AU2020389478A1

AU2020389478A1 - Downhole tool, signal transmission system and signal transmission method

Info

Publication number: AU2020389478A1
Application number: AU2020389478A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Qingyun Di; Linfeng Hong; Qijun XIE; Yongyou YANG
Original assignee: Institute of Geology and Geophysics of CAS
Current assignee: Institute of Geology and Geophysics of CAS
Priority date: 2020-04-23
Filing date: 2020-05-28
Publication date: 2021-11-11
Also published as: JP7159360B2; CN111510177B; JP2022527419A; WO2021212605A1; CN111510177A

Abstract

Disclosed are a downhole tool, a signal transmission system and a signal transmission method. The downhole tool comprises a downhole tool body, a circuit compartment and a first signal transmission module. The circuit compartment is 5 arranged in the downhole tool body, and a plurality of circuit modules are mounted in the circuit compartment. The first signal transmission module is arranged at the downhole tool body, the circuit modules are electrically connected to the first signal transmission module, the first signal transmission module is used for being in communication connection with a second signal transmission module, and the second 10 signal transmission module is adaptive to the first signal transmission module. At least one circuit module comprises a first carrier communication control unit, through which the circuit module can receive or send communication signals. The downhole tool can ensure airtightness in a severe downhole environment to protect the circuit modules from invasion, and establishes a connection with the outside quickly by 15 means of an inductively coupled power transfer technology and a carrier communication technology to perform operations such as program configuration upgrading and data uploading on the circuit modules.

Description

DOWNHOLE TOOL, SIGNAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND SIGNAL TRANSMISSION METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD The embodiments of the present invention relate to the technical field of electric

signal and communication signal transmission, in particular to a downhole tool, a

signal transmission system and a signal transmission method.

BACKGROUND

In order to complete corresponding functions, the downhole tool is internally

provided with a lot of circuit boards, and the circuit boards are usually provided with

respective processors, which may be ARM, FPGA or singlechip microcomputers and

the like. It is often necessary for programs on the processors to connect the processors

in processes such as use, test and data analysis of the downhole tool. The programs

may be upgraded and downloaded, or data stored on the circuit boards may be

extracted and analyzed or the working states of the processors may be viewed in real

time in the test process and the like.

A general method is to form holes in the outer wall, corresponding to the circuit

boards, of the instrument for connecting download program interfaces or

communication interfaces of the processors to the outside. In terms of some downhole

tools that are quite compact in size, due to size limitation, some circuit boards even

cannot be connected to the outside by way of forming holes in the outer wall and can

only be subjected to related debugging operations after the downhole tools are

dismantled. According to the way of forming holes in the outer wall, one circuit

board/processor corresponds to one hole. The requirement on holes formed in the

outer wall of the instrument is high. The circuit boards in the downhole tool have

already thinned the outer wall of the tool, if one hole is formed for each circuit board

to lead out an electric connection for program upgrading and data uploading, the reliability of the tool will be further reduced. In addition, there is a lot of dust, mud or liquid in a downhole environment. Such a working scene puts a high demand on airtightness of the downhole tool. If the downhole tool is provided with many external connecting holes, the downhole tool is very low in field practicality, the reliability of the downhole tool will be reduced and the service life of the tool is affected severely.

In addition, under a circumstance that the number of formed holes cannot meet the

requirement, some circuit boards/processors cannot be connected to the outside in this

way.

Therefore, at present, it is an urgent need to research and develop a novel

downhole tool and a system and method for transmitting electric energy and

communication signals by using the novel downhole tool so as to overcome and

improve one or more defects in the prior art or at least provide one effective optional

method.

It should be noted that the above content belongs to the technical cognition

category of the inventors, and does not necessarily constitute the prior art.

SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present invention provide a downhole tool, a signal

transmission system and a signal transmission method. For a circumstance of an

existing downhole tool, it is not necessary to form a plurality of external connecting

holes in the outer wall of the tool, such that the airtightness and practicality of the

downhole tool can be ensured, and furthermore, the speed and reliability of

communication connection between the downhole tool and the outside are improved.

In order to achieve the purpose, in the first aspect, the embodiments of the

present invention provide a downhole tool. The downhole tool comprises a downhole

tool body, a circuit compartment and a first signal transmission module. The circuit

compartment is arranged in the downhole tool body, and a plurality of circuit modules

are mounted in the circuit compartment. The first signal transmission module is arranged at the downhole tool body, the circuit modules are electrically connected to the first signal transmission module, the first signal transmission module is used for being in communication connection to a second signal transmission module, and the second signal transmission module is adaptive to the first signal transmission module.

At least one of the circuit modules comprises a first carrier communication control

unit, through which the circuit module can receive or send a communication signal

corresponding to the circuit module.

By arranging the first signal transmission module at the downhole tool body, all

the circuit modules in the downhole tool are connected to the first signal transmission

module, such that all the circuit modules in the downhole tool can be connected to the

outside through the first signal transmission module, thereby solving the problem that

an existing downhole tool only can perform data extraction and program downloading

on processors in the downhole tool by forming connecting holes in the outer wall of

the downhole tool for each circuit module, guaranteeing the airtightness and

practicality of the downhole tool working in an environment with dust, mud or liquid,

and prolonging the service life of the downhole tool. By arranging the first carrier

communication control unit on the circuit module, the circuit module needing

communication with the outside can be found from numerous circuit modules

conveniently, rapidly and uniquely, such that the speed and reliability of

communication connection are improved.

In an embodiment of the downhole tool, the downhole tool body is provided with

a mounting hole for mounting the first signal transmission module. Preferably, the

downhole tool body is provided with the mounting hole, so that it is convenient to

mount the first signal transmission module.

