Patents Assigned to Grant Prideco, L.P.
  • Patent number: 6325278
    Abstract: Concentric, tubular sections are assembled by first securing annular centralizers and insulation about the external surface of the smaller diameter tube while the tube is horizontally disposed. The larger tube is then vertically aligned and lowered into a recessed area formed below the assembly area work level. A lifting cable, secured at one end to a lifting device, is extended through the smaller diameter tube and attached to a hoisting arrangement that vertically orients the tube concentrically over the larger diameter tube. Spring-loaded legs on the lifting device are manually retracted radially to permit the smaller tube to be lowered concentrically through the larger tube. The inner tube is lowered until the legs spring radially outwardly to engage the base of the larger tube. The entire assembly may then be lifted as a unit by the hoist with the lifting device, establishing the axial positions of the two tubes relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Grant Prideco, L.P.
    Inventors: Layton R. Bull, Douglas J. Trosclair, Terron A. Adams, Roy J. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 6305723
    Abstract: 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 co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignees: Grant Prideco, L.P., RTI International Metals
    Inventors: Ronald W. Schutz, Jackie E. Smith, Edmond I. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6273474
    Abstract: A corrosion-resistant threaded connection including a first tubular member having an outer metal tube of corrosion-prone material and an inner metal lining of corrosion-resistant material, the first tubular member forming a first pin connection having a nose portion comprising a ring of corrosion-resistant material secured, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Grant Prideco, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard W. DeLange, Ghazi J. Hashem