The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 18, 2022
Filed:
Sep. 03, 2018
Exnics Limited, Aberdeen, GB;
Stuart Ellison, Aberdeen, GB;
EXNICS LIMITED, Aberdeen, GB;
Abstract
A method of assessing fluid flow in a conduit, the fluid comprising hydrocarbons, the method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring optical variances resulting from at least one circumferential mode of vibration of the conduit by directing a monochromatic light source, such as from a vibrometer, onto an external surface of the conduit thereby providing a measured vibration of the conduit as a result of fluid flow in the conduit. The data normally accurately measures velocity of the conduit usually considered to be wideband noise. Accordingly, sample rates are high, such as at least 5,000 times per second. The data is then assessed, for example by using a Fourier Transform, and a pre-trained algorithm to predict fluid flow at that point in the conduit, or upstream or downstream thereof. An associated apparatus is also disclosed. Embodiments of the invention can thus provide a non-invasive method and apparatus for providing information on the nature of flow regimes in pipelines, such as subsea pipelines which can be useful to optimise production and reduce well testing and/or downtime.