The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 09, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 20, 2001
Victor M. Bolze, Houston, TX (US);
Jonathan Brown, Dunecht, GB;
Andrew Kurkjian, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Abstract
A sample module for use in a downhole tool includes a sample chamber for receiving and storing pressurized fluid. A piston is slidably disposed in the chamber to define a sample cavity and a buffer cavity, and the cavities have variable volumes determined by movement of the piston. A first flowline is provided for communicating fluid obtained from a subsurface formation through the sample module. A second flowline connects the first flowline to the sample cavity, and a third flowline connects the first flowline to the buffer cavity for communicating buffer fluid out of the buffer cavity. A first valve capable of moving between a closed position and an open position is disposed in the second flowline for communicating flow of fluid from the first flowline to the sample cavity. When the first valve is in the open position, the sample cavity and the buffer cavity are in fluid communication with the first flowline and therefore have equivalent pressures.