US3592056A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for measuring the pressure and/or rate of flow of interstitial fluid in a permeable medium
Assignee: Tractebel Engineering SA
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Filing: 1968-02-19
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1988-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A process for measuring the pressure and/or rate of flow of interstitial fluid in a permeable medium, such as porous or fissured rock, comprising lining the wall of an elongated cavity in the medium with a flexible membrane, creating a pressure within the membrane exceeding the pressure of the interstitial fluid in order to apply the membrane against the wall of the cavity, isolating a short portion of the length of the interior of the membrane, varying the pressure in this short portion and measuring the results. A device for carrying out this process is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Bernaix
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:56
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/10; E21B47/06; G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01L; G01L11/00; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/08; G01P; G01P5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A process for measuring the pressure and/or rate of flow of interstitial fluid in a permeable medium, comprising the steps of lining the wall of an elongated cavity in the medium with a flexible membrane, causing a pressure to prevail in this membrane which is everywhere greater than the pressure of the interstitial fluid in the surrounding medium so as to apply the said membrane against the wall of said cavity, then isolating by means of obturators a short portion of the length of the internal space of this membrane, and finally causing a variation of pressure in said short portion and measuring the results.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process for measuring the pressure and/or rate of flow of interstitial fluid in a permeable medium, comprising the steps of lining the wall of an elongated cavity in the medium with a flexible membrane, causing a pressure to prevail in this membrane which is everywhere greater than the pressure of the interstitial fluid in the surrounding medium so as to apply the said membrane against the wall of said cavity, then isolating by means of obturators a short portion of the length of the internal space of this membrane, and finally causing a variation of pressure in said short portion and measuring the results.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process claimed in claim 1, in which the cavity is a cylindrical boring and the membrane used is tubular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process claimed in claim 2, in which said membrane is surrounded by a perforated resistant envelope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process claimed in claim 1, in which the membrane used is a tube of flexible rubber reinforced with turns of metal wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process claimed in claim 1, in which the pressure in said isolated portion is progressively reduced in order to cause a separation of the membrane from the wall of the cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process claimed in claim 1, in which an abrupt increase of the volume of said isolated portion is caused, so as to lead to an abrupt drop of the pressure in this portion, after which the subsequent rise in pressure produced in said portion is recorded.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
72 words
A device for measuring the pressure and rate of flow of interstitial fluid in a permeable medium, comprising a rigid tubular element movable in the interior of a tubular membrane, a flexible obturator surrounding each end of the tubular element, means for inflating said obturators and means for varying the pressure in the annular space formed around said tubular member and between obturators when the device is placed in the tubular membrane.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
72 words
A device for measuring the pressure and rate of flow of interstitial fluid in a permeable medium, comprising a rigid tubular element movable in the interior of a tubular membrane, a flexible obturator surrounding each end of the tubular element, means for inflating said obturators and means for varying the pressure in the annular space formed around said tubular member and between obturators when the device is placed in the tubular membrane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device claimed in claim 7, in which said pressure-varying means comprises means for decreasing the pressure slowly and progressively in the annular space, and in which a conduit connects said annular space to a pressure-indicating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device claimed in claim 7, in which said pressure-varying means comprises means for decreasing the pressure slowly and progressively in the annular space, and in which detection means is disposed in the annular space for detecting movement of the membrane towards said rigid tubular element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device claimed in claim 7, in which said inflation means comprises a pump inside said tubular element, which pump is arranged to draw liquid from the interior of the tubular membrane outside said annular space and to deliver it into the obturators.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device claimed in claim 7, in which said pressure-varying means comprises a space of variable volume which communicates with said annular space and with the interior of said rigid tubular element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device claimed in claim 11, comprising a cylinder and a piston movable in the cylinder, said space of variable volume Being constituted by a first compartment in the cylinder on one side of the piston, and the compartment in the cylinder on the other side of the piston communicating with the interior of the tubular element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR49349E
Cited
US2218155A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |