US007347278B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 7,347,278 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`Lerche et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Mar. 25, 2008
`
`(54) SECURE ACTIVATION OF A DOWNHOLE
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(75)
`
`DEVICE
`Inventors: Nolan C. Lerche, Stafford, TX (US);
`James E- Brooks, ManVeL TX (US);
`Choon Fei Wong, Sugar Land, TX
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Schlumberger Technology
`Corporation, Sugar Land, TX (US)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,655,619 A
`10/1953 Neal
`3,181,463 A
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`.
`(Continued)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 179 days.
`(21) Appl. No.. 10/928,856
`(22)
`Flled:
`Aug. 27’ 2004
`,
`,
`,
`Prlor Publication Data
`
`(65)
`
`EP
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0 029 671 131
`9/1983
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Lieberman, M. L.; “CP DDT Detonators: 11. Output Characteriza-
`tion”; Sandia National Laboratories;, Report SAND: 83-1893C;
`Albuquerque, New Mexico; pp. 3-17, 1984.
`
`US 2005/0045331 A1
`
`Mar. 3, 2005
`
`(Continued)
`
`Related US. Application Data
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`(63) Continuation-m-part of application No. 10/076,993,
`filed on Feb. 15, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part
`ofapplication No. 09/997,021, filed on Nov. 28, 2001,
`now Pat. No. 6,938,689, which is a continuation-in-
`part of application No. 09/1795507, filed on Oct. 27,
`1998 now Pat. No. 6 283 227.
`’
`’
`’
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/498,729, filed on Aug.
`28, 2003.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`E213 43/116
`(52) US. Cl.
`...................................... 175/455; 102/215
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ 166/297,
`166/66, 250.01, 55.1, 381, 65.1, 72; 175/454,
`175/455; 102/215, 217; 361/249
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`16
`
`17
`
`fi‘
`
`
`»A
`
`I4
`"I\\"I\\"I\\"I\\"I\\:\qfl
`
`
`§\\VI\\VI\\VI\\VI\\V ‘
`14
`
`Primary Examinerisunil Singh
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiTrop, Pruner & Hu, RC;
`Kevin Brayton McGoiT; Bryan P. Galloway
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`.
`.
`A system includes a well tool for deployment in a well, a
`controller, and a link coupled between the controller and the
`well tool. The well tool comprises plural control units, each
`of the plural control units having a microprocessor and an
`initiator coupled to the microprocessor. Each microproces-
`sor is adapted to communicate bi-directionally with the
`controller. The controller is adapted to send a plurality of
`activation commands to respective microprocessors to acti-
`vate the respective control units. Each activation command
`containing a unique identifier cone5p0nding to a reSPective
`control unit.
`
`17 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 001
`
`24.4
`
`248
`
`11—
`
`8‘
`
`Non
`
`24D
`Na
`
`f .
`
`
`
` 240
`
`
`
`(V\4‘\&.‘\\\\\\’<§\4\\\‘ia‘s\is‘
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7/‘1/1/4
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`
`?
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 001
`
`

`

`US 7,347,278 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,640,224 A
`3,640,225 A
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`
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`4,886,126 A
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`5/2002 Farrant et al.
`2002/0088620 A1
`7/2002 Lerche et al.
