US 12,031,398 B2
Self-cleaning filter sub and methods of use
Atallah N. Alharbi, Dammam (SA); and Abdullah Al-Dossary, Dammam (SA)
Assigned to SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Nov. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/056,595.
Prior Publication US 2024/0167354 A1, May 23, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 27/00 (2006.01); E21B 21/10 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 27/005 (2013.01) [E21B 21/103 (2013.01); E21B 2200/05 (2020.05)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A filter sub for a wellbore drilling system, comprising:
a filter having an uphole end for receiving a drilling fluid, and a downhole end opposite the uphole end, the filter defining a plurality of apertures through which the drilling fluid flows out of the filter, each aperture exhibiting a size that retains debris of a predetermined size within the filter; and
a flapper pivotably attached to the filter at the downhole end with an actuatable hinge,
wherein the flapper is pivotable at the actuatable hinge between a closed position, where the flapper occludes the downhole end and thereby prevents debris accumulated within the filter from escaping the filter, and an open position, where the flapper pivots away from the filter to expose the downhole end and thereby allows the debris to escape the filter and be discharged from the filter sub.