US3713089A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data-signaling apparatus ford well drilling tools
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1970-07-30
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1990-07-30
Abstract
Abstract In the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, a well tool having new and improved data-signaling apparatus and carrying a drill bit on its lower end is dependently coupled with a drill string and lowered into a borehole being excavated. During the drilling operation, measurements are successively made of selected borehole conditions, formation properties, or the like, which are converted by the data-signaling apparatus into coded electrical signals for repetitively coupling a rotating shaft to a valve operatively arranged on the tool for selectively interrupting the flow of the drilling fluid being circulated through the drill string. In this manner, the valve is selectively reciprocated to produce a series of encoded pressure pulses in the drilling fluid which are representative of the measurements being obtained. These pressure pulses are transmitted through the drilling fluid to the surface where they are sensed and converted into meaningful indications of the measurements.
Inventors
- 👤 J Clacomb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:57
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/12; E21B47/14; E21B47/18; E21B47/20; E21B47/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
381 words
Apparatus adapted for transmitting data to the surface during the drilling of a borehole and comprising: a body adapted for connection in a tubular drill string and having a flow passage arranged to carry drilling fluids between the surface and a borehole-drilling device dependently coupled therebelow; pressure-signaling means on said body and including valve means adapted for reciprocating movement between passage-opening and passage-obstructing positions to regulate the flow of drilling fluids through said flow passage and produce pressure pulses in such fluids for transmission therethrough to the surface; a fluid turbine operatively arranged in said flow passage and adapted to be rotatively driven by drilling fluids flowing through said flow passage; motion-converting means operatively arranged between said fluid turbine and said valve means and adapted for selectively reciprocating said valve means between said positions upon rotation of said fluid turbine, said motion-converting means incLuding a first shaft coupled to said fluid turbine and adapted to be rotatively driven thereby in a selected rotative direction, a second shaft coupled to said valve means and adapted to impart reciprocating movement thereto, means corotatively securing said shafts to one another and adapted for enabling said second shaft to reciprocate axially in relation to said first shaft, and first and second sets of oppositely-handed threads arranged along said second shaft; and actuating means responsive to electrical signals operatively associated with said motion-converting means and adapted for selectively actuating said motion-converting means to reciprocate said valve means, said actuating means including threaded means movably mounted on said body and having first and second oppositely-handed complemental threads respectively adapted for selective movement into and out of engagement with said first and second sets of threads on said second shaft, said first threads being cooperatively arranged so that upon threaded engagement with one another rotation of said shaft in said rotative direction will move said second shaft in one axial direction in relation to said first shaft, said second threads being cooperatively arranged so that upon threaded engagement with one another rotation of said shafts in said rotative direction will move said second shaft in the other axial direction in relation to said first shaft, and electrical means responsive to said electrical signals adapted for selectively moving said threaded means at least into engagement with said second shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
381 words
Apparatus adapted for transmitting data to the surface during the drilling of a borehole and comprising: a body adapted for connection in a tubular drill string and having a flow passage arranged to carry drilling fluids between the surface and a borehole-drilling device dependently coupled therebelow; pressure-signaling means on said body and including valve means adapted for reciprocating movement between passage-opening and passage-obstructing positions to regulate the flow of drilling fluids through said flow passage and produce pressure pulses in such fluids for transmission therethrough to the surface; a fluid turbine operatively arranged in said flow passage and adapted to be rotatively driven by drilling fluids flowing through said flow passage; motion-converting means operatively arranged between said fluid turbine and said valve means and adapted for selectively reciprocating said valve means between said positions upon rotation of said fluid turbine, said motion-converting means incLuding a first shaft coupled to said fluid turbine and adapted to be rotatively driven thereby in a selected rotative direction, a second shaft coupled to said valve means and adapted to impart reciprocating movement thereto, means corotatively securing said shafts to one another and adapted for enabling said second shaft to reciprocate axially in relation to said first shaft, and first and second sets of oppositely-handed threads arranged along said second shaft; and actuating means responsive to electrical signals operatively associated with said motion-converting means and adapted for selectively actuating said motion-converting means to reciprocate said valve means, said actuating means including threaded means movably mounted on said body and having first and second oppositely-handed complemental threads respectively adapted for selective movement into and out of engagement with said first and second sets of threads on said second shaft, said first threads being cooperatively arranged so that upon threaded engagement with one another rotation of said shaft in said rotative direction will move said second shaft in one axial direction in relation to said first shaft, said second threads being cooperatively arranged so that upon threaded engagement with one another rotation of said shafts in said rotative direction will move said second shaft in the other axial direction in relation to said first shaft, and electrical means responsive to said electrical signals adapted for selectively moving said threaded means at least into engagement with said second shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including electrical signaling means on said body coupled to said electrical means and adapted for producing electrical signals representative of at least one downhole condition to repetitively operate said electrical means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further including an electrical generator coupled to said fluid turbine and adapted for supplying electrical power to said electrical signaling means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second shafts are in coincidental alignment with one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second shafts are in coincidental alignment with one another and are extended longitudinally in relation to said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said threaded means include a pawl member movably mounted on said body adjacent to said first and second sets of threads and having said first and second complemental threads arranged thereon to be alternately engaged with said first and second sets of threads respectively upon movement of said pawl member to first and second positions; and said electrical means include a solenoid actuator operatively associated with said pawl member and adapted, upon energization, to move said pawl member to at least one of its said positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further including cam means operatively arranged on said second shaft and adapted for moving said pawl member from its said one position to its other position upon axial movement of said second shaft carrying one of said sets of threads out of threaded engagement with its associated complemental threads on said pawl member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
337 words
Apparatus adapted for determining at least one downhole condition while drilling a borehole and comprising: a body tandemly coupled in a tubular drill string having a borehole-drilling device dependently coupled thereto and defining a flow passage for circulating drilling fluids between the surface and said borehole-drilling device; data-signaling means on said body adapted for producing electrical signals indicative of at least one downhole condition; pressure-signaling means on said body adapted for developing pressure pulses in drilling fluids flowing through said drill string for transmission to the surface and including a valve member adapted for reciprocating movement between an inactive position and an active position obstructing said flow passage to produce said pressure Pulses; a fluid turbine operatively arranged in said flow passage and adapted to be rotatively driven by drilling fluids therethrough; and motion-converting means responsive to said electrical signals operatively arranged between said valve member and said fluid turbine and adapted upon rotation thereof for selectively reciprocating said valve member between its said positions each time said data-signaling means produce an electrical signal, said motion-converting means including a shaft coupled to said valve member, means corotatively coupling said shaft to said fluid turbine without preventing axial reciprocating movement of said shaft in relation thereto, a set of threads arranged along said shaft, a pawl member movably mounted on said body adjacent to said shaft and having complemental threads arranged thereon and adapted for coengagement with said shaft threads upon movement of said pawl member toward said shaft so that rotation of said shaft by said fluid turbine will shift said shaft in one axial direction as said shaft threads are threaded along said pawl threads, means operative upon engagement of said shaft threads from said pawl threads for returning said shaft in the opposite axial direction to again reposition said shaft threads adjacent to said pawl threads, and electrical means cooperatively associated with said pawl member and adapted for selectively moving said pawl member toward said shaft each time said data-signaling means produce an electrical signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
337 words
Apparatus adapted for determining at least one downhole condition while drilling a borehole and comprising: a body tandemly coupled in a tubular drill string having a borehole-drilling device dependently coupled thereto and defining a flow passage for circulating drilling fluids between the surface and said borehole-drilling device; data-signaling means on said body adapted for producing electrical signals indicative of at least one downhole condition; pressure-signaling means on said body adapted for developing pressure pulses in drilling fluids flowing through said drill string for transmission to the surface and including a valve member adapted for reciprocating movement between an inactive position and an active position obstructing said flow passage to produce said pressure Pulses; a fluid turbine operatively arranged in said flow passage and adapted to be rotatively driven by drilling fluids therethrough; and motion-converting means responsive to said electrical signals operatively arranged between said valve member and said fluid turbine and adapted upon rotation thereof for selectively reciprocating said valve member between its said positions each time said data-signaling means produce an electrical signal, said motion-converting means including a shaft coupled to said valve member, means corotatively coupling said shaft to said fluid turbine without preventing axial reciprocating movement of said shaft in relation thereto, a set of threads arranged along said shaft, a pawl member movably mounted on said body adjacent to said shaft and having complemental threads arranged thereon and adapted for coengagement with said shaft threads upon movement of said pawl member toward said shaft so that rotation of said shaft by said fluid turbine will shift said shaft in one axial direction as said shaft threads are threaded along said pawl threads, means operative upon engagement of said shaft threads from said pawl threads for returning said shaft in the opposite axial direction to again reposition said shaft threads adjacent to said pawl threads, and electrical means cooperatively associated with said pawl member and adapted for selectively moving said pawl member toward said shaft each time said data-signaling means produce an electrical signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said shaft is tubular; and further including a second shaft coaxially disposed in said tubular shaft and secured to said valve member, and means yieldably coupling said second shaft to said tubular shaft for permitting axial movement of said tubular shaft in relation to said second shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further including means adapted to be located at the surface and responsive to said pressure pulses for providing indications of said pressure pulses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further including an electrical generator coupled to said fluid turbine and adapted for supplying power to said motion-converting means for operation thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
380 words
Apparatus adapted for determining at least one downhole condition while drilling a borehole and comprising: a body tandemly coupled in a tubular drill string having a borehole-drilling device dependently coupled thereto and defining a flow passage for circulating drilling fluids between the surface and said borehole-drilling device; data-signaling means on said body adapted for producing electrical signals indicative of at least one downhole condition; pressure-signaling means on said body adapted for developing pressure pulses in drilling fluids flowing through said drill string for transmission to the surface and including a valve member adapted for reciprocating movement between an inactive position and an active position obstructing said flow passage to produce said pressure pulses; a fluid turbine operatively arranged in said flow passage and adapted to to be rotatively driven by drilling fluids flowing therethrough; and motion-converting means responsive to said electrical signals operatively arranged between said valve member and said fluid turbine and adapted upon rotation thereof for selectively reciprocating said valve member between its said positions each time said data-signaling means produce an electrical signal, said motion-converting means including a shaft coupled to said valve member, means corotatively coupling said shaft to said fluid turbine without preventing axial reciprocating movement of said shaft in relation thereto, first and second sets of oppositely-handed threads arranged along said shaft, a pawl member movably mounted on said body adjacent to said shaft and having first and second sets of complemental oppositely-handed threads arranged thereon respectively adapted to be alternately coengaged with said first and second shaft threads upon alternate movements of said pawl member towArd said shaft so that rotation of said shaft by said fluid turbine will shift said shaft in one axial direction as said first shaft threads are threaded along said first pawl threads and shift said shaft in the opposite axial direction as said second shaft threads are threaded along said second pawl threads, means operative upon disengagement, of said first shaft threads from said first pawl threads for moving said pawl member to engage said second pawl threads with said second shaft threads, and electrical means cooperatively associated with said pawl member and adapted for selectively moving said pawl member toward said shaft to coengage said first threads each time said data-signaling means produce an electrical signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
380 words
Apparatus adapted for determining at least one downhole condition while drilling a borehole and comprising: a body tandemly coupled in a tubular drill string having a borehole-drilling device dependently coupled thereto and defining a flow passage for circulating drilling fluids between the surface and said borehole-drilling device; data-signaling means on said body adapted for producing electrical signals indicative of at least one downhole condition; pressure-signaling means on said body adapted for developing pressure pulses in drilling fluids flowing through said drill string for transmission to the surface and including a valve member adapted for reciprocating movement between an inactive position and an active position obstructing said flow passage to produce said pressure pulses; a fluid turbine operatively arranged in said flow passage and adapted to to be rotatively driven by drilling fluids flowing therethrough; and motion-converting means responsive to said electrical signals operatively arranged between said valve member and said fluid turbine and adapted upon rotation thereof for selectively reciprocating said valve member between its said positions each time said data-signaling means produce an electrical signal, said motion-converting means including a shaft coupled to said valve member, means corotatively coupling said shaft to said fluid turbine without preventing axial reciprocating movement of said shaft in relation thereto, first and second sets of oppositely-handed threads arranged along said shaft, a pawl member movably mounted on said body adjacent to said shaft and having first and second sets of complemental oppositely-handed threads arranged thereon respectively adapted to be alternately coengaged with said first and second shaft threads upon alternate movements of said pawl member towArd said shaft so that rotation of said shaft by said fluid turbine will shift said shaft in one axial direction as said first shaft threads are threaded along said first pawl threads and shift said shaft in the opposite axial direction as said second shaft threads are threaded along said second pawl threads, means operative upon disengagement, of said first shaft threads from said first pawl threads for moving said pawl member to engage said second pawl threads with said second shaft threads, and electrical means cooperatively associated with said pawl member and adapted for selectively moving said pawl member toward said shaft to coengage said first threads each time said data-signaling means produce an electrical signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said shaft is tubular; and further including a second shaft coaxially disposed in said tubular shaft and secured to said valve member, and means yieldably coupling said second shaft to said tubular shaft for permitting axial movement of said tubular shaft in relation to said second shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further including means adapted to be located at the surface and responsive to said pressure pulses for providing indications of said pressure pulses.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further including an electrical generator coupled to said fluid turbine and adapted for supplying power to said motion-converting means for operation thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |