Reconfigurable tool bus network for a bottom hole assembly
OwnerJianying Chuinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reconfigurable network for interconnecting tools in a bottom hole assembly is disclosed. The network includes nodes that have reconfigurable switches that can be configured to provide a conductive path for the bus through the node, connect a terminator to the bus, and/or connect a tool to the bus. The exact configuration (i.e., states) of the switches in each node may be automatically selected based on a detected fault in a tool attached to a node and/or the state of other switches in the node or/a specific request is received. Various node embodiments and a method and circuit for automatically disconnecting a tool from the network in response to a tool fault are further disclosed.
Claims20
A tool bus network for a bottom hole assembly (BHA), the tool bus network comprising:
- a bus comprised of bus sections that are connected at nodes, wherein a node comprises:
- a first bus switch configurable based on a first secured control line to connect a first bus section to a second bus section so that when the bus switch is closed data and/or power is able to pass between the first and second bus sections, wherein a default state of the first secured control line configures the bus switch to be closed;
- a tool switch configurable based on a second secured control line to connect node backend electronics including a main controller and tool electronics within the node on a first side of the tool switch to the second bus section on a second side of the tool switch opposite from the first side of the tool switch when the tool switch is closed, wherein a default state of the second secured control line configures the tool switch to be open;
- and
- the main controller connected to the tool switch, wherein the main controller is configured to adjust a configuration of the first bus switch by adjusting a state of the first secured control line, and the main controller is configured to adjust a configuration of the tool switch by adjusting a state of the second secure control line, wherein the first secured control line and the second secured control line automatically assume the default state of the first secured control line and the default state of the second secured control line upon a fault or power loss in the main controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.