Alarm system for measurement while drilling oil wells

Claim 2

An alarm system for detecting the occurrence of undesirable events in a well bore and communicating the occurrence to a remote area comprising: a sensor means for sensing a change in ambient conditions of predetermined magnitude in a well bore; an acoustic impulse generator means which functions independently of activities at the remote area for generating an acoustic impulse of a magnitude to enable unambiguous detection of said impulse at the remote area in response to detection by said sensor means of a change of predetermined magnitude in the ambient conditions; means for supporting said sensor means and impulse generator means in the area being monitored and for conducting an acoustic impulse from said impulse generator means; self-powered actuating means operatively connecting said sensor means with said impulse generator means for actuating said impulse generator means in response to said sensor means; and impulse detector means remote from said impulse generator means for detecting an acoustic impulse generated by said impulse generator means.

Claim 3

A detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said sensor means comprises a heat transfer monitor.

Claim 4

A detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said sensor means comprises a hydrogen detector.

Claim 5

A detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said sensor means is for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells; and said means for supporting said sensor means and impulse generator means comprises a drill string.

Claim 6

A detector as claimed in claim 4 and further comprising: a collar connected to said drill string at a position downwell with respect to the surface; and wherein said sensor means and impulse generator means are in said collar.

Claim 7

A detector as claimed in claim 5, and further comprising: an impulse generator cavity in said collar; and wherein said impulse generator means is mounted in said impulse generator cavity and comprises means for producing a deformation wave in the drill string.

Claim 8

A detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said sensor means comprises means for measuring thermal conductivity properties of ambient fluids which properties are responsive to concentration of undesirable fluids in excess of predetermined threshold concentration thereof.

Claim 9

A detector as claimed in claim 5 wherein: said sensor means comprises means for measuring thermal conductivity properties of ambient fluids which properties are responsive to concentration of undesirable fluids in excess of predetermined threshold concentration thereof.

Claim 10

A detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said sensor means comprises a hydrocarbon sensor means for sensing abnormal oxidation rate of downwell fluids.

Claim 11

A detector as claimed in claim 8 and further comprising: a fluid sampling cavity in said collar having inlet and outlet means for downwell fluids comprised of mixtures of mud and oil and mixtures of mud, oil and gas, said fluid sampling cavity being adapted to allow separation of said components to produce variations in said thermal conductivity properties; and wherein said sensor means is mounted within said fluid sampling cavity in position to sense said variations.

Claim 12

A detector as claimed in claim 9 and further comprising: a fluid sampling cavity in said collar having inlet and outlet means for downwell fluids comprised of mixtures of mud and oil and mixtures of mud, oil and gas, said cavity being adapted to allow separation of said components to produce variations in said oxidation rate; and wherein said hydrocarbon sensor means is mounted within said fluid sampling cavity in position to sense said variations.

Claim 13

A detector as claimed in claim 6 wherein: said impulse generator means produces at least a deformation wave which travels in the longitudinal direction of the drill string; and said impulse detector means detects said longitudinal deformation wave.

Claim 14

A detector as claimed in claim 6 wherein: said impulse generator means produces at least a torsional deformation wave in the drill string; and said impulse detector means detects said torsional deformation wave.

Claim 15

A detector as claimed in claim 12 wherein: said impulse detector means comprises strain gauge means mounted on said drill string above said collar.

Claim 16

A detector as claimed in claim 13 wherein: said impulse detector means comprises strain gauge means mounted on said drill string above said collar.

Claim 17

A detector as claimed in claim 5 and further comprising: an impulse generator cavity in said collar; and wherein said impulse generator means comprises a projectile means in said impulse generator cavity, a projectile accelerating means in said impulse generator cavity, and means on the interior surface of said impulse generator cavity disposed to receive the impact of said projectile; and said impulse detector means detects said projectile impact through said drill string.

Claim 18

A detector as claimed in claim 16 wherein: said collar is made of metal; and said impact receiving means comprises the interior surface of said impulse generator cavity.

Claim 19

A detector as claimed in claim 16 wherein: said collar is made of metal; and said impact receiving means comprises a steel anvil mounted on the interior surface of said impulse generator cavity.

Claim 20

A detector for detecting the occurrence of undesirable events in a well bore and producing an alarm signal comprising: a sensor means for sensing a change in ambient conditions of predetermined magnitude in a well bore; an acoustic impulse generator means which functions independently of activities at an area remote from the detector for generating an acoustic impulse in response to detection by said sensor means of a change in the ambient conditions of predetermined magnitude; means for supporting said sensor means and impulse generator means in a well bore and conducting an acoustic impulse produced by said impulse generator means; and self-powered actuating means operatively connecting said sensor means with said impulse generator means for actuating said impulse generator means in response to said sensor means.

Claim 21

A detector for detecting the occurrence of undesirable events in a well bore and producing an alarm signal comprising: a sensor means for sensing a change in ambient conditions of predetermined magnitude in a well bore; an acoustic impulse generator means which functions independently of activities at an area remote from the detector for generating an acoustic impulse in response to detection by said sensor means of a change in the ambient conditions of predetermined magnitude; means for supporting said sensor means and impulse generator means in a well bore and conducting an acoustic impulse produced by said impulse generator means; and self-powered actuating means operatively connecting said sensor means with said impulse generator means for actuating said impulse generator means in response to said sensor means.

Claim 22

A detector as claimed in claim 19 wherein: said sensor means comprises a heat transfer monitor.

Claim 23

A detector as claimed in claim 19 wherein: said sensor means comprises a hydrogen detector.

Claim 24

A detector as claimed in claim 19 wherein: said sensor means is for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells; said means for supporting said sensor means and impulse generator means comprises a cylindrical collar; and said sensor means and impulse generator means are in said collar.

Claim 25

A detector as claimed in claim 22, and further comprising: an impulse generator cavity in said collar; and wherein said impulse generator means is mounted in said impulse generator cavity and comprises means for producing a deformation wave in said collar.

Claim 26

A detector as claimed in claim 22 wherein: said sensor means comprises means for measuring thermal conductivity properties of ambient fluids which properties are responsive to concentration of undesirable fluids in excess of predetermined threshold concentration thereof.

Claim 27

A detector as claimed in claim 24 and further comprising: a fluid sampling cavity in said collar having inlet and outlet means for downwell fluids in an oil well comprised of mixtures of mud and oil and mixtures of mud, oil and gas, said fluid sampling cavity beig adapted to allow separation of said components to produce variations in said thermal conductivity properties; and wherein said sensor means is mounted within said fluid sampling cavity in position to sense said variations.

Claim 28

A detector as claimed in claim 22 and further comprising: an impulse generator cavity in said collar; and wherein said impulse generator means comprises a projectile means in said impulse generator cavity, a projectile accelerating means in said impulse generator cavity, and means on the interior surface of said impulse generator cavity disposed to receive the impact of said projectile.

Claim 29

A detector as claimed in claim 26 wherein: said collar is made of metal.

Claim 30

A detector for use in wells comprising: a drill string; a collar connected to said drill string at a position downwell with respect to the surface; a sensor means supported in said collar in the area being monitored for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells; an impulse generator cavity in said collar; an acoustic impulse generator means mounted in said impulse generator cavity for producing a deformation wave in said drill string having longitudinal torsional and radial components; means operatively connecting said sensor means with said impulse generator means so that said impulse generator means is actuated in response to said sensor means; impulse detector means remote from said impulse generator means for detecting an acoustic impulse from said impulse generator means comprising strain detector means mounted on said drill string above said collar for detecting and generating signals in response to said deformation waves, a pipe strain receiver, means operatively connected to said strain detector for transmitting said signals to said pipe strain receiver, and a pipe strain signature detector operatively connected to said pipe strain receiver for receiving signals therefrom; means for sensing seismic waves produced by said deformation waves; a seismic signature detector operatively connected to said seismic wave sensing means for receiving signals therefrom; means for sensing mud pressure within said drill string produced by said deformation waves; a mud pressure wave detector operatively connected to said mud pressure sensing means for receiving signals therefrom; and pulse analyzer means operatively connected to said pipe strain signature detector, seismic signature detector, and mud pressure wave detector for receiving signals therefrom and discriminating between and issuing an alarm for an alarm condition likely, alarm condition probable, and alarm condition certain.

Claim 31

A detector for use in wells comprising: a drill string; a collar connected to said drill string at a position downwell with respect to the surface; a sensor means supported in said collar in the area being monitored for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells; an impulse generator cavity in said collar; an acoustic impulse generator means mounted in said impulse generator cavity for producing a deformation wave in said drill string having longitudinal torsional and radial components; means operatively connecting said sensor means with said impulse generator means so that said impulse generator means is actuated in response to said sensor means; impulse detector means remote from said impulse generator means for detecting an acoustic impulse from said impulse generator means comprising strain detector means mounted on said drill string above said collar for detecting and generating signals in response to said deformation waves, a pipe strain receiver, means operatively connected to said strain detector for transmitting said signals to said pipe strain receiver, and a pipe strain signature detector operatively connected to said pipe strain receiver for receiving signals therefrom; means for sensing seismic waves produced by said deformation waves; a seismic signature detector operatively connected to said seismic wave sensing means for receiving signals therefrom; means for sensing mud pressure within said drill string produced by said deformation waves; a mud pressure wave detector operatively connected to said mud pressure sensing means for receiving signals therefrom; and pulse analyzer means operatively connected to said pipe strain signature detector, seismic signature detector, and mud pressure wave detector for receiving signals therefrom and discriminating between and issuing an alarm for an alarm condition likely, alarm condition probable, and alarm condition certain.

Claim 32

A detector for use in wells comprising: a drill string; a collar connected to said drill string at a position downwell with respect to the surface, said collar being made of metal and having upper and lower portions; an elongated fluid sampling cavity in said collar having lower and upper ends; inlet means for downwell fluids comprised of mixtures of mud and oil and mixtures of mud, oil and gas comprising at least one opening extending through said collar into said lower end of said fluid sampling cavity; outlet means for said downwell fluids comprising at least one opening extending from the upper end of said fluid sampling cavity through said collar; sensor means mounted within said fluid sampling cavity comprising means for measuring thermal conductivity properties of said downwell fluids which properties are responsive to concentration of undesirable fluids in excess of a predetermined threshold concentration thereof; and said fluid sampling cavity being adapted to allow separation of the components of said mixtures to produce variations in said thermal conductivity properties; said sensor means being mounted within said fluid sampling cavity in position to sense said variations; and said fluid sampling cavity being further adapted so that when gas enters into said cavity in abnormal amounts said gas occupies the position where said sensor is situated producing said variations in said thermal conductivity properies.

Claim 33

A detector for use in wells comprising: a drill string; a collar connected to said drill string at a position downwell with respect to the surface, said collar being made of metal and having upper and lower portions; an elongated fluid sampling cavity in said collar having lower and upper ends; inlet means for downwell fluids comprised of mixtures of mud and oil and mixtures of mud, oil and gas comprising at least one opening extending through said collar into said lower end of said fluid sampling cavity; outlet means for said downwell fluids comprising at least one opening extending from the upper end of said fluid sampling cavity through said collar; sensor means mounted within said fluid sampling cavity comprising means for measuring thermal conductivity properties of said downwell fluids which properties are responsive to concentration of undesirable fluids in excess of a predetermined threshold concentration thereof; and said fluid sampling cavity being adapted to allow separation of the components of said mixtures to produce variations in said thermal conductivity properties; said sensor means being mounted within said fluid sampling cavity in position to sense said variations; and said fluid sampling cavity being further adapted so that when gas enters into said cavity in abnormal amounts said gas occupies the position where said sensor is situated producing said variations in said thermal conductivity properies.

Claim 34

A detector for use in wells comprising: a drill string; a collar connected to said drill string at a position downwell with respect to the surface; a sensor means supported in said collar in the area being monitored for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells; an impulse generator cavity in said collar; an acoustic impulse generator means mounted in said impulse generator cavity for producing at least a deformation wave which travels in the longitudinal direction of the drill string and a torsional deformation wave in the drill string; impulse detector means remote from said impulse generator means for detecting said longitudinal and torsional deformation waves.

Claim 35

A detector for use in wells comprising: a drill string; a collar connected to said drill string at a position downwell with respect to the surface; a sensor means supported in said collar in the area being monitored for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells; an impulse generator cavity in said collar; an acoustic impulse generator means mounted in said impulse generator cavity for producing at least a deformation wave which travels in the longitudinal direction of the drill string and a torsional deformation wave in the drill string; impulse detector means remote from said impulse generator means for detecting said longitudinal and torsional deformation waves.

Claim 36

A detector as claimed in claim 30 wherein: said impulse detector means comprises strain gauge means mounted on said drill string above said collar.

Claim 37

A detector as claimed in claim 31 wherein: said strain gauge means is adapted to generate signals in response to said deformation waves; and further comprising transmitting means operatively connected to said strain gauge means for transmitting said signals to a pipe strain receiver therefor.

Claim 38

A detector as claimed in claim 32 wherein: said transmitting means comprises a radio transmitter means.

Claim 39

A detector as claimed in claim 30 wherein: said impulse detector means comprises accelerometer means mounted on said drill string above said collar for generating signals in response to said deformation waves; and further comprising means operatively connected to said accelerometer means for transmitting said signals to a pipe strain receiver therefor.

Claim 40

A detector for use in wells comprising: a drill string; a collar connected to said drill string at a position downwell with respect to the surface; a sensor means in said collar in the area being monitored for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells; an impulse generator cavity in said collar; an acoustic impulse generator means comprising at least one gun having a gun barrel mounted in said impulse generator cavity; a projectile means in said at least one gun barrel, means on the interior surface of said impulse generator cavity disposed to receive the impact of said projectile, an electrically fired explosive charge in said at least one gun barrel for accelerating said projectile means, and means for electrically connecting said sensor means to said explosive charge for firing said explosive charge to accelerate said projectile means; and impulse detector means remote from said impulse generator means for detecting said projectile impact through said drill string.

Claim 41

A detector for use in wells comprising: a drill string; a collar connected to said drill string at a position downwell with respect to the surface; a sensor means in said collar in the area being monitored for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells; an impulse generator cavity in said collar; an acoustic impulse generator means comprising at least one gun having a gun barrel mounted in said impulse generator cavity; a projectile means in said at least one gun barrel, means on the interior surface of said impulse generator cavity disposed to receive the impact of said projectile, an electrically fired explosive charge in said at least one gun barrel for accelerating said projectile means, and means for electrically connecting said sensor means to said explosive charge for firing said explosive charge to accelerate said projectile means; and impulse detector means remote from said impulse generator means for detecting said projectile impact through said drill string.

Claim 42

A detector as claimed in claim 35 wherein said electrical connecting means comprises: electronic triggering means operatively connected to said sensor to be actuated by said sensor and operatively connected to said explosive charge to ignite said explosive charge when actuated by said sensor.

Claim 43

A detector as claimed in claim 35 wherein: said collar is an elongated cylindrical member; and said gun barrel has a longitudinal axis extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said collar.

Claim 44

A detector as claimed in claim 36 wherein: said impulse generator cavity is annular in shape; said at least one gun comprises a plurality of guns arranged in circumferentially spaced relationship in said annular cavity; and said triggering means comprises a sequential triggering device for firing said guns in sequence.

Claim 45

A detector as claimed in claim 37 wherein: said impulse generator is annular in shape; said at least one gun comprises a plurality of guns arranged in circumferentially spaced relationship in said annular cavity; and said triggering means comprises a sequential triggering device for firing said guns in sequence.

Claim 46

A detector for use in wells comprising: a drill string; a collar connected to said drill string at a position downwell with respect to the surface; a sensor means in said collar in the area being monitored for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells; an impulse generator cavity in said collar; an acoustic impulse generator means comprising at least one electrically fired shaped charge mounted in said impulse generator cavity, means for electrically connecting said shaped charge to said sensor means so that a signal from said sensor means fires said shaped charge, and means on the interior surface of said impulse generator cavity disposed to receive the force of said shaped charge and produce a deformation wave; and impulse detection means remote from said impulse generator means for detecting said deformation wave.

Claim 47

A detector for use in wells comprising: a drill string; a collar connected to said drill string at a position downwell with respect to the surface; a sensor means in said collar in the area being monitored for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells; an impulse generator cavity in said collar; an acoustic impulse generator means comprising at least one electrically fired shaped charge mounted in said impulse generator cavity, means for electrically connecting said shaped charge to said sensor means so that a signal from said sensor means fires said shaped charge, and means on the interior surface of said impulse generator cavity disposed to receive the force of said shaped charge and produce a deformation wave; and impulse detection means remote from said impulse generator means for detecting said deformation wave.

