US8859090B2
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 2.8 years remaining
Micro-structured surface having tailored wetting properties
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 2009-08-24
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Granted: 2014-10-14
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Expires: 2029-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A micro-structured surface for immersing in a multiphase fluid mixture comprises a substrate having pores and a wetting liquid phase trapped in the pores. The wetting liquid phase is immiscible with all the phases of the multiphase fluid mixture. Alternatively, the wetting liquid phase is miscible with one of the phase of the multiphase fluid mixture.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan Angelescu
- 👤 Tullio Moscato
- 👤 Frederic Pauchet
- 👤 Robert Van Kuijk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:50
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D69/00; B01D69/02; B01D2325/00; B01D2325/02; B01D2325/028; B01D2325/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249978
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A micro-structured surface immersed in a multiphase fluid mixture comprising a substrate having pores and a wetting liquid phase trapped in the pores, said wetting liquid phase being immiscible with all phases of the multiphase fluid mixture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
A micro-structured surface immersed in a multiphase fluid mixture comprising a substrate having pores and a wetting liquid phase trapped in the pores, said wetting liquid phase being immiscible with all phases of the multiphase fluid mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A micro-structured surface according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate receives a chemical treatment improving the wetting of the substrate by the wetting liquid phase.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A micro-structured surface according to claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises a closed-cell network of micro-wells forming the pores made in the substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A micro-structured surface according to claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises an open-cell network of micro-pillars forming the pores made on the substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A micro-structured surface according to claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises a combination of an open-cell network of micro-pillars and a closed-cell network of micro-wells forming the pores in the substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A micro-structured surface according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate is made of a material chosen in the group of material comprising silicon, silicon oxide, glass, metal, ceramic, sapphire, alumina, titanium oxide, fluorinated polymer, plastics, naturally porous material, mesh, and solid foam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A micro-structured surface according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate is covered with a coating film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A micro-structured surface according to claim 7 , wherein the film is chosen among the group of film comprising fluoropolymer film, fluorocarbon film, photocatalytic film, titanium dioxide film, silicon dioxide film, and metal film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A micro-structured surface according to claim 1 , wherein the wetting liquid phase is a fluorinated solvent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A measuring device comprising: a micro-structured surface immersed in a multiphase fluid mixture comprising: a substrate having pores and a wetting liquid phase trapped in the pores, said wetting liquid phase being immiscible with all phases of the multiphase fluid mixture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A measuring device comprising: a micro-structured surface immersed in a multiphase fluid mixture comprising: a substrate having pores and a wetting liquid phase trapped in the pores, said wetting liquid phase being immiscible with all phases of the multiphase fluid mixture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A measuring device according to claim 10 , wherein the measuring device further comprises a radiation source for permanently or periodically activating the micro-structured surface by exposure to radiation.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of manufacturing a micro-structured surface having a controlled wetting property that is immersed in a multiphase fluid mixture comprising: providing a micro-structured surface, and trapping a wetting liquid phase within the micro-structured surface through a surface priming process wherein the wetting liquid phase is immiscible with all phases of the multiphase fluid mixture.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of manufacturing a micro-structured surface having a controlled wetting property that is immersed in a multiphase fluid mixture comprising: providing a micro-structured surface, and trapping a wetting liquid phase within the micro-structured surface through a surface priming process wherein the wetting liquid phase is immiscible with all phases of the multiphase fluid mixture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of manufacturing a micro-structured surface according to claim 12 , wherein providing a micro-structured surface further comprises micro-structuring a substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of manufacturing a micro-structured surface according to claim 13 , wherein providing a micro-structured surface consists in providing a naturally porous material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of manufacturing a micro-structured surface according to claim 12 , wherein providing a micro-structured surface is further followed by conformal coating or film deposition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of manufacturing a micro-structured surface according to claim 15 , wherein the coating or film having photocatalytic properties is activated upon exposure to a source of radiation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method of manufacturing a micro-structured surface according to claim 12 , wherein the surface priming process comprises: submerging the micro-structured surface inside the wetting liquid phase, pulling a vacuum by reducing an initial pressure enough so that the gas phases initially trapped in the micro-structured surface leaves the pores of the micro-structured surface; and increasing the pressure to the initial pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of manufacturing a micro-structured surface according to claim 17 , wherein the pressure reduction and increasing cycle is repeated several times.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method of manufacturing a micro-structured surface according to claim 12 , wherein the surface priming process comprises: putting the wetting liquid phase into contact with the micro-structured surface; pressurizing the micro-structured surface and the wetting liquid phase such as to allow the gas phases initially trapped in the microstructure to diffuse into the liquid; waiting a determined duration; and decreasing the pressure to the initial pressure.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2017-10-13 | 2018-04-14 | 2018-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2021-10-13 | 2022-04-14 | 2022-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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