EP1015184B1 - Granular particle gripping surface - Google Patents
Granular particle gripping surface Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1015184B1 EP1015184B1 EP97941657A EP97941657A EP1015184B1 EP 1015184 B1 EP1015184 B1 EP 1015184B1 EP 97941657 A EP97941657 A EP 97941657A EP 97941657 A EP97941657 A EP 97941657A EP 1015184 B1 EP1015184 B1 EP 1015184B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- die
- tubular
- face section
- granular
- particle coating
- 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 - Lifetime
Links
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- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 claims description 5
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- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zirconium Chemical compound [Zr] QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052750 molybdenum Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011733 molybdenum Substances 0.000 claims description 4
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- GUCVJGMIXFAOAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N niobium atom Chemical compound [Nb] GUCVJGMIXFAOAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
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- 229910052721 tungsten Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010937 tungsten Substances 0.000 claims description 4
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- LEONUFNNVUYDNQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N vanadium atom Chemical compound [V] LEONUFNNVUYDNQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052726 zirconium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 13
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 9
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- 229910010271 silicon carbide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 7
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- 238000005219 brazing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 5
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- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 4
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- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
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- 239000011361 granulated particle Substances 0.000 description 2
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- PQMFVUNERGGBPG-UHFFFAOYSA-N (6-bromopyridin-2-yl)hydrazine Chemical compound NNC1=CC=CC(Br)=N1 PQMFVUNERGGBPG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000906 Bronze Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000975 Carbon steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QPLDLSVMHZLSFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper oxide Chemical compound [Cu]=O QPLDLSVMHZLSFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000005751 Copper oxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000881 Cu alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Fluoride anion Chemical compound [F-] KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorus Chemical compound [P] OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920001800 Shellac Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002266 amputation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 238000005255 carburizing Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 239000010941 cobalt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910017052 cobalt Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt atom Chemical compound [Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
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- KUNSUQLRTQLHQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper tin Chemical compound [Cu].[Sn] KUNSUQLRTQLHQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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- JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N iron(III) oxide Inorganic materials O=[Fe]O[Fe]=O JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052752 metalloid Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
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- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000004767 nitrides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000003129 oil well Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052698 phosphorus Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011574 phosphorus Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- ZLGIYFNHBLSMPS-ATJNOEHPSA-N shellac Chemical compound OCCCCCC(O)C(O)CCCCCCCC(O)=O.C1C23[C@H](C(O)=O)CCC2[C@](C)(CO)[C@@H]1C(C(O)=O)=C[C@@H]3O ZLGIYFNHBLSMPS-ATJNOEHPSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229940113147 shellac Drugs 0.000 description 1
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- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/16—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
- E21B19/161—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe
- E21B19/164—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe motor actuated
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B1/00—Vices
- B25B1/24—Details, e.g. jaws of special shape, slideways
- B25B1/2405—Construction of the jaws
- B25B1/241—Construction of the jaws characterised by surface features or material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B13/00—Spanners; Wrenches
- B25B13/48—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes
- B25B13/50—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating on work of special profile, e.g. pipes
- B25B13/5008—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating on work of special profile, e.g. pipes for operating on pipes or cylindrical objects
- B25B13/5016—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating on work of special profile, e.g. pipes for operating on pipes or cylindrical objects by externally gripping the pipe
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B13/00—Spanners; Wrenches
- B25B13/48—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes
- B25B13/50—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating on work of special profile, e.g. pipes
- B25B13/5008—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating on work of special profile, e.g. pipes for operating on pipes or cylindrical objects
- B25B13/5083—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating on work of special profile, e.g. pipes for operating on pipes or cylindrical objects by internally gripping the pipe
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
- E21B23/01—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells for anchoring the tools or the like
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/129—Packers; Plugs with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing
- E21B33/1293—Packers; Plugs with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing with means for anchoring against downward and upward movement
Definitions
- This invention relates to devices used in the oil and gas well drilling industry to grip tubular members, such as oil well piping and casing, in order to rotate the tubular member or to hold the tubular member fixed against rotation.
- this invention relates to gripping devices that can securely grip an oil field tubular member while not leaving damaging gouges or marks on the surface of the tubular member.
- 4,576,067 include a die member which is the sub-component of the jaw that actually contacts the tubular member.
- the face of the die that contacts the tubular member has ridges or teeth cut therein.
- a second disadvantage is encountered when using the dies with corrosion resistant alloy (CRA) tubular members.
