Apparatus and method for data transmission from a rotating control device
A rotating control device (RCD) for use with a drilling unit includes a body having a flange formed at an end thereof for coupling to the drilling unit; a seal assembly for receiving and sealing against a tubular; a bearing assembly for supporting rotation of the seal assembly relative to the body; a releasable connection connecting the bearing assembly to the body; a transmitting assembly rotatable with the seal assembly; and a receiving assembly attached to a non-rotating portion of the RCD.
1. A rotating control device (RCD) for use with a drilling unit, comprising:
a body having a flange formed at an end thereof for coupling to the drilling unit;
a seal assembly for receiving and sealing against a tubular;
a bearing assembly for supporting rotation of the seal assembly relative to the body;
a releasable connection connecting the bearing assembly to the body; and
a transmitting assembly rotatable with the seal assembly and having:
a sensing member for measuring one or more parameters selected from a group, consisting of: revolutions per minute (RPM) of the seal assembly, pressure, and temperature;
a transmitting antenna; and
a module operable to receive the parameters from the sensing member and to transmit the parameters as a wireless signal to a receiving assembly using the transmitting antenna; and
the receiving assembly attached to a non-rotating portion of the RCD and having:
a receiving antenna operable to receive the wireless signal; and
an electronic system in communication with the receiving antenna and operable to communicate the parameters to the drilling unit.
2. The RCD of claim 1 , wherein:
the seal assembly is a second seal assembly,
the RCD further comprises a first seal assembly,
the sensing member is in fluid communication with a pathway between the seal assemblies, and
one of the measured parameters is pressure between the seal assemblies.
3. The RCD of claim 1 , wherein one of the measured parameters is temperature of the bearing assembly.
4. The RCD of claim 1 ,
further comprising a rotating section for mounting the seal assembly to the bearing assembly,
wherein the transmitting assembly is coupled to the rotating section.
5. The RCD of claim 1 , wherein:
the transmitting antenna is single and located adjacent an inner surface of the body, and
the receiving antenna is single.
6. The RCD of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting assembly further comprises a battery.
7. The RCD of claim 1 , wherein:
the flange is an upper flange for coupling to a riser of the drilling unit, and
the body further has a lower flange for coupling to the riser.
8. A method for drilling a subsea wellbore using the RCD of claim 1 , comprising:
injecting drilling fluid down a drill string while rotating the drill string having a drill bit located at a bottom of the subsea wellbore,
wherein the RCD is engaged with drill pipe of the drill string, thereby diverting return fluid from the wellbore to an outlet of the RCD; and
monitoring the parameters while drilling the wellbore.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising using the parameters to predict failure of the RCD.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
the drill string extends into the subsea wellbore through a riser, and
the body is coupled to the riser.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
the subsea wellbore is drilled riserlessly, and
the body is coupled to a blowout preventer stack.
12. A rotating control device (RCD), comprising:
a body;
a seal assembly for receiving and sealing against a tubular;
a bearing assembly for supporting rotation of the seal assembly relative to the body;
a releasable connection connecting the bearing assembly to the body;
a transmitting assembly rotatable with the seal assembly and having:
a sensing member for measuring one or more parameters; and
a transmitter having an antenna and operable to transmit the one or more parameters as a wireless signal; and
a receiving assembly attached to a non-rotating portion of the RCD and having:
a receiver having an antenna and operable to receive the wireless signal.
13. The RCD of claim 12 , wherein the one or more parameters comprises revolution per minute of the seal assembly.
14. The RCD of claim 12 , wherein the one or more parameters comprises vibration.
15. The RCD of claim 12 , wherein the one or more parameters comprises at least one of temperature and pressure.
16. The RCD of claim 12 , further comprising an electronic system in communication with the receiver and operable to communicate the parameters to a drilling unit.
17. The RCD of claim 12 , wherein the wireless signal comprises a RF signal.