US4384626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clamp-on stabilizer
Assignee: Smith International Inc
•
Filing: 1982-02-22
•
Granted: 1983-05-24
•
Expires: 2002-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A clamp-on stabilizer fixes the lateral position of a drill string in a borehole. The stabilizer includes a gripping sleeve with slotted and tapered ends, a stabilizer body receiving the sleeve, and a tubular locknut threaded into the body. The lower end of the stabilizer body is internally tapered to engage one tapered end of the gripping sleeve, while a ring abutting the locknut engages the other tapered end. In a preferred embodiment the tapers are different at each end of the sleeve to produce a sequential locking effect. A full-length longitudinal slot in the sleeve increases the tolerance range for objects to be clamped by the stabilizer.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas L. Derouin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:10
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/10; E21B17/1078
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 79
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A clamp-on stabilizer for clamping over a section of drill string or the like and spacing such section away from the side wall of a subterranean borehole, the stabilizer comprising: a tubular gripping sleeve for gripping around the drill string, the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end each having an inwardly tapered exterior surface, and a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end extending from the respective end toward the middle of the sleeve; a stabilizer body around the sleeve comprising rib means for contacting the gage of the borehole, a threaded upper end, and an internally tapered lower end for engaging the sleeve lower end; a tubular member threaded for coupling with the stabilizer body threaded upper end; and tapered means for engaging the tapered upper end surface of the gripping sleeve in response to axial compression induced between the member and the stabilizer body upper end, whereby the gripping sleeve is tightened about the object of interest.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A clamp-on stabilizer for clamping over a section of drill string or the like and spacing such section away from the side wall of a subterranean borehole, the stabilizer comprising: a tubular gripping sleeve for gripping around the drill string, the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end each having an inwardly tapered exterior surface, and a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end extending from the respective end toward the middle of the sleeve; a stabilizer body around the sleeve comprising rib means for contacting the gage of the borehole, a threaded upper end, and an internally tapered lower end for engaging the sleeve lower end; a tubular member threaded for coupling with the stabilizer body threaded upper end; and tapered means for engaging the tapered upper end surface of the gripping sleeve in response to axial compression induced between the member and the stabilizer body upper end, whereby the gripping sleeve is tightened about the object of interest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A stabilizer according to claim 1 wherein the taper at the gripping sleeve upper end surface is steeper than the taper at the gripping sleeve lower end surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A stabilizer according to claim 2 wherein the angle of the taper at the lower surface is about one half the angle of the taper at the upper surface relative to the axis of the stabilizer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A stabilizer according to claim 3 wherein the taper at the lower surface defines an angle of about 71/2 degrees with the axis of the tubular gripping sleeve, and the taper at the upper surface defines an angle of about 15 degrees with said axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A stabilizer according to claim 1 comprising one full length longitudinal slot in the gripping sleeve from its upper end to its lower end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stabilizer according to claim 1 wherein the tapered means comprises a ring having an internal taper matching the taper at the sleeve upper end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A stabilizer according to claim 1 wherein the stabilizer body upper end is threaded on an interior surface and the tubular member is threaded on an exterior surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A stabilizer according to claim 1 wherein the taper at the gripping sleeve lower end surface is substantially the same as the taper at the sleeve upper end surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A stabilizer according to claim 8 wherein the stabilizer body upper end is threaded on an exterior surface and the tubular member is threaded on an interior surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stabilizer according to claim 9 wherein the threaded upper end of the stabilizer body is positioned axially between the ends of the gripping sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A stabilizer according to claim 10 wherein the tapered means comprises a ring having a taper matching the taper of the sleeve upper end, such ring being positioned axially above the stabilizer body upper end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
A stabilizer according to claim 13 wherein a first annular area defined between an exterior surface of the tubular member and the gage of the borehole is substantially equal to a second area defined between the gage and an exterior surface of the stabilizer body between the rib means for maintaining a roughly uniform fluid pressure distribution in drilling fluid in the borehole.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stabilizer according to claim 1 wherein the rib means comprises a pad which extends partially around the circumference of the borehole.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
A stabilizer according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the slots at the lower end of the sleeve is wider than any of the slots at the upper end, and further comprising pin means on the stabilizer body near its lower end for engaging such a wider slot, the pin means being wider than the slots at the upper end of the sleeve to prevent engagement therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
238 words
A clamp-on stabilizer for fixing the lateral position in a subterranean borehole of a drill string or an object of interest on the drill string, the stabilizer comprising: a tubular gripping sleeve for gripping around the drill string or object of interest, the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end each having an inwardly tapered exterior surface, and a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end extending from the respective end toward the middle of the sleeve, the taper at the lower end being less than the taper at the upper end; a stabilizer body around the sleeve comprising a tubular body having a threaded upper end, and a lower end internally tapered for engaging the tapered lower end of the sleeve; rib means on the body for contacting the gage of such a borehole; a tubular member threaded for coupling with the stabilizer body threaded upper end; and tapered means for engaging the tapered upper end surface of the gripping sleeve; whereby, in response to axial compression induced by threading the tubular member with the stabilizer body upper end, the tapered lower end of the gripping sleeve locks with the tapered stabilizer body lower end, followed by locking of the tapered upper end of the gripping sleeve with the tapered means, whereby such a drill string or object of interest is gripped by the gripping sleeve to fix its lateral position via the rib means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
238 words
A clamp-on stabilizer for fixing the lateral position in a subterranean borehole of a drill string or an object of interest on the drill string, the stabilizer comprising: a tubular gripping sleeve for gripping around the drill string or object of interest, the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end each having an inwardly tapered exterior surface, and a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end extending from the respective end toward the middle of the sleeve, the taper at the lower end being less than the taper at the upper end; a stabilizer body around the sleeve comprising a tubular body having a threaded upper end, and a lower end internally tapered for engaging the tapered lower end of the sleeve; rib means on the body for contacting the gage of such a borehole; a tubular member threaded for coupling with the stabilizer body threaded upper end; and tapered means for engaging the tapered upper end surface of the gripping sleeve; whereby, in response to axial compression induced by threading the tubular member with the stabilizer body upper end, the tapered lower end of the gripping sleeve locks with the tapered stabilizer body lower end, followed by locking of the tapered upper end of the gripping sleeve with the tapered means, whereby such a drill string or object of interest is gripped by the gripping sleeve to fix its lateral position via the rib means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stabilizer according to claim 15 wherein the taper at the lower end surface is about one half the taper at the upper end surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
A stabilizer according to claim 15 wherein the taper at the lower end surface is at an angle of about 7 1/2 degrees from the axis of the tubular gripping sleeve, and the taper at the upper surface is at an angle of about 15 degrees from said axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A stabilizer according to claim 15 comprising one full length longitudinal slot in the gripping sleeve from its upper end to its lower end.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stabilizer according to claim 15 wherein the tapered means comprises a ring having an external taper matching the taper at the sleeve upper end.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A stabilizer according to claim 15 wherein the stabilizer body upper end is threaded on an interior surface thereof and the tubular member is threaded on an exterior surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
A stabilizer according to claim 20 further comprising seal means inside the tubular member at its upper end for inhibiting particles from entering an annulus between the tubular member and such a drill string or object of interest.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
72 words
A stabilizer according to claim 15 wherein at least one of the slots at the lower end of the sleeve is wider than any of the slots at the upper end of the sleeve, and further comprising pin means on the stabilizer body near its lower end for engaging such a wider slot, said pin means being wider than the slots at the upper end of the sleeve to prevent engagement therewith.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
165 words
A clamp-on stabilizer comprising: a tubular gripping sleeve for gripping around an object of interest, the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end each having an inwardly tapered exterior surface, and a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end extending from the end toward the middle of the sleeve; a stabilizer body around the sleeve comprising a threaded upper end, and an internally tapered lower end for engaging the tapered surface at the lower end of the sleeve; means on the stabilizer body for contacting the gage of a borehole; a tubular member threaded for coupling with the threaded upper end of the stabilizer body; a ring located between the tubular member and the upper end of the gripping sleeve, the ring being internally tapered to engage the tapered surface at the upper end of the sleeve; and the tapered at the lower end surface of the gripping sleeve being less than the taper at the upper end surface of the gripping sleeve.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
165 words
A clamp-on stabilizer comprising: a tubular gripping sleeve for gripping around an object of interest, the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end each having an inwardly tapered exterior surface, and a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end extending from the end toward the middle of the sleeve; a stabilizer body around the sleeve comprising a threaded upper end, and an internally tapered lower end for engaging the tapered surface at the lower end of the sleeve; means on the stabilizer body for contacting the gage of a borehole; a tubular member threaded for coupling with the threaded upper end of the stabilizer body; a ring located between the tubular member and the upper end of the gripping sleeve, the ring being internally tapered to engage the tapered surface at the upper end of the sleeve; and the tapered at the lower end surface of the gripping sleeve being less than the taper at the upper end surface of the gripping sleeve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A stabilizer according to claim 23 wherein the taper at the lower surface is about one half the taper at the upper surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stabilizer according to claim 23 comprising one full-length longitudinal slot in the gripping sleeve from its upper to its lower end.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stabilizer according to claim 23 wherein the stabilizer body upper end is threaded on an interior surface thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
A stabilizer according to claim 23 wherein the ring contacts the threaded surface of the stabilizer body.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stabilizer according to claim 23 wherein the stabilizer body upper end is threaded on an exterior surface thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stabilizer according to claim 28 wherein the ring is positioned axially above the stabilizer body upper end.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
179 words
A clamp-on stabilizer comprising: tubular collet means for gripping around an object of interest, the collet means having an upper end and a lower end, each end having a plurality of radially deflectable gripping fingers and an inwardly tapered exterior surface on the fingers; a longitudinal slot extending the full length of the collet means; a stabilizer body around the collet means having a threaded upper end, and an internally tapered lower end for engaging the tapered surface on the lower end of the collet means; rib means on the stabilizer body for contacting the gage of a borehole; a tubular member threaded for coupling with the stabilizer body threaded upper end; and tapered means for engaging the tapered surface on the upper end of the collet means, whereby threading the tubular member with the stabilizer body induces progressive axial compression against the ends of the collet means for engaging tapered surfaces on the collet means with the tapered lower end of the stabilizer body and the tapered means for gripping the collet means around the object of interest.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
179 words
A clamp-on stabilizer comprising: tubular collet means for gripping around an object of interest, the collet means having an upper end and a lower end, each end having a plurality of radially deflectable gripping fingers and an inwardly tapered exterior surface on the fingers; a longitudinal slot extending the full length of the collet means; a stabilizer body around the collet means having a threaded upper end, and an internally tapered lower end for engaging the tapered surface on the lower end of the collet means; rib means on the stabilizer body for contacting the gage of a borehole; a tubular member threaded for coupling with the stabilizer body threaded upper end; and tapered means for engaging the tapered surface on the upper end of the collet means, whereby threading the tubular member with the stabilizer body induces progressive axial compression against the ends of the collet means for engaging tapered surfaces on the collet means with the tapered lower end of the stabilizer body and the tapered means for gripping the collet means around the object of interest.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
A stabilizer according to claim 30 where the taper at the lower end of the collet means differs from the taper at the upper end of the collet means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
A stabilizer according to claim 31 where the taper at the lower end of the collet means is less than the taper at the upper end of the collet means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
A stabilizer according to claim 30 where the tapered means comprises a ring seated against the tubular member and having an internally tapered surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
175 words
A clamp-on stabilizer comprising: a stabilizer body having a threaded upper end and an internally tapered lower end; a tubular gripping sleeve in the stabilizer body comprising: a plurality of fingers extending longitudinally at the lower end of the sleeve; a first tapered surface on the exterior of the fingers at the lower end of the sleeve matching the taper in the lower end of the stabilizer body; a plurality of fingers extending longitudinally at the upper end of the sleeve; a second tapered surface on the exterior of the fingers at the upper end of the sleeve; and a slot in the gripping sleeve extending from the upper end of the sleeve to the lower end of the sleeve; a ring having an internal tapered surface matching the second taper surface at the upper end of the sleeve; and a locking member having a threaded lower end for coupling with the threaded upper end of the stabilizer body and including a surface for engaging the ring and pressing the ring towards the gripping sleeve.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
