US 7,603,897 B2 · Downhole probe assembly

Abstract

A downhole, extendable apparatus and methods of use are described and claimed herein. In one embodiment, the extendable apparatus includes a piston that extends toward a borehole wall, the piston having an inner sampling member that is also extendable. The sampling member may be further extended to engage the borehole wall and penetrate the formation. The sampling member may also include a screen and an inner scraper or wiper that frictionally engages the screen and reciprocates to remove debris from the screen. The piston may comprise a seal pad having an internal cavity for receiving a volume of fluid. In another embodiment, the extendable apparatus comprises multiple, concentric pistons for extending the sampling member further toward the borehole wall than is possible with a single piston. The extendable apparatus may also include a retraction contact switch and position indicator.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A downhole apparatus comprising:

a drill collar having an outer surface for interaction with an earth formation;
an extendable sample device recessed beneath said outer surface in a first position to extend beyond said outer surface to a second position toward a portion of the earth formation to be sampled;
a sampling member coupled to said extendable sample device, said sampling member having a bore and a sampling end to extend to a position beyond said outer surface and said extendable sample device second position toward the portion of the earth formation to be sampled, said bore to receive at least formation fluid from the earth formation;
and
an adjustable device disposed adjacent said sampling end to prevent borehole contaminants from entering said sampling member;
wherein said adjustable device comprises at least one of a screen, having a bore, coupled to said sampling end and a seal pad, having an aperture, coupled to said extendable sample device.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Downhole probe assembly

Life of this patent

Downhole probe assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26