Acoustic device for measuring fluid properties
First Claim
1. A device suitable for use in an apparatus for measuring fluid characteristics, comprising:
- a solid probe;
means in contact with said probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals through said probe;
means within said probe for contacting a fluid whose characteristics are to be measured with first and second surfaces on said probe capable of reflecting a portion of said ultrasonic signals to produce measurable reflected signals at said receiving means; and
means within said probe for providing a reference signal by reflecting a portion of said ultrasonic signals, said reference reflector means located between said transmitting/receiving means and said fluid contacting means.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for measuring fluid characteristics, particularly useful in performing measurements in remote and severe environments is disclosed. The probe employs an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver, preferably a unitary ultrasonic transducer to both transmit and receive the ultrasonic signal. Further, the probe includes an internal reference reflecting surface hermetically sealed from contact with the fluid and one or more solid/fluid reflecting surfaces as are required. Preferably, two solid/fluid reflecting surfaces are located on opposite sides of a fluid receiving gap. The apparatus and method are useful in measuring fluid characteristics both at remote surface and in downhole drilling locations.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device suitable for use in an apparatus for measuring fluid characteristics, comprising:
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a solid probe; means in contact with said probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals through said probe; means within said probe for contacting a fluid whose characteristics are to be measured with first and second surfaces on said probe capable of reflecting a portion of said ultrasonic signals to produce measurable reflected signals at said receiving means; and means within said probe for providing a reference signal by reflecting a portion of said ultrasonic signals, said reference reflector means located between said transmitting/receiving means and said fluid contacting means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A device suitable for use in an apparatus for measuring characteristics of a fluid, comprising:
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a solid probe; means for transmitting ultrasonic signals through said probe; means within said probe sealed from said fluid for reflecting a portion of said ultrasonic signals to provide a reflected ultrasonic reference signal; a first surface of said probe for contacting said fluid and capable of providing at a receiving means a measurable first reflected ultrasonic fluid signal through said probe; and means for receiving said reflected ultrsonic signals through said probe. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of measuring acoustic impedance of a fluid, comprising:
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contacting said fluid with a first fluid reflecting surface of a solid probe, said solid probe containing a means sealed from said fluid for reflecting a portion of said signal to produce a measurable reference signal; transmitting ultrasonic signals into said solid probe; receiving ultrasonic signals reflected from said reference reflecting means and from the interface of said first fluid reflecting surface and said fluid; measuring the peak amplitude of each of said reflected signals to determine the reflectance at said interface; and determining the acoustic impedance of said fluid from said reflectance and predetermined values of the reflectance from said first surface in a vacuum and the acoustic impedance of said solid probe. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method of measuring at least one of the speed of sound or attenuation in fluid or the acoustic impedance, density, compressibility or viscosiy of a fluid, comprising:
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locating a fluid between first and second reflecting surfaces of a gap in a solid probe in ultrasonic communication with a means for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal and including a means sealed in said probe from said fluid for providing a reflected reference signal; transmitting an ultrasonic signal through said probe in the direction of said reflecting surfaces and said means for providing a reflected reference signal; receiving first said reflected reference signal; receiving second ultrasonic signals reflected at the interface of said fluid with said first surface; receiving third ultrasonic signals reflected at the interface of said fluid with said second surface; measuring the peak amplitude of said reflected signals to determine the reflectance at said first surface; measuring the time delay between receipt of the signals reflected from said first and second fluid reflecting surfaces; and determining at least one of the speed of sound or attenuation in said fluid or the density, compressibility or viscosity of said fluid from said reflectance, said time delay and predetermined values of the reflectance from said first surface in a vacuum and water, the acoustic impedance of said solid probe, the attenuation of water, the frequency of said ultrasonic signal and the known distance between said first and second reflecting surfaces.
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Specification