US3720261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for rotatably suspending a pipe string in a well
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1971-08-25
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1991-08-25
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for rotatably suspending a pipe string in a well includes a rotating member, a stationary member, and a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly is mounted in a chamber defined by the rotating and stationary members and is interposed between axially spaced and transversely extending bearing surfaces formed, respectively, in the stationary and rotating members. The bearing assembly includes a plastic ring positioned in the chamber to engage one of the bearing surfaces and two concentric metal rings positioned in the chamber to substantially cover the other bearing surface. The engagement of the plastic ring on the metal rings is such to force the metal rings radially apart and against opposite interior surfaces of the chamber as thrust loads are applied to the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 J Heilhecker
- 👤 W Maurer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:49
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/04; E21B33/0415; E21B33/043; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for rotatably suspending a pipe string in a well which comprises a stationary member adapted to be secured to a supporting structure for said well; a rotating member adapted to be connected to said pipe string, said stationary and rotating members in combination defining an annular chamber therebetween including two axially spaced and transversely disposed bearing surfaces; two concentric rings of bearing metal substantially covering one of said surfaces; and a plastic ring between said concentric rings and the other of said surfaces, the engagement of said plastic ring on each of said concentric rings being such to force said concentric rings apart and against the interior of said chamber in response to axial thrust on said apparatus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for rotatably suspending a pipe string in a well which comprises a stationary member adapted to be secured to a supporting structure for said well; a rotating member adapted to be connected to said pipe string, said stationary and rotating members in combination defining an annular chamber therebetween including two axially spaced and transversely disposed bearing surfaces; two concentric rings of bearing metal substantially covering one of said surfaces; and a plastic ring between said concentric rings and the other of said surfaces, the engagement of said plastic ring on each of said concentric rings being such to force said concentric rings apart and against the interior of said chamber in response to axial thrust on said apparatus.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for rotatably suspending a pipe string in a well which comprises a stationary member adapted to be secured to a supporting structure for said well; a rotating member adapted to be connected to said pipe string, said stationary and rotating members in combination defining an annular chamber therebetween including two axially spaced and transversely disposed bearing surfaces; two concentric rings of bearing metal substantially covering one of said surfaces; and a plastic ring between said concentric rings and the other of said surfaces, the engagement of said plastic ring on each of said concentric rings being such to force said concentric rings apart and against the interior of said chamber in response to axial thrust on said apparatus.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for rotatably suspending a pipe string in a well which comprises a stationary member adapted to be secured to a supporting structure for said well; a rotating member adapted to be connected to said pipe string, said stationary and rotating members in combination defining an annular chamber therebetween including two axially spaced and transversely disposed bearing surfaces; two concentric rings of bearing metal substantially covering one of said surfaces; and a plastic ring between said concentric rings and the other of said surfaces, the engagement of said plastic ring on each of said concentric rings being such to force said concentric rings apart and against the interior of said chamber in response to axial thrust on said apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said concentric rings are sized to enable relative sliding movement therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said concentric rings are sized to provide a radial clearance therebetween of less than about 5 mils.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said concentric rings are sized in relation to each other to provide a radial clearance therebetween of from 0 to 2 mils.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said one surface is faced with a hard-facing alloy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said bearing rings are composed of a bearing metal having a Brinnell hardness less than about 100.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said bearing metal is a bronze alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said plastic material is a fluoroplastic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said fluoroplastic is polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
A pipe hanger for rotatably suspending a pipe string from a supporting structure in a well which comprises: a stationary support member adapted to be secured to said supporting structure; a rotating member adapted to suspend said pipe string, one of said members having an annular groove formed therein, and the other of said members having an annular end portion positioned in said groove, said groove and said end portion presenting axially spaced and transversely disposed surfaces; a bearing assembly mounted in said groove between said surfaces and including a plastic ring and two concentric metal rings positioned in said groove to substantially cover the radial spaces between said end portion and the inner and other walls of the groove to prevent excessive extrusion of the plastic ring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
128 words
A pipe hanger for rotatably suspending a pipe string from a supporting structure in a well which comprises: a stationary support member adapted to be secured to said supporting structure; a rotating member adapted to suspend said pipe string, one of said members having an annular groove formed therein, and the other of said members having an annular end portion positioned in said groove, said groove and said end portion presenting axially spaced and transversely disposed surfaces; a bearing assembly mounted in said groove between said surfaces and including a plastic ring and two concentric metal rings positioned in said groove to substantially cover the radial spaces between said end portion and the inner and other walls of the groove to prevent excessive extrusion of the plastic ring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The pipe hanger as defined in claim 10 wherein said metal rings are composed of a bearing metal having a Brinnell hardness less than about 100.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pipe hanger as defined in claim 10 wherein said plastic ring is composed of a fluoroplastic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The pipe hanger as defined in claim 12 wherein the fluoroplastic is polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The pipe hanger as defined in claim 10 wherein said metal rings are sized to provide a radial clearance therebetween of less than about 5 mils.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The pipe hanger as defined in claim 14 wherein said radial clearance is between 0 and about 2 mils.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The pipe hanger as defined in claim 10 wherein said end portion positioned in said groove is faced with a hard-facing alloy.
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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) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |