Secure activation of a downhole device
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsNolan C. Lerche, James E. Brooks, Choon Fei Wong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system includes a well tool for deployment in a well, a controller, and a link coupled between the controller and the well tool. The well tool comprises plural control units, each of the plural control units having a microprocessor and an initiator coupled to the microprocessor. Each microprocessor is adapted to communicate bi-directionally with the controller. The controller is adapted to send a plurality of activation commands to respective microprocessors to activate the respective control units. Each activation command containing a unique identifier corresponding to a respective control unit.
Claims17
A system comprising:
- a well tool for deployment in a well;
- a controller;
- a link coupled between the controller and the well tool, wherein the well tool comprises plural control units, each of the plural control units having a microprocessor and an initiator coupled to the microprocessor,
- each microprocessor adapted to communicate bi-directionally with the controller,
- wherein the controller is adapted to send a plurality of activation commands to respective microprocessors to activate the respective control units,
- each activation command containing a unique identifier corresponding to a respective control unit, and
- wherein each control unit includes a circuit board, the corresponding microprocessor and initiator being mounted on one planar surface of the circuit board.
A method for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- deploying a well tool into the wellbore;
- communicating, over a link, between a controller and the well tool, wherein the well tool comprises plural control units, each of the plural control units having a microprocessor and an initiator coupled to the microprocessor;
- each microprocessor communicating bi-directionally with the controller,
- the controller sending a plurality of activation commands to respective microprocessors to activate the respective control units, each activation command containing a unique identifier corresponding to a respective control unit;
- providing a circuit board in each control unit;
- and
- mounting the microprocessor and initiator of each control unit on a flat surface of the respective circuit board, wherein the flat surface on which the microprocessor and initiator are mounted lies in one plane.
A method for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- deploying a well tool into the wellbore;
- communicating, over a link, between a controller and the well tool, wherein the well tool comprises plural control units, each of the plural control units having a microprocessor and an initiator coupled to the microprocessor;
- each microprocessor communicating bi-directionally with the controller,
- the controller sending a plurality of activation commands to respective microprocessors to activate the respective control units, each activation command containing a unique identifier corresponding to a respective control unit;
- providing a flexible circuit in each control unit;
- and
- mounting the microprocessor and initiator of each control unit on one planar surface of corresponding flex circuit.
A tool for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a plurality of control units for communicating over a link with a remote controller, wherein each of the control units includes a microprocessor, wherein each control unit is adapted to communicate bi-directionally with the remote controller;
- a plurality of initiators coupled to respective microprocessors;
- and
- wherein the control units are associated with unique identifiers, and
- wherein each microprocessor is responsive to an activation command containing the corresponding unique identifier,
- wherein each control unit comprises a flexible circuit having one planar surface on which a respective microprocessor and initiator are mounted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.