Non-Contact Optical Measurement for Wireline Cable Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing depth measurement systems for wireline cable and coiled tubing in the oil and gas industry face accuracy and repeatability issues due to slip, stretch, and wear, particularly when measuring the leading end of the cable or tubing in the wellbore, which affects the precision of depth recording.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact measurement system utilizing a digital camera and signal processor to calculate displacement, velocity, and acceleration of moving wireline or coiled tubing by processing digital images, with features like Hough Transforms, cross-correlation algorithms, and a cleaning mechanism to maintain image clarity and system integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurement wheels are used to measure cable or tubing motion, then depth measurement is obtained, but accuracy and repeatability deteriorate due to slip between the measurement wheels and the cable/tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based measurement wheel system with an optical measurement system using digital cameras and image processing. This substitution eliminates the mechanical slip problem entirely by using non-contact optical fields to track cable or tubing position, thereby simultaneously improving both measurement accuracy and repeatability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces digital imaging technology as an intermediary between the measurement system and the cable/tubing. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the system uses optical images as a mediator to capture and analyze cable position, eliminating the slip issue while maintaining measurement capability
2Measurement precision
If measurement wheels are used to measure cable or tubing motion, then depth measurement is obtained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to cable or tubing stretch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical measurement wheel system with an optical imaging system that captures cable or tubing position without mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates the problem of measuring stretch accurately, as the optical system can track the actual position of the cable/tubing regardless of its elastic deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical wheel rotation to optical image analysis. By using image processing to track cable or tubing position directly, the system can account for stretch and deformation that would otherwise cause measurement errors in mechanical systems
3Measurement precision
If measurement wheels are used to measure cable or tubing motion, then depth measurement is obtained, but long-term measurement accuracy deteriorates due to wear of the measurement wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical measurement wheels with an optical measurement system using digital cameras. This substitution eliminates wear completely, as optical components do not experience mechanical degradation from contact with the cable or tubing, thereby extending the measurement system's operational lifespan while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital camera sensors and image processing algorithms that can be easily replaced or updated without mechanical wear. The optical measurement components have significantly longer operational life compared to mechanical measurement wheels, reducing maintenance and replacement costs over time
Data Source
AI summary
A system for measuring at least one parameter of moving cable, the system including a system power source, a digital camera adjacent a moving cable for taking digital images of the cable as the cable moves past the digital camera, the digital camera producing signals corresponding to the digital images, a signal processor for receiving the signals from the digital camera and for processing the images to produce processed image data, the signal processor for calculating measurements of the at least one parameter of the cable based on the processed image data, the system power source for powering systems devices, e.g., the digital camera and/or the signal processor. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).