US6739423B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic logging tool
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
•
Filing: 2002-10-15
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Granted: 2004-05-25
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Expires: 2022-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A sleeve for an acoustic logging tool has 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
2026-11-03 17:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/40; G01V1/52; G01V1/523; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/911
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A sleeve for the receiver section for an acoustic logging tool including a tool body with receiver stations; the sleeve being capable of surrounding the tool body at least in the region of the receiver stations and having 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; characterised 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, wherein the dimensions in the first apertured portion are chosen to provide a low spring constant to the sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A sleeve for the receiver section for an acoustic logging tool including a tool body with receiver stations; the sleeve being capable of surrounding the tool body at least in the region of the receiver stations and having 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; characterised 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, wherein the dimensions in the first apertured portion are chosen to provide a low spring constant to the sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sleeve as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the slots of the second apertured portion have parallel sides in the centre portion and approximately circular end portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sleeve as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the ratio of the width of the slot in the centre portion to the radius of the end portion is at least 1:4.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sleeve as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the ratio is about 1:6.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sleeve as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein a second apertured portion is provided at each end of the sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sleeve as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 , wherein each first apertured portion has no more than eight windows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sleeve as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 , wherein a first apertured portion surrounds the receiver stations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sleeve as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the windows of a first apertured portion are located in front of the receiver stations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sleeve as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 , when forming part of an acoustic logging tool having a tool body with a transmitter section and a receiver section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
An acoustic logging tool comprising a tool body with a transmitter section and a receiver section comprising a number of receiver stations spaced along a tool body, each station comprising at least one receiver and a sleeve surrounding the tool body at least in the region of the receiver stations and having 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, characterised in that the sleeve comprises a sleeve as claimed in claim 1 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tool as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the slots in each row of the second apertured portion are offset from adjacent rows.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tool as claimed in claim 10 or 11 , wherein each station is surrounded by a first apertured portion of the sleeve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tool as claimed in claim 12 , comprising a central mandrel around which are mounted alternate, receiver mounts and spacers, the spacers being firmly connected to the mandrel and the receiver mounts being held in position by the spacers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tool as claimed in claim 13 wherein the spacers and receiver mounts are made of steel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tool as claimed in claim 13 or 14 , wherein each receiver mount contacts its neighbouring spacers via resilient contact pads.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tool as claimed in any of claims 13 , 14 or 15 , wherein, when arranged vertically, the weight of each receiver mount is carried by the spacer located below that mount.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 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 polarised pressure sensors configured in a stack wherein the axis of polarisation of the stack of sensors is parallel to the axis of the tool body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 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 polarised pressure sensors configured in a stack wherein the axis of polarisation of the stack of sensors is parallel to the axis of the tool body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A receiver section as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the pressure sensors comprise piezoelectric stacks.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A receiver section as claimed in claim 17 or 18 , wherein each station has four pressure sensors spaced equidistantly around the tool body.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
A receiver section as claimed in claim 19 , comprising a central mandrel around which 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 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A receiver section as claimed in claim 20 wherein the spacers and pressure sensor mounts are made of steel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A receiver section as claimed in claim 20 or 21 , wherein each pressure sensor mount contacts its neighbouring spacers via resilient contact pads.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A receiver section as claimed in claim 22 , wherein, when arranged vertically, the weight of each pressure sensor mount is carried by the spacer located below that mount.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
A receiver section as claimed in any of claims 17 to 23 , when forming part of an acoustic logging tool having a sonde body which also includes a transmitter section.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
112 words
A receiver section as claimed in any of claims 17 to 24 , further comprising a sleeve being capable of surrounding the tool body at least in the region of the receiver stations and having first apertured portion and second apertured portion 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, and (b) the second apertured portion has 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.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
A receiver section as claimed in claim 25 , wherein the slots of the second apertured portion have parallel sides in the center portion and approximately circular end portions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
A receiver section as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the dimensions of the windows in the first apertured portion are chosen to give a low spring constant to the sleeve.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
A receiver section as claimed in claim 27 , wherein first apertured portions and second aperature portions alternate along the length of the sleeve.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
A receiver section as claimed in claim in any of claims 25 to 27 wherein each second apertured portion is provided at each end of the sleeve.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
A receiver section as claimed in any of claims 25 to 29 , wherein each first apertured portion has no more than eight windows.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A receiver section as claimed in any of claims 25 to 30 , wherein a first apertured portion surrounds the receiver stations.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A receiver section as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the windows of a first apertured portion are located in front of receiver stations.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
63 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, comprising piezoelectric stacks, characterized in that the axis of polarization of the stack of sensors is parallel to the axis of the tool body.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
63 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, comprising piezoelectric stacks, characterized in that the axis of polarization of the stack of sensors is parallel to the axis of the tool body.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
67 words
An acoustic logging tool comprising a tool body with a transmitter section comprising a dipole transmitter and a receiver section 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.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
67 words
An acoustic logging tool comprising a tool body with a transmitter section comprising a dipole transmitter and a receiver section 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.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The acoustic logging tool of claim 34 , wherein the pressure sensors comprise ceramic piezoelectric stacks.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The acoustic logging tool of claim wherein each said station comprises four pressure sensors spaced equidistantly around the tool body.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
46 words
The acoustic logging tool of claim 34 , wherein the receiver section further comprises a central mandrel around which 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 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The acoustic logging tool of claim 37 , wherein said spacers and said pressure sensor mounts are made of steel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The acoustic logging tool of claim 37 , wherein each pressure sensor mount contacts its neighboring spacers via resilient contact pads.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The acoustic logging tool of claim 37 , wherein, the central mandrel comprises a rod having a sheath.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
The acoustic logging tool of claim 34 , wherein said receiver section forms a part of an acoustic logging tool comprising a sonde body and a transmitter section.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
156 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, and (b) the second apertured portion has 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.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
156 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, and (b) the second apertured portion has 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.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
The receiver section of claim 42 , wherein the slots of the second apertured portion have parallel sides in the center portion and approximately circular end portions.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
The receiver section of claim 43 , 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 50
Dependent Claim
13 words
The receiver section of claim 44 , wherein the ratio is about 1:6.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The receiver section of claim 44 , wherein each second apertured portion has three rows of slots.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
The receiver section of claim 42 , wherein the first apertured portion has windows of two alternating widths.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
The receiver section of claim 46 , wherein the windows have widths of 25° and 45° respectively.
Claim 54
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 plurality 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 55
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 plurality 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 56
Dependent Claim
82 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 configured in a stack spaced around the circumference of the tool body, characterized in that the axis of polarization of the stack of sensors is parallel to the axis of the tool body, said pressure sensors in pressure sensor mounts disposed about a central mandrel, wherein said pressure mounts are moveable along the mandrel.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
82 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 configured in a stack spaced around the circumference of the tool body, characterized in that the axis of polarization of the stack of sensors is parallel to the axis of the tool body, said pressure sensors in pressure sensor mounts disposed about a central mandrel, wherein said pressure mounts are moveable along the mandrel.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
24 words
The receiver section of claim 50 , further comprising spacers between the pressure sensor mounts, wherein spacers are firmly connected to said central mandrel.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
19 words
The receiver section of claim 51 , wherein the pressure sensor mounts and the spacers are made of steel.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
19 words
The receiver section of claim 51 , further comprising compliant pads between the pressure sensor mounts and the spacers.
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) | 2007-05-25 | 2007-11-24 | 2008-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-05-25 | 2011-11-24 | 2012-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-05-25 | 2015-11-24 | 2016-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |