Detection of downhole data telemetry signals
AssigneeEvolution Engineering Inc.
InventorsAaron W. Logan, Daniel W. Ahmoye, David A. Switzer, Jili Jerry Liu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An assembly for receiving telemetry signals from downhole equipment is located at a top end of a drill string above a drill rig floor. The assembly may be configured to receive multiple types of telemetry signals, for example, two or more of electromagnetic telemetry, mud pulse telemetry and drill string acoustic telemetry signals. The assembly may comprise a cap comprising a coupling and an end separated by an electrically insulating gap region. The end of the cap may be connected to a grounding system for the drill rig.
Claims33
An apparatus for detecting uplink telemetry signals in a drilling operation, the apparatus comprising:
- a signal receiving apparatus coupled to rotate with an upper end of a rotatable drill string having a bore, the signal receiving apparatus comprising an amplifier connected to amplify an electrical potential difference between the upper end of the drill string and an electrical ground reference;
- and
- a signal detector electrically coupled to a first section of the signal receiving apparatus, a second section of the signal receiving apparatus which is electrically isolated from the first section, and a blow out preventer, wherein the signal detector is configured to measure a difference in voltage between the first section and the second section and a difference in voltage between the second section and the blow out preventer;
- wherein the signal receiving apparatus comprises a threaded coupling and is threadedly attached to a corresponding threaded coupling at the upper end of the drill string;
- and
- wherein the threaded coupling is on the first section and the first section comprises a tubular first electrically-conductive section of the signal receiving apparatus;
- the second section of the signal receiving apparatus comprises a second electrically-conductive section concentric with and electrically insulated from the first electrically-conductive section;
- and the second electrically-conductive section is connected to the electrical ground reference.
An apparatus for detecting uplink telemetry signals in a drilling operation, the apparatus comprising:
- a signal receiving apparatus coupled to rotate with an upper end of a rotatable drill string having a bore,
- wherein the signal receiving apparatus comprises a threaded coupling and is threadedly attached to a corresponding threaded coupling at the upper end of the drill string
- wherein the threaded coupling is on a tubular first electrically-conductive section of the signal receiving apparatus;
- the signal receiving apparatus comprises a second electrically-conductive section concentric with and electrically insulated from the first electrically-conductive section;
- and the second electrically-conductive section is connected to an electrical ground reference;
- a signal detector electrically coupled to the second section, the first section, and a blow out preventer, the signal detector configured to measure a difference in voltage between the second section and the first section and a difference in voltage between the second section and the blow out preventer;
- wherein the signal receiving apparatus comprises an amplifier connected to amplify an electrical potential difference between the upper end of the drill string and the electrical ground reference.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.