Coupled Torsional Resonators Viscometer Vibration Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In the harsh environment of oil or gas well-drilling, conventional fluid property measurement devices face challenges due to large and variable forces, high pressures, and ambient vibrations, which affect the accuracy and reproducibility of measurements, particularly for resonators like tuning forks.
Innovation Solution
The use of resonators that operate in both translational and torsional vibrational modes, with enhanced compliance and magnetic assemblies, to isolate the resonant frequency from mounting effects and ambient vibrations, and incorporate features like magnetic particle traps to prevent interference from suspended particles, ensuring accurate fluid property measurements under severe conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional tuning fork resonator is used to measure fluid properties, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement accuracy is affected by large and variable forces and ambient vibrations in the drilling environment
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator is divided into two independently mounted tuning fork assemblies, each mounted on separate compliant isolators. This segmentation allows each resonator to be isolated from ambient vibrations and mounting forces independently, preventing mechanical coupling between the resonators and the harsh drilling environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Compliant isolators are introduced as intermediary elements between the resonator mounting structure and the instrument housing. These isolators act as mechanical filters that attenuate ambient vibrations and isolate the resonators from variable mounting forces, while still allowing the resonators to operate effectively.
2Reliability
If high pressure balancing passages are added to protect the resonator void, then the resonator is protected from high pressure distortion, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the resonators, incorporates pressure balancing passages to equalize pressure across the resonator walls, and includes compliant isolators for vibration attenuation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate protective structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure balancing passages are integrated directly into the mounting structure that holds the resonators. The mounting structure combines mechanical support, pressure equalization, and vibration isolation functions in a single integrated assembly, reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If magnetic particle traps are incorporated to prevent magnetic particle interference, then measurement reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic particle traps use the resonators' own magnetic fields to attract and retain magnetic particles. The traps are positioned to utilize the existing magnetic field distribution around the resonators, requiring no additional power sources or active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Magnetic particle traps are positioned as intermediary elements between the resonators and the fluid flow. These traps intercept magnetic particles before they can reach the resonators, using magnetic field lines to guide particles into the traps where they are retained.
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 approach significantly improves the accuracy and reproducibility of fluid property measurements by isolating the resonator from environmental influences and preventing errors caused by magnetic particles, allowing for precise determination of fluid viscosity and density even in high-pressure, high-temperature, and high-vibration environments.
Implementation Method 1
the damping of the vibration due to the motion of the tine surfaces that are parallel to the direction of tine motion will be most strongly affected by the viscosity of the fluid being sheared by these tines
Implementation Method 2
the resonant frequency of the vibration due to the motion of the tine surfaces that are perpendicular to the direction of tine motion will be most strongly affected by the density of the fluid these surfaces push against
Data Source
AI summary
A method for measuring the properties of a fluid that uses a torsionally resonant structure having a base structure; at least two parallel tines affixed to the base structure and projecting in the same direction from the base structure; and wherein the base structure is sufficiently compliant as to mutually couple the tines so that they behave as a single resonator when the tines are driven in synchronized manner. The torsionally resonant structure is immersed in the fluid to be measured and a tine driving mechanism is used to drive the tines torsionally. A tine movement sensing mechanism form measurements of tine movement response to the driving mechanism and the measurements of tine movement to form measurements of fluid properties.