CA1062240A - Spring adjustment system for drill string tool - Google Patents
Spring adjustment system for drill string toolInfo
- Publication number
- CA1062240A CA1062240A CA279,799A CA279799A CA1062240A CA 1062240 A CA1062240 A CA 1062240A CA 279799 A CA279799 A CA 279799A CA 1062240 A CA1062240 A CA 1062240A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- well tool
- spring
- inner member
- outer member
- tool
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/02—Couplings; joints
- E21B17/04—Couplings; joints between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like
- E21B17/07—Telescoping joints for varying drill string lengths; Shock absorbers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
- F16D3/02—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive adapted to specific functions
- F16D3/06—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive adapted to specific functions specially adapted to allow axial displacement
- F16D3/065—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive adapted to specific functions specially adapted to allow axial displacement by means of rolling elements
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Drilling And Boring (AREA)
- Springs (AREA)
- Percussive Tools And Related Accessories (AREA)
- Fluid-Damping Devices (AREA)
- Drilling Tools (AREA)
Abstract
SPRING ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR DRILL STRING TOOL
Abstract of the Disclosure A torque transmitting drill string tool is provided that includes an outer member and an inner member telescopically arranged. Spline means between said outer member and said inner member transmits torque. A spring means is positioned between the outer member and the inner member. Means are provided for adjusting the position and/or pre-load of the spring means without disassembling the tool.
-1a-
Abstract of the Disclosure A torque transmitting drill string tool is provided that includes an outer member and an inner member telescopically arranged. Spline means between said outer member and said inner member transmits torque. A spring means is positioned between the outer member and the inner member. Means are provided for adjusting the position and/or pre-load of the spring means without disassembling the tool.
-1a-
Description
lO~ZZ40 Background of the Invention The present lnventlon relates to the art of earth boring, and more particularly to a torque transmltting well tool with means for externally adJusting the spring means. The present invention 1-s adapted for use in the drilling of oil wells, gas wells including mining and all drilling operations and the like and particularly to telescoping tools used in connection therewith. Such tools generally include an elongated outer member having a longitudinal bore therethrough and an elongated inner member telescopically mounted in this bore. The outermost end of each member is provided with conventional connecting means so that the tool can be disposed in a string Or drill rod or pipe with one member connected to the upper portion of the string above the tool and the other member connected to the lower portion of the string beneath the tool. Limiting means are provided to limit the axial movement of one member with respect to the other in either direction, the distance it is permitted to move is known as the ~stroke" of the tool. The tool transmits torque and the two members are splined so that relative axial movement between them is permitted while relative rotation is prevented.
One such type of telescoping tool is commonly referred to as a "bumper sub~ or ~limpact tool~ because the limlting means is comprised of two sets of opposed shoulders one of whlch becomes engaged or "bumps~ when the moving member reaches either end of tis stroke. Bumper subs are often used to provide an upward and/or downward hammering action of relatively small magnitude or to allow a drill string to accommodate the rise and fall of a ship in,offshore drilling.
Still another type of telescoping tool~ often referred to as a shock or percussion tool is provided with resilient ~$~
means which resist relative axial movement of the two members and provide a cushioning effect against shock. During the drilling of an oil well by the rotary method, it has become common practice to provide a section of drill collars above the drill bit. The section of drill collars provides the desired weight on the bit during drilling. The drill pipe above the section of the drill collars is generally in tension. This allows a relatively constant weight to be applied to the bit during drilli.ng. When the hole is being started from the surface, the section of drill collars cannot be used because the length of the drill string is insufficient. A much smaller weight is therefore applied to the bit during drilling near the surface.
The action of the bit during drilling transmits shock forces to the drill string. The shock forces can be quite damaging to elements of the drill string and to drilling equipment at the surface. Drill string shock absorbers are commonly placed in the drill string to absorb the shock forces.
A drill string shock absorber generally includes telescopically related parts that are separated by a spring means. The prior art shock absorbers have worked effectively with the full drilling weight on the bit. However, the prior art shock absorbers have not been effective during drilling near the surface because the weight on the bit is only a fraction of the weight on the bit at deeper depths. The spring means in the prior art shock absorbers has been too heavy to be effective during drilling near the surface.
There are other types of telescoping tools, e.g. some which combine some of the features of the tools discussed above.
The previouS methods of adjusting the spring settings, i.e. pre-3 load for shock absorbers and hammer-anvil gap settings for impact tools, involved tool disassembly and i~pring adjustment by ~062240 the use of various width spacers.
Descrl~tion of Prior Art In U. S. Patent 3,383,126 to A. H. Salvatorl et al, patented May 14, 1968, a drill string shock absorber is shown.
5 The drlll string shock absorber is adapted to be inserted into a rotary drill string to absorb vibrational and shock forces therein. The shock absorber includes telescoplcally related parts whlch are separated and isolated one from the other by a mass of compressible wire material.
In U. S. Patent No. 2,585,995 to C. C. ~rown, patented February 19, 1952, a drilling joint is shown. The drilling ~oint provides an improved means for controlling the weight applied to the drill bit, localizes the neutral point in the drill stem, and prolongs the life of the drill stem by 15 absorbing or damping out vibrations and other shocks imparted to the drill stem during operations.
In U. S. Patent No. 2,991,635 to F. D. Warren, patented July 11, 1961, a resilient drilling tool is shown.
The drilling tool comprises a pair of tubular housings or pipes 20 telescoped together and provided with cooperating splines to transmit torque from one housing to the other. A plurality of helical springs are anchored in the annulus between the two telescoped housings to constantly urge the housings in opposite directions and effectively dampen any vibration of the drill 25 string in which the tool is interposed.
; In U. S. Patent No. 3,871,193 to James Whitehurst Young~ patented March 18, 1975, a shock absorbing torque transmitting well tool is disclosed that includes an outer member and an inner member telescopically arranged. A spline 3 means between said outer member and said inner member transmits torque. A spring means is positioned between the outer member ~ - -, ~ ~. . , 106Z~40 and the inner member. The spring means includes a multiplicity of spring segments arranged in discrete spring units having different spring rates. The spring means will accommodate a wide range of loads or rapidly varying load situations. The tool operates effectively in holes started from the surface with very little weight on the bit and continues to operate effectively as the weight on the bit is increased. ~-In U~ S. Patent No. 3,884,051 to Clifford C. Bottoms, - patented May 20, 1975, a tool is disclosed that comprises an elongated outer member having a longitudinal bore therethrough and an elongated inner member telescopically mounted therein.
i A plurality of rotating antifriction bearings are provided between the two members to guide them in their telescopic movement. The bearings have axes of rotation which are disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of the inner member and which are fixed , relative to one of the members. Limiting means are provided -~ limiting the ax~al movement of the outer member relative to the inner member in either direction.
In U. S. Patent No. 3,898,815 to James Whitehurst Young, patented August 12, 1975, a reciprocating torque , transmitting well tool is disclosed that lncludes an outer ., member and an inner member telescopically arranged. A spline means between said outer member and said inner member transmits torque. A spring means is positioned between the outer member and the inner member. A first seal means provides a fluid seal between said outer member and said inner member. A
second seal means spaced from said first seal means provides a fluid seal between said outer member and said inner member. At least one of said seal means can move axially between said outer member and said inner member. The axial movement of the seal means accomplishes at least two functions. The first .
.
function is ehat as the external pressure increases, the seal means can move inwardly to compress any trapped air to the point that a pressure balance i9 maintained at all times. The second function is to accommodate variations in volume crested by the drive mandrel as it moves axially within the tool housing.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a more convenient and accurate method of adjusting the position and/or pre-load of a spring system used ln drill string shock ab~orbers or impact-type drilling tools. The need to adjust the spring system varieswith operating conditions. The tool may require numerous spring settings as different formations are encountered. The ability to -adjust the tool spring system externally eliminates the need of tool disassembly for this purpose. The torque tran~mitting well tool of the present invention includes an outer member and an inner member, said outer member and said inner member being telescopically arranged. Spline means are provided between saia ., outer member and said inner member for transmitting torque. The spring system is provided connecting 9aid outer member and said inner member and ad;ustment means are provided between the members for adjusting the spring system.
In one embodiment of the invention a travelling nut system is located in the end of the spring sub of the torque transmitting well tool. The travelling nut has an integral gear wheel which is exposed to a threaded access opening in the spring sub. The positioning of the travelling nut is asscomplished by removing a sealed, threaded plug from the access opening, install-ing a threaded bushing to protect the access hole threads during adjustment and engaging the gear tooth portion of the nut with a flat or round-end pry bar which allows for sufficent leverage to rotate the nut for proper positioning. A pre-calculated tubula-tion will reveal the number of gear teeth to engage in order to advance or retract the nut to the proper position. After achieving dap/
"
the proper ad;ustment, the threaded bushing is removed and the sealed, threaded plug is installed to close the access opening and engage the gear teeth in orderto lock the travelling nut in place.
