Circumferential strain attenuator
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsPaul F. Croteau, Daniel L. Gysling, James M. Diener
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for varying the gain of a fiber optic sensor that non-intrusively senses the strain response of a pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a circumferential strain attenuator that has an annular land portion that mechanically couples the attenuator to the pipe. An annular web extends coaxially from the land portion and has a reduced cross sectional area relative to the land, and an annular mandrel portion extends coaxially from the web portion and forms a gap between the pipe and the mandrel. The fiber optic sensor is wound on the circumferential strain attenuator. The web and mandrel cooperate to reduce the strain response of the fiber optic sensor relative to the strain response of the pipe.
Claims42
An apparatus for attenuating the gain of a sensor used to sense the strain response of a pipe having an axis, comprising:
- a land coupled to the pipe and extending radially therefrom;
- a web extending from the land parallel to the axis of the pipe, wherein the web has a smaller cross sectional area than the land;
- a mandrel extending from the web parallel to the axis of the pipe, wherein the mandrel forms a gap with respect to the pipe;
- and
- a sensor coupled at least to the mandrel.
An apparatus for attenuating the gain of a sensor used to sense the strain response of a pipe having an axis, comprising:
- a land coupled to the pipe and extending radially therefrom;
- a web extending from the land parallel to the axis of the pipe;
- a mandrel extending from the web parallel to the axis of the pipe, wherein the mandrel forms a gap with respect to the pipe, and wherein the mandrel is thicker than the web;
- and
- a sensor coupled at least to the mandrel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.