Non-Invasive Capacitive Pressure Sensor for High-Pressure Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure sensors in hydrocarbon drilling and extraction operations are invasive and less resistant to over-pressurization, making them inadequate for monitoring and controlling high-pressure fluids effectively.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive capacitive pressure measurement system that uses a housing and a core separated by insulative material to form a capacitor, where the housing is exposed to pressurized fluid, compressing the insulative material and changing the capacitance, allowing for pressure measurement without direct contact with the fluid, capable of measuring pressures up to and exceeding 1,000,000 PSI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive pressure sensors are used to monitor high-pressure fluids, then pressure measurement capability is achieved, but the system becomes vulnerable to over-pressurization damage and fluid contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary capacitive sensing mechanism that measures pressure through electromagnetic field interaction with the fluid rather than direct mechanical contact. The capacitor plates are positioned to sense pressure-induced dielectric changes in the fluid without being subjected to the full mechanical stress that would damage invasive sensors, thereby providing reliable measurement while protecting against over-pressurization damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical contact-based pressure sensing system with an electromagnetic field-based capacitive sensing system. Instead of using mechanical elements that directly contact and are damaged by high-pressure fluids, the system uses electrical fields to detect pressure through changes in capacitance caused by dielectric constant variations in the fluid under pressure.
2Measurement precision
If invasive pressure sensors are used, then direct pressure measurement is possible, but the sensors are exposed to harmful high-pressure fluids and over-pressurization
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive sensing system uses the fluid's dielectric properties as an intermediary to transmit pressure information to the sensor. The sensor plates do not contact the fluid directly but instead detect pressure-induced changes in the electromagnetic field through the fluid's dielectric constant, eliminating exposure to harmful high-pressure conditions while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits changes in the dielectric constant of the fluid as pressure changes. By measuring capacitance variations that result from pressure-induced dielectric parameter changes rather than direct mechanical contact, the system achieves accurate pressure measurement while keeping the sensor isolated from harmful high-pressure fluid exposure.
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
Enables accurate and non-invasive pressure measurement of high-pressure fluids, enhancing safety and control in hydrocarbon extraction systems by correlating capacitance changes to fluid pressure, thus overcoming the limitations of invasive sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the housing and a core separated by an insulative material to form a capacitor. In operation, the housing is exposed to a pressurized fluid that compresses the housing radially inward. As the housing moves radially inward, the housing compresses the insulative material against the core changing the thickness of the insulative material and therefore the distance between the core and the housing. The change in distance between the housing and core changes the capacitance of the non-invasive capacitive pressure measurement system.
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a hydrocarbon extraction system configured to receive a pressurized fluid, the hydrocarbon extraction system, including a non-invasive capacitive pressure measurement system configured to measure a pressure of the pressurized fluid, the non-invasive capacitive pressure measurement system, including a housing, a core configured to rest within the housing, and an insulative material between the core and housing wherein the insulative material is configured to provide a gap between the core and the housing to form a capacitor.