US4317585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torqued drill pipe identification
Assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
•
Filing: 1980-05-30
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Granted: 1982-03-02
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Expires: 2000-05-30
Abstract
Abstract Suitable marks on protected places at opposite ends of a drill pipe make it possible to inspect the pipe after it has been used in a drill string to determine whether it has been subjected to excessive torque in the course of its previous use, so that it should not be used again in a new string. This reduces the risk of any pipe breaking in the new string, which would cause great trouble and expense.
Inventors
- 👤 Elvin G. Boice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L15/00; F16L15/001; E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/006; E21B17/02; E21B17/04; E21B17/042; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
In a length of drill pipe, said drill pipe having threads at each end thereof, the improvement comprising a permanent mark at each end of said drill pipe at a protected position thereof, said marks not being directly exposed to abrasion or the like either inside or outside said drill pipe in the assembled position with other similar drill pipes in a drill string, said marks being positioned in predetermined angular relationship to one another so that any permanent deformation of said drill pipe through torque in the course of use of said drill pipe can be determined by inspection of the relative positions of said marks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a length of drill pipe, said drill pipe having threads at each end thereof, the improvement comprising a permanent mark at each end of said drill pipe at a protected position thereof, said marks not being directly exposed to abrasion or the like either inside or outside said drill pipe in the assembled position with other similar drill pipes in a drill string, said marks being positioned in predetermined angular relationship to one another so that any permanent deformation of said drill pipe through torque in the course of use of said drill pipe can be determined by inspection of the relative positions of said marks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The drill pipe of claim 1 in which at least one of said marks is positioned at a protected location adjacent to the termination of said threads at one end of said drill pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The drill pipe of claim 1 in which each of said marks is positioned at a protected location adjacent to the termination of said threads at one end of said drill pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The drill pipe of claim 1 in which said marks are positioned at a protected location 180° from each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US233712A
Cited
US1606941A
Cited
US2029798A
Cited
US2454850A
Cited
US2772899A
Cited
US3468563A
Cited
US4127927A
Cited
US4154466A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-03-01 | 1985-08-31 | 1986-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-03-01 | 1989-08-31 | 1990-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-03-01 | 1993-08-31 | 1994-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |