Method and apparatus for coupling seismic sensors to a borehole wall
Abstract
A method and apparatus suitable for coupling seismic or other downhole sensors to a borehole wall in high temperature and pressure environments. In one embodiment, one or more metal bellows mounted to a sensor module are inflated to clamp the sensor module within the borehole and couple an associated seismic sensor to a borehole wall. Once the sensing operation is complete, the bellows are deflated and the sensor module is unclamped by deflation of the metal bellows. In a further embodiment, a magnetic drive pump in a pump module is used to supply fluid pressure for inflating the metal bellows using borehole fluid or fluid from a reservoir. The pump includes a magnetic drive motor configured with a rotor assembly to be exposed to borehole fluid pressure including a rotatable armature for driving an impeller and an associated coil under control of electronics isolated from borehole pressure.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1175279
- Patent Number(s):
- 6868035
- Application Number:
- 10/288,963
- Assignee:
- Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LCC (Idaho Falls, ID)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10S - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01V - GEOPHYSICS
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-99ID13727
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 42 ENGINEERING
Citation Formats
West, Phillip B. Method and apparatus for coupling seismic sensors to a borehole wall. United States: N. p., 2005.
Web.
West, Phillip B. Method and apparatus for coupling seismic sensors to a borehole wall. United States.
West, Phillip B. Tue .
"Method and apparatus for coupling seismic sensors to a borehole wall". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1175279.
@article{osti_1175279,
title = {Method and apparatus for coupling seismic sensors to a borehole wall},
author = {West, Phillip B.},
abstractNote = {A method and apparatus suitable for coupling seismic or other downhole sensors to a borehole wall in high temperature and pressure environments. In one embodiment, one or more metal bellows mounted to a sensor module are inflated to clamp the sensor module within the borehole and couple an associated seismic sensor to a borehole wall. Once the sensing operation is complete, the bellows are deflated and the sensor module is unclamped by deflation of the metal bellows. In a further embodiment, a magnetic drive pump in a pump module is used to supply fluid pressure for inflating the metal bellows using borehole fluid or fluid from a reservoir. The pump includes a magnetic drive motor configured with a rotor assembly to be exposed to borehole fluid pressure including a rotatable armature for driving an impeller and an associated coil under control of electronics isolated from borehole pressure.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2005},
month = {3}
}