US PATENT SUBCLASS 324 / 323
OF GEOPHYSICAL SURFACE OR SUBSURFACE IN SITU

Current as of: June, 1999
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324 /   HD   ELECTRICITY: MEASURING AND TESTING

323OF GEOPHYSICAL SURFACE OR SUBSURFACE IN SITU {7}
324  DF  .~> Including borehole fluid investigation {1}
326  DF  .~> For small object detection or location {2}
330  DF  .~> By aerial survey {1}
332  DF  .~> With radiant energy or nonconductive-type transmitter {2}
344  DF  .~> With radiant energy or nonconductive-type receiver
345  DF  .~> By magnetic means {1}
347  DF  .~> Using electrode arrays, circuits, structure, or supports {2}

DEFINITION

Classification: 324/323

OF GEOPHYSICAL SURFACE OR SUBSURFACE IN SITU:

(under the class definition) Subject matter relating to the determination of an electrical characteristic of the subsurface of the earth in situ.

(1) Note. Subsurface is defined as including everything, whether composition, article, structure, or formation which lies below the upper natural surface of the earth. The upper surface is defined as being the uppermost nongaseous thing which lies on the earth, and may be mud, water, snow, leaves, dead trees, ice pavements, crops of buildings and such upper surface is defined as being natural if of the same type (e.g., leaves) which is found in nature, whether deposited by nature or not. Thus, under the subclass definition, the determination of geologic structure under building foundations or the location or treasure buried in the earth is included, but the location of treasure concealed in the building wall is not included.

(2) Note. The electrical characteristics which are determined may include streaming, telluric, terrestrial or self-potentials, resistance, dielectric constant, magnetic reluctance, inductance, conductance, capacitance, and magnetism.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

376, for the analysis of core samples, not in situ in the earth, and other appropriate subclasses for the analysis of samples which are not in situ, or for the location of objects which are not below the natural surface of the earth. Note particularly subclasses 67, 158, and 200+.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

23, Chemistry: Physical Processes, 230, for geochemical exploration.

73, Measuring and Testing,

152.01+, for mechanical (e.g., thermal) analysis of bore holes.

166, Wells,

250+, for well processes including indicating, testing, or measuring steps; subclass 64 for well apparatus including time or distance measuring, temperature responsive or counting means; and subclass 66 for well apparatus including electrical indicating means.

175, Boring or Penetrating the Earth,

40, and particularly subclass 50 for the combination of earth boring with electrical earth formation logging. The mere nominal recitation of a conventional earth boring step or means will not preclude classification in Class 324.

181, Acoustics,

.5, for nonelectrical geophysical exploration by the use of seismic waves. Also note the reference to Class 340 below.

250, Radiant Energy,

253+, for geophysical exploration by the use of radiant energy of the invisible type, including electromagnetic waves above the microwave frequency band.

340, Communications: Electrical, 853.8, for a wellbore telemetering system.

343, Communications: Radio Wave Antennas,

5+, for radar systems which are used in geophysical exploration, as for example, radar sets which are lowered down a bore hole to determine the size of the bore.

367, Communications, Electrical: Acoustic Wave Systems and Devices,

14+, for seismic prospecting using electrical acoustic wave systems.