Patent US3652196A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3652196A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Floating torcher with permeable gas conduit for underwater oil fields
Assignee: Total Compagnie Francaise des Petroles SA
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Filing: 1970-10-12
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Granted: 1972-03-28
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Expires: 1990-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A torch assembly for burning gases collected at the head of an underwater well which incorporates a thin permeable conduit made from lightweight, inexpensive material for conducting the gases to the water surface. One end of the conduit is secured to a hood placed above the gas outlet and anchored to the ocean bottom and the other end is attached to a chimney structure mounted on a float. The float structure includes regulating means for separating the gas from the water and for assuring a continuous flow and combustion of the gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Henri A Marion
- 👤 Pierre P Orieux
- 👤 Francisco M Serrano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:45
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/005; E21B41/0071; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A torch for the conduction and combustion of gas collEcted at the head of an underwater oil well, comprising, a buoy resting on the bottom of the ocean water, said buoy being equipped with a gas diffuser, a water-permeable casing whose lower portion is connected to said buoy and a float connected to the upper portion of the casing, said float including an inside passage for the channelling of the gas moved along by the casing and being surmounted by a funnel chimney for the combustion of gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A torch for the conduction and combustion of gas collEcted at the head of an underwater oil well, comprising, a buoy resting on the bottom of the ocean water, said buoy being equipped with a gas diffuser, a water-permeable casing whose lower portion is connected to said buoy and a float connected to the upper portion of the casing, said float including an inside passage for the channelling of the gas moved along by the casing and being surmounted by a funnel chimney for the combustion of gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A torch as in claim 1, wherein the float is completely submerged several meters below the surface of the water, said chimney being extended by several meters above the water, the diameter of said chimney being smaller than that of the float.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A torch as in claim 1, wherein the attachments of the ends of the casing to the float and to the buoy are made by three chains, said chains being connected by a swivel to a fastening attached in the axis of the float and through a fastening attached in the axis of the buoy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A torch as in claim 3, further comprising, a diaphragm having an adjustable opening located in the portion of said chimney situated above the surface of the water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A torch as in claim 3, wherein the base of said chimney traversing said float flares out in the form of a truncated cone, diverging downward, to serve as reception hood for the gases coming from the permeable casing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A torch as in claim 5, further comprising, a skirt which prolongs said float downward.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A torch as in claim 6, wherein the upper portion of the wall of the skirt has a series of openings therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A torch as in claim 6, wherein a ballast is contained in the lower portion of the skirt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
A torch as in claim 5, wherein the upper end of the chimney is surmounted by a deflector for breaking up the gas jet, a wind-break for the protection of the base of the flame, and a support mounted on said wind-break to present to the flame a series of fires surrounded by iron wires, said float being prolonged downward by a skirt carrying a series of openings in its upper portion, the base of said chimney forming a hood and including a fastening system with adjustable height so as to adjust the point of application of the tension of said casing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
A torch, as in claim 8, further comprising a means for controlling the degree of opening of said diaphragm, a pilot means connected to the control means and immersed in the vicinity of the float to respond to the water pressure variations, whereby, any increase in water pressure, detected by said pilot device, furnishes a servo-motion bringing about the decrease in the opening of the diaphragm, while a drop in the pressure inversely brings about an increase in the opening of the diaphragm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
A torch, as in claim 10, wherein the diaphragm is comprised of three lobes of an elastic membrane situated inside a cylinder, the diaphragm being controlled by the introduction of an inflating fluid into the chamber delimited by said membrane and the cylinder, said introduction leading to the reduction of the interior space existing between the lobes and being produced by said immersed pilot device comprising a water pressure amplifier in the vicinity of the enclosure, the output of the amplifier being connected by a rigid conduit to said chamber delimited by the membrane and the cylinder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
A torch, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing comprises, a metal portion at each of its ends to which it is connected by clamp means, said pieces supporting a series of fastenings between which are stretched cables supporting the stress engendered by said float and said buoy, a series of metal circular members having the same diameter as the casing, being fastened to the cables so as to keep said casing open.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A torch as in claim 12, wherein the casing is made of woven polyester sheet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A torch as in claim 12, wherein the casing is made of woven polyethylene sheet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US926475A
Cited
US2894269A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-28 | 1975-09-27 | 1976-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-28 | 1979-09-27 | 1980-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-28 | 1983-09-27 | 1984-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |