US3685583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Permafrost insulation
Assignee: Raymond International Inc
•
Filing: 1970-04-13
•
Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1990-04-13
Abstract
Abstract Oil pipelines through permafrost regions in the earth are thermally insulated therefrom by atmospheric air flow passageways arranged to direct atmospheric air down along a first path close to the permafrost soil and then back up between the first path and the oil pipeline.
Inventors
- 👤 Lindsey J Phares
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:25
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B36/00; E21B36/003; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S166/00; Y10S166/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of transferring warm fluid through a permafrost region of the earth without destroying the permafrost conditions of said region, said method comprising the steps of, passing said fluid from a subterranean zone through a conduit in said permafrost region to the surface, and causing a continuous flow of air at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature from the atmosphere above the surface of said permafrost region to pass in a first path downwardly along between a casing concentric with said conduit and said permafrost region, then upwardly between said conduit and said casing, and back to the atmosphere.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of transferring warm fluid through a permafrost region of the earth without destroying the permafrost conditions of said region, said method comprising the steps of, passing said fluid from a subterranean zone through a conduit in said permafrost region to the surface, and causing a continuous flow of air at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature from the atmosphere above the surface of said permafrost region to pass in a first path downwardly along between a casing concentric with said conduit and said permafrost region, then upwardly between said conduit and said casing, and back to the atmosphere.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
In combination with an oil well which includes an oil conduit extending from above the surface of the earth down through a permafrost region in the earth to a source of oil below said permafrost region, a tubular outer casing displaced from and surrounding said conduit and frictionally engaging the surrounding earth, rib means mechanically supporting said conduit on said outer casing and an intermediate tubular casing extending down between said outer casing and said conduit and defining therewith a pair of concentric annularly-shaped air passageways, each of said air passageways being fullY and directly open at their upper end to the atmosphere whereby there is produced an automatic self-regulating flow of coolant air from the atmosphere down between the outer and intermediate casings and back up to the atmosphere between the intermediate casing and said oil conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
In combination with an oil well which includes an oil conduit extending from above the surface of the earth down through a permafrost region in the earth to a source of oil below said permafrost region, a tubular outer casing displaced from and surrounding said conduit and frictionally engaging the surrounding earth, rib means mechanically supporting said conduit on said outer casing and an intermediate tubular casing extending down between said outer casing and said conduit and defining therewith a pair of concentric annularly-shaped air passageways, each of said air passageways being fullY and directly open at their upper end to the atmosphere whereby there is produced an automatic self-regulating flow of coolant air from the atmosphere down between the outer and intermediate casings and back up to the atmosphere between the intermediate casing and said oil conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination according to claim 2, wherein said intermediate casing extends down to the lower limit of said permafrost region.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
SU184205A1
Cited
US895612A
Cited
US3271710A
Cited
US3319202A
Cited
US3380530A
Cited
US3498381A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |