US 4,396,071 A · Mud by-pass regulator apparatus for measurement while drilling system

Abstract

A mud by-pass regulator apparatus is provided to regulate the flow of drilling fluid or mud through the downhole portion of a power supply in a measurement while drilling system. The mud by-pass regulator apparatus includes a valve, valve actuator, and a valve actuator control operable to regulate the flow of drilling fluid through the power supply within predetermined limits. The apparatus automatically causes the drilling fluid to by-pass the power supply under certain conditions to maintain regulation of the drilling fluid through the power supply so that its operation is maintained within required limits of the downhole portion of the measurement while drilling apparatus. Motion of the valve is accomplished by the valve actuator and the valve actuator control which is responsive to the pressure drop across a motive power source in the downhole power supply.

Claims18

Dependent claims

In a measurement while drilling system for a drilling rig having a sensor in a drill string to sense at least one of geophysical borehole and mechanical drill string parameters, a power source in the drill string using drilling fluid motion through the drill string to power a motive power source and to in turn power an electrical power source, a transmitter in the drill string to transmit sensed data to the earth's surface, a receiver at the earth's surface to receive the transmitted data and a data display means at the earth's surface, an improvement in the system, comprising:

(a) valve means in the drill string operably mounted upstream of the motive power source and operable to control fluid flow past said motive power source;
(b) valve actuator means with said valve means to displace said valve means in variable relation between first and second positions;
and
(c) valve actuator control means including means responsive to said valve actuator means in order to maintain a fluid pressure differential across said motive power source within a predetermined range.

1 more element

A measurement while drilling system for a drilling rig having:

(a) a sensor in a drill string to sense at least one of geophysical borehole and mechanical drill string parameters;
(b) a power source in the drill string using drilling fluid motion through the drill string to power a motive power source and to in turn power an electrical power source;
(c) a transmitter in the drill string to transmit sensed data to the earth's surface;
(d) a receiver at the earth's surface to receive the transmitted data and a data display means at the earth's surface;
(e) valve means in the drill string operably mounted upstream of the motive power source and operable to control fluid flow past said motive power source and said valve means being separate from said transmitter;
(f) valve actuator means with said valve means to displace said valve means in variable relation between first and second positions;
and
(g) valve actuator control means including means responsive to said valve actuator means operable in order to maintain a fluid pressure differential across said motive power source within a predetermined range.

5 more elements

A drilling fluid bypass means for measurement while drilling system for a drilling rig having a power source in a drill string using drilling fluid motion through the drill string to power a motive power source and to in turn power an electrical power source wherein the drilling fluid bypass means comprises:

(a) valve means in a drill string operably mounted upstream of a motive power source in a measurement while drilling apparatus and operable to control fluid flow past said motive power source;
(b) valve actuator means with said valve means to displace said valve means in variable relation between first and second positions;
and
(c) valve actuator control means including means responsive to said valve actuator means in order to maintain a fluid pressure differential across said motive power source within a predetermined range in order to maintain the operable power output of said electrical power source substantially constant.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mud by-pass regulator apparatus for measurement while drilling system

Life of this patent

Mud by-pass regulator apparatus for measurement while drilling system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18