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:
Mar. 17, 2009
Filed:
Jan. 27, 2006
Applicant:
Espen S. Johansen, Houston, TX (US);
Inventor:
Espen S. Johansen, Houston, TX (US);
Assignee:
Weatherford/Lamb, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01H 3/12 (2006.01); G01N 24/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for detecting particles flowing in a fluid within a conduit involve analysis of acoustic pressure signals detected with an array of at least two pressure sensors. The analysis can include monitoring for attenuation in power of the acoustic disturbances within the fluid and/or a reduction in a speed of sound in the fluid. This attenuation in power or reduction in the speed of sound can be detected to provide an output or otherwise indicate that particles are present in the fluid.