US2150406A - Well cleaner - Google Patents

Description

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March 14, 1939. c. c. TAYLOR 2,150,406

WELL CLEANER Filed April 22, 193e 2 sheets-sheet 2 FIG- 5 Paten-tea'Nn. 14,1939 'i '2,150,406

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELL CLEANER.

Claude C. Taylor, Whittier, Calif.

Application April 22, 1936, Serial No. 75,712

13 claims. (o1. 16s-2o) This invention relates to well cleaners and than the stroke of the tubing string required for specifically contemplates means for washing the movement thereof. walls and clogged perforations of well casing- Other objects will be apparent to those of skill screens by subjecting adjacent zones of the screen in this art upon an examination of the following to the simultaneous-application of, respectively, description read in the light of the accompany- 5 fluid pressure and suction and thereby to also ing drawings, in whichdisintegrate debris accumulated at the mouths of Fig. 1 is a sectional view of my invention as oil-producing fissures of the surrounding sands. operatively installed ina well casing;

'Ihe separate application of suction or pressure Fig. 2 is an enlarged section of the gear mechlo'within the well screen is in many instances inanism employed to raise the middle packer on 10 sufficient to eiectively remove the debris which the tubing;

`accumulates in the well bore around the casing. Fig. 3 is a transverse fragmentary section taken Suction directed thereto is usually relieved by the on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; ingress of `well fluid through only the most easily Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on line l5` cleaned perforations without removing obstruc- 4--4 of Fig. 1; 15 tions from the others. As the bulk of the clog- Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a ging accretions is outside of the screen rather modified portion of my invention installed in than in the perforations themselves, having cona well casing;

. verged by the vflow of `oil fluid toward the well Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the modication stimulated by pump suction from within the pipe of Fig. 5 taken at right angles thereto; y 20 or rock pressure around the well, further suction Fig. 7 is a transverse section on lines I--1 of often only tends to wedge the detritus more firmly' Fig. 5; v together'. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional View of a While pressure fluid forcibly discharged from third embodiment of my invention; within the casing may both dislodge and dis- Figs. 9 and 10 are transverse sections on corre- 25 integrate ther accumulations adjacent the casing spondingly-numbered lines of Fig. 8. perforations, it provides no means for permanent- Referring tothe drawings in detail, the nuly removing the constituents thereof, which can merals of which indicate similar parts throughout later reuniteY in and around, the perforations as the several views, IIJ designates a section of casing prior to the operation. screen, commonly assembled in a string of im- 30 Itis therefore highly important in suchl well perforate casing, and positioned opposite the oilcleaning devices that both `pressure and suction producing sands, into which oil iluid is adapted to t beapplied to-the screen to, rst, disintegrate the flow through perforations II therein. A tubing viscid matter; second, wash the walls of both the string I2 within screen Il) is provided, having a casing and bore .of the hole; and third, to draw short collar I3 secured to its lower end by a cou- 35 the same in to thescreen before the reaccumulapling I4. On the outer periphery of collar I3 tion. thereof tofacilitate its subsequent removal slightly below the base of its upper thread, an from thewell. annular shoulder I5 is formed against which a Itis a yprincipal object of this invention to proswab I6 is clamped by the lower edge of coupling 0' vide awell cleaner comprisinga plurality of swabs I4. A tubing section I 1 of a diameter smaller d ftoslidijngly close the 4bore of the lcasing-screen, than tubing I2 is threaded to the lower end of adapted "forI relative movement by the vertical collar I3. An expander I8 of slip mechanism, well 'Areciprocationof a tubing, andthereby, simultaneknown in the art, is slidably keyed on tubing I1 .n 'usly, "crea`te a'zone of suction in the`screen, and, bya pair of longitudinal, diametrically-opposite 4 preferably labove andv adjacent the' Zoneof sucfeathers I9 integrally formed with the tubing, 45

on; an'Y area of pressure, thus actuating a flow to compel rotary motionof the tubing to rotate L5f"oil.huid-through a pre-determined set of perthe expander but permitting relative vertical "l-" foration's, downwardly between the casing wall movement of the parts. 'I'he lower receding sides and' -the'iwe'll bore, and thence return through a of expander I8 are provided with dovetail grooves 'lower'set of-'perforations into the screen. intowhich slips 20 arekeyed. A series of out- 50 Another object is the provision of` a device wardly bowed springs 2I have their ends secured .whereby a series of casing swabs-may be relatively to upper and lower collars 22 and 23, respectively,l moved 'by Jreciprocation of: a ltubing string to which` slidably encircle a sleeve 24 threaded to alternately shorten and lengthen the zones bethe lower end of expander I8. In the. upper coltween respective pairs of swabs adistance greater lar 22 a ring 25 is rotatably retained. by well 5| known means, to which ring slips 20 are pivotally attached by connecting arms 26. Springs 2I normally maintain the spaced relation of collars 22 and 23 and are adapted to expand against the wall of the casing. A stud 21 mounted on and forming an integral part of sleeve 24 cooperates with a J-lock 28 of adesign well known in the art, downwardly projecting from lower collar 23, to hold slips 2li at the base of the expander.

yA gear race 29 (Fig. 2) threaded on the lower end of sleeve 24 has an inner lower rim 30 of la width substantially equal to the thickness of the sleeve, forming an upwardly-directed bearing 3|. Between the lower edge of sleeve 24 and bearing 3| annular gear 32 is interposed, having a groove helically formed in its bore with which a helical gear tooth 33 formed on tubing I1 is adapted to mesh so as to compel rotation of the gear by vertical movement of the tubing, gear 32 being restrained from following the recpricato-ry motive of tubing I1 by the slip mechanism which mounts race 29, in which gear 32 operates, immovably with the casing wall as described.

A circular gear 34 around tubing I1 below race 29 is threaded to gear 32 so as to rotate therewith. Triple helical threads on the outer periphery of gear 34 mesh with the triple internal helical teeth 35 of a hollow mandrel 36 concentrically encircling gear 34.

A cylindrical guide 31 is threaded on race 29, into the bore of which mandrel 36 is adapted to telescope. A series of lugs 38 on the mandrel protrude into vertical slots 39 formed in guide 31 which permit vertical movement of the mandrel but prevent its rotation with gear 34.

An upwardly-inclined swab 40 adapted to close the bore of the casing to pressure thereabove, is clamped between an annular shoulder 4I on the lower end of mandrel 36 by a collar 4,2 threaded on the mandrel. In the lower bore of the mandrel .an annular shoulder 43 slidingly engages tubing I1. A gland 44 threaded into the bore Vof the mandrel compresses packing 45 against shoulder 43 to prevent the dissipation of pressure created between swabs I6 and 40 upon their movement together as will hereinafter be described in detail.

A lower diametrically-enlarged tubing section 46 is threaded on tubing I1, forming an upwardly-directed shoulder 41 for a purpose hereinlafter referred to. Near the top of tubing section 46 a downwardly-inclined swab 48 is secured by means similar to that connecting swab I6, which closes the bore of the casing to suction thereabove.

The zones around the tubing above swab I6 and below swab 48 are communicated by ports 49 and 50 through coupling I4 and tubing section 46, respectively, to prevent disturbance of the well uid level during manipulation and positioning of the swabs.

The operation of the embodiment of my in" .is lowered to position opposite the lower zone of the oil producing sands. Tubing string I2 is then raised slightly and the slips released from J-lock 28 by rotation of the tubing in a manner well known in the art, after which the lowering of the tubing will cause the slips to grip the casing, restraining the expander, sleeve and swab 40 attached thereto.

anonce elements threaded thereto from longitudinal movement relative to the casing, as well as to prevent rotation through guide 31 and lugs 38 of mandrel 36. Thus the continued lowering of the tubing will compel rotation of gear 32 and gear 34 which will elevate mandrel 36 and swab 40. Pressure will accordingly be created between l swab I6, which is lowered on the tubing and swab 40. This pressure can only be relieved through perforations II of the casing. The forceof the discharging oil fluid throughA the perforations will disintegrate the debris adjacent perforations II and fissures of the oil sands. Swab 48 will also be lowered with the tubing, causing a zone of suction to form between the two lower swabs which will be relieved by the passage therein of the debris dissociated by the pressure created in the adjacent part of the tool. On the upward stroke of the tubing the middle swab 40 will be lowered and the upper and lower swabs I6 and 48, respectively, elevated, causing suction in the upper packed-olf zone which is relieved by 'the .passage of fluid downwardly around swab I6. A port 5I in tubing I1 having a valve 52 adapted to open to suction between swabs I6 and 40, is provided, through which fluid from within the tubing may enter the zone between the upper swabs when the tubing is raised. The weight of the mandrel and swab 40 will facilitate its return to its lower position, which is limited by abutment of the lower edge of mandrel 36 against shoulder 41 on tubing 46.

The oil fluid and debris drawn through perforations II of the casing on the downstroke of the tubing passes on the reverse stroke through a port 53 in tubing 46 located above the lower swab. To prevent the passage of this debris upwardly through the bore of the tubing and thence through port 5I into the pressure zone, a partition 54 is provided which divides the bore of the tubing from above port 53 to below port 50. A valve 55, of any well known type, in the bore through tubing 46 below partition 54 prevents return of the debris to the zone between the packers on the downward or suction stroke of the lower swab.

Referring particularly to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig. 5; Sleeve 24 which may be identical with the correspondinglynumbered sleeve illustrated in Figs. 1 4, having slip mechanism associated therewith as described above, has threaded to its lower end a cylinder 56. Tubing section I1a threaded to the end of the tubing I2 (not shown) extends concentrically through the bore of cylinder 56. Telescoping over cylinder 56 a mandrel 51 is provided, on the lower end of which swab 40 is mounted in the manner above described. A pair of oppositelydisposed lugs 58 secured in the bore of mandrel 51 protrude through vertical slots59 in cylinder 56. At the opposite end of each of said slots in the bore of cylinder 56, pulleys 68 are pivoted by well known means.

AA pair of continuous cables 6I pass over respective vertically aligned `pulleys 60. One stretch of each cable is secured by well known means to a lug 62 located in vertical alignment with respective pulleys on tubing I 1a. The other stretch of each cable is attached to its aligned lug 58 extending from the mandrel through its respective slot 59. Thus, asthe tubing is lowered, cables 6I will be actuated by the lowering of lugs 52 to raise lugs 58 and mandrel 51 with In other particulars this modification (Fig. is identical with the embodiment above described in detail.

The device illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 is a modied form of reciprocating means for the lower packer in which a cylinder 63 is threaded to the lower end of sleeve 24. Through the bore of cylinder'63 tubing Ilb extends as in the above described embodiments. The lower bore of cylinder 63 is built up on opposite sides as at 64 to fill the annular area between the cylinder and tubing. The portions 64 of the cylinder are diametrically slotted at 65, which slots are intersected by parallel holes 66. Pinions 61 are rotatably retained in slots 85 by pins 68 inserted in holes 66. 'I'he bodies of pinions 61 have a diameter approximately equal tothe width of individual portions 66 of the cylinder so as to permit the teeth thereof to extend outwardly from opposite sides. A mandrel 69 telescopes over cylinder 63 and is provided with gear racks 'l0 oppositely disposed on the inner wall thereof so as to mesh with respective pinions 61. Tubing llb islikewise provided with integral gear racks ll, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of respective pinions 61 at the opposite side thereof from their contact with racks 'l0 of mandrel 69. The outer Wall 63 is longitudinally cut away at opposite sides to provide tracks 'I2 in which the teeth of mandrel 69 are adapted to reciprocate and aocordingly prevent misalignment of the racks 'l0 with respect to the pinions. Thus, the lowering or raising of the tubing will rotate pinions 61, causing vertical movement of the mandrel in a direction opposite to that of the tubing.

From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, it will be obvious to those of skill in this art that numerous changes may be made in size, arrangement, proportion and design of the various parts; that other than reciprocatory motion may be utilized by the drill pipe to compel relative movement of the swabs;A

that any by-pass well known in the art may be substituted for the type disclosed; that other means actuated by the tubing for moving the swabs in opposite directions may be employed,

' all without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to cover by Letters Patent is:

1. In a well cleaner, a casing, a tubing string within said casing, a pair of swabs encircling the tubing, and means to simultaneously move both of said swabs in opposite directions with respect to the casing by movement of the tubing.

2. In a well cleaner, acasing, a tubing string within said casing, a pair of swabs encircling the tubing, each adapted to close the annular area between the tubing and casing, means to simultaneously reciprocate said swabs in opposite directions through the bore of the casing to create suction between the swabs upon their separation, and means within the casing to relieve pressure therebetween during the opposite stroke of said swabs.

3. In a well cleaner, a casing, a tubing string vwithin said casing, a pair of swabs encircling ihertubing, each adapted to close the annular area between the tubing and casing, means to simultaneously reciprocate said swabs in opposite directions through the bore of the casing to create pressure between the swabs by their movement toward each other, and means within the casing to relieve suction therebetween during the opposite stroke of said swabs.

4. In a well casing cleaner, a tubing string, a

pair of swabs encircling said tubing string, means to simultaneously reciprocate the swabs in opposite directions with respect tovthe casing by movement of the tubing, and means to communicate the area below the lowermost swab with the zone between the swabs.

5. In a well cleaner, a well casing, a tubing string within said casing, a swab secured to said tubing and movable therewith, a second swab encircling said tubing, and means actuated by movement of the tubing to move said second swab with respect to the casing in a direction opposite to that of the first swab.

6. In a well cleaner, a well casing, a tubing string Within said casing, a plurality of swabs encircling the tubing, and means actuated by movement of the tubing to reciprocate each of said swabs with respect to the casing so as to cause separation of one pair and convergence of another pair of said swabs.

7. In a well cleaner, a casing string, a tubing string within said casing string, a pair of swabs secured to said tubing adapted to close the annular area between the tubing and said casing, a third swab slidably encircling said tubing between said iirst-mentioned swabs, and means actuated by movement of the tubing to cause movement of said third swab with respect to the.

the movement with the tubing to cause its reciprocation by movement of the tubing, a gear, means to support said gear in the casing, means to rotate said gear by movement of the tubing, and means actuated by said gear to cause reciprocation of the other of said swabs.

9. In a well cleaner, a casing, a tubing string within said casing, a pair of swabs encircling said tubing, means to connect one of said swabs with the tubing to cause its reciprocation by movement ofthe tubing, a pulley, means to support said pulley in the casing, a cable threaded through said pulley connecting said tubing with the other of said swabs so as to cause reciprocation of said last-mentioned'swab by reciprocation of the tubing.

l0. In a well cleaner, a Well casing, a tubing string within said casing, ,a plurality of packers connected to said tubing string so as to be raised and lowered in the well with said tubing string, said packers forming a pair of conned zones therebetween, means actuated by movement of said tubing string to cause movement of one of said packers with respect to the well casing, in a direction opposite to said movement of the tubing string and enlarge and contract respective coniined zones.

1l. In a well cleaner, a well casing, a tubing string within said casing, a pair of packers connected to said tubing string so as to be raised and lowered in the well with said tubing string, said packers forming a confined zone therebetween, means actuated by movement of said tubing to move one of said packers with respect to the well casing in a direction opposite to the direction of said movement of said tubing string to cause alternate enlargement and contraction of the zone between said packers.

12. In a well cleaner, a well casing, a tubing string within said casing, a pair of packers connected to said tubing string so as to be raised and lowered in the well with said tubing string, said packers forming a confined zone therebetween,

, means actuated by movement of said. tubing to and lowered in the well with said tubing string, said packers forming a confined zone therebetween, means actuated by movement of said tubing to move one of said packers with respect to the Well casing in a direction opposite to the direction of said movement of said tubing string to cause alternate enlargement and contraction of the zone between said packers, and valve means to relieve pressure and preserve suction caused by movement of said packers.

CLAUDE C. TAYLOR.

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