Patent US6494288B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6494288B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Acoustic logging tool
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1998-04-28
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Granted: 2002-12-17
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Expires: 2018-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A sleeve for an acoustic logging tool having a structure with a window section having fewer bars than a conventional sleeve separated by a slotted region with thin circumferential slots which are stress-relieved at the ends (“dumb-bell” shaped). Steel receiver mounts are provided for hydrophone pressure sensors and this, together with the axially oriented hydrophones, makes the tool less susceptible to interfering vibration.
Inventors
- 👤 Hitoshi Tashiro
- 👤 Jahir Pabon
- 👤 Frank Morris
- 👤 Hitoshi Sugiyama
- 👤 David Hoyle
- 👤 David Leslie
- 👤 Kazumasa Kato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:18
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/01; E21B47/017; G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/40; G01V1/52; G01V1/523
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A sleeve for the receiver section for an acoustic logging tool, wherein said tool comprises a tool body with receiver stations, said sleeve being capable of surrounding the tool body in at least the region of the receiver stations and having alternating first and second apertured portions spaced along its length; the first apertured portion having elongate axial bar elements separated by windows in a circumferential arrangement, the windows being wider than the bars; and the second apertured portion having rows of circumferentially elongate slots, characterized in that each slot has a center portion and end portions, the center portion being narrower than the end portions and the end portions being enlarged compared to the center portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A sleeve for the receiver section for an acoustic logging tool, wherein said tool comprises a tool body with receiver stations, said sleeve being capable of surrounding the tool body in at least the region of the receiver stations and having alternating first and second apertured portions spaced along its length; the first apertured portion having elongate axial bar elements separated by windows in a circumferential arrangement, the windows being wider than the bars; and the second apertured portion having rows of circumferentially elongate slots, characterized in that each slot has a center portion and end portions, the center portion being narrower than the end portions and the end portions being enlarged compared to the center portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sleeve of claim 1 , wherein the slots of the second apertured portion have parallel sides in the center portion and approximately circular end portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sleeve of claim 2 , wherein the ratio of the width of the slot in the center portion to the radius of an end portion is at least 1:4.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sleeve of claim 3 , wherein the ratio is about 1:6.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sleeve of claim 1 , wherein each second apertured portion has three rows of slots.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sleeve of claim 1 , wherein each first apertured portion has eight windows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sleeve of claim 1 , wherein the first apertured portion has windows of two alternating widths.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sleeve of claim 7 , wherein the windows have widths of 25° and 45° respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sleeve of claim 1 , wherein said sleeve forms a part of an acoustic logging tool comprising a tool body with a transmitter section and a receiver section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
A sleeve for a receiver section for an acoustic logging tool comprising a tool body with receiver stations; said sleeve being capable of surrounding the tool body at least in the region of the receiver stations and having alternating first and second apertured portions spaced along its length; the first apertured portion having elongate axial bar elements separated by a plurality of windows of alternating widths, wherein said windows have widths ranging from 25° to 45°; and wherein each second apertured portion has a plurality of rows of slots, wherein said slots have parallel sides in the center portion and approximately circular end portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
A sleeve for a receiver section for an acoustic logging tool comprising a tool body with receiver stations; said sleeve being capable of surrounding the tool body at least in the region of the receiver stations and having alternating first and second apertured portions spaced along its length; the first apertured portion having elongate axial bar elements separated by a plurality of windows of alternating widths, wherein said windows have widths ranging from 25° to 45°; and wherein each second apertured portion has a plurality of rows of slots, wherein said slots have parallel sides in the center portion and approximately circular end portions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
160 words
An acoustic logging tool comprising a tool body with a transmitter section and a receiver section, said receiver section comprising a number of receiver stations spaced along a tool body, each station including a number of polarized pressure sensors spaced along the circumference of the tool body, wherein the axis of polarization of the sensors is parallel to the axis of the tool body; and a sleeve surrounding the tool body at least in the region of the receiver stations and having alternating first and second apertured portions spaced along its length, the first apertured portion having elongate axial bar elements separated by windows in a circumferential arrangement, the windows being wider than the bars; and the second apertured portion having rows of circumferentially elongate slots, wherein each slot has a center portion and end portions, wherein said center portion of said slots is narrower than said end portions and said end portions is enlarged compared to the center portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
160 words
An acoustic logging tool comprising a tool body with a transmitter section and a receiver section, said receiver section comprising a number of receiver stations spaced along a tool body, each station including a number of polarized pressure sensors spaced along the circumference of the tool body, wherein the axis of polarization of the sensors is parallel to the axis of the tool body; and a sleeve surrounding the tool body at least in the region of the receiver stations and having alternating first and second apertured portions spaced along its length, the first apertured portion having elongate axial bar elements separated by windows in a circumferential arrangement, the windows being wider than the bars; and the second apertured portion having rows of circumferentially elongate slots, wherein each slot has a center portion and end portions, wherein said center portion of said slots is narrower than said end portions and said end portions is enlarged compared to the center portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tool of claim 11 , wherein said pressure sensors comprise piezoelectric stacks.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tool of claim 11 , wherein each station has four pressure sensors spaced equidistantly around the tool body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The tool of claim 11 , further comprising a central mandrel around with are mounted alternate, pressure sensor mounts and spacers, the spacers being firmly connected to the mandrel and the sensor mounts being held in position by the spacers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tool of claim 14 , wherein said spacers and said pressure sensor mounts are made of steel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tool of claim 14 , wherein each said pressure sensor mount contacts its neighboring spacers via resilient contact pads.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tool of claim 14 , wherein, when arranged vertically, the weight of each pressure sensor mount is carried by the spacer located below that mount.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
193 words
A receiver section for an acoustic logging tool comprising a number of receiver stations spaced along a tool body, each station including a number of polarized pressure sensors spaced around the circumference of the tool body, characterized in that the axis of polarization of the sensors is parallel to the axis of the tool body, wherein said section further comprises a sleeve capable of surrounding the tool body at least in the region of the receiver stations and having an alternating first and second apertured portions spaced along its length, wherein (a) the first apertured portion has elongate axial bar elements separated by windows in a circumferential arrangement, the windows being wider than the bars, wherein said windows are of a plurality of alternating widths, and (b) the second apertured portion has a pluralty of rows of circumferentially elongate slots, each slot having a center portion and end portions, the center portion being narrower than the end portions, and the end portions being enlarged compared to the center portion, wherein the ratio of the width of the slot in the center portion to the radius of the end portion is at least 1:4.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
193 words
A receiver section for an acoustic logging tool comprising a number of receiver stations spaced along a tool body, each station including a number of polarized pressure sensors spaced around the circumference of the tool body, characterized in that the axis of polarization of the sensors is parallel to the axis of the tool body, wherein said section further comprises a sleeve capable of surrounding the tool body at least in the region of the receiver stations and having an alternating first and second apertured portions spaced along its length, wherein (a) the first apertured portion has elongate axial bar elements separated by windows in a circumferential arrangement, the windows being wider than the bars, wherein said windows are of a plurality of alternating widths, and (b) the second apertured portion has a pluralty of rows of circumferentially elongate slots, each slot having a center portion and end portions, the center portion being narrower than the end portions, and the end portions being enlarged compared to the center portion, wherein the ratio of the width of the slot in the center portion to the radius of the end portion is at least 1:4.
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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) | 2005-12-16 | 2006-06-17 | 2006-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-16 | 2010-06-17 | 2010-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-16 | 2014-06-17 | 2014-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |