Abstract: A method and apparatus for internal data conveyance within a well from the surface to a downhole tool or apparatus and for returning downhole tool data to the surface, without necessitating the provision of control cables and other conventional conductors within the well. One embodiment involves sending telemetry elements such as tagged drop balls or a fluid having specific chemical characteristics from surface to a downhole tool as a form of telemetry. The telemetry element or elements are provided with identification and instruction data, which may be in the form of data tags, such as RF tags or a detectable chemical constituent. The downhole tool or apparatus is provided with a detector and microcomputer and is capable of recognizing the telemetry element and communicating with it or carrying out instructions that are provided in the telemetry data thereof.

Abstract: A valve for downhole well service, having a rotary indexer carrying an elastically-loaded valve element on a valve seat surface in a flow passage, the valve element adapted to obstruct one or more flow passages in the valve seat surface when aligned therewith. The valve may additionally, or alternatively, comprise an elastically-loaded valve element mounted in one or more flow passages in the valve seat surface, this valve element adapted to obstruct the flow passage in which it is installed when urged into contact with the valve seat surface. When a valve element is mounted in one or more of the flow passages in the valve seat, the indexer comprises a protrusion positioned to engage such valve element and force it out of contact with the valve seat surface. The valve may be actuated by command from the surface by sending telemetry elements to a downhole telemetry data detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for internal data conveyance within a well from the surface to a downhole tool or apparatus and for returning downhole tool data to the surface, without necessitating the provision of control cables and other conventional conductors within the well. One embodiment involves sending telemetry elements such as tagged drop balls or a fluid having specific chemical characteristics from surface to a downhole tool as a form of telemetry. The telemetry element or elements are provided with identification and instruction data, which may be in the form of data tags, such as RF tags or a detectable chemical constituent. The downhole tool or apparatus is provided with a detector and microcomputer and is capable of recognizing the telemetry element and communicating with it or carrying out instructions that are provided in the telemetry data thereof.

Abstract: A valve for downhole well service, having a rotary indexer carrying an elastically-loaded valve element on a valve seat surface in a flow passage, the valve element adapted to obstruct one or more flow passages in the valve seat surface when aligned therewith. The valve may additionally, or alternatively, comprise an elastically-loaded valve element mounted in one or more flow passages in the valve seat surface, this valve element adapted to obstruct the flow passage in which it is installed when urged into contact with the valve seat surface. When a valve element is mounted in one or more of the flow passages in the valve seat, the indexer comprises a protrusion positioned to engage such valve clement and force it out of contact with the valve seat surface. The valve may be actuated by command from the surface by sending telemetry elements to a downhole telemetry data detector.

Abstract: The invention is a method of packaging an electronic tag. The method includes heating the electronic tag to remove contaminants from an internal volume. The internal volume is filled with a potting material and is hermetically sealed within an outer shell.