175 words
A clamp-on stabilizer comprising: a stabilizer body having a threaded upper end and an internally tapered lower end; a tubular gripping sleeve in the stabilizer body comprising: a plurality of fingers extending longitudinally at the lower end of the sleeve; a first tapered surface on the exterior of the fingers at the lower end of the sleeve matching the taper in the lower end of the stabilizer body; a plurality of fingers extending longitudinally at the upper end of the sleeve; a second tapered surface on the exterior of the fingers at the upper end of the sleeve; and a slot in the gripping sleeve extending from the upper end of the sleeve to the lower end of the sleeve; a ring having an internal tapered surface matching the second taper surface at the upper end of the sleeve; and a locking member having a threaded lower end for coupling with the threaded upper end of the stabilizer body and including a surface for engaging the ring and pressing the ring towards the gripping sleeve.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
A stabilizer according to claim 34 wherein the taper of the surface at the upper end of the sleeve differs from the taper of the surface at the lower end of the sleeve.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stabilizer according to claim 35 wherein the taper at the upper end is greater than the taper at the lower end.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
201 words
A clamp-on stabilizer comprising: a tubular gripping sleeve for gripping around an object of interest, the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end each having an inwardly tapered exterior surface, a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end extending from the end toward the middle of the sleeve, and a slot extending from the lower end to the upper end; a stabilizer body around the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end, the body being movable axially relative to the gripping sleeve; rib means on the stabilizer body for contacting the gage of a borehole; a first tapered surface axially fixed at the lower end of the stabilizer body for engaging the tapered lower end surface of the sleeve; a second tapered surface for engaging the tapered upper end surface of the sleeve, the second tapered surface being axially movable relative to the stabilizer body; and means cooperating with the stabilizer body for axially displacing the second tapered surface toward the first tapered surface, so that, upon such displacement, engagement of the first and second tapered surfaces with the corresponding tapered surfaces on the gripping sleeve causes the gripping sleeve to tighten about the object of interest.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
201 words
A clamp-on stabilizer comprising: a tubular gripping sleeve for gripping around an object of interest, the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end each having an inwardly tapered exterior surface, a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end extending from the end toward the middle of the sleeve, and a slot extending from the lower end to the upper end; a stabilizer body around the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end, the body being movable axially relative to the gripping sleeve; rib means on the stabilizer body for contacting the gage of a borehole; a first tapered surface axially fixed at the lower end of the stabilizer body for engaging the tapered lower end surface of the sleeve; a second tapered surface for engaging the tapered upper end surface of the sleeve, the second tapered surface being axially movable relative to the stabilizer body; and means cooperating with the stabilizer body for axially displacing the second tapered surface toward the first tapered surface, so that, upon such displacement, engagement of the first and second tapered surfaces with the corresponding tapered surfaces on the gripping sleeve causes the gripping sleeve to tighten about the object of interest.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
A clamp-on stabilizer according to claim 37 where the first tapered surface is integrally formed with the stabilizer body.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
A clamp-on stabilizer according to claim 37 where the cooperating means comprises a tubular member having a threaded end for threaded engagement with a threaded portion of the upper end of the stabilizer body.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
A clamp-on stabilizer according to claim 39 where the second tapered surface comprises a ring abutting the tubular member.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
A clamp-on stabilizer according to claim 40 where threading of the tubular member with the stabilizer body causes the ring to be axially displaced toward the first tapered surface in the stabilizer body.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
A clamp-on stabilizer according to claim 37 where the taper of the first surface is less than the taper of the second surface.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
A clamp-on stabilizer according to claim 37 where the taper of the first surface is substantially the same as the taper of the second surface.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
127 words
A clamp-on stabilizer comprising: a tubular gripping sleeve for gripping around a drill string or the like, the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end and a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end; a stabilizer body around the sleeve; rib means on the stabilizer body for contacting the gage of a borehole; means cooperating with the stabilizer body for inducing axial compression against the gripping sleeve upper and lower ends; and means for converting such axial compression into radial compression at the lower and upper ends of the gripping sleeve, the rate of conversion into radial compression being greater at the lower end than at the upper end, whereby the gripping sleeve tightens about a drill string or the like positioned inside the sleeve.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
127 words
A clamp-on stabilizer comprising: a tubular gripping sleeve for gripping around a drill string or the like, the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end and a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end; a stabilizer body around the sleeve; rib means on the stabilizer body for contacting the gage of a borehole; means cooperating with the stabilizer body for inducing axial compression against the gripping sleeve upper and lower ends; and means for converting such axial compression into radial compression at the lower and upper ends of the gripping sleeve, the rate of conversion into radial compression being greater at the lower end than at the upper end, whereby the gripping sleeve tightens about a drill string or the like positioned inside the sleeve.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
34 words
A stabilizer according to claim 44 wherein the cooperating means comprises a tubular member having a threaded lower end for threaded engagement with a threaded portion of an upper end of the stabilizer body.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
105 words
A stabilizer according to claim 45 wherein the converting means comprises a first inwardly tapered external surface on the gripping sleeve upper end; a second inwardly tapered external surface on the sleeve lower end, the first taper at the upper end being greater than the second taper at the lower end; an axially displaceable ring abutting the tubular member and having a third interior tapered surface for engaging the first tapered surface on the gripping sleeve upper end; and a fourth internal tapered surface fixed in a lower end of the stabilizer body for engaging the second tapered surface on the gripping sleeve lower end.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stabilizer according to claim 46 wherein the axially fixed fourth surface is integrally formed in the stabilizer body.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
A stabilizer according to claim 46 wherein the angle of the first and third tapers is about twice the angle of the second and fourth tapers relative to the axis of the stabilizer.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
29 words
A stabilizer according to claim 44 comprising a longitudinal slot in the gripping sleeve extending from the upper end of the sleeve to the lower end of the sleeve.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
144 words
A clamp-on stabilizer comprising: a tubular gripping sleeve for gripping around a drill string or the like, the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end and a plurality of radially deflectable fingers at each end; a stabilizer body having an upper end and a lower end, the stabilizer body in use encasing the lower end of the sleeve; rib means on the stabilizer body for contacting the gage of a borehole; means cooperating with the stabilizer body upper end for inducing axial compression against the gripping sleeve upper and lower ends; and means for converting such axial compression into radial compression at the gripping sleeve lower and upper ends to radially tighten the fingers around the drill string or the like, so that the rate of radial deflection of the fingers is greater at the lower end than at the upper end.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
144 words
A clamp-on stabilizer comprising: a tubular gripping sleeve for gripping around a drill string or the like, the sleeve having an upper end and a lower end and a plurality of radially deflectable fingers at each end; a stabilizer body having an upper end and a lower end, the stabilizer body in use encasing the lower end of the sleeve; rib means on the stabilizer body for contacting the gage of a borehole; means cooperating with the stabilizer body upper end for inducing axial compression against the gripping sleeve upper and lower ends; and means for converting such axial compression into radial compression at the gripping sleeve lower and upper ends to radially tighten the fingers around the drill string or the like, so that the rate of radial deflection of the fingers is greater at the lower end than at the upper end.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
34 words
A stabilizer according to claim 50 wherein the cooperating means comprises a tubular member having a threaded lower end for threaded engagement with a threaded portion of the upper end of the stabilizer body.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
111 words
A stabilizer according to claim 50 wherein the converting means comprises a first inwardly tapered external surface on the fingers at the gripping sleeve upper end; a second inwardly tapered external surface on the fingers at the sleeve lower end, the first taper at the upper end being greater than the second taper at the lower end; an axially displaceable ring abutting the tubular member and having a third interior tapered surface for engaging the first tapered surface on the gripping sleeve upper end; and a fourth internal tapered surface fixed in the lower end of the stabilizer body for engaging the second tapered surface on the gripping sleeve lower end.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stabilizer according to claim 52 wherein the axially fixed fourth surface is integrally formed in the stabilizer body.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
33 words
A stabilizer according to claim 52 wherein the angle of the first and third tapers is about twice the angle of the second and fourth tapers relative to the axis of the stabilizer.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
29 words
A stabilizer according to claim 50 where the fingers at one end of the gripping sleeve are longer than the fingers at the other end of the gripping sleeve.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
31 words
A stabilizer according to claim 50 where the fingers at one end of the gripping sleeve have a smaller width than the fingers at the other end of the gripping sleeve.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
32 words
A stabilizer according to claim 50 where the fingers at one end of the gripping sleeve are thinner in cross section than the fingers at the other end of the gripping sleeve.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for stabilizing the lateral position of a drill string or an object of interest on the drill string in a subterranean borehole, the method comprising: placing a circumferentially compressible tubular sleeve about the object, such sleeve having inwardly tapered upper and lower ends, the taper at the lower end being less than the taper at the upper end; axially engaging the tapers at the sleeve lower end and the upper end to circumferentially compress the sleeve sequentially at the lower and upper ends respectively about the object of interest; and displacing the sleeve laterally from the gage of the borehole to stabilize the lateral position of the object of interest.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for stabilizing the lateral position of a drill string or an object of interest on the drill string in a subterranean borehole, the method comprising: placing a circumferentially compressible tubular sleeve about the object, such sleeve having inwardly tapered upper and lower ends, the taper at the lower end being less than the taper at the upper end; axially engaging the tapers at the sleeve lower end and the upper end to circumferentially compress the sleeve sequentially at the lower and upper ends respectively about the object of interest; and displacing the sleeve laterally from the gage of the borehole to stabilize the lateral position of the object of interest.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 58 wherein the step of engaging comprises inducing progressive axial compression between the upper and lower ends of the gripping sleeve.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 59 wherein inducing progressive axial compression comprises threading a tubular member into a tubular body, the tubular body having a first internally tapered surface which engages the taper at the lower end of the sleeve, and wherein the tubular member presses a second internally tapered surface against the taper at the upper end of the sleeve.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 58 wherein the step of engaging comprises circumferentially compressing the full length of the sleeve from its upper end to its lower end about the object of interest.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 61 wherein the sleeve has a full-length longitudinal slot from the upper end to the lower end of the sleeve.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for stabilizing the lateral position of a drill string or the like in a subterranean borehole, the method comprising: placing a radially deflectable tubular sleeve about the drill string, such sleeve having inwardly tapered upper and lower ends; axially engaging the tapers at each end of the sleeve to radially tighten the sleeve about the drill string, the rate of radial tightening being greater at the lower end of the sleeve than at the upper end of the sleeve; and displacing the sleeve laterally from the gage of the borehole to stabilize the lateral position of the drill string.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for stabilizing the lateral position of a drill string or the like in a subterranean borehole, the method comprising: placing a radially deflectable tubular sleeve about the drill string, such sleeve having inwardly tapered upper and lower ends; axially engaging the tapers at each end of the sleeve to radially tighten the sleeve about the drill string, the rate of radial tightening being greater at the lower end of the sleeve than at the upper end of the sleeve; and displacing the sleeve laterally from the gage of the borehole to stabilize the lateral position of the drill string.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 63 wherein the step of engaging comprises inducing progressive axial compression between the upper and lower ends of the gripping sleeve.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 64 wherein inducing progressive axial compression comprises threading a tubular member into a tubular body, the tubular body having a first internally tapered surface which engages the taper at the lower end of the sleeve, and wherein the tubular member presses a second internally tapered surface against the taper at the upper end of the sleeve.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 65 wherein the taper at the upper end of the sleeve differs from the taper at the lower end of the sleeve.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 65 wherein the upper and lower ends of the sleeve each comprise a plurality of longitudinal fingers.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 67 wherein the fingers at the lower end of the sleeve are longer than the fingers at the upper end of the sleeve.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 67 wherein the fingers at the lower end of the sleeve are narrower than the fingers at the upper end of the sleeve.
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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) | 1986-05-23 | 1986-11-22 | 1987-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-23 | 1990-11-22 | 1991-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-23 | 1994-11-22 | 1995-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |