EA002429B1 - Cleaning and lubricating device for threads, especially for drill pipes - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A cleaning and lubricating device for threads, especially threads on pipes screwable together, such as drill pipes (34; 34'; 34") and casings, characterized in that the cleaning and lubricating device comprises a nozzle head, the main body (10) thereof being ormed with supply gates or channels (18,18'), each eading into an internal annulus (14,14') belonging thereto, for individual supply of treating fluid to the respective annulus (14,14'), and that each annulus (14, 14') is assigned a 360 degree encircling, radially directed ischarge slot opening (26,26' ; 70,70'). 2. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said discharge slot openings (70,70') are directed radially outwardly, in order to clean and lubricate internal threads in a socket-shaped pipe portion (52) surrounding the nozzle head (10). 3. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said discharge slot openings (26,26') are directed radially inwardly for cleaning and lubricating external threads on a pipe tap portion (38) formed on a pipe end and surrounded by the nozzle body (10), which is shaped substantially annularly and exhibits a large, through-going, axially directed aperture. 4. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 1,2 or 3, characterized in that each discharge slot opening (26,26' ; 70,70') is defined between an internal, 360 degree encircling portion (12) of the main body of the nozzle head (10) and an axially displaceable nozzle ring (16,16') movable between a closed position in which the respective nozzle ring (16,16') rests sealingly against a land face on said internal, encircling portion (12) of the nozzle body (10), and adjustable open positions, where a circumferential portion of respective nozzle ring (16,16') is positioned at a larger or smaller distance from said land face on the in ternal portion (12) of the nozzle body (10). 5. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that each nozzle ring (16,16') is spring-loaded (20) in the axial direction and assigned an operating means, e. g. an adjusting nut (22,22') screwable axially to and fro along threads formed internally in the nozzle body (10), for displacing the nozzle ring (16,16') belonging thereto upon the screwing of the nut (22,22') axially into or out from the nozzle body (10). 6. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that each nut is as signed a locking means, e. g. a set screw, disposed in a threaded bore (28,28') formed in the nozzle body (10), in order to lock the nut (22,22') in an adjusted position. 7. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in any one of the preceding claims 1-6, and assigned a centring device (44,46,48; 54,54', 58,60) for centring a pipe's (34; 34' ; 34") end coupling (socket 52/tap end 38) in relation to the axis (56; 50) of the cleaning and lubricating device, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the centring device carries a centring head (48; 54,54') having a conically tapering outer portion, shaped, designed and adapted to be inserted guidingly into the bore of the pipe end coupling (52; 38), thus centring the pipe end coupling in relation to the axis (56; 50) of the cleaning and lubricating device, so that a pipe socket (52) is caused to surround the nozzle head concentrically prior to treatment, while an externally threaded pipe tap end coupling (38) is brought to be concentrically surrounded by the nozzle head; in both cases upon a relative axially directed displacement movement between socket/pipe tap end on the one hand and the nozzle head (10) on the other hand. 8. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 7, characterized in that the centring head (48; 54,54') sits on the end of a lengthenable/shortenable displacing device such as a telescopic pipe assembly or the like, for lineary, axially directed displacement in the direction of the axis (50; 56) of the nozzle head/body (10). 9. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 8, characterized in that the centring head (48) sits on the end of an axially displaceable piston rod, an inner telescopic pipe (46) or similar, line arly displaceable member, concentrically surrounded by an axially displaceable telescopic pipe, cylinder for the piston rod or the like (44). 10. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 9, characterized in that said axially displaceable telescopic pipe or cylinder (44) for said piston rod (46), at the upper end thereof is securely connected to an upwardly open, case-/bowl-shaped housing (42) in which the nozzle head/body (10) is stationarily placed. 11. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that such a device (10) for cleaning and lubricating a pipe section's (34') socket end is suspended from the top of a pipe handling apparatus (72) provided with pivotable arms (82,82') having catchers (84,84') for such a pipe section (34'), and wherein, preferably coaxially below the socket thread cleaning and lubricating device (10) suspended from the top of the pipe handling apparatus, is placed on the rigfloor (78) a corresponding device (10) for the tap end of the pipe section (34').

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for cleaning and lubricating threads, in particular cleaning the threaded parts of the inserted and receiving ends of drill and casing pipes, moreover, water or other liquid can be used as a cleaning agent, and thread lubricant can be used as a lubricant.

State of the art

The prior art is presented, in particular, by Norwegian patent No. 179920 and US patents No. 5653819 and 5157802.

Norway Patent No. 179920 shows a device with rotary driving nozzles. The presence of rotation, the use of support devices, as well as the need for a drive rotation of known nozzles complicate the design of the known device and increase its cost. The device is designed exclusively for the supply of thread lubricant.

US patent No. 5653819 relates to a device for cleaning the thread of drill pipes. The device comprises circumferentially mounted nozzles spraying fluids in the thread direction. This device uses several nozzles installed along an annular trajectory, so that the annular row of nozzles is capable of cleaning both the external thread (at the inserted end) and the internal thread (inside the receiving end). At the same time, it is rather difficult to change and adjust the overall performance of the nozzles. The patent only addresses thread cleaning issues, and the device is not adapted to supply thread lubricant.

US patent No. 5157802 relates to a similar device in which the centering of the cleaning heads relative to the threaded part to be cleaned. This known device does not contain any lubricants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem to which the present invention is directed, is to avoid rotary installation and forced rotation of the nozzle head in the thread cleaning and lubrication device. In addition, the invention is directed to solving the problem of simplified regulation of the fluid flow per unit time, while the flow of one fluid (for example, thread lubricant) should be stopped when another fluid (for example, water, water vapor or other fluid in liquid or vapor) is supplied by high pressure spraying during the first stage of high pressure flushing. To clean and lubricate the external thread at the inserted end of the drill pipe, the nozzle holes should be turned radially inward, and for the corresponding machining of the internal thread inside the receiving end, the nozzle holes should be turned radially outward. The implementation of this setting should be carried out by simple means of modifying one basic design without deviating from the basic principles of the invention. The cleaning and lubrication device in accordance with the invention, equipped with nozzle openings that are directed radially inward or radially outward, is a device that is simpler in design and function. It allows you to facilitate and simplify individual work operations and ensure their implementation with optimal efficiency and with the creation of favorable conditions for an uninterrupted processing process.

In accordance with the invention, the solution of the task is achieved using a cleaning and lubrication device having the characteristics indicated in the characterizing part of claim 1 of the claims.

The cleaning and lubrication device comprises two, preferably parallel annular, preferably circular nozzle openings. The first nozzle orifice is for supplying a cleaning fluid under high pressure, the second nozzle orifice is for supplying thread lubricant, while both nozzle orifices extend 360 ° in a circle around the axis of the nozzle head and are facing either radially inward for processing the outer thread, or radially outward to handle internal thread. These two nozzle openings are designed in such a way that they can be individually opened, closed and adjusted according to the degree of opening.

The cleaning or lubrication of the thread is carried out due to the fact that between the nozzle head of the device with two nozzle openings and the thread of the drill pipe to be cleaned and lubricated, directional relative rectilinear movement is provided during which the nozzle head openings produce optimal uniform processing around the entire circumference, i.e. within 360 °. Initially, the nozzle orifice of the high pressure cleaning agent is in the open position, while the other nozzle orifice is closed. In the next processing step, the nozzle hole for supplying lubricant under pressure is in the open position, and the water spray nozzle hole is closed.

Thus, the two operations of thread processing, cleaning and lubrication, are performed using the same tool or tool directly one after the other.

The advantage of the process is that grease is applied to the thread that has just been cleaned.

The device according to the invention provides the ability to easily control the degree of supply of the cleaning fluid or, accordingly, the lubricant for the thread.

According to known technology, the threads at the ends of the pipe are cleaned and lubricated before the pipe is lowered into the drill hole, that is, additional time intervals are required when the drill pipes are fed into the drill hole. In addition, these cleaning and lubrication operations are often performed using a high-pressure washer, after which lubrication is manually applied to the threads. When these drill pipes are lifted from the borehole, again performing a stepwise operation, now by lifting (the so-called tripping operations with the drill string), threading is not performed. Drill pipes are transferred for storage directly to the so-called balcony with fingers located on the drilling rig. Pipes suspended on the balcony are exposed to wind and other atmospheric conditions.

Through the use of a thread cleaning and lubrication device in accordance with the invention, drill pipes can be machined while rising from a drill hole and transferred by means of an overload manipulator for pipes. In this process, there is just time for positioning the drill pipe relative to the device according to the invention, cleaning the thread and applying thread lubricant to it before the overload manipulator moves the pipe further to the balcony with fingers.

Due to the fact that it takes more time to pull the pipe out of the borehole than to transfer it using the overload manipulator, this cleaning and lubrication operation performed by this device does not slow down the process of raising the drill string from the borehole.

List of drawings

Embodiments of the present invention, its additional features and advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section along the axis of a nozzle head according to the invention, equipped with a supply and discharge device for two fluids, namely a cleaning fluid and thread lubricant, both outlet openings being shown closed;

FIG. 2 shows a nozzle head in longitudinal section along the axis similarly to FIG. 1, wherein one radially inwardly directed annular outlet is open, and the other outlet of identical shape, design and orientation is closed;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a nozzle head mounted on a vertical strut and connected to fluid supply hoses, wherein the plug-in end of the pipe is inserted inside a circumferential ring formed by the main body of the nozzle head;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a nozzle head and other elements of FIG. 3 on the opposite side, while two more pipes with plug-in ends with an external thread are in line for cleaning the thread;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the nozzle head in conjunction with centering means that are designed to center the inserted end of the pipe with an external thread relative to the annular body of the nozzle head, with the tapered centering head tapering upwardly mounted on the upper end of the telescopic tube device;

FIG. 6 shows a conical centering head in a centering contact in an internal cavity of an inserted end of a pipe;

FIG. 7 shows the installation of a nozzle head and a casing surrounding it on a telescopic pipe in the next step, when the nozzle is concentrically around the suspended plug-in end of the pipe with an external thread;

FIG. 8 shows a nozzle head with fluid outlets directed radially outward for flushing and then lubricating the internal threads at the upstream end of the pipe;

FIG. 9-12 are perspective views of a pipe handling device used for cleaning and lubricating threads, and illustrate four successive process steps, including FIG. 9 shows a pipe reloading manipulator immediately after it has grasped the tubular section separated from the pipe string and the tubular section is in a position to turn about the vertical axis of the manipulator;

FIG. 10 shows the manipulator and the tubular section in a position where the tubular section is rotated and lowered into the cleaning and lubrication device of the inserted end of the tubular section, while the corresponding cleaning and lubrication device of the receiving end of the tubular section is aligned with the first, lower device and is located at the top of the manipulator above the lower device at a vertical distance slightly exceeding the length of the tubular section;

FIG. 11 shows the tubular section in the raised position when its upper receiving end is in working interaction with the upper cleaning and lubrication device; and FIG. 12 depicts a situation in which the connecting thread at the ends of the tubular section is cleaned and lubricated, and the manipulator is deployed to a position away from the upper and lower processing devices in order to suspend the tubular section on the balcony with fingers, which is shown in partial view with two other suspended tubular sections.

Information confirming the possibility of carrying out the invention

In FIG. 1 and 2, a device for cleaning and lubricating the threads is presented in longitudinal section along the axis.

The nozzle head of the device is formed by a substantially annular casing 10. On the inner surface of the casing 10 there are two parallel circular, that is, 360 ° circumferential grooves, grooves 14 and 14 'symmetrical with respect to the central inner protruding part 12. The profile of each groove 14 , 14 'is defined by a nozzle ring 16, 16' mounted with the possibility of displacement along the axis. Thus, each of the inner grooves 14, 14 'has a trapezoidal cross-section, with longer bases of the trapezoid formed by the Central part 12, protruding radially inward. A feed channel 18 and 18 ′ is connected to each of the inner circumferential grooves to supply, respectively, a cleaning fluid under pressure and a thread lubricant, also under pressure.

Axial seats are made in the nozzle rings 16, 16 ', in which small coil springs 20 are installed. The outer ends of the springs 20 abut against the end surfaces of the nuts 22, 22' intended for each nozzle ring 16, 16 '. In each nut 22, 22 ′ there is a slot 24 (not shown) or a similar means of interacting with the tool. By screwing or unscrewing the nuts 22, 22 ', the width of the slotted outlet 26, 26' can be adjusted through which the cleaning fluid and thread lubricant are supplied.

Diametrically opposite to the supply channels 18, 18 'in the wall of the housing 10 there are made radial internal drills 28, 28' for locking screws (not shown), which are tightened to fix the position of the adjusting nuts 22, 22 '. Obviously, the locking screws must be loosened before adjusting the nuts 22, 22 ′ to adjust the width of the slotted outlets.

As shown in FIG. 3, the annular housing 10 of the nozzle head is mounted on top of the vertical support column 30. The supply pipes or hoses 32, 32 'are connected respectively to the supply channels 18, 18'.

A pipe 34, for example, a drill pipe equipped with a connecting device 36 with an external male end 38, is inserted into the nozzle head in a centered position. As already described and shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle head has slotted radially directed inward openings for supplying pressurized fluid to clean and lubricate the external thread on the pipe. Initially, the nozzle head 10 extends along the threaded end 38 of the pipe during the supply of the cleaning fluid through the slotted outlet 26. Then, the nozzle head 10 extends in the opposite direction along the threaded end 38 of the pipe during the supply of lubricant for the thread through the slotted outlet 26 '. When the cleaning fluid or thread lubricant is not supplied to the respective circular grooves 14, 14 ', the springs 20 press the corresponding nozzle rings 16, 16' to the annular part 12 and close the slotted outlet openings.

FIG. 4 shows the device of FIG. 3 and further shows two more drill pipes 34 ', 34 to be processed. Thus, means should be provided for the relative movement of the nozzle head 10 and the drill pipe 34, 34 'and 34.

As shown in FIG. 5, the nozzle head main body 10 is mounted on the upper part of the bracket 40, which is mounted on the bottom of the box-shaped casing 42. The casing 42 is mounted on a central vertical telescopic tube 44, which covers a vertically movable piston rod 46, which is part of the mutual centering mechanism of the nozzle head and the inserted end 38 of the external pipe 34. An upwardly tapered conical centering head 48 is attached to the piston rod 46. In the initial position, the drill pipe 34 is suspended above the nozzle head 10 and faces downward with its male tapered plug end 38. Pipe positioning is carried out using a pipe processing plant not shown here.

As shown in FIG. 6, by moving the piston rod 46 upward, the centering head 48 is inserted for centering interaction into the insertion end 38 of the drill pipe 34. 50 indicates the common axis of the centered insertion end 38 of the pipe and nozzle head 10.

Further, in accordance with FIG. 7, the telescopic tube 44 is extended upward so that the nozzle head 10 covers the insertable end 38 of the pipe and moves upward along it to carry out the thread processing, that is, washing it under high pressure and then supplying thread lubricant to it through the corresponding slotted outlet 26, 26 '. The cleaning fluid is discharged from the device through the drain pipe 33.

In FIG. Figure 8 shows an exemplary nozzle head in which slotted outlets face radially outward to process internal threads inside receptacle 52 at the receiving end of the pipe by flushing the thread under high pressure and then applying thread lubricant under pressure. The centering head 54 with the front conical guide portion 54 ', which tapers downward and has a common longitudinal axis 56 with the nozzle head 10, is inserted into the inner cavity of the drill pipe facing upstream of the receiving seat 52. The centering head 54, 54' is mounted on the end of a vertically suspended piston the rod 58, which can be extended and retracted into the cylinder 60. The cylinder 60 carries a pipe coaxial to it 62, in which channels 64, 64 'are made, communicating with channels 66, 66' for supplying, respectively, cleaning fluid and thread lubricant. Channels 64, 64 'lead to the annular cavities 68, 68' (respectively, the annular recesses 14, 14 'in Figs. 1 and 2), which communicate with circular (within 360 °) slotted outlet openings 70, 70', configured to their closure, opening and regulation of the width.

Nozzle rings 16, 16 ', springs 20, nuts 22, 22' and the central annular inwardly protruding part 12 of the wall are the same as in the previous examples. Other similar parts of the device are marked with the same reference numbers.

As mentioned above, FIG. 9-12 depict an overload manipulator for pipes in which a cleaning and lubrication device in accordance with the invention can be used.

The reloading manipulator 72 for pipes contains a vertical supporting body in the form of a column 74 with a supporting heel 76, which rests on the platform 78 of the drilling rig; 80 is a pit. From the pit 80, the upper end of the pipe 34 of the pipe string (not visible), which is suspended from above, acts as a receiving socket. The upper tubular section 34 'is unscrewed and suspended on the pivoting arms 82, 82' by means of holders 84, 84 '. The levers 82, 82 'are mounted on the supporting body 74 in the form of a column using sliders 86, 86'.

Such an overload manipulator 72 for pipes is known per se, and its construction mainly comprises means of rotation about a vertical axis (axis of the column 74) and means of raising and lowering.

In a drilling rig (not shown) to the side of the handling crane is a so-called balcony 88 with fingers, which is shown in partial view with two other suspended tubular sections 34, 34 '.

A device for cleaning and lubrication with a nozzle head 10 for the insertion end of the tubular section 34 'is located on the drilling platform 78 on the side of the support heel 76 of the column 74, and a corresponding device with a nozzle head 10 for the receiving end of the tubular section 34' is suspended on the upper end of the column 74.

In the step that is illustrated in FIG. 10, the tubular section 34 'is transferred by rotation about the vertical axis of the column 74 and lowered into a lower device equipped with a nozzle head 10 for cleaning and lubricating the threads at the insertion end of the tubular section 34'. The upper device with the head 10 is located in exact coaxial position with respect to the lower cleaning and lubrication device. Thus, as soon as the inserted end of the tubular section 34 'is cleaned and lubricated, only a linear upward movement is required to enter the receptacle into engagement with the upper nozzle head 10.

This position is shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 represents the reloading arm 72 in position when it is in the process of hanging onto the balcony 88 of the tubular section 34 'with cleaned and lubricated threads at both connecting ends.

Instead of raising and lowering the tubular section using the overload manipulator 72, to lower it into interaction with the cleaning and lubrication devices, the lower device with the nozzle head 10 can be lifted by means of a telescopic tube 44, and the upper device with the nozzle head 10 can be lowered by means of a cylinder 60.

Claims (11)

CLAIM 1. A device for cleaning and lubricating threads, especially threads for pipes that are screwed together, such as drill pipes (34, 34 ', 34) and casing pipes, characterized in that the device for cleaning and lubrication contains a nozzle head in the main body (10) which is made of supply passages, or channels (18, 18 '), each of which communicates with the corresponding internal annular cavity (14, 14') for the individual supply of the processing fluid to the corresponding annular cavity (14, 14 '), in this case, with each annular cavity (14, 14 ') disposed circumferentially within 360 ° radially directed slot outlet (26, 26 '; 70, 70'). 2. A cleaning and lubricating device according to claim 1, characterized in that said slotted outlets (70, 70 ') are directed radially outwards for cleaning and lubricating the internal thread in the pipe (52) surrounding the nozzle head ( ten). 3. Cleaning and lubrication device according to claim 1, characterized in that said slotted outlet openings (26, 26 ') are directed radially inward to clean and lubricate the external thread on the inserted part (38) made at the end of the pipe and surrounded by the body of the nozzle head (10), which is made essentially annular and contains a wide through hole, directed along the axis. 4. Device cleaning and lubrication according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, characterized in that each slotted outlet (26, 26 '; 70, 70') is formed between the inner part (12) of the main body of the nozzle head (10) lying on a circle within 360 ° and having the possibility of axial displacement by a nozzle ring (16, 16 '), which can be displaced between a closed position, in which the corresponding nozzle ring (16, 16') fits tightly against the seating surface on the specified surrounding part (12) of the main body of the nozzle head (10), and are adjustable open positions in which the district part is The associated nozzle ring (16, 16 ') is located at a greater or lesser distance from the specified seating surface on the inside (12) of the nozzle head (10). 5. The cleaning and lubricating device according to claim 4, characterized in that each nozzle ring (16, 16 ') is loaded by means of a spring (20) in the axial direction and is connected with an adjusting device, for example, in the form of an adjusting nut (22, 22' ), which is installed with the possibility of axial movement when screw movement along the internal thread, made in the body of the nozzle head (10), so that when the axial movement of the nut (22, 22 ') by screwing into the body of the nozzle head (10) or unscrewing displace the nozzle ring associated with it (16, 16 '). 6. Cleaning and lubricating device according to claim 5, characterized in that with each nut there are associated locking means, for example, in the form of a locking screw, which is located in threaded drilling (28, 28 '), made in the body of the nozzle head (10) , in order to fix the nut (22, 22 ') in the adjusted position. 7. Device cleaning and lubrication according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, equipped with a centering device (44, 46, 48; 54, 54 ', 58, 60), designed to center the terminal connecting devices (receiving socket 52 / plug-in end 38) of the pipe (34, 34', 34) relative to to the axis (56, 50) of the device for cleaning and lubrication, characterized in that the centering device carries a centering head (48; 54, 54 '), which is equipped with a tapered conical outer part, made in shape and design and installed in such a way that guided in the centering way into the cavity of the terminal connecting devices (52, 38) pipes and due to this center the end coupling device with respect to the axis (56, 50) of the device for cleaning and lubrication, so that the receiving socket (52) is brought into position in which it concentrically surrounds the nozzle head, and the connecting device of an inserted end (38) of a pipe equipped with an external thread is brought into a position in which it is concentrically surrounded by a nozzle head, and in both cases this movement is carried out by relative axial displacement of the receiving socket / sun. tapped pipe end and nozzle head (10). 8. The cleaning and lubricating device according to claim 7, characterized in that the centering head (48; 54, 54 ') is installed at the end of the displacement device, such as a telescopic tube, made with the possibility of lengthening or shortening and intended for axial linear movement in the direction the axes (50; 56) of the nozzle head / housing (10). 9. Cleaning and lubrication device according to claim 8, characterized in that the centering head (48) is mounted on the end of the piston rod, the inner telescopic tube (46) or similar movable element, made with the possibility of axial movement, which is concentrically surrounded with axial movement telescopic tube, cylinder (44) for a piston rod or similar element. 10. Cleaning and lubricating device according to claim 9, characterized in that said telescopic tube or cylinder (44) for a piston rod having axial movement is rigidly connected (connected) at its upper end with a box-shaped or cup-shaped casing (42) in which the nozzle head / housing (10) is permanently placed. 11. A cleaning and lubricating device according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that such a device (10) for cleaning and lubricating the receiving end of the tubular section (34 ') is suspended from the top of the reloading arm (72) for pipes equipped with pivoting arms (82 , 82 ') with holders (84, 84') for the specified tubular section (34 '), while preferably coaxially under the device (10) for cleaning and lubricating the thread of the receiving end, suspended from the top of the reloading arm for pipes, on the platform ( 78) the drilling rig is set according to favoring device (10) for cleaning and lubrication of the insertion end of the tubular section (34 ').