Abstract: An apparatus for determining density of fluid returning from a wellbore (“return fluid”) during drilling of the wellbore being drilled using a drill string having a drill bit at an end thereof is disclosed. The apparatus in one embodiment includes a first nucleonic densitometer placed on outside of a return line carrying the return fluid from the wellbore that includes drilling fluid supplied to the drill string and cuttings cut by the drill bit during drilling of the wellbore and a processor that determines the density the return fluid from measurements provided by first nucleonic densitometer.

Abstract: In situ density and compressibility of a fluid sample are determined for a fluid sample collected downhole. The density and compressibility of the fluid sampled is determined by measuring a distance to a piston contained within the sample chamber using an external magnetic field sensor that senses a magnetic field emanating from a magnet provided on the piston internal to the sample chamber. The testing is performed quickly and at the surface in a noninvasive fashion (e.g., without opening the sample chamber).

Abstract: In situ density and compressibility of a fluid sample are determined for a fluid sample collected downhole. The density and compressibility of the fluid sampled is determined by measuring a distance to a piston contained within the sample chamber using an external magnetic field sensor that senses a magnetic field emanating from a magnet provided on the piston internal to the sample chamber. The testing is performed quickly and at the surface in a noninvasive fashion (e.g., without opening the sample chamber).

Abstract: A self-regulating bubble tube assembly is used for determining the hydrostatic pressure exerted by fluids, such as drilling mud. The bubble tube assembly can be used to determine fluid level based upon said hydrostatic pressure and when bubble tubes are used in pairs can be used to determine a pressure differential that will indicate the density of the fluid. The bubble tube assembly comprises a flow of air directed through a diaphragm type pressure regulator. The pressure regulator output is connected to the bubble tube, which is partially submerged in the fluid, through a precision, in-line, flow limiting orifice. A feedback line from the bubble tube runs to one side of the diaphragm of the pressure regulator where the back pressure from the tube will regulate the output pressure from the regulator to maintain a pre-selected constant rate of air flow through the bubble tube.

Abstract: An installation and method for determining the level and density of a liquid in a tank. A reference probe leads into the tank, above the liquid. A single bubble probe is connected by a valve to the reference probe. The bubble probe extends into the tank and has a widened section disposed in the liquid. Compressed air is injected into the reference probe and the bubble probe. In an initial state, the valve is opened and there is no pressure difference between the reference probe and the bubble probe. The valve is then closed and the pressure difference between the reference probe and the bubble probe is measured. The level and density of the liquid is determined from measured values of the pressure difference.

Abstract: A method and handheld apparatus for the measurement of liquid density comprising a handheld enclosure which encases a differential pressure transducer having each pressure orifice connected by separate tees to separate hollow bubble tubes. Each bubble tube is connected on one end to a common micro-pump providing a balanced and relatively constant gas flow in each hollow bubble tube. The other ends of the bubble robes are terminated outside of the enclosure at relatively fixed and different distances from the enclosure in an arrangement that provides for the bubble tubes to be encased in a free hanging probe that will hang substantially vertical and will access liquid chamber diameters down to 1/4 inch. The apparatus measures density by vertically orienting the open ends of each hollow bubble tube in a liquid and measuring the differential pressure at the open ends of the bubble tubes created by the weight of the liquid at their respective depths.

Abstract: A warning system alerts a driver of a motor vehicle to different types of traction losses. A first sensing circuit (10) detects a loss of wheel adhesion by monitoring a vehicle drive line for a pronounced vibration within a range of between ten and fifteen hertz. A second sensing circuit (12) monitors a brake light circuit to detect application of a vehicle brake. A logic circuit (28) combines outputs (A and B) from the first and second sensing circuits and outputs command signals (C and D) that distinguish between a loss of wheel adhesion due to wheel skidding and a loss of wheel adhesion due to wheel slipping. A warning device includes two indicators (36 and 38) that receive the respective command signals and produce sensorially distinguishable warning signals for eliciting different responses from the driver.

Abstract: A system to determine fluid level in a tank using several tubes extending to different levels in the tank. Gas pressure in the tubes needed to release bubbles from the exit ends of the tubes indicates the hydrostatic head at the exit ends. A control unit compares the pressures in the tubes to find the highest fluid immersed bubbler tube. The proportion of fluid above the immersed tube is calculated from the pressure and added to the height of the immersed tube to get the total fluid depth. A spring loaded fixed length member, magnetically attached to the bottom of the tank, reliably secures the exit ends of the tubes at known fixed vertical locations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring, particularly remotely, a first composition-dependent physical property, such as bubble rise velocity or dynamic viscosity, of a fluid comprising a container for holding the fluid at a certain level in order to form a surface on the fluid; a bubble delivery tube for introducing into the fluid at a first depth a first bubble having a first size; a vacuum pump for generating a carrier gas stream; a hood for capturing in the carrier gas stream the first bubble as it leaves the surface of the fluid; and detector in the path of travel of the carrier gas stream to detect the first bubble in order to determine the time of transit of the bubble from first depth to the surface of the fluid, so as to enable calculation of the average bubble rise velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding gas into a heated saline solution for pressure measurement or to pump this solution. The gas is introduced into the solution through a gas bubbling-in pipe having a gas outlet opening. The gas is heated prior to being introduced into the solution and is charged with moisture until the saturation of the gas comes close to or corresponds to the saturation conditions in the solution at the gas outlet opening. This minimizes clogging by crystallization at the feeder pipes carrying the measuring or purge gas.

Abstract: Method and system for measuring vertical density profile of fluid by pressurizing an array of pipes, determining level and pressure signals on each pipe and deriving profile therefrom.

Abstract: A microprocessor based instrument is provided for measuring liquid level, specific gravity, or density.The instrument includes a mainframe controller, a remote sensor, and two sets of dip tube assemblies, one for each of two measurement channels. The instrument allows the operator to control both the time at which a bubble is released from one of the dip tubes into a liquid and also the size of the purge bubble which is released. By controlling the timing of bubble release, the pressure within a dip tube can be measured after the system has been allowed to quiet down. If a pair of dip tubes is employed within the same vessel, the differential pressure can be measured when the pneumatic line pressure variations have reached steady state, that is after the gas flow into the dip tubes has been discontinued.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing hydrostatic pressure in a fluid, forming a head for a bubble tube for immersion into the fluid. The head is formed of a plate having a flat lower surface for horizontal disposition within a liquid, a first orifice for introducing a gas under pressure from above the plate whereby the gas can form a bubble under the plate within the liquid. The effect of the plate is as a surface on which a stable sessile bubble of a variable size can be grown. This results in a bubble having a substantially increased radius of curvature at its interface, that is, the gas/liquid interface, on the underside of the bubble than previously obtainable. A pressure gauge measuring the gas pressure in the tube determines the pressure at the end of the tube within the fluid.

Abstract: A self-cleaning probe for a drilling fluid or drilling mud density-testing apparatus comprises an elongated tube through which pressured air is supplied to a nozzle disposed in the mud-immersed end of the tube. A cleaning plunger is normally disposed in an axially spaced, inoperative position relative to the nozzle and is reciprocated by an actuator mounted on the other end of the tube to pass through the nozzle and thereby remove any deposits of congealed mud from the nozzle bore. In a preferred embodiment, a small quantity of water is introduced in the upper end of the tube concurrently with the actuation of the cleaning plunger. This ensures that the congealed mud in the nozzle bore will be sufficiently hydrated to be easily removed by the cleaning plunger. Additionally, the cleaning plunger may be passed through an elastomeric wiping element which removes congealed mud from the plunger before it is again retracted to its inoperative position relative to the nozzle.

Abstract: A drilling fluid density measurement system uses a continuously operating bubble measurement system for an oil or gas well. A microprocessor correlates the signal output from a differential pressure transmitter connected to a pair of self-cleaning pressure probes which are positioned in a circulating drilling fluid. By manipulating solenoid valves, the microprocessor controls the intermittent zeroing of the output signal from the differential pressure transmitter and controls a periodic level check to determine if the pressure probes are submerged in the drilling fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the pressure within a pulsed column. The device comprises first and second dipping tubes respectively issuing into the column at the level of points P.sub.1 and P.sub.2, means for introducing a gas into each of the tubes and for bubbling it in the column liquid and means for determining the pressure difference between said tubes. The first and second dipping tubes respectively issue into the column via cavities C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 having dimensions such that during pressure variations due to pulsation, the gas-liquid interface is always located in each of said cavities and the variations in the gas-liquid interface level in each cavity are inversely proportional to the densities of the liquids present in each cavity. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the prejudicial influence of pressure variations within the liquid due to pulsation. The device can in particular be used for measuring the interface level in the decanter.

Abstract: A device for determining the density of drilling mud by having one end of a float carried tube 8.34 inches below the surface of the mud. A constant flow of air is supplied to the other end of the tube. The pressure of the air entering the tube, when air bubbles appear at the surface of the mud, is indicative of the density. The tube is maintained vertical by passing the tube through the grooves of a group of pulley wheels.

Abstract: A method of ascertaining the state inside a melting furnace of a radioactive waste, which method comprises: blowing a gas into a molten matter in the melting furnace by using at least two slender tubes disposed at an upper and lower points with a gap .DELTA.h between said points; detecting a back pressure difference .DELTA.P at the slender tubes to determine the density .rho. of the molten matter; and determining the level h of the molten matter in the furnace using the density .rho.. It is also possible to detect the formation of a bridge inside the furnace due to a non-molten solid matter of the waste charged into the furnace.

Abstract: A method for determining the specific gravity of a liquid includes introducing a purge stream of a reference liquid into a column and introducing a first vapor purge stream into a first sensor located below the level of the reference liquid. Then a second vapor purge stream is introduced into a second sensor located below the level of the reference liquid sensor and a measurement of the difference in pressure between the two sensors is indicative of the specific gravity of the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus which utilizes pipes of different lengths oriented vertically within the fluid of a reservoir which are constantly pressured with a gas source, normally air. Since the pipes are of different length, but the pressure is the same, a different back pressure will occur in the longer pipe as compared to the shorter pipe due to the differing head of fluid which must be displaced by the gas to slowly bubble out of the lower end of the pipes. This pressure differential is then read and the calculations applied, either from a table or constantly monitored through a computer, to measure the pressure differential and calculate the same in terms of specific gravity. Once the specific gravity is known, the back pressure on either the short pipe or the long pipe can be impairedly calibrated, or calculated by an equation having the specific gravity now known, and then determining from that the back pressure which will vary with the height of the fluid in the reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the density of a liquid or of a suspension of solids in a liquid is disclosed. The apparatus comprises two pressure sensors adapted to be mounted in the liquid so that the two sensors are vertically at predetermined levels apart, a differential pressure transducer, and proper tubings including a differential pressure zeroing device interconnecting the pressure sensors to the differential pressure transducer, for providing an output proportional to the density of the liquid which is compensated for the differential pressure caused by the differential neight of said pressure sensors in the liquid. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the differential pressure zeroing device is a pair of U-tubes filled with liquid and the tubings comprise gas filled tubings interconnecting one branch of each U-tube to respective pressure sensors and the other branch of each U-tube to the differential pressure transducer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and device for measuring the level and the specific gravity of a liquid e.g. liquified methane, contained in large-capacity tanks.The installation comprises two hydrostatic probes for spray a neutral gas into the tank, the first probe emerging near the bottom of the tank and the second slightly below the maximum filling level, a pressure differential/electric voltage transducer each of whose two inputs is connected to a hydrostatic probe, a system for numerically displaying the level and the specific gravity of the liquid contained in the tank, at least one pick-up capable of transmitting a signal when the liquid reaches the predetermined level in the tank, and a device for adjusting the value of the specific gravity of the liquid when the liquid reaches the predetermined level in the tank.