In an embodiment of the downhole tool, the first signal transmission module is a

socket, and the socket comprises a first magnetic core and a first coil, wherein the first

magnetic core is mounted in the mounting hole; and the first coil is wound around an

inner wall or a surface of the first magnetic core, the first magnetic core and the first coil form a secondary coil. By arranging the first magnetic core and the first coil, the first signal transmission module can receive and send the electric signal and the communication signal by means of an inductively coupled power transfer technology and a carrier communication technology and can perform operations such as configuration, program upgrading and data uploading on the circuit modules while supplying power to the circuit modules in the downhole tool.

In an embodiment of the downhole tool, a connector is arranged on the socket,

and the connector on the socket is arranged in a position, extending out of the

downhole tool body, of the socket. By arranging the connector, the socket can be

more firmly and conveniently connected with the outside.

Preferably, for example, the connector can be an internal thread connector or a

buckling part. The internal threaded connector or the buckling part is arranged on the

socket, so that the socket can be connected with the outside conveniently, and it is

ensured that the first magnetic core and the first coil in the socket are aligned with an

external device accurately, and the first signal transmission module can realize

accurate and effective reception and sending of the electric signal and the

communication signal.

In an embodiment of the downhole tool, the downhole tool further comprises an

electric energy reception control unit, wherein one end of the electric energy reception

control unit is electrically connected to the first signal transmission module, the other

end of the electric energy reception control unit is electrically connected to the circuit

module, and the electric energy reception control unit is used for controlling electric

signal reception. The electric energy received by the first signal transmission module

is subjected to processing such as energy intensifying, electric energy filtering and

voltage stabilizing by the electric energy reception control unit, such that transmitted

electric energy can be supplied to circuit modules for normal work of the circuit

modules.

In an embodiment of the downhole tool, the circuit compartment cylindrically

surrounds the downhole tool body, and is internally provided with a plurality of

mounting grooves used for mounting the circuit modules. The mounting grooves are

formed to separate the circuit modules, such that it is more convenient to arrange and

mount various circuit modules in the downhole tool body.

In order to achieve the purpose, in the second aspect, the present invention

provides a signal transmission system. The signal transmission system comprises a

signal processing device and a terminal device and further comprises any one of the

downhole tools mentioned above. The signal processing device comprises a second

signal transmission module and a control module, wherein the second signal

transmission module is used for being in non-contact connection with the first

information transmission module to transmit the electric signal and/or the

communication signal; the control module is electrically connected with the second

signal transmission module, and is internally provided with a second carrier

communication control unit; the control module is used for receiving the

communication signal sent by the terminal device, determining the circuit module

corresponding to the communication signal according to the communication signal

and configuring a signal transmission channel of the second carrier communication

control unit as a preset carrier communication channel corresponding to the circuit

module, such that the second carrier communication control unit transmits the

communication signal to the first carrier communication control unit corresponding to

the circuit module according to the preset carrier communication channel.

By arranging the second signal transmission module in the signal processing

device, the second signal transmission module is arranged to be adaptive to the first

signal transmission module in the downhole tool to transmit the electric signal and/or

the communication signal in a manner of non-contact connection, such that the signal

transmission device can be connected with the downhole tool. By arranging the

control module and arranging the second carrier communication control unit capable of being in communication connection with the first carrier communication control unit in the control module, the circuit module needing communication with the signal transmission device can be found from numerous circuit modules conveniently, rapidly and uniquely, such that operations such as data extraction and program downloading can be performed on the circuit modules. The problem that an existing downhole tool only can perform operations such as data transmission and configuration updating on the circuit modules in the downhole tool by forming connecting holes in an outer wall of the downhole tool or dismantling the downhole tool is solved, such that the terminal device, the signal transmission device and the downhole tool can be connected conveniently and rapidly.

In an embodiment of the signal transmission system, the second signal

transmission module is a plug, the plug comprises a second magnetic core and a

second coil, and the second magnetic core is mounted on the plug; the second coil is

wound around an outer wall or a bottom surface of the second magnetic core, and the

second magnetic core and the second coil form a primary coil; a secondary coil in the

downhole tool is electromagnetically coupled with the primary coil to achieve non

contact electric signal and/or communication signal connection between the socket

and the plug.

The second signal transmission module is arranged as the plug, such that it is

convenient to insert the second signal transmission module into the socket to achieve

connection, and by arranging the second magnetic core and the second coil, the

second signal transmission module can cooperate with the first signal transmission

module to receive and send the electric signal and the communication signal by means

of the inductively coupled power transfer technology and the carrier communication

technology and perform operations such as configuration, program upgrading and data

uploading on the circuit modules while supplying power to the circuit modules in the

downhole tool.

In an embodiment of the signal transmission system, the first coil is wound

around the inner side wall of the first magnetic core three-dimensionally, and the

second coil is wound around the outer side wall of the second magnetic core three

dimensionally; or the first coil is wound around the surface of the first magnetic core

planarly, and the second coil is wound around the bottom surface of the second

magnetic core planarly. According to design requirements or a size of an internal

dimension of the downhole tool, the first signal transmission module and the second

signal transmission module can be of different forms to receive and send the electric

signal and communication signal conveniently.

In an embodiment of the signal transmission system, the number of turns of the

first coil is consistent with the number of turns of the second coil.

In an embodiment of the signal transmission system, a connector is arranged on

one of the socket and the plug, and a matching part is arranged on the other of the

socket and the plug, and the connector and the matching part are matched to connect

the socket with the plug, wherein the connector or the matching part on the socket is

arranged in the position, extending out of the downhole tool body, of the socket. As

the connector and the matching part are arranged on the socket and the plug

respectively, the plug can be inserted into the socket more firmly and conveniently,

and it is ensured that the plug and the socket are aligned accurately.

Preferably, the connector is an internal thread connector, and the matching part is

an external thread connector; or the connector is a buckling part and the matching part

is a clamping slot part. By matching of the internal thread connector and the external

thread connector or matching of the buckling part and the clamping slot part, it is

ensured that the plug and the socket are aligned accurately, and it is further ensured

that the first signal transmission module and the second signal transmission module

are aligned accurately to ensure accurate and effective reception and sending of the

electric signal and the communication signal.

In an embodiment of the signal transmission system, the signal processing device

further comprises an electric energy sending control unit, wherein the electric energy

sending control unit is used for controlling electric signal sending. The electric energy

sending control unit can invert the electric energy into a high frequency alternating

current, generate a high frequency alternating magnetic field, and transmit the electric

signal directly to the secondary coil through the primary coil via a transmission

medium (air, water, oil and the like) by means of the alternating magnetic field.

In order to achieve the purpose, in the third aspect, the embodiment of the

present invention provides a signal transmission method applied to any one of the

signal transmission systems mentioned above. The method comprises the following

steps: receiving, by a control module, a communication signal sent by the terminal

device and determining the circuit module corresponding to the communication signal

according to the communication signal; configuring, by the control module, a

communication signal transmission channel of a second carrier communication

module; sending, by the second carrier communication control unit, the

communication signal to a second signal transmission module according to the preset

carrier communication channel so as to enable the second signal transmission module

to send the communication signal to the first signal transmission module; sending, by

the first signal transmission module, the communication signal to the first carrier

communication control unit corresponding to the preset carrier communication

channel; and receiving, by the first carrier communication control unit, the

communication signal and configuring the circuit module corresponding to the first

carrier communication control unit according to the communication signal.

By means of the inductively coupled power transfer technology and the carrier

communication technology, the terminal device, the signal transmission device and

the circuit modules in the downhole tool are connected. By designing an operational

process and a data packet protocol, different communication channels are distributed for different circuit modules. The first carrier communication control unit and the second carrier communication control unit cooperate to control data packet transmission. On the premise of not affecting normal work of the circuit modules, configuration, program upgrading and data uploading can be performed on the circuit modules quickly.

In an embodiment of the signal transmission method, the signal transmission

method further comprises arranging a preset carrier communication channel of the

first carrier communication control unit. A target circuit module for the

communication signal is differentiated by arranging the preset carrier communication

channel of the first carrier communication control unit.

In an embodiment of the signal transmission method, the signal transmission

method further comprises sending, by the circuit module, a transparent transmission

data packet to the control module and uploading, by the control module, the

transparent transmission data packet to the terminal device; and/or receiving, by the

control module, the transparent transmission data packet sent by the terminal device

and sending, by the control module, the transparent transmission data packet to the

circuit module. After connection between the circuit module and the terminal device

is established, the data packet can be transmitted at the maximum speed due to the

design of the transparent transmission data packet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a downhole tool in an embodiment of

the present invention;

Fig. 2 is another structural schematic diagram of a downhole tool in an

embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a second signal transmission module

in a downhole tool of an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is another structural schematic diagram of a second signal transmission

module in a downhole tool of an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a signal transmission system in an

embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a signal transmission method in an embodiment of the

present invention;

Fig. 7 is a structural schematic diagram of a data packet in a signal transmission

method in an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference signs:

10-downhole tool; 20-signal processing device; 30-terminal device;

11-downhole tool body; 12-circuit compartment; 13-first signal transmission

module; 14-electric energy reception control unit;

111-mounting hole;

121-circuit module; 122-first carrier communication control unit;

21-second signal transmission module; 22-control module;

211-second magnetic core; 212-second coil;

221-second carrier communication control unit; and 222-electric energy sending

control unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, only some exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As those

skilled in the art can realize, the described embodiments can be modified in different

ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore,

the accompanying drawings and description are considered to be exemplary rather

than restrictive in nature.

First of all, the technical concept of the technical solution disclosed by the

present invention is described. In order to complete corresponding functions, the

downhole tool is internally provided with a lot of circuit boards, and the circuit boards are usually provided with respective processors. In the processes of using and testing the downhole tool and data analysis for the downhole tool, it is often necessary to connect an external device with the circuit boards in the downhole tool for extracting and analyzing data stored on the circuit boards or configuring and upgrading programs on the processors. An existing method is generally to form holes in the outer wall of the downhole tool, one circuit board or processor corresponds to one hole, and download program interfaces or communication interfaces of the processors are connected to the outside through the holes. As the mode is high in requirement on holes formed in the outer wall of the instrument, and external interfaces are electrical connecting interfaces, and thus cannot be used in dust, mud and water, such that the field practicality is low. In addition, in terms of some downhole tools that are compact in size, due to size limitation, some circuit boards cannot be connected to the outside by way of forming holes in the outer walls of the downhole tools, but only can be subjected to related debugging operations after the downhole tools are dismantled.

In view of the problem in the prior art, the present invention provides a downhole

tool, a signal transmission system and a signal transmission method. Description of

the present invention will be made below in combination with drawings of the

description.

An adopted solution is specifically as follows:

As shown in Fig. 1, in the first aspect, the embodiments of the present invention

provide a downhole tool 10. The downhole tool comprises a downhole tool body 11, a

circuit compartment 12 and a first signal transmission module 13. The circuit

compartment 12 is arranged in the downhole tool body 11, and a plurality of circuit

modules 121 are mounted in the circuit compartment 12. The first signal transmission

module 13 is arranged at the downhole tool body 11, the circuit modules 121 are

electrically connected to the first signal transmission module 13, the first signal

transmission module 13 is used for being in communication connection with a second

signal transmission module 21, and the second signal transmission module 21 is adaptive to the first signal transmission module 13. At least one circuit module 121 comprises a first carrier communication control unit 122, through which the circuit modules 121 can receive or send communication signals corresponding to the circuit modules 121.

It should be noted that the first signal transmission module 13 in the embodiment

can be understood as the signal transmission module arranged in the downhole tool

body 11. As the first communication module is within the downhole tool body 11 and

can communicate with an external terminal device 30 through the second

communication module, thereby achieving a purpose of realizing communication

between the circuit modules 121 in the downhole tool body 11 and the external

terminal device 30 without forming holes in the downhole tool body 11. Compared

with a technical solution in the prior art that a communication hole needs to be formed

in the position, corresponding to the circuit module 121, of the downhole tool body 11

to mount a communication cable, and a plurality of communication holes need to be

formed for a plurality of circuit modules 121, obviously, the downhole tool 10 in the

present application does not need to be provided with communication holes, so that

the downhole tool 10 is high in using reliability and long in service life.

According to the downhole tool 10 of the embodiment, as the first signal

transmission module 13 is arranged at the downhole tool body 11, for example, the

first signal transmission module 13 can be arranged in the downhole tool 10 to

connect all the circuit modules 121 in the downhole tool 10 with the first signal

transmission module 13, such that all the circuit modules 121 in the downhole tool

can be connected with the external terminal device 30 through the first signal

transmission module 13 and the second signal transmission module 21 adaptive to the

first signal transmission module 13. The second signal transmission module 21 is a

module arranged outside the downhole tool body 11 and can be connected with the

external terminal device 30, for example, the second signal transmission module 21

can be an upper computer. The problem that an existing downhole tool 10 only can perform data extraction and program downloading on processors therein by forming a connecting hole in the outer wall of the downhole tool for each circuit module 121 is solved, thereby guaranteeing the airtightness and practicality of the downhole tool working in an environment with dust, mud or liquid, and prolonging the service life of the downhole tool. By arranging the first carrier communication control unit 122 on the circuit module 121, the circuit module 121 needing communication with the outside can be found from numerous circuit modules 121 conveniently, rapidly and uniquely, such that the speed and reliability of communication connection are improved.

In an embodiment, in order to facilitate mounting of the first communication

module, as shown in Fig. 2, the downhole tool body 11 is provided with a mounting

hole 111 for mounting the first signal transmission module 13. The first signal

transmission module 13 can be mounted on the side wall of the downhole tool body

11, which is high in requirement on material of the side wall of the downhole tool

body 11. Thus, as a preferred embodiment, the downhole tool body 11 is provided

with the mounting hole 111 for mounting the first signal transmission module 13, and

thus, the first signal transmission module 13 can be mounted conveniently, and the

cost is also reduced. The mounting hole 111 can be isolated from a fluid and can

protect the circuit modules 121 in the downhole tool 10 from invasion by external

dust, mud or liquid. According to the downhole tool 10 of the embodiment, it is only

necessary to form one mounting hole 111 in the downhole tool body 11. The

mounting hole 111 can be used for mounting the first communication module.

Through the first communication module, the plurality of circuit modules 121 in the

downhole tool 10 can communicate with the external terminal device 30, so that the

problems that the downhole tool is very low in practicality, the downhole tool 10 is

easily damaged, the internal circuit modules 121 are prone to be damaged and the

service life is short due to the fact that the circuit modules 121 in the downhole tool

10 are prone to be invaded by substances such as downhole mud in the working process caused by that in the prior art, it is necessary to form a plurality of external connecting holes directly in the downhole tool 10 for a plurality of circuit modules

121 as an external connecting hole is directly formed in the downhole tool body 11

are solved.

In an embodiment, the first signal transmission module 13 is a socket, and the

socket comprises a first magnetic core and a first coil, wherein the first magnetic core

is mounted in the mounting hole 111; the first coil is wound around an inner wall or a

surface of the first magnetic core, and the first magnetic core and the first coil form a

secondary coil.

The specific structure of the first signal transmission module 13 can be one of the

following embodiments:

Embodiment I: the first coil is wound around the side wall of the first magnetic

core three-dimensionally.

Embodiment II: the first coil is wound around the surface of the first magnetic

core planarly.

It can be understood that the first signal transmission module 13 can be of other

structures or forms according to different design demands as long as sending and

reception of electric signals and communication signals can be conveniently realized.

In an embodiment, the downhole tool 10 further comprises an electric energy

reception control unit 14, wherein one end of the electric energy reception control unit

14 is electrically connected to the first signal transmission module 13, the other end of

the electric energy reception control unit 14 is electrically connected to the circuit

module 121, and the electric energy reception control unit 14 is used for controlling

electric signal reception.

For example, the electric energy reception control unit 14 can comprise

components such as a secondary side resonance compensation circuit, an electric

energy conversion circuit, a signal modulating and demodulating link and a controller.

Electric energy received by a secondary side coil enhances energy transmission by the resonance compensation circuit, processing such as filtering and voltage stabilizing of the electric energy is performed by the electric energy conversion link, and finally, the processed electric energy is transmitted to the circuit modules 121 for normal work of the circuit modules.

In an embodiment, the circuit compartment 12 cylindrically surrounds the

downhole tool body 11, and is internally provided with a plurality of mounting

grooves used for mounting the circuit modules 121. The mounting grooves are formed

to separate the circuit modules 121, such that it is more convenient to arrange and

mount various circuit modules 121 in the downhole tool body 11.

In the second aspect, the embodiment of the present invention provides a signal

transmission system. As shown in Fig. 5, the signal transmission system comprises a

signal processing device 20 and a terminal device 30 and further comprises any one of

the downhole tool 10 mentioned above. The signal processing device 20 comprises a

second signal transmission module 21 and a control module 22, wherein the second

signal transmission module 21 is used for being in non-contact connection with the

first signal transmission module 13 to transmit the electric signal and/or the

communication signal; the control module 22 is electrically connected with the second

signal transmission module 21, and is internally provided with the second carrier

communication control unit 221; the control module 22 is used for receiving the

communication signal sent by the terminal device 30, determining the circuit module

121 corresponding to the communication signal according to the communication

signal and configuring a signal transmission channel of the second carrier

communication control unit 221 as a preset carrier communication channel

corresponding to the circuit module 121, such that the second carrier communication

control unit 221 transmits the communication signal to the first carrier communication

control unit 122 corresponding to the circuit module 121 according to the preset

carrier communication channel.

By arranging the second signal transmission module 21 in the signal processing

device 20, the second signal transmission module 21 is arranged to be adaptive to the

first signal transmission module 13 in the downhole tool to transmit the electric signal

and/or the communication signal in a manner of non-contact connection, such that the

signal transmission device 20 can be connected with the downhole tool 10. By

arranging the control module 22 and arranging the second carrier communication

control unit 221 capable of being in communication connection with the first carrier

communication control unit 122 in the control module 22, the circuit module 121

needing communication with the signal transmission device 20 can be found from

numerous circuit modules 121 conveniently, rapidly and uniquely, such that

operations such as data extraction and program downloading can be performed on the

circuit module 121. The problem that an existing downhole tool only can perform

operations such as data transmission and configuration updating on the circuit

modules 121 in the downhole tool by forming connecting holes in an outer wall of the

downhole tool or dismantling the downhole tool is solved, such that the terminal

device 30, the signal transmission device 20 and the downhole tool 10 can be

connected conveniently and rapidly.

In an embodiment, the second signal transmission module 21 is a plug, the plug

comprises a second magnetic core 211 and a second coil 212, and the second

magnetic core 211 is mounted at the plug; the second coil 212 is wound around an

outer wall or a bottom surface of the second magnetic core 211, and the second

magnetic core 211 and the second coil 212 form a primary coil; a secondary coil in

the downhole tool 10 is electromagnetically coupled with the primary coil to achieve

non-contact electric signal and/or communication signal connection between the

socket and the plug.

The second signal transmission module 21 is arranged as the plug, such that it is

connection, and the second magnetic core 211 and the second coil 212 of the second signal transmission module 21 can cooperate with the first signal transmission module

13 to receive and send the electric signal and the communication signal by means of

the inductively coupled power transfer technology and the carrier communication

uploading on the circuit modules 121 while supplying power to the circuit modules

121 in the downhole tool 10.

The specific structure of the first signal transmission module 13 and the second

signal transmission module 21 can be one of the following embodiments:

Embodiment 1: the first coil is wound around the inner side wall of the first

magnetic core three-dimensionally, and as shown in Fig. 3, the second coil 212 is

wound around the outer side wall of the second magnetic core 211 three

dimensionally.

Embodiment II: the first coil is wound around the surface of the first magnetic

core planarly, and as shown in Fig. 4, the second coil 212 is wound around the bottom

surface of the second magnetic core 211 planarly.

It can be understood that the first signal transmission module 13 and the second

signal transmission module 21 can be of other structures or forms according to

different design demands as long as sending and reception of the electric signal and

the communication signal can be conveniently realized.

In an embodiment, the number of turns of the first coil is consistent with the

number of turns of the second coil 212.

In an embodiment, a connector is arranged on one of the socket and the plug and

a matching part is arranged on the other of the socket and the plug, and the connector

and the matching part are matched to connect the socket with the plug, wherein the

connector or the matching part on the socket is arranged in the position, extending out

of the downhole tool body 11, of the socket. As the connector and the matching part

are arranged on the socket and the plug respectively, the plug can be inserted into the socket more firmly and conveniently and it is ensured that the plug and the socket are aligned accurately.

In preferred embodiments, the specific structure of the connector can be one of

the following embodiments:

Embodiment I: the connector is an internal thread connector, and the matching

part is an external thread connector.

Embodiment II: the connector is a buckling part, and the matching part is a

clamping slot part.

Embodiment III: the connector is internally provided with a magnetic attraction

part, and the matching part is a magnet adaptive to the magnetic attraction part, and

the like.

It can be understood that the connector can be of other structures or forms

according to different design demands as long as connection of the socket and the

external device can be conveniently realized, and it is ensured that the first signal

transmission module 13 in the socket is aligned with the external device accurately,

and sending and reception of the electric signal or the communication signal can be

implemented effectively.

By matching of the internal thread connector and the external thread connector or

the matching of the buckling part and the clamping slot part, it is ensured that the plug

and the socket are aligned accurately, and it is further ensured that the first signal

transmission module 13 and the second signal transmission module 21 are aligned

accurately, so that accurate and effective sending and reception of the electric signal

or the communication signal are ensured.

It can be understood that the connector and the matching part can be of other

structures or forms according to different design demands as long as connection of the

plug and the socket can be conveniently realized, it is ensure that the first signal

transmission module 13 is aligned with the second signal transmission module 21 accurately, and effective transmission of the electric signal or the communication signal is ensured.

In an embodiment, the plug is in an irregular shape and the socket is in an

irregular shape matched with the plug. The socket and the plug are arranged in the

irregular shapes matched with each other, so that the inserting firmness and the

aligning accuracy between the coils can be further ensured, thereby ensuring smooth

sending and reception of the electric energy and the communication signal.

In an embodiment, the signal processing device 20 further comprises an electric

energy sending control unit 222, and the electric energy sending control unit 222 is

used for controlling electric signal sending.

For example, the electric energy sending control unit 222 can comprise

components such as a high frequency electric energy conversion and control module

22, a primary side tuned compensation circuit, a signal modulating and demodulating

and a controller. The electric energy is inverted into a high frequency alternating

current by a high frequency inverter, the high frequency alternating current generates

a high frequency alternating magnetic field through a compensation loop, and the

alternating magnetic field is transmitted directly to the secondary coil through the

primary coil via a transmission medium (air, water, oil and the like). The controller in

the electric energy sending control unit 222 can control the primary side tuned

compensation circuit according to an instruction sent by the upper computer to set and

switch channels. The primary coil and the secondary coil are named according to a

power supply direction.

In the third aspect, the embodiment of the present invention provides a signal

transmission method applied to any one of the signal transmission systems mentioned

above. As shown in Fig. 6, the method comprises the following steps: receiving, by

the control module 22, the communication signal sent by the terminal device 30 and

determining the circuit module 121 corresponding to the communication signal

according to the communication signal; configuring, by the control module 22, the communication signal transmission channel of the second carrier communication control unit 221 as the preset carrier communication channel corresponding to the circuit module 121; sending, by the second carrier communication control unit 221, the communication signal to the second signal transmission module 21 according to the preset carrier communication channel so as to enable the second signal transmission module 21 to send the communication signal to the first signal transmission module 13; sending, by the first signal transmission module 13, the communication signal to the first carrier communication control unit 122 corresponding to the preset carrier communication channel; and receiving, by the first carrier communication control unit 121, the communication signal and configuring the circuit module 121 corresponding to the first carrier communication control unit 122 according to the communication signal.

By means of the inductively coupled power transfer technology and the carrier

communication technology, the terminal device 30, the signal transmission device 20

and the circuit modules 121 in the downhole tool 10 are connected. By designing an

operational process and a data packet protocol, different communication channels are

distributed for different circuit modules 121. The first carrier communication control

unit 122 and the second carrier communication control unit 221 cooperate to control

data packet transmission. On the premise of not affecting normal work of the circuit

modules 121, configuration, program upgrading and data uploading can be performed

on the circuit modules 121 quickly.

In an embodiment, the signal transmission method further comprises arranging a

preset carrier communication channel of the first carrier communication control unit

122. A target circuit module 121 for the communication signal is differentiated by

arranging the preset carrier communication channel of the first carrier communication

control unit 122.

In an embodiment, the signal transmission method further comprises sending, by

the circuit module 121, a transparent transmission data packet to the control module

22 and uploading, by the control module 22, the transparent transmission data packet

to the terminal device 30; and/or receiving, by the control module 22, the transparent

transmission data packet sent by the terminal device 30 and sending the transparent

transmission data packet to the circuit module 121. After connection between the

circuit module 121 and the terminal device 30 is established, the data packet can be

transmitted at the maximum speed due to the design of the transparent transmission

data packet.

In order to better understand the present invention, further description on the

downhole tool, the signal transmission system and the signal transmission method is

made below:

According to the exemplary downhole tool 10 and signal transmission system

according to the embodiment, by means of the inductively coupled power transfer

technology and the carrier communication technology, one mounting hole 111 is

formed in the outer wall of the downhole tool 10 and the mounting hole 111 is used

for mounting the first signal transmission module 13. The first signal transmission

module 13 is a socket. The second signal transmission module 21 is arranged on the

signal processing device 20 in the signal transmission system, the second signal

transmission module 21 is a plug, and the plug is matched with the socket in size, so

that the plug can be fixed to the socket.

The primary coil in the plug is connected to an external control module 22

through a cable, and the control module 22 is internally provided with two units: the

electric energy sending control unit 222 and the second carrier communication control

unit 221. The control module 22 is further provided with two interfaces: one of the

interfaces is a power supply interface which is used for supplying power for the

control module 22 and circuits in the downhole tool and the other one is a

communication interface which is a serial port or a USB interface and can be

connected to the terminal device 30. Matched software runs on the terminal device 30

to configure the second carrier communication control unit 221 in the control module

22 and the matched software further has the functions of configuration, data reading,

program upgrading and the like for the circuit modules 121 in the downhole tool. The

second carrier communication control unit 221 can adjust the carrier communication

channel under the control of the terminal device 30. The carrier communication

channel can be controlled by adjusting frequency and can be further controlled by

adjusting a phase and the like.

An annular coil which is the secondary coil is arranged in the socket of the

downhole tool 10, and the secondary coil is formed by the first magnetic core and the

first coil; an annular coil which is the primary coil is arranged in the plug of the signal

processing device 20, the primary coil is formed by the second magnetic core 211 and

the second coil 212, and the first coil and the second coil 212 are consistent in number

of turns.

The secondary coil is connected to the electric energy reception control unit 14

which supplies power to circuit modules 121 in the downhole tool. Once the electric

energy is transmitted to the electric energy reception control unit 14 through an

inductive coupling coil, all circuit modules 121 are powered. The electric energy

reception control unit 14 is further provided with an interface connected to the circuit

modules 121 in the downhole tool body 11. The interface transmits a waveform with a

modulating signal, i.e., a waveform in the induction coil.

Each circuit module 121 is provided with one first carrier communication control

unit 122 to complete signal modulation and demodulation. The signal modulating and

demodulating channels of the first carrier communication control unit 122 matched

for each circuit module 121 are different and unique, through which the target circuit

module 121 for the signal is differentiated. Besides modulating and demodulating of

the signal, the first carrier communication control unit 122 can further convert the

signal into a signal (including a transmission port type and a data packet structure and

the like) capable of being connected to a processor in the circuit module 121. The

connecting interface can be a serial port, an SPI, a CAN, an 12C and the like.

The processor in the circuit module 121 can be a single-chip microcomputer, an

ARM chip or an FPGA chip, and supports IAP (In-Application Programming), i.e.,

the processor can acquire a new code in the system and re-program itself. The circuit

modules 121 are of communication connection relationships. When being just

electrified, the circuit modules 121 run according to preset programs and are in

communication connection therebetween.

The first carrier communication control units 122 arranged on the circuit

modules 121 are connected to the same bus equivalently. According to different

modulating features, addressing of different circuit modules 121 is achieved.

The data packet in the exemplary signal transmission method of the embodiment

is shown in Fig. 7:

TYPE is the data packet type, LEN is a length of MESSAGE, MESSAGE is a

content of the data packet, and the content of the MESSAGE is different when the

TYPE value is different.

If the TYPE value is A, indicating that the data packet is the transparent

transmission data packet. The transparent transmission data packet is directly

forwarded after being received by the control module 22 without being analyzed.

If the TYPE value is B, indicating that the data packet is a configuration data

packet. After the configuration data packet is received by the control module 22, it is

necessary to analyze the content in the MESSAGE and configure corresponding

portions of the control module 22.

All the data packets sent to the terminal device 30 from the downhole tool 10 are

transparent transmission data packets with TYPE=A. The control module 22 directly

forwards the data packets to the terminal device 30 after receiving the data packets.

A working process of the exemplary non-contact type electric energy and

communication signal transmission method of the embodiment is as follows:

1. An appointed preset carrier communication channel is distributed for each of

all the circuit modules 121 in the downhole tool body 11, for example, a Channel 1 is distributed for the circuit module 1, a Channel 2 is distributed for the circuit module 2, and by parity of reasoning, a Channel i is distributed to the circuit module i.

Distribution of these channels is arranged before assembly, and the terminal device 30

knows the distribution condition.

2. The control module 22 is connected to the power supply and is connected to

the terminal device 30.

3. All the circuit modules 121 are polled to examine whether all the circuit

modules can be connected or not.

The terminal device 30 sends a polling instruction which performs the following

steps according to a time interval T 1:

1) the terminal device 30 sends a configuration data packet, the control module

22 is configured as a Channel i, and the second carrier communication control unit

221 is configured as a corresponding communication channel according to the

selected circuit module 121. After the configuration operation is completed, the first

carrier communication control unit 122 sends a configuration completion informing

packet to the terminal device 30. After receiving the configuration completion

informing packet, the terminal device 30 prompts that the next step can be performed.

If configuration is not completed within T2 (10-60ms), a configuration error alarm

ERRORI is prompted. The next circuit module 121 is inquired directly.

2) the terminal device 30 sends an inquiry online packet (the transparent

transmission data packet) and waits for a T3 time. If the terminal device does not

receive an online reply packet within the T3 time, it is considered that the

corresponding circuit module 121 is loss of communication. The terminal device 30

sends out ERROR2 alarm.

3) if the online reply packet is received within a T2 time, an online inquiry step

of the next circuit module 121 is performed, i.e., i+1, return to step 1).

From the aspect of the circuit modules 121, all the circuit modules 121 have two

modes: running mode and standby mode. The circuit modules enter the running mode first after being electrified. If the inquiry online packet (the transparent transmission data packet) sent by the terminal device 30 is received, the circuit modules enter the standby mode and send an online reply packet (the transparent transmission data packet) to the terminal device 30.

If all the circuit modules 121 can be connected after being polled, the next step is

performed.

4. A to-be-operated object is selected, i.e., one of the circuit modules 121 of the

downhole tool 10. The terminal device 30 sends a configuration data packet, the

control module 22 is configured as a Channel i, and the second carrier communication

control unit 221 is configured as a corresponding communication channel according

to the selected circuit module 121. For example, if the selected circuit module 121 is

numbered as a, then the carrier communication channel is configured as Channel a.

After the configuration operation is completed, the first carrier communication control

unit 122 sends a configuration completion informing packet to the terminal device 30.

After receiving the configuration completion informing packet, the terminal device 30

prompts that the next step can be performed. If configuration is not completed within

T2 (10-60ms), a configuration error alarm ERRORI is prompted.

5. Different data packets are sent according to a to-be-operated type. (All the data

packets in this step are transparent transmission data packets)

1) recorded data are read by the following steps:

Qa read request is initiated, and the terminal device 30 sends the read request to

the circuit module 121;

@the total length of the data is uploaded, and the circuit module 121 sends the

total length to the terminal device 30;

@a read length and a read position request are initiated, and the terminal device

30 sends the read length and the read position request to the circuit module 121;

@a data packetization condition is uploaded, and the circuit module 121 sends

the data packetization condition to the terminal device 30;

@a read confirming request is initiated, and the terminal device 30 sends the

read confirming request to the circuit module 121; and

@data are transmitted in packets.

2) parameters are configured by the following steps:

Qa configuration command is initiated, and the terminal device 30 sends the

configuration command to the circuit module 121;

Other circuit module 121 starts configuration after receiving the configuration

command;

@a completed/failed confirming packet is configured, and the circuit module

121 sends the completed/failed confirming packet to the terminal device 30.

3) an upgrading program packet is downloaded for program upgrading by the

following steps:

Qa program upgrading request is initiated, and the terminal device 30 sends the

program upgrading request to the circuit module 121;

Othe circuit module 121 returns a reply packet after receiving the program

upgrading request, and the circuit module 121 sends the reply packet to the terminal

device 30;

Other terminal device 30 sends a total length and a packetization condition of the

program upgrading packet, and sends the total length and the packetization condition

to the circuit module 121;

@a confirming packet is sent, and the circuit module 121 sends the confirming

packet to the terminal device 30;

@the terminal device 30 sends the program upgrading packets according to

numbering sequence, and, the circuit module 121 sends confirming packets to the

terminal device 30 after receiving the upgrading packets;

@the circuit module 121 sends a program upgrading preparation completion

instruction to the terminal device 30 after receiving a complete packet;

After receiving the program upgrading preparation completion instruction, the

terminal device 30 sends an upgrade starting instruction to the circuit module 121;

@after receiving the upgrade starting instruction, the circuit module 121 starts to

upgrade the program. In the stage, any data packets from the terminal device 30 are

not received. After upgrading is finished, the circuit module 121 sends an online

packet to the terminal device 30.

@After operation is completed, other channels can be switched to perform the

above three operations on other circuit modules 121. If a user wants to stop the

operations, power is cut off directly to exit.

The circuit modules 121 have two modes: running mode and standby mode. The

two modes are switched by the terminal device 30 via a switching instruction sent by

the plug. Thus, the original functions of the circuit modules 121 are not affected, and

the circuit modules 121 can quickly perform operations such as

upgrading/configuring/data reading after entering the standby mode. After connection

between the corresponding circuit module 121 and the terminal device 30 is

established, the data packet can be transmitted at the maximum speed due to the

design of the transparent transmission packet.

Those not mentioned in the present invention can be realized by adopting or

learning from the prior art.

The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present invention,

but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to this. Various

changes or substitutions that are derived from those skilled in the art within the

technical scope disclosed by the present invention should be covered within the

protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the

invention should be subject to the appended claims.

In the description of the present disclosure, it is to be noted that, an orientation or

positional relationship indicated by terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse",

"length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right",

"vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise",

"counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like is based on the

orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, is merely

to describe the present invention and simplify the description and does not indicate or

imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation or is

constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as a

limitation to the present disclosure.

Besides, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for description and shall

not be interpreted as an indication or implication of relative importance or an implicit

indication of the number of technical features. Thus, the feature defined by "first" and

"second" can explicitly or implicitly comprises one or more features. In the

description of the present invention, "a plurality of' means two or more, unless

otherwise specifically defined.

In the present invention, unless otherwise specified and defined, the terms such

as "mounting", "connected", "connection", "fixed" and the like should be understood

in a broad sense, for example, connection can be fixed connection and can also be

detachable connection or integrated connection; connection can be mechanical

connection, electric connection and communication; and connection can be direct

connection, can be indirect connection through an intermediate medium and can also

be internal communication of two elements or interaction between two elements.

Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand the specific meaning of terms in the

present invention according to specific circumstance.

In the present invention, unless otherwise specified and limited, the first feature

"above" or "below" the second feature can comprise that the first feature and the

second feature are in direct contact, and can also comprise that the first feature and the

second feature are not in direct contact, but are in contact through another feature

between the first feature and the second feature. Furthermore, the first feature "above",

"over" and "on" the second feature comprises that the first feature is right above and obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is horizontally higher than the second feature. The first feature "beneath" "below" and

"under" the second feature comprises that the first feature is right below and obliquely

below the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is horizontally lower

than the second feature.

The above disclosure provides various different implementation manners or

examples to implement different structures of the present invention. To simplify the

disclosure of the present invention, parts and setting of the specific examples are

described above. Of course, they are only examples and are not intended to limit the

present invention. In addition, the present invention can repeat reference number

and/or reference letters in different examples. The repetition is for the purpose of

simplicity and clarifying and does not indicate the relationship between various

discussed implementation manners and/or settings itself. In addition, the present

invention provides various specific examples of processes and materials, but those of

ordinary skill in the art can realize the application of other processes and/or use of

other materials.

Claims

1. A downhole tool, characterized by comprising:

a downhole tool body;

a circuit compartment, wherein the circuit compartment is arranged in the

downhole tool body, and a plurality of circuit modules are mounted in the circuit

compartment; and

a first signal transmission module, wherein the first signal transmission module

is arranged at the downhole tool body, the circuit modules are electrically connected

to the first signal transmission module, the first signal transmission module is used for

being in communication connection with a second signal transmission module, and

the second signal transmission module is adaptive to the first signal transmission

module; wherein

at least one of the circuit modules comprises a first carrier communication

control unit, through which the circuit module can receive or send a communication

signal corresponding to the circuit module.

2. The downhole tool as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the downhole

tool body is provided with a mounting hole for mounting the first signal transmission

module.

3. The downhole tool as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the first signal

transmission module is a socket, wherein the socket comprises:

a first magnetic core, mounted in the mounting hole; and

a first coil, wound around an inner wall or a surface of the first magnetic core,

and the first magnetic core and the first coil form a secondary coil.

4. The downhole tool as claimed in claim 1, characterized by further comprising: an electric energy reception control unit, wherein one end of the electric energy reception control unit is electrically connected to the first signal transmission module, the other end of the electric energy reception control unit is electrically connected to the circuit module, and the electric energy reception control unit is used for controlling electric signal reception.

5. A signal transmission system, characterized by comprising a signal processing

device and a terminal device, and further comprising the downhole tool as claimed in

any one of claims 1-4; wherein

the signal processing device comprises:

a second signal transmission module, used for being in non-contact connection

with the first information transmission module to transmit an electric signal and/or a

communication signal; and

a control module, electrically connected to the second signal transmission

module and internally provided with a second carrier communication control unit;

the control module is used for receiving the communication signal sent by the

terminal device, determining the circuit module corresponding to the communication

signal according to the communication signal and configuring a signal transmission

channel of the second carrier communication control unit as a preset carrier

communication channel corresponding to the circuit module, such that the second

carrier communication control unit transmits the communication signal to the first

carrier communication control unit corresponding to the circuit module according to

the preset carrier communication channel.

6. The signal transmission system as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the

second signal transmission module is a plug, wherein the plug comprises:

a second magnetic core, mounted on the plug; and a second coil, wound around an inner wall or a bottom surface of the second magnetic core, and the second magnetic core and the second coil form a primary coil; the secondary coil in the downhole tool and the primary coil are coupled electromagnetically to realize non-contact electric signal and/or communication signal connection between the socket and the plug.

7. The signal transmission system as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that one

of the socket and the plug is provided with a connector, the other one of the socket

and the plug is provided with a matching part, and the connector and the matching

part are matched to connect the socket with the plug,

wherein the connector or the matching part on the socket is arranged in a position,

extending out of the downhole tool body, of the socket.

8. The signal transmission system as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that

the connector is an internal thread connector, and the matching part is an external

thread connector; or

the connector is a buckling part, and the matching part is a clamping slot part.

9. The signal transmission system as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the

signal processing device further comprises:

an electric energy sending control unit, wherein the electric energy sending

control unit is used for controlling electric signal sending.

10. A signal transmission method, applied to the signal transmission system as

claimed in any one of claims 5-9, characterized in that the method comprises the

following steps: receiving, by a control module, a communication signal sent by a terminal device and determining a circuit module corresponding to the communication signal according to the communication signal; configuring, by the control module, a communication signal transmission channel of a second carrier communication control unit as a preset carrier communication channel corresponding to the circuit module; sending, by the second carrier communication control unit, the communication signal to a second signal transmission module according to the preset carrier communication channel so as to enable the second signal transmission module to send the communication signal to a first signal transmission module; sending, by the first signal transmission module, the communication signal to a first carrier communication control unit corresponding to the preset carrier communication channel; and receiving, by the first carrier communication control unit, the communication signal and configuring a circuit module corresponding to the first carrier communication control unit according to the communication signal.