools, then data transmission and control functions are achieved, but mechanical weak points and fluid access risks are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical buttons, switches, and wired connections with a capacitive touch-sensitive interface. The control device features a touch-sensitive surface that detects finger proximity and capacitance changes, eliminating mechanical moving parts that could create weak points or fluid access pathways while maintaining full control functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If interface ports are provided for wired connections, then programming capability is enabled, but potential fluid access paths are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the programming and control functionality from external wired connections and integrates it directly into the downhole tool through an internal capacitive touch interface. This eliminates the need for interface ports, connectors, and cables that would otherwise create fluid access pathways, while maintaining full programming capability through the touch-sensitive surface.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If wireless data transmission means are used, then intrinsic safety issues are reduced, but reliability and data transmission stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by integrating the control interface directly within the downhole tool housing. The capacitive touch-sensitive surface allows operators to program and control the tool from the outside without requiring external equipment like laptops or wireless devices, eliminating wireless transmission risks while maintaining full functionality through the built-in interface.
4Ease of operation
If buttons or switches are used for control, then operation capability is achieved, but mechanical weak points and fluid leak paths are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical buttons and switches with a capacitive touch-sensitive interface that detects finger proximity and capacitance changes. This provides full operational capability for programming and control while eliminating mechanical components that could create weak points or fluid leak paths, maintaining sealing integrity throughout the tool housing.
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, intrinsically safe control of downhole tools without mechanical weak points or fluid access risks, eliminating the need for external programming equipment and reducing the risk of explosions, while providing intuitive operation and visual feedback.
Implementation Method 1
the touch operated control device comprises a capacitive touch sensor which is adapted to sense if and/or when the said surface of the window is touched
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of light displays or emitters such as one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
Data Source
AI summary
A controller (30,300) for mounting on or within a downhole tool (10) is provided and comprises a touch operated control device (32, 320; 36) having a touchable surface (34,340) mounted within an aperture (16) formed in a sidewall (15) of the downhole tool (10) such that the touchable surface (34, 340) is outwardly facing and is the radially outermost component of the controller (30, 300) such that an operator may touch the touchable surface (34, 340) without having to disassemble the downhole tool (10). The controller (30, 300) also comprises one or more microprocessors (44) in electrical or electronic communication with the touch operated control device (32, 320; 36), where the microprocessor (44) is capable of being programmed by an operator to instruct the downhole tool (10) to actuate wherein the operator instructs the controller (30, 300) by touching the touchable surface (34, 340) with one or more distinct touches.