Abstract: A method for identifying a fluid interface in a conduit through which at least a first fluid and a second fluid are configured to pass, includes transmitting, via an ultrasonic flow meter coupled to the conduit, an acoustic signal into the conduit. A reflected acoustic signal is received in the ultrasonic flow meter and the amplitude of the reflected acoustic signal is determined. The average and standard deviation of the amplitude are calculated and, if the standard deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold, the fluid interface is identified as being present in the conduit.

Abstract: Flowmeters are disclosed herein that include one or more flow path features for improving the measurement accuracy or other aspects of the flowmeter. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a measurement section having a non-circular transverse cross-section in which one or more sensors for measuring flow are disposed. The non-circular measurement section can reduce distortion of ultrasonic waves, facilitate chordal measurements with flush-mounted transducers, and reduce the propagation distance between paired transducers. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a conditioning section with diametrically opposed longitudinal rib protrusions. The protrusions can reduce swirling flow, direct liquid components of a multi-phase flow towards the sidewalls of the flow path, and guide ballistic particles through the center of the flow path away from sensitive measurement devices.

Abstract: A system for determining densities and proportions of phases in a multi-phase fluid flow (MFF) that can include an oil phase, a water phase, and a gas phase from a well. The system includes a first density sensor that senses the MFF at locations where the phases of the MFF are often separated, a second density sensor senses the MFF from the output of a phase mixer-homogenizer, and a third density sensor that senses, in real time, the MFF where the gas phase starts to separate or has separated from the liquid phase but where the liquid phases have not separated. The system also includes one or more processors for executing one or more programs to determine a density of the oil phase, a density of the water phase, a density of the gas phase, and proportions of phases including a water cut and a gas volume fraction based on readings from the first, second, and third density sensors.

Abstract: A fluid flow system, device, and method for locating a fluid layer in a fluid flow using an acoustic waveguide. The acoustic waveguide comprises a waveguide base segment, and a waveguide reflector segment. The waveguide reflector segment comprises a plurality of disc shaped waveguide reflectors along its length for locating a fluid layer.

Abstract: Flowmeters are disclosed herein that include one or more flow path features for improving the measurement accuracy or other aspects of the flowmeter. A flowmeter can include an elongate body having a first end and a second end and a flow path extending between the first and second ends along a longitudinal axis. An ultrasonic transducer can be disposed in a measurement section of the flow path and configured to emit ultrasonic waves into a material flowing through the flow path. First and second protrusions can be formed in a conditioning section of the flow path upstream from the measurement section, the first and second protrusions extending radially inward from a sidewall of the flow path and being configured to reduce swirling flow through the measurement section.

Abstract: An ultrasonic signal coupler includes a pipe having a first ultrasonic waveguide and a second ultrasonic waveguide penetrating the pipe so that ultrasonic transducers attached to ends of the ultrasonic waveguides communicate ultrasonic signals through the ultrasonic waveguides directly through a fluid traveling through the pipe.

Abstract: Flowmeters are disclosed herein that include one or more flow path features for improving the measurement accuracy or other aspects of the flowmeter. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a measurement section having a non-circular transverse cross-section in which one or more sensors for measuring flow are disposed. The non-circular measurement section can reduce distortion of ultrasonic waves, facilitate chordal measurements with flush-mounted transducers, and reduce the propagation distance between paired transducers. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a conditioning section with diametrically opposed longitudinal rib protrusions. The protrusions can reduce swirling flow, direct liquid components of a multi-phase flow towards the sidewalls of the flow path, and guide ballistic particles through the center of the flow path away from sensitive measurement devices.

Abstract: Flowmeters are disclosed herein that include one or more flow path features for improving the measurement accuracy or other aspects of the flowmeter. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a measurement section having a non-circular transverse cross-section in which one or more sensors for measuring flow are disposed. The non-circular measurement section can reduce distortion of ultrasonic waves, facilitate chordal measurements with flush-mounted transducers, and reduce the propagation distance between paired transducers. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a conditioning section with diametrically opposed longitudinal rib protrusions. The protrusions can reduce swirling flow, direct liquid components of a multi-phase flow towards the sidewalls of the flow path, and guide ballistic particles through the center of the flow path away from sensitive measurement devices.

Abstract: An ultrasonic signal coupling assembly including ultrasonic transducers attached to one or more ultrasonic couplers configured to be coupled to an exterior surface of a pipe. A height of the ultrasonic coupler or couplers is greater than a thickness of the pipe by a factor of about five or more, and a length of the ultrasonic coupler or couplers is greater than the height of the ultrasonic coupler or couplers.

Abstract: A fluid flow system, device, and method for locating a fluid layer in a fluid flow using an acoustic waveguide. The acoustic waveguide comprises a waveguide base segment, and a waveguide reflector segment. The waveguide reflector segment comprises a plurality of disc shaped waveguide reflectors along its length for locating a fluid layer.

Abstract: Acoustic waveguides are disclosed for mounting to a conduit. The acoustic waveguides provide a mounting area that minimizes the effect of the mount on the acoustic wave traveling through the waveguide while providing an effective seal, even under high pressure conditions.

Abstract: A system for determining densities and proportions of phases in a multi-phase fluid flow (MFF) that can include an oil phase, a water phase, and a gas phase from a well. The system includes a first density sensor that senses the MFF at locations where the phases of the MFF are often separated, a second density sensor senses the MFF from the output of a phase mixer-homogenizer, and a third density sensor that senses, in real time, the MFF where the gas phase starts to separate or has separated from the liquid phase but where the liquid phases have not separated. The system also includes one or more processors for executing one or more programs to determine a density of the oil phase, a density of the water phase, a density of the gas phase, and proportions of phases including a water cut and a gas volume fraction based on readings from the first, second, and third density sensors.

Abstract: An ultrasonic signal coupler includes a pipe having a first ultrasonic waveguide and a second ultrasonic waveguide penetrating the pipe so that ultrasonic transducers attached to ends of the ultrasonic waveguides communicate ultrasonic signals through the ultrasonic waveguides directly through a fluid traveling through the pipe.

Abstract: An ultrasonic signal coupling assembly including ultrasonic transducers attached to one or more ultrasonic couplers configured to be coupled to an exterior surface of a pipe. A height of the ultrasonic coupler or couplers is greater than a thickness of the pipe by a factor of about five or more, and a length of the ultrasonic coupler or couplers is greater than the height of the ultrasonic coupler or couplers.

Abstract: An ultrasonic coupler assembly for coupling an ultrasonic transducer to a pipe wall is disclosed, wherein the ultrasonic coupler is configured using three quadrilateral sections to reduce the temperature extreme to which the ultrasonic transducer is exposed and to improve the quality of the ultrasonic signal passing through the ultrasonic coupler.

Abstract: A wedge and a method for determining the speed of sound in the wedge is disclosed. The wedge includes a reflecting wall and is configured such that a portion of the main ultrasonic signal transmitted by an ultrasonic transducer is reflected and travels through the wedge back to the ultrasonic transducer. The speed of sound can be determined based on the distance traveled by, and the time of flight of, the main ultrasonic signal and reflected ultrasonic signal in the wedge.

Abstract: Acoustic waveguides are disclosed for mounting to a conduit. The acoustic waveguides provide a mounting area that minimizes the effect of the mount on the acoustic wave traveling through the waveguide while providing an effective seal, even under high pressure conditions.

Abstract: Acoustic waveguides are disclosed for mounting to a conduit. The acoustic waveguides provide a mounting area that minimizes the effect of the mount on the acoustic wave traveling through the waveguide while providing an effective seal, even under high pressure conditions.

Abstract: A torsional sensor for sensing at least one parameter of a fluid is disclosed. The torsional sensor includes a torsional portion coupled to a reference portion and including a plurality of projections extending outward and spaced apart from each other. At least a portion of the torsional sensor is mountable for immersion in the fluid and operable to propagate a torsional wave that interacts with the fluid along the at least portion of the torsional sensor so as to affect propagation of the torsional wave in a manner dependent on the at least one parameter of the fluid.

Abstract: Acoustic waveguides are disclosed for mounting to a conduit. The acoustic waveguides provide a mounting area that minimizes the effect of the mount on the acoustic wave traveling through the waveguide while providing an effective seal, even under high pressure conditions.