System and method for sensing and monitoring the status/performance of a downhole tool

Abstract

A system and method for sensing and monitoring the status/performance of components of a downhole tool to enable any problems to be corrected.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A downhole tool comprising: 
 a body member;    at least one slip member;    at least one packer member;    at least one drag member; and    a sensor mounted on or near at least one of the members for sensing information relating to the performance of the member.    
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1  further comprising a central processor disposed on the body member for receiving data from the sensor, processing the data, and generating a signal corresponding to the processed data to send to another location.  
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2  wherein the signal is transmitted to the surface to enable personnel on the surface to change parameters to improve the performance of the tool.  
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 2  wherein the signal is transmitted to another down hole device to adjust the parameters needed to maintain proper operation of the tool.  
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the sensor senses load on the member.  
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the sensor senses the differential pressure across the member.  
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the sensor senses whether fluid is flowing in a certain area of the tool by sensing the pressure drop between adjacent members.  
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the sensor senses stresses within the member.  
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the sensor senses the weight set down on the tool.  
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the sensor senses movement of the member.  
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the sensor senses the effects that fluids may have on the member.  
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the sensor senses fluid flow through the body member.  
     
     
         13 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the sensor senses leakage of fluids or gases past the member.  
     
     
         14 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the body member is disposed in a casing and wherein the sensor senses acoustics related to the casing.  
     
     
         15 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the sensor is in the form of an accelerometer to sense vibrational forces on the member.  
     
     
         16 . A downhole tool comprising: 
 a body member;    at least one slip member;    at least one packer member;    at least one drag member; and    a camera mounted on or near at least one of the members to provide video data relating to the condition of the member to enable the member to be monitored.    
     
     
         17 . The tool of  claim 16  further comprising a central processor disposed on the body member for receiving the video data from the camera, processing the video data, and generating a signal corresponding to the processed video data to send to another location.  
     
     
         18 . The tool of  claim 16  wherein the video data is transmitted to another downhole device to adjust the parameters needed to maintain proper operation of the tool.  
     
     
         19 . The tool of  claim 17  wherein the signal enables an operator on the surface to observe the condition of the member and change parameters to improve the performance of the tool.  
     
     
         20 . The tool of  claim 16  wherein the camera is a CMOS camera.  
     
     
         21 . A method for sensing the performance of a downhole tool having a body member, at least one slip member, at least one packer member, and at least one drag member; the method comprising the steps of: 
 disposing a sensor at or near at least one of the members;    sensing information relating to the performance of the member; and    transmitting the information to the surface to enable personnel on the surface to change parameters to improve the performance of the tool.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of providing a central processor on the body member for receiving the information from the sensor, processing the information, and generating a signal corresponding to the processed information to send to another location.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of transmitting the information to another downhole device to adjust the parameters needed to maintain proper operation of the tool.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing the load on the member.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing the differential pressure across the member.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing whether fluid is flowing in a certain area of the tool by sensing the pressure drop between adjacent members.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing stresses within the member.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing the weight set down on the tool.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing movement of the member.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing the effects that fluids may have on the member.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing fluid flow through the body member.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing leakage of fluids or gases past the member.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the body member is disposed in a casing and wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing acoustics related to the casing.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing vibrational forces on the member.  
     
     
         35 . A method for monitoring the performance of a downhole tool having a body member, at least one slip member, at least one packer member, and at least one drag member; the method comprising the steps of: 
 mounting a camera on or near at least one of the members to provide video data relating to the condition of the member; and    monitoring the condition of the member from the surface.    
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a central processor on the body member for receiving the video data from the camera;  
 processing the video data;  
 generating a signal corresponding to the processed video data; and  
 transmitting the signal to the surface.  
 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising the step of changing parameters relating to the member in response to the video data to improve the performance of the tool.