Measuring and testing – Borehole or drilling – Formation logging
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-18
2001-12-04
Larkin, Daniel S. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Borehole or drilling
Formation logging
C073S152310, C073S152450
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324904
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to measurement tools and measurement sensors, and in particular to sensor modules and well logging tool sensors formed of solid state semiconductors which are pumped through a region in which measurements are to be taken.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior art measurement sensors have been used for measuring parameters of both piping and geological systems. In piping systems, there is often a need to determine where potential problems exist prior to catastrophic failure. Prior art measurement sensors have been used in piping systems to monitor and inspect the conditions of piping systems, and to measure the parameters of and properties of fluids flow through such systems. There is also a need to monitor the flow of fluids, and the composition of such fluids in production and fluid treatment systems, which range from food processing plants and waste treatment facilities, to refineries and chemical plants. It is also desirable to measure other process parameters, such as the concentrations of chemicals and other elements used in processing and treatment operations.
In oil field exploration and production operations, measurement sensors and such devices have been used for determining the constituents of geological formations, including the types of fluids in such formations. Prior art measurement sensors have also been used for determining downhole well conditions. The measurement sensors have been packaged in well logging tools, some of which are included in drill strings, such as those known as Measurement While Drilling (“MWD”) tools in which drill strings are used for both running the measurement sensors in to the wells and retrieving the sensors from the well. Other tools have been run downhole within wells and retrieved from wells on other conveyance means, such as wireline, slickline, coiled tubing and production tubing. Planar semiconductor devices and sensors of various types have been used in these types of prior art logging tools. Operations for running such tools into and later retrieval from wells often requires additional time for such operations. Such tools are subject to frequent failures, which often necessitate removal of the failed tools from within wells for replacement with operational logging tools, which requires the removal of the conveyance device, such as removal of the entire drill string, wireline, slickline or tubing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, is directed toward sensor modules which are circulated through a well by first being pumped downhole within a drill string, and passing through the drill bit and being circulated uphole in the annulus between the drill string and the borehole of the well. The sensor modules take measurement readings at they are pumped uphole through the annulus. The sensor modules are preferably separated from the mud returns from the well, and then read at an inductive read unit. The sensor modules are provided by semiconductor substrates which measure downhole well parameters, and then store the date for retrieval at the surface. The semiconductor substrates preferably have a plurality of sides on which measurement sensors and circuitry may be formed, allowing the circuitry and the sensors to be made of smaller sizes. Such sensors include temperature sensors, three-dimensional strain gauges, which are also useful as pressure transducers, inductive pressure transducers, inclination sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers and radiation detectors. The sensors and circuitry are preferably provided on spherically shaped, semiconductor substrates.
In yet another aspect of the invention, some types of the pump through sensor modules are activated to take measurement readings when accelerated through the drill bits. Such pump through sensor modules include an accelerometer and are maintained in a stand-by power mode until the high accelerations of passing through the drill bits are detected, which energizes the pump through sensor module into a logging mode.
In another aspect of the present invention, some types of the pump through sensor modules are passive, and energized to read data only when exposed to an electromagnetic field. A turbine generator and inductor coil are included in the drilling tool string in close proximity to the drill bit to activate the pump through sensor modules for taking downhole measurements and storing the measurements in memory.
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Ahn Suzanne I.
Hays Steven R.
Ishikawa Akira
Takeda Nabuo
Ball Semiconductor Inc.
Howison, Chauza, Thoma, Handley & Arnott, L.L.P.
Larkin Daniel S.
Politzer Jay L.
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