Optical position sensing for well control tools
US7104331B2 · kind B2 · utility
19Cited by
22References
38Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/135
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An apparatus and methods are disclosed for using optical sensors to determine the position of a movable flow control element in a well control tool. A housing has a movable element disposed within such that the element movement controls the flow through the tool. An optical sensing system senses the movement of the element. Optical sensors are employed that use Bragg grating reflections, time domain reflectometry, and line scanning techniques to determine the element position. A surface or downhole processor is used to interpret the sensor signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.