Method for determining speed of a signal species in a medium and associated apparatus

摘要

Methods and apparatus for determining the speed of a signal species, such as an acoustic signal, in a multilayered medium is described. The multilayer medium, generally, has a first and second layer (e.g. oil and water), whereby first and second signals are transmitted across particular distances in the medium such that a second distance differs from a first distance, and whereby the time of flight of each signal can be used in order to determine the speed of the signals species in one or both of the first and second layer. In other words, in some cases, the speed of sound can be determined in oil and/or water, or the like.

主权项

1. A method for determining a speed of a signal species in at least one of a first and a second layer of a multi-layer medium, comprising:
transmitting a first signal across a first known distance through the first and second layers; determining a time of flight of the first signal travelling across the first known distance; transmitting a second signal across a second known distance through the first and second layers, the second signal being of the same signal species as the first signal, and wherein the second known distance differs from the first known distance; determining a time of flight of the second signal travelling across the second known distance; and evaluating, using at least one processor, the speed of the signal species through at least one of the first and second layers by using the time of flight of the first and second signals and the first and second known distances.