Patent US2425956A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4130010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Bubble detector
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1977-08-15
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Granted: 1978-12-19
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Expires: 1997-08-15
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for detecting bubbles in drilling mud so that appropriate corrective action may take place prior to a possible blowout. A low frequency acoustic field is transmitted through the drilling mud which causes the displacement of any bubbles rising through the mud. A high frequency acoustic doppler detection circuit then detects movement of the bubbles in accordance with their displacement by the low frequency field.
Inventors
- 👤 James W. Wonn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:15
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B49/00; E21B49/005; E21B47/00; E21B47/10; E21B47/107; G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/02; G01N29/032; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/024; G01N2291/02433
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for detecting bubbles in a liquid subject to inclusion of solid acoustic energy scatterers, comprising: (A) a relatively low frequency acoustic generation system operable to project acoustic energy into a region of said liquid to insonify it with standing waves; (B) a relatively higher frequency acoustic motion detection system operable to detect motion of bubbles in said region displaced due to said low frequency insonification.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for detecting bubbles in a liquid subject to inclusion of solid acoustic energy scatterers, comprising: (A) a relatively low frequency acoustic generation system operable to project acoustic energy into a region of said liquid to insonify it with standing waves; (B) a relatively higher frequency acoustic motion detection system operable to detect motion of bubbles in said region displaced due to said low frequency insonification.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein (A) said liquid is flowing in a pipe; and (B) said systems include respective transducers arranged on said pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein (A) said acoustic generation system includes a single transmitter transducer; (B) said motion detection system includes a single transmitter/receiver transducer; and (C) said transducers are diametrically opposed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein (A) said acoustic generation system includes a single transmitter transducer; (B) said motion detection system includes a single transmitter/receiver transducer; and (C) said transducer have acoustic axes disposed at an angle θ with respect to one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein (A) said respective transducers are positioned at different levels on said pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein (A) said acoustic generation system includes means for periodically insonifying said region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein (A) said motion detection system is a doppler frequency shift system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 which includes: (A) transducer means; (B) transmitter means coupled to said transducer means for projecting said relatively higher frequency acoustic signal toward said region; and (C) detection means coupled to said transducer means for detecting any predetermined doppler shift frequencies.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein (A) said detection means includes gating means for passing the signal provided by said transducer means; (B) filter means for passing only a selected range of transducer means signal; and (C) said gating means being operated in synchronism with said low frequency periodic insonification.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-18 | 1982-06-19 | 1982-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-18 | 1986-06-19 | 1986-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-18 | 1990-06-19 | 1990-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |