Sample sleeve with integral acoustic transducers
AssigneeWestern Atlas International, Inc.
InventorPaul E. Peterson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus is provided for determining the acoustic anisotropy of a sample being subjected to simulated in-situ pressures and/or temperatures. A sample of the formation of interest is received by a compliant sleeve disposed in a pressure chamber. The compliant sleeve houses a plurality of transducers which are placed in intimate contact with the sample upon pressurization of the pressure chamber. When the pressure chamber reaches the desired pressure and/or temperature, the transducers are energized. The travel times of the generated acoustic signals through the sample are recorded to determine the anisotropic behavior of the sample. The velocity variations of the sample can indicate the historical principal stress axes of the formation at depth.
Claims13
An apparatus for measuring a transit time of an acoustic signal through a sample under pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure, comprising:
- (a) a pressure chamber;
- (b) compliant means disposed within the chamber and adapted to receive the sample;
- (c) means integral with the compliant means for generating and receiving acoustic signals through the sample;
- and
- (d) means operably coupled to the generating and receiving means for measuring the transit time of the acoustic signals through the sample.
An apparatus for measuring an acoustic velocity in an earthen core sample, comprising:
- (a) means for producing a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure and adapted to receive the core sample;
- (b) a sleeve disposed within the producing means and partially surrounding the core sample;
- (c) means, integral with the sleeve, for generating and receiving acoustic signals through the core sample;
- and
- (d) means, operably coupled to the generating and receiving means, for measuring a transit time of the acoustic signals through the core sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.