US 2025/0052145 A1 · TENSION MONITOR

Abstract

A tension link for use in downhole operations. The tension link has a link body connecting two features, such as a backreamer and product pipe, which are towed through a borehole. The tension link has electronics which can monitor the tension in the link body. The electronics may include a Bluetooth radio or similar device, which uses a power source to send a low power signal including the tension data to a beacon, which is located in a separate cavity of the tension link. The beacon encodes received information about tension onto a stronger electromagnetic field. This electromagnetic field may, in turn, be used to power the electronics. No direct link between the electronics and the beacon exists, and the beacon may be used in other downhole operations other than tension monitoring, such as directional drilling. The electromagnetic field signal is detected at a receiving antenna at an uphole location.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A downhole tool, comprising:

a housing;
a tension monitor disposed within the housing and comprising:
a link, extending from a first end to a second end, each of the first and second end having a connection point;
a tension monitoring sensor disposed proximate the link, wherein the tension monitoring system is configured to generate a tension signal indicative of a tension within the link;
a power source;
and
a first transmitter, connected to the power source and configured to send the tension signal;
a beacon disposed within the housing and comprising:
a receiver, configured to receive the tension signal and generate tension data;
and
a second transmitter, configured to transmit a beacon signal to an uphole location, wherein the tension data is encoded on the beacon signal.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tension monitor

Life of this patent

Tension monitor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19