IP Library Granted Patent US 11,499,410
Granted Patent B2
US 11,499,410 · App. 17/018,133 · Granted Nov 15, 2022

Devices, systems, and methods for wireless data acquisition during drilling operations

Inventors: Christopher L. Drenth (Burlington, CA); Gordon Stewart (Perth, AU); Brett Wilkinson (Perth, AU); Raymond Hill (Perth, AU)
Assignees: LONGYEAR TM, INC.; GLOBALTECH CORPORATION PTY LTD
E21B44/00E21B25/00E21B47/06E21B47/13H04L67/125H04W4/38
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,499,410
App. No.
17/018,133
Granted
Nov 15, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drilling system can comprise a drill string having a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one drill rod and a wireless sub coupled to the at least one drill rod. The wireless sub can comprise processing circuitry that is configured to detect mechanical impulses of the drill string. The processing circuitry can be configured to wirelessly transmit signals indicative of the mechanical impulses to a remote computing device.

Claims (46)

1. A drilling system, comprising:

a drill string comprising:

at least one drill rod, the at least one drill rod comprising a proximal drill rod; and

at least one adapter operatively secured to the at least one drill rod, wherein the at least one adapter comprises a wireless sub that is operatively secured to the at least one drill rod proximally of the proximal drill rod, wherein the wireless sub defines an interior and comprises processing circuitry;

an inner tube assembly configured for positioning within the interior of the drill string, the inner tube assembly having processing circuitry, wherein the processing circuitry of the inner tube assembly is configured to detect mechanical impulses during drilling operations within a borehole and to wirelessly transmit signals indicative of the mechanical impulses to the processing circuitry of the wireless sub; and

a remote computing device, wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless sub is configured to wirelessly transmit signals indicative of the mechanical impulses to the remote computing device.

2. The drill string of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless sub comprises at least one accelerometer.

3. The drilling system of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless sub is configured to receive control signals from a remote device outside the borehole.

4. The drilling system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless sub comprises a power source positioned in electrical communication with the processing circuitry of the wireless sub.

5. The drilling system of claim 4 , wherein the power source of the wireless sub comprises a battery.

6. The drilling system of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless sub is configured to determine the occurrence of at least one drilling condition selected from the group consisting of: an inner tube landing position; an inner tube latch mechanism position; an inner tube fluid control valve position; drilling fluid flow; drilling pressure; a drill string load impulse; a fully worn drill bit; excessive down-hole vibration; a blocked sample within an inner tube; a full inner tube; a sticking inner tube bearing; a failing inner tube bearing; low bearing grease pressure; and high bearing grease pressure.

7. The drilling system of claim 6 , wherein the remote computing device comprises or is in communication with a database comprising at least one condition that is associated with at least one mechanical impulse signature, and wherein the remote computing device is configured to compare the mechanical impulses to the at least one mechanical impulse signature to determine an occurrence of the at least one drilling condition.

8. The drilling system of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless sub comprises at least one fluid pressure sensor that is configured to detect at least one drilling condition.

9. The drilling system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless sub cooperates with the at least one drill rod to define an interior of the drill string.

10. The drilling system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a drill bit; and

an outer tube assembly having a distal end that is operatively coupled to the drill bit, wherein the outer tube assembly comprises at least one outer tube.

11. The drilling system of claim 1 ,

wherein the inner tube assembly comprises a core barrel head assembly defining an interior cavity, and wherein the processing circuitry of the inner tube assembly is associated with the core barrel head assembly.

12. The drilling system of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry of the inner tube assembly of the drill string comprises an accelerometer.

13. The drilling system of claim 12 , wherein the processing circuitry of the inner tube assembly comprises an electro-mechanical impulse generator configured to send mechanical impulse signals to the processing circuitry of the wireless sub.

14. The drilling system of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless sub comprises an electro-mechanical impulse generator configured to send mechanical impulse signals to the processing circuitry of the inner tube assembly.

15. The drilling system of claim 1 , wherein the inner tube assembly comprises a power source positioned in electrical communication with the processing circuitry of the inner tube assembly.

16. The drilling system of claim 15 , wherein the power source of the inner tube assembly comprises a battery.

17. The drilling system of claim 16 , wherein the inner tube assembly comprises an electric generator that is electrically coupled to the battery.

18. The drilling system of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless sub is configured to determine the times at which mechanical impulse data is detected by the processing circuitry of the inner tube assembly.

19. The drilling system of claim 1 , further comprising a downhole sub that comprises processing circuitry that is configured to detect mechanical impulses of the drill string, wherein the downhole sub is in wireless communication with at least one of the wireless sub and the remote computing device.

20. The drilling system of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless sub comprises an ultrasonic transmitter that is configured to transmit ultrasonic signals corresponding to the detected mechanical impulses.

21. A drilling method, comprising:

conducting a drilling operation within a borehole using a drilling system, wherein the drilling system comprises:

a drill string comprising:

at least one drill rod, the at least one drill rod comprising a proximal drill rod; and

at least one adapter operatively secured to the at least one drill rod, wherein the at least one adapter comprises a wireless sub that is operatively secured to the at least one drill rod proximally of the proximal drill rod, wherein the wireless sub defines an interior and comprises processing circuitry;

an inner tube assembly positioned within the interior of the drill string, the inner tube assembly having processing circuitry, wherein the processing circuitry of the inner tube assembly detects mechanical impulses during drilling operations within a borehole and wirelessly transmits signals indicative of the mechanical impulses to the processing circuitry of the wireless sub; and

a remote computing device outside the borehole;

detecting mechanical impulses using the wireless sub; and

using the processing circuitry of the wireless sub to wirelessly transmit signals indicative of the mechanical impulses to the remote computing device.

22. The drilling method of claim 21 , wherein the wireless sub remains outside the borehole during the drilling operation.

23. A drilling system, comprising:

a drill string comprising:

at least one drill rod, the at least one drill rod comprising a proximal drill rod; and

at least one adapter operatively secured to the at least one drill rod, wherein the at least one adapter comprises a wireless sub that is operatively secured to the at least one drill rod proximally of the proximal drill rod, wherein the wireless sub defines an interior and comprises:

a foam body disposed within the interior and configured to displace air within the interior of the wireless sub; and

processing circuitry;

an inner tube assembly configured for positioning within the interior of the drill string, the inner tube assembly having processing circuitry, wherein the processing circuitry of the inner tube assembly is configured to detect mechanical impulses during drilling operations within a borehole and to wirelessly transmit signals indicative of the mechanical impulses to the processing circuitry of the wireless sub, and

wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless sub is configured to wirelessly transmit signals indicative of the mechanical impulses to a remote computing device.

Assignments (7)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE NAME OF THE FIRST RECEIVING PARTY'S NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 69601 FRAME: 976. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Feb 4, 2025
From: DRENTH, CHRISTOPHER L.; STEWART, GORDON; WILKINSON, BRETT; HILL, RAYMOND
To: LONGYEAR TM, INC.; GLOBALTECH CORPORATION PTY LTD
Reel/Frame 070110/0581 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2024
From: DRENTH, CHRISTOPHER L.; STEWART, GORDON; WILKINSON, BRETT; HILL, RAYMOND
To: VERACIO LTD.; GLOBALTECH CORPORATION PTY LTD.
Reel/Frame 069601/0976 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT R/F 057438/0059 Recorded Apr 11, 2024
From: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
To: BLY IP INC.
Reel/Frame 067097/0302 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 30, 2023
From: BOART LONGYEAR COMPANY
To: VERACIO LTD.
Reel/Frame 065727/0436 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2023
From: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
To: BOART LONGYEAR COMPANY
Reel/Frame 065708/0633 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 3, 2022
From: BLY IP INC.
To: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
Reel/Frame 061521/0337 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2021
From: BLY IP INC.
To: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
Reel/Frame 057438/0059 →