Device for protecting a geotechnical or geophysical probe

Abstract

A device ( 1 ) for protecting a geotechnical or geophysical probe ( 13 ) having an elongated shape and capable of undergoing radial deformation, includes: a plurality of flexible members ( 2 ) having an elongated shape and capable of undergoing radial deformation in a functional configuration of the device ( 1 ); elements for the longitudinal compensation of the radial deformation of the flexible members ( 2 ) in a functional configuration of the device ( 1 ); two flexible member bearings ( 301, 302 ) each receiving an end of the flexible members ( 2 ), the bearings ( 301, 302 ) being capable of longitudinal movement on the probe ( 13 ) so that the flexible members ( 2 ) longitudinally protect the outer portion of the probe ( 13 ) between the bearings ( 301, 302 ) in a functional configuration of the device ( 1 ).

1 . Device ( 1 ) for protecting an elongate-shaped geotechnical or geophysical probe ( 13 ) and able to deform radially, characterised in that it comprises:
 a plurality of elongate-shaped flexible elements ( 2 ), able to undergo radial deformation, in the operational configuration of the device ( 1 ),   means of longitudinal compensation for the radial deformation of the flexible elements ( 2 ), in the operational configuration of the device ( 1 ),   two flexible-element supports ( 301 ,  302 ), each accepting one end of the flexible elements ( 2 ), the supports ( 301 ,  302 ) being able to move longitudinally on the probe ( 13 ), so that the flexible elements ( 2 ) longitudinally protect the external part of the probe ( 13 ) lying between said supports ( 301 ,  302 ), in the operational configuration of the device ( 1 ).   
   
   
       2 . Device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the means of longitudinal compensation for the radial deformation of the flexible elements ( 2 ) are formed by an interstice ( 11 ) in at least one of the flexible-element supports ( 301 ,  302 ) and by a curved end of the flexible elements ( 2 ), each end being disposed for reversible sliding in said interstice ( 11 ). 
   
   
       3 . Device ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the interstice ( 11 ) is delimited by two annular zones ( 5 ,  9 ) with different diameters. 
   
   
       4 . Device ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the means of longitudinal compensation for the radial deformation of the flexible elements also comprise at least one damper ( 20 ,  24 ) intended to damp longitudinal movements of at least one of the flexible-element supports ( 301 ,  302 ), in the operational configuration of the device ( 1 ). 
   
   
       5 . Device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the flexible elements ( 2 ) are fixed to the flexible-element supports ( 301 ,  302 ), and in that the means of longitudinal compensation for the radial deformation of the flexible elements comprise at least one damper ( 20 ,  24 ) intended to damp longitudinal movements of at least one of the flexible-element supports ( 301 ,  302 ), in the operational configuration of the device ( 1 ). 
   
   
       6 . Device ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the dampers ( 20 ,  24 ) are elastic rings. 
   
   
       7 . Device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the flexible-element supports ( 301 ,  302 ) are cylindrical in shape and comprise a plurality of cylindrical portions assembled together. 
   
   
       8 . Device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the flexible elements ( 2 ) are steel blades. 
   
   
       9 . Geotechnical or geophysical probe ( 13 ), characterised in that it is covered with a protection device ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 . 
   
   
       10 . Probe ( 13 ) according to  claim 9 , characterised in that it is of the type comprising three inflatable sleeves ( 23 ,  24 ,  25 ) aligned along the longitudinal axis of the probe ( 13 ). 
   
   
       11 . Probe ( 13 ) according to  claim 10 , characterised in that the flexible-element supports ( 301 ,  302 ) are disposed on each side of the assembly formed by the three inflatable sleeves ( 23 ,  24 ,  25 ). 
   
   
       12 . Probe ( 13 ) according to  claim 9 , characterised in that each flexible-element support ( 301 ,  302 ) is able to be moved longitudinally between two stops ( 18 ,  19 ,  21 ,  22 ) of the probe ( 13 ), the movement being damped by the damper ( 20 ,  24 ). 
   
   
       13 . Device ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the means of longitudinal compensation for the radial deformation of the flexible elements also comprise at least one damper ( 20 ,  24 ) intended to damp longitudinal movements of at least one of the flexible-element supports ( 301 ,  302 ), in the operational configuration of the device ( 1 ). 
   
   
       14 . Device ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the dampers ( 20 ,  24 ) are elastic rings. 
   
   
       15 . Device ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the dampers ( 20 ,  24 ) are elastic rings. 
   
   
       16 . Geotechnical or geophysical probe ( 13 ), characterised in that it is covered with a protection device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       17 . Probe ( 13 ) according to  claim 16 , characterised in that it is of the type comprising three inflatable sleeves ( 23 ,  24 ,  25 ) aligned along the longitudinal axis of the probe ( 13 ). 
   
   
       18 . Geotechnical or geophysical probe ( 13 ), characterised in that it is covered with a protection device ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 . 
   
   
       19 . Probe ( 13 ) according to  claim 18 , characterised in that each flexible-element support ( 301 ,  302 ) is able to be moved longitudinally between two stops ( 18 ,  19 ,  21 ,  22 ) of the probe ( 13 ), the movement being damped by the damper ( 20 ,  24 ).