Non-intrusive temperature sensor for measuring internal temperature of fluids within pipes
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for sensing temperature within a pipe, wherein the pipe is subject to an ambient pressure, comprising:
- a sensor disposed within a sleeve mounted on an outer surface of the pipe, wherein the sensor is coupled to a member disposed within the sleeve, and wherein the member and the sensor have substantially similar thermal properties;
a housing enclosing the sleeve mounted on the pipe outer surface; and
an insulator disposed in the housing, wherein the insulator thermally insulates the sensor from an environment outside the housing, wherein the insulator is maintained at a pressure different from the ambient pressure.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for sensing the temperature of a fluid being drawn from a well includes a pipe having a wall, a sensor mounted on the outer surface of the pipe wall, an insulator, and a housing attached to the pipe that encloses the sensor and the insulator. The fluid to be sensed is drawn from the well through the pipe. The thermal conductivity of the pipe wall is greater than that of the insulator.
-
Citations
50 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for sensing temperature within a pipe, wherein the pipe is subject to an ambient pressure, comprising:
-
a sensor disposed within a sleeve mounted on an outer surface of the pipe, wherein the sensor is coupled to a member disposed within the sleeve, and wherein the member and the sensor have substantially similar thermal properties;
a housing enclosing the sleeve mounted on the pipe outer surface; and
an insulator disposed in the housing, wherein the insulator thermally insulates the sensor from an environment outside the housing, wherein the insulator is maintained at a pressure different from the ambient pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An apparatus for sensing the temperature of a fluid in a pipe, wherein the pipe has a wall with first thermal conductivity and wherein the pipe is subject to an ambient pressure, comprising:
-
a housing mounted on an outer surface of the pipe;
a sensor disposed within a sleeve mounted on an outer surface of the pipe and within the housing, wherein the sensor is coupled to a member disposed within the sleeve, and wherein the member and the sensor have substantially similar thermal properties; and
an insulator within the housing and having a second thermal conductivity, the insulator substantially surrounding the sensor;
wherein the first thermal conductivity is greater than the second thermal conductivity, and wherein the insulator is maintained at a pressure different from the ambient pressure. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. An apparatus for sensing temperature within a pipe, wherein the pipe is subject to an ambient pressure, comprising:
-
a fiber Bragg grating disposed within a sleeve mounted on an outer surface of the pipe, wherein the grating is coupled to a member disposed within the sleeve, and wherein the member and the grating have substantially similar thermal properties;
a housing enclosing the sleeve mounted on the pipe outer surface; and
an insulator disposed in the housing, wherein the insulator thermally insulates the grating from an environment outside the housing, wherein the insulator is maintained at a pressure different from the ambient pressure. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A system for measuring the temperature of produced fluid in an oil or gas well, comprising:
-
a production pipe deployed down the well for transmitting the produced fluid to a surface of the well, wherein the pipe is subject to an ambient pressure;
an optical sensor disposed on an outer surface of the pipe for determining the temperature of the produced fluid within the pipe, wherein the optical sensor is coupled to a member disposed within a sleeve, and wherein the member and the optical sensor have substantially similar thermal properties;
a housing enclosing the sensor and mounted on the pipe outer surface; and
an insulator disposed in the housing, wherein the insulator thermally insulates the sensor from an environment outside the housing, wherein the insulator is maintained at a pressure different from the ambient pressure. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
-
-
40. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for sensing temperature within a pipe, wherein the pipe is subject to an ambient pressure, comprising:
-
mounting a sleeve containing a sensor on an outer surface of the pipe, wherein the sensor is coupled to a member disposed within the sleeve, and wherein the member and the sensor have substantially similar thermal properties;
mounting a housing on the outer surface of the pipe to enclose the sleeve;
disposing an insulator in the housing, wherein the insulator thermally insulates the sensor from an environment outside the housing; and
maintaining the insulator at a pressure different from the ambient pressure. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
-
Specification