Abstract: A tunable optical device has a compression tuned optical structure and a displacement sensor. The compression tuned optical structure responds to an optical signal, and further responds to a displacement sensor signal, for providing a compression tuned optical structure signal containing information about a change in an optical characteristic of the compression tuned optical structure, and for also further providing an excitation caused by a change in a displacement of the compression tuned optical structure. The displacement sensor responds to the excitation, for providing a displacement sensor signal containing information about the change in the displacement of the compression tuned optical structure. The compression tuned optical structure may be in the form of a dogbone structure that is an all-glass compression unit having wider end portions separated by a narrower intermediate portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating with a device downhole in a well, such as a bottom hole assembly in a drill string. Pressure pulses, such as those generated by the pistons of the mud pump, are transmitted through the drilling mud to a pressure pulsation sensor in the bottom hole assembly. The pressure pulsation sensor features a piezoceramic element that generates a varying voltage signal in response to the received pressure pulsations. The pressure pulsation sensor also has electronic components that allow it to analyze a characteristic of the pressure pulsations, such as their frequency. Based on its analysis of the pressure pulsations, the sensor can decipher a command from the surface, for example, that directs the steering of a steerable drill string, or that can determine whether the mud pumps are operating.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for transferring a binary data stream in a serial edge-based transmission format between a computer and a portable device such as the Timex.RTM. Data-Link.TM. watch. In the edge-based format expected by the Data-Link.TM. watch, individual data bits have first and second binary values which are represented by the presence or absence of signal edges at mark times which occur at a pre-selected bit rate. The system includes a computer having a digital output line which can be turned on and off by the computer at any time. The computer also has an internal timer which is programmed to generate timing signals at a frequency which is an integer multiple n of the pre-selected bit rate. An LED is operably connected to the digital output line so that the computer can switch the LED on and off at any time through the digital output line. An application program runs on the computer.

Abstract: Accessory for a laptop computer with LCD display which is connected to the laptop serial communications port and optically transmits data to a portable information device, such as a wristwatch designed to receive data as sequential pulses of light. The accessory includes a microcomputer with an RC timebase which is calibrated each time it is used by a special internal program, so that the input baud rate to the accessory matches the communications baud rate of the data received from the laptop. The internal program also permits selection of an output baud rate for the optically transmitted data.

Abstract: A wristwatch is set by optically transmitting time of day information from a wall clock or table clock to an optical sensor in the wristwatch. The time information is optically transmitted as sequential light pulses by controlling a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED) in the wall clock or table clock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for determining the inclination angle of a borehole being drilled, the data for determining the inclination angle being obtained while the drillstring is rotating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a remote communications link from the rig floor to the downhole MWD system is presented. In accordance with the present invention, the state of a physical condition downhole is changed in a predetermined timed sequence. This state change is controlled on the surface at the drilling platform and detected downhole by the MWD system. The desired operating mode of the MWD system is then determined based on the detected time sequence of the state changes. Preferred embodiments of the present invention utilize two different state changes which are detectable downhole and which can be controlled at the surface. In a first embodiment, the state changes comprise a preselected timed sequence of powering the MWD system up or down. This power cycling is accomplished by operating the mud pump in an ON/OFF sequence which will cause the MWD turbine to similarly be powered up or down.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for measuring the azimuth angle of a borehole being drilled, the data for determining the azimuth angle being obtained while the drillstring is rotating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remote signal entry of control or data information from an equipment operator into an MWD system is presented. In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, the magnetometer, which is typically present in commercial MWD systems, is used as a communications channel for remote (e.g. wireless) transfer of data and/or control commands into the MWD tool. The present invention functions by replacing the direct electrical RS232 coupling with a wireless magnetic link. The invention uses the RS232 output of the operator's computer to drive its power amplifier which in turn drives the field coils in a transmitter. The axis of the field coils must be aligned with one of the sensitive axes of the magnetometer which, as mentioned, is a pre-exisitng part of the directional measurement system of the MWD apparatus. Thus, the present invention overcomes the necessity in the prior art for a direct RS232 link up between the surface computer and the computer on the MWD tool.