US3746372A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible pipe joints
Assignee: Vetco Inc
•
Filing: 1971-05-27
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A pressure balanced ball and socket type joint particularly adapted for connecting pipe sections in the mariner riser conductor and choke/kill lines of an undersea drilling rig. Two closed hydraulic systems incorporated in the joint transfer the pressure of the sea water outside the joint and the drilling mud within the joint to selected areas between the ball and socket members to substantially balance the forces which the sea water and drilling mud impose on the joint.
Inventors
- 👤 M Jansen
- 👤 J Hynes
- 👤 W Hintzen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:58
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L27/00; F16L27/02; F16L27/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
In a joint: a female member; a male member within said female member; said members being angularly movable relative to each other; fluid seal means between said members defining a first isolated region therebetween; and means establishing fluid pressure transfer from a source of fluid pressure to said region to exert a force in one direction on one of said members opposing a force in the opposite direction on said one member; wherein said fluid pressure transfer means comprises fluid passage means extending between said isolated region and the fluid externally of said joint; said fluid passage means including a chamber and a piston slidably disposed therein; said piston normally blocking fluid communication between said isolated region and the fluid externally of said joint; said chamber including a forward end in fluid communication with said isolated region and a rearward end in fluid communication with the fluid externally of said joint; and by-pass means establishing fluid communication between said isolated region and the fluid externally of said joint when said piston is at the forward end of said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a joint: a female member; a male member within said female member; said members being angularly movable relative to each other; fluid seal means between said members defining a first isolated region therebetween; and means establishing fluid pressure transfer from a source of fluid pressure to said region to exert a force in one direction on one of said members opposing a force in the opposite direction on said one member; wherein said fluid pressure transfer means comprises fluid passage means extending between said isolated region and the fluid externally of said joint; said fluid passage means including a chamber and a piston slidably disposed therein; said piston normally blocking fluid communication between said isolated region and the fluid externally of said joint; said chamber including a forward end in fluid communication with said isolated region and a rearward end in fluid communication with the fluid externally of said joint; and by-pass means establishing fluid communication between said isolated region and the fluid externally of said joint when said piston is at the forward end of said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a joint: a female member; a male member within said female member; said members being angularly movable relative to each other; fluid seal means between said members defining a first isolated region therebetween; means establishing fluid pressure transfer from a source of fluid pressure to said region to exert a force in one direction on one of said members opposing a force in the opposite direction on said one member; said fluid pressure transfer means comprising fluid passage means extending between said isolated region and the source of fluid pressure; said fluid passage means including a chamber and a piston slidably disposed therein; said piston normally blocking fluid communication between said isolated region and the source of fluid pressure; said chamber including a forward end in fluid communication with said isolated region and a rearward end in fluid communication with the source of fluid pressure; and by-pass means establishing fluid communication between said isolated region and the source of fluid pressure when said piston is at the forward end of said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a joint: a female member; a male member within said female member; said members being angularly movable relative to each other; fluid seal means between said members defining a first isolated region therebetween; means establishing fluid pressure transfer from a source of fluid pressure to said region to exert a force in one direction on one of said members opposing a force in the opposite direction on said one member; said fluid pressure transfer means comprising fluid passage means extending between said isolated region and the source of fluid pressure; said fluid passage means including a chamber and a piston slidably disposed therein; said piston normally blocking fluid communication between said isolated region and the source of fluid pressure; said chamber including a forward end in fluid communication with said isolated region and a rearward end in fluid communication with the source of fluid pressure; and by-pass means establishing fluid communication between said isolated region and the source of fluid pressure when said piston is at the forward end of said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a joint as defined in claim 2; wherein said fluid pressure means extends between said isolated region and a source of fluid pressure internally of said joint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
267 words
In a joint: a tubular box member having an internal spherical surface; a tubular pin member in said box member having an external spherical surface mating with said internal surface; said members being pivotally movable relative to each other; said tubular members having intercommunicating passages; first spaced fluid seal means between said internal and external surfaces defining a first isolated annular region therebetween extending between said spaced seal means; second spaced fluid seal means between said internal and external surfaces defining a second isolated annular region therebetween extending between said second spaced seal means; first means establishing fluid pressure transfer from a first source of fluid pressure to said first region to exert a force in one direction on one of said members opposing a force in the opposite direction on said one member; and second means establishing fluid pressure transfer from a second source of fluid pressure to said second region to exert a force in one direction on one of said members opposing a force in the opposite direction on said one member; said first fluid pressure transfer means including a first chamber in one of said members communicating with said first source, a first piston in said chamber subject to fluid pressure from said first source, and a liquid extending from said first piston to said first region; said second fluid pressure transfer means including a second chamber in one of said members communicating with said second source, a second piston in said chamber subject to fluid pressure from said second source, and a liquid extending from said second piston to said second region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
267 words
In a joint: a tubular box member having an internal spherical surface; a tubular pin member in said box member having an external spherical surface mating with said internal surface; said members being pivotally movable relative to each other; said tubular members having intercommunicating passages; first spaced fluid seal means between said internal and external surfaces defining a first isolated annular region therebetween extending between said spaced seal means; second spaced fluid seal means between said internal and external surfaces defining a second isolated annular region therebetween extending between said second spaced seal means; first means establishing fluid pressure transfer from a first source of fluid pressure to said first region to exert a force in one direction on one of said members opposing a force in the opposite direction on said one member; and second means establishing fluid pressure transfer from a second source of fluid pressure to said second region to exert a force in one direction on one of said members opposing a force in the opposite direction on said one member; said first fluid pressure transfer means including a first chamber in one of said members communicating with said first source, a first piston in said chamber subject to fluid pressure from said first source, and a liquid extending from said first piston to said first region; said second fluid pressure transfer means including a second chamber in one of said members communicating with said second source, a second piston in said chamber subject to fluid pressure from said second source, and a liquid extending from said second piston to said second region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a joint as defined in claim 4; said first sOurce being external of said joint; said second source being in said intercommunicating passages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
In a joint as defined in claim 4; each piston being shiftable by fluid pressure to the end of its chamber, and by-pass means for each chamber establishing communication between its associated source and its associated isolated region when said piston is at said end of its chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a joint as defined in claim 6, said first source being external of said joint; said second source being in said intercommunicating passages.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |