Method and apparatus for data communication with an underground instrument package
AssigneeReuter-Stokes, Inc. (General Electric Company)
InventorsGeorge Roberts, Edward Fraser, Fred Earnest
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A data communication system is provided for communicating with an underground instrument package positioned on a drilling apparatus. The drilling apparatus has an insulated section between first and second conductive sections. The system includes a power supply connected to the first conductive section of the drilling apparatus and to the ground. A receiver measures current flowing through the power supply. An electrical path is provided between the first and second conductive sections of the drilling apparatus. A switch provided in the electrical path opens and closes the electrical path in response to the data generated by the instrument package.
Claims30
A data communication system for communicating with an underground instrument package positioned on a drilling apparatus, the drilling apparatus having an insulated section between first and second conductive sections, the data communication system comprising:
- a surface power supply connected to the first conductive section of the drilling apparatus and to the ground;
- a receiver connected to measure current flowing through said surface power supply;
- an electrical path between the first and second conductive sections of the drilling apparatus;
- and
- a switch provided in said electrical path that opens and closes said electrical path in response to the data generated by the instrument package.
A data communication system for communicating with an underground electronic device, the data communication system comprising:
- a first conductive section;
- a second conductive section positioned underground and being electronically connected to the electronic device;
- an insulated section positioned between and connecting said first and second conductive sections;
- a surface power supply connected to said first conductive section and to the ground;
- a receiver connected to measure current flowing through said surface power supply;
- and
- a switch provided in an electrical path between said first and second conductive sections, said switch being configured to open and close the electrical path in response to data generated by the electronic device.
A data communication system for communicating with an underground electronic device, the data communication system comprising:
- a first conductive means for conducting an electrical signal;
- a second conductive means for conducting an electrical signal, said second conductive means being positioned underground and being electrically connected to the electronic device;
- an insulated connecting means for connecting said first and second conductive means;
- a surface power supply connected to said first conductive means and to the ground;
- a receiver connected to measure current flowing through said surface power supply;
- and
- a modulating means for opening and closing an electrical path between said first and second conductive means in response to data generated by the electronic device.
A data communication method for communicating with an underground instrument package positioned on a drilling apparatus, the drilling apparatus having an insulated section between first and second conductive sections, the data communication method comprising:
- connecting a surface power supply to the first conductive section of the drilling apparatus and to the ground;
- measuring current flowing through the surface power supply using a receiver;
- and
- opening and closing a switch provided in an electrical path between the first and second conductive sections of the drilling apparatus in response to the data generated by the instrument package.
A data communication system for communicating with an underground instrument package positioned on a drilling apparatus, the drilling apparatus having an insulated section between first and second conductive sections, the data communication system comprising:
- a power supply connected to the first conductive section of the drilling apparatus and to the ground;
- a receiver connected to measure current flowing through said power supply;
- an electrical path between the first and second conductive sections of the drilling apparatus;
- and
- a switch provided in said electrical path that opens and closes said electrical path in response to the data generated by the instrument package, wherein an internal power source of the instrument package is charged by a voltage formed between the first and second conductive sections of the drilling apparatus while said electrical path is opened by said switch.
A data communication method for communicating with an underground instrument package positioned on a drilling apparatus, the drilling apparatus having an insulated section between first and second conductive sections, the data communication method comprising the steps of:
- connecting a power supply to the first conductive section of the drilling apparatus and to the ground;
- measuring current flowing through the power using a receiver;
- opening and closing a switch provided in an electrical path between the first and second conductive sections of the drilling apparatus in response to the data generated by the instrument package;
- and
- charging an internal power source of the instrument package by a voltage formed between the first and second conductive sections of the drilling apparatus while the electrical path is opened by said switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.