Systems and methods for performing mud pulse telemetry using a continuously variable transmission
Systems and methods for performing mud-pulse telemetry are provided. One system includes a mechanical continuously variable transmission coupled to the modulator. The continuously variable transmission is configured to control the modulator. For example, the continuously variable transmission may be configured to control a relative position of the modulator. The relative position can be rotational position or can be converted to an axial position. In one embodiment, the continuously variable transmission is also configured to alter a frequency at which the modulator operates to modulate an acoustic or pressure wave telemetry signal. In another embodiment, the continuously variable transmission is further configured to control the modulator such that a rate of relative rotation of the modulator is substantially constant. One method includes controlling a modulator of a mud-pulse telemetry system using a continuously variable transmission coupled to the modulator.
1 . A system configured to perform mud-pulse telemetry, comprising a modulator and a mechanical continuously variable transmission coupled to the modulator, wherein the continuously variable transmission is configured to control the modulator.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuously variable transmission is further configured to alter a frequency at which the modulator operates to modulate an acoustic or pressure wave telemetry signal.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuously variable transmission is further configured to control the modulator such that a rate of relative rotation of the modulator is substantially constant.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the modulator is configured as a siren modulator.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the modulator is configured as a relative rotation type modulator.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the modulator is configured as a positive pulse type modulator.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the modulator is configured as a negative pulse type modulator.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the modulator comprises a rotary valve to which the continuously variable transmission is coupled.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the modulator comprises a ball screw oscillator to which the continuously variable transmission is coupled.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the modulator comprises a rotary valve configured to dump a portion of drilling fluid to an annulus.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the modulator comprises a rotary valve configured to block a portion of flow inside a drill string of the system.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the modulator comprises a valve that is configured to operate axially.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the modulator creates restriction in an orifice
14 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a rotational energy storage device coupled to the modulator through the continuously variable transmission, wherein torque generated from the modulator is converted to kinetic energy that is stored in the rotational energy storage device, and wherein the rotational energy storage device is configured such that the stored energy can be used as a power supply for the continuously variable transmission.
15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising a control subsystem coupled to the continuously variable transmission and the rotational energy storage device, wherein the control subsystem is configured to control the continuously variable transmission and to control rotation rates of the rotational energy storage device such that the rotational energy storage device rotates at rates that are within operating limits for the rotational energy storage device.
16 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing subsystem coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the continuously variable transmission is further configured to control relative rotation of one or more components of the biasing subsystem.
17 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an additional continuously variable transmission coupled to a biasing subsystem, wherein the additional continuously variable transmission is configured to control relative rotation of one or more components of the biasing subsystem.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the biasing subsystem is configured as a rotary steerable system.
19 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising a rotational energy storage device coupled to the modulator through the continuously variable transmission, wherein torque generated from the modulator is converted to kinetic energy that is stored in the rotational energy storage device, and wherein the rotational energy storage device is configured such that the stored energy can be used as a power supply for the continuously variable transmission and the additional continuously variable transmission.
20 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuously variable transmission comprises mechanical elements for controlling the modulator.
21 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuously variable transmission comprises conical elements, and wherein relative rotation of the conical elements controls the modulator.
22 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuously variable transmission comprises spherical elements, and wherein relative rotation of the spherical elements controls the modulator.
23 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuously variable transmission comprises disk elements, and wherein relative rotation of the disk elements controls the modulator.
24 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuously variable transmission comprises toroidal elements, and wherein relative rotation of the toroidal elements controls the modulator.
25 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuously variable transmission comprises one or more belts coupled to pulley elements, and wherein an effective diameter of the pulley elements controls the modulator.
26 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuously variable transmission comprises a gear and tooth assembly that couples control arms to mechanical elements of the continuously variable transmission, wherein translation of the control arms is converted to rotation of the mechanical elements, and wherein relative rotation of the mechanical elements controls the modulator.
27 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuously variable transmission comprises a central cylinder traversing its longitudinal axis, and wherein the central cylinder is configured such that drilling fluid can flow through the central cylinder.
28 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control subsystem coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the control subsystem comprises an electrical subsystem that is configured to alter one or more parameters of the continuously variable transmission.
29 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control subsystem coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the control subsystem comprises an electro-magnetic subsystem that is configured to alter one or more parameters of the continuously variable transmission.
30 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control subsystem coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the control subsystem comprises a mechanical subsystem that is configured to alter one or more parameters of the continuously variable transmission.
31 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control subsystem coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the control subsystem comprises a hydraulic subsystem that is configured to alter one or more parameters of the continuously variable transmission.
32 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control subsystem coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the control subsystem comprises an electrical subsystem, an electromagnetic subsystem, a mechanical subsystem, a hydraulic subsystem, or some combination thereof that is configured to alter one or more parameters of the continuously variable transmission.
33 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control subsystem coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the control subsystem is configured to actively alter one or more parameters of the continuously variable transmission.
34 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control subsystem coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the control subsystem is configured to passively alter one or more parameters of the continuously variable transmission.
35 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an input of the continuously variable transmission is coupled to a power supply, and wherein an output of the continuously variable transmission is coupled to the modulator.
36 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein an input shaft of the continuously variable transmission is coupled directly to the power supply.
37 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein an input shaft of the continuously variable transmission is coupled indirectly to the power supply.
38 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the power supply is generated by relative rotation between elements of the system or between one or more elements of the system and a formation in which the borehole is being drilled.
39 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the power supply is generated by relative rotation between a non-rotating sleeve and a drive shaft.
40 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the power supply comprises a turbine assembly.
41 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the power supply comprises an electric motor.
42 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the power supply comprises a positive displacement motor.
43 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the power supply comprises a turbine assembly in combination with a positive displacement motor.
44 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuously variable transmission is further configured as an infinitely variable transmission.
45 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a fixed gear ratio device coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the fixed gear ratio device is configured to provide increased control of a transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission.
46 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a harmonic drive coupled to the continuously variable transmission, wherein the harmonic drive is configured to provide increased control of a transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission.
47 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured as a measuring-while-drilling system.
48 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising conveyance means configured to move the continuously variable transmission, wherein the conveyance means comprises wireline, coiled tubing, a drill string, casing while drilling means, or self propelled means.
49 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable stabilizer.
50 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing subsystem.
51 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing subsystem that is configured to rotationally position one or more drilling components of the system.
52 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing subsystem that is configured to axially position one or more drilling components of the system.
53 . The system of claim 52 , wherein the one or more drilling components are coupled to a ball screw.
54 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to drill at an angle to a borehole using a deflecting tool.
55 . A method for performing mud-pulse telemetry, comprising controlling a modulator of a mud-pulse telemetry system using a continuously variable transmission coupled to the modulator.
56 . The method of claim 55 , further comprising altering a frequency at which the modulator operates using the continuously variable transmission to modulate an acoustic or pressure wave telemetry signal.
57 . The method of claim 55 , wherein said controlling comprises controlling the modulator such that a rate of relative rotation of the modulator is substantially constant.
58 . The method of claim 55 , further comprising converting torque generated from the modulator to kinetic energy, storing the kinetic energy, and using the stored kinetic energy as a power supply for the continuously variable transmission.
59 . The method of claim 55 , further comprising controlling relative rotation of one or more components of a biasing subsystem using the continuously variable transmission.
60 . The method of claim 55 , further comprising controlling relative rotation of one or more components of a biasing subsystem using an additional continuously variable transmission.
61 . The method of claim 60 , further comprising converting torque generated from the modulator to kinetic energy, storing the kinetic energy, and using the stored kinetic energy as a power supply for the continuously variable transmission and the additional continuously variable transmission.
62 . A borehole drilled by a method, the method comprising controlling a modulator of a mud-pulse telemetry system using a continuously variable transmission coupled to the modulator.