US3578029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipe
Assignee: Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co
•
Filing: 1969-06-27
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Granted: 1971-05-11
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Expires: 1989-06-27
Abstract
Abstract This invention discloses a flexible pipe suitable for use as a drill string. The construction of the pipe is such that it will withstand high internal and external pressures, will sustain a substantial longitudinal load, and a substantial torque.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy H Cullen
- 👤 Charles H Elliott
- 👤 Jimmie R Aker
- 👤 Harvey O Mohr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:00
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/20; F; F16; F16L; F16L11/00; F16L11/04; F16L11/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A flexible pipe construction suitable for use in drilling a petroleum well comprising: an impermeable flexible tube, circumferentially extending flexible metallic means confining said tube and preventing burst of said tube due to internal pressure, said burst-preventing means having circumferentially extending spaces between axially adjacent sections to permit the pipe to flex, flexible metallic wires extending at a substantial helix angle between the flexible tube and burst-preventing means to bridge said spaces and prevent extrusion of said tube into said spaces due to internal pressure, a collapse-preventing liner within said tube having circumferentially extending spaces between axially adjacent sections to permit the pipe to flex, flexible metallic wires extending at a substantial helix angle between the tube and liner to bridge said spaces in the liner and prevent extrusion of said tube into said spaces due to external pressure, and at least two oppositely extending helically wrapped layers of wire exterior of said burst-preventing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A flexible pipe construction suitable for use in drilling a petroleum well comprising: an impermeable flexible tube, circumferentially extending flexible metallic means confining said tube and preventing burst of said tube due to internal pressure, said burst-preventing means having circumferentially extending spaces between axially adjacent sections to permit the pipe to flex, flexible metallic wires extending at a substantial helix angle between the flexible tube and burst-preventing means to bridge said spaces and prevent extrusion of said tube into said spaces due to internal pressure, a collapse-preventing liner within said tube having circumferentially extending spaces between axially adjacent sections to permit the pipe to flex, flexible metallic wires extending at a substantial helix angle between the tube and liner to bridge said spaces in the liner and prevent extrusion of said tube into said spaces due to external pressure, and at least two oppositely extending helically wrapped layers of wire exterior of said burst-preventing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The pipe of claim 1 wherein said burst-preventing means and the first-mentioned flexible metallic wires load said collapse-preventing liner to increase the collapse resistance of the liner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The pipe of claim 1 wherein the burst-preventing means is a high tensile strength ribbon-type spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The pipe of claim 1 wherein the liner is embedded in a protective material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The pipe of claim 1 wherein the liner is a plurality of spaced metallic rings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The pipe of claim 1 wherein the burst-preventing means is a high tensile strength ribbon-type spring and the liner is a plurality of spaced metallic rings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The pipe of claim 1 wherein resilient spacers are provided in said spaces in the liner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The pipe of claim 1 wherein said liner is provided by a plurality of separate rings having interlocking steps in confronting faces thereof and a resilient washer between said rings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The pipe of claim 1 wherein an elastomer seals between said helically wrapped layers of wire and between the innermost helically wrapped layer and said burst-preventing means along at least a portion of the length of the pipe, the external interstices between wires in the external wire layer providing fluid courses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
A flexible pipe construction suitable for use in drilling a petroleum well comprising: a flexible tube extending from end to end of each section of the flexible pipe, a helical spring surrounding said flexible tube and preventing said tube from bursting due to internal fluid pressure, flexible metallic wires extending helically between the flexible tube and spring and bridging the gaps between convolutions of the spring to prevent extrusion of the tube into said convolutions due to internal fluid pressure, a collapse-preventing liner having spaces between axially adjacent sections to permit the liner to flex, flexible metallic wires extending helically between the flexible tube and liner to prevent extrusion of the tube into said spaces in the liner due to external fluid pressure, and at least two oppositely extending helically wrapped layers of wire exterior of said spring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
A flexible pipe construction suitable for use in drilling a petroleum well comprising: a flexible tube extending from end to end of each section of the flexible pipe, a helical spring surrounding said flexible tube and preventing said tube from bursting due to internal fluid pressure, flexible metallic wires extending helically between the flexible tube and spring and bridging the gaps between convolutions of the spring to prevent extrusion of the tube into said convolutions due to internal fluid pressure, a collapse-preventing liner having spaces between axially adjacent sections to permit the liner to flex, flexible metallic wires extending helically between the flexible tube and liner to prevent extrusion of the tube into said spaces in the liner due to external fluid pressure, and at least two oppositely extending helically wrapped layers of wire exterior of said spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The pipe of claim 10 whereiN the spring is a high tensile strength ribbon-type spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The pipe of claim 10 wherein the liner is embedded in a flexible protective material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
The pipe of claim 1 wherein the last-mentioned layers of wire engage each other and the innermost thereof engages said burst-preventing means and wherein an elastomer seals between said helically wrapped layers of wire and between the innermost helically wrapped layer and said burst-preventing means along at least a portion of the length of the pipe, the external interstices between wires in the external wire layer providing fluid courses.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3420276A
Cited
US3506040A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-10 | 1974-11-09 | 1975-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-10 | 1978-11-09 | 1979-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-10 | 1982-11-09 | 1983-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |