Cable Or Wire (e.g., Conductor As Support, Etc.) Patents (Class 340/854.9)
  • Patent number: 11927092
    Abstract: A status of an isolation barrier can be determined by comparing data collected by a sensor below the isolation barrier to data collected by a sensor above the isolation barrier. A sensor assembly can be coupled to an isolation barrier assembly downhole from the isolation barrier assembly for collecting data related to a characteristic of the wellbore. The sensor assembly can transmit the data collected to a tool positioned up-hole from the isolation barrier. The tool can transmit the data to a surface of the wellbore. The sensor assembly can be powered by a battery pack or via a connection to a downhole tool that supplies the power to the sensor assembly. The downhole tool that receives the data from the sensor assembly (and optionally provides power to the sensor assembly) can be inserted and removed from the wellbore over the lifetime of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Holly, Kevin Dwain Fink, Celso Max Trujillo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11899146
    Abstract: A sensing system utilizes multiple wavelengths communicated on a single pulse to a sensor, for example, an optical fiber. Backscattered or reflected light from a number of locations or depths along the sensor are analyzed to correct for 2? phase jump error. A phase sensing method detects the 2% phase jump error associated with one or more measurements from the sensor. Correcting for the 2? phase jump error provides increased accuracy of the one or more measurements, for example, improved vertical sensing profiling, production and fracture monitoring, and micro-seismic monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: John Herbert Dailing, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11381278
    Abstract: A method for operating a wireline communication device on a wireless communication network includes (a) receiving a downlink radio frequency (RF) electrical signal at a first connector, (b) converting the downlink RF electrical signal to a downlink access signal having a format that is compatible with the wireline communication device, and (c) providing the downlink access signal to a second connector for transporting to the wireline communication device. A method for extending a wireline communication network includes (a) receiving a downlink wireline signal at a node of the wireline communication network, (b) converting the downlink wireline signal to a downlink RF electrical signal, and (c) converting the downlink RF electrical signal to a downlink wireless signal, for transmission to one or more communication devices which are not physically connected to the wireline communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories, ino.
    Inventors: Daryl William Malas, George J. Kakatsakis, Belal Hamzeh, Luis Alberto Campos, Eric Winkelman, Mario Di Dio, Luther E. Smith
  • Patent number: 11353029
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump system can include a multiphase electric motor operatively coupled to a fluid pump; a multiphase power cable operatively coupled to the multiphase electric motor; and a controller that includes an input that receives measurements as to power supplied to the multiphase electric motor via the multiphase power cable and that processes the measurements to determine information germane to the operation of the electric submersible pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Sensia LLC
    Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Dudi Rendusara
  • Patent number: 11307371
    Abstract: A data cable assembly includes at least one pair of conductors twisted about one another, optionally disposed along an outer surface of a pair separator. The conductors are covered by an inner jacket, and an armor disposed on the outer surface of the inner jacket. The inner jacket is covered by an outer jacket with a rip cord disposed between the armor and the outer jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Roman Krawczyk
  • Patent number: 11268376
    Abstract: A system includes a surface device, preferably positioned on a surface, a downhole device, and a wireline communications system. A downlink communication between the surface device and the downhole device occurs via Hopped Frequency Shift Keying (HFSK) voltage-modulated signals. An optional uplink communication between the downhole device and the surface device may occur via Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) current-modulated signals. The downhole device may comprise an addressable switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Acuity Technical Designs, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Jackson, Keith Roper, Todd Roper
  • Patent number: 11105190
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a power and data delivery system for downhole gauges of a well. The power and data delivery system includes a three-phase power supply coupled to a power cable to supply power to a downhole motor positioned along a wellbore. Additionally, the power cable transmits power and data signals. The power and data delivery system also includes a downhole gauge coupled to the downhole motor, and the downhole gauge transmits downhole data signals along the power cable to a gauge surface panel. Further, the power and data delivery system includes at least one gauge positioned remotely from the downhole gauge and coupled to the power cable. The at least one gauge also transmits gauge data signals along the power cable to the gauge surface panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Stewart Darold Reed, Srilatha Boyanapally
  • Patent number: 10995567
    Abstract: A downhole communication repeater adapted for use on a wired drill pipe that extends from a surface to a bottom hole assembly that includes downhole communication equipment, and the surface has surface communication equipment located thereon. The repeater includes memory adapted: to store segments of logging-while-tripping data received from said downhole communication equipment and a microprocessor adapted to receive said logging-while-tripping data; to store said logging-while-tripping data in said memory while said repeater is deployed along a drill string in a well; and to re-transmit segments of said logging-while-tripping data while said repeater is cut off from downhole communications during a tripping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Manfred G. Prammer
  • Patent number: 10928530
    Abstract: In a method for synchronizing acoustic asynchronous serial signals while drilling, communication and high-voltage signal isolation between a transmitting terminal and a receiving master control board are realized in an asynchronous serial communication way. The receiving master control board serving as a master control terminal configures parameters for the transmitting terminal in the asynchronous serial communication way and controls the excitation of a sound source. The transmitting terminal is a synchronous sound source excitation signal initiator; signal synchronization is realized under an asynchronous communication condition due to the coordination of the transmitting terminal and the receiving master control board; the transmitting terminal includes a plurality of transmitting boards, and asynchronous serial communication between each of the transmitting boards and the receiving master control board is realized through two data lines R+ and R.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Fuqiang Wei, Yuntao Sun, Wenxuan Chen, Wenxiu Zhang, Jian Zheng
  • Patent number: 10815739
    Abstract: Apparatus having a fiber optic tether disposed in coiled tubing for communicating information between downhole tools and sensors and surface equipment and methods of operating such equipment. Wellbore operations performed using the fiber optic enabled coiled tubing apparatus includes transmitting control signals from the surface equipment to the downhole equipment over the fiber optic tether, transmitting information gathered from at least one downhole sensor to the surface equipment over the fiber optic tether, or collecting information by measuring an optical property observed on the fiber optic tether. The downhole tools or sensors connected to the fiber optic tether may either include devices that manipulate or respond to optical signal directly or tools or sensors that operate according to conventional principles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Lovell, Michael G. Gay, Sarmad Adnan, Kean Zemlak
  • Patent number: 10808525
    Abstract: An antenna system can include casing-side antennas and a full wave rectifier. The casing-side antennas can be coupled to a casing string that is positioned in a wellbore for communicatively coupling to a tubing-side antenna positioned in the wellbore. Each of the casing-side antennas can include a conductive wire positioned to carry current that can be induced on the conductive wire in response to an electromagnetic field from the tubing-side antenna. A direction, relative to a common antenna junction point, of the current on the conductive wire can be opposite to the direction, relative to the common antenna junction point, in which an adjacent casing-side antenna is positioned to carry current induced in response to the electromagnetic field. The full-wave rectifier can be conductively coupled to the casing-side antennas for converting alternating current that can be generated on the casing-side antennas into direct current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Trond Hagen, Christopher Milton
  • Patent number: 10770199
    Abstract: A wireline system includes a control system, a downhole tool, and a wireline cable coupling the downhole tool and the control system. The wireline cable includes a plurality of conductors, which includes a core conductor and a concentric conductor disposed around the core conductor, wherein two of the plurality of conductors form a conductor pair, and wherein each of the plurality of conductors is configured to transmit power, data, or both, between the control system and the downhole tool. The wireline cable further includes one or more insulative layers, wherein at least one insulative layer is disposed between any two conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: George David Goodman
  • Patent number: 10612947
    Abstract: A distributed pressure, temperature, strain (DPTS) sensing cable includes at least two slotted fiber optic metal wires each having a slot groove extended along in an outer circumference of the wires to encapsulate optical fibers in the slot grooves. The two slotted fiber optic metal wires have characteristics different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: NEUBREX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kinzo Kishida, Yoshiaki Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 10601464
    Abstract: Methods and systems for multiple carrier frequency, half duplex cable telemetry for a wellsite. The methods involve generating a first type of bi-directional message in a first propagation mode, generating a second type of bi-directional message in the first propagation mode and in a second propagation mode, transmitting over a cable operatively coupling a surface modem and a downhole modem the first and second types of bi-directional message sequentially in a plurality of time periods across a single frequency bandwidth, and separating each of the first and second types of bi-directional message from a most subsequently transmitted one of the first and second types of bi-directional message by a quiet time sample during which no message is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alex Olson, Nalin Weerasinghe, Kun Wang, Milos Milosevic
  • Patent number: 10539698
    Abstract: A technique facilitates determination of a quantitative bond between a pipe and adjacent materials, e.g. between a wellbore casing and adjacent cement. The quantitative bond is established via acoustic measurements related to signal attenuation. Additionally, the acoustic measurements may be conducted with a sonic tool during a wellbore operation, e.g. during a drilling operation. The methodology enables use of signal attenuation in a manner which facilitates determination of bond index coverage up to a high percentage, e.g. 100 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vivian Pistre, Toshihiro Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 10422217
    Abstract: A communication system for use in a wellbore can include a first cylindrically shaped band that can be positioned around a first outer housing of a first subsystem of a well tool. The first cylindrically shaped band can be operable to electromagnetically couple with a second cylindrically shaped band. The second cylindrically shaped band can be positioned around a second outer housing of a second subsystem of the well tool. The first cylindrically shaped band can electromagnetically couple with the second cylindrically shaped band via an electromagnetic field or by transmitting a current to the second cylindrically shaped band through a fluid in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, INC.
    Inventors: Jin Ma, Glenn Andrew Wilson, Iftikhar Ahmed, Li Pan
  • Patent number: 10329856
    Abstract: A downhole communication system has a plurality of repeaters adapted to store segments of logging-while-tripping (LWT) data during tripping. The LWT data are transmitted to the repeaters during tripping and then read out from the repeaters at the surface. The segments and repeaters are read using one or more surface communication devices, such as a rack board, a stand verifier, a box cap, or a pin cap, each adapted to access and test segments of wired drill pipe each having one or more repeaters. The rack board includes an array of communication couplers that are each adapted to exchange signals with a pin coupler of a pipe segment. In turn, each communication coupler is connected with communication equipment adapted to process and display data stored in the one or more repeaters of the pipe segments during tripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Manfred G. Prammer
  • Patent number: 10332653
    Abstract: A wireline system includes a control system, a downhole tool, and a wireline cable coupling the downhole tool and the control system. The wireline cable includes a plurality of conductors, which includes a core conductor and a concentric conductor disposed around the core conductor, wherein two of the plurality of conductors form a conductor pair, and wherein each of the plurality of conductors is configured to transmit power, data, or both, between the control system and the downhole tool. The wireline cable further includes one or more insulative layers, wherein at least one insulative layer is disposed between any two conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: George David Goodman
  • Patent number: 10227847
    Abstract: A reservoir simulator system models the effect of proppant damage on reservoir production through calculation of a fracture closure stress versus fracture permeability relationship, which is mathematically transformed into a pore pressure versus fracture permeability relationship. Based upon the pore pressure relationship, the system models reservoir production while taking into account the permeability reduction in the fractures brought about due to proppant damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Harold Grayson Walters, Terry Wayne Wong, Dominic Camilleri, Amit Kumar
  • Patent number: 9970273
    Abstract: A ground fault immune power and data delivery system for downhole sensors is connected to a downhole motor via a three-phase power cable. An AC power supply and sensor data module are connected to only two of the three phases to provide power and data signals to the sensors. During normal operation, power and data signals are transmitted over only one of the two connected phases. If a ground fault is detected on the third unconnected phase, power and data signals continue to transmit over the connected phase. If a ground fault is detected on one of the two connected phases, an isolation module isolates the grounded phase and switches to the ungrounded connected phase to continue transmitting power and data signals. If two of the phases are grounded, the motor shuts off; however, power and data signals may continue to transmit over an ungrounded connected phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhir Kumar Gupta, Patrick Phang
  • Patent number: 9935453
    Abstract: A ground fault immune power and data delivery system for downhole sensors is connected to a downhole motor via a three-phase power cable. An AC power supply and sensor data module are electrically connected to one of two conductors (phases) at a time selected from the three conductors (phases) to provide power and data signals to the downhole sensors. If a ground fault is detected on one of the two connected phases, an isolation module isolates the grounded phase and switches to the ungrounded connected phase to continue transmitting power and data signals. A frequency of AC power supply, data communication frequencies and a switching frequency of a drive controlling the downhole motor are orthogonal to each other in order to mitigate interference. Surface-to-downhole communication can occur by adjusting voltage, frequency and/or phase of AC power supply controlled by a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yusef Alaas, Sudhir Kumar Gupta, Aram Shihab Khaleel Almuhana
  • Patent number: 9595999
    Abstract: A method for data transmission between a pump assembly (2) and a control device (8) is provided, wherein the pump assembly (2) for the energy supply is connected via at least one electrical supply lead (10) to a frequency converter (14). The data transmission is effected via the electrical supply lead (10), and an evaluation of a data transmission signal (34) received by the pump assembly (2) or the control device (8) is only effected in low-disturbance regions of a carrier signal (22) formed by a supply current. A pump system designed for carrying out this method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Grundfos Management a/s
    Inventors: Peter Jungklas Nybo, Jorgen Jensen
  • Patent number: 9347311
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for ground fault immune data measurement system for electric submersible pumps. A data measurement system coupled to the ESP includes a surface unit coupled to a 3-phase power cable for providing power to a 3-phase motor of the ESP and a downhole unit coupled to the motor of the ESP and located downhole in a well. The downhole unit includes sensor and is configured to generate frequency modulated carrier signals for carrying the sensor data to the surface unit. Each of the frequency modulated carrier signals carries identical sensor data and is modulated to a different frequency. The carrier signals are shunted across the motor windings of the ESP motor and onto the 3-phase power cable via a capacitive coupling. Additionally, another carrier signal carrying control data may be transmitted from the surface unit to the downhole unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Michael Manning
  • Patent number: 9286774
    Abstract: A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a tactile output unit configured to contact a part of a human body; a connection unit including a wire connected to the tactile output unit and made of a flexible and elastic material, and a tube enclosing the wire; and a driving unit to supply a driving force to the connection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Won Moon, Soo Chul Lim, Joon Ah Park, Hyun Jeong Lee, Seung Ju Han
  • Patent number: 9229125
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation ahead of a carrier within borehole. The method including estimating one or more functions based on received signals that may reduce the sum of the signals received by a first receiver, and estimating the parameter of interest based on signals received by one or more additional receivers by applying the one or more functions and, if necessary, a defocusing factor, such that reception of information from downhole of a selected downhole location is enhanced relative to reception of information uphole from the selected location. The apparatus including two or more transmitters, two or more receivers, and a processor to estimate one or more functions, and, based on these functions, the parameter of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Gregory B. Itskovich
  • Patent number: 9124306
    Abstract: The disclosed couplers operate in a “near field” mode, meaning energy, whether used to transmit data or power, is transferred through magnetic induction using a ?i/?t circuit (meaning a change in current over a change in time), such as by using inductive transmission and receive coils in which resistors and/or other components such as diodes are placed into series and/or in parallel with the coils and used to control the shape of the pulse, e.g. its voltage and/or frequency. In embodiments, no hysteresis circuit is required for data transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Robert Boyle, William Claude Robertson, Robert A. Johnigan
  • Publication number: 20150116124
    Abstract: An illustrative distributed sensing system includes a fiberoptic cable, a transmitter module, and a receiver module. The transmitter module is coupled to the fiberoptic cable to communicate light in each of multiple independent paths to each of multiple positions along the cable, The receiver module is coupled to the fiberoptic cable to receive backscattered light from said multiple positions along the cable via the multiple independent paths. The receiver module includes at least one receiver for each of said multiple independent paths to obtain simultaneous measurements for each of said multiple positions. The multiple independent paths may be provided by wave division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, spatial mode division multiplexing, multicore fiber, and/or multiple fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Kari-Mikko JAASKELAINEN, Henry C. BLAND, Benjamin M. BANACK, David A. BARFOOT
  • Publication number: 20150109138
    Abstract: A system and method for transmitting data over a three phase power system between a surface and a sub-surface location. A first power supply providing a first AC power signal and a second power supply providing a second AC power signal are at the surface. A first powered module and a second powered module which provides a data communications signal are at the sub-surface. A cable connection is provided between the surface and the sub-surface to transmit the power and data communication signals. The data communications signal provides an indication of power applied to the second powered module and a power signal is varied in response to the applied power. The invention finds specific application monitoring down hole equipment such as an electrical submersible pump in a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: David Sirda Shanks
  • Publication number: 20150109139
    Abstract: A data communications system and associated method of data transmission for transmitting data over a three phase power system between a surface and a sub-surface location for an arrangement such as an oil field electrical submersible pump, on each of the three conductors of a three phase cabled connection with an isolation mechanism operable to isolate any given conductor when a fault associated with that conductor is detected. With the system providing a separate AC signal and data transfer on each conductor isolation can be achieved whilst enabling continued operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: David Sirda Shanks
  • Patent number: 9007231
    Abstract: A system and method to synchronize distributed measurements in a borehole are described. The system includes a plurality of wired segments coupled together by couplers and a plurality of nodes configured to measure, process, or relay information obtained in the borehole to a surface processing system, each of the plurality of nodes comprising a local clock and being disposed at one of the couplers or between couplers. The system also includes a surface processing system coupled to a master clock and configured to determine a time offset between the master clock and the local clock of an nth node among the plurality of nodes based on a downhole generated synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: John D. Macpherson
  • Publication number: 20150061885
    Abstract: A sub for a wired pipe system that includes a body includes an outer surface and a pin end and a first transmission device located in or near the pin end. The sub also includes a communication collar that at least partially surrounds the outer surface and that is rotatable relative to the body, a second transmission device in electrical communication with the first transmission device and a transmission line that electrically connects the first and second communication devices and that passes at least partially through the body. The sub further includes a third transmission device located in the communication collar in communication with the second transmission device. In the disclosed sub, the first, second and third transmission devices are all of the same type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Ingo Roders, Kai Schoenborn
  • Publication number: 20150022371
    Abstract: A method of high frequency data transmission for transmitting data over a three phase power system between a surface and a subsurface location, method using a first data transmit frequency and a second data transmit frequency, the data transmit frequencies being numerically distinct to each other and the data is transmitted on at least the second transmit frequency with a time delay between transmissions at each of the transmit frequencies to provide an uncorrupted data signal without interference. The invention finds specific application monitoring down hole equipment such as an electrical submersible pump in a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: David Sirda Shanks
  • Patent number: 8931549
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods of oil and gas well logging, monitoring, and the field of electrically powering submersible devices like electrical motors in oil and gas wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: David Randolph Smith
  • Publication number: 20150009041
    Abstract: A wellbore communication system (1) comprises a downhole tool (2) having a downhole transmitter (40), a sensing element (22, 122, 222, . . . , 1022) located at surface and coupled to a surface receiver (44), and an insulated slickline (6, 106, 206, . . . , 1006) having an electrically conductive core surrounded by an insulating coating. The slickline is attached to the downhole tool and coupled to the downhole transmitter. The sensing element is capacitively coupled to the slickline so as to permit movement of the slickline relative thereto and so as to an electric field to extend from the core of the slickline through the insulating coating to the sensing element for transmission of information from the downhole transmitter to the surface receiver via the slickline and the sensing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Andre Martin van der Ende, Eric Atherton
  • Publication number: 20140354446
    Abstract: Cable telemetry synchronization systems and methods. The synchronization can involve positioning downhole equipment into a wellbore via a cable operatively coupled to a surface module that can include a telemetry system master clock. The downhole equipment can include a toolbus master node and at least one slave node module having a node clock operatively coupled to the toolbus master node. The synchronization can also involve sending a frame start command to the at least one slave node module from the toolbus master node at predetermined intervals, receiving a clock value from each of the at least one slave node module, calculating a clock offset for each of the at least one slave node module, and sending an absolute clock value and the calculated clock offset for each of the at least one slave node module via a downlink synchronization command to the at least one slave node module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Takeaki Nakayama, Yuichi Kobayashi, Kun Wang, Nalin Weerasinghe, Milos Milosevic, David Santoso, Yasumasa Fujisawa, Thi Huong Lien Nguyen, Tsubasa Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8857507
    Abstract: A downhole communication system including a plurality of addressed downhole devices, a plurality of remote devices, and a plurality of conductors. Each of the plurality of conductors is electrically conductively connected to at least one of the plurality of addressed downhole devices and at least one of the plurality of remote devices. The downhole communication system is configured such that at least one of the plurality of devices is able to receive and recognize encoded addresses and encoded data in an electrical signal transmitted to at least one of the plurality of conductors electrically conductively isolated from the device configured to be receptive to the electrical signal having the encoded addresses and encoded data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James J. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20140292530
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for hybrid cable telemetry. The methods can include positioning a toolstring in a wellbore. The toolstring can include an uphole telemetry cartridge and a downhole telemetry cartridge respectively adapted to send and receive telemetry data. The toolstring can also include a hybrid logging cable having optical fibers and copper conductors that can operatively couple the uphole telemetry cartridge to the downhole telemetry cartridge. The method can also include transferring data between the uphole telemetry cartridge and the downhole telemetry cartridge across the optical fibers and the copper conductors. The method can further include measuring a data transmission rate on the optical fibers and the copper conductors. The method can also include comparing the data transmission rate to a predetermined threshold. The method can further include detecting a data transmission failure when the data transmission rate falls below the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nalin Weerasinghe, Tadashi Tajima, Motohiro Nakanouchi, David Santoso, Kenji Endo
  • Patent number: 8847711
    Abstract: A rigid radio frequency (RF) coaxial transmission line to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation may include a series of rigid coaxial sections coupled together in end-to-end relation. Each rigid coaxial section may include an inner conductor, a rigid outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. Each of the rigid outer conductors may include a rigid outer layer having opposing threaded ends defining overlapping mechanical threaded joints with adjacent rigid outer layers. Each of the rigid outer conductors may also include an electrically conductive inner layer coupled to the rigid outer layer and having opposing ends defining electrical joints with adjacent electrically conductive inner layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond Hewit
  • Publication number: 20140218208
    Abstract: An impressed current cathodic protection arrangement includes an elongate metallic structure to be protected and cathodic protection apparatus which comprises a DC power supply and an anode. One terminal of the power supply is connected to the structure at a connection point and another terminal of the power supply is connected to the anode. The arrangement includes monitoring apparatus for monitoring effectiveness of cathodic protection provided by the cathodic protection apparatus by determining the electrical potential of the structure relative to surroundings at at least one location which is spaced from the connection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: EXPRO NORTH SEA LIMITED
    Inventor: Steven Martin Hudson
  • Patent number: 8791829
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for visual indication of an electrical quantity, being one or several of power, current and/or voltage through a conductor. The arrangement comprises a substantially wire shaped illuminator and a controller which controls at least one illumination characteristic of said illuminator with respect to said electrical feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Interactive Institute II AB
    Inventors: Anton Gustafsson, Magnus Gyllenswärd, Christina Öhman, Sara Ilstedt-Hjelm
  • Patent number: 8788210
    Abstract: Job monitoring methods and apparatus for logging-while-drilling equipment are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying a downhole scenario based on a property of an underground geological formation, selecting a first telemetry frame type based on the identified downhole scenario, conveying an identifier representative of the selected first telemetry frame type to a downhole fluid sampling tool, and receiving a first telemetry data frame from the downhole fluid sampling tool, the telemetry data frame containing fluid analysis parameters for a fluid, and being constructed in accordance with the selected first telemetry frame type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sylvain Ramshaw, Julian J. Pop, Peter Swinburne, Kai Hsu, Steven Villareal
  • Publication number: 20140197962
    Abstract: A system and method to synchronize distributed measurements in a borehole are described. The system includes a plurality of wired segments coupled together by couplers and a plurality of nodes configured to measure, process, or relay information obtained in the borehole to a surface processing system, each of the plurality of nodes comprising a local clock and being disposed at one of the couplers or between couplers. The system also includes a surface processing system coupled to a master clock and configured to determine a time offset between the master clock and the local clock of an nth node among the plurality of nodes based on a downhole generated synchronization signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: John D. Macpherson
  • Patent number: 8773277
    Abstract: A routing facility (1) for a subsea electronics module (7) has on a single circuit board (2) a facility (5) for routing data packets between segments of a differential serial bus, and at least one input/output interface (14, 15, 16) for digital and/or analog process values, wherein the process values are accessible via the differential serial bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Endre Brekke, Vegard Horten, Vidar Steigen
  • Publication number: 20140174725
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the subterranean formation of a wellbore is presented. The method includes conveying a downhole tool in a wellbore via a cable, and determining the torque in the cable in real-time. The method further involves conveying the downhole tool on a wireline, and automatically triggering an alert when the torque reaches a certain level. The apparatus includes a cable, a downhole tool attached to the cable for conveyance within the wellbore, and a sensor to measure torque in the cable. The apparatus may also include a telemetry system to communicate the torque data to the surface. The downhole tool includes a sensor to measure the relative torque between the downhole tool and the cable in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nikhil Dalvi, Edward Harrigan
  • Publication number: 20140152460
    Abstract: Toolstring topology mapping systems having a downhole toolstring including a master node controller and a plurality of nodes and related methods. The methods involve querying each of the plurality of nodes in the downhole toolstring for actual topology information, receiving actual topology information from each of the plurality of nodes in the downhole toolstring in response to querying, and generating a topology map of the downhole toolstring based on the actual topology information from each of the plurality of nodes in the downhole toolstring. The methods can also involve comparing the topology map with the input topology information to identify topology mismatch and then take remedial actions if needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Santoso, Takeaki Nakayama, Hiromasa Nishisaka, Yuichi Kobayashi, Nalin Weerasinghe, Milos Milosevic, Eric Jeanson, Kun Wang, Motohiro Nakanouchi
  • Publication number: 20140152457
    Abstract: Systems and methods for toolstring communication in cable telemetry. The methods involve positioning a cable telemetry system in a wellbore. The cable telemetry system can include a surface modem, a downhole toolstring of downhole tools, a downhole modem operatively coupled to the downhole toolstring, a cable operatively coupling between the surface modem and the downhole modem, and a surface data routing module that polls and trains the cable telemetry system. The methods also involve performing a pre-transmission poll of a rate requirement for the downhole toolstring and a telemetry type for the downhole modem, applying a training phase to establish a transmission link between the surface modem and the downhole modem, configuring data obtained by the downhole toolstring for an uplink via the transmission link, and transmitting the uplink via the transmission link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromasa Nishisaka, Takeaki Nakayama, Milos Milosevic, Eric Jeanson, Nalin Weerasinghe, Kun Wang, Yuichi Kobayashi, Motohiro Nakanouchi, David Santoso, Alex Olson
  • Publication number: 20140152459
    Abstract: Methods and systems for multiple carrier frequency, half duplex cable telemetry for a wellsite. The methods involve generating a first type of bi-directional message in a first propagation mode, generating a second type of bi-directional message in the first propagation mode and in a second propagation mode, transmitting over a cable operatively coupling a surface modem and a downhole modem the first and second types of bi-directional message sequentially in a plurality of time periods across a single frequency bandwidth, and separating each of the first and second types of bi-directional message from a most subsequently transmitted one of the first and second types of bi-directional message by a quiet time sample during which no message is transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alex Olson, Nalin Weerasinghe, Kun Wang, Milos Milosevic
  • Patent number: 8735743
    Abstract: A transducer device includes an annular housing having a base wall adjoining a pair of annular side walls. The base and side walls define an annular groove. An access port and at least one strain relief opening are formed in the base wall. The at least one strain relief opening is spaced apart from the access port. A conductor is disposed in the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Intelliserv, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Harmon, Trent Hassell
  • Publication number: 20140139350
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing broadband communication to and from locations in hostile environments, such as mines, pits, quarries, wells, boreholes, and rigs, for example, are disclosed. According to a first aspect of the present application, a system is disclosed for providing broadband communication via power cabling. The system may comprise one or more broadband communication devices for modulating, demodulating, reconditioning, repeating, transmitting, and receiving a signal via a power cable. The system may further comprise one or more broadband communication devices operatively connected to mining electrical distribution system components and mining equipment to provide broadband communication amongst the components, equipment, and other broadband communication devices within and outside the mine facility via the power cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: William Charles Cook, II, Christopher Scott Skaggs, Michael Charles Pritt
  • Publication number: 20140118158
    Abstract: A system can include a transformer and a rectifier to derive DC power from AC power at a wye point of an electric motor; a sensor that includes a sensor signal output to output a sensor signal; a telemetry driver that includes a DC power input to receive the derived DC power and that includes an input to receive the sensor signal and an output to output a data signal representing the sensor signal; and circuitry to deliver the data signal representing the sensor signal to the wye point of the electric motor. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luis Parra, Fraz Ahmad Kharal, Jostein Fonneland, John A. Booker