Abstract: A system and method are described which are useful for monitoring parameters of drilling fluid within a drilling system comprising a drilling assembly. The drilling assembly is connected between a drilling platform and a wellhead and is useful for more safely drilling a wellbore necessary for hydrocarbon exploration and production by signaling the occurrence of a kick. The drilling assembly comprises a reader module for reading data information of at least one RF tag dispersed in a returned drilling fluid. The data information of the RF tag is transmitted to a controller via a communication link to calculate related parameters of the returned drilling fluid. A method for monitoring parameters of drilling fluid, and an allied blowout preventer for a drilling system are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for early kick detection in a drilling system with a drilling fluid loop, comprising: collecting flow-in rate and flow-out rate of a drilling fluid; calibrating the flow-out rate to obtain a calibrated flow-out rate of the drilling fluid; determining a flow rate difference between the flow-in rate and the calibrated flow-out rate of the drilling fluid; and identifying the kicks based on the flow rate difference. The present disclosure also relates to an apparatus for early kick detection in a drilling system with a drilling fluid loop.

Abstract: Transducer assembly for an offshore drilling riser, in an example, includes a spool for connecting into the riser and a protrusion extending around the side wall of the spool. A recess extends around the protrusion between upper and lower sloping surfaces. Upper transducer bores are spaced around the protrusion and extend from the upper sloping surface downward and inward into the spool bore and lower transducer bores extend from the lower sloping surface upward and inward into the spool bore. A base of a rigid non-metallic material is located in each of the transducer bores. A seal ring extends around a cylindrical exterior portion of each of the bases and one of the transducer bores. An acoustic transducer element is mounted to the outer end of each of the bases. The transducer assembly can detect drilling fluid and form sealing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter system includes a conduit defining a channel, at least one pair of first transducers, at least one second transducer, and a processor. The pair of first transducers is mounted on the conduit and includes a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer for generating a first responsive signal. The transmitting transducer and the receiving transducer are arranged on a chordal path. The second transducer is mounted on the conduit for generating a second responsive signal. The processor is configured to receive the first responsive signal and the second responsive signal, select one responsive signal according to a relationship of the first responsive signal and noise thereof and a relationship of the second responsive signal and noise thereof, and determine a flow rate of a flow medium according to the selected responsive signal. A method for measuring the flow rate of the fluid medium is also provided.

Abstract: A measurement method comprising: transmitting a plurality of ultrasonic signals to the fluid to be measured; receiving an return signal reflected or scattered from the particles in the fluid under test; calculating a one or more calculated values of the R parameter associated with the particle properties based on the return signal; determining the theoretical curve of the R parameter associated with the particle properties; and determining the mean diameter of the particles in the fluid based on the one or more calculated values of the R parameter and the theoretical curve of the R parameter; determining the mass concentration of the particles in the fluid according to the mean diameter of the particles. Embodiments also provide a measurement system for measuring the mean diameter and mass concentration of the particles.

Abstract: A sensing sub-assembly for use with a drilling assembly that includes a cylindrical body including an internal flow channel extending therethrough. The internal flow channel is configured to channel a first fluid therethrough. A recessed cavity is also defined therein. The recessed cavity is coupled in flow communication with an ambient environment exterior of the cylindrical body, and a second fluid flows within the ambient environment. The recessed cavity is configured to receive a continuous stream of the second fluid therethrough. At least one sensor is coupled to the cylindrical body, and the at least one sensor is configured to determine characteristics of the second fluid in the continuous stream that flows through the recessed cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for calculation of flow rate comprising at least two ultrasonic sensors, ultrasonic transmit receive device, and signal processing device. At least two ultrasonic sensors are installed on the pipe where the fluid is flowing through, and at least two ultrasonic sensors contain different ultrasonic beam paths, further, the ultrasonic beam paths of at least two ultrasonic sensors contain the overlap area. The ultrasonic transmit and receive device is used to actuate at least two ultrasonic sensors, and is used to transmit one or multiple ultrasonic signals to pipes via one or multiple of at least two ultrasonic sensors, further, to receive ultrasonic signal via at least two ultrasonic sensors. The signal processing device is used to process the ultrasonic signal received, further, to calculate the flow rate of the fluid precisely.

Abstract: Transducer assembly for an offshore drilling riser, in an example, includes a spool for connecting into the riser and a protrusion extending around the side wall of the spool. A recess extends around the protrusion between upper and lower sloping surfaces. Upper transducer bores are spaced around the protrusion and extend from the upper sloping surface downward and inward into the spool bore and lower transducer bores extend from the lower sloping surface upward and inward into the spool bore. A base of a rigid non-metallic material is located in each of the transducer bores. A seal ring extends around a cylindrical exterior portion of each of the bases and one of the transducer bores. An acoustic transducer element is mounted to the outer end of each of the bases. The transducer assembly can detect drilling fluid and form sealing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a transmitting and receiving device for an ultrasonic system, which comprises a transmitter, a receiver and at least two switch circuits connected in series. The transmitter is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer and generates high voltage signals to the ultrasonic transducer during a transmitting mode. The receiver is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer via the at least two switch circuits and receives low voltage signals from the ultrasonic transducer during a receiving mode. The at least two switch circuits are configured to share voltage drop of the high voltage signals to isolate the high voltage signals during the transmitting mode and allow the low voltage signals to pass through during the receiving mode. It also discloses an ultrasonic system having the transmitting and receiving device.

Abstract: A riser joint system, comprising: a riser joint assembly defining a channel and comprising a first ultrasound module for transmitting a first ultrasound signal to obtain first ultrasound data and a second ultrasound module for transmitting a second ultrasound signal to obtain second ultrasound data, wherein a beam direction of the first ultrasound signal is perpendicular to an axial line of the channel and a beam direction of the second ultrasound signal is oblique to the axial line of the channel; and a processing module for receiving the first ultrasound data and the second ultrasound data and obtaining first information and second information. A well drilling system and a method for the well drilling system are also described.

Abstract: A kick detection system for drilling a well including an ultrasonic module for transmitting signals to a returning drilling fluid from the well, and receiving corresponding backscatter signals; and a process apparatus for obtaining a flow characteristic of the returning drilling fluid based on the backscatter signals, and detecting a kick based on the flow characteristic of the returning drilling fluid and drilling related data. A well drilling system including a drilling string for guiding a drilling bit and a drilling fluid to a well; a conduit defining a channel for accommodating the drilling string and a returning drilling fluid from the well; and the kick detection system. A kick detection method is also described.

Abstract: A measurement method comprising: transmitting a plurality of ultrasonic signals to the fluid to be measured; receiving an return signal reflected or scattered from the particles in the fluid under test; calculating a one or more calculated values of the R parameter associated with the particle properties based on the return signal; determining the theoretical curve of the R parameter associated with the particle properties; and determining the mean diameter of the particles in the fluid based on the one or more calculated values of the R parameter and the theoretical curve of the R parameter; determining the mass concentration of the particles in the fluid according to the mean diameter of the particles. Embodiments also provide a measurement system for measuring the mean diameter and mass concentration of the particles.

Abstract: A system and method for calculation of flow rate comprising at least two ultrasonic sensors, ultrasonic transmit receive device, and signal processing device. At least two ultrasonic sensors are installed on the pipe where the fluid is flowing through, and at least two ultrasonic sensors contain different ultrasonic beam paths, further, the ultrasonic beam paths of at least two ultrasonic sensors contain the overlap area. The ultrasonic transmit and receive device is used to actuate at least two ultrasonic sensors, and is used to transmit one or multiple ultrasonic signals to pipes via one or multiple of at least two ultrasonic sensors, further, to receive ultrasonic signal via at least two ultrasonic sensors. The signal processing device is used to process the ultrasonic signal received, further, to calculate the flow rate of the fluid precisely.

Abstract: A method of measuring a flow rate of a fluid flowing in a space between an outer conduit and an inner element in the outer conduit is provided. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received through the space between multiple pairs of ultrasonic transducers along multiple propagation paths, respectively. A mean line velocity of the fluid is calculated based on data from each pair of ultrasonic transducers. As such, multiple mean line velocities across the space are obtained. The flow rate of the fluid is calculated based on the multiple mean line velocities.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter system includes a conduit defining a channel, at least one pair of first transducers, at least one second transducer, and a processor. The pair of first transducers is mounted on the conduit and includes a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer for generating a first responsive signal. The transmitting transducer and the receiving transducer are arranged on a chordal path. The second transducer is mounted on the conduit for generating a second responsive signal. The processor is configured to receive the first responsive signal and the second responsive signal, select one responsive signal according to a relationship of the first responsive signal and noise thereof and a relationship of the second responsive signal and noise thereof, and determine a flow rate of a flow medium according to the selected responsive signal. A method for measuring the flow rate of the fluid medium is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method are described which are useful for monitoring parameters of drilling fluid within a drilling system comprising a drilling assembly. The drilling assembly is connected between a drilling platform and a wellhead and is useful for more safely drilling a wellbore necessary for hydrocarbon exploration and production by signaling the occurrence of a kick. The drilling assembly comprises a reader module for reading data information of at least one RF tag dispersed in a returned drilling fluid. The data information of the RF tag is transmitted to a controller via a communication link to calculate related parameters of the returned drilling fluid. A method for monitoring parameters of drilling fluid, and an allied blowout preventer for a drilling system are also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a fluid conduit configured to couple with one or more pipes and an ultrasonic transducer mounted on the conduit. The conduit includes a main body defining a flow channel and a thermal barrier coupled to the main body. The thermal barrier includes an organic polymeric material and is configured to thermally isolate the ultrasonic transducer from the flow channel.

Abstract: An ultrasonic signal transmitting and receiving circuit assembly includes first and second transmitter circuits, first and second receiver circuits, and first and second poles each for coupling with an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic signal transmitting and receiving circuit assembly further includes a switching circuit having a first switch for selectively connecting the first transmitter and receiver circuits to the first or second pole, and a second switch for selectively connecting the second transmitter and receiver circuits to the first or second pole.

Abstract: A communication method for use by an input/output (I/O) scanner coupled to a programmable logic controller (PLC) includes coupling at least one I/O module to a backplane, and coupling a maintenance module to the backplane. The communication method also includes selectively enabling and disabling communication between the backplane and the at least one I/O module by actuating a switch in the maintenance module such that network communication is maintained by a network interface regardless of whether communication between the backplane and the at least one I/O module is enabled.

Abstract: A programmable logic processor (PLC) with multiple PLC functions is disclosed. The PLC includes at least one memory storing at least one of a plurality of programs or data, and one or more processor assigned to each of the PLC function and couple to the memory. The PLC functions are run in parallel. A method of operating the PLC and a PLC system with multiple processors are also disclosed.