US3726546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Extensible coupling for well pipes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-05
•
Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1991-08-05
Abstract
Abstract An extensible coupling for use in well pipe strings, particularly, rotary drill strings, to permit relative longitudinal, non-rotative movement between sections of the pipe string. The coupling comprises an outer tubular member adapted to telescopically receive an inner tubular member. The inner tubular member is provided with a plurality of longitudinal spline slots engaged by rollers carried by the outer tubular member and projecting radially inward from its bore.
Inventors
- 👤 C Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:08
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/02; E21B17/04; E21B17/07; F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/02; F16D3/06; F16B; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/60; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7026; Y10T403/7033; Y10T403/7075; Y10T403/7077
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An extensible coupling for well pipe strings, comprising: a. telescopically engaged inner and outer tubular members; b. means carried by each of said members for connecting them to adjacent sections of a pipe string; and c. male and female spline elements cooperably disposed respectively on said outer and inner members to form a nonrotating longitudinally slidable connection between said members, said male spline elements comprising a plurality of roller assemblies detachably mounted in holes provided in said outer member for radially inward projection into engagement with said female spline elements; d. said female spline elements comprising longitudinal slot means, said roller assemblies comprising roller means mounted on mounting means for rotation about axes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said members and engaging said slot means for travel therein; e. said mounting means being held in said holes by key means comprising a dovetail key member longitudinally disposed relative to said tubular members and longitudinally engagable with longitudinally alignable dovetail slots in said mounting means and said outer member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
An extensible coupling for well pipe strings, comprising: a. telescopically engaged inner and outer tubular members; b. means carried by each of said members for connecting them to adjacent sections of a pipe string; and c. male and female spline elements cooperably disposed respectively on said outer and inner members to form a nonrotating longitudinally slidable connection between said members, said male spline elements comprising a plurality of roller assemblies detachably mounted in holes provided in said outer member for radially inward projection into engagement with said female spline elements; d. said female spline elements comprising longitudinal slot means, said roller assemblies comprising roller means mounted on mounting means for rotation about axes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said members and engaging said slot means for travel therein; e. said mounting means being held in said holes by key means comprising a dovetail key member longitudinally disposed relative to said tubular members and longitudinally engagable with longitudinally alignable dovetail slots in said mounting means and said outer member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An extensible coupling as set forth in claim 1 including a sealing assembly positioned in sealing relation between said coupling members below said slidable connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
An extensible coupling as set forth in claim 2 including second and third sealing assemblies carried by said outer tubular member above and below said roller assemblies, respectively, for sliding and sealing engagement with said female spline elements to form a reciprocating chamber in which said roller means may be continuously immersed in a lubricant in said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An extensible coupling as set forth in claim 1 in which said key member is releasably maintained in engagement with said dovetail slots by releasable retainer means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
An extensible coupling for well pipe strings, comprising: a. telescopically engaged inner and outer tubular members; b. means carried by each of said members for connecting them to adjacent sections of pipe string; c. male and female spline elements cooperably disposed respectively on said outer and inner members to form a non-rotating, longitudinally slidable connection between said members; and d. seal means carried by said outer member above and below said male spline elements slidingly and sealingly engaging said female spline elements to form a movable chamber in which said male spline elements may be continuously immersed in a lubricant in said chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
An extensible coupling for well pipe strings, comprising: a. telescopically engaged inner and outer tubular members; b. means carried by each of said members for connecting them to adjacent sections of pipe string; c. male and female spline elements cooperably disposed respectively on said outer and inner members to form a non-rotating, longitudinally slidable connection between said members; and d. seal means carried by said outer member above and below said male spline elements slidingly and sealingly engaging said female spline elements to form a movable chamber in which said male spline elements may be continuously immersed in a lubricant in said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An extensible coupling as set forth in claim 6 including a sealing assembly positioned in sealing relation between said coupling members below said slidable connection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
An extensible coupling as set forth in claim 5 in which said female spline elements comprise a plurality of longitudinal slot means and in which said male spline elements comprise a plurality of roller means projecting radially inward from said outer means for rotation about axes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An extensible coupling as set forth in claim 7 in which said roller means are detachably mounted in holes through the wall of said outer member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
An extensible coupling as set forth in claim 8 in which the sides of said slot means are radially disposed with respect to the axes of said members, said roller means comprising rollers tapered to mutually engage said slot means sides for rolling contact therewith.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
An extensible coupling as set forth in claim 5 in which said seal means comprising a first sealing assembly above said roller assemblies and a second sealing assEmbly below said roller assemblies, one of said sealing assemblies being mounted on said outer member for limited axial movement relative thereto to compensate for loss of lubricant from said movable chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3319726A
Cited
US3406537A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |