Abstract: A transmission system in a downhole component comprises a plurality of data transmission elements. A coaxial cable having an inner conductor and an outer conductor is disposed within a passage in the downhole component such that at least one capacitor is disposed in the passage and having a first terminal coupled to the inner conductor and a second terminal coupled to the outer conductor. Preferably the transmission element comprises an electrically conducting coil. Preferably, within the passage a connector is adapted to electrically connect the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and the lead wire. The coaxial capacitor may be disposed between and in electrically communication with the connector and the passage. In another embodiment a connector is adapted to electrical connect a first and a second portion of the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and a coaxial capacitor is in electrical communication with the connector and the passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a progressive cavity device. In some embodiments, the device includes a stator with an inner surface having a number of lobes and a rotor disposed within the stator and having a different number of lobes. The stator lobes define a major diameter and a minor diameter, where the major diameter circumscribes the stator lobes and the minor diameter inscribes the stator lobes. A rotor-stator, defined as the major diameter divided by the minor diameter, is selected from the group consisting of 1.350 or less for a progressive cavity device with a stator having two lobes, 1.263 or less for three lobes, 1.300 or less for four lobes, 1.250 or less for five lobes, 1.180 or less for six lobes, 1.175 or less for seven lobes, 1.150 or for eight lobes, 1.125 or less for nine lobes, and 1.120 or less for ten lobes.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an annular seal (e.g., an o-ring) and a backup ring to provide support to the annular seal. A gland is provided to accommodate the backup ring and the annular seal. The gland has a contact surface which is adapted to contact a corresponding contact surface of the backup ring upon inserting the backup ring into the gland. The diameters of the contact surfaces of the backup ring and gland are sized such that the contact surface of the backup ring radially interferes with the contact surface of the gland, thereby urging the backup ring out of the gland. A retention mechanism, such as interlocking grooves, protrusions, ridges, notches, slots, or the like may be provided in the backup ring and gland respectively to prevent the backup ring from completely exiting the gland.

Abstract: A system for loading a hardware configuration into downhole configurable hardware includes a surface control unit in communication with a downhole tool string component over a downhole network. The surface control unit initially has the hardware configuration and transmits it through the downhole network to the configurable hardware. The hardware configuration is implemented in the configurable hardware. The configurable hardware is preferably an FPGA.

Abstract: A method of responding to an anomalous change in downhole pressure in a bore hole comprises detecting the anomalous change in downhole pressure, sending a signal along the segmented electromagnetic transmission path, receiving the signal, and performing a automated response. The anomalous change in downhole pressure is detected at a first location along a segmented electromagnetic transmission path, and the segmented electromagnetic transmission path is integrated into the tool string. The signal is received by at least one receiver in communication with the segmented electromagnetic transmission path. The automated response is performed along the tool string. Disclosed is an apparatus for responding to an anomalous change in downhole pressure in a downhole tool string, comprising a segmented electromagnetic transmission path connecting one or more receivers and at least one pressure sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discovering and monitoring a collection of nodes in a downhole network may include receiving data packets originating from several downhole nodes. These packets may be read to extract a unique identifier and hop count for each of the nodes. This information may then be used to create entries in a network topology table corresponding to each of the downhole nodes. Each entry may contain unique identifier identifying the respective node, a hop count identifying a location of the node within the downhole network, and a direction identifier. The method may further include modifying one or more entries in the topology table having a conflicting hop count and direction identifier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discovering and monitoring a collection of nodes in a downhole network may include receiving data packets originating from several downhole nodes. These packets may be read to extract a unique identifier and hop count for each of the nodes. This information may then be used to create entries in a network topology table corresponding to each of the downhole nodes. Each entry may contain unique identifier identifying the respective node and a hop count identifying a location of the node within the downhole network. The apparatus and method may further include modifying one or more entries in the topology table having conflicting hop counts to ensure that the hop counts of each entry are unique.

Abstract: Token authorized packet exchange between a plurality of store-and-forward nodes in a downhole networking environment and respective applications for data processing and communication are described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing computational latency within a deterministic region on a network comprises a network interface modem, a high priority module and at least one deterministic peripheral device. The network interface modem is in communication with the network. The high priority module is in communication with the network interface modem. The at least one deterministic peripheral device is connected to the high priority module. The high priority module comprises a packet assembler/disassembler, and hardware for performing at least one operation. Also disclosed is an apparatus for executing at least one instruction on a downhole device within a deterministic region, the apparatus comprising a control device, a downhole network, and a downhole device. The control device is near the surface of a downhole tool string. The downhole network is integrated into the tool string. The downhole device is in communication with the downhole network.

Abstract: Token authorized node discovery between a plurality of store-and-forward nodes in a downhole networking environment and respective applications for data processing and communication are described herein.

Abstract: A method for identifying properties of a downhole electromagnetic network in a downhole tool sting, including the step of providing an electromagnetic path intermediate a first location and a second location on the electromagnetic network. The method further includes the step of providing a receiver at the second location. The receiver includes a known reference. The analog signal includes a set amplitude, a set range of frequencies, and a set rate of change between the frequencies. The method further includes the steps of sending the analog signal, and passively modifying the signal. The analog signal is sent from the first location through the electromagnetic path, and the signal is modified by the properties of the electromagnetic path. The method further includes the step of receiving a modified signal at the second location and comparing the known reference to the modified signal.

Abstract: A system for transmitting information between downhole components has a first downhole component with a first mating surface and a second downhole component having a second mating surface configured to substantially mate with the first mating surface. The system also has a first transmission element with a first communicating surface and is mounted within a recess in the first mating surface. The first transmission element also has an angled surface. The recess has a side with multiple slopes for interacting with the angled surface, each slope exerting a different spring force on the first transmission element. A second transmission element has a second communicating surface mounted proximate the second mating surface and adapted to communicate with the first communicating surface.

Abstract: An element for use in an inductive coupler for downhole components comprises an annular housing having a generally circular recess. The element further comprises a plurality of generally linear, magnetically conductive segments. Each segment includes a bottom portion, an inner wall portion, and an outer wall portion. The portions together define a generally linear trough from a first end to a second end of each segment. The segments are arranged adjacent to each other within the housing recess to form a generally circular trough. The ends of at least half of the segments are shaped such that the first end of one of the segments is complementary in form to the second end of an adjacent segment. In one embodiment, all of the ends are angled. Preferably, the first ends are angled with the same angle and the second ends are angled with the complementary angle.

Abstract: A logging system has a sonde in a borehole, which transmits sonic waves with one or more dipole sources to optimally excite dipole flexural mode sonic waves in the borehole. The system first determines the Airy frequency of the borehole. Then, the dipole sources are fired at a dipole firing frequency selected based on the Airy frequency.

Abstract: Methods for processing sonic logging data obtained from a logging tool having an array of R receivers, includes selecting a sub-array size of Rsb receivers where Rsb<R; calculating the number of sub-arrays Nsb possible from the array of R receivers; identifying one receiver Rref in the array to serve as a reference receiver for each sub-array; processing data in the slowness-time plane for each sub-array with respect to the reference receiver Rref; and stacking the processed data in the slowness-time plane for all sub-arrays.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for compensating well logs for adverse effects of the borehole and near borehole formation effects. The system is configured primarily for processing logging-while-drilling (LWD) density measurements, and includes means for generating a one-dimensional density log which is corrected for adverse effects of logging tool standoff and “dipping” beds penetrated by the borehole. The system is, however, applicable to any type of LWD or other type of logging system which requires borehole corrections, and which responds to variations in formation properties in a plane perpendicular to the borehole. The system can also be modified to include LWD apparatus using sensors that require no borehole corrections, and only require corrections for dipping beds. The system is ideally suited for logging equipment using two sensors, but can be modified for use with single sensor systems or systems using more than two sensors.