Downhole sensor networks using wireless communication
US7602668B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 2006 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/26
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Sensors located in the vicinity of a hydrocarbon-producing well receive power and communicate with one or more hubs located in the well or at the outer surface of a casing by means of elastodynamic waves. Each hub incorporates a plurality of transducers which permit focusing of the emitted elastodynamic waves. In order to concentrate the energy on a single sensor, or a group of sensors arranged in a cluster. Hubs and sensors communicate by exchanging, modulated elastodynamic waves. Sensors belonging to a cluster may transmit, properly time-shifted elastodynamic waves, in order to collectively focus their energy in the direction of a hub. Time synchronization between the sensors within a cluster may be accomplished by means of electromagnetic fields which travel much faster than elastodynamic waves, but can only propagate over short distances in typical formations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.