Vibratory Telemetry for Well Tools via Optical Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well tools face difficulties in transmitting parameter measurements from downhole locations to the surface without optical connections, which are challenging to establish and maintain, especially when multiple tools are involved.
Innovation Solution
The use of a well tool equipped with a vibratory transmitter that sends acoustic or vibratory signals through an optical waveguide in the wellbore, allowing data telemetering without the need for optical connections between the tool and the waveguide, using a distributed acoustic or vibration sensing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If optical connections are used to transmit parameter measurements from well tools to the surface, then data transmission capability is improved, but the complexity and difficulty of establishing and maintaining connections increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical connection system with a vibratory signal transmission system. Instead of using optical fibers and connectors that require physical coupling, the invention uses a vibratory transmitter to generate mechanical vibrations that travel through the well tool and along the optical line to the surface, where they are detected by a vibratory sensor. This substitution eliminates the need for complex optical connections while maintaining data transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the optical line itself as an intermediary medium for signal transmission. Rather than requiring direct optical connections between the well tool and surface equipment, the optical line serves as a conduit that carries vibratory signals from the downhole tool to the surface detector. This intermediary approach simplifies the connection architecture by using the existing optical line infrastructure for both its original purpose and as a signal transmission path.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple well tools are optically connected to the optical line, then data collection from multiple sources is improved, but the chances for mishaps and operational difficulties are multiplied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical line multi-functional by using it both for its original purpose (light transmission) and as a mechanical waveguide for vibratory signal transmission. This universality allows multiple well tools to transmit data along the same optical line without requiring separate connection paths for each tool, thereby maintaining reliability while supporting multiple data sources.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing optical connections with mechanical vibratory coupling, the invention eliminates the reliability issues associated with multiple optical connections. The vibratory transmitter couples mechanically to the optical line, and this mechanical coupling is more robust and simpler to maintain than optical connections, especially when multiple tools are involved.
3Loss of information
If optical connections are established at wellsite facilities, then data transmission is achieved, but the operational difficulty increases due to non-ideal wellsite conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the delicate optical connection process with a robust mechanical vibratory coupling process. The vibratory transmitter makes direct mechanical contact with the optical line, creating a simple coupling that is much easier to establish and maintain in the harsh wellsite environment compared to precise optical alignments and connector couplings.
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 secure and efficient transmission of sensor data from multiple well tools along the optical line to the surface, eliminating the need for multiple optical connections and facilitating the location determination of each tool within the wellbore during displacement.
Implementation Method 1
a vibratory transmitter (40) disposed in the outer housing (48) and transmitting a vibratory signal (44) to an optical line (12) disposed in the outer housing (48)
Implementation Method 2
using a distributed acoustic or vibration sensing system
Data Source
AI summary
A well tool can include an outer housing and a vibratory transmitter disposed in the outer housing. The vibratory transmitter transmits a vibratory signal to an optical line disposed in the outer housing. A well system can include an optical line extending in a wellbore, and at least one well tool secured to the optical line and including a vibratory transmitter which transmits a vibratory signal to the optical line. The optical line conveys the well tool into the wellbore. A method of telemetering data from a well tool to an optical line can include securing the well tool to the optical line without optically connecting the well tool to the optical line, and conveying the well tool in a wellbore on the optical line.