Linear Measurements, Inc.

American Petroscience Corporation

William D Squire

Harper J Whitehouse

George L Kerber

Arthur E Lamel

Robert K Hatch

The present invention provides an acoustic particle alarm comprising a particle sensor for indicating the concentration of particles exceeding a specified size and specified concentration, for particles entrained in a fluid flow impinging on a front face of the sensor, and a nozzle for directing the fluid flow such that the particles impact the sensor in a direction substantially normal to the front face of the sensor. Each particle impacting the front face of the sensor causes a response in an output of the sensor with amplitude that is monotonic in the momentum of the impinging particle.

Acoustic particle alarm including particle sensor

A high performance, low cost filter having a capacitor electrically connected therein to effectively block electromagnetic noise signals that are generated by certain electrical and electromechanical devices, including an electric motor, such as that commonly associated with either of the engine of a motor vehicle or a household appliance. In one embodiment of the invention, the filter is provided in combination with a fuse link that is particularly structured to have both relatively low inductance and low fusing current characteristics. The capacitor and the fuse link may be contained within a filter housing. Moreover, both the capacitor and the fuse link may be flexibly mounted within the filter housing, to thereby reduce the application of mechanical stresses and minimize the likelihood of possible damage thereto during the handling and installation of the filter. In the assembled relationship, the filter housing is particularly structured so that a portion thereof containing the capacitor can be located exterior to the housing of the electrical or electromechanical device from which electromagnetic noise is generated, so as to reduce the amount of heat to which the filter capacitor is subjected during operation of the device. In another embodiment of the invention, a low inductance fuse is fabricated (apart from in combination with the aforementioned filter) by means of strip line transmission line techniques and interconnected between a source and a load of an electrical or electromechanical system.

Combination low inductance fuse and electromagnetic noise filter

An acoustic communication method and system are disclosed for transmitting information through a well-bore drill string by using the acoustic noise inherently generated in the drill string by drilling operations as a 'carrier' propagated therealong to be modulated by the information to be transmitted. In the drilling of wells, the action of the drill tool on the bottom of the bore hole creates acoustic noise within the drill string. Other suitable sources of 'noise' are often present during 'drilling operations', as broadly defined, even while bore drilling, as such, is suspended. This noise usually consists both of wide-band continuous acoustic energy and of narrow spectral lines of acoustic energy and is usually present in a variety of acoustic modes such as longitudinal and torsional acoustic waves. The detailed characteristic of this acoustic noise depends on the type of drill tool used, the drilling speed and the type of formation being drilled. When this inherently generated noise is modulated by an information containing signal at a signal-transmitting station, acoustic communication of information is possible while drilling is in progress, or, in some cases, while drilling as such is suspended. The communication occurs between the transmitting station and a signal-receiving station spaced along the drill string, using the intervening length of drill string between the signal-transmitting and signal-receiving stations as an acoustic transmission channel.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

William D Squire