Continuous measurement-while-drilling surveying
US6823602B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 5, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C21/183
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A continuous measurement-while-drilling surveying apparatus includes a fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation about the tool spin axis of the bottom hole assembly and a second fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation of the bottom hole assembly about an axis normal to the tool spin axis. The first gyroscope may be shaped as a torus to accommodate flow of drilling mud through the bottom hole assembly. The outputs of the first and second gyroscopes are processed together with acceleration signals from three accelerometers in a microprocessor which determines the orientation, velocity and position of the bottom hole assembly on a continuous basis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.