US5520248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material
Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance LLC
•
Filing: 1995-01-04
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Granted: 1996-05-28
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Expires: 2015-01-04
Abstract
Abstract An earthen material hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus includes, a) a semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface; b) a pump in fluid communication with the semipermeable membrane rear surface, the pump being capable of delivering liquid to the membrane rear surface at a plurality of selected variable flow rates or at a plurality of selected variable pressures; c) a liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the pump, the liquid reservoir retaining a liquid for pumping to the membrane rear surface; and d) a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the membrane rear surface to measure pressure of liquid delivered to the membrane by the pump. Preferably, the pump comprises a pair of longitudinally opposed and aligned syringes which are operable to simultaneously fill one syringe while emptying the other. Methods of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 James B. Sisson
- 👤 Thomas K. Honeycutt
- 👤 Joel M. Hubbell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:39
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/12; E21B33/124; E21B33/1243; E21B33/127; E21B33/1275; E21B49/00; E21B49/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus for determining hydraulic conductivity of earthen material comprising: a semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface; a pump in fluid communication with the semipermeable membrane rear surface, the pump being capable of delivering liquid to the membrane rear surface at a plurality of selected variable flow rates or at a plurality of selected variable pressures; an inflatable bladder in communication with the membrane rear surface, the inflatable bladder being positioned to force the fore membrane surface against earthen material; a liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the pump, the liquid reservoir retaining a liquid for pumping to the membrane rear surface; and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the membrane rear surface to measure pressure of liquid delivered to the membrane by the pump.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus for determining hydraulic conductivity of earthen material comprising: a semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface; a pump in fluid communication with the semipermeable membrane rear surface, the pump being capable of delivering liquid to the membrane rear surface at a plurality of selected variable flow rates or at a plurality of selected variable pressures; an inflatable bladder in communication with the membrane rear surface, the inflatable bladder being positioned to force the fore membrane surface against earthen material; a liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the pump, the liquid reservoir retaining a liquid for pumping to the membrane rear surface; and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the membrane rear surface to measure pressure of liquid delivered to the membrane by the pump.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a microprocessor controlled pump controller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rear membrane surface backing screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reservoir comprises an air-sealable collapsible flexible bladder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a rear membrane surface backing screen; and an inflatable bladder in communication with the membrane rear surface, the inflatable bladder being positioned to force the fore membrane surface against earthen material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pump comprises a syringe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pump comprises pair of syringes, each syringe having a respective piston, each syringe having a respective syringe inlet/outlet port; a valve in fluid communication with each inlet/outlet port, the valves being operable to place the respective inlet/outlet ports in fluid communication with either of the liquid reservoir or the membrane rear surface; and the apparatus further comprising a pump controller, the pump controller being operable to fill one syringe of the pair with liquid from the reservoir while ejecting fluid from the other syringe of the pair to the membrane rear surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 7 wherein the pair of syringes are longitudinally opposed, with their respective inlet/outlet ports facing away from one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 7 wherein the pair of syringes are longitudinally opposed, with their respective inlet/outlet ports facing away from one another, the piston of each syringe being connected to the other by a common driver, the driver being movable between opposing longitudinal limits, the pump controller being operable to reverse movement of the driver upon driver movement to either of the opposing longitudinal limits.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 7 wherein the pair of syringes are longitudinally opposed and in longitudinal alignment with one another, with their respective inlet/outlet ports facing away from one another, the piston of each syringe being connected to the other by a common drive shaft, the drive shaft being movable between opposing longitudinal limits, the pump controller being operable to reverse movement of the drive shaft upon drive shaft movement to either of the opposing longitudinal limits.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
244 words
An earthen material hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus for determining hydraulic conductivity of in a bore hole of earthen material comprising: a longitudinally elongated body; a pair of syringes received within the elongated body, each syringe having a respective piston, each syringe having a respective syringe inlet/outlet port, the syringes being longitudinally opposed within the body with their respective inlet/outlet ports facing away from one another, the piston of each syringe being connected to the other by a common driver, the driver being movable between opposing longitudinal limits; a liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet/outlet port of each syringe; a liquid delivery conduit in fluid communication with the inlet/outlet port of each syringe, the liquid delivery conduit having a liquid emitting terminus positionable to emit liquid onto earthen material within the bore; a valve in fluid communication with each syringe inlet/outlet port, the valves being operable to place the respective inlet/outlet ports in fluid communication with either of the liquid reservoir or the liquid delivery conduit; a syringe controller, the syringe controller being operable to fill one syringe of the pair with liquid from the reservoir while ejecting fluid from the other syringe of the pair to the liquid delivery conduit, the syringe controller being operable to reverse movement of the driver upon driver movement to either of the opposing longitudinal limits; and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the liquid delivery conduit to measure pressure of liquid within the delivery conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
244 words
An earthen material hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus for determining hydraulic conductivity of in a bore hole of earthen material comprising: a longitudinally elongated body; a pair of syringes received within the elongated body, each syringe having a respective piston, each syringe having a respective syringe inlet/outlet port, the syringes being longitudinally opposed within the body with their respective inlet/outlet ports facing away from one another, the piston of each syringe being connected to the other by a common driver, the driver being movable between opposing longitudinal limits; a liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet/outlet port of each syringe; a liquid delivery conduit in fluid communication with the inlet/outlet port of each syringe, the liquid delivery conduit having a liquid emitting terminus positionable to emit liquid onto earthen material within the bore; a valve in fluid communication with each syringe inlet/outlet port, the valves being operable to place the respective inlet/outlet ports in fluid communication with either of the liquid reservoir or the liquid delivery conduit; a syringe controller, the syringe controller being operable to fill one syringe of the pair with liquid from the reservoir while ejecting fluid from the other syringe of the pair to the liquid delivery conduit, the syringe controller being operable to reverse movement of the driver upon driver movement to either of the opposing longitudinal limits; and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the liquid delivery conduit to measure pressure of liquid within the delivery conduit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 11 wherein the pair of syringes are in longitudinal alignment with one another within the elongated body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 11 wherein the liquid emitting terminus comprises a semipermeable membrane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 11 wherein the pair of syringes are in longitudinal alignment with one another within the elongated body, and the liquid emitting terminus comprises a semipermeable membrane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 11 wherein the liquid emitting terminus comprises a semipermeable membrane, the semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface, a rear membrane surface backing screen being received against the rear liquid receiving surface, the liquid delivery conduits being in fluid communication with the screen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 11 wherein the liquid emitting terminus comprises a semipermeable membrane, the semipermeable membrane being received about an inflatable bladder, the inflatable bladder being operable to radially outward expand the semipermeable membrane to bear against sidewalls of the earthen bore.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
89 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 11 wherein the liquid emitting terminus comprises: a semipermeable membrane, the semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface, a rear membrane surface backing screen being received against the rear liquid receiving surface, the liquid delivery conduits being in fluid communication with the screen; and the semipermeable membrane being received about an inflatable bladder, the inflatable bladder being operable to radially outward expand the semipermeable membrane to bear against sidewalls of the earthen bore.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
104 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 11 wherein, the liquid emitting terminus comprises a semipermeable membrane, the semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface, a rear membrane surface backing screen being received against the rear liquid receiving surface, the liquid delivery conduits being in fluid communication with the screen; the semipermeable membrane is received about an inflatable bladder, the inflatable bladder being operable to radially outward expand the semipermeable membrane to bear against sidewalls of the earthen bore; and the pair of syringes are in longitudinal alignment with one another within the elongated body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus of claim 11 wherein the reservoir comprises an air-sealable collapsible flexible bladder.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material comprising the following steps: applying a flexible semipermeable membrane against a non-flat earthen material surface, the flexible semipermeable membrane having a fore a non-flat earthen material surface bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface; providing a flow of liquid to the rear semipermeable membrane surface at a first flow rate; determining pressure of the liquid delivered to the rear surface at the first flow rate; continuing liquid flow at the first rate until an equilibrium first liquid pressure is determined; providing a flow of liquid to the rear semipermeable membrane surface at a second flow rate, the second flow rate being different from the first flow rate; determining pressure of the liquid delivered to the rear surface at the second flow rate; continuing liquid flow at the second rate until an equilibrium second liquid pressure is determined; and using the determined first and second equilibrium pressures to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the earthen material.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material comprising the following steps: applying a flexible semipermeable membrane against a non-flat earthen material surface, the flexible semipermeable membrane having a fore a non-flat earthen material surface bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface; providing a flow of liquid to the rear semipermeable membrane surface at a first flow rate; determining pressure of the liquid delivered to the rear surface at the first flow rate; continuing liquid flow at the first rate until an equilibrium first liquid pressure is determined; providing a flow of liquid to the rear semipermeable membrane surface at a second flow rate, the second flow rate being different from the first flow rate; determining pressure of the liquid delivered to the rear surface at the second flow rate; continuing liquid flow at the second rate until an equilibrium second liquid pressure is determined; and using the determined first and second equilibrium pressures to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the earthen material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material of claim 20 wherein the semipermeable membrane is flexible, and the applying step comprises applying the semipermeable membrane against an arcuate earthen material surface.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material comprising the following steps: applying a flexible semipermeable membrane against non-flat earthen material surface, the semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface; providing a flow of liquid to the rear semipermeable membrane surface at a first constant pressure; varying the flow of liquid to the rear membrane surface to maintain the first constant pressure; continuing to vary the flow of liquid to maintain the first constant pressure until an equilibrium first flow rate is achieved; providing a flow of liquid to the rear semipermeable membrane surface at a second constant pressure, the second constant pressure being different from the first constant pressure; varying the flow of liquid to the rear membrane surface to maintain the second constant pressure; continuing to vary the flow of liquid to maintain the second constant pressure until an equilibrium second flow rate is achieved; and using the first and second equilibrium flow rates to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the earthen material.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material comprising the following steps: applying a flexible semipermeable membrane against non-flat earthen material surface, the semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface; providing a flow of liquid to the rear semipermeable membrane surface at a first constant pressure; varying the flow of liquid to the rear membrane surface to maintain the first constant pressure; continuing to vary the flow of liquid to maintain the first constant pressure until an equilibrium first flow rate is achieved; providing a flow of liquid to the rear semipermeable membrane surface at a second constant pressure, the second constant pressure being different from the first constant pressure; varying the flow of liquid to the rear membrane surface to maintain the second constant pressure; continuing to vary the flow of liquid to maintain the second constant pressure until an equilibrium second flow rate is achieved; and using the first and second equilibrium flow rates to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the earthen material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material of claim 22 wherein the semipermeable membrane is flexible, and the applying step comprises applying the semipermeable membrane against an arcuate earthen material surface.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material comprising the following steps: applying a semipermeable membrane against earthen material, the semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface; providing a flow of liquid to the rear semipermeable membrane surface at a first constant flow rate for a period of time; monitoring variations in pressure of the liquid delivered to the rear surface at the first constant flow rate over the period of time; and using the monitored variations to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the earthen material.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material comprising the following steps: applying a semipermeable membrane against earthen material, the semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface; providing a flow of liquid to the rear semipermeable membrane surface at a first constant flow rate for a period of time; monitoring variations in pressure of the liquid delivered to the rear surface at the first constant flow rate over the period of time; and using the monitored variations to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the earthen material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material of claim 24 wherein the semipermeable membrane is flexible, and the applying step comprises applying the semipermeable membrane against a non-flat earthen material surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material of claim 24 wherein the semipermeable membrane is flexible, and the applying step comprises applying the semipermeable membrane against an arcuate earthen material surface.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material comprising the following steps: applying a semipermeable membrane against earthen material, the semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface; providing a flow of liquid to the rear semipermeable membrane surface for a period of time; monitoring pressure of the liquid flowing to the rear semipermeable membrane surface over the period of time; varying the rate of liquid flow over the period of time to maintain a constant liquid pressure over the period of time; monitoring the variations in the rate of liquid flow over the period of time; and using the monitored variations to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the earthen material.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material comprising the following steps: applying a semipermeable membrane against earthen material, the semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface; providing a flow of liquid to the rear semipermeable membrane surface for a period of time; monitoring pressure of the liquid flowing to the rear semipermeable membrane surface over the period of time; varying the rate of liquid flow over the period of time to maintain a constant liquid pressure over the period of time; monitoring the variations in the rate of liquid flow over the period of time; and using the monitored variations to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the earthen material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material of claim 27 wherein the semipermeable membrane is flexible, and the applying step comprises applying the semipermeable membrane against a non-flat earthen material surface.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material of claim 27 wherein the semipermeable membrane is flexible, and the applying step comprises applying the semipermeable membrane against an arcuate earthen material surface.
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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) | 1999-05-28 | 1999-11-27 | 2000-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-28 | 2003-11-27 | 2004-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-28 | 2007-11-27 | 2008-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |