Boring or penetrating the earth – Boring without earth removal – Combined with earth removal
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-04
2001-10-09
Tsay, Frank (Department: 3672)
Boring or penetrating the earth
Boring without earth removal
Combined with earth removal
C175S019000, C175S022000, C166S264000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298925
ABSTRACT:
FIELD AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a groundwater sampling device, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling well.
Presently, only single groundwater samples can be collected with a penetrometer unit. The installation of even a shallow (15 feet deep) monitoring well generally requires the use of a drill rig and necessitates eight or more hours of work by a crew of two technicians. In this regard, various groundwater sampling devices are currently available in the art as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,512,226; 5,146,998; 5,542,472; and 5,612,498.
In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 2,512,226 to Edwards discloses electrical heating of oil wells by applying electrically generated heat to a casing structure at the bottom of the well, to the oil-producing geological formation, and, if desired, to the oil flow lines leading from the oil-producing formation to the top of the well.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,998 to Cordry et al. discloses an apparatus and method for underground sampling wherein the system includes a hollow body for containing the underground device and a drive cone adapted to penetrate the ground.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,472 to Pringle et al. discloses a metal coiled tubing with a signal transmitting passageway for transmitting and/or receiving signals to well tools positioned in the coiled tubing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,498 to Wittig et al. discloses a groundwater sampling device which includes an elongated cylindrical integral hollow housing with an inner surface defining an inner bore. An elongated hollow screen is telescopically received within the housing and is capable of being placed in a stowed position completely within the housing during driving of the device into the ground, and in a deployed position where it extends out of the lower end of the housing to collect groundwater.
The prior art devices are, however, complicated and not fully satisfactory. Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a small-scale groundwater sampling well which can be installed easily with a minimum amount of labor.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling device which overcomes the disadvantages associated with the conventional devices and techniques and is easy to construct and inexpensive to manufacture.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling device which can be used by the conventional push-in equipment associated with a civil engineering cone penetrometer.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling device which allows the conventional penetrometer to install a well that can be used for continuous monitoring of groundwater quality using two penetrometer operators with only one or two hours of work.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling device which installs a well using the same design that the U.S. EPA requires for a full-scale monitoring well.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling device wherein the well will operate with the dependability equal to that of a full-scale well. Yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling well wherein the well can conveniently have monitoring devices incorporated into the tip of the casing or tubing provided for sampling.
Still yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling well wherein the installation of the well is done by pushing and not drilling. Therefore, the operation does not generate any well cuttings, that is any soil removed in excavating a hole for the well casing. This is advantageous in that the well cuttings typically have to be tested prior to disposal to determine if the soil is contaminated. Disposal of contaminated cuttings adds extra cost to any well drilling operation,
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling well wherein penetrometers can be used to produce permanent water sampling points, e. g. groundwater monitoring wells.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling well wherein the monitoring wells produced are equivalent in construction to the monitoring wells that would normally be installed on a larger scale with a drill rig.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling well wherein the amount of time required to install a conventional groundwater monitoring well with a drilled rig is reduced to 1-2 hours of work.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling well wherein instrumentation needed to measure the water temperature or electrical conductivity can be provided in the well tip and monitored through a hard wire connection to the surface.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for installing a small-scale groundwater sampling well wherein granular materials needed to form a filter layer, and to form a seal, can be dispensed without jamming the installation apparatus.
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for installing a groundwater sampling device into the ground includes a generally cylindrical housing open at top and bottom end portions and defining a recess therein. An expendable tip member is removably connected to the bottom end portion of the housing. A well tubing or casing is positioned generally centrally in the recess and includes top and bottom end portions. An elongated spiral-wound cylinder is slidably positioned in the recess of the housing and in a surrounding relationship to the tubing. The tubing is attached to the tip member at the bottom end portion thereof and includes a lower section having a plurality of perforations about the periphery thereof to allow fluid to enter the interior of the tubing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2512226 (1950-06-01), Edwards
patent: 4807707 (1989-02-01), Handley et al.
patent: 5146998 (1992-09-01), Cordry et al.
patent: 5402848 (1995-04-01), Kelly
patent: 5474140 (1995-12-01), Stevens
patent: 5487431 (1996-01-01), Webb
patent: 5542472 (1996-08-01), Pringle et al.
patent: 5612498 (1997-03-01), Wittig et al.
patent: 5669454 (1997-09-01), Cordry
patent: 5921328 (1999-07-01), Babineau et al.
patent: 6116353 (2000-09-01), Leavell et al.
patent: 645448 (1936-01-01), None
patent: 2218441A (1989-11-01), None
Cooper Stafford S
Lee Landris T.
Malone Philip G.
Baugher Jr. Earl H.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers as represented by the
Tsay Frank
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