CENTRIFUGE HAVING ONBOARD IMAGING SYSTEM
A centrifuge ( 1 ) includes: a motor ( 4 ) having a rotor ( 3 ); an imaging system ( 2 ) torsionally connected to the rotor; a sample holder torsionally connected to the imaging system; and a light source for illuminating the sample holder. The imaging system ( 2 ) includes: a image sensor in optical communication with the sample holder; and a data link for transmitting image data. A centrifuge test includes: spinning a reservoir core sample in a sample holder of a rotor, wherein an imaging system is torsionally connected to the rotor; and collecting image data of the sample holder with the imaging system while spinning.
1 . A centrifuge, comprising:
a motor having a rotor;
an imaging system torsionally connected to the rotor;
a sample holder torsionally connected to the imaging system; and
a light source for illuminating the sample holder,
wherein the imaging system includes:
a image sensor in optical communication with the sample holder; and
a data link for transmitting image data.
2 . The centrifuge of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical power source in communication with the image sensor and the data link.
3 . The centrifuge of claim 1 , wherein:
the centrifuge comprises a plurality of the sample holders, and
the imaging system further includes:
a relay housing having a hub and a plurality of arms extending from the hub, each arm aligned with the respective sample holder; and
a plurality of relay mirrors, each relay mirror for reflecting an image of the respective sample holder from a first vertical direction to a radial direction along an optical cavity of the respective arm.
4 . The centrifuge of claim 3 , wherein the image sensor is operable to capture the images of the respective sample holders simultaneously.
5 . The centrifuge of claim 1 , wherein the data link is wireless.
6 . The centrifuge of claim 1 , wherein the data link transmits the image data from the image sensor to a stationary computer.
7 . The centrifuge of claim 1 , wherein the data link comprises an antenna coaxial with the rotor.
8 . The centrifuge of claim 1 , wherein the data link comprises an electrical connection through a shaft of the motor.
9 . The centrifuge of claim 8 , wherein the data link further comprises a swivel coupling.
10 . The centrifuge of claim 2 , wherein the electrical power source is a non-contacting coupling.
11 . The centrifuge of claim 2 , wherein the electrical power source is in communication with the image sensor and the data link via electrical connections through a shaft of the motor.
12 . The centrifuge of claim 2 , wherein the electrical power source is a battery.
13 . The centrifuge of claim 1 , wherein the light source is torsionally connected to the imaging system above the sample holder.
14 . The centrifuge of claim 1 , wherein the light source is torsionally connected to the imaging system below the sample holder.
15 . The centrifuge of claim 14 , wherein the light source arranged at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the sample holder.
16 . The centrifuge of claim 1 , further comprising a rotor body torsionally connecting the sample holder to the imaging system.
17 . The centrifuge of claim 1 , wherein:
the sample holder comprises a bucket for receiving a reservoir core sample, and
the bucket has a pair of aligned windows formed therethrough.
18 . The centrifuge of claim 17 , wherein the windows are located adjacent to distal end of the bucket for conducting a drainage test.
19 . The centrifuge of claim 17 , wherein the windows are located adjacent to proximal end of the bucket for conducting an imbibition test.
20 . The centrifuge of claim 17 , wherein
the imaging system further includes:
a relay housing having a hub and an arm extending from the hub, the arm aligned with the sample holder; and
a relay mirror on a mirror holder, the relay mirror for reflecting an image of the sample holder from a first vertical direction to a radial direction along an optical cavity of the arm;
the mirror holder is adjustable to locate the relay mirror at either a distal or a proximal end of the arm; and
the windows are located both adjacent to a proximal end of the bucket and adjacent to a distal end of the bucket.
21 . The centrifuge of claim 1 , wherein the imaging system is located below the sample holder, the centrifuge further comprising a second imaging system located above the sample holder.
22 . A method of conducting a centrifuge test, comprising:
spinning a reservoir core sample in a sample holder of a rotor, wherein an imaging system is torsionally connected to the rotor; and
collecting image data of the sample holder with the imaging system while spinning.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the collecting image data comprises:
illuminating the sample holder with a light source;
capturing an image of the illuminated sample holder with an image sensor of the imaging system; and
digitizing the image.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the capturing the image comprises reflecting the image of the illuminated sample holder by at least one relay mirror.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the reservoir core sample and the relay mirror spin in conjunction with the rotor.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the light source also spins in conjunction with the rotor.
27 . The method of claim 22 further comprising transmitting the image data to a stationary computer.
28 . The method of claim 23 further comprising powering the image sensor with a stationary electrical power source.
29 . The method of claim 22 wherein spinning the sample holder extracts fluid from the reservoir core sample.
30 . The method of claim 22 wherein spinning the sample holder causes fluid to be injected into the reservoir core sample.
31 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the spinning comprises at least six thousand revolutions per minute.
32 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the centrifuge test is conducted in a low pressure chamber.