CA1223810A - Topping and tamping plug - Google Patents

Topping and tamping plug

Info

Publication number
CA1223810A
CA1223810A CA000507545A CA507545A CA1223810A CA 1223810 A CA1223810 A CA 1223810A CA 000507545 A CA000507545 A CA 000507545A CA 507545 A CA507545 A CA 507545A CA 1223810 A CA1223810 A CA 1223810A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
plug
outwardly extending
array
extending means
central body
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000507545A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jim Jackson
Paavo Luoma
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ALMECON INDUSTRIES Ltd
Original Assignee
ALMECON INDUSTRIES Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ALMECON INDUSTRIES Ltd filed Critical ALMECON INDUSTRIES Ltd
Priority to CA000507545A priority Critical patent/CA1223810A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1223810A publication Critical patent/CA1223810A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/12Packers; Plugs
    • E21B33/129Packers; Plugs with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/13Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
    • E21B33/134Bridging plugs

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Dowels (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT

There is provided a new and useful plug for endwise insertion into a drill hole, the plug including an elongated central body and at least two arrays of ourtwardly extending means being integrally formed with the central body and having outer extremities for engaging the surrounding wall of the drill hole, the juncture of the outwardly extending means of one array being at a longitudinal distance along the central body from the juncture of the outwardly extending means of the other array, the means forming the arrays being flexible inwardly from an unflexed condition wherein the outer extremities of the means in each array are disposed about a longitudinal axis of the plug on a peripheral line of greater diameter than the drill hole, the peripheral lines of the two arrays having a substantial space therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the plug.

Description

o This is a division of Application Serial No. 472,860.

This application relates to tamping and topping plugs for bore holes.

BACRGROUND OF THE I~VENTI0~7 In carrying out a seismic exploration, a standard procedure is to drlll holes into the geologic formations of interest and to plant explosive charges in the bore holes. The charges are then detonated and appropriate measurements recorded to enable evaluation of the formation.

There are a number of problems associated with this seismic drilling. One of these occurs during the actual blast.
Unless the hole is properly plugged prior to detonation, a large proportion of the energy of the blast escapes upwardly through the hole and is thus not properly directed through formation of interest.
There is therefore a continuing need for a bore hole plug which is simple and inexpensive in construction yet sufficiently durable to remain in place for extended periods and to withstand the force of the blast. To date, a variety of plugs have been proposed and used, but these do not satisfactorily meet all of the criteria set out above.
In addition, plugs are required to be inserted into bore holes to support concrete, earth or other topping materials ~ ~3~

used to close the hole. Accordingly, a simple plug which could withstand the force of the blast and remain in the hole as a topping plug would be highly desirable. Such a plug could be used as a topping plug only if required.
The bore hole plug of the present invention is intended to alleviate the problems discussed.

PRIOR ART

Various types of tamping and topping plugs are known in the art, but none of these offer the advantages of the present invention.
Canadian Patent 827,427, issued November 18, 1969, to Ace Explosives Ltd. provides a drive point for explosive charges having some similarity in structure but used for a completely unrelated purpose.
Canadian Patent 920,508, issued February 5, 1973, to Ovelson, illustrates one form of topping plug for use subsequent to drilling and shooting of a seismic test hole. The device utilizes a flanged annular rim at right angles to a body section which rim has the facility of limited diametrical size adjustment.
Canadian Patent 1,010,780, issued May 24, 1977, to Markicevic, provides another form of plug device for marking and plugging bore holes at the surface. The device is not intended to confine the blast to the hole.

,.

~381~

Canadian Patent 1,048,405, issued February 13, 1979, to Bassani, provides a further form of hole plugging device for use in plugging holes following blasting.
United States Patent 2,822,876, issued February 11, 1958, to Murrow, et al., illustrates a form of bridging plug for use in plugging a bore hole or isolating a lower section of a well.
United States Patent 3,264,992, issued August 9, 1966, to Beck, illustrates a tamping plug comprising two parts which work together to plug a bore hole during blast in the hole.
Finally, Canadian Application Serial No. 462,827 filed September 10, 1984, by Jim Jackson, one of the inventors in the present case, illustrates a different form of tamping and topping plug for use in bore holes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A simple molded plastic device has now been developed which is light, economical, of one piece ccnstruction; and which is very effective in tamping and plugging bore holes to confine the force of the blast to the hole.

The invention thus provides a plug for endwise insertion into a drill hole, the plug including an elongated central body and at least two arrays of ourtwardly extending means being integrally formed with the central body and having outer extremities for engaging the surrounding wall of the drill 381~) hole, the juncture of the outwardly extending means of one array being at a longitudinal distance along the central body from the juncture of the outwardly extending means of the other array, the means forming the arrays ~eing flexible inwardly from an unflexed condition wherein the outer extremities of the means in each array are disposed about a longitudinal axis of the plug on a peripheral line of greater diameter than the drill hole, the peripheral lines of the two arrays having a substantial space therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the plug.
In a preferred embodiment the body member is cylindrical and the elongated members extend from the front and rear ends of the body member.
There is further provided a process for enhancing the information obtainable from seismic blasting comprising inserting endwise into a seismic bore hole in which an explosive charge has been placed, and above the said charge, a tamping plug including an elongated central body and at least two arrays of ourtwardly extending means being integrally formed with the central body and having outer extremities for engaging the surrounding wall of the drill hole, the juncture of the outwardly extending means of one array being at a longitudinal distance along the central body from the juncture of the outwardly extending means of the other array, the means forming the arrays being flexible inwardly from an unflexed condition wherein the outer extremities of the means in each array are disposed about a longitudinal axis of the plug on a peripheral line of greater diameter than the drill hole, the peripheral lines of the two arrays having a substantial space therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the plug; then exploding the charge and taking seismic readings.

BRIEF D~SCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, FIGURE l is a perspective view of a plug according to the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a front plan view of a plug according to the inventiOn;
FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of a plug according to the invention;
FIGURE 4 is a rear plan view of a plug according to the invention;
FIGURE 5 illustrates a plug according to the invention located in a bore hole prior to a blast;
FIGURE 6 illustrates the embodiment of FIGURE 5 after the blast.
While the invention will be described in conjunction 20 with illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TH~ PREF~RRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals.
The plug 10 includes a body section 12 of cylindrical 5 configuration. The plug is preferably formed of a resilient material such as elastomer or a plastic. The forward end 14 of the body section 12 terminates in the illustrated embodiment in a truncated conical end section 16.
The end section 16 may be profiled in a number of 10 different configurations other than conical. For exapmle, hemispherical, pyramidal or flat end sections 16 would also serve. It is basically only required that the plug 10 be substantially closed, so as not to allow the passage of the blast or of part of the blast beyond the plug.
The most preferred embodiment of end section 16, however, is the illustrated truncated cone.
A series of elongated members or claws 18 and 20 protrude outwardly and rearwardly from the front 14 and rear 22 of the body section 12. These members are integral with the body section 12.
While various configurations of the individual members 18 and 20 would be acceptable, it is preferred that the width and thickness both decrease from the base 24 to the outer extremity 26 of the said members. As illustrated, the forward members 18 25 are molded to smoothly taper to an edge 28; while the rearward members 20 are somewhat thicker and are bevelled at 30 toward the ends 32.
The front and rear claws 18 and 20 are as a group preferably arranged in a symmetrical fashion about the plug body 12. The plug 10 thereby has good directional stability in the bore hole and is prevented from becoming misaligned on insertion or with the force of the blast. In the prefered configuration the plug includes two forward claws 18 and four rear claws 20.
A pair of flange sections 34 and 36 extend around a major part of the rear end 38 of the body section 12. These flange sections leave spaces 40 and 42 behind the forward claws 18. The flange sections 34 and 36, when the plug is in use, fit closely to the sides of the bore hole to reduce blast leakage around the sides of the plug. In the preferred embodiment the flange sections are in part integral with the rear claws 20. In this situation the flange sections play an important reinforcing role in aiding the members 20 to withstand the force of the blast .
The manner of use of the plug is as follows. After a hole 43 has been drilled and the explosive charge planted in the hole, the plug of the present invention is inserted into the hole. The charge is then exploded. The force of the explosion causes a flexing of the plug and causes the plug to move up the hole slightly. This serves to set the claws 18 and 20 into the sides of the hole to confine the blast. ~ comparison of FIGURES
5 and 6 illustrates clearly the position before and after the ~23131~
blast.
The setting vf the claws in this manner is aided by the extra force which is brought to bear on the plug by reason of the flat portion 44 of the truncated conical end 16. Thus a fairly flat such end portion is highly preferred. The basic requirement is that the plug not allow the blast to escape up the bore hole and that the plug therefore be closed.
In this way the force of the blast is substantially confined to the hole and so to the surrounding formations.
The plug 10 is then normally left in the hole as a topping plug and the filling material, such as concrete, then poured in on top. In use the upward force exerted by the plug during the blast looses a substantial amount of material from the walls 52 tFIGURE 6) of the hole which material then becomes topping fill.
Thus it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention tamping and topping plug for bore holes that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.

~, .

Claims (5)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A plug for endwise insertion into a drill hole, said plug including an elongated central body and at least two arrays of outwardly extending means being integrally formed with the central body and having outer extremities for engaging the surrounding wall of the drill hole, the juncture of said outwardly extending means of one array being at a longitudinal distance along said central body from the juncture of the outwardly extending means of the other array, the means forming the arrays being flexible inwardly from an unflexed condition wherein the outer extremities of the means in each array are disposed about a longitudinal axis of the plug on a peripheral line of greater diameter than the drill hole, the peripheral lines of the two arrays having a substantial space therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the plug.
2. A plug as defined in claim 1, wherein said central body and outwardly extending means are integrally molded of plastic material.
3. A plug as defined in claim 2, wherein said outwardly extending means project outwardly and rearwardly at an angle of less than 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the plug.
4. A plug as defined in claim 3, wherein all of the outwardly extending means of each array are inclined in the same direction.
5. A plug as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said outwardly extending means forming each array includes circumferentially spaced flexible wing members.
CA000507545A 1986-04-24 1986-04-24 Topping and tamping plug Expired CA1223810A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000507545A CA1223810A (en) 1986-04-24 1986-04-24 Topping and tamping plug

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000507545A CA1223810A (en) 1986-04-24 1986-04-24 Topping and tamping plug

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000472860A Division CA1220134A (en) 1985-01-25 1985-01-25 Topping and tamping plug

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1223810A true CA1223810A (en) 1987-07-07

Family

ID=4132963

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000507545A Expired CA1223810A (en) 1986-04-24 1986-04-24 Topping and tamping plug

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1223810A (en)

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