Sensor apparatus and method of using same
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for sensing a chemical in a sub-surface fluid, comprising:
- a chamber;
a first inlet disposed on the chamber for passing a sub-surface fluid sample into the chamber; and
at least one sensor disposed within the chamber and isolated from the first inlet and the sub-surface fluid sample, the sensor being capable of sensing a chemical in a vapor emitted by the sub-surface fluid sample, wherein the first inlet comprises a rotatable wheel, the wheel comprising at least one blade sealing against a surface of the inlet to isolate the sensor from the inlet.
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Abstract
The invention relates to a system and method for sensing the characteristics of a fluid in a sub-surface formation. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a sensor apparatus for sensing a chemical in a vapor emitted by a sub-surface fluid sample. In various configurations, the apparatus senses the presence and/or percentage of water, the presence of a gas, an oil/gas ratio, an aliphatic/aromatic hydrocarbon ratio, and/or the presence of corrosive or poisonous chemicals.
46 Citations
46 Claims
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1. An apparatus for sensing a chemical in a sub-surface fluid, comprising:
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a chamber; a first inlet disposed on the chamber for passing a sub-surface fluid sample into the chamber; and at least one sensor disposed within the chamber and isolated from the first inlet and the sub-surface fluid sample, the sensor being capable of sensing a chemical in a vapor emitted by the sub-surface fluid sample, wherein the first inlet comprises a rotatable wheel, the wheel comprising at least one blade sealing against a surface of the inlet to isolate the sensor from the inlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for sensing a chemical in a sub-surface fluid, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a sub-surface fluid sample into a sensor apparatus disposed within a sub-surface formation; sensing a chemical in a vapor emitted by the fluid sample within the apparatus; and in response to the sensed chemical, sending a signal to a receiver disposed outside the formation, wherein the fluid sample is passed through an inlet disposed on the apparatus, the inlet comprising a rotatable wheel, the wheel comprising at least one blade sealing against a surface of the inlet to isolate an interior of the sensing apparatus from the inlet. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A system for sensing a chemical in a sub-surface fluid, comprising:
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a drill string; and an apparatus disposed on the drill string for sensing a chemical in a sub-surface fluid, the apparatus comprising; a chamber; a first inlet disposed on the chamber for passing a fluid sample into the chamber; and at least one sensor disposed within the chamber and isolated from the first inlet and the fluid sample, the sensor being capable of sensing a chemical in a vapor emitted by the fluid sample, wherein the first inlet of the apparatus comprises a rotatable wheel, the wheel comprising at least one blade sealing against a surface of the inlet to isolate the sensor from the inlet. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification