摘要 |
Drill pipe protection rings for filling external identification slots in drill pipe tool joints prevent damage to the internal seals of a drilling head. The rings are formed from resilient elastomeric materials. In cross-section, each ring has slightly convex inner and outer surfaces, and a series of circumferentially spaced-apart, hemispherical bumps located along its inner surface. One ring is mounted within each slot on each drill pipe section. The rings stretch slightly while being installed, but form a tight fit once they are properly seated. When installed, the outer surfaces of the rings will protrude slightly outward from or beyond the slots. The hemispherical bumps help align and center the rings within the slots. Without the rings, sharp edges of the slots on the drill pipe tool joints could cause severe damage as they passed through the drill head. However, with the rings, the outer surfaces of the slots are substantially filled to prevent their edges from cutting or gouging the elastomers.
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