Acoustic transducers for tubulars
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsFernando Garcia-Osuna, Jean Pierre Masson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Acoustic transducers configured with transducer elements disposed on an arch or arcuate shaped member adapted to fit in juxtaposition around a tubular. The arcuate shaped member is adapted with conductors to provide a voltage to the transducer elements. One embodiment uses a metallic arcuate shaped member. Embodiments implemented as sources are used to excite borehole acoustic modes. Some embodiments provide phased array acoustic energy excitation/signal reception. The transducers are covered with a sealer in a liquid-free configuration and shields are used to protect the transducers.
Claims19
A method of producing an acoustic transducer for use on a tubular, comprising:
- disposing an arcuate shaped member formed as a sector of a cylindrical surface of revolution on the tubular;
- disposing a plurality of acoustic transducer elements on the member to receive or emit acoustic energy, the arcuate shaped member being configured to provide voltage to the elements;
- configuring a first conductor in contact with first planar surfaces of the transducer elements;
- configuring a second conductor in contact with second planar surfaces of the transducer elements;
- the transducer elements on the first planar surfaces electrically isolated from the transducer elements on the second planar surfaces;
- configuring a subset of the plurality of transducer elements disposed on the member for activation with a voltage of different polarity in relation to another element disposed thereon;
- and
- sealing the member and transducer elements to form a liquid-free acoustic transducer,
- wherein the tubular has an exterior surface configured for contact with well-bore environment, and the acoustic transducer is configured for placement around the exterior surface of the tubular in contact with well-bore environment.
An acoustic transducer for use on a tubular for subsurface disposal, comprising:
- an arcuate shaped member formed as a sector of a cylindrical surface of revolution for disposal on the tubular;
- a plurality of acoustic transducer elements disposed on the member to receive or emit acoustic energy;
- the arcuate shaped member configured to provide voltage to the elements;
- a first conductor in contact with first planar surfaces of the transducer elements;
- a second conductor in contact with second planar surfaces of the transducer elements;
- the transducer elements on the first planar surfaces electrically isolated from the transducer elements on the second planar surfaces;
- a subset of the plurality of transducer elements disposed on the member configured for activation with a voltage of different polarity in relation to another element disposed thereon;
- and
- the member and transducer elements being sealed to form a liquid-free acoustic transducer,
- wherein the tubular has an exterior surface configured for contact with well-bore environment, and the acoustic transducer is configured for placement around the exterior surface of the tubular in contact with well-bore environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.