US PATENT SUBCLASS 175 / 40
WITH SIGNALING, INDICATING, TESTING OR MEASURING

Current as of: June, 1999
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175 /   HD   BORING OR PENETRATING THE EARTH

40WITH SIGNALING, INDICATING, TESTING OR MEASURING {8}
41  DF  .~> Ray energy detection or measuring
42  DF  .~> Indicating agent released in drilling fluid
44  DF  .~> Providing identifiable indication of core position in situ for core sample orientation
45  DF  .~> Tool position direction or inclination measuring or indicating within the bore
46  DF  .~> Signaling or indicating condition of cutting in cuttings retainer
48  DF  .~> Measuring or indicating drilling fluid (1) pressure, or (2) rate of flow
49  DF  .~> Transparent inspection feature
50  DF  .~> Indicating, testing or measuring a condition of the formation

DEFINITION

Classification: 175/40

(under the class definition) Process or apparatus combined with a step or means for measuring, testing, signaling, indicating, detecting, registering or recording a condition for the benefit of an observer.

(1) Note. A boring process or apparatus which inherently gives a signal while performing some boring function is not included unless it includes an added step or apparatus for indicating. For example a mere stop means or abutment which is intended to limit the extent to which a tool may be fed is excluded. Also, a below ground means which is responsive to a condition of the boring means to control the flow of fluid through a passage is excluded unless the means to indicate the change in fluid flow or pressure, or a step of indicating is claimed. Such structure is classified on other features.

(2) Note. Bore bottom sensing by touching the bottom of the borehole with the boring apparatus is excluded.

(3) Note. Patents relating to measuring or indicating a condition in a borehole are classified in the appropriate measuring or indicating class. Class 175 takes patents relating to process or apparatus for boring into the earth combined with a measuring or indicating feature, where more than a mere step of boring is claimed or where details of the

boring apparatus are claimed.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

39, for a bit provided with means to initiate a signal when the bit becomes worn. 232+, for means movable relative to tool below ground to stop flow toward bore bottom.

317+, for means movable relative to tool or shaft to control below ground passage.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

33, Geometrical Instruments,

302, and 304+ for methods of and apparatus for indicating borehole direction by utilizing forces such as terrestrial gravitation or magnetism.

73, Measuring and Testing,

81+, for means to test the hardness of a material, including a penetrator or indenter, subclasses 152.01+ for measuring a condition of the boring means or earth formation in a borehole wherein the test is not purely electrical or purely magnetic and wherein the boring process or the boring apparatus is only nominally claimed.

166, Wells,

250.01+, for processes involving a well, combined with a step of measuring, testing, signaling, indicating, directing, registering or recording a condition, subclass 66 for a well device combined with electrical indicating means, and subclass 113 for a well device combined with nonelectrical measuring, testing or indicating means.

173, Tool Driving or Impacting,

20+, for a signaling or indicating means combined with a tool driving or impacting device.

181, Acoustics, 102+, for subject matter relating to a mechanical acoustic device in a bore hole.

235, Registers, appropriate subclasses for a registering process or device, per se.

250, Radiant Energy,

254, for methods and apparatus where a nominal step of boring or boring apparatus is claimed in combination with a geological invisible radiation test, or earth formation or

well material irradiation method or apparatus, and subclasses 256+ for methods and apparatus to detect or utilize invisible radiation to test material in or about a well.

324, Electricity: Measuring and Testing,

323+, for subject matter relating to the determination of an electrical characteristic of the subsurface of the earth. A nominal recitation of an earth boring step or means does not preclude classification in Class 324.

340, Communications: Electrical,

853.1+, for a borehole signaling system, and subclasses 500+ for electrical automatic condition responsive indicating systems.

342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave System and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation),

5+, for a radar system in a borehole.

346, Recorders, appropriate subclasses for a recording process or device, per se. 374, Thermal Measuring and Testing,

136, for subsurface temperature determination other than for strata identification.

395, Information Processing System Organization,

500.31, for mathematical simulation of a fluid well.

436, Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing,

25+, for testing or measuring methods involving chemical analysis.

702, Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,

6+, for data processing, for measuring in a well logging or borehole environment.