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:
Jul. 25, 2006
Filed:
May. 19, 2003
Dale Allen Jones, Houston, TX (US);
John R. Menconi, Portland, OR (US);
Andrew T. Franzen, Houston, TX (US);
Dale Allen Jones, Houston, TX (US);
John R. Menconi, Portland, OR (US);
Andrew T. Franzen, Houston, TX (US);
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for formation testing is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a formation testing tool includes a longitudinal body with a flowbore; a plurality of extendable centralizing pistons coupled to the body; an extendable sample device coupled to the body; and a centralizing hydraulic circuit configured to cause each of the plurality of centralizing pistons to extend at substantially the same rate. The centralizing hydraulic circuit includes a series of flow control and pressure-determining valves configured to extend the centralizing pistons at substantially the same rate, and to help maintain stability in the hydraulic circuit in response to external pressures. In some embodiments, the extendable sample device is preferably configured to be recessed beneath a surface of the body in a first position and to extend beyond the surface in a second position. The extendable sample device is preferably extended to contact the borehole wall substantially normal to the wall, protecting the sample device from excessive bending moments and other excessive forces.