Feedback Signaling From Downhole Tools
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsJoseph Chakkungal Joseph, Michael John Christie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a downhole device including an actuator which has a primary purpose to operate the device while also having a secondary purpose to induce controlled pulses into a downhole environment at a first location for detection at a second location. A control package can be connected to the actuator. The control package is operable to detect a trigger event and control the actuator to cause the controlled pulses in the downhole environment in response. In some aspects, the trigger event is the reception of a command sent to the downhole device from the surface and the controlled pulses serve to provide a feedback signal receivable at the surface.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a downhole device including an actuator to induce controlled pulses into a downhole environment at a first location for being detected at a second location and to operate the downhole device;
- and
- a control package connected to the actuator, the control package being operable to detect a trigger event and control the actuator to cause the controlled pulses to be induced in the downhole environment in response to the trigger event.
A method comprising:
- detecting a trigger event at a tool in a first location in a downhole environment of a well system;
- operating a downhole tool in response to the trigger event;
- and
- controlling, using a processor, an actuator to produce controlled pulses in the downhole environment in response to detecting the trigger event or to operating the downhole tool, the controlled pulses being detectable at a second location in the well system.
A downhole device for use in a downhole environment, the downhole device comprising:
- a solenoid to operate the downhole device;
- an input connected to the solenoid to provide a signaling voltage to the solenoid;
- a mechanical resonator operable to induce controlled vibrations into the downhole environment;
- and
- an actuator coupled to the solenoid to strike the mechanical resonator in response to the signaling voltage and cause the controlled vibrations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.