US1596569A - Rotary machine - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 17. 1926. 1,596,569

L. E. ZERBE ROTARY MACHINE Filed March 5, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I gwuentoz Q m N N v "Q gww d. W R

6 atto znaqra Aug. 17 1926.

L. E. ZERBE ROTARY MACHINE Filed March 5, 1924 4 Sheds-Sheet 2 Aug. 17 19-26. 1,596,569

E. ZERBE ROTARY MACHINE Filed March 5, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 .15 55 M 55' 7.9 75 j v 56 5 Aug. 17 1926.

L. E. ZERBE ROTARY MACHINE Filed March 5. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 17, 1926.

UNITED STATE-IS 1,596,569 PAT NT. OFFICE.

LEWIS E. ZERBE, OF MONE'IA, CALIFORNIA, .ASSIGNOR TO Ulil'ION TOOL COMPANY, OF TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIIORNIA.

ROTARY MACHINE.

1924. Serial No. 696,490.

This invention relates to rotary machines in the accompanying detailed description of of the type employed in drilling wells by the" rotary method, and relates more especially to that type of rotary machine'cap'able of use for screwing and unscrewing casing and a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

Fig. l is an elevation, mainly in middrill pipe as well as rotating the drill stem. section, of a rotary machine constructed in An object of the invention is to facilitate adj utment of the'machine to meet the various requirements. In other words, to put the machine in a condition for drilling, for screwing together casing or drill pipe sections and for unscrewing casing or drill pipe sections.

A further object is to provide a construction that can be used with almost equal facility for drilling smaller and larger wells, since the larger rotary drill bits can pass through the table opening, thus avoiding the necessity'of elevating the rotary. machine while such .larger bits' are being screwed on or-ofi the drill pipe.

Another object of this invention is to provide a construction in'which the selective adjustment of the machine for the two functions of drillingand screwing or unscrewing casing or drill pipe is accomplished solely by the vertical position of an adjustable sleeve and without recourse to movable dogs,'pins, latches, etc., which are a great source of weakness in all drilling machines.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drilling machine in which the selective engagement between the adjustable sleeve and the rotary table and-the stationary base respectively are accomplished by engagement between lugs and sockets formed integral with the structure of the sleeve,

'table and base respectively.

A further object of this invention is to provide a drilling machine in which the drilling position of the sleeve shall be such that its top is substantially flush with the top of the rotary table.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary drilling apparatus which is of such construction and manner of assembly that the same may be easily converted from make and break type of rotary tothe ordinary or standard type by merely changing the sleeve employed, which rotary, when so converted from the make and break to standard, will be simple and free from complex appurtenances.

Other objects and advantages will appear accordance with the provisions of this invention, the adjustable sleeve being in its lower or stationary position. fragment of pipe is shown in place in the-slips, pipe wrenches are shown on the p-ipe, and the parts are in position for screwing-one section of the pipe to the other.

Fig. 2 is a reduced plan view of the machine. the table being in section and the sleeve and bushing being omitted.

Fig. 3 is an edge view oi Fig. 2, partly in longitudinal midsectio i Figs l is an enlarged sectional elevation on the line indicated by 1-4, Fig. 2, the sleeve,

bushings and slips being omitted. v

Fig. 5 is'a fragmental plan view of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a fragmental sectional detail on the line indicated by 6-6, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an elevation, mainly in section. on the line indicated by 77, Fig. 8, showing the adjustable sleeve in its upper posi tion for being rotated.

- Fig. 8 is a fragmental plan view of Fig.; 7, partly in section on the line indicated 88, Fig. 7. v

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the adjustable sleeve. showing the sockets for receivin the hooks of a tackle wherewith to adjust t e sleeve to its different positions and elevating the sleeve for disengaging the drilling bit.

V Fig. 10 is an inverted plan view of a sleeve that may be substituted for the adjustable sleeve.

Fig. 11 is a side view, partly in section, of the sleeve-shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. .12 is an edge view, partly in section,

of the foot rest.

Fig. 13 is a reduced plan view of the table with the sleeve, master bushing and slips basell carries bearings 12, 13, in which is journaled a shaft 14. driven by a sprocket wheel 15, or other suitable driving member. The shaft 14 is provided with a spur pinion 16-which meshes with a rin spur gear 17 on a rota table 18. The tab e is mounted on antifriction bearings 19 of any suitable construction and is provided at a distancebelow its upper face with an external annular flange 20 covered by an overhanging li 21 which prevents upward motion of the talble 18 relative to the table base 22 .on which the bearing 19 is mounted. The table base 22 is mounted on the skids 10. The table 18 is providedwith a central'opening 23 and has a portion 24 of reduced diameter extending into the bore 25 of the table base, 22.

The means for locking the sleeve 26 to the table 18-when such sleeve is in the rotating position for drilling or like purposes is illustradted in the preferred form in Figures. 7 an 8.

Projecting into the bore 23 of the table 18 is a series of equal segmental lugs 29 situated in a horizontal plane, and which lugs are equally spaced one from the other a distance greater than the width of the arcuate lugs 27 to provide channels 30. At each end of each segmental lug 29 is-a clutch jaw 28 which projects vertically from the upper plane edge surface of the lugs 29. The clearance between the clutch jaws 28 of each lug 29 is slightly greater than the width of the arcu-ate lugs 27. The arcuate lugs 27 project from or are formed integral with the sleeve 26 and are equally spaced on the circumference of the sleeve 26 at an elevation on the sleeve sufficient to support the sleeve 26 in a position to clear or be disengaged from the base 22, and so that the top of the sleeve 26 will be substantially level with the top of the table 18. The lugs 27 are of equal number and corresponding position in relation to the lugs 29.

By this means the sleeve 26-may be supported by the lugs 27 resting upon the upper lane edge surface 'of the lugs 29, m whic position the lugs 27 may be engaged by the edge clutch jaws 28 and be-rotated with the table 18. It will be observed the sleeve 26 is free to be disengaged from the lugs 29 and the clutch jaws 28 and moved to its lower position to be engaged with the base 22. The lugs 27 during this movement pass through the channels 30 provided between each consecutive pair of lugs 29 and accompanying jaws 28.

In the lower or fixed position, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the sleeve 26 is supported by the inwardly projecting equally spaced segmental lugs 32 positioned at the lower inner inward end of the base 22. When the sleeve 26 is thus supported by the lugs 32,

a corresponding series of like equally spaced lugs 31 at the lower end of the sleeve 26, project downwardly into the spaces between the lugs 32 and lock the sleeve 26 against rotation.

' ing the sections. This post 49 and wrench It will be observed that allthe lugs 27, 28, 29 and 31 and 32 are integral with the respective members 26, 18 and 22, and the c anging from the rotating to the fixed position or the reverse is accomplished solely by the movement of the sleeve 26;

The bore wall of the sleeve 26 is provided near its upper end with spaced notches 43 to accommodate spaced outwardly projecting lugs 34 of a split internally tapered master bushing 35. The tapered face of the bush ing 35 is indicated at 36 and said'tapered face is for the purpose of wedging inwardly slips 37 are tapered on their outer faces as indicated at 38. When the master bushing 35 is in place the lugs 34 seat on the bottom walls of the notches 43, thus supporting the bushing in the sleeve.

When the drill pipe'is to be rotated by a drill stem, not shown, in a manner well understood in this art, there may be substituted for the slips 37 a split drive bushing 39 (see Fig. 8) having a circular flange 40 and provided beneath the flange with outwardly'projecting lugs 44 seating in notches 41 in the bore wall of the master bushing 35. This drive bushing 39 is also provided with an externally tapered face 42 to fit the tapered face 36 of the master bushing 35. In prior constructions the flange of the drive bushing is of square construction fitting in a squared recess in the master bushing and it cannot, therefore, be assembled in place as readily as when the lugs and notches are employed as above described, said lugs and notches interlocking to prevent relative rotation of the bushings 35, 39. The employment of the lug and notch type herein described is' preferred, but the invention is not limited thereto and the prior' square type may be employed if desired.

The table .18 is provided in itsupper face with one or more post sockets 45 in any one of which is removably seated a post 46. The post 46 forms an abutment adapted to be engaged by the handle of a pipe wrench 47 which is clamped upon the upper pipe section when screwing together the pipe sections, as'clearly shown in Fig. 1.

The master bushing 35 is provided at its upper end with a socket 48 in whichis removablyseated a post 49 which constitutes an'abutment for the handle of a pipe wrench 50. sometimes employed on the lower oneof the pipe sections while screwing or unscrewneed only be employed when the string of pipe is comparatively short, as the longer string will be firmly held by the slips against rotation relative to the master bushing 35.

Assuming that the parts are positioned as in Fig. 1, and that it is desired to screw the upper section of pipe onto the lower section,

. the shaft 14 is driven by' any suitable power in a direction to rotate the. table 18 in a will be carried around the-axis of the pipe by the rotating table, thus turning the wrench 47 and effecting turning of the upper pipe section in a direction to screw it onto the lower section.

If it is desired to unscrew the sections, the wrench handle 47 may .be positioned to engage the opposite side of the post 46 and table 18 driven oounIter-clockwfise. (If 'a post 49 be employed it'is likewise reversed.) Another way of effecting the unscrewing ,operation is to raise the sleeve 26 to the rotating position where it is operably connected to the table 18, remove the post 46 and hold the handle of the Wrench 47 stationary while driving the table 18 in a clockwise direction. The handle of the wrench 47, in this operation may be held against turning by any suitable means, such, for example, as a post placed in either of the holes 51 provided in the base 22.

Assuming, for example, that the pipe a is drill pipe and that a new section has been screwed on, as described above, the drill pipe will be suspended by an elevator, not shown,

in a manner well understood in this art. The sleeve 26 will be raised, its lugs 27 interlocked with the lugs 28 and the drill stem connected with the drill pipe in a manner well understood in this art. Then the halves of the drive bushing 39 will-be slipped into place, in the master bushing 35 to embrace the drill stem. The table 18 will then be rotated, thus effecting rotation of the drill pipe in the customary manner.

In removing a drill bit from the well, if,

sleeve out of the table, said sleeve is pro- 30 vided with openings 52 (see Fig. 9) cut through the flange to admit of the entrance of hooks carried by hoisting tackle, not shown. Adjacent to the openings 52, the

flange is provided with raised portions 53, beneath which the hoisting hooks catch.

Means (shown in Figure 10) are provided for converting the rotary machine from the make and break type heretofore described to the standard type of rotary, which means comprises only the substitution of the sleeve 26 for the sleeve 26, and which rotary when so converted, it will be observed from the following, is entirely free from all appurtenances unnecessary to the operation of a standard type of rotary. This sleeve 26 locks only to the table 18 and, according- 1y, is provided with lugs 27 to engage the seats 29. These lugs 27 correspond to the lugs 27 of the sleeve 26, but the sleeve 26 is also provided with another series of lugs 54 alternating with the lugs 27 and adapted to fit in the inter-lug channels 30. This insures against the operator positioning the sleeve so that the lugs 27 are in the channels 30' and the comparatively thin flange of the sleeve supporting the sleeve.- The channels 30 are slightly longer than the lugs 27 lugs 27 and seats 29, while the channels and lugs 54 are of the same length- Though the sleeve 26 is not adjustable to different levels and cannot be locked to the base, it can be removed from the table the same as the sleeve 26 when a bit of larger diameter than the bore of the sleeve is to be run in or out of the well.

' The lip 21, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, encircles the table excepting for a short dis tance adjacent to thepinion 16 and said lip is formed on a sectional ring 55 which completely encircles the table and joins the hearing 13. The ring 55 has a recess 56 in its inner face to accommodate the pinion 16. Thus, the bearing 19 is substantially sealed. The lower race 57 of the bearing 19 is mounted in an oil groove 58 which is below the level of the flange 20 and lip 21 so that the bearing balls, or other similar antifriction elements employed, will at all times run in oil. The oil is supplied to the groove 58 through a duct 59 (see Figure 2) leading from a reservoir 60 mounted on the table base. By mounting the oil reservoir 60 in tion of the rotary machine able to inspect the reservoir 60 and fill the same without the necessity of stopping the rotation of the table 18.

The upper faces of the table 18 and sleeve 26 may be preferably provided with aline ment indications 61, 62, respectively, which are in alinement when the table and sleeve are relatively positioned to permit of the sleeve lugs 27 passing through the channels The lugs 27 27 28. 34. 44, 54, notches 41, 43 and channels 30 all preferably have chamfered edges 63 so that the sleeves and bushing will readily slide into place even though perfect alinement of the lugs and notches or channels has not been effected by the operator.

The ring gear 17 preferably is shrunk upon an annular shoulder 64 on the table 18, and is provided between its periphery and the outer ends of its teeth with an annular groove 67. The groove 67 deflects mud or detritus projected by the table and pre vents the same from flowing over and under the table top into the gear teeth.

One corner of the base 22 is provided with a foot rest 68, shown in Fig. 12, against which a helper may brace his foot in performing someof the necessary operations in drilling a well. The lower end 69 of the foot rest is wedge-shape and fits between lugs 70 on the upper face of the table base 22, said lugs extending aslant toward each other. A bolt 71 passes from the foot-rest into the table base 22 and the lugs 70 prevent rotation of said foot-rest by pressure that may be brought to bear eccentrically of the longitudinal'axis of the bolt 71.

The employment of the adjustable sleeve 26 as the means of interchangeably converting the machine from a direct rotary drive-to or from a pipe screwing machine, provides a machine adapted for such conversion, which is extremely simple in manufacture and use, and which eliminates the hand power necessary to screw pipe, wrench jerk lines, and other inconveniences of ordinary rotary operations, without the complication and attendant expense of the conprising a table base, a rotary table mounted on the base and provided with a central bore, a sleeve positioned in the bore and adapted to be either locked to the base or to the table, the looking to the base or to the table being-accomplished solely by movement of the sleeve.

52. A rotary well drilling machine, comprlsing a table base, a rotary table mounted on the base and. provided with a central and having a central bore, a sleeve positioned within the bore of the table, complcmentary clutch members integral with the table and sleeve respectively, complementary clutch members integral with the base and sleeve respectively, the last named base, a table rotatably mounted on the base 'i clutch members being engaged only when the first named clutch members are disengaged.

at. A rotary machine comprising a table base, a table rotatably mounted on the base and having a central bore, a sleeve mounted in the bore and adapted to be moved vertically to engage either the table or the base, a series of spacedv segmental. lugs formed integral with the table and pro-- jecting inwardly into the bore in a single horizontal plane, a series of arcuate lugs formed integral with the sleeve and projecting outwardly therefrom in position to be engaged on the upper plane surface of the said segmental lugs to support the sleeve, a clutch jaw formed integral with and at each end of each segmental lug and adapted to engage thearcuate lugs to rotate the sleeve with the table, channels formed between the segmental lugs of slightly greater width than the width of the arcuate lugs so that when the sleeve is moved vertically to provide selective engagement with the base and table, the arcuate lugs will pass through the channels,

and a second series of segmental lugs integral with the base and adapted to engage a series of lugs on the lower end of the sleeve when the same has-been moved into engagement with the base. a

Signed at Torrance, Calif, this 27th day of February, 1924.

' LEWIS ZERBE.

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