Elastomeric inclinometer
AssigneeSperry-Sun, Inc.
InventorBilly W. McArthur
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Information as to borehole inclination is provided by a pendulum in combination with an elastomeric material whose resistance varies with compression. The pendulum is arranged in a housing to compress the elastomer whenever the housing deviates from the vertical, or other predetermined attitude. The change in resistance is measured by a circuit including an ohmmeter and the pendulum and elastomer as conductive elements.
Claims13
In a borehole surveying apparatus:
- a toroidal elastomer whose resistance varies with compression;
- a pendulum freely suspended and extending through the toroidal elastomer such that when the apparatus is in a predetermined attitude the pendulum does not compress the elastomer and as said apparatus is inclined from the predetermined attitude said pendulum compresses the elastomer;
- and
- circuitry for detecting the change in the resistance of said elastomer.
Apparatus for sensing the inclination of a borehole, comprising:
- a cylindrical housing for positioning with its axis along the axis of the borehole;
- a toroid comprised of a variably resistive, elastomeric material positioned about the interior of the housing near one end thereof;
- a pendulum attached to the other end of said housing and extending through the center of the toroid,
- said pendulum being sized to be in contact with said toroid on all sides when the axis of said housing is vertical;
- and circuitry for detecting a change in the resistance of said elastomer.
Apparatus for sensing the inclination of a borehole, comprising:
- a cylindrical housing for positioning in the borehole;
- a toroid comprised of variably resistive elastomeric material positioned about the interior of the housing;
- a pendulum in said housing and extending through the center of the toroid such that when said housing is in a vertical attitude the pendulum does not compress the elastomeric material and as said housing is inclined from a vertical attitude said pendulum compresses said elastomeric material;
- and
- means for measuring the resistance of said toroid.
An inclinometer, comprising:
- a housing;
- a toroidal-shaped variably resistive, elastomeric material in the housing;
- a pendulum in said housing and extending through the toroidal elastomeric material such that when the housing is in a vertical attitude the pendulum does not compress the elastomeric material and as said housing is inclined from the vertical attitude the pendulum compresses said elastomeric material;
- and
- circuitry for detecting the change in the resistance of said elastomeric material.
An inclination transducer, comprising:
- a housing;
- a toroidal-shaped variably resistive, elastomeric material in the housing;
- means in said housing for compressing the elastomeric material by contact as said housing is inclined from a vertical attitude, said means not compressing said elastomeric material when said housing is in a vertical attitude;
- and
- means for detecting a change in the resistance of said elastomeric material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.