Patent US3789510A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3789510A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Borehole deviation measurement while drilling
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-29
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1991-12-29
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a downhole deviation-sensing system for enclosure in a drilling string during the drilling operation. The system produces a control signal representative of the deviation of a drilling collar of a drilling string relative to a vertical. The system employs a hollow lens enclosure with a concave configuration, the enclosure being partially filled with an opaque, anti-foaming liquid so that a bubble is formed within the lens enclosure, and an area is exposed on a concave inner surface of the enclosure, the area being bounded by an imaginary cylinder at right angles to the inner surface. A collimated light source and a photocell are aligned with the central axis of the imaginary cylinder, with the photocell having a surface area similar in size to the area defined by the cylinder. Dependent upon the degree of tilt with respect to a vertical, the area formed by the bubble on the lens controls the amount of light transmitted to the photocell. The photocell output is calibrated so that it is a function of the angle of deviation. The system is adapted for downhole operation in a drilling string, and seriesconnected switches for controlling the conditions of operation, i.e., when not drilling, are employed.
Inventors
- 👤 A Richter
- 👤 W Mcevers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:18
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/02; E21B47/022; G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/02; G01C9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for detecting deviation relative to a vertical in a borehole comprising: a tubular member adapted for coupling in a drilling string, said tubular member having a cavity formed therein, deviation detecting means in said cavity including means for providing a collimated light beam, means responsive to the light beam for producing an electrical output which is functionally related to the intensity of the light received, and variable filter means disposed in the path of said light beam, said filter means including a concave lens shaped enclosure containing an opaque liquid and gas bubble where the amount of liquid intersecting said light beam is a function of deviation relative to a vertical.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for detecting deviation relative to a vertical in a borehole comprising: a tubular member adapted for coupling in a drilling string, said tubular member having a cavity formed therein, deviation detecting means in said cavity including means for providing a collimated light beam, means responsive to the light beam for producing an electrical output which is functionally related to the intensity of the light received, and variable filter means disposed in the path of said light beam, said filter means including a concave lens shaped enclosure containing an opaque liquid and gas bubble where the amount of liquid intersecting said light beam is a function of deviation relative to a vertical.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detecting means is surrounded by a shock absorbing material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further including means for conditioning said deviation detecting means for operation only when the drilling fluid pressure internal and external to the said tubular member has a predetermined relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further including means for conditioning said deviation detecting means for operation only when the tubular member is not being rotated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 and further including means for delaying the operation of said deviation detecting means for a predetermined time after said conditioning means is operated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 3 and further including second means for conditioning said deviation detecting means for operation only when the tubular member is not being rotated, and means for delaying the operation of said deviation detecting means for a predetermined time after both of said conditioning means are operated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further including means responsive to the electrical output of said light response means for producing a discreet signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said variable filter means includes a pair of spaced apart, light transparent, concave lenses defining an enclosure, an opaque liquid in said enclosure and partially filling said enclosure so as to form a bubble which exposes an area on the lower lens, said light responsive means having a light sensitive area aligned with the area on said lower, lens in a vertical position, whereby tilting of said tubular member will cause said bubble to move and alter the light transmissibility to said light sensitive area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 8 where said light responsive means is a photocell.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for determining deviation of a pipe string while it is in the borehole comprising: a tubular drilling member having a hollow chamber between its inner and outer wall surfaces, deviation-sensing means disposed in said hollow chamber and including means for transmitting and receiving a collimated light beam along a first axis aligned relative to the central axis of said drilling member, means defining an enclosure in the path of said light beam and having a pair of equidistantly spaced, light transparent, concave lenses disposed so that their centers intersect said first axis, said enclosure means enclosing a gas bubble and an opaque liquid, said bubble being centered relative to said axis when said axis is in a vertical position, and exposing an area of said lenses in juxtaposition to said light receiving means, and means responsive to said light receiving means for producing an output signal which is a function of the position of the bubble with respect to said light receiving means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for determining deviation of a pipe string while it is in the borehole comprising: a tubular drilling member having a hollow chamber between its inner and outer wall surfaces, deviation-sensing means disposed in said hollow chamber and including means for transmitting and receiving a collimated light beam along a first axis aligned relative to the central axis of said drilling member, means defining an enclosure in the path of said light beam and having a pair of equidistantly spaced, light transparent, concave lenses disposed so that their centers intersect said first axis, said enclosure means enclosing a gas bubble and an opaque liquid, said bubble being centered relative to said axis when said axis is in a vertical position, and exposing an area of said lenses in juxtaposition to said light receiving means, and means responsive to said light receiving means for producing an output signal which is a function of the position of the bubble with respect to said light receiving means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said light receiving means is a photocell having a face with an area substantially equal to the area of said lenses exposed by said bubble.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |