US1974546A

US1974546A - Drill pipe protector

Info

Publication number: US1974546A
Application number: US391463A
Authority: US
Inventors: Marion R Shipley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1928-09-09
Filing date: 1928-09-09
Publication date: 1934-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 1951-09-25

Description

p 1934- M. R. SHIPLEY 1,974,546

DRILL PIPE PROTECTOR Filed Sept. 9, 1928 Patented Sept. 25, 1934 PATENT OFFICE DRILL PIPE PROTECTOR Marion R. Shipley, Hermosa Beach, Calif., as-

signor, by mesne assignments, to Edward M. Smith, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 9, 1928, Serial No. 391,463

18 Claims.

My invention relates to a drill pipe protector in the form of a ring or sleeve that is adapted to be applied to the drill tube of a deep well drilling apparatus and which ring or sleeve functions as a friction and wear receiving member between the drill tube and the casing through which said drill tube operates.

It will be'understood that where a relatively long string of drill tubing is operating through well casing, there is considerable friction and wear between the boxes, tool joints, or coupling members that are used in connecting the drill tube sections or drill pipe and the well casing, and it is the principal object of my invention to provide a relatively simple, strong and durable protecting device formed of suitable wear resisting material such as rubber, or rubber composition and which device is constructed so that it may be firmly secured in position upon the drill tube, to serve as a protecting member that receives the friction and wear between the drill tube and casing and consequently materially increasing the life or service periods of the drill tube joint members or boxes and preventing the same from outting through the wall casing.

A further object of my invention is, to generally improve upon and simplify the construction of the existing forms of drill pipe protectors, and, further, to provide a device of the character referred to, that is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive. of manufacture and capable of being easily and quickly applied to the drill tube.

Further objects of my invention are, to provide simple and efiicient means in the form of a wedge 35 key for firmly securing the protecting sleeve or ring upon the drill tube and to construct the protector, with a lining, preferably of fabric, that makes direct contact with the tube upon which the protector is positioned, thereby eliminating 40 direct contact of the material composition that forms the body of the protector with the metal drill tube.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts that will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a portion of a drill tube and showing a protector of my improved construction positioned thereupon.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken 0 the line 22 of Fig, 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section of the protector and showing the wedge key in the position that (c1. cos-4) it assumes when driven downward to clamp the ring upon the drill tube.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 3 and showing the wedge key in elevated position before being driven downward. v p 0 Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken through the upper portion of the protector and showing the position of the same before the wedge key is driven downward to clamp the protector on the drill tube.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section similar to Fig.5 and showing the protector clamped upon the drill tube. 1

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through the upper portion of a'modified form of the protector.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the lower portion of the wedge key and showingportions thereof bent so asto prevent withdrawal of the key from the protector.

In the construction of the preferred form of V the protector, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, a short sleeve or tubular body 10 is formed of suitable material, for instance, moulded rubber, or composition of which rubber is a principal ingredient and in order to withstand the wear and friction to which the device is subjected while in service, it is desirable to utilize a rubber or rubber composition that has incorporated therewith, materials or ingredients that render the body of the protector highly resistant to frictional wear.

In this connection it will be understood that the prime desideratum in a device of the character to Which my invention relates is, a strong, tough body that has a high degree of wear resisting qualities as well as resistivity to the action of oil and the like, rather than a high degree of elasticity, although a certain degree of resilience is desirable. Y

The tubular body of the protector is split lengthwise, as designated by 11, and formed in the peripheral surface of the'ring or collar, adjacent to its ends, are circumferential grooves 12. The edges of the flanges 13 at the ends of the ring or collar beyond the grooves 12 are rounded and likewise the corners of the body of the ring or collar, adjacent to the grooves, are rounded or bevelled, as designated by 14, in order that the protector, when positioned upon the drill tube, will readily pass internal shoulders or obstructions on the well casing.

The body of the ring or collar is provided with a lining 15 that may be composed of any suitable material, for instance, one or more layers of fabric. In some instances, this lining may comprise sections of wood, metal or composition.

Formed in the inner face of the ring or collar, 110

ends of each strap are bent inwardly and thence outwardly to form hooks 19 and which latter,

when the straps are positioned in the grooves 17, occupy the apertures 17 between the-grooves 12 and internally arranged channel 16.

Cooperating with the straps 18 is a wedge key 20, formed of metal of such size as to pass lengthwise through the groove or channel 16 and the' body of this wedge key, which gradually increases in width toward its lower end, is curved in horizontal cross section so as to conform to the curvature of the drill pipe to which the protector is ap: plied. The side edges of the wedge key are-rebent to form hook flanges 21' that are adapted to engage the hooks 19 on the ends of straps 18.

In applying the protector to a drill pipe, the edges of the body of, the protector are spread apart to permit the protector to be slipped onto the drill pipe and straps 18 are now positioned in grooves .12 and-the inturned hooks on the ends ofsaid straps are inserted through openings 17. The wide lower end of the wedge key is now inserted downwardly through channel 16 so that the hook fiangesZLengage the hooks 19 and as said wedge key is driven downwardpthe'straps 18 will be contracted so as to, very securely clamp the protector on thedrill pipe;

' Aiterthe protector has beenproperly secured in position on the drill pipe, those portions of the hook flanges 21 on the wedge key below the hooks on the lowermost one of the straps are bent by pressure against the body of the wedge key, as

illustrated in Fig. 8, and such action effectually locks the wedge key against upward movement relative to the protector and which movement, if permitted, would loosen the protector and thereby affect its efficiency. 1 In the modified construction illustrated in Fig. 7, the wedge key receiving channel is formed on the interior of the ring or collar adjacentto the longitudinal split or. opening therein and thus when the wedge collar is properly positioned in the protector it occupies longitudinal position directly beneath the'split-in said collar.-'

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a drill pipe protector that is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, capable of being easily and quickly applied to drill pipe and which protector is very effective in-performing the functions for which it is intended. The lining for the protector is flexible, rather than resilient and when the protector is. contracted or compressed upon the pipe; said lining will grip said pipe and will not tend to creep thereupon as is the case where a'smoo-th rubber face is in direct contact with the pipe. The lining reeniorces the rubber body of the protector, prevents direct contact of the body of the protector withthe metal pipe, materially re= enforces the protector body andwhere said body is composed of rubber, it. effectively resists tendency of the rubber to tear away from the lining under servicestrains;

In the production of the protecting rings or collars, it is desirable thatthe same be iormed'with an internal diameter that is slightly greater than the external diameter of the drill pipes to which they are applied and as a result all portions of the bodies of the protectors will be put under compression when the wedge keys are driven down to clamp the protectors upon the drill pipes and thus when properly applied no portion of the protector body is under tension.

In U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,639,315, issued to me August 16th, 1927, I have shown a wedge key provided on its edges with hook flanges for engaging and contracting a portion of a stove pipe casing joint and in my present application I make use of a wedge key that is very similar to the key disclosed. in my aforesaid patent, but in the present case the key is utilized for contracting the metal straps" that encircle the split ring that forms the body of the protector- It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved drill pipe protector may be made and substituted-for those herein shown and described without. departing from thespirit of myinvention, the scope of which is set forth in-the appended claims. a

I claim as my invention: v,

1. A drill pipe protector, comprising a split ring, independently formed straps each encircling the opposite ends of said splitring and means for simultaneously engagingthe ends of said straps and drawing the same together to clamp saidsplit'ring upon a drill; pipe.

2. In a-drill pipe protector, a split ring pro vided in its outer face with apair of grooves, a strap arranged in each grooveand single means for engaging the ends of both of said straps; and drawing the same together to clamp said split ring on a drill pipe.- a a Y 3. In a wear preventer adapted for use on a drill pipe for preventing the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the Well, the combination of a wearpreventing means adapted to be placed on the drill pipe, said wear-preventing means having engaging means extended outward sufficiently to prevent the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the well and having a resilient engageable portion; and clamping means engaging said engageable portion of said wear-preventing means for rigidly securing said wear-preventing means to the drill pipe, said clamping means exerting an inward pressure throughout the-entire circumference of said wear-preventing means, and said wear-preventing means thus being caused to pressurally engage said drill pipe throughout the entire circumference thereof.

4. In a wear preventer adapted for use on a drill pipe for preventing the drll-pipe from-engaging. the wall of the well, the combination of 1. a wear-preventing means adapted to be placed on the drill pipe, said wear-preventing means having engaging means extended outward sufficient- 1y to prevent the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the well; a clamping means adaptedto engage an external surface of said wear-preventing means; and constricting means for causingsaid clamping means to clamp said wear-preventing means tightly to the drill pipe. 7

5. In a wear preventeradapted for use on a drill pipe for preventing the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the well, thecombination of: a wear-preventing means adapted to be placed on the drill pipe, said; wear-preventing means having engaging means extended outward 'sufiiciently to prevent the drill pipefrom engaging the wall of the well; a clamping means adapted to engagean external surface of saidwear-preengaging the 'wall of-the well, the combination of:' a w'ear-preventing means adapted to be placed on the drill-pipe, said wear-preventing means made from afrubber-like material having engagin'gmeans extended outward sufiicientlylto prevent the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the well; rn'etal ineans adapted to engage an external surface of said wear-preventing means; and constricting means for engaging said metal means for constricting same in order to cause said wear-preventing means to tightly engage the drill pipe throughout its entire circumference.

'7. In a wear preventer adapted for use on a drill pipe for preventing the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the well, the combination of: a wear-preventing means adapted to be placed on the drill pipe, said wear-preventing means having engaging means extended outward sufficiently to prevent the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the well; a pair of clamping means adapted to extend around said wear-preventing means, the ends thereof having connecting means; and constricting means adapted to engage both of said connecting means to constrict said clamping means.

8. In a wear preventer adapted for use on a drill pipe for preventing the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the well, the combination of: a wear-preventing means adapted to be placed on i the drill pipe, said wear-preventing means having.

engaging means extended outward sufliciently to prevent the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the well; a fabric lining secured to the inner surface of said wear-preventing means and adapted to contact the drill pipe; and separate clamping means engaging said wear-preventing means for rigidly securing said wear-preventing means to the drill pipe.

9. In a wear preventer adapted for use on a i; drill pipe for preventing the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the well, the combination of: a wear-preventing means adapted to be placed on the drill pipe, said wear-preventing means having engaging means extended outward sufficiently to prevent the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the Well; a fabric lining secured to the inner surface of said wear-preventing means and adapted to contact the drill pipe; a clamping means adapted to engage an external surface of said wearpreventing means; and constricting means for causing said clamping means to clamp said wearpreventing means tightly to the drill pipe.

10. A Wear preventer, comprising: a body of rubber forming a split cylinder having an internal diameter such that it can frictionally engage the outer surface of a drill pipe when applied thereto, and having an outside diameter greater than the collars of the drill pipe, said rubber (having grooves formed therein concentric with said pipe;

and metal members placed in said grooves and i abrasion by the walls of the well in which the drill pipe is used.

11. In a wear preventer adapted for securement to a string of drill pipe, said wear preventer comprising: a body of rubber-like material hav-' "i ing resilient or yieldable engageable portions;

engageable portions whereby same may-be pressed into gripping engagement with said drill pipe; andconstricting means engaging the ends 'of said band means whereby-said band means may be causedto exert a pressure'inwardly against said engage ab'le' portions. I 1 12.'In a wear preventer adapted for securement'to 'a strin'g of drill pipe, said wear preventer -comprising:" a body of rubber-like material'hav ing-resilient or-yieldable engageable portions; flexible bandrneans applied to the ends of saidfengageableportions whereby same may be pressed into gripping engagement with said drill pipe throughout its entire circumference; and constricting means engaging the ends of said band means whereby said band means may be caused to exert a pressure inwardly against said engageable portions throughout the entire circumference of said engageable portions.

13. In a wear preventer adapted for securement to a string of drill pipe, said wear preventer comprising: a body of rubber-like material having resilient or yieldable engageable portions; circumferential metal means applied to the opposite ends of said body adapted to act against said engageable portions for compressing same inwardly against the drill pipe throughout the entire circumference thereof for causing a full-circle gripping action; and means engageable with the ends of said circumferential metal means for constricting said circumferential means in a manner to produce said inward compressing of said engageable portions.

14. In a wear preventer adapted for securement to a cylindrical well member, the combination of: a wear preventer member made from a rubber or rubber-like material, adapted to surround said well member; a circumferential metal member positioned to engage an annular portion of said wear preventer member, said circumferential metal member having ends positioned adjacent each other; and means adapted to be installed after said Wear preventer member and said circumferential metal member have been positioned on the well member for constricting said circumferential metal member.

15. In a wear preventer adapted for use on a drill pipe for preventing the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the well, the combination of a wear-preventing means adapted to be placed on the drill pipe, said wear-preventing means having engaging means extended outward sufficiently to prevent the drill pipe from engaging the wall of the well; a clamping means adapted to engage an external surface of said wear-preventing means; and constricting means adapted to be installed after said wear-preventing means and said clamping means have been positioned on said drill pipe for causing said clamping means to clamp said wear-preventing means tightly to the drill pipe.

16. In a wear preventer adapted for securement to a string of drill pipe, said wear preventer comprising: a body of rubber-like material having resilient or yieldable engageable portions; fiexible band means applied to said engageable portions whereby same may be pressed into gripping engagement with said drill pipe; and constricting means adapted to be installed after said body and said flexible band means have been po-' flexible bandmean's appliedto the ends" of said sitioned on said drill pipe whereby said band.

tral-cavitythrough which a mud laden fluid may be pumped and adapted to drive a bit secured to the lower end thereof; a body of rubber in the form of asplit cylinder having an internal diam-- to a string of drill pipe-;said wear preventercom-- prising: a body vof rubber-like materia1 in the form of a split cylinder having an internal diameter. such thatthe inner surface thereof can be forced against the outer surface of a pipe;-wa11s forming grooves in the ends of said-body concentric with "said'pipe; a metal member in each of said grooves adapted when constricted to cause said body-t0 firmly grip said pipe; and wedge means engageable with the outer surface of said pipeandthe inner ends of said metal members; whereby said metal-members can be constricted MARION R. SHIRLEY.