ITTO980555A1 - EQUIPMENT FOR THE AUTOMATIC MEASUREMENT OF CHEMICAL-PHYSICAL QUANTITIES IN UNDERGROUND PERFECTIONS, IN PARTICULAR FOR MEASUREMENTS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

of the patent for industrial invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the automatic measurement of chemical-physical quantities in underground drilling, in particular for inclinometric measurements.

The present invention will be described mainly with reference to inclinometric type measurements, but it will be understood that the technical teaching according to the present invention can also be applied to other types of measurements, such as measurements of electrical conductivity in the subsoil, linked to salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and redox potential.

The measurement of physical and / or chemical quantities within underground drilling is in principle well known and applied for example to measurements in oil drilling and the like.

However, the equipment used in oil drilling and similar techniques are complex, expensive and do not lend themselves to adoption in networks for monitoring chemical-physical quantities in relatively large territorial areas, for example for monitoring landslides, subsidence, trend over time of groundwater conditions and the like.

Instead, for monitoring the movements of the slopes, a type of equipment is usually used consisting of the so-called "fixed inclinometer columns", which consist of inclinometer tubes installed and cemented into the ground, inside which they are lowered, and blocked at heights preset, one or more detection probes.

The uncertainty about the choice of the heights in which the probes are blocked, as well as the limited number of probes that can be installed due to the dimensions of the inclinometer tube and the relatively high cost of the probes, constitute serious limits to the use of these types of equipment.

Furthermore, as is known, fixed inclinometer columns allow to carry out only punctual measurements of rotation and the processing of these few measurements to obtain the relative displacement of the point in which each probe 8 is positioned allows to obtain results that are not very reliable. In fact, the fixed probes only measure rotations and are positioned at considerable distances between them (high pitch), thus determining in subsequent processing displacements amplified with relative deformations that do not exactly correspond to reality.

In other words, the fixed inclinometer columns are limited to providing local measurements, not allowing an accurate restitution of the profile of the inclinometer pipe laid in the drilling, as is appropriate for sites in which the sliding planes of the various layers of the soil are not well specified and, on the contrary, it is necessary to monitor the progress of the sliding of layers of soil into the subsoil.

Another limitation of fixed inclinometer columns is due to the connection between the probes themselves which causes a reciprocal influence in the movements between probes.

From what has been said, the accuracy of the measurements carried out with fixed inclinometer columns is not very precise and therefore this type of equipment, when used to determine the risk of deformations beyond a certain limit, can lead to the generation of false alarms.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the automatic measurement of chemical-physical quantities in underground drilling, in particular for inclinometric measurements, of low cost, light weight, having great flexibility of use, providing accurate and reliable measurements and suitable for use by not particularly specialized labor in order to allow the collection over time of data from a plurality of monitoring points of a relatively large territorial area.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling such equipment.

According to the present invention, an apparatus is provided for the automatic measurement of chemical-physical quantities in underground drilling, in particular for inclinometric measurements, characterized by the fact of comprising a frame arranged to support at least one winding drum of a cable electrical connection to, and mechanical suspension of, a probe adapted to move inside a guide tube laid in an underground bore; motor means coupled to said drum for bi-directionally rotating said drum and moving said probe inside said tube; means for measuring the unwinding / winding of said cable; control means for said motor means; and processing means connected to said probe and arranged for the acquisition and recording of the data supplied by the probe itself.

The present invention also relates to a control method of an apparatus for measuring chemical-physical quantities in underground drilling, in particular for inclinometric measurements, comprising a frame arranged to support at least one winding drum of a connection cable electric ad, and mechanical suspension of, a probe adapted to move inside a guide tube laid in an underground bore; motor means coupled to said drum for bi-directionally rotating said drum and moving said probe inside said tube; and a load cell for determining the weight of said probe and the quantity of said cable unwound to lower said probe into said perforation;

characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) positioning said probe at a first predetermined stopping height;

b) lowering said probe inside said tube up to a second predetermined stop height;

c) making said probe rise inside said tube up to said first stopping height by carrying out a measurement of the deformation of said tube at predetermined reading heights; And

d) memorize the data obtained from each of the measurements carried out at the reading heights.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is now described, purely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus made according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed block diagram of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a guide tube for a probe inside an underground bore;

Figure 4 schematically shows the arrangement of guide members for the probe intended to slide inside the tube of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a probe and the relative guide members; And

Figures 6a-6e illustrate a flow chart relating to operations carried out by the probe control apparatus.

In Figure 1, 1 indicates, as a whole, an apparatus for inclinometric measurements made according to the present invention.

The apparatus 1 comprises a frame 2, made of galvanized steel, able to be closed with protective panels in painted sheet metal (not shown) and designed in such a way as to be easily transportable on the various monitoring points of a certain extension of land. where inclinometer tubes are placed and to be easily installed in the countryside giving the possibility of level positioning.

The frame 2 supports a drum 4 on which a cable 6 supporting an inclinometer probe 8 is wound and is able to move inside a guide tube 10 laid in an underground perforation.

In the case of inclinometric measurements, i.e. measurements of the deviations from the vertical of inclinometric pipes which indicate the sliding of layers of soil into the subsoil, the pipe 10 will be placed in a perforation strategically placed in the extension of land that must be kept underneath. check.

The probe 8 is of the biaxial type with servomechanisms and comprises a first and a second servo-accelerometer 11, 12 generating a first and, respectively, a second electrical signal related to the inclination of the probe 8 with respect to a first and, respectively, a second axis between their orthogonal (indicated with the letters A and B in Figures 4 and 5) and can be used, in the manner described below, for determining the profile of the tube 10 and therefore for determining its longitudinal deformation.

The cable 6 also contains the electrical signal and / or electrical power conductors for the probe 8.

The drum 4 is powered by a motor 14 carried by the frame 2, connected to the drum 4 through a gearmotor 16 and a belt transmission 17 and driven by a control device 18 with the purpose of controlling the bidirectional movement of the drum 4 itself.

The motor 14 preferably generates a torque of about N * m and has a speed of rpm, so as to have a movement speed of the probe 8 of about m / min with a drum 4 having a diameter of 50 cm.

The motor 14 is equipped with a brake 20 (figure 2) of the passive safety type controlled by the control device 18, i.e. a brake which automatically comes into operation in the rest intervals of the system or in the event of a power failure which would the driving or retaining torque of the engine 14 or in the presence of an anomaly in the transmission of driving force up to the drum 4 or the uncoupling of the cable 6 from the drum 4.

The cable 6, in its path towards the tube 10, passes through a group of guide pulleys 22 whose purpose is to minimize the possibility of slippage of the cable 6, a typical cause of significant measurement errors.

To further improve the unwinding and rewinding of the cable 6 on the drum 4 and therefore regularize and make more uniform the speed of descent and ascent of the probe 8, one of the pulleys 22, and in particular the pulley indicated with 26 which is closest to the drum 4 along the path of the cable 6, is coupled in a per se known manner to a distribution device 25 of the cable 6 also of a known type, which is connected to the gearmotor 16 through a belt transmission 19 and consists of a suitably threaded shaft to allow the translational movement of the pulley 26 along its own axis of rotation.

An incremental encoder 24 is mounted on the axis of rotation of one of the pulleys 22, for example on the axis of rotation of the pulley indicated by 23, having a resolution of the order of a tenth of a millimeter and having the purpose of measuring the unwinding of the cable. 6 to determine the position of the probe 8 and to also detect the direction of rotation of the drum 4, and therefore the direction of sliding of the cable 6, in order to determine the congruity of the displacement of the cable 6, and therefore of the probe 8, in reference to the movement commands impressed on the motor 14.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a proximity sensor 29 arranged on the upper end of the tube 10 to detect the passage of metal plates 30 positioned on the cable 6 at predetermined intervals, preferably at intervals of one meter, and generating an electrical signal indicative of the quantity unwinding / winding the cable 6.

By constantly monitoring the signals generated by the incremental encoder 24 and by the proximity sensor 29, it is therefore possible to calculate the position of the probe 8 in the tube 10 with great precision and reliability.

The apparatus 1 further comprises an end-of-stroke device 31 arranged on the upper end of the tube 10 to stop the rewinding of the cable 6 when the probe 8 reaches a predetermined height.

In particular, the limit switch device 31 comprises a rubber element 32 fixed in a predetermined point of the cable 6 and a limit switch 33 arranged on the upper end of the tube 10 and operated by the rubber element 32 when the probe 8 reaches the this predetermined quota.

The apparatus 1 also comprises an auxiliary measuring device 34 having the purpose of allowing the geological situation to be kept under control at depth even if measurements with the probe 8 become impossible.

In particular, the auxiliary measuring device 34 comprises a thin tubular element 35 associated with the tube 10 (in body with the tube 10 or coupled to it) within which a thin auxiliary inextensible metal cable 36 anchored to the lower end of the underground drilling can run. , passing along the entire perforation itself and wound on a drum 37 subjected to constant torque.

On the rotation axis of the drum 37 there is also mounted an incremental encoder 38, similar to the incremental encoder 24, capable of detecting elongations of the auxiliary cable 36 with an accuracy that can reach up to a hundredth of a millimeter.

This arrangement is useful for measuring large displacements of land when, in the evolution of a landslide movement, the pipe 10 sunk in the drilling, should undergo dislocations such as not to allow the passage of the probe 8.

In this way a control is always maintained on the geological situation in depth even if the measurements with the probe 8 become impossible.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a load cell 50 interposed between the frame 2 and one of the pulleys 22, in particular the pulley indicated by 21 which is closest to the tube 10 along the path of the cable 6, and supporting the pulley 21 itself. in order to determine the weight in real time, which is correlated to the weight of the probe 8 and the length of cable 6 unwound.

This type of information is particularly useful for signaling difficulties in sliding the probe 8 within the tube 10 due to underground movements of the ground and / or problems with the probe 8 being stuck in the tube 10 in order to generate related alarms, as described in more detail. afterwards. In fact, if the probe 8 is fitted inside the tube 10, the load cell 50 will signal a weight reduction due to the fact that a part of the weight of the probe 8 is no longer supported by the cable 6.

It has been experimentally found that an optimal control of the probe-cable weight must be carried out approximately every two seconds, i.e. approximately every 20 cm of unwinding of the cable 6, taking into account the fact that it has been experimentally found that an optimal descent speed of the probe is about 0.1 m / s.

In situations of this kind, the continuation of the monitoring of the ground will be ensured by the auxiliary measuring device 34.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a central control and data acquisition unit 40 carried by the frame 2, connected to the probe 8, to the control device 18, to the incremental encoder 24, to the proximity sensor 29, to the incremental encoder 38 , to the limit switch device 31 and to the load cell 50 and having the purpose of managing the operations of acquisition, positioning of the probe 8 and communication with the outside.

In particular, the central unit 40 is constituted by a mother board of a computer which can be connected to an external computer for programming and verification operations.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a plurality of sliding contacts 41, of a known type and schematically illustrated, arranged on the drum 4 in axis with the drum 4 itself and interposed between the cable 6 and the central unit 40 and having the purpose of making an electrical connection reliable between the probe 8, connected to the moving cable 6 wound on the drum 4, and the central unit 40.

With reference to Figure 2, the apparatus 1 further comprises an analog / digital converter 42 interposed between the sliding contacts 41 and the central unit 40. To avoid the problem connected with the use of sliding contacts 41 linked to the bad repeatability of the characteristics for the analog signals generated by the servo-accelerometers of the probe 8, an accuracy of one part in ten thousand is required and therefore it is necessary that during the conversion phase the analog section of the acquirer and the paths of the analog signals are extremely stable. Therefore, it is preferable to use an A / D conversion unit capable of generating a digital signal in RS 485 serial format corresponding to the voltage values read.

Alternatively, to make the electrical connection between the cable 6 and the central unit 40, the sliding contacts 41 can be replaced with a communication interface (not shown), preferably an optical sensor. The apparatus 1 also comprises a remote mode transmission device 52 of the detected data connected to the central unit 40 and comprising a modem 54 connected to a unit 56 for data transmission via telephone, to a unit 58 for data transmission via radio and a unit 60 for data transmission via satellite.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a power supply unit 62, for example of the 220 V alternating current type or of the solar panel type, coupled to buffer batteries 64, for powering the central unit 40, the motor 14, the control device 18 and all other parts of the equipment 1.

Figures 3-5 illustrate the probe 8 and the guide tube 10 intended to work with the apparatus 1 according to the present invention According to what is illustrated in these figures, the tube 10 has four guide elements 71, 72, 73, 74 arranged crosswise and consisting of longitudinal grooves of the tube 10 itself extending for the entire length of the tube 10.

The probe 8 comprises two rolling elements 75, 76 arranged in use in two respective guide elements 71, 12, 13, 74 of the tube 10 to maintain the orientation of the probe 8 inside the tube 10 itself.

In particular, the rolling elements 75, 76 are arranged on the probe 8 in such a way as to slidingly engage two mutually opposite guide elements, for example the guide element 71 and the guide element 73.

In some applications it may not be necessary to maintain a precise orientation of the probe 8, but in the case of inclinometric or magnetic variation measurements, the probe 8 must be accurately oriented inside the underground drilling so that the servo-accelerometers 11, 12 (or the magnetic component sensors) are correctly aligned with the sensitive axes A and B.

In the case of use of other types of probes, for example conductometric probes for the measurement of salinity in groundwater and the like, the guiding elements 71, 72, 73, 74 inside the tube 10 will always have a usefulness as being associated with the rolling elements 75, 76 reduce the friction of the probe 8 within the tube 10. The wall of the tube 10 in the latter case will be provided with openings to allow the water present in the ground to penetrate inside the tube 10 in order to carry out the desired physical and / or chemical measurements.

In the preferred embodiment of the probe 8, illustrated in detail in Figure 5, the probe 8 comprises a rod 80 on each end of which rolling elements 75 and 76 are arranged and to which the servo-accelerometers 11, 12 are fixed.

The rolling elements 75, 76 will be provided with elastic retainers in order to allow uniform sliding with predetermined resistance for the probe assembly 8 inside the guide tube 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the tube 10 is made of a thermoplastic material that is easy to extrude and resistant to the conditions in which it must operate.

Between the various pieces of pipe that can be inserted inside the underground perforation of the site in which the measurements are to be carried out, coupling sleeves (not shown) will be interposed, made in such a way as to maintain the alignment of the respective guide elements 71, 72, 73, 74 within tolerance limits consistent with the precision required in the measurements.

Figures 6a-6e show a block diagram of the operations implemented by the central unit 40 for controlling the probe 8 during the execution of the measurements inside the tube 10.

In particular, the control of the probe 8 is based on the principle that in the event of the probe 8 being stuck in the descent phase inside the tube 10, the load detected by the load cell 50 decreases.

Based on the observation of the detected load, the operation of probe 8 is therefore appropriately managed.

In particular, as soon as the central unit 40 senses an excessive deviation of the detected load from the expected one, it returns the probe 8 to the maximum altitude and tries to repeat the descent. After a certain number of unsuccessful attempts, a probe 8 jammed alarm signal is generated.

If during the descent the probe 8 is stuck, the cable 6, due to its own weight, continues to descend with the consequence that the incremental encoder 24 and the proximity sensor 29 would continue to supply signals as if the probe 8 were in movement. Therefore, during the descent, the load control is the only reliable method for detecting the condition of probe 8 stuck.

