Movable Transparent Barrier for Wellbore Imaging Window Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image acquisition systems face challenges in maintaining optical transparency and image quality due to wear and tear, fouling, and damage to electromagnetic radiation-transparent windows or lenses, especially in harsh environments like offshore drilling sites, where fluids and saltwater can compromise the optics, leading to costly maintenance and downtime.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a movable, electromagnetic radiation-transparent barrier, such as a thin film, between the window or lens and the sample environment, which can be easily replaced to maintain transparency and image quality, and optionally includes a polarizer or wavelength filter to limit undesired radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window or lens is directly exposed to the process environment, then the image acquisition unit can receive electromagnetic radiation without barrier interference, but the risk of damaging the camera optics increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A removable barrier comprising an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window is introduced as an intermediary element between the camera lens and the process environment. This barrier protects the lens from fouling and damage while allowing electromagnetic radiation to pass through to the image acquisition unit. The barrier can be removed and replaced when compromised, preventing damage to the expensive camera optics.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a removable barrier is placed between the lens and process environment, then the risk of damaging camera optics is reduced, but the barrier itself can become clouded, scratched, etched or fouled requiring cleaning or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The removable barrier is designed as a sacrificial, disposable component that can be easily replaced when compromised. Rather than attempting to clean or repair the barrier, the system allows for straightforward replacement of the entire barrier assembly, which is made from inexpensive materials such as acrylic or polycarbonate. This approach is more economical than cleaning procedures and prevents contamination during maintenance operations.
3Measurement precision
If the window or lens becomes clouded, scratched, etched or fouled, then image quality deteriorates or no image can be obtained, but cleaning or replacing the window or lens is costly or difficult to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The optical protection system is segmented into a removable barrier that can be independently maintained or replaced without affecting the camera lens or other expensive components. This segmentation allows the barrier to be treated as a separate, easily replaceable unit, simplifying maintenance procedures and reducing the complexity of image quality restoration.
4Reliability
If the window or lens is physically inaccessible or the process environment precludes ready access, then maintaining optical transparency becomes highly undesirable and results in significant process downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The removable barrier serves as an intermediary that can be independently accessed, removed, and replaced without requiring shutdown of the process or disassembly of the entire imaging system. This design enables quick maintenance of optical transparency while maintaining continuous process operation, minimizing process downtime.
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 solution allows for continuous, high-quality imaging by protecting the optics from damage and fouling, reducing downtime and maintenance costs, while maintaining transparency and image quality over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window so that the imaging optics are protected... allowing electromagnetic radiation of a desired type or wavelength to pass through the window to the image acquisition unit
Implementation Method 2
a movable barrier that is also electromagnetic radiation-transparent and is disposed between the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window and the flow pathway
Implementation Method 3
optionally includes a polarizer or wavelength filter to limit undesired radiation
Implementation Method 4
optionally includes a polarizer or wavelength filter to limit undesired radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Fouling of or damage to an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window can preclude one from obtaining satisfactory images with an image acquisition unit, such as a camera. Certain types of environments may be particularly prone toward promoting fouling or damage, and manual cleaning or repair of an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window may be difficult in some circumstances. These issues may be particularly prevalent when imaging drill cuttings and other solids obtained from a wellbore due to the complex sampling environment in which these solids are often disposed. Wellhead imaging systems can comprise: a flow pathway extending from a wellbore; an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window external to the wellbore establishing optical communication with the flow pathway; an image acquisition unit in optical communication with the flow pathway via the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window; and a movable barrier that is also electromagnetic radiation-transparent and is disposed between the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window and the flow pathway.