US4621264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for measuring water level in a well
Assignee: Nippon Steel Corp
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Filing: 1984-09-04
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Granted: 1986-11-04
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Expires: 2004-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A method for measuring the water level in a well including the steps of radiating an electromagnetic wave to a gap between a boring drill rod and a casing pipe by using a transmitting antenna, receiving the electromagnetic wave reflected by a surface of the water level in the casing pipe by using a receiving antenna; then measuring a distance between the surface of the water level and the receiving antenna based on the going and returning time of the electromagnetic wave.
Inventors
- 👤 Hirokatsu Yashiro
- 👤 Jiro Ohno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/284; E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/04; E21B47/047; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/06; G01S13/08; G01S13/10; G01S13/32; G01S13/34; G01S13/343
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for measuring a water level in a well, such as a geothermal well, oil well, and the like, during drilling, said method comprising the steps of: radiating an electromagnetic wave having a selected wavelength into a gap between a boring drill rod and a casing pipe by using a transmitting antenna; receiving said electromagnetic wave reflected by a surface of said water level in said casing pipe by using a receiving antenna; and measuring a distance between said surface of said water level and said receiving antenna based on the going and returning time of said electromagnetic wave, wherein said selected wavelength of said electromagnetic wave to be used is longer than said gap distance between said boring drill rod and said casing pipe and said transmitting and receiving are performed by using a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode of electromagnetic wave.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for measuring a water level in a well, such as a geothermal well, oil well, and the like, during drilling, said method comprising the steps of: radiating an electromagnetic wave having a selected wavelength into a gap between a boring drill rod and a casing pipe by using a transmitting antenna; receiving said electromagnetic wave reflected by a surface of said water level in said casing pipe by using a receiving antenna; and measuring a distance between said surface of said water level and said receiving antenna based on the going and returning time of said electromagnetic wave, wherein said selected wavelength of said electromagnetic wave to be used is longer than said gap distance between said boring drill rod and said casing pipe and said transmitting and receiving are performed by using a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode of electromagnetic wave.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said measuring is performed by mixing said radiated electromagnetic wave with said received electromagnetic wave and by analyzing an intermediate frequency obtained from said mix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic wave is frequency-modulated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electromagnetic wave is frequency-modulated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said measuring is performed by detecting a delay time between said radiated electromagnetic wave and said received electromagnetic wave.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for measuring a water level in a well, such as a geothermal well, oil well, and the like, during drilling, said apparatus comprising: a transmitting antenna mounted to the top of a casing pipe in a gap between a boring drill rod and said casing pipe; a receiving antenna mounted to the opposite side of said transmitting antenna in said gap; a transmitter-receiver electrically connected to said transmitting antenna and said receiving antenna for transmitting and receiving said electromagnetic wave; a spectrum analyzing means for analyzing mixed transmitted and received electromagnetic waves; and a recording means for recording analyzed data.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for measuring a water level in a well, such as a geothermal well, oil well, and the like, during drilling, said apparatus comprising: a transmitting antenna mounted to the top of a casing pipe in a gap between a boring drill rod and said casing pipe; a receiving antenna mounted to the opposite side of said transmitting antenna in said gap; a transmitter-receiver electrically connected to said transmitting antenna and said receiving antenna for transmitting and receiving said electromagnetic wave; a spectrum analyzing means for analyzing mixed transmitted and received electromagnetic waves; and a recording means for recording analyzed data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said transmitting antenna comprises a horn antenna.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said receiving antenna comprises a horn antenna.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said transmitter-receiver comprises a sweep oscillator generating a frequency-modulated electromagnetic wave, a directional coupler for splitting said electromagnetic wave into two electromagnetic waves, an amplifier for amplifying one electromagnetic wave transmitted from said directional coupler, and a mixer for mixing the other transmitted electromagnetic wave with a received electromagnetic wave.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said spectrum analyzing means comprises a spectrum analyzer.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for measuring a water level in a well, such as a geothermal well, oil well, and the like, during drilling, said apparatus comprising: a transmitting electrode mounted to a boring drill rod; a receiving electrode mounted to a casing pipe; a pulse oscillator for generating a pulse-modulated electromagnetic wave; a spectrum analyzing means for measuring a delay time between a transmitted pulse and received pulse; and a recording means for recording measured data.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for measuring a water level in a well, such as a geothermal well, oil well, and the like, during drilling, said apparatus comprising: a transmitting electrode mounted to a boring drill rod; a receiving electrode mounted to a casing pipe; a pulse oscillator for generating a pulse-modulated electromagnetic wave; a spectrum analyzing means for measuring a delay time between a transmitted pulse and received pulse; and a recording means for recording measured data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein positive potential is applied to said transmitting electrode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein negative potential is applied to said receiving electrode.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for measuring a water level in a well, such as a geothermal well, oil well, and the like, during drilling, said method comprising the steps of: radiating an electromagnetic wave having a selected wavelength into a gap between a boring drill rod and a casing pipe by using a transmitting antenna; receiving said electromagnetic wave reflected by a surface of said water level in said casing pipe by using a receiving antenna; and measuring a distance between said surface of said water level and said receiving antenna based on the going and returning time of said electromagnetic wave, wherein said selected wavelength of said electromagnetic wave to be used is shorter than said gap distance between said boring drill rod and said casing pipe and said transmitting and receiving are performed by using a transverse electric (TE) mode of electromagnetic wave.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for measuring a water level in a well, such as a geothermal well, oil well, and the like, during drilling, said method comprising the steps of: radiating an electromagnetic wave having a selected wavelength into a gap between a boring drill rod and a casing pipe by using a transmitting antenna; receiving said electromagnetic wave reflected by a surface of said water level in said casing pipe by using a receiving antenna; and measuring a distance between said surface of said water level and said receiving antenna based on the going and returning time of said electromagnetic wave, wherein said selected wavelength of said electromagnetic wave to be used is shorter than said gap distance between said boring drill rod and said casing pipe and said transmitting and receiving are performed by using a transverse electric (TE) mode of electromagnetic wave.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said transmitting and receiving are performed by using a TE 01 mode of electromagnetic wave.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said measuring is performed by mixing said radiated electromagnetic wave with said received electromagnetic wave and by analyzing an intermediate frequency obtained from said mix.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said electromagnetic wave is frequency-modulated.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said electromagnetic wave is frequency-modulated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said measuring is performed by detecting a delay time between said radiated electromagnetic wave and said received electromagnetic wave.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for measuring a water level in a well, such as a geothermal well, oil well, and the like, during drilling, said method comprising the steps of: radiating a pulse-modulated electromagnetic wave into a gap between a boring drill rod and a casing pipe, receiving said electromagnetic wave reflected by a surface of said water level in said casing pipe, and measuring a position of said water level based on a delay time between a transmitted pulse and received pulse.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for measuring a water level in a well, such as a geothermal well, oil well, and the like, during drilling, said method comprising the steps of: radiating a pulse-modulated electromagnetic wave into a gap between a boring drill rod and a casing pipe, receiving said electromagnetic wave reflected by a surface of said water level in said casing pipe, and measuring a position of said water level based on a delay time between a transmitted pulse and received pulse.
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) | 1989-11-03 | 1990-05-05 | 1990-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-03 | 1994-05-05 | 1994-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-03 | 1998-05-05 | 1998-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |