U.S. patent application number 14/415983 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-06 for down-hole monitoring and survey system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Precison Systems International IP PTY LTD. Invention is credited to Adrian James Crouch, Christopher David Lane, Aaron Cope Maher, Dion Jaye Maher.
Application Number | 20150218936 14/415983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49996424 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150218936 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maher; Aaron Cope ; et
al. |
August 6, 2015 |
DOWN-HOLE MONITORING AND SURVEY SYSTEM
Abstract
The present invention is a drill-hole survey and geoscientific
data acquisition system that includes a down-hole tool including: a
sensor control module, at least one sensor module, and data,
control and electrical power connection means, wherein the sensor
control module, the at least one sensor module, and the connection
means are each sized and shaped so that they can be placed within a
drill-hole and can travel along the length of the drill-hole, and
can travel along the drill-hole. the sensor control module is a
discreet control module, and each of said at least one sensor
modules are also each a discreet sensor module, and each of the
discreet control and sensor modules are inter-connectable via said
data, control and electrical power connection means so that the
series of modules are connected end to end to make one continuous
elongate tool that contains a series of interconnected modules. The
sensor control module controls the tool and provides electrical
power to, and sends control signals to, and receives data from,
each of the at least one sensor module. The tool collects data
along the drill-hole.
Inventors: |
Maher; Aaron Cope;
(Bentleigh East, AU) ; Maher; Dion Jaye;
(Victoria, AU) ; Crouch; Adrian James; (Victoria,
AU) ; Lane; Christopher David; (Victoria,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Precison Systems International IP PTY LTD |
Keysborough, Victoria |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
49996424 |
Appl. No.: |
14/415983 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
July 25, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2013/000817 |
371 Date: |
January 20, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/854.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 47/00 20130101;
E21B 47/12 20130101; E21B 17/028 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 47/12 20060101
E21B047/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 25, 2012 |
AU |
2012903170 |
Claims
1-42. (canceled)
43. A down-hole tool including: a sensor control module, at least
one sensor module, and data, control and electrical power
connection means, wherein the sensor control module, the at least
one sensor module, and said connection means are each sized and
shaped so that they can be placed within a drill-hole, and can
travel along the drill-hole, and wherein the sensor control module
is a discreet control module, and each of said at least one sensor
modules are also each a discreet sensor module, and each of the
discreet control and sensor modules are inter-connectable via said
data, control and electrical power connection means so that the
series of modules are connected end to end to make one continuous
elongate tool that contains a series of interconnected modules, and
wherein the sensor control module controls the tool and provides
electrical power to, and sends control signals to, and receives
data from, each of the at least one sensor module, and wherein said
tool collects data along the drill-hole.
44. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 43 wherein the tool
continuously collects geoscience data as the tool travels along the
drill-hole, or at discreet places along the drill-hole when the
tool is stopped at various places along the drill hole.
45. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 44 wherein the tool
includes data transmission means that sends data up to the operator
at the ground surface, and said transmission means is either wired
or wireless.
46. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 45 wherein the tool
includes two wireless communication modes, one that is high
powered, and the other that is low powered, and only one or the
other is typically in operation at any one time.
47. A down-hole tool as claimed 46 wherein the high powered mode is
used to transfer a large amount of data as quickly as possible,
such as firmware upgrades to the modules, and/or large amounts of
sensor data, and is subsequently switched off when no longer
required to preserve the tool's battery power reserves.
48. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 47 wherein the low powered
wireless communication mode is used to send short quick commands
back and forth from the tool, and when only small amounts of data
need to be transferred.
49. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 48 wherein the tool is
capable of self-determining which wireless communication mode to
use for any particular data transfer task, or the operator can
manually select the wireless communication mode using remote
commands.
50. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 49 wherein the tool is
capable of continuously transmitting said geoscience data back to
the operator while the tool is down the drill-hole, or wherein said
geoscience data can be collected and stored within the tool, and
this collected data can then be uploaded into a handset or any
other authorized data receiver, either automatically, or manually
by an operator, after the tool has been retrieved from the
drill-hole.
51. A down-hole tool as defined in claim 50 wherein the at least
one gyroscope is included inside a discrete gyroscope module that
is connected to, and forms a part of, the elongate tool, or the at
least one gyroscope is incorporated into the sensor control module,
and said gyroscope module provides the tool with directional
orientation information relative to a set reference point, such as
true north.
52. A down-hole tool as defined in claim 51 wherein the gyroscope
is a microelectromechanical type gyroscope, also known as a MEMs
gyroscope.
53. A down-hole tool as defined in claim 52 wherein the gyroscope
module includes four gyroscopes, and these are installed "nose to
tail" so that the length of the gyroscope module is minimized.
54. A down-hole tool as defined in claim 53 wherein each sensor
module includes one or more types of sensor technology including:
magnetic induction sensing, or gamma ray sensing, or electrical
resistance sensing, or acoustics sensing, or video surveillance, or
temperature sensing, or gravity gradiometer, or pressure
sensing.
55. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 54 wherein at least one of
the modules is filled with a suitable material such as oil to
dampen the rate of variations in temperature which may adversely
affect the efficacy or accuracy of the particular sensor.
56. A down-hole tool as defined in claim 55 wherein the tool is
capable of being transported to the drill-hole site by the drilling
operators in a disassembled condition, and the tool is capable of
being assembled on-site and accurately calibrated so that the tool
includes all the appropriate modules required for any particular
geoscientific survey to be performed on a particular
drill-hole.
57. A down-hole tool as defined in claim 56 wherein the tool can be
disassembled and safely stored after the survey operation has been
completed by the drilling operators, ready to be transported to the
next survey site.
58. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 57 wherein the sensor
control module has the data transmission means at its end nearest
to the opening of the drill-hole, and has said data, control and
electrical power connection means at the other.
59. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 58 wherein each of the
sensor modules and the gyroscope module has data, control and
electrical power connection means at each end, and when each
discrete module is connected together with a neighboring module,
said data, control and electrical power connection is made between
each module that makes up the tool.
60. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 59 wherein the connection
means includes an array of spring loaded electrical connector pins
at one end, and a plurality of discrete electrical contacts at the
other, so that when two modules are connected together, the spring
loaded pins of one module are forced into electrical contact with a
desired electrical contact on its neighboring module.
61. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 60 wherein each module
includes a data logger that is relevant to that particular
module.
62. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 61 wherein each module
includes the capability of shutting down power to its neighboring
module to preserve its own operational integrity.
63. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 62 wherein the sensor
control module includes a temperature sensor for the tool.
64. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 63 wherein any of the
modules making up the tool includes a tamper sensor that indicates
if any of the modules have been tampered with.
65. A down-hole tool as claimed in claims 64 wherein the tool is
capable of processing the data acquired by the sensors within the
tool itself, so that the amount of data that is stored within the
tool and transferred from or transmitted from the tool is
minimized.
66. A down-hole tool as claimed in claim 65 wherein the tool,
including each module, and/or ancillary equipment, such as the
handset, and/or associated software, includes digital rights
management technology that can be remotely enabled or disabled by
an authorised third party, such as a distributor and/or owner of
the tool, and wherein the tool, including each module, and/or
ancillary equipment such as the handset, and/or associated
software, can only be operated when the digital rights management
technology is enabled.
67. A down-hole survey system for use with a drill-hole to conduct
a geophysical survey of said drill-hole, including: a down-hole
tool a tool controller, an access point, at least one server, and a
plurality of computers, wherein the tool controller is contained in
a ruggedized handset, and the access point are located in the
vicinity of the drill-hole, and the tool controller is used to
operate the tool, and collect the geophysical data acquired by the
tool, and this data is sent to the access point, and said access
point is capable of wirelessly transmitting the acquired data over
a wide area network, such as the internet, to the at least one
server and said plurality of computers.
68. A down-hole survey system as claimed in claim 67 wherein the
access point is capable of creating a gateway between the local
area network at the survey site, and a wide area network, such as
the internet, so that data to/from the down-hole tool, and/or
to/from the handset, and/or to/from the at least one server, and/or
to/from any one of the plurality of computers, passes via said
gateway.
69. A down-hole survey system as claimed in 68 wherein the access
point is integrated into the ruggedized handset so that the handset
is capable of functioning as both the tool controller and the
access point.
70. A down-hole survey system as claimed in claim 69 wherein both
the at least one server and at least one computer are
geographically remote from the survey site.
71. A down-hole survey system as claimed in claim 70 wherein the at
least one server and the at least one computer of the plurality of
computers, are located within a master control facility, and at
least another one of the plurality of computers is located in a
separate office remote from the master control facility.
72. A down-hole survey system as claimed in claim 71 wherein the
master control facility, either in conjunction with, or
independently of, the separate office, prepares and dispatches a
drilling program to a driller onsite, who will compare instrument
data with a planned drill-hole plan, so that the driller can make
any last minute adjustments to the drilling program.
73. A down-hole survey system as claimed in claim 72 wherein the
master control facility, either in conjunction with, or
independently of, the separate office, is capable of using the
survey data it receives from the survey site so that the drilling
program and drill-holes can be analyzed.
74. A down-hole survey system as claimed in claim 73 wherein the
handset is capable of acquiring and transmitting data relating to
the operational status and condition of the tool so that either or
both the operator at the drill-hole site or the professional
personnel at the master control facility are alerted if/when
critical aspects of the tool has fallen out of proper calibration,
or has in some other way moved outside of acceptable operational
parameters for the particular survey operation being
undertaken.
75. A down-hole survey system as claimed in claim 74 wherein
authorized personnel at the master control facility can react to
alerts relating to critical aspects of the tool falling out of
proper calibration, or in some other way has moved outside of
acceptable operational parameters for a particular survey operation
by sending corrective and/or instructional data back to the drill
site, including firmware for the hardware, in order to attempt to
get the tool, or an included module within the tool, back into
proper calibration, and/or back to within acceptable operational
parameters for that particular survey operation being undertaken,
or to upgrade the equipment so that it operates at peak
efficiency.
76. A down-hole survey system as claimed in claim 75 wherein an
authorized third party, such as a distributor and/or owner of the
tool, including each module, and/or ancillary equipment such as the
handset, and/or associated software, can remotely enable or disable
the digital rights management technology associated with that
equipment and associated software, depending on the license status
of the operator at the time that the operator is preparing to use
the equipment and/or associated software to perform a survey on a
drill-hole.
77. A down-hole survey system as claimed in claim 76 wherein the
handset has a simplified user interface that enables and empowers a
driller at the survey site to perform highly specialized and
complex survey activities under the supervision and instruction of
professional geological survey experts, such as geologists, located
at the master control facility, or at a remote office, thereby
giving the professional survey experts virtual access to the drill
site and remote oversight of the survey operation for any
particular drill-hole survey operation being undertaken.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the equipment and system used to
perform drill-hole survey and geological surveys of the sub-surface
of earth, either onshore or offshore, wherein the equipment is
given access to the subterranean strata by way of pre-prepared
exploratory drill-holes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Geological surveys are critical activities used by mining
and resource companies to determine the viability and operation of
mines and wells. The accuracy and timeliness of the acquired data
is an important factor in finding the next big ore deposit, or oil
or gas well. When it comes to geological surveying, time and
precision are critical factors. Cost is an important factor as
well. Lower cost surveys allow an operator to conduct more surveys
within a set survey budget for a particular site.
[0003] It is common practice that a series of drill-holes are
created so that professional geoscientists, such as geologists can
use a variety of equipment and survey technology and techniques to
get as much data as physically possible that relates to the
subterranean strata deep within the Earth's crust at that
location.
[0004] One of the problems associated with the practice is that
these geological surveys are typically slow and costly to perform.
The common practice is to have an on-site a drilling team that
performs the drilling operation and creates the drill-hole, and
then there is a survey team that subsequently works on the
drill-hole with their equipment and performs the necessary
geological survey. The survey team then returns to their office
with their collected data and start processing it to generate a
survey report that mining or resource companies use to guide the
planning and decision making relating to the operation of an
existing asset, or the creation of a whole new operation.
[0005] Another problem associated with the common practice is that
the tools and equipment used by the survey team are often highly
specialised and complex, often requiring significant training and
years of experience to operate correctly and effectively. In
addition, the equipment is often expensive to maintain. Also there
is currently only limited access to real-time data produced by the
survey. Often this data is not analysed for days, weeks or months
after the survey has been performed.
[0006] Ideally it would be best if the professional survey
personnel were able to remain at the place where they are able to
analyse and collate the survey data acquired as soon as possible
after the survey operation has been completed and the data has been
obtained.
[0007] Another problem is that drillers usually maintain a paper
log of drill site activity, and this adds delays to the processing
times of the geological survey data, and also adds delays to the
processing of payments to the drillers for their work, and has the
potential of introducing human error into the log.
[0008] Also geological survey personnel such as geologists often
take an ad-hoc approach to the storage of the acquired geological
survey data.
[0009] Due to the complexity and specialization of skills needed to
effectively use the tools and equipment to conduct the survey, it
is often not possible to have the drill operators perform the
geological survey of a high and known quality, in addition to
creating the drill-hole.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to at least
ameliorate some or all of the aforementioned problems.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention is a drill-hole survey and
geoscientific data acquisition system that includes a down-hole
tool including: [0012] a sensor control module, [0013] at least one
sensor module, and [0014] data, control and electrical power
connection means,
[0015] wherein the sensor control module, the at least one sensor
module, and the connection means are each sized and shaped so that
they can be placed within a drill-hole and can travel along the
length of the drill-hole, and can travel along the drill-hole. the
sensor control module is a discreet control module, and each of
said at least one sensor modules are also each a discreet sensor
module, and each of the discreet control and sensor modules are
inter-connectable via said data, control and electrical power
connection means so that the series of modules are connected end to
end to make one continuous elongate tool that contains a series of
interconnected modules. The sensor control module controls the tool
and provides electrical power to, and sends control signals to, and
receives data from, each of the at least one sensor module. The
tool collects data along the drill-hole.
[0016] Preferably the tool collects geoscience data at discreet
places along the drill-hole when the tool is stopped.
[0017] Alternatively the tool continuously collects geoscience data
as the tool travels along the drill-hole.
[0018] Preferably the tool includes data transmission means that
sends data up to the operator at the ground surface, and said
transmission means is either wired or wireless.
[0019] Preferably the tool includes two wireless communication
modes, one that is high powered, and the other that is low powered,
and only one or the other is typically in operation at any one
time.
[0020] Preferably the high powered mode is used to transfer a large
amount of data as quickly as possible, such as firmware upgrades to
the modules, and/or large amounts of sensor data, and is
subsequently switched off when no longer required to preserve the
tool's battery power reserves.
[0021] Preferably the low powered wireless communications mode is
used to send short quick commands back and forth from the tool, and
when only small amounts of data need to be transferred.
[0022] Preferably the tool is capable of self-determining which
wireless communication mode to use for any particular data transfer
task, or the operator can manually select the wireless
communication mode using remote commands.
[0023] Preferably the tool is capable of continuously transmitting
said geoscience data back to the operator while the tool is down
the drill-hole.
[0024] Alternatively the geoscience data can be collected and
stored within the tool, and this collected data can then be
uploaded into a handset by an operator after the tool has been
retrieved from the drill-hole.
[0025] Preferably at least one gyroscope is included inside a
discrete gyroscope module that is connected to, and forms a part of
the elongate tool.
[0026] Alternatively at least one gyroscope is incorporated into
the sensor control module.
[0027] Preferably the gyroscope is a microelectromechanical type
gyroscope, also known as a MEMs gyroscope.
[0028] Preferably the gyroscope module includes four gyroscopes,
and these are installed "nose to tail" so that the length of the
gyroscope module is minimised.
[0029] Preferably each sensor module includes one or more types of
sensor technology.
[0030] Typical sensor types used within a discrete sensor module
include, but are not limited to: [0031] a. magnetic induction
sensing, or [0032] b. gamma ray sensing, or [0033] c. electrical
resistance sensing, or [0034] d. acoustics sensing, or [0035] e.
video surveillance, or [0036] f. temperature sensing, or [0037] g.
gravity gradiometer, or [0038] h. pressure sensing.
[0039] The down-hole tool is capable of being transported to the
drill-hole site by the drilling operators in a disassembled
condition, and the tool is capable of being assembled on-site and
accurately calibrated so that the tool includes all the appropriate
modules required for any particular geoscientific survey to be
performed on a particular drill-hole.
[0040] Preferably the tool can be disassembled and safely stored
after the survey operation has been completed by the drilling
operators, ready to be transported to the next survey site.
[0041] Preferably the discrete modules are screwed together to form
the elongate tool.
[0042] Preferably the sensor control module has the data
transmission means at its end nearest to the opening of the
drill-hole, and has data, control and electrical power connection
means at the other.
[0043] Preferably each of the sensor modules and the gyroscope
module has data, control and electrical power connection means at
each end, and when each discrete module is screwed together with a
neighbouring module, the data, control and electrical power
connection is made between each module that makes up the tool.
[0044] Preferably the connection means includes an array of spring
loaded electrical connector pins at one end, and a plurality of
discrete electrical contacts at the other, so that when two modules
are screwed together, the spring loaded pins of one module are
forced into electrical contact with a desired electrical contact on
its neighbouring module.
[0045] Preferably each module includes a data logger that is
relevant to that particular module.
[0046] Preferably each module includes the capability of shutting
down power to its neighbouring module to preserve its own
operational integrity.
[0047] Preferably the sensor control module includes a temperature
sensor for the tool.
[0048] Preferably the sensor control module includes a tamper
sensor that indicates if any of the modules have been tampered
with.
[0049] Alternatively each of the modules that makes up the tool
includes a tamper sensor that indicates if the particular module
has been tampered with.
[0050] Preferably the tool is capable of processing the data
acquired by the sensors within the tool, so that the amount of data
that is stored within the tool and transferred or transmitted from
the tool is minimised.
[0051] Optionally at least one of the modules is filled with a
suitable material such as oil to dampen the rate of variations in
temperature which may adversely affect the efficacy or accuracy of
the particular sensor.
[0052] Optionally the tool, including each module, and/or ancillary
equipment, such as the handset, and/or associated software,
includes digital rights management technology that can be remotely
enabled or disabled by an authorised third party, such as a
distributor and/or owner of the tool, and wherein the tool,
including each module, and/or ancillary equipment such as the
handset, and/or associated software, can only be operated when the
digital rights management technology is enabled.
[0053] In another form, the present invention is a down-hole survey
system that uses the down-hole tool that has been previously
described, and includes: [0054] a tool controller, [0055] an access
point, [0056] at least one server, and [0057] a plurality of
computers,
[0058] wherein the tool controller and the access point are located
in the vicinity of the drill-hole. The tool controller is used to
operate the tool, and collect the geophysical data acquired by the
tool. This data is sent to the access point, and the access point
is capable of wirelessly transmitting the acquired data over a wide
area network, such as the internet, to the at least one server and
plurality of computers.
[0059] Preferably the tool controller is a ruggedised handset.
[0060] Preferably the access point is capable of creating a gateway
between the local area network at the survey site, and a wide area
network, such as the internet, so that data to/from the down-hole
tool, and/or to/from the handset, and/or to/from the at least one
server, and/or to/from any one of the plurality of computers,
passes via the gateway.
[0061] Optionally the access point is integrated into the
ruggedized handset so that the handset is capable of functioning as
both the tool controller and the access point.
[0062] The present invention includes the arrangement where both
the at least one server and at least one computer are
geographically remote from the survey site.
[0063] Preferably the at least one server and the at least one
computer in the plurality of computers are located within a master
control facility, and at least one of the plurality of computers is
located in a separate office remote from the master control
facility.