It should be noted that the load control must take into account the weight of the unwound cable 6, so that the reference load value depends on the position of the probe 8.

Once reached the maximum depth, the probe 8 is brought upwards in steps of one meter and for each positioning the signals coming from the two servo-accelerometers 11, 12 of the probe 8 are measured. In particular, ten acquisitions are made, of which one discards the lowest and the highest, and the average value of the remaining ones is then calculated.

If during the ascent the probe 8 gets stuck, the pulse train of the incremental encoder 24 stops or slows down and the load increases. In this case, a probe 8 jammed alarm signal is immediately generated.

If the measurement is successful, i.e. during the ascent the probe 8 reaches the predetermined height at which the limit switch device 31 interrupts the rewinding of the cable 6, the acquired data are compared with the results of the previous measurement and, if in one or the more points the difference exceeds a certain threshold, a landslide activity alarm signal is generated.

To implement the strategy illustrated above, according to what is illustrated in Figures 6a-6e, initially a block 100 is reached in which a first and a second counter N, I are initialized to a predetermined value, for example zero, and a logic variable FLAG , the meaning of which will be clear later, is initialized to a first prefixed logical value, for example 0.

From block 100 one then reaches a block 110 in which the motor 14 is controlled so as to position the probe 8 on the upper end of the tube 1.0.

This positioning is carried out by controlling the motor 14 until a proximity detector generates a presence signal.

In this position, the probe 8 is at the maximum PMAX altitude and in the event of a substantial landslide it can be recovered. This possibility was not contemplated in the fixed inclinometer columns.

Block 110 then leads to a block 120 in which it is checked whether a start measurement command signal has been generated, for example generated by the central unit 40 at predetermined intervals or generated by an operator assigned to the measurement.

If no start measurement command signal has been generated (NO output from block 120) from block 120 one returns to block 120 itself to wait for this command, otherwise a start measurement command signal has been generated (YES output from block 120) from the block 120 leads to a block 130.

In block 130 a command signal for the start of descent is generated and fed to the motor 14 to make the probe 8 go down inside the tube 10.

From block 130 one then arrives at a group of blocks in which the position PI of the probe 8 will be repeatedly determined and the increase in the load detected by the load cell 50 in the PI position of the probe 8. The position of the probe 8 and the load detected in each repetition will be identified with the index I.

In particular, block 130 leads to a block 140 in which the position PI of the probe 8 is determined and the increase of the load INC (I) in the position PI of the probe 8, which is equal to the difference between the load C ( PI) to the I-th repetition and the load CM (I-1) to the (I-1) -th repetition.

It is evident that at the first repetition of the operations the load CM (I-1) detected by the load cell 50 at repetition 1-1 is a null value.

From block 140 one then arrives at a block 150 in which it is checked whether the load increase INC (I) at the I-th repetition is greater than the load increase INC (I-1) at repetition 1-1.

It is evident that at the first repetition of the operations, the load increase INC (I-l) at repetition 1-1 is a null value.

If the load increase INC (I) is greater than the load increase INC (I-l) (output YES from block 150) then the descent of probe 8 is proceeding correctly and from block 150 a block 190 is reached, described below. , otherwise if the load increase INC (I) is less than or equal to the load increase INC (I-l) (NO output from block 150) then there is a situation of probe 8 stuck in descent and therefore from the block 150 leads to a block 160.

In block 160 a motor stop command signal is generated which is fed to the motor 14 to stop the descent from the probe 8 inside the tube 10.

As previously said, according to the present invention, in the case of probe 8 stuck in descent, a predetermined number of attempts are made to make the probe 8 go down to the lower end of the tube 10 and therefore from block 160 there is therefore a block 170 in the which the first counter N is incremented by one unit, i.e. N = N + 1.

The value assumed by the first counter N is therefore indicative of the number of attempts made to make the probe 8 go down to the lower end of the tube 10.

From block 170 one then arrives at a block 180 in which the logic variable FLAG is set (or confirmed) at a first predetermined logic value, for example 0.

The first logic value of the FLAG variable is therefore indicative of the fact that there is a situation of probe 8 stuck in descent and that therefore during the subsequent ascent of probe 8 no measurements must be made to determine the deformation profile of the pipe. 10.

From block 180 one then reaches a block 230 described below in which a procedure is carried out for the ascent of the probe 8.

In block 190, which is reached if the load increase INC (I) is greater than the load increase INC (I-l), it is checked whether the probe 8 has reached the lower end of the tube 10, which corresponds to a minimum PMIN.

If the probe 8 has not yet reached the lower end of tube 10 (NO exit from block 190) from block 190 you reach a block 200, otherwise if probe 8 has reached the lower end of tube 10 (YES exit from block 190) from block 190 leads to block 210.

In block 200 the second counter I is incremented by one unit, i.e. 1 = 1 + 1.

From block 200 one then reaches block 140 again for the repetition of the operations described above relative to the subsequent position assumed by the probe 8.

In block 210 an engine stop command signal fed to the motor 14'J is generated to stop the descent from the probe 8 inside the tube 10.

From block 210 there is then a block 220 in which the logic variable FLAG is set to a second predetermined logic value, for example 1.

The second logic value assumed by the logic variable FLAG is therefore indicative of the fact that the descent of the probe 8 has occurred correctly without grounding and that therefore during the subsequent ascent the detections can be carried out to determine the deformation of the pipe 10.

From block 220 one then reaches block 230 in which a procedure is initiated for the ascent of the probe 8, which will be described with reference to figures 6b, 6c and 6d.

According to what is illustrated in these figures, for the procedure for raising the probe 8, a block 240 is initially reached in which the second counter I is initialized.

From block 240 one reaches a block 250 in which a command signal for the start of ascent is generated and fed to the motor 14 to make the probe 8 rise inside the tube 10.

From block 250 one then arrives at a group of blocks in which, similarly to what has been previously described, the position of the probe 8 and the load increase will be repeatedly determined. The position of the probe 8 and the load increase determined in each repetition will also be identified here with the index I.

In particular, block 250 leads to a block 260 in which the position P1 of the probe 8 and the load increase INC (I) are determined.

From block 260 one then arrives at a block 270 in which it is checked whether the load increase INC (I) at the I-th repetition is less than the load increase INC (I-l) occurring at the (I-1) -th repetition .

It is evident that at the first repetition the increase in load INC (I-1) is equal to a relatively high value in order to ensure that the aforementioned check certainly gives a positive result.

If the load increase INC (I) is less than the load increase INC (I-l) (YES output from block 270) then the ascent of the probe 8 is proceeding correctly and from block 270 it reaches a block 320 described below , otherwise if the load increase INC (I) is greater than or equal to the load increase INC (I-l) (NO output from block 270) then there is a possible situation of probe 8 stuck in the ascent and from the block 270 leads to a block 280.

In block 280 it is checked whether the load increment INC (I) is greater than the load increment INC (I-1) increased by a predetermined threshold value TH.

If the load increase INC (I) is greater than the load increase INC (I-l) increased by the threshold value TH (output YES from block 280) then there is certainly a situation where probe 8 is stuck in the ascent and from block 280 you reach a block 300 otherwise if the load increase INC (I) is less than or equal to the load increase INC (I-1) increased by the threshold value TH (output NO from block 280) then the rise of the probe 8 is proceeding correctly and the negative outcome of the check carried out in block 270 is due solely to a slight momentary grounding that can be overcome without breaking the probe 8 or the cable 6 by means of, and from block 280 one reaches block 320.

In block 300, an engine stop command signal fed to the engine 14 is generated to stop the rising from the probe 8 inside the tube 10.

From block 300 one then reaches a block 310 in which an alarm signal of probe 8 stuck in ascent is generated and the ascent procedure ends.

This alarm signal can for example be displayed on the display unit of the central unit 40 and therefore be visible to the operator who therefore acts accordingly according to known procedures.

In block 320, which is reached if the load increase INC (I) is less than the load increase INC (I-l), it is checked whether the FLAG logic variable assumes the second predetermined logical value, in the example considered the value logical 1.

If the FLAG logic variable assumes the second prefixed logical value (YES output from block 320) then from block 320 it reaches a block 330 otherwise if the FLAG logic variable assumes the first prefixed logical value (NO output from block 320) then from block 320 leads to a block 370 described below.

In block 330 it is checked whether the position PI of the probe 8 is equal to the maximum quota PMAX, that is, if the probe 8 has reached the predetermined quota in which the limit switch device 31 determines the interruption of the rewinding of the cable 6.

If the probe 8 has reached the predetermined quota (YES output from block 330) then from block 330 one reaches a block 340 otherwise if the probe 8 has not reached the predetermined quota (NO output from block 330) then from block 330 it is reached "to a block 420 described below.

In block 340 the data obtained in the measurement performed (and described below with reference to Figure 6e) are compared with the data obtained in the previous measurement.

If the data obtained in the measurement carried out show a deviation, beyond a predetermined threshold, with respect to the data obtained in the previous measurement (YES output from block 340) then block 340 leads to a block 350 otherwise if the data obtained in the measurement carried out are substantially equal to the data obtained in the previous measurement (NO output from block 340) then the rising procedure ends and therefore the entire measurement operation also ends.

In block 350 a landslide alarm signal is generated, which can for example be displayed on the display unit of the computer connectable to the central unit 40, and therefore be visible to the operator, and be transmitted to a remote station together with the data relating to the last two acquisitions.

In block 370, in which it is reached whether the logic variable FLAG assumes the first logic value, it is checked whether the position PI of the probe 8 is equal to the maximum position PMAX, that is, if the probe 8 has reached the predetermined position in which the device limit switch 31 interrupts the rewinding of the cable 6.

If the probe 8 has reached the predetermined quota (YES output from block 370) then from block 370 it reaches a block 380 otherwise if the probe 8 has not reached the predetermined quota (NO output from block 370) then from block 370 it reaches to a block 375.

In block 375 the second counter I is incremented by one unit, i.e. 1 = 1 + 1.

From block 375 one then reaches block 260 again for repetition of the operations described above.

A motor stop signal fed to the motor 14 is generated in block 380 to interrupt the ascent of the probe 8.

From block 380 one then arrives at a block 390 in which it is checked whether the value assumed by the counter N is less than a predetermined threshold value NMAX.

If the value assumed by the counter N is less than the threshold value NMAX (output YES from block 390) then from block 390 a block 400 is reached otherwise if the value assumed by the counter N is greater than or equal to the threshold value NMAX (output NO from block 390) then from block 390 one reaches urblock 410.

In block 410 the first counter I and the logic variable FLAG are reset.

From block 410 one then reaches block 130 again to repeat the operations described above.

In block 420, in which it is reached whether the probe 8 has reached the upper end of the tube 10, it is verified whether the absolute value of the difference between the PI position of the probe 8 and the minimum PMIN quota is an integer multiple of one meter.

If the absolute value of the difference between the position PI of probe 8 and the minimum value PMIN is an integer multiple of one meter (YES output from block 420) from block 420 it reaches a block 430 otherwise if the absolute value of the difference between position PI of probe 8 and the minimum PMIN quota is not an integer multiple of one meter (NO output from block 420) from block 420 one reaches block 435.

In block 435 the second counter I is incremented by one unit, i.e. I = I + 1.

From block 435 one then reaches block 260 again for repetition of the operations described above.

In block 430 an engine stop signal fed to the engine 14 is generated to interrupt the rising of the probe 8.

From block 430 one then reaches a block 440 in which a procedure is carried out for measuring the deformation of the tube 10 described below with reference to Figure 6e.

From block 440 you then reach a block 450 in which a command signal for the start of ascent is generated and fed to the motor 14 to make the probe 8 rise inside the tube 10.

From block 450 one arrives at a block 460 in which the second counter I is increased by one unit, ie I = I + 1.

From block 460 one then goes back to block 260 for repetition of the operations described above.

For the procedure for measuring the profile of the tube 10 and therefore its deformation, according to what is illustrated in Figure 6e, initially we arrive at a block 500 in which, in the position P1 assumed by the probe 8, the first and the second electrical signal generated by the two servo-accelerometers of the probe 8 (one for each detection axis of the probe 8) and ten acquisitions of the values assumed by each of these signals are then carried out.

From block 500 one then reaches a block 510 in which a first "and a second vector A, B are generated containing the ten values acquired for the first signal and, respectively, the ten values acquired for the second signal.

From block 510 one then arrives at a block 520 in which the maximum value and the minimum value among the ten values of each vector are determined.

From block 520 one then arrives at a block 530 in which from each vector A; B the respective maximum and minimum values previously determined are discarded, thus generating a third and a fourth vector C, D each containing therefore eight numerical values.

From block 530 one then reaches a block 540 in which the average values X and Y of the numerical values contained in each of the two vectors C and D are determined.

From block 540 one then reaches a block 550 in which the two average values X and Y calculated are stored and therefore the procedure for measuring the deformation of the tube 10 ends.

As is evident from what has been described above, the measurement procedure is carried out during the ascent of the probe 8 every time that the difference between the PI position of the probe 8 and the minimum height PMIN is equal to one meter, i.e. the profile of the pipe 10 it is determined with a step of one meter.

From an examination of the characteristics of the apparatuses made according to the present invention, the advantages which it allows to be obtained are evident.

In particular, the apparatus 1 according to the present invention, when used for inclinometric type measurements, allows the depth displacements of a landslide to be determined in a more precise and reliable way and represents an important milestone in the domain of inclinometric measurements.

Furthermore, the apparatus 1 according to the present invention overcomes the limitation of the usual fixed inclinometer columns due to the reduced number of measurement points, allowing to carry out measurements in the tubes with a very close pitch, i.e. allowing an almost continuous graphic processing of the movement trend.

Furthermore, the apparatus 1 allows for example to carry out measurements at predetermined intervals, to store the data and then to provide indications on the variations over time of the profile of the tube 10, which represents the trend of the displacement speed of an unstable mass.

The equipment 1 is set up for connection via modem to a telephone, for example a mobile phone, or for transmission via radio or satellite and is therefore capable of transmitting in real time and in any part of the national territory to peripheral units. , the data for a control of the alarms by expert technicians in charge of the purpose, who could therefore possibly avoid unnecessary interventions.

The examination of the data by the technicians can also allow the latter to intervene to reprogram the frequency of the cadence of the readings, varying it according to the speed of movement of the landslide. In fact, the apparatus 1 also allows the determination of the possible movement speed of the landslide phenomenon and, therefore, to set a different alarm threshold based on this speed, thereby obtaining control of the movement speed of a landslide.

From what has been said it is therefore evident that the possibility of programming the cadences of the measurements, of intensification of the reading quotas, together with the precision of the latter due to the immovability of the probe 8 and the possibility of measuring the speed and acceleration of any landslide movement allow to obtain more useful and detailed information for the interpretation of landslide movement, to design more reliable alarm systems and also to verify their correct functioning.

Furthermore, in the event that it is necessary to carry out measurements on inclinometer tubes for long periods of time at short intervals and where the cost of frequent manual reading operations significantly affects the study of the landslide phenomenon, the apparatus 1 allows to considerably contain the data acquisition costs.

Finally, with the apparatus 1 according to the present invention, the situation in a multiplicity of measurement points can be kept under control with an accuracy not obtainable with fixed inclinometer systems arranged at relatively large distances from each other in the direction of depth, a need which is due to the relatively high cost of the individual sensors and to the complexity in conducting all the power and signal cables within the tube 10 which can even reach depths of tens and tens of meters.

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the apparatuses described and illustrated herein, modifications and variations can be made without thereby departing from the protective scope of the present invention.

For example, the apparatus 1 could be used, with appropriate modifications, for other applications, such as measurements of electrical conductivity in the subsoil, linked to salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and redox potential.

In particular, the previously described probe 8 could be replaced with a multiparametric probe 8 for measuring groundwater pollution parameters, for example a thermosalinometric probe 8.

The use of a thermosalinometric probe 8 would, for example, make it possible to track the variations in the position of the base interface between the freshwater aquifer and the underlying seawater of continental invasion.

The apparatus 1 described above could then, for example, be equipped with further devices for detecting chemical-physical quantities which would make it a complex multifunctional network for monitoring relatively large areas of territory, such as pressure transducers consisting of piezometers for the measurement of the oscillations of the aquifers, geophones for the measurement of noise in the rocks (the so-called "rock noises"), seismometers, joint meters consisting of wire strain gauges for surface and / or depth measurement, potentiometers for unwinding measurements , etc.

Claims (1)

R I V E N D I C A Z I O N I 1.- Apparatus (1) for the automatic measurement of chemical-physical quantities in underground drilling, in particular for inclinometric measurements, characterized by the fact of comprising a frame (2) arranged to support at least one winding drum (4) a cable (6) for the electrical connection to, and for the mechanical suspension of, a probe (8) able to move inside a guide tube (10) laid in an underground perforation; motor means (14, 16) coupled to said drum (4) to make the drum (4) rotate bidirectionally and move said probe (8) inside said tube (10); measuring means (24, 29) for unwinding / winding said cable (6); control means (18) of said motor means (14); and processing means (40) connected to said probe (8) and arranged for the acquisition and recording of the data supplied by the probe (8) itself. 2.- Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises passive safety braking means (20) arranged to stop and block the descent of said cable (6) in the presence of malfunctioning of the apparatus (1). 3.- Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said probe (8) is a biaxial inclinometer probe (8) with servomechanisms and comprises a first and a second servo-accelerometer (11, 12) generating a first and, respectively , a second electrical signal correlated to the inclination of the probe (8) with respect to a first and, respectively, a second axis. 4.- Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that said probe (8) is provided with first guide means (75, 76) adapted to cooperate with second guide means (71, 72, 73, 74) carried by said tube (10) to maintain the axial orientation of said probe (8) itself with respect to a predetermined reference. 5.- Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that said first guide means (75, 76) comprise rolling elements (75, 76) placed in two groups spaced axially along a body of said probe (8). 6.- Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said second guide means (71, 72, 73, 74) comprise guide grooves (71, 72, 73, 74) arranged along the internal surface of said tube (10) to cooperate with said rolling elements (75, 76). 7.- Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an auxiliary measuring device (34) comprising a tubular element (35) associated with said tube (10) inside which a wire element ( 36) inextensible anchored to the lower end of the tubular element (35) itself and arranged in said perforation; the arrangement being such that in the presence of dislocations in the ground under measurement which prevent the passage of said probe (8), a maximum measurement of the displacement can be carried out by measuring the quantity of said inextensible row element (36) which is dragged to the interior of the underground perforation due to the dislocation. 8.- Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises limit switch means (31) for stopping the rewinding of said cable (6) when said probe (8) reaches a predetermined height. 9.- Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said measuring means (24, 29) for unwinding / winding said cable (6) comprise proximity sensor means (29) for detecting the passage of metal plates (30 ) positioned on said cable (6) at predetermined intervals, preferably at intervals of one meter. 10.- Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a group of guide pulleys (22) crossed by the cable (6) in its path towards the tube (10) to prevent slippage of the cable (6). 11.- Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterized in that said measuring means (24, 29) for unwinding / winding said cable (6) comprise an incremental encoder (24) associated with one (23) of said pulleys (22) to measure the angle and direction of rotation of said pulley (23). 12.- Apparatus according to Claim 11, characterized in that said incremental encoder (24) has a resolution of the order of a tenth of a millimeter. 13.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a distribution device (25) for said cable (6) coupled to one (26) of said pulleys (22) to improve the unwinding and rewinding said cable (6) on said drum (4) and regulating and making more uniform the speed of descent and ascent of said probe (8). 14.- Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of sliding contacts (41) arranged on said drum (4) and interposed between said cable (6) and said processing means (40) to realize a reliable electrical connection between said probe (8) and said processing means (40). 15.- Apparatus according to Claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises analog / digital converter means (42) interposed between said sliding contacts (41) and said processing means (40). 16.- Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a load cell (50) suitable for determining the weight of said probe (8) and the quantity of said cable (6) unwound to lower said probe ( 8) in said perforation; and control means (100-410) connected to said load cell (50) for determining grounding situations of said probe (8). 17. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises means (52) for remotely transmitting the detected data. 18. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that said transmission means (52) comprise modem means (54) connected to said processing means (40) and at least one of the means for data transmission via telephone (56) means for data transmission via radio (58) and means for data transmission via satellite (60) connected to said modem means (54). 19.- Method for controlling an apparatus (1) for the measurement of chemical-physical quantities in underground drilling, in particular for inclinometric measurements, comprising a frame (2) arranged to support at least one drum (4) for winding a cable (6) for the electrical connection to, and for the mechanical suspension of, a probe (8) able to move inside a guide tube (10) laid in an underground perforation; motor means (14) coupled to said drum (4) to make the drum (4) rotate bidirectionally and move said probe (8) inside said tube (10); and a load cell (50) for determining the weight of said probe (8) and the quantity of said cable (6) unwound to lower said probe (8) into said perforation; characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) positioning said probe (8) at a first predetermined stop height (PMAX); b) lower said probe (8) inside said tube (10) up to a second predetermined stop height (PMIN); c) making said probe (8) rise inside said tube (10) up to said first stop level (PMAX) by measuring the deformation of said tube (10) at predetermined reading heights; And d) memorize the data obtained from each of the measurements carried out at the reading heights. 20.- Method according to claim 19, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: e) comparing each of the data obtained in the measurements made with a corresponding data obtained in a previous measurement; f) generating a landslide alarm signal if at least one of the data obtained in the measurements carried out presents a deviation, beyond a predetermined threshold, with respect to a corresponding data obtained in a previous measurement. 21.- Method according to claim 20, characterized in that said step b) comprises the step of cyclically repeating the following sub-steps: bl) determining the position (PI) of said probe (8) inside said tube (10) ; b2) determining the load increase (INC (I)) detected by said load cell (50) with respect to the previous repetition; b3) compare the load increase (INC (I)) with the load increase (INC (I-l)) determined in the previous repetition; b4) determining a situation of correct descent of said probe (8) if the load increase (INC (I)) is greater than the load increase (INC (I-1)) determined in the previous repetition; And b5) determining a situation of probe stuck in descent if said load increase (INC (I)) is less than or equal to the load increase (INC (I-l)) determined in the previous repetition. 22.- Method according to claim 21, characterized in that it comprises the step of carrying out the following sub-phases in the situation of the probe stuck in descent: b6) stopping the descent of said probe (8) inside said tube (10); b7) raising said probe (8) up to said first stop level (PMAX); And b8) repeating said step of lowering said probe (8) inside said tube (10) up to said second stop height (PMIN). 23.- Method according to claim 22 characterized in that it comprises the steps of: b9) repeating said steps from b1) b8) at most a predetermined number of repetitions (NMAX); And b10) generating an alarm signal of probe stuck in descent upon exceeding said predetermined number of repetitions (NMAX). 24. Method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that said step c) comprises the step of cyclically repeating the following sub-steps: cl) determining the position (PI) of said probe (8) inside said tube (10); c2) determining the load increase INC (I) detected by said load cell (50) with respect to the previous repetition; c3) compare said load increase (INC (I)) with the load increase (INC (I-l)) determined in the previous repetition; c4) determining a situation of correct ascent of said probe (8) if the load increase (INC (I)) is less than the load increase (INC (I-1)) determined in the previous repetition; And c5) determine a possible situation of probe stranded in ascent if said load increase (INC (I)) is greater than or equal to the load increase (INC (I-l)) determined in the previous repetition. 25.- Method according to claim 24, characterized in that said step c5) further comprises the steps of: c6) determine a situation of correct ascent of said probe (8) if the load increase (INC (I)) is less than the load increase (INC (I-l)) determined in the previous repetition increased by a threshold (TH) prefixed; And c7) determining a situation of probe stuck in ascent if said load increase (INC (I)) is greater than the load increase (INC (I-1)) determined in the previous repetition increased by said predetermined threshold (TH). 26.- Method according to claim 25, characterized by the fact that said step c) further comprises the step of carrying out the following sub-steps in the situation of probe stranded in ascent: c8) stopping the ascent of said probe (8) inside said tube (10); And c9) generate an alarm signal of probe stuck in ascent. 27.- Method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that said step c) further comprises the step of carrying out the following sub-steps in the situation of correct ascent of said probe (8): clO) determining the absolute value of the difference between the position (PI) of said probe (8) and said second stop level (PMIN); c11) stopping the ascent of said probe (8) if the absolute value of the difference between said position (PI) of the probe (8) and said second stop level (PMIN) is an integer multiple of a predetermined quantity; cl2) measuring the deformation of said tube (10); And cl3) start again to make said probe (8) rise inside said tube (10). 28.- Method according to claim 27, characterized by repeating said steps from c1) to cl3) until said probe (8) has reached said first stop level (PMAX). 29.- Method according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that said step cl2) comprises the steps of: cl21) for each detection axis of said probe (8) carry out a plurality of measurements, determining a first and a second set of numerical values associated, each, to a respective axis of said probe (8) and to the position assumed by said probe (8); c122) for each set of numerical values determine the minimum and maximum value of the numerical values of the set; cl23) for each set of numerical values discard the minimum and maximum values determined; And cl24) for each set of numerical values determine the average value (X, Y) of the numerical values of the set itself. 30.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 29, characterized in that said first stop level (PMAX) is defined by the height of an upper end of said tube (10) and said second stop level (PMIN) is defined by the height of a lower end of said tube (10). 31.- Apparatus for the automatic measurement of chemical-physical quantities in underground drilling, in particular for inclinometric measurements, substantially as described with reference to the attached drawings. 32.- Control method of an equipment for the automatic measurement of chemical-physical quantities in underground drilling, in particular for inclinometric measurements.