Convective heat flow probe

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:865629

Dunn, James C ^[1]; Hardee, Harry C ^[1]; Striker, Richard P ^[1]

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1. Albuquerque, NM

A convective heat flow probe device is provided which measures heat flow and fluid flow magnitude in the formation surrounding a borehole. The probe comprises an elongate housing adapted to be lowered down into the borehole; a plurality of heaters extending along the probe for heating the formation surrounding the borehole; a plurality of temperature sensors arranged around the periphery of the probe for measuring the temperature of the surrounding formation after heating thereof by the heater elements. The temperature sensors and heater elements are mounted in a plurality of separate heater pads which are supported by the housing and which are adapted to be radially expanded into firm engagement with the walls of the borehole. The heat supplied by the heater elements and the temperatures measured by the temperature sensors are monitored and used in providing the desired measurements. The outer peripheral surfaces of the heater pads are configured as segments of a cylinder and form a full cylinder when taken together. A plurality of temperature sensors are located on each pad so as to extend along the length and across the width thereof, with a heating element being located in each pad beneath the temperature sensors. An expansion mechanism driven by a clamping motor provides expansion and retraction of the heater pads and expandable packer-type seals are provided along the probe above and below the heater pads.

• Research Organization: AT&T
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4547080
• OSTI ID: 865629
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

convective
heat
flow
probe
device
provided
measures
fluid
magnitude
formation
surrounding
borehole
comprises
elongate
housing
adapted
lowered
plurality
heaters
extending
heating
temperature
sensors
arranged
periphery
measuring
heater
elements
mounted
separate
pads
supported
radially
expanded
firm
engagement
walls
supplied
temperatures
measured
monitored
providing
desired
measurements
outer
peripheral
surfaces
configured
segments
cylinder
form
located
pad
extend
length
width
element
beneath
expansion
mechanism
driven
clamping
motor
provides
retraction
expandable
packer-type
seals
below
housing adapted
convective heat
heat flow
heating element
fluid flow
temperature sensor
outer peripheral
temperature sensors
probe comprises
peripheral surface
formation surrounding
flow probe
heater element
radially expand
probe device
elongate housing
/374/