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US4940943A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for optimizing the reception pattern of the antenna of a propagating electromagnetic wave logging tool

Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc
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Filing: 1988-04-19
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Granted: 1990-07-10
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Expires: 2008-04-19
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Abstract

Abstract A conventional electromagnetic logging device, having both MWD and wire line embodiments, and having a pair of cutouts spaced along the length of the tool mandrel, each cutout having a length of greater than 4.0 inches as measured along the longitudinal axis of the tool, is modified by adding a pair of full metal jackets around the pair of cutouts. The first metal jacket placed around the first cutout in the mandrel has an additional cutout therein having a length in the range of 1.0 to 4.0 inches and a depth in the range of 0.25 to 1.0 inch. A transmitting antenna is placed in the cutout in the first metal jacket. The second metal jacket placed around the second cutout of the tool mandrel has a pair of spaced cutouts therein, each having a length in the range of 1.0 to 4.0 inches and a depth in the range of 0.25 to 1.0 inch. First and second electromagnetic receiving antennas are placed in the first and second cutouts in the second metal jacket, respectively. In alternative embodiments, the walls of the cutouts in the full metal jackets are either parallel, diverging, converging or stair stepped. In further embodiments, the cutouts having lengths of 1.0 to 4.0 inches and depths of 0.25 to 1.0 inches are formed directly in the mandrel instead of using the metal jackets.

Inventors

  • 👤 Roger P. Bartel
  • 👤 Paul F. Rodney

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 22:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V3/00; G01V3/18; G01V3/30

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim 242 words
An apparatus for measuring a formation parameter about a borehole traversing an earth formation and containing drilling fluid, comprising: a tubular, electrically conductive housing means having a longitudinal axis therethrough and threaded at each end for threaded engagement in a drill string above the drill bit and including a passage suitable for conveying drilling fluids therethrough; means for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the formation surrounding said housing means, said transmitting means disposed about the exterior or said housing means, said transmitting means including a first current loop antenna located in a first cutout of said conductive housing having a length in the range of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said first cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with said longitudinal axis; and means for receiving electromagnetic energy from said formation, said receiving means including a second current loop antenna located in a second cutout of said conductive housing having a length of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said second cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with the said longitudinal axis; and a third current loop antenna located in a third cutout of said conductive housing having a length of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said third cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with said longitudinal axis.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 242 words
An apparatus for measuring a formation parameter about a borehole traversing an earth formation and containing drilling fluid, comprising: a tubular, electrically conductive housing means having a longitudinal axis therethrough and threaded at each end for threaded engagement in a drill string above the drill bit and including a passage suitable for conveying drilling fluids therethrough; means for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the formation surrounding said housing means, said transmitting means disposed about the exterior or said housing means, said transmitting means including a first current loop antenna located in a first cutout of said conductive housing having a length in the range of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said first cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with said longitudinal axis; and means for receiving electromagnetic energy from said formation, said receiving means including a second current loop antenna located in a second cutout of said conductive housing having a length of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said second cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with the said longitudinal axis; and a third current loop antenna located in a third cutout of said conductive housing having a length of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said third cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with said longitudinal axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said first, second and third cutouts has a depth, transverse to the said longitudinal axis, of 0.25 to 1.0 inches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of said first, second and third cutouts has a length of approximately 2.0 inches and a depth of approximately 5/8 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said first, second and third cutouts has parallel walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said first, second and third cutouts has a set of diverging walls, each said set of diverging walls being with the exterior surface of said conductive housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 47 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said first, second and third cutouts has a set of converging walls, each said set of converging walls being closest spaced apart at the intersection of said set of walls with the exterior surface of said conductive housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said first, second and third cutouts has stairstep walls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first, second and third cutouts has parallel walls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 49 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first, second and third cutouts has a set of diverging walls, each said set of diverging walls being furthermost spaced apart at the intersection of said set of walls with the exterior surface of said conductive housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 49 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first, second and third cutouts has a set of converging walls, each said set of converging walls being closet spaced apart at the intersection of said set of walls with the exterior surface of said conductive housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first, second and third cutouts has stair step walls.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 194 words
An apparatus for measuring a formation parameter about a borehole traversing an earth formation and containing drilling fluid, comprising: a tubular, electrically conductive housing means having a longitudinal axis therethrough and threaded at each end for threaded engagement in a drill string above the drill bit and including a passage suitable for conveying drilling fluids therethrough; means for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the formation surrounding said housing means, said transmitting means disposed about the exterior of said housing means, said transmitting means including a first current loop antenna located in a first cutout of said conductive housing having a length in the range of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said first cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with said longitudinal axis; and means for receiving electromagnetic energy from said formation, said receiving means including a second current loop antenna located in a second cutout of said conductive housing having a length of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said second cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with the said longitudinal axis.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 194 words
An apparatus for measuring a formation parameter about a borehole traversing an earth formation and containing drilling fluid, comprising: a tubular, electrically conductive housing means having a longitudinal axis therethrough and threaded at each end for threaded engagement in a drill string above the drill bit and including a passage suitable for conveying drilling fluids therethrough; means for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the formation surrounding said housing means, said transmitting means disposed about the exterior of said housing means, said transmitting means including a first current loop antenna located in a first cutout of said conductive housing having a length in the range of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said first cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with said longitudinal axis; and means for receiving electromagnetic energy from said formation, said receiving means including a second current loop antenna located in a second cutout of said conductive housing having a length of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said second cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with the said longitudinal axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus acording to claim 12 wherein each of said first and second cutouts has a depth, transverse to the said longitudinal axis, of 0.25 to 1.0 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein each of said first and second cutouts has a length of approximately 2.0 inches and a depth of approximately 5/8 inch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein each of said first and second cutouts has parallel walls.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 47 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein each of said first, second and third cutouts has a set of diverging walls, each said set of diverging walls being furthermost spaced apart at the intersection of said set of walls with the exterior surface of said conductive housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 47 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein each of said first, second and third cutouts has a set of converging walls, each said set of converging walls being closest spaced apart at the intersection of said set of walls with the exterior surface of said conductive housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein each of said first and second cutouts has stairstep walls.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein at least one of said first and second cutouts has parallel walls.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 49 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein at least one of said first, second and third cutouts has a set of diverging walls, each said set of diverging walls being furthermost spaced apart at the intersection of said set of walls with the exterior surface of said conductive housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 49 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein at least one of said first, second and third cutouts has a set of converging walls, each said set of converging walls being closet spaced apart at the intersection of said set of walls with the exterior surface of said conductive housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein at least one of said first and second cutouts has stair step walls.
Claim 25
Independent Claim 200 words
An apparatus for measuring a formation parameter about a borehole traversing an earth formation and containing drilling fluid, comprising: a tubular, electrically conductive housing means having a longitudinal axis therethrough and threaded at each end for threaded engagement in a drill string above the drill bit and including a passage suitable for conveying drilling fluids therethrough; a first cutout in said housing means having a length greater than four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis; a second cutout in said housing means, spaced from said first cutout and having a length greater than four inches as measured along said longitudinal axis; a first metal jacket at least partially covering said first cutout, said first metal jacket having a first cutout and a transmitting antenna located in said first cutout in said first metal jacket; and a second metal jacket at least partially covering said second cutout, said second metal jacket having first and second cutouts and first and second receiving antennas located in said first and second cutouts in said second metal jacket, respectively, said cutouts in said first and second metal jackets each having a length of no greater than four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 26
Independent Claim 200 words
An apparatus for measuring a formation parameter about a borehole traversing an earth formation and containing drilling fluid, comprising: a tubular, electrically conductive housing means having a longitudinal axis therethrough and threaded at each end for threaded engagement in a drill string above the drill bit and including a passage suitable for conveying drilling fluids therethrough; a first cutout in said housing means having a length greater than four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis; a second cutout in said housing means, spaced from said first cutout and having a length greater than four inches as measured along said longitudinal axis; a first metal jacket at least partially covering said first cutout, said first metal jacket having a first cutout and a transmitting antenna located in said first cutout in said first metal jacket; and a second metal jacket at least partially covering said second cutout, said second metal jacket having first and second cutouts and first and second receiving antennas located in said first and second cutouts in said second metal jacket, respectively, said cutouts in said first and second metal jackets each having a length of no greater than four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 35 words
The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein each of said cutouts in said first and second jackets has a depth, as measured transversely to said longitudinal axis, in the range of 0.25 to 1.0 inches.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein each of the cutouts in said metal jackets has a length of two inches and a depth of 5/8 inches.
Claim 29
Independent Claim 193 words
An apparatus for measuring a formation parameter about a borehole traversing an earth formation and containing drilling fluid, comprising: a tubular, electrically conductive housing means having a longitudinal axis therethrough and threaded at each end for threaded engagement in a drill string above the drill bit and including a passage suitable for conveying drilling fluids therethrough; a first cutout in said housing means having a length greater than four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis; a second cutout in said housing means, spaced from said first cutout and having a length greater than four inches as measured along said longitudinal axis; a first metal jacket at least partially covering said first cutout, said first metal jacket having a first cutout and a transmitting antenna located in said first cutout in said first metal jacket; and a second metal jacket at least partially covering said second cutout, said second metal jacket having first cutout and a receiving antenna located in said first cutout in said second metal jacket, said cutouts in said first and second metal jackets each having a length of no greater than four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 30
Independent Claim 193 words
An apparatus for measuring a formation parameter about a borehole traversing an earth formation and containing drilling fluid, comprising: a tubular, electrically conductive housing means having a longitudinal axis therethrough and threaded at each end for threaded engagement in a drill string above the drill bit and including a passage suitable for conveying drilling fluids therethrough; a first cutout in said housing means having a length greater than four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis; a second cutout in said housing means, spaced from said first cutout and having a length greater than four inches as measured along said longitudinal axis; a first metal jacket at least partially covering said first cutout, said first metal jacket having a first cutout and a transmitting antenna located in said first cutout in said first metal jacket; and a second metal jacket at least partially covering said second cutout, said second metal jacket having first cutout and a receiving antenna located in said first cutout in said second metal jacket, said cutouts in said first and second metal jackets each having a length of no greater than four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 35 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein each of said cutouts in said first and second jackets have a depth, as measured transversely to said longitudinal axis, in the range of 0.25 to 1.0 inches.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein each of the cutouts in said metal jackets has a length of two inches and a depth of 5/8 inches.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein each of said cutouts in said metal jackets has parallel walls.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein each of said cutouts in said metal jackets has diverging walls.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein each of said cutouts in said metal jackets has converging walls.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein each of said cutouts in said metal jackets has stairstep walls.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein at least one of said cutouts in said metal jackets has parallel walls.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein at least one of said cutouts in said metal jackets has diverging walls.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein at least one of said cutouts in said metal jackets has converging walls.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein at least one of said cutouts in said metal jackets has stair step walls.
Claim 41
Independent Claim 212 words
An apparatus for measuring a formation parameter about a borehhole traversing an earth formation, comprising: a tubular, electrically conductive housing means having a longitudinal axis therethrough; means for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the formation surrounding said housing means, said transmitting means disposed about the exterior of said housing means, said transmitting means including a first current loop antenna located in a first cutout of said conductive housing having a length in the range of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said first cutout being annular about the exterior or said tubular housing and being coaxial with said longitudinal axis; and means for receiving electromagnetic energy from said formation, said receiving means including a second current loop antenna located in a second cutout of said conductive housing having a length of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said second cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with the said longitudinal axis; and a third current loop antenna located in a third cutout of said conductive housing having a length of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said third cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with said longitudinal axis.
Claim 42
Independent Claim 212 words
An apparatus for measuring a formation parameter about a borehhole traversing an earth formation, comprising: a tubular, electrically conductive housing means having a longitudinal axis therethrough; means for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the formation surrounding said housing means, said transmitting means disposed about the exterior of said housing means, said transmitting means including a first current loop antenna located in a first cutout of said conductive housing having a length in the range of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said first cutout being annular about the exterior or said tubular housing and being coaxial with said longitudinal axis; and means for receiving electromagnetic energy from said formation, said receiving means including a second current loop antenna located in a second cutout of said conductive housing having a length of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said second cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with the said longitudinal axis; and a third current loop antenna located in a third cutout of said conductive housing having a length of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said third cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with said longitudinal axis.
Claim 43
Independent Claim 164 words
An apparatus for measuring a formation parameter about a borehole traversing an earth formation, comprising: a tubular, electrically conductive housing means having a longitudinal axis therethrough; means for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the formation surrounding said housing means, said transmitting means disposed about the exterior of said housing means, said transmitting means including a first current loop antenna located in a first cutout of said conductive housing having a length in the range of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said first cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with said longitudinal axis; and means for receiving electromagnetic energy from said formation, said receiving means including a second current loop antenna located in a second cutout of said conductive housing having a length of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said second cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with the said longitudinal axis.
Claim 44
Independent Claim 164 words
An apparatus for measuring a formation parameter about a borehole traversing an earth formation, comprising: a tubular, electrically conductive housing means having a longitudinal axis therethrough; means for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the formation surrounding said housing means, said transmitting means disposed about the exterior of said housing means, said transmitting means including a first current loop antenna located in a first cutout of said conductive housing having a length in the range of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said first cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with said longitudinal axis; and means for receiving electromagnetic energy from said formation, said receiving means including a second current loop antenna located in a second cutout of said conductive housing having a length of one to four inches, as measured along said longitudinal axis, said second cutout being annular about the exterior of said tubular housing and being coaxial with the said longitudinal axis.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4553097A Cited
US4785247A Cited
US4651101A Cited
GB2156527A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-07-09 1994-01-08 1994-07-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-07-09 1998-01-08 1998-07-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-07-09 2002-01-08 2002-07-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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