System And Method For Performing An Operation

Abstract

A system for performing an operation comprises a key ( 70 ) defining a key code in hardware, a key reader ( 78 ) for reading the key code from the key, a tool 70 ( 4 a, 4 b, 4 c ) having an operative arrangement ( 4 d, not shown) for performing an operation and a code-activated switch arrangement ( 50 ) which defines an activation code in hardware and a power source ( 32 ). The key reader and the code-activated switch arrangement are configured for communication. The code-activated switch arrangement is configured so as to selectively define at least part of an electrically conductive path from the power source to the operative arrangement according to whether a key code received from the key reader matches the activation code. Such a system may reduce the risk of unintentional connection of the power source to the operative arrangement thereby reducing the risk of unintentional activation of the operative arrangement.

1 . A system for performing an operation, the system comprising:
 a key defining a key code in hardware;   a key reader for reading the key code from the key;   a tool having an operative arrangement for performing an operation and a code-activated switch arrangement which defines an activation code in hardware; and   a power source,   wherein the key reader and the code-activated switch arrangement are configured for communication, and the code-activated switch arrangement is configured so as to selectively define at least part of an electrically conductive path from the power source to the operative arrangement according to whether a key code received from the key reader matches the activation code.   
     
     
         2 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . A tool for performing an operation, comprising:
 an operative arrangement for performing an operation; and   a code-activated switch arrangement,   wherein the code-activated switch arrangement defines an activation code in hardware and is configured so as to selectively define at least part of an electrically conductive path from a power source to the operative arrangement according to whether a key code received by the code-activated switch arrangement matches the activation code.   
     
     
         56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . A tool activation arrangement, comprising a code-activated switch arrangement which defines an activation code in hardware and which is configured so as to selectively define at least part of an electrically conductive path from a power source to an operative arrangement of a tool according to whether a key code received by the code-activated switch arrangement matches the activation code. 
     
     
         59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the power source is located with the tool;   the power source comprises a battery; and   the power source is located remotely from the tool.   
     
     
         64 . A system according to  claim 1 , comprising a communication system for communicating the key code from the key reader to the code-activated switch arrangement, wherein the communication system comprises a transmitter, a communication channel, and a receiver. 
     
     
         65 . A system according to  claim 64 , wherein the communication channel comprises a communication member, comprising at least one of:
 a reelable member for supporting the tool;   at least one of insulated slickline, wireline and coiled tubing;   an electrical conductor; and   an optical fibre.   
     
     
         66 . A system according to  claim 65 , wherein the power source is connected to the tool via the communication member. 
     
     
         67 . A system according to  claim 64 , wherein the communication system comprises a bi-directional communication system. 
     
     
         68 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the code-activated switch arrangement comprises a power input terminal, a power output terminal, and a plurality of switch devices connected electrically in series between the power input terminal and the power output terminal so as to selectively define an internal electrically conductive path from the power input terminal to the power output terminal according to whether the key code matches the activation code, and wherein the activation code is defined by the connectivity between the switch devices. 
     
     
         69 . A system according to  claim 68 , wherein each of the switch devices comprises a common terminal, two selectable terminals, and a pair of control terminals, and wherein the control terminals of each switch are configured to receive a different bit of the key code. 
     
     
         70 . A system according to  claim 69 , wherein each switch device is configured so as to selectively make an electrically conductive path between the common terminal and one of the selectable terminals and to provide a physical gap in a path between the common terminal and the other of the selectable terminals. 
     
     
         71 . A system according to  claim 69 , wherein the common terminal of a first switch device is connected to the power input terminal, one of the selectable terminals of a last switch device is connected to the power output terminal, and one of the selectable terminals of each of the other switch devices is connected to a common terminal of the next adjacent switch device so as to define the activation code. 
     
     
         72 . A system according to  claim 72 , wherein each of the switch devices comprises at least one of:
 a latching switch device or a non-latching switch device which is configured to return to a normally-open configuration in the event of loss of power to the control terminals;   a relay; and   an electro-mechanical relay.   
     
     
         73 . A system according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one environment-dependent switch which is operable according to a property of an environment surrounding the activation arrangement and which is connected in series with the code-activated switch arrangement between the power source and the operative arrangement, and optionally wherein the at least one environment-dependent switch comprises a temperature sensitive switch and/or a pressure sensitive switch. 
     
     
         74 . A system according to  claim 1 , comprising a time activated switch which is connected in series with the code-activated switch arrangement between the power source and the operative arrangement, and optionally wherein the time activated switch is configured to only allow connection of the power source to the operative arrangement during a predetermined operational time window. 
     
     
         75 . A system according to  claim 1 , comprising a user-operated switch which is connected in series with the code-activated switch arrangement between the power source and the operative arrangement, and optionally wherein the user-operated switch comprises an input terminal and an output terminal, and wherein the input and output terminals are galvanically isolated, and optionally wherein the user-operated switch comprises at least one of an opto-coupler switch and a relay. 
     
     
         76 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the key comprises a plurality of electrical conductors arranged so as to define the key code, the key code comprising a plurality of bits, each bit being defined by a different pair of adjacent electrical conductors and the value of each bit being defined according to whether the corresponding pair of adjacent electrical conductors are electrically connected together or whether the corresponding pair of adjacent electrical conductors are electrically insulated from one another. 
     
     
         77 . A system according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of keys, each key defining at least a part of the key code in hardware, and the key reader being configured so as to read the key code from the plurality of keys. 
     
     
         78 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a plurality of operative arrangements and a plurality of code-activated switch arrangements, each code-activated switch arrangement being operatively associated with a corresponding one of the operative arrangements, and wherein the system comprises a communication system which is configured to communicate the key code to any of the code-activated switch arrangements, and wherein each code-activated switch arrangement defines a unique activation code in hardware and a given code-activated switch arrangement is configured so as to selectively define at least part of an electrically conductive path from the power source to the corresponding operative arrangement according to whether the key code received by the given code-activated switch arrangement matches the unique activation code defined by the given code-activated switch arrangement. 
     
     
         79 . A system according to  claim 78 , wherein the code-activated switch arrangements share a power input terminal and each code-activated switch arrangement further comprises:
 a power output terminal; and   a plurality of switch devices connected electrically in series between the shared power input terminal and the power output terminal so as to selectively define an internal electrically conductive path from the shared power input terminal to the power output terminal according to whether the key code received by the code-activated switch arrangement matches the unique activation code defined by the code-activated switch arrangement.   
     
     
         80 . A system according to  claim 79 , wherein some of the switch devices of one code-activated switch arrangement are shared with one or more of the other code-activated switch arrangements. 
     
     
         81 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a plurality of operative arrangements, a plurality of code-activated switch arrangements, and a plurality of power sources, each code-activated switch arrangement being operatively associated with a corresponding one of the power sources and a corresponding one of the plurality of operative arrangements, and wherein the system comprises a communication system which is configured to communicate the key code to any of the code-activated switch arrangements, and wherein each code-activated switch arrangement defines a unique activation code in hardware, and wherein a given code-activated switch arrangement is configured so as to selectively define at least part of an electrically conductive path from the corresponding power source to the corresponding operative arrangement according to whether the key code received by the given code-activated switch arrangement matches the unique activation code defined by the given code-activated switch arrangement. 
     
     
         82 . A system according to  claim 78 , comprising a plurality of keys, each key defining a unique key code in hardware corresponding to one of the unique activation codes defined by the code-activated switch arrangements, and the key reader being configured so as to read a key code from any of the keys. 
     
     
         83 . A system according to  claim 78 , wherein the communication system is configured to communicate the key code to each of the code-activated switch arrangements simultaneously or sequentially. 
     
     
         84 . A system according to claim  17 , wherein each key defines a unique address in hardware, wherein the key reader is configured to read an address from any of the keys, and wherein the communication system is configured to selectively communicate the key code to one of the code-activated switch arrangements according to the address read by the key reader. 
     
     
         85 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tool is configured to perform at least one of:
 an operation remotely from the key reader;   an operation within an elongated space; and   an operation defined by or within a wellbore.   
     
     
         86 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises at least one of:
 a downhole tool;   a perforating tool;   a perforating gun;   one or more sensors for sensing a property of an environment around the tool   a temperature sensor;   a pressure sensor; and   one or more sensors for sensing a position, depth, orientation, speed, and/or acceleration of the tool.   
     
     
         87 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operative arrangement of the tool is configured to perform an operation on an object or surface adjacent to the tool or an environment surround the tool, wherein the operative arrangement of the tool comprises an explosive charge, and optionally wherein the operative arrangement of the tool comprises a detonator for detonating the explosive charge. 
     
     
         88 . A system according to  claim 1 , comprising a user-interface controller located with, and configured for, communication with the key reader and a tool controller located with, and configured for, communication with the code-activated switch arrangement, wherein the user-interface controller is configured to display information representative of a status of at least one of the code-activated switch arrangement, an environment-dependent switch, a timer activated switch and a user operated switch. 
     
     
         89 . A system according to  claim 88 , wherein the user-interface controller is configured to display information representative of a property of an environment around the tool and/or a position, depth, orientation, speed and/or acceleration of the tool. 
     
     
         90 . A tool according to  claim 55 , wherein the tool comprises the power source.