Method and apparatus for inspecting subsurface environments
First Claim
1. A method for visually inspecting subsurface environments at varying levels comprising emplacing a substantially visually clear pipe into said subsurface environment and thereafter introducing visual inspection means into said pipe whereby inspection of said subsurface environments may be accomplished directly through the wall of said pipe.
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Abstract
Methods for visual inspection of subsurface environments by emplacing a substantially visually clear pipe or casing into the subsurface environment and thereafter introducing visual inspection, means, such as a video camera, into the pipe, whereby inspection of the subsurface environments may be accomplished directly through the wall of the pipe. The inspection may also be accomplished by emplacing an opaque pipe provided with spaced part visually clear windows into the subsurface, and thereafter introducing visual inspection means into the pipe to inspect subsurface environments through the windows of the pipe. The invention additionally includes improved piping or casing which is constructed of typical opaque materials such as steel, but which is provided with visually clear windows appropriately spaced throughout the casing.
43 Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A method for visually inspecting subsurface environments at varying levels comprising emplacing a substantially visually clear pipe into said subsurface environment and thereafter introducing visual inspection means into said pipe whereby inspection of said subsurface environments may be accomplished directly through the wall of said pipe.
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8. A method of completing water walls comprising providing a borehole into the subsurface environment to a water bearing subsurface area, emplacing into said borehole a well point attached to a substantially visually clear casing into said water bearing area, whereby water may be recovered from said water bearing area and inspection means may be lowered into said casing to inspect the subsurface environment surrounding said casing and condition of said casing.
- 9. A method for visually inspecting the filter pack in a ground water production well comprising emplacing a substantially visually clear pipe within the filter pack surrounding the casing of well and immediately adjacent to said well casing, and thereafter introducing inspection means into said substantially clear pipe whereby inspection of said filter pack and well casing may be accomplished.
- 11. A length of pipe useful as a casing for ground water wells and for inspection of subsurface environments comprising a length of pipe the walls of which are manufactured from an opaque material and wherein spaced apart, visually clear windows are provided throughout the length of said pipe whereby inspection means can be inserted into the interior of said pipe to inspect areas surrounding the exterior of said pipe.
- 14. A method for visually inspecting subsurface environments at varying levels comprising emplacing an opaque pipe provided with spaced apart visually clear windows into said subsurface environments and thereafter introducing visual inspection means into said pipe whereby inspection of said subsurface environments may be accomplished directly through the wall of said pipe.
Specification