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:
Dec. 01, 1998
Filed:
Nov. 07, 1996
John W Berthold, Salem, OH (US);
Daniel P Birmingham, North Canton, OH (US);
The Babcock & Wilcox Company, New Orleans, LA (US);
Abstract
A sensor apparatus and method for identifying a restriction in the flowline of a hydrocarbon production system, utilizes an optical fiber or optical fiber cable which is engaged along and preferably spirally wound around and along the flowline. Spaced apart strain gauges which are advantageously in the form of Bragg grating sensors, are engaged with the optical fiber at spaced locations along the flowline. The strain gauges are also engaged with the flowline to measure strain in the flowline. The hoop strain in particular indicates a change in pressure which can be measured by light signals supplied to and received from the optical fiber. Differences in strain along the flowline indicate pressure gradients in the flowline which in turn identify restrictions in the flowline.