US3693715A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for blocking fluid flow in a well casing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-14
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Granted: 1972-09-26
•
Expires: 1991-05-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for blocking fluid flow in a well casing where the well is out of control due to blowout, fire or casing leaks. A shell comprised of two hingedly connected mating parts is mounted on the casing so as to enclose a portion thereof in a sealed manner. A metal cutting saw blade in the shell is provided with power means to reciprocate it and move it into the casing whereby the blade cuts through the casing. The width of the blade is greater than the casing diameter so that upon completion of the cut the blade blocks the fluid flow. This permits a shut off valve or other control means to be installed in the casing above the shell after which the saw can be withdrawn and the shell removed for re-use.
Inventors
- 👤 John M Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:11
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B29/00; E21B29/08; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/06; E21B33/061; E21B33/062; E21B33/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
In an apparatus for blocking fluid flow in a well casing, a shell arranged to enclose a portion of the casing in a sealed manner, a carriage supported in the shell for movement towards and away from the casing, a saw blade mounted on the carriage for reciprocating movement relative thereto, the width of the saw blade being greater than the outside diameter of the casing, means in the shell to reciprocate the saw blade, and means operable when the blade is reciprocating to move the carriage toward the casing whereby the blade cuts through the casing and, because of its width, blocks the flow of fluid therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
In an apparatus for blocking fluid flow in a well casing, a shell arranged to enclose a portion of the casing in a sealed manner, a carriage supported in the shell for movement towards and away from the casing, a saw blade mounted on the carriage for reciprocating movement relative thereto, the width of the saw blade being greater than the outside diameter of the casing, means in the shell to reciprocate the saw blade, and means operable when the blade is reciprocating to move the carriage toward the casing whereby the blade cuts through the casing and, because of its width, blocks the flow of fluid therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the shell comprises two mating parts one of which includes means for releasably mounting it on the casing, and releasable means to secure the parts together to enclose a portion of the casing after the one part has been mounted thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the means to reciprocate the saw blade is a motor, the apparatus including external means to start the motor and internal means to stop it after the saw blade has cut through the casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the carriage toward the casing is operated by the reciprocating movement of the saw blade.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 together with external means on the shell for moving the carriage away from the casing to withdraw the saw blade therefrom after the cutting operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 together with a sleeve assembly releasably mounted on the casing above the plane of the saw blade, and means on the shell to enable the sleeve assembly to slide down on the casing and encircle the saw cut therein after the saw blade has been withdrawn from the casing.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus for blocking fluid flow in a well casing comprising a shell arranged to enclose a portion of the casing in a sealed manner, the shell having two hingedly connected mating parts to enable it to be mounted on the casing; a carriage supported on one part of the shell for movement towards and away from the casing; a metal cutting saw blade mounted on the carriage for reciprocating movement relative to the casing, the width of the saw blade being greater than the outside diameter of the casing and the plane of the blade being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the casing; motor means in the shell to reciprocate the saw blade; means operated by the reciprocating movement of the blade to advance the carriage toward the casing whereby the blade cuts through it and, because of its width, blocks the flow of fluid therein upon completion of the cut; means forming a part of the carriage advancement means to move the carriage away from the casing and withdraw the saw blade therefrom after the cutting operation; a sleeve assembly in the shell encircling the casing, the assembly being releasably held on the casing above the plane of the saw blade during the cutting operation; and means on the shell to enable the sleeve assembly to slide down on the casing and encircle the saw cut after the saw blade has been withdrawn from the casing.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus for blocking fluid flow in a well casing comprising a shell arranged to enclose a portion of the casing in a sealed manner, the shell having two hingedly connected mating parts to enable it to be mounted on the casing; a carriage supported on one part of the shell for movement towards and away from the casing; a metal cutting saw blade mounted on the carriage for reciprocating movement relative to the casing, the width of the saw blade being greater than the outside diameter of the casing and the plane of the blade being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the casing; motor means in the shell to reciprocate the saw blade; means operated by the reciprocating movement of the blade to advance the carriage toward the casing whereby the blade cuts through it and, because of its width, blocks the flow of fluid therein upon completion of the cut; means forming a part of the carriage advancement means to move the carriage away from the casing and withdraw the saw blade therefrom after the cutting operation; a sleeve assembly in the shell encircling the casing, the assembly being releasably held on the casing above the plane of the saw blade during the cutting operation; and means on the shell to enable the sleeve assembly to slide down on the casing and encircle the saw cut after the saw blade has been withdrawn from the casing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 including means on the exterior of the shell to start the motor means, and means in the shell operable to stop the motor means after the saw blade has cut through the casing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the carriage advancing means includes a screw shaft extending from the exterior into the interior of the shell through a screw threaded fitting, a pinion on the inner end of the shaft adjacent the saw blade, a ratchet tooth on the blade engageable with the pinion during movement of the blade in one direction whereby the pinion is turned and the shaft moved longitudinally, and means connecting the shaft with the carriage so that it moves with the shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
ApparatUs as defined in claim 9 wherein the means for moving the carriage away from the casing comprises a handwheel outside the shell on the outer end of the screw shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US1803945A
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US2969838A
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US3379255A
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US3590920A
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US3561526A
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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) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |