Patent US4649737A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4649737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for automatic testing of core samples
Assignee: Marathon Oil Co
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Filing: 1985-11-07
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Granted: 1987-03-17
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Expires: 2005-11-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for automatically determining the permeability and porosity for a plurality of core samples. The apparatus includes a carousel capable of carrying a plurality of core samples, a piston for selectively transferring one of the core samples from the carousel into a sample holder wherein the piston in cooperation with the sample holder seals the core sample in a test chamber, and a second piston located internal to the first piston for selectively closing and opening the lower end of the core sample so that gas introduced in the upper end of the core sample can be utilized to conduct a permeability test when the lower end is open and a porosity test when the lower end is closed by the internal piston.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley C. Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/08; G01N2015/0833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
An apparatus for determining the permeability and porosity of a plurality of core samples by automatically testing said core samples, said apparatus comprising: means containing a predetermined number of containers for releasably carrying said plurality of core samples, wherein each container carries only one said core sample, means for automatically transferring said core sample from one said container prior to said automatic permeability and porosity test and automatically transferring said core sample back to said container subsequent to said automatic permeability and porosity test, means for automatically receiving and holding said core sample in response to said transfer of said core sample from said container, means for automatically delivering a pressurized fluid into said core sample in order to conduct said permeability and porosity test, means for automatically and releasably sealing said core sample to prevent flow of said fluid through and out of said core sample when said porosity test is being conducted, said sealing means being further capable of automatically unsealing said core sample to enable flow of said fluid through and out of said core sample when said permeability test is being conducted, and means for automatically positioning the next successive container with respect to said holding means to enable transfer of the core sample from said next container to said holding means after the previous core sample is tested and transferred back into said one container, said positioning means being further capable of automatically positioning all said predetermined number of containers until all said plurality of core samples have been tested.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
255 words
An apparatus for determining the permeability and porosity of a plurality of core samples by automatically testing said core samples, said apparatus comprising: means containing a predetermined number of containers for releasably carrying said plurality of core samples, wherein each container carries only one said core sample, means for automatically transferring said core sample from one said container prior to said automatic permeability and porosity test and automatically transferring said core sample back to said container subsequent to said automatic permeability and porosity test, means for automatically receiving and holding said core sample in response to said transfer of said core sample from said container, means for automatically delivering a pressurized fluid into said core sample in order to conduct said permeability and porosity test, means for automatically and releasably sealing said core sample to prevent flow of said fluid through and out of said core sample when said porosity test is being conducted, said sealing means being further capable of automatically unsealing said core sample to enable flow of said fluid through and out of said core sample when said permeability test is being conducted, and means for automatically positioning the next successive container with respect to said holding means to enable transfer of the core sample from said next container to said holding means after the previous core sample is tested and transferred back into said one container, said positioning means being further capable of automatically positioning all said predetermined number of containers until all said plurality of core samples have been tested.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said core sample is cylindrically shaped and said transfer means comprises a piston operable to engage an end face of said core sample and to axially displace said sample from said one container into said holding means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said releasable sealing means comprises said piston engaging said end face of said core sample in said holding means, a formed passageway internal to said piston for conveying said fluid from said core sample, and a second piston internal to said first piston for selectively sealing said passageway during said porosity test and for opening said passageway during said permeability test.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first piston is operable to apply axial overburden stress to the core sample when said piston is engaged to said end face of said core sample in said holding means during the porosity and permeability tests.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the holding means comprises a means for applying radial overburden stress to the core sample when contained in said holding means during the porosity and permeability tests.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said radial overburden stress means comprises an elastic sleeve for selectively engaging the side of said core sample in said holding means, a formed chamber substantially around said sleeve, and a means for pressurizing said chamber in order to contract said sleeve around said core sample to apply said radial overburden stress during the tests.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising photoelectric means for automatically checking the correct position of said one container with respect to said holding means prior to transferring said core sample.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said carrying means is a circular carousel having said containers for said core sample spaced around the periphery of said carousel and wherein said carrying means are automatically positioned by rotating the carousel stepwise about its axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the carrying means is removably mounted in the apparatus to permit preloading of the carrying means with said core samples to be tested prior to inserting said loaded carrier into said apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gas delivering means further comprises a formed passageway in said holding means and a distributor means engaging said passageway and said core sample for uniformly distributing said gas into said core sample.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising photoelectric means for automatically checking the presence or absence of said core sample in said one container prior to actuating said transfer means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising photoelectric means for automatically checking the correct loading of said core sample into said holding means prior to initiating said porosity and permeability tests.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
244 words
A method of automatically conducting permeability and porosity tests on a plurality of core samples contained in a carousel having a separate container for each of said core samples, said method comprising the steps of: (a) automatically aligning a first core sample in a first container of said carousel with a test chamber, (b) automatically transferring said first core sample out of said first container in response to the alignment of the first core sample with said chamber, (c) automatically holding said transferred first core sample in said test chamber in response to the transfer of the first core sample, (d) sealing said raised first core sample in said test chamber at a predetermined pressure, (e) simultaneously applying an axial and a radial stress to said first core sample in order to simulate at least one predetermined overburden stress and in response to the sealing of said first core sample in said test chamber, (f) automatically performing at least one set of said porosity and permeability tests on said first core sample in response to said application of the axial and radial stresses to said first core sample, (g) automatically transferring said first core sample from said test chamber upon completion of at least one set of porosity and permeability tests conducted for at least one predetermined overburden stress, and (h) automatically repeating steps (b) through (g) for each of the remaining core samples by aligning the next successive container with said test chamber.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
244 words
A method of automatically conducting permeability and porosity tests on a plurality of core samples contained in a carousel having a separate container for each of said core samples, said method comprising the steps of: (a) automatically aligning a first core sample in a first container of said carousel with a test chamber, (b) automatically transferring said first core sample out of said first container in response to the alignment of the first core sample with said chamber, (c) automatically holding said transferred first core sample in said test chamber in response to the transfer of the first core sample, (d) sealing said raised first core sample in said test chamber at a predetermined pressure, (e) simultaneously applying an axial and a radial stress to said first core sample in order to simulate at least one predetermined overburden stress and in response to the sealing of said first core sample in said test chamber, (f) automatically performing at least one set of said porosity and permeability tests on said first core sample in response to said application of the axial and radial stresses to said first core sample, (g) automatically transferring said first core sample from said test chamber upon completion of at least one set of porosity and permeability tests conducted for at least one predetermined overburden stress, and (h) automatically repeating steps (b) through (g) for each of the remaining core samples by aligning the next successive container with said test chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said porosity test is performed by introducing a fluid into said chamber and said core sample under sealed conditions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said permeability test is performed by introducing a fluid into said chamber and said core sample under unsealed flow-through conditions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 13 wherein a pneumatically activated piston transfers said first core sample to said test chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 16 wherein said piston applies said axial stress to said first core sample when in said test chamber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process of claim 16 wherein a second piston located internal to said first piston seals said test chamber and first core sample in order to conduct said porosity test and unseals said sealed core sample and test chamber in order to conduct said permeability test.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 13 wherein an elastic sleeve located in said test chamber applies radial stress to said first core sample.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said first core sample in said first container of said carousel is vertically aligned beneath said test chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 20 wherein said vertical alignment is checked by a photoelectric cell before transferring said first core sample into said test chamber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said core sample is cylindrical and said fluid is delivered to one end of said core sample by a distribution means engaging said one end and collected from the opposite end of said core sample by a fluid collection means seated on said piston.
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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) | 1990-03-16 | 1990-09-15 | 1991-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-16 | 1994-09-15 | 1995-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-16 | 1998-09-15 | 1999-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |