US3842914A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety joint method and apparatus
Assignee: Hydril LLC
•
Filing: 1973-05-14
•
Granted: 1974-10-22
•
Expires: 1993-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for a subsurface safety joint connectable in a well conduit to effect positive separation of the well conduit when such separation is desired. The safety joint release is effected alternatingly by a predetermined fluid pressure in the bore of the well conduit or by rotation of a portion of the well conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 J Mott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:35
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/02; E21B17/04; E21B17/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/922
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A safety joint for well conduits, including: a. a first tubular member having a bore therethrough adapted for connection at a first end to a well conduit and having a surface with a locking recess formed therein; b. a second tubular member having a bore therethrough adapted for connection at a first end to another section of the well conduit with said bores of said first tubular member and said second tubular member communicating therebetween; c. lug means mounted with said second tubular member for movement relative to said second tubular member to an engaging position within said locking recess for connecting said first and said second tubular members and to a free position spaced from said locking recess enabling separation of said first and said second tubular member; d. piston means operably connected with said lug means for movement to a locking position to retain said lug means in said locking recess and to a release position enabling said lug means to move to said free position, said piston means moving to the release position when a predetermined pressure urges thereon; and e. means operably engaging said lug means for effecting release of said lug means from said locking recess when said first and said second tubular members are rotated relative to each other wherein the safety joint is releasable by relative rotation or the urging of a predetermined fluid pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A safety joint for well conduits, including: a. a first tubular member having a bore therethrough adapted for connection at a first end to a well conduit and having a surface with a locking recess formed therein; b. a second tubular member having a bore therethrough adapted for connection at a first end to another section of the well conduit with said bores of said first tubular member and said second tubular member communicating therebetween; c. lug means mounted with said second tubular member for movement relative to said second tubular member to an engaging position within said locking recess for connecting said first and said second tubular members and to a free position spaced from said locking recess enabling separation of said first and said second tubular member; d. piston means operably connected with said lug means for movement to a locking position to retain said lug means in said locking recess and to a release position enabling said lug means to move to said free position, said piston means moving to the release position when a predetermined pressure urges thereon; and e. means operably engaging said lug means for effecting release of said lug means from said locking recess when said first and said second tubular members are rotated relative to each other wherein the safety joint is releasable by relative rotation or the urging of a predetermined fluid pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including: means with said first tubular member for connecting said first tubular member with another section of the well conduit after said second tubular member is released wherein said first tubular member is connectable to a well conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for effecting release of said lug means from said locking recess, including: a. a helical groove formed in said first tubular member; and b. said lug means moving along said groove when said first and said second tubular member are rotated relative to each other until said lug means moves from said locking recess wherein the safety joint is released.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein: said helical groove effecting a left-hand engagement with said lug means wherein relative right-hand rotation between said first and said second tubular members releases the safety joint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said piston means having first pressure responsive surface and second pressure responsive surface, said piston means moving to the locking position in response to the pressure urging on said first pressure responsive surface and moving to the released position in response to the pressure urging on said second pressure responsive surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said first pressure responsive surface and said second pressure responsive surfaces have the same pressure urging thereon to block movement of said piston means until the predetermined pressure urges movement of the piston means to the release position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
123 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein: a. said piston means is a sleeve concentrically mounted about said second tubular member and forming a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber therebetween; b. said first pressure responsive surface forming a portion of said first expansible chamber for urging movement of said piston sleeve to the locking position in response to the pressure in said first chamber; and c. said second pressure responsive surface forming a portion of said second expansible chamber for urging movement of said piston sleeve to the released position in response to the pressure in said second chamber wherein the piston moves to release the safety joint when the predetermined pressure is communicated into said second chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein: a. said second tubular member having a first flow port and a second flow port formed therethrough in spaced relationship to receive a bridge plug therebetween; b. said first flow port communicating said first expansible chamber with said bore of said second tubular member; c. said second flow port communicating said second expansible chamber with said bore of said second tubular member; and d. bridge plug means positioned in said bore of said second tubular member for communicating the presetermined pressure in said bore of said second tubular member through said second flow port while blocking communication of the predetermined pressure through said first flow port wherein the predetermined pressure urges on said second pressure responsive surface to release the safety joint.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: movement of said piston means to the released position vents said predetermined pressure to indicate that positive release has been effected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lug means includes: a plurality of moveable dogs mounted with said second tubular member for movement to and from the engaging and free positions wherein said dogs engage said recess at a plurality of locations.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of alternately effecting release of subsurface safety joint having first and second tubular members for connecting portions of a well conduit for removing a portion of the well conduit from the well, including the steps of: lowering a bridge plug down the well conduit to a location within the safety joint; increasing the pressure in the well conduit above the bridge plug to a predetermined pressure for urging one of the tubular members to move relative to the other tubular member to effect release of the safety joint in response to the predetermined pressure; and rotating one of the tubular members of the safety joint relative to the other tubular member to selectively effect release of the safety joint when the urging of the predetermined pressure fails to effect release of the safety joint wherein the safety joint is released by rotation when the pressure urging fails to effect release.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of alternately effecting release of subsurface safety joint having first and second tubular members for connecting portions of a well conduit for removing a portion of the well conduit from the well, including the steps of: lowering a bridge plug down the well conduit to a location within the safety joint; increasing the pressure in the well conduit above the bridge plug to a predetermined pressure for urging one of the tubular members to move relative to the other tubular member to effect release of the safety joint in response to the predetermined pressure; and rotating one of the tubular members of the safety joint relative to the other tubular member to selectively effect release of the safety joint when the urging of the predetermined pressure fails to effect release of the safety joint wherein the safety joint is released by rotation when the pressure urging fails to effect release.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the step of rotating includes: rotating one of the tubular members in right-hand direction to selectively effect release of the safety joint when the urging of the predetermined pressure fails to effect release of the safety joint.
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) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |