Downhole acoustic transducer.

摘要

An acoustic transducer comprises two pairs of opposite elongate segments (20) placed inside a deformable tube (14). Drive means (22) operable to expand in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the tube are disposed between the segments of each pair. The drive means occupy a substantial portion of the inside volume of the tube. A preferred arrangement includes drive means for a pair of segments longitudinally displaced from the drive means for the other pair. Drive means may be constituted by stacks of piezoelectric pellets (24) extending radially relative to the axis of the tube. A pressure compensation system is provided to keep the pressure inside the tube (14) substantially equal to the external pressure. Longitudinal flutes (14a) are formed inside the tube (14) between the segments (20) to facilitate tube deformation and amplify volume variation. <IMAGE>