公开(公告)号：US06513385B1

公开(公告)日：2003-02-04

申请号：US09851511

申请日：2001-05-08

申请人： Wei Han ,  Vimal V. Shah ,  James R. Birchak ,  Bruce H. Storm, Jr. ,  Rajnikant M. Amin ,  Bayram Kalpakci ,  Fouad Fleyfel

发明人： Wei Han ,  Vimal V. Shah ,  James R. Birchak ,  Bruce H. Storm, Jr. ,  Rajnikant M. Amin ,  Bayram Kalpakci ,  Fouad Fleyfel

IPC分类号： G01N2900

CPC分类号： G01N29/2437 ,  G01B17/02 ,  G01N29/041 ,  G01N29/2468 ,  G01N29/28 ,  G01N2291/02854 ,  G01N2291/0421 ,  G01N2291/0422 ,  G01N2291/2634

摘要： A method and apparatus for analyzing a deposited layer on the inner surface of a fluid container wall having inner and outer surfaces are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises (a) transmitting an acoustic signal from a transmitter at a first distance from the outer surface of the wall; (b) receiving a first received signal A, comprising a reflection from the wall outer surface; (c) receiving a second received signal B, comprising a reflection from the wall inner surface; (d) receiving a third received signal C from the wall inner surface; (e) calculating a coefficient Rwp from A, B and C, and (f) calculating a coefficient Rpd from A, B and Rwp, and calculating the acoustic impedance of the deposited layer Zd from Rwp, Rpd, and Zw, where Zw is the acoustic impedance of the material between the transmitter and the wall outer surface. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus comprises a piezoelectric or ferroelectric transducer having front and back faces; a backing member acoustically coupled to said transducer back face and impedance-matched to said transducer element, said backing member having proximal and remote faces; and a delay material disposed between said transducer front face and the wall outer surface.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于分析具有内表面和外表面的流体容器壁的内表面上的沉积层的方法和装置。 该方法的一个实施例包括（a）从距离壁的外表面第一距离的发射器发射声信号; （b）接收第一接收信号A，包括来自所述壁外表面的反射; （c）接收第二接收信号B，其包括来自所述壁内表面的反射; （d）从所述壁内表面接收第三接收信号C; （e）从A，B和C计算系数Rwp，以及（f）从A，B和Rwp计算系数Rpd，并从Rwp，Rpd和Zw计算沉积层Zd的声阻抗，其中Zw为 发射机和墙外表面之间的材料的声阻抗。 该装置的优选实施例包括具有正面和背面的压电或铁电换能器; 声学耦合到所述换能器背面并与所述换能器元件阻抗匹配的背衬构件，所述背衬构件具有近端面和远端面; 以及设置在所述换能器前表面和所述壁外表面之间的延迟材料。

公开(公告)号：US06701787B2

公开(公告)日：2004-03-09

申请号：US10223505

申请日：2002-08-19

申请人： Wei Han ,  Vimal V. Shah ,  James R. Birchak ,  Bruce H. Storm ,  Rajnikant M. Amin ,  Bayram Kalpakci ,  Fouad Fleyfel

发明人： Wei Han ,  Vimal V. Shah ,  James R. Birchak ,  Bruce H. Storm ,  Rajnikant M. Amin ,  Bayram Kalpakci ,  Fouad Fleyfel

IPC分类号： G01N2900

CPC分类号： G01N29/2437 ,  G01B17/02 ,  G01N29/041 ,  G01N29/2468 ,  G01N29/28 ,  G01N2291/02854 ,  G01N2291/0421 ,  G01N2291/0422 ,  G01N2291/2634

摘要： A method and apparatus for analyzing a deposited layer on the inner surface of a fluid container wall having inner and outer surfaces are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises (a) transmitting an acoustic signal from a transmitter at a first distance from the outer surface of the wall; (b) receiving a first received signal A, comprising a reflection from the wall outer surface; (c) receiving a second received signal B, comprising a reflection from the wall inner surface; (d) receiving a third received signal C from the wall inner surface; (e) calculating a coefficient Rwp from A, B and C, and (f) calculating a coefficient Rpd from A, B and Rwp, and calculating the acoustic impedance of the deposited layer Zd from Rwp, Rpd, and Zw, where Zw is the acoustic impedance of the material between the transmitter and the wall outer surface. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus comprises a piezoelectric or ferroelectric transducer having front and back faces; a backing member acoustically coupled to said transducer back face and impedance-matched to said transducer element, said backing member having proximal and remote faces; and a delay material disposed between said transducer front face and the wall outer surface.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于分析具有内表面和外表面的流体容器壁的内表面上的沉积层的方法和装置。 该方法的一个实施例包括（a）从距离壁的外表面第一距离的发射器发射声信号; （b）接收第一接收信号A，包括来自所述壁外表面的反射; （c）接收第二接收信号B，其包括来自所述壁内表面的反射; （d）从所述壁内表面接收第三接收信号C; （e）从A，B和C计算系数Rwp，以及（f）从A，B和Rwp计算系数Rpd，并从Rwp，Rpd和Zw计算沉积层Zd的声阻抗，其中Zw为 发射机和墙外表面之间的材料的声阻抗。 该装置的优选实施例包括具有正面和背面的压电或铁电换能器; 声学耦合到所述换能器背面并与所述换能器元件阻抗匹配的背衬构件，所述背衬构件具有近端面和远端面; 以及设置在所述换能器前表面和所述壁外表面之间的延迟材料。

公开(公告)号：US06568271B2

公开(公告)日：2003-05-27

申请号：US09850962

申请日：2001-05-08

申请人： Vimal V. Shah ,  James R. Birchak ,  Wei Han ,  Bruce H. Storm ,  Rajnikant M. Amin ,  Bayram Kalpakci ,  Fouad Fleyfel

发明人： Vimal V. Shah ,  James R. Birchak ,  Wei Han ,  Bruce H. Storm ,  Rajnikant M. Amin ,  Bayram Kalpakci ,  Fouad Fleyfel

IPC分类号： G01N2920

CPC分类号： G01N29/11 ,  G01N29/4472 ,  G01N29/449 ,  G01N2291/0258 ,  G01N2291/02854 ,  G01N2291/0422 ,  G01N2291/0427 ,  G01N2291/057 ,  G01N2291/105 ,  G01N2291/2634

摘要： A system for monitoring the presence of deposits or buildup on the inside wall of a fluid-containing pipe comprises a pair of acoustic transmitters outside of the pipe and spaced apart along the length of the pipe and capable of transmitting an acoustic signal into the pipe wall, a pair of acoustic receivers outside of the pipe and spaced apart along the length of the pipe and capable of receiving an acoustic signal from the pipe wall, and a power source for causing the transmitters to transmit a signal. A method for monitoring the presence of deposits or buildup on the inside wall of a fluid-containing pipe, comprises (a) providing first and second acoustic transmitters outside of the pipe and spaced apart along the length of the pipe and capable of transmitting an acoustic signal into the pipe wall, (b) providing first and second acoustic receivers outside of the pipe and spaced apart along the length of the pipe and capable of receiving an acoustic signal from the pipe wall, (c) transmitting a first signal from the first transmitter, (d) measuring the amplitude of the first signal received at the first and second receivers as A11 and A12, respectively, (e) transmitting a second signal from the second transmitter, (f) measuring the amplitude of the second signal received at the first and second receivers as A21 and A22, respectively, and (g) calculating the attenuation of the signal over the length of pipe using the values of A11, A12, A21 and A22.

摘要翻译： 用于监测流体容纳管的内壁上的沉积物或积聚物的存在的系统包括在管的外部的一对声发射体，并沿着管的长度间隔开，并且能够将声信号传输到管壁 ，一对声学接收器，位于管道外部并沿着管道的长度间隔开并且能够从管壁接收声学信号，以及用于使发射器发射信号的电源。 一种用于监测在含流体管道的内壁上的沉积物或积聚物的存在的方法包括：（a）在管道外部提供第一和第二声发射器，并沿管道的长度间隔开并且能够传输声学 信号进入管壁，（b）在管道外部提供第一和第二声学接收器并沿着管道的长度间隔开并且能够从管壁接收声学信号，（c）从第一个 （d）分别测量在第一和第二接收机处接收的第一信号的振幅为A11和A12;（e）从第二发射机发送第二信号;（f）测量在第一和第二接收机接收的第二信号的振幅， 分别为A21和A22的第一和第二接收机，（g）使用A11，A12，A21和A22的值计算管道长度上信号的衰减。

公开(公告)号：US06470749B1

公开(公告)日：2002-10-29

申请号：US09851509

申请日：2001-05-08

申请人： Wei Han ,  James R. Birchak ,  Crispin L. Richards ,  Vimal V. Shah ,  Bruce H. Storm ,  Rajnikant M. Amin

发明人： Wei Han ,  James R. Birchak ,  Crispin L. Richards ,  Vimal V. Shah ,  Bruce H. Storm ,  Rajnikant M. Amin

IPC分类号： G01N2900

CPC分类号： G01B17/02 ,  G01N29/024 ,  G01N29/07 ,  G01N29/38 ,  G01N29/449 ,  G01N2291/011 ,  G01N2291/017 ,  G01N2291/02854 ,  G01N2291/102 ,  G01N2291/2634

摘要： A method for monitoring and measuring the buildup of deposits on the inner surface of a pipeline containing flowing fluid comprises (a) transmitting a first acoustic signal into the pipeline through the pipeline wall, (b) receiving echoes of the transmitted signal, and (c) determining from the received echoes how far from the pipeline inner surface the interface between the deposits and the flowing fluid lies. An alternative method for monitoring and measuring the buildup of deposits on the inner surface of a pipeline containing flowing fluid comprises (a) transmitting a first acoustic signal into the pipeline through the pipeline wall, (b) receiving echoes of the signal, and (c) using the Doppler frequency shift of the received echoes to determine how far from the pipeline inner surface the interface between the deposits and the flowing fluid lies. An apparatus for monitoring and measuring the buildup of deposits on the inner surface of a pipeline containing flowing fluid, comprises a first transmitter in acoustic communication with the pipeline wall and generating a transmitted signal, a first receiver in acoustic communication with the pipeline wall generating received echo signal from a received signal comprising the reflection of the transmitted signal off the flowing fluid, and a microprocessor for determining from the received echo signal how far from the pipeline inner surface the interface between the deposits and the flowing fluid lies.

摘要翻译： 一种用于监测和测量包含流动流体的管道的内表面上的沉积物积累的方法，包括（a）通过管道壁将第一声信号传输到管道中，（b）接收所发射信号的回波，和（c ）从接收到的回波确定离开管道内表面有多远，沉积物和流动流体之间的界面位于。 用于监测和测量包含流动流体的管道的内表面上的沉积物积累的替代方法包括（a）通过管道壁将第一声信号传输到管道中，（b）接收信号的回波，和（c ）使用接收到的回波的多普勒频移来确定离开管道内表面的距离，沉积物和流动流体之间的界面位于多远处。 一种用于监测和测量包含流动流体的管道的内表面上的沉积物积累的装置，包括与管道壁声学连通并产生传输信号的第一发射器，与接收的管道壁声学连通的第一接收器 来自接收信号的回波信号包括从流动流体反射的发射信号;以及微处理器，用于根据接收到的回波信号确定沉积物和流动流体之间的界面离管道内表面有多远。

公开(公告)号：US06619394B2

公开(公告)日：2003-09-16

申请号：US09731873

申请日：2000-12-07

申请人： Mohamed Y. Soliman ,  Ali I. Mese ,  Clark E. Robison ,  James R. Birchak ,  Paul F. Rodney ,  Wei Han ,  Vimal V. Shah ,  Eugene J. Linyaev ,  Mark A. Proett

发明人： Mohamed Y. Soliman ,  Ali I. Mese ,  Clark E. Robison ,  James R. Birchak ,  Paul F. Rodney ,  Wei Han ,  Vimal V. Shah ,  Eugene J. Linyaev ,  Mark A. Proett

IPC分类号： E21B2800

CPC分类号： G01V1/44 ,  E21B28/00 ,  E21B43/003

摘要： A process and apparatus for treating a wellbore, comprising subjecting a substantially same portion of the wellbore to vibratory waves produced by a plurality of vibratory wave generators. The vibratory waves may have about the same frequency or a plurality of frequencies, and the frequencies may partially overlap, not overlap, or be modulated across a range. Additionally, the frequencies may be modulated in an oval, hoop, and flexural modes. The vibratory waves may be produced by firing the vibratory wave generators simultaneously or in sequence. Combinations of a vibrating pipe, piston pulser, or valve may be used as vibratory wave generators. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness and change of thickness of a mudcake on the interior surface of a wellbore are measured to evaluate the effectiveness of the wellbore treatment.

摘要翻译： 一种用于处理井眼的方法和装置，包括使井筒的基本相同的部分经受由多个振动波发生器产生的振动波。 振动波可以具有大约相同的频率或多个频率，并且频率可以部分地重叠，而不是重叠，或者在一个范围上被调制。 另外，频率可以以椭圆形，环形和弯曲模式进行调制。 振动波可以通过同时或依次点火振动波发生器来产生。 振动管，活塞式脉冲发生器或阀门的组合可用作振动波发生器。 在优选的实施方案中，测量在井筒内表面上的泥饼的厚度和厚度变化，以评估井眼处理的有效性。

公开(公告)号：US06672163B2

公开(公告)日：2004-01-06

申请号：US09803850

申请日：2001-03-12

申请人： Wei Han ,  James R. Birchak ,  Bruce H. Storm, Jr. ,  Thomas E. Ritter

发明人： Wei Han ,  James R. Birchak ,  Bruce H. Storm, Jr. ,  Thomas E. Ritter

IPC分类号： G01V128

CPC分类号： E21B47/101 ,  E21B49/08 ,  G01N29/024 ,  G01N29/348 ,  G01N2291/015 ,  G01N2291/0222 ,  G01N2291/02416 ,  G01N2291/02433 ,  G01N2291/02818 ,  G01N2291/02836 ,  G01N2291/105

摘要： A method and apparatus for in-situ characterization of downhole fluids in a wellbore using ultrasonic acoustic signals. Measurements of the speed of sound, attenuation of the signal, and acoustic back-scattering are used to provide qualitative and quantitative data as to the composition, nature of solid particulates, compressibility, bubble point, and the oil/water ratio of the fluid. The tool generally comprises three sets of acoustic transducers mounted perpendicular to the direction of the flow. These transducers are capable of operating at different frequencies so that the spectrum of the acoustic signal can be optimized. The apparatus is capable of operating downhole to provide real time information as to conditions in the well.

公开(公告)号：US06817229B2

公开(公告)日：2004-11-16

申请号：US10384030

申请日：2003-03-07

申请人： Wei Han ,  James R. Birchak ,  Bruce H. Storm, Jr. ,  Thomas E. Ritter

发明人： Wei Han ,  James R. Birchak ,  Bruce H. Storm, Jr. ,  Thomas E. Ritter

IPC分类号： G01N2900

CPC分类号： E21B47/101 ,  E21B49/08 ,  G01N29/024 ,  G01N29/348 ,  G01N2291/015 ,  G01N2291/0222 ,  G01N2291/02416 ,  G01N2291/02433 ,  G01N2291/02818 ,  G01N2291/02836 ,  G01N2291/105

摘要： A method and apparatus for in-situ characterization of downhole fluids in a wellbore using ultrasonic acoustic signals. Measurements of the speed of sound, attenuation of the signal, and acoustic back-scattering are used to provide qualitative and quantitative data as to the composition, nature of solid particulates, compressibility, bubble point, and the oil/water ratio of the fluid. The tool generally comprises three sets of acoustic transducers mounted perpendicular to the direction of the flow. These transducers are capable of operating at different frequencies so that the spectrum of the acoustic signal can be optimized. The apparatus is capable of operating downhole to provide real time information as to conditions in the well.

摘要翻译： 一种用于使用超声波信号在井筒中井下流体进行原位表征的方法和装置。 用于测量声速，信号衰减和声反散射的方法来提供关于固体颗粒的组成，性质，可压缩性，起泡点和流体的油/水比的定性和定量数据。 该工具通常包括垂直于流动方向安装的三组声换能器。 这些传感器能够以不同的频率操作，从而可以优化声信号的频谱。 该装置能够在井下操作以提供关于井中的条件的实时信息。

公开(公告)号：US06412354B1

公开(公告)日：2002-07-02

申请号：US09464728

申请日：1999-12-16

申请人： James R. Birchak ,  Mark A. Proett ,  Thomas E. Ritter ,  Vimal V. Shah ,  Curtis M. Vickery

发明人： James R. Birchak ,  Mark A. Proett ,  Thomas E. Ritter ,  Vimal V. Shah ,  Curtis M. Vickery

IPC分类号： G01F184

CPC分类号： G01N29/036 ,  G01N9/002 ,  G01N29/348 ,  G01N29/449 ,  G01N29/46 ,  G01N2291/02491 ,  G01N2291/02818 ,  G01N2291/02836 ,  G01N2291/102

摘要： A fluid property monitor includes a transducer assembly to impart multiple frequency energy to a conduit in one or more modes and to receive resonant frequency energy from the conduit. The resonant frequency energy is responsive to the imparted energy, the conduit and a fluid in the conduit. The fluid property monitor can also be defined as including: a frequency signal generator connected to cause multiple frequency energy to be transferred to a conduit having a fluid to be monitored; and a spectral analysis signal processor connected to receive and process electrical signals generated in response to vibrations propagated through the conduit and the fluid in the conduit in response to transferred multiple frequency energy. Particular implementations can be adapted as a densitometer, a coherent flow detector, and other particular fluid parameter detectors. A method of monitoring a fluid includes: imparting multiple frequency vibration-inducing energy to a conduit and fluid system; and sensing a plurality of frequency signals from the conduit and fluid system responsive to at least part of the imparted multiple frequency vibration-inducing energy. This method can also include determining at least one characteristic of the conduit and fluid system in response to the sensed plurality of frequency signals.

摘要翻译： 流体特性监测器包括换能器组件，其以一种或多种模式将多个频率能量传递到导管并且从该导管接收共振频率能量。 谐振频率能量响应于所施加的能量，导管和导管中的流体。 流体特性监视器还可以被定义为包括：频率信号发生器，其被连接以使多个频率能量传递到具有待监测流体的导管; 以及频谱分析信号处理器，其被连接以响应于传送的多个频率能量响应于通过导管传播的振动和导管中的流体而产生的电信号。 特定的实施方案可以适用于密度计，相干流检测器和其它特定的流体参数检测器。 监测流体的方法包括：向导管和流体系统施加多频率振动诱发能量; 以及响应于所施加的多频率振动诱发能量的至少一部分，从所述导管和流体系统感测多个频率信号。 该方法还可以包括响应于感测到的多个频率信号确定导管和流体系统的至少一个特征。

公开(公告)号：US06400646B1

公开(公告)日：2002-06-04

申请号：US09457996

申请日：1999-12-09

申请人： Vimal V. Shah ,  John W. Minear ,  Robert Malloy ,  James R. Birchak ,  Wallace R. Gardner ,  Carl Robbins

发明人： Vimal V. Shah ,  John W. Minear ,  Robert Malloy ,  James R. Birchak ,  Wallace R. Gardner ,  Carl Robbins

IPC分类号： H04H900

CPC分类号： G01V1/26 ,  E21B47/16 ,  G04G7/00 ,  H04L7/007

摘要： A system is disclosed for synchronizing a clock in a well containing a drill string with a clock located near the surface of the well. The system includes devices for transmitting and receiving a pair of acoustic signals between locations associated with each clock and processing those signals. The system determines the time of arrival of each acoustic signal by analyzing the shape of a function of the acoustic signal chosen from a group of functions suitable to determine a clock offset with millisecond accuracy.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于使包含钻柱的井中的时钟与位于井的表面附近的时钟同步的系统。 该系统包括用于在与每个时钟相关联的位置之间发送和接收一对声信号并处理这些信号的装置。 系统通过分析从适合于以毫秒精度确定时钟偏移的一组函数中选择的声信号的函数的形状来确定每个声信号的到达时间。

公开(公告)号：US6137747A

公开(公告)日：2000-10-24

申请号：US87220

申请日：1998-05-29

申请人： Vimal V. Shah ,  James R. Birchak ,  John W. Minear ,  Wallace R. Gardner ,  Donald Kyle ,  John R. Dennis ,  Kenny McConnell ,  George S. Reagan ,  Rebecca McConnell

发明人： Vimal V. Shah ,  James R. Birchak ,  John W. Minear ,  Wallace R. Gardner ,  Donald Kyle ,  John R. Dennis ,  Kenny McConnell ,  George S. Reagan ,  Rebecca McConnell

IPC分类号： B06B1/06 ,  G01V11/00 ,  G10K11/00 ,  H04H9/00

CPC分类号： G01V11/002 ,  B06B1/0611

摘要： The invention is an acoustic transmitter that imparts vibratory stresses onto a signal propagation medium such as oil well tubing when actuated by an electric driver. In one embodiment, the acoustic transmitter utilizes a mechanical driver that includes piezoelectric elements to generate the vibratory stresses. The acoustic transmitter is mechanically attached at only one point to the signal propagation medium. This single point attachment eliminates loading on the acoustic transmitter from compressive and tensile forces carried by the signal propagation medium. A mass backing the mechanical driver may be used to extend the frequency range over which the acoustic transmitter is operable. In addition, the resonance response of the acoustic transmitter may be minimized by the use of a viscous dampener. The viscous dampener is configured to "couple" with the mechanical driver when the acoustic transmitter is operating and to "uncouple" with the mechanical driver at other times.

摘要翻译： 本发明是一种在由电动驱动器致动时将振动应力施加到诸如油井管道之类的信号传播介质上的声发射器。 在一个实施例中，声发射器利用包括压电元件的机械驱动器来产生振动应力。 声发射机仅在一个点处机械连接到信号传播介质。 这种单点附件消除了声发射器上由信号传播介质承载的压缩和拉伸力的负担。 可以使用机械驱动器的质量来扩展声发射器可操作的频率范围。 此外，通过使用粘性阻尼器可以使声发射器的共振响应最小化。 粘性阻尼器被配置为当声发射器操作时与机械驱动器“耦合”，并且在其它时间与机械驱动器“脱离”。