Panex Corporation

Other

Uson, L.p.

Leroy C Delatorre

Homer M Wilson

E Rene Pingenot

Ronald E Pringle

Arthur J Morris

James R Reaux

Rene Pingenot

Charles L Thompson

Ren E Pingenot

William J Rapson, Jr

A flow sensor with h no moving parts and which is suitable for miniaturization into a probe for fluid measurements in remote, hostile environments. It comprises an isolation torque tube to isolate a high pressure media from an instrument environment. and a highly sensitive disc torque sensor to measure the values of torque generated by flow across a static impeller. A proportionalized electric property signal is transmitted to a value reading station.

Torsional flow sensor

Fabry-Perot and Bragg grating optical measuring principles are combined with a torsional stress sensing mechanism that converts torque applied in one fluid environment to force exerted in a second environment to measure extreme environmental parameters such as pressure in a petroleum producing borehole.

Pressure isolated fiber optic torque sensor

A densitometer suitable for fluid measurements in remote, hostile environments comprises one or more pairs of matched weight masses housed within a tube and having respectively different densities. When immersed in the subject fluid, the buoyancy differential between the masses is converted to a proportional torque oriented about an axis aligned substantially parallel with a pipe bore. The torque is transferred through a calibrated environmental isolation cylinder to an electric property sensor positioned in a protected environment. A proportionalized electric property signal is transmitted to a value reading station.

Differential torque densitometer

A fluid pressure differential measuring instrument comprises a diaphragm that is displaced by a pressure differential between two environmental pressure zones. Diaphragm displacement induced by the pressure differential between the two zones is converted to a torsional strain upon a cylindrical element in a third environmental zone. The torsional strain is measured by calibrated electrical sensing means positioned physically in the third environmental zone.

Torque output differential pressure sensor

A fluid flow meter is responsive to measured torque force imposed by fluid flow over a static impeller. Exponential torque relationships imposed upon a static torque shaft by fluid flow over a static impeller are linearized by a resilient torque shaft restraint and translated to flow rate values by torque measuring means.

Linearized torque flow sensor

A fluid parameter measuring instrument relies upon a torque transmitting member comprising an integrally joined and substantially concentric shaft within a tube to transfer torsional stress across a pressure differential barrier without a penetration aperture seal. On one environmental side of the barrier, a pair of thin wall beams having strain gauges secured thereto are secured proximate of the beam mid-points to the torque transmitting member and the opposite ends to barrier structure. The strain gauges are connected in an electrical balance circuit to measure torque as a function of stress on the beams.

Pressure isolated strain gauge torque sensor

A communication system between remote locations connected by a common wire conductor where AC power ( ) is supplied from one location to one or more remote locations ( and ). At the remote locations, inductor coil components ( ) and ( ) provide power to an instrument ( ). The AC power is modulated with surface selected discrete frequencies ( ) to operate a specific selected remote location. At the selected remote location ( ), the AC power is rectified and a logic processor detects the discrete frequencies for that location and operates the instrument. Data from the instrument is translated by current modulation ( ) which is demodulated at the one location ( ).

Downhole inductively coupled digital electronic system

In a multiple well completion, spaced apart production packers isolate independent production zones from one another. In each isolated production zone, a side pocket mandrel with a full opening bore has lengthwise extending side by side elongated pockets (1) for receiving a static pressure measuring instrument or tool (static pressure pocket); (2) for providing a venturi flow passageway (flow passageway pocket); and (3) for receiving a differential pressure measuring tool (differential pressure pocket). The static pressure measuring tool and the differential pressure measuring tool or instrument are commonly connected by a data coupling means to a single electrical conductor line which is strapped to the string of tubing and extends to the earth's surface for transmission of control signals and data signals between the earth's surface and the various side pocket tools. The venturi flow passageway is connected for fluid communication with the static pressure pocket and the differential pressure pocket in the side pocket mandrel. Fluid flow from a particular production zone is channeled through the respective venturi flow passageway to the full opening bore and the fluid flow parameters are communicated to the static pressure measuring tool and to the differential pressure tool. The flow passageway is constructed and arranged to develop a differential pressure which is measured by the differential pressure measuring tool. At the same time, the static pressure of the production fluid in the production zone is measured by the static pressure measuring tool. Both the differential pressure measurements and the static pressure measurements may be transmitted to the surface and recorded as a function of real time.

Multizone production monitoring system

A fiber optical system for sensing a physical displacement of a light reflecting surface, where the system includes at a first location, a sensor unit including light reflecting surfaces arranged and constructed for physical displacement as a function of a parameter to be measured; at least two fiber optic sensor elements located relative to the reflective surfaces where the spacing between the surfaces and each of the end of said optic sensor elements is used to determine a function of displacement of the surfaces in response to a measurement parameter; and an optical fiber delay line coupled to the fiber optic elements for delaying travel time of light relative to the respective fiber optic elements; and at a second location, a voltage controlled oscillator connected to at least one light source where a parameter of a light source is controlled by the voltage controlled oscillator; first and second photo detectors respectively for sensing light from a light source and from the reflective surfaces, and fiber optic line element means for coupling a light source at the second location to the delay line means at the first location for communication of light between a light source and the reflective surfaces and for communication of light to one of said photo detectors and further for coupling light reflected from said reflective surfaces to the other photo detector; and a phase comparator responsive to the first and second photo detectors for controlling the voltage controlled oscillator; and a recording device for detecting the displacement of the reflective surfaces as a function of the control of said voltage controlled oscillator.

Phase locked loop fiber optic sensor system

A basic pressure sensor of four fused silica discs and two defined interior cavities. The discs are bonded to one another by a cold metal film metallization. The film metallization in spaced apart discs define capacitor electrodes where a central metallization film is a common electrode and the other metallization films define separate capacitor electrodes. For a high pressure capacitance pressure sensor, end cap discs are relatively thick and are supported by an annular ring surface on interior discs which also have a small central cavity. Pressure acting on the discs develops compressive forces which change the volume of the central cavities and the capacitance as a function of pressure. For low pressure capacitance pressure sensors, the end caps are relatively thin and flex to change a capacitance relationship defined by the bonding films. A reference capacitor can be incorporated by use of an additional electrode disc.

Fused silica high pressure sensor

A production log which is developed by data recorded in a downhole memory in a well tool as a function of real time and data recorded at the earth's surface as a function of time and merged to produce a log of data as a function of depth. The well tool is moved with a velocity selected to obtain fluid velocity data as a function of time and the velocity of the tool is measured at the earth's surface as a function of time. The functions of time are on a common basis so that a true velocity of fluid flow can be obtained as a function of depth.

Production log

A pressure and temperature system for monitoring pressure and temperature conditions in a permanent installation in a high temperature production well traversing earth formations where the system in a pressure tool incorporates a programmable logic array device and a low density memory device. Each of a number of independent pressure tools is programmed to respond to a distinct digital polling signal for selecting a particular tool so that a single wire conductor can be used for data and control signal communication between the pressure tools placed downhole and a computer system situated at the earth surface. The system in a tool is powered up and down for each selected operation to conserve individual component useful life and the number of downhole components subject to high temperature is minimized.

High temperature pressure monitoring system

A flowmeter particularly for use in determining fluid velocity in oil wells where a torque impeller is connected to a torque force transducer through a torque shaft and a torque coupler. The torque coupler provides for frictionless transfer of torque forces to the torque shaft by torsion bar members. By combining a torque flow meter and a spinner flowmeter means flow can be determined.

Torque flowmeter

A system for providing D.C. power at the earth's surface to a downhole well tool in a case hardened side pocket mandrel using an inductive coupling system where the mandrel has a pressure sealed probe member sealingly attached in a side pocket of the mandrel. The probe member extends externally to a cable conductor and is enclosed in a protective housing. A surface located D.C. power source is connected by the cable to a downhole square wave oscillator with a full wave driver to power an inductive coil in the probe member. The end socket of the tool has an inductive coil connected to a full wave rectifier in the tool for providing power to the tool. Pressure sensors in the tool are used to develop frequency shifted key signals to the cable via the inductive coils which provide a digital current modulation and which is detected at the earth's surface.

Side pocket mandrel pressure measuring system

An inductive coupling device for coaxially arranged tubular members where the members can be telescopically arranged and the liner member has a magnetic core assembly constructed from magnetic iron with cylinder sloped ends and the outer member has an annular magnetic assembly aligned with the core assembly. The tubular members are non-magnetic enclosures and together with a gap spacing define an effective air gap.

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Sugar Land, TX, United States of America

Leroy C Delatorre