US4685326A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resonant determination of saturation changes in rock samples
Assignee: Core Holdings BV
•
Filing: 1986-03-10
•
Granted: 1987-08-11
•
Expires: 2006-03-10
Abstract
Abstract Mass, or changes in mass, of a rock specimen are measured to determine the changes in saturation of a rock specimen. Measurements can be obtained in test environments of high temperature or high pressure or both. The mass is rigidly attached beneath a stiff spring and made to vibrate or oscillate at a characteristic frequency. The frequency of oscillation is detected and the data then used to determine mass of the specimen.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul E. Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N5/00; G01G; G01G3/00; G01G3/12; G01G3/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for determining saturation of a rock sample, while said rock sample is held at conditions of elevated temperature or pressure, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for holding said rock sample, said holding means being contained within a test vessel and including means for selectively applying fluid to said rock sample while the rock sample is being held; (b) means for applying excitation to said holding means; and (c) means for detecting oscillation of said rock sample in response to applied excitation to ascertain the mass of the rock sample and for determining its saturation in accordance with the mass.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for determining saturation of a rock sample, while said rock sample is held at conditions of elevated temperature or pressure, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for holding said rock sample, said holding means being contained within a test vessel and including means for selectively applying fluid to said rock sample while the rock sample is being held; (b) means for applying excitation to said holding means; and (c) means for detecting oscillation of said rock sample in response to applied excitation to ascertain the mass of the rock sample and for determining its saturation in accordance with the mass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for holding comprises: resilient spring means for holding the rock sample beneath it.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: said resilient spring means is rigidly mounted on a first end to a support surface forming part of said test vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means for holding comprises: (a) a first low mass end cap mounted on a first side of the rock sample; (b) said first end cap being rigidly mounted to said resilient spring means; and (c) a second low mass end cap mounted on an opposite side of the rock sample from said first end cap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means for holding comprises: a jacket member extending between said first and second and caps for enclosing the rock sample.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for applying excitation comprises: means for applying electromagnetic excitation to said means for holding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for applying excitation comprises: a magnetic body mounted with said means for holding.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for detecting comprises: means for magnetically detecting oscillation of the rock sample.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for detecting comprises: (a) a target mounted with said means for holding; and (b) means for detecting motion of said target.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for detecting comprises: means for detecting the frequency of oscillation of the rock sample.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: said resilient spring means is rigidly mounted on a first end to a support surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for holding comprises: (a) resilient spring means for holding the rock sample beneath it; (b) fluid passage means formed in said resilient spring means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for holding comprises: (a) a first end cap mounted on a first side of the rock sample; (b) a second end cap mounted on an opposite side of the rock sample from said first end cap; (c) fluid passage means formed in each of said end caps communicating with the fluid passage means formed in said resilient spring means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for holding comprises: a jacket member extending between said first and second end caps for enclosing the rock sample.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said test vessel is a pressure vessel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said test vessel is a high temperature oven.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
86 words
a method of determining saturation of a rock sample, while said rock sample is held at conditions of elevated temperature or pressure; comprising the steps of: (a) holding the rock sample in a test vessel at elevated temperature or pressure; (b) selectively applying fluid to said rock sample; (c) applying excitation to the rock sample as it is being held; and (d) detecting oscillation of the rock sample in response to the applied excitation to ascertain the mass of the rock sample and thus its saturation.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
86 words
a method of determining saturation of a rock sample, while said rock sample is held at conditions of elevated temperature or pressure; comprising the steps of: (a) holding the rock sample in a test vessel at elevated temperature or pressure; (b) selectively applying fluid to said rock sample; (c) applying excitation to the rock sample as it is being held; and (d) detecting oscillation of the rock sample in response to the applied excitation to ascertain the mass of the rock sample and thus its saturation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said step of holding comprises the step of: resiliently supporting the rock sample as it is being held.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said step of applying excitation comprises: applying electromagnetic excitation to the rock sample as it is being held.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said step of applying excitation comprises: applying mechanical excitation to the rock sample as it is being held.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said step of detecting comprises: magnetically detecting oscillation of the rock sample.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said step of detecting comprises: optically detecting oscillation of the rock sample.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said step of detecting comprises: acoustically detecting oscillation of the rock sample.
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) | 1990-08-10 | 1991-02-09 | 1991-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-10 | 1995-02-09 | 1995-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-10 | 1999-02-09 | 1999-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |