Magnetic Debris and Particle Detector

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus for determining wear on a component of a tool is disclosed. An oscillating member receives a particle freed from the component as a result of the wear on the component. A measuring device measures a change in a parameter of the oscillating member resulting from receiving the particle. A processor determines the wear on the component from the change in the parameter. In one embodiment, the component may include a component of a downhole tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of a determining wear on a component, comprising:
 receiving a particle freed from the component as a result of the wear on the component onto an oscillating member;   measuring a change in a parameter of the oscillating member resulting from receiving the particle; and   determining the wear on the component from the measured change in the parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving a plurality of particles over a selected time interval; and measuring the change in the parameter over the selected time interval to determine a rate of wear on the component. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the parameter is at least one of: (i) a frequency of oscillation of the oscillating member; (ii) an amplitude of oscillation of the oscillating member; (iii) a phase of the oscillation; and (iv) an oscillation damping. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating member performs at least one of: (i) a torsional oscillation; and (ii) a lateral oscillation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving the particle on a tuning fork comprising a first tine having a constrained end coupled to a base and a first free end opposed to the constrained end, the first free end having a magnetic field; and a second tine having a constrained end coupled to the base and a second free end opposed to the constrained end, the second free end having a magnetic field. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating member is disposed in a fluid transporting the particle freed from the component 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising observing the change in the parameter via observing a current induced in a coil by the oscillating member. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for determining wear of a component, comprising:
 an oscillating member configured to receive a particle freed from the component as a result of the wear on the component;   a measuring device configured to measure a change in a parameter of the oscillating member resulting from receiving the particle; and   a processor configured to determine the wear of the component from the change in the parameter.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the oscillating member is further configured to receive a plurality of particles over a selected time interval; and wherein the processor is further configured to measure the change in the parameter over the selected time interval to determine a rate of wear of the component. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the parameter is at least one of: (i) a frequency of oscillation of the oscillating member; (ii) an amplitude of oscillation of the oscillating member;
 (iii) a phase of the oscillation; and (iv) an oscillation damping.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the oscillation is at least one of: (i) a torsional oscillation; and (ii) a lateral oscillation. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the oscillating member further comprises a tuning fork including:
 a base,   a first tine having a constrained end coupled to the base and a first free end opposed to the constrained end, the first free end having a permanent magnet providing a magnetic field, and   a second tine having a constrained end coupled to the base and a second free end opposed to the constrained end, the second free end having a permanent magnet providing a magnetic field;   wherein the particle is received at one of the first free end and the second free end.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic field of the first tine and the magnetic field of the second tine are perpendicular to a magnetic field produced by a coil to actuate an oscillation of the first and second tines. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the wear measurement device further includes an electromagnet configured to disengage particles accumulated at the oscillating member. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the measuring device is further configured to measure a voltage induced in a coil by the oscillating member to determine the parameter of the oscillating member. 
     
     
         16 . A downhole tool, comprising:
 a component susceptible to wear during operation of the tool downhole;   an oscillating member in a fluid passage configured to receive a particle freed from the component as a result of wear on the component;   a measuring device configured to measure a change in a parameter of the oscillating member indicative of a change in mass resulting from receiving the particle at the oscillating member; and   a processor configured to determine the wear of the component from the change in the parameter.   
     
     
         17 . The downhole tool of  claim 16 , wherein the oscillating member is further configured to receive a plurality of particles over a selected time interval; and the processor is further configured to measure the change in the parameter over the selected time interval to determine a rate of wear of the component from the change in the parameter over the selected time interval. 
     
     
         18 . The downhole tool of  claim 16 , wherein the parameter is at least one of: (i) a frequency of oscillation of the oscillating member; (ii) an amplitude of oscillation of the oscillating member; (iii) a phase of the oscillation; and (iv) an oscillation damping. 
     
     
         19 . The downhole tool of  claim 16 , wherein the oscillating member further comprises a tuning fork including:
 a base;   a first tine having a constrained end coupled to the base and a first free end opposed to the constrained end, the first free end having a magnetic field; and   a second tine having a constrained end coupled to the stem and a second free end opposed to the constrained end, the second free end having a magnetic field;   wherein the particle is received at one of the first free end and the second free end.   
     
     
         20 . The downhole tool of  claim 19  further comprising a coil configured to induce a magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of the first and second magnetic fields; and generate a current in response to oscillation of the first and second magnetic fields.