Seismic Data Acquisition System and Method for Downhole Use

Abstract

A method and system for conducting a seismic survey by lowering a string of intelligent clampable sensor pods with 3-C sensors into a borehole. The string of pods is serially interconnected by a cable having a conductor pair which provides both power and data connectivity. The uppermost sensor pod is connected to a downhole telemetry and control module. The cables and pods use connectors to allow assembly, customization, repair, and disassembly on site. Each pod has an upper and a lower connector, a processor, and memory which is coupled to both the upper and the lower connectors. Each pod is capable of simultaneous and independent serial communications at each connector with the memory. The telemetry and control module is designed to query the pods to determine the system configuration. The telemetry and control module then simultaneously triggers all pods to acquire data, the pods storing the collected data locally in the memory. After data collection, the controller simultaneously signals the pods to immediately transfer data serially from the local memory to the next higher adjacent pod and receive data, if any, from the lower adjacent pod, if any, storing the received data in memory. The first data transferred from each pod is that data collected by its local sensors. Subsequent data originates from lower pods and is simply passed up the string of pods to the telemetry and control module. In other words, the pods communicate in a bucket brigade fashion.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . A sensor array ( 18 ′) comprising, 
 a telemetry and control module ( 21 ′), and    a plurality of sensor pods ( 12 ′) coupled to said telemetry and control module,    each of said plurality of sensor pods ( 12 ′) characterized by having a sensor ( 126 ) therein coupled to a memory ( 28 ′), having a first interface ( 72 ) coupled to said memory, having a second interface ( 74 ) coupled to said memory, and being designed and arranged to transfer first data from said memory to said first interface and second data from said second interface to said memory,    said telemetry and control module ( 21 ′) coupled to said first interface of a first of said plurality of sensor pods ( 12 ′) and    said second interface of said first of said plurality of sensor pods ( 12 ′) coupled to said first interface of a second of said plurality of sensor pods ( 12 ′).    
     
     
         21 . The sensor array of  claim 20  wherein 
 each of said plurality of sensor pods ( 12 ′) is designed and arranged to simultaneously transfer first data from said memory to said first interface and second data from said second interface to said memory.    
     
     
         22 . The sensor array of  claim 20  wherein, 
 first pod data is produced by said sensor of said first of said plurality and transferred to said memory of said first of said plurality,    second pod data is produced by said sensor of said second of said plurality and transferred to said memory of said second of said plurality,    said first pod data is transferred from said memory of said first of said plurality through said first interface of said first of said plurality to said telemetry and control module, and    said second pod data is transferred from said memory of said second of said plurality through said first interface of said second of said plurality and through said second interface of said first of said plurality to said memory of said first of said plurality.    
     
     
         23 . The sensor array of  claim 22  wherein, 
 said first pod data is transferred from said memory of said first of said plurality through said first interface of said first of said plurality to said telemetry and control module, and simultaneously    said second pod data is transferred from said memory of said second of said plurality through said first interface of said second of said plurality and through said second interface of said first of said plurality to said memory of said first of said plurality.    
     
     
         24 . The sensor array of  claim 22  wherein, 
 said second pod data is transferred from said memory of said first of said plurality through said first interface of said first of said plurality to said telemetry and control module.    
     
     
         25 . The sensor array of  claim 20  wherein, 
 said plurality includes said first of said plurality, a last of said plurality and at least one inner of said plurality,    each of said at least one inner of said plurality has said first interface coupled to said second interface of a first adjacent of said plurality and said second interface coupled to a second adjacent of said plurality,    said first interface of said last of said plurality is coupled to said second interface of one of said at least one inner of said plurality, and    said first interface of said first of said plurality is coupled to said telemetry and control module and said second interface of said first of said plurality is coupled to said first interface of one of said at least one inner of said plurality.    
     
     
         26 . The sensor array of  claim 25  wherein, 
 last pod data is produced by said seismic sensor of said last of said plurality and transferred to said memory of said last of said plurality,    said last pod data is transferred from said memory of said last of said plurality to said telemetry and control module via each of said at least one inner of said plurality, being temporarily stored in said memory of each of said at least one inner of said plurality, and via said first of said plurality, being temporarily stored in said memory of said first of said plurality.    
     
     
         27 . The sensor array of  claim 20  wherein each of said plurality is further characterized by, 
 a communications bypass ( 130 ) coupled between said first interface and said second interface,    said communications bypass having a switch element ( 132 ) having a first state which enables said bypass and a second state which disables said bypass.    
     
