Patent US3882945A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3882945A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination laser beam and sonic drill
Assignee: Sunoco Inc R&M
•
Filing: 1973-11-02
•
Granted: 1975-05-13
•
Expires: 1993-11-02
Abstract
Abstract The method for drilling for subterranean fluids with a combination laser beam and sonic beam comprising positioning a laser beam generator and a sonic generator in a well hole each electrically connected to an inhole voltage generator actuated by drilling mud or other liquid passing through a drilling housing connected to the drill string. A reflecting crystal for the laser beam is positioned within this housing to reflect the beam preferably in an elliptical pattern across the formation to be penetrated while the sonic beam is transmitted through the drilling mud into the formation to be penetrated.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Bernard J Keenan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:51
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B4/00; E21B4/02; E21B7/00; E21B7/14; E21B7/15; E21B7/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for recovering liquid reserves from a subterranean formation through a wellbore containing a drill string comprising a. attaching a laser beam and sonic housing to the lower most section of the drill string, b. positioning a self-contained laser beam and sonic assembly within the laser beam and sonic housing containing a voltage generator, a laser beam generator electrically connected to and deriving its power from the voltage generator and a sonic generator electrically connected to and deriving power from the voltage generator, c. actuating the voltage generator by drilling fluid passing through the drill string, d. generating a sonic beam and transmitting it through the drilling fluid into the formation, e. separating the drilling fluid entering the formation cavity into a plurality of jet streams, and f. generating a laser beam and projecting it into the formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for recovering liquid reserves from a subterranean formation through a wellbore containing a drill string comprising a. attaching a laser beam and sonic housing to the lower most section of the drill string, b. positioning a self-contained laser beam and sonic assembly within the laser beam and sonic housing containing a voltage generator, a laser beam generator electrically connected to and deriving its power from the voltage generator and a sonic generator electrically connected to and deriving power from the voltage generator, c. actuating the voltage generator by drilling fluid passing through the drill string, d. generating a sonic beam and transmitting it through the drilling fluid into the formation, e. separating the drilling fluid entering the formation cavity into a plurality of jet streams, and f. generating a laser beam and projecting it into the formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the voltage generator further comprises two voltage generators, one being electrically connected to the sonic generator and the other being electrically connected to the laser beam generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a rotating reflecting crystal is positioned within the laser beam and sonic beam assembly whereby said laser beam is reflected across the face of the formation being drilled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the reflecting crystal rotation provides an elliptical pattern for the laser beam across the face of the formation being drilled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising positioning a gear box in the self-contained drill assembly whereby the rotating action of the generator is translated to an elliptical motion of the reflecting crystal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the mud flow drives a turbine which drives the gear box.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein electrical power derived from the voltage generator actuates an electrical drive motor which drives the gear box.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3036645A
Cited
US3251424A
Cited
US3461964A
Cited
US3493060A
Cited
US3545552A
Cited
US3583677A
Cited
US3693718A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |