(19)

(11)

EP 1 377 772 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 07.01.2004 Bulletin 2004/02 (21) Application number: 02707511.8 (22) Date of filing: 18.01.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F16L 25/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/001380 (87) International publication number: WO 2002/068854 (06.09.2002 Gazette 2002/36)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 20.01.2001 US 262809 (71) Applicant: Grant Prideco LP Houston,Texas 77056 (US)	(72) Inventor: Griffin, Richard, C. Houston, TX 77084 (US) (74) Representative: Bailey, Richard Alan  Marks & Clerk,27 Imperial Square Cheltenham, GL50 1RQ Cheltenham, GL50 1RQ (GB)