Gyro Sensor Azimuth Measurement Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing azimuth measurement apparatuses in oilfield operations face challenges in accurately and efficiently measuring azimuth in harsh environments due to the limited space and stability issues of gyro sensors in drilling tools and wireline logging tools.

Innovation Solution

A compact apparatus with a housing containing multiple gyro sensors, each with a drive unit for stable rotation and electromagnetic vibrating structures, shielded from external magnetic fields, to ensure precise angular velocity measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple gyro sensors are used to improve measurement accuracy, then azimuth measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveazimuth measurement accuracyVSAvoidapparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus divides the measurement function into multiple gyro sensors, each with a specific input axis orientation. By segmenting the sensing function across multiple sensors with orthogonal input axes, the system achieves three-dimensional angular velocity measurement capability, improving azimuth measurement accuracy while keeping each individual sensor relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple gyro sensors are combined within a single housing structure with shared drive units and magnetic field shielding. The sensors are integrated into a unified apparatus that rotates them together, merging their functions to achieve comprehensive azimuth measurement while reducing overall system complexity compared to separate measurement systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If gyro sensors are installed in narrow space to reduce device size, then apparatus volume is reduced, but stability of rotation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus volumeVSAvoidrotation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The gyro sensors are nested within a compact housing structure that contains the drive units and magnetic field shielding. The sensors are positioned within the housing in a space-efficient arrangement, allowing the apparatus to maintain a small volume while still providing adequate space for stable rotation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus uses multiple gyro sensors with input axes oriented in different dimensions (orthogonal to each other). By utilizing three-dimensional sensor arrangement with orthogonal input axes, the system achieves comprehensive measurement capability in a compact volume, effectively using spatial dimensionality to overcome the limitations of narrow installation space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If gyro sensors are rotated to maintain angular relationship, then measurement efficiency is improved, but reliability in harsh environment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidsensor reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus converts the potential harm of external magnetic fields into a beneficial shielding design. By anticipating magnetic interference in harsh oilfield environments, the design incorporates magnetic field shielding that protects the gyro sensors, thereby improving reliability while maintaining the rotation capability needed for efficient measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The solution enables stable and accurate azimuth measurements in harsh environments by maintaining a predetermined angular relationship between gyro sensors, improving measurement accuracy and efficiency in oilfield operations.

Implementation Method 1

each of the plurality of gyro sensors comprises a vibrating structure oscillated by an electromagnetic force in a first magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the vibrating structure is shielded from an external second magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field shielding: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS8061048B2Apparatus for azimuth measurements using gyro sensors

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

An apparatus for azimuth measurements is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing and a plurality of gyro sensors aligned in the housing. Each of the plurality of gyro sensors has an input axis for angular velocity measurements. There is provided a drive unit for rotating each of the plurality of gyro sensors about a rotation axis. Each of the plurality of gyro sensors changes orientation of the input axis with the drive unit.