US3901320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for cleaning and forming sand filters and a self-cleaning straight spring filter
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1974-09-23
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-09-23
Abstract
Abstract Methods for cleaning and manufacturing straight spring and filters for use at the petroliferous unconsolidated sand strata of an oil well, and a self-cleaning straight spring filter are disclosed. The filter comprises one or more sets of contiguous straight parallel closely spaced apart springs mounted around a perforated tube. With the spring upper ends fixedly secured around the periphery of the tube and the lower ends fixed to a ring encircling the tube and slideable in a longitudinal slot in the tube, the contiguous springs are closely spaced apart at a precise distance for filtering sand from sandbearing oil. A sleeve is slideable over one or more sets of springs to contact the ringed ends of the next adjacent spring set for scraping the calcification from the exterior surface of the springs, then the sleeves are moveable further to buckle and spread the springs apart for flushing and cleaning therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Reynaldo Calderon
- 👤 Charles F Umphenour
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:01
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/08; E21B43/088; B; B01; B01D; B01D29/00; B01D29/11; B01D29/13; B01D29/15; B01D29/17; B01D29/44; B01D29/445; B01D29/50; B01D29/52; B01D29/54; B01D29/62; B01D29/64; B01D29/6469; B01D29/6484; B01D29/70; E21B37/00; E21B37/02; E21B37/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
A METHOD FOR CLEANING A SAND FILTER COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE SCREEN FORMED OF SQUARE STRAIGHT SPRINGS AROUND A PERFORATED TUBE EXTENDING DOWN INTO A PETROLIFEROUS UNCONSOLIDATED SAND STRATA OF AN OIL WELL COMPRISING THE STEPS OF, A. SCRAPING AN OUTER RING OVER SUBSTANTIALLY THE FULL LENGTH OF THE FLEXIABLE SCREEN FOR REMOVING CALCIFICATION FROM THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE SQUARE SPRINGS FOR CREATING AN AREA OF UNCONSOLIDATED FORMATION AROUND THE SCREEN, B. BUCKLING THE SQUARE SPRINGS OUTWARDLY BY MOVING ONE END OF THE SPRINGS TOWARD THE OTHER END WITH THE OUTER RING FOR ALTERING THE GAPS BETWEEN THE SPRINGS AND BREAKING UP THE CONSOLIDATED SAND MASS IN THE GAPS, C. FLUSHING THE CONSOLIDATED SAND MASS FROM BETWEEN THE SPRINGS, AND D. REVERSING THE SCRAPING MOVEMENT OF THE OUTER RING OVER THE SCREEN FOR RESTORING THE SQUARE SPRINGS TO THEIR ORIGINAL CONTIGUOUS POSITION FOR FILTERING SAND AS SAND-BEARING OIL PASSES THROUGH THE SCREEN THROUGH THE PERFORATED TUBE, AND UP OUT OF THE WELL. 1O. A SELF-CLEANING STRAIGHT SPRING FILTER FOR MOUNTING ON THE LOWER END OF A TUBING STRING FOR EXTENDING DOWN INTO A PETROLIFEROUS UNCONSOLIDATED SAND STRATA OF AN OIL WELL COMPRISING, A. A PLURALITY OF STRAIGHT, CONTIGUOUS SPRINGS HAVING UPPER AND LOWER ENDS MOUNTED LENGTHWISE AROUND A PRFORATED TUBE IN A PRECISELY SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER SUFFICIENT TO FILTER THE SAND FROM SAND-BEARING OIL PASSING BETWEEN THE SPRINGS AND INTO THE PRFORATED TUBE, B. SLEEVE MEANS CONNECTED TO A RECIPROCAL MOTION ACTUATOR MEANS IN THE WELL FOR SLIDING OVER SAID SPRINGS FOR CLEANING THEREOF, AND C. SAID SLEEVE MEANS BEING RESPONSIVE TO FURTHER MOVEMENT OF SAID RECIPROCAL MOTION ACTUATOR MEANS FOR CONTACTING SAID SPRING LOWER ENDS FOR BUCKLING AND SPREADING SAID SPRINGS APART FOR ADDITIONAL CLEANING THEREOF.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
289 words
A METHOD FOR CLEANING A SAND FILTER COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE SCREEN FORMED OF SQUARE STRAIGHT SPRINGS AROUND A PERFORATED TUBE EXTENDING DOWN INTO A PETROLIFEROUS UNCONSOLIDATED SAND STRATA OF AN OIL WELL COMPRISING THE STEPS OF, A. SCRAPING AN OUTER RING OVER SUBSTANTIALLY THE FULL LENGTH OF THE FLEXIABLE SCREEN FOR REMOVING CALCIFICATION FROM THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE SQUARE SPRINGS FOR CREATING AN AREA OF UNCONSOLIDATED FORMATION AROUND THE SCREEN, B. BUCKLING THE SQUARE SPRINGS OUTWARDLY BY MOVING ONE END OF THE SPRINGS TOWARD THE OTHER END WITH THE OUTER RING FOR ALTERING THE GAPS BETWEEN THE SPRINGS AND BREAKING UP THE CONSOLIDATED SAND MASS IN THE GAPS, C. FLUSHING THE CONSOLIDATED SAND MASS FROM BETWEEN THE SPRINGS, AND D. REVERSING THE SCRAPING MOVEMENT OF THE OUTER RING OVER THE SCREEN FOR RESTORING THE SQUARE SPRINGS TO THEIR ORIGINAL CONTIGUOUS POSITION FOR FILTERING SAND AS SAND-BEARING OIL PASSES THROUGH THE SCREEN THROUGH THE PERFORATED TUBE, AND UP OUT OF THE WELL. 1O. A SELF-CLEANING STRAIGHT SPRING FILTER FOR MOUNTING ON THE LOWER END OF A TUBING STRING FOR EXTENDING DOWN INTO A PETROLIFEROUS UNCONSOLIDATED SAND STRATA OF AN OIL WELL COMPRISING, A. A PLURALITY OF STRAIGHT, CONTIGUOUS SPRINGS HAVING UPPER AND LOWER ENDS MOUNTED LENGTHWISE AROUND A PRFORATED TUBE IN A PRECISELY SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER SUFFICIENT TO FILTER THE SAND FROM SAND-BEARING OIL PASSING BETWEEN THE SPRINGS AND INTO THE PRFORATED TUBE, B. SLEEVE MEANS CONNECTED TO A RECIPROCAL MOTION ACTUATOR MEANS IN THE WELL FOR SLIDING OVER SAID SPRINGS FOR CLEANING THEREOF, AND C. SAID SLEEVE MEANS BEING RESPONSIVE TO FURTHER MOVEMENT OF SAID RECIPROCAL MOTION ACTUATOR MEANS FOR CONTACTING SAID SPRING LOWER ENDS FOR BUCKLING AND SPREADING SAID SPRINGS APART FOR ADDITIONAL CLEANING THEREOF.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second method step comprises, a. moving the scraping ring beyond its spring to contact an end of an adjacent spring, and b. moving the end of the adjacent spring toward its other end to buckle the spring radially outwardly from the perforated tube for cleaning of the sand from between the springs.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for forming a self-cleaning straight spring filter for mounting on the lower end of a tubing string extending down into a petroliferous unconsolidated sand strata of an oil well comprising the steps of, a. forming a screen of contiguous straight springs around a perforated tube, b. fixedly attaching a first end of two ends of the straight springs to the peripheral surface of the perforated tube in a precisely spaced relationship to each other for preventing the flow of sand therebetween, c. connecting a ring means to a vertical motion actuator means in the well for sliding over the springs for scraping the calcification from the external surface of the screen for cleaning thereof, and d. forming the second end of the straight springs moveable toward the first end of the springs for buckling the springs outwardly for removal of sand therebetween.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for forming a self-cleaning straight spring filter for mounting on the lower end of a tubing string extending down into a petroliferous unconsolidated sand strata of an oil well comprising the steps of, a. forming a screen of contiguous straight springs around a perforated tube, b. fixedly attaching a first end of two ends of the straight springs to the peripheral surface of the perforated tube in a precisely spaced relationship to each other for preventing the flow of sand therebetween, c. connecting a ring means to a vertical motion actuator means in the well for sliding over the springs for scraping the calcification from the external surface of the screen for cleaning thereof, and d. forming the second end of the straight springs moveable toward the first end of the springs for buckling the springs outwardly for removal of sand therebetween.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for forming a self-cleaning spring sand screen for mounting on the lower end of a tubing string extending down into a well to a liquid-containing sand strata comprising the steps of, a. forming a cylindrical screen of vertical, straight contiguous springs around a perforated tube, b. mounting the springs at a precise distance apart around the periphery of the perforated tube for preventing the flow of sand therebetween, c. slideably mounting a ring over the screen for removing calcification from substantially the full length of the springs, and d. slideably mounting the ring on the screen for additional movement for buckling the springs outwardly for spreading them apart for further cleaning thereof.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for forming a self-cleaning spring sand screen for mounting on the lower end of a tubing string extending down into a well to a liquid-containing sand strata comprising the steps of, a. forming a cylindrical screen of vertical, straight contiguous springs around a perforated tube, b. mounting the springs at a precise distance apart around the periphery of the perforated tube for preventing the flow of sand therebetween, c. slideably mounting a ring over the screen for removing calcification from substantially the full length of the springs, and d. slideably mounting the ring on the screen for additional movement for buckling the springs outwardly for spreading them apart for further cleaning thereof.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for forming a spring sand screen for mounting on that portion of a tubing string extending into a well to a liquid-containing sand strata comprising the steps of, a. forming an outer tube concentric with an inner perforated tube, b. mounting a plurality of vertical, straight, contiguous springs around the inner perforated tube and spaced from the inner tube with spacers, c. fixing a first end of each of the springs to the inner perforated tube for spacing the springs at a precise distance apart for preventing the flow of sand therebetween, d. fixing a second end of each of the springs to a ring slideable on the inner tube toward the first ends for buckling the springs outwardly, e. forming a second ring integral with the outer tube for sliding over substantially the full length of the vertical straiGht springs for cleaning calcification from the external surface of the springs, and f. forming the ring slideable a second distance for contacting the second ends of the springs for buckling and separating the springs for additional cleaning thereof.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for forming a spring sand screen for mounting on that portion of a tubing string extending into a well to a liquid-containing sand strata comprising the steps of, a. forming an outer tube concentric with an inner perforated tube, b. mounting a plurality of vertical, straight, contiguous springs around the inner perforated tube and spaced from the inner tube with spacers, c. fixing a first end of each of the springs to the inner perforated tube for spacing the springs at a precise distance apart for preventing the flow of sand therebetween, d. fixing a second end of each of the springs to a ring slideable on the inner tube toward the first ends for buckling the springs outwardly, e. forming a second ring integral with the outer tube for sliding over substantially the full length of the vertical straiGht springs for cleaning calcification from the external surface of the springs, and f. forming the ring slideable a second distance for contacting the second ends of the springs for buckling and separating the springs for additional cleaning thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the third and fourth steps comprise, a. fixing the upper end of each of the straight vertical springs to the inner perforated tube for spacing the springs at a precise distance apart for preventing the flow of sand therebetween, and b. fixing the lower end of each of the straight vertical springs to a ring slideable on the inner tube toward the lower ends for buckling the springs outwardly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
171 words
A self-cleaning straight spring filter for mounting on the lower end of a production tubing string for extending down into a petroliferous unconsolidated sand strata of an oil well comprising, a. a plurality of vertical, straight, contiguous springs having upper and lower ends mounted around a perforated tube means and extending down adjacent to the petroliferous sand strata, b. ring means for fixedly connecting said upper ends of said vertical straight springs to said perforated tube in a precisely spaced relationship to each other sufficient to prevent the flow of sand therebetween, c. spring lower retainer means for slideably securing the spring lower ends to said perforated tube, d. sleeve means connected to a vertical motion actuator means on the well for sliding over said springs for cleaning thereof, and e. said sleeve means being responsive to further movement of said actuator means for raising said spring lower ends toward said spring upper ends for raising said spring lower retainer means for buckling and spreading said springs for additional cleaning thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
171 words
A self-cleaning straight spring filter for mounting on the lower end of a production tubing string for extending down into a petroliferous unconsolidated sand strata of an oil well comprising, a. a plurality of vertical, straight, contiguous springs having upper and lower ends mounted around a perforated tube means and extending down adjacent to the petroliferous sand strata, b. ring means for fixedly connecting said upper ends of said vertical straight springs to said perforated tube in a precisely spaced relationship to each other sufficient to prevent the flow of sand therebetween, c. spring lower retainer means for slideably securing the spring lower ends to said perforated tube, d. sleeve means connected to a vertical motion actuator means on the well for sliding over said springs for cleaning thereof, and e. said sleeve means being responsive to further movement of said actuator means for raising said spring lower ends toward said spring upper ends for raising said spring lower retainer means for buckling and spreading said springs for additional cleaning thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
A self-cleaning filter as recited in claim 7 wherein, a. said sleeve means comprises a sleeve ring portion slideably encircling said springs and connected to said vertical motion actuator for sliding over substantially the full length of said springs to contact said spring lower retainer means for removing calcification from the exterior surface of the springs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
A self-cleaning filter as recited in claim 7 wherein, a. said spring lower retainer means has a pin slideable in a slot in said perforated tube, and movement of said ring means by said sleeve means buckles and spreads said springs for additional cleaning thereof, and b. said spring lower retainer means being responsive to said actuator means for raising said spring lower ends toward said spring upper ends for raising said spring lower retainer means for buckling and spreading said springs for additional cleaning thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
113 words
A self-cleaning spring sand screen for mounting on the lower end of a tubing string extending down into a well to a liquid-containing sand strata comprising, a. two concentric inner and outer tube means, said inner tube means being perforated, b. a screen comprising a plurality of vertical, straight, contiguous spring means mounted around said perforated inner tube means, c. said spring means being spaced from each other sufficient to prevent the flow of sand therebetween, d. ring means for sliding over said spring means for cleaning thereof, and e. said spring means being responsive to further movement of said ring means for being spread apart from each other for additional cleaning thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
113 words
A self-cleaning spring sand screen for mounting on the lower end of a tubing string extending down into a well to a liquid-containing sand strata comprising, a. two concentric inner and outer tube means, said inner tube means being perforated, b. a screen comprising a plurality of vertical, straight, contiguous spring means mounted around said perforated inner tube means, c. said spring means being spaced from each other sufficient to prevent the flow of sand therebetween, d. ring means for sliding over said spring means for cleaning thereof, and e. said spring means being responsive to further movement of said ring means for being spread apart from each other for additional cleaning thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
208 words
A self-cleaning spring sand screen for mounting on the lower end of a tubing string extending down into a well to a liquid-containing sand strata comprising, a. two concentric inner and outer tubes, said inner tube being perforated, b. a screen of vertical, straight, contiguous springs mounted around said perforated inner tube and spaced from said inner tube with spacers, c. a first end of each of said springs being fixed to said inner tube for spacing said springs at a precise distance apart for stopping the flow of sand therebetween as the sanD containing liquid passes through the screen, into the perforated inner tube, and up to the tubing string above, d. a second end of each of said springs being fixed to a ring at said same precise distance apart relative to each other as said first ends, said ring being slideable on said inner tube toward said first ends for buckling the springs outwardly, e. said outer tube having ring means for sliding a first distance over substantially the full length of the vertical straight springs for cleaning thereof, and f. said ring means being slideable a second distance for contacting said second ends of said springs for separating the springs for additional cleaning thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
208 words
A self-cleaning spring sand screen for mounting on the lower end of a tubing string extending down into a well to a liquid-containing sand strata comprising, a. two concentric inner and outer tubes, said inner tube being perforated, b. a screen of vertical, straight, contiguous springs mounted around said perforated inner tube and spaced from said inner tube with spacers, c. a first end of each of said springs being fixed to said inner tube for spacing said springs at a precise distance apart for stopping the flow of sand therebetween as the sanD containing liquid passes through the screen, into the perforated inner tube, and up to the tubing string above, d. a second end of each of said springs being fixed to a ring at said same precise distance apart relative to each other as said first ends, said ring being slideable on said inner tube toward said first ends for buckling the springs outwardly, e. said outer tube having ring means for sliding a first distance over substantially the full length of the vertical straight springs for cleaning thereof, and f. said ring means being slideable a second distance for contacting said second ends of said springs for separating the springs for additional cleaning thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
75 words
A self-cleaning spring sand screen as recited in claim 11 wherein, a. said first end of each of said springs fixed to said inner tube is the upper end of each of said springs, and b. said second end of each of said springs fixed to said slideable ring is the lower end of each of said springs whereby said upper end is forced up toward said upper end to buckle the springs for cleaning.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
68 words
A self-cleaning straight spring filter as recited in claim 13 wherein, a. said plurality of straight springs comprises at least two tandem groups of straight parallel springs mounted lengthwise around said perforated tube, and b. said sleeve means comprises a separate sleeve encircling each separate group of straight parallel springs, all sleeves being connected to said reciprocal motion actuator means for sliding over its respective group of springs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
154 words
A self-cleaning straight spring filter as recited in claim 14 wherein, a. said upper ends of said springs of each group being fixedly mounted on said perforated tube, b. pin means for slideably connecting said lower ends of said springs of each group with slots in said perforated tube, whereby movement of the lower ends of the springs of each group in their respective slots toward their respective upper ends causes said buckling and spreading of said springs as each of said separate sleeves passes over its group of springs and contacts said pin means of the next upper group of springs, and c. said pin means of each tandem group of springs being responsive to contact with said sleeve means of the next upper group of springs after said sleeve means has passed over its group of springs for sliding in its slot and buckling and spreading said springs for the additional cleaning.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
162 words
A self-cleaning straight spring filter for mounting on the lower end of a production tubing string extending down into a well to a liquid-containing sand strata comprising, a. two sets of contiguous straight vertical parallel spring means positioned lengthwise in tandem around a perforated tube, b. a first end of each of said vertical straight spring means of each set being fixedly secured around the periphery of said perforated tube, c. a second end of each of said spring means of each set being fixed to a ring having a portion slideable in a longitudinal slot so that each of said spring means moveable second ends is moveable toward its first end, d. a sleeve slideable over the length of each set of sPring means to contact said moveable second ends of each set, and e. each of said spring means being responsive to further movement of said sleeve means for buckling and spreading apart said spring means for additional cleaning thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
162 words
A self-cleaning straight spring filter for mounting on the lower end of a production tubing string extending down into a well to a liquid-containing sand strata comprising, a. two sets of contiguous straight vertical parallel spring means positioned lengthwise in tandem around a perforated tube, b. a first end of each of said vertical straight spring means of each set being fixedly secured around the periphery of said perforated tube, c. a second end of each of said spring means of each set being fixed to a ring having a portion slideable in a longitudinal slot so that each of said spring means moveable second ends is moveable toward its first end, d. a sleeve slideable over the length of each set of sPring means to contact said moveable second ends of each set, and e. each of said spring means being responsive to further movement of said sleeve means for buckling and spreading apart said spring means for additional cleaning thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |