US3621910A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for setting an underwater structure
Assignee: Drilex Systems Inc
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Filing: 1968-04-22
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1988-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A method of and apparatus for setting an underwater structure in which the structure is lowered on a drill string into the hole as it is being drilled, cement is delivered through the drill string and placed to secure the structure in the hole and the drill string is recovered. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence Sanford
- 👤 Weldon Medders
- 👤 Jack Chadderdon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:23
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B23/00; E21B23/004; E21B23/006; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/035; E21B7/00; E21B7/12; E21B7/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A drill string adapted for setting an underwater structure, comprising a plurality of tubular drills sections, a drill bit secured to the lower end of said sections, an expansible underreamer secured to said sections above said drill bit, a swivel connected to said drill sections, said swivel having a central mandrel, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said mandrel and defining outwardly projecting pins and means preventing rotation of said mandrel in one direction in relation to said sleeve whereby said mandrel is free to rotate in one direction within said sleeve and is prevented from rotating in the opposite direction within said sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A drill string adapted for setting an underwater structure, comprising a plurality of tubular drills sections, a drill bit secured to the lower end of said sections, an expansible underreamer secured to said sections above said drill bit, a swivel connected to said drill sections, said swivel having a central mandrel, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said mandrel and defining outwardly projecting pins and means preventing rotation of said mandrel in one direction in relation to said sleeve whereby said mandrel is free to rotate in one direction within said sleeve and is prevented from rotating in the opposite direction within said sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
A drill string according to claim 1, including a housing having an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve secured around said inner sleeve, said inner sleeve defining slots adapted to receive said projecting pins, each of said slots having two vertical legs and a crossover section connecting between said vertical legs, one of said vertical legs of each slot being closed at both ends and the other vertical leg being open at its upper end whereby said pins may be disengaged from said slots.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A drill string according to claim 2, wherein said housing defines exterior threads and including means mounted in said housing for releasably retaining said threads in engagement with mating threads.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A drill string according to claim 3, wherein said retaining means includes a pawl positioned within a radial hole defined by said housing, a spring urging said pawl inwardly out of retaining position, and means on said swivel engaging said pawl when said swivel is connected to said housing whereby said pawl is held in its retaining position by said means and is moved inwardly by said spring when said swivel is disconnected from said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
An underwater conductor pipe assembly, comprising a conductor pipe, a landing head secured to the upper end of said conductor pipe, said landing head defining internal threads and at least one hole adapted to receive a retaining pawl whereby a structure engaging in said threads may be retained in threaded engagement, a stop plate secured around the exterior and near the upper end of said conductor pipe, and lugs secured to the lower exterior of said conductor pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
An underwater conductor pipe assembly, comprising a conductor pipe, a landing head secured to the upper end of said conductor pipe, said landing head defining internal threads and at least one hole adapted to receive a retaining pawl whereby a structure engaging in said threads may be retained in threaded engagement, a stop plate secured around the exterior and near the upper end of said conductor pipe, and lugs secured to the lower exterior of said conductor pipe.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
210 words
The method of setting an underwater structure, including the steps of positioning a tubular structure in surrounding relation to a portion of a drill string with a drill bit on the lower end of said drill string located below said tubular structure and supporting said tubular structure from said drill string, lowering said drill string with said tubular structure thereon in a body of water, rotating said drill string within said tubular structure to drill a hole in the earth at the bottom of the body of water with said drill bit so that as the hole is drilled and said drill string is lowered, said tubular structure is lowered into the hole, sealing between the drill string and the tubular structure, pumping cement through said drill string and into the annulus between said tubular structure and the walls of the drilled hole while sealing between the drill string and the tubular structure to assure placement of cement in said annulus, releasing the seal between the drill string and the tubular structure after the annulus cementing is completed and thereafter continuing the pumping of cement while raising the drill string to fill the interior of the tubular structure with cement, and recovering said drill string with said drill bit thereon.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
210 words
The method of setting an underwater structure, including the steps of positioning a tubular structure in surrounding relation to a portion of a drill string with a drill bit on the lower end of said drill string located below said tubular structure and supporting said tubular structure from said drill string, lowering said drill string with said tubular structure thereon in a body of water, rotating said drill string within said tubular structure to drill a hole in the earth at the bottom of the body of water with said drill bit so that as the hole is drilled and said drill string is lowered, said tubular structure is lowered into the hole, sealing between the drill string and the tubular structure, pumping cement through said drill string and into the annulus between said tubular structure and the walls of the drilled hole while sealing between the drill string and the tubular structure to assure placement of cement in said annulus, releasing the seal between the drill string and the tubular structure after the annulus cementing is completed and thereafter continuing the pumping of cement while raising the drill string to fill the interior of the tubular structure with cement, and recovering said drill string with said drill bit thereon.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
180 words
The method of setting an underwater structure, including the steps of positioning a tubular structure in surrounding relation to a portion of a drill string with a drill bit on the lower end of said drill string located below said tubular structure and supporting said tubular structure from said drill string, lowering said drill string with said tubular structure thereon in a body of water, rotating said drill string within said tubular structure to drill a hole in the earth at the bottom of the body of water with said drill bit so that as the hole is drilled and said drill string lowered, said tubular structure is lowered into the hole, cementing around the exterior of said tubular structure in the drilled hole, cementing the interior of said tubular structure, releasing the connection providing support of the structure on the drill string prior to said interior cementing step, lifting the drill string during said interior cementing step so that the cement completely fills the interior of said tubular structure, and recovering said drill string with said drill bit thereon.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
180 words
The method of setting an underwater structure, including the steps of positioning a tubular structure in surrounding relation to a portion of a drill string with a drill bit on the lower end of said drill string located below said tubular structure and supporting said tubular structure from said drill string, lowering said drill string with said tubular structure thereon in a body of water, rotating said drill string within said tubular structure to drill a hole in the earth at the bottom of the body of water with said drill bit so that as the hole is drilled and said drill string lowered, said tubular structure is lowered into the hole, cementing around the exterior of said tubular structure in the drilled hole, cementing the interior of said tubular structure, releasing the connection providing support of the structure on the drill string prior to said interior cementing step, lifting the drill string during said interior cementing step so that the cement completely fills the interior of said tubular structure, and recovering said drill string with said drill bit thereon.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |