Downhole Turbine Communication
In one aspect of the present invention a downhole drill string assembly includes a bore there through to receive a flow of drilling fluid, a signal generator that produces a signal in the drilling fluid by rotating within the flow, a processing unit disposed within the assembly, and a flow guide that directs drilling fluid to the signal generator. The flow guide is in communication with the processing unit so that in response to commands received from the processing unit, the signal generator produces a signal in the drilling fluid by the flow guide changing its position.
1 . A downhole drill string assembly, comprising:
a bore there through to receive a flow of drilling fluid;
a signal generator that produces a signal in the drilling fluid when rotating within the flow;
a processing unit disposed within the assembly; and
a flow guide that directs drilling fluid to the signal generator;
wherein the flow guide is in communication with the processing unit so that in response to commands received from the processing unit, the signal generator produces a signal in the drilling fluid by the flow guide changing its position.
2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein flow guide is in communication with the processing unit so that in response to commands received from the processing unit the flow guide alters the flow of the drilling fluid such that a signal is produced.
3 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the signal generator comprises a turbine disposed within the bore and exposed to the drilling fluid.
4 . The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the flow guide is in communication with the processing unit so that in response to commands received from the processing unit, the flow guide alters an angle of attack of the drilling fluid across the turbine.
5 . The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the flow guide is in communication with the processing unit so that in response to commands received from the processing unit, the flow guide alters the flow of the drilling fluid across the turbine such that the turbine produces a signal.
6 . The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the signal generator comprises a rotary valve disposed within the bore, is located down stream from and in mechanical communication with the turbine, and exposed to the drilling fluid.
7 . The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the rotary valve comprises a stator plate and a rotor plate with each comprising a plurality of ports.
8 . The assembly of claim 7 , wherein as the rotor plate rotates around a center axis, the ports on the rotor plate and the ports on the stator plate align or misalign thus altering the flow of the drilling fluid such that a signal is produced.
9 . The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a signal sensor disposed within the bore and exposed to the drilling fluid and in communication with the processing unit.
10 . The assembly of claim 9 , wherein in response to a signal received by the signal sensor, the signal generator repeats the signal.
11 . The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of signal generators located within the drill string.
12 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flow guide is up stream and proximal to the signal generator.
13 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flow guide determines the frequency of the signal.
14 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flow guide determines the bandwidth of the signal.
15 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the signal is a sound wave.
16 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the signal is a pressure wave.
17 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flow guide comprises a plurality of flow blades.
18 . The assembly of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of flow blades is mechanically connected to a rotatable plate that moves the blades.