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Patent US3714995A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3714995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motion compensating apparatus
Assignee: Vetco Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-04
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1990-09-04
Abstract
Abstract Compensating apparatus connected between a travelling block of a well bore rig mounted on a vessel float in a body of water and a hook from which a running string is supportable, the compensating apparatus including a pair of elongate cylinders straddling and connected to the travelling block and a pair of companion piston rods connected to and straddling the hook and secured to pistons relatively longitudinally shiftable in the cylinders, liquid under pressure being maintained in the cylinders under the pistons to support a substantial portion of the weight of the running string suspended from the hook. The compensating apparatus can be rendered inoperative when desired. Shock absorbers retard sudden upward movement and retraction of the compensating apparatus in the event of sudden release or diminution of the load on the apparatus, as might result from failure of the running string.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hanes
- 👤 E Larralde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:07
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/08; E21B19/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string supported by a rig mounted on a vessel floating in a body of water: a motion compensator apparatus for maintaining the running string in substantially a predetermined position as the vessel heaves in the body of water, comprising an upper support carried by said rig, a lower support connectible to the running string, a plurality of cylinder means, a plurality of piston means slidable in said plurality of cylinder means, one of said plurality of means being connectible to one of said supports, the other of said plurality of means straddling and being connected to the other of said supports, and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said plurality of cylinder means on one side of said plurality of piston means as said plurality of piston means and plurality of cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions in response to heaving of said vessel in the body of water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string supported by a rig mounted on a vessel floating in a body of water: a motion compensator apparatus for maintaining the running string in substantially a predetermined position as the vessel heaves in the body of water, comprising an upper support carried by said rig, a lower support connectible to the running string, a plurality of cylinder means, a plurality of piston means slidable in said plurality of cylinder means, one of said plurality of means being connectible to one of said supports, the other of said plurality of means straddling and being connected to the other of said supports, and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said plurality of cylinder means on one side of said plurality of piston means as said plurality of piston means and plurality of cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions in response to heaving of said vessel in the body of water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
168 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string supported by a rig mounted on a vessel floating in a body of water: a motion compensator apparatus for maintaining the running string in substantially a predetermined position as the vessel heaves in the body of water, comprising an upper support carried by said rig, a lower support connectible to the running string, a plurality of cylinder means, a plurality of piston means slidable in said plurality of cylinder means, one of said plurality of means being connectible to one of said supports, the other of said plurality of means straddling and being connected to the other of said supports, and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said plurality of cylinder means on one side of said plurality of piston means as said plurality of piston means and plurality of cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions in response to heaving of said vessel in the body of water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
168 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string supported by a rig mounted on a vessel floating in a body of water: a motion compensator apparatus for maintaining the running string in substantially a predetermined position as the vessel heaves in the body of water, comprising an upper support carried by said rig, a lower support connectible to the running string, a plurality of cylinder means, a plurality of piston means slidable in said plurality of cylinder means, one of said plurality of means being connectible to one of said supports, the other of said plurality of means straddling and being connected to the other of said supports, and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said plurality of cylinder means on one side of said plurality of piston means as said plurality of piston means and plurality of cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions in response to heaving of said vessel in the body of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said one of said plurality of means straddling said one of said supports.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said one of said plurality of means being connected to said lower support; said other of said plurality of means being connected to said upper support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said one of said plurality of means being connected to said lower support; said other of said plurality of means being connected to said upper support; said one of said plurality of means straddling said lower support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
140 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string: a first support; a second support connectible to the running string; a plurality of cylinder means; a plurality of piston means slidable in said plurality of cylinder means; one of said plurality of means being connected to one of said supports; the other of said plurality of means straddling and being connected to the other of said supports; and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said plurality of cylinder means on one side of said plurality of piston means as said plurality of piston means and plurality of cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions; and means for releasably locking said supports to each other to prevent relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinder means and plurality of piston means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
140 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string: a first support; a second support connectible to the running string; a plurality of cylinder means; a plurality of piston means slidable in said plurality of cylinder means; one of said plurality of means being connected to one of said supports; the other of said plurality of means straddling and being connected to the other of said supports; and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said plurality of cylinder means on one side of said plurality of piston means as said plurality of piston means and plurality of cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions; and means for releasably locking said supports to each other to prevent relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinder means and plurality of piston means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
181 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string: a first support; a second support connectible to the running string; a plurality of cylinder means; a plurality of piston means slidable in said plurality of cylinder means; one of said plurality of means being connected to one of said supports; the other of said plurality of means straddling and being connected to the other of said supports; and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said plurality of cylinder means on one side of said plurality of piston means as said plurality of piston means and plurality of cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions; said one of said plurality of means being connected to said second support; said other of said plurality of means being connected to said first support; and means for releasably locking said supports to each other when said plurality of piston means are fully telescoped within said plurality of cylinder means to prevent relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinder means and plurality of piston means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
181 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string: a first support; a second support connectible to the running string; a plurality of cylinder means; a plurality of piston means slidable in said plurality of cylinder means; one of said plurality of means being connected to one of said supports; the other of said plurality of means straddling and being connected to the other of said supports; and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said plurality of cylinder means on one side of said plurality of piston means as said plurality of piston means and plurality of cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions; said one of said plurality of means being connected to said second support; said other of said plurality of means being connected to said first support; and means for releasably locking said supports to each other when said plurality of piston means are fully telescoped within said plurality of cylinder means to prevent relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinder means and plurality of piston means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 6; means for decelerating relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinder means and plurality of piston means upon substantial reduction in the stress in the running string; said decelerating means being disposed substantially parallel to and between at least one of said plurality of means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
142 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined sTress in a running string: a first support; a second support connectible to the running string; a plurality of cylinder means; a plurality of piston means slidable in said plurality of cylinder means; one of said plurality of means being connected to one of said supports; the other of said plurality of means straddling and being connected to the other of said supports; and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said plurality of cylinder means on one side of said plurality of piston means as said plurality of piston means and plurality of cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions; and means for decelerating relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinder means and plurality of piston means upon substantial reduction in the stress in the running string.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
142 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined sTress in a running string: a first support; a second support connectible to the running string; a plurality of cylinder means; a plurality of piston means slidable in said plurality of cylinder means; one of said plurality of means being connected to one of said supports; the other of said plurality of means straddling and being connected to the other of said supports; and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said plurality of cylinder means on one side of said plurality of piston means as said plurality of piston means and plurality of cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions; and means for decelerating relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinder means and plurality of piston means upon substantial reduction in the stress in the running string.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 8; said decelerating means being disposed substantially parallel to and between at least one of said plurality of means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
171 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string disposed in a well bore and which is supported by a rig, including a derrick and a suspension mechanism supported from the upper portion of the derrick: a travelling block adapted to form part of the suspension mechanism; a hook adapted to support the running string therebelow; a motion compensating apparatus between and connected to said block and hook, said motion compensating apparatus comprising an upper support connected to said travelling block, a lower support connected to said hook; a plurality of cylinder means carried by one of said supports and straddling said travelling block or hook; a plurality of piston means slidable in said cylinder means and carried by said other of said supports; and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said plurality of cylinder means on one side of said plurality of piston means as said plurality of piston means and plurality of cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
171 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string disposed in a well bore and which is supported by a rig, including a derrick and a suspension mechanism supported from the upper portion of the derrick: a travelling block adapted to form part of the suspension mechanism; a hook adapted to support the running string therebelow; a motion compensating apparatus between and connected to said block and hook, said motion compensating apparatus comprising an upper support connected to said travelling block, a lower support connected to said hook; a plurality of cylinder means carried by one of said supports and straddling said travelling block or hook; a plurality of piston means slidable in said cylinder means and carried by said other of said supports; and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said plurality of cylinder means on one side of said plurality of piston means as said plurality of piston means and plurality of cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said plurality of cylinder means being carried by said upper support, extending upwardly therefrom, and straddling said travelling block, said plurality of piston means being carried by said lower support.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
75 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said plurality of cylinder means being carried by said upper support, extending upwardly therefrom, and straddling said travelling block, said plurality of piston means being carried by said lower support and straddling said lower support, the lower portion of said plurality of cylinder means moving into a position straddling said lower support when said plurality of piston means are telescoped substantially fully within said plurality of cylinder means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
79 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said plurality of cylinder means being carried by said upper support, extending upwardly therefrom, and straddling said travelling block, said plurality of piston means being carried by said lower support and straddling said lower support and hook, the lower portion of said plurality of cylinder means moving into a position straddling said lower support and hook when said plurality of piston means are telescoped substantially fully within said plurality of cylinder means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 10; and means for releasably locking said supports to each other to prevent relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinders means and plurality of piston means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
79 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said plurality of cylinder means being carried by said upper support, extending upwardly therefrom, and straddling said travelling block, said plurality of piston means being carried by said lower support; and means for releasably locking said supports to each other when said plurality of piston means are substantially fully telescoped within said plurality of cylinder means to prevent relative longitudinal movement between said plurAlity of cylinder means and plurality of piston means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
117 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said plurality of cylinder means being carried by said upper support, extending upwardly therefrom, and straddling said travelling block, said plurality of piston means being carried by said lower support and straddling said lower support, the lower portion of said plurality of cylinder means moving into a position straddling said lower support when said plurality of piston means are telescoped substantially fully within said plurality of cylinder means; and means for releasably locking said supports to each other when said plurality of piston means are substantially fully telescoped within said plurality of cylinder means to prevent relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinder means and plurality of piston means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
121 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said plurality of cylinder means being carried by said upper support, extending upwardly therefrom, and straddling said travelling block, said plurality of piston means being carried by said lower support and straddling said lower support and hook, the lower portion of said plurality of cylinder means moving into a position straddling said lower support and hook when said plurality of piston means are telescoped substantially fully within said plurality of cylinder means; and means for releasably locking said supports to each other when said plurality of piston means are substantially fully telescoped within said plurality of cylinder means to prevent relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinder means and plurality of piston means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 10; and means for decelerating relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinder means and plurality of piston means upon substantial reduction in the stress in the running string.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
88 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said plurality of cylinder means being carried by said upper support, extending upwardly therefrom, and straddling said travelling block, said plurality of piston means being carried by said lower support; and means for decelerating relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinder means and plurality of piston means upon substantial reduction in the stress in the running string; said decelerating means being carried by said upper support, depending therefrom, and being disposed parallel to and between said plurality of cylinder means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
130 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 10; said plurality of cylinder means being carried by said upper support, extending upwardly therefrom, and straddling said travelling block, said plurality of piston means being carried by said lower support and straddling said lower support and hook, the lower portion of said plurality of cylinder means moving into a position straddling said lower support and hook when said plurality of piston means are telescoped substantially fully within said plurality of cylinder means; and means for decelerating relative longitudinal movement between said plurality of cylinder means and plurality of piston means upon substantial reduction in the stress in the running string; said decelerating means being carried by said upper support, depending therefrom, and being disposed parallel to and between said plurality of cylinder means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
141 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string disposed in a well bore and which is supported by a rig, including a derrick and a suspension mechanism supported from the upper portion of the derrick: a travelling block structure adapted to form part of the suspension mechanism; a hook structure adapted to support the running string therebelow; a motion compensating apparatus comprising cylinder means connected to and in overlapping relation to one of said structures, piston means connected to the other of said structures and slidable relatively in said cylinder means; and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said cylinder means on one Side of said piston means as said piston means and cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions, whereby the predetermined stress in the running string is maintained.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
141 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string disposed in a well bore and which is supported by a rig, including a derrick and a suspension mechanism supported from the upper portion of the derrick: a travelling block structure adapted to form part of the suspension mechanism; a hook structure adapted to support the running string therebelow; a motion compensating apparatus comprising cylinder means connected to and in overlapping relation to one of said structures, piston means connected to the other of said structures and slidable relatively in said cylinder means; and means for maintaining a fluid medium under pressure in said cylinder means on one Side of said piston means as said piston means and cylinder means move longitudinally relative to one another in both longitudinal directions, whereby the predetermined stress in the running string is maintained.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 21; said cylinder means being connected to and in overlapping relation to said travelling block structure; said piston means being connected to said hook structure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 21; and means for releasably locking said cylinder means and piston means to each other when said piston means is substantially fully telescoped within said cylinder means to prevent relative longitudinal movement between said cylinder means and piston means.
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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) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |