US4006777A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Free floating carrier for deep well instruments
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-02-06
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Granted: 1977-02-08
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Expires: 1996-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A carrier and contained well instrument which are light enough to float in the fluid in a well are forced downwardly in the well to a predetermined test zone by downward movement of the fluid. After performance of a testing operation by the instrument, the buoyant carrier and instrument are permitted to float upwardly within the fluid to the surface of the earth for retrieval.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo C. LaBauve
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:44
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B49/00; E21B49/08; E21B49/081; E21B49/082; E21B23/00; E21B23/08; E21B23/10; E21B47/00; E21B47/01; E21B47/017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for conveying deep well instruments into and out of a well bore, comprising: means for maintaining a column of fluid extending downwardly in the well bore to a region at which a test is to be made; means operable to controllably produce a flow of fluid downwardly through said column to said region and to halt said flow as desired; and a carrier in said fluid column for holding an instrument or instruments adapted to test and/or obtain test records of said region, said carrier and its contents being movable downwardly by the flow of fluid in said column to said region and being sufficiently buoyant to float to the surface in said fluid column when fluid flow downwardly therethrough ceases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for conveying deep well instruments into and out of a well bore, comprising: means for maintaining a column of fluid extending downwardly in the well bore to a region at which a test is to be made; means operable to controllably produce a flow of fluid downwardly through said column to said region and to halt said flow as desired; and a carrier in said fluid column for holding an instrument or instruments adapted to test and/or obtain test records of said region, said carrier and its contents being movable downwardly by the flow of fluid in said column to said region and being sufficiently buoyant to float to the surface in said fluid column when fluid flow downwardly therethrough ceases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, including a test instrument carried by said carrier and having a combined effective density with said carrier to be forced downwardly with the carrier by movement of the fluid and to float upwardly within the fluid upon termination of the fluid flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
An instrument carrier for use in testing a region in a well which includes a pipe string extending from the surface to said region, and means for maintaining a column of fluid in said pipe string and for selectively producing and stopping a flow of fluid downwardly in said pipe string to said region, said instrument carrier comprising: a hollow body containing a chamber for housing an instrument for testing and/or making test records of said region; said body being capable of being conveyed by said fluid flow downwardly in said pipe string to said region and being sufficiently buoyant to float upwardly through said pipe string to the surface upon stoppage of said fluid flow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
An instrument carrier for use in testing a region in a well which includes a pipe string extending from the surface to said region, and means for maintaining a column of fluid in said pipe string and for selectively producing and stopping a flow of fluid downwardly in said pipe string to said region, said instrument carrier comprising: a hollow body containing a chamber for housing an instrument for testing and/or making test records of said region; said body being capable of being conveyed by said fluid flow downwardly in said pipe string to said region and being sufficiently buoyant to float upwardly through said pipe string to the surface upon stoppage of said fluid flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An instrument carrier as recited in claim 3, in which said carrier body has a wall containing a passage or passages placing said chamber in communication with the fluid in said pipe string for testing of said region by an instrument housed within said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An instrument carrier as recited in claim 4, in which said body comprises a plurality of separably axially aligned and connected sections, one of said sections containing said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An instrument carrier as recited in claim 5, including a receptacle movably received within said chamber for containing said instrument, and shock cushioning means in said chamber resiliently supporting said receptacle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An instrument carrier as recited in claim 6, in which cushioning means include springs disposed between and engaging opposite ends of said chamber and receptacle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
An instrument carrier as recited in claim 3, in which said body includes a first section containing said chamber and having a wall containing a passage placing said chamber in communication with the fluid in said pipe string for testing of said region by an instrument housed within said chamber, said body including a second section connected in end-to-end alignment with said first section and constituting a buoyancy means for said body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An instrument carrier as recited in claim 3, in which said body includes a plurality of separably axially aligned and connected sections, one of said sections containing said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
An instrument carrier as recited in claim 3, in which said body includes a plurality of separably axially aligned and connected sections, one of said sections containing said chamber, there being means on one of said body sections and projecting laterally therefrom for resiliently centering said body in said fluid column.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination comprising an instrument carrier as recited in claim 3, and a test instrument or instruments contained in said chamber and having a combined effective density with the carrier to be forced downwardly therewith by fluid flow and float upwardly upon cessation of the fluid flow.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of testing a subsurface region in a well containing a column of fluid, said method comprising: introducing into the fluid column a test unit having an effective overall density to be buoyant in said fluid; producing a flow of fluid downwardly in the well at a velocity conveying said test unit downwardly with the fluid to said region; conducting a test by said unit while the unit is at said region; and allowing said unit to float upwardly by its buoyancy through said fluid column and to the surface of the earth.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of testing a subsurface region in a well containing a column of fluid, said method comprising: introducing into the fluid column a test unit having an effective overall density to be buoyant in said fluid; producing a flow of fluid downwardly in the well at a velocity conveying said test unit downwardly with the fluid to said region; conducting a test by said unit while the unit is at said region; and allowing said unit to float upwardly by its buoyancy through said fluid column and to the surface of the earth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 12, including retrieving a test record from said unit after it has returned to the surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-08 | 1980-08-09 | 1981-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-08 | 1984-08-09 | 1985-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-08 | 1988-08-09 | 1989-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |