Patent US4524324A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4524324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Downhole instrument including a flexible probe which can travel freely around bends in a borehole
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-01-28
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Granted: 1985-06-18
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Expires: 2003-01-28
Abstract
Abstract Bore hole instrument and methods of manufacturing and using the same. The instrument includes an elongated flexible probe which is inserted into a bore hole and can travel freely around bends of relatively short radius in the hole. The probe includes a plurality of sensors, explosive charges or the like which are spaced apart and embedded in a flexible body comprising a mass of cushioning material, with a flexible outer casing of fabric having a high tensile strength. The probe is driven into a bore hole in piston-like fashion, and the flexible body enables the probe to travel freely around bends of relatively short radius. Instrumentation for processing signals from the probe is located at the surface of the earth, and a flexible cable interconnects the instrumentation with the probe.
Inventors
- 👤 Ben W. O. Dickinson, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:11
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B29/00; E21B29/02; E21B23/00; E21B23/08; E21B23/10; E21B47/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/911
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
In a package for use in a bore hole in the earth: an axially elongated flexible fabric casing of high tensile strength, payload within the casing for providing or receiving electrical signals, an elongated mass of flexible, cushioning material surrounding the payload and filling the casing to form flexible body which can be propelled through the bore hole in piston-like fashion by pressurized fluid and can travel around bends of relatively short radius in the bore hole, and a flexible cable extending axially from one end of the body and being secured to the casing of flexible material and connected electrically to the payload for carrying signals between the payload and the surface of the earth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a package for use in a bore hole in the earth: an axially elongated flexible fabric casing of high tensile strength, payload within the casing for providing or receiving electrical signals, an elongated mass of flexible, cushioning material surrounding the payload and filling the casing to form flexible body which can be propelled through the bore hole in piston-like fashion by pressurized fluid and can travel around bends of relatively short radius in the bore hole, and a flexible cable extending axially from one end of the body and being secured to the casing of flexible material and connected electrically to the payload for carrying signals between the payload and the surface of the earth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The package of claim 1 wherein the payload comprises a plurality of sensors spaced axially within the flexible body for providing electrical information signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The package of claim 1 wherein the payload comprises an explosive detonated by signals applied to the cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The pacakge of claim 1 wherein the casing is fabricated of a fabric comprising fibers selected from the group consisting of aromatic polyamide fibers, glass fibers, graphite fibers, boron fibers, nylon fibers, and combinations thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The package of claim 1 wherein the cushioning material comprises a silicone rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The package of claim 1 wherein the cushioning material is in a fluid state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The package of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the casing is coated with a lubricious material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
In an instrument for use in a bore hole in the earth: a plurality of sensors spaced apart along an axis for providing electrical information signals, an axially extending flexible cable for carrying signals between the sensors and the surface of the earth, a plurality of flexible electrical conductors interconnecting the sensors and the cable, an axially elongated flexible fabric casing of high tensile strength surrounding the sensors and the electrical conductors and being affixed to the flexible cable toward one end thereof, and a mass of flexible, electrically insulative, cushioning material surrounding the sensors and the electrical conductors within the casing to form a flexible probe capable of travelling around bends of relatively short radius in the bore hole.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
In an instrument for use in a bore hole in the earth: a plurality of sensors spaced apart along an axis for providing electrical information signals, an axially extending flexible cable for carrying signals between the sensors and the surface of the earth, a plurality of flexible electrical conductors interconnecting the sensors and the cable, an axially elongated flexible fabric casing of high tensile strength surrounding the sensors and the electrical conductors and being affixed to the flexible cable toward one end thereof, and a mass of flexible, electrically insulative, cushioning material surrounding the sensors and the electrical conductors within the casing to form a flexible probe capable of travelling around bends of relatively short radius in the bore hole.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The instrument of claim 8 wherein at least one of the sensors is selected from the group consisting of magnetometers, accelerometers, gyroscopes and inertial devices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 8 wherein the casing is fabricated of an aromatic polyamide fabric.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The instrument of claim 8 wherein the casing is fabricated of a fabric comprising fibers selected from the group consisting of aromatic polyamide fibers, glass fibers, graphite fibers, boron fibers, nylon fibers, and combinations thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 8 wherein the electrically insulative cushioning material comprises a silicone rubber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 8 wherein the electrically insulative cushioning material is in a fluid state.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 8 wherein the outer surface of the casing is coated with a lubricious material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
114 words
In apparatus for obtaining information from a bore hole in the earth: an elongated flexible probe which is inserted into the hole and can travel freely around bends of relatively short radius in the hole, said probe having a body formed of a flexible mass of electrically insulative cushioning material and a flexible fabric casing of high tensile strength enveloping the flexible mass, means carried by the body and surrounded by the cushioning material for providing signals corresponding to the information to be obtained, instrumentation means located at the surface of the earth for processing the probe signals, and a flexible connecting cable affixed to the probe and electrically connected to the instrumentation means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
114 words
In apparatus for obtaining information from a bore hole in the earth: an elongated flexible probe which is inserted into the hole and can travel freely around bends of relatively short radius in the hole, said probe having a body formed of a flexible mass of electrically insulative cushioning material and a flexible fabric casing of high tensile strength enveloping the flexible mass, means carried by the body and surrounded by the cushioning material for providing signals corresponding to the information to be obtained, instrumentation means located at the surface of the earth for processing the probe signals, and a flexible connecting cable affixed to the probe and electrically connected to the instrumentation means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the flexible means of cushioning material is a fluid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 15 including a flexible sealing ring projecting laterally from the probe for sliding engagement with the inner wall of the hole into which the probe is inserted.
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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) | 1988-06-17 | 1988-12-17 | 1989-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-06-17 | 1992-12-17 | 1993-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-06-17 | 1996-12-17 | 1997-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |