Apparatus and methods for communicating with a downhole tool
AssigneeWell Resolutions Technology
InventorsLianhe Guo, Tsili Wang, Bruce Carter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for communicating with a downhole tool includes a sensor body including at least two electrodes electrically insulated from one another and an external control device configured to engage the two electrodes. Detection circuitry connected to the two electrodes is configured to monitor an electrical status across the two electrodes, through the external control device, and upon detecting a change in electrical status that matches a predefined pattern, communicate a command to power management circuitry to alter a power status of the downhole tool.
Claims20
An apparatus for communicating with a downhole tool to alter the tool's power status, the apparatus comprising:
- a sensor body comprising at least two electrodes electrically insulated from the sensor body and one another;
- and
- an external control device having contact areas configured to physically engage and establish electrical contact with the two electrodes, wherein the external control device is configured to have a predetermined electrical status;
- and
- sensor body electronics comprising:
- detection circuitry connected to the two electrodes and configured to monitor an electrical status across the external control device;
- and
- power management circuitry configured to generate a command for controlling a power status of the downhole tool,
- wherein the detection circuitry periodically monitors the electrical status across the external control device in a programmed pattern at regular periodic time intervals, and upon detecting a change from the predetermined electrical status of the external control device, the detection circuitry communicates a command to the power management circuitry to alter a power status of the downhole tool.
A method of communicating with a downhole tool to alter the tool's power status using an apparatus comprising a sensor body having at least two electrodes electrically insulated from one another and an external control device configured to engage the two electrodes, the method comprising:
- periodically monitoring in a preprogrammed pattern at regular periodic time intervals, with detection circuitry, through the external control device physically engaged with the two electrodes, a predetermined electrical status across the two electrodes;
- detecting a change in the electrical status from the predetermined electrical status of the external control device;
- and
- transmitting a command to power management circuitry to alter a power status of the downhole tool.
A downhole tool, comprising:
- an apparatus for communicating with the downhole tool to alter a power status of the downhole tool, the apparatus comprising:
- a sensor body comprising at least two electrodes electrically insulated from one another;
- an external control device configured to physically engage and establish electrical contact with the two electrodes, wherein the external control device is configured to have a predetermined electrical status;
- detection circuitry embedded in the apparatus configured to monitor an electrical status across the two electrodes, through the external control device;
- and
- power management circuitry configured to alter a power status of the downhole tool upon receiving a command from the detection circuitry,
- wherein the detection circuitry periodically monitors the electrical status across the external control device in a programmed pattern at regular periodic time intervals, and upon the detection circuitry detecting a change in the predetermined electrical status from the predetermined electrical status, the power management circuitry is commanded by the detection circuitry to alter a power status of the downhole tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.