Permeameter probe

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9371729-B2
Application number	US-201313922172-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 19, 2013
Priority date	Jun 20, 2012
Publication date	Jun 21, 2016
Grant date	Jun 21, 2016

Abstract

A permeameter probe, configured for performing hydraulic conductivity measurements of soil, includes a standpipe having a top section, a transitional section, and a bottom section. The transitional section provides a gradual change in diameter between the larger diameter bottom section and the smaller diameter top section. The standpipe also includes a lower lip for forming a pressure fitting between the standpipe and a casing placed in a borehole.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for measuring hydraulic conductivity using borehole infiltration, comprising:
a standpipe, including
a base section, having a circular cross-section with a first diameter;
a top section, having a top end and a circular cross-section with a second diameter, the second diameter being substantially smaller than the first diameter; and
a transitional section, between the base section and the top section, the transitional section having a diameter that changes gradually along a vertical axis,
wherein the standpipe is formed of a single, integral piece of a substantially transparent material;
a top seal located at the top end of the top section of the standpipe; and
a mariotte tube located within the standpipe, the mariotte tube having a lower end located near the base section and an upper end located above the top end of the top section, wherein the mariotte tube extends through the top seal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the top seal comprises a stopper, and the mariotte tube passes through a hole in the stopper that is slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the mariotte tube, forming an air tight seal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a secondary standpipe, located within the standpipe, having a lower end located below the top section and having a lower seal, and an upper end located above the top end and having an upper seal, the upper end of the secondary standpipe extending through the top seal of the standpipe, the mariotte tube being located within the secondary standpipe and extending through the upper seal and the lower seal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first diameter falls within the range of about 12 to about 18 inches, and the second diameter is less than about 4 inches.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the standpipe is formed of a single piece of substantially transparent acrylic material.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transitional section is substantially cone-shaped.

7. An apparatus for measuring hydraulic conductivity of soil in a borehole formed in the soil at a location to be tested, comprising:
a casing, having a circular cross-section with a first diameter, the casing having a bottom that rests upon a bottom of the borehole;
an annular casing seal disposed around the bottom of the casing;
a standpipe, of unitary construction, having a base section with a lower lip that forms a substantially waterproof standpipe seal with the casing,
wherein the standpipe is formed of a single piece of substantially transparent acrylic material.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the standpipe seal between the base section and the casing comprises a pressure fitting.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a secondary casing seal, disposed between a wall of the borehole and an outside surface of the casing.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the lower lip is in contact with an inner wall of the casing, thereby forming the standpipe seal, the base section comprising an edge which rests upon a top of the casing.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising an electronic measurement device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the electronic measurement device includes a transmitter.

13. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the standpipe further comprises:
a top section, having a circular cross-section with a second diameter substantially smaller than the first diameter;
a transitional section, between the base section and the top section, having a diameter that changes gradually along a vertical axis;
a top seal, located in the top end of the top section; and
a mariotte tube, located within the standpipe, the mariotte tube having a lower end located near the base section and an upper end located above the top end of the top section, wherein the mariotte tube extends through the top seal.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the lower lip is in contact with an inner wall of the casing, thereby forming the substantially waterproof standpipe seal, the base section comprising an edge which rests upon a top of the casing.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising a secondary standpipe, located within the standpipe, having a lower end located below the top section and having a lower seal, and an upper end located above the top end and having an upper seal, the upper end of the secondary standpipe extending through the top seal of the standpipe, the mariotte tube being located within the secondary standpipe and extending through the upper seal and the lower seal.

Assignees

• Simplot Co J R

Inventors

• Brown Brock
• Hager Ron
• Williams Grant J

Classifications

• G01N33/24

  Earth materials (G01N33/42 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B49/00 Primary

  Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells · CPC title