Patent ID: 7721802
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: E21B,G01F

Abstract:
1. A sensor system configured to measure an electrical characteristic of a first fluid and a second fluid of a plurality of fluids in a well bore, said sensor system comprising: an electrical power supply coupled to and configured to supply electrical power having a voltage and a current alternating at a frequency to the sensor system; a frequency modulator coupled to the electrical power supply and configured to modulate the frequency of the current supplied by the electrical power supply; an analog-to-digital converter electrically configured to convert an analog signal representative of the an electrical characteristic of the first fluid to a digital signal representative of the an electrical characteristic of the first fluid; at least one sensing element connected to said electrical power supply to receive electrical power therefrom, said sensing element including an inner conductive element, a dielectric fixed to and at least partially covering the inner conductive element, and an outer conductive element spaced apart from said dialectic such that the dielectric and the outer conductive element are configured to define a volume, the at least one sensing element further including a means for two of the plurality of fluids to communicate with the volume therein, said at least one sensing element being configured to generate the analog signal and connected to supply the analog signal to the analog-to-digital converter; a memory storage device coupled to the analog-to-digital converter configured to store the digital signal; a communication device configured to receive from the memory storage device and to transmit the digital signal; a processor electrically coupled to the power supply, the frequency modulator, the at least one sensing element, the memory storage device, the communication device, and an output device, the processor being configured to generate an interface signal representative of a location of an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid, and; an output device positioned for providing perceivable information to a user, the output device being connected to the processor and connected to receive the interface signal, the perceivable information including a discernable indication of the location of the interface between the first fluid and the second fluid.