Optical Wireless Rotary Joint
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorMichael Kevin Sipple
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical wireless rotary joint can include a first optical device and a second optical device. The first optical device can be coupled to a rotatable component for rotating with the rotatable component. The second optical device can be physically separated from the first optical device. The second optical device can be coupled to a stationary component for communicating data with the first optical device using an optical signal. The first optical device or the second optical device can include an optical transmitter for transmitting the optical signal based on the data. The other of the first optical device or the second optical device can include an optical receiver for generating a new signal in response to detecting the optical signal transmitted by the optical transmitter.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a first optical device coupleable to a rotatable component for rotating with the rotatable component;
- and
- a second optical device physically separated from the first optical device and coupleable to a stationary component for communicating data with the first optical device using an optical signal, the first optical device or the second optical device including an optical transmitter for transmitting the optical signal based on the data, and the other of the first optical device or the second optical device including an optical receiver for generating a new signal in response to detecting the optical signal transmitted by the optical transmitter.
A system comprising:
- a tool positionable in a wellbore;
- a tubing coupleable to the tool for housing a communication medium communicatively coupleable to the tool;
- a rotatable reel coupleable to the tubing;
- a first optical device coupled to the rotatable reel for rotating with the rotatable reel and communicatively coupling to the tool by the communication medium housed in the tubing;
- and
- a second optical device physically separated from the first optical device and coupled to a stationary component for remaining stationary relative to the first optical device and for communicating data with the first optical device using an optical signal, the first optical device or the second optical device including an optical transmitter for transmitting the optical signal based on the data, and the other of the first optical device or the second optical device including an optical receiver for generating a new signal in response to detecting the optical signal transmitted by the optical transmitter.
A method comprising:
- receiving data from a tool positioned in a wellbore at a reel that is rotating to adjust a length of a portion of tubing extending from the reel to the tool;
- transmitting an optical signal based on the data using a first optical device coupled to the reel, the first optical device rotating with the reel;
- and
- generating a new signal based on detecting the optical signal using a second optical device coupled to a stationary device and physically separated from the first optical device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.