Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring both the quality and flow rate of steam injected into a hydrocarbon formation in a thermal recovery process. The method measures both the quantity of water and the flow rate of the steam. Both measurements can be made at any location in the borehole to determine the quality and quantity of steam injected into a particular formation. The apparatus utilizes a propeller motor/generator combination to determine the vapor flow rate; the drag produced by a network of bristles extending across the borehole determines the vapor flow rate and the quantity of liquid present.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing a diaphragm or piston-type pressure-actuated detector of leaks in a hose, pipe, or other conduit. Fluid at a selected pressure is introduced into a manifold through the leak detector being tested, and the manifold is provided with a plurality of flow restrictors which allow flow at a selected rate at a selected pressure. In this manner, a leak detector which allows flow at a rate higher than a selected pressure can be rejected as not functioning properly. Further, the flow rate through that detector can also be tested at a given pressure. The apparatus is also capable of operating off of pressure developed by a submerged pump for testing the leak detector without removal of the leak detector from the submerged pump.

Abstract: A capacitive acceleration sensor using a common PWB as one of the plates of the capacitive transducer and the wiring connections thereto. An acceleration input moves a capacitor plate to produce a measurable change in capacitance. An electronic signal conditioner accurately converts the capacitance output to a voltage signal to provide an acceleration sensor featuring accurate DC performance. The transducer and electronics are disposed on a PWB making up a complete sensor package. In a first embodiment, the capacitor comprises a fixed electrode on the PWB and a movable acceleration responsive electrode secured to a support by a conductive resilient member, the support coupled to an electrically conductive region on the PWB spaced from the fixed electrode by a guard ring to minimize stray charge between the capacitor electrodes.

Abstract: A sensing device for sensing acceleration consisting of a number of miniae steel bearing balls as mass elements, a housing for locating and containing the mass elements, a printed circuit board for sensing a discrete number of levels of acceleration, and an array of cantilever beam flexure elements equal in number to that of the mass elements located between the mass elements and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A technique for detecting faults, blockages or holes, in a duct (6). A burst of compressed gas is injected into the duct and the decay of the pressure pulse monitored by a transducer at the gas burst launch end of the duct. A reference decay pressure that would be expected for a perfect duct is generated and the monitored decay is compared with the reference decay for deviation. A perforated duct exhibits greater pressure decay and a blocked duct less pressure decay than a perfect duct. The time occurrence of the deviation indicates the location of the fault. The signal level indicative of the pressure after a predetermined interval may also be used to measure the air friction or blowability within the duct.

Abstract: The positive-displacement pump apparatus and method for detection of leaks in pressurized pipelines disclosed herein measures volume changes at different pressures to determine thermally compensated leak rates. The apparatus uses a positive-displacement pump apparatus to precisely determine volume changes.

Abstract: A multiple arm caliper system for operation of a multiple arm caliper tool is set forth. It incorporates an elongate tool body having a motor means therein. The motor means operates a coupling rod connected to a resilient spring loading a piston within a cylinder. Within the cylinder, and extending through a transverse head defining the cylinder, individual push rods for each caliper arm extend. The push rods are forced from the chamber by fluid pressure within the chamber. Each push rod connects through suitable pivot points to an independent bell crank which is pivotally mounted to rotate each arm. Fluid pressure within the chamber is provided by the motor operating through a push rod which couples through a coil spring in the preferred embodiment to the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting defects in moving parts having a central rotating shaft, in particular shaft bearings, with the aid of an acoustic-electric transducer converting the mechanical acoustic vibrations received into electric signals to be processed in a signal processing circuit to signals indicative of the status of the parts, the improvement wherein the acoustic-electric transducer is centrally disposed on one end of the shaft so that it rotates therewith and receives vibrations therefrom, and wherein the acoustic-electric transducer comprises a piezoelectric element, and an amplifier having its control terminal coupled to the pass filter.

Abstract: A double-walled vessel for containing fluid, the vessel having an annular space between the walls wherein a compressed gas at a pressure higher than any pressure in the inner vessel is maintained, the vessel including a monitoring device to sense the escape of gas from the annular space such as decrease in its pressure or flow of gas from a replenishing source and to sense the presence of the compressed gas in the inner vessel such as increase in pressure, sensing the composition of the compressed gas within the inner vessel or sensing an increase in flow through a vent, whereby leakage through either the inner vessel wall or the surrounding outer wall is detected and the escape of contained fluid from the inner vessel is prevented.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence and temperature compensated volumetric flow rate of leaks in fluid pressurized pipelines. The pipeline is maintained at a first pressure and the fluid volume change per unit time is calculated. The pressure is then maintained at a second different pressure and a second fluid volume change per unit time is calculated. The system is then maintained at the first pressure while a third fluid volume change per unit time is calculated. The first and third rates are combined with the second rate to obtain a temperature compensated leak volumetric flow rate.

Abstract: A gas comparison pycnometer is disclosed which provides a method and apparatus for determining and checking the accuracy of the volume of a solid substance. The pycnometer is also outfitted with a unique cap assembly which fixes the volume in the pycnometer's sample chamber from run to run. The pycnometer also employs a series of purges with a suitable gas to carry unwanted moisture and vapors out of the system. This pycnometer solves many problems in the prior art by quickly and accurately determining the volume of a solid substance.

Abstract: System and method for detecting and locating leaks in a steam condenser while the condenser is on-line and operating in its normal capacity. A tracer gas is mixed with water and introduced into the tubes of the condenser through an injector which can be positioned selectively to direct the gas toward different ones of the tubes. The occurrence of a leak is detected by monitoring for the presence of the tracer gas in the condensation chamber, and the location of the leak is determined from the position of the injector when the leak occurs.

Abstract: An electronic motion sensor is described, wherein a cavity formed in a case of high flux density material supports a permanent magnet at the bottom. The permanent magnet has a north/south pole orientation in line with the cavity axis. A circular channel is located above, having an axis coincident with the cavity axis and which is filled with mercury. A center contact post is located long the cavity axis in contact with the mercury, extending upwards through the top of the channel. An amplifier circuit supported on a header of high flux density material is placed on top of the channel. The amplifier amplifies the potential difference between the center contact and the case. The header effectively seals the cavity of the case.

Abstract: A viscosity measuring transducer especially useful for process control of fluids. The transducer oscillates an immersed blade sensor in the direction of the plane of the blade in order to maximize generation of shear waves and to minimize generation of compression waves. The transducer includes a bar which penetrates and is secured and peripheral sealed to an isolation plate which serves to protect the oscillation driver and pickup adjacent one end of the bar from the sensor blade to be immersed in a fluid adjacent the other end of the bar. Either the bar is relatively rigid and the isolation plate is relatively compliant, or vice versa. In the former case the isolation plate acts as an intrinsic flexible member of the oscillating system of the transducer; and in both cases the isolation plate constitutes a strong impermeable seal between the fluid and the driver/pickup mechanism.

Abstract: A method for fluid pressure testing of a formation behind casing is set forth. A formation testing tool is lowered into the well to a specified depth opposite a formation of interest behind a casing. A test probe is extended and a perforation is formed from the test probe into the formation to obtain fluid communication with the formation. Utilizing a storage container in the testing tool, fluid is pumped from the formation into the test tool, or from the test tool into the formation and formation pressures are measured at selected intervals.

Abstract: A method is provided for troubleshooting gas-lift wells, to identify whether gas-lift valves on the production tubing are open or closed, without the use of wireline tools. The method may also be used to detect leaks in the production tubing or in the well casing. A quantity of a tracer gas is injected into the lift-gas at the wellhead, and its return in fluid produced from the well is monitored as a function of time. The tracer's return pattern may be correlated with the depth of entry points and volumes of lift-gas entering along the length of the production tubing.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems are provided for determining a volumetric flow rate of mud in a return line without the aid of a velocity probe. A mud level sensor is located in a return line chimney preferably in close proximity to the bell nipple. The sensor senses the height of the mud flowing in the return line. Where an ultraonsic transceiver is used as the sensor, temperature sensors in the chimney and return line determine a temperature gradient in the return line which provides a speed of sound correction as does a target at a known distance from the transceiver. A computer receives the uncorrected mud height and the speed of sound information, and determines the flow-out volume of the mud. Flow-out volume is related to the mud height, the geometry of the return line, and mud parameters. In a more complete system, the computer calibrates the determined flow-out volume with the flow-in volume, and provides a correction factor which is used to provide a corrected flow-out determination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is reported for detecting inhomogeneities in semi-plastic substances such as toilet bars containing soap. An ultrasound probe is utilized to test the substance at an exit orifice of an extruder. Best results are obtained by utilizing a ceramic ultrasonic probe, rectangular in shape including a transducer having a concave curvature on a lower surface thereof. The probe includes a theromplastic delay material. Ultrasonic waves directed through the probe preferably have a frequency between 1 and 2.25 MHz. Wedging of the extruded substance is also useful to improve contact with the probe as it passes through the extruder exit orifice.

Abstract: A device for measuring a gas dissolved in an oil comprising a sample container for containing a sample oil, an air bubble generator for extracting the gas dissolved in the oil, a gas container for containing the gas, a gas sensor for detecting the gas charged in the gas container, gas measuring means for measuring a concentration of the gas in response to a signal dispatched from the gas sensor, and a pump for supplying air to the air bubble generator.

Abstract: A pipeline system is provided for a pumping system for fluid products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel and chemicals, and including a pump for pumping such products from a storage tank through the primary pipeline of the pipeline system to a product dispenser. The pipeline system includes a secondary containment system for the primary pipeline between the tank and dispenser which includes telescoping pipe sections of different diameters. The telescoping piping is installed around the primary pipeline and the pipe sections are, prior to final installation, movable between intermediate and final positions, for enabling completion, testing and inspection of the primary pipeline prior to final completion of the secondary containment system. One section of the telescoping piping is a flexible corrugated pipe which is able to bend around elbows. Compression seals and ring clamps are used to connect the components together.