Abstract: A method for sealing a flexible liner that has been emplaced in a borehole manifesting artesian water flow. The upper end of the liner is closed with a plug, and a mud tube is extended from the plug down to a small volume of mud at the bottom end of the liner. The pressure in the liner interior is increased according to the weight of the mud column in the mud tube. Pressure in the liner interior can be regulated by allowing mud to move up and down in the mud tube, and by adding or withdrawing water from the closed liner interior.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating eversion of a flexible liner down a borehole when an artesian head condition is producing a rate of water flow out of the top of the borehole. A bypass pipe channels artesian flow, moving upward in the borehole and/or well casing, past an everting flexible liner to a wellhead fixture. Artesian flow arriving at the wellhead fixture is pumped away to ameliorate resistance to liner eversion otherwise presented by the water flow. A heavy mud may be disposed inside the everting liner further to promote its downward eversion past the artesian flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the water tables in boreholes, such as boreholes used as sampling wells for sampling contaminants in ground water. Fluctuations in one or more ground water levels can be monitored and recorded using transducers, and the changes in the water levels evaluated and considered, particularly in the context of sampling for contaminants where subsurface pollution remediation is contemplated or ongoing. The changes in ground water levels can be tracked in time and correlated, as desired, with the water sampling regime. The transducers used for monitoring pressure changes attributable to water table changes are located advantageously above the surface of the ground, where they are accessible for re-use, replacement, or repair. Apparatus and method for providing an air-coupling between the transducers and subsurface sampling points is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for measuring the profile of the hydraulic head in geologic media surrounding a borehole into the Earth's surface. A flexible liner is everted down the borehole. The profile of the hydraulic transmissivity of the geologic media is obtained during (and indirectly from) the eversion of the flexible liner as it proceeds down the borehole. The liner is then retrieved by inversion from the borehole, while the pressure head in the borehole fluid below the liner is monitored and measured. From the previously obtained transmissivity profile, and the measured head within the borehole, the hydraulic head in the geologic media surrounding the borehole is determined for borehole intervals. A complete hydraulic head profile may be obtained from the collected data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly installing or withdrawing a sealing liner into or out of a subsurface well bore or borehole. An eversion aid, such as an open-ended cylinder, is engaged with the liner, the eversion aid serving to push the liner down the borehole during installation, and to assist in proper liner extraction during its withdrawal from the borehole. Water is transferred between the liner interior and the borehole outside the liner to regulate the disposition of borehole water, and to aid in proper sealing functions of the liner and to promote proper liner extraction during withdrawal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the water tables in boreholes, such as boreholes used as sampling wells for sampling contaminants in ground water. Fluctuations in one or more ground water levels can be monitored and recorded using transducers, and the changes in the water levels evaluated and considered, particularly in the context of sampling for contaminants where subsurface pollution remediation is contemplated or ongoing. The changes in ground water levels can be tracked in time and correlated, as desired, with the water sampling regime. The transducers used for monitoring pressure changes attributable to water table changes are located advantageously above the surface of the ground, where they are accessible for re-use, replacement, or repair. Apparatus and method for providing an air-coupling between the transducers and subsurface sampling points is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly installing or withdrawing a sealing liner into or out of a subsurface well bore or borehole. An eversion aid is engaged with the liner, the eversion aid serving to push the liner down the borehole during installation, and to assist in proper liner extraction during its withdrawal from the borehole. Water is transferred between the liner interior and the borehole outside the liner to regulate the disposition of borehole water, and to aid in proper sealing functions of the liner and to promote proper liner extraction during withdrawal. Various embodiments and features of the eversion aid apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of using an everting borehole liner to perform fluid conductivity measurements in materials surrounding a pipe, tube, or conduit, such as a borehole below the surface of the Earth. A flexible liner is everted (turned inside out) into the borehole by introducing into the liner a pressurized driving fluid. As the liner displaces the ambient fluid in the borehole into the surrounding formation, the varying rate at which driving fluid is introduced into the liner is monitored and recorded. As the impermeable liner covers the flow paths in the wall of the hole, the rate at which driving fluid must be introduced slows. From the measured driving fluid introduction rate, the flow rates out discrete sections of the borehole are determined.

Abstract: A method of using an everting borehole liner to perform fluid conductivity measurements in materials surrounding a pipe, tube, or conduit, such as a borehole below the surface of the Earth. A flexible liner is everted (turned inside out) into the borehole with an internal pressurized fluid. As the liner displaces the ambient fluid in the borehole into the surrounding formation, the rate of descent of the liner is recorded. As the impermeable liner covers the flow paths in the wall of the hole, the descent rate slows. From the measured descent rate, the flow rates out discrete sections of the borehole are determined.

Abstract: A method of using an everting borehole liner to perform fluid conductivity measurements in materials surrounding a pipe, tube, or conduit, such as a borehole below the surface of the Earth. A flexible liner is everted (turned inside out) into the borehole with an internal pressurized fluid. As the liner displaces the ambient fluid in the borehole into the surrounding formation, the rate of descent of the liner is recorded. As the impermeable liner covers the flow paths in the wall of the hole, the descent rate slows. From the measured descent rate, the flow rates out discrete sections of the borehole are determined.

Abstract: A cylindrical cavity is continuously contacted while removing a rigid liner from within the cavity. The supporting apparatus includes a flexible liner insertable within the rigid liner, having an expanded diameter greater than a diameter of the cavity, and having a top end and closed bottom end. A hollow conduit is attached to the bottom end of the flexible liner and has an opening adjacent the bottom end for introducing a fluid to expand the flexible liner against the cavity and contact the cavity as the rigid liner is withdrawn from about the flexible liner.

Abstract: A flexible liner system provides for instrumentation and sampling within a cavity. An elongated flexible liner effectively contacts wall portions of the cavity when inflated within the cavity and has a top and a bottom and has perforations open to the cavity wall portions at selected locations along the liner. At least one sleeve is sealed to the flexible liner and extends from the top portion of the liner to a perforation at one of the selected locations along the liner to define a sealed interior open to a cavity wall portion. A well casing may be place within the sleeve for fluid sampling or for emplacing instrumentation adjacent the perforations in the flexible liner.

Abstract: A pressure containment device enables the installation of an everting liner without requiring a shipping container that can be pressurized. A pressure housing provides an inlet for receiving the liner and an outlet for installing the liner into the borehole. First and second movable belts have first and second sealing surfaces, respectively, for receiving the liner at the inlet of the pressure housing, and first and second interior surfaces for urging the first and second sealing surfaces against the liner when the pressure housing is pressurized. First rollers support the first and second movable belts within the pressure housing.

Abstract: A bore hole support system is formed from a flexible liner that is readily everted within a bore hole and forms a bore hole support system to install a casing in the bore hole while supporting the bore hole walls. After a pilot hole is drilled, the pilot hole is traversed with a reamer to form the pilot hole diameter to a larger diameter for the final bore hole. The flexible liner with the attached casing is everted and pressurized behind the reamer as the reamer traverses the pilot hole to support walls defining the bore hole while pulling the casing into the bore hole. The liner is simply removed from a storage and everting canister and remains with the casing in the bore hole. In certain circumstances, the liner may be coated with a water soluble material so that the casing may be in fluid communication with the bore hole walls when the coating has dissolved.

Abstract: A method is provided for supporting and sealing structure defining a generally cylindrical hole while introducing and removing devices from the hole. A first flexible liner is installed in the hole and pressurized to a pressure effective to support and seal the structure. A second flexible liner is everted between the first flexible liner and the structure, where the second flexible liner carries the devices to introduce and remove the devices from the hole while the first liner remain pressurized to continuously support and seal the structure.

Abstract: An inverting liner system is used for installing a casing in a borehole without the need for drilling mud. The liner system includes a first portion with a diameter effective for supporting walls of said borehole and a second portion having a first end fixed to the liner portion at a point of attachment and a second distal end. The second liner portion has a diameter effective for surrounding the casing and inverting the casing within the first liner portion. A third liner portion has one end attached to the point of attachment of the first and second liner portions and a second end releasably attached to the distal end of the second liner portion during installation of the casing in the borehole. When casing installation is complete, the third liner portion is released from the second liner portion and the third liner portion may be withdrawn from the borehole, thereby inverting the first and second liner portions from about the casing and from within the borehole.

Abstract: A bore hole support system is formed from a flexible liner that is readily everted within a bore hole and forms a bore hole support system to install a casing in the bore hole while supporting the bore hole walls. After a pilot hole is drilled, the pilot hole is traversed with a reamer to form the pilot hole diameter to a larger diameter for the final bore hole. The flexible liner with the attached casing is everted and pressurized behind the reamer as the reamer traverses the pilot hole to support walls defining the bore hole while pulling the casing into the bore hole. The liner is simply removed from a storage and everting canister and remains with the casing in the bore hole. In certain circumstances, the liner may be coated with a water soluble material so that the casing may be in fluid communication with the bore hole walls when the coating has dissolved.

Abstract: A bore hole support system is formed from a flexible liner that is readily everted within and inverted from a bore hole and forms a bore hole support system during installation of a casing for the bore hole. After a pilot hole is drilled, the pilot hole is traversed with a reamer to form the pilot hole diameter to a larger diameter for the final bore hole. The flexible liner is everted and pressurized behind the reamer as the reamer traverses the pilot hole to support walls defining the bore hole. The flexible liner may also be used to assist in installation of the casing and well screen. The liner is further extended beyond an entrance location from the bore hole a distance approximating the horizontal bore hole length. A casing is then fixed within the flexible liner, and the flexible liner is inverted back through the bore hole to draw the casing through the bore hole while the casing is enclosed within the flexible liner.

Abstract: Contaminants are removed from the interior or a duct by the introduction within the duct of a tube having a coating of a curable, strippable resin using an everting/inverting membrane assembly. The coated tube is contained within the inverted membrane assembly and urged against the walls of the duct as the membrane is everted. The coated tube extends through an open end of the duct and is secured to the duct to retain the tube within the duct. The membrane is again inverted for the resin to cure and adhere contaminants to the tube. Another membrane assembly is then everted with the tube, the tube is secured to the membrane assembly, and withdrawn within the membrane as the membrane is inverted from within the duct. The contaminants are contained with the inverted membrane for analysis or disposal. In one embodiment, a towing membrane assembly is inserted through a second open end of the duct and attached to the tube-carrying membrane.

Abstract: An everting membrane assembly defines a constant volume for traveling along a generally horizontal borehole, pipe, or the like, having two accessible ends, for sampling within the borehole on a continuous basis. A first everting membrane carries an extraction tube through the borehole. A second everting membrane contains a perforated pipe for attachment to the extraction tube. As the first membrane is inverted back through the borehole, the second membrane is everted, forming a sampling volume therebetween with the perforated pipe exposed in the sampling volume for withdrawing fluids through the extraction tube for analysis.