Patent US4660638A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4660638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Downhole recorder for use in wells
Assignee: Halliburton Co
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Filing: 1985-06-04
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Granted: 1987-04-28
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Expires: 2005-06-04
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for recording data downhole in a borehole. A recorder having a data memory is lowered into a data recording position in the borehole. A signal is transmitted downhole into the borehole and the recorder is initiated to begin recording data at an ascertainable memory location of the data memory in response to a downhole stimulus produced in response to the transmitted signal. Also, a downhole recorder for use in detecting the firing of an explosive device downhole in a borehole is provided. After an attempt is made to actuate the explosive device, the recorder is retrieved to the surface where the contents of its memory are analyzed to determine whether the explosive device has been actuated.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald N. Yates, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:56
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/06; E21B43/00; E21B43/11; E21B43/116; E21B43/1185; E21B43/11857; E21B47/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of recording data and initiating a perforating gun downhole in a borehole comprising the steps of: lowering a perforating gun into the borehole; lowering a recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole; transmitting a signal downhole into the borehole; initiating the recorder to begin recording data at an ascertainable memory location of the data memory in response to a downhole stimulus produced in response to the transmitted signal; and initiating the perforating gun in response to transmitting a signal downhole.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of recording data and initiating a perforating gun downhole in a borehole comprising the steps of: lowering a perforating gun into the borehole; lowering a recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole; transmitting a signal downhole into the borehole; initiating the recorder to begin recording data at an ascertainable memory location of the data memory in response to a downhole stimulus produced in response to the transmitted signal; and initiating the perforating gun in response to transmitting a signal downhole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the signal comprises transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the step of transmitting the signal comprises lowering a weighted object downhole to actuate the perforating gun; and the step of initiating the recorder comprises initiating the recorder in response to energy produced by the actuation of the perforating gun.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the step of transmitting the signal comprises lowering a weighted object downhole to actuate the perforating gun; and the step of initiating the recorder comprises detecting the lowering of the weighted object to produce an initiation signal and initiating the recorder under the control of the initiation signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the step of transmitting the signal comprises adjusting fluid pressure downhole for actuating the perforating gun; and the step of initiating the recorder comprises initiating the recorder in response to energy produced by the actuation of the perforating gun.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the step of transmitting the signal comprises adjusting fluid pressure downhole for actuating the perforating gun; and the step of initiating the recorder comprises detecting the adjustment of fluid pressure downhole to produce an initiation signal and initiating the recorder under the control of the initiation signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the step of lowering the recorder comprises lowering the recorder attached to a weighted object; and wherein the step of transmitting the signal comprises lowering the weighted object into contact with a firing mechanism of the perforating gun.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the step of initiating the recorder comprises producing an initiation signal in response to the firing of the perforating gun and initiating the recorder under the control of the initiation signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of recording well test data in the data memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the step of initiating the recorder comprises initiating the recorder in response to the firing of a perforating gun downhole.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of detecting the firing of an explosive device downhole in a borehole, comprising: lowering a recorder means into the borehole; transmitting a stimulus downhole for firing the explosive device; retrieving the recorder means from the borehole; and analyzing data recorded by the recorder means downhole to detect evidence of the firing of the explosive device.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of detecting the firing of an explosive device downhole in a borehole, comprising: lowering a recorder means into the borehole; transmitting a stimulus downhole for firing the explosive device; retrieving the recorder means from the borehole; and analyzing data recorded by the recorder means downhole to detect evidence of the firing of the explosive device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the explosive device is a perforating gun, and the step of analyzing the recorded data comprises inspecting the data for evidence of gun firing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
A downhole recorder for recording the firing of a perforating gun downhole in a borehole, comprising: signal storage means for recording signals produced by the firing of the perforating gun; the signal storage means being actuable upon receipt of an actuation signal thereby; and means for producing the actuation signal upon receipt of a stimulus indicating the firing of the perforating gun.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
62 words
A downhole recorder for recording the firing of a perforating gun downhole in a borehole, comprising: signal storage means for recording signals produced by the firing of the perforating gun; the signal storage means being actuable upon receipt of an actuation signal thereby; and means for producing the actuation signal upon receipt of a stimulus indicating the firing of the perforating gun.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The recorder of claim 13, wherein the means for producing the actuation signal is operable to produce the actuation signal upon receipt of an acceleration stimulus produced by the firing of the perforating gun.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The recorder of claim 13, wherein the means for producing the actuation signal is operable to produce the actuation signal upon receipt of a stimulus produced by a detonating bar lowered through the borehole in proximity of the recorder.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The recorder of claim 13, wherein the means for producing the actuation signal is operable to produce the actuation signal upon receipt of a fluid pressure stimulus downhole in the borehole.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The recorder of claim 13, wherein the recorder is attached to a detonating bar.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The recorder of claim 13, wherein the signal storage means has a standby mode of operation and a record mode of operation, and wherein the signal storage means is actuable to the record mode from the standby mode upon receipt of the actuation signal.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
46 words
A system for testing an oil or gas well, comprising: a perforating gun; downhole recorder means for storing test data; and means for actuating the downhole recorder means to commence storing test data therein in response to a signal indicating the firing of the perforating gun.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
46 words
A system for testing an oil or gas well, comprising: a perforating gun; downhole recorder means for storing test data; and means for actuating the downhole recorder means to commence storing test data therein in response to a signal indicating the firing of the perforating gun.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 19, wherein the downhole recorder means is operative to store downhole pressure data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 19, wherein the downhole recorder means is operative to store downhole temperature data.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising: a recorder means positioned downhole in the borehole; means for initiating the recording of data at an ascertainable memory location of the recorder means in response to a downhole stimulus produced in response to a transmitted signal, the means for initiating the recording of data comprising: means for initiating the recording of data in response to a stimulus produced by the firing of a perforating gun downhole; and means for transmitting the signal from the surface of the borehole downhole to the initiating means, the means for transmitting the signal comprising: a detonating bar.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising: a recorder means positioned downhole in the borehole; means for initiating the recording of data at an ascertainable memory location of the recorder means in response to a downhole stimulus produced in response to a transmitted signal, the means for initiating the recording of data comprising: means for initiating the recording of data in response to a stimulus produced by the firing of a perforating gun downhole; and means for transmitting the signal from the surface of the borehole downhole to the initiating means, the means for transmitting the signal comprising: a detonating bar.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising the steps of: lowering a recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole; transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole into the borehole by lowering a weighted object downhole to actuate the perforating gun; and initiating the recorder to begin recording data at an ascertainable memory location of the data memory in response to energy produced by the actuation of the perforating gun.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising the steps of: lowering a recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole; transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole into the borehole by lowering a weighted object downhole to actuate the perforating gun; and initiating the recorder to begin recording data at an ascertainable memory location of the data memory in response to energy produced by the actuation of the perforating gun.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising the steps of: lowering a recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole; transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole into the borehole by lowering a weighted object downhole to actuate the perforating gun; and detecting the lowering of the weighted object to produce an initiation signal and initiating the recorder under the control of the initiation signal.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising the steps of: lowering a recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole; transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole into the borehole by lowering a weighted object downhole to actuate the perforating gun; and detecting the lowering of the weighted object to produce an initiation signal and initiating the recorder under the control of the initiation signal.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising the steps of: lowering a recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole; transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole into the borehole by adjusting fluid pressure downhole for actuating the perforating gun; and initiating the recorder to begin recording data at an ascertainable memory location of the data memory in response to energy produced by the actuation of the perforating gun.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising the steps of: lowering a recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole; transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole into the borehole by adjusting fluid pressure downhole for actuating the perforating gun; and initiating the recorder to begin recording data at an ascertainable memory location of the data memory in response to energy produced by the actuation of the perforating gun.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising the steps of: lowering the recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole; transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole into the borehole by adjusting fluid pressure downhole for actuating the perforating gun; and detecting the adjustment of fluid pressure downhole to produce an initiation signal and initiating the recorder under the control of the initiation signal.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising the steps of: lowering the recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole; transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole into the borehole by adjusting fluid pressure downhole for actuating the perforating gun; and detecting the adjustment of fluid pressure downhole to produce an initiation signal and initiating the recorder under the control of the initiation signal.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising the steps of: lowering a recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole by attaching the recorder to a weighted object; transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole into the borehole by lowering the weighted object downhole to actuate the perforating gun by the weighted object contacting with a firing mechanism of the perforating gun; and initiating the recorder to begin recording data at an ascertainable memory location of the data memory in response to a downhole stimulus produced in response to the transmitted signal.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising the steps of: lowering a recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole by attaching the recorder to a weighted object; transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole into the borehole by lowering the weighted object downhole to actuate the perforating gun by the weighted object contacting with a firing mechanism of the perforating gun; and initiating the recorder to begin recording data at an ascertainable memory location of the data memory in response to a downhole stimulus produced in response to the transmitted signal.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising the steps of: lowering a recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole; transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole into the borehole; and producing an initiation signal in response to the firing of the perforating gun and initiating the recorder under the control of the initiation signal.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of recording data downhole in a borehole, comprising the steps of: lowering a recorder having a data memory into a data recording position in the borehole; transmitting a perforating gun actuation signal downhole into the borehole; and producing an initiation signal in response to the firing of the perforating gun and initiating the recorder under the control of the initiation signal.
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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) | 1990-04-27 | 1990-10-27 | 1991-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-27 | 1994-10-27 | 1995-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-27 | 1998-10-27 | 1999-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |