Wireless Surface Communication for Downhole Measurement Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for communicating with downhole measurement tools at the surface are inefficient, particularly when the tools are mounted in hard-to-reach areas, as they require physical connections that can be difficult or impossible to establish, leading to time-consuming data retrieval and mode switching processes.
Innovation Solution
A communication system comprising a downhole measurement tool with a transceiver and antenna, and a surface device equipped with a processor module, transceiver module, and antenna, allowing for wireless command issuance and data transfer between the tool and the device, even when the tool is integrated into a drill string or drill bit, using electromagnetic spectrum communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical connection method is used to communicate with the downhole measurement tool at the surface, then data can be transferred, but it becomes difficult or impossible to establish connection when the tool is mounted in hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection system with an electromagnetic communication system. Instead of requiring physical connectors to be manually attached to the downhole measurement tool, the system uses a surface device with antenna to communicate wirelessly with the tool's transceiver and antenna, even when the tool is mounted inside a drill bit or in hard-to-reach areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary medium between the surface device and the downhole measurement tool. The transceiver and antenna in the tool, coupled with the surface device's antenna, enable communication through electromagnetic waves, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for direct physical contact.
2Reliability
If the downhole measurement tool is mounted inside a drill bit or attached to drill string, then it can collect data from downhole parameters, but physical connection for data retrieval becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical data retrieval process with wireless electromagnetic communication. The surface device can communicate with and retrieve data from the downhole measurement tool instantly through radio waves, eliminating the time-consuming process of physically connecting to tools mounted inside drill bits or on drill strings.
Solution Approach 2:
The downhole measurement tool is pre-equipped with a transceiver and antenna during manufacturing, so that when the tool is deployed into the drill bit or attached to the drill string, the communication capability is already in place. This preliminary preparation enables immediate wireless data retrieval without requiring any additional installation steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication components are integrated into the downhole measurement tool, then remote communication is enabled, but the tool's configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transceiver and antenna into an integrated communication module that is incorporated into the downhole measurement tool's existing structure. This consolidation approach enables wireless communication functionality while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by combining multiple components into a unified system.
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 seamless switching between sleep and active modes, and efficient data download without altering the tool's configuration, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency by allowing remote communication and data transfer from hard-to-reach locations.
Implementation Method 1
A communication system comprises a downhole measurement tool configured to be located within a drill string component... the downhole measurement tool comprises in it a transceiver and an antenna... the device comprises... a transceiver module coupled to the processor module; and an antenna coupled to the transceiver module... configured to transmit commands and replies between the processor module and the downhole measurement tool, via the transceiver and the antenna in the downhole measurement tool
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A device for communicating with a downhole measurement tool includes a processor module comprising a set of commands and configured to issue a command from the set to the downhole tool and receive a corresponding reply from the downhole tool. The set of commands includes at least one of a command to switch the downhole measurement tool between a sleep mode and an active mode and a command to download data from the downhole measurement tool. The device includes a transceiver module coupled to the processor module and an antenna coupled to the transceiver module. The antenna and transceiver module are configured to transmit commands and replies between the processor module and the downhole measurement tool.