{
  "patent_number": "US 12497890",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Oil Wells Send Acoustic Signals Using Mechanical Hammers",
  "original_title": "Hydro-mechanical sounding device for use with acoustic telemetry system",
  "summary": "A device that uses pressure differences to slam a piston against a metal surface, creating a specific sound vibration that acts as a signal for deep-well operations.",
  "what_it_does": "This device acts like an underwater bell for oil wells. It uses the pressure difference between the inside of a pipe and the surrounding wellbore to push a piston against a striking surface. By carefully changing the size, shape, and spacing of outlet ports in the housing, the device can tune the acoustic vibration to have specific frequencies or patterns. This allows operators to send distinct signals through the drill string to a receiver at the surface, confirming that a tool deep underground has successfully performed its task.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover electronic or battery-powered acoustic signal generators.",
    "Does not cover systems that rely on mud-pulse telemetry (pressure waves in drilling fluid) rather than mechanical vibration.",
    "Does not cover wireless signals transmitted through the rock formation itself."
  ],
  "filed": "2024-03-07",
  "granted": "2025-12-16",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Weatherford Technology Holdings LLC",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/weatherford-technology-holdings-llc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Joshua V. Symms",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/joshua-v-symms"
    },
    {
      "name": "Brandon C. Goodman",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/brandon-c-goodman"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "energy",
    "mechanical",
    "telecommunications"
  ],
  "abstract": "An acoustic telemetry system used with a wellbore assembly in a wellbore includes a hydro-mechanical sounding devices, relays, and a receiver. The sounding device includes a housing defining a chamber with an inlet port and at least one outlet port. A piston disposed in the chamber is movable against a strike face in the chamber in response to a hydraulic pressure differential. The impact of the piston against the strike face can produce an acoustic vibration, which can have defined characteristics. One or more relays disposed on the tubing electronically generate an acoustic signal in response to the acoustic vibration produced by the device. The acoustic signal can then be telemetered to a receiver at surface to determine a positive indication of an operation downhole.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12497890/spacex-avionics-philosophy",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12497890/spacex-avionics-philosophy/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12497890",
  "relatedPatents": []
}