Wireless Telemetry Drill String Transceivers HDD Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal directional drilling (HDD) methods face limitations in data transmission from the drill head to the HDD machine, particularly due to the reliance on walk-over locators that may be too far away and the time-consuming and unreliable nature of wireline connections.
Innovation Solution
A wireless data telemetry system that includes a drill head wireless transmitter and data link transceivers mounted within the drill string, enabling wireless communication of data signals beyond the drill head's transmission range and along the drill string, thus bypassing the need for walk-over locators and wireline connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireline connections are used for data transmission, then data communication reliability is improved, but installation time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transmission function from the mechanical wireline connection system and implements it through wireless communication transceivers integrated into the drill string components. This eliminates the need for physical wireline connections while maintaining data communication reliability through wireless telemetry between the drill head and surface equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wireline connection system with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. Data signals are transmitted wirelessly from the drill head transmitter through the ground to surface receivers, substituting the mechanical coupling and physical cable management with electromagnetic field-based communication.
2Reliability
If wireline connections are used for data transmission, then data communication reliability is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transmission function from the complex wireline connection system and implements it through integrated wireless transceivers built into the drill string components. This integration eliminates the need for separate wireline connection equipment and simplifies operational procedures while maintaining reliable data communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless transceivers are integrated directly into the drill string components, allowing them to perform data transmission functions autonomously without requiring external wireline connection equipment or complex setup procedures. The system serves itself by having the drill string components inherently capable of wireless communication.
3Device complexity
If walk-over locators are used for data reception, then equipment complexity is reduced, but transmission range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission path into multiple wireless communication hops between transceivers positioned at different locations along the drill string and at the surface. This extends the effective transmission range by creating a distributed wireless network rather than relying on a single direct transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless transceivers as intermediary devices that relay data signals between the drill head and surface equipment. These transceivers act as mediators that extend the transmission range by receiving signals from distant transmitters and retransmitting them to surface receivers.
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 provides a more reliable and efficient data communication channel from the drill head to the HDD machine, reducing the need for tedious wireline connections and enhancing data transmission capabilities across obstructed areas.
Implementation Method 1
data transmission from a drill head to an HDD machine incorporates a walk-over locator with radio-frequency (RF) telemetry to track the drill head
Implementation Method 2
data link transceivers mounted within the drill string, enabling wireless communication of data signals beyond the drill head's transmission range and along the drill string
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless data telemetry system for use in a drilling system can include a drill head wireless transmitter and at least one data link transceiver. The drill head wireless transmitter can be in a drill head of the drilling system, the drill head wireless transmitter configured to generate and transmit one or more data signals associated with a drilling process. The at least one data link transceiver can be wirelessly coupled to at least one of the drill head wireless transmitter or another data link transceiver, with the drill head wireless transmitter and the at least one data link transceiver configured to be physically coupled within a drill string and spaced apart from one another. The drill head wireless transmitter and the at least one data link transceiver together configured to wirelessly communicate the one or more data signals beyond a transmission range of the drill head wireless transmitter.