Abstract: An autonomous along string measurement tool may include a data collection and transmission system having a sensor configured to collect the downhole data, a communication tool configured to transmit the downhole data to the surface, and an operations processor configured for receiving downhole data from the sensor and controlling the communication tool to transmit the downhole data. The system may also include a power bus configured for supplying power to the data collection and transmission system, a power source in selective electrical communication with the power bus, and a power gateway. The power gateway may be configured to control the selective electrical communication between the power source and the power bus based on whether tool conditions are suitable for operation.

Abstract: An autonomous along string measurement tool may include a data collection and transmission system having a sensor configured to collect the downhole data, a communication tool configured to transmit the downhole data to the surface, and an operations processor configured for receiving downhole data from the sensor and controlling the communication tool to transmit the downhole data. The system may also include a power bus configured for supplying power to the data collection and transmission system, a power source in selective electrical communication with the power bus, and a power gateway. The power gateway may be configured to control the selective electrical communication between the power source and the power bus based on whether tool conditions are suitable for operation.

Abstract: An autonomous along string measurement tool may include a data collection and transmission system having a sensor configured to collect the downhole data, a communication tool configured to transmit the downhole data to the surface, and an operations processor configured for receiving downhole data from the sensor and controlling the communication tool to transmit the downhole data. The system may also include a power bus configured for supplying power to the data collection and transmission system, a power source in selective electrical communication with the power bus, and a power gateway. The power gateway may be configured to control the selective electrical communication between the power source and the power bus based on whether tool conditions are suitable for operation.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a drill string and surface equipment. The drill string includes a mud pulse transmitter. The mud pulse transmitter is configured to provide a first mud pulse transmission at a first rate responsive to drilling, and provide a second mud pulse transmission at a second rate responsive to not drilling. The surface equipment is coupled to the drill string. The surface equipment includes a mud pulse receiver. The mud pulse receiver is configured to receive the first mud pulse transmission at the first rate responsive to drilling, and receive the second mud pulse transmission at the first rate responsive to drilling. The second rate is higher than the first rate.

Abstract: A downhole tool may include a high-voltage power supply disposed within a housing to transform input power to the downhole tool from a first voltage to a second voltage greater than the first voltage. The high-voltage power supply may include an array of capacitors, which may include multiple rows of capacitors. The rows of capacitors may be parallel with a symmetric cross section as viewed from an end of the array of capacitors. The high-voltage power supply may also include diodes electrically coupled to the array of capacitors.

Abstract: A downhole tool may include a high-voltage power supply disposed within a housing to transform input power to the downhole tool from a first voltage to a second voltage greater than the first voltage. The high-voltage power supply may include an array of capacitors, which may include multiple rows of capacitors. The rows of capacitors may be parallel with a symmetric cross section as viewed from an end of the array of capacitors. The high-voltage power supply may also include diodes electrically coupled to the array of capacitors.

Abstract: A well-logging tool may include a sonde housing, and a radiation generator carried by the sonde housing. The radiation generator may include a generator housing, a target carried by the generator housing, a charged particle source carried by the generator housing to direct charged particles at the target, and at least one voltage source coupled to the charged particle source. The at least one voltage source may include a voltage ladder comprising a plurality of voltage multiplication stages coupled in a bi-polar configuration, and at least one loading coil coupled at at least one intermediate position along the voltage ladder. The well-logging tool may further include at least one radiation detector carried by the sonde housing.

Abstract: A well-logging tool may include a sonde housing, and a radiation generator carried by the sonde housing. The radiation generator may include a generator housing, a target carried by the generator housing, a charged particle source carried by the generator housing to direct charged particles at the target, and at least one voltage source coupled to the charged particle source. The at least one voltage source may include a voltage ladder comprising a plurality of voltage multiplication stages coupled in a bi-polar configuration, and at least one loading coil coupled at at least one intermediate position along the voltage ladder. The well-logging tool may further include at least one radiation detector carried by the sonde housing.

Abstract: A well-logging tool may include a sonde housing and a radiation generator carried by the sonde housing. The radiation generator may include a generator housing, a target carried by the generator housing, a charged particle source carried by the generator housing to direct charged particles at the target, and at least one voltage source coupled to the charged particle source. The at least one voltage source may include a voltage ladder comprising a plurality of voltage multiplication stages coupled in a uni-polar configuration, and at least one loading coil coupled at at least one intermediate position along the voltage ladder. The well-logging tool may further include at least one radiation detector carried by the sonde housing.

Abstract: A well-logging tool may include a sonde housing, and a radiation generator carried by the sonde housing. The radiation generator may include a generator housing, a target carried by the generator housing, a charged particle source carried by the generator housing to direct charged particles at the target, and at least one voltage source coupled to the charged particle source. The at least one voltage source may include a voltage ladder comprising a plurality of voltage multiplication stages coupled in a bi-polar configuration, and at least one loading coil coupled at at least one intermediate position along the voltage ladder. The well-logging tool may further include at least one radiation detector carried by the sonde housing.

Abstract: A well-logging tool may include a sonde housing, and a radiation generator carried by the sonde housing. The radiation generator may include a generator housing, a target carried by the generator housing, a charged particle source carried by the generator housing to direct charged particles at the target, and at least one voltage source coupled to the charged particle source. The at least one voltage source may include a voltage ladder comprising a plurality of voltage multiplication stages coupled in a bi-polar configuration, and at least one loading coil coupled at at least one intermediate position along the voltage ladder. The well-logging tool may further include at least one radiation detector carried by the sonde housing.

Abstract: A well-logging tool may include a sonde housing and a radiation generator carried by the sonde housing. The radiation generator may include a generator housing, a target carried by the generator housing, a charged particle source carried by the generator housing to direct charged particles at the target, and at least one voltage source coupled to the charged particle source. The at least one voltage source may include a voltage ladder comprising a plurality of voltage multiplication stages coupled in a uni-polar configuration, and at least one loading coil coupled at at least one intermediate position along the voltage ladder. The well-logging tool may further include at least one radiation detector carried by the sonde housing.

Abstract: A well logging instrument includes an instrument housing to traverse a wellbore penetrating subsurface formations. An electrically operated energy source that emits ionizing radiation is disposed inside the housing. An insulating sleeve is disposed between the energy source and an interior wall of the housing. The insulating sleeve comprises a thin dielectric film arranged in a plurality of tightly fitting layers of dielectric material disposed adjacent to each other and successively. A thickness of each layer and a number of layers is selected to provide a dielectric strength sufficient to electrically insulate the energy source from the housing and to provide a selected resistance to dielectric failure resulting from the ionizing radiation.

Abstract: A well logging instrument includes an instrument housing to traverse a wellbore penetrating subsurface formations. An electrically operated energy source that emits ionizing radiation is disposed inside the housing. An insulating sleeve is disposed between the energy source and an interior wall of the housing. The insulating sleeve comprises a thin dielectric film arranged in a plurality of tightly fitting layers of dielectric material disposed adjacent to each other and successively. A thickness of each layer and a number of layers is selected to provide a dielectric strength sufficient to electrically insulate the energy source from the housing and to provide a selected resistance to dielectric failure resulting from the ionizing radiation.

Abstract: An x-ray tool for determining a characteristic of an oilfield fluid. The tool may include a generator portion housing a collimator about a target from which x-rays are emitted. In this manner x-rays may be attenuated right at the target such that a majority of shielding otherwise necessary for safety concerns may be eliminated. Rather, by employing the target within the collimator, shielding of the generator may be limited to a single shielding plate within the generator portion that is positioned parallel to the target at the opposite end of an x-ray tube therebetween. As a result of this configuration, an x-ray tool for analysis of oilfield fluids may be provided with a minimum weight of shielding material. Thus, hand-held user friendly embodiments may be safely employed at the oilfield.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the density and phase fractions of well services fluids is shown including an x-ray generator, a sample cell, and a radiation detector. Radiation is passed through the sample cell and fluid and the attenuated radiation signal is used to evaluate the fluid. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector measures a filtered radiation signal and controls the acceleration voltage and/or beam current of the x-ray generator using this information. The apparatus may be permanently affixed for long term monitoring or temporarily clamped on to a pipe in production.

Abstract: An x-ray tool for determining a characteristic of an oilfield fluid. The tool may include a generator portion housing a collimator about a target from which x-rays are emitted. In this manner x-rays may be attenuated right at the target such that a majority of shielding otherwise necessary for safety concerns may be eliminated. Rather, by employing the target within the collimator, shielding of the generator may be limited to a single shielding plate within the generator portion that is positioned parallel to the target at the opposite end of an x-ray tube therebetween. As a result of this configuration, an x-ray tool for analysis of oilfield fluids may be provided with a minimum weight of shielding material. Thus, hand-held user friendly embodiments may be safely employed at the oilfield.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the density and phase fractions of well services fluids is shown including an x-ray generator, a sample cell, and a radiation detector. Radiation is passed through the sample cell and fluid and the attenuated radiation signal is used to evaluate the fluid. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector measures a filtered radiation signal and controls the acceleration voltage and/or beam current of the x-ray generator using this information. The apparatus may be permanently affixed for long term monitoring or temporarily clamped on to a pipe in production.

Abstract: An x-ray tool for determining a characteristic of an oilfield fluid. The tool may include a generator portion housing a collimator about a target from which x-rays are emitted. In this manner x-rays may be attenuated right at the target such that a majority of shielding otherwise necessary for safety concerns may be eliminated. Rather, by employing the target within the collimator, shielding of the generator may be limited to a single shielding plate within the generator portion that is positioned parallel to the target at the opposite end of an x-ray tube therebetween. As a result of this configuration, an x-ray tool for analysis of oilfield fluids may be provided that is no more than about 50 lbs. in total weight. Thus, hand-held user friendly embodiments may be safely employed at the oilfield.