US1627842A - Device for unscrewing and withdrawing pipe - Google Patents

Description

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1 May 927 c. R. EDWARDS DEVICE FOR UNSCREWING AND WITHDRAWINCT PIPE Filed Nov. 18. 1921 May 10, 1927.

c. R. EDWARDS DEVICE FOR UNSCREWING AND WITHDRAWJINGPIPEw Filedmm 18, 1921 2 Sheets-Shegt 2 Patented m 10, 1927.

7 CHARLES R. EDWARDS, OI HOUSTON, TEXAS.

DEVICE FOR UNSCREWING AND WITHDRAWING PIPE.

Application filed November 18, 1921. Serial No. 516,173.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an unscrewing device for pipe joints.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described adapted for the purpose of unscrewing and withdrawing sections of a pipe which may become stuck in a well bore.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which can be operated to back off, or unscrew joints of stuck pipe through the instrumentality of a stem orstring of pipe whose sections are connected by right hand threads, thus dispensing with the necessity of keeping on hand a string of left hand threaded pipe. The device may be employed also for unscrewing and withdrawing casing, tubing, drill rods and the like.

A further feature resides in the provision of a device of this character which can be readily detached from the stuck pipe and withdrawn in case said' pipe cannot be unscrewed.

A still further feature resides in the provision of a pipe unscrewing device capable of being used in a bore in which casing is set; or in an open hole, that is, in a hole without casing.

A still further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a pipe pulling device whereby an upward pull may be exerted on the pipe to be pulled as the device is being operated to unscrew a sectionor sections of said pipe, to the. end that the threads connectin the sections of the pipe to be pulled will e relieved of the weight, or a part of the weight of the sections above each joint so that the threads will more readil unscrew and it is clear that the threa s of any particular joint will thus be subjected to less strain than the threads of the joint above it, since they will carry less load and the string of pipe being removed will thus be more llable to unscrew at oneof its lower joints thus usually accomplishing the removal of a long string of sectionsvof the pipe to be recovered.

With the above and other objects in view the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation and arrangement of parts an example of which is given in this specification and illustrateddn the accompanying drawings, wherein-:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the lower part of the device.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the upper part thereof.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4iv is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-'-5 of Figure 1, and Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view.

Referrin now more particularly to the drawings t e numeral 1' refers to the upper section of a tubular enclosed casing em-. ployed and the numeral 2 refers to the lower section thereof, said sections being fitted together so as to form a close fitting joint 3,

The

but being independently rotatable. upper end of the section 1 is closed by a cap 4 screwed therein, and formed with a central bearing 5 in which a hollow shaft 6 rotates. The upper end of this shaft is threaded for engagement with the reducing collar 7, to which the stem is attached,

through which the devicemay be rotated from the ground surface. The lower end of the shaft 6 carries annular flange 8 which works against the under side ofan inwardly extending annular flange 9 carried by the lower section 2.

Seated in bearings in the casing there is a spider 10 through the central bearing 11 of which the shaft 6 extends. This spider may be made. into two sections for easy assembling and has opposing bearings 12, 12 and 13, 13 spaced apart which receive the shafts 14, 14 and between the bearings 12 and 13 on each side the shafts 14 are provided with spur pinions 15, 15 which work in sockets provided for them in spider 10 shown in Figure/1 and are in mesh with the internal annular rack face 16 of the section 2. Said spur pinions 15 are likewise in mesh ,with a spur gear, face 17 into which the opposing sectlon of the shaft 6 is formed.

The upper ends of the shafts 14 also work hearings in the section 1 and cap 4, and

preferably made of.two sections for easy assembly, and said ends of said shafts, between said bearings, carry spur pinions 21, 21 which work snugly in bearing pockets provided for them and are in mesh with the spur gear 22 into which the opposing section of the shaft 6 is formed and are also in mesh with the internal rack face of an annular sleeve-like friction member 23 which fits closely within the section 1 and frictionally engages the same. Pivoted on the shafts 14 are the elongated links 24, 24, which work in a corresponding direction, and the free ends of these links are pivoted to opposing dogs 25, 25, said dogs being" pivoted at opposing points to the inner wall of the section 1, by means of the bearing rods 26, 26. The operation faces of said dogs which engage with the pipe or walls of the bore may be serrated or otherwise formed so as to more readily engage with said casing or wall of the bore.

