Curvature probe and method
First Claim
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1. In a curvature probe:
- an axially extending flexible shaft, a plurality of axially spaced guide members mounted on the flexible shaft and being movable axially of the shaft, means between adjacent ones of the guide members for maintaining the guide members in a spaced relationship, two pairs of axially extending sensing wires positioned in quadrature about the shaft with the two wires in each pair being positioned on opposite sides of the shaft, said wires passing freely through axially aligned openings in the guide members and being free to move relative to each other in an axial direction upon bending of the probe, and means responsive to the relative axial positions of the two wires in each pair for providing an output signal corresponding to the curvature to which the probe is bent.
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Abstract
Probe and method for determining the curvature of an elongated opening such as a borehole in the earth. The probe includes an axially extending flexible shaft and two pairs of sensing wires arranged in quadrature about the shaft for axial movement relative to each other upon bending of the probe. The relative axial positions of the sensing wires on opposite sides of the flexible shaft are monitored to determine the curvature of the borehole.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. In a curvature probe:
- an axially extending flexible shaft, a plurality of axially spaced guide members mounted on the flexible shaft and being movable axially of the shaft, means between adjacent ones of the guide members for maintaining the guide members in a spaced relationship, two pairs of axially extending sensing wires positioned in quadrature about the shaft with the two wires in each pair being positioned on opposite sides of the shaft, said wires passing freely through axially aligned openings in the guide members and being free to move relative to each other in an axial direction upon bending of the probe, and means responsive to the relative axial positions of the two wires in each pair for providing an output signal corresponding to the curvature to which the probe is bent.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 16)
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8. In a method of determining the curvature of a borehole with a probe having an axially extending flexible shaft and two pairs of sensing wires arranged in quadrature about the shaft, said wires being held a predetermined radial distance from the flexible shaft by a plurality of guide members mounted on the shaft with the guide members and the wires being free for axial movement relative to each other upon bending of the probe, the steps of:
- inserting the probe into the borehole so that the probe is bent to a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the borehole, maintaining the guide members in a spaced relationship during bending of the probe, and monitoring the relative axial positions of the sensing wires on opposite sides of the flexible shaft to determine the curvature of the borehole.
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9. In a curvature probe:
- an axially extending flexible shaft, a plurality of axially spaced guide members mounted on the flexible shaft, springs positioned between adjacent ones of the guide members for maintaining axial separation between the guide members, axially extending sensing wires positioned in quadrature about the shaft, said wires passing freely through axially aligned openings in the guide members and being free to move relative to each other in an axial direction upon bending of the probe, and means responsive to the relative axial positions of the wires for providing an output signal corresponding to the curvature to which the probe is bent.
- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
Specification