Magnetic field-based identification system for miniaturized downhole sensor

Abstract

A system includes a drilling microchip, a mud return line, a magnetic sensor, and a computer system. The drilling microchip has a magnet and is configured to be pumped into the drill string and up the annulus using the drilling fluid to obtain data about the well. The mud return line is hydraulically connected to the annulus of the well and a shale shaker. The magnetic sensor is connected to the shale shaker and has a detection range. The magnetic sensor is configured to interact with the magnet to indicate a presence of the drilling microchip in the detection range. The computer system is electronically connected to the microchip detector. The magnetic sensor is configured to send a signal to the computer system upon indication of the presence of the drilling microchip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for a well having a drill string, an annulus, and a drilling fluid, the system comprising:
 a drilling microchip having a magnet and configured to be pumped into the drill string and up the annulus using the drilling fluid to obtain data about the well;   a mud return line hydraulically connected to the annulus of the well and a shale shaker;   a magnetic sensor connected to the shale shaker and having a detection range, wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to interact with the magnet to indicate a presence of the drilling microchip in the detection range; and   a computer system electronically connected to the microchip detector, wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to send a signal to the computer system upon indication of the presence of the drilling microchip.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic sensor is mounted on a bracket connected to the shale shaker. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the magnetic sensor further comprises a single strip sensor mounted to the bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the magnetic sensor further comprises a plurality of individual sensors mounted to the bracket. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic sensor further comprises a digital switching magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic sensor further comprises an analog magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic sensor further comprises a passive magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet further comprises an AlNiCo magnet. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet further comprises a Neodymium magnet. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet further comprises a SmCo magnet. 
     
     
         11 . A method for a well having a drill string, an annulus, and a drilling fluid, the method comprising:
 pumping a drilling microchip, having a magnet, into the drill string and up the annulus of the well using the drilling fluid;   measuring and storing data about the well using the drilling microchip;   pumping the drilling microchip out of the well to a shale shaker using a mud return line;   indicating a presence of the drilling microchip in a detection range of a magnetic sensor by having an interaction between the magnetic sensor and the magnet, wherein the magnetic sensor is connected to the shale shaker; and   sending a signal from the magnetic sensor to a computer system upon indication of the presence of the drilling microchip.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic sensor is mounted on a bracket connected to the shale shaker. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic sensor further comprises a single strip sensor mounted to the bracket. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic sensor further comprises a plurality of individual sensors mounted to the bracket. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic sensor further comprises a digital switching magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic sensor further comprises an analog magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic sensor further comprises a passive magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the magnet further comprises an AlNiCo magnet. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the magnet further comprises a Neodymium magnet. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet further comprises a SmCo magnet.