Patent DE1060455B successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3906435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Oil well telemetering system with torsional transducer
Assignee: AMERICAN PETROSCIENCE CORP
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Filing: 1973-09-12
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1993-09-12
Abstract
Abstract Zero order torsional acoustic waves are the preferred means for acoustic communication in well drilling systems. Electroacoustic transducers for such systems which operate at base band must be of a size comparable with a length of drill pipe. The use of cross-field magnetostrictive transducers is preferred as these transducers can be made an integral part of the drill string since they are rugged and self-supporting. When waves are launched from the well platform or received there the transducer may be made an integral part of the kelly. If the waves are either generated or modulated down-hole near the bit, the transducers can be made an integral part of the drill string or collars. In either case, efficient transduction of zero order torsional waves is assured by the use of crossed magnetic fields, e.g., circumferential and longitudinal, one of which may be a bias field, and of which either or both may be used as signal fields; the latter case particularly for use as a modulator.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur E Lamel
- 👤 William D Squire
- 👤 Harper J Whitehouse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:33
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/12; E21B47/14; E21B47/16; G; G01; G01H; G01H1/00; G01H1/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
In an acoustic communication system for use in well drilling equipment, the combination of: a drill string inclusive of a drill pipe, said drill string being adapted to the propagation along its length of zero order torsional acoustic waves within its substance, and an electroacoustic transducer for transducing between an electrical signal and zero order torsional acoustic waves propagating along the length of said drill string within the substance of said drill pipe, said transducer embodying a member connected into and functioning mechanically and acoustically as part of said drill string, said transducer member including a field-strain element adapted to experience a torsional mechanical strain in the presence of a magnetic field, and, conversely, a magnetic field in the present of a torsional mechanical strain, and signal field means magnetically coupled to said field-strain element, all in such manner and arrangement as to transduce between a magnetic signal field and zero order torsional acoustic waves within the substance of said field-strain element and said drill pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
In an acoustic communication system for use in well drilling equipment, the combination of: a drill string inclusive of a drill pipe, said drill string being adapted to the propagation along its length of zero order torsional acoustic waves within its substance, and an electroacoustic transducer for transducing between an electrical signal and zero order torsional acoustic waves propagating along the length of said drill string within the substance of said drill pipe, said transducer embodying a member connected into and functioning mechanically and acoustically as part of said drill string, said transducer member including a field-strain element adapted to experience a torsional mechanical strain in the presence of a magnetic field, and, conversely, a magnetic field in the present of a torsional mechanical strain, and signal field means magnetically coupled to said field-strain element, all in such manner and arrangement as to transduce between a magnetic signal field and zero order torsional acoustic waves within the substance of said field-strain element and said drill pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
173 words
In an acoustic communication system for use in well drilling equipment, the combination of: a drill string inclusive of a drill pipe, said drill string being adapted to the propagation along its length of zero order torsional acoustic waves within its substance, and an electroacoustic transducer for transducing between an electrical signal and zero order torsional acoustic waves propagating along the length of said drill string within the substance of said drill pipe, said transducer including a member connected into and functioning mechanically and acoustically as part of said drill string, said transducer member including a magnetostrictive element provided with a magnetic bias field and adapted to experience a torsional mechanical strain in the presence of a magnetic field, and, conversely, a magnetic field in the presence of a torsional mechanical strain, and signal field means magnetically coupled to said magnetostrictive element, all in such manner and arrangement as to transduce between a magnetic signal field and zero order torsional acoustic waves within the substance of said magnetostrictive element and said drill pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
173 words
In an acoustic communication system for use in well drilling equipment, the combination of: a drill string inclusive of a drill pipe, said drill string being adapted to the propagation along its length of zero order torsional acoustic waves within its substance, and an electroacoustic transducer for transducing between an electrical signal and zero order torsional acoustic waves propagating along the length of said drill string within the substance of said drill pipe, said transducer including a member connected into and functioning mechanically and acoustically as part of said drill string, said transducer member including a magnetostrictive element provided with a magnetic bias field and adapted to experience a torsional mechanical strain in the presence of a magnetic field, and, conversely, a magnetic field in the presence of a torsional mechanical strain, and signal field means magnetically coupled to said magnetostrictive element, all in such manner and arrangement as to transduce between a magnetic signal field and zero order torsional acoustic waves within the substance of said magnetostrictive element and said drill pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
The system according to claim 2, wherein: said transducer member includes at least in part a tubular body coupled into said drill string, said tubular body comprising also, at least in part, said magnetostrictive element, in an arrangement wherein said signal field is orthogonal to said magnetic bias field, one of said fields being directed longitudinally of said tubular body within the substance of said magnetostrictive element and the other of said fields being directed circumferentially of said tubular body within the substance of said magnetostrictive element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 3, wherein: said signal field is directed circumferentially of said tubular body within the substance of said magnetostrictive element, and said bias field is established longitudinally of said tubular body within the substance of said magnetostrictive element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system according to claim 4, wherein: said signal field means comprises electrical conductors extending lengthwise of said body in inductively coupled relation to said magnetostrictive element, to transduce between an elecTrical signal in said conductors and a circumferential magnetic signal field and thereby a zero order torsional strain in said magnetostrictive element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 4, wherein: said signal field means comprises conductors extending longitudinally both internally and externally of said tubular body, connected in such manner to transduce between an electrical signal in said conductors and a circumferential magnetic signal field and thereby zero order torsional strain in said magnetostrictive element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system according to claim 6, wherein: said conductors comprise an internal tubular conductor fixed within said tubular body, external conductors fixed to the outside of said body, means electrically connecting said internal and external conductors at one end, and electrical terminals electrically connected to the other ends of said internal and external conductors for connecting to external circuitry.