Well Data Acquisition Tool Probe Guard

Abstract

A probe assembly for use with a well data acquisition tool includes a probe and a probe guard. The probe includes a body and a tip extending from the body along a longitudinal axis of the tip to a terminal end. The tip defines a length and a surface area along the length and is configured for sensing one or more well characteristics. The probe guard extends about the tip of the probe and leaves a majority of the surface area of the tip exposed to a flow that is angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of the tip of the probe.

1 . A probe assembly for use with a well data acquisition tool comprising:
 a probe including a body and a tip extending from the body along a longitudinal axis of the tip to a terminal end, the tip defining a length and a surface area along the length and being configured for sensing one or more well characteristics; and   a probe guard extending about the tip of the probe, the probe guard leaving a majority of the surface area of the tip exposed to a flow that is angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of the tip of the probe.   
     
     
         2 . The probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the probe guard includes a helically-shaped member. 
     
     
         3 . The probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the probe guard is formed by a helically-shaped wire. 
     
     
         4 . The probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the probe guard is formed by an elongate member having a substantially circular cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the probe guard has a helical shape with a variable pitch. 
     
     
         6 . The probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the probe guard has a helical shape with a constant radius. 
     
     
         7 . The probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the probe guard has a helical shape with a variable radius. 
     
     
         8 . The probe assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the probe guard has a helical shape defining a longitudinal axis that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the tip of the probe. 
     
     
         9 . The probe assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a support maintaining the probe and the probe guard such that the tip of the probe is spaced from the support. 
     
     
         10 . The probe assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a support maintaining the probe, the support defining a face that is positioned toward the probe, and the probe guard extending along the probe at a varying distance from the face of the support. 
     
     
         11 . The probe assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the terminal end of the tip is located adjacent a portion of the probe guard that is at a maximum distance from the face of the support. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising securing a probe guard about a tip of a probe extending from a probe body, along a longitudinal axis, and to a terminal end, the probe tip defining a length and a surface area along the length and being configured for sensing one or more well characteristics, wherein the probe guard is extended about the tip of the probe such that a majority of the surface area of the tip is left exposed to a flow that is angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of the probe tip. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the probe guard has a helical shape and the probe guard is secured about the tip of the probe such that a longitudinal axis of the helical shape is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the probe tip. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising securing the probe to a support defining a face that is positioned toward the probe such that the probe guard extends along the probe tip to define a varying distance from the face of the support. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising securing a portion of the probe guard that is at a maximum distance from the face of the support adjacent to the terminal end of the tip.