`
`.............. 73/152.18
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`0386860 B1
`
`12/1993
`
`EP
`EP
`GB
`GB
`GB
`
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`SU
`W0
`W0
`W0
`W0
`WO
`W0
`
`0 601 880 A2
`0604694 A1
`677824
`693164
`1555390 A
`
`2118282 A
`2190730 A
`2226872 A
`2265209 A
`2290855 A
`2352261 A
`2366817 A
`1265672
`WO 95/19489 Al
`W0 96/23195 A1
`W0 97/45696 A1
`WO 98/38470 Al
`00/20820 A2
`W002/061461 A2
`
`6/ 1994
`7/1994
`8/1952
`6/1953
`11/1979
`
`10/1983
`11/1987
`7/1990
`9/1993
`1/1996
`1/2001
`3/2002
`10/1986
`7/1995
`8/1996
`12/1997
`9/1998
`4/2000
`8/2002
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`_
`_
`Dmegera R~H~é “ngh'TemPemmre'Stable DetonatorS”é 12th Sym-
`posium on Explosives and Pyrotechnics, San Diego, California,
`Mar. 13-15, 1984; Los Alamos National Laboratory; pp. 4-1 through
`4:4
`_
`L1ndemuth,
`I. R.; Brownell, J.H.; Greene, A.E.; N1ckel, G.H.;
`Oliphant, TA; and Weiss, D.L. with the Thermonuclear Applica-
`tions Group, Applied Theoretical Physics Division and Hemsing,
`W.F. and Garcia, LA. with the Detonation Systems Group, Dynamic
`Testing Division; “Exploding Metallic Foils for Slapper, Fuse, and
`Hot Plasma Applications: Computational Predictions, Experimental
`Observations”; Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New
`MeXICOs PP~ 299-305, undated
`Stroud, J.R.; “A New K1nd of DetonatoriThe Slapper”; Paper
`prepared for the Annual Meeting of the Fuze Section, Ammunition
`Technology Division, American Defense preparedness Association,
`Feb. 27, 1976; Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, University of
`California, Livermore, California, pp. 1 through 10.
`“New Developments in the Field of Firing Techniques” by K.
`Ziegler Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics 12, 115-120 (1987).
`“Application of Slapper Detonator Technology to the Design of
`Special Detonation Systems,” by W. H. Meyers Proc. 12.sup.th
`Symposium on Explosives and Pyrotechnics, San Diego, California,
`Mar. 13-15, 1984, Detonation Systems Development, Franklin
`Research Center Div, Philadelphia PA00, pp. 4-5 through 4-19.
`“Flyer Plate Motion and Its Deformation During Flight,” by H. S.
`Yadav and N. K. Gupta Int. J. Impact Engng, vol. 7, No. 1, 1988,
`W 71-83
`_
`“Mossbauer Study of Shock-Induced Effects 1n the Ordered Alloy
`Fe.sub.50 Ni.sub.50 In Meteorites,” By R. B. Scorzelli,
`I. S.
`Azevedo, J. Danon and Marc A. Meyers J. Phys. F: Met. Phys. 17
`(1980,1311 1993-1997~
`_
`_
`“Effect of Shock-Stres Duratlon on the Res1dual Structure and
`Hardness of Nickel, Chromel, and Inconel,” by L. E. Murr and
`Jong-Yuh Huang Materials Science and Engineering, 19 (1975), pp.
`115-122. Critical Energy Criterion for the Shock Initiation of
`Explosives by Projectile Impact, by H. R. James Propellants,
`Explosives, Pyrotechnics 13, (1988), pp. 35-41.
`“A Low-Energy Flying Plate Detonator,” by A. K. Jacobson Sandia
`National Laboratories Report, SAND 81-0487C, Albuquerque, New
`MeXICOs 1981, PP 49-1 through 49-20
`“Sequent1al Perforatlons 1n Boreholes,” by H. Lechen ANTARES
`Datefisysteme GmbHa Jan 1998;
`_
`_
`“A Slmple Method for Est1mat1ng Well Product1v1ty,” by J. E.
`Brooks. SPE European Formation Damage Conference, The Hague,
`The Netherlands, Jun 2-3. 1997~
`Translation of Russian Oflicial Action from counterpart application,
`pp. 1-7, dated Mar. 27, 2006 (citing SU 1265672).
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 002
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 25, 2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 7,347,278 B2
`
`FIG. 1
`
`19
`
`K '
`
`‘7-
`
`V \
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`h I I
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` 28A
`
`?v,kr/ers\.../\kr/\K?\.\.n,\\,r/\kr/\\
`
`1 OD
`
`100
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 003
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 25, 2008
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 7,347,278 B2
`
`o:
`
`mxm
`
`So.55
`
`.55
`
`19:26
`
`
`
`ImmmmmooEomosEma”.
`
`5&8
`
`mm>>on_ mm“:
`
`”N
`
`«‘mow
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 004
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 004
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 25, 2008
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 7,347,278 B2
`
`FIG. 3
`
`
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 005
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 25, 2008
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 7,347,278 B2
`
`FIG. 4
`
`SEND WAKE UP POWER
`TO SAFETY SUB
`
`
`
`302
`
`SAFETY SUB RESPONDS
`WITH STATUS #1
`
`
`
`304
`
`
`
`SURFACE CONTROLLER
`SENDS W/L ON COMMAND
`TO SAFETY SUB
`
`306
`
`FIRST TOOL SUB RESPONDS
`WITH STATUS #1
`
`
`
` 308
`
`
`
`SURFACE CONTROLLER
`SENDS W/L ON COMMAND
`TO FIRST TOOL SUB
`
`310
`
`SECOND TOOL SUB RESPONDS
`WITH STATUS #1 (AND
`OPTIONALLY ENVIRONMENT
`& TOOL INFORMATION)
`
`312
`
`SURFACE CONTROLLER SENDS
`ARM & ENABLE COMMANDS
`TO SECOND TOOL SUB
`
`
`
`
`
`314
`
`SURFACE CONTROLLER
`ELEVATES CABLE VOLTAGE
`
`316
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 006
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 006
`
`

`

`1
`
`2
`
`US 7,347,278 B2
`
`SECURE ACTIVATION OF A DOWNHOLE
`DEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/076,993,
`filed Feb. 15, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`Ser. No. 09/997,021, filed Nov. 28, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.
`6,938,689, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.
`09/179,507, filed Oct. 27, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,
`227.
`
`This application also claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
`§ 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/498,
`729, entitled, “Firing System for Downhole Devices,” filed
`Aug. 28, 2003.
`Each of the referenced applications is hereby incorporated
`by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The invention relates generally to secure activation of
`well tools.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Many different types of operations can be performed in a
`wellbore. Examples of such operations include firing guns to
`create perforations, setting packers, opening and closing
`valves, collecting measurements made by sensors, and so
`forth. In a typical well operation, a tool is run into a wellbore
`to a desired depth, with the tool being activated thereafter by
`some mechanism, e.g., hydraulic pressure activation, elec-
`trical activation, mechanical activation, and so forth.
`In some cases, activation of downhole tools creates safety
`concerns. This is especially true for tools that
`include
`explosive devices, such as perforating tools. To avoid acci-
`dental detonation of explosive devices in such tools, the
`tools are typically transferred to the well site in an unarmed
`condition, with the arming performed at the well site. Also,
`there are safety precautions taken at the well site to ensure
`that the explosive devices are not detonated prematurely.
`Another safety concern that exists at a well site is the use
`of wireless devices, especially radio frequency (RF),
`devices, which may inadvertently activate certain types of
`explosive devices. As a result, wireless devices are usually
`not allowed at a well site, thereby limiting communications
`options that are available to well operators. Yet another
`concern associated with using explosive devices at a well
`site is the presence of stray voltages that may inadvertently
`detonate explosive devices.
`A further safety concern with explosive devices is that
`they may fall into the wrong hands. Such explosive devices
`pose great danger to persons who do not know how to handle
`the explosive devices or who want to maliciously use the
`explosive devices to harm others.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In general, methods and apparatus provide more secure
`communications with well tools. For example, a system
`includes a well tool for deployment in a well, a controller,
`and a link coupled between the controller and the well tool.
`The well tool includes plural control units, each of the plural
`control units having a microprocessor and an initiator
`coupled to the microprocessor. Each microprocessor is
`adapted to communicate bi-directionally with the controller.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`The controller is adapted to send a plurality of activation
`commands to respective microprocessors to activate the
`respective control units. Each activation command contains
`a unique identifier corresponding to a respective control
`unit.
`
`Other or alternative features will become apparent from
`the following description, from the drawings, and from the
`claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example arrangement of
`a surface unit and a downhole well tool that incorporates an
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit used in the well
`tool of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment.
`FIG. 3 illustrates an integrated control unit, according to
`an embodiment.
`
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process of activating the well
`tool according to an embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`In the following description, numerous details are set
`forth to provide an understanding of the present invention.
`However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
`the present invention may be practiced without these details
`and that numerous variations or modifications from the
`
`described embodiments may be possible.
`As used here, the terms “up” and “down , upper” and
`“lower”; “upwardly” and downwardly”; “upstream” and
`“downstream”; “above” and “below”; and other like terms
`indicating relative positions above or below a given point or
`element are used in this description to more clearly describe
`some embodiments of the invention. However, when applied
`to equipment and methods for use in wells that are deviated
`or horizontal, such terms may refer to a left to right, right to
`left, or other relationship as appropriate.