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system according to claim 6, wherein: said conductors comprise an internal tubular conductor fixed within said tubular body, an external tubular conductor fixed to the outside of said body, means electrically connecting said internal and external conductors at one end, and electrical terminals electrically connected to the other ends of said internal and external conductors for connecting to circuitry external to said element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 3, including: a mechanical coupling on at least one end of said tubular body for coupling said body in the well bore drill string.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 3, wherein: said tubular body has a longitudinal passage for the flow of drilling mud, and said tubular body is adapted to constitute a load bearing part of said drill string.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein: said tubular body embodies also a kelly for the drill string and has a non-circular external transverse cross-section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system according to claim 10, including: a mechanical coupling on at least one end of said tubular body for mechanically coupling said tubular body in the well bore drill string, a swivel rotatable on the end of said tubular body remote from said mechanical coupling, conductor windings for at least one of said fields on said tubular body, and means on said swivel and body for electrically coupling said transducer field conductors to external circuitry.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein: said tubular body provides a section of drill pipe for use as an integral part of said drill string, and said body has a circular external cross-section concentric with said drill pipe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein: said bias field is provided by permanent magnetic means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein: said bias field is afforded by magnetic remanence in said magnetostrictive element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 14, wherein: said permanent magnetic means comprises permanent magnets disposed in magnetically coupled relation to said magnetostrictive element to induce in it a magnetic bias field.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 3, including: bias field conductor means disposed in inductively coupled relation to said magnetostrictive element for producing said magnetic bias field, said bias field conductor means being energizable by an electrical current to establish a bias field in said magnetostrictive element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein: said bias field conductor means is energized concurrently with said signal field.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein: said bias field conductor means is energized with direct current (D.C.).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein: said bias field conductor means is energized with a fluctuating current with a direct current (D.C.) component.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein: said signal field is directed longitudinally of said tubular body within the substaNce of said magnetostrictive element, and said bias field means establishes a magnetic bias field directed circumferentially of said tubular body within the substance of said magnetostrictive element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system according to claim 21, wherein: said signal field means comprises electrical conductors circumferentially encircling said body in inductively coupled relation to said magnetostrictive element to transduce between an electrical signal in said conductors and a longitudinal magnetic signal field and thereby a zero order torsional strain in said magnetostrictive element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
A transducer according to claim 22, wherein: said conductors comprise a coil encircling said body.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 21, wherein: longitudinal slots are incorporated in at least a portion of said member to reduce circumferential eddy currents.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system according to claim 21, wherein: tubular bodies of large magnetic reluctance are juxtaposed to ends of the magnetostrictive part of said transducer to reduce coupling of the magnetic signal field and thereby to reduce circumferential eddy currents in parts of said transducer-drill string combination other than said magnetostrictive part.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 25, wherein: said large reluctance bodies are slotted longitudinally to reduce circumferential eddy currents in said bodies.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 24, wherein: said longitudinal slots are sealed to prevent leakage of the drilling mud from within said tubular body.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein: an acoustic termination is juxtaposed to one end of said body to provide a terminating acoustic impedance for efficient transduction.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 28, wherein: said termination is a reflecting termination that reflects acoustic energy.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 29, wherein: said termination is a torque reaction stub.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 28, wherein: said termination is an absorbing termination that absorbs acoustic energy.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 28, wherein: said termination is both a reflecting and absorbing termination.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein: said signal field means comprises electrical conductors disposed in inductively coupled relation to said field-strain element, and adapted to transduce between an electrical signal in said conductors and a magnetic signal field and thereby a zero order torsional strain in said field-strain element.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein: said tubular body is composed at least in part of an electrically conductive material and said signal field means comprises the electrically conducting part of said body in combination with external conductors forming an electric circuit to transduce between an electrical signal in said circuit and a circumferential magnetic field and thereby zero order torsional strain in said magnetostrictive element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |