Multi-beam Phased Array Acoustic Transducer for Downhole Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole acoustic measurement tools require significant time and suspend other borehole activities, leading to increased production and exploration costs due to the need for exclusive access during logging processes.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing an array of acoustic transducers that scans and steers acoustic beams along the borehole wall to generate high-resolution images efficiently, allowing for simultaneous data collection and reduced downtime by using multiple transducer sets to scan and steer beams, thereby increasing logging speed and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single acoustic beam is used to scan the borehole wall, then measurement precision is maintained, but logging speed is slow and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single acoustic beam into multiple parallel beams (first acoustic beams and second acoustic beams) that simultaneously scan different sections of the borehole wall. This segmentation allows multiple measurements to be taken at once, significantly increasing logging speed while maintaining measurement precision through the use of multiple transducer sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functionality of multiple transducer sets (first plurality and second plurality) to generate and transmit multiple acoustic beams simultaneously. By merging the capabilities of these transducer sets, the system achieves faster data collection without sacrificing the precision that would be obtained from a single, well-calibrated beam.
2Productivity
If multiple acoustic beams are transmitted simultaneously to increase logging speed, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is segmented into distinct first and second pluralities of transducers, each responsible for generating specific acoustic beams. This segmentation simplifies the control architecture by assigning specific functions to specific transducer groups, making the complex multi-beam system more manageable despite the increased number of elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Each transducer set is designed to be multi-functional, capable of both transmitting and receiving acoustic signals. This universality reduces the overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate transmit and receive transducers, allowing the same hardware to perform multiple functions in the phased array system.
3Productivity
If adjacent first acoustic measurements are spaced far apart, then logging speed increases, but image resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data from first acoustic measurements (taken at larger spacing for speed) with second acoustic measurements (taken at smaller spacing for resolution) to create a composite borehole wall image. This combination allows the system to achieve both fast logging speed and high image resolution by integrating information from measurement campaigns with different spacing characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different measurement strategies to different parts of the imaging process: first acoustic beams provide rapid coverage at larger spacing, while second acoustic beams provide detailed resolution at smaller spacing. This local quality approach allows each measurement type to optimize for its specific purpose, with the final image benefiting from both speed and precision.
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 faster and more accurate borehole imaging, reducing costs and time required for downhole measurements while minimizing disruptions to other borehole activities, enhancing the efficiency of borehole characterization.
Implementation Method 1
an array of acoustic transducers that scans and steers acoustic beams along the borehole wall to generate high-resolution images
Implementation Method 2
transmit an acoustic signal toward the borehole wall and receive an acoustic return signal from the borehole wall
Implementation Method 3
steer a second acoustic beam along the section of the borehole wall using one set of acoustic transducers in the array
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for imaging a borehole wall includes an array of acoustic transducers and a controller. The controller scans a section of the borehole wall with first acoustic beams that are transmitted by a series of sets of acoustic transducers in the array to produce adjacent first acoustic measurements that are spaced a first distance D1 apart along the borehole wall, each set having at least one transducer that is different from an adjacent set, (ii) steers a second acoustic beam along the section of the borehole wall using one set of acoustic transducers in the array to produce adjacent second acoustic measurements that are a second distance D2 apart along the borehole wall, and (iii) images the borehole wall using the first acoustic measurements and the second acoustic measurement to generate a borehole wall image, wherein at least one second acoustic measurement is between adjacent first acoustic measurements.