US3581834A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telescopic drill string unit
Assignee: Smith International Inc
•
Filing: 1969-07-17
•
Granted: 1971-06-01
•
Expires: 1989-07-17
Abstract
Abstract Telescopic drill string unit including outer tube and inner tube axially slidable within outer tube, connections at upper end of outer tube and lower end of inner tube for making connection with other drill string members to transmit fluid and force, bearing means to transmit lateral forces and bending moment between inner and outer tubes, splines and slots to transmit torque between inner and outer tubes, shoulder stops to limit relative axial travel of tubes in both directions. Splines may be mounted in a split annular cage. Cage may be mounted inside the outer tube by having external threads at both ends, the outer tube being divided into upper and lower parts screwed onto the cage. The pins may be anchored against axial travel in the cage. A seal pipe may be connected to upper end of the outer tube and telescope into inner tube, the inner tube carrying an annular replaceable seal unit including a rubber sleeve bonded to an inverted fusiform metal ring. A choke ring may be provided in connection of seal pipe to outer tube to allow high pressure fluid to bleed from through flow passage of unit to annulus between inner tube and outer tube so as to exclude the low pressure fluid that is outside the unit which may contain deleterious materials. The ring may include a plurality of vertical orifices with adjacent pairs of orifices connected at their upper ends and adjacent orifice pairs staggered relative to the first mentioned pairs being connected at their lower ends to place the orifices in series, the end connections of the orifices being larger than the orifices and requiring radially inward fluid travel, thereby to effect pressure drop while maintaining a flow passage too large to be easily blocked.
Inventors
- 👤 Jackson M Kellner
- 👤 William R Garrett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:20
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/02; E21B17/04; E21B17/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 75
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection to a drill string, an outer tube around the inner tube defining an annulus therebetween and having means at an opposite end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, seal means sealing between the inner tube and outer tube to provide a through fluid passage from said one end of the inner tube to said opposite end of the outer tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of the unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and means to purge the annulus between the inner tube and outer tube providing a path for flow of fluid from the interior of the unit to the exterior of the unit through said annulus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection to a drill string, an outer tube around the inner tube defining an annulus therebetween and having means at an opposite end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, seal means sealing between the inner tube and outer tube to provide a through fluid passage from said one end of the inner tube to said opposite end of the outer tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of the unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and means to purge the annulus between the inner tube and outer tube providing a path for flow of fluid from the interior of the unit to the exterior of the unit through said annulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
Unit according to claim 1 wherein said means to purge the annulus comprises bleed port means communicating with the fluid passage through the unit and with said annulus at a point downstream from said seal means with respect to flow from the interior of said unit to the exterior of said unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
155 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection to a drill string, an outer tube around the inner tube and having means at an opposite end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, seal means sealing between the inner tube and outer tube to provide a through fluiD passage from said one end of the inner tube to said opposite end of the outer tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of the unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and means to purge the annulus between the inner tube and outer tube, said means to purge the annulus comprising bleed port means communicating with the fluid passage through the unit and with said annulus, said bleed port means comprising a tortuous passage including a plurality of orifices connected by expansion chambers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
155 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection to a drill string, an outer tube around the inner tube and having means at an opposite end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, seal means sealing between the inner tube and outer tube to provide a through fluiD passage from said one end of the inner tube to said opposite end of the outer tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of the unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and means to purge the annulus between the inner tube and outer tube, said means to purge the annulus comprising bleed port means communicating with the fluid passage through the unit and with said annulus, said bleed port means comprising a tortuous passage including a plurality of orifices connected by expansion chambers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
Unit according to claim 3 wherein the bleed port means includes an orifice ring disposed between two face plates, the ring having a plurality of vertical orifices therethrough circumferentially spaced apart around the ring, there being upper and lower counterbores of larger diameter than the orifices at the upper and lower ends of the orifices, upper pairs of adjacent counterbores at the upper ends of the orifices being joined by interconnecting passages, lower pairs of adjacent counterbores at the lower ends of the orifices being joined by interconnecting passages, the lower pairs being staggered relative to the upper pairs, the counterbores forming said expansion chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Unit according to claim 4, said interconnecting passages being tangential to said counterbores and not crossing the line joining the centers of the counterbores.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Unit according to claim 5 wherein an upper counterbore is unconnected to any adjacent counterbore but communicates with an entry port extending radially downward to the inner periphery of the ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Unit according to claim 6 wherein a lower counterbore is in register with an exit port extending down through the lower face plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Unit according to claim 7 wherein the exit port is in register with a downwardly opening passage in the outer tube communicating with said annulus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Unit according to claim 8 including a check valve in said downwardly opening passage and opening to fluid flow toward said annulus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Unit according to claim 3 including a check valve in said bleed port means, said check valve opening to fluid flow toward said annulus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
174 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection to a drill string, an outer tube around the inner tube and having means at an opposite end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, seal means sealing between the inner tube and outer tube to provide a through fluid passage from said one end of the inner tube to said opposite end of the outer tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of the unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and means to purge the annulus between the inner tube and outer tube, said seal means including a seal pipe connected to said outer tube and extending inside said inner tube, said seal means further including a metal ring connected to said inner tube and an elastomeric seal ring backed up by said metal ring with respect to axial pressure and bonded thereto, said elastomeric ring sealing around said seal pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
174 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection to a drill string, an outer tube around the inner tube and having means at an opposite end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, seal means sealing between the inner tube and outer tube to provide a through fluid passage from said one end of the inner tube to said opposite end of the outer tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of the unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and means to purge the annulus between the inner tube and outer tube, said seal means including a seal pipe connected to said outer tube and extending inside said inner tube, said seal means further including a metal ring connected to said inner tube and an elastomeric seal ring backed up by said metal ring with respect to axial pressure and bonded thereto, said elastomeric ring sealing around said seal pipe.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
Unit according to claim 11 wherein said metal ring is removably screwed into said inner tubes, and said bearing means includes the outer periphery of said inner tube around said metal ring and the adjacent inner periphery of said outer tube, said unit including axially extending material passage means for passage of fluids and solids past said bearing means, said material passage means being formed between said inner and outer peripheries.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
Unit according to claim 11 wherein said metal ring has an inner periphery of inverted fusiform configuration and said elastomeric ring extends inside the smallest diameter portion of the inner periphery of the ring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
146 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection To a drill string, an outer tube around the inner tube and having means at an opposite end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, seal means sealing between the inner tube and outer tube to provide a through fluid passage from said one end of the inner tube to said opposite end of the outer tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of the unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and means to purge the annulus between the inner tube and outer tube, said means to limit extension and contraction of said unit including an annular member screwed into said outer tube, said member being split axially into a number of separate portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
146 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection To a drill string, an outer tube around the inner tube and having means at an opposite end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, seal means sealing between the inner tube and outer tube to provide a through fluid passage from said one end of the inner tube to said opposite end of the outer tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of the unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and means to purge the annulus between the inner tube and outer tube, said means to limit extension and contraction of said unit including an annular member screwed into said outer tube, said member being split axially into a number of separate portions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
Unit according to claim 14 including spline means to transmit torque between the inner tube and the outer tube, said spline means including one portion on said inner tube and another portion on said outer tube, the portion on said outer tube being formed on said split annular member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
Unit according to claim 15 wherein the portion of the spline means on the outer tube includes a plurality of flutes in said annular member and the portion of the spline means on the inner tubes includes a plurality of flutes on said inner tube an said spline means further includes a plurality of keys received in said flutes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
Unit according to claim 16 wherein said keys are cylindrical pins and said flutes include cylindrical surfaces.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
Unit according to claim 17 wherein said cylindrical surfaces on the annular member are relieved on the leading edges thereof, the leading edges being judged with respect to the hand of said drill stem connection means at the ends of the tubes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
Unit according to claim 17 wherein said cylindrical surfaces on the inner tube are relieved on the trailing edges thereof, the trailing edges being judged with respect to the hand of said drill stem connection means at the ends of the tubes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
Unit according to claim 17 wherein said bearing means includes the inner periphery of said annular member cooperating with the outer periphery of said inner tube, said unit including axially extending material passage means for passage of fluids and solids past said bearing means formed between said inner tube and annular member, said material passage means being disposed between said spline means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
Unit according to claim 20 wherein said annular member is split along said material passage means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
133 words
Unit according to claim 20 wherein said outer tube has a seal pipe connected thereto extending inside inner tube and said seal means includes a metal ring and an elastomeric seal ring backed up by said metal ring with respect to axial pressure and bonded thereto, said elastomeric ring sealing around said seal pipe, said metal ring being removably screwed into said inner tube, and said bearing means further comprising a second part including the outer periphery of said inner tube around said metal seal ring and the adjacent inner periphery of said outer tube, said unit including further axially extending material passage means for passage of fluids and solids past said second part of the bearing means, said further material passage means being formed between the last said inner and outer peripheries.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
Unit according to claim 22 wherein the first said material passage means comprises flutes on the inner periphery of said split annular member and the second said material passage means comprises flutes in the outer periphery of said inner tube.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
Unit according to claim 23 wherein said flutes on said inner tube forming said material passage means are staggered relative to said flutes on said inner tube forming part of said splines and do not axially overlap same.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
73 words
