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US 5,490,564 AGranted
Pressure change signals for remote control of downhole tools
AssigneeHalliburton Company
InventorsRoger L. Schultz, Donald G. Kyle, Neal G. Skinner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of controlling a downhole tool in a well are disclosed wherein pressure change signals are introduced into a column of fluid standing in the well. The command signal includes at least one high level pressure change applied to the column of fluid. The high level pressure change includes a change from a first value to a second value, with the second value being at least about 1,000 psi above hydrostatic pressure of the column of fluid in the well, and with pressure being maintained at the second value for an interval of time corresponding to information stored in a control system of the downhole valve. A number of suitable command signal formats are disclosed, particularly including pressure drop signals.
Claims25
A method of controlling a downhole valve in a well, said valve having open and closed positions, comprising:
- (a) transmitting into said well a command signal including at least one high level pressure change applied to a column of fluid in said well;
- (b) receiving said command signal and generating an electrical signal representative of said at least one high level pressure change;
- (c) comparing said electrical signal to information stored in a control system for said downhole tool, said information identifying said at least one high level pressure change;
- (d) by said comparing of step (c), verifying that said command signal is directed to said downhole tool;
- (e) upon said verifying of step (d), moving said valve from one of its said open and closed positions to the other of its said open and closed positions;
- and
- wherein in step (a), said at least one high level pressure change includes changing a pressure applied to said column of fluid in said well from a first value to a second value, both of said first and second values being sufficiently higher than hydrostatic pressure of said column of fluid in said well so that at the lower of said first and second values a majority of a possible compression of said column of fluid has already occurred said second value being at least about 1000 psi above hydrostatic pressure.
4 more elements
A method of controlling a downhole tool in a well, comprising:
- (a) providing said downhole tool with a control system having information stored therein;
- (b) transmitting into said well a command signal including:
- (1) changing a pressure applied to a column of fluid in said well from a first value to a second value wherein said first value and said second value are at least about 1000 psi above hydrostatic pressure;
- and
- (2) prior to changing said pressure from said first value to said second value, maintaining said pressure substantially at said first value for an interval of time corresponding to said information stored in said control system;
- (c) receiving said command signal and generating an electrical signal representative of said interval of time;
- (d) comparing said electrical signal to said information stored in said control system, and thereby verifying that said command signal is directed to said downhole tool;
- and
- (e) upon said verifying of step (d), moving an operating element of said downhole tool.
6 more elements
A method of controlling a downhole tool in a well, comprising:
- (a) providing said downhole tool with a control system having information stored therein;
- (b) transmitting into said well a command signal including:
- (1) changing a pressure applied to a column of fluid in said well from a first value to a second value wherein said first value and said second value are at least about 1000 psi above hydrostatic pressure;
- and
- (2) maintaining said pressure substantially at said second value for an interval of time corresponding to said information stored in said control system;
- (c) receiving said command signal and generating an electrical signal representative of said interval to time;
- (d) comparing said electrical signal to said information stored in said control system, and thereby verifying that said command signal is directed to said downhole tool;
- and
- (e) upon said verifying of step (d), moving an operating element of said downhole tool.
6 more elements
A method of controlling a downhole valve in a well, said valve having open and closed positions, comprising:
- (a) transmitting into said well a command signal including at least one high level pressure change applied to a column of fluid in said well;
- (b) receiving said command signal and generating an electrical signal representative of said at least one high level pressure change;
- (c) comparing said electrical signal to information stored in a control system for said downhole valve, said information identifying said at least one high level pressure change;
- (d) by said comparing of step (c), verifying that said command signal is directed to said downhole valve;
- (e) upon said verifying of step (d), moving said valve from one of its said open and closed positions to the other of its said open and closed positions;
- and
- wherein in step (a), said at least one high level pressure change includes changing a pressure applied to said column of fluid in said well from a first value to a second value, both of said first and second values being at least about 1000 psi higher than hydrostatic pressure of said column of fluid in said well.
4 more elements
A remote controlled downhole valve apparatus for use in a well, comprising:
- a housing;
- a valve element disposed in said housing and movable between an open position and a closed position;
- a controller having information stored therein identifying an operative command signal signature associated with said valve, said operative command signal signature including at least one high level pressure change applied to a column of fluid in said well, said controller including:
- receiver means for receiving a command signal introduced into said column of fluid in said well from a remote command station, and for generating an electrical signal representative of said command signal;
- comparing means for comparing said electrical signal to said stored information and confirming that said command signal contains said operative command signal signature;
- control signal generator means for generating a control signal for each confirmed command signal;
- and
- actuator means for moving said valve element from one of its said open and closed positions to the other of its said open and closed positions in response to each control signal generated by said control signal generator means;
- wherein said at least one high level pressure change includes changing a pressure applied to said column of fluid in said well from a first value to a second value, said first and second values being at least about 1000 psi above hydrostatic pressure of said column of fluid in said well.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.