Abstract:
A technique facilitates the measurements of forces, such as forces that result from gravity and acceleration. The system and methodology utilize a plurality of electrodes that cooperate with a movable electrode. By applying appropriate signals to the electrodes, the movable electrode can be levitated in a manner that creates a sensor system able to accurately detect forces resulting from gravity, acceleration and similar causes.
Abstract:
An instrument for measuring gravitational acceleration from within a borehole, the instrument including: a light source having a semiconductor that comprises a bandgap greater than about two electron volts (eV); and a gravimeter for receiving light from the light source and providing output light with a characteristic related to the gravitational acceleration, the gravimeter implemented at least one of a nano electro- mechanical system (NEMS) and a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS); wherein the light source and the gravimeter are disposed in a housing adapted for insertion into the borehole.
Abstract:
Gravity surveys of subterranean formations may be based on the simultaneous measurement of gravity and its derivatives to produce a higher resolution formation map or wellbore log. For example, a method of performing a gravity survey may include positioning a matter wave interferometer relative to a subterranean formation; producing at least one cloud of atoms in the matter wave interferometer; producing a superposition of atoms in two different, spatially separated superimposed clouds from each of the at least one cloud of atoms; propagating the two different, spatially separated superimposed clouds along the matter wave interferometer as they with a gravitational field of the subterranean formation; combining the two different, spatially separated superimposed clouds with a Raman laser beam; measuring an interference produced by producing and combining the two different, spatially separated superimposed clouds; and calculating gravity for the gravitational field of the subterranean formation based on the interference.
Abstract:
A cold atom gravity gradiometer system includes a laser source that generates a laser beam that propagates along a propagation direction. The system further includes a reflector that reflects a portion of the laser beam and transmits another portion of the laser beam (the transmitted portion). A second reflector spatially separated from the first reflector along the propagation direction reflects the transmitted portion of the laser beam.
Abstract:
A cold atom gravity gradiometer system includes a laser source that generates a laser beam that propagates along a propagation direction. The system further includes a reflector that reflects a portion of the laser beam and transmits another portion of the laser beam (the transmitted portion). A second reflector spatially separated from the first reflector along the propagation direction reflects the transmitted portion of the laser beam.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises at least one sensor mass for movement in response to a gravity gradient and a sensor and actuator unit for generating an electrical signal in response to the movement of the at least one sensor mass and for influencing the movement of the at least one sensor mass. The gravity gradiometer also comprises an electronic circuit for simulating an impedance. The electrical circuit is arranged for amplifying the electrical signal received from the sensor and actuator unit and for directing an actuating signal to the sensor and actuator unit. The electronic circuit comprises a differential amplifiers having first and second amplifier input terminals and an amplifier output terminal and impedances Z 1 , Z 2 , Z 3 , at least one of the impedances have an imaginary impedance component.
Abstract:
An apparatus for estimating gravitational properties includes an optical source, a first interferometer including a fixed reference reflector and a first reflector coupled to a first moveable mass, a second interferometer including the fixed reference reflector and a second reflector coupled to a second moveable mass, a first detector configured to detect a first interference pattern generated by the first interferometer, and a second detector configured to detect a second interference pattern generated by the second interferometer. The first mass is configured to move a first amount in response to a change in gravitational force, and the second mass is configured to move a second amount in response to a change in gravitational force, the second amount being smaller than the first amount. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to estimate the change in gravitational force based on a combination of the first and second interference patterns.
Abstract:
A method for estimating a displacement of a fluid-to-hydrocarbon interface in a reservoir in the earth includes: disposing an electrode in an injector borehole that is 5 configured to inject a fluid into the reservoir; energizing the electrode with a voltage source to apply a voltage to the reservoir; disposing an electric field sensor in the injector borehole; disposing a gravity sensor in at least one of the injector borehole and a producer borehole that is offset a distance L from the injector borehole; injecting fluid into the reservoir; measuring a magnitude of a time-varying electric 10 field due to the injecting using the electric field sensor to provide electric field measurements; measuring a magnitude of a time-varying gravitational field due to the injecting using the gravity sensor to provide gravitational field measurements; and estimating the displacement using the electric field measurements and the gravitational field measurements.
Abstract:
A non-contacting spherical air bearing-based stable platform for use by a gravity gradiometer instrument (GGI) is provided by attaching a spherical ball-shaped bearing to a rotational stage of the GGI and integrating a concave spherical cup in the linear stage and mounting base assembly of the GGI which is fixedly attached to a host vehicle or platform. The spherical cup supports the spherical ball-shaped bearing on a thin cushion of air provided by a source of compressed air or gas at the concave surface of the spherical cup. The spherical ball-shaped bearing is supported, providing three degrees of rotational freedom of motion without the need for slip rings, flex capsules, races, or mechanical bearings, thereby reducing or eliminating gradient disturbance signals owing to parasitic torques and jitter in the output of the accelerometers of the GGI.
Abstract:
A gravity gradiometer is described which comprises a pair of sensor bars (41, 43) arranged in housings (45, 47). Transducers (71) are arranged adjacent the bars (41, 43) for measuring movement of the bars in response to the gravity gradient tensor. At least one of the transducers has a sensing coil (510) and a capacitor plate (518a) having a concentric arrangement with the sensing coil (510) for providing one plate of a capacitor used in a balancing circuit for measuring the balance of the sensor mass.