. Thus the present invention may be also broadly defined as providing a method of earth boring, comprising the ~teps of - providing a torque transmitting well tool having an outer member, an inner member with the outer member and the inner member being telescopically arranged, an upper seal between the outer member and the inner member, a lower seal between the outer member and the inner member, a fluid between the upper seal and the lower ; seal, spline means between the outer member and the inner member for transmitting torque, spring means connected with the outer member and connected with the inner member with the spring means including a multiplicity of disc spring units, a central passage extending through the well tool, and connection means for connect-ing the well tool to drill pipe; providing a threaded spring adjustment mem4er connected to the disc spring units for axial movement in the well tool upon rotation thereof; providing a removable plug in the well tool to provide access to the threaded spring -ad~ustement member and to seal the well tool from loss of the fluid; removing the plug; rotating the threaded spring ad~ustment member with an ad~ustment tool until the desired change of poRition of the disc spring units has been accomplished; replac-ing the plug; and connecting the well tool to drill pipe for : . rotation and earth boring.
The above method may be carried out by a torque trans-mitting well tool, comprising a torque transmitting well tool body having an outer member; an inner member, the outer member and the inner member being telescopically arranged; an upper seal between the outer member and the inner member; a lower seal between the outer member and the inner member; a fluid between the upper seal and the lower seal; spline means between the dap/ ~ ~
.
outer me~ber and the inner member for transmltting torque; spring means connected with the outer member and connected with the inner member, the spring means including a multiplicity of disc spring units; a central passage extending ~hrough the well tool;
connection means for connecting the well tool to drill pipe; a threaded spring ad~ustment member connected to the disc spring units for axial movement in the well tool body upon rotation thereof; a passage through the well tool body adjacent the threaded spring adjustment member; and a removable plug in the -passage to provide access to the threaded spring adjustment member and to seal the well tool from loss of the fluid.
The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawin~s Figure 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of one embodiment of a drill string tool `-constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the drill string tool shown in Figure 1.
Detailed Description of the Invention Referring now to the drawings and in particular Figure 1, a drill string tool is shown therein and generally designated by the reference number 10. The tool 10 is adapted to be positioned between a drill bit (not shown) and the section of the drill string that connects the drill bit to the drilling equip-men~ at the surface. The tool 10 maintains a spring force coupled into the drill string assembly in such a manner that shock loads resulting from the action of the bit are absorbed and prevented from being transmitted up the drill string. The tool 10 m~nimizes fatigue on the drill bit, the drill string, and the surface equipment.
~- 6a -dap/ t , --- .. -:: --` 1062Z40 The tool 10 lncludes an upper packer sub 11. The upper packer sub 11 is adapted to be connected to the portion of the drill string extending from the surface equipment. The .;
"
~ - 6b -. ,, ~
dap/~l~v .~.: . . - - . - : - - -~06Z240 threaded connection 24 allows the tool 10 to be easily connected to and disconnected from the drlll pipe. The upper packer sub 11 is threaded into a sprlng sub 31 and the spring sub 31 is threaded into a spline sub 14. The spline sub 14 is threaded into a lower packer sub 20. A drive shaft mandrel 22 fits within the lower packer sub 20, the spline sub 14, the spring sub 31, and the upper packer sub 11. The drive shaft mandrel 22 includes a threaded connection 25 for connecting the drive shaft mandrel 22 to the bit. The drive shaft mandrel 22 has limited movement within the lower packer sub 20, the spline sub 14, the spring sub 31, and the upper packer sub 11. Drilling fluid is trans-mitted through the tool 10 during drilling. Drilling fluid enters the passage 26 in the upper packer sub 11 from the section of drill string above the tool 10. The drilling fluid continues through a central passage in the wash pipe 12, through a central passage in the drive shaft mandrel 22, and is trans-mitted to the section of the drill string below the tool 10.
Upper packer seals 13 provide a dynamic fluid seal between the upper packer Sub 11 and the wash pipe 12 and drive shaft mandrel 22. Lower packer seals 21 provide a dynamic fluid seal between the lower packer sub 20 and the drive shaft mandrel 22. The enclosed area between the upper packer seals 13 and the lower packer seals 21 ls filled with a lubricating oil. A ball spline 15 on the drive shaft mandrel 22 is located between the upper packer seals 13 and the lower packer seals 21. The ball spline 15 includes a series of carrier balls 16 that reduce friction and facilitate relative longitudinal movement of the drive shaft mandrel 22 and the housing consisting of the upper packer sub 11, the spring sub 31, the spline sub 3 14, and the lower packer sub 20. A ball spline 17 is positioned between the drive shaft mandrel 22 and the spline sub 14 to 106;~Z40 transmit torque from the housing consisting of the upper packer sub 11~ the spring sub 31, the spline sub 14, and the lower packer sub 20. The ball spline 17 includes a series of carrier balls 18 that transmit torque between spline grooves 27 connected to the drive shaft mandrel 22 and spline grooves 19 connected to the spline sub 14.
A spring unit 30 is positioned between the upper packer sub 11 and the lower end of the spring sub 31. The spring unit 30 absorbs the shock loads resulting from the action of the bit. The spring unit 30 consists of disc or "Belleville"
springs. The shock forces resulting from action of the bit may also be affected by a swabbing or damping action brought about by restricting the escape of the lubricant trapped between the springs 30. The geometry of the springs allows them to reduce in I. D. and expand in 0. D. as loads are applied. Lubricant is trapped to some degree as the springs are collapsed. The degree of damping action can also be influenced by the oil viscosity, clearance grooves, and spring geometry.
The previous methods of adjusting the spring settings, i. e. pre-load for shock absorbers and hammer-anvil gap settings for impact tools, involved tool disassembly and spring ad~ust-ment by the use of various Width spacers. The present invention provides a more convenient and accurate method of ad~usting the position and/or pre-load of a spring system used in shock absorbers or impact-type drilling tools. The need to adjust the impact tool operating load varies With the weight run on the drill bit. This load may require numerouS tool Settings as different formations are encountered. The ability to adjust the tool of the present invention externally eliminates the 3 need of tool disassembly.
: : , ~' Referring now to Flgures 1 and 2, the system for ad-~usting the spring position and/or spring pre-load will be described. The tool 10 includes a traveling nut 28 located in the spring sub 31. The traveling nut 28 has an integral gear 5 wheel 29 which is exposed to a threaded section 37 of the spring sub 31. The traveling nut 28 and integral gear wheel 29 engage a universal spacer 33 which in turn engage the spring system 30.
It will be appreciated that rotation of the gear wheel 29 will cause axial travel of the universal spacer 33 and produce the deslred positioning and/or pre-load of the spring system 30.
Rotation of the traveling nut 28 is accomplished by removing a sealed, threaded plug 32 from~the access opening 34, installing a threaded bushing 35 to protect the access hole threads during adjustment and engaging the nut 28 with a flat or 15 round-end pry bar 36 which allows for sufficient leverage to rotate the nut 28 for proper positioning. The traveling nut 28 ~, may be provided with a gear type head to facilitate rotation with the pry bar 3Ç. A pre-calculated tabulation will reveal the amount of rotation of traveling nut 28 and gear wheel 29 in - 20 order to advance or retract the universal spacer 33 to the ' proper position. After achieving the proper adjustment, the ~ threaded bushing 35 is removed and the sealed, threaded,plug 32 : is installed to close the access opening 34 and engage the nut 28 in order to lock it in place.
_g_ .
One such type of telescoping tool is commonly referred to as a "bumper sub~ or ~limpact tool~ because the limlting means is comprised of two sets of opposed shoulders one of whlch becomes engaged or "bumps~ when the moving member reaches either end of tis stroke. Bumper subs are often used to provide an upward and/or downward hammering action of relatively small magnitude or to allow a drill string to accommodate the rise and fall of a ship in,offshore drilling.
Still another type of telescoping tool~ often referred to as a shock or percussion tool is provided with resilient ~$~
means which resist relative axial movement of the two members and provide a cushioning effect against shock. During the drilling of an oil well by the rotary method, it has become common practice to provide a section of drill collars above the drill bit. The section of drill collars provides the desired weight on the bit during drilling. The drill pipe above the section of the drill collars is generally in tension. This allows a relatively constant weight to be applied to the bit during drilli.ng. When the hole is being started from the surface, the section of drill collars cannot be used because the length of the drill string is insufficient. A much smaller weight is therefore applied to the bit during drilling near the surface.
The action of the bit during drilling transmits shock forces to the drill string. The shock forces can be quite damaging to elements of the drill string and to drilling equipment at the surface. Drill string shock absorbers are commonly placed in the drill string to absorb the shock forces.
A drill string shock absorber generally includes telescopically related parts that are separated by a spring means. The prior art shock absorbers have worked effectively with the full drilling weight on the bit. However, the prior art shock absorbers have not been effective during drilling near the surface because the weight on the bit is only a fraction of the weight on the bit at deeper depths. The spring means in the prior art shock absorbers has been too heavy to be effective during drilling near the surface.
There are other types of telescoping tools, e.g. some which combine some of the features of the tools discussed above.
The previouS methods of adjusting the spring settings, i.e. pre-3 load for shock absorbers and hammer-anvil gap settings for impact tools, involved tool disassembly and i~pring adjustment by ~062240 the use of various width spacers.
Descrl~tion of Prior Art In U. S. Patent 3,383,126 to A. H. Salvatorl et al, patented May 14, 1968, a drill string shock absorber is shown.
5 The drlll string shock absorber is adapted to be inserted into a rotary drill string to absorb vibrational and shock forces therein. The shock absorber includes telescoplcally related parts whlch are separated and isolated one from the other by a mass of compressible wire material.
In U. S. Patent No. 2,585,995 to C. C. ~rown, patented February 19, 1952, a drilling joint is shown. The drilling ~oint provides an improved means for controlling the weight applied to the drill bit, localizes the neutral point in the drill stem, and prolongs the life of the drill stem by 15 absorbing or damping out vibrations and other shocks imparted to the drill stem during operations.
In U. S. Patent No. 2,991,635 to F. D. Warren, patented July 11, 1961, a resilient drilling tool is shown.
The drilling tool comprises a pair of tubular housings or pipes 20 telescoped together and provided with cooperating splines to transmit torque from one housing to the other. A plurality of helical springs are anchored in the annulus between the two telescoped housings to constantly urge the housings in opposite directions and effectively dampen any vibration of the drill 25 string in which the tool is interposed.
; In U. S. Patent No. 3,871,193 to James Whitehurst Young~ patented March 18, 1975, a shock absorbing torque transmitting well tool is disclosed that includes an outer member and an inner member telescopically arranged. A spline 3 means between said outer member and said inner member transmits torque. A spring means is positioned between the outer member ~ - -, ~ ~. . , 106Z~40 and the inner member. The spring means includes a multiplicity of spring segments arranged in discrete spring units having different spring rates. The spring means will accommodate a wide range of loads or rapidly varying load situations. The tool operates effectively in holes started from the surface with very little weight on the bit and continues to operate effectively as the weight on the bit is increased. ~-In U~ S. Patent No. 3,884,051 to Clifford C. Bottoms, - patented May 20, 1975, a tool is disclosed that comprises an elongated outer member having a longitudinal bore therethrough and an elongated inner member telescopically mounted therein.
i A plurality of rotating antifriction bearings are provided between the two members to guide them in their telescopic movement. The bearings have axes of rotation which are disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of the inner member and which are fixed , relative to one of the members. Limiting means are provided -~ limiting the ax~al movement of the outer member relative to the inner member in either direction.
In U. S. Patent No. 3,898,815 to James Whitehurst Young, patented August 12, 1975, a reciprocating torque , transmitting well tool is disclosed that lncludes an outer ., member and an inner member telescopically arranged. A spline means between said outer member and said inner member transmits torque. A spring means is positioned between the outer member and the inner member. A first seal means provides a fluid seal between said outer member and said inner member. A
second seal means spaced from said first seal means provides a fluid seal between said outer member and said inner member. At least one of said seal means can move axially between said outer member and said inner member. The axial movement of the seal means accomplishes at least two functions. The first .
.
function is ehat as the external pressure increases, the seal means can move inwardly to compress any trapped air to the point that a pressure balance i9 maintained at all times. The second function is to accommodate variations in volume crested by the drive mandrel as it moves axially within the tool housing.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a more convenient and accurate method of adjusting the position and/or pre-load of a spring system used ln drill string shock ab~orbers or impact-type drilling tools. The need to adjust the spring system varieswith operating conditions. The tool may require numerous spring settings as different formations are encountered. The ability to -adjust the tool spring system externally eliminates the need of tool disassembly for this purpose. The torque tran~mitting well tool of the present invention includes an outer member and an inner member, said outer member and said inner member being telescopically arranged. Spline means are provided between saia ., outer member and said inner member for transmitting torque. The spring system is provided connecting 9aid outer member and said inner member and ad;ustment means are provided between the members for adjusting the spring system.
In one embodiment of the invention a travelling nut system is located in the end of the spring sub of the torque transmitting well tool. The travelling nut has an integral gear wheel which is exposed to a threaded access opening in the spring sub. The positioning of the travelling nut is asscomplished by removing a sealed, threaded plug from the access opening, install-ing a threaded bushing to protect the access hole threads during adjustment and engaging the gear tooth portion of the nut with a flat or round-end pry bar which allows for sufficent leverage to rotate the nut for proper positioning. A pre-calculated tubula-tion will reveal the number of gear teeth to engage in order to advance or retract the nut to the proper position. After achieving dap/
"
the proper ad;ustment, the threaded bushing is removed and the sealed, threaded plug is installed to close the access opening and engage the gear teeth in orderto lock the travelling nut in place.
. Thus the present invention may be also broadly defined as providing a method of earth boring, comprising the ~teps of - providing a torque transmitting well tool having an outer member, an inner member with the outer member and the inner member being telescopically arranged, an upper seal between the outer member and the inner member, a lower seal between the outer member and the inner member, a fluid between the upper seal and the lower ; seal, spline means between the outer member and the inner member for transmitting torque, spring means connected with the outer member and connected with the inner member with the spring means including a multiplicity of disc spring units, a central passage extending through the well tool, and connection means for connect-ing the well tool to drill pipe; providing a threaded spring adjustment mem4er connected to the disc spring units for axial movement in the well tool upon rotation thereof; providing a removable plug in the well tool to provide access to the threaded spring -ad~ustement member and to seal the well tool from loss of the fluid; removing the plug; rotating the threaded spring ad~ustment member with an ad~ustment tool until the desired change of poRition of the disc spring units has been accomplished; replac-ing the plug; and connecting the well tool to drill pipe for : . rotation and earth boring.
The above method may be carried out by a torque trans-mitting well tool, comprising a torque transmitting well tool body having an outer member; an inner member, the outer member and the inner member being telescopically arranged; an upper seal between the outer member and the inner member; a lower seal between the outer member and the inner member; a fluid between the upper seal and the lower seal; spline means between the dap/ ~ ~
.
outer me~ber and the inner member for transmltting torque; spring means connected with the outer member and connected with the inner member, the spring means including a multiplicity of disc spring units; a central passage extending ~hrough the well tool;
connection means for connecting the well tool to drill pipe; a threaded spring ad~ustment member connected to the disc spring units for axial movement in the well tool body upon rotation thereof; a passage through the well tool body adjacent the threaded spring adjustment member; and a removable plug in the -passage to provide access to the threaded spring adjustment member and to seal the well tool from loss of the fluid.
The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawin~s Figure 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of one embodiment of a drill string tool `-constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the drill string tool shown in Figure 1.
Detailed Description of the Invention Referring now to the drawings and in particular Figure 1, a drill string tool is shown therein and generally designated by the reference number 10. The tool 10 is adapted to be positioned between a drill bit (not shown) and the section of the drill string that connects the drill bit to the drilling equip-men~ at the surface. The tool 10 maintains a spring force coupled into the drill string assembly in such a manner that shock loads resulting from the action of the bit are absorbed and prevented from being transmitted up the drill string. The tool 10 m~nimizes fatigue on the drill bit, the drill string, and the surface equipment.
~- 6a -dap/ t , --- .. -:: --` 1062Z40 The tool 10 lncludes an upper packer sub 11. The upper packer sub 11 is adapted to be connected to the portion of the drill string extending from the surface equipment. The .;
"
~ - 6b -. ,, ~
dap/~l~v .~.: . . - - . - : - - -~06Z240 threaded connection 24 allows the tool 10 to be easily connected to and disconnected from the drlll pipe. The upper packer sub 11 is threaded into a sprlng sub 31 and the spring sub 31 is threaded into a spline sub 14. The spline sub 14 is threaded into a lower packer sub 20. A drive shaft mandrel 22 fits within the lower packer sub 20, the spline sub 14, the spring sub 31, and the upper packer sub 11. The drive shaft mandrel 22 includes a threaded connection 25 for connecting the drive shaft mandrel 22 to the bit. The drive shaft mandrel 22 has limited movement within the lower packer sub 20, the spline sub 14, the spring sub 31, and the upper packer sub 11. Drilling fluid is trans-mitted through the tool 10 during drilling. Drilling fluid enters the passage 26 in the upper packer sub 11 from the section of drill string above the tool 10. The drilling fluid continues through a central passage in the wash pipe 12, through a central passage in the drive shaft mandrel 22, and is trans-mitted to the section of the drill string below the tool 10.
