US4905203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Downhole doppler flowmeter
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1988-09-30
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Granted: 1990-02-27
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Expires: 2008-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A well logging system which monitors the flow rate of a fluid flowing in a borehole traversing an earth formation includes a sonde. A transmitter located in the sonde transmits acoustical waves into the fluid at a predetermined frequency. A receiver also located in the sonde receives reflected acoustical waves. The receiver also provides a signal corresponding to the received reflected acoustical waves. The provided signal is processed for being sent uphole by way of a cable. Electronics at the surface include circuitry which derives the velocity of the fluid in accordance with the frequency of the processed signal and the predetermined frequency. The circuitry provides an output signal corresponding to the derived velocity of the fluid flowing the borehole.
Inventors
- 👤 Jackie C. Sims
- 👤 Irwin R. Supernaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/66; G01F1/663; E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/08; E21B47/10; E21B47/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A well logging system for monitoring the flow rate of a fluid flowing in a borehole traversing an earth formation comprising: a sonde including therein: transmitter means for transmitting acoustical waves into the fluid at a predetermined frequency, receiver means for receiving reflected acoustical waves and providing a received signal corresponding thereto, caliper means for sensing the diameter of the borehole and providing a diameter signal D corresponding thereto, and means for processing the received signal to provide a frequency signal, corresponding to a relationship between the frequency of the transmitted acoustical waves and the frequency of the reflected waves in accordance with the received signal; cable means connected to the processing means and to the caliper means for carrying the frequency signal and the diameter signal D to the surface; and surface electronics including: means connected to the cable means for deriving the flow rate FR of the fluid in accordance with the frequency signal and the diameter signal and providing an output signal corresponding thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A well logging system for monitoring the flow rate of a fluid flowing in a borehole traversing an earth formation comprising: a sonde including therein: transmitter means for transmitting acoustical waves into the fluid at a predetermined frequency, receiver means for receiving reflected acoustical waves and providing a received signal corresponding thereto, caliper means for sensing the diameter of the borehole and providing a diameter signal D corresponding thereto, and means for processing the received signal to provide a frequency signal, corresponding to a relationship between the frequency of the transmitted acoustical waves and the frequency of the reflected waves in accordance with the received signal; cable means connected to the processing means and to the caliper means for carrying the frequency signal and the diameter signal D to the surface; and surface electronics including: means connected to the cable means for deriving the flow rate FR of the fluid in accordance with the frequency signal and the diameter signal and providing an output signal corresponding thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as described in claim 1 in which the frequency signal provided by the processing means is related to the frequency difference between the transmitted acoustical waves and the received signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as described in claim 2 in which the deriving means determines the velocity V of the flowing fluid in accordance with the received signal and the following equation: V=sk where s is the received signal and k is a calibration constant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as described in claim 3 in which the deriving means derives the flow rate FR in accordance with the diameter signal D and the determined velocity V and the following equation: FR=1.4V(D.sup.2 -d.sup.2) where d is the known diameter of the sonde.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
154 words
A well logging method for monitoring the flow rate of a fluid flowing in a borehole traversing an earth formation comprising the steps of: transmitting acoustical waves into the fluid from a sonde at a predetermined frequency, receiving reflected acoustical waves in the sonde, providing a received signal corresponding to the received acoustical waves, sensing the diameter of the borehole, providing a diameter signal D corresponding to the sensed diameter, processing the received signal to provide a frequency signal, corresponding to a relationship between the frequency of the transmitted acoustical waves and the frequency of the reflected waves in accordance with the received signal, carrying the frequency signal and the diameter signal D to the surface by way of a cable, and deriving the flow rate FR of the fluid at the surface in accordance with the frequency signal and the diameter signal, providing an output signal corresponding to the derived flow rate FR.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
154 words
A well logging method for monitoring the flow rate of a fluid flowing in a borehole traversing an earth formation comprising the steps of: transmitting acoustical waves into the fluid from a sonde at a predetermined frequency, receiving reflected acoustical waves in the sonde, providing a received signal corresponding to the received acoustical waves, sensing the diameter of the borehole, providing a diameter signal D corresponding to the sensed diameter, processing the received signal to provide a frequency signal, corresponding to a relationship between the frequency of the transmitted acoustical waves and the frequency of the reflected waves in accordance with the received signal, carrying the frequency signal and the diameter signal D to the surface by way of a cable, and deriving the flow rate FR of the fluid at the surface in accordance with the frequency signal and the diameter signal, providing an output signal corresponding to the derived flow rate FR.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as described in claim 5 in which the processing step includes: providing the frequency signal in accordance with the frequency difference between the transmitted acoustical waves and the received signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as described in claim 6 in which the deriving step includes: determining the velocity V of the flowing fluid with determining means in accordance with the received signal and the following equation: V=sk where s is the received signal and k is a calibration constant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as described in claim 7 in which the deriving step includes: deriving the flow rate FR with deriving means in accordance with the diameter signal D and the determined velocity V and the following equation: FR=1.4V(D.sup.2 -d.sup.2) where d is the known diameter of the sonde.
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) | 1993-02-26 | 1993-08-28 | 1994-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-26 | 1997-08-28 | 1998-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-26 | 2001-08-28 | 2002-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |