公开(公告)号：US5592438A

公开(公告)日：1997-01-07

申请号：US108958

申请日：1993-08-18

申请人： Louis H. Rorden ,  Ashok Patel ,  James V. Leggett, III ,  Frank L. Gibbons ,  Steven C. Owens

发明人： Louis H. Rorden ,  Ashok Patel ,  James V. Leggett, III ,  Frank L. Gibbons ,  Steven C. Owens

IPC分类号： E21B47/10 ,  E21B47/14 ,  E21B47/16 ,  E21B47/18 ,  G01V3/34 ,  G08C23/00 ,  G08C23/02 ,  G01V1/40

CPC分类号： E21B47/101 ,  E21B47/16 ,  E21B47/18 ,  E21B47/182 ,  E21B47/187 ,  G08C23/00 ,  G08C23/02 ,  G08C2201/51 ,  Y10S367/912

摘要： A transducer is described especially for use in providing acoustic transmission in a borehole. The transducer includes a multiple number of magnetic circuit gaps and electrical windings that have been found to provide the power necessary for acoustic operation in a borehole while still meeting the stringent dimensional criteria necessitated by boreholes. Various embodiments conforming to the design are described. Moreover, the invention includes transition and reflector sections, as well as a directional coupler and resonator arrangement particularly adapted for borehole acoustic communication.An acoustic communication system is described especially designed for use in providing acoustic transmission of information in a borehole. The communication system comprises a surface transceiver and at least one downhole transceiver. The surface transceiver operates in conjunction with a host computer that sends commands to the downhole transceiver. Subsequently, the downhole transceiver transmits encoded data from subsurface, borehole sensors to the surface transceiver. The preferred embodiment uses Minimum Shift Keying (MSK) modulation for both transmitting commands to the downhole unit and for transmitting data to the surface transceiver. To facilitate operation of a coherent communication system in the inhospitable environment of a borehole, the acoustic channel is characterized to enable the system to choose the best possible frequency and bandwidth for communication transmission. Additionally, the system achieves synchronous operation by transmitting synchronization signals between the downhole transceiver and the surface transceiver prior to the units exchanging commands and data.

摘要翻译： 传感器被特别描述用于在井眼中提供声学传播。 换能器包括多个磁路间隙和电绕组，已经发现它们提供了在钻孔中声学操作所必需的功率，同时仍然满足钻孔所需的严格尺寸标准。 描述符合设计的各种实施例。 此外，本发明包括转换和反射器部分，以及特别适用于井眼声通信的定向耦合器和谐振器装置。 描述了特别设计用于在井眼中提供信息的声传播的声学通信系统。 通信系统包括表面收发器和至少一个井下收发器。 地面收发机与向主机发送命令一起工作，向井下收发器发送命令。 随后，井下收发器将地下钻孔传感器的编码数据传输到地面收发器。 优选实施例使用最小移位键控（MSK）调制，用于向井下单元发送命令，并将数据发送到地面收发器。 为了方便在井眼不适宜的环境中的相干通信系统的操作，声通道的特征在于使系统能够选择用于通信传输的最佳可能的频率和带宽。 另外，在单元交换命令和数据之前，系统通过在井下收发器和地面收发器之间传输同步信号来实现同步操作。

公开(公告)号：US5850369A

公开(公告)日：1998-12-15

申请号：US779300

申请日：1997-01-06

申请人： Louis H. Rorden ,  Ashok Patel ,  James V. Leggett, III ,  Frank Lindsay Gibbons ,  Steven C. Owens

发明人： Louis H. Rorden ,  Ashok Patel ,  James V. Leggett, III ,  Frank Lindsay Gibbons ,  Steven C. Owens

IPC分类号： E21B47/10 ,  E21B47/14 ,  E21B47/16 ,  E21B47/18 ,  G01V3/34 ,  G08C23/00 ,  G08C23/02 ,  G01V1/40

CPC分类号： E21B47/101 ,  E21B47/16 ,  E21B47/18 ,  E21B47/182 ,  E21B47/187 ,  G08C23/00 ,  G08C23/02 ,  G08C2201/51 ,  Y10S367/912

摘要： A transducer is described especially for use in providing acoustic transmission in a borehole. The transducer includes a multiple number of magnetic circuit gaps and electrical windings that have been found to provide the power necessary for acoustic operation in a borehole while still meeting the stringent dimensional criteria necessitated by boreholes. Various embodiments conforming to the design are described. Moreover, the invention includes transition and reflector sections, as well as a directional coupler and resonator arrangement particularly adapted for borehole acoustic communication. An acoustic communication system is described especially designed for use in providing acoustic transmission of information in a borehole. The communication system comprises a surface transceiver and at least one downhole transceiver. The surface transceiver operates in conjunction with a host computer that sends commands to the downhole transceiver. Subsequently, the downhole transceiver transmits encoded data from subsurface, borehole sensors to the surface transceiver. The preferred embodiment uses Minimum Shift Keying (MSK) modulation for both transmitting commands to the downhole unit and for transmitting data to the surface transceiver. To facilitate operation of a coherent communication system in the inhospitable environment of a borehole, the acoustic channel is characterized to enable the system to choose the best possible frequency and bandwidth for communication transmission. Additionally, the system achieves synchronous operation by transmitting synchronization signals between the downhole transceiver and the surface transceiver prior to the units exchanging commands and data.

摘要翻译： 传感器被特别描述用于在井眼中提供声学传播。 换能器包括多个磁路间隙和电绕组，已经发现它们提供了在钻孔中声学操作所必需的功率，同时仍然满足钻孔所需的严格尺寸标准。 描述符合设计的各种实施例。 此外，本发明包括转换和反射器部分，以及特别适用于井眼声通信的定向耦合器和谐振器装置。 描述了特别设计用于在井眼中提供信息的声传播的声学通信系统。 通信系统包括表面收发器和至少一个井下收发器。 地面收发机与向主机发送命令一起工作，向井下收发器发送命令。 随后，井下收发器将地下钻孔传感器的编码数据传输到地面收发器。 优选实施例使用最小移位键控（MSK）调制，用于向井下单元发送命令，并将数据发送到地面收发器。 为了方便在井眼不适宜的环境中的相干通信系统的操作，声通道的特征在于使系统能够选择用于通信传输的最佳可能的频率和带宽。 另外，在单元交换命令和数据之前，系统通过在井下收发器和地面收发器之间传输同步信号来实现同步操作。

公开(公告)号：US06208586B1

公开(公告)日：2001-03-27

申请号：US09211727

申请日：1998-12-14

申请人： Louis H. Rorden ,  Ashok Patel ,  James V. Leggett, III ,  Frank Lindsay Gibbons ,  Steven C. Owens

发明人： Louis H. Rorden ,  Ashok Patel ,  James V. Leggett, III ,  Frank Lindsay Gibbons ,  Steven C. Owens

IPC分类号： G01V100

CPC分类号： E21B47/101 ,  E21B47/16 ,  E21B47/18 ,  E21B47/182 ,  E21B47/187 ,  G08C23/00 ,  G08C23/02 ,  G08C2201/51 ,  Y10S367/912

摘要： A transducer is described especially for use in providing acoustic transmission in a borehole. The transducer includes a multiple number of magnetic circuit gaps and electrical windings that have been found to provide the power necessary for acoustic operation in borehole while still meeting the stringent dimensional criteria necessitated by boreholes. Various embodiments conforming to the design are described. Moreover, the invention includes transition and reflector sections, as well as a directional coupler and resonator arrangement particularly adapted for borehole acoustic communication.

摘要翻译： 传感器被特别描述用于在井眼中提供声学传播。 传感器包括多个磁路间隙和电绕组，已经发现它们提供了在钻孔中声学操作所需的功率，同时仍然满足钻孔所需的严格尺寸标准。 描述符合设计的各种实施例。 此外，本发明包括转换和反射器部分，以及特别适用于井眼声通信的定向耦合器和谐振器装置。

公开(公告)号：US20160216393A1

公开(公告)日：2016-07-28

申请号：US14607615

申请日：2015-01-28

申请人： Quming Zhou ,  James V. Leggett, III

发明人： Quming Zhou ,  James V. Leggett, III

IPC分类号： G01V1/44

CPC分类号： G01V1/44 ,  E21B47/00

摘要： A method of performing acoustic imaging includes: selecting a target location, and selecting a group of transducers from a plurality of transducers to transmit an acoustic beam to be electronically directed to the target location; selecting a transmitter having an orientation toward a location proximate to the target location, and transmitting an acoustic signal only by the transmitter; detecting an acoustic return signal by the transmitter and by a plurality of other transducers in the group; estimating a travel time for each of the group of transducers, the estimating including measuring a travel time for each of the other transducers, and estimating a travel time for the transmitter based on the travel time for each of the other transducers; and calculating beamforming delays based on the travel time, the beamforming delay configured to cause the group of transducers to direct an acoustic beam to the target location.

摘要翻译： 执行声学成像的方法包括：选择目标位置，以及从多个换能器中选择一组换能器，以传送要被电子地指向目标位置的声束; 选择具有朝向靠近所述目标位置的位置的定向的发射机，以及仅由所述发射机发射声学信号; 通过发射器和组中的多个其它换能器检测声返回信号; 估计所述一组换能器中的每一个的行进时间，所述估计包括测量每个其它换能器的行驶时间，并且基于每个所述其它换能器的行进时间来估计所述发射机的行驶时间; 以及基于所述行进时间计算波束成形延迟，所述波束形成延迟被配置为使所述一组换能器将声束引导到所述目标位置。

公开(公告)号：US20120033528A1

公开(公告)日：2012-02-09

申请号：US13195694

申请日：2011-08-01

申请人： Jinsong Zhao ,  James V. Leggett, III

发明人： Jinsong Zhao ,  James V. Leggett, III

IPC分类号： G01V1/48

CPC分类号： E21B47/082 ,  G01V1/44 ,  G01V1/50

摘要： The present disclosure is related to apparatuses and methods for estimating borehole parameters using a plurality of reflections caused by a plurality of acoustic pulses. The reflections may overlap each other and/or the acoustic pulses. The methods may include estimating an envelope of the received acoustic signal at the at least one element of the array of transducers; and estimating at least one arrival time of at least one of the plurality of overlapping events from the envelope of the received acoustic signals, the arrival times being characteristic of the geometry of the borehole. The method may also include imaging the borehole wall. The apparatus may include an array of transducers on a rotatable transducer assembly with at least one element on the array configured to generate a plurality of acoustic pulses and receive reflections and a processor configured to perform the method.

摘要翻译： 本公开涉及使用由多个声脉冲引起的多个反射来估计钻孔参数的装置和方法。 反射可能彼此重叠和/或声脉冲。 所述方法可以包括估计在所述换能器阵列的所述至少一个元件处的所接收的声信号的包络; 以及从所接收的声学信号的包络估计所述多个重叠事件中的至少一个的至少一个到达时间，所述到达时间是所述钻孔的几何特征。 该方法还可以包括对钻孔壁进行成像。 该装置可以包括在可旋转换能器组件上的换能器阵列，阵列上的至少一个元件配置成产生多个声脉冲并接收反射，以及配置成执行该方法的处理器。

公开(公告)号：US06272434B1

公开(公告)日：2001-08-07

申请号：US09494955

申请日：2000-02-01

申请人： Macmillan H. Wisler ,  Wallace H. Meyer ,  Daniel Minette ,  Ronald deady ,  James V. Leggett, III ,  Herbert W. Beimgraben ,  Bernard G. Hubner

发明人： Macmillan H. Wisler ,  Wallace H. Meyer ,  Daniel Minette ,  Ronald deady ,  James V. Leggett, III ,  Herbert W. Beimgraben ,  Bernard G. Hubner

IPC分类号： G01V338

CPC分类号： E21B7/068 ,  E21B44/005 ,  E21B47/022 ,  E21B47/124 ,  G01V11/00

摘要： The present invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) system having a downhole computer and multiple downhole sensors. Relatively large amounts of basic or “raw” data are measured by downhole sensors, and these data are processed within a downhole computer to be reduced to parameters of interest, which may be utilized to control the drilling operation by downhole devices, stored downhole, telemetered to the surface, or both. The measurements may be correlated downhole with stored reference data thereby providing additional information pertaining to the drilling operation. Downhole depth correlation between downhole measured parameters may be made by utilizing surface determined or downhole determined borehole depth.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了具有井下计算机和多个井下传感器的钻井测量（MWD）系统。 相对大量的基础或“原始”数据由井下传感器测量，并且这些数据在井下计算机内进行处理，以减少到感兴趣的参数，这可以用于通过井下设备来控制钻井操作，储存在井下，遥测 到表面，或两者。 测量可以与存储的参考数据相关，从而提供与钻井操作有关的附加信息。 井下测量参数之间的井下深度相关性可以通过利用表面确定或井下确定的钻孔深度来进行。

公开(公告)号：US20150204993A1

公开(公告)日：2015-07-23

申请号：US14587251

申请日：2014-12-31

申请人： James V. Leggett, III ,  Roger R. Steinsiek ,  Wei Han ,  Kamalesh Chatterjee

发明人： James V. Leggett, III ,  Roger R. Steinsiek ,  Wei Han ,  Kamalesh Chatterjee

IPC分类号： G01V1/44 ,  E21B47/01 ,  G01V1/16

CPC分类号： E21B47/01 ,  B06B1/0207 ,  B06B2201/70 ,  E21B47/011 ,  E21B47/101 ,  G01V1/40

摘要： An acoustic transducer assembly includes: a carrier configured to be disposed in an earth formation, the carrier having a carrier axis; an array of transducer elements forming at least a semicircular shape, the array configured to emit acoustic signals in a radial direction relative to the carrier axis; and a circuit coupled to the array and configured to actuate a subset of the transducer elements and emit an acoustic beam therefrom, the circuit configured to actuate the subsets as a phased array to electronically rotate the acoustic beam about the carrier axis.

摘要翻译： 声学换能器组件包括：被配置为设置在地层中的载体，载体具有载体轴线; 形成至少半圆形的换能器元件的阵列，所述阵列被配置为相对于所述载体轴沿径向方向发射声信号; 以及耦合到所述阵列并且被配置为致动所述换能器元件的子集并且从其发射声束的电路，所述电路被配置为致动所述子集作为相控阵列以电子地绕所述载体轴线旋转所述声束。

公开(公告)号：US07301852B2

公开(公告)日：2007-11-27

申请号：US10640240

申请日：2003-08-13

申请人： James V. Leggett, III ,  Vladimir Dubinsky

发明人： James V. Leggett, III ,  Vladimir Dubinsky

IPC分类号： G01V1/40

CPC分类号： G01V1/44

摘要： The present invention provides a method and apparatus for using an acoustic logging tool conveyed in a borehole in an earth formation for determining a characteristic of the formation. The method comprises using a first acoustic source for generating an acoustic signal in the earth formation at a first frequency. A second acoustic source spaced apart from the first source is used for generating an acoustic signal in the earth formation at a second frequency different from the first frequency. An acoustic receiver is used for receiving a third acoustic signal indicative of said characteristic. The third acoustic signal has a frequency substantially equal to a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. The third acoustic signal is produced by a nonlinear interaction between the first signal and the second signal in a portion of said earth formation.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了一种用于使用在地层中的钻孔中输送的声学测井工具来确定地层特征的方法和装置。 该方法包括使用第一声源以在第一频率处产生地层中的声信号。 与第一源间隔开的第二声源用于以不同于第一频率的第二频率在地层中产生声信号。 声接收机用于接收指示所述特性的第三声信号。 第三声信号的频率基本上等于第一频率和第二频率之间的差。 第三声信号是在所述地层的一部分中由第一信号和第二信号之间的非线性相互作用产生的。

公开(公告)号：US6088294A

公开(公告)日：2000-07-11

申请号：US789230

申请日：1997-01-24

申请人： James V. Leggett, III ,  Vladimir Dubinsky ,  John W. Harrell ,  William Thomas Balogh ,  Paul J. G. Seaton ,  Andrew G. Brooks ,  Roger P. Herbert

发明人： James V. Leggett, III ,  Vladimir Dubinsky ,  John W. Harrell ,  William Thomas Balogh ,  Paul J. G. Seaton ,  Andrew G. Brooks ,  Roger P. Herbert

IPC分类号： E21B44/00 ,  G01V1/48 ,  G01V1/52 ,  G01V1/40

CPC分类号： E21B44/00 ,  E21B44/005 ,  G01V1/48 ,  G01V1/52 ,  G01V1/523

摘要： The present invention provides a system for drilling boreholes having a downhole subassembly which contains an acoustic measurement-while-drilling system. The acoustic system contains an acoustic transmitter and receiver for determining the acoustic velocity through the formations surrounding the borehole ad an acoustic transmitter and a set of receivers for determining the bed boundaries surrounding the borehole formation utilizing the acoustic velocities measured by the system. The downhole subassembly also contains a computing system which performs computations downhole and transmits certain answers uphole during the drilling operations. The bed boundary information is utilized to drill the wellbore along a desired wellbore path. The downhole computing system correlates the acoustic sensor measurements with other measurement-while-drilling measurements and transmits selected correlated information uphole. The downhole computing system contains predetermined well profile which is updated based on the bed boundary information. The system may be adapted to correct or update seismic data and offset well data based on acoustic sensor system measurements.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了一种用于钻孔的系统，其具有包含声学测量同时钻孔系统的井下子组件。 声学系统包含声发射器和接收器，用于确定通过钻孔周围的地层和声发射器和一组接收器的声速，用于利用系统测量的声速确定钻孔地层周围的床边界。 井下子组件还包含一个计算系统，它在井下执行计算，并在钻井作业期间将某些答案发送到井上。 床边界信息用于沿着期望的井眼路径钻井井。 井下计算系统将声学传感器测量与其他测量同时测量相关联，并将所选择的相关信息透视。 井下计算系统包含基于床边界信息而更新的预定井剖面。 该系统可以适于基于声传感器系统测量来校正或更新地震数据和偏移井数据。

公开(公告)号：US09103196B2

公开(公告)日：2015-08-11

申请号：US13195694

申请日：2011-08-01

申请人： Jinsong Zhao ,  James V. Leggett, III

发明人： Jinsong Zhao ,  James V. Leggett, III

IPC分类号： G01V1/38 ,  E21B47/08 ,  G01V1/50 ,  G01V1/44

CPC分类号： E21B47/082 ,  G01V1/44 ,  G01V1/50

摘要： The present disclosure is related to apparatuses and methods for estimating borehole parameters using a plurality of reflections caused by a plurality of acoustic pulses. The reflections may overlap each other and/or the acoustic pulses. The methods may include estimating an envelope of the received acoustic signal at the at least one element of the array of transducers; and estimating at least one arrival time of at least one of the plurality of overlapping events from the envelope of the received acoustic signals, the arrival times being characteristic of the geometry of the borehole. The method may also include imaging the borehole wall. The apparatus may include an array of transducers on a rotatable transducer assembly with at least one element on the array configured to generate a plurality of acoustic pulses and receive reflections and a processor configured to perform the method.

摘要翻译： 本公开涉及使用由多个声脉冲引起的多个反射来估计钻孔参数的装置和方法。 反射可能彼此重叠和/或声脉冲。 所述方法可以包括估计在所述换能器阵列的所述至少一个元件处的所接收的声信号的包络; 以及从所接收的声学信号的包络估计所述多个重叠事件中的至少一个的至少一个到达时间，所述到达时间是所述钻孔的几何特征。 该方法还可以包括对钻孔壁进行成像。 该装置可以包括在可旋转换能器组件上的换能器阵列，阵列上的至少一个元件配置成产生多个声脉冲并接收反射，以及配置成执行该方法的处理器。