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Flow density toolFlow density tool description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080156532, Flow density tool. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
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The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/870,306, filed Dec. 15, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for logging discreet media flow density, for example as on drilling rig during drilling the subsurface stratas. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDuring drilling of sub-surface formations, drilling mud is circulated down the hole to flow up the drill bit cuttings. The cuttings are separated from the mud and then may be directed to an apparatus for further processing and measurements, for example as described by the author in U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,026 “Cuttings Sample Catcher and Method of Use” and additionally disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/711,333 “Drilling Cutting Analyzer System and Methods of Applications” (Published US 2005-0082468). It is, therefore, desirable to provide an improved method and apparatus for logging flow density. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous flow density meters. The method and apparatus disclosed here is the new Flow Density Tool using sensors, such as Gamma Ray and Neutron sensors for Logging Flow Density of mud with drill cuttings in return flow, while drilling and other discreet media materials. Neutron sensors may provide, among other things, an assessment or measurement of the porosity of the media flowing through the apparatus. The flow density tool provides a configuration and two (2) or more sensors which in combination provide measurement of the flow density of the discreet media moving through the apparatus (for example drilling mud or fluid containing drill cuttings or drill cuttings). In a first aspect, the present invention provides a flow density tool for measuring the density of drilling mud containing drill cuttings, including a gamma ray source for directing gamma rays through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings, a gamma ray sensor for detecting the gamma rays, and a flow housing for directing the flow of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings past the gamma ray sensor. Preferably the flow density tool further includes a neutron source for directing neutrons through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings, and a neutron sensor for detecting neutrons. Preferably, the gamma ray sensor and the neutron sensor are housed in a sensor tube. Preferably, the flow housing is an elongate tubular having a first end and a second end, an inflow orifice adapted to receive the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings proximate the first end. Preferably, the sensor tube is received in the second end, forming an annular gap between the sensor tube and the flow housing. Preferably an outflow window is adapted to discharge the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings from the annular gap. Preferably the annular gap is between about 0.5 inch (13 mm) and about 0.75 inch (19 mm). Preferably the flow housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, the outflow window formed in the lower portion. Preferably the gamma ray source is americium 241. Preferably the neutron source is americium 241 upon a beryllium target. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of calculating the bulk density of drilling fluid containing drill cuttings including directing gamma rays through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings and measuring gamma rays, measuring neutron emissions from the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings, and calculating a bulk density based on the gamma rays measured and neutrons measured. Preferably, the measurement of gamma rays and neutrons measured are synchronized in time. Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSContinue reading about Flow density tool... Full patent description for Flow density tool Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Flow density tool patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Flow density tool or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Automated mse-based drilling apparatus and methods Next Patent Application: Spectrograph tool Industry Class: Boring or penetrating the earth ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Flow density tool patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.11386 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , 174 |
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