Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that use a temperature sensor integral to a drill bit while drilling. The temperature sensor is configured to measure temperature associated with a cutting element of the drill bit over time while drilling. The temperature sensor is used to generate time-series temperature data representing temperature of the cutting element of the drill bit over time while drilling. The time-series temperature data is processed to determine at least one condition of the wellbore and/or the drill bit while drilling, wherein the at least one condition relates to at least one of: i) detecting that a steering tool of the BHA of the drill bit is active and operating to control the direction of drilling, ii) detecting backwards whirling while drilling, and iii) detecting a transition between different types of reservoir rock while drilling.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring operational characteristics of a drilling system that includes a bottom hole assembly having a drill collar operably coupled to a drill bit. A device having an elongate beam and at least one pair of sensors is rigidly secured to a part of the bottom hole assembly to measure strain in the part of the bottom hole assembly. The measurement of strain can be used to derive a measurement of at least one operational parameter of the drilling system, such as dog leg severity of a wellbore, torque on bit, and/or weight on bit.

Abstract: An instrument assembly comprises an electronics housing disposed in a body of a downhole tool and an engagement element assembly connected to the electronics housing. The instrument assembly includes an engagement sensor positioned at a base of the engagement element assembly and configured to take measurements corresponding with an engagement of the engagement element assembly with a borehole. The instrument assembly includes an electronics housing seal configured to seal at least a portion of the electronics housing from a downhole pressure.

Abstract: A method of identifying a geothermal reservoir of an earth formation comprises receiving engagement data from an engagement sensor. The engagement data corresponds to an engagement of the instrumented engagement element with a borehole in the earth formation. The method includes identifying environment data from an environment sensor. The environment data corresponds to a downhole environment of the engagement data. The method includes mapping the engagement data to the environment data to generate mapped engagement data.

Abstract: A drill bit can include a bit body; a blade mountable to the bit body, where the blade includes pockets; a moveable cutter disposed in one of the pockets; and sensor circuitry that senses movement of the moveable cutter disposed in the one of the pockets to generate sensor data.

Abstract: A downhole measurement module includes a microcontroller having a plurality of inputs and a sensor connected to a first input of the plurality of inputs. A switch is connected to a second input of the plurality of inputs. The microcontroller implements a measurement program to receive measurements from the sensor, the measurement program being based on a setting of the switch.

Abstract: A bit to detect drill bit metamorphism (DBM) may include a bit head. A bit to detect DBM may include at least one cutting element connected to the bit head. A bit to detect DBM may include a temperature sensor on or in the at least one cutting element. A bit to detect DBM may include an electronics module in communication with the temperature sensor. A bit to detect DBM may include a wiring conduit from the at least one cutting element and through at least a portion of the bit head to the electronics module.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that store and release compressed gas, which include an accumulator for storing compressed gas, a gas compressor, a thermal storage subsystem, a plurality of secondary heater stages and a corresponding plurality of gas expander stages, and a secondary heat source. During accumulation operations, the thermal storage subsystem is configured to extract heat from the compressed gas produced by the gas compressor and supplied to the accumulator and store the extracted heat. During the expansion operations, the secondary heater stages and gas expander stages are configured to heat and expand compressed gas supplied from the accumulator and heated by the thermal storage subsystem. The secondary heater stages use heat supplied by the secondary heat source. The secondary heat source can extract heat from a green or renewable system or an industrial process located at or near the system that stores and releases compressed gas.

Abstract: A downhole energy harvesting system includes a housing subjected to periodic oscillations. An energy harvesting device is on, in, or otherwise connected to the housing and positioned to generate electricity based on the periodic oscillations. The energy harvesting device is coupled to at least one of a powered component or an energy storage device in order to use or store the harvested energy.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring operational characteristics of a drilling system that includes a bottom hole assembly having a drill collar operably coupled to a drill bit. A device having an elongate beam and at least one pair of sensors is rigidly secured to a part of the bottom hole assembly to measure strain in the part of the bottom hole assembly. The measurement of strain can be used to derive a measurement of at least one operational parameter of the drilling system, such as dog leg severity of a wellbore, torque on bit, and/or weight on bit.

Abstract: A battery which has electrodes and electrolyte inside a rigid outer container is fitted with a sensor device in the form of a strap at the exterior of the container. The strap has a strain gauge secured to the strap to observe strain on stretching the strap. The strap incorporates a tightening mechanism for reducing a length of the strap. After the strap has been put in place at the exterior of the container, the tightening mechanism is used to pull the strap taut with a length of the strap pressing against the exterior of the container. The strain gauge may be used to monitor expansion of the outer container during charging and thus indicate state of charge or to monitor expansion during the working life of the battery and this indicates its state of health. The sensor devices may be used for a large number of batteries storing electricity on grid scale, with electronics attached to each strap communicating wirelessly with a battery management system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring operational characteristics of a drilling system that includes a bottom hole assembly having a drill collar operably coupled to a drill bit. A device having an elongate beam and at least one pair of sensors is rigidly secured to a part of the bottom hole assembly to measure strain in the part of the bottom hole assembly. The measurement of strain can be used to derive a measurement of at least one operational parameter of the drilling system, such as dog leg severity of a wellbore, torque on bit, and/or weight on bit.

Abstract: A bit to detect drill bit metamorphism (DBM) may include a bit head. A bit to detect DBM may include at least one cutting element connected to the bit head. A bit to detect DBM may include a temperature sensor on or in the at least one cutting element. A bit to detect DBM may include an electronics module in communication with the temperature sensor. A bit to detect DBM may include a wiring conduit from the at least one cutting element and through at least a portion of the bit head to the electronics module.

Abstract: An instrument assembly comprises an electronics housing disposed in a body of a downhole tool and an engagement element assembly connected to the electronics housing. The instrument assembly includes an engagement sensor positioned at a base of the engagement element assembly and configured to take measurements corresponding with an engagement of the engagement element assembly with a borehole. The instrument assembly includes an electronics housing seal configured to seal at least a portion of the electronics housing from a downhole pressure.

Abstract: A method of identifying a geothermal reservoir of an earth formation comprises receiving engagement data from an engagement sensor. The engagement data corresponds to an engagement of the instrumented engagement element with a borehole in the earth formation. The method includes identifying environment data from a rotation sensor. The environment data corresponds to a downhole environment of the engagement data. The method includes mapping the engagement data to the environment data to generate mapped engagement data.

Abstract: A method of imaging an earth formation comprises identifying engagement data from an engagement sensor. The engagement data corresponds to an engagement of the instrumented engagement element with a borehole in the earth formation. The method includes identifying rotation data from a rotation sensor. The rotation data corresponds to a rotational orientation of the engagement data with respect to the borehole. The method includes mapping the engagement data to the rotation data to generate oriented engagement data.

Abstract: A control system for a saw blade used to cut slots in carbon anodes used in aluminum processing includes an instrument package installed on the saw blade. The instrument package includes one or more sensors used to measure one or more operating characteristics. If the operating characteristics are outside of a threshold operating characteristic. then one or more operating parameters of the saw blade can be adjusted. Example adjustments may be made to the rotational speed or depth of cut of the saw blade. or repair or replacement of cutting elements or the saw blade.

Abstract: A battery comprises a housing, one or more energy cells contained within the housing, and a battery monitoring system contained within the housing. The battery monitoring system includes a health sensor configured to take health measurements corresponding to a health condition of the battery. The battery monitoring system includes an electronic module configured to communicate one or more signals corresponding to the health measurements such that the health condition may be determined.

Abstract: A downhole measurement module includes a microcontroller having a plurality of inputs and a sensor connected to a first input of the plurality of inputs. A switch is connected to a second input of the plurality of inputs. The microcontroller implements a measurement program to receive measurements from the sensor, the measurement program being based on a setting of the switch.

Abstract: A downhole energy harvesting system includes a housing subjected to periodic oscillations. An energy harvesting device is on, in, or otherwise connected to the housing and positioned to generate electricity based on the periodic oscillations. The energy harvesting device is coupled to at least one of a powered component or an energy storage device in order to use or store the harvested energy.