Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to intellectual property rights such as but not limited to copyright, trademark, and/or trade dress protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever.
A rotating control device (RCD) in a drilling operation contains fluids and manages pressure for the drilling operation. In certain situations, the drilling rig provides limited space for the drilling operation. In most of these instances, the overhead space above the RCD is limited by the rig providing the rig personnel with limited space to operate.
In known embodiments, a kelly drive attaches to the top of the RCD. The kelly drive rotates the inner barrel of the RCD with the drill string. The attachment of the kelly drive above the inner barrel increases the height of the RCD. The increased height of the kelly drive attached to the RCD limits the space above the RCD which is needed by rig personnel. Removal of the kelly drive assists the rig personnel with the operation of the rig by providing additional operating room for the rig personnel.
The removal of the kelly drive reduces the height of the RCD by at least three inches, approximately four inches. However, removal of the kelly drive exposes the inner barrel to potential damage. The top drive guide of the present invention creates a lower profile RCD by decreasing the overall height of the RCD by approximately four inches by removing the kelly drive unit. The top drive guide also protects the inner barrel while stabbing the inner barrel and rubber with the mandrel. Furthermore, the top drive guide is installed and removed rather easily. It also eliminates the need to weld a hard face on the driver surface.
The present invention also provides a sealed grease head with two separate grease compartments. Grease installed in the grease compartments lubricate the bearings and the seals to assist with operation of the RCD. The improved grease compartments provide sufficient grease to an upper bearing and a lower bearing. The two separate compartments separate the upper bearing and the lower bearing to provide a distinct compartment for the upper bearing. This separated compartment stores sufficient grease to be applied to the upper bearing without travelling downward for use with the lower bearing.
The present invention also provides an improved stripper rubber that reduces the costs and manufacture of stripper rubbers. The present invention provides a housing for a stripper rubber that includes a top retainer, a base plate, and at least one rubber disc. The disc is secured between the retainer and base plate. The number of rubber discs secured between the retainer and base plate will depend on the operation and pressure of the drilling operation.
In the known art, a kelly driver attaches above the RCD for rotation of the inner barrel with the drill string. However, the attachment of the kelly drive increases the height of the RCD. The top guide drive of the present invention eliminates the need for the kelly drive, thus creating additional work space above the RCD.
The top drive guide assists with insertion of the drill string through the inner barrel and a rubber found in the RCD. The top drive guide aligns the drill string with the inner barrel and rubber for insertion through the inner barrel and the rubber. The top drive guide positions the drill string within the rubber for rotation of the inner barrel with the drill string. The contact of the drill string with the rubber caused by the top drive guide rotates the inner barrel with the drill string. The top drive guide may be used either in a low pressure head or a high pressure head.
The present invention also provides a sealed grease head that provides two grease compartments, an upper grease compartment and a lower grease compartment. Each grease compartment is sealed by a top seal and a bottom seal. These grease compartments are located at the bearings between the inner barrel and outer barrel of the RCD. A grease inlet for each grease compartment allows the user to apply grease to the grease compartment. The grease flows to the bearings and seals to assist with the rotation of the inner barrel.
The present invention also provides a new casing stripper rubber that replaces stripper rubbers. The stripper rubber of the present invention decreases the costs of manufacturing the known stripper rubbers. The casing stripper rubber of the present invention utilizes rubber discs installed between a retainer and base plate. The retainer, rubber discs, and base plate are then installed into a nipple. Retention fingers on the nipple prevent the retainer, rubber discs, and base plate from passing through the nipple and into the hole.
It is an object of the present invention to provide rig personnel with additional room for operating the rig.
It is a further object of the present invention to decrease the overall height of the RCD.
It is a further object of the present invention to protect the inner barrel.
It is a further object of the present invention to eliminate the need for a kelly driver.
It is a further object of the present invention to use the sealing element of the RCD to grip the drill string to rotate the RCD.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide two grease compartments for lubricating the bearings and the seals of the RCD.
It is a further object of the present invention to eliminate and/or reduce grease from expanding through the seals and out of the compartments.
It is another object of the present invention to separate the upper bearing from the lower bearing to provide sufficient grease to the upper bearing.
Another object of the present invention is to allow larger drilling tools, down hole tools, and casing to pass through the attachment body and casing stripper.
Another object of the present invention is to maintain grease within the grease compartments.
Another object of the present invention is to create a safer work environment for rig personnel.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a larger bore size that enables rig operators to run larger size bits in the hole. Frequently large drill bits are pulled up into the RCD while stripping out of the well that become stuck in the RCD bore. These stuck drill bits increase down time on the rig increasing the drilling costs to the driller. These stuck drill bits also create higher refurbishing costs to the manufacturer to remove the stuck bit from the equipment.
Another object of the present invention is to lower drilling costs.
Another object of the present invention is to reduce downtime of the drilling operation.
It is another object of the present invention to reduce the costs of stripper rubbers.
In addition to the features and advantages of the sealed grease head and the top drive guide according to the present invention, further advantages thereof will be apparent from the following description in conjunction with the appended drawings.
These and other objects of the invention will become more fully apparent as the description proceeds in the following specification and the attached drawings. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections.
In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:
In well drilling, with a rotary drilling rig, the drill bit and drilling pipe receive rotary motion from power equipment located on the surface. Below the drilling floor, at the ground surface, there is usually an assembly known as a rotating head that circulates various fluids used in the drilling. The present invention relates to rotating heads for oil and gas wells and more particularly, to an improved rotating head that enables the ease of use for the end user.
The top drive guide 114 also provides an O-ring groove 132 for installing an O-ring to seal the head. The O-ring seals the head to limit debris from entering the head.
Guide finger 126 located along the upper interior of the top drive guide 114 shown in
The drill string passes through the top drive guide 114 and into the bore 130. The drill string is then stabbed through the rubber 124. As discussed above, the contact of the drill string with the rubber 124 rotates the inner barrel with the drill string.
Referring to
The rubber 124 attaches to the head 112. The rubber 124 secures to the rubber adapter 122 that attaches to the inner barrel 136. The rubber 124 seals around the drill string when the drill string is stabbed through the rubber 124. The contact of rubber 124 with drill string causes the rubber 124 to rotate with the drill string. As a result, the rotation of the drill string also rotates the inner barrel 136 due to the attachment of rubber 124 with rubber adapter 122 and inner barrel 136.
Referring to
The top seal carrier 116 attaches to the outer barrel 118 for sealing the upper grease compartment 142. The top seal carrier 116 places the top seal 138 adjacent the top seal surface 156. The top seal carrier 116 may be machined to place the top seal 138 at different locations on the top seal surface 156. In another embodiment, the top seal carrier may not be machined to adjust the location of the top seal. The contact between the top seal 138 and the top seal surface 156 seals the upper grease compartment 142. In one embodiment, the top seal is secured to the top seal carrier by a fastener, including but not limited to a dowel pin. The attachment of the top seal to the top seal carrier and the outer barrel enables the top seal to remain fixed with the outer barrel.
The middle seal 144 is mounted in the bore of the outer barrel 118. The middle seal 144 is located between the upper grease compartment 142 and the lower grease compartment 146. The middle seal 144 serves as a seal for both the upper grease compartment and the lower grease compartment. The middle seal 144 serves to seal the bottom of the upper grease compartment 142 and serves to seal the top of the lower grease compartment 146. The middle seal 144 may be mounted on different locations in the bore of the outer barrel to increase the contact area with the middle seal surface 158 on the inner barrel. In one embodiment, the middle seal is secured to a retaining plate by a fastener, including but not limited to a dowel pin. The attachment of the middle seal to the retainer plate and the outer barrel enables the middle seal to remain fixed with the outer barrel.
The bottom seal carrier 120 attaches to the outer barrel 118 for sealing the lower grease compartment 146. The bottom seal carrier 120 places the bottom seal 150 adjacent the bottom seal surface 160. The bottom seal carrier 120 may be machined to place the bottom seal 150 at different locations on the bottom seal surface 160. In another embodiment, the bottom seal carrier may not be machined to adjust the location of the bottom seal. The contact between the bottom seal 150 and the bottom seal surface 160 seals the lower grease compartment 146. In one embodiment, the bottom seal is secured to the bottom seal carrier by a fastener, including but not limited to a dowel pin. The attachment of the bottom seal to the bottom seal carrier and the outer barrel enables the bottom seal to remain fixed with the outer barrel.
In one embodiment, the top seal, bottom seal, and middle seal are secured to the outer barrel. The top seal, bottom seal, and middle seal in such an embodiment do not rotate with the inner barrel. Instead, the top seal, bottom seal, and middle seal remain fixed with the outer barrel.
The sealed grease head 112 provides lubrication to bearings 140, 148 in addition to top seal 138, bottom seal 150, and middle seal 144. Grease expands to approximately 30% above initial volume as it heats up. The internal pressure also increases as temperature increases. “Thickeners” in the grease release oil as the temperature rises.
In one embodiment, the grease compartments 142, 146 are filled to ⅔ capacity with grease. The initial fill of grease covers the bearings 140, 148 located in the grease compartments 142, 146. If the grease compartments 142, 146 are completely filled with grease prior to use, as the head heats up under normal operating parameters, grease will be forced out of the seals which would not be permissible.
Each grease compartment 142, 146 is filled to ⅔ capacity with grease to increase bearing life and bearing lubrication. A coating of grease is also applied to the upper top seal 138 prior to operation as lubrication is required for each seal to function as designed. As the head 112 heats up under normal use, the grease expands to lube the top seal 138.
The larger bore size of the grease head 112 allows rig operators to run larger size bits in the hole. Frequently, large drill bits are pulled up into the RCD while stripping the bits out of the well. These bits may then become lodged in the RCD bore. This causes down time on the rig and higher drilling cost to the driller. This also causes higher refurbishing costs to the manufacturer required by removal of the bit from the equipment. The nine inch bore of one embodiment of the present invention alleviates many of the problems associated with smaller bore equipment.
Each seal 138, 144, 150 contacts a seal surface 156, 158, 160. Each seal surface may be constructed from a tungsten sleeve attached to the inner barrel 136. As the seal surface 156, 158, 160 wears, the seal cavity may be machined again to place the seal 138, 144, 150 at a new location to wear a new area of the seal surface. Each seal contacts its own seal surface. Top seal 138 contacts top seal surface 156. Middle seal 144 contacts middle seal surface 158. Bottom seal 150 contacts bottom seal surface 160.
As the seal surface 156, 158, 160 is depleted, the user may replace the seal surface by attaching a new seal surface on the inner barrel 136. The attachment of a new seal surface allows for a longer life of the inner barrel 136 thus reducing costs and waste.
Fasteners 174 are installed into apertures 176, 204, 216 of the retainer 178, 203, 214, apertures 181, 208, 220, 224 of a rubber disc 180, 206, 218, 222, and apertures 183, 212, 228 of base plate 182, 210, 226 to secure the stripper rubber 168, 170, 172 within the nipple 184, 213, 229. Support fingers 186 located at the interior portion of the nipple 184, 213, 229 prevent the retainer 178, 203, 214, rubber discs 180, 206, 218, 222 and base plate 182, 210, 226 from being forced down hole. The support fingers 186 extend inward from the nipple 184, 213, 228 into the nipple aperture formed by the nipple. In one embodiment, the support fingers 186 are sized not to pass into the inner aperture of the corresponding retainer and base plate. By stopping short of the inner aperture, the support fingers 186 do not interfere with placing tools, casing, etc. down hole.
The support fingers 186 and base plates 184, 210, 226 are secured with the nipple 184, 213, 228. In one embodiment, the support fingers 186 and base plates 184, 210, 226 are welded to the nipple 184, 213, 228. The base plate may also be secured to the support fingers by welding the base plate to the nipple and the support fingers. The size of the nipple is selected according to the bowl. The outer wall of the nipple should be sized sufficiently large enough to form an inner aperture 169 sized to allow the casing and any other tools to pass down hole.
Each of the retainers 178, 203, 214; base plates 184, 210, 226; nipples 184, 213, 228; and rubber discs 180, 206, 218, 222 define an inner aperture sized to allow casing and other tools to be inserted down hole. The size of the inner aperture will be sized for the bore for which the stripper rubber is to be used. The outer wall of the retainers 178, 203, 214; base plates 184, 210, 226; and rubber discs 180, 206, 218, 222 will be sized according to the nipples 184, 213, 228.
To create the seal, the disk aperture of the rubber disks is sized smaller than the nipple aperture, the base aperture, and the retainer aperture. In one embodiment, the disk aperture has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the nipple aperture, the diameter of the base aperture, and the diameter of the retainer aperture. The rubber disk when secured with the base, the nipple, and the retainer extends horizontally inward into the inner aperture. Therefore, at least a portion of the rubber disk protrudes horizontally interior of the nipple aperture, the base aperture, and the retainer aperture.
In one embodiment, the retainers and base plates are secured to at least one rubber disc. Fasteners, such as bolts, screws, or other fasteners, secure the retainer, base plate, and rubber discs together. The apertures 216, 220, 224, 228, for example, are aligned with one another. The fasteners are installed into the apertures securing the base plate, the top retainer, and the rubber discs. In the embodiment in which the base plate is secured to the drilling nipple, the fasteners secure the top retainer and rubber discs with the base plate and the nipple to secure the stripper rubber within the nipple.
The body 190 of the clamp station 188 is a 20″ OD steel pipe (Body) with ¼″ wall thickness and, lastly, the base 190 of this body is welded to a 24″×24″×⅜″ steel base plate 192 (base). The top 194 of the body 190 is cut at an angle of 21 degrees (front is 34″—and back is 42″—from the base). This angled top 194 allows for the installation of a stainless steel gauge plate 196 that is either made for a HP or LP application.
The gauge plate 196 is installed at an angle of 14 degrees (34″ in front and 39″ in back—from the base), which causes the gauges and manual hydraulic valve to be below the elevation of the body's side-wall. This difference in elevation allows for retainer straps to be used during transportation and avoid contacting either the gauges or the valve. The clamp station 188 may also use two lift-eyes welded to both sides of the top of the body 190 that serve as lifting points as well as providing a holding location for the retainer straps as shown in
The door 202 to the clamp station 188 is fabricated by cutting the left side of the door and welding a hinge in place over this first cut. The other three sides of the door are then cut to free the door from the body. Door stops are then welded in to prevent the door from swinging inside the body.
The internal tank 204 is created when a round, ¼″ plate (tank lid) is welded in at a distance of 8″ above the bottom of the body, serving as the top to the eight gallon tank. This tank lid is cut specifically to have a series of pipe couplings welded in it to create a liquid-tight space and allow for the tank to be plumbed for outbound and inbound hydraulic oil as shown in
Inside the body cavity are hard-mounted pneumatic and hydraulic components that create the plumbing system. The list of these components is specific to either the high- or low-pressure application of its intended use.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This application claims priority to and is a continuation in part of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/801,175 filed on Mar. 15, 2013 entitled Sealed Grease Head and Top Drive Guide.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61801175 | Mar 2013 | US |