Abstract: In a pipeline inspection system, a hollow spherical ball has an internal ultrasonic vibration module, an internal battery for powering the vibration module, and an internal, wirelessly operated, control for controlling the vibration module while the ball is moving, with liquid, along the pipeline. Liquid, having a reduced oxygen content, is pumped through the pipeline, and filtered before returning to the pipeline. Each of a plurality of holes, connecting the interior to the exterior of the ball, is tapered proceeding in the direction from the interior to the exterior, resulting in the formation of a blade structure where the interior of each hole meets the outer surface of the ball at an inclined angle. When the blade structure is in contact with the wall of the pipe, and caused to vibrate by the vibration module, it is able to cut off scale from the interior of the pipe.

Abstract: A method is provided for non-intrusively determining deposits of a fluidic channel. The method includes creating a pressure pulse in a fluidic channel. The method also includes sensing, by one or more sensors, reflections of the pressure pulse; and obtaining, from the one or more sensors, a measured pressure profile based on the sensed reflections of the pressure pulse. A processor then can determine one or more properties of the deposit in the fluidic channel based on the measured pressure profile.

Abstract: A method of determining changing well characteristics at downhole locations based on changes in detected temperatures by permanently installed downhole sensors. The methods and tools utilized involve the establishing of baseline temperature profiles, for example, at the outset of well operations. The installed sensors may be powered are rechecked on a periodic or continuous basis for substantial deviations to the temperature profiles which are indicative of particular well condition changes such as the depositing of asphaltene or decreases in fluid velocity.

Abstract: Scale identifier systems and methods for generating a log of scale type and location in subterranean formations, and, more particularly, in wellbore tubing are provided. A method for scale identification may be provided. The method may comprise providing a first logging tool comprising a tool body, a neutron source coupled to the tool body, and detectors coupled to the tool body; providing a second logging tool for measuring deviations in inner diameter of a tubing in a wellbore; placing the first logging tool and the second logging tool into the wellbore; logging the interior of the tubing with the first logging tool and the second logging tool to generate data; and generating a log of scale location and type from the data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for position control of a component relative to a surface is disclosed. The method may include calculating an estimated effect of, or derived from, Casimir force acting between the component and the surface, and compensating positioning of the component relative to the surface using the estimated effect.

Abstract: Described is a downhole apparatus for detecting and removing deposits from a surface exposed to wellbore fluids. The apparatus can monitor the rate of deposition and subsequently remove the deposited material. The combination of detection apparatus and removal apparatus provides a downhole instrument with self-cleaning operation mode.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for detecting and removing deposits from a surface exposed to wellbore fluids. The apparatus can monitor the rate of deposition and subsequently remove the deposited material. The combination of detection apparatus and removal apparatus provides an instrument with self-cleaning operation mode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improving the accuracy with which a stationary array sensor provides cross directional measurements by providing an offset compensation to the stationary array sensor using the output of a scanning sensor associated with the manufacturing process. Exemplary embodiments correlate outputs from the stationary sensor array and the scanning array using a data reconciliation process. For example, a practical, real time data reconciliation of measurements from the scanning sensor and measurements from the stationary array sensor is achieved by computing offsets using a bank of Kalman filters to correlate outputs from the two sensors for each measurement zone, wherein each filter possesses a relatively simple computational structure. The Kalman filters can fuse the outputs from the stationary array sensor and the scanning sensor to track, and compensate, drift of the stationary array sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the distance between first and second proximately disposed electrically conductive surfaces is provided in which the force exerted between the first and second surfaces is measured to obtain an exerted force value. A separation distance between the first and second surfaces is determined as a function of the exerted force value.