US2858838A - Drill pipe float valve - Google Patents

Description

Nov, 4, 1958 D. scARAMucci DRILL PIPEFLOAT VALVE v3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 10,- 1955 FIG. l.

I INVENTOR DOME'R SG'AIIAMUGG/` BY M ATTORNEYS NOV 4, 1958 I D. scARAMUccl 2,858,838

DRILL PIPE FLOAT VALVEr Filed Nov. l0, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5.

FIG. .4.

INVENT OR DOMER SGAHAMUGGI BY M vwd/(@due ATTORNEYS NOV- 4, 1958 D. scARAMucl `2,858,833

FIG. 8.

00m-R scARAMz/cc/ INVENT OR ATTORNEYS United States Patent() DRILL PIPE FLOAT VALVE Domer Scaramucci, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application November 10, 1955, Serial No. 546,236

Claims. (Cl. IS7-454.2)

This invention pertains to drill pipe iloat valves adapted for use in the drill pipe string for a rotary well-drilling operation. Such float valves are ordinarily incorporated in the lowermost portion of the drill string in the drill collar section. For this purpose provision is made within the lower end of the drill collar and immediately above the drill bit for receiving the float valve and accommodating its reciprocating operation.

The presently known and used drill pipe float valves have failed adequately to meet certain conditions and operating problems encountered in well drilling. The principal problem is -occasioned Iby premature failure of the float valve in effecting a seal, either as the drill pipe is run in the hole, or while the string is on bottom, and most frequently during pulling of the drill string. In the last-mentioned instance the results are entrance of bore hole fluid into the drill string and overflowing onto the drilling rig floor. As the drill string is elevated, the drilling uid -or mud gravitates down the drill string bore, through the oat valve, and into the bore hole. When stops are made during the upward movement of the drill string in order to unscrew uppermost joints, the float valve, when operating properly, checks-re-entrance of the drilling mud and prevents spilling over as a drill pipe joint break-out is made. Although splashing of workers can be alleviated through the use of a mud guard consisting of a split cylinder structure that is swung into position around the drill string as joints are unscrewed, such use of a mud guard is definitely objectionable.

The most prevalent causes of oat valve failure are: fluid abrasion of the reciprocating valve body and its seat; failure of cup seals between the float valve body and the drill string bore; failure of the valve body to move into engagement with its seat due to san-d particles causing sticking of the valve stem in its guide member; and failure of a set screw for the valve guide that is intended to hold the guide during said condition of valve sticking, thus permitting the valve stem guide to be pulled upward with the stern during valve seating movement and making it possible for the stem to work out of an insertion slot in a guide housing.

The principal objects of this invention are, therefore, to provide a oat valve of the type indicated with a stem guide member that will assure positive closure, and a valve and seat construction that will provide increased flow area and so reduce restriction.

An important specific object of the invention is to provide a oat valve having a valve ste-m guide member that while conned laterally is free to move upwardly with the closure member of the rvalve in the event that the valve stem has become stuck to the guide member.

A further specific inventive object is to provide a float valve of a novel construction that makes it impossible for the valve stem, the valve stem guide member, or the valve closure member to become displaced out of operative position after it has been inserted in the recess of the drill collar and the drill bit has been screwed thereon.

Another specific object resides in the provision of a valve seat member and a valve sealing head member combination that is constructed and arranged to avoid metal-to-metal sealing engagement by utilizing an auxiliary rubber-like seal element.

Mice

These and other objects of the invention contributing to dependability in use for long periods and under adverse conditions will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a partial vertical section of a drill collar and a threadedly connected drill bit incorporating the float Valve of this invention, with the valve member shown in open ilow position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section corresponding to that of Fig. l except that the valve member has moved to a full flowfcl-osing position;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing the drill pipe float valve assembly;

Fig. 4 is another vertical section of the valve assembly of Fig. 3 taken at right angles to the section plane of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal `sectional View of Fig. 4 taken on line VI-VI;

Fig. 7 is a side perspective View partially sectioned of the lower portion of the valve guiding and restraining means in assembled relation; and

Fig. 8 is a similar side perspective view of the valve guiding and restraining means of Fig. 7 in partially separated relation.

It will be observed in Figs. 1 and 2 that a drill collar 10 has a drill lbit 12 threaded into the lower end thereof so as to retain a float valve assembly 14 within an enlarged cylindrical recess 16 formed in the lower end of the drill collar 10 and closed at its lower end by the attached drill bit 12. The valve assembly 14 fits closely within the cylindrical recess 16 with its uppermost end abutting an upper flange surface 18 formed as a shoulder of the recess portion 16. An annular inner end surface 20 of the drill bit 12 provides a corresponding lower flange surface for supporting the valve assembly.

