US5280243A — System for logging a well during the drilling the…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 186 words

Well logging apparatus for geophysical examination of a bore hole having a longitudinal axis, said apparatus comprising logging means having a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bore hole and drilling means having a drill bit mounted on a drill collar extending through the bore hole, said logging means coupled to said drilling means so that said logging means follows said drilling means through said bore hole as said drilling means forms said bore hole, said logging means comprising: (a) first means for generating a static magnetic field in the region of a portion of the bore hole adjacent the logging means, which region includes materials sought to be analyzed; (b) second means for generating a radio frequency magnetic field substantially symmetric about the longitudinal axis of the logging means for exciting nuclei of the materials sought to be analyzed in said region, said second means being located outside said drill collar; and (c) third means for receiving nuclear magnetic resonance signals from the excited nuclei and for providing and output signal indicative of properties of the materials sought to be analyzed.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 186 words

Well logging apparatus for geophysical examination of a bore hole having a longitudinal axis, said apparatus comprising logging means having a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bore hole and drilling means having a drill bit mounted on a drill collar extending through the bore hole, said logging means coupled to said drilling means so that said logging means follows said drilling means through said bore hole as said drilling means forms said bore hole, said logging means comprising: (a) first means for generating a static magnetic field in the region of a portion of the bore hole adjacent the logging means, which region includes materials sought to be analyzed; (b) second means for generating a radio frequency magnetic field substantially symmetric about the longitudinal axis of the logging means for exciting nuclei of the materials sought to be analyzed in said region, said second means being located outside said drill collar; and (c) third means for receiving nuclear magnetic resonance signals from the excited nuclei and for providing and output signal indicative of properties of the materials sought to be analyzed.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drilling means rotates to form said bore hole and said logging means is coupled to said drilling means to rotate therewith.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 47 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drilling means comprises a drill bit mounted on a drill collar, said first means comprising a tubular member disposed about a portion of said drill collar remote from said drill bit, said tubular member comprising at least one permanent magnet.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said tubular member includes resilient portions.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 47 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said drilling means comprises a drill bit mounted on a drill collar, said first means comprising tubular magnet means disposed about a portion of said drill collar closely adjacent said drill bit, said magnet means comprising at least one permanent magnet.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said magnet means includes resilient portions.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 44 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first means generates a gradient static magnetic field in said region, and wherein said second means generates a radio frequency magnetic field in said region to excite said nuclei therein, said fields being orthogonal to each other.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said logging means comprises antenna means mounted on said first means, said antenna means forming a portion of said second and said third means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 48 words

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said drilling means comprises a drill bit mounted on a drill collar, said first means comprising tubular magnet means disposed about a portion of said drill collar closely adjacent said drill bit, said tubular magnet means comprising at least one permanent magnet.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 11 words

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said magnet means is resilient.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said logging means comprises antenna means mounted on said magnet means, said antenna means forming a portion of said second and said third means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said logging means comprises antenna means mounted on said magnet means, said antenna means forming a portion of said second and said third means.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim wherein said antenna means is electrically isolated from said magnet means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said antenna means is electrically isolated from said magnet means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said magnet means is an elongated member having a longitudinal central axis and wherein said antenna means comprises at least one elongated member extending along said magnet means parallel to said axis.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said magnet means is an elongated member having a longitudinal central axis and wherein said antenna means comprises at least one elongated member extending along said magnet means parallel to said axis.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said magnet means is an elongated member having a longitudinal central axis and wherein said antenna means comprises at least one elongated member extending along said magnet means parallel to said axis.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said drill collar is a cylindrical member having a central longitudinal axis and including a longitudinally extending annular recess in which said magnet means is located.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said logging means comprises antenna means mounted on said magnet means, said antenna means forming a portion of said second and said third means.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said antenna means is electrically isolated from said magnet means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 51 words

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said magnet means is an elongated member having a longitudinal central axis and a cylindrical outer surface extending around said axis, and wherein said antenna means comprises at least one elongated member extending along the outer surface of said magnet means parallel to said axis.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 51 words

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said magnet means is an elongated member having a longitudinal central axis and a cylindrical outer surface extending around said axis, and wherein said antenna means comprises at least one elongated member extending along the outside surface of said magnet means parallel to said axis.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 21 additionally comprising an electrically insulative and non-magnetic sleeve disposed about said magnet means and said antenna means.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said sleeve is formed of fiberglass.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 23 additionally comprising a layer of an electrically insulative and non-magnetic material between said magnet means and said antenna means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 24 additionally comprising a layer of an electrically insulative and non-magnetic material between said magnet means and said antenna means.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 22 additionally comprising an electrically insulative and non-magnetic sleeve disposed about said magnet means and said antenna means.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said sleeve is formed of fiberglass.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 27 additionally comprising a layer of an electrically insulative and non-magnetic material between said magnet means and said antenna means.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 28 additionally comprising a layer of an electrically insulative and non-magnetic material between said magnet means and said antenna means.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said antenna means produces a good approximation of a pulse dipole field.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said antenna means comprises two pairs of elongated conductors disposed immediately adjacent said first means.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said first means comprises an elongated tubular permanent magnet having a longitudinal central axis and wherein said pairs of elongated conductors extend along said permanent magnet parallel to said central axis.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 59 words

The apparatus of claim 33 wherein each of said conductors is of a relatively narrow width defined by an arc of a first predetermined polar angle measured with respect to said axis, and wherein the distance between the centers of the arcs of each pair of conductors is a second predetermined polar angle measured with respect to said axis.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said first predetermined polar angle is approximately fifteen degrees.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said second polar angle is approximately twenty degrees.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said second polar angle is approximately twenty degrees.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said pairs of electrical conductors are connected in series with each other, and wherein said conductors of each pair are connected in parallel with each other.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said first means comprises an elongated tubular permanent magnet having a longitudinal central axis and wherein said pairs of elongated conductors extend along said permanent magnet parallel to said central axis.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 59 words

The apparatus of claim 39 wherein each of said conductors is of a relatively narrow width defined by an arc of a first predetermined polar angle measured with respect to said axis, and wherein the distance between the centers of the arcs of each pair of conductors is a second predetermined polar angle measured with respect to said axis.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said first predetermined polar angle is approximately fifteen degrees.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said second polar angle is approximately twenty degrees.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said second polar angle is approximately twenty degrees.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 34 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said tubular magnet includes a longitudinal central axis, and wherein said antenna means comprises two pairs of elongated conductors extending along said tubular magnet parallel to said axis.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said pairs of electrical conductors are connected in series with each other, and wherein said conductors of each pair are connected in parallel with each other.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 59 words

The apparatus of claim 45 wherein each of said conductors is of a relatively narrow width defined by an arc of a first predetermined polar angle measured with respect to said axis, and wherein the distance between the centers of the arcs of each pair of conductors is a second predetermined polar angle measured with respect to said axis.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said first predetermined polar angle is approximately fifteen degrees.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said second polar angle is approximately twenty degrees.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 47 wherein said second polar angle is approximately twenty degrees.

Claim 51

Independent Claim 199 words

A method of using nuclear magnetic resonance logging apparatus for effecting the geophysical examination of a bore hole having a longitudinal axis, said logging apparatus having a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bore hole and a means for generating a radio frequency magnetic field, said method comprising: (a) coupling said logging apparatus to a drilling apparatus having a drill bit mounted on a drill collar extending through the bore hole such that said means for generating the radio frequency magnetic field is located outside said drill collar for rotational and longitudinal movement therewith, (b) forming a bore hole by rotating said drill bit, and (c) operating said logging apparatus to: (1) generate a static magnetic field in the region of a portion of the bore hole adjacent said logging apparatus, which region includes materials sought to be analyzed, (2) generate a radio frequency magnetic field substantially symmetric about the longitudinal axis of the logging apparatus to excite nuclei of the materials sought to be analyzed in said region, and (3) receive nuclear magnetic resonance signals from the excited nuclei for providing an output signal indicative of properties of the material sought to be analyzed.

Claim 52

Independent Claim 199 words

A method of using nuclear magnetic resonance logging apparatus for effecting the geophysical examination of a bore hole having a longitudinal axis, said logging apparatus having a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bore hole and a means for generating a radio frequency magnetic field, said method comprising: (a) coupling said logging apparatus to a drilling apparatus having a drill bit mounted on a drill collar extending through the bore hole such that said means for generating the radio frequency magnetic field is located outside said drill collar for rotational and longitudinal movement therewith, (b) forming a bore hole by rotating said drill bit, and (c) operating said logging apparatus to: (1) generate a static magnetic field in the region of a portion of the bore hole adjacent said logging apparatus, which region includes materials sought to be analyzed, (2) generate a radio frequency magnetic field substantially symmetric about the longitudinal axis of the logging apparatus to excite nuclei of the materials sought to be analyzed in said region, and (3) receive nuclear magnetic resonance signals from the excited nuclei for providing an output signal indicative of properties of the material sought to be analyzed.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 50 wherein the examination of said bore hole is accomplished as it is drilled by said drill bit.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 50 wherein said static magnetic field is a gradient field.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 51 wherein the examination of said bore hole is accomplished as it is drilled by said drill bit.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-01-17	1997-07-19	1998-01-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-01-17	2001-07-19	2002-01-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-01-17	2005-07-19	2006-01-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System for logging a well during the drilling thereof

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