US2026931A

US2026931A - Releasable jarring tool

Info

Publication number: US2026931A
Authority: US
Inventors: Burns Erwin; Harry P Wickersham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1933-08-07
Filing date: 1933-08-07
Publication date: 1936-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 1953-01-07

Description

Jan..7, 1936. E. BURNS ET AL RELEASABLE JARRING TOOLA Filed Aug. 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

...ZIE

Jan. 7, 1936. E. BURNS ET AL 2,026,931

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 uw M Patented Jan. 7, 193.6

UNITED STATES RELEASABLE JARRING TOOL Erwin Burns, Los Angeles, and Harry P. Wickersham, Huntington Park, Calif.

'Application August 7, 1933, Serial No. 684,020

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a well tool, and relates more particularly to a releasable jarring tool or jar. It is a general object of the present invention to provide a simple, practical and effective device for use in a string of drill pipe that is operable to impart a jarring action to a tool carried by the string and that is releasable to permit disconnection of the string from the tool.

In the drilling of wells with the rotary method of drilling, the drilling tool has a decided tendency to become caught in the well bore when penetrating certain earth formations. Jarring tools for imparting a hammering or jarring ac' tion to the drilling tool have been found eiective in loosening the caught tools so that drilling may be continued. The jarring tools that have been introduced are very expensive, and it is not commercially practical to employ them in drilling strings. Further, the common forms of jarring tools are not releasable or capable of being disconnected when in the well and may be lost or damaged if employed in a drilling string in the event that the drilling tool cannot be loosened from the formation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device adapted to be inserted in a drilling or fishing string that may be operated to impart a hammering or jarring action to the tool operated by the string and that may be released or disconnected, in the event the tool cannot be operated or loosened, to permit the major portion of the string to be recovered from the well.

Another object of the invention is to provide a releasable jarring tool of the character mentioned that is operable by a simple rotation of the operating string while maintaining the string under tension to provide any required number of jarring or hammering blows.

It is another object of the invention to provide a releasable jarring tool that is operable to dependably unyieldingly transmit heavy rotational and longitudinal strains during the normal drilling operations without becoming jammed or rendered inoperative.

It is another object of the invention to provide a releasable jarring tool that forms a rigid eilective connection in the drilling string during the drilling operation and that may be easily reset to its normal condition after being actuated as a jarring tool.

It is another object of the invention to provide a releasable jarring tool that may be easily and quickly released or disconnected without being operated as a jarring tool or after being actuated to produce a jarring action.

It is another object of the invention to provide a releasable jarring tool that may be easily and quickly disconnected or released without special or diilicult manipulation of the drilling string.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a releasable jarring tool that is effective in operation and simple and inexpensive of manufacture. I

Other objects and features of the invention will be better and fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the tool provided by the presentI invention illustrating it connected in a driling stiring. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional View of the tool with the stem section in elevation showing the parts in the locked or normal positions. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the upper portion of the tool with the stem section in elevation showing the lock member in the up position. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3 illustrating the lugs in the position for disconnection. Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the tool with the stem section in elevation showing the parts in the jarred or jarring positions. Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by lines 6 6 on Fig. 2. Figs. I and 8 are enlarged transverse detailed sectional views taken as indicated by lines 1-1 and 8-8 respectively on Fig. 5.

'I'he releasable jarring tool provided by the invention includes generally, two body sections A and B, releasable means l0 for transmitting strains between the body sections A and B, and means Il operable to eil'ect a jarring action between the sections A and B after the release of the means l0.

The body sections A and B of the tool constitute an assembly adapted to be connected or interposed in a drilling string of drill pipe, or the like. In the particular case illustrated in the drawings, the section A is connected with the string or the major portion S of the string, while the section B is connected with a drill collar C carrying the drilling tool T. The upper section A is the male or stem section oi the tool, while the lower section Bis the female or socket section receiving the section A. The stem section A is comparatively long and is round in cross sectional conguration. A sub I2 may be provided on the upper end of the section A to facilitate connection of the section with the string B. In the particular embodiment of the invention being described, the upper end portion of the stem section A is threaded into a socket I3 in the lower end of the sub I2. A tapered socket I4 is provided in the upper end of the sub I2 to receive the threaded pin of a tool joint section, or the like, on the lower end of the string S. 'Ihe stem section A is provided with a central longitudinal iluid passage I5 extending through it from one end to the other. The upper end of the passage I6 is in communication with the passage I6 in the sub I2. The section B is a tubular member having a central longitudinal opening |1 for receiving the stem section A. The lower portion I1* of the opening I1 is of enlarged diameter and its upper end forms a downwardly facing shoulder I6 in the section B. A sub I6 is screw threaded into the lower end of the section B to facilitate connection of the section with the drill collar C or other part. 'Ihe sub I9 may have a pin 20 for threading into a socket in the drill collar C. An opening or socket 2| is provided in the upper end portion of the sub I6 and forms a continuation of the enlarged portion l1* of the opening in the section B. A fluid passage 22 is provided in the sub I9 in longitudinal alignment with the iluid passage I 5 of the section A.

The releasable means III is operable to transmit rotational and longitudinal strains between y the sections during drilling and other operations.

The means III is releasable to condition the jarring means I I and to permit the disconnection of the body sections A and B. In accordance with the invention, the means I 6 includes a releasable threaded connection between the body sections A and B, and a lock section or member 26 surrounding the section A and adapted to cooperate with the section B. The threaded connection comprises a comparatively short continuous thread 23 on the section A for cooperating with a broken thread 24 on the walls of the opening I1 in the section B. The thread 24 is broken at diametrically opposite points to comprise two longitudinal series of spaced inclined shoulders for the purpose to be subsequently described. The

threads

23 and 24 are preferably right hand threads being releasable by counter-clock wise or left hand rotation of the body section A relative to the section B. There is preferably considerable clearance in the

threads

23 and 24 when they are in mesh or cooperation to allow limited relative longitudinal movement between the sections A and B.

The lock section or member 26 is carried by the stem section A and is adapted to have releasable meshing engagement with the socket section B. The member 26 surrounds the stem section A between the lower end of the sub I2 and the upper end of the section B. In the construction illustrated in the drawings, the member 26 is tubular and is of substantially the same external diameter as the sub I2 and section B. Circumferentially spaced lugs 21 are provided on the lower end ci' the member 26 to cooperate with complementary lugs 28 projecting from the upper end of the socket section B. The ends oi' the

lugs

21 and 26 are inclined and have the same pitch and direction of inclination as the

threads

23 and 24. The bottom walls 23 of the spaces or notches between the

respective lugs

21 and 26 have the same pitch or inclination as the ends of the lugs. 'I'he sides of the

lugs

21 and 26 are at and are preferably convergent toward the ends of the lugs. The

lugs

21 and 24 are related and proportioned so that they are adapted to mesh to have their sides in engagement as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings so as to effectively transmit rotational and compression strains between the member 26 5 and section B.

Means is provided for feeding the lock member 26 longitudinally on the stem section A upon rotation of the stem section A relative to the socket section B. Coarse threads 36 are pro- 10 vided on the stem section A and the interior of the member 26 to cause longitudinal movement of the member on the section A. The threads 36 are preferably double threads and have a steep or substantial pitch. Iri accordance with the 15 invention, the threads 36 -are left hand threads being pitched in the OPDsite direction to the

threads

23 and 24. Upon the section A being turned in a right hand direction relative to the section B, the engagement of the forward ends 20 of the lugs 21 with the rear ends of the lugs 26 holds the member 24 against rotation so that the cooperation of the threads 3l feeds the member 26 downwardly bringing the lugs 21 into effective mesh with the lugs 26. It will be apparent that 25 when the member 26 is in this position where a right hand rotational strain is on the joint, it positively limits threading together oi' the sections. The member 26 thus prevents the

threads

23 and 24 from being jammed so that they may 30 be easily disconnected without endangering the other threaded connections in the string. Upon the stem section A being turned in a left hand direction relative to the socket section B, the meshing'

