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US 5,670,931 AGranted

Method and apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable utilizing a magnetically saturable core reactor

AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated

InventorsGordon Lee Besser, Cecil Glynn Davis, Edward Bryant Tickell, Jr., Dick Lee Knox, John Dee Martin, Jr.

Life of this patent

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Abstract

The present invention impresses the data on the power signal by utilizing a saturable core reactor. The saturable core reactor uses two cores. Each core has both load windings and control windings. The control windings are selectively energized to alter an electrical characteristic of the current passing through the load windings. The saturable core reactor is designed with cores made of a highly magnetically permeable material so that the cores are easily saturated. The cyclical saturation of the cores achieved by the load current, and the selective saturation of the cores achieved by selectively applying a control current, results in "deformations" being selectively formed at the zero crossings of the load current waveform. These "deformations" can be selectively formed on the power signal to represent a binary data stream. Once the series of "deformations" is impressed onto the power signal, the "deformations" are communicated from one point on the power cable to another point on the power cable together with the power signal. The "deformations" are then read and transformed into a binary data stream. Thus, the power cable is converted from a mere power cable to a power cable capable of transmitting both power and data simultaneously.

Claims48

Dependent claims

Claim 1A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component · 214 words5 dependent Claim 7A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component · 294 words5 dependent Claim 13A method of transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component · 216 wordsNo dependents Claim 14A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power consuming component · 258 words4 dependent Claim 19A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component · 248 words4 dependent Claim 24A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component · 361 words4 dependent Claim 29A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component · 327 words5 dependent Claim 35A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component · 247 words5 dependent Claim 41A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component · 313 words4 dependent Claim 46A method of communicating information in a wellbore · 308 wordsNo dependents Claim 47A method of communicating information in a wellbore · 310 wordsNo dependents Claim 48A method of communicating information in a wellbore · 341 wordsNo dependents

A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component, comprising:

a. at least one reactive circuit component, each including:
(1) a highly magnetically-permeable core defining a magnetic flux pathway;
(2) load windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core for receiving at least a portion of said alternating electrical current from said power cable;
(3) control windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core;
b. a control circuit for selectively communicating a data signal to said control windings;
c. said data transmission apparatus being operable in a plurality of modes of operation, including:
(1) a saturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically saturated condition and provides a low impedance to alternating current flow;
and
(2) an unsaturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically unsaturated condition and provides a high impedance to said alternating current flow;
d. wherein said data is transmitted to a remote location through said power cable by deforming said alternating electrical current in a region associated with selected waveform zero-crossings in a predefined manner by switching between said saturated mode of operation and said unsaturated mode of operation in response to said data signal.

7 more elements

A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component, comprising:

a. at least one reactive circuit component, each including:
(1) a highly magnetically-permeable core defining a magnetic flux pathway;
(2) load windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core for receiving at least a portion of said alternating electrical current from said power cable;
(3) control windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core;
b. a control circuit for selectively communicating a data signal to said control windings;
c. said data transmission apparatus being operable in a plurality of modes of operation, including:
(1) a saturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically saturated condition and provides a low impedance to alternating current flow;
and
(2) an unsaturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically unsaturated condition and provides a high impedance to said alternating current flow;
d. wherein said alternating electrical current passing through said load windings switches said data transmission apparatus (a) to said saturated mode of operation at high current levels and (b) to said unsaturated mode of operation at low current levels, causing distortions at zero crossings of said alternating electrical current;
e. wherein a control signal current which is selectively supplied to said control windings is sufficient to maintain said data transmission apparatus in said saturated mode of operation at high current levels but not at low current levels;
f. wherein said data is transmitted to a remote location through said power cable through distortions of said alternating electrical current in a predefined manner by switching between said saturated mode of operation and said unsaturated mode of operation in response to said data signal.

9 more elements

A method of transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component, comprising the method steps of:

a. providing at least one reactive circuit component, each including:
(1) a highly magnetically-permeable core defining a magnetic flux pathway;
(2) load windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core for receiving at least a portion of said alternating electrical current from said power cable;
(3) control windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core;
b. providing a control circuit for selectively communicating a data signal to said control windings;
c. switching said data transmission apparatus between the following plurality of modes in response to said data signal:
(1) a saturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically permeable core is in a magnetically saturated condition and provides a low impedance to alternating current flow;
and
(2) an unsaturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically unsaturated condition and provides a high impedance to said alternating current flow;
d. transmitting said data to a remote location by deforming said alternating electrical current in a region associated with selected waveform zero-crossings in a predefined manner by switching between said saturated mode of operation and said unsaturated mode of operation in response to said data signal.

7 more elements

A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power consuming component, comprising:

a. two reactive circuit components coupled in series but out of phase to minimize power transfer from load windings of said each reactive circuit component to control windings of said each reactive circuit component, said each reactive circuit component including:
(1) a highly magnetically-permeable core defining a magnetic flux pathway;
(2) said load windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core for receiving at least a portion of said alternating electrical current from said power cable;
(3) said control windings of said each reactive circuit component wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core
b. a control circuit for selectively communicating a data signal to said control windings of said each reactive circuit component;
c. said data transmission apparatus being operable in a plurality of modes of operation, including:
(1) a saturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically saturated condition and provides low impedance to alternating current flow;
and
(2) an unsaturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in magnetically unsaturated condition and provides a high impedance to said alternating current flow;
d. wherein said data is transmitted to a remote location through said power cable by deforming said alternating electrical current in a region associated with selected waveform zero-crossings in a predefined manner by switching between said saturated mode of operation and said unsaturated mode of operation in response to said data signal.

7 more elements

A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component, comprising:

a. at least one reactive circuit component, each including:
(1) a highly magnetically-permeable core defining a magnetic flux pathway;
(2) load windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core for receiving at least a portion of said alternating electrical current from said power cable;
(3) control windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core;
b. a control circuit for selectively communicating a data signal to said control windings, said control circuit including a switch member responsive to said data signal for selectively applying a direct current to said control windings;
c. said data transmission apparatus being operable in a plurality of modes of operation, including:
(1) a saturated mode of operation wherein said switch member applies said direct current to said control windings thereby putting said highly magnetically-permeable core into a magnetically saturated condition which provides a low impedance to alternating current flow;
and
(2) an unsaturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically unsaturated condition and provides a high impedance to said alternating current flow;
d. wherein said data is transmitted to a remote location through said power cable by deforming said alternating electrical current in a region associated with selected waveform zero-crossings in a predefined manner by switching between said saturated mode of operation and said unsaturated mode of operation in response to said data signal.

7 more elements

A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component, comprising:

a. at least two reactive circuit components, each including:
(1) a highly magnetically-permeable core defining a magnetic flux pathway;
(2) load windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core for receiving at least a portion of said alternating electrical current from said power cable;
(3) control windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core;
wherein said at least two reactive circuit components being coupled in series but out of phase to minimize power transfer from said load windings of said at least two reactive circuit components to said control windings of said at least two reactive circuit components;
b. a control circuit for selectively communicating a data signal to said control windings of said at least two reactive circuit components;
c. said data transmission apparatus being operable in a plurality of modes of operation, including:
(1) a saturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically saturated condition and provides a low impedance to alternating current flow;
and
(2) an unsaturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically unsaturated condition and provides a high impedance to said alternating current flow;
d. wherein said alternating electrical current passing through said load windings of said at least two reactive circuit components switches said data transmission apparatus (a) to said saturated mode of operation at high current levels and (b) to said unsaturated mode of operation at low current levels, causing distortions at zero crossings of said alternating electrical current;
e. wherein a control current which is selectively supplied to said control windings of said at least two reactive circuit components is sufficient to maintain said data transmission apparatus in said saturated mode of operation at high current levels but not at low current levels;
f. wherein said data is transmitted to a remote location through said power cable through distortions of said alternating electrical current in a predefined manner by switching between said saturated mode of operation and said unsaturated mode of operation in response to said data signal.

10 more elements

A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component, comprising:

a. at least one reactive circuit component, each including:
(1) a highly magnetically-permeable core defining a magnetic flux pathway;
(2) load windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core for receiving at least a portion of said alternating electrical current from said power cable;
(3) control windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core;
b. a control circuit for selectively communicating a data signal to said control windings, said control circuit including a switch member responsive to said data signal for selectively applying a direct current to said control windings;
c. said data transmission apparatus being operable in a plurality of modes of operation, including:
(1) a saturated mode of operation wherein said switch member applies said direct current to said control windings thereby putting said highly magnetically-permeable core into a magnetically saturated condition which provides a low impedance to alternating current flow;
and
(2) an unsaturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically unsaturated condition and provides a high impedance to said alternating current flow;
d. wherein said alternating electrical current passing through said load windings switches said data transmission apparatus (a) to said saturated mode of operation at high current levels and (b) to said unsaturated mode of operation at low current levels, causing distortions at zero crossings of said alternating electrical current;
e. wherein a control current which is selectively supplied to said control windings is sufficient to maintain said data transmission apparatus in said saturated mode of operation at high current levels but not at low current levels;
f. wherein said data is transmitted to a remote location through said power cable through distortions of said alternating electrical current in a predefined manner by switching between said saturated mode of operation and said unsaturated mode of operation in response to said data signal.

9 more elements

A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component, comprising:

a. at least two reactive circuit components coupled in series but out of phase to minimize power transfer from load windings of said each reactive circuit component to control windings of said each reactive circuit component, said each reactive circuit component including:
(1) a highly magnetically-permeable core defining a magnetic flux pathway;
(2) load windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core for receiving at least a portion of said alternating electrical current from said power cable;
(3) said control windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core;
b. a control circuit for selectively communicating a data signal to said control windings;
c. said data transmission apparatus being operable in a plurality of modes of operation, including:
(1) a saturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically saturated condition and provides a low impedance to alternating current flow;
and
(2) an unsaturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically unsaturated condition and provides a high impedance to said alternating current flow;
d. wherein said data is transmitted to a remote location through said power cable through alteration of at least one electrical characteristic of said alternating electrical current in a predefined manner by switching between said saturated mode of operation and said unsaturated mode of operation in response to said data signal.

7 more elements

A data transmission apparatus for transmitting data over a power cable which supplies alternating electrical current to an electrical-power-consuming component, comprising:

a. at least two reactive circuit components coupled in series but out of phase to minimize power transfer from said load windings to said control windings, each including:
(1) a highly magnetically-permeable core defining a magnetic flux pathway;
(2) load windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core for receiving at least a portion of said alternating electrical current from said power cable;
(3) control windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core;
b. a control circuit for selectively communicating a data signal to said control windings;
c. said data transmission apparatus being operable in a plurality of modes of operation, including:
(1) a saturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically saturated condition and provides a low impedance to alternating current flow;
and
(2) an unsaturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically unsaturated condition and provides a high impedance to said alternating current flow;
d. wherein said alternating electrical current passing through said load windings switches said data transmission apparatus (a) to said saturated mode of operation at high current levels and (b) to said unsaturated mode of operation at low current levels, causing distortions at zero crossings of said alternating electrical current;
e. wherein a control signal current which is selectively supplied to said control windings is sufficient to maintain said data transmission apparatus in said saturated mode of operation at high current levels but not at low current levels;
f. wherein said data is transmitted to a remote location through said power cable through distortions of said alternating electrical current in a predefined manner by switching between said saturated mode of operation and said unsaturated mode of operation in response to said data signal.

9 more elements

A method of communicating information in a wellbore, comprising the method steps of:

providing a string of wellbore tubular members;
providing an electrical submersible pump;
providing a data transmitter member;
providing a data receiver member;
providing an electric power supply, said electric power supply residing at the surface of the earth;
providing a power cable;
lowering said electric submersible pump, said power cable, and said data transmitter member into said wellbore on said string of wellbore tubular members;
supplying power from said electric power supply to said electric submersible pump using said power cable;
utilizing said electric submersible pump to lift fluids from said wellbore to the surface through said string of wellbore tubular members;
and
transmitting data from said data transmitter member to said data receiver member using said power cable, wherein:
said data transmitter member contains:
a. at least one reactive circuit component, each including:
(1) a highly magnetically-permeable core defining a magnetic flux pathway;
(2) control windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core;
b. a control circuit for selectively communicating a data signal to said control windings;
said data transmitter member operates in a plurality of modes of operation, including:
a. a saturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically saturated condition and provides a low impedance to alternating current in said power cable;
and
b. an unsaturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically unsaturated condition and provides a high impedance to said alternating current in said power cable;
and
wherein said data signal is transmitted to said data receiver member through said power cable by altering at least one electrical characteristic of said alternating electrical current in a predefined manner by switching between said saturated mode of operation and said unsaturated mode of operation in response to said data signal.

19 more elements

A method of communicating information in a wellbore, comprising the method steps of:

providing a string of wellbore tubular members;
providing an electrical submersible pump;
providing a data transmitter member;
providing a data receiver member;
providing an electric power supply, said electric power supply residing at the surface of the earth;
providing a power cable;
lowering said electric submersible pump, said power cable, and said data transmitter member into said wellbore on said string of wellbore tubular members;
supplying power from said electric power supply to said electric submersible pump using said power cable;
utilizing said electric submersible pump to lift fluids from said wellbore to the surface through said string of wellbore tubular members;
and
transmitting data from said data transmitter member to said data receiver member using said power cable, wherein:
said data transmitter member contains:
a. at least one reactive circuit component, each including:
(1) a highly magnetically-permeable core defining a magnetic flux pathway;
(2) control windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core;
b. a control circuit for selectively communicating a data signal to said control windings;
said data transmitter member operates in a plurality of modes of operation, including:
a. a saturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically saturated condition and provides a low impedance to alternating current in said power cable;
and
b. an unsaturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically unsaturated condition and provides a high impedance to said alternating current in said power cable;
and
wherein said data signal is transmitted to said data receiver member through said power cable by altering said alternating electrical current in a region associated with selected waveform zero-crossings in a predefined manner by switching between said saturated mode of operation and said unsaturated mode of operation in response to said data signal.

19 more elements

A method of communicating information in a wellbore, comprising the method steps of:

providing a string of wellbore tubular members;
providing an electrical submersible pump;
providing a data transmitter member;
providing a data receiver member;
providing an electric power supply, said electric power supply residing at the surface of the earth;
providing a power cable;
lowering said electric submersible pump, said power cable, and said data transmitter member into said wellbore on said string of wellbore tubular members;
supplying power from said electric power supply to said electric submersible pump using said power cable;
utilizing said electric submersible pump to lift fluids from said wellbore to the surface through said string of wellbore tubular members;
and
transmitting data from said data transmitter member to said data receiver member using said power cable, wherein:
said data transmitter member contains:
a. at least two reactive circuit components coupled in series but out of phase to minimize power transfer from load windings of said each reactive circuit component to control windings of said each reactive circuit component, said each reactive circuit component including:
(1) a highly magnetically-permeable core defining a magnetic flux pathway;
(2) control windings wound about a portion of said highly magnetically-permeable core;
b. a control circuit for selectively communicating a data signal to said control windings;
said data transmitter member operates in a plurality of modes of operation, including:
a. a saturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically saturated condition and provides a low impedance to alternating current in said power cable;
and
b. an unsaturated mode of operation wherein said highly magnetically-permeable core is in a magnetically unsaturated condition and provides a high impedance to said alternating current in said power cable;
and
wherein said data signal is transmitted to said data receiver member through said power cable by altering at least one electrical characteristic of said alternating electrical current in a predefined manner by switching between said saturated mode of operation and said unsaturated mode of operation in response to said data signal.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/262,807Filed 17 Jun 1994
Granted: 23 Sep 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H04B 3/56
Systems for transmission via power distribution lines: circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals
H04B 3/542
Systems for transmission via power distribution lines: the information being in digital form
H04B 2203/542
Methods of transmitting or receiving signals via power distribution lines: using zero crossing information
H04B 2203/5458
Applications for powerline communications: monitor sensor; Alarm systems

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