US2986415A - Stop devices for well conduit - Google Patents

Description

May 30, 1961 R. o. PARK 2,986,415

STOP DEVICES FOR WELL CONDUIT Filed Aug. 11, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 055 BY 0 Arma May 30, 1961 R. o. PARK 2,986,415

STOP DEVICES FOR WELL CONDUIT Filed Aug. 11, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. 05597 0. J ne/e Arrae/vzys'.

STOP DEVICES FOR WELL CONDUIT Robert 0. Park, Lakewood, cane, assignor a; Baker on Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Aug. 11, 1958, Ser. No. 754,329

18 Claims. (Cl. 287-52) The present invention relates to subsurface well bore equipment, and more particularly to stop devices adapted to, be mounted on well casings, liners, tubings, and Sim].- lar conduit strings, for engaging and moving other apparatus mounted on such strings through the well bore.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stop device adapted to be secured to well casings and the like without resort to a welding operation, which is capable of withstanding comparatively large longitudinally directed forces without slipping on the casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stop device of the character above indicated which is comparatively easy and economical to manufacture. As an example, most of the device can be produced on punch presses.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stop device of the character above indicated which is easy to mount on a well casing or similar conduit string. More specifically, the simple expedient of striking the device at a single point with a hammer firmly attaches the device to the casing.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a stop device of the character indicated which will be in- .stalled in a coaxial position on the well casing, the upper and lower ends of the device being normal to the axis of the well casing so that the device makes proper surface engagement with companion apparatus slidably mounted on the casing, such as a casing centralizer or wall scratcher.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

. Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus mounted on a string of well casing disposed in a well bore, parts being broken away for purposes of clarity; V

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the stop device mounted on a casing section prior to firm attachment of the device to the casing;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken along the line 3-3 on Fi 2;

fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line 4-4 on Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an isometric projection of a stop device prior to its being mounted on a well casing;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, illustrating the stop device when constricted for attachment to the well casing;

- Fig. 7 is a section taken along the line 7-7 on Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an isometric projection similar to Fig. 6 of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a section of the stop device taken generally along the line 9-9 on Fig. 3.

As illustrated in the drawings, a stopdevice A is to be secured to a string of well casing B, or other runningin string, and is adapted to engage another apparatus C', such as a casing centralizer slidably mounted on the easing string. The device is shown in conjunction with a casing centralizer for illustrative purposes only, it being understood that it is also useful in other relationships, being adapted for engagement with wall scratchers, cementing baskets, and other apparatus that might be slidably mounted on a casing, or similar conduit string, to be moved longitudinally therewith through the well bore D.

As illustrated in the drawings, the casing centralizer C is mounted on the casing section B disposed in a well bore D. This centralizer may take any desired form. As specifically illustrated, it includes upper and lower 'longi tudinally spaced collars 10, 1'1 slidable on the casing sec tion, the collars being interconnected by circumferentially spaced outwardly bowed leaf spring members 12 welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The inter mediate portions of the springs engage the wall of the well bore D and tend to center the well casing therewithin B, in a known manner.

Upper and lower stop rings 13, 14 are secured in longitudinally spaced relation to the upper and lower collars 10, 11, respectively, as by use of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending rigid bars 15 attached to both the collars and the rings by welding, or in any other suit able manner.

The particular centralizer disclosed is of the hinge type, in which the collars 10, 11 and the rings 13, 14 are each made in two parts secured to one another by diametrically opposed hinges 16. The hinges on one side of the device may be disconnected as by removing the hinge pins 17 which would then allow the casing centralizer C to be swung to open position and placed laterally around the casing section B. Afterwards, the centralizer can be closed and the pins 17 reinserted through the hinge knuckles, all in a known manner. The centralizer is thus slidably mounted on the casing section.

The centralizer or centering apparatus C is movable longitudinally through the well bore upon longitudinal movement of the well casing B. A stop device A is secured to the casing section between the upper and lower stop rings 13, 14 and collars 10, 11, this device being engageable with the inner edges 18, 19 of the rings 13, 14 to force the centralizer apparatus through the well bore. Assuming the casing B to be moved downwardly in the well bore D, the stop device A engages the upper edge 19 of the lower stop ring 14 to pull the apparatus C and its outwardly bowed springs 12 through the well bore and past any restrictions that might be encountered therein. On the other hand, movement of the casing string B in an upward direction will cause the stop device A to engage the lower edge 18 of the upper stop ring 13 and pull the centering device C in an upward direction with the casing string in the well bore.

The particular stop device illustrated in Figs. 2 to 7,- inclusive, on the drawings, is adapted to be mounted over an end of the casing section B and secured thereto in a desired location, after which the casing centralizer C is mounted laterally on the casing in the manner described above, with the stop device A disposed between the upper and the lower stop rings 13, 14. In the form of stop device disclosed in Fig. 8, the centralizer or other apparatus can be first mounted on the casing section, after which the stop device can be moved laterally into appropriate assembled relation on the casing section B between the upper and lower stop rings 13, 14 of the cen- 3 tralizing device, the stop device then being attached to the casing section as described hereinbelow.

As disclosed in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, the stop device A includes an annular, member 20, such as aring, or sleeve of generally cylindricalform, which has its upper andlower ends 21, 22 normal to its axis. This annular member 20 has an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the casing section B onwhich it is to be mounted and to which it istobe secured, the annular member having inwardly extending teeth 23, 24, adapted tobite into or grip the outer surface of the casing section. As disclosed, an upper set of circumferentially spaced teeth 23 is formed in the interior of the annular member 20, these teeth facing in a downward direction and being adapted to grip the exterior of the wall casing to prevent. relative downwardmovement of the annular member on the casing section. Similarly, another or lower set of circumferentially spaced teeth 24 is provided, facing in an upward direction and adapted to bite into or grip the casing section to prevent relative upward movement of the annular member or ring. 2 0v with respect thereto.

The annular member is split, and. after being placed on the casing section it is constricted to force its teeth 23, 24,'into the exterior of the casing section B. The constricted device is disposed at one side of the annular member. The main body of the annular member has upper and lower arcuate bodyportions 25, 26 on opposite sides ofits split which longitudinally overlap each other. Thus, an upper arcuate body portion projects circumferentially from the main body portion, as in a counterclockwise directionas seenin the, drawings, the upper end 27 of this body portion-lying in the same plane as the upper end 21 of the main body portion. The lower side 28 of the arcuate body portion 25 is parallel to its upper end 27, being spaced upwardly by a' substantial distance from the lower end 22 of the annular member 20. The free end of the upper arcuate body portion 25 is integral with a depending or longitudinally and downwardly extending head portion 29 terminating a substantial distance above the transverse plane in Which'the lower-end22 of the annular member lies. Integral with the head is a central tongue 34) which extends from the head in a counterclockwise direction as seen in the drawings. This tongue preferably lies inacentral transverse plane of the annular member 20 normal to its axis and is movable arcuately within a companion central groove 31 formed in the interior of the annular member. The-base'32 of the groove and the outer surface 33 of the central tongue are preferably tapered so as to facilitate sliding of the tongue along the base of, and within, the groove.

It is to be noted that the left side 34 of the depending head 29 and the side or end 35 of the main body portion of the annular member are spaced arcuately from one another by a substantial distance, and that these sides are intersected by the lower end 28 of the arcuate body portion 25, defining a space adapted to receive the underlying arcuate body portion 26, which extends arcuately in a clockwise direction, as seen in the drawings, from the other end of the main body portion. The lower arcuate body portion 26 is in overlapping relation to the upper body portion 25 and is actually a duplicate thereof. Thus, the end of the lower body portion 26 merges into a longitudinal or upwardly extending head 37 that terminates adjacent the lower side 28 of the upper body portion 25. From this-head, a tongue 38 projectswhich is adapted to be received within a companion groove '39, within the mainbody portion, this tongueand groove also preferabl lying in the same central plane as the other tongue3t) and groove 31, with the base. 40 ofthe groove.

tapering. fromthe end 35., of the main body portionin an inward directionfor engagement by a companion ex:

ternal surface 41011, the central tongue. The lower end 42,.of the lower arcuate body portion .lies in thesame plane normal ,to the axis of the annular member as the end 22"of'the main body portion of the annular member;

the upperend 43 of the underlying body portion 26 being disposed a substantial distance below the upper normal plane in which the end 21 of the main body lies, and adjacent to the lower end of the upper head 29 and upper central tongue 30. The side 45 of the lower head 37 and the opposite side or end 46 of the main body portion are spaced arcuatelyfrom one another for substantially the same distance as the side 34 of the upper head and the left side 35 of the main body to define a space with the upper end 21 of the lower body portion into which the upper head 29'andupper tongue 30are received. The opposed sides 34, 35 of the heads 29, 37 are also spaced'from one another, which is also true of the inner ends 28, 34 of the overlapping body portions 25, 26, defining a generally rectangular opening or space 47 into which a constricting device, actuator or wedge 48 can be disposed. As shown, this actuator is generally V-shaped, having a width substantially the same as the distance betweenthe inner ends 28, 43 of the overlapping body portions25, 26; Thesouter ends of its arms, 49 are initially disposed. adjacent the sides 34, 45 of the heads 29, 37., The actuator. 48, i's retained initially in the opening 47 to prevent its, loss in any suitable manner, as

are relatively positioned asillustratedinFigs. 2, 3, and 5'.

Whenin such position,,the-eflective diameter across the gripping teeth 23' and 2 4" is slightly greaterthan the outside diameter ofthe casing section B on which the stop device is to be mounted. At this time, the tongues" 30, 38am disposedpartially within their companion grooves 31, 39, there being a substantial arcuate gap 51' between the end of each body portion 25, 26' andthei adjacent side 46, 35 of the main body portionof the annular mem= ber 20. At this time, also, the actuator 48 isof'theV shape disclosed, with its central portion 52 projecting laterally outwardly. of the ring. and with the end portions ofitsarms 49 adjacent to or in contact with th'e'opposed sides 34,45 of the head portions 29, 37.

The stop-device A isslipped over the end of the casing section B and is moved to the position at which it is to be secured thereto.

6'and 7, at which the diameter. of the annular member 20 has been decreased sufiiciently'to insure a digging'in or embedding of its teeth 23, 24 in the exteriorof" the Well casing, The flattened actuator 48 then'servesas a V lock or a relatively rigid bar, preventing expansion of the annular member 20 and its release'from the well casing-BE During the inward hammering of theactuator 48, as= surance is had that the. annular member 20 does not tilt relative to the axis ofthe Well casing, since the sliding of the central tongues 30, 38 within their companion grooves 31, 39 will maintain the upper and lower ends 21, 22 of the annular. memberin upper and lower central planes normal to the axis of the,casing.- According; ly,' the upper and lower ends of the annular member; will engage the companionaapparatus, such as the upper and lower stop rings 13,,1,4'of.- the casing centralizer, over substantially;their full'circumferential surface.

It-is furtherto be noted that rthe'arcuate .spaces '51ithat initiallyexisted between theendsi46; 35 of thermainr'body portion of the annular .member.:and'thesopposed; ends- When such position is reached, hammer blows are struck upon the central portion 52 of' of its overlapping portions 25, 26 are such that such ends bottoms of the grooves 31, 39 will not only insure appropriate relative sliding between the parts as the annular member 20 is constricted, but will also insure that the ends of the tongues will not engage any ends of the grooves. In fact, the grooves do not have any inner ends since their tapered bottoms 32, 40 extend to the inner surface of the annular member 20.

As assurance that the actuator 48 will remain in its inward hammered position, to hold the annular member 20 constricted upon the casing, retainer portions can be struck from the overlapping body portions 25, 26 and heads 29, 37. Thus, as disclosed, a center punch or the like can be struck with a hammer to force some of the metal 60 of the head portions 29, 37 and the overlapping body portions 25, 26 inwardly of the opening 47. Such inwardly projecting metal portions 60 will not interfere with the inward hammering of the actuator 48 to a comparatively fiat condition against the casing section B. Since the actuator is made of a malleable metal, the hammer blows will actually result in a deformation of some of the actuator material under the retainer punches 60, the overlapping of the center punches 60 thus provided insuring that the actuator 48 cannot shift outwardly from the opening 47.

The stop device A illustrated is capable of withstanding large longitudinal forces without slipping on the casing section B. Actual tests have shown that it will withstand in excess of ten thousand pounds force on all grades of casing, including casing made from heat treated and alloy steels. Actually, in some grades of easing, the stop ring ,has withstood forces in excess of thirty thousand pounds.

The forces mentioned above are far greater than those actually encountered in a well bore in connection with moving another apparatus, such as a casing centralizer 'or a wall scratcher, longitudinally in the well bore.

In addition to its ability to withstand and transmit high loads, the apparatus is very simple to construct and also economical to produce. Its various portions can be formed on a punch press. The teeth 23, 24 can be upset from the inner wall of the annular member 20 on a punch press, and its various overlapping portions can also be formed on a punch press. This is also true of the center punch retainer portions 60 that insure against removal of the actuator 48 from its locked position between the heads 29, 37. Assurance is also had that the apparatus will be mounted square on the casing sections in view of the guiding action provided by the tongues 30, 38 within the grooves 31, 39.

The form of invention disclosed in Fig. 8 is substantially the same as the one previously described, except that e the annular member 20a is made in two parts or segments 70, 71 to enable the segments to be moved laterally over the casing B and then interlocked with respect to one another. Thus, the annular member, in efiect, is

provided with another split opposite its locking portion,

these segments having oppositely disposed hooks 72, 73 that interlock with one another. One segment 71 has an upwardly extending hook 73 received within a companion recess 74 in the other segment 70 which has a downwardly extending hook 72 received within a companion recess 75 in the first-mentioned member. The

segments 70, 71 are placed over the casing and then 72, 73-01: the diametrically opposite portion coupling-the segments 70, 71 to one another. The locking action occurs in the same manner as described above in connection with the other form of the invention.

The inventor claims:

1. In a stop device adapted to be mounted 0112. runningin string to be disposed in a well bore: a split annular member adapted to be disposed on the running-in string, said member having overlapping portions at its split; and means having portions engaging said overlapping portions and movable in opposite directions away from each other circumferentially of said member to force said overlapping portions away from each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string.

2. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to be disposed in a well bore: a split annular member adapted to be disposed on the running-in string, said member having arcuately overlapping portions at its split and longitudinally overlapping portions extending longitudinally from said arcuately overlapping portions; and means engaging said longitudinally overlapping portions to force said longitudinally overlapping portions away from each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string.

3. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to be disposed in a well bore: a split annular member adapted to be disposed on the running-in string, said member having overlapping portions at its split; means engaging said overlapping portions and movable in a direction circumferentially of said member to force said por tions away from each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string; and comgaging means on said member for maintaining said member coaxial with the runningin string during its constriction thereon.

4. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a run ning-in string to be disposed in a Well bore: a split annular member adapted to be disposed on the running-in string, said member having arcuately overlapping portions at its split and longitudinally overlapping portions extending longitudinally from said arcuately overlapping portions; means engaging said longitudinally overlapping portions to force said longitudinally overlapping portions away from each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string; and coengaging means on said member for maintaining said member coaxial with the running-in string during its constriction thereon.

5. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to be disposed in a well bore; a split annular member adapted to be disposed on the running-in string, said member having overlapping portions at its split; means engaging said overlapping portions to force said portions away from each other to construct said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string; a tongue secured to each overlapping portion and slidably received in a companion groove in the annular member to maintain said member coaxial with the running-in string during its constriction thereon.

6. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to be disposed in a Well bore: a split annular member adapted to be disposed on the running-in string, said member having arcuately overlapping portions at its split and longitudinally overlapping portions extending from said arcuately overlapping portions; means engaging said longitudinally overlapping portions to force said longitudinally overlapping portions away from each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string; and a tongue secured to each overlapping portion and slidably received in a companion groove in the annular member to maintain said member coaxial of the running-in string during its constriction thereon.

7. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to be disposed in a. well bore: a split annular imembcr adapted to be disposed on-therunning in string, paid member having overlapping portions at its split; a ideiormable actuator in a planeof said membernormalto its axis and engaging said overlapping'portions and proectmg in said plane laterally outwardly of said member,

gsaid actuator being adapted to be forced laterally inwardly in the plane of said annular member by hammer blows to force said portions away from'each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string.

8. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to be disposed in a well bore: a split annular member adapted to be disposed on the running-in string, ,said member having overlapping portions at its split; a deformable actuator engaging said overlapping portions and projecting laterally outwardly of said member, said actuator being adapted to be force inwardly by hammer blows to force said portions away from each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the :running-in string;;and means on said overlapping portions engageable with said actuator for retainingsaid actuator in its inward position.

9. In a stop device adapted to be mountedon a running-in strip to be disposed in a well bore: a splitannular n1ember adapted to be disposed on the running-in string, rsaid member having arcuately overlapping portions at its 'said member having overlapping portions at its split; a

deformable actuator engaging said overlapping portions and projecting laterally outwardly of said member, said actuator being adapted to be forced inwardly by hammer blows to force said portions away from each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string; and a tongue secured to each overlapping portion and slidably received in a companion groove in the annular member to maintain said member coaxial of the running-in string during its constriction thereon.

ll. In a stop device'adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to be disposed in a well bore: a split annular member adapted to be disposed on the runningin string,

"said member having overlapping portions at its split; a

deformable actuator engaging said overlapping-portions and projecting laterally outwardly of said member, said actuator being adapted to be forced inwardly byhamrner blows to force said portions away from each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string; a tongue secured toeach overlapping portion and slidably received in a companion groove in a the annular member to maintain said member coaxial of the runing-in string during its constriction thereon; and

'rneans on said overlapping portions engageable with said actuator for retaining said actuator in its inward position.

"12. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to be disposed in a well bore; a' split annular member adapted to be disposed on the running-in string and having inner teeth therein, said member having arenately overlapping portions at its split and longitudinally overlapping portions extending from said arcuately overla'ppingportions; a deformable actuatoriengaging said longitudinally overlapping portionsiand projecting laterally outwardly of said member, said actuator being adapted to be forced inwardly by hammer blows to force said portions away from each other to constrict said member ':and pause its teeth to grip theru n ns-in st in nd l t n ue s cure to ach oneitn ina ov r appi or io and slidably re e d n a c mpa i n r ove n I rnu r m e to maint n a m ber coa al f the:

;shaped deformable actuator disposed between and engaging said longitudinally overlapping portion and projecting laterally outwardly of said member, said actuator being adapted to be forced inwardly toward the runningin string by hammer blows to be deformed toward a flat condition and force said longitudinally overlapping .portions away from each other to constrictsaid member and cause its teeth to grip the running-in string; and a tongue secured to each longitudinally overlapping portion and slidably received in a companion groove in the annular member to maintain said member-coaxial off the runningin string during its constriction thereon.

14. In a stop device adapted to be mounted one running-in string to be disposedin a well bore: ,a split annular member adapted to be disposed on the runningin string, said member having overlapping portions at its split; and actuator means in a plane of said member normal to its axial and'extending between and engaging said overlapping portions andprojecting in said plane laterally outwardly of said member, said actuator means being adapted to be forced laterally inwardly inthe plane of said annular member to force said portions away from each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string.

15. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to be disposed in a well bore: asplittm' nular member adapted to be disposed on the running-in string, said member having overlapping portions at its split; and actuator means in a plane of said member normal to its axis and extending between said overlapping portions and projecting in said plane laterally outwardly of said member, said actuator means having ends engaging said overlapping portions, said actuator means being adapted to be forced laterally inwardly in the plane of said annular member to force its ends gircumferentially further apart and thereby force said portions away from each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string.

16. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to be disposed in a well bore: a split annular member adapted to be disposed on the running-in string, said member having overlapping portions at its split; a deformable actuator in a plane of said member normal to its axis and engaging said overlapping portions and projecting in said plane laterally outwardly. of said member, said actuator havingends engaging said overlapping portions, said actuator being adapted to be forced laterally inwardly in the plane of said annular member by hammer blows towardsaid annular member to force its ends circumferentially further apart and thereby force said portions away from each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string.

17. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to be disposed in a well bore: a split annular member adapted to' be disposed on the running-in string, said member having overlapping portions at its split; a deformable, generally V-shaped actuator having arms secured to each other at an angle to each other and projecting laterally outwardly of said member, the inner portions of said arms being in engagement with said overlapping portions, said arms being adaptedto be forced inwardly by hammer blows to increase theangle between said arms and force said overlapping portions away from 9 each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string.

18. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to be disposed in a Well bore: a split annular member adapted to be disposed on the runningin string, said member having overlapping portions at its split; and actuator means having arms secured to each other at an angle to each other and projecting laterally outwardly of said member, the inner portions of said arms being in engagement with said overlapping portions, said arms being adapted to be forced laterally inwardly to force said overlapping portions away from each other to constrict said member into gripping engagement with the running-in string.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 903,593 Lowendahl Nov. 10, 1908 2,846,016 Hanes Aug. 5, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 87,216 Germany June 24, 1896

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