Claim 48

A detector for use in wells comprising: a cylindrical metal collar having upper and lower portions; an elongated fluid sampling cavity in said collar having lower and upper ends; inlet means for downwell fluids comprised of mixtures of mud and oil and mixtures of mud, oil and gas comprising at least one opening extending through said collar into said lower end of said fluid sampling cavity; outlet means for said downwell fluids comprising at least one opening extending from the upper end of said fluid sampling cavity through said collar; sensor means mounted within said fluid sampling cavity comprising means for measuring thermal conductivity properties of said downwell fluids which properties are responsive to concentration of undesirable fluids in excess of a predetermined threshold concentration thereof; said fluid sampling cavity being adapted to allow separation of the components of said mixture to produce variations in said thermal conductivity properties; said sensor means being mounted within said fluid sampling cavity in position to sense said variations; said fluid sampling cavity being further adapted so that when gas enters into said cavity in abnormal amounts said gas occupies the position where said sensor is situated producing said variations in said thermal conductivity properties; an acoustic impulse generator means mounted in said collar; and means operatively connecting said sensor means with said impulse generator means so that said impulse generator means is actuated in response to said sensor means.

Claim 49

A detector for use in wells comprising: a cylindrical metal collar having upper and lower portions; an elongated fluid sampling cavity in said collar having lower and upper ends; inlet means for downwell fluids comprised of mixtures of mud and oil and mixtures of mud, oil and gas comprising at least one opening extending through said collar into said lower end of said fluid sampling cavity; outlet means for said downwell fluids comprising at least one opening extending from the upper end of said fluid sampling cavity through said collar; sensor means mounted within said fluid sampling cavity comprising means for measuring thermal conductivity properties of said downwell fluids which properties are responsive to concentration of undesirable fluids in excess of a predetermined threshold concentration thereof; said fluid sampling cavity being adapted to allow separation of the components of said mixture to produce variations in said thermal conductivity properties; said sensor means being mounted within said fluid sampling cavity in position to sense said variations; said fluid sampling cavity being further adapted so that when gas enters into said cavity in abnormal amounts said gas occupies the position where said sensor is situated producing said variations in said thermal conductivity properties; an acoustic impulse generator means mounted in said collar; and means operatively connecting said sensor means with said impulse generator means so that said impulse generator means is actuated in response to said sensor means.

Claim 50

A detector for use in wells comprising: a cylindrical collar having a longitudinal axis; an impulse generator cavity in said collar; an acoustic impulse generator means mounted in said impulse generator cavity for producing a deformation wave having components which travel at least in the longitudinal and torsional directions in said collar; a sensor means supported in said collar for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells in the area in which said sensor is located; and means operatively connecting said sensor means with said impulse generator means so that said impulse generator means is actuated in response to said sensor means.

Claim 51

A detector for use in wells comprising: a cylindrical collar having a longitudinal axis; an impulse generator cavity in said collar; an acoustic impulse generator means mounted in said impulse generator cavity for producing a deformation wave having components which travel at least in the longitudinal and torsional directions in said collar; a sensor means supported in said collar for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells in the area in which said sensor is located; and means operatively connecting said sensor means with said impulse generator means so that said impulse generator means is actuated in response to said sensor means.

Claim 52

A detector for use in wells comprising: a cylindrical collar; an impulse generator cavity in said collar; an acoustic impulse generator means comprising at least one gun having a gun barrel mounted in said impulse generator cavity, a projectile means in said at least one gun barrel, an electrically fired explosive charge in said at least one gun barrel for accelerating said projectile means, and means on the interior surface of said impulse generator cavity disposed to receive the impact of said proectile means and produce a deformation wave in said collar; a sensor means supported in said collar for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells in the area in which said sensor is located; and means operatively connecting said sensor means with said impulse generator means so that said impulse generator means is actuated in response to said sensor means.

Claim 53

A detector for use in wells comprising: a cylindrical collar; an impulse generator cavity in said collar; an acoustic impulse generator means comprising at least one gun having a gun barrel mounted in said impulse generator cavity, a projectile means in said at least one gun barrel, an electrically fired explosive charge in said at least one gun barrel for accelerating said projectile means, and means on the interior surface of said impulse generator cavity disposed to receive the impact of said proectile means and produce a deformation wave in said collar; a sensor means supported in said collar for sensing downwell fluids in deep wells in the area in which said sensor is located; and means operatively connecting said sensor means with said impulse generator means so that said impulse generator means is actuated in response to said sensor means.

Claim 54

A detector as claimed in claim 43 wherein said electrical connecting means comprises: electronic triggering means operatively connected to said sensor to be actuated by said sensor and operatively connected to said explosive charge to ignite said explosive charge when actuated by said sensor.

Claim 55

A detector as claimed in claim 43 wherein: said collar is an elongated cylindrical member; and said gun barrel has a longitudinal axis extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said collar.