The lower end of the section 2 is provided 4 with internal threads into which the grapple or, fishing tool maybe secured. This tool 50 may be of any conventional form and consequently has not been shown. Usually it consists of a threaded tap, which may be screwed into or over the section of pipe to be unscrewed and withdrawn. left hand threads so that it will turned to the left. The fishing tool or grapple is keyed in the section 2 as shown in Figure 6. I

The device may be first attached to a string of pi e whose sections are connected by means collars or fittings having right hand threads, and then let down into the bore until the fishing tool contacts with the This tap has upper end of the section of the stem'to be unscrewed. The string to which the device is attached is then rotated toward the'right which willcause the spur inions 15, to turn toward the left, as in icated by arrows in Figure 4. The section 2 will be temporarily held against rotation, during this movement on account of the friction of the fishing tool with the pipe on which it is in contact, and the section 1 will be held against rotation by reason of its friction with the section 2 and with the friction member 23.

r The section 1, being thus held, will cause the spur pinions 15 to travel around the rack face 16 in the direction indicated by arrows in Figure 4, thus forcing the links 24 and the dogs 25 outwardly through the wide slots 27, 27 which are cut through opposing sides of the section 1, causing said dogs to engage with the casing wall, or in the absence of easing, with the walls of the bore. And

the section 1 and spiders 10 and will thus.

be held firmly against rotation in the bore. A continued rotation of the shaft 6 will be transmitted through the spur pinions l5 engage when the stuck pipe, and rotated backwardly, thus unscrewing the same from the section underneath, and when unscrewed the same may be withdrawn from the bore.

Loosely pinned, at one end, to the dogs are the platelikehoods,28, 28 loosely mounted, at one end, to the corresponding rod 26. Each hood has anarcuate slot 29 cut therethrough, through which the upper end of the corresponding pintle 30, connecting the link 24 and the dog 25, works. As

the dogs 25 move outwardly the pintles engage against the outer ends of the slots 29 and car the hoods outwardly, into theposition indicated by dotted lines in Figure 5,

and said hoods are stopped by the enga ement of the upturned lugs 31, carried y the free endsthereof, with the wall of easing 1, at the upper ends of the slots 27. The hoods will thus prevent the collection of earth or other formation underthe dogs to prevent their closing.

In some cases it is necessary to detach the device from the stuck pipe, in case the same cannot be unscrewed or withdrawn. The

construction permitting the release of the device in such cases will now be described.

The shaft 6 has a tubular liner 32 extending therethron h, and slidable therein.

The upper end of t is liner is threaded into a plan er 33 which works in the collar 7. The p unger is formed of two sections, screwed together, and between the sections there is clamped the cup 34 forming a. close fit in the collar 7. The plunger is limited in its upward movement by the ringlike nut 35 which is threaded into the collar 7.

This collar has a port 36 beneath the plunger to permit the escape of water as the plunger moves downwardly. The plunger has restricted water passa eways 37 and 38 to permit the passage of water into the liner 32.

There is a late 39 threaded into the lower end of t c section 2 which carries a central stufling box 40, and above this plate there is a disc 41 which is seated on the coil spring 42. This spring rests on the plate 39 and surrounds the tubular guide43 which works through the stuffing box and into the upper end of which the lower end of the liner 32 is seated. Anchored to opposingthe section 2 above the disc 41. The upper ends of the dogs are inwardly turned and normally aligned above the marginal notches 47, 47 of the flange 8. \Vhen it is desired to release the unscrewing device from the stuck pipe the stem 6 is first rotated to the left to release the dogs and the water in the stem is put under pressure which will force the plunger 33 and liner 32 down wardly thus compressing the spring 42 and rotate to the right with stem, 6; since thev stem 6 and section 2 are now locked together as a unit, and therefore lock the pinions 14 against rotation about their axes,

- thus locking together sections 1 and 2.

1V hile thus rotated the dogs 25 having been forced back, by the slight backward turn i of the stem 6 into released position within the casing the fishing tap will be unscrewed from the stuck pipe and the entire device may then be withdrawn. If water pressure is not available a string of tools, or other weight, maybe let down onto the plunger 33 to force it downwardly for the purpose above explained.

It is further obvious that the tool may also be varied as to its mechanical structure,

- and still be the same tool in use and results,

but only changed in form.

While what I now consider a preferred form of the tool has been shown and described, I reserve the right to make such modificationsand mechanical changes therein as may be found desirable so long as they are comprehended within the scope of the appended claims.

Vhat I claim is 1. A device of the character described including two independently rotatable members, a driving shaft, means operatively connecting said shaft with one of said members, whereby, the latter may be rotated reversely, with. respect to the shaft rotation, engaging means carried by the other member and actuated'by said rotating means into engagement with the walls of a'bore, whereby said last mentioned member is anchored against rotation and means for locking said members against relative rotation.

2/ A device of the character described in- I eluding two independently rotatable members, a driving shaft having bearings in said members, means operatively connecting said shaft with one of said members whereby the latter is "rotated from the shaft, engaging devices carried by the other member and actuated by said means into engagement with the wall of a well bore whereby said last mentioned member'is anchored against rotation, and means arranged to be actuated by fluid or other pressure to lock said members against relative rotation.

3. A device for unscrewing pipe in a well bore, including a casing formed of two indepcndcntly rotatable sections, a driving shaft, extending through the casing and having bearings in the respective sections thereof, engaging members carried by one of said sections an annular member infrictional engagement wIth the last mentioned section,

means operatively connecting said shaft with said engaging members 'and with said friction member, saldmeans being actuated by said shaft to force said engaging members into engagement with the walls ofthebore whereby the section carrying the same is anchored agaInst rotation, and the continued rotation of said shaft thereafter operating through said means to' rotate the' other section reversely with respect to the direction of the rotation of said shaft.

4. A device for unscrewing pipe in a well bore, including a casing formed of two indcf pendently rotatable sections, a driving shaft extending through the casing, engaging dogs carried by one section of the casing, means operatively connecting said shaft with said dogs whereby the rotation of the shaft relative tothe casing will actuate said dogs into engagement with the well bore, and means through which the said sections may be locked to rotate as a unit.

5. A device of the character described including two independently rotatable members, a driving shaft, means operatively connecting said shaft with one of said members whereby the latter may be rotated reversely with respect to the shaft rotation, engaging means carried by the other member and arranged to engage with the walls of a well v bore, whereby said last mentioned member anchored against rotation, and means for locking said members against relative rotation.

6. A deviceof the character described including two independently rotatable members, a driving shaft. means operatively connecting said shaft with one of said members 1 whereby the latter may be rotated reversely with respect to the shaft rotation, engaging means carried by the other member and arranged to engage with the Walls of a well bore whereby said last mentioned member is anchored against rotation, and means arranged to be actuated by pressure to lock said members against relative rotation.

7. A device of the character described including two independently rotatable members, a driving shaft, means operatively connecting said shaft with one of said members whereby the latter may be rotated re-' versely with respect to the shaft rotation, engaging means carried by the'other member I and arranged to engage with the walls of a' well bore whereby said :last mentioned member may be anchored against rotation, and protecting hoods arranged over said engaging means.

8. A device of the character described including two independently rotatable members, a driving shaft, means operatively connecting the shaft with one of said members whereby the latter may be rotated reversely with respect to the shaft rotation, engaging means carried by the other member and arranged to be projected out into engagement with the wall of a well bore whereby said last mentioned member may be anchored against rotation and protecting hoods arranged to cover said engaging means, from above, when said means are in projected position. I I

9. A device for unscrewing and withdrawing pipe from a well bore, including a driving member, an anchorable member, means whereby said anchorable member may be anchored, and released, a driven member, a" releasable grapple attached to saidvdriven member, means whereby said driven member may be rotated reversely so as tounscrew the omts of said pipe, and operative means whereby said grapple may be detached from a pipe in the bore. k

10. A device of the character described including a driving member, an anchorable member, operative means for actuating said anchorable member,'a driven member, operative means through which said driven mem-,

ber may be driven from the driving member, a grapple carried bythe driven member, means for releasin said grapple, said device being formed with a fluid, passageway through which pressure may be exerted' to actuate said releasing means.

11. A device of the character described including a rotatable driving'member, an anchor, o erative means whereby said anchor may e secured against rotatlon, a driven member, operative means through which said driven ,member is. rotated from the driving member, said means including gears having both ends mounted in bearings formed in the same element-of the device.

12. A device of the character described including a driving member, an anchor, operative means whereby said anchor may be fixed in position in the well bore, or released, a driven member, operative means through which said driven member may be rotated reversely with respect to the driving memher, the contact of said driving member with the last mentioned operative means, being integral with the driving stem of the driving member, and means whereby the said driving and driven members may be interlocked so as to revolve as a unit.

13. A device for removing pipe and the I like from a well bore, including a driven member, a driving member rotatably mounted in said driven member, operative means through which the driven member is rotated reversely with respect to the rotation of the driving member, an anchor, means whereby said anchor may be fixed in position in a well bore, or released, a grapple actuated from the driven member, and means whereby said grapple may be detached from a struck pipe in a well bore; 1

14. A'device of the character described including a driving member, an anchor, means whereby said anchor may be fixed in a well bore, or released, said 'means including engaging elements having toothed engaging faces, a driven member and means through which said driven member may be rotated reversely or conversely. with respect to the rotation of the driving member.

15. In an unscrewing device of the character described, a grappling tool secured thereto, means through which the grappling tool is secured in place, said means preventing the detachment of said grappling tool from said' device, and means whereby said grapple may be rotated either to the left or to the right.

16. In an unscrewing device of the character described a grapple secured thereto, a key preventing the detachment of the grapple from the device, and means whereby said grapple may be released from the pipe while the pipe is stuck in a well bore.

17. In an unscrewing device of the character described, an anchoring member having toothed engaging projections.

18. In an unscrewing device of the character described, driving inions having both ends fitted in bearings ibrmed in the same element of the device.

' 19. In an unscrewing device of the character described. driving pinions supported throughout their entire length in bearings, held in alignment as a unit construction.

20. In an unscrewing device of the char acter described a driving member formed with an integral driving gear, a grapple, means through which rotation may be imparted in. either direction to said grapple from said driving member and means through which the parts of the device may be interlocked 'to rotate as a unit.

21. In an unscrewing device of the character described a driven member having a driving gear formed with gear teeth therein, a grapple adapted to be rotated in either direction through said teeth and meansv through which the device may be locked together to rotateas a unit.

. 22. In an unscrewing device of the character described, a grapple, a housing member havingan internal gear formed integrally therewith and through which said grapple may-be rotated and means through which the grapple may be locked against rotation by said gear, whereby the entire device may be rotated as a unit, and the grapple released from the pipe stuck in a well bore.

23. In an unscrewing device of the character described, the combination of a driving member, a driven member and an anchorable member, one having pinions and formed with pockets in which said pinions rotate, a grapple carried by one of said members and operative means whereby the grapple may be attached to or detached from a pipe in a well bore, and means through which the said members may be interlocked to rotate. as a unit.

24. In an unscrewing device a driving member, a driven member and an anchorable member, one of which is formed with pockets, pinions formed with pinion shafts and pinion teeth located in the pockets of said member, said pockets forming bearings for said shafts, the other members (being formed with gear teeth with which said pinions are in mesh, and means through which said members may be locked together to rotate as a unit.

25. A device ofthe character describedineluding two independently rotatable members, means for anchoring one of said members against rotation, a driving shaft and means for locking said members agains relative rotation.

26. A device for unscrewing pipe in a well bore including a driving-member, two rotatable members associated therewith, means whereby one of said rotatable members may be anchored a ainst rotation, means through which the ot er of said rotatable members may be rotated reversely with res act to the driving member, a grapple carriedby the member last named and meanswhereby the grapple carrying member and the grapple may be rotated in the same direction as the driving member when supported by said driving member.

27. A device for unscrewing pipe'in a ,well bore including an anchorable member,

means whereby said anchorable member may be anchored against rotation, a driving member, a driven member, a grapple carried by the driven member, means whereby said driven member may be rotated reversely while supported by said driving member andmeans adapted to interlock the driving-member and driven member whereby the entire device may berotated as a unit.

28. A device for unscrewing plpe and the like in a well bore and including an anchorable member, a driving member formed with a stem, a driven member, a grapple carried by the driven member, means whereby said driven member and grapple may be rotated reversely with respect to the rotation of the stem while supported through said stem and interlocking; means Where y said driven member and grapple may be locked to rotate as a unit with the stem.

29. In an unscrewing device of the character described, pinions, a supporting member having bearings for said pinions, and also formed with hearing like pockets, against the walls of which the outer ends of the pinion teeth contact for support.

30. In an unscrewing device of the character described, driving pinions having end bearings, and located in pockets whose walls form bearings for the pinion teeth.-

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES R. EDWARDS.

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