Shaw Industries, Inc.

Smith International, Inc.

Reed Tool Company

Thomas E Winship

Edmond I Bailey

Glenn L Allison

Daniel B Justman

Byron W Chitwood

A method for making an internal upset (20A) on metal drill pipe (10) having a transition section (24A) with a curved inner periphery (28A) of a concave curvature extending continuously between the central portion (12) of the pipe (10) and the increased thickness end section (22A) and formed from a radius (R2). An external upset (20) is first formed in forging steps as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 by radially expanding and squeezing the end of pipe (10). Then the final forging step radially contracts the external upset (20) to form the internal upset (20A) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The finished internal upset 20A as shown in FIG. 7 has a transition section 24A with an inner peripheral curved surface 28A formed from a radius (R2). The forging steps are performed with a single heating of the metal drill time in a minimum of time preferably within around one (1) minute but in any event less than around two (2) minutes.

Metal pipe having upset ends

Method for making upset ends on metal pipe and resulting product

A kelly valve includes a ball valve structure (10) having a ball valve member (40) with a central bore (42) therethrough mounted within a valve chamber (38) for rotation between open and closed positions. A fluid pressure equalizing opening or port (60) is provided in the quadrant of the ball valve member (40) exposed to the upstream flow passage (20) in closed position (FIG. 2) and exposed to the valve chamber (38) in open position (FIG. 1) thereby making the ball valve member (40) easy to rotate manually even at high downstream fluid pressures.

Ball valve

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

A drilling fluid roller reamer-stabilizer includes a tubular body having threaded pin and box connectors at each end adapted to be connected in a drill string and providing a fluid passage connecting the upper part of the drill string with the lower part. Rollers having integral pins at their ends are mounted in pockets in the sides of the body. The pins extend into holes in arcuate cross section bearing blocks received in correlative sockets in the body at the ends of the pockets. Each block makes an interference fit with the sockets in the body. Tool access passages allow a tool to be inserted behind each block to drive or pry it out. Slotted, resilient bearing sleeves are provided in the holes in the blocks where the roller pins are received. The sleeves extend beyond the holes toward the rollers to take axial thrust. Flanges on the ends of the sleeves provide additional thrust area.

Reamer-stabilizer

A rotary drill bit for producing a raise bore about a pilot hole comprises a drill head having an upper surface for mounting cutter assemblies and lower surface spaced from said upper surface. The upper and lower surfaces are secured to and connected by a body sub. A drive stem is removably secured in the drive sub. The drive sub and stem have mating tapered portions for a press fit. Either the sub or the stem is provided with a spiral groove through which oil is injected under high pressure to expand the sub while the stem is rammed into place under high pressure. The stem can be removed by application of oil pressure and a ram force in the opposite direction.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Thomas E Winship