초록 ▼

A mud pulse telemetry system for imparting data pulses to drilling fluids circulating in a drill string including an improved valve arrangment for modulating the pressure of the circulating drilling fluid is disclosed. A rotary acting shear-type valve is arranged in a through conduit configuration s

A mud pulse telemetry system for imparting data pulses to drilling fluids circulating in a drill string including an improved valve arrangment for modulating the pressure of the circulating drilling fluid is disclosed. A rotary acting shear-type valve is arranged in a through conduit configuration so that the seat face of the valve is covered when the valve is in an open position, thus preventing impingement of abrasive fluid particles on the valve seat face during the open flow position of the valve. The rotatable gate is positively driven through an arc in opposite directions by rotary solenoids so that a gate aperture is moved into and out of axial alignment with the opening in the valve seat to generate the pressure pulse. The rotary solenoid valve also permits a tailoring of the force curve of the solenoid for maximum power in actuation of larger flow orifices. The larger flow orifice permits generation of pressure pulses of increased amplitude.

대표청구항 ▼

Valve apparatus useful in a borehole drilling fluid telemetry system for transmitting data pulses from one end of a pipe string to another by imparting pressure pulses to a drilling fluid circulating down the pipe string, through a drilling member and up the annulus between the pipe string and boreh

Valve apparatus useful in a borehole drilling fluid telemetry system for transmitting data pulses from one end of a pipe string to another by imparting pressure pulses to a drilling fluid circulating down the pipe string, through a drilling member and up the annulus between the pipe string and borehole wall, whereby the valve is operated in the drilling fluid flow path to modulate the flow of the drilling fluid and thereby impart detectable pressure pulses to the drilling fluid, comprising: a housing disposable within said drill string, adapted for the flow of drilling fluid therearound and formed with a passage therethrough for selectable flow communication between said drill string and said borehole annulus; a shear valve mounted within said housing across said passage and comprising a valve seat and rotational gate member having alignable seat and gate openings formed therethrough, said gate opening being movable in an arc into and out of axial alignment with said seat opening; and valve actuation means for coupling to said gate for rotationally moving said gate opening through an arc relative to said seat opening to open said passage and generate a pressure pulse, said valve actuation means comprising a first solenoid and cam means coupled thereto for translating the non-linear, axial forces of said solenoid into generally linear, rotational forces for rotating said valve gate.