US3792429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Logging-while-drilling tool
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1972-06-30
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A logging-while-drilling tool which is adapted to be positioned within the drill string of a well drilling apparatus. The tool has a turbinelike, signal-generating valve which opens and closes at a rate to generate a pressure wave signal in the drilling fluid which is representative of a measured downhole condition. The tool includes a means for both biasing the valve toward an open position and holding it there when the tool is not operating and for canceling or substantially reducing the torque loads applied to the drive train of the tool when the tool is operating. This means comprises a magnetic unit which develops a magnetic torque characteristic which opposes the normal hydraulic torque characteristics of the valve.
Inventors
- 👤 B Patton
- 👤 M Prior
- 👤 J Sexton
- 👤 V Slover
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:40
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/12; E21B47/14; E21B47/18; E21B47/20; C; C10; C10M; C10M2201/00; C10M2201/08; C10M2201/081; C10M2201/082; C10M2201/083; C10M2201/084; C10M2201/085; C10M2201/087; C10M2207/00; C10M2207/02; C10M2207/021; C10M2207/022; C10M2207/023; C10M2207/024; C10M2207/026; C10M2207/08; C10M2207/10; C10M2207/18; C10M2207/20; C10M2207/28; C10M2207/284; C10M2207/285; C10M2209/00; C10M2209/10; C10M2209/103; C10M2209/104; C10M2209/105; C10M2209/106; C10M2215/00; C10M2215/02; C10M2215/04; C10M2215/042; C10M2215/044; C10M2215/06; C10M2215/062; C10M2215/064; C10M2215/065; C10M2215/066; C10M2215/14; C10M2215/18; C10M2215/22; C10M2215/221; C10M2215/223; C10M2215/224; C10M2215/225; C10M2215/226; C10M2215/24; C10M2215/26; C10M2215/30; C10M2219/00; C10M2219/04; C10M2219/044; C10M2219/08; C10M2219/082; C10M2219/085; C10M2219/087; C10M2219/088; C10M2219/089; C10M2219/10; C10M2219/104; C10M2219/108; C10M2223/00; C10M2223/02; C10M2223/04; C10M2223/042; C10M2223/043; C10M2227/00; C10M2227/06; C10M2227/061; C10N; C10N2040/00; C10N2040/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A logging-while-drilling tool comprising: a housing adapted to be positioned in a drill string of an earth drilling apparatus wherein drilling fluid which is circulated through the drill string will flow around said housing; a rotary valve positioned on said housing so that at least a portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the drill string will flow through said valve whereby a pressure wave signal will be generated in the drilling fluid as said valve opens and closes in response to a downhole condition measured by said tool, said valve comprising: a rotor having openings therethrough mounted on a drive train extending from said housing; and a stator on said housing having openings therethrough which when aligned with said openings in said rotor will allow full flow through said valve and when misaligned will at least partially block flow through said valve; and means for biasing said rotor and said stator when said tool is not operating toward a position relative to each other where said openings through said rotor and said stator will be aligned and said valve will be in an open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A logging-while-drilling tool comprising: a housing adapted to be positioned in a drill string of an earth drilling apparatus wherein drilling fluid which is circulated through the drill string will flow around said housing; a rotary valve positioned on said housing so that at least a portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the drill string will flow through said valve whereby a pressure wave signal will be generated in the drilling fluid as said valve opens and closes in response to a downhole condition measured by said tool, said valve comprising: a rotor having openings therethrough mounted on a drive train extending from said housing; and a stator on said housing having openings therethrough which when aligned with said openings in said rotor will allow full flow through said valve and when misaligned will at least partially block flow through said valve; and means for biasing said rotor and said stator when said tool is not operating toward a position relative to each other where said openings through said rotor and said stator will be aligned and said valve will be in an open position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The logging-while-drilling tool of claim 1 wherein said means for biasing said valve toward an open position comprises: a means for applying a torque to said valve in a direction necessary to move said valve toward an open position, said torque being greater than the hydraulic torque applied to said valve by flow therethrough which tends to bias said valve to a relative closed position when said tool is not operating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The logging-while-drilling tool of claim 2 wherein: said means for applying said torque to said valve is magnetic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The logging-while-drilling tool of claim 3 wherein: said magnetic means comprises a magnetic unit having at least two elements which magnetically attract each other, one of said elements secured to said drive train for rotation therewith and another of said elements secured against rotation in said housing at a point adjacent said one element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
269 words
A logging-while-drilling tool comprising: a housing adapted to be positioned in a drill string of an earth drilling apparatus wherein drilling fluid which is circulated through the drill string will flow around said housing; a rotary valve positioned on said housing so that at least a portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the drill string will flow through said valve whereby a pressure wave signal will be generated in the drilling fluid as said valve opens and closes in response to a downhole condition measured by said tool, said valve comprising: a rotor having openings therethrough mounted on a drive train extending from said housing; and a stator on said housing having openings therethrough which when aligned with said openings in said rotor will allow full flow through said valve and when misaligned will at least partially block flow through said valve; and magnetic means for biasing said rotor and said stator when said tool is not operating toward a position relative to each other where said openings through said rotor and said stator will be aligned and said valve will be in an open position; said magnetic means comprises at least two magnetic units, each of said units having at least two elements which magnetically attract each other, one of said elements of each of said units secured to said drive train for rotation therewith and another of said elements of each of said units secured against rotation in said housing at a point adjacent their respective one elements, whereby the combined magnetic torque characteristic of said units equals the magnetic torque characteristic desired for said tool.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
269 words
A logging-while-drilling tool comprising: a housing adapted to be positioned in a drill string of an earth drilling apparatus wherein drilling fluid which is circulated through the drill string will flow around said housing; a rotary valve positioned on said housing so that at least a portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the drill string will flow through said valve whereby a pressure wave signal will be generated in the drilling fluid as said valve opens and closes in response to a downhole condition measured by said tool, said valve comprising: a rotor having openings therethrough mounted on a drive train extending from said housing; and a stator on said housing having openings therethrough which when aligned with said openings in said rotor will allow full flow through said valve and when misaligned will at least partially block flow through said valve; and magnetic means for biasing said rotor and said stator when said tool is not operating toward a position relative to each other where said openings through said rotor and said stator will be aligned and said valve will be in an open position; said magnetic means comprises at least two magnetic units, each of said units having at least two elements which magnetically attract each other, one of said elements of each of said units secured to said drive train for rotation therewith and another of said elements of each of said units secured against rotation in said housing at a point adjacent their respective one elements, whereby the combined magnetic torque characteristic of said units equals the magnetic torque characteristic desired for said tool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
214 words
A logging-while-drilling tool comprising: a housing adapted to be positioned in a drill string of an earth drilling apparatus wherein drilling fluid which is circulated through the drill string will flow around said housing; a rotary valve positioned on said housing so that at least a portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the drill string will flow through said valve whereby a pressure wave signal will be generated in the drilling fluid as said valve opens and closes in response to a downhole condition measured by said tool, said valve comprising: a rotor having openings therethrough mounted on a drive train extending from said housing; and a stator on said housing having openings therethrough which when aligned with said openings in said rotor will allow full flow through said valve and when misaligned will at least partially block flow through said valve; means for biasing said rotor and said stator when said tool is not operating toward a position relative to each other where said openings through said rotor and said stator will be aligned and said valve will be in an open position; and means for applying torque to said drive train in a direction necessary to reduce hydraulic torque which is imposed on said drive train during operation of said tool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
214 words
A logging-while-drilling tool comprising: a housing adapted to be positioned in a drill string of an earth drilling apparatus wherein drilling fluid which is circulated through the drill string will flow around said housing; a rotary valve positioned on said housing so that at least a portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the drill string will flow through said valve whereby a pressure wave signal will be generated in the drilling fluid as said valve opens and closes in response to a downhole condition measured by said tool, said valve comprising: a rotor having openings therethrough mounted on a drive train extending from said housing; and a stator on said housing having openings therethrough which when aligned with said openings in said rotor will allow full flow through said valve and when misaligned will at least partially block flow through said valve; means for biasing said rotor and said stator when said tool is not operating toward a position relative to each other where said openings through said rotor and said stator will be aligned and said valve will be in an open position; and means for applying torque to said drive train in a direction necessary to reduce hydraulic torque which is imposed on said drive train during operation of said tool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
The logging-while-drilling tool of claim 6 wherein said means for biasing said valve toward an open position and said means for reducing hydraulic torque on said drive train comprises: magnetic means having at least two elements which magnetically attract each other, one of said elements secured to said drive train for rotation therewith and another of said elements secured against rotation in said housing at a point adjacent said one element, said magnetic means having torque characteristics essentially equal to but 180* out of phase to the hydraulic torque which is normally applied to said drive train during operation of said tool.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The logging-while-drilling tool of claim 7 wherein said magnetic means further comprises: at least one magnetic pole on said one element and at least one magnetic pole on said another element, the number of poles on each of said elements corresponding to the number of desired stable open positions of said valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |