US2712932A - Tool supporting device - Google Patents

Description

July 12, 1955 J. P. GOULD TOOL SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 20, 1951 v 5&

l a R m 3 Q u m e W0 a 16 r e h H P j a, a a 4 A C L /4 (/2 HIl n July 12, 1955 J. P. GOULD TOOLSUPPORTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 20, 1951 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 0 2,712,932 TOOL SUPPORTING DEVICE Jay P. Gould, La Canada, Calif. Application August 20, 1951, Serial No. 242,766 9 Claims. (Cl. 267-70) This invention has to do with a tool supporting device and is more specifically concerned with a device for use in or with well drilling equipment, as where parts or assemblies are being handled in a derrick. A general object of the invention is to provide a device adapted to be used when very heavy elements are being handled to as tools, and the various elements involved are joined or connected by threaded connections engaged as the tools are run into the Well and disconnected as tools are withdrawn from the well. In an ordinary situation stands of drill pipe outnumber all other elements or tools that are required to be handled and they are joined by threaded connections known as tool joints. In the usual situation the equipment provided between the tools and the head or top of the derrick includes a traveling block that handles the line, an elevator or the like, that engages the tool or tools, and and the elevator.

It is common to provide the hook with relatively movable parts and with a spring that afiords cushioning action as the drill pipe is being handled, that is, which is such as to provide a cushion when a stand of drill pipe is suspended in the derrick. As a result of this arrangement and relationship of parts the threads of the tool joints provided in connection with stands of drill pipe can be engaged and released without serious danger of injury or mutilation.

In the usual string of drilling tools one or more heavy sections or lengths of drill collar are employed to provide weight at the lower end of the drilling string and these are joined together, are joined to tools such as bits, etc., and are joined to the drill pipe, by threaded connections. Since a section of drill collar is very heavy the cushioning action provided in the usual hook is inadequate and as a result the threaded connections provided by the drill collar sections and between the drill collar sections and other equipment are ordinarily handled without the benefit of cushioning action and as a result are frequently damaged, making recutting or dressing necessary.

It is an object of this invention to provide a tool supporting device for use in connection with a heavy tool or element of equipment, such as a section of drill collar, and it serves to provide a cushioning action under conditions that are not adequately taken care of by the usual cushioning equipment or hook employed in a derrick.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of simple form, of compact, inexpensive construction,

a hook between the block 2,712,932 Patented July 12, 1955 and which is such that it can be readily attached to a tool to be handled, for instance, to a section of drill collar, and can be easily and conveniently engaged by equipment in a derrick such, for example, as an elevator, or the like.

The device provided by the present invention is intended to be used in a standard or conventional well drilling rig, for instance, where the tools operated in the well are handled in the derrick by means of a traveling block, elevator, and spring hook between the block and elevator. In a typical situation the device is intended to be used in connection with sections of drill collar and is not employed when the derrick is being operated to handle stands of drill pipe, or the like.

The device of the present invention involves, generally, a coupling applicable to or such as to make connection with the upper end of a section of drill collar, or the like, and an upwardly projecting stem that is exposed and which is provided at its upper end with an enlargement establishing a downwardly facing shoulder to receive an elevator engaged around the stem. A means connects the coupling and stem to provide limited relative longitudinal movement between these parts, and in a preferred construction this means involves a case with a cylindrical body closed at its upper and lower ends by heads. A rod, preferably central of the case, extends into the body of the case through the lower head and depends from the case to carry the coupling. The head at the upper end of the case carries the stem that receives the elevator. A cushioning means is provided and preferably involves construction that provides cushioning action between the rod and the case. In one form of the invention this means is formed by a helical compression spring located in the case around the rod and between a flange on the upper end of the rod and the head at the lower end of the case.

In another form of the invention the flange on the upper end of the rod is a piston-like structure fitting the interior of the case which is cylindrical, and packing is provided between these parts. In this case a fitting is provided through which a gas or air can be introduced into the case so that as the device operates the gas in the case is under compression and afiords the desired cushioning action. In another form of the invention the case, cushion, and the spring construction are combined so that both actions or means cooperate to provide the desired cushioning effect.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a View illustrating a portion of a derrick of typical construction, showing it located over a well and showing typical tool handling equipment in the derrick in the course of handling a section of drill collar, while another section of drill collar is at rest in the derrick and stands of drill pipe are carried in the derrick. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1, showing the device of the present invention connected to a setcion of drill collar and held by an elevator which is carried by a hook provided on a traveling block. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the device provided by the present invention, certain parts being in section. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing another form of construction. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of another portion of the structure shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 4 showing another form of the invention.

The device of the present invention is adapted to be used in a typical or conventional well drilling rig together with parts and equipment that are commonly used in such a rig. In the drawings I show 'a derrick A of con- 3. ventional form, having a floor and an open vertically disposed frame-Work 11. A line L supported from the top or head of the derrick carries a traveling block B so that it is in line with the well W. A typical tool handling device or elevator C is connected with or coupled to the traveling block by a device known as a hook D.

In a typical or usual drilling'rig an elevator handles the tools that are employed, the tools being provided with downwardly facing shoulders adapted to be engaged by the elevator. The rotary unit E is shown at the derrick floor and in register with the well W. In the particular situation illustrated a section 13 of drill collar is entered in the well through the rotary unit E where it is supported so that its upper end is in the derrick. Another or second section 14 of drill collar is shown in the derrick whereit is suspended from the line L through the block B, hook D, elevator C and the cushioning device F provided by the present invention.

The drill collar section 14 is supported so that it is in vertical alignment with the section 13 held by the table E, and in the case illustrated a suitable sub or coupling 15 with threaded parts is provided to connect the drill collar sections 13 and 14. In addition to the parts thus far described a third drill collar section 16 is shown at rest in the derrick, and a plurality of stands 17 of drill pipe are standing in the derrick. The drill collar section 16 which is at rest is shown equipped with a cushioning device F provided by the present invention, and serves to illustrate the manner in which the device can be applied to a drill collar sectionat rest in the derrick preliminary to its being handled in the derrick for connection to a part in line with the well. In practice the desired operations can be carried out with a single device F embodying the present invention, or, if desired, each heavy part such as each drill collar; section, can beprovided with a de vice F.

So far as the present invention is concerned the equipment employed in the derrick for handling it can be varied widely and the particular parts shown in the drawings are shown merely for the purpose of illustrating typical equipment. The block B handles the line L and the hook D has relatively movable sections 20 and 21 between which a compression spring 22 operates. The section 20 is joined to the block B by a bail 23 and a hook device 24' is carried by the section 21 and is adapted to receive and hold the bails 25 of the elevator (I. The hook D being of conventional form involves the spring 22 which is such as to afiord cushioning action when a stand of drill pipe is carried by the elevator. Since a section of drill collar is heavierthan a stand of drill pipe, the spring 22- of the hook D is totally compressed and without cushioning action when a section of drill collar is being handled by the equipment. Further, it is to be understood that in accordance with standard practice the bail 23 of the hook is, in effect, permanently engaged with the block and the elevator is, in effect, permanently latched or hooked to the hook, the block, the hook and the elevator forming, in efiect, a permanent or normal assembly of elements employed as a string of tools is being lowered into or removed from the well.

The device F of the presentinvention, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, involves a coupling engageable with or applicable to the tool to be handled, by the device, a stem 31 projecting upwardly and adapted to be engaged by an elevator or the like, means 32 connecting the coupling 30 and stem 31 for relative movement and preferably involving an elongate tubular body 33 with upper and lower ends or heads 34 35 respectively, and a rod 36 extending into the body through the head 35 and adapted to reciprocate relative thereto. A cushioning means is provided and in the case under consideration involves a spring 37 carried by or in the body 33.

The spring is preferably a helical compression spring acting between a flange 38 on the upper end of the rod 36 and, the bottom or lower head 35 at the lower end of the body 33.

The coupling 34 is provided for making connection with the upper end of the tool or part to be handled by the device. Since the upper end of the usual drill collar section is provided with a threaded socket 40 the coupling 39 is provided with a threaded pin portion 41 depending from a tool receiving part 42. in practice the threads of the socket 40 and part 41 may be heavy or coarse threads, such as are employed in tool joints, and

the parts 42 and 42 may be related so that when the pin 41 is engaged in a socket 45), as shown in Fig. 2, the part 42 is exposed so that it can be conveniently engaged by a tool such as a wrench, or the like.

The stem 31 is an elongate, vertically disposed part is preferably provided at its upper end with an enlargement 5d, establishing a downwardly facing shoulder 51. In the particular case illustrated the enlarge ment, 5% is shown threaded onto the upper end of stem portion 52 and the shoulder 51 presented by the enlargeznent is such asv to be engaged by an elevator C, or the like, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. It is preferred, in practice, to provide the enlargement 5i} with an; upwardly projecting threaded portion 53 serving as a part that can be engaged or coupled to, in the event that it is necessary to handle the device'- by means other than an elevator, or the like. For example, should the device of the present invention ever accidentally enter a well, th

part 53 is exposed and accessible and can be readily engaged by a fishing tool, or the like.

The body 33 of means 32 is preferably an elongate cylindrical element and in the case illustrated the head 34 at its upper end is integral with the body. The head 34* has the stem 31 connected to it or it serves as a carrier for, the stern, and in the case illustrated the stem and head 34 are joined by a threaded connection 60. TheheadSS at the lower endv of the body 33 is joined to the body by a threaded connection 61 so, that these parts can be separated when desired. The head 35 has a central guide opening 62 passing the rod'36 so that the rod depends from. the body and head assembly to support the coupling 36 at a suitable point below these parts.

The. cushioning means shown in the form of the invention illustrated on sheet 1 of the drawings involves a single compression spring 37 and this spring is preierably a helical spring surrounding the rod within the body 7 3-3 and confined between the flange 38 on the rod 36 and the head 35 at-the lower end of the body. In the particular case illustrated the flange 38 is joined to the 7 upper end of the rod 36 by a threaded connection 65. In accordance with the invention the spring 37 is of such strength or stifiness as to yield or compress somewhat under the weight of a drill collar section, but it is not completely compressed by such, a weight and consequently, when the device is usedas illustrated in Figs, 1 and 2 of the, drawings, the drill collar section is yieldingly supported or cushioned so that its lower end can be engaged with'or detached from an element held in the rotary table E without danger of the threads at these parts being damaged or injured any more than is the case when a stand of d l pipe is being handled by the usual equipment. It is to be observed, however, that when the device of the present invention is being used, and a. heavy tool such as, a section of drill collar is being handled, any cushioning a tion p i gmeans involved in a hook D, orthe like, is beyond its capacity and, ineffective.

In the form of the invention. shown in Figs... 4 to ,v nclusive,,the cushioning means involves an enlargement on the rod 36 in the form, of a piston 38. The piston in cludes sealing meansjor packing providing a fluid tight seal between thepiston and-the cylindrical, wall 71 of body 33. A fitting'72 preferably including a'check valve 73is provided at the lower endof; the body 3.?! or in the lowerhead' 251*; and issuch as "to pass: air'or-other gas into the body between the head 35 and the piston 38. It is further preferred that an opening 75 be provided, as for instance, in head 35 and that a pressure gauge 76 be mounted in communication with the opening 75 so that the pressure prevailing in the body 33 below the piston 38 can be readily ascertained.

Further, it is preferred that an outlet or bleed opening 78 be provided, as for instance, in head 35- and that a closure or plug 79, such as a screw plug, be provided to normally close the bleed opening 78. In the case illustrated the bleed opening 78 intersects or is in communication with opening 75, and the screw plug or closure 79 has a bleed port or duct 90 extending through it from one end to the other. When the plug 79 is seated or in closed position, its inner end engages a seal or packing 91 while a head or enlargement 92 gages a seal 93 provided around the ing 78. If it is desired to release or relieve some of the pressure in the body, the plug 79 can be backed out until its inner end is in communication with opening 75, whereupon, fluid is exhausted through the port 90. Under such circumstances, the plug is still effectively threaded in the opening 78. Through this construction, fluid can be bled from the body 33 safely, that is, without danger of pressure in the body displacing the plug as it is operated. Further, it is preferred in this form of the invention, that a sealing or packing means 80 be provided between the head 35 and rod 36 so that a fluid tight seal is maintained between these parts.

In using or utilizing or body of air or other gas is introduced into body 33 through fitting 72 so that the air in the body is under such pressure as to have a cushioning effect or action as the device is utilized in the handling of a drill collar section, or the like. tures of the structure shown in Figs. 4 to 6 are concerned, they may be the same as illustrated on sheet 1 of the drawings. In the particular case illustrated, the top head 34 applied to the body 33 instead of being integral with the body as shown in Fig. 3, is joined thereto by threaded connection 83.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings, features of construction employed in the form shown in Fig. 3 are combined with features of construction shown in Fig. 4, that is, the mechanism shown in Fig. 4 has a spring 37 added to or combined therewith to supplement the cushioning action of the air carried in body 33 The spring 37 is a helical compression spring, and it is located in body 33 between the piston 38 and the lower head 35 From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that with any of the forms of structure that I have provided, a heavy tool or object, say for instance, a section of drill collar that would normally completely compress the normal cushion such as the spring 22 of hook D, can be handled with a cushioning action so that the threads of the connections involved are not subject to injury. In a typical case such as is illustrated in Fig. l, a section 14 of drill collar is carried or suspended through the cushioning action of device F and as it is operated vertically relative to the complementary part held in table E, there is a softened or cushioned action that prevents or minimizes the danger of thread injury. As above suggested, a single unit or device F embodying the invention can be employed in a rig and can be applied to whatever heavy tool is being handled, or, if desired, a plurality of units F can be employed, for example, one for each heavy object that is to be handled.

at its outer end enouter end of open- Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

this form of the invention, a charge So far as the various other fea- 3 the lower head, a threaded coupling Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device adapted for use on a well tool and to be engaged by a well elevator including, a vertical body with a cylinder portion, a rod extending upwardly into the body and movable vertically relative thereto, a stem projecting upwardly from the body and provided with an enlargement with an upwardly projecting threaded tool joint coupling and defining a downwardly facing annular shoulder adapted to be engaged by a well elevator, cushioning means checking downward movement of the rod relative to the body, and a threaded tool joint coupling on the rod spaced below the body and adapted to be releasably connected to a well tool, the cushioning means including a piston on the rod operating in the cylinder portion of the body, a fluid seal around the rod at the lower end of the cylinder portion, and means adapted to pass compressible fluid into the body beneath the piston.

2. A device adapted for use on a well tool and to be engaged by a Well elevator including, a vertical body with a cylinder portion, a rod extending upwardly into the body, a stem projecting upwardly from the body and having a head defining a downwardly facing annular shoulder adapted to be engaged by a well elevator, cushioning means checking downward movement of the rod relative to the body, and a coupling on the rod below the body and adapted to be releasably connected to a well tool, the cushioning means including a piston on the rod and operating in the cylinder portion, a fluid seal around the rod at the lower end of the cylinder portion, a compression spring in the body yieldingly supporting the piston and urging it upwardly in the body, and means adapted to pass compressible fluid into the body beneath the piston.

3. Tool handling equipment in a well drilling rig including, a vertical body with heads at its upper and lower ends, a stem fixed to the upper head and projecting upward therefrom and having an enlargement thereon with a downwardly facing shoulder, a spring supported hook adapted to operate vertically including, relatively movable upper and lower sections, the upper section adapted to be supported by a well travelling block, the lower section having a hook device and a spring carried by the upper section to engage and yieldingly urge the lower section upward, an elevator carried by the hook device and engaged with said shoulder, a rod extending into the body through the lower head, a well tool, a coupling on the lower end of the rod releasably engaged with the well tool, and cushioning means yieldingly resisting downward movement of the rod relative to the body including a spring engageable between the rod and the body.

4. Tool handling equipment in a well drilling rig including, a vertical body with heads at its upper and lower ends, a stem fixed to the upper head and projecting upward therefrom and having an enlargement thereon with a threaded portion and a downwardly facing shoulder, a spring supported hook adapted to operate vertically including, relatively movable upper and lower sections, the upper section adapted to be supported by a well travelling block, the lower section having a hook device and a spring carried by the upper section to engage and yieldingly urge the lower section upward, an elevator carried by the hook device and engaged with said shoulder, a rod extending into the body through on the lower end of the rod engageable with a well tool, and cushioning means yieldingly resisting downward movement of the rod relative to the body including a compression spring in the body resting on the lower head and a part on the rod overlying the upper end of the spring.

5. A device adapted for use on a well tool and to be engaged by a well elevator including, a vertical body with heads at its upper and lower ends, a stem fixed to the upper head and projecting upward therefrom and having an enlargement thereon with a threaded tool joint downwardly facing shoulder adapted to receive a well elevator, a rod extending into the body through the lower head, a threaded tool joint coupling on the lower end of the rod adapted to releasably engage'a well tool, and cushioning means yieldingly resisting downward movement of the rod relative to the body including a piston on the rod engaged in the body, sealing means between the rod and lower head, a fitting adapted to pass a compressible fluid into the-body below the piston, a normally closed bleeding means for exhausting fluid from the body, and a gauge indicating the pressure of fluid in the body.

6. Tool handling device including, a vertical body with heads at its upper and lower ends, a stern fixed to the upper head and projecting upward therefrom and having an enlargement thereon with a downwardly facing shoulder, a spring supported hook including, relatively movable elements, one adapted to engage a Well travelling block and a device, the said elements being yieldingly coupled together by means of a compression spring, an elevator carried by the hook and engaged with said shoulder thereby supporting the stem, a rod extending into the body through the lower head, a threaded coupling on the lower end of the rod adapted to engage with a well tool, and cushioning means yieldingly resisting downward movement of the rod relative to the body including a piston on the rod engaged in the body, sealing; means between the rod and lower head, a fitting adapted to pass a compressible fluid into the body below the piston, and a helical compression spring in the body between the piston and the lower head.

7. A device adapted for use on a well tool and to be engaged by a well elevator including, a vertical body, a rod extending upwardly into the body and movable vertically relative thereto, a stem rigid with and projecting upwardly from the body and having a tool joint coupling at its uppermost end spaced from the body and establishing a downwardly facing shoulder adapted to be engaged by a well elevator, cushioning means including a compression spring in the body and yieldingly checking downward movement of the rod relative to the body, and a tool joint coupling on the rod below the body and adapted to be releasably connected to a well tool to be handled.

8. A device adapted for use on a well tool and to be coupling and defining a for use in a well drilling rig v the other having engaged by a well elevator including, a vertical body, a rod extending upwardly into the body and movable vertically relative thereto, a stem rigid with and projecting upwardly from the body and having a head thereon with an upwardly projecting threaded tool joint coupling and a downwardly facing shoulder adapted to receive a well elevator, a compression spring in the body adapted to check downward movement of the rod relative'to the body, and an externally threaded tool joint coupling on the rod and spaced below the body adapted to be con nected to a well tool.

9. Tool handling equipment in a derrick including, a spring supported hook including an upper section adapted to be supported by a well traveling block, a lower section carrying a hook device, and a compression spring carried by the upper section and yieldingly supporting the lower section, an elevator carried by the hook device, a vertical body, a rod extending upwardly into the body and having a part thereon within the body, a stern projecting upwardly from the body and having a head engaged by the elevator, a compression spring around the rod and carried in the body engaging said part of the rod and adapted to check downward movement of the rod relative to the body, and a coupling on the rod, below the body and adapted to be connected to a well tool.

References Cited in the file ofthis patent- UNITED STATES'PATENTS 433,657 Riegel Aug. 5, 1890 682,536 Duncanson Sept. 10, 1901 1,474,701 Archibold Nov. 20,, 1923 1,593,444 De Rigne July 20,, 1926 1,842,638 Wigle Ian. 26, 1932 1,902,038 McAllister Mar. 21, 1933 1,950,882 Gianini Mar. 13, 1934 2,170,057 Kerr Aug.'22, 1939 2,356,444 Bound -2 Aug. 22, 1944 2,372,214 Loepsinger Mar. 27, 1945 2,500,459 Hoover et al Mar. 14, 1950 2,527,980 Bachman Oct. 31, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 455,841 Great Britain Oct. 28, 1936

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