Fluid collecting device
First Claim
1. An apparatus for collecting fluid from a drill string comprising, first (1) and second (2) shells pivotably coupled to each other and designed and arranged to move from an open position around the circumference of a pipe (11) of a predetermined diameter to a closed position where said first shell (1) is sealingly mated with said second shell, and an actuator (6), pivotably coupled to said first (1) and second (2) shells and designed and arranged to move said first and second shells to said closed position such that a force measured at said actuator required to move said first and second shells to said closed position decreases as said first and second shells move toward said closed position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An adjustable fluid collecting device with two shells pivotally movable relative to each other wherein the fluid collecting device is movable between an open position in which the shells are distanced from each other and a closed position in which the shells touch, an actuator and a lever assembly wherein the operation of the actuator results in equal but opposite movement of the shells and the mechanical advantage increases as the shells move toward the closed position. A rigid frame which substantially surrounds the two shells, actuator and lever assembly is provided. Optionally, the apparatus can be equipped with an integral pipe spinner.
163 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus for collecting fluid from a drill string comprising,
first (1) and second (2) shells pivotably coupled to each other and designed and arranged to move from an open position around the circumference of a pipe (11) of a predetermined diameter to a closed position where said first shell (1) is sealingly mated with said second shell, and an actuator (6), pivotably coupled to said first (1) and second (2) shells and designed and arranged to move said first and second shells to said closed position such that a force measured at said actuator required to move said first and second shells to said closed position decreases as said first and second shells move toward said closed position.
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11. An apparatus for collecting fluid from a drill string comprising,
first and second shells, said first shell designed and arranged to be moved from an open position to a closed position with the first and second shells sealingly mating with each other around the circumference of a pipe of a predetermined diameter, an actuator assembly coupled to said first shell and said second shell and designed and arranged to move said first shell and said second shell from said open position to said closed position, said actuator assembly characterized by a mechanical advantage which increases as said first shell and said second shell approach said closed position.
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12. An apparatus for collecting fluid from a drill string comprising,
first and second shells (101, 102) pivotably coupled to each other and designed and arranged to move from an open position around the circumference of a pipe (111) of a predetermined diameter to a closed position where said first shell is sealingly mated with said second shell, and an actuator (106), with a bellcrank (11) coupled between said actuator (106) and said first shell (101) and pivotal coupling to said second shell and designed and arranged to move said first and second shells from said open position to said closed position and vice versa.
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19. An apparatus for collecting fluid from and disconnecting a drill string comprising,
a frame (120), first and second shells (201, 202) with respective bottom half members, with the first and second shells pivotably coupled to each other and designed and arranged to move from an open position around a joint (42, 43) coupling an upper pipe (40) of a predetermined diameter to a lower pipe (41) of said predetermined diameter to a closed position where said first shell (201) is mated with said second shell (202) and said first and second shells (201, 202) to substantially form a bucket around said joint (42, 43), said first and second shells coupled to said frame (120), and a spinner (47) coupled to said frame (120) and disposed longitudinally above said first and second shells, said spinner (47) designed and arranged for rotating said upper pipe (40) with respect to said lower pipe (41).
Specification