US3659259A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for telemetering information through well bores
Assignee: Halliburton Co
•
Filing: 1968-01-23
•
Granted: 1972-04-25
•
Expires: 1988-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus whereby the rigidity of fluid body confining, well wall means is varied in response to a condition within a well to vary the natural frequency of oscillation of the fluid body, the frequency being detected at the well head as representative of the condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Preston E Chaney Jr
- 👤 Terry O Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:39
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/12; E21B47/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
Well condition monitoring apparatus comprising: means for establishing a fluid body at least partially within a well bore, means for causing said fluid body to oscillate at its natural frequency, means within said well bore for changing the natural frequency of said fluid body in response to a change in a well condition by varying solidity of a portion of a structure confining said fluid body, and means for detecting a change in the natural frequency of said fluid body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
Well condition monitoring apparatus comprising: means for establishing a fluid body at least partially within a well bore, means for causing said fluid body to oscillate at its natural frequency, means within said well bore for changing the natural frequency of said fluid body in response to a change in a well condition by varying solidity of a portion of a structure confining said fluid body, and means for detecting a change in the natural frequency of said fluid body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for oscillating said fluid body includes a pump in fluid communication with said fluid body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for monitoring the frequency of oscillation of said fluid body includes means for generating an electrical signal indicative of the pressure of said fluid body, and means for indicating the value of said electrical signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the frequency of said generated electrical signal is indicative of the pressure of said fluid body and wherein said indicating means includes a frequency discriminator and a recorder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said condition responsive means for varying the solidity of a portion of the structure confining said fluid body comprises: a pressure vessel having a valved aperture in the lower extremity thereof, said pressure vessel being partially filled with a compressible fluid, and an actuator for said valved aperture, the position of said actuator being responsive to the condition to be monitored.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
Well condition monitoring apparatus comprising: means for establishing an incompressible fluid body at least partially within a well bore, means for initiating pressure fluctuations in said fluid body at the natural frequency of said fluid body, means for detecting the natural frequency of said fluid body, a container partially filled with a compressible fluid and pArtially filled with an incompressible fluid, and condition responsive means for varying the degree of communication between said fluid body and the interior of said container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
Well condition monitoring apparatus comprising: means for establishing an incompressible fluid body at least partially within a well bore, means for initiating pressure fluctuations in said fluid body at the natural frequency of said fluid body, means for detecting the natural frequency of said fluid body, a container partially filled with a compressible fluid and pArtially filled with an incompressible fluid, and condition responsive means for varying the degree of communication between said fluid body and the interior of said container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said container is a pressure vessel mounted within the well bore, said pressure vessel having an aperture in the lower extremity thereof and wherein said condition responsive means includes a valve in the aperture of said pressure vessel and a condition responsive actuator for said valve, the position of said actuator being responsive to the condition to be monitored.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of monitoring conditions in a well bore comprising the steps of: a. providing a substantially incompressible fluid body at least partially in a well bore; b. oscillating said fluid body at its natural frequency; c. varying the natural frequency of the fluid body by varying the solidity of a portion of the structure confining the fluid body in response to the condition to be monitored, and d. detecting the frequency of oscillation of the fluid body.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of monitoring conditions in a well bore comprising the steps of: a. providing a substantially incompressible fluid body at least partially in a well bore; b. oscillating said fluid body at its natural frequency; c. varying the natural frequency of the fluid body by varying the solidity of a portion of the structure confining the fluid body in response to the condition to be monitored, and d. detecting the frequency of oscillation of the fluid body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the solidity of a portion of the structure confining said fluid body is varied by varying the degree of fluid communication between said fluid body and a container partially filled with a compressible fluid.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of monitoring conditions in a well bore comprising the steps of: a. providing a fluid body at least partially in a well bore, b. oscillating said fluid body at its natural frequency, c. varying the solidity of a portion of the structure confining said fluid body to vary the natural frequency of said fluid body in response to the condition to be monitored, and d. detecting the frequency of oscillation of the fluid body.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of monitoring conditions in a well bore comprising the steps of: a. providing a fluid body at least partially in a well bore, b. oscillating said fluid body at its natural frequency, c. varying the solidity of a portion of the structure confining said fluid body to vary the natural frequency of said fluid body in response to the condition to be monitored, and d. detecting the frequency of oscillation of the fluid body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the solidity of a portion of the structure confining said fluid body is varied by varying the degree of fluid communication between said fluid body and a container partially filled with a compressible fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2810546A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |