US3172472A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ignition of fuels below the surface of the ground
Assignee: Gulf Research and Development Co
•
Filing: 1960-09-22
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Granted: 1965-03-09
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Expires: 1980-09-22
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis M Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:39
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B36/00; E21B36/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A METHOD FOR IGNITING A COMBUSTIBLE FUEL IN THE BOREHOLE OF A WELL HAVING THE FUEL LINE EXTENDING DOWN THE WELL WITH THE LOWER END OF THE FUEL LINE OPENING AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE LEVEL AT WHICH IGNITION IS DESIRED, SAID FUEL LINE HAVING A BACK-PRESSURE VALVE NEAR ITS LOWER END TO ALLOW THE FUEL LINE TO BE MAINTAINED FULL OF LIQUID, COMPRISING FILLING THE FUEL LINE WITH AN INERT LIQUID, DISPLACING A DESIRED MEASURED AMOUNT OF TRIETHYLBORANE INTO THE UPPER END OF THE FUEL LINE, DELIVERING AIR DOWNWARDLY THROUGH A CONDUIT IN THE WELL ADAPTED TO MIX SAID AIR WITH FLUIDS DISCHARGED FROM THE FUEL LINE, DELIVERING A FLUID COMBUSTIBLE FUEL INTO THE FUEL LINE UNDER A PRESSURE ADAPTED TO OPEN THE BACK-PRESSURE VALVE WHEREBY THE TRIETHYLBORANE IS DISPLACED DOWN THE FUEL LINE AND DISCHARGE FROM THE LOWER END OF THE FUEL LINE AND IGNITED BY ADMIXTURE WITH AIR DELIVERED THROUGH THE CONDUIT, AND CONTINUING THE DISPLACEMENT OF AIR AND COMBUSTIBLE FUEL DOWNWARDLY INTO THE BOREHOLE OF THE WELL.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A METHOD FOR IGNITING A COMBUSTIBLE FUEL IN THE BOREHOLE OF A WELL HAVING THE FUEL LINE EXTENDING DOWN THE WELL WITH THE LOWER END OF THE FUEL LINE OPENING AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE LEVEL AT WHICH IGNITION IS DESIRED, SAID FUEL LINE HAVING A BACK-PRESSURE VALVE NEAR ITS LOWER END TO ALLOW THE FUEL LINE TO BE MAINTAINED FULL OF LIQUID, COMPRISING FILLING THE FUEL LINE WITH AN INERT LIQUID, DISPLACING A DESIRED MEASURED AMOUNT OF TRIETHYLBORANE INTO THE UPPER END OF THE FUEL LINE, DELIVERING AIR DOWNWARDLY THROUGH A CONDUIT IN THE WELL ADAPTED TO MIX SAID AIR WITH FLUIDS DISCHARGED FROM THE FUEL LINE, DELIVERING A FLUID COMBUSTIBLE FUEL INTO THE FUEL LINE UNDER A PRESSURE ADAPTED TO OPEN THE BACK-PRESSURE VALVE WHEREBY THE TRIETHYLBORANE IS DISPLACED DOWN THE FUEL LINE AND DISCHARGE FROM THE LOWER END OF THE FUEL LINE AND IGNITED BY ADMIXTURE WITH AIR DELIVERED THROUGH THE CONDUIT, AND CONTINUING THE DISPLACEMENT OF AIR AND COMBUSTIBLE FUEL DOWNWARDLY INTO THE BOREHOLE OF THE WELL.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1968-03-08 | 1968-09-07 | 1969-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1972-03-08 | 1972-09-07 | 1973-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1976-03-08 | 1976-09-07 | 1977-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |