An instrumented coupling for pipe joints is described herein. The instrumented coupling includes a first threaded end configured to thread to a first pipe joint and a second threaded end configured to thread to a second pipe joint. The instrumented coupling also includes a sensor configured to obtain a measurement of a parameter of a well and a communications device configured to communicate to a receiving device outside of the well. The instrumented coupling further includes a processor configured to execute instructions in a data store. The instructions direct the processor to read the measurement from the sensor, compare the measurement from the sensor to a preset limit, and generate a signal within the communications device based, at least in part, on the measurement.

This invention provides a system for detecting flooding in a flexible pipe from a connector of the flexible pipe, comprising: an ROV (3) comprising an arm element (18) designed to move an ultrasound sensor (13), until the ultrasound sensor (13) comes into contact with the connector (14) of the flexible pipe (17); and means for taking ultrasound measurements with respect to the state of the annulus of the flexible pipe (17) from a chamber of the connector of the flexible pipe (17) in contact with the annulus of the flexible pipe (17). The invention further provides a method for detecting flooding in a flexible pipe from a connector of the flexible pipe, comprising the steps of: moving an ROV (3) to a region close to the connector (14) of the flexible pipe (17); activating an arm element (18) of the ROV (3) to move an ultrasound sensor (13), until the ultrasound sensor (13) comes into contact with the connector (14) of the flexible pipe (18); and taking ultrasound measurements with respect to the state of the annulus of the flexible pipe (17) from a chamber of the connector (14) of the flexible pipe (17) in contact with the annulus of the flexible pipe (17).

Embodiments of the invention provide a “tool-kit” of processing techniques which can be employed in different combinations depending on the circumstances. For example, flow speed can be found using eddy tracking techniques, or by using speed of sound measurements. Moreover, composition can be found by using speed of sound measurements and also by looking for turning points in the k-w curves, particularly in stratified multi-phase flows. Different combinations of the embodiments can therefore be put together to provide further embodiments, to meet particular flow sensing requirements, both on the surface and downhole. Once the flow speed is known, then at least in the case of a single phase flow, the flow speed can be multiplied by the interior cross-sectional area of the pipe to obtain the flow rate. The mass flow rate can then be obtained if the density of the fluid is known, once the composition has been determined.

A method and a method for determining flow speed based on photoacoustic imaging or sensing. The method includes receiving multiple photoacoustic signals from a sample in response to transmission of multiple laser pulses of different wavelengths to the sample, and processing the photoacoustic signals based on a flow model that relates photoacoustic signals with flow speed to determine a flow speed of a liquid flow in the sample.

The present invention comprises methods and systems that use acoustic radiation pressure.

A fluid mixture parameter determination (FMPD) system for analyzing a fluid mixture while moving includes a computing system and at least one material model that includes two or more model parameters for a plurality of material compositions stored in the memory. An ultrasonic sensor and a millimeter wave (MMW) sensor are each coupled to sense the fluid mixture and are coupled to the computing system. The ultrasonic sensor is for providing ultrasonic data to the computing system including a velocity of the fluid mixture or a volumetric flow, and a velocity of sound (VoS) through the fluid mixture. The MMW sensor is for providing MMW velocity data to the computing system. The computing system is for utilizing the material model together with the ultrasonic data and the MMW velocity data for identifying parameters including a plurality of components in the fluid mixture and a concentration for the plurality of components.

A method and a method for determining flow speed based on photoacoustic imaging or sensing. The method includes receiving multiple photoacoustic signals from a sample in response to transmission of multiple laser pulses of different wavelengths to the sample, and processing the photoacoustic signals based on a flow model that relates photoacoustic signals with flow speed to determine a flow speed of a liquid flow in the sample.

An apparatus for measuring a flow velocity of a fluid in a pipe includes: a housing in which a first ultrasonic transducer and a second ultrasonic transducer are arranged at a predefined distance to each other, the first ultrasonic transducer including a first sound transmitting element and a transmitter/receiver unit mounted thereto which emit first ultrasonic pulses at different angles, the second ultrasonic transducer receiving the first ultrasonic pulses and generating a first electronic output signal, the second ultrasonic transducer including a second sound transmitting element and a transmitter/receiver unit mounted thereto which emit second ultrasonic pulses at different angles, the first ultrasonic transducer receiving the second ultrasonic pulses and generating a second electronic output signal; and a control and evaluation unit electrically coupled to the first and second transducers, the control and evaluation unit tuning the first transducer to generate a first electronic output signal of a maximum amplitude.

Embodiments include a novel, easy to install, non-intrusive, ultrasonic water flow meter with a self-calibrating three-piezoelectric transducer configuration attached externally to a water pipe, that allows for accurate measurement of water flow, and can provide the flow data to a remote system for billing and further analysis. The water flow data can further be analyzed for water consumption by individual fixtures, in support of conservation and usage management efforts.

The physical quantity measurement device includes a secondary flow path disposed outside a multilayer unit and configured to connect an upstream opening to a downstream opening. The secondary flow path is disposed gravitationally below a primary flow path. Ultrasonic transceivers are disposed to project into a flow in the multilayer unit. In the thus-configured physical quantity measurement device, the entry of water droplets into an ultrasonic propagation path and the adhesion of water droplets to the ultrasonic transceivers are substantially prevented, so that, even when the fluid flowing in contains water droplets, the physical quantity measurement device can measure the flow rate of the fluid and the concentration of components contained in the fluid.