US3941146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for storing a flexible elongated member, such as a flexible drill column
Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
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Filing: 1974-02-20
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Granted: 1976-03-02
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Expires: 1994-02-20
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an apparatus or device for storing elongated flexible elements, such as drilling pipe, in a coiled form. This apparatus includes an inner cylindrical framework supported about a vertical axis, an outer cylindrical framework concentrically separated from the inner framework and connected thereto by an annular base plate closing the bottom of the apparatus. The space between the inner and outer frameworks is open at the top to receive the elongated elements, and the annular base plate is formed of a plurality of annular sector elements connected together in such a manner as to allow a vertical displacement of respective adjacent elements with respect to one another. Various means for connecting adjacent elements are provided. Moreover, various driving and supporting members are provided for rotating the apparatus about the vertical axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Chatard
- 👤 Pierre Grolet
- 👤 Remi Reynard
- 👤 Jean Thiery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:04
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/6918; Y10T137/6962
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
An apparatus for storing an elongated flexible element comprising an inner cylindrical frame with an essentially vertical axis, said inner frame having a radius at least equal to the minimum radius of curvature of an elongated flexible element, an outer cylindrical frame placed concentric to said first frame, said inner and outer frames defining therebetween a space being open at the upper part thereof so as to allow for the passage of said elongated flexible element, an annular base structure means, connecting said inner and outer cylindrical frames, for closing the lower part of said space and supporting said elongated flexible element, said space having a dimension in the radial direction between said inner and outer frames greater than the diameter of the cross-section of the elongated element, guide means cooperaling with the resulting structure of inner and outer frames with said annular base means for guiding in rotation about said vertical axis the resulting structure of inner and outer frames with said annular base means, drive means coupled to said guide means for driving in rotation said resulting structure about said vertical axis, and supply means connected to said drive means for supplying power to said drive means, said annular base structure means being formed of a plurality of separate annular sector members, connecting means interconnecting said annular sectors to one another, and means allowing a displacement of said separate sector members with respect to each other in a direction having at least one vertical component, each of said separate sector members carrying therewith a corresponding portion of said inner and outer frames.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
264 words
An apparatus for storing an elongated flexible element comprising an inner cylindrical frame with an essentially vertical axis, said inner frame having a radius at least equal to the minimum radius of curvature of an elongated flexible element, an outer cylindrical frame placed concentric to said first frame, said inner and outer frames defining therebetween a space being open at the upper part thereof so as to allow for the passage of said elongated flexible element, an annular base structure means, connecting said inner and outer cylindrical frames, for closing the lower part of said space and supporting said elongated flexible element, said space having a dimension in the radial direction between said inner and outer frames greater than the diameter of the cross-section of the elongated element, guide means cooperaling with the resulting structure of inner and outer frames with said annular base means for guiding in rotation about said vertical axis the resulting structure of inner and outer frames with said annular base means, drive means coupled to said guide means for driving in rotation said resulting structure about said vertical axis, and supply means connected to said drive means for supplying power to said drive means, said annular base structure means being formed of a plurality of separate annular sector members, connecting means interconnecting said annular sectors to one another, and means allowing a displacement of said separate sector members with respect to each other in a direction having at least one vertical component, each of said separate sector members carrying therewith a corresponding portion of said inner and outer frames.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guide means and said drive means are spaced from said vertical axis of rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said guide means and said drive means are positioned at a distance from said vertical axis of rotation, said distance being at least equal to the radius of the inner frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said guide means and said drive means are in operative engagement in order to simultaneously support and drive in rotation said annular base structure means, and wherein at least one of said guide means and said drive means is integral with said annular base structure means, and at least the other one of guide means and drive means is stationary with respect to said vertical axis of rotation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said guide means includes at least one circular rail, and wherein said drive means include a plurality of wheels in contact with said rail, at least one of said wheels being driven in rotation by a motor, the engagement of said wheels with said rail providing centering of said annular base structure means about said vertical axis of rotation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A storing according to claim 5, further comprising a rotating connecting means for allowing the motor power supply during rotation of said resulting structure, said rotating connecting means being integral with said annular base structure means and essentially coaxial with said vertical axis of rotation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said motor is a hydraulic motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said motor is an electric motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said guide means are distinct from said drive means and support solely and permanently the entire weight of said storing apparatus and any contents thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said drive means comprise a first element consisting of an annular toothed rack being coaxial with said axis of rotation and a second element consisting of at least one toothed pinion being integral in rotation with the drive shaft of at least one motor, said pinion being in operative engagement with said toothed rack so as to drive said annular base structure means in rotation, one of said first and second elements being integral with said annular base structure means, and the other of said first and second elements having a stationary position with respect to said vertical axis of rotation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said guide means comprise at least one circular rail having the center at said vertical axis, and a plurality of wheels being in contact with said rail, said wheels being adapted to freely rotate and to center said annular base structure means about said vertical axis, one of said rail and said plurality of wheels being mounted in a stationary position, and the other of said rail and said plurality of wheels being integral with said annular base structure means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said drive shaft of said motor integral with said toothed pinion carries one of said wheels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said wheel carried by said drive shaft of the motor rotates freely with respect to said shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said wheel carried by said drive shaft of the motor is mounted integral in rotation with said shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
106 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said guide means comprise a first member including at least one annular bearing belt centered about said vertical axis, a second member including a plurality of wheels adapted to freely rotate, the width of said bearing belt being greater than that of the wheels, and a third centering member for centering said annular base structure means about the vertical axis of rotation, one of said first and second members being stationary and the other of said first and second members being integral with sand annular base structure means such that the weight of said resulting structure is supported.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said centering member includes an annular conical or tapered roller bearing said annular roller bearing being centered on the vertical axis of rotation, and having, at least one ring which is stationary and at least another ring which is connected in rotation with said annular base structure means,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said drive means includes an annular toothed crown integral with said annular roller bearing ring which is connected to said annular base structure means, and at least one toothed pinion engaging with said crown, said pinion being integral in rotation with the outlet shaft of a driving motor group having stationary position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating hydraulic connecting means for supplying hydraulic fluid to a flexible drilling column stored in said storing apparatus, said hydraulic connecting means being integral with said annular base structure means and essentially coaxial with said vertical axis of rotation said connecting means supplying hydraulic fluid to one of the ends of said flexible drilling column.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
84 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means include connecting clamps being secured to the ends of sector members making up said annular base structure means, said connecting clamps including essentially horizontal orifices adapted to be in alignment in an adjacent position of said sector members with respect to one another, and centering rods inserted in said orifices of the connecting clamps, the connecting clamps of at least one sector member being adapted to freely turn or rotate about said rods.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means include small rods having ends which are respectively hingedly connected at the ends of the successive sector members forming said annular base structure means, allowing relative displacement of one sector member with respect to a neighboring sector member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said small rods are hingedly connected by means of intertwined rings, said intertwined rings being coupled to an additional ring at the ends of each of said small rods, and wherein said annular base structure means further includes plate members for separating respective sector members.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said additional ring of each of said small rods is rotatable about said small rod.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said small rods are threadedly connected to respective ends of said sector members.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
102 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means include connecting clamps secured to the ends of the sector members forming said annular base structure means, said connecting clamps including essentially vertical orifices, and the connecting clamps of one sector member being adapted to be superimposed to those of the next-adjacent sector member so as to align said orifices, and centering rods inserted with a certain play into said orifices such that adjacent sector members are connected, said centering rods having a length sufficient to allow for vertical displacement of one sector member with respect to a neighboring sector member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
A storing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means include plate members connecting respective ends of said sector members, said plate members being rotatably secured to the ends of said sector members allowing relative displacement of one sector member with respect to an neighboring sector member.
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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) | 1979-03-02 | 1979-09-01 | 1980-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-02 | 1983-09-01 | 1984-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-02 | 1987-09-01 | 1988-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |