Reusable Micro-Seismic Sensor Fixture With Pneumatic Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-seismic sensors installed in boreholes are difficult to reuse due to permanent fixation methods, which limits their utility and increases costs, and current sensors struggle to accurately capture both local and long-distance seismic tremors effectively.
Innovation Solution
A fixture structure featuring a flexible air hose tube with a shear pin separation unit and a rubber diaphragm that uses fluid pressure to separate the sensor from the borehole, allowing for easy retrieval and reinstallation, and a cable for signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a micro-seismic sensor is permanently fixed in a borehole by grouting, then the sensor installation stability is improved, but the sensor cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture structure is divided into multiple separable components: an upper fixture portion, a lower fixture portion, and a separation unit connecting them. This segmentation allows the sensor to be permanently fixed during operation (maintaining stability) yet easily separated when reuse is needed (enabling reusability). The separation unit acts as a deliberate weak point that can be activated to divide the fixed structure into removable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation unit is pre-installed in the fixture structure during manufacturing, creating a built-in separation mechanism before the sensor is deployed. This preliminary action ensures that the means for future separation and reuse is already in place, eliminating the need for complex retrieval operations later while maintaining permanent fixation during the sensor's initial operation.
2Measurement precision
If a micro-seismic sensor is installed deep in a borehole, then the data quality is improved, but the installation and retrieval complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fixture into upper and lower portions connected by a separable unit, the sensor can be installed deep in the borehole using standard grouting methods (maintaining data quality), but the segmented design allows for relatively simple retrieval by activating the separation mechanism, which divides the fixed structure into removable components without requiring complex deep-borehole retrieval equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the upper and lower fixture portions. It provides a controlled separation interface that simplifies the retrieval process from deep boreholes by creating a predetermined separation point, eliminating the need for complex mechanical retrieval operations at depth.
3Ease of operation
If a shear pin separation unit with flexible air hose tube is used, then the sensor retrieval ease is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation unit incorporates a flexible air hose tube that can be inflated with air or fluid pressure to trigger separation. This pneumatic mechanism provides an easy and clean separation method (improving retrieval ease) while the flexible tube design allows for compact integration into the fixture structure, minimizing the added complexity compared to mechanical separation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible air hose tube serves as both the separation trigger mechanism and a flexible connector. Its flexibility allows it to accommodate the compact fixture structure while its inflatable nature provides an simple activation method for separation, achieving easy retrieval without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the reuse of micro-seismic sensors, reducing installation costs and improving data quality by allowing for flexible placement and retrieval, while effectively capturing a wide range of seismic events.
Implementation Method 1
fluid pressure supplied through the tube
Implementation Method 2
inner peripheral surface closely adhered to an outer peripheral surface of the sensor body and an outer peripheral surface closely adhered to an inner peripheral surface of the borehole
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a fixture structure for reusing an underground micro-seismic sensor, including: a sensor body (110) configured to be inserted in a borehole and having a sensing portion for sensing micro seismic event; a first fixture portion (120) formed at one surface of the sensor body; a second fixture portion (125) coupled to the first fixture portion and configured to be fixed to a grouting member injected into the borehole; and a separation unit (130) installed between the first fixture portion and the second fixture portion and configured to separate the first fixture portion and the second fixture portion from each other by external force.