     
         28 . The sensor array of  claim 27  wherein each of said plurality is further characterized by, 
 said switch element ( 132 ) being controlled by said sensor pod ( 12 ′) in response to a signal received at said first interface ( 72 ).    
     
     
         29 . The sensor array of  claim 28  wherein, 
 said signal originates from said telemetry and control module ( 21 ′).    
     
     
         30 . The sensor array of  claim 28  further comprising, 
 a surface controller ( 20 ′) coupled to said telemetry and control module ( 21 ′), wherein    said signal originates from said surface controller.    
     
     
         31 . The sensor array of  claim 28  wherein, 
 said signal originates from said second interface ( 74 ) of an adjacent one of said plurality of sensor pods.    
     
     
         32 . The sensor array of  claim 29  wherein, 
 said switch elements ( 132 ) of each of said plurality are in said first state, and    each of said plurality of said pods nearly simultaneously receives said signal at said first interface from said telemetry and control module ( 21 ′).    
     
     
         33 . The sensor array of  claim 29  further comprising, 
 a surface controller ( 20 ′) coupled to said telemetry and control module ( 21 ′), wherein    said switch elements ( 132 ) of each of said plurality are in said first state, and    each of said plurality of said pods nearly simultaneously receives said signal at said first interface from said surface controller ( 20 ′).    
     
     
         34 . The sensor array of  claim 32  wherein, 
 said signal causes said sensors ( 126 ) of each of said plurality to measure data and transfer said data to corresponding said memories ( 28 ′) of each of said plurality.    
     
     
         35 . The sensor array of  claim 20  wherein, 
 communication between said plurality of sensor pods uses a communications protocol, and    communication between said telemetry and control module and said first of said plurality uses a communications protocol.    
     
     
         36 . The sensor array of  claim 35  wherein 
 said communications protocol is a serial communications protocol.    
     
     
         37 . The sensor array of  claim 20  further comprising, 
 a repeater ( 46 ) coupled between any two of said plurality of pods ( 12 ′), said repeater designed and arranged to increase the communications range between said two of said plurality.    
     
     
         38 . The sensor array of  claim 20  wherein each of said plurality further comprises, 
 a clamping mechanism ( 26 ′,  122 ) designed and arranged to releasably clamp said sensor pod to a borehole wall.    
     
     
         39 . The sensor array of  claim 38  wherein each of said plurality is further characterized by, 
 said clamping mechanism ( 26 ′,  122 ) being controlled by said sensor pod in response to a signal received at said first interface ( 72 ).    
     
     
         40 . The sensor array of  claim 39  wherein, 
 said signal originates from said telemetry and control module ( 21 ′).    
     
     
         41 . The sensor array of  claim 39  further comprising, 
 a surface controller ( 20 ′) coupled to said telemetry and control module ( 21 ′), wherein    said signal originates from said surface controller.    
     
     
         42 . The sensor array of  claim 39  wherein, 
 said signal originates from said second interface ( 74 ) of an adjacent one of said plurality of sensor pods ( 12 ′).    
     
     
         43 . The sensor array of  claim 20  wherein each of said plurality further comprises, 
 a processor ( 120 ) coupled to said memory ( 28 ′), said first interface ( 72 ) and said second interface ( 74 ), said processor designed and arranged to interpret signals received at said first interface and control said sensor pod.    
     
     
         44 . The sensor array of  claim 20  wherein, 
 said sensor is a seismic sensor.    
     
     
         45 . The sensor array of  claim 20  further comprising, 
 a plurality of cables ( 24 ′), wherein    each of said plurality of sensor pods ( 12 ′) has upper and lower ends and characterized by being designed and arranged to be repeatably coupled and uncoupled to a first and second of said plurality of cables at both said upper and lower ends, and    said plurality of sensor pods are removably coupled together upper end to lower end by said plurality of cables to form a string, with a first end of said string of sensor pods removably coupled to said telemetry and control module with one of said plurality of cables.    
     
     
         46 . The sensor array of  claim 45  wherein each of said plurality of sensor pods is characterized by, 
 having a processor ( 120 ) designed and arranged to communicate with said telemetry and control module and with other sensor pods and designed to store an identification.    
     
     
         47 . The sensor array of  claim 46  wherein, 
 said telemetry and control module can query each of said plurality of sensor pods, and    each of said plurality of sensor pods is designed and arranged to answer a query.    
     
     
         48 . The sensor array of  claim 47  wherein, 
 said telemetry and control module harmonizes with said plurality of sensor pods to establish a unique identification for each of said plurality of sensor pods, and,    said telemetry and control module ( 21 ′) registers the position in said string of each of said sensor pods relative to the plurality of sensor pods.    
     
     
         49 . The sensor array of  claim 47  wherein, 
 using a particular identification, said telemetry and control module queries a specific one of said plurality of sensor pods, and    said specific one of said plurality of sensor pods answers said telemetry and control module.    
     
     
         50 . The sensor array of  claim 49  wherein, 
 said telemetry and control module queries about a status of a sensor ( 126 ).    
     
     
         51 . The sensor array of  claim 49  wherein, 
 said telemetry and control module queries about a status of a memory ( 28 ′).    
     
     
         52 . The sensor array of  claim 49  wherein, 
 said telemetry and control module queries about a voltage level.    
     
     
         53 . The sensor array of  claim 49  wherein, 
 said telemetry and control module queries about a status of a clamping mechanism ( 26 ′,  122 ).    
     
     
         54 . The sensor array of  claim 47  wherein, 
 using a particular identification, said telemetry and control module commands a function of a specific one of said plurality of sensor pods, and    said specific one of said plurality of sensor pods performs said function.    
     
     
         55 . The sensor array of  claim 54  wherein, 
 said telemetry and control module commands to manipulate a clamping mechanism ( 26 ′,  122 ).    
     
     
         56 . The sensor array of  claim 54  wherein, 
 said telemetry and control module commands to manipulate a switch element ( 132 ).    
     
     
         57 . The sensor array of  claim 54  wherein, 
 said telemetry and control module commands to control a sensor ( 126 ).    
     
     
         58 . The sensor array of  claim 47  wherein, 
 said telemetry and control module simultaneously commands each of said plurality of sensor pods to record data.    
     
     
         59 . The sensor array of  claim 47  wherein, 
 said telemetry and control module nearly simultaneously commands each of said plurality of sensor pods to transmit data.    
     
     
         60 . The sensor array of  claim 45  further comprising, 
 a main controller ( 20 ′) coupled to said telemetry and control module ( 21 ′).    
     
     
         61 . The sensor array of  claim 60  wherein each of said plurality of sensor pods is characterized by, 
 having a processor ( 120 ) designed and arranged to communicate with said main controller and with other sensor pods and to store an identification.    
     
     
         62 . The sensor array of  claim 61  wherein, 
 said main controller is designed and arranged to query each of said plurality of sensor pods, and    each of said plurality of sensor pods is designed and arranged to answer a query.    
     
     
         63 . The sensor array of  claim 62  wherein, 
 said main controller is designed and arranged to harmonize with said plurality of sensor pods to establish a unique identification for each of said plurality of sensor pods, and    said main controller ( 20 ′) is designed and arranged to register the position in said string of each of said sensor pods relative to the plurality of sensor pods.    
     
     
         64 . The sensor array of  claim 62  wherein, 
 using a particular identification, said main controller is designed and arranged to query a specific one of said plurality of sensor pods, and    said specific one of said plurality of sensor pods is designed and arranged to answer said main controller.    
     
     
         65 . The sensor array of  claim 64  wherein, 
 said main controller is designed and arranged to query about a status of a sensor ( 126 ).    
     
     
         66 . The sensor array of  claim 64  wherein, 
 said main controller is designed and arranged to query about a status of a memory ( 28 ′).    
     
     
         67 . The sensor array of  claim 64  wherein, 
 said main controller is designed and arranged to query about a voltage level.    
     
     
         68 . The sensor array of  claim 64  wherein, 
 said main controller is designed and arranged to query about a status of a clamping mechanism ( 26 ′,  122 ).    
     
     
         69 . The sensor array of  claim 62  wherein, 
 using a particular identification, said main controller is designed and arranged to command a function of a specific one of said plurality of sensor pods, and    said specific one of said plurality of sensor pods is designed and arranged to perform said function upon said command.    
     
     
         70 . The sensor array of  claim 69  wherein, 
 said main controller is designed and arranged to command a specific one of said plurality of sensor pods to manipulate a clamping mechanism ( 26 ′,  122 ).    
     
     
         71 . The sensor array of  claim 69  wherein, 
 said main controller is designed and arranged to command a specific one of said plurality of sensor pods to manipulate a switch element ( 132 ).    
     
     
         72 . The sensor array of  claim 69  wherein, 
 said main controller is designed and arranged to command a specific one of said plurality of sensor pods to control a sensor ( 126 ).    
     
     
         73 . The sensor array of  claim 62  wherein, 
 said main controller is designed and arranged to simultaneously command each of said plurality of sensor pods to record data.    
     
     
         74 . The sensor array of  claim 62  wherein, 
 said main controller nearly simultaneously commands each of said plurality of sensor pods to transmit data.    
     
     
         75 . A method for conducting a survey comprising the steps of, 
 assembling a string ( 18 ′) of intelligent sensor pods ( 12 ′) containing sensors ( 126 ) and memory ( 28 ′),    connecting one end of said string to a telemetry and control module ( 21 ′),    collecting data with said sensors,    storing said data in said memory, and    transmitting said data from said memory to said telemetry and control module in a bucket brigade transfer, wherein a bucket brigade transfer comprises the steps of,    each sensor pod transmitting data stored in said memory upwards, and    each sensor pod receiving data, if any, from a sensor pod coupled below it, if any, and storing said received data in said memory.    
     
     
         76 . The method according to  claim 75  further comprising the step of, 
 lowering said string into a borehole ( 14 ), wherein    said survey is a seismic survey, and    said data are seismic data.    
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 75  wherein, 
 said transmitting and receiving of data occurs simultaneously.    
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 75  wherein, 
 said transmitting and receiving of data occurs sequentially.    
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 75  further comprising the steps of, 
 arming each sensor pod within said string to receive a simultaneous trigger signal by enabling a direct communications path ( 132 ,  130 ) along a common conductor ( 24 ′,  72 ) to each sensor pod within said string.    
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79  further comprising the step of, 
 powering said string ( 18 ′) of intelligent sensor pods ( 12 ′) via said common conductor ( 24 ′, 72).    
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 79  further comprising the step of, 
 after arming each sensor pod, simultaneously triggering each sensor pod within said string to begin recording data.    
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 81  wherein, 
 said triggering is caused by a signal transmitted by said telemetry and control module ( 21 ′) along said common conductor.    
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 81  wherein, 
 a surface controller ( 20 ′) is coupled to said telemetry and control module, and    said triggering is caused by a signal originating from said surface controller.    
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 79  further comprising the steps of, 
 simultaneously triggering each sensor pod to begin said bucket brigade transfer, and    after said triggering, disabling said direct communications path ( 130 ,  132 ), forcing communication along said string to flow through said memory ( 28 ′) of said sensor pods.    
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 84  wherein, 
 said triggering is caused by a signal transmitted by said telemetry and control module ( 21 ′) along said common conductor.    
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 84  wherein, 
 a surface controller ( 20 ′) is coupled to said telemetry and control module, and    said triggering is caused by a signal originating from said surface controller.    
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 75  further comprising the steps of, 
 choosing a desired number of sensor pods based on requirements of said survey,    choosing a combination of said sensor pods to have a desired combination of sensor types based on requirements of said survey,    choosing cables ( 24 ′) with desired lengths to couple said string ( 18 ′) of sensor pods ( 12 ′) together and to couple said string to said telemetry and control module based on requirements of said survey, and    assembling said intelligent sensor pods in the field using said chosen sensor pods and said chosen cables.    
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 75  further comprising the steps of, 
 in the field, repairing said string ( 18 ′) of sensor pods ( 12 ′) by disconnecting a faulty sensor pod and connecting a replacement sensor pod in its place.    
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 75  further comprising the steps of, 
 in the field, repairing said string ( 18 ′) of sensor pods ( 12 ′) by disconnecting a faulty cable ( 24 ′) and connecting a replacement cable in its place.    
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 76  further comprising the step of, 
 after said step of transmitting said data, raising said string ( 18 ′) from said borehole ( 14 ),    disconnecting said telemetry and control module ( 21 ′) from said string, and    disassembling said string.    
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 75  further comprising the step of, 
 automatically determining the composition and characteristics of said string ( 18 ′) by querying said intelligent sensor pods ( 12 ′).    
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 76  further comprising the step of, 
 selectively clamping said sensor pods ( 12 ′) to a wall of said borehole ( 14 ),    selectively unclamping said sensor pods from said wall, and    controlling said selective clamping and selective unclamping with said telemetry and control module ( 20 ′).    
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 76  further comprising the step of, 
 selectively clamping said sensor pods ( 12 ′) to a wall of said borehole ( 14 ),    selectively unclamping said sensor pods from said wall, and    controlling said selective clamping and selective unclamping with a surface controller ( 21 ′) coupled to said telemetry and control module.    
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 75  further comprising the step of, 
 extending a communications range between two adjacent of said sensor pods ( 12 ′) by coupling a repeater ( 46 ) therebetween.    
     
     
         95 . (canceled)