- CRA corrosion resistant alloy
- Stainless Steel is an example of a typical CRA used in the oil and gas drilling industry. Because the above described die teeth are normally constructed of standard carbon steel, the bite mark made by the die teeth tend to introduce iron onto the surface of the CRA tubular. The iron in the bite mark then tends to produce corrosion and rust, thereby further damaging the CRA tubular.
- dies with teeth on CRA tubulars As an alternative to using dies with teeth on CRA tubulars, the industry has employed dies which have smooth aluminum surfaces engaging the tubular. However, because aluminum is a comparatively soft metal, dies having aluminum surfaces must employ significantly greater clamping forces than dies with steel teeth. This greater clamping force in turn increases the risk that the clamping forces themselves will cause damage to the tubular. Furthermore, even with high clamping forces, the aluminum surfaces often do not have a sufficiently high coefficient of friction to prevent slippage between the dies and the tubular at high torque loads.
- the industry has developed a method of using a silicon carbide coated fabric or screen in combination with the aluminum surfaced dies.
- This method consists of placing the silicon carbide screen between the tubular and the dies before the dies close upon the tubular. The dies are then closed on the tubular with the silicon carbide screen positioned in between.
- the silicon carbide screen thereby allows a substantially higher coefficient of friction to be developed between the dies and the tubular.
- this method also has serious disadvantages.
- the silicon carbide screen must be re-position between the tubular and die surface each time the dies grip and then release a tubular.
- the silicon carbide screen when a drilling crew is making up or breaking down a long string of drill pipe, the silicon carbide screen must be placed in position for each successive section of pipe being made up or broken down. This repeated operation can be extremely inefficient and costly in terms of lost time. Secondly, this process requires a member of the drilling crew to repeatedly place his hands in a position where they could possible be crushed or amputated. Thirdly, while providing greater resistance to torque than a smooth surfaced aluminum die, there may nevertheless be situations where such high torque forces are being applied to the tubular that the silicon carbide screen method does not prevent slippage between the die and the tubular.
- US Patent Specification 5,150,642 relates to gripping jaws for power tongs.
- the present invention provides a die as defined in Claim 1.
- the die may include the features of any one or more of dependent Claims 2 to 8.
- the present invention also provides a method as defined in Claim 9.
- the present invention provides a gripping apparatus as defined in Claim 10.
- the apparatus may include the features of any one or more of dependent Claims 11 to 17.
- an object of this invention may be to provide, in an apparatus for gripping tubular members, a gripping surface which does not leave bite marks, yet has a higher coefficient of friction than found in the present state of the art.
- Another object of this invention may be to provide a gripping surface that has greater longevity than hereto known in the art.
- a further object of this invention may be to provide a high coefficient of friction gripping surface that is safer to employ than hereto known in the art.
- the present invention provides an improved apparatus for gripping oil field tubular members.
- the apparatus has a gripping surface which comprises a back surface adapted to contact an oil field tubular member where the backing surface is attachable to the apparatus for gripping oil field tubular members.
- the apparatus further has a granulated particle coating formed on this backing surface.
- the gripping surface will include a refractory metal carbide selected from the group consisting of the carbides of silicon, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, and boron.
- the present invention will be capable of use in various apparatuses for gripping oil field tubular members.
- the above mention of power tongs, backup power tongs and chrome tools is intended to be illustrative only. It is believe the present invention will have application in many other types of devices used for gripping oil field tubular members.
- oil field tubular member is intended to describe all types of piping, casing, or other tubular members use in the oil and gas industry.
- One example of such an apparatus is the power tongs disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,291,808.
- Figure 1 is atop view of the internal parts of this power tong illustrating the location of jaws 50 which close upon and grip oil field tubular member 10 .
- jaw 50 An example of jaw 50 is shown in more detail in Figures 2a and 2b.
- jaw 50 will include a pin aperture 52 which allows jaw 50 will be connected to the power tong or other apparatus for gripping tubulars.
- jaw 50 further has a generally concave shaped removably insertable die 51 .
- Die 51 is positioned in jaw 50 by the interlocking of spline 53 and groove 55 and is held in place by retaining screw 54.
- Concave die 51 is adapted to engage oil field tubular member 10 .
- Die 51 also has a conventional gripping surface 56 formed from a diamond shaped series of gripping teeth. This prior art gripping surface 56 has several the disadvantages discussed above.
- FIG 3 is a perspective view of a die having the novel gripping surface of the present invention.
- the gripping surface is formed on a die having splines 53 similar to that shown in Figures 2a and 2b.
- Die 1 in Figure 3 generally includes a body portion 9, splines 53 formed on the rear of body 9 and a face section 4 making up the front of body 9.
- the gripping surface of the present invention is formed on the face section 4 of the body 9 by a coating 7 which is shown as the shaded surface portion of face section 4 .
- the surface of face section 4 immediately below coating 7 forms the backing surface 5 to which coating 7 adheres.
- Backing surface 5 is shown in Figure 3, where a portion of coating 7 has been removed from face section 4 .
- dies are manufactured in standard dimensions and it is sometimes desirable to maintain these standard dimensions despite the additional thickness coating 7 will add to the total dimension of the die 1 . Therefore, in some applications it will be necessary to reduce the thickness of face section 4 by an amount equal to the thickness of the coating 7 which is applied to die 1 . This insures that a die 1 of the present invention will be manufactured to the standard die dimensions used in the industry.
- coating 7 comprises a granulated particle substance which has been firmly attached to backing surface 5 to form the granular particle coating 7 .
- the granular particle coating 7 produces a high friction gripping surface on the face 4 of die 1 .
- the dies 1 are inserted into jaw members which in turn are the component of power tongs that grip the tubular member as described above.
- the gripping surface of dies 1 is pressed against the tubular member. Over the entire surface of the die face, the granular particles are microscopically penetrating the outer most surface of the tubular member.
- the granular particle coating and the process used to apply it to the backing surface of the die is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,094,128 to Dawson.
- the granular particles will be graded to include a wide range of sizes such as from approximately 100 microns to 420 microns in diameter.
- One embodiment of the invention will use granular particles in the range of approximately 300 to 400 microns. Of course these size ranges are only approximate and sizes of particles greater than 420 microns and smaller than 100 microns may be used in particular applications.
- the material from which the granular particles are formed can also vary widely.
- carbides of refractory metals were found to be suitable.
- Such refractory metal carbides include carbides selected from the group consisting of the carbides of silicon, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, and boron. It is envisioned that in place of carbides, borides, nitrides, silicides, and the like may be used singly or in mixtures.
- other refractory metals and metalloids may form a suitable granular particle material. There are generally two requirements for a granular particle material to be suitable for the gripping surface of the present invention.
- the material must be capable of being firmly adhered to the backing surface of the die such that the large torque the die faces resist will not dislodge the particles from the backing surface.
- the material must be sufficiently hard that the granules of the material will penetrate the outermost surface of a tubular member rather than simply being crushed between the backing surface and the tubular member.
- a preferred embodiment of the invention accomplishes this by utilizing a metal matrix or brazing alloy to fuse the granular particle material to the backing surface:
- the metal matrix preferably has a melting or fusing point lower than the melting or fusing point of the granular particle material or the backing surface.
- Typical brazing alloys could include cobalt-based and nickel-based alloys, notably those containing significant proportions of chromium.
- copper, copper oxide or a copper alloy such as bronze can be used.
- the brazing alloy may also contain boron, silicon, and phosphorus. Suitable brazing materials are available commercially and can be used in their commercially available forms.
- the temporary adhesive may be a volatile liquid vehicle, such as water, alcohol, or mixtures thereof, or the like which can be volitized and dried readily. This allows the temporary adhesive to be applied by a spay on process, roller type applicators, or by any other conventional manner.
- "Shellac" as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,024,128 is one such temporary adhesive.
- the metal matrix and refractory particles After application of the temporary adhesive, the metal matrix and refractory particles will applied be to the backing surface.
- the metal matrix and refractory particles are will typically be in a powder form and generally sprinkled in a thin layer onto the backing surface.
- the sprinkling process can be carried out by any number of machines such as the electro-magnetically vibrated feeder as disclosed in column 5 of U.S. Patent No. 3,024,128.
- the backing surface may be positioned at an angle during the sprinkling process such that only the thin layer of powder actually contacting the adhesive remains on the backing surface and any excess powder falls from the backing surface. In this manner, the thickness of the final granular coating may be no greater than the diameter of the largest granular particles.
- a flux agent Prior to the die being heated, a flux agent is also added to the backing surface.
- the flux agent tends to give fluidity to the heated materials, tends to lower the melting point of the high melting oxides, and provides protection against unwanted oxidation.
- the flux covers or envelops the backing surface to protect it from oxidation by the atmosphere while heating. It also dissolves any oxides formed on the metallic surfaces, lowers the surface tension of the molten or plasticize matrix to allow it to flow or spread sufficiently to coat all adjacent parts or particles to form a fusion bond between the particles and the backing surface.
- flux agents may be used. In a preferred embodiment, fluoride based fluxes and borax/boric acid mixtures were found suitable.
- the flux may be applied to the backing surface after application of the refractory particle/metallic matrix powder or it may be mixed with the powder before its application to the backing surface.
- the die After the refractory particle/metallic matrix powder and the flux have been applied to the backing surface, the die will be subject to a heating process.
- heating processes There are numerous heating processes that may be used fuse the refractory particles to the backing surface.
- U.S. Patent No. 3,024,128 discloses heat could be applied by a welding torch for small production runs.
- gas fired or electric furnaces could be used.
- a protective atmosphere such as a reducing or carburizing atmosphere is typically used.
- rapid heating methods such as induction furnace heating, it may not be necessary to utilize a protective atmosphere.
- Another alternative heating method is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,643,740.
- This patent describes a heating method wherein a source of electric current is connected to the article to be heated and a current sufficient to heat the article to the required temperature is then passed there the article. While the preceding disclosure described certain preferred methods of applying the granular particle coating to the backing surface of the die, those skilled in the art may recognize other suitable methods. These are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
- the present invention produces a significantly higher coefficient of friction between the tubular and the die face. This higher coefficient of friction allows the present invention to firmly grasp the tubular member under substantially higher torque loads than prior art methods.
- the die of the present invention can obtain without slippage approximately double the torque obtained in the silicon carbide screen method described above. Additionally, the present invention is easier and faster to employ and reduces the need for workers to put hands and arms in positions where there is a danger of crushing or amputation.
- FIG 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention which will be used in conjunction with a conventional bridge plug 70.
- Bridge plug 70 is designed to be inserted into casing or tubing such as tubular 66 and then activated in order to block the flow of fluid through tubular 66.
- Bridge plug 70 typically comprises a plug body 71 having an upper section 73 and a lower section 72. While not shown in detail in Figure 4, upper section 73 will be adapted in a conventional manner for attachment to a work string 90 which will allow bridge plug 70 to be lowered down the well bore and to be positioned at the desired depth of placement.
- Lower section 72 forms a head portion with shoulders 75 against which a rubber packing element 74 will rest.
- both expansion cones 76 and 77 and packing element 74 are annular shaped and extend continuously around the plug body 71 as a single element.
- slips 60 Positioned between expansion cones 76 and 77 are a series of slips 60. Unlike expansion cones 76 and 77 and packing element 74, slips 60 do not form a continuous annular element around plug body 71. Rather slips 60 are a series of separate arcuate segments which are positioned around plug body 71. An opposing pair of such arcuate segments is seen in the slips 60 illustrated in Figure 5. In the bridge plug 70 of Figure 4, there are six slips 60, but alternate embodiments could employ fewer or more slips 60. Each slip 60 will have a body 61 with inclined surfaces 62 at each end of body 61. Slip body 61 will also have an outer convex surface 68 and a slip ring channel 67.
- slips 60 will rest in ring channel 67 and encircle the plurality of slips 60.
- a slip spring 65 will be positioned between slip retaining ring 63 and ring channel 67 and will bias slips 60 away from the inner surface of tubular 66 to insure slips 60 do not unintentionally or prematurely move toward and grip the inner surface of tubular 66.
- Figure 4 also illustrates how inclined surfaces 62 of slips 60 will correspond to and travel along inclined surfaces 78 of upper and lower cones 76 and 77.
- slips 60 will have a granular particle coating 64 covering the outer convex surface 68 of slips 60 which will engage the inner surface 69 of tubular 66 as described below.
- the granular particle coating 64 is identical to granular particle coating 7 described above for dies 1 and granular particle coating 64 my be applied to slips 60 by any of the methods disclosed above.
- a setting piston 80 is formed by another arcuate element which extends continuously around plug body 71.
- setting piston 80 is integrally formed on upper cone section 77.
- a variable volume fluid cavity 83 is formed between setting piston 80 and plug body 71. Fluid cavity 83 will communicate with fluid a channel 82 which runs through upper section 73 of plug body 71 and allows fluid to be transmitted from the work string, through plug body 71, to fluid cavity 83.
- Conventional seals such as O-rings 84 will form a fluid tight seal between setting piston 83 and plug body 71.
- bridge plug 70 is positioned on a work string and lowered down the well bore to the depth at which it is desired to plug the tubing or casing. While bridge plug 70 is being lowered down the well bore, it is in the unactivated position as seen in Figure 4. After bridge plug 70 is lowered to the desired depth, it will be activated by pumping pressurized fluid through the work string into channel 82. The fluid will accumulate in variable fluid cavity 83 and begin moving setting piston 80 downward as seen in Figure 6. Setting piston 80 will in turn force upper expansion cone 77 downward causing incline surfaces 78 on upper and lower expansion cones 77 and 76 to slide along inclined surfaces 62 of slips 60.
- slips 60 may be used in conjunction with devices similar to bridge plugs, such as packers used for production, isolation, testing and stimulation.
- Packers are structurally similar to bridge plugs except that packers contain one or more internal passages to allow a regulated flow of fluid through the packer or to accommodate instrument wires or control lines which must pass through the packer.
- bridge plugs and packers that are activated by means other than the hydraulic mechanism described above.
- Slips 60 are equally suitable for use in bridge plugs or packers which are activated by mechanical means, wirelines, electric wirelines or other conventional methods used to operate the downhole tools typically found in the drilling industry.
- dies 1 and slips 60 which are used in power tong or bridge plug applications.
- Many types of tubular handling equipment employ dies having an arcuate gripping surface and knurled steel teeth similar to the prior art power tong dies discussed above.
- the dies grip CRA tubulars, the dies have the same undesirable effects such as severely marking the tubulars or inducing corrosion problems. Therefore, granular particle surface dies adapted for use in pipe handling equipment would be a significant improvement in the art and are included within the scope of the present invention.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Metal Extraction Processes (AREA)
- Mounting, Exchange, And Manufacturing Of Dies (AREA)
- Manipulator (AREA)
- Other Surface Treatments For Metallic Materials (AREA)
Description
Claims (17)
- A die (1) for use in a tubular gripping apparatus, said die (1) comprising:a die body (9) having on a first side means (53) for engaging a jaw of the tubular gripping apparatus and on a second side an arcuate face section (4) shaped to engage a tubular member (10); anda granular particle coating (7) formed upon said face section (4), characterised in that said granular particle coating (7) generally comprises granular particles with a diameter of over 300 microns.
- The die (1) according to Claim 1, wherein said granular particle coating (7) is formed of a material sufficiently hard to penetrate the outermost surface of a tubular (10) without crushing said material.
- The die (1) according to Claim 1, wherein said granular particle coating (7) further comprises a refractory metal fused to said face section (4).
- The die (1) according to Claim 3, wherein said refractory metal is fused to said face section (4) by a metallic matrix.
- The die (1) according to Claim 3, wherein said refractory metal is a metal carbide consisting of a metal selected from the group consisting of the carbides of silicon, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, and boron.
- The die (1) according to Claim 1, wherein said arcuate face section (4) has a concave shape.
- The die (1) according to Claim 1, wherein said arcuate face section (4) has a convex shape.
- The die (1) according to Claim 1, wherein said granular particle coating (7) further comprises granular particles generally between 300 and 400 microns in diameter.
- A method of gripping a tubular member (10), comprising the steps of:a. providing a tubular member (10);b. providing a tubular gripping system which includes at least two generally opposing jaw members (50), each jaw member (50) having a die (1) comprising:i. a die body (9) shaped to be inserted into said tubular gripping system;ii. said die body having on a first side a means (53) for engaging a jaw of the tubular gripping apparatus;iii. said die body (9) having on a second side an arcuate face section (4) shaped to engage a tubular member (10) characterised by applying a die body (9) having a granular particle coating (7) formed upon face section (4) and comprising granular particles with a diameter of over 300 microns and placing a radial load on said die body (9) sufficient to embed a portion of said granular particles into the surface of said tubular member (10).
- A gripping apparatus for gripping a tubular member, the apparatus comprising an arcuate face section (4) shaped to engage a tubular member (10), a granular particle coating (7) formed upon face section (4), wherein said granular particle coating generally comprises granular particles with a diameter of over 300 microns.
- Apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein said granular particle coating (7) is formed of a material sufficiently hard to penetrate the outermost surface of a tubular member (10) without crushing said material.
- Apparatus according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein said granular particle coating (7) further comprises a refractory metal fused to said face section (4).
- Apparatus according to any of Claims 10 to 12, wherein said refractory metal is fused to said face section (4) by a metallic matrix.
- Apparatus according to any of Claims 10 to 13, wherein said refractory metal is a metal carbide consisting of a metal selected from the group consisting of the carbides of silicon, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, and boron.
- Apparatus according to any of Claims 10 to 14, wherein said arcuate face section (4) has a concave shape.
- Apparatus according to any of Claims 10 to 15 wherein said arcuate face section (4) has a convex shape.
- Apparatus according to any of Claims 10 to 16, wherein said granular particle coating (7) further comprises granular particles generally between 300 and 400 microns in diameter.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US71344496A | 1996-09-13 | 1996-09-13 | |
US713444 | 1996-09-13 | ||
PCT/US1997/016443 WO1998010899A1 (en) | 1996-09-13 | 1997-09-15 | Granular particle gripping surface |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1015184A1 EP1015184A1 (en) | 2000-07-05 |
EP1015184A4 EP1015184A4 (en) | 2000-08-09 |
EP1015184B1 true EP1015184B1 (en) | 2003-11-12 |
Family
ID=24866172
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97941657A Expired - Lifetime EP1015184B1 (en) | 1996-09-13 | 1997-09-15 | Granular particle gripping surface |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1015184B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2266367C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69726196D1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998010899A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5984007A (en) * | 1998-01-09 | 1999-11-16 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Chip resistant buttons for downhole tools having slip elements |
GB0009675D0 (en) * | 2000-04-20 | 2000-06-07 | Ball Burnishing Mach Tools | Mechanical coupling devices |
CA2311036A1 (en) | 2000-06-09 | 2001-12-09 | Oil Lift Technology Inc. | Pump drive head with leak-free stuffing box, centrifugal brake and polish rod locking clamp |
US6631792B2 (en) | 2001-10-09 | 2003-10-14 | David A. Buck | Low friction slip assembly |
US6640939B2 (en) | 2001-10-09 | 2003-11-04 | David A. Buck | Snubbing unit with improved slip assembly |
US7000888B2 (en) | 2004-03-29 | 2006-02-21 | Gadu, Inc. | Pump rod clamp and blowout preventer |
US7673674B2 (en) | 2006-01-31 | 2010-03-09 | Stream-Flo Industries Ltd. | Polish rod clamping device |
US20090038790A1 (en) * | 2007-08-09 | 2009-02-12 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Downhole tool with slip elements having a friction surface |
PT2410023E (en) | 2010-07-20 | 2013-01-25 | Omya Development Ag | Process for the preparation of surface-treated calcium carbonate material and use of same in the control of organic material in an aqueous medium |
US9273527B2 (en) | 2013-02-07 | 2016-03-01 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Hard surfacing metallic slip components for downhole tools |
US9097076B2 (en) * | 2013-02-07 | 2015-08-04 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Hard surfacing non-metallic slip components for downhole tools |
NO342134B1 (en) | 2015-04-07 | 2018-03-26 | Robotic Drilling Systems As | Apparatus and method for gripping a tubular member |
CN114933271B (en) * | 2022-04-11 | 2024-01-16 | 苏州新实医疗科技有限公司 | Method for opening and closing cover of unscrewed container and method for opening and closing cover |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2063743A (en) * | 1979-11-29 | 1981-06-10 | Crowcroft P L | Screwdriver blades |
US4576067A (en) * | 1984-06-21 | 1986-03-18 | Buck David A | Jaw assembly |
US4778730A (en) * | 1987-09-09 | 1988-10-18 | Remgrit Corporation | Method of applying non-slip coating to tools and resulting product |
US4989909A (en) * | 1989-08-17 | 1991-02-05 | Franks Casing Crew And Rental Tools, Inc. | Friction grip for tubular goods |
US5148726A (en) * | 1989-10-16 | 1992-09-22 | Snap-On Tools Corporation | One-piece, open-end wrenching head with roughened jaws |
GB9019416D0 (en) * | 1990-09-06 | 1990-10-24 | Frank S Int Ltd | Device for applying torque to a tubular member |
-
1997
- 1997-09-15 DE DE69726196T patent/DE69726196D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-09-15 CA CA002266367A patent/CA2266367C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-09-15 EP EP97941657A patent/EP1015184B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-09-15 WO PCT/US1997/016443 patent/WO1998010899A1/en active IP Right Grant
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO1998010899A1 (en) | 1998-03-19 |
CA2266367A1 (en) | 1998-03-19 |
DE69726196D1 (en) | 2003-12-18 |
EP1015184A1 (en) | 2000-07-05 |
EP1015184A4 (en) | 2000-08-09 |
CA2266367C (en) | 2008-11-04 |
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