Unit according to claim 24 wherein the portion of said inner tube carrying said flutes forming said material passage means is of larger outer diameter than the portion of said Inner tube carrying flutes forming part of said spline means with a downwardly facing shoulder formed between the last said portions of said inner tube, said downwardly facing shoulder cooperating with said annular member to form said means limiting extension of said unit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
Unit according to claim 25 wherein said downwardly facing shoulder is conical flaring upwardly and the upper end of said annular member is correlative thereto, the upper end of said annular member lying within said outer tube.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
Unit according to claim 16 wherein said outer tube includes an upper portion and a lower portion and said split annular member forms a connector therebetween.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
Unit according to claim 2 including means to retain said keys in the lower part of said annular member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
Unit according to claim 28 including shoulder stop means at the upper end of said annular member engageable with shoulder stop means on said outer tube to limit make up of said annular member into said outer tube.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
Unit according to said claim 27 including means to retain said keys in the upper part of said annular member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
Unit according to claim 30 including shoulder stop means at the upper end of said annular member engageable with shoulder stop means on said outer tube to limit make up of said annular member into said outer tube.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
72 words
Unit according to claim 15 wherein said outer tube includes an upper portion and a lower portion and said split annular member forms a connection therebetween, said spline means on the inner tube includes a plurality of flutes on the inner tube and said spline means on the outer tube includes a plurality of keys integral with the annular member and confined in length to the lower portion of said annular member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
Unit according to claim 32 including shoulder stop means at the upper end of said annular member engageable with shoulder stop means on said outer tube to limit make up of said annular member into said outer tube.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
Unit according to claim 32 wherein the outermost sides of the outermost keys of each segment of the annular member are substantially parallel.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
Unit according to claim 27 wherein said annular member includes a tapered threaded pin at each end screwed into said upper and lower portions of the outer tube.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
Unit according to claim 35 wherein said annular member includes an outwardly extending external flange extending between said upper and lower portions, said annular member being unthreaded and relieved on its outer periphery adjacent said flange.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
56 words
Unit according to claim 35 wherein said annular member lies wholly inside said upper and lower portions of said outer tube, the lower end of said upper portion engaging the upper end of said power portion, said annular member being unthreaded and relieved on its outer periphery adjacent the juncture of said upper and lower portions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
Unit according to claim 17 wherein there are two keys per segment of said annular member.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
Unit according to claim 17 wherein there are three keys per segment of said annular member and said annular member is split along planes passing through flutes therein.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
148 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection to a drill string, an outer tube around said inner tube and having means at one end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of the unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and spline means to transmit torque between said inner tube and outer tube, said means to limit extension and contraction of the unit including an annular member screwed into said outer tube, said annular member being split axially into a number of separate portions, said spline means including one portion on said inner tube and another portion on said outer tube, the portion of said spline means on said outer tube being formed on said split annular member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
148 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection to a drill string, an outer tube around said inner tube and having means at one end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of the unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and spline means to transmit torque between said inner tube and outer tube, said means to limit extension and contraction of the unit including an annular member screwed into said outer tube, said annular member being split axially into a number of separate portions, said spline means including one portion on said inner tube and another portion on said outer tube, the portion of said spline means on said outer tube being formed on said split annular member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
59 words
Unit according to claim 40 wherein the portion of the spline means on the outer tube includes a plurality of flutes in said annular member and the portion of the spline means on the inner tube includes a plurality of flutes on said inner tube and said spline means further includes a plurality of keys received in said flutes.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
Unit according to claim 41 wherein said keys are cylindrical pins and said flutes include cylindrical surfaces.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
42 words
Unit according to claim 42 wherein said cylindrical surfaces on the annular member are relieved on the leading edges thereof, the leading edges being judged with respect to the hand of said drill stem connection means at the ends of the tubes.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
42 words
Unit according to claim 42 wherein said cylindrical surfaces on the inner tube are relieved on the trailing edges thereof, the trailing edges being judged with respect to the hand of said drill stem connection means at the ends of the tubes.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
62 words
Unit according to claim 42 wherein said bearing means includes the inner periphery of said annular member cooperating with the outer periphery of said inner tube, said unit including axially extending material passage means for passage of fluids and solids past said bearing means formed between said inner tube and annular member, said material passage means being disposed between said spline means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
Unit according to claim 45 wherein said annular member is split along said material passage means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
69 words
Unit according to claim 40 wherein said inner tube includes a downwardly facing shoulder cooperating with a shoulder at the upper end of said split annular member providing said means to limit extension of said unit, and wherein said downwardly facing shoulder is conical flaring upwardly and the upper end of said annular member is correlative thereto, the upper end of said annular member lying within said outer tube.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
Unit according to claim 47 wherein said outer tube includes an upper portion and a lower portion and said split annular member forms a connector therebetween.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
19 words
Unit according to claim 48 including means to retain said keys in the lower part of said annular member.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
38 words
Unit according to claim 49 including shoulder stop means at the upper end of said annular member engageable with shoulder stop means on said outer tube to limit make up of said annular member into said outer tube.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
19 words
Unit according to claim 48 including means to retain said keys in the upper part of said annular member.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
38 words
Unit according to claim 51 including shoulder stop means at the upper end of said annular member engageable with shoulder stop means on said outer tube to limit make up of said annular member into said outer tube.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
72 words
Unit according to claim 40 wherein said outer tube includes an upper portion and a lower portion and said split annular member forms a connection therebetween, said spline means on the inner tube includes a plurality of flutes on the inner tube and said spline means on the outer tube includes a plurality of keys integral with the annular member and confined in length to the lower portion of said annular member.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
38 words
Unit according to claim 53 including shoulder stop means at the upper end of said annular member engageable with shoulder stop means on said outer tube to limit make up of said annular member into said outer tube.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
23 words
Unit according to claim 53 wherein the outermost sides of the outermost keys of each segment of the annular member are substantially parallel.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
28 words
Unit according to claim 48 wherein said annular member includes a tapered threaded pin at each end screwed into said upper and lower portions of the outer tube.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
36 words
Unit according to claim 56 wherein said annular member includes an outwardly extending external flange extending between said upper and lower portions, said annular member being unthreaded and relieved on its outer periphery adjacent said flange.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
56 words
Unit according to claim 56 wherein said annular member lies wholly inside said upper and lower portions of said outer tube, the lower end of said upper portion engaging the upper end of said lower portion, said annular member being unthreaded and relieved on its outer periphery adjacent the juncture of said upper and lower portions.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
16 words
Unit according to claim 42 wherein there are two keys per segment of said annular member.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
28 words
Unit according to claim 42 wherein there are three keys per segment of said annular member and said annular member is split along planes passing through flutes therein.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
129 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection to a drill string, an outer tube around said inner tube and having means at one end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of said unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and seal means sealing between outer tube and inner tube, said outer tube having a seal pipe connected thereto extending inside said inner tube and said seal means including a metal ring and an elastomeric seal ring backed up by said metal ring with respect to axial pressure and bonded thereto, said elastomeric ring sealing around said seal pipe.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
129 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection to a drill string, an outer tube around said inner tube and having means at one end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of said unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and seal means sealing between outer tube and inner tube, said outer tube having a seal pipe connected thereto extending inside said inner tube and said seal means including a metal ring and an elastomeric seal ring backed up by said metal ring with respect to axial pressure and bonded thereto, said elastomeric ring sealing around said seal pipe.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
34 words
Unit according to claim 61 wherein said metal ring has an inner periphery of inverted fusiform configuration and said elastomeric ring extends inside the smallest diameter portion of the inner periphery of the ring.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
145 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection to a drill string, an outer tube around said inner tube and having means at one end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of said unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and seal means sealing between said outer tube and inner tube, and means to transmit torque between said inner tube and said outer tube, said inner tube including a spring pipe connected at its upper end to said outer tube and at its lower end to the remainder of said inner tube, and means to purge the annulus between the inner tube and outer tube including the portion of said annulus around said spring pipe.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
145 words
Telescopic unit including an inner tube having means at one end for connection to a drill string, an outer tube around said inner tube and having means at one end for connection to a drill string, said outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tube, means to limit relative contraction and extension of said unit, bearing means to transmit bending moment between the inner tube and outer tube, and seal means sealing between said outer tube and inner tube, and means to transmit torque between said inner tube and said outer tube, said inner tube including a spring pipe connected at its upper end to said outer tube and at its lower end to the remainder of said inner tube, and means to purge the annulus between the inner tube and outer tube including the portion of said annulus around said spring pipe.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
31 words
Unit according to claim 4 wherein an upper counterbore is unconnected to any adjacent counterbore but communicates with an entry port extending radially downward to the inner periphery of the ring.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
23 words
Unit according to claim 4 wherein a lower counterbore is in register with an exit port extending down through the lower face plate.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
25 words
Unit according to claim 65 wherein the exit port is in register with a downwardly opening passage in the outer tube communicating with said annulus.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
23 words
Unit according to claim 2 including a check valve in said bleed port means passage and opening to fluid flow toward said annulus.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
39 words
Unit according to claim 2 including spline means to transmit torque between said inner tube and said outer tube, said spline means being located in the portion of said annulus that is downstream from said seal means as aforesaid.
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) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |