Fluid collecting device
First Claim
1. An apparatus for collecting fluid from a drill string comprising,a plurality of frame members (1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1030, 1031, 1032) connected to form a rigid frame (120) defining generally planar vertically-oriented first and second sides (1000, 1001),said first side (1000) of said frame formed by connecting together a first set (1010, 1016, 1012, 1017) of said plurality of frame members into a first shape of a closed polygon (1020, 1021, 1022, 1023),said second side (1001) of said frame formed by connecting together a second set (1012, 1015, 1013, and 1018) of said plurality of frame members into a second shape of a closed polygon (1022, 1026, 1024, 1025),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, said first and second shells coupled to said frame, the range of motion of said first and second shells limited by said frame, andan 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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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.
15 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for collecting fluid from a drill string comprising,
a plurality of frame members (1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1030, 1031, 1032) connected to form a rigid frame (120) defining generally planar vertically-oriented first and second sides (1000, 1001), said first side (1000) of said frame formed by connecting together a first set (1010, 1016, 1012, 1017) of said plurality of frame members into a first shape of a closed polygon (1020, 1021, 1022, 1023), said second side (1001) of said frame formed by connecting together a second set (1012, 1015, 1013, and 1018) of said plurality of frame members into a second shape of a closed polygon (1022, 1026, 1024, 1025), 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, said first and second shells coupled to said frame, the range of motion of said first and second shells limited by said frame, and 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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18. An apparatus for collecting fluid from and disconnecting a drill string comprising,
a plurality of frame members connected to form a rigid frame (120) defining generally planar vertically-oriented first and second sides (1000, 1004), said first side (1000) of said frame formed by connecting together a first set (1010, 1016, 1012, 1017) of said plurality of frame members into a first shape of a closed polygon (1020, 1021, 1022, 1023), said second side (1004) of said frame formed by connecting together a second set (1018, 1019, 1011, 1014) of said plurality of frame members into a second shape of a closed polygon (1024, 1027, 1028, 1029), first and second shells (201, 202) pivotally 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) substantially form a bucket around said joint (42, 43), said first and second shells coupled to said frame (120), the range of motion of said first and second shells limited by said frame, 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).
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27. An apparatus for collecting fluid from a drill string comprising,
first and second shells (201, 202), 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, and a plurality of frame members (1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1030, 1031, 1032) connected to form a rigid frame (120) that substantially surrounds said first and second shells, wherein said frame includes, first, second and third generally planar vertically-oriented sides (1000, 1001, 1004), said first and second shells confined between said first, second, and third sides of said frame, wherein said frame includes, first, second, third and fourth vertically oriented frame members (1010, 1012, 1013, 1011) each having a top end and a bottom end, a first horizontally oriented frame member (1016) connected between said bottom end of said first vertically oriented frame member (1010) and said bottom end of said second vertically oriented frame member (1012), a second horizontally oriented frame member (1015) connected between said bottom end of said second vertically oriented frame member (1012) and said bottom end of said third vertically oriented frame member (1013), a third horizontally oriented frame member (1014) connected between said bottom end of said third vertically oriented frame member (1013) and said bottom end of said fourth vertically oriented frame member (1011), a fourth horizontally oriented frame member (1017) connected between said top end of said first vertically oriented frame member (1010) and said top end of said second vertically oriented frame member (1012), a fifth horizontally oriented frame member (1018) connected between said top end of said second vertically oriented frame member (1012) and said top end of said third vertically oriented frame member (1013), a sixth horizontally oriented frame member (1019) connected between said top end of said third vertically oriented frame member (1013) and said top end of said fourth vertically oriented frame member (1011), a seventh frame member (1030) connected between said first vertically oriented frame member (1010) and said second vertically oriented frame member (1012), an eighth frame member (1031) connected between said second vertically oriented frame member (1012) and said third vertically oriented frame member (1013), and a ninth frame member (1032) connected between said third vertically oriented frame member (1013) and said fourth vertically oriented frame member (1011).
Specification