Slide-on inductive coupler system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11417460-B2
Application number	US-201415034911-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 7, 2014
Priority date	Nov 8, 2013
Publication date	Aug 16, 2022
Grant date	Aug 16, 2022

Abstract

A technique facilitates use of an inductive coupler assembly with casing, e.g. well casing. An inductive coupler is formed as a female inductive coupler with an inductive coil. The inductive coupler is constructed for sliding movement along an exterior of the casing so that it may ultimately be positioned and secured at a suitable location along the casing. The inductive coupler is designed for connection with an electrical device, e.g. a sensor. The inductive coupler facilitates the transfer of sensor data and/or power signals across the casing. Signal transfer across the casing is further enabled by a male inductive coupler positioned within the casing at a location which allows it to cooperate with the exterior, female inductive coupler.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for use in a well, comprising:
a well casing having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
a male inductive coupler positioned at a desired interior location within the well casing along the interior surface, the male inductive coupler having:
a male inductive coupler body; and
a male inductive coupler coil mounted in the male inductive coupler body; and

a female inductive coupler sized to be slid onto the well casing and to slide along the exterior surface of the well casing until a bottom edge of the female inductive coupler is positioned against an abutment at a desired exterior location external to the well casing along the exterior surface, the female inductive coupler having:
an inner metal tube;
an outer metal tube; and
a female inductive coupler coil mounted radially between the inner metal tube and the outer metal tube;

the abutment comprising a casing coupling connected to the well casing and positioned such that the female inductive coupler coil is radially aligned with the male inductive coupler coil when the female inductive coupler is positioned against the abutment to enable inductive transfer of signals across the well casing, the abutment further comprising a spring positioned axially between the casing coupling and the female inductive coupler.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the male inductive coupler and the female inductive coupler cooperate to transmit telemetry data signals across the well casing.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the male inductive coupler and the female inductive coupler cooperate to transmit power signals across the well casing.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the male inductive coupler comprises a second male inductive coupler coil and the female inductive coupler comprises a second female inductive coupler coil radially aligned with the second male inductive coupler coil.

5. The system as recited in claim 4 , wherein the male inductive coupler and the female inductive coupler cooperate to transmit telemetry data signals and power signals across the well casing.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a sensor coupled to the female inductive coupler.

7. The system as recited in claim 6 , further comprising a protection device engaged with the female inductive coupler and positioned to protect the sensor.

8. A method of inductively transferring signals in a well environment, comprising:
locating a first inductive coil of a first inductive coupler along an interior of a well casing;
forming a second inductive coupler by:
placing a second inductive coil between spacers positioned at axial ends of the second inductive coil;
positioning a magnetic core around the second inductive coil; and
locating the second inductive coil and the magnetic core radially between an inner metallic tube and an outer metallic tube;

sliding the second inductive coil of the second inductive coupler onto the well casing;
moving the second inductive coupler along an exterior of the well casing until radially aligned with the first inductive coil;
coupling a sensor to the second inductive coupler; and
sliding a protective device onto the well casing and into engagement with an axial end of the second inductive coupler, the protective device comprising a sensor receiving cavity configured to receive and protect the sensor.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 , further comprising using the sensor to obtain data on parameters external to the casing; and inductively transferring the data from the second inductive coil, across the well casing, and to the first inductive coil.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising transferring power across the well casing between the first and second inductive coils to power the sensor positioned external to the well casing.

11. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein coupling comprises coupling the sensor to the second inductive coupler with a cable.

12. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein sliding comprises positioning the second inductive coupler by sliding the second inductive coupler into proximity with a casing coupling connected to the well casing.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 , further comprising forming each of the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil as a plurality of axially separated inductive coils.

14. The method as recited in claim 8 , further comprising securing the second inductive coupler and the protective device in place along the well casing via a casing coupling disposed about the well casing adjacent an axial end of the protective device opposite the second inductive coupler.

15. A method comprising:
forming a female inductive coupler with a coil and a magnetic core positioned axially between a pair of spacers and radially between a pair of metallic tubes;
sliding the female inductive coupler onto a casing and moving the female inductive coupler along an exterior of the casing until a bottom edge of the female inductive coupler contacts an abutment and further sliding motion of the female inductive coupler is blocked by the abutment; and
securing the female inductive coupler on the casing.

16. The method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising moving a male inductive coupler along an interior of the casing to a location radially inward of the position at which the female inductive coupler is secured on the casing.

17. The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein the abutment comprises a casing coupling and a spring positioned axially between the casing coupling and the female inductive coupler.

Assignees

• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Deville Benoit
• Dufour Yann

Classifications

• H02J50/10

  using inductive coupling · CPC title

• H01F2038/143

  for signals · CPC title

• H01F38/14 Primary

  Inductive couplings {(for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10)} · CPC title

• E21B17/0283

  characterised by the coupling being contactless, e.g. inductive · CPC title

• E21B47/01

  Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelines; Protecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like · CPC title