US3563255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for collecting and washing well cuttings
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-12-27
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Granted: 1971-02-16
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Expires: 1988-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A drill cuttings sample collector and washer, which attaches to the front wall of the mud tank of a drill rig equipped with a vibrating shale shaker table. The sample collector includes a stationary outer water vessel secured to the mud tank and a cuttings collector plate and a cuttings container springsuspended within the water vessel, taking vibratory motion from the shaker table. An adjustable stream of drill cuttings from the shale shaker is caught by the collector plate and discharged into the vibrating cuttings container, the cuttings falling downwardly over a series of baffles where washing action takes place to remove the mud from the cuttings. The washer cuttings are caught at the bottom of the water vessel and periodically removed for examination.
Inventors
- 👤 Royden Barnard Morris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:21
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B49/00; E21B49/02; B; B01; B01D; B01D35/00; B01D35/20; B01D35/28; E21B21/00; E21B21/06; E21B21/063; E21B21/065; E21B21/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A drill cuttings sample collector and washer securable to the front wall of a conventional mud tank of a drill rig equipped with a vibrating shale shaker table and operable by the shale shaker table of said drill rig, comprising in combination: a stationary water container; means for fixedly mounting said water container to the front wall of said mud tank adjacent said shale shaker table; an open ended inner container moveably disposed within said water container; a shale sample collector plate rigidly secured to the upper open end of said inner container; means on said collector plate adapted to collect plate adapted to collect a continuous sample of rock cuttings from said shale shaker table and to transfer said sample into said inner container; suspension means resiliently connecting said collector plate and said inner container to said water container adapted to permit oscillating movement of said collector plate and said inner container relative to said water container; means operatively connecting said collector plate to said vibrating shaker table and adapted to transmit the oscillating motion of said shaker table to said collector plate and said inner container; water inlet and outlet means connected to and communicating with the said water container adapted to produce a circulation of wash water therein; means within said inner container to increase the path of travel of said rock cuttings samples therethrough; and rock cuttings collecting and discharge means positioned at the lower end of said water container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
A drill cuttings sample collector and washer securable to the front wall of a conventional mud tank of a drill rig equipped with a vibrating shale shaker table and operable by the shale shaker table of said drill rig, comprising in combination: a stationary water container; means for fixedly mounting said water container to the front wall of said mud tank adjacent said shale shaker table; an open ended inner container moveably disposed within said water container; a shale sample collector plate rigidly secured to the upper open end of said inner container; means on said collector plate adapted to collect plate adapted to collect a continuous sample of rock cuttings from said shale shaker table and to transfer said sample into said inner container; suspension means resiliently connecting said collector plate and said inner container to said water container adapted to permit oscillating movement of said collector plate and said inner container relative to said water container; means operatively connecting said collector plate to said vibrating shaker table and adapted to transmit the oscillating motion of said shaker table to said collector plate and said inner container; water inlet and outlet means connected to and communicating with the said water container adapted to produce a circulation of wash water therein; means within said inner container to increase the path of travel of said rock cuttings samples therethrough; and rock cuttings collecting and discharge means positioned at the lower end of said water container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
The device according to claim 1 in which said suspension means resiliently connecting said collector plate to said water container comprise: spring-mounting means fixedly secured to said water container; a plurality of helix coil spring members each having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end of each of said coil spring members being fixedly secured to said spring-mounting means, the upper end of each of said coil spring members being fixedly secured to said collector plate, said suspension means being adapted to position said collector plate to incline downwardly and outwardly from said shaker table at an angle of inclination substantially equal to the angle in inclination of said shaker table.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The device according to claim 2 in which said means on said collector plate to collect a sample of rock cuttings from said shale shaker table and to transfer said sample into said inner container includes a pair of cuttings guide ribs adjustably mounted on the upper surface of said collector plate, and perforate means formed through said collector plate above said inner container, said pair of cuttings guide ribs adapted to direct said rock cuttings sample towards said perforate means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 3 which includes additional control means on said collector plate adjustably controlling the quantity of rock cuttings passing through said perforate means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device according to claim 4 in which said additional control means comprises an adjustable shutoff plate mounted for rotation upon the underside of said collector plate and adapted to be moved across said perforate means from a position whereby all of said perforate means are open to a position whereby all of said perforate means are closed, and to any intermediate position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device according to claim 5 in which said means in said inner container to increase the path of travel of said rock cuttings sample therethrough comprises a plurality of downwardly inclining baffle plates situated in spaced apart, partially overlapping, opposed relationship one with the other, and secured to the inner surface of the walls of said inner container, said walls being perforate to permit the flow of water therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device according to claim 4 in which said means in said inner container to increase the path of travel of said rock cuttings sample therethrough comprises a plurality of downwardly inclining baffle plates situated in spaced apart, partially overlapping opposed relationship one with the other, and secured to the inner surface of the walls of said inner container, said walls being perforate to permit the flow of water therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device according to claim 3 in which said means in said inner container to increase the path of travel of said rock cuttings sample therethrough comprises a plurality of downwardly inclining baffle plates situated in spaced apart, partially overlapping, opposed relationship one with the other, and secured to the inner surface of the walls of said inner container, said walls being perforate to permit the flow of water therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device according to claim 2 in which said means in said inner container to increase the path of travel of said rock cuttings sample therethrough comprises a plurality of downwardly inclining baffle plates situated in spaced apart, partially overlapping, opposed relationship one with the other, and secured to the inner surface of the walls of said inner container, said walls being perforate to permit the flow of water therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
The device according to claim 1 in which said means on said collector plate to collect a sample of rock cuttings from said shale shaker table and to transfer said sample into said inner container includes a pair of cuttings guide ribs adjustably mounted on the upper surface of said collector plate, and perforate means formed through said cOllector plate above said inner container, said pair of cuttings guide ribs adapted to direct said rock cuttings sample towards said perforate means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 10 which includes additional control means on said collector plate adjustably controlling the quantity of rock cuttings passing through said perforate means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device according to claim 11 in which said additional control means comprises an adjustable shutoff plate mounted for rotation upon the underside of said collector plate and adapted to be moved across said perforate means from a position whereby all of said perforate means are open to a position whereby all of said perforate means are closed, and to any intermediate position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device according to claim 12 in which said means in said inner container to increase the path of travel of said rock cuttings sample therethrough comprises a plurality of downwardly inclining baffle plates situated in spaced apart, partially overlapping, opposed relationship one with the other, and secured to the inner surface of the walls of said inner container, said walls being perforate to permit the flow of water therethrough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device according to claim 12 in which said means operatively connecting said collector plate to said shaker table comprises at least one friction pad secured to said collector plate adjacent said shaker table and frictionally engaging the underside of said shaker table thereby transmitting movement of said shaker table to said collector plate and said inner container.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device according to claim 11 in which said means in said inner container to increase the path of travel of said rock cuttings sample therethrough comprises a plurality of downwardly inclining baffle plates situated in spaced apart, partially overlapping, opposed relationship with the other, and secured to the inner surface of the walls of said inner container, said walls being perforate to permit the flow of water therethrough.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device according to claim 10 in which said means in said inner container to increase the path of travel of said rock cuttings sample therethrough comprises a plurality of downwardly inclining baffle plates situated in spaced apart, partially overlapping, opposed relationship one with the other and secured to the inner surface of the walls of said inner container, said walls being perforate to permit the flow of water therethrough.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device according to claim 10 in which said means operatively connecting said collector plate to said shaker table comprises at least one friction pad secured to said collector plate adjacent said shaker table and frictionally engaging the underside of said shaker table thereby transmitting movement of said shaker table to said collector plate and said inner container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device according to claim 1 in which said means in said inner container to increase the path to travel of said rock cuttings sample therethrough comprises a plurality of downwardly inclining baffle plates situated in spaced apart, partially overlapping, opposed relationship one with the other, and secured to the inner surface of the walls of said inner container, said walls being perforate to permit the flow of water therethrough.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device according to claim 18 in which said means operatively connecting said collector plate to said shaker table comprises at least one friction pad secured to said collector plate adjacent said shaker table and frictionally engaging the underside of said shaker table thereby transmitting movement of said shaker table to said collector plate and said inner container.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device according to claim 1 in which said means operatively connecting said collector plate to said shaker comprises at least one friction pad secured to said collector plate adjacent said shaker table and frictionally engaging the underside of said shaker table thereby transmitting movement of said shaker table to said collector plate and said inner container.
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) | 1974-02-15 | 1974-08-17 | 1975-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-15 | 1978-08-17 | 1979-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-15 | 1982-08-17 | 1983-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |