Method and system of transferring data gathered by downhole devices to surface devices

Abstract

A method and system of coupling a memory device to a downhole device while the device is at the surface, writing of data to the memory device while the downhole device is within the borehole, and then transferring the data to a surface computer by removing the memory device (once the downhole device is at the surface) and coupling the downhole device to the surface computer.

1 . A method comprising: 
 connecting a removably coupled memory device to a connector through a sidewall of a tool body of a downhole device while the downhole device is at the surface;    lowering the downhole device, along with the removably coupled memory device, into a bore hole;    operating the downhole device thereby creating data;    storing the data to the removably coupled memory device;    raising the downhole device and the removably coupled memory device to the surface; and    disconnecting the removably coupled memory device from the downhole device.    
   
   
       2 . The method as defined in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 coupling the removably coupled memory device to a surface computer; and    reading the data from the memory device by the surface computer.    
   
   
       3 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein connecting the removably coupled memory device to the connector further comprises connecting a non-volatile memory device to the connector.  
   
   
       4 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein connecting the removably coupled memory device to the connector further comprises coupling the removably coupled memory device to one of a measuring while drilling and logging while drilling tool.  
   
   
       5 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein connecting the removably coupled memory device to the connector further comprises coupling the removably coupled memory device to a processor of the downhole device.  
   
   
       6 . The method as defined in  claim 5  wherein connecting the removably coupled memory device to the connector further comprises: 
 coupling the removably coupled memory device within a recess in the tool body side-wall; and    placing a cap over the removably coupled memory device and within the recess, wherein the cap seals against an internal surface of the recess.    
   
   
       7 . A method comprising: 
 connecting a removably coupled memory device to a downhole device while the downhole device is at the surface;    lowering the downhole device, along with the removably coupled memory device, into a bore hole;    operating the downhole device thereby creating data;    storing the data to the removably coupled memory device;    raising the downhole device and the removably coupled memory device to the surface; and    disconnecting the removably coupled memory device from the downhole device;    wherein connecting the removably coupled memory device to the downhole device further comprises coupling the removably coupled memory device through a box end of a tool body of the downhole device; and    wherein, between connecting the removably coupled memory to the downhole device and lowering the downhole device, the method further comprises coupling the tool body within a drill string using the box end.    
   
   
       8 . A downhole tool comprising: 
 a downhole tool body comprising an outer surface;    a processor disposed within the downhole tool body; and    a connector disposed on the outer surface of the tool body, the connector to couple a removably coupled memory device to the processor;    wherein the removably coupled memory device, coupled to the connector, travels with the downhole tool body into and out of the borehole, and wherein the processor stores data to the removably coupled memory device while the memory device and downhole tool body are within the borehole.    
   
   
       9 . The downhole tool as defined in  claim 8  wherein the removably coupled memory device comprises at least one of a magnetic storage media, an optical storage media, a random access memory and a programmable read only memory.  
   
   
       10 . The downhole tool as defined in  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a receiving device proximate to the downhole tool body; and    said receiving device coupled to the processor;    wherein the receiving device receives energy whose properties are indicative of at least one of a formation characteristic and a borehole characteristic, and wherein the data stored to the memory device by the processor is based on the received energy.    
   
   
       11 . The downhole tool as defined in  claim 10  wherein the receiving device receives acoustic energy.  
   
   
       12 . The downhole tool as defined in  claim 10  wherein the receiving device receives energy in the form of electromagnetic waves.  
   
   
       13 . The downhole tool as defined in  claim 10  wherein the receiving device receives energy in the form of gamma radiation.  
   
   
       14 . The downhole tool as defined in  claim 8  wherein the connector is disposed within a recess in the outer surface, and wherein the downhole tool further comprises a cap that seals against an internal surface of the recess.  
   
   
       15 . A method comprising: 
 coupling a non-volatile memory device to a logging while drilling (LWD) device through a sidewall of the LWD device, the coupling while the LWD device is at the surface;    lowering the LWD device, along with the non-volatile memory device, into a bore hole;    operating the LWD device thereby creating data;    storing the data to the non-volatile memory device;    raising the LWD device and the non-volatile memory device to the surface;    disconnecting the non-volatile memory device from the LWD device;    coupling the non-volatile memory device to a surface computer; and    reading the data from the non-volatile memory device by the surface computer.    
   
   
       16 . The method as defined in  claim 15  wherein coupling the non-volatile memory device to the LWD device further comprises coupling the non-volatile memory device to a processor of the LWD device.  
   
   
       17 . The method as defined in  claim 16  wherein coupling the non-volatile memory device to the processor further comprises: 
 coupling the non-volatile memory device within a recess in the side-wall; and    placing a cap over the non-volatile memory device and within the recess, and wherein the cap seals against an internal surface of the recess.    
   
   
       18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . A downhole tool comprising: 
 a tool body having a box end, the box end couples the tool body within a bottomhole assembly;    an electronics insert housing a processor, the electronics insert disposed within the tool body; and    a connector accessible through the box end, wherein the connector is external of the electronics insert, and wherein the connector removably couples a memory device to the processor within the electronics insert;    wherein the memory device, coupled to the connector, travels with the tool body into a borehole, and wherein the processor stores data to the memory device while the memory device and tool body are within the borehole.    
   
   
       20 . The downhole tool as defined in  claim 19  further comprising: 
 a receiving device proximate to the tool body; and    said receiving device coupled to the processor;    wherein the receiving device receives energy whose properties are indicative of at least one of a formation characteristic and a borehole characteristic, and wherein the data stored to the memory device by the processor is based on the received energy.    
   
   
       21 . The downhole tool as defined in  claim 20  wherein the receiving device receives acoustic energy.  
   
   
       22 . The downhole tool as defined in  claim 20  wherein the receiving device receives energy in the form of electromagnetic waves.  
   
   
       23 . The downhole tool as defined in  claim 20  wherein the receiving device receives energy in the form of gamma radiation.