Downhole Wireless Communications Using Surface Waves
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsMark W. Roberson, Paul F. Rodney, Scott Goodwin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A communication system that is positionable in a wellbore can include a first transceiver for coupling externally to a casing string. The first transceiver can be for wirelessly transmitting data by generating and modulating a surface wave that propagates along an interface surface. The surface wave can include an electromagnetic wave that has a magnetic field or an electric field that is at an acute angle to a direction of propagation of the surface wave. The communication system can also include a second transceiver for coupling to the casing string and for wirelessly receiving the surface wave and detecting the data.
Claims20
A communication system that is positionable in a wellbore, the communication system comprising:
- a first transceiver for coupling externally to a casing string and for wirelessly transmitting data by generating and modulating a surface wave that propagates along an interface surface, wherein the surface wave comprises an electromagnetic wave that includes a magnetic field or an electric field that is at an acute angle to a direction of propagation of the surface wave;
- and
- a second transceiver for coupling to the casing string and for wirelessly receiving the surface wave and detecting the data.
A system comprising:
- a first transceiver positioned externally to a casing string for transmitting surface waves in a wellbore to wirelessly communicate data, wherein the surface waves each comprise a magnetic field or an electric field that is at an acute angle to a direction of propagation of the surface waves;
- a second transceiver coupled to the casing string for receiving the data from the surface waves and for transmitting second surface waves in the wellbore to wirelessly communicate the data;
- and
- a third transceiver coupled to the casing string for receiving the data from the second surface waves and for transmitting the data to a surface of the wellbore.
A method comprising:
- generating and modulating, by a transceiver positioned externally to a casing string, a signal based on data about a wellbore environment;
- and
- wirelessly transmitting, by the transceiver, a modulated signal into an interface surface within the wellbore environment such that the modulated signal is a surface wave, wherein the surface wave comprises an electromagnetic wave that includes a magnetic field or an electric field that is at an acute angle to a direction of propagation of the surface wave.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.