METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACOUSTICAL POWER TRANSFER AND COMMUNICATION USING STEEL WEDGES

摘要

Systems and methods for transmitting power and information using acoustic energy produced by transducers are provided. The systems have particular application for powering and communication with electronics through drilling and pipe systems. Pairs of acoustic wedges holding transducers are provided for sending energy and information through a substrate which may be a steel pipe. Each wedge has an angled transducer which can be used to produce shear waves. The waves propagate through the substrate and are received by a second acoustic wedge. The shear waves, on reaching the second acoustic wedge, are converted back into electrical signals by a second transducer. Tangential shear waves, high, shallow wave transmission angles, and direct steel-steel bonding between wedges and substrates may be used.

主权项

1. A method of transmitting at least one of power and signals along a steel oil pipe using tangential shear waves, the method comprising:
providing a transmitting arrangement and a receiving arrangement spaced apart on a steel oil pipe; wherein the transmitting arrangement is above ground level and wherein the receiving arrangement is below ground level; wherein the oil pipe has concrete on at least a portion of an outer surface, and wherein, in an operative state, oil is in contact with an inner surface of the oil pipe; wherein each transmitting arrangement comprises a steel transmitting wedge and a transmitting transducer coupled to the transmitting wedge, and wherein each receiving arrangement comprises a steel receiving wedge and a receiving transducer coupled to the receiving wedge; wherein each transmitting wedge and each receiving wedge are directly bound to a surface of the oil pipe by a direct steel-steel bond; wherein the transmitting transducer comprises a flat transmitting face for emitting tangential shear waves, the transmitting face of the transmitting transducer being coupled to an angled face of the transmitting wedge; wherein the transmitting face of the transmitting transducer and the angled face of the transmitting wedge are both normal to an angle θ with respect to the surface of the oil pipe which the transmitting wedge is coupled to; wherein the angle θ is an angle of at least 65 degrees and not more than 85 degrees; the method further comprising the transmit transducer producing tangential shear waves at angle θ, with said shear waves propagating through the transmitting wedge and into the oil pipe, through the oil pipe, and then into the receiving wedge, with said tangential shear waves being received by the receiving transducer; wherein said tangential shear waves substantially remain tangential shear waves as they propagate through the transmit wedge, the oil pipe, and the receiving wedge; the receiving transducer converting at least a portion of an energy content of said tangential shear waves into electrical energy, and using the electrical energy generated by the receiving transducer to at least one of provide a control signal and provide operating electricity for an electronic component.