Abstract A method of and apparatus for underwater geochemical prospecting by taking samples of the bottom formation and water at or immediately above the bottom. The method comprises taking samples simultaneously of the water at the bottom and of the earth formation immediately below at spaced apart locations for analysis to determine the concentration of significant hydrocarbon leakage products from subterranean petroleum deposits to be used in exploring for such deposits. The sample taking apparatus comprises a tubular body whose lower end is open and provided with means for penetrating the bottom formation and retaining a sample of the same in the body. The sample taker includes a piston movable upwardly from a lower position closing the lower end portion of the body to an upper position above when the body reaches a predetermined position at or close to the bottom during its downward travel to draw in a sample of water at or immediately above the bottom. The apparatus is adapted to be suspended by an operating cable and means is provided for adjusting the piston actuating means to allow predetermined setting of the apparatus to allow free fall of the body from a desired point of its downward travel before the body penetrates the bottom formation.
Apparatus for simultaneously taking and retaining a sample of water at and of the formation beneath the bottom of a submerged area comprising: a. a tubular body open at its ends; b. a flexible cable; c. means forming a connection between the lower end of the cable and said body; d. means forming a releasable connection between the cable and body at a location to suspend the body on the cable and to form a loop in the cable between said lower end and said releasable connection to allow free fall of said body upon disconnection of said releasable connection; e. means on the body positioned for coaction with the water to hold the body in a substantially vertical position during downward movement of the body in the water; f. means for releasing said releasable connection when the body reaches a position spaced above the bottom a distance less than the free fall distance of said body; g. a thin walled flexible tubular member positioned in the lower end of said body; and h. means for holding the lower end of said tubular member open to allow an inflow of sample upwardly into the body through said tubular member, the upper end portion of said tubular member being closable under the influence of pressure exerted by the sample in the body on said upper end portion to prevent outward flow of the sample from the body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
Apparatus for simultaneously taking and retaining a sample of water at and of the formation beneath the bottom of a submerged area comprising: a. a tubular body open at its ends; b. a flexible cable; c. means forming a connection between the lower end of the cable and said body; d. means forming a releasable connection between the cable and body at a location to suspend the body on the cable and to form a loop in the cable between said lower end and said releasable connection to allow free fall of said body upon disconnection of said releasable connection; e. means on the body positioned for coaction with the water to hold the body in a substantially vertical position during downward movement of the body in the water; f. means for releasing said releasable connection when the body reaches a position spaced above the bottom a distance less than the free fall distance of said body; g. a thin walled flexible tubular member positioned in the lower end of said body; and h. means for holding the lower end of said tubular member open to allow an inflow of sample upwardly into the body through said tubular member, the upper end portion of said tubular member being closable under the influence of pressure exerted by the sample in the body on said upper end portion to prevent outward flow of the sample from the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The sample taking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper end portion of said tubular member is of smaller diameter than the internal diameter of said body and is spaced radially inwardly from the surrounding wall of the body to allow said upper end portion to be turned downwardly under the influence of the downward force of the sample in the body above said tubular member to close the tubular member against the outflow of sample therethrough from the body.