US2205269A - Rotary machine - Google Patents

Description

' June 18, 1940.

Filed March 1, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. S. MORGAN. JR., El AL ROTARY IACHINE Filed larch 1., 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 18; 1940.

June 18, 1940.

J. S. MORGAN. JR., ET AL ROTARY IACHINE Filed latch 1,, 1937 e Sheets-Sheet s June 18, J. S. MORGAN JR" HAL ROTARY IACHINE Filed larch 1, 1937 6 Sheets$heet- 4 Jun 18, 1940. J. s. MORGAN. JR., ET AL 2,205,269

nor/my MACHINE Filed March 1, 1937 6 Sheets$heet 5 June 18, 1940- J. s. MORGAN. JR" EIAL 2 2 120mm MACHINE v iled rch 1; 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY MACHINE John S. Morgan, Jr., Manhattan Beach, and

John D. Spalding, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors, by mesne assignments, to The National Supply Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 1, 1937, Serial No. 128,468

' 6 Claims. (Cl. 255-23) This invention relates to rotary machines of the type used in the drilling of wells, and is more particularly related to a rotary machine or" the enclosed type constructed to meet the present demands of deep drilling operations.

An object of our invention is to provide an enclosed rotary machine wherein a unitary pinion shaft assembly is provided and wherein the rotary machine is constructed in such a manner as to permit this assembly to be mounted with relation to the base of the table in such a manner that a more eflicient and economic structure of rotary machine may be had.

Another object of our invention is to provide a rotary machine of the enclosed type including a rotary table, a base upon which the rotary table is rotatably mounted, and a unitary pinion shaft assembly which is adapted to be assembled with relation to the table and the base in such a manner that the structure may meet the presently increasing demands for high speed table operation so that the pinion, of increased size requisite for such operation, may be properly positioned with relation to the table gear. and held in proper alignment with relation to the base structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary machine in which there is provided means for maintaining proper bearing lubrication and wherein the lubrication is made effective to the upthrust bearing in such a manner as to prevent escape of lubricant on rotation of the table.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary machine wherein provision is made for the positive lubrication of the gears of the rotary machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary machine wherein means are provided for maintaining proper alignment of thedrill stem'or Kelly joint with relation to the table of the rotary machine so as to decrease the whipping and excessive vibration apt to develop in rotary machines of the present day design.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary machine wherein means are provided in operative combination with a rotary machine for rotatably guiding the Kelly joint to decrease whipping and eliminate vibration to prolong the life of the rotary machine. gears and bearings and drive bushing so that easier feeding of the drill stem is promoted.

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believed will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment ings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the rotary machine embodying our invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof on a reduced scale.

Figure 3 is a fragmental sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the rotary machine I aligning means for the kelly removed and illustrating certain parts thereof cut away to show the internal structure.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the rotary machine embodying our invention with the Kelly driving and aligning means removed.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6--6 of Figure i.

Figure '7 is a fragmental sectional view taken substantially on the line 'll of Figure 4.

.Figure 8 is a perspective view from the under side of the rotary machine embodying our in vention illustrating the same with one of the skids thereof broken away.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the rotary machine embodying our invention partly in vertical section and illustrating the pinion shaft assembly in a position either partly removed from or in the act of being moved into position in cooperation with the base and rotary table.

Figure 10 is a side elevation partly in vertical section illustrating a modified form of drive bushing and steadyrest.

Figure 11 is a sectional end elevation taken substantially on the line ll-ll of Figure 4.

Figure 12 is a sectional end elevation taken substantially on the line |2--l2 of Figure 1 illustrating the same with the steadyrest for the kelly removed.

Figure 13 is a similar sectional end elevation taken substantially on the line I 3I 3 of Figure 4.

Figure 14 is a fragmental plan view illustrating the position and mounting of the lock pawl levers.

Figure 15 is a fragmental sectional elevation taken substantially on the line l5l 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 16 is a side elevation partly in section of a modified form of rotary machine embodying our invention illustratingthe manner in which the sections are connected in order to align and bring into mesh the pinion of the pinion shaft assembly with the gear on the table.

Figure 17 is a plan view of the lower portion of the base of closure structure of the rotary machine illustrated in Figure 16.

thereof as illustrated in the accompanying draw I Q: embodying our invention with the driving and Y Figure 18 is a sectional end view of the structure illustrated in Figure 16, the section being taken in the direction indicated by the section line in Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating a modified form of upthrust bearing enclosure.

In the rotary machine illustrated in Figures 1 to 15, inclusive, the base i has a central bore through which the annular skirt 2 of the rotary table 3 extends. An anti-friction bearing 4 supports the table 3 upon the base i. A ring gear 5 is carried by the table 3 which operates within the annular enclosure 6 formed by the upstanding rim 1 of the base I and an inner annular rim 8 likewise formed on the base I. l

The top of the chamber 5 is closed by the table which forms a labyrinth seal 5 with the rim 1 and a labyrinth seal H! with the rim 8 so as to exclude foreign matter from, and retain the lubricant, within the annular chamber. The labyrinth seals 9 and it may be of any suitable or desirable types such, for example, as illustrated in Patent No. 2,008,774 to John D. Spalding.

An upthrust ring H is removably secured to the lower end of the annular skirt 2 and supports the anti-friction upthrust bearing l2 which is thus maintained in the annular chamber l3 formed between the ring H and the annular skirt 2. Bearings 4 and I2 cooperate to maintain the rotary table in alignment upon the base I to hold the table to strictly concentric rotation with relation to the base On the upthrust ring H is formed an outer annular wall I4 which surrounds the bearing 12. Spaced inwardly from oil as thus flung, preventing the oil from finding its way out of the chamber 13.

In order further to provide for the proper lubrication of our rotary machine, the same is preferably constructed as follows:

The chamber 6 is closed at its lower elevation by an annular shelf IS; the shelf I8 thus serves to isolate the chamber 6 from the supporting bearing oil chamber i9 formed therebeneath. Oil is admitted into the chamber l9 through an oil inlet passage 29 normally closed by a cap 2|. Oil is admitted into the chamber I9 to establish an oil level determined by the height of the inner annular wall 22 formed on the base I within the inner diameter of the bearing 4. A plurality of passageways 23 are formed in the base structure below the bearing 4 and serve to conduct oil from the chamber 19 to the inner por tion of the anti-friction bearing 4, thus'maim taining a continuous oil circulation for the bearing 4 in the direction of the arrows 24. This circulation and return of the oil to the chamber I9 is maintained during the rotation of the table 3 by the centrifugal force set up due to the rotation.

The upthrust bearing l2 receives oil from an entirely independent source. However, if any oil should find its way over the inner wall 22, it would pass down the outside of the skirt 2 and into the chamber l3. The structure provided for maintaining lubricant for the bearing 4 is such that under normal conditions of oper tion the oil will be maintained within the chamber IS.

A passageway 25 is provided in the base (Figure '7) through which oil is passed to the chamber l3. The passageway 25 is normally closed by a closure cap 25.

The base I is preferably formed integral with a lateral extension 27 which supports the pinion shaft assembly 28 and maintains it in proper alignment, whereby the pinion 29 may mesh with the ring gear 5. The lateral extension 27 is open upon its under side to permit the pinion shaft assembly 28 to be moved into position with the pinion 29 in mesh with the gear 5. The large size of pinion 23 indicated is a requisite of the modern trend toward high speed drilling operations.

Pinion shaft assembly 28 is moved into position in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the pinion shaft til. Bolts 3i secure the -pinion shaft assembly in position upon the under side of the base extension 21. The bearing boxes 32 and 33 are provided with shoulders 34 which engage the corresponding shoulders 35 of the extension 21 to insure positive alignment.

for the pinion shaft 30. Shims 36 are provided to permit a vertical adjustment.

The pinion shaft assembly, including pinion 29 fixed upon the shaft 30, is rotatably supported in the bearings positioned within the spaced bearing boxes 32 and 33. The shaft 3a is provided at its outer end with a drive sprocket 31. Between the bearing boxes 32 and 33 and splined to the shaft 3!] is a double lock wheel 38. The inner bearing box 32 carries a radial bearing 32, and the outer bearing box 33 carries a radial thrust bearing 33 The bearing 33 acts to take the radial load of the pinion shaft 39, as well as the total endwise thrust imposed by the pinion 29. The outward thrust is thus transmitted from the pinion 29 to the shaft 30 to the nut 39 on the shaft 3il through the lock wheel 38 to the spacer collar 4!] to the inner race of the bearing 33 Inward thrust of the pinion 29 is taken through the shaft 38 to the adjustable nut 4l' to the inner race of the bearing 33 It is apparent that the mesh between the pinion 29 and the ring gear 5 may be adjusted vertically by means of the shims 35 and horizontally by means of the nuts 39 and 4|.

After the pinion shaft assembly 28 has been assembled into the extension 21 of the base i,

a closure member 42 is inserted into position under the pinion 29. The closure member 42 extends backunder the inner bearing box 32 to provide a lubricant chamber 43 adequate for gear lubricant,

The member 42 is secured in position by cap screws 44 and seals within a groove 45 formed in the bearing box 32 behind the apron 46. A packing 'seal 41 may be inserted within the groove 45. Lubricant is introduced into the closure member 42 through a passage 48. The passage 48 is normally closed by a plug 49. The plug 49 carries a lubricant indicator 5!]. The pinion 29 dips into the lubricant contained in the closure member 42 and carries the lubricant to the ring gear 5. To supplement this method of lubricating the gears 5 and 29, and to insure adequate lubrication in the event this system of lubrication becomes faulty due to the effect of cavitation, a pump is provided to deliver lubricant directly into the position where the gears mesh. In the particular construction illustrated, a pump of the socalled viscosity type is mounted upon the circular collar 5| formed on the back face of the pinion 29. The inner end 52 of the bearing box 32 projects over and surrounds the collar 5| and fits closely therewith. A groove 53 is formed in this portion 52 of the box 32 and extends for a limited distance around the periphery of the collar 5|. An inlet passage 54 communicates with the end of the groove 53, and a discharge passage 55 (Figure 6) communicates with the other end of the groove 53. The discharge passage 55 delivers lubricant onto a drain pan 58 (Figure 4) from which the lubricant flows directly into the meshing gears 5 and 29. The action of this pump is thus that as the pinion shaft 38 revolves, lubricant is drawn up into the passage 54 and is discharged through the passage 55.

The pinion shaft lock includes the double lock wheel 38 which is secured to the pinion shaft 38 and a pair of lock pawls 51 and 58. The pawls 51 and 58 are pivotally mounted on a common shaft 59 supported by the extension of the base I. Each of the pawls 5 1 and 58 engage one of the ratchets of the double ratchet wheel 38. As illustrated in Figure II, the lock pawl 58 when engaged with its ratchet wheel prevents clockwise rotation with the shaft 38. The pawl 51 when engaged with its ratchet wheel prevents counterclockwise rotation of the pinion shaft 38. Each of the pawls 51 and 58 is actuated by a lever 88 and 8|, respectively. The levers 88 and 8| extend through openings in the base extension 21. The action of each pawl is independent of the other, so that either or both pawls may be engaged or retrieved as desired.

' As the outward thrust of the pinion 29 is transmitted through the lock wheel 38, the lock wheel 38 must be capable of slight endwise movement upon the pinion shaft 38 to allow for-the adjustment for mesh of the gears 29 and 5 as previously described. The small amount of travel thus required is however not sufiicient to interfere with the action of the lock pawls 51 and 58.

In order to complete the enclosure around the pinion 29 and the inner bearing box 32, a partition 82 is formed inwardly of the wall of the base extension 21 and acts as a bafiie to prevent water, mud, or other foreign matter from entering the enclosure member 42. The lock pawl member and the outer bearing box 33 are enclosed on all sides except from below. The enclosure thus formed prevents mud from falling directly upon the lock pawl and this outer bearing. However, if foreign matter should reach these parts from below, no damage would occur since ordinary foreign matter would not injure the lock pawl mechanism and it could have no effect upon the outer bearing 38 which is sealed within the box 33.

A sectional fabricated guard 83 forms an enclosure completely around the drive sprocket 31. The guard 83 is preferably bolted to an end flange 84 formed on the outer extension 21 of the base I and is supported thereby. The chain (not shown) for driving the sprocket 31 operates within this guard which may be made oil-tight, and the chain may thereby receive adequate lubrication and at the same time be protected from foreign matter.

In the rotary machine embodying our invention in order to maintain the operating parts of the machine in proper alignment, particularly where the machine is utilized under deep drilling condi tions, we have provided a centering bearing 85 for the kelly 88. As is well known to those skilled in the art of rotary drilling, the upper end of the kelly issupported by a tackle block (not shown) and the lower end is fastened to the drill pipe (not shown).

In ordinary rotary machines, the only radial bearings or centering means for the kelly is the same means that is used to rotate it, i. e., the drive bushings 81. This practice has resulted in excessive wear of the drive bushing 81 and of the bearings 4 and I2 which support and maintain alignment of the drive bushing 81. As Wear occurs, the wear becomes more acute due to the whipping action of the kelly 86.

In accordance with our invention and in order to insure that the rotary machine thereof will operate smoothly without whipping action, we have provided a centering bearing assembly including the centering bearing 85 which serves to hold the kelly 88 proper vertical alignment so that the drive bushings 81 are required to perform only one function, i. e., of rotating the kelly 88.

Inaccordance with our invention, a sleeve 88 provided with a bore of the same configuration as the cross-section of the kelly 88, is mounted in a suitable housing 89 which is supported on a frusto-conical structure 18. The structure 18 is reinforced by radial extending ribs 1|. A closure flange 12 is secured to the housing 89 and carries a packing ring 13, which in cooperation with the mud thrower flange 14 secured to the sleeve 88, prevents the admission of mud or other foreign matter to the centering bearing 85. Asecond packing ring 15 is positioned in the lower part of the housing 69. The two packing rings, 13 and 15, likewise serve to prevent escape of lubricant supplied the bearing 85 through a fitting 18. Drive cushions 11 composed of rubber or like resilient material may be inserted in the sleeve 88. The bearing housing 89, supporting structure 18, and ribs 1| are preferably of integral construction for the purpose of rigidity.

A ring 18 is secured to the base of the rotary machine and supports the entire kelly centering assembly. Any preferred form of quick connection may be provided between the structure 18 r and the supporting ring 18 in order that the assembly-may be readily installed and withdrawn from position. I

In the construction as illustrated, pivot bolts 19 and wing nuts 88 cooperate to removably secure said parts together. This demountable feature is necessary in order that the centering assembly may be maintained upon the kelly 88 when the latter is withdrawn from the rotary machine.

Withdrawal of the kelly upwardly through the rotary machine is a necessary operation preliminary to adding or removing a'joint of the drill pipe. When this operation is accomplished, it is desirable to have the drive bushings 81, as well as the centering assembly remain upon the kelly. With this purpose in View, a projection, or series of projections, 8| are secured to the lower end of the kelly 88 in any convenient manner. Upon withdrawal of the kelly 88, one of the projections 8| is adapted to release a latch mechanism 82 contained within the drive bushing 81. The projections 8| then support the entire weight of the centering assembly and the drive bushing 81, which parts may then be removed withthe kelly from the rotary machine.

In the modified form of our invention illustrated in Figure 10 there is illustrated a modification of the centering bearing assembly for the kelly in which the bearing sleeve and the drive bushings are formed integrally'as a member 68 which is suspended from the self-aligning bearings 65 The lower end of the member 68 extends into a polygonal opening provided in the table 3 and fits into driving engagement therewith. In this construction the aligning means for the kelly 6t is supported entirely by the base I and the sole function of the table 9) is to rotate the member $8 and hence the kelly 66. Release of the wing nuts 86 permits the withdrawal of the kelly [i15 with the centering bearing assembly carried thereon. This construction as specifically illustrated in Figure 10, as well as the Kelly drive arrangement shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, is reserved in the divisional application filed March 9, 1938, Serial No. 194,865, by applicant, John D. Spalding. The subject matter of the modified form of invention as illustrated in Figures 16, 17 and 18, is the subject of a divisional application filed December 5, 1939, Serial No. 307,626, by John S. Morgan, Jr., and John D. Spalding.

In the modification of our invention illustrated in Figures 16, 17 and 18, the base of the rotary machine is divided horizontally to form a base structure l and a closure member 42* The pinion shaft assembly 213 rests on the closure section 62 and'is held in proper alignment and in position by means of bolts 31*. The upper section or main base section l together with the table 3 and its bearings 4 and I2 form a unitary assembly which may be removed from the closure member 42' as a single entity. This construction provides in effect a split housing for the pinion shaft assembly 28 The lower half is formed to include an oil retaining closure together with the skids [00 and the upper half by the inverted U-shaped section of the extension 21 of the base I When the upper section l is lowered into position and bolted to the lower section by means of the bolts lfll the enclosure for the pinion shaft assembly 28 is complete. A seal I02 is formed at the outer end of the shaft 30 which permits a small amount of vertical adjustment necessary for the shaft 30*.

In the modification of our invention illustrated in Figure 19, the modified form of upthrust bearing enclosure is illustrated. In this modification a bearing race support 200 is pressed into the base ZOI and is prevented from turning by means of a key 202. This support 200 carries a stationary upper race of the upthrust bearing 212. The lower race of this bearing is supported on a ring 204 secured to the lower end of the table skirt 205. Secured upon this ring 204 is a lubricant retaining member 206 which includes an upstanding wall 201 and an inwardly extending and downwardly lipped flange 208. The flange 208 is positioned between the support 200 and the base L The lubricant retainer 206 rotates with the tab1e2fl3 and therefore escape of lubricant from the chamber 2l3 would require that the lubricant within the chamber 2I3 would make its way to the top of the wall 201 and then pass inwardly against the action of centrifugal force and reach the inner diameter of the flange 208. The chamber 2l3 and retainer 206 are so proportioned as to provide adequate space within the retainer 206 to accommodate the entire volume of upthrust bearing lubricant required when acted upon by centrifugal force. This construction is therefore particularly effective in preventing the loss of lubricant and at the same time affords easy assembly of the required parts. The upthrust bearing'construction as herein set forth is the subject of a divisional application upon which application Letters Patent No. 2,172,777 was issued to John D. Spalding. Lubricant may be introduced into the upthrust bearing 2 I2 in the same manner as illustrated 'in connection with the previous modifications of our invention heretofore described as shown by parts and 26 in Figure 7.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, th construction and method of assembly of our rotary machine does not place any serious limie tation upon the speed at which the rotary table may be driven because the size of the driving pinion 29, or its diameter with relation to the ring gear 5, may be varied while maintaining an enclosed oil circulating rotary machine. This construction of rotary machine lends itself for this reason aptly to the modern trend of high speed drilling.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but our invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an enclosed type of rotary machine, the combination of a base having an annular channel, a-table having an annular gear depending into said channel, bearing means for rotatably supporting the table on the base, drive means forsaid gear including a shaft having a pinion thereon, an opening for said pinion formed in said base through the bottom of said channel directly below said depending gear, the width of the opening being suflicient to permit entry of the pinion, means to rotatably support said shaft including a bearing pendently secured to the under side'of the base, and closure means for said base opening adapted to confine lubricant for said pinion and gear.

2. In an enclosed rotary machine, the combination of a base having an annular closure rim,

' a table rotatably supported upon the base, co-

operating parts on the table and base forming with said annular rim an enclosure between the table and the base, a gear on said table within said enclosure, a drive shaft having a pinion thereon, a laterally extending drive shaft support on said base, bearing means for said shaft pendently suspended from said support, an opening through the base directly below said table gear, the width of the opening being sufficient to permit the pinion to extend therethrough into the enclosure to mesh with the gear and means adapted to close the opening to complete the enclosure for said pinion and gear. ,1

3. In an enclosed rotary machine, the combination of a base having an annular outer wall, a table rotatably mounted upon said base and held gainst vertical displacement relative thereto, interengaging parts on the table and the base forming a lubricant chamber within said wall, a gear on said table within said lubricant chamber, a drive shaft, a pinion on said drive shaft, a laterally extending drive shaft support on said base, bearing means for said shaft pendently suspended from said support, a housing on said support extending over said shaft and bearing means and connected to said wall below its upper surface, said base having an opening in its bottom portion into said lubricant chamber through which'opening the pinion may be inserted upwardly into position to mesh with the gear, and removable closure means for said opening adapted to confine lubricant within said chamber.

4. In an enclosed rotary machine, the combination of a base having an outer and inner wall, a table rotatably mounted upon said base, cooperating parts on the table and base forming an enclosed chamber within said outer wall, a gear on said table within said chamber, a drive shaft support on said base extending laterally from said outer Wall, a drive shaft, bearing means for said shaft including spaced bearing boxes secured against the under side of said 1ateral'support, said base having an opening into said chamber between said inner and outer walls, a pinion on said drive shaft insertable upwardly into said opening into mesh with said gear, and closure means secured about said opening and cooperating with said chamber to confine lubricant for said pinion and said gear.

5. In a rotary machine of the enclosed type, the combination of a base having an annular upstanding Wall, a table rotatably mounted upon said base, interengaging parts on the table and base forming a chamber within said wall, a gear on said table within said chamber, a laterally extending drive shaft support on said base, a housing integral with said support and merging into said wall, the housing having an open lower portion, a drive shaft positioned under said open lower portion of said housing, bearing means for said shaft suspended from saidsupport, said base having an opening into said chamber beneath said gear, the opening being in alignment with the open lower portion of said housing, a pinion on said drive shaft insertable upwardly into said opening and adapted to drive said gear, and removable closure means for said opening cooperating with said base to define an enclosure for said pinion.

6. In a rotary machine of the enclosed type, the combination of a base, a table rotatably mounted on the base, cooperating parts on the table and base forming a chamber therebetween, a gear on said table Within said chamber, a laterally extending support on said base, bearing means secured to the under side of said support, a shaft rotataby carried by said bearing means, a pinion fixed on said shaft, an opening in said base beneath the table gear to permit entry of the pinion to mesh with said gear, means including a detachable member cooperating with said base to form an enclosure for said pinion, said opening in the base acting to provide open communication between said pinion enclosure and said gear chamber.

JOHN S. MORGAN, JR.

JOHN D. S-PALDING.

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