High sensitivity electric field sensor
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsSatyan Gopal Bhongale, Tasneem Mandviwala, Etienne Samson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electric field sensing system comprises a magnetic shield, an optical magnetometer shielded from external magnetic fields by the magnetic shield, a conductive coil proximate to the optical magnetometer, and first and second electrodes coupled to opposite ends of the coil. The electrodes are disposed outside of the magnetic shield. The conductive coil generates a magnetic field within the optical magnetometer when electrical current passes through the conductive coil.
Claims18
An electric field sensing system, comprising:
- a magnetic shield;
- an optical magnetometer shielded from all external magnetic fields by the magnetic shield;
- a conductive coil proximate to the optical magnetometer, the conductive coil generating a magnetic field within the optical magnetometer when electrical current passes through the conductive coil;
- and
- first and second electrodes coupled to opposite ends of the coil, the first and second electrodes disposed outside of the magnetic shield.
A downhole system, comprising:
- a transmitter to transmit electromagnetic signals toward an adjacent formation;
- a magnetic shield housing a conductive coil wound around an optical magnetometer, the magnetic shield shields the conductive coil and the optical magnetometer from all magnetic fields external to the shield;
- and
- multiple electrodes coupled to the coil and disposed within an electric field, the electric field generated as a result of the transmitted electromagnetic signals;
- wherein, as a result of a voltage differential generated due to the electric field, a current flows through the coil and generates a magnetic field within the magnetic shield.
A method of manufacturing an electric field sensor, comprising:
- winding a conductive coil around an optical magnetometer;
- disposing the optical magnetometer and conductive coil within a magnetic shield that shields the optical magnetometer and conductive coil from all magnetic fields external to the shield;
- coupling electrodes to the conductive coil;
- and
- disposing said electrodes external to the magnetic shield.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.