Abstract: A method is disclosed for receiving, from a downhole system, data at a transmitter module of an intra-bottom hole assembly (BHA), wherein the transmitter module comprises a magnetic transmission antenna; transmitting, via a wireless short-range communication using the magnetic transmission antenna, the data to a receiver module of the intra-BHA, wherein the transmitter module and the receiver module form an intra-BHA network using the wireless short-range communication; receiving, via the wireless short-range communication, the data at the receiver module; transmitting the data to a measurement while drilling (MWD) tool; receiving, at the MWD tool, the data; and transmitting, via a type of telemetry, the data from the MWD tool to a surface processor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes operating a downhole tool by transmitting first data to one or more surface processors in a telemetry sequence. The first data may include a flex word having a first identifier identifying a first payload, and the first data is transmitted using a synchronized time sequence. The method includes detecting, by the downhole tool, an operating condition that occurs while the downhole tool is downhole. Based on the operating condition, the method includes dynamically changing the flex word to comprise a second identifier identifying a second payload transmitted in second data in the telemetry sequence to the one or more surface processors, and the second data is transmitted in the telemetry sequence using the synchronized time sequence.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system including a tool drill string having a downhole device is disclosed. The downhole device includes a memory storing instructions and a downhole processor configured to execute the instructions to operate in a first transmission mode by default. The downhole processor is communicatively coupled to an uphole processor via the first transmission mode. The downhole processor is further to transmit, via a second transmission mode, a message to the uphole processor, determine whether a response is received, via the second transmission mode, from the uphole processor, and responsive to determining the response is received from the uphole processor, switch from the first transmission mode to the second transmission mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes operating a downhole tool by transmitting first data to one or more surface processors in a telemetry sequence. The first data may include a flex word having a first identifier identifying a first payload, and the first data is transmitted using a synchronized time sequence. The method includes detecting, by the downhole tool, an operating condition that occurs while the downhole tool is downhole. Based on the operating condition, the method includes dynamically changing the flex word to comprise a second identifier identifying a second payload transmitted in second data in the telemetry sequence to the one or more surface processors, and the second data is transmitted in the telemetry sequence using the synchronized time sequence.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes an uphole processor and a tool drill string having a downhole device including a downhole processor. The uphole processor may include a memory storing instructions, the uphole processor may be communicatively coupled to the downhole processor, and the uphole processor may be configured to execute the instructions to determine a configuration setting of the system, determine whether the configuration setting indicates a trigger event has occurred, and responsive to determining the trigger event has occurred, transmit a downlink message to the downhole processor to modify an aspect of the downhole device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system including a tool drill string having a downhole device is disclosed. The downhole device includes a memory storing instructions and a downhole processor configured to execute the instructions to operate in a first transmission mode by default. The downhole processor is communicatively coupled to an uphole processor via the first transmission mode. The downhole processor is further to transmit, via a second transmission mode, a message to the uphole processor, determine whether a response is received, via the second transmission mode, from the uphole processor, and responsive to determining the response is received from the uphole processor, switch from the first transmission mode to the second transmission mode.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a surface processor and a tool drill string having a downhole device including a downhole processor. The surface processor may include a memory storing instructions, and the surface processor may be communicatively coupled to the downhole processor. The surface processor may be configured to execute the instructions to receive one or more first measurements from the downhole device, and determine whether the one or more first measurements satisfy a threshold measurement. Responsive to determining the one or more first measurements satisfy the threshold measurement, the surface processor may electronically modify a weight on bit by a first amount and electronically modify a revolutions per minute of a motor by a second amount.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may include a tool drill string having a downhole device. The system may include a contact module including a first component. The first component may include a first data path capable of communicating data using a first communication protocol, a second data path capable of communicating the data using a second communication protocol, and a processor electrically connected to the first data path and the second data path. The processor may be capable of selectively routing the data between the first data path and the second data path.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may include a tool drill string having a downhole device. The system may include a contact module including a first component. The first component may include a first data path capable of communicating data using a first communication protocol, a second data path capable of communicating the data using a second communication protocol, and a processor electrically connected to the first data path and the second data path. The processor may be capable of selectively routing the data between the first data path and the second data path.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a surface processor and a tool drill string having a downhole device including a downhole processor. The surface processor may include a memory storing instructions, and the surface processor may be communicatively coupled to the downhole processor. The surface processor may be configured to execute the instructions to receive one or more first measurements from the downhole device, and determine whether the one or more first measurements satisfy a threshold measurement. Responsive to determining the one or more first measurements satisfy the threshold measurement, the surface processor may electronically modify a weight on bit by a first amount and electronically modify a revolutions per minute of a motor by a second amount.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may include a tool drill string having a downhole device. The system may include a contact module including a first component. The first component may include a first data path capable of communicating data using a first communication protocol, a second data path capable of communicating the data using a second communication protocol, and a processor electrically connected to the first data path and the second data path. The processor may be capable of selectively routing the data between the first data path and the second data path.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes an uphole processor and a tool drill string having a downhole device including a downhole processor. The uphole processor may include a memory storing instructions, the uphole processor may be communicatively coupled to the downhole processor, and the uphole processor may be configured to execute the instructions to determine a configuration setting of the system, determine whether the configuration setting indicates a trigger event has occurred, and responsive to determining the trigger event has occurred, transmit a downlink message to the downhole processor to modify an aspect of the downhole device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system including a tool drill string having a downhole device is disclosed. The downhole device includes a memory storing instructions and a downhole processor configured to execute the instructions to operate in a first transmission mode by default. The downhole processor is communicatively coupled to an uphole processor via the first transmission mode. The downhole processor is further to transmit, via a second transmission mode, a message to the uphole processor, determine whether a response is received, via the second transmission mode, from the uphole processor, and responsive to determining the response is received from the uphole processor, switch from the first transmission mode to the second transmission mode.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system including a tool drill string having a downhole device is disclosed. The downhole device includes a memory storing instructions and a downhole processor configured to execute the instructions to operate in a first transmission mode by default. The downhole processor is communicatively coupled to an uphole processor via the first transmission mode. The downhole processor is further to transmit, via a second transmission mode, a message to the uphole processor, determine whether a response is received, via the second transmission mode, from the uphole processor, and responsive to determining the response is received from the uphole processor, switch from the first transmission mode to the second transmission mode.

Abstract: A smart lower end system that can detect multiple events and failures during the generation of pressure pulses by a pulser is disclosed. Pulser failures may occur if the pilot valve fails to fully close or open, if the signal shaft fails to move and close pilot valve orifice, or if movement of the pilot valve or signal shaft is restricted. The components of the smart lower end system may cycle between sleep and wake states to allow for low power operation.

Abstract: A pulser driver assembly of a measurement-while-drilling tool that includes an improved flow switch is disclosed. The flow switch uses multiple accelerometers of different types that measure acceleration changes in a system. The accelerometer data is then filtered and processed by an onboard microcontroller. The filtered data is then passed to a fuzzy logic voting algorithm which systematically and robustly characterizes the signal, and identifies the flow state.

Abstract: A smart lower end system that can detect multiple events and failures during the generation of pressure pulses by a pulser is disclosed. Pulser failures may occur if the pilot valve fails to fully close or open, if the signal shaft fails to move and close pilot valve orifice, or if movement of the pilot valve or signal shaft is restricted. The components of the smart lower end system may cycle between sleep and wake states to allow for low power operation.

Abstract: A pulser driver assembly of a measurement-while-drilling tool that includes an improved flow switch is disclosed. The flow switch uses multiple accelerometers of different types that measure acceleration changes in a system. The accelerometer data is then filtered and processed by an onboard microcontroller. The filtered data is then passed to a fuzzy logic voting algorithm which systematically and robustly characterizes the signal, and identifies the flow state.

Abstract: An improved gamma controller assembly to facilitate reliable downhole measurement of naturally occurring radiation is disclosed. The gamma controller assembly includes multiple gamma sensors, a micro-controller, memory, and input/output ports among other components. The multiple gamma sensors detect radiation and output pulses that are received by the microcontroller. The sensor data can be checked, selected, and averaged by the microcontroller, and sent uphole to another microcontroller or computer that can then further process, communicate, and display the data. The sensor data can be averaged and stored to memory or stored as independent values to memory. The gamma controller assembly can be configured to run algorithms that detect if one gamma controller appears to be malfunctioning and, if an apparent malfunction has occurred, adjust the sensor data that is being sent uphole.

Abstract: An improved gamma controller health detection assembly to facilitate reliable downhole measurement of naturally occurring radiation is disclosed. The gamma controller assembly includes one or more gamma sensors, a micro-controller, memory, and input/output ports among other components. The gamma sensors detect radiation and output pulses that are received by the microcontroller. The sensor data can be checked, selected, and averaged by the microcontroller, and sent uphole to another microcontroller or computer that can then further process, communicate, and display the data. The sensor data can be averaged and stored to memory or stored as independent values to memory. The gamma controller health detection assembly can be configured to run algorithms that detect if one or more gamma sensors appear to be malfunctioning or have previously malfunctioned.