US3774685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil mop method and apparatus for producing an oil well
Assignee: OIL MAP Inc
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Filing: 1972-06-01
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1992-06-01
Abstract
Abstract The present disclosure is directed to raising oil from shallow oil wells in which the oil generally of a high viscosity lays on top of a subterranean pool of oil and water. An endless mop of petrophilic hydrophobic fibers or thin gauge narrow strips is run down the well casing and placed in contact with the oil which it sorbs and which is entrained by the strips and raised to the surface where it is wrung from the mop and collected while the mop is returned to the oil pool to become ladened again with oil which will be brought to the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 H Rhodes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:58
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04B; F04B19/00; F04B19/16; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/12; E21B43/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of removing oil from a subterranean oil pool comprising a. threading an endless mop of petrophilic hydrophobic fibers through a system of sheaves and pulleys to an oil and water pool, b. driving the mop continuously through the pulleys and sheaves to raise the oil laden mop to the surface, and c. removing the oil from the oil laden mop and collecting same while returning the cleansed mop to the subterranean pool to sorb more oil.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of removing oil from a subterranean oil pool comprising a. threading an endless mop of petrophilic hydrophobic fibers through a system of sheaves and pulleys to an oil and water pool, b. driving the mop continuously through the pulleys and sheaves to raise the oil laden mop to the surface, and c. removing the oil from the oil laden mop and collecting same while returning the cleansed mop to the subterranean pool to sorb more oil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of sinking a casing through the earth to communicate with the oil pool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the endless mop of petrophilic hydrophobic fibers comprises a wire rope having polypropylene strips of the order of 3 mils thick by 1/8 inches wide and 4 to 16 inches long directly attached to said rope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the means for driving the mop continuously is a prime mover connected by clutch to drive squeegee rolls in positive driving and squeezing engagement with the mop above the ground for squeezing the oil from the oil laden mop prior to returning the mop to the oil pool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
137 words
An oil rig for removing oil from a subterranean oil pool comprising a. a casing communicating between ground level and an oil pool, b. an endless mop of petrophilic hydrophobic fibers secured to a wire rope, c. a system of sheaves and pulleys associated with said casing and mop to cause the mop to travel continuously from the oil pool where it sorbs oil up the casing and back down to the oil pool, d. squeegee means at opposite sides of the mop above ground for driving the mop to raise the oil laden mop to the surface and squeeze the oil therefrom prior to returning it to the oil pool, and e. oil collecting means positioned above ground and beneath the squeegee means to collect oil brought to the ground leve and squeezed from the mop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
137 words
An oil rig for removing oil from a subterranean oil pool comprising a. a casing communicating between ground level and an oil pool, b. an endless mop of petrophilic hydrophobic fibers secured to a wire rope, c. a system of sheaves and pulleys associated with said casing and mop to cause the mop to travel continuously from the oil pool where it sorbs oil up the casing and back down to the oil pool, d. squeegee means at opposite sides of the mop above ground for driving the mop to raise the oil laden mop to the surface and squeeze the oil therefrom prior to returning it to the oil pool, and e. oil collecting means positioned above ground and beneath the squeegee means to collect oil brought to the ground leve and squeezed from the mop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An oil rig as claimed in claim 5 wherein the casing has therein an eccentrically mounted tubing through which the oil laden mop is pulled to the surface prior to being subjected to the squeegee action of the driving rolls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An oil rig as claimed in claim 5 wherein said squeegee means are two sets of opposed rolls between which the mop is passed, the first set of rolls being of variable purchase while the second set of rolls are of constant purchase.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
An oil rig as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a guided take up idler sheave between the constant purchase squeegee rolls and the casing to take up slack in the mop due to the stretch in the wire rope caused by the burden of oil on the upward leg of the journey, and compensating means loaded to position itself according to the stretch in the wire rope which controls the degree of purchase of the variable purchase squeegee rolls and to disengage the drive to said rolls on overload.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the removal of the oil from the oil laden mop is accomplished by a wringing action.
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) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |