US3699429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
A method and apparatus for testing geological strata for identification thereof
Assignee: Bergwerksverband GmbH
•
Filing: 1970-08-13
•
Granted: 1972-10-17
•
Expires: 1990-08-13
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing geological strata by means of a measuring system comprising a high frequency oscillatory circuit having a radiator cooperating with the test material to form a measuring capacitor influencing the resonant frequency and resonant voltage of the oscillatory circuit, the effects of a changing air gap between the radiator and the test material being taken into account.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Ratz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V3/00; G01V3/08; G01V3/10; G01V3/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of testing geological strata for identification thereof, comprising the steps of: producing a high frequency signal by use of an oscillatory circuit said oscillatory circuit including a signal radiator; establishing a capacitative relationship between said signal radiator and a stratum of test material in order to influence the resonant voltage and resonant frequency of the oscillatory circuit by positioning said signal radiator adjacent said stratum; moving said radiator towards said stratum and measuring the magnitudes of the peak resonant voltages and corresponding resonant frequencies of the oscillatory circuit for each of a plurality of discrete air gap spacings between the signal radiator and the test material, for said particular stratum; said magnitudes being varied by the change in capacitance between said radiator and said stratum; deriving a characteristic curve of peak resonant voltage versus resonant frequency for said stratum over said plurality of discrete air gap spacings; and comparing said characteristic curve with like known characteristic curves of known strata of materials to thereby identify the particular test material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of testing geological strata for identification thereof, comprising the steps of: producing a high frequency signal by use of an oscillatory circuit said oscillatory circuit including a signal radiator; establishing a capacitative relationship between said signal radiator and a stratum of test material in order to influence the resonant voltage and resonant frequency of the oscillatory circuit by positioning said signal radiator adjacent said stratum; moving said radiator towards said stratum and measuring the magnitudes of the peak resonant voltages and corresponding resonant frequencies of the oscillatory circuit for each of a plurality of discrete air gap spacings between the signal radiator and the test material, for said particular stratum; said magnitudes being varied by the change in capacitance between said radiator and said stratum; deriving a characteristic curve of peak resonant voltage versus resonant frequency for said stratum over said plurality of discrete air gap spacings; and comparing said characteristic curve with like known characteristic curves of known strata of materials to thereby identify the particular test material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
229 words
Apparatus for identifying geological strata, comprising: a resonant circuit means including a signal radiator selectively movable towards and away from an unknown geological stratum to establish a variable capacitance therewith as a function of the air gap therebetween; oscillator means connected to drive said resonant circuit means; said resonant circuit means providing a peak resonant output voltage and corresponding resonant frequency for each of a plurality of selected air gap spacings between said radiator and said unknown stratum; said peak resonant voltages and resonant frequencies defining the coordinates a characteristic curve peculiar to that stratum of the resonant frequencies vs. peak resonant voltage over a given range of air gap spacings between said radiator and said unknown stratum; computer means responsive to said peak resonant voltages and resonant frequencies for plotting said characteristic curve of said unknown stratum; said computer means including trimmer circuit means detecting said resonant frequency of said resonant circuit means, providing a trimming voltage proportional thereto, and applying said trimming voltage to said oscillator means to constrain the output frequency thereof to said resonant frequency at a given air gap spacing; said resonant frequency and peak resonant voltage at a plurality of air gap spacings over said range thereby defining the coordinates of said characteristic curve of said unknown stratum; and means responsive to said peak resonant and trimming voltages for plotting said characteristic curve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
229 words
Apparatus for identifying geological strata, comprising: a resonant circuit means including a signal radiator selectively movable towards and away from an unknown geological stratum to establish a variable capacitance therewith as a function of the air gap therebetween; oscillator means connected to drive said resonant circuit means; said resonant circuit means providing a peak resonant output voltage and corresponding resonant frequency for each of a plurality of selected air gap spacings between said radiator and said unknown stratum; said peak resonant voltages and resonant frequencies defining the coordinates a characteristic curve peculiar to that stratum of the resonant frequencies vs. peak resonant voltage over a given range of air gap spacings between said radiator and said unknown stratum; computer means responsive to said peak resonant voltages and resonant frequencies for plotting said characteristic curve of said unknown stratum; said computer means including trimmer circuit means detecting said resonant frequency of said resonant circuit means, providing a trimming voltage proportional thereto, and applying said trimming voltage to said oscillator means to constrain the output frequency thereof to said resonant frequency at a given air gap spacing; said resonant frequency and peak resonant voltage at a plurality of air gap spacings over said range thereby defining the coordinates of said characteristic curve of said unknown stratum; and means responsive to said peak resonant and trimming voltages for plotting said characteristic curve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
271 words
Apparatus for identifying geoLogical strata, comprising: a resonant circuit means including a signal radiator selectively movable towards and away from an unknown geological stratum to establish a variable capacitance therewith as a function of the air gap therebetween; oscillator means connected to drive said resonant circuit means; said resonant circuit means providing a peak resonant output voltage and corresponding resonant frequency for each of a plurality of selected air gap spacings between said radiator and said unknown stratum; said peak resonant voltages and resonant frequencies defining the coordinates a characteristic curve peculiar to that stratum of the resonant frequencies vs. peak resonant voltage over a given range of air gap spacings between said radiator and said unknown stratum; computer means responsive to said peak resonant voltages and resonant frequencies for plotting said characteristic curve of said unknown stratum; said computer means including trimmer circuit means detecting said resonant frequency of said resonant circuit means, providing a trimming voltage proportional thereto, and applying said trimming voltage to said oscillator means to constrain the output frequency thereof to said resonant frequency at a given air gap spacing; said resonant frequency and peak resonant voltage at a plurality of air gap spacings over said range thereby defining the coordinates of said characteristic curve of said unknown stratum; means responsive to said peak resonant and trimming voltages for plotting said characteristic curve; a memory of a plurality of like characteristic curves for strata of known identification; and comparison means for determining similarity between said characteristic curve of said unknown stratum and one of said curves of said known strata to thereby identify said unknown stratum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
271 words
Apparatus for identifying geoLogical strata, comprising: a resonant circuit means including a signal radiator selectively movable towards and away from an unknown geological stratum to establish a variable capacitance therewith as a function of the air gap therebetween; oscillator means connected to drive said resonant circuit means; said resonant circuit means providing a peak resonant output voltage and corresponding resonant frequency for each of a plurality of selected air gap spacings between said radiator and said unknown stratum; said peak resonant voltages and resonant frequencies defining the coordinates a characteristic curve peculiar to that stratum of the resonant frequencies vs. peak resonant voltage over a given range of air gap spacings between said radiator and said unknown stratum; computer means responsive to said peak resonant voltages and resonant frequencies for plotting said characteristic curve of said unknown stratum; said computer means including trimmer circuit means detecting said resonant frequency of said resonant circuit means, providing a trimming voltage proportional thereto, and applying said trimming voltage to said oscillator means to constrain the output frequency thereof to said resonant frequency at a given air gap spacing; said resonant frequency and peak resonant voltage at a plurality of air gap spacings over said range thereby defining the coordinates of said characteristic curve of said unknown stratum; means responsive to said peak resonant and trimming voltages for plotting said characteristic curve; a memory of a plurality of like characteristic curves for strata of known identification; and comparison means for determining similarity between said characteristic curve of said unknown stratum and one of said curves of said known strata to thereby identify said unknown stratum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2772393A
Cited
US3477018A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |