Apparatus and methods for operating devices in wellbores using signal transmitters in a drop device

Abstract

An apparatus for operating a device in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drop device configured to be dropped into the wellbore that transmits a selected signal while the drop device is traveling in the wellbore, a control circuit in the wellbore that detects the transmitted selected signal and provides a control signal in response to the detected signal to operate the device in the wellbore.

1 . An apparatus for operating a device in a wellbore, comprising:
 a drop ball configured to travel in the wellbore, the drop ball including a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged on the drop ball to transmit a selected omnidirectional light signal while the drop ball is traveling in the wellbore; and   a control circuit configured to detect the selected light signal as the drop ball passes the control circuit and provide a control signal to the device in response to the detected selected light signal to operate the device in the wellbore.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit includes a light detector configured to detect the transmitted light signal 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit includes a controller that processes the detected signal and provides the control signal in response to the detected signal. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the selected signal transmitted includes a plurality of signals, each such signal configured to operate a different device in the wellbore. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a power unit that operates the device in response to the control signal, and wherein the power unit includes a device selected from a group consisting of: an electrical device; a hydraulic device; a mechanical device; and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device is selected from a group consisting of: a flow control device; a packer; an anchor; and a fishing device. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wellbore includes a string containing the device to be operated and at least one restriction and wherein the drop ball is configured to pass through the at least one restriction in the string. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a device in a wellbore, the method comprising:
 transmitting a selected omnidirectional light signal in a wellbore by drop ball traveling in the wellbore, wherein the drop ball includes a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed on the drop ball to transmit the omnidirectional light signal as the drop ball is traveling in the wellbore;   detecting the transmitted selected light signal at a control circuit at a selected location in the wellbore as the drop ball passes the control circuit;   providing a control signal from the control circuit to the device in response to the detected selected light signal; and   operating the device in response to the control signal.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting the selected signals includes detecting such signal by a light detector in the wellbore. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein transmitting a selected signal comprises transmitting a plurality of signals. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each signal in the plurality of signals is configured to operate a different device in the wellbore. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein operating the device in response to the control signal comprises operating the device that is one of: an electric device; a hydraulic device; a mechanical device; and a combination of two or more of the electrical device, hydraulic device and mechanical device. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the device is selected from a group consisting of: a flow control device; a packer; an anchor; and a fishing device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the device is disposed in a string placed in the wellbore and wherein the string includes a restriction and wherein the drop device is configured to pass through the restriction in the string. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drop ball transmits signals as the drop ball is traveling through a location in the wellbore above the control circuit, and the control circuit detects the selected light signal as the drop ball passes the control circuit.