초록 ▼

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for measuring a length of logging cable introduced into a borehole, thereby measuring the depth of a logging tool, or sonde, attached to the lower end of the cable. The methods involve producing an electrical signal, which propagates along the cable, and detecting

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for measuring a length of logging cable introduced into a borehole, thereby measuring the depth of a logging tool, or sonde, attached to the lower end of the cable. The methods involve producing an electrical signal, which propagates along the cable, and detecting at the mouth of the borehole the time of passage of the initial electrical signal and the time of passage of a subsequent electrical signal reflected or returned upwardly from the lower end of the cable, or, alternatively, the time of arrival of the reflected or returned electrical signal at the upper end of the cable. These times can be determined by means of clocks which are switched on by the passage of the initial electrical signal and switched off by the subsequent electrical signal. Knowing the time intervals and the velocity of propagation of electrical signals in the cable, the length of cable from the mouth of the borehole to the lower end of the cable, and thus the depth of the sonde, is measured. Various embodiments of apparatus including electrical signal detectors which do not electrically contact the cable are disclosed for sensing the electrical signals necessary for measuring the length of cable introduced into the borehole, and thus the depth of the sonde.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for measuring depth from the mouth of a borehole to a well logging tool connected to one end of an electrically conductive cable suspended in the borehole comprising: means for applying an initial electrical time pulse signal to one end of the cable, whereby the initial electrical time puls

A system for measuring depth from the mouth of a borehole to a well logging tool connected to one end of an electrically conductive cable suspended in the borehole comprising: means for applying an initial electrical time pulse signal to one end of the cable, whereby the initial electrical time pulse signal propagates the length of the cable to one end of the cable to the well logging tool connected to the other end of the cable; means for detecting at the mouth of the borehole, which is intermediate both ends of the cable, the passage of the initial electrical time pulse signal along the length of the cable; means for detecting at the mouth of the borehole a subsequent electrical time pulse signal propagating along the length of the cable reflected from the other end of the cable; means for determining a time interval between the detection of the initial electrical time pulse signal at the mouth of the borehole and the detection of the subsequent electrical time pulse signal at the mouth of the borehole; and means for correlating the time interval with the depth to which the well logging tool is suspended in the borehole as measured from the mouth of the borehole.