Optical Cable Measurement for Oil Well Logging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable measurement systems in oil well logging operations are prone to inaccuracies due to slippage, wear, and damage, requiring frequent recalibration and replacement of measurement wheels, especially in high-speed and directional changes.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact optical measurement system using a line scan CCD camera to track the movement of cables without physical contact, eliminating slippage and wear-related errors, and allowing for high-resolution tracking of cable length, speed, and direction without on-site calibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement wheels are used to measure cable length, then cable depth can be measured, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to slippage between cable and wheel rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable depth measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical measurement wheel system with an optical measurement system. A camera captures images of the cable at known positions, and image processing algorithms determine cable depth by analyzing the position of the cable in the images. This eliminates mechanical contact between the measurement device and the cable, preventing slippage and improving both measurement accuracy and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If measurement wheels are used to measure cable length, then cable depth can be measured, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to wear and damage of the wheels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable depth measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement wheel service life

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical measurement wheels with an optical measurement system consisting of a camera and image processing apparatus. The camera is mounted at a known position in the well, and cable depth is determined by analyzing the cable's position in captured images. This non-contact optical system eliminates mechanical wear and damage issues entirely, as there are no moving mechanical parts that contact the cable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If measurement wheels are used to measure cable length, then cable depth can be measured, but the device requires frequent recalibration and replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable depth measurement accuracyVSAvoidtime for recalibration and replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical measurement wheel system with an optical system using a camera and digital image processing. The system determines cable depth by capturing images at known positions and calculating the cable's position relative to the camera. This digital system eliminates the need for physical recalibration and replacement, as software can be updated or recalibrated without physical intervention, significantly reducing maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If measurement wheels are used to measure cable length, then cable depth can be measured, but measurement accuracy deteriorates during high-speed cable movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable depth measurement accuracyVSAvoidcable movement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical measurement wheels with an optical measurement system using a camera. The camera captures images of the cable at known positions, and image processing algorithms determine cable depth by analyzing the cable's position in the images. This optical system can capture images at high speeds without mechanical slippage, maintaining measurement accuracy even during high-speed cable movement or abrupt directional changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 optical system provides accurate and reliable measurements of cable movement, reducing errors and the need for frequent recalibration, and can handle high-speed cable movements with minimal maintenance, enhancing the precision and reliability of oil well logging operations.

Implementation Method 1

an optics unit which measures at least one variable of the movement of a conveyance system relative to an oil well

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photography

Data Source

PatentUS8218826B2Integrated measurement based on an optical pattern-recognition

Publication Date: 2012.07.10 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A measurement system is provided that includes an integrated optics unit which measures at least one variable of the movement of a conveyance system relative to an oil well during an oil well operation, wherein the at least one variable is a direction of motion, a speed of movement, or a length of movement of the conveyance system.