Patent EA-004215-B1 (EA)
Title: Choke inductor for wireless communication and control in a well
Inventor: BASS RONALD MARSHALL
IPC: E21B47/12
Filed: 2001-01-19
Abstract: 1. A current impedance device for providing power to a well arrangement (40), comprising a piping structure (34), the well arrangement (40), a choke inductor (32), choke being generally configured for enveloping a portion of said piping structure (34), characterized in that the well arrangement is electrically connected to said piping structure between one side of said choke and another side of said choke. 2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said choke is generally cylindrical shaped with a generally cylindrical shaped borehole formed therethrough, said borehole being adapted to receive said portion of said piping structure (34) therein. 3. A current impedance device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an insulating shell (138) that substantially covers the surfaces of said induction choke (32). 4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said induction choke (32) comprises a ferromagnetic material. 5. A device with claim 1, wherein said choke (32) has a relative permeability in the range of 1,000-150,000. 6. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the piping structure (34) comprises a petroleum well having two or more induction chokes (31) distributed within at least one branch (88) of a well. 7 A device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said piping structure includes at least a portion of a production tubing string (34) for the well and the time varying current is transmitted along the portion of the production tubing (34). 8. A device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said piping structure includes at least a portion of a well casing (36) for the well and the time varying current is transmitted along the portion of the well casing (36). 9. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the piping structure comprises a pipes in an oil refinery and having two or more induction chokes (32) distributed within at least one branch of the pipes. 10. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical return comprises at least a portion of an earthen ground (72). 11. A device in accordance with claim 10, wherein said electrical return comprises at least a portion of a conductive fluid (82). 12. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said device comprises a control module (31) adapted to control and communicate with at least one additional electronic component electrically connected thereto. 13. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said device comprises an electrically controllable and electrically actuated valve (40). 14. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said device comprises a sensor for data acquisition. 15. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: an electrical insulator (84) located at said first end of said piping structure (34), said insulator (84) being between said piping structure (34) and said electrical return such that said piping structure is electrically insulated from said electrical return along said first end. 16. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a computer system (39) adapted to send and receive data to and from said device (40) via said electric circuit. 17. A method of operating a petroleum well having a pipe (34) disposed in the earth comprising the steps of: providing an induction choke (32) coupled to the pipe downhole (34) and disposed in enveloping relationship to the pipe (34); coupling time varying current to the pipe (34), wherein developing a voltage potential across the choke (32), coupling a device to the pipe proximate the choke and operating said device with said voltage potential.