US4287946A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Formation testers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-08-09
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Granted: 1981-09-08
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Expires: 1999-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A formation tester apparatus for use in a well bore for multiple testing of pressures of earth formation fluids and the taking of a fluid sample, including pad and shoe means selectively operable for sealingly engaging a well bore. Upon sealing engagement of the pad means with the wall of a well bore, a fluid sample is ingested into an expanding chamber while its pressure is sensed. Upon completion of the pressure test, the pad means is retracted from the wall of a well bore, and the expanding chamber contracts to expel the fluid sample. The pressure test may be repeated any number of times. The expanding chamber includes a piston operated with fluid pressure used to actuate the pad means. A choke delays the application of pressure to the piston until after the pad means seals on the wall of the well bore. When a fluid sample is desired, the fluid pressure used to actuate the pad means is increased to operate a first valve means which connects the pad means of a water cushion sampling chamber. After a fluid sample is collected, the fluid pressure is further increased to operate a second valve means which closes off the sampling chamber. When the formations are unconsolidated a slidable probe in the pad means extends outwardly into the wall and forms a mechanical filter. When the probe retracts the filter is self-cleaning.
Inventors
- 👤 Emmet F. Brieger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:50
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B49/00; E21B49/08; E21B49/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A formation tester adapted for passage through a well bore traversing earth formations and comprising: an elongated tool body adapted for passage through a well bore; shoe and pad means on said tool body adapted for lateral movement relative to said tool body between a retracted position and an extended position in engagement with the wall of a well bore; a tubular member slidably disposed in said pad means, said tubular member having an actuating piston which can be placed into access to well pressure thereby to move said tubular member between a retracted position and an extended position, spring means in said pad means normally urging said tubular member toward its retracted position; said tubular member having a central opening adapted to receive a fluid sample, said pad means and tubular member cooperating when said tubular member is in an extended position to restrict the size of said central opening to form an annular clearance space for bridging sand particles, and when said tubular member is in a retracted position, to provide unrestricted access to said central opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A formation tester adapted for passage through a well bore traversing earth formations and comprising: an elongated tool body adapted for passage through a well bore; shoe and pad means on said tool body adapted for lateral movement relative to said tool body between a retracted position and an extended position in engagement with the wall of a well bore; a tubular member slidably disposed in said pad means, said tubular member having an actuating piston which can be placed into access to well pressure thereby to move said tubular member between a retracted position and an extended position, spring means in said pad means normally urging said tubular member toward its retracted position; said tubular member having a central opening adapted to receive a fluid sample, said pad means and tubular member cooperating when said tubular member is in an extended position to restrict the size of said central opening to form an annular clearance space for bridging sand particles, and when said tubular member is in a retracted position, to provide unrestricted access to said central opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including: a central post member attached to said tool body and disposed within said tubular member, said post member and tubular member having cooperating flanges which define said annular clearance space when said tubular member is in an extended position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The formation tester apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including means for limiting the movement of said tubular member relative to said pad means in said extended position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
229 words
A formation tester adapted for passage through a well bore traversing earth formations and comprising; an elongated tool body adapted for passage through a well bore; shoe and pad means on said tool body adapted for lateral movement relative to said tool body between a retracted position within said tool body and an extended position in engagement with the wall of a well bore; probe means on said pad means movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to said pad means, said probe means including a tubular member having a piston slidably received within said pad means which can be actuated to move said tubular member toward its extended position and retractor means for moving said tubular member and piston toward its retracted position; means on said tool body for placing said piston into access with well pressure for actuating said tubular member to move toward its extended position; said pad means and tubular member having cooperating, structure when said tubular member is in an extended position for defining a restricted clearance opening for fluid flow, said clearance opening being sized to inhibit flow of particulate matter thereby providing for bridging of sand particles, said cooperating structure on said pad means and tubular means defining an opening for fluid flow which is sized to pass particulate matter when said tubular member is in a retracted position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
229 words
A formation tester adapted for passage through a well bore traversing earth formations and comprising; an elongated tool body adapted for passage through a well bore; shoe and pad means on said tool body adapted for lateral movement relative to said tool body between a retracted position within said tool body and an extended position in engagement with the wall of a well bore; probe means on said pad means movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to said pad means, said probe means including a tubular member having a piston slidably received within said pad means which can be actuated to move said tubular member toward its extended position and retractor means for moving said tubular member and piston toward its retracted position; means on said tool body for placing said piston into access with well pressure for actuating said tubular member to move toward its extended position; said pad means and tubular member having cooperating, structure when said tubular member is in an extended position for defining a restricted clearance opening for fluid flow, said clearance opening being sized to inhibit flow of particulate matter thereby providing for bridging of sand particles, said cooperating structure on said pad means and tubular means defining an opening for fluid flow which is sized to pass particulate matter when said tubular member is in a retracted position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The formation tester apparatus as defined in claim 4 and further including: a central post member attached to said tool body and disposed within said tubular member, said piston being slidingly and sealingly received on said post member, said post member and tubular member having cooperating flanges which define said restricted clearance opening therebetween when said tubular member is in an extended position, said retactor means being a spring member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The formation tester apparatus as defined in claim 5 and further including means for limiting the movement of said tubular member relative to said pad means in the extended and retracted positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The formation tester as defined in claim 6 and further including sample chamber means in said tool body for receiving a fluid sample, means fluidly coupling said sample chamber means to the interior of said tubular member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
191 words
A formation tester adapted for passage through a well bore traversing earth formations and comprising: an elongated tool body adapted for passage through a well bore; shoe and pad means on said tool body adapted for lateral movement relative to said tool body between a retracted position and an extended position in engagement with the wall of a well bore; probe means on said pad means including formation probe member movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to said pad means, said probe means having a piston slidably received in said pad means and retractor means for moving said probe member to a retracted position; means for placing said piston into access with well pressure for urging said tubular member toward an extended position; means on said probe member for providing a normal opening for the flow of formation fluids containing sand while said tubular member is in a retracted position and for providing a restricted opening sized to filter sand particles when said probe member is in an extended position for bridging of sand particles at the restricted opening while permitting the taking of a fluid sample.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
191 words
A formation tester adapted for passage through a well bore traversing earth formations and comprising: an elongated tool body adapted for passage through a well bore; shoe and pad means on said tool body adapted for lateral movement relative to said tool body between a retracted position and an extended position in engagement with the wall of a well bore; probe means on said pad means including formation probe member movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to said pad means, said probe means having a piston slidably received in said pad means and retractor means for moving said probe member to a retracted position; means for placing said piston into access with well pressure for urging said tubular member toward an extended position; means on said probe member for providing a normal opening for the flow of formation fluids containing sand while said tubular member is in a retracted position and for providing a restricted opening sized to filter sand particles when said probe member is in an extended position for bridging of sand particles at the restricted opening while permitting the taking of a fluid sample.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said probe means includes a central post member disposed within said probe means; means on said probe member for cooperating with said central post member for providing said restricted opening sized to filter said particles when said probe member is in an extended position; and said retractor means is a spring member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The formation tester apparatus as defined in claim 9 and further including sample chamber means in said tool body for receiving a fluid sample, and means for placing said sample chamber means into access with said central member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The formation tester apparatus as defined in claim 10 and further including means for limiting movement of said central member relative to said pad means in the extended and retracted positions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
173 words
A formation tester adapted for passage through a well bore traversing earth formations and comprising: an elongated tool body adapted for passage through a well bore; shoe and pad means on said tool body adapted for lateral movement relative to said tool body between a retracted position and an extended position in engagement with the wall of a well bore; probe means on said pad means including formation probe member movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to said pad means, said probe means having a piston slidably received in said pad means and retractor means normally urging said probe member to a retracted position; means on said probe member for providing a normal opening for the flow of formation fluids containing sand while said tubular member is in a retracted position and for providing means for preventing flow of sand while said probe member is in an extended position thereby bridging sand particles and preventing entry into said tubular member while said tubular member is in an extended position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
173 words
A formation tester adapted for passage through a well bore traversing earth formations and comprising: an elongated tool body adapted for passage through a well bore; shoe and pad means on said tool body adapted for lateral movement relative to said tool body between a retracted position and an extended position in engagement with the wall of a well bore; probe means on said pad means including formation probe member movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to said pad means, said probe means having a piston slidably received in said pad means and retractor means normally urging said probe member to a retracted position; means on said probe member for providing a normal opening for the flow of formation fluids containing sand while said tubular member is in a retracted position and for providing means for preventing flow of sand while said probe member is in an extended position thereby bridging sand particles and preventing entry into said tubular member while said tubular member is in an extended position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The formation tester apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said retractor means is a spiral spring member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-09-07 | 1985-03-09 | 1985-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-07 | 1989-03-09 | 1989-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-07 | 1993-03-09 | 1993-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |