Non-electronic air chamber pressure sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A valve for use in a wellbore, the valve comprising:
- a housing configured to form a central passage;
a first valve member positionable in an open or closed position to allow or prevent flow through the central passage;
a second valve member positionable in an open or closed position to allow or prevent fluid communication between the central passage and an annulus positioned between the valve and the wellbore;
an actuation assembly connected to the first valve member and the second valve member, the actuation assembly movable between a first position and a second position to selectively position each of the first valve member and the second valve member;
a sealed annular volume formed between the second valve member and the housing; and
a pressure sensor disposed in the sealed annular volume, the pressure sensor comprising;
a sealed, compressible container, anda first magnet and a second magnet positioned within the sealed, compressible container, the first and second magnets separated by a first distance when a fluid within the sealed annular volume is at a first pressure,wherein the first and second magnets are separated by a second distance when the fluid in the sealed annular volume is at a second pressure; and
a sensing unit positioned on the exterior of the valve housing adjacent to the pressure sensor to determine whether the second distance between the first and second magnets at the second pressure is different from the first distance at the first pressure.
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Abstract
An apparatus for use in a wellbore having a housing having at least one chamber capable of receiving a fluid, a sealed annular volume, and a non-electronic pressure sensor disposed in the sealed annular volume. The non-electronic sensor includes a sealed, compressible container. Positioned within the sealed, compressible container are first and second magnets that are separated by a first distance when a fluid within the sealed annular volume is at a first pressure. When the fluid in the sealed annular volume is at a second pressure, the first and second magnets are separated by a second distance.
13 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A valve for use in a wellbore, the valve comprising:
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a housing configured to form a central passage; a first valve member positionable in an open or closed position to allow or prevent flow through the central passage; a second valve member positionable in an open or closed position to allow or prevent fluid communication between the central passage and an annulus positioned between the valve and the wellbore; an actuation assembly connected to the first valve member and the second valve member, the actuation assembly movable between a first position and a second position to selectively position each of the first valve member and the second valve member; a sealed annular volume formed between the second valve member and the housing; and a pressure sensor disposed in the sealed annular volume, the pressure sensor comprising; a sealed, compressible container, and a first magnet and a second magnet positioned within the sealed, compressible container, the first and second magnets separated by a first distance when a fluid within the sealed annular volume is at a first pressure, wherein the first and second magnets are separated by a second distance when the fluid in the sealed annular volume is at a second pressure; and a sensing unit positioned on the exterior of the valve housing adjacent to the pressure sensor to determine whether the second distance between the first and second magnets at the second pressure is different from the first distance at the first pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for use in a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing having at least one chamber capable of receiving a fluid; a sealed annular volume; and a pressure sensor disposed in the sealed annular volume, the sensor comprising; a sealed, compressible container, and a first magnet and a second magnet positioned within the sealed, compressible container, the first and second magnets separated by a first distance when a fluid within the sealed annular volume is at a first pressure, wherein the first and second magnets are separated by a second distance when the fluid in the sealed annular volume is at a second pressure; and a sensing unit positioned on the exterior of the valve housing adjacent to the pressure sensor to determine whether the second distance between the first and second magnets at the second pressure is different from the first distance at the first pressure. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of determining whether a seal has failed between a first chamber and a second chamber in a downhole apparatus, the first chamber having disposed therein a sealed, compressible container, the container having first and second magnets disposed therein, the first and second magnets being separated by a first distance when a fluid within the sealed, compressible container is at a first pressure, the method comprising:
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changing a pressure of fluid within the second chamber; determining a measured distance between the magnets; and comparing the measured distance to the first distance. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for determining whether a chamber in a downhole apparatus is sealed, the chamber having disposed therein a sealed, compressible container, the container having first and second magnets disposed therein, the first and second magnets being separated by a first distance when a fluid within the sealed, compressible container is at a first pressure, the method comprising:
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prior to delivering the downhole apparatus into a wellbore, determining a measured distance between the magnets; and comparing the measured distance to the first distance. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification