Tattle-tale apparatus
AssigneeBlackhawk Specialty Tools, LLC
InventorsRon D. Robichaux, James F. Giebeler, J. C. Mondelli, Kenneth Flanigan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electro-mechanical indicator system for signaling when a droppable object (such as, for example, a dart, plug or ball) is released during well cementing operations. A body section has first and second chambers divided by a fluid and pressure sealing barrier. A mechanical trigger mechanism is situated in the first chamber, which is exposed to elevated pressures and harsh wellbore fluids. Less robust components, such as sensor(s), power source(s), and signal device(s) located in the second chamber, remain isolated from the wellbore environment and elevated pressures.
Claims22
An indicating device for signaling passage of a launched object through a central flow bore of a tool comprising:
- a. a body member connected to said tool having a first section, a second section, and a pressure sealing barrier between said first and second sections;
- b. a sensor disposed within said second section of said body member;
- c. a trigger member pivotally mounted to said first section of said body member and partially extending into said central flow bore substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said flow bore, wherein displacement of said trigger is detectable by said sensor;
- and
- d. a signaling device connected to said sensor that produces a signal when said sensor detects displacement of said trigger member.
An indicating device for signaling passage of a launched object through the central flow bore of a tool comprising:
- a. a body member connected to said tool having a first section, a second section, and a pressure sealing barrier between said first and second sections;
- b. a sensor disposed within said second section of said body member;
- c. a trigger having a first end and second end, wherein said trigger is pivotally mounted to said first section of said body member, said first end of said trigger extends into said central flow bore of said tool substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said flow bore, and displacement of said trigger causes the distance between said second end and said sensor to change;
- and
- d. a signaling device connected to said sensor that produces a signal when the distance between said second end of said trigger and said sensor changes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.