Patent US4770034A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4770034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for data transmission in a well bore containing a conductive fluid
Assignee: COMDISCO RESOURCES Inc
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Filing: 1986-02-07
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Granted: 1988-09-13
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Expires: 2006-02-07
Abstract
Abstract Method and an arrangement are disclosed for recovery of data signals representing a parameter from down hole to the top of a well bore (20a). The well bore has conductive fluid (54,60) and the data signals represent a parameter down hole in the well bore. An exposed electrode receiver (34 ) is lowered in the well bore suspended from a flexible line (36) while the line extends to the top of the well bore. Electrical potentials representing the parameters are received by the receiver from the conductive fluid. Data signals representing the parameter represented by the received potentials are passed over the flexible line to the top of the well bore.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul F. Titchener
- 👤 Michael J. M. Walsh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:55
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/12; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for recovery of data signals representing a parameter from downhole up to the top of a well bore, having therein a conductive fluid, the data signals representing a parameter downhole in the well bore, the method comprising the steps of: lowering an exposed electrode receiver down the well bore suspended at an end of a flexible line while the wire line extends to the top of the well bore; receiving with the receiver from the conductive fluid digitally coded potentials representative of the parameter; and passing data signals representing the parameter represented by the received potentials over the line to the top of the well bore.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for recovery of data signals representing a parameter from downhole up to the top of a well bore, having therein a conductive fluid, the data signals representing a parameter downhole in the well bore, the method comprising the steps of: lowering an exposed electrode receiver down the well bore suspended at an end of a flexible line while the wire line extends to the top of the well bore; receiving with the receiver from the conductive fluid digitally coded potentials representative of the parameter; and passing data signals representing the parameter represented by the received potentials over the line to the top of the well bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of passing comprises the step of conducting the data signals up to the top of the well bore over at least one insulated conductor comprised by the line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of amplifying the data signals conducted by the at least one conductor at the top of the well bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2 comprising the step of preamplifying the data signals which are conducted up to the top of the well bore before they are conducted up to the top of the well.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the wire line comprises a further conductor extending to the top of the well bore and comprising the step of forming the data signals, which are conducted to the top of the well bore, on the at least one conductor and the further conduction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 comprising the step of coupling the received potentials to the at least one conductor for conduction to the top of the well bore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of lowering comprises the step of lowering the receiver suspended on a wire line.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for recovery of data signals representing a parameter from downhole up to the top of a well bore, having therein a conductive fluid, the data signals representing a parameter downhole in the well bore, the method comprising the steps of: lowering an exposed electrode receiver down the well bore suspended at an end of a flexible line while the wire line extends to the top of the well bore; receiving with the receiver from the conductive fluid digitally coded potentials representative of the parameter; and passing data signals representing the parameter represented by the received potentials over the line to the top of the well bore, wherein the step of passing comprises the step of conducting the data signals up to the top of the well bore over at least one insulated conductor comprised by the line, and wherein the potentials received by the receiver are amplified and demodulated to produce data signals for conduction over the at least one conductor to the top of the well.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for recovery of data signals representing a parameter from downhole up to the top of a well bore, having therein a conductive fluid, the data signals representing a parameter downhole in the well bore, the method comprising the steps of: lowering an exposed electrode receiver down the well bore suspended at an end of a flexible line while the wire line extends to the top of the well bore; receiving with the receiver from the conductive fluid digitally coded potentials representative of the parameter; and passing data signals representing the parameter represented by the received potentials over the line to the top of the well bore, wherein the step of passing comprises the step of conducting the data signals up to the top of the well bore over at least one insulated conductor comprised by the line, and wherein the potentials received by the receiver are amplified and demodulated to produce data signals for conduction over the at least one conductor to the top of the well.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for recovery of data signals from down hole up to the top of a well bore having a conductive fluid, therein the data signals representing a parameter down hole in the well bore, the method comprising the steps of: (a) lowering a sensor and a transmitter down hole inside of the well bore; (b) lowering down hole inside of the well bore, separately from the sensor and transmitter, an exposed electrode receiver suspended at an end of a flexible line while the line extends to the top of the well bore; (c) creating with the transmitter and receiving with the electrode receiver in conductive fluid in contact with the electrode receiver, electrical potentials representing a parameter sensed by the sensor; and (d) passing data signals representing the parameter represented by the received electrical potentials over the line to the top of the well bore.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for recovery of data signals from down hole up to the top of a well bore having a conductive fluid, therein the data signals representing a parameter down hole in the well bore, the method comprising the steps of: (a) lowering a sensor and a transmitter down hole inside of the well bore; (b) lowering down hole inside of the well bore, separately from the sensor and transmitter, an exposed electrode receiver suspended at an end of a flexible line while the line extends to the top of the well bore; (c) creating with the transmitter and receiving with the electrode receiver in conductive fluid in contact with the electrode receiver, electrical potentials representing a parameter sensed by the sensor; and (d) passing data signals representing the parameter represented by the received electrical potentials over the line to the top of the well bore.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of passing comprises the step of conducting the data signals up to the top of the well bore over at least one insulated conductor comprised by the line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of amplifying the data signals, conducted over the at least one insulated conductor, at the top of the well bore.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 10 comprising the step of preamplifying the data signals which are conducted up to the top of the well bore before they are conducted up to the top of the well bore.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the potentials received by the receiver are amplified and demodulated to produce data signals for conduction over the at least one conductor to the top of the well bore.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the line comprises a further conductor extending to the top of the well bore and comprising the step of forming the data signals, which are conducted to the top of the well bore, on the at least one conductor and the further conductor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 comprising the step of coupling the received potentials to the at least one conductor for conduction to the top of the well bore.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 comprising the step of sensing pressure with the sensor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the transmitter comprises a coil and wherein the step of transmitting with the transmitter comprises the step of forming the potentials received by the receiver with the coil.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the transmitter comprises an elongated conductive member and wherein the step of transmitting comprises the step of inducing currents along the length of the elongated member representative of the sensed parameter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of lowering the electrode receiver comprises the step of lowering the line with the receiver supported substantially only with the line.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of transmitting comprises the step of inducing a current along a portion of a conductive member forming a tubing string in the well bore.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of transmitting comprises the step of forming variable frequency potentials representative of the parameter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of transmitting comprises the step of transmitting digitally coded potentials representative of the parameter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
150 words
In combination with a well bore, having a conductive fluid therein, means for recovery of data signals from down hole up to the top of the well bore, the data signals representing a parameter down hole in the well bore, the means comprising: (a) a sensor and a transmitter positioned down hole inside of the well bore; and (b) a receiver, separate from the sensor and transmitter, and a flexible line, the receiver being suspended at an end of the flexible line in the well bore, the line extending to the top of the well bore, the transmitter being adapted to form in and the receiver being adapted to receive from the conductive fluid, electrical potentials representing a parameter sensed by the sensor, the line being adapted for passing data signals representing the parameter represented by the potentials received by the receiver up to the top of the well bore.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
150 words
In combination with a well bore, having a conductive fluid therein, means for recovery of data signals from down hole up to the top of the well bore, the data signals representing a parameter down hole in the well bore, the means comprising: (a) a sensor and a transmitter positioned down hole inside of the well bore; and (b) a receiver, separate from the sensor and transmitter, and a flexible line, the receiver being suspended at an end of the flexible line in the well bore, the line extending to the top of the well bore, the transmitter being adapted to form in and the receiver being adapted to receive from the conductive fluid, electrical potentials representing a parameter sensed by the sensor, the line being adapted for passing data signals representing the parameter represented by the potentials received by the receiver up to the top of the well bore.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein the line comprises at least one insulated conductor for conducting the data signals to the top of the well bore.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 24 further comprising means for amplifying the data signal, conducted by the at least one insulated conductor, at the top of the well bore.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 24 comprising means for preamplifying the received data signals before conduction as data signals up to the top of the well bore on the at least one insulated conductor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 24 comprising means for amplifying and demodulating the received potentials to produce the data signals for conduction over the at least one conductor to the top of the well bore.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein the wire line comprises a further conductor extending to the top of the well bore, and wherein signals corresponding to those received by the receiver are conducted as data signals to the top of the well bore on the at least one insulated conductor and the further conductor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 28 wherein the receiver comprises first and second spaced apart electrodes exposed to the conductive fluid for receiving the electrical potentials.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 29 wherein electrical potentials corresponding to those received on the first and second electrodes are formed between the at least one insulated conductor and the further conductor as the data signals for conduction to the top of the well bore.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of claim 30 wherein the first and second spaced apart electrodes are arranged on the receiver so that, when in the well bore, one is at an up hole position on the receiver relative to the other.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of claim 30 wherein the first and second spaced apart electrodes are arranged on the receiver so that when in the well bore they are in transverse positions relative to the longitudinal direction of the well bore.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 30 wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 30 wherein the line is a wire line.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein the received potentials are coupled to the at least one insulated conductor for conduction to the top of the well bore.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein the line comprises a metal sheath and the receiver is mechanically connected to and supported by the metal sheath and is electrically coupled to the at least one insulated conductor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination of claim 23 comprising a string of members in the well bore extending to the top of the well bore and wherein the sensor is mounted to a lower portion of the string of members for movement down the well bore.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination of claim 23 comprising a string of members in the well bore extending to the top of the well bore and wherein the sensor and transmitter are both mounted on a lower portion of the string of members for movement down the well bore.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein the sensor and transmitter are mounted together in a single module for releasing and passing down the bore hole, due at least in part to the pull of gravity.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein the transmitter comprises a coil for forming the potentials received by the receiver.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein the transmitter comprises an elongated conductive member and the transmitter is adapted for inducing currents along the length of the elongated member representative of the sensed parameter.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein the line is substantially the only support for the receiver.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein the transmitter comprises means for forming variable frequency data signals representative of the parameter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein the transmitter comprises means for forming digitally coded data signals representing the parameters.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein the electrode receiver comprises an elongated electrode.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 45 wherein the electrode receiver has substantially the same size outer periphery as said line.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 45 wherein the electrode receiver is substantially 3 feet in length or longer.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 45 wherein the electrode receiver comprises a cylindrical shaped member.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 48 wherein the diameter of the cylindrical shaped member is substantially 0.5 inches.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
150 words
Means for recovery of data signals from down hole up to the top of the well bore, the data signals representing a parameter down hole in the well bore, the means comprising: (a) a sensor and a transmitter positioned down hole inside of the well bore; and (b) a receiver, separate from the sensor and transmitter, and a wire line having at least one insulated conductor and a metal sheath therearound, the receiver being mounted for suspension at an end of the wire line from the metal sheath, the transmitter being adapted to form in and the receiver being adapted to receive from the conductive fluid, electrical potentials representing a parameter sensed by the sensor, the wire line being adapted for passing data signals representing the parameter represented by the potentials received by the receiver over the at least one insulated conductor up to the top of the well bore.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
150 words
Means for recovery of data signals from down hole up to the top of the well bore, the data signals representing a parameter down hole in the well bore, the means comprising: (a) a sensor and a transmitter positioned down hole inside of the well bore; and (b) a receiver, separate from the sensor and transmitter, and a wire line having at least one insulated conductor and a metal sheath therearound, the receiver being mounted for suspension at an end of the wire line from the metal sheath, the transmitter being adapted to form in and the receiver being adapted to receive from the conductive fluid, electrical potentials representing a parameter sensed by the sensor, the wire line being adapted for passing data signals representing the parameter represented by the potentials received by the receiver over the at least one insulated conductor up to the top of the well bore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2172625A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-13 | 1992-03-14 | 1992-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-13 | 1996-03-14 | 1996-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-13 | 2000-03-14 | 2000-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |