Patent US3714832A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
US3714832A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Geothermal exploration

Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
•
Filing: 1970-08-24
•
Granted: 1973-02-06
•
Expires: 1990-08-24
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A uranium prospecting system based on the determination of temperature anomalies in the earth''s crust. The earth heat flux is measured at preselected points in shallow boreholes in order to detect heat given off as a result of radioactive decay. Localized anomalies are indicative of concentrations of radioactive materials.

Inventors

  • 👤 E Howell
  • 👤 J Hardison
  • 👤 W Campbell

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 22:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V9/00; G01V9/005

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 62 words
A method of prospecting for uranium comprising a. drilling a plurality of boreholes in an area of interest, b. measuring the temperature at at least two vertically spaced sample points in each borehole, c. determining the heat flux between the sample points in each borehole, and d. comparing the heat flux values thus obtained to determine the presence of anomalous heat sources.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 62 words
A method of prospecting for uranium comprising a. drilling a plurality of boreholes in an area of interest, b. measuring the temperature at at least two vertically spaced sample points in each borehole, c. determining the heat flux between the sample points in each borehole, and d. comparing the heat flux values thus obtained to determine the presence of anomalous heat sources.
Claim 3
Independent Claim 62 words
A method of prospecting for uranium comprising a. drilling a plurality of boreholes in an area of interest, b. measuring the temperature at at least two vertically spaced sample points in each borehole, c. determining the heat flux between the sample points in each borehole, and d. comparing the heat flux values thus obtained to determine the presence of anomalous heat sources.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 62 words
A method of prospecting for uranium comprising a. drilling a plurality of boreholes in an area of interest, b. measuring the temperature at at least two vertically spaced sample points in each borehole, c. determining the heat flux between the sample points in each borehole, and d. comparing the heat flux values thus obtained to determine the presence of anomalous heat sources.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 81 words
A method of prospecting for uranium comprising a. drilling a plurality of shallow boreholes in an area of interest, b. inserting temperature measuring apparatus in each borehole so that contact is made with said apparatus at at least two sample points, c. after thermal equilibrium is established, measuring the temperature of the sample points by resistivity measurements, d. determining the heat flux between pairs of the sample points, and e. comparing the resulting heat flux values to determine any heat anomalies.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 81 words
A method of prospecting for uranium comprising a. drilling a plurality of shallow boreholes in an area of interest, b. inserting temperature measuring apparatus in each borehole so that contact is made with said apparatus at at least two sample points, c. after thermal equilibrium is established, measuring the temperature of the sample points by resistivity measurements, d. determining the heat flux between pairs of the sample points, and e. comparing the resulting heat flux values to determine any heat anomalies.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2708155A Cited
US2933923A Cited
US3164988A Cited
US3217550A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-02-06 1976-08-07 1977-02-06 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-02-06 1980-08-07 1981-02-06 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-02-06 1984-08-07 1985-02-06 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag