Appeal No. 2002-0859
Application 09/193,444
Invention
The invention relates to communications systems having
redundant channels used in wells. See page 1 of Appellant’s
specification. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system in a well
having multiple nodes coupled over a communications link.
Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a communications systems according
to one embodiment having redundant communications links. See
page 2 of Appellant’s specification. Referring to Figure 1, the
communications system according to an embodiment of the invention
for use with well 18 is shown. The communications system
includes a surface node 200 coupled to multiple downhole nodes in
the well 18, illustrated as five nodes 202, 204, 206, 208, and
210. The communications link 21 coupling nodes 200, 202, 204,
206, 208 and 210 have one or more redundant channels. See page 3
of Appellant’s specification. Referring to Figures 2A and 2B,
one illustrative configuration of how elements in a
communications system contain redundant channels may be inter-
coupled is shown. In Figure 2A, the communications system
includes five nodes 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210 coupled in a loop
by corresponding channels. A channel 212 couples nodes 202 and
204, a channel 214 couples nodes 204 and 206, channel 216 couples
nodes 206 and 208, and a channel 218 couples nodes 208 and 210.
2
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