Downhole Wireless Switching System for Wellbore Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wellbore tools are limited by power consumption and have a short useful life due to power availability constraints, making them inefficient for hydrocarbon production stimulation and other wellbore operations.
Innovation Solution
A wellbore tool system featuring a power supply, electrical load, and a switching system that transitions between inactive and active states in response to a triggering signal, allowing selective electrical current flow between the power supply and load, and a transitory transmitting tool to communicate the signal to stationary receiving tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional wellbore tools are continuously powered to ensure immediate operation, then operational readiness is improved, but power consumption increases and useful life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is pre-positioned in the wellbore in an inactive state with all components ready for operation. The switching system is pre-configured to enable immediate transition from inactive to active state upon receiving a triggering signal, eliminating the need for continuous power consumption while maintaining operational readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool operates in periodic cycles, remaining inactive for extended periods and only activating temporarily when a triggering signal is received. This periodic activation pattern allows the tool to maintain operational readiness while dramatically reducing overall power consumption and extending useful life.
2Speed
If conventional wellbore tools are continuously powered to ensure immediate operation, then operational readiness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is pre-positioned in the wellbore in an inactive state with all components ready for operation. The switching system is pre-configured to enable immediate transition from inactive to active state upon receiving a triggering signal, eliminating the need for continuous power consumption while maintaining operational readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power consumption issue by separating the tool's operational components from continuous power supply. The switching system isolates the electrical load from the power supply during inactive periods, allowing the tool to remain in the wellbore without consuming power while maintaining the capability for immediate activation.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a switching system is added to enable selective activation, then power consumption is reduced and useful life is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching system acts as an intermediary component between the power supply and the electrical load. This mediator enables selective control of power flow, allowing the tool to transition between inactive and active states. The receiving unit serves as another intermediary that captures the triggering signal and initiates the switching action, providing a clear separation of functions that manages complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is segmented into distinct functional modules: a power supply, a switching system, a receiving unit, and an electrical load. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall control logic, as each module has a specific function that reduces the complexity of integrating multiple functions into a single unit.
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
This solution enhances the efficiency and longevity of wellbore tools by reducing power consumption and enabling controlled activation only when needed, improving the effectiveness of wellbore operations.
Implementation Method 1
a receiving unit configured to passively receive a triggering signal
Data Source
AI summary
A wellbore tool comprising a power supply, an electrical load, a receiving unit configured to passively receive a triggering signal, and a switching system electrically coupled to the power supply, the receiving unit, and the electrical load, wherein the switching system is configured to selectively transition from an inactive state to an active state in response to the triggering signal, from the active state to the active state in response to the triggering signal, or combinations thereof, wherein in the inactive state a circuit is incomplete and any route of electrical current flow between the power supply and the electrical load is disallowed, and wherein in the active state the circuit is complete and at least one route of electrical current flow between the power supply and the electrical load is allowed.