Hydraulic strain sensor
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsMatthew Sweetland, Merlin D. Hansen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydraulic strain sensor for use with a downhole tool includes a housing having two chambers with a pressure differential between the two chambers. A mandrel is disposed in the housing. The mandrel is adapted to be coupled to the tool such that the weight of the tool is supported by the pressure differential between the two chambers. A pressure-responsive sensor in communication with the one of the chambers is provided to sense pressure changes in the chamber as the tool is accelerated or decelerated and to generate signals representative of the pressure changes.
Claims51
A downhole assembly for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a housing having a chamber with a fluid disposed therein;
- the housing adapted to be coupled to a downhole tool such that the weight of the tool is supported by the fluid in the chamber;
- and
- a pressure-responsive sensor in fluid communication with the fluid, the pressure-responsive sensor being arranged to sense pressure changes in the fluid when there is a change in external force applied to the housing.
A method of generating signals for operating a downhole tool in a wellbore, comprising:
- providing a housing having a chamber and a fluid pressure-responsive sensor in communication with the chamber;
- providing a fluid within the chamber;
- coupling the tool to the housing such that the weight of the tool is supported by the fluid in the chamber;
- changing an external force applied to the housing to create fluid pressure changes in the chamber;
- and
- detecting the fluid pressure changes in the chamber using the pressure-responsive sensor.
A downhole assembly for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a housing having a chamber with a fluid disposed therein;
- a mandrel slidably disposed in the housing and adapted to be coupled to a downhole tool such that the mandrel may slide when there is a change in external force applied to the housing thereby changing the pressure in the chamber;
- and
- a pressure-responsive sensor in fluid communication with the chamber, the pressure-responsive sensor being arranged to sense pressure changes in the fluid when there is a change in external force applied to the housing.
A method of generating signals for operating a downhole tool, comprising:
- providing a housing with a chamber;
- providing a fluid within the chamber;
- changing an external force applied to the housing;
- providing a mandrel slidably disposed in the housing and adapted to be coupled to a downhole tool such that the mandrel may slide when there is a change in external force applied to the housing thereby changing the pressure in the chamber;
- providing a fluid pressure-responsive sensor in communication with the fluid in the chamber;
- and
- detecting the fluid pressure changes in the fluid using the pressure-responsive sensor.
An assembly for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a strain sensor connected to a downhole tool;
- the strain sensor adapted to detect a pressure change in a fluid inside the sensor to sense when there is a change in external force applied to the assembly;
- and
- the strain sensor adapted to enable the operation of the downhole tool upon sensing a predetermined pattern of changes in external force applied to the assembly.
A method of generating signals for operating a downhole tool, comprising:
- providing a strain sensor connected to a downhole tool;
- changing an external force applied to the strain sensor to change a pressure of fluid inside the sensor;
- and
- operating the tool upon sensing a pre-determined pressure pattern in the fluid.
An assembly for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a strain sensor connected to a downhole tool;
- the strain sensor adapted to generate at least one pressure pulse;
- and
- the downhole tool adapted to operate when the strain sensor generates a pre-determined pattern of pressure pulses.
A method of generating signals for operating a downhole tool, comprising:
- providing a strain sensor connected to a downhole tool;
- generating at least one pressure pulse in the strain sensor;
- and
- operating the tool when the strain sensor generates a predetermined pattern of pressure pulses.
An assembly for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a hydraulic strain sensor connected to a downhole tool;
- the hydraulic strain sensor adapted to sense changes in external force applied thereto;
- and
- the hydraulic strain sensor adapted to convert the changes in external force into a pattern of pressure signals.
A method of generating signals in a wellbore, comprising:
- providing a hydraulic strain sensor connected to a downhole tool in order to control operation of the downhole tool;
- changing an external force applied to the hydraulic strain sensor;
- and
- converting the external force changes into a pattern of pressure signals.
An assembly usable in a wellbore, comprising:
- a downhole tool;
- and
- a strain sensor connected to the downhole tool to generate at least one pressure pulse indicative of acceleration or deceleration of the downhole tool,
- wherein the downhole tool is adapted to operate in response to said at least one pressure pulse.
A method comprising:
- moving a downhole tool within a subterranean well;
- in response to the movement of the downhole tool, generating at least one fluid pressure pulse in a contained fluid downhole indicative of the movement;
- and
- operating the tool in response to said at least one fluid pressure pulse.
An assembly usable in a wellbore, comprising:
- A downhole tool;
- and
- A sensor connected to the downhole tool to generate an indication of acceleration or deceleration of the downhole tool;
- wherein the downhole tool is adapted to operate in response to the indication from the sensors and wherein the sensor comprises a strain sensor.
An assembly usable in a wellbore, comprising:
- A downhole tool;
- and
- An accelerometer connected to the downhole tool to indicate acceleration or deceleration of the downhole tool;
- wherein the downhole tool is adapted to operate in response to the indication from the accelerometer, and wherein the accelerometer comprises a strain sensor.
An assembly usable in a wellbore, comprising:
- A downhole tool adapted to be supported by a slickline into the wellbore;
- and
- A sensor adapted to indicate a force applied on the slickline from the surface of the well to the tool;
- wherein the downhole tool is adapted to operate in response to the indication from the sensor, and wherein the sensor comprises a strain sensor.
A method comprising:
- moving a dowhhole tool within a subterranean well;
- in response to the movement of the downhole tool, generating an indication of the movement;
- and
- in response to the indication of movement, operating the tool;
- and
- further comprising detecting an acceleration of the tool.
A method comprising:
- moving a downhole tool within a subterranean well;
- in response to the movement of the downhole tool, generating an indication of the movement;
- and
- in response to the indication of movements operating the tool;
- and
- further comprising detecting an deceleration of the tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.