Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing a fluid property in a vessel may include a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member may be oriented at a non-zero angle. The second member may be responsive to the motion of the first member, and the first member may be acoustically coupled to the fluid by the vessel. Also, a method for characterizing the fluid includes using the response of the second member to estimate the fluid property.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is provided that may include: a tool configured to be conveyed into the wellbore by a conveying member; and an electro-active polymer device (“EAP device”) configured to connect the tool to the conveying member when the EAP device is in a first mode or position and disconnect the tool from the conveying member when the EAP device is in a second mode or position. In another aspect, a method for releasing a tool in a wellbore is provided which includes: releasably connecting an EAP device to a conveying member and the tool; conveying the tool in the wellbore with the conveying member; and electrically activating the EAP device to release the tool from the conveying member in the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating an influx of a formation fluid into a borehole fluid, the apparatus having: a carrier; an acoustic transducer disposed at the carrier; a first reflector disposed a first distance from the acoustic transducer and defining a first round trip distance; a second reflector disposed a second distance from the acoustic transducer and defining a second round trip distance; and a processor in communication with the acoustic transducer and configured to measure a difference between a first travel time for the acoustic signal traveling the first round trip distance and a second travel time for the acoustic signal traveling the second round trip distance to estimate the influx of the formation fluid; wherein the acoustic transducer, the first reflector, and the second reflector are disposed in the borehole fluid that is in the borehole.

Abstract: A downhole refractometer apparatus and method include a light source, an optical fiber that receives light emitted from the light source and a fluid cell that receives a downhole fluid. A metalloid interface member is disposed to provide an interface with the downhole fluid in the fluid cell, and a light detecting device detects a light reaction at the metalloid interface member, the downhole fluid property being estimable at least in part based on the light reaction.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for changing an optical path length through a fluid downhole, comprising interspersing an optically transmissive member into a first optical path through the fluid, thereby creating a second shorter optical path through the fluid. In another embodiment, the method further comprises measuring an intensity of light, I1 transmitted through the first optical path; measuring an intensity of light, I2 transmitted through the second optical path; and estimating an optical property for the second optical path from the ratio, I1/I2. A system is disclosed for changing an optical path length through a fluid downhole, comprising a fluid passage between two optically transmissive windows for the fluid downhole, the fluid passage having a first optical path through the fluid; and an optically transmissive member for insertion into the first optical path, thereby creating a second shorter optical path through the fluid.

Abstract: An instrument for use in a borehole, the instrument including a pressure tuned light source disposed in a housing adapted for insertion into the borehole.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting gas in return fluids. A semi-permeable interface is disposed on a tool sub, the semi-permeable interface being in communication with a fluid cell and with a return fluid in an annular region defined by an outside the tool sub and a borehole wall. A sensor responsive to a gas carried by the return fluid is disposed in the fluid cell to sense the gas that enters the fluid cell from the return fluid via the semi-permeable interface.

Abstract: A gamma ray detector uses a scintillation detector having a response that matches a response characteristic of a photodiode. The detector may be used to measure natural gamma rays and/or gamma rays produced by interaction of neutrons from a neutron source with the earth formation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for downhole formation testing using a spectrometer includes a carrier conveyable into a well borehole that traverses a subterranean formation of interest, a plurality of semiconductor light sources disposed on the carrier, a fluid sample cell that receives light emitted from the plurality of semiconductor light sources, and at least one photodetector that detects light emitted from the plurality of semiconductor light sources and after the light interacts with a fluid in the fluid sample cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of a subterranean material, the apparatus including: a photon induced emission device configured to be disposed in a borehole penetrating the subterranean material and to provide an output related to an induced emission interaction with a received photon that generates an electron that is used for providing the output; wherein the output is used for estimating the property.

Abstract: A photodiode whose long-wavelength cutoff is in the short-wavelength range (preferably, between ultraviolet and yellowish-green) having reduced temperature sensitivity is used in downhole applications. It may be matched with scintillation devices having an output matched to the response curve of the photodiode for use with nuclear logging devices. The photodiode may also be used in gyroscopes in which light from an LED matched to the photodiode is reflected from a spinning mass.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of a fluid downhole, is provided an includes: an optical fiber that receives light emitted from a light source and including an unclad portion adapted for contacting the fluid; a photodetector for receiving optical signals from the portion; and a spectrometer for obtaining an evanescent spectrum of the fluid from the portion. A method and a system are included.

Abstract: A device for sampling fluid from an earth formation is disclosed. The device includes: an inlet port disposable in fluid communication with the fluid in a borehole; an injector including an injection chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port, the injector configured to receive a portion of the fluid and direct the fluid toward an analysis unit for analyzing constituent materials in the fluid; and a high pressure valve configured to admit the portion of the fluid at a borehole pressure and release the portion of the fluid into the injector, the portion having a volume that is less than or equal to about one microliter. A system and method for analyzing constituents of fluid in a borehole in an earth formation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for controlling a temperature of a downhole component is disclosed. The system includes: a cooling material in thermal communication with the downhole component; and a container configured to house the cooling material therein, the cooling material configured to undergo an endothermic reaction and decompose at a selected temperature and absorb heat from the downhole component.

Abstract: A system for supplying voltage to a downhole component is disclosed. The system includes: a pyroelectric material disposed in electrical communication with the component, the component configured to be disposed within a borehole in an earth formation; and a heating unit in operable communication with the pyroelectric material and configured to change a temperature of the pyroelectric material and cause the pyroelectric material to generate a voltage to activate the component. A method of supplying voltage to a downhole component is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a measurement in a borehole penetrating the earth, the apparatus including: a logging tool; an enclosed instrument cell disposed at the logging tool, the instrument cell being configured to perform the measurement; and a fill liquid disposed in the cell wherein the fill liquid remains in a liquid state and is nonflammable from 20° C. to 300° C.

Abstract: A method to correct for a systematic error of a sensor having a plurality of accelerometers configured to measure gravitational acceleration, the method including: rotating the plurality of accelerometers about a first axis; obtaining a first set of calibration measurements from the plurality of accelerometers from the rotation about the first axis; determining a first systematic error for each accelerometer in the plurality using the first set of calibration measurements; and removing the first systematic error from sensor measurements to correct for the systematic error.

Abstract: A downhole laser measurement system useful for evaluating the chemical or elemental composition of geologic formations or formation fluids or interrogating a fiber optic sensor includes a pressure housing, wherein the pressure housing further includes a laser disposed in communication with a laser temperature control chamber; a laser light feedthrough; and an optical sensor array. An associated method of using a laser measurement system in a downhole well bore includes disposing a laser measurement system downhole in a well bore; using the laser to create a laser light, and then outputting the light to an optical sensor array.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring gravitational acceleration from within a borehole, the instrument including: a light source having a semiconductor that comprises a bandgap greater than about two electron volts (eV); and a gravimeter for receiving light from the light source and providing output light with a characteristic related to the gravitational acceleration, the gravimeter implemented at least one of a nano electro-mechanical system (NEMS) and a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS); wherein the light source and the gravimeter are disposed in a housing adapted for insertion into the borehole.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for use in measuring the pressure within fluids. The sensor comprises a medium whose material has a low coefficient of thermal expansion. The pressure can be measured by observing how signals pass through the medium at some unknown pressure and then comparing the observations to how the signals pass through the medium at a known pressure. The signals can be acoustic waves or light waves.