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:
Sep. 12, 2006
Filed:
Nov. 07, 2002
Terry R. Bussear, Round Rock, TX (US);
Michael A. Carmody, Houston, TX (US);
Steve L. Jennings, Friendswood, TX (US);
Don A. Hopmann, La Porte, TX (US);
Edward J. Zisk, Jr., Kingwood, TX (US);
Michael Norris, Cypress, TX (US);
Terry R. Bussear, Round Rock, TX (US);
Michael A. Carmody, Houston, TX (US);
Steve L. Jennings, Friendswood, TX (US);
Don A. Hopmann, La Porte, TX (US);
Edward J. Zisk, Jr., Kingwood, TX (US);
Michael Norris, Cypress, TX (US);
Baker Hughes Incorporated, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and methods are disclosed for using optical sensors to determine the position of a movable flow control element in a well control tool. A housing has a movable element disposed within such that the element movement controls the flow through the tool. An optical sensing system senses the movement of the element. Optical sensors are employed that use Bragg grating reflections, time domain reflectometry, and line scanning techniques to determine the element position. A surface or downhole processor is used to interpret the sensor signals.