Upper packer seals 13 provide a dynamic fluid seal between the upper packer Sub 11 and the wash pipe 12 and drive shaft mandrel 22. Lower packer seals 21 provide a dynamic fluid seal between the lower packer sub 20 and the drive shaft mandrel 22. The enclosed area between the upper packer seals 13 and the lower packer seals 21 ls filled with a lubricating oil. A ball spline 15 on the drive shaft mandrel 22 is located between the upper packer seals 13 and the lower packer seals 21. The ball spline 15 includes a series of carrier balls 16 that reduce friction and facilitate relative longitudinal movement of the drive shaft mandrel 22 and the housing consisting of the upper packer sub 11, the spring sub 31, the spline sub 3 14, and the lower packer sub 20. A ball spline 17 is positioned between the drive shaft mandrel 22 and the spline sub 14 to 106;~Z40 transmit torque from the housing consisting of the upper packer sub 11~ the spring sub 31, the spline sub 14, and the lower packer sub 20. The ball spline 17 includes a series of carrier balls 18 that transmit torque between spline grooves 27 connected to the drive shaft mandrel 22 and spline grooves 19 connected to the spline sub 14.
A spring unit 30 is positioned between the upper packer sub 11 and the lower end of the spring sub 31. The spring unit 30 absorbs the shock loads resulting from the action of the bit. The spring unit 30 consists of disc or "Belleville"
springs. The shock forces resulting from action of the bit may also be affected by a swabbing or damping action brought about by restricting the escape of the lubricant trapped between the springs 30. The geometry of the springs allows them to reduce in I. D. and expand in 0. D. as loads are applied. Lubricant is trapped to some degree as the springs are collapsed. The degree of damping action can also be influenced by the oil viscosity, clearance grooves, and spring geometry.
The previous methods of adjusting the spring settings, i. e. pre-load for shock absorbers and hammer-anvil gap settings for impact tools, involved tool disassembly and spring ad~ust-ment by the use of various Width spacers. The present invention provides a more convenient and accurate method of ad~usting the position and/or pre-load of a spring system used in shock absorbers or impact-type drilling tools. The need to adjust the impact tool operating load varies With the weight run on the drill bit. This load may require numerouS tool Settings as different formations are encountered. The ability to adjust the tool of the present invention externally eliminates the 3 need of tool disassembly.
: : , ~' Referring now to Flgures 1 and 2, the system for ad-~usting the spring position and/or spring pre-load will be described. The tool 10 includes a traveling nut 28 located in the spring sub 31. The traveling nut 28 has an integral gear 5 wheel 29 which is exposed to a threaded section 37 of the spring sub 31. The traveling nut 28 and integral gear wheel 29 engage a universal spacer 33 which in turn engage the spring system 30.
It will be appreciated that rotation of the gear wheel 29 will cause axial travel of the universal spacer 33 and produce the deslred positioning and/or pre-load of the spring system 30.
Rotation of the traveling nut 28 is accomplished by removing a sealed, threaded plug 32 from~the access opening 34, installing a threaded bushing 35 to protect the access hole threads during adjustment and engaging the nut 28 with a flat or 15 round-end pry bar 36 which allows for sufficient leverage to rotate the nut 28 for proper positioning. The traveling nut 28 ~, may be provided with a gear type head to facilitate rotation with the pry bar 3Ç. A pre-calculated tabulation will reveal the amount of rotation of traveling nut 28 and gear wheel 29 in - 20 order to advance or retract the universal spacer 33 to the ' proper position. After achieving the proper adjustment, the ~ threaded bushing 35 is removed and the sealed, threaded,plug 32 : is installed to close the access opening 34 and engage the nut 28 in order to lock it in place.
_g_ .
Claims (2)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method of earth boring, comprising the steps of: providing a torque transmitting well tool having an outer member, an inner member with said outer member and said inner member being telescopically arranged, an upper seal between said outer member and said inner member, a lower seal between said outer member and said inner member, a fluid between said upper seal and said lower seal, spline means between said outer member and said inner member for transmitting torque, spring means connected with said outer member and connected with said inner member with said spring means including a multiplicity of disc spring units, a central passage extending through said well tool, and connection means for connecting said well tool to drill pipe;
providing a threaded spring adjustment member connected to said disc spring units for axial movement in said well tool upon rotation thereof;
providing a removable plug in said well tool to provide access to said threaded spring adjustment member and to seal said well tool from loss of said fluid;
removing said plug;
rotating said threaded spring adjustment member with an adjustment tool until the desired change of position of said disc spring units has been accomplished;
replacing said plug; and connecting said well tool to drill pipe for rotation and earth boring.
providing a threaded spring adjustment member connected to said disc spring units for axial movement in said well tool upon rotation thereof;
providing a removable plug in said well tool to provide access to said threaded spring adjustment member and to seal said well tool from loss of said fluid;
removing said plug;
rotating said threaded spring adjustment member with an adjustment tool until the desired change of position of said disc spring units has been accomplished;
replacing said plug; and connecting said well tool to drill pipe for rotation and earth boring.
2. A torque transmitting well tool, comprising:
a torque transmitting well tool body-having an outer member;
an inner member, said outer member and said inner member being telescopically arranged;
an upper seal between said outer member and said inner member;
a lower seal between said outer member ant said inner member;
a fluid between said upper seal and Raid lower seal;
spline means between said outer member and said inner member for transmitting torque;
spring means connected with said outer member and connected with said inner member, said spring means including a multiplicity of disc spring units;
a central passage extending through said well tool;
connection means for connecting said well tool to drill pipe;
a threaded spring adjustment member connected to said disc spring units for axial movement in said well tool body upon rotation thereof;
a passage through said well tool body adjacent said threaded spring adjustment member; and a removable plug in said passage to provide access to said threaded spring adjustment member and to seal said well tool from loss of said fluid.
a torque transmitting well tool body-having an outer member;
an inner member, said outer member and said inner member being telescopically arranged;
an upper seal between said outer member and said inner member;
a lower seal between said outer member ant said inner member;
a fluid between said upper seal and Raid lower seal;
spline means between said outer member and said inner member for transmitting torque;
spring means connected with said outer member and connected with said inner member, said spring means including a multiplicity of disc spring units;
a central passage extending through said well tool;
connection means for connecting said well tool to drill pipe;
a threaded spring adjustment member connected to said disc spring units for axial movement in said well tool body upon rotation thereof;
a passage through said well tool body adjacent said threaded spring adjustment member; and a removable plug in said passage to provide access to said threaded spring adjustment member and to seal said well tool from loss of said fluid.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US71075476A | 1976-08-02 | 1976-08-02 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1062240A true CA1062240A (en) | 1979-09-11 |
Family
ID=24855388
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA279,799A Expired CA1062240A (en) | 1976-08-02 | 1977-06-03 | Spring adjustment system for drill string tool |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| BR (1) | BR7705027A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1062240A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2735174A1 (en) |
| ES (2) | ES460977A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2360741A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1562749A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1078940B (en) |
| PL (1) | PL110471B1 (en) |
| SE (1) | SE7706690L (en) |
| SU (1) | SU634687A3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN108678673A (en) * | 2018-07-04 | 2018-10-19 | 中国石油集团西部钻探工程有限公司 | Novel hydropower vibrator |
| CN117738596B (en) * | 2024-02-19 | 2024-04-16 | 成都之恒油气技术开发有限公司 | Underground vibration buffer type drilling tool |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE145349C (en) * | ||||
| US3880249A (en) * | 1973-01-02 | 1975-04-29 | Edwin A Anderson | Jar for well strings |
| US3898815A (en) * | 1973-12-06 | 1975-08-12 | Dresser Ind | Pressure and volume compensating system for reciprocating oil field drilling tools |
| US3871193A (en) * | 1973-12-12 | 1975-03-18 | Dresser Ind | Spring load system for drill string shock absorbers |
| US3963081A (en) * | 1975-04-24 | 1976-06-15 | Anderson Edwin A | Double acting mechanical jar |
-
1977
- 1977-06-03 CA CA279,799A patent/CA1062240A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-06-08 SE SE7706690A patent/SE7706690L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1977-06-13 GB GB2462177A patent/GB1562749A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-06-17 IT IT4987877A patent/IT1078940B/en active
- 1977-07-19 PL PL19974777A patent/PL110471B1/en unknown
- 1977-07-22 ES ES460977A patent/ES460977A1/en not_active Expired
- 1977-07-22 SU SU772507502A patent/SU634687A3/en active
- 1977-07-28 FR FR7723207A patent/FR2360741A1/en active Pending
- 1977-08-01 BR BR7705027A patent/BR7705027A/en unknown
- 1977-08-02 DE DE19772735174 patent/DE2735174A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1978
- 1978-06-15 ES ES470826A patent/ES470826A1/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IT1078940B (en) | 1985-05-08 |
| ES460977A1 (en) | 1978-12-01 |
| FR2360741A1 (en) | 1978-03-03 |
| GB1562749A (en) | 1980-03-12 |
| PL199747A1 (en) | 1978-04-10 |
| DE2735174A1 (en) | 1978-02-09 |
| BR7705027A (en) | 1978-05-02 |
| PL110471B1 (en) | 1980-07-31 |
| SU634687A3 (en) | 1978-11-25 |
| SE7706690L (en) | 1978-02-03 |
| ES470826A1 (en) | 1979-01-16 |
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