Method and apparatus for fluid and soil sampling
AssigneeSimulProbe Technologies, Inc.
InventorsNoah Heller, Jeffrey Barrow, Joe DeMartini
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sampling device includes a barrel having a downhole end, an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a hollow interior, and an open end at the downhole end of the hollow interior. A fluid entrance penetrates the exterior surface. A fluid path having an outlet port is fluidly coupled to the fluid entrance. The device is driven into a subsurface so that a soil sample is forced into the hollow interior. While the device is still in the subsurface a fluid sample is collected through the least one fluid entrance and fluid path.
Claims17
A method for collecting a soil sample and a fluid sample from a subsurface comprising the steps of:
- providing a sampling device including a barrel having a downhole end, an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a hollow interior, having a circular cross-section and an open end at the downhole end of the hollow interior, the sampling device further comprising a fluid entrance and a fluid path, the fluid entrance penetrating the exterior surface, and the fluid path being fluidly coupled to the fluid entrance;
- driving the downhole end of the sampling device into a subsurface so that a soil sample of the subsurface is forced through the open end and into the hollow interior;
- collecting a fluid sample from the subsurface through the fluid entrance and the fluid path after the driving step is initiated;
- and
- removing the sampling device from the subsurface to recover the soil sample after the collecting step is completed.
An environmental sampling device for collecting a fluid sample and a soil sample from a subsurface, comprising:
- a barrel including a downhole end, an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a hollow interior having a circular cross-section, and an open end at the downhole end of the hollow interior;
- a fluid entrance penetrating the exterior surface;
- a fluid path fluidly coupled to the fluid entrance;
- and
- an elastic band sized to fit around the barrel and positioned to cover the fluid entrance.
An environmental sampling device for collecting a fluid sample and a soil sample from a subsurface, comprising:
- a barrel including a downhole end, and exterior surface, an interior surface defining a hollow interior having a circular cross-section, and an open end at the downhole end of the hollow interior;
- a fluid entrance penetrating the exterior surface;
- means for selectively covering the fluid entrance, the covering means being movable between a first position covering the fluid entrance and a second position spaced apart from the fluid entrance;
- and
- a fluid path fluidly coupled to the fluid entrance;
- the barrel having a drive shoe, the drive shoe being rigidly attached to the downhole end of the barrel and having an angular cutting edge defining the open end.
An environmental sampling device for collecting a fluid sample and a soil sample from a subsurface, comprising:
- a barrel including a downhole end, and exterior surface, an interior surface defining a hollow interior having a circular cross-section, and an open end at the downhole end of the hollow interior;
- a fluid entrance penetrating the exterior surface;
- means for selectively covering the fluid entrance, the covering means being movable between a first position covering the fluid entrance and a second position spaced apart from the fluid entrance;
- a fluid path fluidly coupled to the fluid entrance;
- and
- a valve assembly rigidly attached to the barrel at an uphole end, the valve assembly including a displaced air line having an exhaust port and an entrance port, the entrance port being fluidly coupled to the hollow interior.
An environmental sampling device for collecting a fluid sample and a soil sample from a subsurface, comprising:
- a barrel including a downhole end, and exterior surface, an interior surface defining a hollow interior having a circular cross-section, and an open end at the downhole end of the hollow interior;
- a fluid entrance penetrating the exterior surface;
- means for selectively covering the fluid entrance, the covering means being movable between a first position covering the fluid entrance and a second position spaced apart from the fluid entrance;
- a fluid path fluidly coupled to the fluid entrance;
- the barrel including a drive shoe, the drive shoe being positioned at a downhole end of the barrel and having an angular cutting edge defining the open end of the barrel, the drive shoe being movably mounted to the sample tube between a first position in which the drive shoe covers the fluid entrance, and a second position, in which the drive shoe is spaced apart from the fluid entrance.
An environmental sampling device for collecting a fluid sample and a soil sample from a subsurface, comprising:
- a cylindrical sample tube comprising first and second sections connected together along longitudinal split lines, the sample tube having an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a hollow interior, and an open end at the downhole end of the hollow interior, the hollow interior including a circular cross-sectional shape having a diameter in a range of about one inch to six inches;
- a fluid entrance penetrating the interior surface;
- a fluid path fluidly coupled to the fluid entrance and positioned between the interior and exterior surfaces;
- and
- means for selectively preventing a fluid flow through the fluid entrance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.