US5510582A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic attenuator, well logging apparatus and method of well logging
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1995-03-06
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Granted: 1996-04-23
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Expires: 2015-03-06
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a sonic well tool for performing acoustic investigations of subsurface geological formations penetrated by a borehole. The well tool generally includes a longitudinally extending body for positioning in said borehole. The tool also includes a transmitter supported by the body for transmitting acoustic energy, and a receiver supported by the body for receiving acoustic energy. Finally, the tool includes an acoustic attenuation section positioned on the body between the transmitter and the receiver. This section includes one or more cavities defined by the body, inertial mass members positioned inside the cavities in a suitable manner to form a gap between the wall of the cavity and the inertial mass members, and an acoustical attenuation fluid in the gap. The method for attenuating sonic waves generally includes transmitting a sonic wave from the transmitter to the tool, passing the sonic wave through the acoustic attenuation section, and receiving attenuated wave at the receivers.
Inventors
- 👤 James R. Birchak
- 👤 Alexander Lifson
- 👤 Eugene J. Linyaev
- 👤 John W. Minear
- 👤 Dennis E. Roessler
- 👤 David J. Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:27
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/16; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/40; G01V1/52; G01V1/523; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/911
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for performing acoustic investigations of subsurface geological formations penetrated by a borehole, comprising: (a) a longitudinally extending body for positioning in said borehole; (b) a transmitter supported by the body for transmitting acoustic energy; (c) a receiver supported by the body for receiving acoustic energy; (d) an acoustic attenuation section positioned on the body between the transmitter and the receiver comprising, at least one cavity defined by the body, an inertial mass member for each cavity, and an acoustical attenuation fluid, wherein the cavity is shaped to receive the inertial mass member such that a gap is formed between the inertial mass member and the tool body once the inertial mass member is positioned inside the cavity, and wherein the acoustical attenuation fluid is positioned within the gap.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for performing acoustic investigations of subsurface geological formations penetrated by a borehole, comprising: (a) a longitudinally extending body for positioning in said borehole; (b) a transmitter supported by the body for transmitting acoustic energy; (c) a receiver supported by the body for receiving acoustic energy; (d) an acoustic attenuation section positioned on the body between the transmitter and the receiver comprising, at least one cavity defined by the body, an inertial mass member for each cavity, and an acoustical attenuation fluid, wherein the cavity is shaped to receive the inertial mass member such that a gap is formed between the inertial mass member and the tool body once the inertial mass member is positioned inside the cavity, and wherein the acoustical attenuation fluid is positioned within the gap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gap between the cavity and the inertial mass member is in the range of about 0.0001 to about 0.25 inches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the enertial mass member comprises at least one selected from among lead, steel, stainless steel, tungsten, platinum, bismuth, uranium, brass, copper, gold, silver and nickel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the enertial mass member comprises stainless steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the enertial mass member has a specific gravity of at least 7.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attenuation fluid comprises at least one selected from among silicone oils stabilized for borehole temperature and pressure, fluorocarbon lubricants, motor oils, drilling muds, polymers, expander polymers, and gels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attenuation fluid comprises a silicone oil stabilized for borehole temperature and pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the acoustic attenuation section further comprises an o-ring on the inertial mass member for sealing the fluid within the gap, and a locking cap assembly for securing inertial mass member within the cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the viscosity of the fluid is in the range of about 0.1 to about 100,000 centistokes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the acoustic attenuation section comprises three cavities, each oriented about 120° from the other two cavities.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the inertial mass member comprises stainless steel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the attenuation fluid comprises a silicone oil having a stable viscosity with respect to borehole temperature and pressure.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for attenuating sound waves travelling from a source to a receiver, the apparatus comprising: (a) a body; (b) at least one cavity defined by the body, an inertial mass member for each cavity, and an acoustical attenuation fluid, wherein the cavity is shaped to receive the inertial mass member such that a gap is formed between the body and the inertial mass member once the inertial mass member is positioned inside the cavity, and wherein the acoustical attenuation fluid is positioned within the gap.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for attenuating sound waves travelling from a source to a receiver, the apparatus comprising: (a) a body; (b) at least one cavity defined by the body, an inertial mass member for each cavity, and an acoustical attenuation fluid, wherein the cavity is shaped to receive the inertial mass member such that a gap is formed between the body and the inertial mass member once the inertial mass member is positioned inside the cavity, and wherein the acoustical attenuation fluid is positioned within the gap.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the gap is in the range of about 0.001 to about 0.05 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the enertial mass member comprises at least one selected from among lead, steel, stainless steel, tungsten, platinum, bismuth, uranium, brass, copper, gold, silver and nickel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the inertial mass member comprises stainless steel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the attenuation fluid comprises at least one selected from among silicone oils stabilized for borehole temperature and pressure, fluorocarbon lubricants, motor oils, drilling muds, polymers, expander polymers, and gels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the attenuation fluid comprises a silicone oil.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising an o-ring on the inertial mass member for sealing the fluid within the gap, and a locking cap assembly for securing the inertial mass member within the cavity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the viscosity of the fluid is in the range of about 0.1 to about 100,000 centipoise.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the body comprises three cavities, each oriented about 120° from the other two cavities.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the inertial mass member comprises stainless steel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the attenuation fluid comprises a silicone oil having a stable viscosity with respect to borehole temperature and pressure.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for attenuating sonic waves travelling along a sonic well tool, wherein the sonic well tool comprises an longitudinally extending body, a transmitter supported on the body, a receiver supported on the body, and an attenuation section on the body, the method comprises (a) transmitting a sonic signal from the transmitter to the well tool body; (b) transmitting the sonic signal through the attenuation section on the well tool body to produce an attenuated signal, wherein the section comprises one or more cavities defined by the body, an inertial mass member positioned inside each cavity in a suitable manner to form a gap between the wall of the cavity and the inertial mass member, and an acoustical attenuation fluid in the gap; (c) receiving the attenuated signal at the receiver.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for attenuating sonic waves travelling along a sonic well tool, wherein the sonic well tool comprises an longitudinally extending body, a transmitter supported on the body, a receiver supported on the body, and an attenuation section on the body, the method comprises (a) transmitting a sonic signal from the transmitter to the well tool body; (b) transmitting the sonic signal through the attenuation section on the well tool body to produce an attenuated signal, wherein the section comprises one or more cavities defined by the body, an inertial mass member positioned inside each cavity in a suitable manner to form a gap between the wall of the cavity and the inertial mass member, and an acoustical attenuation fluid in the gap; (c) receiving the attenuated signal at the receiver.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-23 | 1999-10-23 | 2000-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-23 | 2003-10-23 | 2004-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-23 | 2007-10-23 | 2008-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |