Fluid sampling tool string with acoustic signaling

Abstract

A method includes deploying a fluid sampling tool string downhole, the fluid sampling tool string including a control module and a plurality of fluid sampling modules. The method also includes receiving, by the control module, a telemetry signal from a surface interface. The method also includes transmitting, by the control module, a downlink acoustic signal based at least in part on the received telemetry signal. The method also includes initiating a fluid sampling operation, by at least one of the plurality of fluid sampling modules, in response to the downlink acoustic signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method that comprises:
 deploying a fluid sampling tool string downhole, the fluid sampling tool string including a control module and a plurality of fluid sampling modules;   receiving, by the control module, a telemetry signal from a surface interface;   transmitting, by the control module, a downlink acoustic signal based at least in part on the received telemetry signal; and   initiating a fluid sampling operation, by at least one of the plurality of fluid sampling modules, in response to said downlink acoustic signal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , receiving, by a supplemental controller, the downlink acoustic signal and transmitting a supplemental downlink acoustic signal to one or more of the plurality of fluid sampling modules. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting, by one of the plurality of fluid sampling modules, an uplink acoustic signal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving, by a supplemental controller, the uplink acoustic signal, and transmitting a supplemental uplink acoustic signal to the control module or another supplemental controller. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting, by the control module, a telemetry signal to a surface interface in response to receiving the uplink acoustic signal or a supplemental uplink acoustic signal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing an address verification, by one of the plurality of fluid sampling modules, in response to receiving the downlink acoustic signal or a supplemental downlink acoustic signal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting the downlink acoustic signal in response to sensor measurements collected by the fluid sampling tool string. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further conveying the acoustic signal to one of the plurality of fluid sampling modules via an acoustic channel corresponding to at least two fluid sampling module tool bodies and at least one adapter. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising assembling the fluid sampling tool string by coupling the plurality of fluid sampling modules together without adapters. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising assembling the fluid sampling tool string by joining the plurality of fluid sampling modules together with one or more adapters, where at least one of the one or more adapters includes a supplemental controller to convey uplink or downlink acoustic signals. 
     
     
         11 . A system that comprises:
 a fluid sampling tool string deployed downhole, wherein the fluid sampling tool string includes a control module and a plurality of fluid sampling modules; and   a surface interface in communication with the fluid sampling tool string, wherein the control module is configured to receive a telemetry signal from the surface interface and to transmit a downlink acoustic signal based at least in part on said telemetry signal, and   wherein at least one of the plurality of fluid sampling modules initiates a fluid sampling operation in response to said downlink acoustic signal.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid sampling tool string further comprises a supplemental controller configured to receive the downlink acoustic signal and transmit a supplemental downlink acoustic signal to one or more of the plurality of fluid sampling modules. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the supplemental downlink acoustic signal is a new downlink acoustic signal relative to the received downlink acoustic signal. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the supplemental downlink acoustic signal is an amplified version of the received downlink acoustic signal. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the supplemental controller is part of an adapter that mechanically couples two of the plurality of fluid sampling modules together. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of fluid sampling modules is configured to transmit uplink acoustic signals. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of fluid sampling modules is uniquely addressable by the controller. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid sampling tool string comprises at least one sensor, and wherein measurements collected by the at least one sensor are used to direct timing of the downlink acoustic signal. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid sampling tool string includes an acoustic channel corresponding to at least two fluid sampling module tool bodies and at least one adapter. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the control module is powered by a remote power supply charged by power received from the surface interface. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid sampling tool string includes at least one non-sampling tool configured to communicate with the control module via an acoustic channel that includes at least one fluid sampling module tool body.