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. 15, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 26, 2000
Miguel F. Pabon, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Jean-Pierre Masson, Richmond, TX (US);
Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An ultrasonic sensor assembly for measuring the diameter of a well while it is being drilled is provided. The sensor assembly includes a stack including an inner sound absorbing backing element, a piezoelectric ceramic disk transducer stacked outwardly adjacent the backing element, and a matching layer, preferable made of PEEK and disposed outwardly adjacent the transducer. The layers of the stack are provided within a cavity of a metal cup and are maintained in position by a flexible diaphragm preferably made of PEEK. The diaphragm is sealed with an O-ring. A window, also preferably made of PEEK, is provided against the diaphragm and is held against the diaphragm by a spring. This arrangement acoustically couples the diaphragm to the stack and improves signal recovery. The diaphragm and O-ring form a hydraulic seal between fluid/mud in the well and the stack, and operate to retain the layers of the stack. Also, the diaphragm deforms to permit the stack to move when transmitting or receiving, and maintains an acoustic coupling between the stack and the window.