Electromagnetic linear drive source for logging-while-drilling/wireline acoustic applications
US8261873B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V1/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for providing a downhole acoustic source is disclosed. The acoustic source includes a piston configured to oscillate in an axial direction of the acoustic source and produce an acoustic signal in a medium in contact with an exterior surface of the piston, and an elastomer disposed on an interior side of the piston, an acoustic impedance of the elastomer selected to match an acoustic impedance of the piston. A permanent magnet is configured to provide a permanent magnetic field oriented in the axial direction, and a coil disposed on an interior side of the piston produces an alternating magnetic field in the region of the permanent magnetic field. The elastomer may be, for example, a silicon rubber, a silicone jelly, and a silicone oil. A plurality of acoustic sources may be arranged to produce an acoustic dipole configuration or an acoustic quadrupole configuration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.