[0064] Preferably the master control facility, both in conjunction
with, or independently of, the separate office, prepares and
dispatches a drilling program to a driller onsite, who will compare
instrument data with a planned drill-hole plan so that the driller
can make any last minute adjustments to the drilling program.
[0065] Preferably the master control facility, either in
conjunction with, or independently of, the separate office, is
capable of using the survey data it receives from the survey site
so that the drilling program and drill-holes can be analyzed.
[0066] Preferably the handset is capable of acquiring and
transmitting data relating to the operational status and condition
of the tool so that either or both the operator at the drill-hole
site or the professional personnel at the master control facility
are alerted if/when critical aspects of the tool has fallen out of
proper calibration, or has in some other way moved outside of
acceptable operational parameters for the particular survey
operation being undertaken.
[0067] Preferably personnel at the master control facility can
react to alerts relating to critical aspects of the tool falling
out of proper calibration, or in some other way has moved outside
of acceptable operational parameters for a particular survey
operation, by sending corrective and/or instructional data back to
the drill site, including firmware for the hardware, and/or updated
associated software, in order to attempt to get the tool, or an
included module within the tool, back into proper calibration,
and/or back to within acceptable operational parameters for that
particular survey operation being undertaken, or to upgrade the
equipment so that it operates at peak efficiency.
[0068] Preferably an authorised third party, such as a distributor
and/or owner of the tool, including each module, and/or ancillary
equipment such as the handset, and/or associated software, can
enable or disable the digital rights management technology
associated with that equipment and associated software, depending
on the licence status of the operator at the time that the operator
is preparing to use the equipment and/or associated software to
perform a survey on a drill-hole.
[0069] Preferably the handset has a simplified user interface that
enables and empowers a driller at the survey site to perform highly
specialised and complex survey activities under the supervision and
instruction of professional geological survey experts, such as
geologists, located at the master control facility, or at a remote
office, thereby giving the professional survey experts virtual
access to the drill site and remote oversight of the survey
operation for any particular drill-hole survey operation being
undertaken.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0070] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a tool having a
control module, a gyroscope module and a sensor module.
[0071] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the electrical power, control
and data connection means.
[0072] FIG. 3 is a side cut away view of the gyroscope module
showing four gyroscopes installed.
[0073] FIG. 4 is a schematic of the complete survey system
including the tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0074] Turning firstly to FIG. 1 we see an exploded view of the
down-hole survey tool 1. The survey tool 1 can be assembled from a
sensor control module 3 and a gyroscope module 13, and a plurality
of sensor modules, selected from a kit containing a wide variety of
sensor module types. Starting with the sensor control module 3,
typically the gyroscope module 13 is connected to the sensor
control module 3 via the external and internal screw thread pair 5
and 7 respectively. Each module has matching internal and external
screw threads, thereby enabling the tool to be assembled in a wide
variety of configurations. A different selection of sensor modules
are assembled together for each specific survey task.
[0075] The sensor control module 3 is the master controller for the
device. It includes the power supply for the tool, as well as the
controller and monitoring means for each other module in the tool
assembly. In addition, the sensor control module 3 includes data
receiving and transmitting means. An example of suitable means is
the wireless data receiving/transition means 11. As an alternative
to wireless means, the sensor control module could also communicate
with the ground surface via a wire.
[0076] In another preferred embodiment, the tool may incorporate
two wireless communication modes. The first is a high power mode
that is capable of sending and receiving comparatively large
amounts of data more quickly and effectively. The other mode is a
low power mode, and this mode is suitable for small amounts of data
transfer. Typically only one mode is in operation at any one time.
Because the high power mode consumes more power from the battery
power reserves for the tool, it is only switched on when needed,
and at other times it is turned off The tool is capable of
self-determining which mode it needs to use based on a variety of
factors, such as the amount of data to be transferred, and/or
whether there is enough power in the battery to be able to be used.
In addition to this, either the driller, or a remote operator can
remotely command the tool to use one mode or the other.
[0077] The end of the sensor control module 3 furthest from the
opening of the drill-hole includes a set of electrical contact
rails. When a module is screwed onto the sensor control module, and
electrical connection is made between them. This electrical
connection permits the flow of data, electrical power and control
signals throughout the tool.
[0078] Within the scope of the present invention, the sensor
control module may also include one or more gyroscopes. In this
embodiment, there is no need to have a separate gyroscope module
13. In another embodiment, the sensor control module 3 may also
include a sensor, such as a temperature sensor, thereby removing
the need for including a temperature sensing module in the tool. In
yet another embodiment, the sensor control module 3 may include a
tamper alert sensor that is capable of alerting the operator or
owner of the tool to an unauthorised tamper event on any of the
modules of the tool.
[0079] In another embodiment, some or all the modules include a
respective tamper alert sensor that alerts the operator or owner of
the tool of an unauthorized tamper event on any of the respective
modules of the tool.
[0080] Each sensor module 15 is capable of doing at least one
specific sensor or survey task, including, but not limited to:
[0081] magnetic induction sensing [0082] gamma ray sensing [0083]
electrical resistance sensing [0084] acoustics sensing [0085] video
surveillance [0086] temperature sensing [0087] gravity gradiometer
[0088] pressure sensing
[0089] Each sensor module may operate either autonomously, or may
be controlled by the control module. Sensor data collected by a
particular sensor module may either be stored locally in that
particular sensor module, or the data may be stored in the control
module, or a combination of both for the sake of redundancy.
[0090] Each module within the tool 1 includes a data logger.
[0091] Turning to FIG. 2, we are shown opposite ends of a sensor
module. We can see that there is an array of multiple spring loaded
connector pins 17 at one end, and a plurality of concentric
electrical contact rails 19 at the other. When two modules are
screwed together, the spring loaded connector pins are forced into
electrical contact with the electrical contact rails 19. Depending
on the requirements for that particular module, the pins 17 are
arrayed so that only the appropriate contact rails 19 are connected
to.
[0092] When the tool is assembled, it becomes a rigid elongate tool
that is dimensioned to be lowered down the drill-hole. In another
form of the invention, small bendable connectors are located
between each module, thereby allowing individual modules to bend
with respect to its neighbor. This assists in special circumstances
where the tool needs to pass around a bend in the drill-hole that
is would otherwise not be capable of passing in its rigid form.
[0093] Turning to FIG. 3 we can see a cut away side view of the
gyroscope module 13. In this embodiment we can see that is includes
four MEMs type gyroscopes. The internals for the entire gyroscope
module are capable of turning under the influence of a motor. The
internals of the module are connected at each end to the bearings
23. The more gyroscopes that are installed in the tool thereby
gives the tool a capability to reach an acceptable level of
directional orientation precision in a shorter period of time,
compared to a tool with fewer gyroscopes installed.
[0094] In a preferred embodiment, up to four MEMs gyroscopes are
used inside the gyroscope module, and these are installed in a
"nose to tail" configuration so that the length of the gyroscope
module is considerably reduced.
[0095] In an alternative embodiment, it is possible that some, or
all of the individual modules used in the tool are filled with a
suitable substance, such as an oil, so as to dampen the rate at
which temperature varies within the tool. Some efficacy and/or
accuracy of some types of tools is degraded if it is subjected to
temperature variations.
[0096] Turning to FIG. 4 we are shown a schematic of the down-hole
survey system 25 that uses the down-hole tool 1 as previously
described. The system includes the down-hole survey tool 1, a
handset 27, an access point 29, at least one server 31. The access
point 29 acts as a gateway between the local area network 35, and
the wide area network, such as the internet, that connects to the
remote server 31 and the computer 33. In a preferred embodiment,
the server 31 is remotely located from both the survey site and the
computer 33. Preferably the server is located inside a Master
Control Facility 37 that can be physically located anywhere in the
world. The computer 33 is located at a client survey office 39,
also located anywhere in the world. Geophysical scientists, such as
geologists can be located at either facility and can oversee and
run survey remotely from the survey site. There is a high degree to
communications flexibility designed within the system. The
down-hole tool 1 is can be configured to communicate directly with
the access point 29, or via the handset 27 to the access point, and
also it can be configured to communicate directly with the computer
33 or the server 31.
[0097] Additionally the master control facility 37 can monitor and
maintain the equipment at the survey site in real time. If the
module issues an alert that one or more of the modules have gone
out of acceptable operational limits, the master control facility
37 can send back corrective instructions to the tool, and/or send
instructions to the drilling operator about how to correct the
problem.
[0098] The master control facility 37 enables the geophysical
professionals to remotely plan and control the drilling program for
the client at a particular survey site. At the commencement of a
survey, the survey plan would be sent via the wide area network
link to the handset and down-hole tools onsite. The handset, or in
some cases a laptop computer or tablet that is being used by the
driller will compare the instrument data with the planned survey
data and provide guidance to the driller on parameters such as
actual drill-hole deviation from planned direction to suit the
specific geology of the survey location. A client company, such as
a geoscience laboratory, at their office 39, can also enter in
assay or other relevant information into the server records
relating to the particular survey.
[0099] Furthermore, the master control facility can perform
analytics based on the geo-location of the survey and the
theoretical accuracy of the down-hole tool based on its location on
the earth can be accounted for. This is required because Gyroscopic
based sensors change accuracy depending on the latitude at which
they are used, while Magnetics tools require declination
corrections to calculate true north depending on the latitude and
longitude.
[0100] The other main aspect of the invention is that a user, such
as a drilling contractor, or a mine site, can create a local area
geophysical data network in a region by installing an access point
29 and that allows the down-hole tool and/or handset to directly
and wirelessly communicate with both the master control facility's
server, and/or client survey office 39.
[0101] In another form of the present invention, the access point
29 is incorporated into the handset, so that the handset also
performs the function of the access point.
[0102] Another important aspect of the invention is that down-hole
tool 1 undertakes the majority of the sensor data processing and
thereby reduces the amount of data that needs to be transferred to
the handset. This reduces the processing required on the handset,
and reduces the amount of data to be transmitted to the handset
from the instrument, and to the master control facility server 31.
For the user at the survey site, it offers them a simple handset
which is very easy to use, and requires minimal training, thereby
allowing a drilling contractor to also perform the physical
operations required to perform the survey.
[0103] Another important aspect of the invention is that the owner
and/or distributor of the tool, ancillary equipment, and associated
software, can remotely upgrade or service it as required so that
the tool and its ancillary equipment and associated software can
function at peak efficiency. Upgrades include updated software, or
firmware for relevant hardware used either in or associated with
the tool.
[0104] In another aspect of the invention, at least some of the
modules, and/or the ancillary equipment such as the handset, and
any associated software, has digital rights management technology
incorporated with it. When the digital rights management technology
is activated, the tool, and ancillary equipment, is in a usable
condition. When the digital rights management technology is
disabled, the tool and/or ancillary equipment is in a non-usable
condition. Furthermore the distributor and/or owner of the tool is
able to remotely enable or disable the digital rights management
technology. This arrangement thereby enables the distributor and/or
the owner of the tool and ancillary equipment to lease/rent out the
equipment to an operator and ensure that it can only be used when
the operator is in compliance with their relevant lease/rental
agreement.
[0105] There are also other significant advantages to the system of
the present invention. Under current practice, drillers maintain a
paper log of drill site activity. This manual process introduces
delay into the processing and payment times for the field services
they have provided. Under this system, payments to the drillers for
their field services can be processed much quicker.
[0106] Finally, by having the data collected by the tool sent
directly from the drill-site to the remote office, the integrity
and security of the data kept more secure.
[0107] Whilst the above description includes the preferred
embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many
variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be
introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts
previously described without departing from the essential features
or the spirit or ambit of the invention.
[0108] It will be also understood that where the word "comprise",
and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", are used in
this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use
is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features
but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature
or features.
[0109] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not,
and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of
suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general
knowledge in Australia.
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