Fault detection and tolerance in downhole tool string assemblies

• Main Authors: Hoefel, Albert, Harms, Kent David, Villareal, Steven G
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 26.06.2018
• Subjects: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; CONTROLLING; EARTH DRILLING; EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MINING; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS ORELEMENTS; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS; PHYSICS; REGULATING

Systems, methods, and devices for fault detection and tolerance in a downhole tool string are provided. If a fault is detected in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be kept open to isolate the fault in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string. If a fault is not detected, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be closed to enable the transmission of signals on the electrical path. In some embodiments of fault detection and tolerance circuits, an additional one or more switches may be kept open to isolate the fault in electronics of the tool.