US3929009A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Measurement of drilling torque
Assignee: Societe Nationale des Petroles dAquitaine SA
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Filing: 1973-06-18
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1993-06-18
Abstract
Abstract This invention concerns the direct, continuous measurement of drilling torque. The main technical features of the invention are the fixing of orthogonal pairs of strain gauges inside symmetrical cavities provided on the cylindrical bottom section of the Kelly, hermetic closure of these cavities by means of steel plugs which do not project beyond them, and the provision of passages for electric cables, protected against any impact or contact with the drilling mud. The main application is in the measurement of torque on the Kelly of a drilling system, or any transmission shaft in similar circumstances, namely subject to transverse impacts, and immersed continuously or intermittently in a corrosive liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Lutz
- 👤 Andre Traille
- 👤 Francois Besnard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:44
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B47/00; E21B47/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A device to supply a signal representative of the drilling torque comprising a Kelly defining an axial passage for drilling mud, at least one cavity near its lower end, and passage means distinct from said axial passage connecting said cavity to the upper end of said Kelly, a torque-measuring electrical bridge including at least four strain gauges located in diametrically opposed pairs inside said at least one cavity, electrical connections within said passage means which are likewise parts of the measuring bridge and serve to transmit the signal provided by said strain gauges to the top of the Kelly, and means for hermetically closing said at least one cavity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A device to supply a signal representative of the drilling torque comprising a Kelly defining an axial passage for drilling mud, at least one cavity near its lower end, and passage means distinct from said axial passage connecting said cavity to the upper end of said Kelly, a torque-measuring electrical bridge including at least four strain gauges located in diametrically opposed pairs inside said at least one cavity, electrical connections within said passage means which are likewise parts of the measuring bridge and serve to transmit the signal provided by said strain gauges to the top of the Kelly, and means for hermetically closing said at least one cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device, as defined in claim 1, in which said at least one cavity consists of at least two cavities symmetrically positioned in relation to the axis of said Kelly, and connected by said passage means for the electrical connections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
128 words
A device as claimed in claim 2 in which the means for hermetically closing said at least one cavity comprises a steel plug in each cavity, which lies entirely within the outer perimeter of the Kelly in the zone containing said cavity, while the sides of each plug have a concave section facing the base of the cavity containing that plug, which leaves a space at the base of that cavity for two of said strain gauges and an electrical cable outlet, said plugs and cavities being provided with interfitting pins and pin-receiving recesses which prevent rotation of said plugs in said cavities, the radially outermost surface of each plug being provided with a groove for receiving an annular seal and a groove for receiving an attachment ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A device as defined in claim 2, in which the cavity in which the strain gauges are located consists of an annular recess in the cylindrical bottom end of the Kelly, the means for hermetically closing the cavity consist of a sleeve fitting over the said bottom end of the drill pipe, and two annular seals located between the sleeve and the Kelly, one of them above and the other below the said recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device as defined in claim 2, in which the strain gauges are fixed to the base of a cavity consisting of an annular recess in the cylindrical bottom end of the Kelly and, the means to close hermetically the cavity consist of a threaded sleeve screwed on the bottom end of the Kelly, said bottom end being threaded to mate with the threaded sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device as defined in claim 2, in which the strain gauges are fixed onto the base of a cavity consisting of an annular recess, cut in the wall of the axial passage inside the cylindrical bottom end of the Kelly, and the means to hermetically close the cavity consist of a sleeve threaded on the outside, screwed inside the inner passaGe which is threaded to match the threaded sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said passage means comprises an external groove running downwardly from the upper part of said Kelly, a stainless steel pipe in said groove holding cables forming part of said electrical connections, and a passage portion leading from a mouth at the lower end of said groove to a cavity, the lower end of said stainless steel pipe being welded to said mouth.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |