Abstract: A method for determining when to change a lubricating fluid flowing within an apparatus includes monitoring the lubricating fluid flowing within the apparatus by passing radiation through the lubricating fluid from a radiation source. The lubricating fluid is analyzed for a presence of particles in the lubricating fluid based on the radiation passing through the lubricating fluid. A concentration of the particles in the lubricating fluid is determined when the presence of particles is detected. An alert to change the lubricating fluid is generated when the concentration of particles in the lubricating fluid exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed that provide chemical composition data of a fluid. The system includes a first downhole electro-opto-mechanical device to transmit microwave radiation through the fluid. The microwave radiation is generated by the first downhole electro-opto-mechanical device in response to a first light signal. A second downhole electro-opto-mechanical device receives the microwave radiation and generates a second light signal in response to the received microwave radiation. A light detection device is coupled to the second downhole electro-opto-mechanical device to generate an electrical signal in response to the second light signal. The electrical signal is indicative of the chemical composition of the fluid.

Abstract: A method and system can include positioning an optical waveguide along a wellbore, and launching one or more optical signals into the waveguide at one or more optical signal frequencies and during one or more time periods, thereby resulting in one or more backscattered signals being received by the receiver, which produces a trace for each of the one of more backscattered signals. Changing an environmental condition in the wellbore, generating additional backscattered light signals at one or more frequencies after the change. Comparing the traces generated before the condition change to those generated after the change, identifying a before trace and an after trace that are substantially equal to each other and identifying a frequency difference between these traces. The frequency difference can be used to determine the amount of change in the environmental condition that occurred when the environmental change event happened.

Abstract: A method for determining when to change a lubricating fluid flowing within an apparatus includes monitoring the lubricating fluid flowing within the apparatus by passing radiation through the lubricating fluid from a radiation source. The lubricating fluid is analyzed for a presence of particles in the lubricating fluid based on the radiation passing through the lubricating fluid. A concentration of the particles in the lubricating fluid is determined when the presence of particles is detected. An alert to change the lubricating fluid is generated when the concentration of particles in the lubricating fluid exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A method and system can include positioning an optical waveguide along a wellbore, and launching one or more optical signals into the waveguide at one or more optical signal frequencies and during one or more time periods, thereby resulting in one or more backscattered signals being received by the receiver, which produces a trace for each of the one of more backscattered signals. Changing an environmental condition in the wellbore, generating additional backscattered light signals at one or more frequencies after the change. Comparing the traces generated before the condition change to those generated after the change, identifying a before trace and an after trace that are substantially equal to each other and identifying a frequency difference between these traces. The frequency difference can be used to determine the amount of change in the environmental condition that occurred when the environmental change event happened.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed that provide chemical composition data of a fluid. The system includes a first downhole electro-opto-mechanical device to transmit microwave radiation through the fluid. The microwave radiation is generated by the first downhole electro-opto-mechanical device in response to a first light signal. A second downhole electro-opto-mechanical device receives the microwave radiation and generates a second light signal in response to the received microwave radiation. A light detection device is coupled to the second downhole electro-opto-mechanical device to generate an electrical signal in response to the second light signal. The electrical signal is indicative of the chemical composition of the fluid.

Abstract: A method and system can include positioning an optical waveguide along a wellbore, and launching one or more optical signals into the waveguide at one or more optical signal frequencies and during one or more time periods, thereby resulting in one or more backscattered signals being received by the receiver, which produces a trace for each of the one of more backscattered signals. Changing an environmental condition in the wellbore, generating additional backscattered light signals at one or more frequencies after the change. Comparing the traces generated before the condition change to those generated after the change, identifying a before trace and an after trace that are substantially equal to each other and identifying a frequency difference between these traces. The frequency difference can be used to determine the amount of change in the environmental condition that occurred when the environmental change event happened.

Abstract: A submersible vehicle is provided which includes a housing, an optical fiber coupled with the housing and communicatively coupled with a data acquisition system, and a propulsion system. The propulsion system is configured to propel the submersible vehicle in a fluid at a velocity. The optical fiber is configured to be released at a release rate equal to or greater than the velocity of the submersible vehicle.

Abstract: To optimize the efficiency and reliability of downhole data transmissions, an optical splash communication system may be utilized. A downhole tool may include an optical splash communication system that comprises multiple electrical elements where the electrical elements communicate with each other by transmitting and receiving via free space an optical splash signal through an inner space of the downhole tool. The electrical elements may comprise or be coupled to a light source and a detector. Multiple optical splash communication systems may be deployed in multiple downhole tools such that each downhole tool may communicate with another downhole tool via an opening, for example, a transparent sealed window, between the downhole tools. The opening is sufficient to permit transmissions to occur even when the downhole tools are rotated independently of each other.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for generating electromagnetic waves such as terahertz waves. The apparatus may comprise a finger structure having a plurality of conductive lines, wherein at least two of the plurality of conductive lines is separated by photosensitive material, a plurality of detectors, and a capacitor having a plurality of conductive lines separated by a dielectric material. Light from a laser incident on the photosensitive material causes free carriers in the photosensitive material to move to a conduction band and be accelerated by a voltage across the conductive lines of the finger structure applied by the capacitor to produce the terahertz waves.

Abstract: A system, method, and device for determining volume concentration with diffraction of electromagnetic radiation. A device for determining a volume concentration of a fluid in a sample comprises a transducer, a transmitter, a detector, and a processor. The transducer generates a standing acoustic wave through the sample. The transmitter emits electromagnetic (EM) radiation into the sample such that the EM radiation is diffracted by the sample. The detector is responsive to the diffracted EM radiation and generates a signal indicative of a wavelength of an acoustic wave corresponding to the standing acoustic wave. The processor analyzes the signal to determine the volume concentration of the fluid in the sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods for terahertz modulation in a terahertz frequency band from about 0.1 terahertz to about 10 terahertz propagating in a wellbore intersecting a subterranean earth formation. A transmitter generates the EM radiation in the terahertz frequency band. A modulator located in the wellbore receives the EM radiation and generates an amplitude modulated signal with the EM radiation.

Abstract: A system and method for making measurements inside a wellbore makes use of a diamond crystal with a nitrogen vacancy center (NV-center) to sense temperature, pressure, magnetic fields, strain, electric fields, or other parameters of the downhole environment. The system includes a microwave source that can be positioned to produce microwaves inside the wellbore and a light source that can be positioned to produce interrogation light inside the wellbore. The NV-center of the diamond is struck by the interrogation light. A spectrometer can be adapted to receive the excitation light output from the NV-center and produce a spectrum of the excitation light. The spectrum is indicative of the value of the parameter inside the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for generating electromagnetic waves such as terahertz waves. The apparatus may comprise a finger structure having a plurality of conductive lines, wherein at least two of the plurality of conductive lines is separated by photosensitive material, a plurality of detectors, and a capacitor having a plurality of conductive lines separated by a dielectric material. Light from a laser incident on the photosensitive material causes free carriers in the photosensitive material to move to a conduction band and be accelerated by a voltage across the conductive lines of the finger structure applied by the capacitor to produce the terahertz waves.

Abstract: A submersible vehicle is provided which includes a housing, an optical fiber coupled with the housing and communicatively coupled with a data acquisition system, and a propulsion system. The propulsion system is configured to propel the submersible vehicle in a fluid at a velocity. The optical fiber is configured to be released at a release rate equal to or greater than the velocity of the submersible vehicle.

Abstract: A plug may be deployed within a pipeline along with a fluid. The plug is coupled to a fiber optic line dispensed from fiber optic dispenser located outside or within the pipeline. The plug may transmit a signal via the fiber optic line that is indicative of the location of the plug within the pipeline. The signal may comprise light pulses associated with the traversal of a pipeline joint by the plug. The location may allow the plug to be reclaimed efficiently and economically should the plug become lodged within the pipeline. The plug may communicate other measurement information via the fiber optic line and this information may be used to adjust operational parameters associated with the pipeline.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for terahertz spectroscopy to analyze a sample. The device comprises a transmitter, a waveguide, a receiver, and a processor. The transmitter generates electromagnetic (EM) radiation in a terahertz frequency band from about 0.1 terahertz to about 10 terahertz. The waveguide propagates the EM radiation generated from the transmitter and houses the sample to attenuate the EM radiation. The receiver is in communication with the waveguide and generates a signal in response to EM radiation propagating in the waveguide. The processor analyzes the signal to identify a parameter associated with the sample.

Abstract: A system and method for making measurements inside a wellbore makes use of a diamond crystal with a nitrogen vacancy center (NV-center) to sense temperature, pressure, magnetic fields, strain, electric fields, or other parameters of the downhole environment. The system includes a microwave source that can be positioned to produce microwaves inside the wellbore and a light source that can be positioned to produce interrogation light inside the wellbore. The NV-center of the diamond is struck by the interrogation light. A spectrometer can be adapted to receive the excitation light output from the NV-center and produce a spectrum of the excitation light. The spectrum is indicative of the value of the parameter inside the wellbore.

Abstract: To optimize the efficiency and reliability of downhole data transmissions, an optical splash communication system may be utilized. A downhole tool may include an optical splash communication system that comprises multiple electrical elements where the electrical elements communicate with each other by transmitting and receiving via free space an optical splash signal through an inner space of the downhole tool. The electrical elements may comprise or be coupled to a light source and a detector. Multiple optical splash communication systems may be deployed in multiple downhole tools such that each downhole tool may communicate with another downhole tool via an opening, for example, a transparent sealed window, between the downhole tools. The opening is sufficient to permit transmissions to occur even when the downhole tools are rotated independently of each other.

Abstract: A pipe has a longitudinal axis. A flex board extends along the longitudinal axis within the pipe and curls around the longitudinal axis. A cross-section of the flex board perpendicular to the longitudinal axis has a flex-board curve shape that has a first section on a first side of a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second section on a second side of the line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first section has a first section shape and the second section has a second section shape. A first conductive stripe is coupled to the flex board, extends along the longitudinal axis, and follows the contour of the first section of the flex board. A second conductive stripe is coupled to the flex board, extends along the longitudinal axis, and follows the contour of the second section of the flex board.