System intended for permanent installation of measuring sondes in a pipe by means of a fluid pressure-actuated removable lock
US6173804A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V11/005
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A system intended for permanent installation of measuring sondes against the inner wall of a pipe (1) such as a well or a tube. Measuring sondes (7) are respectively associated with coupling devices (2) that are brought to their respective coupling points in the pipe by means of a tube (3) positioned by off-centering devices (4) for example. Each coupling device (2) comprises a flexible element (6) carrying sonde (7), that is deformed to a set back position where it is immobilized by a lock (9) so as to allow displacement thereof along pipe (1). In order to release flexible blades (6), a sufficient overpressure allowing to push back the piston of a jack (10) whose cylinder communicates at one end with the inside of pipe (1) is established. In this expanded position, it immobilizes coupling device (2) and presses sonde (7) against pipe (1) while mechanically decoupling it from tube (3). Tube (3) can possibly be withdrawn if it does not serve another purpose. The system can be applied to long-time (notably seismic) monitoring of an underground zone under development; the tube used for putting the sondes into place can be a production tubing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.