Apparatus for signalling within a borehole while drilling

Patent · Tue Aug 13 04:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:6359220

Russell, A W; Russell, M K

A down-hole signal transmitter for a mud pulse telemetry system comprises a flow constrictor defining a throttle orifice for the mud flow, a throttling member displaceable to vary the throughflow cross-section of the throttle orifice, and a pump for displacing the throttling member against the mud flow in order to modulate the mud flow. The displacement of the throttling member is controlled by a hydraulic amplifier, comprising a main pressure relief valve and a subsidiary control valve, and a solenoid to which the output signal of a measuring instrument is supplied. When the main valve is close, the pump displaces a ram, coupled to the throttling member, upwardly. However, when the signal supplied to the solenoid is such as to magnetically attract an armature, the control valve is opened to conduct a small flow of oil between the pump input and the pump output, and this in turn causes the main valve to open thus conducting a much larger flow of oil from the pump input to the pump output and allowing the throttling member to be displaced downwardly by the pressure of the mud flow. The power required to modulate the mud flow with this arrangement is very low and is easily provided by a down-hole electrical generator.

• Assignee: NL Sperry-Sun, Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 4535429
• OSTI ID: 6359220
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
COMMUNICATIONS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DATA TRANSMISSION
DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
DESIGN
DRILLING FLUIDS
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
HYDRAULICS
MECHANICS
MWD SYSTEMS
OPERATION
PUMPS
SIGNALS
TELEMETRY
VALVES