Deployment tool for well logging instruments conveyed through the interior of a pipe string

1. A deployment device for controlling rate of movement of an instrument inside a conduit, comprising:

a mandrel including a coupling to affix the deployment device to the instrument; and

a controllable brake disposed in the mandrel, the brake controllably actuatable to maintain the mandrel and the instrument at a selected speed within the conduit, wherein the brake comprises at least one wheel urged into frictional contact with an inner wall of the conduit, the wheel operatively coupled to a motor, and wherein the at least one wheel is magnetically permeable and the motor comprises an induction coil proximate the wheel and coupled to a motor driver, the motor driver configured to apply alternating current to the induction coil such that rotation of the wheel is impeded by regenerative braking.

2. The deployment device of claim 1 wherein electrical power produced by the regenerative braking is conducted to a battery disposed in the mandrel.

3. The deployment device of claim 1 wherein the motor driver is configured to apply alternating current to the induction coil so as to cause the wheel to provide driving force to the mandrel.

4. The deployment device of claim 1 wherein the wheel is urged into contact with the inner wall by a biasing device.

5. The deployment device of claim 4 wherein the biasing device comprises a bow spring.

6. The deployment device of claim 1 wherein the motor comprises an hydraulic motor in selective hydraulic communication with an accumulator.

7. The deployment device of claim 1 further comprising a selectable pitch turbine and a flow diverter associated with the turbine such that fluid flow past the mandrel as the deployment device is moved in the conduit is modified by the turbine.

8. The deployment device of claim 7 further comprising an electrical generator rotatably coupled to the turbine.

9. The deployment device of claim 1 further comprising a controller in signal communication with the motor driver and a motion responsive sensor, the sensor providing signals corresponding to motion of the deployment device, the controller configured to maintain a selected speed of motion in response to signals from the motion responsive sensor.

10. The deployment device of claim 9 wherein the motion responsive sensor comprises an accelerometer.

11. The deployment device of claim 1 wherein the motor is rotationally coupled by gearing to the at least one wheel.

12. A deployment device for a well logging instrument disposed in a conduit, comprising:

a mandrel including a coupling to affix the deployment device to the instrument; and

a drive mechanism disposed in the mandrel, the drive mechanism including at least one traction wheel urged into contact with an interior wall of the conduit by a biasing device, the drive mechanism including a motor arranged to rotate the at least one traction wheel to provide motive power to the mandrel, the motor comprising an induction coil proximate the traction wheel and the traction wheel is made from a magnetically permeable material, the motor operably coupled to a motor driver arranged to conduct alternating current through the induction coil, whereby the wheel functions as a rotor in an induction motor.

13. The deployment device of claim 12 wherein the motor comprises a gear coupling to the at least one traction wheel.

14. The deployment device of claim 13 wherein the gear coupling comprises a ring gear disposed on the at least one traction wheel.

15. The deployment device of claim 12 wherein the motor driver is configured to conduct alternating current through the induction coil so as to cause the traction wheel to exert regenerative braking force on the mandrel.

16. The deployment device of claim 12 wherein the biasing device comprises a bow spring.

17. The deployment device of claim 12 further comprising a brake, the brake including a selectable pitch turbine and a flow diverter associated with the turbine such that fluid flow past the mandrel as the deployment device is moved in the conduit is modified by the turbine.

18. The deployment device of claim 17 further comprising an electrical generator rotatably coupled to the turbine.

19. The deployment device of claim 12 further comprising:

a controller in signal communication with the motor driver; and

a motion responsive sensor arranged to provide signals corresponding to motion of the deployment device, the controller configured to maintain a selected speed of motion in response to signals from the motion responsive sensor.

20. A deployment device for controlling rate of movement of an instrument inside a conduit, comprising:

a mandrel including a coupling to affix the deployment device to the instrument; and

a controllable brake disposed in the mandrel, the brake controllably actuatable to maintain the mandrel and the instrument at a selected speed within the conduit, wherein the brake comprises a motor rotationally coupled by gearing to at least one wheel in frictional contact with an inner wall of the conduit.

21. The deployment device of claim 20 wherein the wheel is urged into contact with the inner wall by a biasing device.

22. The deployment device of claim 21 wherein the biasing device comprises a bow spring.

23. The deployment device of claim 20 wherein the motor comprises an hydraulic motor in selective hydraulic communication with an accumulator.

24. The deployment device of claim 20 further comprising a controller in signal communication with the motor driver and a motion responsive sensor, the sensor providing signals corresponding to motion of the deployment device, the controller configured to maintain a selected speed of motion in response to signals from the motion responsive sensor.

25. The deployment device of claim 24 wherein the motion responsive sensor comprises an accelerometer.

26. A deployment device for controlling rate of movement of an instrument inside a conduit, comprising:

a mandrel including a coupling to affix the deployment device to the instrument; and

a controllable brake disposed in the mandrel, the brake controllably actuatable to maintain the mandrel and the instrument at a selected speed within the conduit, wherein the brake comprises a selectable pitch turbine and a flow diverter associated with the turbine such that fluid flow past the mandrel as the deployment device is moved in the conduit is modified by the turbine.

27. The deployment device of claim 26 further comprising an electrical generator rotatably coupled to the turbine.

28. The deployment device of claim 26 further comprising a controller in signal communication with a pitch controller and a motion responsive sensor, the sensor providing signals corresponding to motion of the deployment device, the pitch controller configured to change turbine pitch to maintain a selected speed of motion in response to signals from the motion responsive sensor.

29. The deployment device of claim 28 wherein the motion responsive sensor comprises an accelerometer.