US 12,228,029 B2
Wireless transmission and reception of electrical signals via tubing encased conductor
Michael Linley Fripp, Singapore (SG); Luke William Holderman, Singapore (SG); and Paul James, Spring, TX (US)
Assigned to Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/690,514.
Prior Publication US 2023/0287787 A1, Sep. 14, 2023
Int. Cl. E21B 47/13 (2012.01); E21B 17/02 (2006.01); E21B 41/00 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 47/13 (2020.05) [E21B 17/0283 (2020.05); E21B 41/0085 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
10. A method comprising:
extending a tubing encased conductor (TEC) extending from a surface into a wellbore the TEC conveying a variable alternating current simultaneously with a direct current;
inductively coupling a harvesting transformer to the TEC, the harvesting transformer comprising:
a ferromagnetic harvesting ring that surrounds the TEC and is positioned in a magnetic field of the variable alternating current such that a magnetic flux associated with the magnetic field is concentrated in the harvesting ring; and
a harvesting coil comprising a coil of wire around a portion of the harvesting ring, the harvesting coil conveying an electric current induced in the harvesting coil by the magnetic field in the harvesting ring;
inductively coupling a transmitting transformer to the TEC, the transmitting transformer comprising:
a ferromagnetic transmitting ring that surrounds the TEC and is positioned in a magnetic field of the variable alternating current such that a magnetic flux associated with the magnetic field is concentrated in the transmitting ring; and
a transmitting coil comprising a coil of wire around a portion of the transmitting ring, the transmitting coil conveying an electric current induced in the transmitting coil by the magnetic field in the transmitting ring;
providing a downhole wireless device coupled to the harvesting ring by the harvesting coil and thereby wirelessly coupled to the TEC by the harvesting transformer, the downhole wireless device comprising a transceiver that transmits, via the harvesting transformer, digital signals encoded in the variable alternating current in the TEC;
providing a downhole wired device hardwired to the TEC, the downhole wired device powered by the direct current, and serving as a data hub that transmits data between the downhole wireless device and the surface;
electrically connecting a voltage source to the transmitting coil;
electrically connecting an electrical energy storage device between the wireless device and the voltage source; and
wherein the induced current in the harvesting coil powers the wireless device and charges the electrical energy storage device.