Method and apparatus for pre-loading a piezoelectric transducer for downhole acoustic communication
US10669842B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jun 2, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB06B2201/73
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A downhole acoustic transmitter has a piezoelectric transducer, an enclosure in which the piezoelectric transducer is housed, a transducer preload means which applies a selected compressive force against the transducer such that a mechanical preload is applied to the 5 transducer, and an acoustic tuning element which has a first end coupled to the transducer preload means or the transducer, and an open second end. The acoustic tuning element is not coupled to anything but the transducer preload means or transducer, so the transducer preload means effectively has a second open end and thus can maintain the same preload compressive force on the transducer even when the transmitter is subjected to tension and 10 compressive forces during operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.