Patent US4454598A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4454598A
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Drilling orientation tool
Assignee: Western Atlas International Inc
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Filing: 1982-08-05
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Granted: 1984-06-12
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Expires: 2002-08-05
Abstract
Abstract In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of the present apparatus, a drilling orientation tool is disclosed utilizing a mud pressure charging system where the pressure charge is converted into hydraulic oil pressure. The hydraulic oil flow is supplied to a four-way, three-position, solenoid operated valve having a closed center position, the valve forming a control signal delivered to an adjustable constriction in the mud flow path through the tool. Variables are encoded dependent on opening and closing of the constriction. Consecutive variables are transmitted in the form of fine and coarse measures. The electrically operated solenoid valve thus encodes two or more variables for transmission to the surface by detecting mud pressure variations in the mud flow line at the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack R. Claycomb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:09
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/02; E21B47/022; E21B47/12; E21B47/14; E21B47/18; E21B47/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of transferring data from a tool having a measuring sensor with the tool connected in a drill string wherein mud flows along the drill string under urging of a mud pump connected to the drill string wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) taking a measurement of a variable of interest with a downhole measuring sensor; (b) converting the measurement into a measurement given by the relationship x=am+bn where x=the measured variable; m=large unit of measure of the variable; n=small unit of measure of the variable; a=an integer between o and j; b=an integer between o and k; bn(b=k)=am (a=1); and am (a=j) is the maximum variable measurement; (c) forming a restriction to mud flow in the drill string wherein the restriction alters mud pressure between higher and lower levels at the well head; and (d) altering the restriction to encode the measured variable as time dependent functions of a and b wherein the functions a and b are separately encoded in sequence and separated by a pressure change between higher and lower pressures observed at the well head.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of transferring data from a tool having a measuring sensor with the tool connected in a drill string wherein mud flows along the drill string under urging of a mud pump connected to the drill string wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) taking a measurement of a variable of interest with a downhole measuring sensor; (b) converting the measurement into a measurement given by the relationship x=am+bn where x=the measured variable; m=large unit of measure of the variable; n=small unit of measure of the variable; a=an integer between o and j; b=an integer between o and k; bn(b=k)=am (a=1); and am (a=j) is the maximum variable measurement; (c) forming a restriction to mud flow in the drill string wherein the restriction alters mud pressure between higher and lower levels at the well head; and (d) altering the restriction to encode the measured variable as time dependent functions of a and b wherein the functions a and b are separately encoded in sequence and separated by a pressure change between higher and lower pressures observed at the well head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the a and b functions are serially formed and wherein one is represented by an increased mud flow restriction and the other is represented by a reduced mud flow restriction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the mud flow restrictions are varied at the ends of the a and b functions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the mud flow restrictions are varied sequentially for a and b functions of a first variable and where a second variable is thereafter encoded into a and b functions therefor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the variable is drill collar orientation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the variable is well bore heading.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the variable is well bore inclination.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 including the step of transmitting a calibration pulse of specified length in the form of a mud pressure pulse.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of transmitting in sequence: (a) a calibration pulse; (b) a first variable a function; (c) a first variable b function; (d) similar a and b functions for additional variables; and (e) wherein consecutive pulses are alternately relatively high and low pressure levels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of measuring two variables of interest, forming a and b functions for both measurements and sequentially encoding all of the functions is a specified order having four pressure pulses separated by three pressure levels changes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the large measurements are encoded prior to encoding the small measurements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the range of the variable of interest is divided into a set of j equal large units of measure and each large unit measure is divided into k equal subportions, and a and b are integers representing the number of large and small units of measure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of restricting mud flow includes extending a mud flow plug.
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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) | 1987-06-12 | 1987-12-12 | 1988-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-12 | 1991-12-12 | 1992-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-12 | 1995-12-12 | 1996-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |