×

Acoustic determination of properties of reservoirs and of fluids contained therein

  • US 7,454,958 B2
  • Filed: 09/20/2004
  • Issued: 11/25/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for acoustically determining a temperature-dependent property of a fluid in a reservoir, the reservoir being integral with or located on a substrate, the method comprising:

  • (a) acoustically coupling an acoustic radiation generator and the reservoir, with the acoustic radiation generator located external to the reservoir;

    (b) activating the acoustic radiation generator to generate acoustic radiation and direct the acoustic radiation generated into and through the substrate toward the reservoir, such that the acoustic radiation is transmitted into the fluid in the reservoir and thereafter reflected from an interior surface of the reservoir;

    (c) measuring a temperature-dependent characteristic of the reflected acoustic radiation, said characteristic selected so as to correlate with the temperature of the fluid; and

    (d) employing the characteristic to determine the temperature-dependent property of the fluid in a temperature-compensated manner.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×