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.

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.

Abstract: A coring apparatus permitting the taking of a non-rotating core sample and testing of same, as by NMR, prior to breakage and ejection from the apparatus. A core barrel is suspended from a rotating outer sleeve by one or more bearing assemblies which permit the core barrel to remain stationary during rotation of the sleeve with attached core bit for cutting the core. A core test device is fixed with respect to the core barrel on the outside thereof to test the core as it proceeds through the barrel. The apparatus optionally includes a directional detecting device such as an inclinometer and a compact set of circumferentially-spaced steering arms for changing the direction of the apparatus during coring.

Abstract: A quartz sensing system includes a quartz sensor, an electromechanical converter, an optical source, an optical fiber and a signal processor. The quartz sensor responds to a pressure, and further responds to an electrical power signal, for providing a quartz sensor electrical signal containing information about the pressure. The electromechanical converter responds to the quartz sensor signal, for providing an electromechanical converter force containing information about the sensed voltage or current signal. The optical source for provides an optical source signal. The optical fiber responds to the electromechanical converter force, for changing an optical parameter or characteristic of the optical source signal depending on the change in length of the optical fiber and providing an electromechanical converter optical signal containing information about the electromechanical converter force.

Abstract: A well assembly for extracting production fluids from at least one production zone of at least one well includes a production pipe for transporting fluid downstream to a surface, a packer for defining the production zone, and a fiber optic sensor package disposed substantially adjacent to a downstream side of the packer. The fiber optic sensor package measures parameters of the production fluid and communicates these parameters to the surface to determine composition of the production fluid entering the production pipe through each production zone. The production pipe has a zone opening for allowing the production fluid to enter the production pipe and a control valve for controlling the amount of production fluid flowing downstream from each production zone. The production pipe control valve is adjusted to optimize fluid production from the particular production zone of the well based on fluid parameters measured by the fiber optic sensor package.

Abstract: A fiber optic Bragg grating pressure sensor particularly suited for measuring ambient pressure of a fluid includes a pressuring detecting device 12 such as a glass element whose elastic deformation is proportional to applied pressure. An optical fiber 28 with an integral first grating 33 is wrapped at least once around the device and has at least a portion of its length fused to the device 12 such that elastic deformation of the device 12 generates a corresponding axial strain in the fiber 28 and/or the grating 33 and thus a corresponding change of the fiber length and/or characteristic reflectance wavelength of the grating 33. A second grating 35 may be formed near the pressure detecting device 12 so as to sense ambient temperature but not be affected by deformation of the device 12 for temperature compensation.

Abstract: Distributed selectable fiber optic sensing system include a plurality of fiber grating sensors 12 connected to an optical fiber 10 and installed in an oil/gas well 15 and an instrumentation box 20 at the surface which selects which of the sensors 12 to activate, or provide output data from to a display 26 or to a remote link 32, such as the internet. The box 20 has a transceiver/converter 22 which provides a source optical signal 14 and receives a return optical signal 16,18 and which converts the return signal 16,18 to a signal indicative of the parameters being measured by the sensors 12. A sensor selection signal is provided from the remote link 32, the keyboard 28 to the converter 22 which is indicative of which of the sensors 12 to be selected to provide output data for. The end user only pays for the sensors 12 that are selected.

Abstract: The invention provides a select trigger or detonation system featuring an optical source, an optical fiber, one or more optical couplers and one or more light trigger or detonation devices. The an optical source provides an optical signal containing information about triggering or detonating a respective device. The optical fiber has one or more fiber Bragg Gratings for providing one or more fiber Bragg Grating optical trigger or detonation signals, each having a respective optical trigger or detonation wavelength. The one or more optical couplers each respond to the one or more fiber Bragg Grating optical trigger or detonation signals depending on the respective optical trigger or detonation wavelength, for providing a respective coupled fiber Bragg Grating optical trigger or detonation signal.

Abstract: A pressure transducer using as a component for changing shape in response to a change in the pressure being measured a composite elongated body, with specially arranged reinforcing fibers. Such a pressure transducer can use various means for sensing the change in shape of the elongated body, including an optical fiber affixed to the elongated body so as to itself change in length in response to a change in pressure, and having a Bragg grating as part of the optical fiber, with the Bragg grating positioned and arranged so as to convey, in response to an optical signal, information about the change in shape of the elongated body. The elongated body is provided with at least one pair of contra-helically wound reinforcing fibers, which may even be bi-axially braided, and are wound either to amplify the effect of pressure acting on the elongated body or to insulate the elongated body from the effects of pressure and other sources of stress.

Abstract: A coring apparatus permitting the taking of a non-rotating core sample and testing of same, as by NMR, prior to breakage and ejection from the apparatus. A core barrel is suspended from a rotating outer sleeve by one or more bearing assemblies which permit the core barrel to remain stationary during rotation of the sleeve with attached core bit for cutting the core. A core test device is fixed with respect to the core barrel on the outside thereof to test the core as it proceeds through the barrel. The apparatus optionally includes a directional detecting device such as an inclinometer and a compact set of circumferentially-spaced steering arms for changing the direction of the apparatus during coring.

Abstract: Lengths of coiled tubing have sensor carrier elements mounted therebetween such that a plurality of sensor carrier elements are positioned along a length of coiled tubing. Each sensor carrier element carriers a sensor implemented with one or more intrinsic fiber optic sensor elements positioned therein for measuring one or more parameters in an environment. The intrinsic fiber optic sensor elements are multiplexed on one or more optical fibers along the length of the coiled tubing thereby forming a length of coiled tubing having a plurality of spaced apart sensors. The optical fiber or fibers positioned along the length of the coiled tubing are positioned in a fiber carrier which protects the fiber or fibers from the harsh environment. The fiber carrier may be interconnected to each of the sensors to isolate the fibers from the harsh environment.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor includes a sensor element responsive to a property or condition of a material, such a resistivity, capacitance, inductance, frequency, etc., for providing an output voltage signal that is dependent upon the property or condition of the material. The sensor further includes an optical-to-electrical conversion element, such as a photo detector or a solar cell, that converts an optical signal (photo detector driving optical signal) carried by an optical fiber into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is applied to the sensor element, and in response, the sensor element provides the output electrical signal. The output electrical signal is applied to a measurement device, such as a piezoelectric element, having at least one dimension that varies with changes in the output electrical signal.

Abstract: The present invention features an apparatus for detecting a shoulder load between two components in a drill string, comprising a pin connection, a box connection and a washer for sensing tensioning strain force therebetween. The pin connection has coupling means, and the box connection has corresponding coupling means for coupling to the pin connection to form a drill string. The washer is arranged between the pin connection and the box connection. The washer has embedded fiber optic Bragg Grating sensors that respond to a compressive strain shoulder load force when the pin connection is coupled to the box connection, and further responds to a light signal, for providing a compressive strain shoulder load force light signal containing information about a sensed compressive strain shoulder load force between the pin connection and the box connection in the drill string.

Abstract: A coring apparatus permitting the taking of a non-rotating core sample and testing of same, as by NMR, prior to breakage and ejection from the apparatus. A core barrel is suspended from a rotating outer sleeve by one or more bearing assemblies which permit the core barrel to remain stationary during rotation of the sleeve with attached core bit for cutting the core. A core test device is fixed with respect to the core barrel on the outside thereof to test the core as it proceeds through the barrel. The apparatus optionally includes a directional detecting device such as an inclinometer and a compact set of circumferentially-spaced steering arms for changing the direction of the apparatus during coring.

Abstract: The present invention features an apparatus that provides an indication of tensioning strain when it is tensioned with respect to a workpiece, comprising either a bolt, stud or fastener together with an embedded fiber optic Bragg Grating sensor. For example, the bolt has a head at one end, threads at the other end and a central bore with a bore wall drilled into at least one end thereof. The bolt responds to a tensioning force applied on the head of the bolt, for providing a tensioning strain force applied inwardly on the wall of the central bore. The fiber optic Bragg Grating sensor is arranged inside the central bore of the bolt and bonded, for example by epoxy, to the central bore wall. The fiber optic Bragg Grating sensor responds to the tensioning strain force, and further responds to a light signal, for providing a fiber optic Bragg Grating sensor light signal containing information about a sensed tensioning strain force on the bolt when the threads are tensioned to the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention features an apparatus comprising a packer means and a packer pressure sensing means. The packer means inflates to isolate zones in a well, such as an oil well or a gas well. The packer means responds to a material for inflating and providing a packer inflation pressure. The packer pressure sensing means responds to the packer inflation pressure, for providing a sensed packer inflation pressure signal containing information about a sensed packer inflation pressure when the packer is inflated to isolate zones in the oil or gas well. The packer pressure sensing means may include an internal fiber optic Bragg Grating sensor arranged inside the packer means, for providing the sensed internal packer inflation pressure signal. The packer pressure sensing means may also include an external fiber optic Bragg Grating sensor arranged outside the packer means, for providing the sensed external packer inflation pressure signal.

Abstract: A Bourdon tube pressure gauge is mounted for sensing the pressure of a system. The Bourdon tube is connected to at least one optical strain sensor mounted to be strained by movement of the Bourdon tube such that when the Bourdon tube is exposed to the pressure of the system, movement of the tube in response to system pressure causes a strain in the optical sensor. The optical sensor is responsive to the strain and to an input optical signal for providing a strain optical signal which is directly proportional to the pressure. A reference or temperature compensation optical sensor is isolated from the strain associated with the pressure of the system and is responsive to temperature of the system for causing a temperature-induced strain. The reference optical sensor is responsive to the temperature induced strain and the input optical signal for providing a temperature optical signal which is directly proportional to the temperature of the system.