Abstract: A switch assembly, which is part of a chain of switch assemblies, includes a communication unit (CU) configured to receive, from an external controller, a fire command to activate a detonator and a computing core (CC) configured to locally make a decision whether or not to activate the detonator, after receiving the fire command to activate the detonator.

Abstract: A switch assembly, which is part of a chain of switch assemblies, includes a communication unit (CU) configured to receive, from an external controller, a fire command to activate a detonator, a voltage measuring unit configured to locally measure a voltage (V) at the switch assembly after receiving the fire command to activate the detonator, a computing core (CC) configured to locally make a decision whether or not to activate the detonator, after receiving the fire command to activate the detonator and after measuring the voltage (V), based on whether or not the measured voltage (V) at the switch assembly is larger than a threshold value.

Abstract: A switch assembly, which is part of a chain of switch assemblies, includes a communication unit (CU) configured to receive, from an external controller, a fire command to activate a detonator, a voltage measuring unit configured to locally measure a voltage (V) at the switch assembly after receiving the fire command to activate the detonator, a computing core (CC) configured to locally make a decision whether or not to activate the detonator, after receiving the fire command to activate the detonator and after measuring the voltage (V), based on whether or not the measured voltage (V) at the switch assembly is larger than a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for controlling a target switch assembly in a chain of switch assemblies includes distributing the chain of switch assemblies in a wellbore; placing a controller at a head of the wellbore; making a first decision, at the controller, to actuate a corresponding detonator of the target switch assembly; transmitting, from the controller to the target switch assembly, a fire command to activate the corresponding detonator; and making a second decision, locally, at the target switch assembly, to activate the detonator, after the fire command from the controller is received.

Abstract: A downhole system including a gun string configured to be deployed into a wellbore, the gun string including plural gun assemblies. A detonator block attached to a given gun assembly of the plural gun assemblies. The detonator block includes a switch assembly. The switch assembly includes a communication unit (CU) configured to receive, from an external controller, a fire command to activate a detonator associated with the detonator block, a measuring unit configured to measure a parameter (V) at the switch assembly, and a computing core (CC) configured to locally make a decision whether to activate or not the detonator, after the fire command is received from the external controller, based on whether a voltage measured by the measuring unit at the switch assembly is larger or not than a threshold voltage.

Abstract: A method for controlling a target switch assembly in a chain of switch assemblies includes distributing the chain of switch assemblies in a wellbore; placing a controller at a head of the wellbore; making a first decision, at the controller, to actuate a corresponding detonator of the target switch assembly; transmitting, from the controller to the target switch assembly, a fire command to activate the corresponding detonator; and making a second decision, locally, at the target switch assembly, to activate the detonator, after the fire command from the controller is received.

Abstract: A sheave wheel includes a housing; a wheel attached to the housing and configured to rotate relative to the housing; a depth and tension measurement system attached to the housing and configured to measure a parameter associated with the wheel; and a local control system attached to the housing and configured to exchange information associated with the measured parameter in a wireless manner with a ground control system.

Abstract: A sheave wheel assembly includes a housing; a wheel attached to the housing and configured to rotate relative to the housing; an imaging system attached to the housing and configured to obtain images of a surrounding of the sheave wheel assembly; and a transceiver attached to the housing and configured to send the images in a wireless manner to a ground control system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a target switch assembly in a chain of switch assemblies includes distributing the chain of switch assemblies in a wellbore; placing a controller at a head of the wellbore; making a first decision, at the controller, to actuate a corresponding detonator of the target switch assembly; transmitting, from the controller to the target switch assembly, a fire command to activate the corresponding detonator; and making a second decision, locally, at the target switch assembly, to activate the detonator, after the fire command from the controller is received.

Abstract: A downhole system includes a controller located at the surface, a gun string located in a wellbore, the gun string including plural gun assemblies, a thru-line connecting the controller to the gun string, and a detonator block attached to a given gun assembly. The detonator block includes an addressable switch assembly. The gun assembly includes an end plate mechanism that electrically connects to the detonator block. The detonator block has at least one spring-loaded contact connected to the thru-line and the end plate mechanism includes a round electrical contact made as a printed circuit board, and the spring-loaded contact touches the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A sheave wheel assembly includes a housing; a wheel attached to the housing and configured to rotate relative to the housing; an imaging system attached to the housing and configured to obtain images of a surrounding of the sheave wheel assembly; and a transceiver attached to the housing and configured to send the images in a wireless manner to a ground control system.

Abstract: A sheave wheel includes a housing; a wheel attached to the housing and configured to rotate relative to the housing; a depth and tension measurement system attached to the housing and configured to measure a parameter associated with the wheel; and a local control system attached to the housing and configured to exchange information associated with the measured parameter in a wireless manner with a ground control system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a target switch assembly in a chain of switch assemblies includes distributing the chain of switch assemblies in a wellbore; placing a controller at a head of the wellbore; making a first decision, at the controller, to actuate a corresponding detonator of the target switch assembly; transmitting, from the controller to the target switch assembly, a fire command to activate the corresponding detonator; and making a second decision, locally, at the target switch assembly, to activate the detonator, after the fire command from the controller is received.

Abstract: A method for controlling a target switch assembly in a chain of switch assemblies includes distributing the chain of switch assemblies in a wellbore; placing a controller at a head of the wellbore; making a first decision, at the controller, to actuate a corresponding detonator of the target switch assembly; transmitting, from the controller to the target switch assembly, a fire command to activate the corresponding detonator; and making a second decision, locally, at the target switch assembly, to activate the detonator, after the fire command from the controller is received.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a profile of a tubular string and the components thereof as the tubular string is made up and run into a borehole. The apparatus includes a rotating assembly disposed within a housing, the rotating assembly including a plurality of upper legs, and plurality of lower legs and a plurality of rolling elements, each upper leg having a proximal end and a distal end coupled to an upper ring, each lower leg having a proximal end coupled to a lower ring and a distal end, and each rolling element rotatably coupled to the proximal end of an upper leg and a distal end of a lower leg. The apparatus further includes a sensor for detecting a position of the rolling elements as they engage an exterior surface of a tubular string being made up and run into a borehole from a rig. The apparatus receives the tubular string through aligned central passages in the upper ring, lower ring and the rotating assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a profile of a tubular string and the components thereof as the tubular string is made up and run into a borehole. The apparatus includes a rotating assembly disposed within a housing, the rotating assembly including a plurality of upper legs, and plurality of lower legs and a plurality of rolling elements, each upper leg having a proximal end and a distal end coupled to an upper ring, each lower leg having a proximal end coupled to a lower ring and a distal end, and each rolling element rotatably coupled to the proximal end of an upper leg and a distal end of a lower leg. The apparatus further includes a sensor for detecting a position of the rolling elements as they engage an exterior surface of a tubular string being made up and run into a borehole from a rig. The apparatus receives the tubular string through aligned central passages in the upper ring, lower ring and the rotating assembly.