Memorizer

Claim 2

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: input means for receiving a continuous well logging signal which is representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic referenced to given borehole depths, means operative as a function of borehole depth changes for storing discrete samples of said well logging signal at given depth intervals for subsequent extraction as delayed discrete samples, and shaping means operative as a function of borehole depth changes for substantially reconstructing said continuous well logging signal from said delayed discrete samples regardless of the time rate of said borehole depth changes.

Claim 3

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: input means for receiving a continuous well logging signal which is representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic referenced to given borehole depths, means operative as a function of borehole depth changes for storing discrete samples of said well logging signal at given depth intervals for subsequent extraction as delayed discrete samples, and shaping means operative as a function of borehole depth changes for substantially reconstructing said continuous well logging signal from said delayed discrete samples regardless of the time rate of said borehole depth changes.

Claim 4

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: input means for receiving a continuous well logging signal which is representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic referenced to given borehole depths, means operative as a function of borehole depth changes for storing discrete samples of said well logging signal at given depth intervals for subsequent extraction as delayed discrete samples, and shaping means operative as a function of borehole depth changes for substantially reconstructing said continuous well logging signal from said delayed discrete samples regardless of the time rate of said borehole depth changes.

Claim 5

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: input means for receiving a continuous well logging signal which is representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic referenced to given borehole depths, means for receiving a depth signal representative of the changes in depth to which said well logging signal is referenced, means responsive to said depth signal for storing discrete samples of said well logging signal at given depth intervals for subsequent extraction as delayed discrete samples, and shaping means responsive to said depth signal for substantially reconstructing said continuous well logging signal from said delayed discrete samples regardless of the time rate of change of the depth reference of said well logging signal.

Claim 6

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: input means for receiving a continuous well logging signal which is representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic referenced to given borehole depths, means for receiving a depth signal representative of the changes in depth to which said well logging signal is referenced, means responsive to said depth signal for storing discrete samples of said well logging signal at given depth intervals for subsequent extraction as delayed discrete samples, and shaping means responsive to said depth signal for substantially reconstructing said continuous well logging signal from said delayed discrete samples regardless of the time rate of change of the depth reference of said well logging signal.

Claim 7

Apparatus as described in claim 2 and including means for producing a beginning and ending pulse for each predetermined borehole depth traversal to which said well logging signal is referenced.

Claim 8

Apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein said shaping means includes settable time constant means operable in accordance with the spacing of said pulses.

Claim 9

Apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein said settable time constant means includes a uniform pulser and a counter for counting pulses therefrom, the cycling period of said counter determined by said beginning and ending pulses.

Claim 10

Apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein said shaping means includes: a unity gain amplifier, first and second series-connected resistors, said second resistor connected to an input terminal of said amplifier said delayed discrete samples being applied to said first resistor and the common terminal of said amplifier, a first capacitor connected to said input terminal and said common terminal of said amplifier, and a second capacitor connected between the output terminal of said amplifier and the junction between said first and second resistors, the values of said first and second resistors being selected by said counter such that said reconstructed signal reaches the level of said delayed discrete samples at the respective succeeding sampling occurrences.

Claim 11

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: input means for receiving a continuous well logging signal which is representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic referenced to given borehole depths, means for receiving a depth signal representative of the changes in depth to which said well logging signal is referenced, a plurality of analog signal storage elements, a plurality of individual and separably operable switching elements electrically connected to each of said storage elements, and means responsive to said depth signal for selectively energizing different ones of said switching elements to cause samples of said continuous well logging signal to be stored on a selected one of said storage elements at selected depth intervals and extracted from each of said storage elements after a selected depth delay to thereby effect a selected depth delay for each such sample of said well logging signal.

Claim 12

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: input means for receiving a continuous well logging signal which is representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic referenced to given borehole depths, means for receiving a depth signal representative of the changes in depth to which said well logging signal is referenced, a plurality of analog signal storage elements, a plurality of individual and separably operable switching elements electrically connected to each of said storage elements, and means responsive to said depth signal for selectively energizing different ones of said switching elements to cause samples of said continuous well logging signal to be stored on a selected one of said storage elements at selected depth intervals and extracted from each of said storage elements after a selected depth delay to thereby effect a selected depth delay for each such sample of said well logging signal.

Claim 13

Apparatus as described in claim 7, and including means for producing pulses, a beginning and ending pulse determining a borehole depth traversal to which said well logging signal is referenced.

Claim 14

Apparatus as described in claim 8, and including counting means for counting a predetermined number of said pulses, said counting means operating said switching elements.

Claim 15

Apparatus as described in claim 9, and including setting means connected to setting the counting means for establishing a predetermined fixed depth delay operation for said signal storage elements.

Claim 16

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: input means for receiving a continuous well logging signal which is representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic referenced to given borehole depths, means for receiving a depth signal representative of the changes in depth to which said well logging signal is referenced, a plurality of analog signal storage elements, a plurality of individual and separably operable switching elements electrically connected to each of said storage elements, means responsive to said depth signal for selectively energizing different ones of said switching elements to cause samples of said continuous well logging signal to be stored on a selected one of said storage elements at selected depth intervals and extracted from each of said storage elements after a selected depth delay to thereby effect a selected depth delay for each such sample of said well logging signal, and shaping means responsive to said depth signal for substantially reconstructing said continuous well logging signal from said delayed discrete samples regardless of the time rate of change of the depth reference of said well logging signal.

Claim 17

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: input means for receiving a continuous well logging signal which is representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic referenced to given borehole depths, means for receiving a depth signal representative of the changes in depth to which said well logging signal is referenced, a plurality of analog signal storage elements, a plurality of individual and separably operable switching elements electrically connected to each of said storage elements, means responsive to said depth signal for selectively energizing different ones of said switching elements to cause samples of said continuous well logging signal to be stored on a selected one of said storage elements at selected depth intervals and extracted from each of said storage elements after a selected depth delay to thereby effect a selected depth delay for each such sample of said well logging signal, and shaping means responsive to said depth signal for substantially reconstructing said continuous well logging signal from said delayed discrete samples regardless of the time rate of change of the depth reference of said well logging signal.

Claim 18

Well logging apparatus comprising: an exploring device supported by a cable for movement through a borehole and adapted to provide a continuous well logging signal representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic, means coupled to said cable for producing a depth signal approximately representative of the changes in depth of said exploring device, delay means responsive to said depth signal for storing discrete samples of said well logging signal at given depth intervals for subsequent extraction as delayed discrete samples, and shaping means responsive to said depth signal for substantially reconstructing said continuous well logging signal from said delayed discrete samples regardless of the time rate of change of the depth reference of said well logging signal regardless of the velocity of said exploring device through a borehole.

Claim 19

Well logging apparatus comprising: an exploring device supported by a cable for movement through a borehole and adapted to provide a continuous well logging signal representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic, means coupled to said cable for producing a depth signal approximately representative of the changes in depth of said exploring device, delay means responsive to said depth signal for storing discrete samples of said well logging signal at given depth intervals for subsequent extraction as delayed discrete samples, and shaping means responsive to said depth signal for substantially reconstructing said continuous well logging signal from said delayed discrete samples regardless of the time rate of change of the depth reference of said well logging signal regardless of the velocity of said exploring device through a borehole.

Claim 20

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: an exploring device supported by a cable for movement through a borehole and adapted to provide a continuous signal representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic, means coupled to said cable for producing a depth signal approximately representative of the changes in depth of said exploring device, a plurality of analog signal storage elements, a plurality of individual and separably operable switching elements electrically connected to each of said storage elements, and means responsive to said depth signal for selectively energizing different ones of said switching elements to cause samples of a continuous well logging signal to be stored on a selected one of said storage elements at selected depth intervals and extracted from each of said storage elements after a selected depth delay to thereby effect a selected depth delay for each such sample of said well logging signal.

Claim 21

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: an exploring device supported by a cable for movement through a borehole and adapted to provide a continuous signal representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic, means coupled to said cable for producing a depth signal approximately representative of the changes in depth of said exploring device, a plurality of analog signal storage elements, a plurality of individual and separably operable switching elements electrically connected to each of said storage elements, and means responsive to said depth signal for selectively energizing different ones of said switching elements to cause samples of a continuous well logging signal to be stored on a selected one of said storage elements at selected depth intervals and extracted from each of said storage elements after a selected depth delay to thereby effect a selected depth delay for each such sample of said well logging signal.

Claim 22

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: input means for receiving a continuous well logging signal which is representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic referenced to given borehole depths, sampling network means for storing a stepped dc voltage for sampling time intervals, said stepped dc voltage being related to the received well logging signal, delay means for extracting the stored stepped dc voltage from said sampling network means at the end of time intervals, and shaPing means connected to said delay means for constructing a continuous voltage from the extracted stepped dc voltage, said shaping means causing a continuous voltage representative of said well logging signal established at said stepped dc voltages at the end of each of said respective sampling time intervals.

Claim 23

Apparatus for use in processing well logging signals, comprising: input means for receiving a continuous well logging signal which is representative of at least one sub-surface characteristic referenced to given borehole depths, sampling network means for storing a stepped dc voltage for sampling time intervals, said stepped dc voltage being related to the received well logging signal, delay means for extracting the stored stepped dc voltage from said sampling network means at the end of time intervals, and shaPing means connected to said delay means for constructing a continuous voltage from the extracted stepped dc voltage, said shaping means causing a continuous voltage representative of said well logging signal established at said stepped dc voltages at the end of each of said respective sampling time intervals.

Claim 24

The apparatus as described in claim 14, and including a pulse producing means for determining the sampling time interval, said delay means operable on a predetermined pulse therefrom, said pulse producing means also determining operation of said shaping means to accommodate stepped voltage intervals of varying sampling time duration.

Claim 25

The apparatus as described in claim 15, and including borehole depth sensing means connected to said pulse producing means to vary the sampling time interval of the pulses therefrom to be in correlation with the depth sensed.

Claim 26

The apparatus as described in claim 16, wherein said borehole depth sensing means includes a register, the number of outputs over a cycling period thereof determining a fixed memory length in terms of discrete steps and the rate of outputs therefrom determining a delay related to time traversal.

Claim 27

The apparatus as described in claim 17, and including 2 settable down counter driven by said depth sensing means, and a count detector driven by said down counter for producing an output upon the production of a predetermined number by said down counter, said count detector resetting said register and said down counter, said down counter being settable to establish said discrete steps of memory length.

Claim 28

The apparatus as described in claim 16, wherein said depth sensing means includes an intervalometer.

Claim 29

The apparatus as described in claim 14 and including a low-pass prefilter connected to the input of said sampling network means for attenuating frequencies in the input greater than one divided by two times said sampling time interval.

Claim 30

The well logging apparatus described in claim 12, wherein said delay means comprises: a plurality of storage capacitors for storing discrete samples of said well logging signal, a plurality of normally open input memory-step switches, a different one of said input memory-step switches connected to each of said storage capacitors, the input side of said input memory-step switches being joined together in an input receiving write line, a plurality of normally open output memory-step switches, a different one of said output memory-step switches connected to each of said storage capacitors, a succeeding output memory-step switch operably connected with each of said input memory-step switches, the output side of said output memory-step switches being joined together in a read line, a normally closed output switch connected to said read line for producing an output from the memorizer, a common storage capacitor, a normally open read line return switch connected between the output of said output switch and said common storage capacitor, a normally open write line return switch connected between said common storage capacitor and said write line, and counting means responsive to said depth signal for operating said input and output memory-step switches seriatum in discrete steps equal to said given depth intervals, said write line return switch being operated as the first of said input memory-step switches, said output switch and read line return switch being operated at the end of the memory period of said discrete steps.

Claim 31

The apparatus as described in claim 21, wherein said input memory-step switches and said output step switches are reed relays.

Claim 32

The apparatus as described in claim 22, wherein said counting means includes a register for operating seriatum said input and output memory-step switches, said output switch and said read line and write line return switches.

Claim 33

The apparatus as described in claim 23, wherein said counting means further includes a clock puLse generator connected to said register for serially producing output signals therefrom.

Claim 34

The apparatus as described in claim 21, wherein said counting means comprises: a register for operating said input and output memory-step switches, said write line return switch, said read line return switch and said output switch, pulsing means for driving said register, a settable down counter driven by said pulsing means, and a count detector driven by said down counter for producing an output upon the production of a predetermined number by said down counter, said count detector resetting said register and said down counter, said down counter being settable to establish the memory period of said discrete steps.

Claim 35

The well logging apparatus described in claim 12, wherein said delay means comprises: a plurality of storage elements, the elements receiving and storing discrete samples of said well logging signal, and a register for sequentially operating a preselected number of said storage elements for sequentially storing therein said discrete samples of said well logging signal, said register subsequently sequentially operating the same preselected number of said storage elements for removing said discrete samples of said well logging signal stored therein, the preselected number of said storage elements determining the memory length of said delay means in terms of operating occurrences from said register.

Claim 36

The apparatus as described in claim 26, wherein each of said storage elements includes a storage capacitor, an input switch and an output switch, an input switch and an output switch of a subsequent element being operably connected.

Claim 37

The well logging apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein said shaping means comprises: a unity gain amplifier, first and second series-connected resistors, said second resistor connected to an input terminal of said amplifier, discrete samples of said well logging signal being applied to said first resistor and the common terminal of said amplifier, a first capacitor connected to said input terminal and said common terminal of said amplifier, a second capacitor connected between the output terminal of said amplifier and the junction between said first and second resistors, the values of said first and second resistors and said first and second capacitors being selected such that the output voltage reaches the voltage level of each of said discrete samples of said well logging signal after one interval of time and rings about the applied voltage level to return to such level after each subsequent interval of time.

Claim 38

The apparatus as described in claim 28, wherein each of said first and second series-connected resistors include a group of individual resistor elements bypassed by individual relay contacts, and further comprising latch selector means operable in response to said depth signals, said depth signals having a spacing corresponding to the interval duration of said discrete samples of said well logging signal, said latch selector means including a counter, a pulser for receiving said depth signals and driving said counter in response thereto, a latch connected to said counter for transferring the count from said counter upon the receipt of a depth pulse from said depth signal producing means, said pulse also returning the contents of said counter to zero, a plurality of individual relay drivers, said latch having a plurality of outputs, each connected to actuate a separate relay driver, one of said drivers being actuated upon receipt of a transferred count from said counter, said actuated relay driver selecting a pair of resistor values through operation of said individual relay contacts, thereby relating the output of said shaping means to distance.

Claim 39

The apparatus as described in claim 29, wherein said first and second resistors are discretely selectable in value in accordance with a change in the time intErval from one uniform time duration to another.

Claim 40

The apparatus as described in claim 29, wherein the value of each said first and second resistors is selected in megohms to be twice said time interval in seconds.

Claim 43

A method as described in claim 32, including developing a depth signal representative of the changes in depth to which said well logging signal is referenced, and using said depth signal for controlling said filtering time constant.

Claim 44

A method as described in claim 33, wherein said depth signal are pulses, a beginning and ending pulse determining a borehole depth traversal to which said logging signal is referenced.

Claim 45

A method as described in claim 34, and including creating uniform clock pulses at a rate substantially greater than the occurrence of said depth signal pulses, and counting the number of said clock pulses occurring between depth signal pulses, said count being used for controlling said filtering time constant.

Claim 48

A method as described in claim 36, wherein the time for sequentially extracting said stored DC voltage occurs at a predetermined number of time occurrences following said storing that is related to a fixed memory length, the rate of time occurrences determining a delay related to time traversal.

Claim 49

A method as described in claim 36, and including the step of varying the number of sampling time occurrences between storing and extracting.

Claim 50

A method as described in claim 36, the extracted dc voltages occurring at least over a predetermined period of time at uniform intervals, wherein the step of creating a continuous wave voltage includes selecting the resistor values of a feedback control network including resistors and capacitors and a regenerative amplifier to have a time constant that gradually allows the extracted dc voltage to obtain a level of the extracted dc voltage after one interval of time, and selecting capacitor and resistor values for said network such that the pole-zero plot of the S-plane in the frequency domain for said network reveals pole roots traversing lines of constant dampening within the left-hand quadrants of the plot, said network sampling each extracted dc voltage such that after each subsequent sampling time occurrence the output voltage for said extracted dc voltage is at said extracted dc voltage.

Claim 51

A method as described in claim 39, and including the step of selecting the sampling occurrences and said resistor values to create a reconstructed continuous wave signal related to distance travelled when said number of intervals occurring over a period of time is proportional to distance travelled during that period.

Claim 54

A method as described in claim 41, wherein the time-independent variable is distance, including the steps of sensing the distance over a prolonged period of time, and varying the sampling time interval in accordance with the time required to travel a predetermined distance.