Other

Smith International, Inc.

Grant Prideco, Inc.

Shaw Industries, Inc.

Edmond I Bailey

Jackie E Smith

Michael Lawerance Payne

Ronald W Schutz

Thomas E Winship

Michael Payne

A drill pipecomprises an elongate pipe sectionhaving a substantially uniform pipe outer diameterand a substantially uniform pipe inner diameter. A pin tool jointis welded at one end to the pipe section, and a box tool jointis welded to the other end of the pipe section. Each of the pin and box tool joints includes a thread for mating engagement and preferably first and second shoulders. The drill pipe has a ratio, R, which takes into consideration the pipe inner diameter, P, the pipe outer diameter, P, the tool joint inner diameter, TJ, and the tool joint outer diameter, TJ. This ratio may be expressed as:According to the present invention, this ratio is greater than 8.0, and is preferably from 8.1 to 8.5, thereby providing a drill pipe with desired strength and fluid flow capabilities.

High efficiency drill pipe

A tubular body made of a first metal and having a box end and a connection end, the box end having an internally threaded portion and an internal cylindrical thread-free portion axially outward of the threaded portion, the tool joint further including an anti-fretting section, preferably in the form of a sleeve of a second metal that is snugly received in a counterbore formed in the box end, the sleeve having an internal cylindrical surface having a diameter substantially the same as the internal diameter of the cylindrical thread-free portion of the box end, the second metal having a modulus of elasticity less than the modulus of elasticity of the first metal, the invention further including a drill pipe made by affixing first and second tool joints as described above to first and second opposed ends, respectively, of an elongate pipe body, the pipe body being affixed to the tool joints by a threaded shrink-grip connection, the first tool joint forming a box connection, the second tool joint forming a pin connection.

Tool joint and drill pipe made therefrom

A drill pipe,comprises an elongate pipe section,having a substantially uniform pipe outer diameter,and a substantially uniform pipe inner diameter,. A pin tool joint,is welded at one end to the pipe section, and a box tool joint,is welded to the other end of the pipe section. Each of the pin and box tool joints includes a thread for mating engagement and preferably first and second shoulders. The drill pipe has a ratio, R, which takes into consideration the pipe inner diameter, P,, the pipe outer diameter, P,, the tool joint inner diameter, TJ,, and the tool joint outer diameter, TJ,. This ratio may be expressed as:

An intermediate weight member (10) having a variable cross-section or bending moment of inertia as a function of member length is disclosed. At one end of the member (10) a slip and elevator section (14) is provided. A partially grooved section (16) of a diameter greater than that of the slip and elevator section extends between the slip and elevator section (24) and the other end of the member (10). The partially grooved section (16) includes two variable depth grooved sections (18, 20) separated by an ungrooved section (22). The ungrooved section (22) includes hardbanding rings (26, 28). The spiral grooves (30A, 30B, 30C) of variable depth grooved section (18, 20) vary in depth as a function of member length such that the bending moment of inertia varies as a function of length from the slip and elevator section (14) to the lower end of the member (10). Such variation changes from a constant bending moment of inertia at the slip and elevator section ( 14) to a substantially greater bending moment of inertia at the ungrooved section (22) and thence to a lower bending moment of inertia of a reduced diameter section (24) at its other end.

Variable depth grooved drill string member

In accordance with the present invention, the drilling head includes a body or spool having a flow bore and a removable side outlet. Upon removal of the side outlet, the drilling head will pass through most rotary tables. The drilling head further includes a closure member for closing the annulus between that portion of the drilling head above the side outlet and a drive tube, such as a kelly, extending through the drilling head flow bore. The closure member includes a nonrotating support tube and a rotating seal tube adapted to form a nonrotating seal with the drive tube. The seal tube is rotatably supported by bearings within the support tube. The closure member is small enough to pass through even rotary tables that are too small to pass the drilling head. A segmented clamp secures the closure member to the drilling head body around one end of the flow bore. The clamp includes at least two segments, for fast actuation, having one end connected to a variable length linkage. The variable length linkage includes a nut pivotally connected to one segment, a screw engaging the nut, and a pivotal connection connecting the screw to another segment. The segmented clamp is tightened and released by a remote controlled, variable torque impact motor. The motor is housed within a support bracket mounted on the segmented clamp and is connected to the screw of the variable length linkage by a drive connection. Springs bias the motor against the screw. The motor fits loosely within the support bracket and is permitted limited movement in all directions. The impacting variable torque motor applies a series of rotational hammer blows to the screw to break the connection and then a smooth normal torque to continue the disengagement of the clamp.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Edmond I Bailey