US3906434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telemetering system for oil wells
Assignee: AMERICAN PETROSCIENCE CORP
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Filing: 1973-09-12
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1993-09-12
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic communication method and system for transmitting information through a well bore drill string or other pipe by establishing in the pipe modulated torsinal waves acoustic waves, preferably of zero order, which contain the information to be transmitted and travel from a down-hole signal transmitting station to a signal receiving station spaced along the pipe and located top-side, and for demodulating the modulated waves arriving at the receiving station to recover the transmitted information. The modulated waves are established in the pipe by driving the pipe in acoustic oscillation and modulating the resulting acoustic waves in the pipe at the down-hole transmitting station. In its principal application, the invention is utilized to monitor selected well drilling parameters, such as temperature, formation pressure, formation porosity, drill string orientation, and/or to operate devices within the well bore. Primary advantages of the invention are reduced acoustic transmission losses from acoustic coupling to the drilling fluid and well bore wall and the ability to transmit information while drilling is in progress. According to the preferred practice of the invention, when monitoring drilling parameters, torsional acoustic waves are launched downwardly through the drill string from the surface by exciting the upper end of the string in a zero order torsional acoustic oscillation at frequencies within the base band of the drill string acoustic transmission characteristics so as to minimize attenuation of the acoustic waves by the couplings between the drill string pipe sections. These torsional acoustic waves are modulated at a subsurface signal-transmitting station along the drill string and returned back through the string to a surface signal-receiving station where the modulated waves are demodulated to recover the transmitted information.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur E Lamel
- 👤 William D Squire
- 👤 Harper J Whitehouse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H1/00; G01H1/10; E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/12; E21B47/14; E21B47/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of communicating information between signaltransmitting and signal-receiving stations spaced along a pipe having an intervening length between said stations capable of sustaining acoustic waves within the substance of the pipe, said method comprising the steps of: generating a modulating signal containing the information to be transmitted; at a location separate from said transmitting station, generating acoustic waves subsequently to be modulated with the information to be transmitted, and causing said waves to travel along said pipe within the substance thereof to said transmitting station; modulating said acoustic waves in said pipe at said transmitting station by said modulating signal according to a predetermined modulating mode to contain the information to be transmitted, all in such manner that resulting modulated acoustic waves then travel from said transmitting station to said receiving station through the substance of the pipe; and receiving said modulated waves at said receiving station to recover said signal and its contained information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of communicating information between signaltransmitting and signal-receiving stations spaced along a pipe having an intervening length between said stations capable of sustaining acoustic waves within the substance of the pipe, said method comprising the steps of: generating a modulating signal containing the information to be transmitted; at a location separate from said transmitting station, generating acoustic waves subsequently to be modulated with the information to be transmitted, and causing said waves to travel along said pipe within the substance thereof to said transmitting station; modulating said acoustic waves in said pipe at said transmitting station by said modulating signal according to a predetermined modulating mode to contain the information to be transmitted, all in such manner that resulting modulated acoustic waves then travel from said transmitting station to said receiving station through the substance of the pipe; and receiving said modulated waves at said receiving station to recover said signal and its contained information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The acoustic communication method according to claim 1 wherein: said pipe is a drill string suspended from a drilling platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The communication method according to claim 2 wherein: said pipe is a drill string suspended within a well bore from a drilling platform; at least one of said stations is located within said well bore; and said acoustic waves are generated in said drill string by driving said drill string in acoustic oscillation at frequencies within a selected range of frequencies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
A communication method according to claim 1 wherein: said pipe is a drill string suspended within a well bore from a drilling platform; said transmitting station is located in said well bore; and said step of generating said modulated acoustic waves in said drill string comprises driving it in acoustic oscillation from a top-side location above said transmitting station to launch acoustic waves downwardly through said drill string to said transmitting station, modulating with said information containing signal the acoustic waves arriving at the transmitting station; and returning the modulated waves back through said drill string to said receiving station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
A communication system for communicating information between signal-transmitting and signal-receiving stations spaced along a pipe having a intervening length between said stations capable of sustaining acoustic waves within the substance of the pipe, said system comprising: means for generating a modulating signal containing the information to be transmitted; means at a location separated from said transmitting station for generating acoustic waves subsequently to be modulated with the information to be transmitted, in a manner to cause said waves to travel along said pipe within the substance thereof to said transmitting station; means for modulating said acoustic waves at said transmitting station by said modulating signal according to a predetermined modulating mode to contain the information to be transmitted, the resulting modulated acoustic waves then traveling from said transmitting station to Said receiving station through the substance of the intervening length of the pipe; and means for receiving said modulated waves at said receiving station to recover said signal and its contained information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
162 words
A communication system for communicating information between signal-transmitting and signal-receiving stations spaced along a pipe having a intervening length between said stations capable of sustaining acoustic waves within the substance of the pipe, said system comprising: means for generating a modulating signal containing the information to be transmitted; means at a location separated from said transmitting station for generating acoustic waves subsequently to be modulated with the information to be transmitted, in a manner to cause said waves to travel along said pipe within the substance thereof to said transmitting station; means for modulating said acoustic waves at said transmitting station by said modulating signal according to a predetermined modulating mode to contain the information to be transmitted, the resulting modulated acoustic waves then traveling from said transmitting station to Said receiving station through the substance of the intervening length of the pipe; and means for receiving said modulated waves at said receiving station to recover said signal and its contained information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An acoustic communication system according to claim 5 wherein: said pipe is a drill string suspended within a well bore from a drilling platform; and one of said stations is located within said well bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
An acoustic communication system according to claim 6 wherein: said means for generating said acoustic waves comprises an acoustic wave transducer coupled to said drill string.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An acoustic communication system according to claim 6 wherein: said means for receiving said acoustic waves comprises an acoustic wave transducer coupled to said drill string for receiving from said drill string acoustic waves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
An acoustic communication system according to claim 6 wherein: said means for generating and receiving said acoustic waves comprises an acoustic wave transducer coupled to said drill string that both generates and receiver acoustic waves in said drill string.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
143 words
An acoustic communication system according to claim 5 wherein: said pipe is a drill string suspended within a well bore from a drilling platform; said transmitting station is located within said well bore and said receiving station is located above said transmitting station; and said means for generating said acoustic waves comprises an eletroacoustic transducer means coupled to said drill string above said transmitting station and adapted to be energized by an electrical driving signal of selected frequencies for driving said drill string in acoustic oscillation to launch acoustic waves downwardly through said drill string to said transmitting station, and means including a modulator coupled to said drill string at said transmitting station for modulating with said information containing signal the acoustic waves arriving at the transmitting station and returning the modulated acoustic waves back through said drill string to said receiving station.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
An acoustic communication system according to claim 5 wherein: said pipe comprises a drill string suspended within a well bore from a drilling platform and one of said stations is located within said well bore; said drill string includes a drilling kelly at the upper end of said string; and said means for generating said acoustic waves comprises an electroacoustic transducer embodied in said kelly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
An acoustic communication system according to claim 5 wherein: said pipe is a drill string suspended within a well bore from a drilling platform; and said transmitting station is located within said well bore and said receiving station is located above said transmitting station; and said means for generating said acoustic waves comprises an electroacoustic transducer in and forming a section of said drill string.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
An acoustic communication system according to claim 11 wherein: said pipe comprises a drill string suspended within a well bore from a drilling platform; said transmitting station is located within said well bore and said receiving station is located above said transmitting station; said means for generating said acoustic waves comprising electroacoustic transducer means coupled to said drill string at said receiving station, electric circuit means for energizing said transducer means with a driving signal to launch acoustic waves downwardly through said drill string to said transmitting station; said receiving means comprising electroacoustic transducer means at said receiving station for receiving the returning modulated acoustic waves and an electric demodulator circuit means coupled thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An acoustic communication system according to claim 13 wherein: said electroacoustic transducer means comprises a single common acoustic wave generating and receiving means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An acouStic communication system according to claim 13 wherein: said elecacoustic transducer means comprises separate acoustic wave generating and receiving means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
108 words
A communication method according to claim 1, wherein: said pipe is a drill string suspended within a well bore from a drilling platform; said transmitting station is located in said well bore; and said step of generating said modulated acoustic waves in said drill string comprises driving said string in zero order torsional oscillation from a location above said transmitting station to launch torsional waves of zero order downwardly through said drill string to said transmitting station, and modulating with said information containing signal the zero order torsional waves arriving at the transmitting station and returning the modulated waves back through said drill string to said receiving station.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
150 words
An acoustic communication system according to claim 5 wherein: said pipe is a drill string suspended within a well bore from a drilling platform; said transmitting station is located within said well bore and said receiving station is located above said transmitting station; and said means for generating said acoustic waves comprises an electroacoustic transducer coupled to said drill string above said transmitting station and adapted to be energized by an electrical driving signal for driving said drill string in zero order torsional oscillation to launch zero order torsional acoustic waves downwardly through said drill string to said transmitting station, and means including a modulator coupled to said drill string at said transmitting station for modulating with said information containing signal the zero order torsional acoustic waves arriving at the transmitting station and returning the modulated zero order torsional acoustic waves back through said drill string to said receiving station.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
An acoustic communication system according to claim 10, wherein: said acoustic waves are torsional waves of zero order; a kelly included in the drill string at the upper end thereof; and said transducer means comprising an electroacoustic torsional transducer embodied in said kelley.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
An acoustic communication system according to claim 5, wherein: said pipe is a drill string suspended within a well bore from a drilling platform.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The subject matter of claim 10, wherein: said electroacoustic transducer means is located in the vicinity of the platform.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |