Acoustic transducers using quantum tunneling composite active elements
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsRocco DiFoggio, Paul A. Bergren
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus for use downhole that includes at least one acoustic sensor. In one aspect, the acoustic sensor includes a chamber and an active element comprised of a quantum tunneling composite in the chamber. In another aspect, the acoustic sensor may further include a pair of conductive layers on a pair of sides of the active element. The chamber is filled with an electrically non-conductive fluid. The active element may be placed in the chamber in a manner that causes the active element to be responsive to acoustic waves along a selected direction or in a manner that enables the active element to be non-directional.
Claims23
An apparatus for use downhole, comprising:
- a tool for use downhole;
- an acoustic sensor in a body of the tool, the acoustic sensor including a chamber and an active element comprised of a quantum tunneling composite member in the chamber;
- a pair of conductive layers on a pair of sides of the active element, wherein each conductive layer is configured to act as an electrode;
- and
- a mass in the chamber configured to exert pressure on the active element along a selected direction in response to pressure pulses.
An apparatus for use downhole, comprising:
- a tool for use downhole;
- an acoustic sensor in a body of the tool, the acoustic sensor including a chamber and an active element comprised of a quantum tunneling composite member suspended in the chamber;
- and
- a pair of conductive layers on a pair of sides of the active element, wherein each conductive layer is configured to act as an electrode.
An acoustic sensor comprising:
- a chamber;
- an active element comprised of a quantum tunneling composite member in the chamber;
- a pair of conductive layers on a pair of sides of the active element, wherein each conductive layer acts as an electrode;
- and
- a mass in the chamber in pressure communication with the active element.
An acoustic sensor comprising:
- a chamber;
- an active element comprised of a quantum tunneling composite member suspended in the chamber;
- and
- a pair of conductive layers on a pair of sides of the active element, wherein each conductive layer acts as an electrode.
A method of making an apparatus for use downhole, comprising:
- providing a tool configured to be deployed downhole;
- and
- providing a sensor in the tool that includes:
- a chamber,
- a sensor element including an active element containing a quantum tunneling member and pair of conductors coupled to the active element, and
- a mass in the chamber in pressure communication with the sensor element.
A method of making an apparatus for use downhole, comprising:
- providing a tool configured to be deployed downhole;
- and
- providing a sensor in the tool that includes:
- a chamber, and
- a sensor element including an active element containing a quantum tunneling member suspended in the chamber and pair of conductors coupled to the active element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.