Seismic Probe Sensor Nesting for Shock Wave Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seismic probes used in wellbore exploration face challenges in diagnosing operational issues due to sensor exposure to harsh environments, leading to reduced service life and high probabilities of false breakdown diagnoses, requiring surface monitoring and immediate operator intervention.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic device with a sensor fixed to the inner surface of the tubular body, near the spark gap, measures shock waves directly transmitted by the probe, avoiding environmental interference and protecting the sensor from external stresses, while a computer processes the signal for autonomous operation and anomaly detection, including slow discharge of the capacitor bank for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is exposed to the external environment to monitor shock wave signature, then the shock wave can be monitored, but the service life of the sensor is reduced and false breakdown diagnoses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor (11) is nested inside the tubular body (9) of the seismic probe, positioned within the protected internal environment rather than exposed externally. This nesting allows the sensor to detect shock waves transmitted through the probe structure while being shielded from harsh external conditions including high pressure, temperature, and corrosive fluids, thereby extending service life and reducing false breakdown diagnoses.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular body (9) acts as an intermediary medium that transmits the shock wave signature from the spark gap (5) to the sensor (11). Instead of directly exposing the sensor to the external environment where shock waves occur, the probe body serves as a protective mediator that conveys the mechanical vibrations and stress waves to the protected sensor, enabling indirect but reliable monitoring.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor is exposed to the external environment, then shock wave signature can be monitored, but the probability of false breakdown diagnosis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is nested inside the tubular body, isolated from external environmental factors that could cause false readings. This protected positioning ensures that the sensor only detects genuine shock wave signatures transmitted through the probe structure, eliminating false breakdown diagnoses caused by environmental interference such as pressure changes, temperature fluctuations, or fluid contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular body serves as an intermediary that filters and transmits only the relevant shock wave information to the sensor, blocking out environmental noise and interference. This mediator approach ensures that the sensor receives clean, accurate signals representing actual probe operation status, preventing false breakdown diagnoses.
3Reliability
If surface monitoring is required, then operator intervention can be implemented, but response time is increased and operational efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seismic probe incorporates autonomous self-diagnostic capabilities with the sensor (11) and computer (12) enabling the system to monitor its own operation, detect anomalies, and identify breakdowns without requiring continuous external operator attention. The probe performs self-checks of critical components including the spark gap, capacitor bank, and structural integrity, automatically generating diagnostic information that reduces reliance on surface monitoring and accelerates response to issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the sensor continuously monitors shock wave signatures and the computer analyzes the data to detect operational anomalies. This real-time feedback loop provides immediate information about probe status and potential failures, enabling rapid automated responses or targeted operator intervention only when necessary, thereby reducing overall response time compared to continuous surface monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a diagnostic device for a seismic probe, the probe including, in an elongate tubular body, an electronic module, a capacitor bank and a spark gap adapted to generate a shock wave in a wellbore, the device including at least one sensor adapted to measure at least one parameter of the shock wave over time. The sensor is fixed to an inner surface of a wall of the tubular body, at a predetermined, non-zero distance from the spark gap in the direction of the electronic module. Also disclosed is a diagnostic method using the signals of the sensor.