Apparatus for inspecting well screens and associated methods

A method of inspecting a generally tubular well screen having inner and outer side surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a circumferentially disposed array of light receiving members relative to one of the inner and outer side surfaces;
• positioning at least one light emitting device relative to the other of the inner and outer side surfaces;
• and
• measuring the amount of light transmitted between the inner and outer side surfaces.

A method of quantitatively measuring characteristics of a filtering portion of a well screen, the filtering portion having first and second opposite sides, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a light source relative to the first side, so that light is directed through the filtering portion from the first side to the second side;
• positioning a light intensity measuring device relative to the second side, so that the measuring device is capable of receiving the light directed through the filtering portion;
• and
• simultaneously displacing the light source and at least a portion of the measuring device across the respective first and second sides to thereby quantitatively measure the intensity of the light directed through the filtering portion.

Apparatus for inspecting a well screen, the apparatus comprising:

• a light intensity measuring device;
• a light source;
• and
• a displacement device, the displacement device interconnecting the measuring device and the light source, and the displacement device synchronously displacing the measuring device and light source relative to the well screen in a manner transmitting light from the light source to the light intensity measuring device between inner and outer side surfaces of a sidewall portion of the well screen.

A hydraulic resistance measuring device for use with a filtering portion of a well screen, the device comprising:

• at least one light source, the light source being capable of directing light through the filtering portion;
• at least one light receiver positioned relative to the light source, the light receiver being capable of receiving the light directed through the filtering portion;
• and
• an instrument interconnected to the light receiver, the instrument providing an output indicative of the filtering portion hydraulic resistance when the light receiver receives the light directed through the filtering portion between inner and outer side surfaces thereof.