Gerald D Reynolds

US Patent:

51219930, Jun 16, 1992

Filed:

Apr 30, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/516399

Inventors:

Charles R. Carrigan - Tracy CA
Harry C. Hardee - Albuquerque NM
Gerald D. Reynolds - Tijeras NM
Terry D. Steinfort - Tijeras NM

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01K 1300
G01N 2520

US Classification:

374 29

Abstract:

A triaxial thermopile array geothermal heat flow sensor is designed to measure heat flow in three dimensions in a reconstituted or unperturbed subsurface regime. Heat flow can be measured in conductive or permeable convective media. The sensor may be encased in protective pvc tubing and includes a plurality of thermistors and an array of heat flow transducers arranged in a vertical string. The transducers produce voltage proportional to heat flux along the subsurface regime and permit direct measurement of heat flow in the subsurface regime. The presence of the thermistor array permits a comparison to be made between the heat flow estimates obtained from the transducers and heat flow calculated using temperature differences and Fourier's Law. The device is extremely sensitive with an accuracy of less than 0. 1 Heat Flow Units (HFU) and may be used for long term readings.