COUPLING FOR DRILL STRING

• US 3,667,252 A
• Filed: 11/02/1970
• Issued: 06/06/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arthur John Nelson
• Original Assignee: Arthur John Nelson
• Inventors: Nelson, Arthur John
• Primary Examiner(s): Favors, Edward G.
• Application Number:
  US05/085,904
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 64/23.5 175/6
• US Class Current: 464/20
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/046 with ribs, pins, or jaws, and complementary grooves or the like, e.g. bayonet catches
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/10 Wear protectors; Centralising devices , e.g. stabilisers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/124 with underwater tool drive prime mover, e.g. portable drilling rigs for use on underwater floors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 464/901 Rapid attachment or release

Abstract

This dual engaging coupling connects equal segmental lengths of tubing in repeating sequence to form an integrated drill string that is suspended by a thrust bearing means from an immersed buoyant pontoon controlled to regulate the bearing pressure of the lower terminally connected bit upon the bottom of a hole being drilled in subaqueous strata. The primary engagement transmits torque, tension and fluid flow between adjacent ends of the two rigid members. The secondary engagement provides uninterrupted translation of the string through the torque imparting means and power transmission by said repeating sequence whereby a subsequent coupling becomes engaged prior to disengagement of a descending coupling departing from the torquing means. The coupling is adapted to rapid assembly and non-selective of mating ends to preserve axial alignment of the secondary engagement.

Claims

1. In a drill string exposed to natural environmental conditions in reach from an immersed drilling station established on the floor of a body of water to an immersed buoyant support means above from which the string suspends and said string retained as an integral assembled length established when said support means is in vicinity of the water surface with the drill bit below said station, the improvement comprising:

a. a coupling having mating halves and connecting adjacent ends of a multiplicity of rigid tubular members with equal space sequence measurably less than the length of the torque imparting tube of the drilling station that accommodates uninterrupted passage of the string through the tube with descent of the support means to the station;

b. torque transfer means formed to the couplings continuously transmitting power from the drilling station to thE drill string depending depending upon successive couplings to become in torque transfer engagement with said tube prior to exit from the tube of an adjacent coupling;

c. a spline type engagement of the mating coupling halves formed to the ends of each tubular member providing unselected assembly of members to procure integrity of longitudinal alignment of all said torque transfer means of the integral string length;

d. snap type ring means locking the said halves together for the couplings to transmit as tension to the connected upper member the weight of the string portion below the coupling; and

, e. sealing means protecting coupling inner parts and sustaining fluid flow between connected rigid members.

2. As in claim 1, the mating coupling halves further comprises:

a. an enlarged end portion of the tubular member having a pair of diametrically opposite identically shouldered protrusions; and

, b. a collar encasing the enlarged end portions of the tubular member having a pair of diametrically opposite cooperating recesses accommodating said protrusions in sliding contact with said shoulders.

3. As in claim 2, the assembled coupling halves further comprises:

a. an internal annular groove formed in said collar coincident to a hub formed in said enlarged portion accommodating said snap ring providing shoulders resisting withdrawal of the mating coupling halves when subjected to to the load of the suspending string;

b. an accommodating chamber permitting displacement of the mating halves for compacting said assembled relationship when the contiguous upper said tubular member is supported from its lower end;

c. said hub is displaced by the diametrically smaller said tubular member upon said compacting of the mating halves; and

, d. said snap ring seeking configuration clear of said annular groove when unrestrained with said hub displaced then fitting to the tubular member permitting separation of the coupling halves.