Flexible piezoelectric for downhole sensing, actuation and health monitoring

A borehole telemetry system, comprising:

• a tubular member adapted for use in a borehole, and
• at least one flexible piezoelectric transducer bonded to the tubular member.

A system for monitoring health of a structural member, comprising:

• a structural member adapted for use in an oil production system, and
• a first flexible piezoelectric transducer bonded to the structural member.

A system for detecting the flow of material through a tubular element, comprising:

• a tubular element adapted for flowing materials in a hydrocarbon production system, and
• a flexible piezoelectric transducer bonded to the tubular element.

A method for converting between electrical energy and acoustic energy in a borehole tubular member, comprising bonding a flexible piezoelectric device to a borehole tubular member.

A method for telemetering data in a borehole, comprising:

• bonding a mechanical connection of a first flexible piezoelectric device to a tubular member adapted for use in a borehole, and
• coupling electrical signals to an electrical connection of the first flexible piezoelectric device.

A method for monitoring mechanical health of a structural member in an oil production system, comprising bonding a mechanical connection of a flexible piezoelectric transducer to a structural member adapted for use in an oil production system.

A method for detecting the flow of material through a tubular element in a hydrocarbon production system, comprising bonding a mechanical connection of a flexible piezoelectric transducer to a tubular element adapted for flowing materials in an oil production system.

A method for transmitting and receiving acoustic waves in a tubular element in a hydrocarbon production system, comprising:

• bonding at least first and second flexibly piezoelectric transducers to a tubular element adapted for use in a hydrocarbon production system, said transducers having a directional mechanical connection, the mechanical connection of the first transducer positioned at a first angle relative to the axis of the tubular element, and
• the mechanical connection of the second transducer positioned at a second angle relative to the axis of the tubular element, the second angle being different from the first angle.

Apparatus comprising:

• a section of a wellbore tubular member, and
• a thin piezoelectric device bonded to the wellbore tubular member.

A system for monitoring health of a structural member, comprising:

• a structural member adapted for use in an oil production system, and
• a thin piezoelectric transducer bonded to the structural member.