A principal component of the essentially metal'valve assembly 14 is a cage 22, which is best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as comprising a pair of oppositely disposed vertical members 24, 24 integrally joined with upper and lower cylindrical rings 26 and 2S respectively, and a separable valve stern guide member 30. The stem guide member 30 includes in unitary integral relation a pair of oppositely extending radial arms 31, 31 projecting 'from an upwardly extending bushing or bearing sleeve 32 having a central vertical bore 34 (Figs. 7 and 8).

With specific reference to Figs. 3 and 4, there is shown a valve stern 36 carrying a metal valve member 38 of mushroom type secured lby an interengaging valve stem head portion 40. A resilient valve seal 42 of rubber-like material extends downwardly Ifrom the valve member 38 and is formed with an outwardly diverging and tapered flared skirt 44 receiving a bored valve follower member 46 through which the valve stem 36 passes. The lower end of the follower member 46 is reduced to provide a shoulder 48 that seats and retains one end of a coil spring 50 loosely surrounding the valve stem 36 and having its other end on externally shouldered lower portion 52 of the stem guide 30.

With further reference to Figs. 3 and 4 it will be observed that the upper cylindrical ring 26 of the cage assembly has a lower inner surface 54 that is downwardly and outwardly tapered so asvcomplementally to receive the outer peripheral surface of the valve seal 42 and pass the adjacent lower portion of the valve member 3S. The upward movement of valve member 38 is even more positively limited by three circumferentially spaced inwardly projecting lugs S6 having lower surfaces engaging the adjacent surface of a valve 38.

A slot formation 58 extends from the top of each lug S6 to the upper end of the upper ring 26 to provide accommodation for a baie or spider device (not shown) that isA used to catch and position recording instruments dropped down the drill string during the course of drilling.

The outer peripheral surface of the upper ring 26 is formed with a pair of vertically spaced side seal rings 60, 60 set in respective annular recesses 64 and 66 and having oppositely directed lips or short skirts 68 for effectively sealing the iioat valve assembly against fluid flow other than through said upper ring 26.

It has been previously noted that the stem guide component 34B is not integral with or positively joined to the cage 22. The manner in which it is confined by the bore of the lower cylindrical ring 23 will now be explained in detail. Considering Figs. 7 and 8, an arcuate nearly semi-circular segment 70 is integrally joined midway its length to the free end of each radial arm 31, and these segments are so constructed and arranged that their respective outer peripheral surfaces provide a cylindrical surface continuation of the ring itself and of the j outer cylindrical surfaces of the vertical members 24, 24.

The upper portion of the inner peripheral surface of each segment 70 is upwardly tapered for flow purposes and the lower portion of its outer peripheral surface is undercut at 72 for interitting with a corresponding annular, inwardly projecting shoulder or step formation 74 formed in the inner portion of the ring 28. The adjacent ends of the two arcuate segments 70, 70 are so spaced and arranged as to receive the lower portions of the vertical longitudinal members 24, 24 with moderate looseness for assembly and detachment in a manner that will now be described.

After the valve seal 42, the follower member 46, and the spring t) have been slipped on the valve stern 36, and followed by the guide 30, which is moved up to compress the spring, this sub-assembly can then be slipped into the cage 22 as a unit. Fig. 8 indicates the path of movement to be taken in inserting or removing the stem guide 30, that is, the guide being elevated above the lower ring 28, moved laterally, and turned so that an end portion of each segment 70 will partially embrace the outer surface of the adjacent one of the vertical or upright members 24, 24. In its operative relation the stem guide member 39 is restrained against all but vertical movement by abutment of the ends of segments 70 against the vertical members 24, 24, and the confinement provided by the wall of the cylindrical drill collar recess 16. The arcuate segments 7G, 7d are ordinarily in position to cover the ring 28 and thereby protect it against abrasive wear. The interttiug of the shouldered portions ('72) and the upper edge portion (74) are adapted to prevent lateral movement when engaged.

The advantages of the novel drill pipe float valve of this invention are both numerous and important. In

`actual field tests this valve has demonstrated outstanding superiority over those hitherto in use and especially in `the elimination of any tendency of the valve to be held on the lower edges of segments 7G, 70 are useful in pro-l viding rigidity of the float valve assembly during handling and shipping. Suthcient clearance is provided, however, between the guide means and the drill collar wall to prevent sticking due to wedging of said particles.

The metal valve member 38 does not come into closure engagement with the metal closure seat of ring surface `54, but instead the inwardly projecting lugs 56 engage the head portion of said valve so as to permit the rubber valve seal 42 to do all the sealing without a metal-tometal engagement. A further purpose of the lug arrangement is to approximate nearly maximum bore area through this portion of the cage and thus reduce uid velocity and frictional losses, which arehigh in such float valves. Actual experience with the float valve disclosed in this application has demonstrated that the reduction in frictional losses and abrasive wear is of such a high degree that said oat Valve will outlast two or more oat valves of previously available commercial construction when operating under the same conditions.

While a preferred embodiment of the drill pipe float valve of this invention and the mode of utilizing the same have been described in detail, it is to be understood that changes can be made in the construction and arrangement of parts which would come within the principles of this invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A drill pipe float valve assembly comprising, an elongated cage of cylindrical outline and having upper and lower cylindrical rings joined by diametrically opposed vertical members, said upper ring having a downwardly and outwardly tapered valve seat formed in its inner end portion; a valve stem guide member disposed within the cage and having a cylindrical external outline of the same diameter as that of the cage, a central vertical bearing sleeve, spaced arms extending radially from the bearing sleeve, and an inturned cylindrical arcuate segment on the outer ends of each arm, the adjacent ends of said segments being spaced and disposed to receive the respective vertical members of the cage in loose sliding relation; a valve stem having an end portion sliding in the bearing sleeve; a valve member on the other end portion of the valve stem complementally engageable with the valve seat; and spring means on the valve stern acting in opposition between the guide member and the valve member.

2. For use in a drill pipe float valve, the sub-assembly comprising an elongated cage of cylindrical outline formed by upper and lower cylindrical rings connected by a plurality of spaced longitudinal members, the upper ring being formed with a downwardly facing valve seat surface; a valve member with a stem disposed in the cage; and a reciprocable central bearing sleeve for receiving the valve stem and having a plurality of arms extending outwardly therefrom and an arcuate segment on the outer end of each arm adapted to be aligned with and to form a `continuation of the outer cylindrical surface of the lower ring, the adjacent ends of the segments being v spaced and disposed to receive the respective vertical members in loose sliding relation.

3. For use in a drill pipe float valve, the sub-assembly comprising an elongated cage of cylindrical outline formed by upper and lower cylindrical rings connected by a plurality of spaced vertical members, the upper ring being formed with a downwardly and outwardly inclined valve seat surface; a valve member with a stem disposed in the cage; and a reciprocable central bearing sleevefor receiving the valve stem and-having a pair of arms extending outwardly therefrom, a cylindrical arcuate segment on the outer end of each arm adapted to be aligned with and to form a continuation of the outer cylindrical surface of the lower ring, the adjacent ends of the segments being spaced and disposed to receive the respective vertical members Iin loose sliding relation.

4. For use in a drill pipe float valve, the sub-assembly comprising an elongated cage of cylindrical outline formed by upper and lower cylindrical rings connected by a plurality of spaced vertical members, the upper ring being formed with a downwardly facing valve seat surface; a valve member with a stem 'disposed'in the cage;

and a central bearing' sleeve for receiving the valve stem and having a pair of arms extending outwardly therefrom, a cylindrical arcuate segment on the outer end of each arm adapted to be aligned with and to form a continuation of the outer cylindrical surface of the lower ring, the adjacent ends of the segments being spaced and disposed to receive the respective vertical members in loose sliding relation, and the adjacent surface portions of the arcuate segments and the lower ring having intertting portions for preventing relative lateral displacement.

5. A drill pipe float valve assembly comprising, an elongated cage of cylindrical outline and having upper and lower cylindrical rings joined by circumferentially spaced upright members, said upper ring having an outwardly and downwardly tapered valve seat in its inner end portion and an upwardly and outwardly inclined surface in its outer end portion; a valve stem guide member of cylindrical external outline received within the cage and having a cylindrical outline of the same diameter as that of the cage, a central vertical bearing sleeve, spaced arms extending radially from the bearing sleeve, and an -inturned cylindrical arcuate segment on the end of each arm, the adjacent ends of said segments being spaced and disposed to receive the respective upright members of the cage in loose sliding relation; a valve stem having an inner end portion sliding Iin the bearing sleeve; a metal valve member mounted on the outer end portion of the valve stem and having a maximum diameter corresponding to the minimum inner diameter of the upper ring; a plurality of metal stop lugs extending in spaced relation around the inclined surface of said outer end portion in position to engage the upper surface of the metal valve member; and a downwardly and outwardly diverging resilient 'valve seal mounted on the valve stem below the metal valve member and constructed and arranged to seal against said tapered valve seat when the metal valve member abuts said lugs.

6. A drill pipe float valve assembly comprising, an4

elongated cage of cylindrical outline and having upper and lower cylindrical rings joined by circumferentially spaced upright members, said upper ring having an outwardly and downwardly tapered valve seat in its inner end portion and an upwardly and outwardly inclined surface in its outer end portion; a valve stem guide member of cylindrical external outline received within the cage and having a cylindrical outline of the same diameter as that of the cage, a central vertical bearing sleeve, spaced arms extending radially from the bearing sleeve, and an inturned cylindrical arcuate segment on the end of each arm, the adjacent ends of said segments being spaced and disposed to receive the respective upright members of the cage in loose sliding relation; a valve stem having an inner end portion sliding in the bearing sleeve; a metal valve member mounted on the outer end portion of the valve stem and having a maximum diameter corresponding to the minimum inner diameter of the upper ring; a plurality `of metal stop lugs extending in spaced relation around the inclined surface of said outer end portion in position to engage the upper surface of the metal valve member, said upper ring being formed with a slot formation having the width of the lugs extending from the top edge of said upper ring to the top of each lug; and a downwardly and outwardly diverging resilient valve seal mounted on the valve stem below the metal valve member and constructed and arranged to seal against said tapered valve seat when the metal valve mem'ber abuts said lugs.

7. In combination, a drill pipe oat valve of cylindrical outline adapted to fit closely within a shouldered cylindrical space within a drill string and to have its ends held against longitudinal movement therein, said oat valve comprising a cage of cylindrical outline and having an upper cylindrical ring and a lower cylindrical ring joined by circumferentially spaced longitudinal members, the upper ring having a valve seat surface extending around its inner end portion; a central valve stern bearing sleeve having a plurality of outwardly extending arms each with an integral cylindrical arcuate segment on the outer end thereof, the said segments being shaped and arranged to form parts of the cylindrical outline of the cage and to receive the longitudinal members in sliding relation therebetween; a valve stem carrying a valve member on its upper end supported in the bearing sleeve; and spring means yieldingly urging the valve member against the valve seat surface.

8. A drill pipe iloat valve assembly comprising, an elongated cage of cylindrical outline and having upper and lower cylindrical rings joined by circumferentially spaced upright members, said upper ring having an outwardly and downwardly tapered valve seat in its inner end portion; a valve stem guide member of cylindrical external outline received within the cage and having a cylindrical outline of the same diameter as that of the cage, a central vertical bearing sleeve, spaced arms extending outwardly from the bearing sleeve, and an inturned cylindrical arcuate segment on the end of each arm, the adjacent ends of said segments being spaced and disposed to receive the respective upright members of the cage in loose sliding relation; a valve stem having an inner end portion sliding in the bearing sleeve; a metal valve member mounted yon the outer end portion of the valve stem and having a maximum diameter corresponding'to the minimum inner diameter of the upper ring; a plurality of metal stop lugs extending in spaced relation around the inclined surface of said outer end portion in position to engage the upper surface of the metal valve member; and a resilient valve seal mounted on the valve stem below the metal valve memberand constructed and arranged to seal against said tapered valve seat when the metal valvemember abuts said lugs.

9. For use in a drill pipe float valve, the combination comprising an elongated cage of cylindrical outline formed by an upper cylindrical ring, a lower cylindrical ring, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced upright members extending therebetween, the upper ring having a downwardly and outwardly inclined valve seat surface extending from an intermediate inner portion thereof; a valve body member with a stem disposed in the cage; and detachable valve stem guide means having a central valve stem bore receiving said stem mounted within the cage -and having arcuate segments slidably receiving the upright members between their adjacent spaced ends.

10. In a drill pipe iloat valve, the combination of an elongated cage of cylindrical outline comprising an upper cylindrical ring with a valve seat formation on its inner end, a lower cylindrical ring, and an opposed pair of longitudinal members joining said rings; a valve body member mounted for reciprocal movement within the cage and provided with a central valve stem; and a valve stem bearing sleeve receiving said valve stem, mounted within the cage and having arcuate segments slidably receiving the longitudinal members between their adjacent spaced ends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,014,775 Rothchild Jan. 16, 1912 1,297,312 Barker Mar. 18, 1919 1,767,538 Mahan June 24, 1930 1,860,004 Yardley May 24, 1932 1,944,770 Svorcina Jan. 23, 1934 1,984,107 Barker Dec. 11, 1934 2,011,812 Hatcher Aug. 20, 1935 2,148,850 Deakins Feb. 28, 1939 2,192,670 Adkins Mar. 5, 1940 2,473,591 Killner .Tune 21, 1949 2,477,720 Caserta Aug. 2, 1949 2,744,727 Osburn May 8, 1956 2,750,958 Barker June 19, 1956

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