Frequency characterization of quartz crystals

• US 7,113,051 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2004
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Gunawardana, Ruvinda
• Primary Examiner(s): KINKEAD, ARNOLD M
• Application Number:
  US10/707,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20050146244A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 331/158, 331/66, 331/176, 331/116.R, 331/116.FE
• US Class Current: 331/176
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/32 using change of resonant frequency of a crystal
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/385 Crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2824 testing of oscillators or resonators

Abstract

Techniques for determining a frequency profile of a quartz crystal in real time. Quartz crystals are subjected to a series of temperature cycles at various temperature rates and the crystal frequencies, crystal temperature parameters, and the temperature rates are monitored as the crystal is subjected to the temperature cycles. The monitored frequencies are grouped correlated with the monitored temperature parameters and temperature rates. A system for determining the frequency of a quartz crystal includes a processor adapted to perform the frequency profiling techniques.

Claims

1. A method for determining a frequency profile of a quartz crystal, comprising:

a) subjecting the quartz crystal to temperature cycles at various temperature rates;

b) monitoring the crystal frequencies, a crystal temperature parameter, and the temperature rates as the crystal is subjected to the temperature cycles;

c) grouping the monitored frequencies correlated with the monitored temperature parameters and temperature rates; and

d) characterizing the crystal frequency (f) as a function of the monitored temperature parameters and temperature rates according to

f=f(T,{dot over (T)}),

where T is a temperature parameter and

$\stackrel{.}{T}=\frac{d<br><br>T}{d<br><br>t}$

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

d) defining a surface in Cartesian three-dimensional space using the frequencies, temperature, and temperature rates.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the frequencies are graphed on the Cartesian z-axis according to

z=f(x,y),

where x is a temperature value andy is a temperature rate.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising performing an interpolation or extrapolation technique to derive missing points on the surface.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

d) graphing the crystal frequency f=f(T,{dot over (T)}) to define a surface in Cartesian three-dimensional space.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising performing an interpolation or extrapolation technique to derive missing points on the surface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the crystal temperature parameter is one of a ratio of frequencies representative of temperature or a temperature value.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the crystal temperature parameter is a temperature dependent frequency.

9. A method for determining a frequency of a quartz crystal, comprising:

a) subjecting the quartz crystal to temperature cycles at various temperature rates;

b) monitoring the crystal frequencies, a crystal temperature parameter, and the temperature rates as the crystal is subjected to the temperature cycles;

c) roupin the monitored frequencies correlated with the temperature parameters and temperature rates;

d) characterizing the crystal frequency (f) as a function of the monitored temperature parameters and temperature rates according to

f=f(T,{dot over (T)}),

where T is a temperature parameter and

$\stackrel{.}{T}=\frac{d<br><br><br><br>T}{d<br><br><br><br>t};<br><br>$

e) determining the temperature and a temperature rate of the crystal; and

f) relating the determined crystal temperature and temperature rate to the characterized frequencies to determine the crystal frequency.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein step (c) includes defining a surface in Cartesian three-dimensional space using the frequencies, temperature, and temperature rates.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the crystal frequencies are graphed on the Cartesian z-axis according to

z=f(x,y),

where x is a temperature parameter and y is a temperature rate.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising performing an interpolation or extrapolation technique to derive missing points on the surface.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising graphing the crystal frequency f=f(T,{dot over (T)}) to define a surface in Cartesian three-dimensional space.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising performing an interpolation or extrapolation technique to derive missing points on the surface.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein step (d) includes determining the crystal temperature when the crystal is located subsurface.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the crystal is disposed in a tool adapted for subsurface disposal.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the crystal temperature parameter is one of a ratio of frequencies representative of temperature or a temperature value.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the crystal temperature parameter is a temperature dependent frequency.

19. A method for determining a frequency of a quartz crystal disposed in a tool adapted for subsurface disposal, comprising:

a) determining a temperature of the quartz crystal in said tool;

b) deriving a temperature rate from the determined crystal temperature; and

c) relating the crystal temperature and temperature rate to a data set characterizing a correlation between grouped crystal frequencies (f), temperature, and temperature rates to determine the crystal frequency according to

f=f(T,{dot over (T)}),

where T is a temperature parameter and

$\stackrel{.}{T}=\frac{d<br><br>T}{d<br><br>t}.$

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the data set comprises a surface graphed in Cartesian three-dimensional space.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the crystal frequency is determined in real time after determination of the crystal temperature.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the crystal temperature is determined when the crystal is located subsurface.

23. A system for determining the frequency of a quartz crystal, comprising:

a quartz crystal having a frequency output related to a temperature of the crystal; and

a processor adapted to calculate a crystal frequency from a measured temperature parameter of the crystal, a temperature rate of the crystal, and observed frequencies of the crystal grouped with observed temperature parameters and temperature rates of the crystal;

wherein the processor is adapted to characterize a relationship between the crystal frequency (f) and the observed temperature parameters and temperature rates according to

f=f(T,{dot over (T)}),

where T is a temperature parameter and

$\stackrel{.}{T}=\frac{d<br><br>T}{d<br><br>t}.$

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the processor is adapted to perform an interpolation or extrapolation technique to derive the crystal frequency.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the measured crystal temperature parameter is determined for a crystal located subsurface.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the crystal is disposed in a tool adapted for subsurface disposal.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the observed frequencies, temperature parameters, and temperature rates of the crystal form a data set in a storage device operatively coupled to the processor.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein the crystal is disposed within a thermally insulated chamber.

29. The system of claim 23, wherein the crystal is adapted with a heat conducting material on its surface.

30. The system of claim 23, wherein the crystal temperature parameter is one of a ratio of frequencies representative of temperature or a temperature value.

31. The system of claim 23, wherein the crystal temperature parameter comprises a number of counts of a temperature dependent frequency mode.