Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for performing well logging in a borehole intersecting an earth formation. Apparatus include a carrier conveyable in the borehole; a tool disposed on the carrier. The tool comprises a substrate including a first attachment interface electrically connected to a second attachment interface by a substrate connection element, wherein the first attachment interface comprises a first attachment interface material and the second attachment interface comprises a second attachment interface material different than the first attachment interface material; and at least two terminals, each terminal attached to at least one of the first attachment interface material of the substrate and the second attachment interface material of the substrate by a join.

Abstract: An adapter for a wired drill pipe joint includes an annular adapter body having a first end, a second end, and an outer recess configured to receive a latch, an annular recess extending partially into the first end of the adapter body, a communication element disposed at least partially within the annular recess, wherein the second end of the adapter body is configured to be coupled to an end portion of a first wired drill pipe joint, and an annular latch coupled to the adapter body and configured to contact the first wired drill pipe joint when the adapter body is coupled to the first wired drill pipe joint and to resist decoupling of the adapter body from the first wired drill pipe joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting over-torquing or un-torquing of a threaded connection between components in a borehole penetrating the earth includes: a string of components coupled in series by a threaded connection; a transmission line attached to each component; a signal coupler in communication with the transmission line and disposed on each component at each threaded connection, the signal coupler being configured to transmit the signal to an adjacent signal coupler on an adjacent coupled component in order to transmit a signal along the transmission line attached to the adjacent coupled component; a receiver configured to receive the signal; and a processor in communication with the receiver and configured to: (i) determine a difference between a characteristic of the signal and the characteristic of a reference signal and (ii) transmit an alert signal signifying that the threaded connection is over-torquing or un-torquing in response to the difference exceeding a threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating a signal downhole includes a downhole pipe configured to be coupled to another downhole pipe and a protection tube secured to the downhole pipe. A transmission line is disposed in the protection tube and configured to communicate the signal. A communication device is disposed in the downhole pipe and configured to communicate the signal to another downhole pipe. An end of the transmission line is configured to be axially movable with respect to the downhole pipe in order to have the end of the transmission line extending from the protection tube to establish a connection between the transmission line and the communication device.

Abstract: An adapter for a wired drill pipe joint includes an annular adapter having a first end and a second end, an annular recess extending partially into the first end of the adapter and an element of a communication coupler disposed at least partially within the annular recess, wherein the second end of the adapter is configured to be coupled to an end portion of the wired drill pipe joint.

Abstract: A system and method to synchronize distributed measurements in a borehole are described. The system includes a plurality of wired segments coupled together by couplers and a plurality of nodes configured to measure, process, or relay information obtained in the borehole to a surface processing system, each of the plurality of nodes comprising a local clock and being disposed at one of the couplers or between couplers. The system also includes a surface processing system coupled to a master clock and configured to determine a time offset between the master clock and the local clock of an nth node among the plurality of nodes based on a downhole generated synchronization signal.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to monitor a first condition associated with transmitting or receiving a signal in a formation or on a drill string, or both, over a first selected interval of a drill string located down hole; to monitor a second condition associated with transmitting or receiving the signal in the formation or on the drill string or both, over a second selected interval of the drill string; to compare the first condition to the second condition to provide a comparison result; and based on the comparison result, to select one of the first selected interval or the second selected interval to transmit or receive the signal in the formation or on the drill string, or both. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole tool string component has a through-bore intermediate first and second tool joints adapted for connection to adjacent tool string components. A blind-hole is formed in an outer surface of the component. A processing unit is also disposed within an outer surface of the component. An electrical device that is disposed within the component is in communication with the processing unit through an electrically or optically conductive medium which has a self-aligning pattern.

Abstract: A MWD/LWD hard line communication system and method includes for the system a cartridge capable of deploying wire in a borehole, a screen attachable to the cartridge and positionally retainable in the borehole, and a communications connector operably associable with the cartridge; and for the method, deploying hardline from a cartridge, attaching the cartridge to a screen, and attaching the cartridge to a communications connector. Another method includes pumping fluid downhole, urging a wire nest into a screen, and compacting the nest into the screen with the fluid until the fluid is pumpable past the nest through an unobstructed portion of the screen.

Abstract: A system is disclosed as having first and second tubular tool string components. Each component has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the first component is coupled to the second end of the second component through mating threads. First and second inductive coils are disposed within the first end of the first component and the second end of the second component, respectively. Each inductive coil has at least one turn of an electrical conductor, and the first coil is in magnetic communication with the second coil. The first coil has more turns than the second coil.

Abstract: A method for the time-serial transmission of received signals of electroacoustic transducers (11), which are placed at different transducer locations (13) of a spatially spread receive arrangement (10), to a signal processing unit (12), in which at each transducer location (13) the received signals are digitized by an electronic module (20), and the digitized received signals are switched onto a data line (14, 15, 16) leading to the signal processing unit (12) in the timing pattern of a synchronization clock. To obtain a high data rate with undisturbed data transmission, the intrinsic switching-time errors of the electronic modules (20) are measured with respect to the switching times defined by the timing pattern, and compensated for at the transducer locations (13) by individual time delay of the signals to be switched.

Abstract: A method for determining electrical condition of a wired drill pipe includes inducing an electromagnetic field in at least one joint of wired drill pipe. Voltages induced by electrical current flowing in at least one electrical conductor in the at least one wired drill pipe joint are detected. The electrical current is induced by the induced electromagnetic field. The electrical condition is determined from the detected voltages.

Abstract: The present technique relates to the distribution of power and data signals throughout a networked system. For example, three-phase power may be conducted to a device over a set of conductors. One of the conductors, however, may be configured to conduct, in conjunction with a neutral conductor, both one phase of three-phase power as well as data signals in accordance with a predetermined data communications protocol. As an alternate example, the present technique may comprise a set of a first power conductors configured to conduct three-phase power and a secondary power conductor which works in conjunction with an auxiliary conductor to conduct power and data-signals. Additionally, the present technique provides for the maintenance data communications and a level of power upon the interruption of three-phase power to a particular component or device.

Abstract: The device relates to an installation comprising a cavity extending from the surface of the ground and provided with at least one electrically conductive tubular element. The device comprises a single-strand smooth cable for supporting an action and/or measurement assembly, which cable is electrically conductive and has a breaking strength greater than 300 daN, and is disposed in the tubular element. The surface of the cable is electrically insulated at least in part from said tubular element. The device includes transmitter means and receiver means for transmitting and receiving an electrical and/or electromagnetic signal, said means being situated in the vicinity of the surface and in the cavity, and being electrically connected to the cable and to the tubular element and/or an underground formation. The invention is applicable to transmitting information and to controlling tools in an oil well.

Abstract: A system is disclosed as having first and second tubular tool string components. Each component has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the first component is coupled to the second end of the second component through mating threads. First and second inductive coils are disposed within the first end of the first component and the second end of the second component, respectively. Each inductive coil has at least one turn of an electrical conductor, and the first coil is in magnetic communication with the second coil. The first coil has more turns than the second coil.

Abstract: A system for communicating information in a borehole between tool assemblies in a tool string includes receiving an information signal and separating a first signal that may be a power and low speed signal. A second signal is separated and demodulated from the information signal. The first signal and second signal are transmit to electronic devices that process data from an earth formation. After the first and second signals are transmit to one or more electronic devices, the signals are modulated and/or filtered and then combined into the information signal. The first signal is at one frequency and the second signal is at a different frequency. The apparatus includes a main signal line that couples to a second signal line and third signal line in the tool assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed as having a downhole string component having first and second ends. The first end has first and second signal couplers, and the second end has third and fourth signal couplers. An electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the first, second, third, and fourth signal couplers. The first and third signal couplers have a first band pass filter with a first resonant frequency and the second and fourth signal couplers have a second band pass filter with a second resonant frequency.

Abstract: A seismic survey system having remote acquisition modules (RAMs) for acquiring seismic signals and communicating with a central recording system (CRU) via a network of cables, other RAMs, and line tap units (LTUs), arranged in a matrix of receiver lines and base lines. Each RAM cyclically converts analog signal values to digital, forming data packets. Interrogation commands emanating from the CRU and relayed with strategic delays by intervening LTUs and RAMs are received by the RAM. Each command causes the RAM to transmit a data packet. Strategic delays are set such that the transmission capacity of the line is best utilized. Power and frequency of transmission are selectable by the CRU to optimize performance. Cables contain multiple communication pairs. The network path between the RAM and the CRU is established from the CRU and altered in event of malfunction. All types of network elements are interconnectable. Recorded samples are synchronous.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing data transmission hardware in downhole tools includes an insert insertable into the box end or pin end of drill tool, such as a section of drill pipe. The insert typically includes a mount portion and a slide portion. A data transmission element is mounted in the slide portion of the insert. A biasing element is installed between the mount portion and the slide portion and is configured to create a bias between the slide portion and the mount portion. This biasing element is configured to compensate for varying tolerances encountered in different types of downhole tools. In selected embodiments, the biasing element is an elastomeric material, a spring, compressed gas, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A wired drill pipe telemetry system includes a surface computer; and a drill string telemetry link comprising a plurality of wired drill pipes each having a telemetry section, at least one of the plurality of wired drill pipes having a diagnostic module electrically coupling the telemetry section and wherein the diagnostic module includes a line interface adapted to interface with a wired drill pipe telemetry section; a transceiver adapted to communicate signals between the wired drill pipe telemetry section and the diagnostic module; and a controller operatively connected with the transceiver and adapted to control the transceiver.

Abstract: A method for performing diagnostics on a wired drill pipe telemetry system of a downhole drilling system is provided. The method includes passing a signal through a plurality of drill pipe in the wired drill pipe (WDP) telemetry system, receiving the signal from the WDP telemetry system, measuring parameters of the received signal and comparing characteristics of the received signal parameters against a known reference to identify variations therein whereby a fault in the wired drill pipe telemetry system is identified. The signal, in the form of a waveform or a pulse, is passed through the WDP telemetry system. The impedance and/or time delay of the received signal is measured. By analyzing variations, such as resonance and/or reflections in the signal, the existence and/or location of a fault in the WDP telemetry system may be determined.

Abstract: For collecting data from a water well, down-hole sensors are housed in modules. The modules are arranged to be screwed together in-line to form a vertical string. Mechanically, the modules are secured to each other only by the screw connection. Data is transmitted to the surface on a 2-wire cable, there being no other electrical connection between the modules and the surface. The modules are connected in multi-drop configuration to the 2-wire cable. Data is transmitted using time-division multiplexing.

Abstract: A process automation system includes terminals for operating and monitoring purposes, automation devices for executing control functions, and a host computer. Communication between the terminals and the automation devices is exclusively established via the host computer. The host computer may be installed remotely, in a computing center.

Abstract: A down-hole tool includes a first and second portion that are moveable relative to one another, but are electrically coupled together. A rigid tube formed into a helical coil extends between the first and second portions. The helical coil is expandable and compressible in response to movement between the first and second portions. A conductor is positioned within the helically wound tube and is adapted to pass electrical signals between the first and second portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data transmission or telemetry system and a method for communicating information axially along a drill string. The method includes the step of conducting an axial electrical signal embodying the information between a first axial position in the drill string and a second axial position in the drill string through an axial conducting loop formed by the drill string, which axial conducting loop extends between the first and second axial positions. The system includes the axial conducting loop for conducting the axial electrical signal embodying the information between the first and second axial positions and a transmitter for transmitting the information to the axial conducting loop. The system further preferably includes a receiver for receiving the information from the axial conducting loop. Finally, the portion of the drill string forming the axial conducting loop is preferably comprised of a downhole motor drilling assembly.