Patent•
Fluid parameter measurement in pipes using acoustic pressures
28 Jun 1999-
TL;DR: In this article, a spatial array of acoustic pressure sensors (14, 16, 18) placed at predetermined axial locations x1,x2,x3 along the pipe is used to measure the speed of sound amix.
Abstract: At least one parameter of at least one fluid in a pipe (12) is measured using a spatial array of acoustic pressure sensors (14, 16, 18) placed at predetermined axial locations x1,x2,x3 along the pipe (12). The pressure sensors (14, 16, 18) provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t), P2(t), P3(t) on lines (20, 22, 24) which are provided to signal processing logic (60) which determines the speed of sound amix of the fluid (or mixture) in the pipe (12) using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques with the direction of propagation of the acoustic signals along the longitudinal axis of the pipe (12). Numerous spatial array processing techniques may be employed to determined the speed of sound amix. The speed of sound amix is provided to logic (48) which calculates the percent composition of the mixture, e.g., water fraction, or any other parameter of the mixture or fluid which is related to the sound speed amix. The logic (60) may also determine the mach number (MX) of the fluid. The acoustic pressure signals P1(t), P2(t), P3(t) measured are lower frequency (and longer wavelength) signals than those used for ultrasonic flow meters, and thus is more tolerant to inhomogeneities in the flow. No external source is required and thus may operate using passive listening. The invention will work with arbitrary sensor spacing and with as few as two sensors if certain information is known about the acoustic properties of the system.
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07 Dec 2010TL;DR: In this article, a surgical tool system includes an electrosurgical tool for sealing and transecting tissue and a tactile feedback system integrated onto a handle of the tool that generates relevant feedback in at least the form of haptic effects to the user.
Abstract: A surgical tool system includes an electrosurgical tool for sealing and transecting tissue and a tactile feedback system integrated onto a handle of the tool that generates relevant feedback in at least the form of haptic effects to the user. The tactile feedback alerts the user of tissue properties, i.e., when tissue located within jaws of the tool is completely sealed, when the tissue is ready to be cut, the cutting rate or speed, the quantity of tissue located within jaws of the tool, and whether a blood vessel is fully located within jaws of tool. In addition, the tactile feedback alerts the user to the operating status of energy application during the procedure.
330 citations
TL;DR: This paper tries to answer the question of how ultrasonic flowmeters advance in the past fifty years to support claims by looking at ultrasonic Flowmeter inventions and publications since 1955 to see how four key problems were solved.
213 citations
Patent•
05 Sep 2007TL;DR: In this article, a method for drilling a wellbore by injecting drilling fluid through a tubular string disposed in the well-bore, the tubular consisting of a drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof, is described.
Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for drilling a wellbore includes an act of drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore, the tubular string comprising a drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof. The drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit. The drilling fluid and cuttings (returns) flow to a surface of the wellbore via an annulus defined by an outer surface of the tubular string and an inner surface of the wellbore. The method further includes an act performed while drilling the wellbore of measuring a first annulus pressure (FAP) using a pressure sensor attached to a casing string hung from a wellhead of the wellbore. The method further includes an act performed while drilling the wellbore of controlling a second annulus pressure (SAP) exerted on a formation exposed to the annulus.
206 citations
Patent•
30 Jul 2004TL;DR: In this paper, a system and related techniques accept user-inputted search terms to perform a search for files within a file system hierarchy and automatically generate an extension of the search when an initial search fails to produce any results.
Abstract: A system and related techniques accept user-inputted search terms to perform a search for files within a file system hierarchy. A user searches a current level of a file system (120) by entering a search term in a search term input box (112) of a user interface (104). A search box (114) is dynamically created and may present an extension of the search to a different level (122) in the file system in an attempt to locate more or further matching files or hits. The extension of the search may be automatically generated when an initial search fails to produce any results. When the user does select the selectable search box, the user's search may be seamlessly extended to other files, folders, trees or other points or levels in the files system. Search results may be continuously or dynamically updated as the user enters more characters or other data.
185 citations
Patent•
27 Sep 2002TL;DR: In this article, a multiphase flow meter distributed system is described that is capable of measuring phase flow rates of a multi-phase fluid, which includes at least one flow meter disposed along the pipe, an additional sensor disposed along a pipe spatially removed from the flow meter, and a mult-phase flow model that receives flow related parameters from a flow meter and the additional sensor to calculate the phase flow rate.
Abstract: A multiphase flow meter distributed system is disclosed that is capable of measuring phase flow rates of a multiphase fluid. The distributed system includes at least one flow meter disposed along the pipe, an additional sensor disposed along the pipe spatially removed from the flow meter, and a multiphase flow model that receives flow related parameters from the flow meter and the additional sensor to calculate the phase flow rates. The flow meter provides parameters such as pressure, temperature, fluid sound speed and/or velocity of the fluid, and the additional sensor provides a parameter indicative of pressure and or temperature of the fluid. Depending on production needs and the reservoir dimensions, the distributed system may utilize a plurality of flow meters disposed at several locations along the pipe and may further include a plurality of additional sensors as well. The distributed system preferably uses fiber optic sensors with bragg gratings. This enables the system to have a high tolerance for long term exposure to harsh temperature environments and also provides the advantage of multiplexing the flow meters and/or sensors together.
122 citations
References
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TL;DR: The article consists of background material and of the basic problem formulation, and introduces spectral-based algorithmic solutions to the signal parameter estimation problem and contrast these suboptimal solutions to parametric methods.
Abstract: The quintessential goal of sensor array signal processing is the estimation of parameters by fusing temporal and spatial information, captured via sampling a wavefield with a set of judiciously placed antenna sensors. The wavefield is assumed to be generated by a finite number of emitters, and contains information about signal parameters characterizing the emitters. A review of the area of array processing is given. The focus is on parameter estimation methods, and many relevant problems are only briefly mentioned. We emphasize the relatively more recent subspace-based methods in relation to beamforming. The article consists of background material and of the basic problem formulation. Then we introduce spectral-based algorithmic solutions to the signal parameter estimation problem. We contrast these suboptimal solutions to parametric methods. Techniques derived from maximum likelihood principles as well as geometric arguments are covered. Later, a number of more specialized research topics are briefly reviewed. Then, we look at a number of real-world problems for which sensor array processing methods have been applied. We also include an example with real experimental data involving closely spaced emitters and highly correlated signals, as well as a manufacturing application example.
4,410 citations
TL;DR: The use of a fiber Fabry–Perot filter for detecting the wavelength shift of a Fiber Bragg grating sensor or network of sensor elements along a common fiber path is described.
Abstract: The use of a fiber Fabry–Perot filter for detecting the wavelength shift of a fiber Bragg grating sensor or network of sensor elements along a commonfiber path is described. Results obtained by using a system with four sensor elements are presented.
798 citations
01 Jan 1992
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a set of criteria for hearing and human body Vibration in buildings and communities, based on the American System of Units (ASU), and evaluate the damage risk of these criteria.
Abstract: Preface. Contributors. 1. Basic Acoustical Quantities: Levels and Decibels (Leo L. Beranek). 2. Waves and Impedances (Leo L. Beranek). 3. Data Analysis (Allan G. Piersol). 4. Determination of Sound Power Levels and Directivity of Noise Sources (William W. Lang, George C. Maling, Jr., Matthew A. Nobile, and Jiri Tichy). 5. Outdoor Sound Propagation (Ulrich J. Kurze and Grant S. Anderson). 6. Sound in Small Enclosures (Donald J. Nefske and Shung H. Sung). 7. Sound in Rooms (Murray Hodgson and John Bradley). 8. Sound-Absorbing Materials and Sound Absorbers (Keith Attenborough and Istvan L. Ver). 9. Passive Silencers (M. L. Munjal, Anthony G. Galaitsis and Istvan L. Ver). 10. Sound Generation (Istvan L. Ver). 11. Interaction of Sound Waves with Solid Structures (Istvan L. Ver). 12. Enclosures, Cabins, and Wrappings (Istvan L. Ver). 13. Vibration Isolation (Eric E. Ungar and Jeffrey A. Zapfe). 14. Structural Damping (Eric E. Ungar and Jeffrey A. Zapfe). 15. Noise of Gas Flows (H. D. Baumann and W. B. Coney). 16. Prediction of Machinery Noise (Eric W. Wood and James D. Barnes). 17. Noise Control in Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Systems (Alan T. Fry and Douglas H. Sturz). 18. Active Control of Noise and Vibration (Ronald Coleman and Paul J. Remington). 19. Damage Risk Criteria for Hearing and Human Body Vibration (Suzanne D. Smith, Charles W. Nixon and Henning E. Von Gierke). 20. Criteria for Noise in Buildings and Communities (Leo L. Beranek). 21. Acoustical Standards for Noise and Vibration Control (Angelo Campanella, Paul Schomer and Laura Ann Wilber). Appendix A. General References. Appendix B. American System of Units. Appendix C. Conversion Factors. Index.
623 citations
Book•
01 May 1991
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an overview of digital signal processing conventional beamforming optimum detection and estimation in passive order practical implementations of optimum sonar detectors and estimators active sonar conventional passive sonar system matrix processing for sonar mapping matrix algorithms on to processor arrays recent developments glossary.
Abstract: Overview of digital signal processing conventional beamforming optimum detection and estimation in passive order practical implementations of optimum sonar detectors and estimators active sonar conventional passive sonar system matrix processing for sonar mapping matrix algorithms on to processor arrays recent developments glossary.
353 citations