Acoustic Sliding Sleeve Position Sensing Without Calibration Drift

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for determining the position of sliding sleeves in downhole valves, such as linear variable resistors, face issues with manual calibration, de-coupling, and significant hysteresis, leading to reduced accuracy and reliability, especially in bi-directional measurements.

Innovation Solution

The use of an acoustic device to determine the position of a sliding sleeve within a downhole valve by emitting and detecting vibrations, eliminating the need for mechanical components and reducing hysteresis and drag, allowing for accurate and reliable position sensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a linear variable resistor is used to determine valve position, then the position can be measured, but manual calibration is required and de-coupling problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve position measurementVSAvoidmanual calibration requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical linear variable resistor system with an acoustic measurement system that uses sound waves to detect valve position. This substitution eliminates the need for manual calibration and de-coupling issues by using acoustic impedance changes rather than mechanical resistance changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium to transfer information about valve position. The acoustic waves interact with the valve mechanism and provide position information without requiring direct mechanical contact or calibration, thus resolving the de-coupling and calibration problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a linear variable resistor with magnetic coupling is used, then position measurement is possible, but hysteresis in measurements occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition measurementVSAvoidmeasurement hysteresis

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the magnetic coupling system with an acoustic field-based measurement system. This substitution eliminates hysteresis by using acoustic wave propagation and reflection properties that do not exhibit magnetic hysteresis effects, providing more reliable and consistent position measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If more moving parts are added to improve measurement capability, then measurement functionality increases, but reliability decreases due to more moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement functionalityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical moving parts with an acoustic field-based sensing system. This substitution maintains measurement functionality while improving reliability by eliminating mechanical wear, friction, and failure modes associated with moving parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses acoustic wave reflections to create information copies about valve position without requiring physical contact or moving parts. The acoustic waves bounce off different valve positions and carry position information back to the sensor, providing versatile measurement capability without mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method increases the accuracy and reliability of determining the position of sliding sleeves, reduces the risk of mechanical failure, and provides a decoupling-free system, enabling precise control of fluid flow and improved well operation.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting an excitation into a linearly translating member through one or more couplers from an acoustic device disposed in an outer housing, recording a reflected excitation from the linearly translating member with the acoustic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

recording a reflected excitation from the linearly translating member with the acoustic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11668410B2Valve position sensing using acoustics

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A method and system for determining a position of a linearly translating member. The method may comprise transmitting an excitation into a linearly translating member through one or more couplers from an acoustic device disposed in an outer housing, recording a reflected excitation from the linearly translating member with the acoustic device, and identifying a position of the linearly translating member with respect to the acoustic device. The system may comprise an outer housing, a linearly translating member disposed within the outer housing, an acoustic device disposed in the outer housing and configured to transmit an excitation at various frequencies and various amplitudes and record returned excitation frequencies and amplitudes and time of travel, and an information handling system in communication with the acoustic device.