Transducers and acoustic emitters for fiber-optic-based acoustic sensing

A method of measuring a non-acoustic meter, comprising:

• sensing the non-acoustic parameter with a mechanical transducer configured to generate an acoustic signal related to the non-acoustic parameter;
• detecting the generated acoustic signal with an acoustic sensing system;
• and
• determining a value of the non-acoustic parameter based on the detected acoustic signal, wherein:
• the mechanical transducer is configured to emit sound in response to a mechanical shock on the mechanical transducer;
• and
• the determination of the value of the non-acoustic parameter is based on the emitted sound.

An apparatus for measuring a non-acoustic parameter, comprising:

• means for mechanically sensing the non-acoustic parameter and generating an acoustic signal related to the non-acoustic parameter;
• means for detecting the generated acoustic signal;
• and
• means for determining a value of the non-acoustic parameter based on the detected acoustic signal, wherein:
• the means for mechanically sensing and generating comprises means for emitting sound in response to a mechanical shock on the mechanical transducer;
• and
• the means for determining is configured to determine the value of the non-acoustic parameter based on the emitted sound.

A system for measuring a non-acoustic parameter, comprising:

• a mechanical transducer configured to sense the non-acoustic parameter and generate an acoustic signal in relation to the non-acoustic parameter;
• an acoustic sensing device configured to detect the generated acoustic signal;
• and
• at least one processor configured to analyze the detected acoustic signal to determine a value of the non-acoustic parameter, wherein:
• the mechanical transducer comprises a nozzle configured to emit sound as fluid flows therethrough;
• the nozzle comprises a gap;
• the sound is emitted from the gap;
• the gap comprises an upper lip comprising a first material having a first thermal expansion coefficient and a lower lip comprising a second material having a second thermal expansion coefficient that is different from the first thermal expansion coefficient;
• and
• the determination of the value of the non-acoustic parameter is based on a frequency of the emitted sound.

A system for measuring a non-acoustic parameter, comprising:

• a mechanical transducer configured to sense the non-acoustic parameter and generate an acoustic signal in relation to the non-acoustic parameter;
• an acoustic sensing device configured to detect the generated acoustic signal;
• and
• at least one processor configured to analyze the detected acoustic signal to determine a value of the non-acoustic parameter, wherein:
• the mechanical transducer is configured to emit sound in response to a mechanical shock on the mechanical transducer;
• and
• the processor is configured to determine the value of the non-acoustic parameter based on the emitted sound.

A system for measuring a non-acoustic parameter, comprising:

• a mechanical transducer configured to sense the non-acoustic parameter and generate an acoustic signal in relation to the non-acoustic parameter;
• an acoustic sensing device configured to detect the generated acoustic signal;
• and
• at least one processor configured to analyze the detected acoustic signal to determine a value of the non-acoustic parameter, wherein:
• the mechanical transducer is disposed in a conduit downhole;
• and
• the non-acoustic parameter comprises at least one of flow rate, temperature, multi-phase flow properties, in-flow characterization, crack geometry in frack zones, casing cracks, pump vibration amplitude, valve position, or degree of valve openness.

A method of measuring a temperature, comprising:

• sensing the temperature with a mechanical transducer configured to generate an acoustic signal related to the temperature, wherein:
• the mechanical transducer comprises a nozzle having a gap, wherein the nozzle is configured to emit sound as fluid flows therethrough, the sound being emitted from the gap as the generated acoustic signal;
• the gap comprises an upper lip and a lower lip;
• the upper lip comprises a first material having a first thermal expansion coefficient;
• and
• the lower lip comprises a second material having a second thermal expansion coefficient different from the first thermal expansion coefficient;
• detecting the generated acoustic signal with an acoustic sensing system;
• and
• determining a value of the temperature based on the detected acoustic signal.

A system for measuring a temperature, comprising:

• a mechanical transducer configured to sense the temperature and generate an acoustic signal in relation to the temperature, wherein:
• the mechanical transducer comprises a nozzle having a gap, wherein the nozzle is configured to emit sound as fluid flows therethrough, the sound being emitted from the gap as the generated acoustic signal;
• the gap comprises an upper lip and a lower lip;
• the upper lip comprises a first material having a first thermal expansion coefficient;
• and
• the lower lip comprises a second material having a second thermal expansion coefficient that is different from the first thermal expansion coefficient;
• an acoustic sensing device configured to detect the generated acoustic signal;
• and
• at least one processor configured to analyze the detected acoustic signal to determine a value of the temperature.