`Referring to FIG. 1, a system according to one embodi-
`ment includes a surface unit 16 that is coupled by cable 14
`(e.g., a wireline) to a tool 11. The cable 14 includes one or
`more electrical conductor wires. In a different embodiment,
`the cable 14 can include fiber optic lines, either in place of
`the electrical conductor wires or in addition to the electrical
`
`conductor wires. The cable 14 conveys the tool 11 into a
`wellbore 12.
`
`In the example shown in FIG. 1, the tool 11 is a tool for
`use in a well. For example,
`the tool 11 can include a
`perforating tool or other tool containing explosive devices,
`such as pipe cutters and the like. In other embodiments,
`other types of tools can be used for performing other types
`of operations in a well. For example, such other types of
`tools include tools for setting packers, opening or closing
`valves, logging, taking measurements, core sampling, and so
`forth.
`
`In the example shown in FIG. 1, the tool 11 includes a
`safety sub 10A and tool subs 10B, 10C, 10D. Although three
`tool subs 10B, 10C, 10D are depicted in FIG. 1, other
`implementations can use a different number of tool subs.
`The safety sub 10A includes a control unit 18A, and the tool
`subs 10B, 10C, 10D include control units 18B, 18C, 18D,
`respectively. Each of the tool subs 10B, 10C, 10D can be a
`perforating gun, in one example implementation. Altema-
`tively, the tool subs 10B, 10C, 10D can be different types of
`devices that include explosive devices.
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 007
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 007
`
`

`

`US 7,347,278 B2
`
`3
`The control units 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D are coupled to
`switches 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, respectively, and 28A, 28B,
`28C, 28D, respectively. The switches 28A-28D are cable
`switches that are controllable by the control units 18A-18D,
`respectively, between on and off positions to enable or
`disable electrical current flow through portions of the cable
`14. When the switch 28 is off (also referred to as “open”),
`then the portion of the cable 14 below the switch 24 is
`isolated from the portion of the cable 14 above the switch 24.
`The switches 24A-24D are initiator switches.
`
`Although reference is made primarily to electrical
`switches in the embodiments described,
`it
`is noted that
`optical switches can be substituted for such electrical
`switches in other embodiments.
`
`In the safety sub 10A, the initiator switch 24A is not
`connected to a detonating device or initiator. However, in the
`tool subs 10B, 10C, 10D, the initiator switches 24B, 24C,
`24D are connected to respective detonating devices or
`initiators 26. If activated to an on (also referred to as
`“closed”) position, an initiator switch 24 allows electrical
`current to flow to a coupled detonating device or initiator 26
`to activate the detonating device. The detonating devices or
`initiators 26 are ballistically coupled to explosive devices,
`such as shaped charges or other explosives,
`to perform
`perforating or another downhole operation. In the ensuing
`discussion, the terms “detonating device” and “initiator” are
`used interchangeably.
`As noted above, the safety sub 10A provides a convenient
`mechanism for connecting the tool 11 to the cable 14. This
`is because the safety sub 10A does not include a detonating
`device 26 or any other explosive, and thus does not pose a
`safety hazard. The switch 28A of the safety sub 10A is
`initially in the open position, so that all guns of the tool 11
`are electrically isolated from the cable 14 by the safety sub
`10A. Because of this feature, electrically arming of the tool
`11 does not occur until the tool 11 is positioned downhole
`and the switch 28A is closed. In the electrical context, the
`safety sub 10A can provide electrical isolation to prevent
`arming of the tool 11.
`Another feature allowed by the safety sub 10A is that the
`tool subs 10B, 10C, 10D (such as guns) can be pre-armed
`(by connecting each detonating device 26) during transport
`or other handling of the tool 11. Thus, even though the tool
`11 is transported ballistically armed, the open switch 28A of
`the safety sub 10A electrically isolates the tool subs 10B,
`10C, 10D from any activation signal during transport or
`other handling.
`The safety sub 10A differs from the tool subs 10B, 10C,
`10D in that the safety sub 10A does not include explosive
`devices that are present in the tool subs 10B, 10C, 10D. The
`safety sub 10A is thus effectively a “dummy assembly.” A
`dummy assembly is a sub that mimics other tool subs but
`does not include an explosive.
`The safety sub 10A serves one of several purposes,
`including providing a quick connection of the tool 11 to the
`cable 14. Additionally, the safety sub 10A allows arming of
`the tool 11 downhole instead of the surface. Because the
`
`safety sub 10A does not include explosive devices, it pro-
`vides isolation (electrical) between the cable 14 and the tool
`subs 10B, 10C, 10D so that activation (electrical) of the tool
`subs 10B, 10C, 10D is disabled until the safety sub 10A has
`been activated to close an electrical connection.
`
`The safety sub 10A effectively isolates “signaling” on the
`cable 14 from the tool subs 10B, 10C, 10D until the safety
`sub 10A has been activated. “Signaling” refers to power
`and/or control signals (electrical) on the cable 14.
`
`4
`In accordance with some embodiments of the invention,
`the control units 18A-18D are able to communicate over the
`cable 14 with a controller 17 in the surface unit 16. For
`
`5
`
`the controller 17 can be a computer or other
`example,
`control module.
`
`Each control unit 18A-18D includes a microprocessor that
`is capable of performing bi-directional communication with
`the controller 17 in the surface unit 16. The microprocessor
`(in combination with other isolation circuitry in each control
`unit 18) enables isolation of signaling (power and/or control
`signals) on the cable 14 from the detonating device 26
`associated with the control unit 18. Before signaling on the
`cable 14 can be connected (electrically) to the detonating
`device 26,
`the microprocessor has to first establish bi-
`directional communication with the controller 17 in the
`surface unit 16.
`The bi-directional communication can be coded commu-
`
`nication, in which messages are encoded using a predeter-
`mined coding algorithm. Coding the messages exchanged
`between the surface controller 17 and the microprocessors in
`the control units 18 provides another layer of security to
`prevent inadvertent activation of explosive devices.
`Also,
`the microprocessor 100 can be programmed to
`accept only signaling of a predetermined communication
`protocol such that signaling that does not conform to such a
`communication protocol would not cause the microproces-
`sor 100 to issue a command to activate the detonating device
`26.
`
`Moreover, according to some embodiments, the micro-
`processor in each control unit is assigned a unique identifier.
`In one embodiment, the unique identifier is pre-programmed
`before deployment of the tool into the wellbore 12. Pre-
`programming entails writing the unique identifier into non-
`volatile memory accessible by the microprocessor. The
`non-volatile memory can either be in the microprocessor
`itself or external to the microprocessor. Pre-programming
`the microprocessors with unique identifiers provides the
`benefit of not having to perform programming after deploy-
`ment of the tool 11 into the wellbore 12.
`
`In a different embodiment, the identifiers can be dynami-
`cally assigned to the microprocessors. For example, after
`deployment of the tool 11 into the wellbore 12, the surface
`controller 12 can send assignment messages over the cable
`14 to the control units such that unique identifiers are written
`to storage locations accessible by the microprocessors.
`FIG. 2 shows a sub in greater detail. Note that the sub 10
`depicted in FIG. 2 includes a detonating device 26; there-
`fore, the sub 10 depicted in FIG. 2 is one of the tool subs
`10B, 10C, and 10D. However, if the sub 10 is a safety sub,
`then the detonating device 26 would either be omitted or
`replaced with a dummy device (without an explosive).
`The control unit 18 includes a microprocessor 100 (the
`microprocessor discussed above), a transmitter 104, and a
`receiver 102. Power to the control unit 18 is provided by a
`power supply 106. The power supply 106 outputs supply
`voltages to the various components of the control unit 18.
`The cable 14 (FIG. 1) is made up oftwo wires 108A, 108B.
`The wire 108A is connected to the cable switch 28. In a
`
`different embodiment, the power supply 106 can be omitted,
`with power supplied from the well surface.
`When transmitting, the transmitter 104 modulates signals
`over the wire 108B to carry desired messages to the well
`surface or to another component. The receiver 102 also
`receives signaling over the wire 108B.
`The microprocessor 100 can be a general purpose, pro-
`grammable integrated circuit (IC) microprocessor, an appli-
`cation-specific integrated circuit, a programmable gate array
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`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 008
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 008
`
`

`

`US 7,347,278 B2
`
`5
`or other similar control device. As noted above, the micro-
`processor 100 is assigned and identified with a unique
`identifier, such as an address, a numerical identifier, and so
`forth. Using such identifiers allows commands to be sent to
`a microprocessor 100 within a specific control unit 18
`selected from among the plurality of control units 18. In this
`manner, selective operation of a selected one of the control
`units 18 is possible.
`The receiver 102 receives signals from surface compo-
`nents, where such signals can be in the form of frequency
`shift keying (FSK) signals. The received signals are sent to
`the microprocessor 100 for processing. The receiver 100
`may, in one embodiment, include a capacitor coupled to the
`wireline 108B of the cable 14. Before sending a received
`signal to the microprocessor 100,
`the receiver 102 may
`translate the signal
`to a transistor-transistor logic (TTL)
`output signal or other appropriate output signal that can be
`detected by the microprocessor 100.
`The transmitter 100 transmits signals generated by the
`microprocessor 100 to surface components. Such signals
`may, for example, be in the form of current pulses (e.g., 10
`milliamp current pulses). The receiver 102 and transmitter
`104 allow bi-directional communication between the surface
`
`and the downhole components.
`The initiator switch 24 depicted in FIG. 1 can be con-
`nected to a multiplier 110, as depicted in FIG. 2. The initiator
`switch 24, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, is implemented as
`a field effect transistor (FET). The gate of the FET 24 is
`connected to an output signal of the microprocessor 100.
`When the gate of the FET 24 is high, the FET 24 pulls an
`input voltage Vin to the multiplier 110 to a low state to
`disable the multiplier 110. Alternatively, when the gate of the
`FET 24 is low, the input voltage Vin is unimpeded, thereby
`allowing the multiplier to operate. A resistor or resistors 112
`is connected between Vin and the electrical wire 108B of the
`
`cable 14. In a different embodiment, instead of using the
`FET, other types of switch devices can be used for the switch
`24.
`
`The multiplier 110 is a charge pump that takes the input
`voltage Vin and steps it up to a higher voltage in general by
`pulsing the receied voltage into a ladder multiplier. The
`higher voltage is used by the initiator 26. In one embodi-
`ment, the multiplier 24 includes diodes and capacitors. The
`circuit uses cascading elements to increase the voltage. The
`voltage, for example, can be increased to four times its input
`value.
`
`Initially, before activation, the input Vin to the multiplier
`24 is grounded by the switch 24 such that no voltage
`transmission is possible through the multiplier 110. To
`enable the multiplier 110, the microprocessor 100 sends an
`activation signal to the switch 24 to change the state of the
`switch 24 from the on state to the off state, which allows the
`multiplier to process the voltage Vin. In other embodiments,
`the multiplier 110 can be omitted, with a sufficient voltage
`level provided from the well surface.
`The initiator 26 accumulates energy from the voltage
`generated by the multiplier 110. Such energy may be accu-
`mulated and stored, for example, in a capacitor, although
`other energy sources can be used in other embodiments. In
`one embodiment, such a capacitor is part of a capacitor
`discharge unit (CDU), which delivers stored energy rapidly
`to an ignition source. The ignition source may be an explod-
`ing foil initiator (EFI), an exploding bridge wire (EBW), a
`semiconductor bridge (SCB), or a “hot wire.” The ignition
`source is part of the initiator 26. However, in a different
`implementation, the ignition source can be part of a separate
`element. In the case of an EFI, the rapid electrical discharge
`
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`6
`causes a bridge to rapidly change to a plasma and generate
`a high pressure gas, thereby causing a “flyer” (e.g., a plastic
`flyer) to accelerate and impact a secondary explosive 116 to
`cause detonation thereof.
`
`The sub 10 also includes a sensor 114 (or plural sensors),
`which is coupled (electrically or optically) to the micropro-
`cessor 100. The sensor(s) measure(s) such wellbore envi-
`ronment information or tool information as pressure, tem-
`perature, tilt of the tool sub, and so forth. The wellbore
`environment information or wellbore information is com-
`
`municated by the microprocessor 100 over the cable 14 to
`the surface controller 17. This enables the surface controller
`
`17 or well operator to make a decision regarding whether
`activation of the tool sub should occur. For example, if the
`wellbore environment
`is not at
`the proper pressure or
`temperature, or the tool is not at the proper tilt or other
`position, then the surface controller 17 or well operator may
`decide not to perform activation of the tool sub.
`The control unit 18 also incorporates a resistor-capacitor
`(R-C) circuit that provides radio frequency (RF) protection.
`The R-C circuit also switches out the capacitor component
`to allow low-power
`(e.g.,
`low-signal) communication.
`Moreover,
`the low-power communication is enabled by
`integrating the components of the control unit 18 onto a
`common support structure to thereby provide a smaller
`package. The smaller packaging provides low-power opera-
`tion, as well as safer transportation and operation.
`FIG. 3 shows integration of the various components of the
`control unit 18, multiplier 110, and initiator 26. The com-
`ponents are mounted on a common support structure 210,
`which can be implemented as a flex cable or other type of
`flexible circuit. Alternatively, the common support structure
`210 can be a substrate, such as a semiconductor substrate,
`ceramic substrate, and so forth. Alternatively, the support
`structure 210 can be a circuit board, such as a printed circuit
`board. The benefit of mounting the components on the
`support structure 210 is that a smaller package can be
`achieved than conventionally possible.
`The microprocessor 100, receiver 102, transmitter 104,
`and power supply 106 are mounted on a surface 212 of the
`support structure 210. Although not depicted, electrically
`conductive traces are routed through the common support
`structure 210 to enable electrical connection between the
`
`various components. In an optical implementation, optical
`links can be provided on or in the support structure 210.
`The multiplier 110 is also mounted on the surface 212 of
`the support structure 210. Also,
`the components of the
`initiator 26 are provided on the support structure 210. As
`depicted, the initiator 26 includes a capacitor 200 (which can
`be charged to an elevated voltage by the multiplier 110), a
`switch 204 (which can be implemented as a FET), and an
`EFI 202. The capacitor 200 is connected to the output of the
`multiplier 110 such that the multiplier 110 can charge up the
`capacitor 200 to the elevated voltage. The switch 204 can be
`activated by the microprocessor 100 to allow the charge
`from the capacitor 200 to be provided to the EFI 202. The
`energy routed through a reduced-width region in the EFI
`202, which causes a flyer plate to be propelled from the EFI
`202. A secondary explosive 116 (FIG. 2) can be positioned
`proximal the EFI 202 to receive impact of the flyer plate to
`thereby cause detonation. The secondary explosive can be
`ballistically coupled to another explosive, such as a shaped
`charge, or other explosive device.
`FIG. 4 shows the procedure for firing the tool sub 10C (in
`the string of subs depicted in FIG. 1). Initially, the surface
`controller 17 sends (at 302) “wake up” power (e.g., —60
`volts DC or VDC) to the uppermost sub (in this case the
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 009
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1011
`Pg. 009
`
`

`

`US 7,347,278 B2
`
`7
`8
`2. The system of claim 1, wherein the initiator includes at
`safety sub 10A). The safety sub 10A receives the power, and
`least one of an exploding foil initiator, an exploding bridge
`responds (at 304) with a predetermined status (e.g., status
`wire, a hot wire, and a semiconductor bridge.
`#1) after some period of delay (e.g., 100 milliseconds or ms).
`3. The system of claim 1, wherein the well tool further
`The surface controller 17 then sends (at 306) a W/L ON
`comprises tool subs, each tool sub comprising a correspond-
`command (with a unique identifier associated with the
`ing control unit and an explosive,
`the explosive to be
`microprocessor of the safety sub 10A) to the safety sub 10A,
`detonated by the initiator.
`which causes the microprocessor 100 in the safety sub 10A
`4. The system of claim 3, wherein the well tool further
`to turn on cable switch 28A (FIG. 1). The “wake up” power
`comprises a safety sub coupled to the tool subs, the safety
`on the cable 14 is now seen by the second tool sub 10B. The
`tool sub 10B receives the power and responds (at 308) with 10 sub having identical components as at least one of the tool
`status #1 after some predetermined delay.
`subs except that the safety sub does not include an explosive,
`In response to the status #1 message from the tool sub
`the safety sub to prevent aiming of the tool subs until after
`10B, the surface controller 17 then sends (at 310) a W/L ON
`activation of the safety sub.
`command (with a unique identifie