US3788136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatuses for transmission of data from the bottom of a drill string during drilling of a well
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1972-08-11
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-08-11
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed are a data transmission method and several devices for carrying out the method for transmitting logging or other measurements made downhole during a drilling operation to the surface of the earth, either in real time without interruption of the drilling operation, or during brief interruptions of the drilling operation but without the necessity of removing the drill string from the borehole. The system employs means for momentarily engaging the borehole while rotating the drill string, and recording the torque being applied to the rotating drill string by means of a surface positioned dynamic torque meter. Measurements made downhole are converted to pulse time electrical signals, and these electrical pulses are employed to activate the borehole engaging means so that torque pulses are generated which travel up the drill string and are sensed on the surface by the torque meter. By measuring the time between torque pulses as recorded by the surface torque meter the intelligence becomes readily available on the surface without the necessity of pulling the drill string.
Inventors
- 👤 J Park
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:07
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/12; E21B47/14; E21B47/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for transmitting data from the bottom of a drill string in a wellbore being drilled in the earth comprising: a. generating data by making desired measurements near the bottom of the wellbore; b. generating torque pulses in the drill string near the lower end thereof, said torque pulses being responsive to said data; c. monitoring at the surface of the earth the torque pulses transmitted up the drill string.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for transmitting data from the bottom of a drill string in a wellbore being drilled in the earth comprising: a. generating data by making desired measurements near the bottom of the wellbore; b. generating torque pulses in the drill string near the lower end thereof, said torque pulses being responsive to said data; c. monitoring at the surface of the earth the torque pulses transmitted up the drill string.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second step comprises: a. engaging and disengaging the wellBore wall near the lower end of the rotating drill string to increase the torque required to rotate the drill string for generating the torque pulses in the drill string.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second step comprises: a. engaging and disengaging the wellbore wall near the lower end of the drill string, and b. controlling the engaging and disengaging of the wellbore wall by the lower end of the drill string for generating the torque pulses in the drill string.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the second step comprises: a. time modulating the engaging and disengaging of the wellbore wall at a time rate corresponding to the data being transmitted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the third step comprises: a. monitoring the time modulation of the torque pulses in the drill string at the surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the initial step of: a. raising the drill bit above the bottom of the wellbore to initiate the data transmission function.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for transmitting data from the bottom of a drill string during the drilling thereof in the earth to the surface of the earth comprising the steps of a. measuring preselected parameters to generate data near the bottom of the drill string; b. momentarily increasing the resistance to rotation of the drill string in the wellbore, said step of increasing the resistance being responsive to said data; c. monitoring on the surface of the earth the torque required to rotate the drill string.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for transmitting data from the bottom of a drill string during the drilling thereof in the earth to the surface of the earth comprising the steps of a. measuring preselected parameters to generate data near the bottom of the drill string; b. momentarily increasing the resistance to rotation of the drill string in the wellbore, said step of increasing the resistance being responsive to said data; c. monitoring on the surface of the earth the torque required to rotate the drill string.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the second step comprises: a. engaging the wellbore wall at the lower end of the drill string to increase the resistance to rotation of the drill string in the wellbore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the second step comprises: a. controlling the time intervals between the momentary increases in resistance to rotation of the drill string to correspond to the data being transmitted to the surface.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for transmitting data from the lower end of a drill string in a wellbore to the surface of the earth comprising a. a drill string; b. means located on the lower end of said drill string for making preselected measurements to generate data; c. drill string torque generating means controllable from the lower end of the drill string for generating torque pulses in said drill string said torque pulses being responsive to said data; and d. monitoring means on the surface of the earth for monitoring said drill string torque pulses.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for transmitting data from the lower end of a drill string in a wellbore to the surface of the earth comprising a. a drill string; b. means located on the lower end of said drill string for making preselected measurements to generate data; c. drill string torque generating means controllable from the lower end of the drill string for generating torque pulses in said drill string said torque pulses being responsive to said data; and d. monitoring means on the surface of the earth for monitoring said drill string torque pulses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
A system as recited in claim 10 wherein the drill string torque pulse generating means comprises: a. controllable means for increasing and decreasing the resistance to rotation of the drill string in the wellbore, b. control means for controlling said controllable means for increasing and decreasing the resistance to rotation of the drill string in the wellbore, and c. said controllable means for increasing resistance to rotation of the drill bit being responsive to said control means for controlled increasing and decreasing of the resistance to rotation of the drill string in the wellbore.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
A system as recited in claim 11 wherein said controllable means for increasing and decreasing the resistance to rotation of the drill string comprises: a. an element mounted in a cavity in a lower section of the drill string and extendable transversely to the wellbore wall, b. means for transversely extending said element to the wellbore wall, and c. means for retracting said element into the lower section of the drill string.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said transversely extendable element comprises: a. a piston, the outer surface of said piston conforming generally to the outer surface of said lower section of said drill string, and beIng transversely extendable a sufficient distance to contact the wellbore wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
88 words
A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said transversely extendable element comprises: a. a flexible inflatable enclosure positioned on the outer surface of said lower section of the drill string, covering the cavity in the lower section of the drill string, and being of sufficient size that it contacts and rubs against the wellbore wall when inflated, and b. means for filling the flexible inflatable enclosure with a fluid to inflate said enclosure when it is desired to increase the resistance to rotation of the drill string.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the transversely extendable element comprises: a. a flap element pivotally connected to one side of the cavity in the lower section of the drill string, and being of sufficient width to contact the wellbore wall when extended outward from the drill string.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the means for transversely extending the transversely extendable element comprises: a. a controllable hydraulic piston positioned in the cavity in the lower section of the drill string, and being extendable a sufficient distance to force the transversely extendable element into contact with the wellbore wall, said piston being connected on its outer side to the transversely extendable element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as recited in claim 16 wherein the hydraulic piston is actuated by drilling fluid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system as described in claim 12 wherein the means for transversely extending the transversely extendable element comprises: a. an electrically actuated solenoid positioned within the lower section of the drill string and attached thereto, said solenoid having a reciprocating plunger, the outer end of said plunger being attached to the transversely extendable element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the means for retracting the transversely extendable element comprises: a. a tension spring attached on one end to the means for extending the transversely extendable element and on the other end to the transversely extendable element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
203 words
A data transmission system for transmitting data from a subsurface measuring device located in the lower part of a drill string in a wellbore being drilled in the earth and for sensing said data at the surface of the earth comprising: a. a drill string for extending into the wellbore, b. a drill bit attached to the end of the drill string, c. surface located means for rotating the drill string, d. measuring means located above the drill bit for measuring a preselected subsurface parameter, e. electrical signal producing means positioned in the lower part of the drill string, said electrical signal producing means being responsive to the data being measured, said electrical signal producing means producing an electrical signal having a plurality of time modulated pulses, with the time between pulses being proportional to the data being transmitted, f. means responsive to the electrical signal producing means for momentarily increasing the torque required at the surface to rotate the drill string, said means being positioned in the lower section of the drill string, and g. means located at the surface of the earth for monitoring the momentary increases in the amount of torque required at the surface for rotating the drill string.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
203 words
A data transmission system for transmitting data from a subsurface measuring device located in the lower part of a drill string in a wellbore being drilled in the earth and for sensing said data at the surface of the earth comprising: a. a drill string for extending into the wellbore, b. a drill bit attached to the end of the drill string, c. surface located means for rotating the drill string, d. measuring means located above the drill bit for measuring a preselected subsurface parameter, e. electrical signal producing means positioned in the lower part of the drill string, said electrical signal producing means being responsive to the data being measured, said electrical signal producing means producing an electrical signal having a plurality of time modulated pulses, with the time between pulses being proportional to the data being transmitted, f. means responsive to the electrical signal producing means for momentarily increasing the torque required at the surface to rotate the drill string, said means being positioned in the lower section of the drill string, and g. means located at the surface of the earth for monitoring the momentary increases in the amount of torque required at the surface for rotating the drill string.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as recited in claim 20 wherein the means for momentarily increasing the torque required to rotate the drill string comprises: a. wellbore wall contacting means attached to the lower section of the drill string.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3123162A
Cited
US2775889A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |