Oil Field Applicability Report

In Situ Monitoring Piezo-Accel & NDT Method

I. Table of Contents

Revision
Revision History…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Page
Scope…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4

Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4

Detail Report……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5

Appendix-A Background…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16

Appendix-B Licensing…...……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18
Revision History

DATE Revision
REV Description of Changes Prepared Checked Approved
(dd.mm.yyyy)
Page
Original Issue
Scope
The scope of this report is to document a NASA Tech Brief webinar held 12-Nov-2013 where the
technology presented appears to have potential applications.
Revision
Executive Summary
Page
In-Situ health monitoring piezoelectric sensor elements is patented technology (3/19/2013) and was
presented by the innovator, Scott L. Jensen (AST, Electronic Instrumentation Systems) at the NASA
Stennis Space Center. Licensing has been opened for this technology and information related to this
effect is located in Appendix-B of this report.

This technology essentially provides not only a means of verifying the unique signature of an
accelerometer (each has a unique finger print) but also see changes in the actual theory function of the
accelerometer due to structural influence and also the ability to perform NDT on crystalline type
structures to a very minute degree. This technology has also been broadened to include a gravimeter
capable of detecting people leaving and entering the room as well as an altitude change of only 4ft.

Benefits of this technology:

-Viable
-Broadly Applicable
-Economically Feasible
-Manufacturable
-Marketable

Conclusion
Converse Piezoelectric Effort or inducing an electric field producing a mechanical deformation is
utilized by this technology to excite a highly reproducible vibratory response. The use of this technology
bridges across oilfield Divisions since there are numerous areas where these types of accelerometers are
currently used.

Possible Uses (does not include all possible):

-Downhole measurement tools - accelerometer response over the life of the tool
Calibration / bonding checks
Reliability & sensor validity checks
-Frac Pump Sensors
Currently sensor bonding issues can be quickly detected including rust build up that may
influence readings.
-Directional Tools
Due to the sensitivity of the readings this could provide a more accurate method for rotary
steerable systems but the applicability would need to be further explored prior to implementation
-‘DAVE algorithm’ for data mining (if not already in use w/in oilfield) has potential in other data
collecting/processing applications
Detail Report

Revision

Page
Revision

Page
 Revision

Page

The system is easy to use, uses very little input power, and lengths of over 300ft of cabling have been
tested with no influence on the testing done. The system can be completely automated and the
repeatability of even minute measurements is impressive.
Revision

Page
 Revision

Page

DAVE algorithm is used in data mining and has ‘other’ applications beyond this technology if not
already incorporated. Main take away is that algorithm is easily impeded w/in other applications and
holds potential to aid in data processing elsewhere w/in NOV.
Revision

Page
 Revision

Page

NDT options need to be further studied; it is proposed that this system may be able to find structural
defects of PDC’s and other hard metals since they are very crystalline in nature. This technology could
possibly be employed to find extremely difficult to find defects due to the nature of the system
sensitivity.
 Revision

Page

This technology can actually determine the characteristic changes after the accelerometer is
embedded in the technology. Currently accelerometers are installed and theoretically operate w/in the
desired linear gain region but the structure of where it is coupled to do influence this and this test
method can determine this decisively and remove the guesswork out of this part of vibration
measurement.
Revision

Page
 Revision

Page

The system can define various types of problems including dust overlay across mirror. The sensitivity
level of the test can be defined to ignore the minute if this is desired to look for more broad (pressing)
problems.
Revision

Page
 APPENDIX – A
In Situ Health Monitoring of Piezoelectric Sensors – Background -
Live Event- Held Tuesday, November 12, 2013, 2:00 pm EST Revision

Page

On occasion, anomalies may appear in the highly dynamic test data obtained during rocket engine tests. These incidences
are investigated, and a corrective action may be mandated before subsequent engine testing. The appearance of spurious
signals of unknown cause is a typical challenge encountered in accelerometer data channels.

To address this issue, an in situ health monitoring apparatus, which includes (1) an exciter circuit that applies a pulse to a
piezoelectric transducer and (2) a data processing system that determines the piezoelectric transducer’s dynamic response
to the first pulse, was developed.

With this monitoring system, degraded sensor performance can be quickly and economically identified. This system can
evaluate, on installed piezoelectric sensors, in situ, without requiring physical contact with or removing them from their
mounted locations. Tests are conducted through cabling.

Because it is not necessary to remove the device, data that reflect the device’s specific physical configuration (such as as-
mounted resonant frequency) are retained, and devices that are physically inaccessible can still be tested. Additionally, the
monitoring system provides the full frequency range of the sensor, the linear range, and resonant frequencies-both normal
and as-mounted-for different configuration types.

The system also provides the ability to monitor piezoelectric transducers between propulsion tests so that any trend
indicative of transducer failure or detachment can be detected. Not only can the testing system identify degraded
performance in the piezoelectric elements of the sensor, it can also detect changes within the entire sensor and sensor
housing.
Speaker Bios:
Scott Jensen is an AST Electronics Engineer at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, within the Engineering & Test
Directorate, working on the design, development, and fabrication of instrumentation systems in support of the ground
propulsion test facilities. The work that Mr. Jensen does at the development level supports all aspects of rocket engine
propulsion testing. Mr. Jensen has worked significantly to harness the vibrational energy produced by rocket
propulsion systems and its utilization for powering wireless instrumentation. Mr. Jensen has also contributed to the
advancement of the piezoelectric instrumentation technological field through his piezoelectric research and
development.
Mr. Jensen began his career at Stennis Space Flight Center in 1998. He is a graduate of the University of South
Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. Mr.
Jensen holds a patent for In-Situ Health Monitoring of Piezoelectric Sensors and has a patent pending for specialized
piezoelectric based gravimeter instrumentation. He also has a patent for an ultra-low power Valve Health Monitoring
System Utilizing Smart Instrumentation.
 Dr. Ramona Pelletier Travis is the Chief Technologist for the NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) and serves as a center
point of contact for the NASA Office of the Chief Technologist and the agency Mission Directorates for technology
initiatives.

Revision
Ramona is a Physical Scientist with BS and MS degrees from Auburn University and the Ph.D. from Louisiana State
University. She also serves as the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer Coordinator for all of the
federal labs in the southeastern United States. Page

Sponsor: New England Wire

New England Wire Technologies has been designing and manufacturing custom cable solutions in Lisbon, NH
since its founding in 1898. New England Wire is the original U.S. Litz Wire manufacturer and sells product around
the world into numerous industries including robotics, aerospace and defense, power generation, medical, and
superconductor.

Sponsor: PCB Aerospace & Defense

In business for 46 years, PCB Piezotronics is a global leader in the design and manufacture of microphones,
vibration, pressure, force, torque, load, and strain sensors, as well as the pioneer of ICP® technology. Typical PCB
Aerospace & Defense applications include stress, fatigue, qualification and flight testing; blast and ballistic
pressure; engine vibration monitoring; launch and separation shock studies; wind tunnel and aerodynamic studies.

Sponsor: Dewetron

Dewetron data acquisition systems record and display data from analog and digital sensors PLUS video cameras,
CAN, PCM, IRIG, GPS, ARINC, 1553 - all fully synchronized. Dewetron software allows easy test setup and data
visualization, plus post-processing math and filtering functions. Easy export to Excel, Matlab, ASCII, and other
formats.

Sponsor: Specialty Coating Systems

Specialty Coating Systems (SCS) is the global leader in Parylene conformal coatings with 11 worldwide locations
and over 40 years of experience. Ultra-thin, pinhole-free SCS Parylene coatings provide excellent moisture,
chemical, and dielectric barrier protection to critical components in the electronics, military, aerospace, and
automotive industries.
 APPENDIX – B
LICENSING INFO - STENNIS SPACE CENTER

Revision

Page