US3186502A

US3186502A - Spudding-in-seismometers

Info

Publication number: US3186502A
Application number: US167793A
Authority: US
Inventors: Friedrich J C Rademacher
Original assignee: Shell Oil Co
Current assignee: Shell USA Inc
Priority date: 1961-05-03
Filing date: 1962-01-22
Publication date: 1965-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-01
Also published as: GB941237A

Description

June 1, 1965 F. J. c. RADEMACHER 3,185,502

SPUDDINGINSEISMQMETERS Filed Jan. 22, 1962 FIG. 4

FIG. 5

FRIEDRICH J. C. RADEMACHER HIS AGENT FIG. 2

INVENTOR 2 3O 69 W A "IIIIIIIII l llillll \H" ,318 Claims. (Cl. 17 5-422) The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for planting geophysical prospecting means at considerable depths in the earth, preferably near the base of a weathered layer thereof. More particularly, the invention is directed to an apparatus and method whereby a single operation forms a hole in the earth and deposits geophysical prospecting means therein.

The conventional method of planting geophysical pros pecting means, such as seismometers and explosive charges, consists of drilling a hole in the earth with a drilling tool, removing the drilling tool from the hole, and then lowering the prospecting means into the hole. A drawback to this method is that the planting of the prospecting means in the earth involves everal eparate and successive operations, namely, drilling a hole, removing the drilling apparatus from the hole, lowering the prospecting means into the hole, and removing the lowering apparatus if so desired.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to decrease the number of operations necessary to plant geophysical prospecting means.

Another object of the invention is to decrease the time required to plant geophysical prospecting means, thereby lowering the cost of the operation.

A further object of this invention is to obviate the difiiculties that arise when prospecting mean are lowered into an open hole, such as guiding or forcing the prospecting means into the hole.

Still another object of the present invention is to disconnect geophysical prospecting means from planting apparatus when the prospecting means is in planted position. This is advantageous since the planting apparatus may be removed from the planted position and used to plant successive prospecting means. Furthermore, if the apparatus i used to plant explosive charges, removal is essential to prevent destruction of the apparatus upon detonation of the explosive charge.

The method of the present invention comprises, broadly, releasably securing geophysical prospecting means to a jet pipe, planting said pipe by guiding it toward and into the earth as fluid is forced through the pipe and jetted against the earth, releasing the prospecting means from the pipe at a desired depth and removing the jet pipe from the earth.

Basically, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a jet pipe adapted to flush its way into the earth, said pipe having a relatively large bore wherein prospecting means may be releasably secured without completely restricting flow through the pipe. When a jet pipe has flushed its way to a desired depth, the prospecting means may be released therefrom by inserting a plug into fluid being supplied to the pipe; which plug is adapted to transmit the fluid pressure to the prospecting means, thereby forcing it from the pipe.

T he invention will now be illustrated in greater detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 I of FIGURE 1.

United States Patent 0 ice FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view on line 44 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal section of an apparatus adapted to be used in combination with the apparatuses shown in FIGURES 1-4.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a seismometer 1th is coaxially arranged in the lower end of a pipe tring such a a jet pipe 11. The upper end of the jet pipe 11 is provided with a hose coupling (not shown) for supplying water or another suitable liquid to the jet pipe through a flexible hose. Peripheral teeth 12 are disposed around the lower end of the jet pipe 11. The seismometer 10 is centered relative to the jet pipe 11 by means of a number of ribs 13 running axially along the inner wall of the jet pipe so as to leave an annular space 14 between the seismometer and the inner wall of the jet pipe, which space forms a narrow slot 16 at the lower end of the jet pipe (see FIGURE 2).

One of the ribs 13 is provided with a longitudinal groove 17 through which a seism-ometer cable 18 is led to the outside of the pipe. A shear pin 19, adapted to be fitted in an opening in the jet pipe wall, prevents the seismometer 10 from dropping out of the jet pipe 11. Other detent members, such as spring clamps, may be used in place of the shear pin.

An inner pipe 21 is arranged in the jet pipe 11 above the seismometer 10. The pipe 21 is tightly disposed in the jet pipe 11 and is axially movable therein. The upper end of the inner pipe 21 is provided with a guide 22 for directing to the entrance thereof a ball 23 introduced upstream into the liquid supplied to the jet pipe, which entrance is designed as a seat 24 for said ball. The seat 24 is so designed that when the ball 23 rests thereon, the entrance to the inner pipe is closed.

A guide plate 26 extends through an axial slot 27 in the inner pipe 21 and is attached .by screws 28 to the jet pipe 11. The plate 26 has a rectangular upper part, which widens via a curved edge into a broad lower part. The wall of the jet pipe opposite the curved edge of the guide plate 26 has an opening 29 therein which is sufficiently large to allow the ball 23 to pass therethrough.

The inner pipe 21 rests on the top of the seismometer 10 through an intermediate pipe 31, the wall of which is provided with

recesses

32 and 33. The recess 33 extends to the lower end at the intermediate pipe 31 and provides a passage through which seismometer cable 13 is led to the outside of the jet pipe. Instead of using the intermediate pipe 31, the lower end of the inner pipe 21 can be designed in the form of the intermediate pipe so that the inner pipe 21 is then supported directly by the seismometer.

The above-described apparatus operates as follows: Water is supplied under pressure to the upper end of the jet pipe 11 (the ball 23 being not yet introduced therein) and flows downward successively through the inside of the jet pipe 11, the inner pipe 21, the intermediate pipe 31, the

recesses

32 and 33 of the intermediate pipe 31, the space between the intermediate pipe and the jet pipe, and finally leaves the apparatus 'at a high velocity throughsthe annular space 14 and the narrow slot 16.

When the apparatus is erected vertically above the ground, the efHuent water jet will erode the earth thereunder and form a hole therein. Theapparatus is then steadily lowered into the hole until the desired depth is reached. This depth is generally below the'weathered layer of the earth in order to avoid disturbing influences therefrom on the observation results. Upon passing through the relatively soft-weathered layer of the earth, downward movement of the apparatus is generally stopped. The point at which the apparatus passes through the weathered layer can be determined by the increased resistance afforded by the layers therebelow. After stopping downward movement of the apparatus the seismometer is disconnected therefrom and the apparatus is withdrawn. This is efiected by introducing the ball 23 into the liquid stream being fed into the jet pipe. When the ball 23 approaches the inner pipe 21 it is directed by the guide 22 into the seat 24:. Since the upper part of the inner pipe 21 is shut off by the ball a downward force is exerted thereon by the water stream. This force is transmitted via the intermediate pipe 31 to the seismometer 1t) and then to the shear pin 19 which, therefore, shears oil. The inner pipe 21 is then moved downwards by water pressure, whereby the seismometer is ejected from the jet pipe.

Upon downward movement of the inner pipe 21 the ball 23 comes into contact with the guide 26 and is lifted thereby out of engagement with the seat 24. As the inner pipe 21 moves downwardly within the jet pipe 11 it exposes the opening 29 disposed in the side of the jet pipe. At this point the curved edge of the guide 26 directs the ball to a point adjacent to the opening 29 and the liquid passing through the inner pipe carries the ball through the opening and upwardly through the drilling hole to the.

surface of the earth. It is to be understood that the annulus between the jet pipe 11 and the hole being formed thereby is sufiiciently large to permitthe ball 23 to pass therethrough.

The removal of the ball from the apparatus results in a passage through the jet pipe to the bottom of the hole immediately after the ejection of the seismometer. Through this arrangement the flow of the liquid in the hole is not interrupted during ejection of the seismometer. After the ball is forced from the jet pipe the walls of the inner pipe abut against the ribs 13, thereby halting downward movement of the inner pipe.

The embodiment of the inventive apparatus shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 contains several structural modifica- V tions with respect to the one already discussed. Like numerals in the embodiments shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 designate like parts. In the FIGURE 3 embodiment the seismorneter 10 is placed in a tightly fitting sleeve pipe 34, which is attached to the jet pipe 35 by radially arranged support plates 36 and 37 (see FIGURE 4). The jet pipe 35 has an opening 38 disposed therein corresponding to.

the opening 29 of the FIGURE 1 embodiment. The

support plates

36 and 37 hold the sleeve pipe 24 in a position whereby an annular space 39 is formed between the outside of the sleeve pipe 34- and the inside ofthe jet pipe 35. An oblong space 41 is separated from the annular space 39 by the closely spaced plates 37 to enable the pipe 44 by means of cruciform ribs 47. The bottom of the intermediate pipe 43 rests on the top of the seismom-.

eter 10. A slot 48 is formed in the pipe 43 to provide a passage for the seismorneter cable 18.

The operation of the apparatus shown'in FIGURES 3 and 4 is substantially the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. In this case, however, the water issuing from the inner pipe 44 flows along the outside of the intermediate pipe 43. to the annular passage.

39 and finally leaves the jet pipe through the narrow slot 42. The seismometer 10 is disconnected from the sleeve pipe 34 and removed in the same manner as in the embodiment previously discussed. In the FIGURE 3 embodiment the cruciform ribs 4-6 are adapted to abut against the sleeve pipe 34 after the ball is forced through the opening 38 in the jet pipe, thereby halting downward movement of the inner pipe.

The narrow slot 16 in FIGURES 1 and 2, or 42 in FIG- URES 3 and 4, need not necessarily be cylindrical; it can also be so designed that the diameter increases in the lower part, thereby issuing the liquid jet at an angle With the vertical rather than vertically.

The ball 23. shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 can be introduced into the liquid streams supplied to the jet pipe by means of an insertion apparatus as shown in FIGURE 5, which is elucidated below.

The apparatus comprisesa cylindrical housing 49 consisting of a fixed part 59 and a detachable part 51. One end of part 55 is attached to an opening 52 in the Wall of a conical section of pipe 53. The narrow end of the pipe section 53 is connected to a flexible hose 54 adapted to be coupled to the top of the jet pipe of the apparatuses represented in FIGURES 14. Water under pressure is supplied at the wide end of the pipe section 53. Part 51 of the housing is attached with a bayonet catch 57 to the free end of section 50. Thehousing 49 is closed with a flexible cover 58 secured to the part 51. A clamp member 59, adapted to releasably retain the ball 23, is disposed in the housing 49 adjacent to the opening 52. The clamp member 59 is connected to a pin guide 61 secured to the detachable part 51. of the housing 49. A pin 62 is slidably disposed in the guide 61 and extends from cover SSto the clamp member 59. A helical spring 63 is fitted in the pin guide 61 and pressesagainst a collar 64 disposed on the pin 62, whereby the pin 61'is forced away from the clamp member 59'. The ball 23 placed in the clamp member 59 can be introduced into the pipe section 53 by exerting an inward pressure on the cover 58. vWhen this pressure is exerted, the pin 62 is moved against the pressure of the liquid and the pressure of the spring 63 and is directed by the guide 61 towards the clampmember 59, whereby theball 23 is released from the clamp member 59 and forced through the opening 52 into the pipe section 53. The insertion apparatus may be reused by removing the part 5]; and inserting a new ball in the'clamp 53 thereupon securing the part 51. to the part 5! The use of the above described insertion apparatus has the advantage that the ball can beintroduced into the liquid stream without the need of interrupting the flow of the said liquid stream in the drill hole. Difiiculties arising from the interruption of ilow, such as the settling of drill cuttings in thehole, are thereby avoided.

The foregoing description of the invention is merely intended to be explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope ofthe appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus for planting geophysical cylindrical prospecting means using hydraulic washingaction to bore into the earth and to be used in combination with a supply of liquid under pressure comprising:

(a). a length of hollow pipe having a connection for a liquid conduit at one end and a mouth at the opposite end;

'(b) a piston member slida-bly disposed in said pipe having a closable port through which liquid from said conduit may passthrough said piston member to said mouth of said pipe;

-(c) a cylindrical prospecting means fitted in said mouth of said pipe, said means having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the bore of said mouth so as to form an annulus therebetween thereby forming a nozzle in the mouth of said pipe for directing liquid passing through said pipe out of said mouth in a jet;

(d) a pressure-releasable holding means in said mouth for securing said prospecting means in said mouth; and

(e) plugging means to be inserted upstream of said piston meansfor closing said closable port in said piston member thereby causing the liquid passing through said pipe to act on said piston forcing said prospecting means out of said mouth by overcoming said pressure releasable holding means.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the bore of said mouth of said pipe contains axially extending ribs for centering the prospecting means in the annulus between said prospecting means and said :bore' of said mouth.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the plu ging means is a ball adapted to seat in the .closable port in said piston member.

An apparatus as defined in claim'l in which an injeetor means for releasing the plugging means communi- 6 whereby said plugging means is released and carried to the port in the piston member When flow is resumed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,994,884 3/35 Chew 17567 2,067,408 1/37' Morris 102--20 2,137,261 111/38 Boll et a1. l-67 2,239,610 4/41 Kuna 1022O X 2,614,804 10/52 Car-lisle -1 2,618,999 11/52 Scott 175-422 2,662,602 12/53 Sohnitter 166-255 2,709,617 5/55 Lang 175'250 2,773,669 12/56 Norman '10220 2,880,967 4/59 Blount 175- 1 3,100,542 8/63 S t-ark 1751 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. AN APPARATUS FOR PLANTING GEOPHYSICAL CYLINDRICAL PROSPECTING MEANS USING HYDRAULIC WASHING ACTION TO BORE INTO THE EARTH AND TO BE USED IN COMBINATION WITH A SUPPLY OF LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE COMPRISING: (A) A LENGTH OF HOLLOW PIPE HAVING A CONNECTION FOR A LIQUID CONDUIT AT ONE END AND A MOUTH AT THE OPPOSITE END; (B) A PISTON MEMBER SLIDABLY DISPOSED IN SAID PIPE HAVING A CLOSABLE PORT THROUGH WHICH LIQUID FROM SAID CONDUIT MAY PASS THROUGH SAID PISTON MEMBER TO SAID MOUTH OF SAID PIPE; (C) A CYLINDRICAL PROSPECTING MEANS FITTED IN SAID MOUTH OF SAID PIPE, SAID MEANS HAVING AN OUTSIDE DIAMETER SMALLER THAN THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE BORE OF SAID MOUTH SO AS TO FORM AN ANNULUS THEREBETWEEN THEREBY FORMING A NOZZLE IN THE MOUTH OF SAID PIPE FOR DIRECTING LIQUID PASSING THROUGH SAID PIPE OUT OF SAID MOUTH IN A JET; (D) A PRESSURE-RELEASABLE HOLDING MEANS IN SAID MOUTH FOR SECURING SAID PROSPECTING MEANS IN SAID MOUTH; AND (E) PLUGGING MEANS TO BE INSERTED UPSTREAM OF SAID PISTON MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID CLOSABLE PORT IN SAID PISTON MEMBER THEREBY CAUSING THE LIQUID PASSING THROUGH SAID PIPE TO ACT ON SAID PISTON FORCING SAID PROSPECTING MEANS OUT OF SAID MOUTH BY OVERCOMING SAID PRESSURE RELEASABLE HOLDING MEANS.