Key information

Title
Pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly
Application number
20180559
Case type
National
Status
25.11.2019 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
23.04.2018
Effective date
23.04.2018
Publicly available
24.10.2019
Next annual fee due
30.04.2027
Applicant
DEVICO AS (NO)
Owner
DEVICO AS (NO)
Inventor
Arnstein Løvø (NO) et al.
Agent
ACAPO ONSAGERS AS (NO)
Granted
25.11.2019
Patent number
344403
Expiry date
23.04.2038

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
Pressure proof running gear (100) wireless antenna assembly (10), interior of which pressure proof running gear (100) is arranged or integrated a survey instrument (200) provided with an advanced wireless instrument antenna (201), which wireless antenna assembly (10) is a separate part of the pressure proof running gear (100) and electrically insulated from the pressure proof running gear (100), and physically and galvanically separated from the wireless instrument antenna (201), wherein the wireless antenna assembly (10) is arranged as an electromechanical wireless signal extender of the instrument antenna (201) transferring an electromagnetic communication signal from the interior survey instrument (200) to exterior of the pressure proof running gear (100).

Publications

B1A1
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Documents

 Expand Download files (30)
Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 03.03.2020 13-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20180559)
28.11.2019 12-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 UT PT Registreringsbrev Nasjonal Patent (15) (PT20180559)
13.11.2019 11-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 UT Intention to grant CURO AS
 16.08.2019 10-05 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Hovedbrev CURO AS
 16.08.2019 10-04 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Krav CURO AS
 16.08.2019 10-03 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Beskrivelse med sporing CURO AS
 16.08.2019 10-02 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Beskrivelse CURO AS
 16.08.2019 10-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) CURO AS
 01.07.2019 09-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 UT Realitet patent CURO AS
 24.04.2019 08-04 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Beskrivelse ren CURO AS
 24.04.2019 08-03 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Hovedbrev CURO AS
 24.04.2019 08-02 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Beskrivelse merket CURO AS
 24.04.2019 08-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) CURO AS
 28.03.2019 07-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 UT Realitet patent CURO AS
 05.02.2019 06-06 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Beskrivelse med sporing CURO AS
 05.02.2019 06-05 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Beskrivelse CURO AS
 05.02.2019 06-04 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Patenttegninger CURO AS
 05.02.2019 06-03 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Hovedbrev CURO AS
 05.02.2019 06-02 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Patenttegninger CURO AS
 05.02.2019 06-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) CURO AS
 20.10.2018 05-02 Saksbehandling 20180559 UT PT_report 12:28:10
20.10.2018 05-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 UT Realitet patent CURO AS
 28.06.2018 04-03 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Fullmakt CURO AS
 28.06.2018 04-02 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Overdragelsesdokument CURO AS
 28.06.2018 04-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) CURO AS
 28.06.2018 03-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 UT Infobrev til oppfinner CURO AS
 24.04.2018 02-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 UT Formal Examination 1 CURO AS
 23.04.2018 01-03 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Patenttegninger CURO AS
 23.04.2018 01-02 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Beskrivelse CURO AS
 23.04.2018 01-01 Saksbehandling 20180559 INN Søknadsskjema Patent CURO AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
Pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assemblyThe present invention is related to a pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly, according to the preamble of claim 1.The present invention is especially related to a pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly of a drilling tool enabling wireless communication between a survey instrument integrated or arranged in the pressure proof running gear and an external unit.BackgroundBore hole survey instruments for the mining industry typically rely on pressure proof running gears for reliable operation in high pressure and temperature conditions.Wireless communication with the survey instrument, without extracting it from the pressure proof running gear, is a desired feature.In prior art solutions this is achieved e.g. by that the pressure proof running gear is provided with slots arranged to let a wireless signal pass from a survey instrument wireless antenna arranged interior the pressure proof running gear to exterior of the pressure proof running gear. Any slot arranged in such a pressure proof running gear is a reduction of the properties of the running gear, both as regards structural properties and pressure proof reliability. Each such slot would have to be sealed by suitable means that are exposed to wear and damages which reduces the sealing function thereof and thus the overall pressure proof capability of the running gear. Moreover, unless the instrument antenna is directive and the slots are well adapted to the radiation pattern, such a solution will only let a small amount of the radiated power pass to the exterior and therefore typically has a small transmission range.Another solution is to use a separate remote wireless antenna, wired to the survey instrument, the separate remote wireless antenna being arranged close to exterior surface of the running gear via a recess arranged in the pressure proof running gear sealed by suitable means allowing wireless signals to pass. This solution also suffer from the disadvantages mentioned above, and in addition introduces additional connection that could fail, resulting in that the communication with the survey instrument fails. A further disadvantage when the wireless antenna is physically connected to both the survey instrument and the running gear, is that it makes replacement/extraction of the survey instrument difficult.Another solution is to use short-range wireless technologies through a window in the running gear. This solution has similar disadvantages as mentioned above, and further requires that the external unit is placed in direct line and in close proximity to the window to properly receive the signal.Another solution relies on additional hardware and electronics to establish communication between the instrument arranged in the running gear and an external unit. For example, US 9024776 B2 describes a separate smart cap being mechanically attached to the running gear. However, the smart cap contains active electronic components such as a transceiver. Without the smart cap the communication is not possible. The disadvantages of such a solution is required disassembly of the running gear in order to attach the smart cap, power requirements and relying on additional hardware and electronics.Another disadvantage with the prior art solutions is that they are not adapted for exchangeable survey instruments in the pressure proof running gear.Accordingly, there is a need for a wireless antenna assembly for pressure proof running gears that is more reliable as well as increased safety with regards to making the running gear pressure proof.It is further a need for a wireless antenna assembly adapted exchangeable survey instruments in the pressure proof running gear.It is further a need for a wireless antenna assembly that does not severely restrict the position of the external receiving unit during data transfer.ObjectThe main object of the present invention is to provide a pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly partly or entirely solving the drawbacks of prior art solutions.It is further an object of the present invention to provide a pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly enabling communication with a survey instrument in the pressure proof running gear without removing the survey instrument from the pressure proof running gear. An object of the present invention is to provide pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly increasing the pressure proof capability of the running gear, compared to prior art solutions.It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly that enables the use of an exchangeable survey instrument in the pressure proof running gear.It is further an object of the present invention to provide a pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly that does not restrict the position of an external receiving unit during data transfer.Further objects of the present invention will appear from the following description, claims and attached drawings.The inventionA pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly according to the present invention is disclosed in claim 1. Preferable features of the pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly are disclosed in the dependent claims.The present invention is related to a wireless communication solution for pressure proof running gears wherein a survey instrument provided with an extended wireless antenna enabling wireless communication between the survey instrument and an external unit without the need for removing the survey instrument from the pressure proof running gear.The pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly according to the present invention is arranged as a separate part integrated in the pressure proof running gear and electrically insulated from the pressure proof running gear.The wireless antenna assembly is further physically and galvanically separated from the wireless instrument antenna.According to the present invention, the wireless antenna assembly is arranged as an electromagnetic wireless signal extender of the instrument antenna for transferring a communication signal from the interior survey instrument to exterior of the pressure proof running gear.According to the present invention, the pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly comprises at least one exterior antenna arranged at exterior surface of the pressure proof running gear, the at least one exterior antenna being electrically insulated from the pressure proof running gear.According to one embodiment of the present invention, the exterior antenna is formed by a metal ring extending along the exterior circumference of the pressure proof running gear.According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the exterior antenna is formed by at least one metal button arranged at exterior surface of the pressure proof running gear. The use of an exterior antenna formed by a metal ring would provide a circular radiation pattern for the exterior antenna, while the use of an exterior antenna formed by a button will result in a directive radiation pattern for the exterior antenna.According to one embodiment of the pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly it further comprises at least one interior antenna element arranged to transfer wireless signal of the wireless instrument antenna to the exterior antenna.In a further embodiment of the present invention the at least one interior antenna element is fixed in relation to the pressure proof running gear and electrically insulated from the pressure proof running gear, as well as physically and galvanically separated from the wireless instrument antenna. The at least one interior antenna element extends over the wireless instrument antenna and towards the at least one exterior antenna and into contact with the at least one exterior antenna or ends in close proximity of the at least one exterior antenna. In the case that the at least one interior antenna element is not in contact with the at least one exterior antenna, it is required that the capacitance between the end of the interior antenna element and the exterior antenna is higher than non-zero.According to the present invention the at least one interior antenna element is formed by an elongated conductive element, such as a radially extending metal pin or wire electrically insulated from the pressure proof running gear. The at least one interior antenna element is arranged such that it is in close proximity to the survey instrument antenna, when the survey instrument is arranged within the pressure proof running gear and exploits the principals of electro magnetics. The interior antenna element can further be used for locking orientation of the survey instrument in relation to the pressure proof running gear when the survey instrument is arranged for detachable connection in the pressure proof running gear.Accordingly, by the present invention is provided a pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly wherein wireless communication between an external unit, such as a hand-held unit or computer, known per se, and the survey instrument in the pressure proof running gear, based on at least two physically separate antennas, i.e. one in the survey instrument and one in the pressure proof running gear.By the present invention is further provided a pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly enabling communications, but not limited to, in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. The present invention can also be adapted to other frequency bands by appropriate design/dimensions.In the present invention there is no electrical connectors between the pressure proof running gear and the survey instrument reducing the probability of error occurring due to vibrations or wear. By this is also achieved a solution where the survey instrument can be retrieved from the pressure proof running gear and inserted again in a simple manner, e.g. in connection with battery change. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the survey instrument can further be provided with a magnet switch to activate the communication to the instrument. The activation can be performed from outside of the pressure proof running gear, when survey instrument is mounted inside the pressure proof running gear, by holding an adapted magnet close to the pressure proof running gear/instrument assembly.According to yet a further embodiment of the present invention the survey instrument, in connection with the extended antenna is provided with a light indicator (LED), that indicates the instrument antenna of the survey instrument has been activated, that can be read from the outside of the pressure running gear via slot sealed by a pressure proof cover.Further preferable features and advantageous details of the present invention will appear from the following example description, claims and attached drawings. ExampleThe present invention will below be described in further detail with reference to the attached drawings, where:Fig.1a-b are principle drawings of a pressure proof running gear provided with a wireless antenna assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention, andFig.2a-b are principle drawings of a pressure proof running gear provided with a wireless antenna assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.Reference is now made to Figures 1a-b and 2a-b showing principle drawings of a pressure proof running gear 100 provided with a wireless antenna assembly 10 according to the present invention. A pressure proof running gear 100, known per se, is e.g. formed by a lower part 101 and an upper part 102 provided with corresponding threads (not shown) for detachable attachment to each other. The lower 101 and upper part 102 is further provided with interior or external threads (not shown) for arrangement to parts of drilling tool, such that the pressure proof running gear 100 can be arranged as a part of a drilling tool.The pressure proof running gear 100 is further interior provided with a space 103 for accommodating a survey instrument 200, known per se, which survey instrument 200 can be an integrated part of the pressure proof running gear 100 or removably arranged in the pressure proof running gear 100.The survey instrument 200 will be provided with at least one measuring system (not shown) for performing measurements in a borehole, casing or drill string. Examples of such measuring systems will be accelerometers, strain gauge sensors or gyro sensors. The survey instrument will further be provided with a control unit, energy source and short-range wireless communication means.According to the present invention, the communication means of the survey instrument 200 is an extended instrument antenna 201, such as a radio frequency transceiver, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, etc., exposed externally of the survey instrument 200 and providing a wireless electromagnetic communication signal. According to the present invention, the extended instrument antenna 201 is encapsulated in an insulating material 202.The wireless antenna assembly 10 according to the present invention is arranged as a separate part integrated in the pressure proof running gear 100 and electrically insulated from the pressure proof running gear 100. The wireless antenna assembly 10 is further physically and galvanically separated from the wireless instrument antenna 201 by the above mentioned insulating material 202.The wireless antenna assembly 10 according to the present invention is arranged as an electromagnetic wireless signal extender of the wireless instrument antenna 201 transferring the electromagnetic communication signal from the interior survey instrument 200 to exterior of the pressure proof running gear 100.According to the present invention the wireless antenna assembly comprises at least one exterior antenna 20 formed by a metal ring 21, as shown in Figures 1a-b, or at least one metal button 22, as shown in Figures 2a-b, arranged at exterior surface of the pressure proof running gear 100 and electrically insulated from the pressure proof running gear 100.In the embodiment of Figures 1a-b, where the exterior antenna 20 is formed by a metal ring 21, the pressure proof running gear 100 is provided with a circumferentially extending recess 104 adapted for receiving insulating material 30. In this embodiment, the insulating material 30 is formed as a mainly circular ring, and wherein the insulating material 30 is at exterior surface provided with a centrally extending recess 31 adapted for accommodation of the metal ring 21 and providing insulating material at all sides facing the pressure proof running gear 100 for the metal ring 21.In the embodiment of Figures 2a-b, where the exterior antenna 20 is formed by at least one metal button 22, in the example shown two metal buttons 22 arranged diametrically opposite of each other at exterior surface of the pressure proof running gear 100, the pressure proof running gear 100 is provided with recesses 104 adapted for receiving insulating material 30, and wherein the insulating material is provided with a recess 31 adapted for accommodation of a metal button 22 and providing insulating material at all sides facing the pressure proof running gear 100 for the metal button 22.The wireless antenna assembly 10 according to the present invention further comprises at least one interior antenna element 40, as shown in Figures 1a-b and 2a-b, arranged to transfer wireless signal of the wireless instrument antenna 201 to the exterior antenna 20 by that the interior antenna element 40 is arranged in close proximity of the instrument antenna 201. In the shown embodiments the at least one interior antenna element 40 is formed by a conductive elongated element in the form of a metal pin or wire. The interior antenna element 40 is fixed in the pressure proof running gear 100 and extends over the instrument antenna 201, which it is electrically insulated from by the insulation material 202, and extends towards the exterior antenna 20 and into contact with the exterior antenna 20 or ends in close proximity of the exterior antenna 20. For the embodiment of Figures 1a-b it will be sufficient that the interior antenna element 40 extends towards one side of the exterior antenna 20.The interior antenna element 40 accordingly extends in transversal direction of the pressure proof running gear 100 and is fixed in openings 106 in the mentioned recess(es) 104 of the pressure running gear 100, via insulating material 41, such that the interior antenna element 40 is electrically insulated from the pressure proof running gear 100.In the embodiment shown in Figures 1a-b the interior antenna element 40 also have a function of locking orientation of the survey instrument 200 in relation to the pressure proof running gear 100 by the insulating material 202 encapsulating the instrument antenna 201 is provided with a recess adapted for receiving the interior antenna element 40. This solution would especially be appreciated if the survey instrument 200 is a removable survey instrument 200, where the instrument 200 can be inserted into and removed from the pressure proof running gear 100 in a safe and precise manner.Accordingly, by the present invention is achieved a pressure proof running gear wireless antenna assembly where the communication signal from the instrument assembly in a simple and secure manner can be transferred from interior to exterior of the pressure proof running gear for communication with an external unit without any need for removing the survey instrument from the pressure proof running gear.The present invention further requires no slots to be made in the pressure proof running gear to letting signals from the instrument assembly out of the pressure proof running gear that results in a more reliable pressure proof running gear.
Claims
Claims1. Pressure proof running gear (100) wireless antenna assembly (10), interior of which pressure proof running gear (100) is arranged or integrated a survey instrument (200) provided with an extended wireless instrument antenna (201), which wireless antenna assembly (10) is physically and galvanically separated from the wireless instrument antenna (201), characterized in that:- the wireless antenna assembly (10) comprises at least one exterior antenna (20) arranged at exterior surface of the pressure proof running gear (100) and at least one interior antenna element (40) arranged interior of the pressure proof running gear (100), wherein both the at least one exterior antenna (20) and interior antenna element (40) are electrically insulated from the pressure proof running gear (100),wherein the wireless antenna assembly (10) function as an electromagnetic wireless signal extender of the instrument antenna (201) transferring an electromagnetic communication signal from the interior survey instrument (200) to exterior of the pressure proof running gear (100) by that the at least one interior antenna element (40) is arranged to transfer the electromagnetic wireless signal of the wireless instrument antenna (201) to the at least one exterior antenna (20).2. Pressure proof running gear (100) wireless antenna assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one exterior antenna (20) is formed by a metal ring (21) or at least one metal button (22) arranged at exterior surface of the pressure proof running gear (100) and electrically insulated (30) from the pressure proof running gear (100).3. Pressure proof running gear (100) wireless antenna assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one interior antenna element (40) is fixed in relation to the pressure proof running gear (100) and electrically insulated (41) from the pressure proof running gear (100), and extends over the wireless instrument antenna (201) and towards the at least one exterior antenna (20) and into contact with the at least one exterior antenna (20) or ends in close proximity of the at least one exterior antenna (20).4. Pressure proof running gear (100) wireless antenna assembly (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the interior antenna element (40) is a conductive elongated element, such as a metal pin or wire.5. Pressure proof running gear (100) wireless antenna assembly (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the interior antenna element (40) is arranged for locking orientation of the survey instrument (200) in relation to the pressure proof running gear (100).Patentkrav1. Trådløs antennesammenstilling (10) for trykksikkert instrumenthus (100), hvori et måleinstrument (200) forsynt med en fremskutt trådløs instrumentantenne (201) er innrettet eller integrert inne i det trykksikre instrumenthuset (100), hvilken trådløse antennesammenstilling (10) er fysisk og galvanisk adskilt fra den trådløse instrumentantennen (201), karakterisert ved at:- den trådløse antennesammenstillingen (10) omfatter minst en ytre antenne (20) innrettet ved ytre overflate av det trykksikre instrumenthuset (100) og minst et indre antenneelement (40) innrettet inne i det trykksikre instrumenthuset (100), hvori både den minst ene ytre antennen (20) og det indre antenneelementet (40) er elektrisk isolert fra det trykksikre instrumenthuset (100),hvori den trådløse antennesammenstillingen (10) fungerer som en elektromagnetisk trådløs signalforlenger for instrumentantennen (201) hvilken overfører et elektromagnetisk kommunikasjonssignal fra det interne måleinstrumentet (200) til det ytre av instrumenthuset (100) ved at det minst ene indre antenneelementet (40) er innrettet for overføring av det elektromagnetiske trådløse signalet til den trådløse instrumentantennen (201) til den minst ene eksterne antennen (20).2. Trådløs antennesammenstilling (10) for trykksikkert instrumenthus (100) i samsvar med krav 1, karakterisert ved at den minst ene ytre antennen (20) er dannet av en metallring (21) eller minst en metallknapp (22) innrettet ved ytre overflate av det trykksikre instrumenthuset (100) og elektrisk isolert (30) fra det trykksikre instrumenthuset (100).3. Trådløs antennesammenstilling (10) for trykksikkert instrumenthus (100) i samsvar med krav 1, karakterisert ved at det minst ene indre antenneelementet (40) er festet i forhold til det trykksikre instrumenthuset (100) og elektrisk isolert (41) fra det trykksikre instrumenthuset (100), samt strekker seg over den trådløse instrumentantennen (201) og mot den minst ene ytre antennen (20) og i kontakt med den minst ene ytre antennen (20) eller ender i umiddelbar nærhet av den minst ene ytre antennen (20).4. Trådløs antennesammenstilling (10) for trykksikkert instrumenthus (100) i samsvar med krav 3, karakterisert ved at det indre antenneelementet (40) er et ledende langstrakt element, så som en metallpinne eller metallwire.5. Trådløs antennesammenstilling (10) for trykksikkert instrumenthus (100) i samsvar med krav 4, karakterisert ved at det indre antenneelementet (40) er innrettet for låsing av orienteringen til måleinstrumentet (200) i forhold til det trykksikre instrumenthuset (100).
Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classesE21B 47/13E21B 47/12CPC classesE21B 47/122E21B 47/12

Citations

US 9024776 B2 (B2)WO 2014205130 A2 (A2)WO 2016036704 A1 (A1)WO 0133662 A1 (A1)EP 2990593 A1 (A1)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
DEVICO AS
Postboks 206 7223 MELHUS NO (MELHUS Municipality, Trøndelag county)Org. number: 947402633Inventors
Arnstein Løvø
Singsås 7387 SINGSÅS NO (MIDTRE GAULDAL Municipality, Trøndelag county)
Lennart Jönsson
Högadalsvägen 22 43537 MÖLNLYCKE SE

Agent

ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
ACAPO ONSAGERS AS

Org. number: 932214636

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Edvard Griegs vei 1 5059 BERGEN NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)
Org. number: 932214636
Reference: P20180559NO

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