Hydraulic control device for transmitting measuring values from the bottom of a well to the surface as pressure pulses through the drilling mud

Claim 1

An apparatus for telemetering, from a bore hole, signals measured in a well during drilling operation therein, said signals being in the form of pressure impulses imparted to drilling fluid and capable of being detected at the surface of the well, said apparatus being located at the lower end of a drill string and including at least one measuring means for generating electric signals representative of a parameter being measured within said bore hole and means, responsive to said electric signals, for imparting pressure impulses to said drilling fluid comprising: a drill string section; a drill fluid valve arrangement disposed in a path of the drilling fluid, said valve arrangement including a stationary seat, a plunger head and a first piston integral with said plunger head for effecting the application of pressure impulses to said drilling fluid; and means for actuating said valve arrangement comprising: means for storing the capacity of fluid under pressure, the volume of which is adjustable, a second piston, displaceable within said storing means, for controlling the volume of fluid within said storing means, and a resilient means, connected with said second piston, for exerting a predetermined pressure upon said piston, for maintaining said second piston displaced a predetermineD amount within said storing means, said storing means further including means, communicating with said drilling fluid on the same side of said second piston as said resilient means, for imparting the pressure of said fluid on said second piston, a first cylinder, within which said first piston is displaceable and being controllably communicatable with said storing means, for permitting the application of fluid pressure to said first piston, to effect the movement of said plunger head with respect to said seat in response to said fluid pressure, a turbine over which said drill fluid passes being driven in rotation thereby, a pump, energized by said turbine, for pumping said fluid under pressure into said storing means, and an electrovalve means, responsive to said generated electric signals, for effecting the application of said fluid pressure to said first piston in a first position thereof, whereby fluid from said storing means enters said first cylinder and acts upon said first piston to move said plunger head toward said seat, and for effecting the flow of fluid from said first cylinder to said pump in a second position thereof, whereby said pressurized fluid is pumped into said storing means and said first piston together with said plunger head withdraws from said seat, to permit said drilling fluid to pass therethrough.

Claim 2

An apparatus for telemetering, from a bore hole, signals measured in a well during drilling operation therein, said signals being in the form of pressure impulses imparted to drilling fluid and capable of being detected at the surface of the well, said apparatus being located at the lower end of a drill string and including at least one measuring means for generating electric signals representative of a parameter being measured within said bore hole and means, responsive to said electric signals, for imparting pressure impulses to said drilling fluid comprising: a drill string section; a drill fluid valve arrangement disposed in a path of the drilling fluid, said valve arrangement including a stationary seat, a plunger head and a first piston integral with said plunger head for effecting the application of pressure impulses to said drilling fluid; and means for actuating said valve arrangement comprising: means for storing the capacity of fluid under pressure, the volume of which is adjustable, a second piston, displaceable within said storing means, for controlling the volume of fluid within said storing means, and a resilient means, connected with said second piston, for exerting a predetermined pressure upon said piston, for maintaining said second piston displaced a predetermineD amount within said storing means, said storing means further including means, communicating with said drilling fluid on the same side of said second piston as said resilient means, for imparting the pressure of said fluid on said second piston, a first cylinder, within which said first piston is displaceable and being controllably communicatable with said storing means, for permitting the application of fluid pressure to said first piston, to effect the movement of said plunger head with respect to said seat in response to said fluid pressure, a turbine over which said drill fluid passes being driven in rotation thereby, a pump, energized by said turbine, for pumping said fluid under pressure into said storing means, and an electrovalve means, responsive to said generated electric signals, for effecting the application of said fluid pressure to said first piston in a first position thereof, whereby fluid from said storing means enters said first cylinder and acts upon said first piston to move said plunger head toward said seat, and for effecting the flow of fluid from said first cylinder to said pump in a second position thereof, whereby said pressurized fluid is pumped into said storing means and said first piston together with said plunger head withdraws from said seat, to permit said drilling fluid to pass therethrough.

Claim 8

A device for transmitting to the surface values measured at the bottom of a well during a drilling operation, in the form of pressure pulses imparted to the drilling liquid and adapted to be sensed at the surface, said device being placed at the lower portion of the drill string and comprising a drill string section, at least one measuring apparatus, means for converting the measuring signals and in response to the pressure of a control fluid displaceable valving device comprising a plunger head cooperating with a stationary seat and integral with a piston movable in a cylinder, said plunger head being placed on the path of the drilling fluid stream and adapted to generate pulses therethrough, means for actuating the valving device comprising: at least one capacity of pressurized control fluid whose volume may be increased by displacement of a piston, freely displaceable against the antagonistic action of a spring, and upon which a pressure of the drilling fluid is acted equal to tHe pressure prevailing in the vicinity of the valving device in its open position, a cylinder, wherein the piston integral with the plunger head can move, said cylinder communicating alternatively under control of an electrovalve with said capacity of pressurized control fluid or with a pump inlet, a pump energized by a turbine driven in rotation by the drilling liquid, said pump being adapted to force under pressure the control fluid from the cylinder into said capacity, an electrovalve having a first operating position at which pressurized fluid contained in said capacity fills the cylinder and acts on the piston integral with the plunger head, and a second operating position at which the control fluid can be forced under pressure into said capacity, said electrovalve being actuated in response to said measuring signals.

Claim 9

A device for transmitting to the surface values measured at the bottom of a well during a drilling operation, in the form of pressure pulses imparted to the drilling liquid and adapted to be sensed at the surface, said device being placed at the lower portion of the drill string and comprising a drill string section, at least one measuring apparatus, means for converting the measuring signals and in response to the pressure of a control fluid displaceable valving device comprising a plunger head cooperating with a stationary seat and integral with a piston movable in a cylinder, said plunger head being placed on the path of the drilling fluid stream and adapted to generate pulses therethrough, means for actuating the valving device comprising: at least one capacity of pressurized control fluid whose volume may be increased by displacement of a piston, freely displaceable against the antagonistic action of a spring, and upon which a pressure of the drilling fluid is acted equal to tHe pressure prevailing in the vicinity of the valving device in its open position, a cylinder, wherein the piston integral with the plunger head can move, said cylinder communicating alternatively under control of an electrovalve with said capacity of pressurized control fluid or with a pump inlet, a pump energized by a turbine driven in rotation by the drilling liquid, said pump being adapted to force under pressure the control fluid from the cylinder into said capacity, an electrovalve having a first operating position at which pressurized fluid contained in said capacity fills the cylinder and acts on the piston integral with the plunger head, and a second operating position at which the control fluid can be forced under pressure into said capacity, said electrovalve being actuated in response to said measuring signals.