Pressure sensor assembly suitable for use in harsh environments
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorGuy A. Daigle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor for sensing the pressure of a first fluid is provided. In one embodiment, sensor for sensing the pressure of a first fluid includes a fiber optic based sensing element disposed in a housing. A buffer fluid is disposed in the housing and is in fluid communication with the sensing element. A pressure transmitter is coupled to the housing for maintaining a predefined relationship between pressures of the first fluid and buffer fluid. A connector assembly is coupled to the housing and is coupled by an optical fiber is the sensing element. The sensor having a connector assembly is suitable for use in harsh conditions, such as within oil and gas well applications.
Claims25
A sensor for sensing the pressure of a first fluid, comprising:
- a housing;
- an optical waveguide based sensing element disposed in the housing;
- a buffer fluid disposed in the housing and in fluid communication with the sensing element;
- a pressure transmitter assembly coupled to the housing for maintaining a predefined relationship between pressures of the first and buffer fluids;
- a connector assembly coupled to the housing, wherein the connector assembly includes a connector feature for mating with a corresponding connector feature of an optical cable;
- and
- an optical waveguide coupling the sensing element to the connector assembly, wherein the optical waveguide has a terminus at the connector assembly.
A sensor for sensing the pressure of a first fluid, comprising:
- a housing having a sensing chamber;
- an optical waveguide based sensing element disposed in the housing and supported within the sensing chamber in a cantilevered orientation;
- a connector assembly configured to optically couple the sensing element to an optical cable disposed external of the housing without the optical cable passing through the housing;
- a buffer fluid disposed in the housing and in fluid communication with the sensing element;
- and
- a pressure transmitter coupled to the housing for maintaining a predefined relationship between pressures of the first and buffer fluids.
A sensor for sensing the pressure of a first fluid, comprising:
- a housing having a sensing chamber and a fluid port;
- an optical waveguide based sensing element disposed in the housing;
- a buffer fluid disposed in the housing and in fluid communication with the sensing element;
- and
- a buffer tube disposed in the housing coupled between the fluid port and the sensing chamber, the buffer tube at least partially filled with the buffer fluid, the buffer tube includes at least one of:
- an inner row of coils and a second row of coils, wherein the second row of coils has a greater diameter than the first row of coils;
- and
- toroidal coil.
A sensor for sensing the pressure of a first fluid, comprising:
- a housing;
- an optical waveguide based sensing element disposed in the housing;
- a buffer fluid disposed in the housing and in fluid communication with the sensing element;
- a pressure transmitter coupled to the housing for maintaining a predefined relationship between pressures of the first and buffer fluids;
- a connector assembly coupled to the housing;
- an optical waveguide coupling the sensing element to the connector assembly;
- and
- an inner shell of the housing coupled to the pressure transmitter and partially defining a sensing chamber having the sensing element and at least a portion of the buffer fluid disposed therein.
A sensor for sensing the pressure of a first fluid, comprising:
- a housing;
- an optical waveguide based sensing element disposed in the housing;
- a buffer fluid disposed in the housing and in fluid communication with the sensing element;
- a pressure transmitter coupled to the housing for maintaining a predefined relationship between pressures of the first and buffer fluids;
- a connector assembly coupled to the housing;
- an optical waveguide coupling the sensing element to the connector assembly;
- a hollow sleeve disposed in the housing and having the optical waveguide passing therethrough, wherein a plurality of crimps are formed in the sleeve creating restricted diameter sections within the sleeve;
- and
- an adhesive disposed in the sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.