Patent US3631933A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3631933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid flow system for wells
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-07-22
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1988-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A fluid flow system for wells, including a conduit openable along its length and having a digging apparatus connected to one end of the conduit. Means are provided for progressively feeding the conduit into a well and for progressively closing the length of the conduit as it is moved into the well. The conduit is closed about a motive fluid supply duct which extends from the open portion of the conduit into the closed portion of the conduit at the ground level of the well, to supply motive fluid to the digging apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 John Dennis Bryant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:57
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/22; E21B7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A fluid flow apparatus comprising a partially closed conduit openable and closeable along its length, digging apparatus or the like at a closed end of said conduit, movable gripping means operatively related to said conduit for moving said conduit along it length, means adjacent and operatively related to said movable gripping means for progressively opening said conduit along its length when moved in a first direction along its length and for progressively closing said conduit along its length when moved in the opposite direction along its length, and fluid flow means operatively related to said opening and closing means, and extending into the closed portion of said conduit from the opened portion thereof constructed and arranged to flow fluid through the closed portion of said conduit as said conduit is moved along its length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A fluid flow apparatus comprising a partially closed conduit openable and closeable along its length, digging apparatus or the like at a closed end of said conduit, movable gripping means operatively related to said conduit for moving said conduit along it length, means adjacent and operatively related to said movable gripping means for progressively opening said conduit along its length when moved in a first direction along its length and for progressively closing said conduit along its length when moved in the opposite direction along its length, and fluid flow means operatively related to said opening and closing means, and extending into the closed portion of said conduit from the opened portion thereof constructed and arranged to flow fluid through the closed portion of said conduit as said conduit is moved along its length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 1 and wherein said fluid flow means includes tool-insertion means for inserting a tool or the like into the closed portion of said conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said conduit comprises seam strips along its length, and said means for progressively closing and opening said conduit comprises means for progressively urging said seam strips into closed relationship with each other to form said conduit or progressively separating said seam strips to open said conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said fluid flow means comprises a fluid duct projecting lengthwise into the closed portion of said conduit from the opened portion of said conduit, and a sealing member coextensive with said fluid duct and engaging the inside surface of the closed portion of said conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said conduit includes at least one cable member connected to and extending along its length, and wherein said means for moving said conduit along its length comprises means for gripping said cable member to raise and lower said conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
The invention of claim 1 and further including supply means operatively related to said opening and closing means for storing and supplying the opened portion of said conduit in an approximately flat configuration, conveying means positioned between said supply means and said opening and closing means for progressively orienting and feeding the opened conduit in a direction toward said opening and closing means, and forming means operatively related to said conduit opening and closing means for curving the conduit into a concave substanTially closed configuration prior to closing the conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
Well-digging apparatus comprising a conduit openable along its length, movable gripping means for moving said conduit along its length in an approximate vertical direction, means adjacent and operatively related to said movable gripping means for progressively opening and closing said conduit as said conduit is moved along its length, means operatively related to said opening and closing means for continuously flowing fluid through the closed portion of said conduit as said conduit is moved along its length, and digging apparatus or the like connected to the closed end of said conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
Well-digging apparatus comprising a conduit openable along its length, movable gripping means for moving said conduit along its length in an approximate vertical direction, means adjacent and operatively related to said movable gripping means for progressively opening and closing said conduit as said conduit is moved along its length, means operatively related to said opening and closing means for continuously flowing fluid through the closed portion of said conduit as said conduit is moved along its length, and digging apparatus or the like connected to the closed end of said conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said means for continuously feeding fluid to the closed portion of the conduit comprises a pipe member extending from outside the openable conduit axially into the closed portion of the openable conduit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said conduit comprises at least one cable member attached to the exterior surface of and extending along the length of said conduit, and said means for moving said conduit along its length in an approximate vertical direction includes gripping means for gripping said cable member and for moving said cable member and said conduit in a vertical direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein said gripping means comprises a continuous chain, movable clamping members connected to said chain, and cam means for moving said clamping members into gripping relationship with said cable member.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of digging a well comprising continuously flowing motive fluid through the closed portion of a conduit openable along its length into the ground to a drilling head, continuously lowering the conduit and drilling head into the ground as the well deepens without interrupting the flow of fluid through the conduit or the operation of the drilling head, and continuously forming additional length of conduit at the surface of the well as the conduit and drilling head are lowered into the well.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of digging a well comprising continuously flowing motive fluid through the closed portion of a conduit openable along its length into the ground to a drilling head, continuously lowering the conduit and drilling head into the ground as the well deepens without interrupting the flow of fluid through the conduit or the operation of the drilling head, and continuously forming additional length of conduit at the surface of the well as the conduit and drilling head are lowered into the well.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein the step of continuously forming additional length of conduit comprises retrieving a conduit opened along its length from a storage area, extending the conduit in a downward direction over the well, and progressively closing the conduit along its length as the conduit is lowered into the well.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for supplying fluid to a movable consumption area comprising a conduit closeable along its length, conveying means operatively related to said conduit for extending the conduit in its opened configuration generally toward the movable consumption area, movable gripping means operatively related to said conduit for moving said conduit toward and away from the consumption area, means operatively related to said movable gripping means for closing and opening the conduit along its length as the conduit passes a predetermined point, and means operatively related to said opening and closing means for continuously supplying fluid to the closed portion of the conduit from the opened portion thereof as the conduit is moved toward or away from the movable consumption area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for supplying fluid to a movable consumption area comprising a conduit closeable along its length, conveying means operatively related to said conduit for extending the conduit in its opened configuration generally toward the movable consumption area, movable gripping means operatively related to said conduit for moving said conduit toward and away from the consumption area, means operatively related to said movable gripping means for closing and opening the conduit along its length as the conduit passes a predetermined point, and means operatively related to said opening and closing means for continuously supplying fluid to the closed portion of the conduit from the opened portion thereof as the conduit is moved toward or away from the movable consumption area.
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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) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |