Metal well screen assembly with plastic end fitting and method of attaching same
US4819722A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 1988 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/737
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention relates to conventional metal well screens which have a screen wire wrapped about a plurality of internal support rods to define the screen slots, and particularly to a novel plastic end fitting made of a thermoplastic material which is mechanically attached to the well screen by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced tongues which engage the inside surface of the screen wires and have a portion of their outer surface positioned within the screen slots. Slots formed in the end fitting between the tongue portions contain the support rods. A method of attaching a thermoplastic fitting made of a material such as polypropylene is also disclosed and includes the steps of heating the tongue portions so that a portion of their outer surface is melted and then is forced radially outwardly into the screen slots, and preferably slightly beyond them, by a pressure applying device such as a tapered wedge tooling arrangement. Induction heating of the screen wires can indirectly heat the plastic by conduction. However, the fitting attachment procedure may be speeded up by pre-heating the fitting.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.