Method and system for measuring data in a fluid transportation conduit
First Claim
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1. A method for measuring data in a fluid transportation conduit, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing one or more sensing devices, the sensing devices each comprising sensors for measuring physical data, a data processor for processing the measured data, and a protective shell containing the sensors and data processor, which shell has a smaller average outer width than the average internal width of the conduit so that fluid in the conduit is permitted to flow around the sensing device;
inserting into the conduit the one or more sensing devices;
activating the sensors and data processor of at least one inserted sensing device to measure and process physical data in the conduit;
releasing at least one sensing device of which the sensors and data processor are or have been activated in the conduit;
allowing each released sensing device to move over a selected longitudinal distance through the conduit; and
transferring the data processed by the data processor to a data collecting system outside the conduit.
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Abstract
A method and system for measuring data in a fluid transportation conduit, such as a well for the production of oil and/or gas. The system employs one or more miniature sensing devices which comprise sensing equipment that is contained in a preferably spherical nut-shell which has an outer width which is smaller than the internal width of the conduit. One or more sensing devices are released sequentially in the conduit and are induced to move in longitudinal direction through the conduit to measure data at desired intervals of time, without requiring a complex infrastructure.
135 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for measuring data in a fluid transportation conduit, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing one or more sensing devices, the sensing devices each comprising sensors for measuring physical data, a data processor for processing the measured data, and a protective shell containing the sensors and data processor, which shell has a smaller average outer width than the average internal width of the conduit so that fluid in the conduit is permitted to flow around the sensing device;
inserting into the conduit the one or more sensing devices;
activating the sensors and data processor of at least one inserted sensing device to measure and process physical data in the conduit;
releasing at least one sensing device of which the sensors and data processor are or have been activated in the conduit;
allowing each released sensing device to move over a selected longitudinal distance through the conduit; and
transferring the data processed by the data processor to a data collecting system outside the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for measuring data in a fluid transportation conduit, the system comprising:
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at least one sensing device, the sensing device comprising sensors for measuring physical data, a data processor for processing the measured data and a substantially globular protective shell containing the sensors and data processor, which shell has a smaller outer width than the average internal width of the conduit so that fluid in the conduit is permitted to flow around the shell;
power means for activating the sensors and data processor of each device to measure and process physical data in the conduit;
a releasing mechanism for sequentially releasing one or more sensing devices in the conduit; and
a data collecting system located outside the conduit to which the data collected by the data processor of each released sensing device are transferred. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A sensing device comprising:
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a spherical protective shell having an outer diameter less than 15 cm, which shell contains sensors for measuring physical data in the well and a data processor, which sensors and data processor form part of a micro electromechanical system with integrated sensory;
a navigation component;
a power component;
a component selected from the group of a data storage component and a data transmission component; and
at least one circumferentially-wrapped electrically conductive wire loop which functions as a radio-frequency or inductive antenna loop for communications and as an inductive charger for the power components of the device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification