Resonating sensor for high-pressure and high-temperature environments
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsDidier Pohl, Florian Risser, Jacques Sellin, Patrice Ligneul, Kamran Danaie, Mihir Patel, Boris Valkov
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Abstract
Resonating sensors for use in high-pressure and high-temperature environments are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor with a double-ended tuning fork piezoelectric resonator that includes a first tine and a second tine. These tines are spaced apart from one another so as to form a slot between the first and second tines. The width of the slot from the first tine to the second tine varies along the lengths of the first and second tines. Various other resonators, devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
Claims15
An apparatus comprising:
- a substrate;
- a sensor element including a double-ended tuning fork piezoelectric resonator having a first tine and a second tine, wherein:
- the double-ended tuning fork piezoelectric resonator is formed in the substrate;
- the double-ended tuning fork piezoelectric resonator is configured to vibrate at a first frequency;
- the substrate includes an additional piezoelectric resonator;
- the additional piezoelectric resonator is configured to vibrate at a second frequency that is at least two orders of magnitude greater than the first frequency;
- the first tine and the second tine are positioned within an aperture of the substrate;
- the first tine and the second tine are spaced apart from one another so as to form a slot between the first tine and the second tine;
- a width of the slot from the first tine to the second tine, the width of the slot measured orthogonally to lengths of the first tine and the second tine, varies along the lengths of the first tine and the second tine;
- opposite sides of the first tine are inwardly tapered continuously toward a middle of the first tine;
- and
- opposite sides of the second tine are inwardly tapered continuously toward a middle of the second tine;
- and
- a body including caps coupled to the sensor element, wherein the double-ended tuning fork piezoelectric resonator is enclosed within a cavity of the body.
A method comprising:
- measuring pressure of a fluid in a well using a double-ended tuning fork piezoelectric resonator having a first tine and a second tine;
- estimating resistivity of an excitation electrode of the double-ended tuning fork piezoelectric resonator;
- measuring a temperature of the fluid in the well based on the estimated resistivity of the excitation electrode;
- and
- using the measured pressure and the measured temperature to control the well.
A system comprising:
- memory storing instructions;
- a processor configured to execute the instructions to:
- receive data from a sensor in a well, the data including pressure of a fluid in the well, the sensor including a double-ended tuning fork piezoelectric resonator having a first tine and a second tine;
- estimate resistivity of an excitation electrode of the double-ended tuning fork piezoelectric resonator;
- measure a temperature of the fluid in the well based on the estimated resistivity of the excitation electrode;
- and
- use the pressure and the measured temperature to control the well.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.