Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Ravi Sharad Vayeda

Paul Gregory James

Joseph Chakkungal Joseph

Ziquan Wang

Sean Michael Gum

Louis Francis Lafleur

Glen Paul Breerwood

This disclosure presents an apparatus to improve the position sensing of a moving mechanism, such as a fluid valve located within a borehole. The apparatus can utilize a light beam or an optical fiber to measure changes in the position sensor. The smaller and lighter apparatus can improve the accuracy of the sensing mechanism. In addition, three systems are presented. The first system utilizes a vibration sensor, such as a MEMS, and an accelerometer to calculate changes in the mechanism position of the moving mechanism. The second system utilizes a radiation source and detector combination, along with a moving radiation shield to provide more accurate position sensing than conventional techniques. In addition, a lens-based system is presented, that when combined with a radiation source, can calculate position information by detecting the diffusion or dispersal of the radiation against a radiation detector.

Indicating position of a moving mechanism of well site tools

A system can include a sensor assembly and a wellhead flange sized to receive the sensor assembly. The system can also include a seal that can be positioned between the sensor assembly and the wellhead flange for sealing the wellhead flange from an external environment. The system can also include an inner coil that can be positioned within the sensor assembly. The inner coil may be able to communicate wirelessly with an outer coil that can be positioned around the sensor assembly for transmitting data and power with respect to the wellhead flange. The system can also include a sensor positionable in a through bore of the wellhead flange. The sensor can be coupled with the inner coil for transmitting and receiving data and power with respect to the wellhead flange.

Sensor assembly for wireless transfer of data and power in a wellbore

This disclosure provides a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly, in one aspect, includes a flange housing, the flange housing including a mating surface for engaging a wellhead and an opposing surface, an interior cavity extending into the flange housing from the mating surface, and an exterior cavity extending into the flange housing from the opposing surface. The sensor assembly, according to this aspect, further includes a connector in sealed engagement with the flange housing proximate the exterior cavity, and a control line extending into the interior cavity through the connector. The sensor assembly, according to this aspect, further includes a sensor coupled to an exposed end of the control line proximate the interior cavity, the control line slidable within the connector, the exterior cavity and the interior cavity to move the sensor between a retracted position and an expanded position to accommodate different thickness wellheads.

Adjustable length sensor assembly for wellhead

A method and system for determining a position of a linearly translating member. The method may comprise transmitting an excitation into a linearly translating member through one or more couplers from an acoustic device disposed in an outer housing, recording a reflected excitation from the linearly translating member with the acoustic device, and identifying a position of the linearly translating member with respect to the acoustic device. The system may comprise an outer housing, a linearly translating member disposed within the outer housing, an acoustic device disposed in the outer housing and configured to transmit an excitation at various frequencies and various amplitudes and record returned excitation frequencies and amplitudes and time of travel, and an information handling system in communication with the acoustic device.

Valve position sensing using acoustics

Electrically insulated connector bands for Downhole Electrical Disconnect Tools provide power and/or data communication downhole are made from metal having sufficient strength and corrosion resistance to eliminate the need of any vacuum and sealed pressure compensation assembly while being exposed to wellbore fluids. The electrical insulation is achieved by having portions of the connector bands coated with electrically insulating material. An uncoated section of each connector band will provide the electrical path between the male and female mandrels.

Coated electrical connector bands and pressure compensation assemblies for downhole electrical disconnect tools

A sensor apparatus for wellbore applications includes an electrical conductor extending within an armored tubular jacket to protect the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor is isolated from wellbore fluids when the sensor is placed in a wellhead flange by redundant seals such that the tubular jacket around the conductor does not provide a leak path to the surrounding subsea or surface environment. To isolate the electrical conductor, a connector housing may be provided that establishes a glass-metal seal or a PEEK-metal seal with the electrical conductor. The connector housing may be welded or otherwise sealed to a Christmas tree flange that connects to the wellhead flange. The welds and seals of the sensor apparatus may be proof tested to ensure their effectiveness before the Christmas tree flange is installed in the subsea or surface environment.

Pressure isolation across a conductor

A system and method for identifying a position of a sliding sleeve. The system may comprise an outer housing, a sliding sleeve within the outer housing, one or more magnetic switches, and a magnet. A method may comprise closing a switch within a magnetic switch disposed with a magnet, wherein the magnetic switch is disposed downhole, and transmitting an electric current into a first electric branch, wherein the electric current traverses through first electric branch, through the magnetic switch, to a second electric branch, and to a node. The method may further comprise measuring the electric current or voltage at the node and identifying a position of a sliding sleeve in an outer housing from the measurement. The method may further comprise calibrating a linear resistor position sensor assembly based at least in part on the measurement.

Growing community of inventors

Spring, TX, United States of America

Ravi Sharad Vayeda