US 2018/0006684 A1 · AC/DC Downhole Power Switch Using Switching Communication System

Abstract

A method includes receiving a request to supply power of a first type to a toolstring. The toolstring includes a first tool that operates using the power of the first type and a second tool that operates using power of a second type. The method also includes receiving an indication of a relay configuration relating to relay positions of relays of a switching circuit in the toolstring. The relay configuration enables the switching circuit to selectively supply the power of the first type or the power of the second type to the toolstring via a switching communication system. The method further includes, when the relay configuration does not enable the switching circuit to supply the power of the first type, sending a first command to the switching communication system to change the relay configuration to enable the switching circuit to supply the power of the first type.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method, comprising:

receiving, via a processor at a surface location, a request to supply power of a first type to a toolstring disposed in a wellbore in a geological formation, wherein the toolstring comprises a first tool configured to operate using the power of the first type and a second tool configured to operate using power of a second type different from the first type;
receiving, via the processor, an indication of a relay configuration relating to one or more relay positions of one or more relays of a switching circuit in the toolstring, wherein the relay configuration is configured to enable the switching circuit to selectively supply the power of the first type or the power of the second type to the toolstring via a switching communication system;
and
when the relay configuration does not enable the switching circuit to supply the power of the first type, sending, via the processor, a first command to the switching communication system to change the relay configuration to enable the switching circuit to supply the power of the first type.

1 more element

A system, comprising:

a power supply configured to supply power of a plurality of power types;
a cable comprising a plurality of conductors, wherein the power supply is configured to couple to the cable;
a toolstring configured to couple to the cable, wherein the toolstring comprises:
a switching circuit configured to couple to the power supply via the cable, wherein the switching circuit comprises one or more relays;
a switching communication system configured to couple to the switching circuit;
a first tool configured to operate using a first power type of the plurality of power types;
a second tool configured to operate using a second power type of the plurality of power types;
and
a tool communication system configured to couple to the first tool and the second tool;
and
a computing device configured to couple to the cable, wherein the computing device comprises a processor configured to:
send a first command to the switching communication system to engage the switching communication system;
receive one or more relay positions of the switching circuit using the switching communication system;
send a second command to the switching communication system to change the one or more relay positions;
and
send a third command to the power supply to supply power of the first power type or the second power type based on the one or more relay positions.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

AC/DC Downhole Power Switch Using Switching Communication System

Life of this patent

AC/DC Downhole Power Switch Using Switching Communication System

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20