Patent · US Active

Vibrating wire viscometers

US8166812B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 14, 2009
Grant dateMay 1, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 14, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B49/0875
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Vibrating wire viscometers are disclosed. An example apparatus to determine the viscosity of a downhole fluid is described, the apparatus including a wire to be immersed in a downhole fluid, to vibrate when an alternating current is applied to the wire within a magnetic field, and to generate an electromotive force when vibrating within the magnetic field, the wire comprising a first resistance. The apparatus further includes a nulling circuit coupled to the wire, wherein the nulling circuit comprises a second resistance that is selectable to be substantially equal to the first resistance, and an analyzer coupled to the wire and the nulling circuit to determine the first resistance, the second resistance, and a viscosity of the downhole fluid based on the first and second resistances, at least one characteristic of the wire, and the electromotive force.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.