Downhole Acoustic Telemetry Module with Multiple Communication Modes

Abstract

A system includes a downhole tool configured to transmit uplink data. The system also includes a surface controller configured to receive the uplink data and to transmit downlink data to the downhole tool. The system also includes a plurality of acoustic telemetry modules deployed downhole, wherein each of the modules selectively operates in a first communication mode in which its transducers simultaneously convey uplink data and downlink data, and in a second communication mode in which its transducers simultaneously convey only uplink data or only downlink data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system that comprises:
 a downhole tool configured to transmit uplink data;   a surface controller configured to receive the uplink data and to transmit downlink data to the downhole tool; and   a plurality of acoustic telemetry modules deployed downhole, wherein each of the modules selectively operates in a first communication mode in which its transducers simultaneously convey uplink data and downlink data, and in a second communication mode in which its transducers simultaneously convey only uplink data or only downlink data.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second communication mode provides an increased uplink data rate or an increased downlink data rate relative to the first communication mode. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second communication mode provides an increased uplink data redundancy or an increased downlink data redundancy relative to the first communication mode. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the modules is configured to convey uplink data or downlink data using both compressional waves and shear waves. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the modules comprises transducers positioned on different sides of a ring or tubular. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the modules further comprises acoustic dampening material surrounding at least one of its transducers. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the modules further comprises acoustic dampening material integrated with the ring or tubular, and positioned between adjacent transducers. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  1 , wherein each of the modules attach to an interior of a drill string or casing. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  1 , wherein each of the modules attach to an exterior of a drill string or casing. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  1 , wherein each of the modules is integrated with a drill string or casing collar. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  1 , further comprising short hop telemetry modules between the downhole tool and the surface controller. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  1 , wherein each of the modules is configured to use a drill string or casing as an acoustic channel for conveying the uplink data or downlink data. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  1 , wherein the downhole tool is part of a bottomhole assembly (BHA), wherein the uplink data corresponds to measurement-while-drilling (MWD) or logging-while-drilling (LWD) data, and wherein the downlink data corresponds to steering commands for the BHA. 
     
     
         14 . A method that comprises:
 deploying a tool downhole;   deploying a plurality of acoustic telemetry modules downhole, wherein each of the modules supports a first communication mode in which its transducers simultaneously convey uplink data and downlink data and a second communication mode in which its transducers simultaneously convey only uplink data or only downlink data;   using the plurality of acoustic telemetry modules to convey uplink data or downlink data between the tool and a surface controller.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising switching between the first communication mode and the second communication mode based on a trigger event. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising selecting a switching schedule for the first communication mode and the second communication mode. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising adjusting the switching schedule for the first communication mode and the second communication mode. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein using the plurality of acoustic telemetry modules to convey uplink data or downlink data comprises using a drill string or casing as an acoustic channel and providing acoustic dampening between or around acoustic transducers of each module. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein using the plurality of acoustic telemetry modules to convey uplink data or downlink data involves use of both compressional waves and shear waves. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising attaching each module along a drill string or casing.