US5007488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drilling nipple gas trap
Assignee: Donovan Brothers Inc
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Filing: 1990-05-16
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Granted: 1991-04-16
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Expires: 2010-05-16
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a gas sampling device. A gas sampling tube and pump withdraw gas which evolves into the atmosphere as the drilling fluid in the annular space exits the wall bore. Drilling fluid and debris which may be entrained in the gas sample are separated by gravity settling in a separation device. A purge line may be used to agitate drilling mud and force gas toward the gas sampling tube.
Inventors
- 👤 William S. Donovan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:09
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B49/00; E21B49/08; E21B49/086; B; B01; B01D; B01D19/00; B01D19/0042; E21B21/00; E21B21/06; E21B21/063; E21B21/067; E21B49/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A device for gathering gas which evolves from the drilling mud exiting a well bore, comprising: a gas sampling tube located such that entrained gas which evolves into the atmosphere as the drilling mud exists a well bore impinges upon an inlet of said sampling tube; a means which creates a lower pressure at the inlet of said sampling tube than the atmosphere about said sampling tube causing said gas to enter said sampling tube and flow to gas analyzers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A device for gathering gas which evolves from the drilling mud exiting a well bore, comprising: a gas sampling tube located such that entrained gas which evolves into the atmosphere as the drilling mud exists a well bore impinges upon an inlet of said sampling tube; a means which creates a lower pressure at the inlet of said sampling tube than the atmosphere about said sampling tube causing said gas to enter said sampling tube and flow to gas analyzers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet of said sampling tube is placed above said drilling mud and in an area downstream and above the blow out preventer, upstream of the shale shaker box, and below the top of the drilling nipple.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet of said sampling tube is placed about said drilling nipple.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to claim 1, further including a channeling device comprising; a cap placed atop said drilling nipple such that said gas is channeled toward the inlet of said sampling tube a means which allows the drill stem and drill bit to travel through said cap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 4, wherein said channeling device is a rotating head.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device according to claim 1, further including a separation device, wherein any non gaseous material entrained in said gas is removed by a container which has an inlet line which is connected to said sampling tube and extends further down in said container than a outlet line which allows said gas to flow to gas analyzers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said non gaseous material is removed through an exit containing a liquid seal which prevents air about said container from entering said container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said non gaseous material is removed through an exit containing a mechanical seal which prevents said air from entering said container.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
34 words
A device according to calim 1, wherein said means which creates lower pressure at the inlet of said gas sampling tube is a pump placed downstream of the inlet of said gas sampling tube.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
34 words
A device according to calim 1, wherein said means which creates lower pressure at the inlet of said gas sampling tube is a pump placed downstream of the inlet of said gas sampling tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said means which creates lower pressure at the inlet of said gas sampling tube is a device which forces purge gas into an area downstream and above the drilling spool, upstream of the shale shaker box, and below the top of said drilling nipple.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said purge gas agitates said drilling mud.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of sampling a gas comprising the following steps; placing a sampling tube, having an inlet, such that said gas exiting a well bore impinges upon said sampling tube inlet drawing said gas through a conduit to a gas analyzer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of sampling a gas comprising the following steps; placing a sampling tube, having an inlet, such that said gas exiting a well bore impinges upon said sampling tube inlet drawing said gas through a conduit to a gas analyzer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 12, further including a method to remove a non gaseous material entrained in said gas.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 12, further including a method to channel said gas toward said sampling tube inlet and impede the entrance of the atmosphere outside said drilling nipple.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 12, further including a method to agitate a drilling mud by the introduction of said gas into an area downstream and above a drilling spool, upstream of the shale shaker box, and below the top of a drilling nipple.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3417830A
Cited
US3965998A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |