FLUID WEIGHT DETECTION DEVICE
A device and associated method of use may each generally be directed to a device capable of continually measuring the weight of various fluids in real-time by having at least a pneumatic bladder positioned within an enclosure and contacting a fluid. The pneumatic bladder may be connected to a sensing device that can act to measure a weight of the fluid.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a pneumatic bladder positioned within an enclosure and contacting a fluid; and
a sensing device connected to the pneumatic bladder to measure a weight of the fluid.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises drilling mud.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises a cylinder attached to a plate with a first end of the cylinder being sealed and a second end of the cylinder is open to receive the fluid.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein a pneumatic coupling extends through the plate at the first end of the cylinder.
5 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein a rigid handle is attached to the plate.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensing device comprises a processor and a memory that stores data from the pneumatic bladder.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensing device is connected to a remote node via a network.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fluid contacts less than an entirety of the enclosure.
9 . A system comprising:
a pneumatic bladder positioned within an enclosure and contacting a fluid, the pneumatic bladder connected to an air tank as part of a sealed measurement string; and
a sensing device connected to the pneumatic bladder to measure a weight of the fluid.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein a pump is connected between the pneumatic bladder and the air tank.
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein at least one sensor detects a pressure differential between the pneumatic bladder and air tank.
12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the sealed measurement string extends from a wellbore to a ground surface.
13 . A method comprising:
positioning a pneumatic bladder within an enclosure;
contacting the pneumatic bladder with a fluid; and
measuring a physical weight of the fluid with a sensing device connected to the pneumatic bladder.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the pneumatic bladder is inflated and deflated to measure the physical weight.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid moves during the measuring step.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the sensing device computes the physical weight in real-time.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid is drawn into the enclosure by the sensing device deflating the pneumatic bladder.
18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid is measured while the enclosure and pneumatic bladder are completely submerged in the fluid.
19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid is measured while no more than an inch of the enclosure is submerged in the fluid.
20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the sensing device creates differential pressure by inflating and deflating the pneumatic bladder via at least one pump.