Fiber optic based method and system for determining and controlling position of a sliding sleeve valve
US6995352B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L11/025
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An apparatus and method for determining the position of a hydraulically actuated sliding sleeve valve in real time is disclosed. The apparatus comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a reference sensor and a position sensor, both of which constitute fiber optic windings wound around the hydraulic fluid cavity used to activate the sleeve. The sensors measure the pressure exerted by the hydraulic fluid in the cavity, with the reference sensor circumferentially lengthening to create an optical time delay indicative of the base line pressure of the hydraulic fluid. As the sleeve moves, the position sensor becomes increasingly exposed to the hydraulic fluid pressure and also begins to experience a time delay, which can be compared to the reference sensor's time delay to determine sleeve position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.