US3871485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser beam drill
Assignee: Sunoco Inc R&M
•
Filing: 1973-11-02
•
Granted: 1975-03-18
•
Expires: 1993-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A method of drilling for subterranean fluid with a laser beam comprising positioning a laser beam generator in a wellhole electrically connected to an inhole voltage generator actuated by drilling mud or other liquid passing through a laser beam housing connected to the drill string. A reflecting crystal for the laser beam is positioned within the laser beam housing to reflect the beam preferably in elliptical pattern across the formation to be penetrated.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Bernard J Keenan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:15
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/14; E21B7/15; E21B10/00; E21B10/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for recovering liquid reserves from a subterranean formation through a borehole containing a drill string comprising a. attaching a laser beam housing to the lower most section of the drill string, b. positioning in said laser beam housing a self-contained and removable laser beam drill positioner, c. positioning within said laser beam drill positioner a voltage generator and a laser beam generator electrically connected to and deriving its power from said voltage generator, d. activating said voltage generator by drilling fluid passing through the drill pipe and e. positioning a rotating beam reflecting crystal within the laser beam drill positioner whereby a beam projected from the laser beam generator is reflected across the face of the formation being drilled.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for recovering liquid reserves from a subterranean formation through a borehole containing a drill string comprising a. attaching a laser beam housing to the lower most section of the drill string, b. positioning in said laser beam housing a self-contained and removable laser beam drill positioner, c. positioning within said laser beam drill positioner a voltage generator and a laser beam generator electrically connected to and deriving its power from said voltage generator, d. activating said voltage generator by drilling fluid passing through the drill pipe and e. positioning a rotating beam reflecting crystal within the laser beam drill positioner whereby a beam projected from the laser beam generator is reflected across the face of the formation being drilled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the drilling mud is directed in a rotational flow pattern by vanes positioned upstream of the laser beam housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the reflecting crystal rotation is actuated by the flow of drilling fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the reflecting crystal rotation is actuated by the power derived from the voltage generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the rotation of the reflecting crystal provides an elliptical path for the laser beam across the face of the formation being drilled.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3036645A
Cited
US3461964A
Cited
US3539221A
Cited
US3493060A
Cited
US3500942A
Cited
US3693718A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |