Patent US3718316A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3718316A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hydraulic-pneumatic weight control and compensating apparatus
Assignee: Vetco Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-04
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1990-09-04
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus automatically compensating for relative vertical movement between a hoisting or supporting mechanism and a load carried thereby, which load, for example, may be a running string connected to a drill bit used in drilling a sub-aqueous well bore, the mechanism supporting the running string being mounted on a floating vessel anchored over the well bore. The compensating apparatus includes a cylinder and piston device containing a hydraulic fluid exerting a lifting or tensioning force on the running string, or other load, the pressure on the hydraulic fluid being maintained generally constant by a gaseous medium despite relative axial movement between the cylinder and piston portions of the device, that might result from heaving of the vessel due to wind and wave action, or the lowering of the running or drilling string as the bit drills the hole.
Inventors
- 👤 E Larralde
- 👤 R Beaufort
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:07
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/08; E21B19/09; B; B66; B66C; B66C13/00; B66C13/02; F; F15; F15B; F15B11/00; F15B11/02; F15B11/06; F15B11/072; F15B11/0725; F15B2211/00; F15B2211/20; F15B2211/21; F15B2211/212; F15B2211/216; F15B2211/30; F15B2211/305; F15B2211/30505; F15B2211/40; F15B2211/405; F15B2211/40515; F15B2211/42; F15B2211/426; F15B2211/455; F15B2211/50; F15B2211/505; F15B2211/50509; F15B2211/50545; F15B2211/555; F15B2211/70; F15B2211/705; F15B2211/7051; F15B2211/7053; F15B2211/71; F15B2211/7114; F15B2211/7128; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S254/00; Y10S254/90; Y10S60/00; Y10S60/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string: cylinder means; piston means slidable in said cylinder means; one of said means being adapted for operative connection to the running string; the other of said means being adapted for operative connection to a support; means for maintaining a liquid 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; said pressure maintaining means comprising a gaseous medium under pressure exerting its pressure force on said liquid medium, said pressure maintaining means further including an accumulator cylinder containing part of said liquid medium in a first portion thereof and said gaseous medium in a second portion thereof, and a piston movable in said cylinder between said mediums and engaged thereby to transmit pressure therebetween, means for feeding said gaseous medium under pressure into said second portion, means for conducting said liquid medium between an end of said first portion opposite said piston and said cylinder means; a pump for increasing the pressure and quantity of said liquid medium in said first portion and cylinder means; a valve for controlling the flow of liquid medium from said pump to said first portion and cylinder means; and means responsive to a substantially higher pressure of said gaseous medium in said second portion resulting from engagement of said piston with said end of said first portion for opening said valve to permit said pump to feed additional liquid medium into said first portion and cylinder means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
In apparatus for maintaining a predetermined stress in a running string: cylinder means; piston means slidable in said cylinder means; one of said means being adapted for operative connection to the running string; the other of said means being adapted for operative connection to a support; means for maintaining a liquid 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; said pressure maintaining means comprising a gaseous medium under pressure exerting its pressure force on said liquid medium, said pressure maintaining means further including an accumulator cylinder containing part of said liquid medium in a first portion thereof and said gaseous medium in a second portion thereof, and a piston movable in said cylinder between said mediums and engaged thereby to transmit pressure therebetween, means for feeding said gaseous medium under pressure into said second portion, means for conducting said liquid medium between an end of said first portion opposite said piston and said cylinder means; a pump for increasing the pressure and quantity of said liquid medium in said first portion and cylinder means; a valve for controlling the flow of liquid medium from said pump to said first portion and cylinder means; and means responsive to a substantially higher pressure of said gaseous medium in said second portion resulting from engagement of said piston with said end of said first portion for opening said valve to permit said pump to feed additional liquid medium into said first portion and cylinder means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
326 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 suspension mechanism: elongate cylinder means; piston means slidable in said cylinder means; one of said means haVing a device thereon for operative connection to the running string; the other of said means having a device thereon for operative connection to the suspension mechanism, whereby said cylinder means and piston means are disposed between the suspension mechanism and running string; means for maintaining a liquid 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 stress of the running string and of said one means is transmitted through the liquid to said other means and suspension mechanism; said pressure maintaining means comprising a gaseous medium under pressure exerting its pressure force on said liquid medium, said pressure maintaining means further including an accumulator cylinder containing part of said liquid medium in a first portion thereof and said gaseous medium in a second portion thereof, and piston movable in said cylinder between said mediums and engaged thereby to transmit pressure therebetween, means for feeding said gaseous medium under pressure into said second portion, means for conducting said liquid medium between an end of said first portion opposite said piston and said cylinder means; a pump for increasing the pressure and quantity of said liquid medium in said first portion and cylinder means; a valve for controlling the flow of liquid medium from said pump to said first portion and cylinder means; and means responsive to a substantially higher pressure of said gaseous medium in said second portion resulting from engagement of said piston with said end of said first portion for opening said valve to permit said pump to feed additional liquid medium into said first portion and cylinder means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
326 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 suspension mechanism: elongate cylinder means; piston means slidable in said cylinder means; one of said means haVing a device thereon for operative connection to the running string; the other of said means having a device thereon for operative connection to the suspension mechanism, whereby said cylinder means and piston means are disposed between the suspension mechanism and running string; means for maintaining a liquid 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 stress of the running string and of said one means is transmitted through the liquid to said other means and suspension mechanism; said pressure maintaining means comprising a gaseous medium under pressure exerting its pressure force on said liquid medium, said pressure maintaining means further including an accumulator cylinder containing part of said liquid medium in a first portion thereof and said gaseous medium in a second portion thereof, and piston movable in said cylinder between said mediums and engaged thereby to transmit pressure therebetween, means for feeding said gaseous medium under pressure into said second portion, means for conducting said liquid medium between an end of said first portion opposite said piston and said cylinder means; a pump for increasing the pressure and quantity of said liquid medium in said first portion and cylinder means; a valve for controlling the flow of liquid medium from said pump to said first portion and cylinder means; and means responsive to a substantially higher pressure of said gaseous medium in said second portion resulting from engagement of said piston with said end of said first portion for opening said valve to permit said pump to feed additional liquid medium into said first portion and cylinder means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
290 words
In a crane: a cable and pulley system for supporting a load; means for moving the cable of said system to raise and lower the load; and means for maintaining a predetermined stress in said cable comprising cylinder means, piston means slidable in said cylinder means, one of said means being adapted for operative connection to the cable, the other of said means being adapted for operative connection to a support, means for maintaining a liquid 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, said pressure maintaining means comprising a gaseous medium under pressure exerting its pressure force on said liquid medium, said pressure maintaining means further including an accumulator cylinder containing part of said liquid medium in a first portion thereof and said gaseous medium in a second portion thereof, and a piston movable in said cylinder between said mediums and engaged thereby to transmit pressure therebetween, means for feeding said gaseous medium under pressure into said second portion, means for conducting said liquid medium between an end of said first portion opposite said piston and said cylinder means; a pump for increasing the pressure and quantity of said liquid medium in said first portion and cylinder means; a valve for controlling the flow of liquid medium from said pump to said first portion and cylinder means; and means responsive to a substantially higher pressure of said gaseous medium in said second portion resulting from engagement of said piston with said end of said first portion for opening said valve to permit said pump to feed additional liquid medium into said first portion and cylinder means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
290 words
In a crane: a cable and pulley system for supporting a load; means for moving the cable of said system to raise and lower the load; and means for maintaining a predetermined stress in said cable comprising cylinder means, piston means slidable in said cylinder means, one of said means being adapted for operative connection to the cable, the other of said means being adapted for operative connection to a support, means for maintaining a liquid 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, said pressure maintaining means comprising a gaseous medium under pressure exerting its pressure force on said liquid medium, said pressure maintaining means further including an accumulator cylinder containing part of said liquid medium in a first portion thereof and said gaseous medium in a second portion thereof, and a piston movable in said cylinder between said mediums and engaged thereby to transmit pressure therebetween, means for feeding said gaseous medium under pressure into said second portion, means for conducting said liquid medium between an end of said first portion opposite said piston and said cylinder means; a pump for increasing the pressure and quantity of said liquid medium in said first portion and cylinder means; a valve for controlling the flow of liquid medium from said pump to said first portion and cylinder means; and means responsive to a substantially higher pressure of said gaseous medium in said second portion resulting from engagement of said piston with said end of said first portion for opening said valve to permit said pump to feed additional liquid medium into said first portion and cylinder means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 1; a second gaseous medium under superatmospheric pressure in said cylinder means on the other side of said piston means; and indicating means responsive to and operable by the pressure of said second gaseous medium for indicating the position of said piston means in said cylinder 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) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |