US3774702A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Formation chip sampling method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-22
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1992-05-22
Abstract
Abstract Formation chip sampling method for separating solids from the liquid contained in drilling mud which has been obtained from an earth boring operation. The returned drilling mud is flow connected in series relationship to a gas separator, a splitter which reduces the amount of sample to be treated, and to a reservoir. A pump flow connects the reservoir to a cyclone type separator which removes the solids from the sample. The reservoir further includes a level controller which provides make-up liquid so as to provide the pump with optimum suction conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 W Elenburg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:52
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/06; E21B21/063; E21B21/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
In a borehole forming operation wherein liquid is used to circulate formation chips formed by the drill bit from the bottom of the borehole to the surface of the earth during the drilling operation, the method of obtaining formation chip samples comprising the steps of: dividing the liquid bearing the formation chips flowing from the borehole into a plurality of equal flow paths; flowing one of said plurality of flow paths into a reservoir, and continuously pumping the material contained in the reservoir into a cyclone type separator to separate the chip samples from the liquid; maintaining said continuous flow rate to said separator by adding make-up liquid to the reservoir in an amount as needed to maintain a constant liquid level in the reservoir.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a borehole forming operation wherein liquid is used to circulate formation chips formed by the drill bit from the bottom of the borehole to the surface of the earth during the drilling operation, the method of obtaining formation chip samples comprising the steps of: dividing the liquid bearing the formation chips flowing from the borehole into a plurality of equal flow paths; flowing one of said plurality of flow paths into a reservoir, and continuously pumping the material contained in the reservoir into a cyclone type separator to separate the chip samples from the liquid; maintaining said continuous flow rate to said separator by adding make-up liquid to the reservoir in an amount as needed to maintain a constant liquid level in the reservoir.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
38 words
The method of cliam 1 wherein said one of the flow paths is flow conducted through a screen so as to remove part of the formation chip samples therefrom prior to the separation step of the cyclone separator.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
38 words
The method of cliam 1 wherein said one of the flow paths is flow conducted through a screen so as to remove part of the formation chip samples therefrom prior to the separation step of the cyclone separator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the spent liquid from the cyclone separator is recirculated to the reservoir to provide for the make-up liquid.
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 |