US 5,995,449 A · Method and apparatus for improved communication in a wellbore utilizing acoustic signals

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for communicating a control signal in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node through an acoustic transmission pathway which extends between the transmission node and the reception node. A transmission apparatus is provided at the transmission node which is in communication with the acoustic transmission pathway. The transmission apparatus generates a serial acoustic transmission which includes a control signal. A reception apparatus is provided at the reception node. The reception apparatus includes a sensor assembly which detects the serial acoustic transmission. Furthermore, the reception apparatus includes a means for decoding the control signal from the series acoustic transmission. The reception apparatus also includes a clock for generating a synchronizing clock signal and a demodulator which maps a predefined plurality of available control signals to a predefined output at a particular one of a plurality of available output pins in the reception apparatus. An electrically actuable wellbore tool is electrically coupled to a particular one of the plurality of available output pins, and may be actuated by the predefined output.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of communicating a control signal in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node, through an acoustic transmission pathway extending therebetween, to control at least one wellbore tool, comprising the method steps of:

providing a transmission apparatus at said transmission node which is in communication with said acoustic transmission pathway, for generating a serial acoustic transmission which comprises a control signal for actuation of at least one wellbore tool;
providing a reception apparatus at said reception node which includes:
(a) a sensor assembly which detects said serial acoustic transmission;
(b) means for decoding said control signal from said serial acoustic transmission and for selectively supplying an actuating command to said at least one wellbore tool;
(c) a clock means for generating a synchronized clock signal;
(d) wherein said means for decoding utilizes said synchronized clock signal in separating said control signal from said serial acoustic transmission;
utilizing said transmission apparatus to generate said serial acoustic transmission;
utilizing said reception apparatus to detect and decode said serial acoustic transmission;
and
actuating said at least one wellbore tool.

7 more elements

providing a transmission apparatus at said transmission node which is in communication with said acoustic transmission pathway, for generating a serial acoustic transmission which comprises a control signal for actuation of at least one wellbore tool;
providing a reception apparatus at said reception node which includes:
(a) a sensor assembly which detects said serial acoustic transmission;
(b) means for decoding said control signal from said serial acoustic transmission and for selectively supplying an actuating command to said at least one wellbore tool;
(c) a demodulator which maps a predefined plurality of available control signals to a predefined output at a particular one of a plurality of available output pins;
utilizing said transmission apparatus to generate said serial acoustic transmission;
utilizing said reception apparatus to detect and decode said serial acoustic transmission;
and
actuating said at least one wellbore tool.

6 more elements

An apparatus for communicating a control signal in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node, through an acoustic transmission pathway extending therebetween, to control at least one wellbore tool, compromising:

a transmission apparatus which is in communication with said acoustic transmission pathway, for generating a serial acoustic transmission which is representative of a bit-by-bit product of a multiple-bit binary control signal and a clock signal, for actuating at least one wellbore tool;
a reception apparatus including:
(a) a sensor assembly which detects said serial acoustic transmission;
(b) means for decoding said multiple-bit binary control signal from said serial acoustic transmission;
wherein, during a communication mode of operation;
(a) said transmission apparatus is utilized to generate said serial acoustic transmission;
(b) said reception apparatus is utilized to detect and decode said serial acoustic transmission;
and
(c) said reception apparatus provides an actuating signal to said at least one wellbore tool to cause actuation of said at least one wellbore tool.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for improved communication in a wellbore utilizing acoustic signals

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for improved communication in a wellbore utilizing acoustic signals

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17