lugs

21 and 26 hold the member 26 6l against rotation so that the threads 36 feed the member upwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The invention includes means for normally yieldingly holding the lock member 26 in its up 40 position where the lugs 21 are free to clear the lugs 28 upon turning of the section A in a left hand direction relative to the section B and for aiding in automatically returning the member 26 from its meshing position to its up position. A 45 socket 3| is provided in the upper end oi' the lock member 26 and a helical torsional spring 32 is arranged in the socket and surrounds the section A. A ring 33 is arrangedin the socket 3| and is held against turning in a counterclockwise di- 50 rection by pins 34 engaging the upper ends of the threads 30 of the section A. 'I'he lower end of the spring 32 is held in a socket 36 in the ring 33.

A plate ring 36 is attached to the upper end of the lock member 26 by screws 31, or the like and over- 55 hangs or closes the upper end of the socket 3|. The upper end of the spring 32 is carried in a socket 36 in the plate ring 33. The ring 32 is held under a torsional strain and a compression strain to exert a right hand turning force and an 60 up strain on the lock member 26 to normally yieldingly hold the lock member in its up position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings and to aid in returning the lock member to this up position when the section A is turned in a 5 counterclockwise direction. 'lhe upward movement of the lock'member 26 is limited by the lower end of the sub I2 which is engaged by the plate ring 36 when the lock member 26 is in its 70 up position. When the lock member 26 is in this position, the stem section A may be turned in a counterclockwise direction to unthread the

threads

23 and 24 and condition the jarring means for operation or provide for the disconnection of the sections A and B as will be subsequently described.

'I'he means I I for effecting'a. jarring action between the body sections A and B is rendered operative or conditioned for operation after the release of the means I8. The jarring means Il includes an impact nut 40 on the lower end portion of the stem section A operable longitudinally in the enlarged opening I1* and adapted to jar upwardly against the shoulder I8. The nut 40 is releasably connected with the stem section A by threads 4I `having the same pitch and direction of inclination as the threads 2y and 24. Means is provided to control the release or detachment of the nut 48 from the stem section A.

A spring pressed ratchet or latch 42 is carried by the nut 40 and is adapted to cooperate with a longitudinal groove 42 in the wall of the opening I1EL to hold the nut 40 against rotation relative to the section B. The latch 42 is arranged in a socket 43 in the impact nut 40 and is urged outwardly by a spring 44. The active outer end 45 of the latch 42 projects through and is slidably guided by a perforated plug 46 in the socket 43. The active outer end 45 of the latch 42 is bevelled rearwardly and outwardly relative to the clockwise direction of rotation, so that it is adapted to ratchet or slip over the groove 42m when the nut 5|) is being turned in a right hand direction. When the nut 40 is turned in a counterclockwlse'direction, the active end 45 of the latch 42 is urged outwardly into the groove 42a by the spring 44 and holds the nut 40 against further rotation in that direction. The latch 42 and the groove 42a are positioned and related so that they are adapted to cooperate when the impact nut is in its up position where its upper end is at or adjacent the shoulder I8.

The means II for effecting a jarring or hammering action between the sections A and B includes parts on the sections adapted to cooperate to hold the sections against relative longitudinal movement that are releasable to allow the impact nut 40 to jar upwardly against the shoulder I8. The means I I includes sets or series of inclined shoulders 50 on the stem section A for cooperating with sets or series of -inclined shoulders 5I on the wall of the opening I1. In the preferred construction, there are two diametrically opposite sets of longitudinally spaced shoulders 50 on the section A for cooperating with two diametrically opposite series of longitudinally spaced shoulders 5I on the section B. The sets of shoulders 50 and 5I are proportioned and related so that the shoulders of the section A are adapted to pass between the sets of shoulders on the section B when the sections are in certain rotative positions. The shoulders 50 and 5| are inclined in the same direction as the

threads

23 and 24 and have the same pitch as the

threads

23 and 24. In practice the sets of' shoulders 5I are aligned with the sets of parts or shoulders forming the interrupted thread 24. When the shoulders 50 and 5I are in mesh, they are operable to hold the sections A against longitudinal or upward movement relative to the section B. In accordance with the invention there is considerable clearance in the meshing series of shoulders 5|) and 5I as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The leading ends 55 of the shoulders 50 are bevelled to insure their easy engagement with the shoulders 5 I. To effect a jarring action, after the release of the

lugs

21 and 28, the stem section A is turned in a left hand or counter clock wise direction' for about two revolutions to disengage the continuous thread 23 from the broken thread 24, and is then rotated in a right hand direction while maintaining an up-pull on the string S and section A. The sets of shoulders 50 of the section A are adapted to pass between the 5 sets of shoulders 5I once during each rotation of the stem section A in a right hand direction to permit the impact nut 4|! to jar upwardly against the shoulder I8. After each jarring blow, the right hand rotation of the stem section A relative 10 to the socket section B brings the shoulders 50 into cooperation with'the shoulders 5I, which feeds the section A downwardly relative to the section B moving the impact nut downwardly away from the shoulder I8 preparatory to the 15 succeeding jarring blow.

During the normal drilling operation or when the string S is being turned in a clock wise or right hand direction or is under a clock wise rotational strain, the cooperation of the threads 30 2o holds the lock member 26 in its down position where the

lugs

21 and 28 are in full or operative meshing engagement. The threaded feeding connection of the lock member 26 with the stem section A`and the meshing engagement of the 25 lugs 21 and 28 limits threading together of the sections A and B so that the

threads

23 and 24 are relieved of tightening and wedging action. The safety joint thus forms a rigid unyielding joint or connection in the string during normal 30 or drilling operations; If it becomes desirable or necessary to impart a jarring or hammering action to the tool T, the drilling string may be raised slightly or put under a slight up strain and is turned in a counterclockwise direction for 35 approximately two revolutions to unthread the thread 23 from the thread 24. The cooperation of the

threads

23 and 24 raises the section A to a position where the lu'gs 21 are free to clear ther lugs 28. During the disconnection of the thread 40 23 from the thread 24, the nut 40 is in a position withinthe socket 2l where its latch 42 is spaced below the groove 42e so that it is free to turn with the stern section A. Upon disconnection of the thread 23 from the thread 24 the stem section A g5 is permitted to shift upwardly a limited amount to bring the nut 40 to a position at or in cooperation with the shoulder I8. The string S is then rotated in a right hand direction while maintaining an up-pull, thus turning the section A in the 50 right hand direction relative to the section B to cause the disengagement of the sets of shoulders 50 from the sets of shoulders 5I during each rotation. During the cooperation of the shoulders 50 with the shoulders 5I the section A feeds or is 55 threaded downwardly relative to the section B to move the nut 40 downwardly away from the shoulder I8. The disengagement of the shoulders 50 from the shoulders 5I allows sudden upward movement of the section A relative to the 60 section B to bring the impact nut 40 into upward jarring engagement with the shoulder I8, thus imparting an upward hammering or jarring action to the tool T. After the jarring action has taken place, the continued clock-wise rotafion of 65 the section` A results in the shoulders 50 again meshing with the shoulders 5I whereby the stem section A is again fed downwardly to space the nut 40 below the shoulder I8 preparatory to the next jarring blow. In this manner the tool may 70 be operated to provide any desired or required number of upward jarring or hammering blows to the tool connected with the section B.

In the event that the tool T becomes loosened by the jarring or hammering action, the string s is allowed to settle to take up the clearance in the shoulders l! and Il and is then rotated in a right hand or clock wise direction to cause feeding of the section A into the section B by threading together of the

threads

22 and 24. When the section A assumes a position where the lugs 21 sn'ike against the lugs 2l the string s may be raised and turned approximately one half of a revolution in a right fhand direction and then permitted to settle. bringing the parts to the position where the lugs 21 and 2l are in full mesh. The drilling operation may then be continued as the member 24 is maintained in its meshing position by the cooperation of the feeding threads Il. In the event that the jarring action to which the tool` is subjected does not result in loosening of the tool from the formation, 'the joint maybe disconnected without returning its parts to the normal position by merely rotating the string in the left hand direction while maintaining an upstrain on the string. The latch 42 cooperates with the groove 42 during this left hand rotation of the section A so that the nut 4l is held against turning allowing the section A to be threaded out of the nut. Upon the shoulders Il of the section A being unthreaded from the; shoulders Il and the thread 24 of the section B, the two sections of the joint are entirely disconnected and the string S may be recovered from the '-well.

To release or disconnect .the section A from the section B when the parts are in the normal positions, the string=s is rotated in a left hand or counterclockwise direction. The lugs 21 clear the upper ends of the lugs 2l., during this rotation of the vsection A in a counterclockwise direction. The turning ofthe section A in a left hand or counterclockwise direction relative to the section B unthreads or releases the thread 22 from the thread 24 and permits the latch 42 to come into latchingcooperation with the groove 42'. The nut 40 is thus' held against turning 4s0 that the stem section A may be threaded out of the nut. The inclined shoulders 50 of the section A are threaded up' through the shoulders Il and the thread 24 of the section B during the threading of the section A out ofthe nut 4l and when the section A is released from the nut it is fully disconnected from the section B. The operating string may then be recovered from the well.

Having described only a typical form and application of our invention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific form and application herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described our invention, we claim:

l. A well tool including, two sections adapted to be connected in an operating string, releasable means for transmitting strains between the sections including a sleeve around and movable on one section, and threads on said section and sleeve for feeding the sleeve into and out of strain transmitting cooperation with the other section,

and means operable to eiect a jarring action between the sections after the release of the ilrst mentioned means.

2. A tool for use in an operating string including, two sections, a slack threaded connection between the sections releasable by manipulation of the string Iwhile in the well, clutch parts on one section, a sleeve threaded on the other section and releasably cooperating with the clutch parts for transmitting strains between the sections to prevent tightening of the threads of said coning, two sections adapted to be connected in the string. releasable means for transmitting rota- 10 Vtional and compression strains between the sections, impact pa'rts on the sections adapted to be brought into hammering engagement upon relative longitudinal movement between the section, means for holding the sections against relative 15 longitudinal movement after the release of the iirst mentioned means and releasable to allow the impact parts to be brought into engagement, and meansv connecting one of said impact parts with its respective section to be disconnectable there- 20 from after -the release of the first mentioned means.

' 4. In combination, an operating string, a drilling tool on the lower end of the string, and a. device in the string including two sections, impact 25 parts on the sections adapted to be brought into jarring engagement, inclined parts on the sections adapted to cooperate to hold the sections against relative longitudinal movement releasable by relative rotation between the sections to allow said 30 parts to come into engagement, means operable to normally transmit rotative and longitudinal strains between the sections releasable to allow relative movement of the sections, and a connection between one of the impact parts and its re- 35 spective section releasable toallow disconnection ofthe sections.

5. A well tool including, two sections related for relative rotation and longitudinal movement, cooperating releasable threads on the sections, 40 impactpartsonthesectionsadaptedtobe brought into jarring engagement upon relative longitudinal movement of the sections, inclined shoulders on the sections adapted to cooperate to hold the sections against relative longitudinal 45 movement releasable by relative rotation between the sections one of said parts being disconnectable from its respective section upon relative rotation between the sections in one direction while in the well to permit the disconnec- 50 tion of the sections, the shoulder of one section threadingthroughthethreadof the othersection during said disconnection, and releasable means for holding the sections against relative rotation. 55

6. A well tool including. two sections adapted to be connected in an operating string, a shiftable member on one section, lugs on the member and the other section adapted to have non-rotative cooperation, and a connection between the mem- G0 ber and the first mentioned section operable to feed the member toward said other section upon rotation of the first mentioned section in one direction to bring the lugs into cooperation to hold the sections against rotation and operable to retract the member from the said other section upon lug and notch means holding thesections against relative rotation, and means operative after release ofthe first mentioned means for effecting a jarring action between the sections, the sections being detachable one from the other after the release of the rst mentioned means, the last mentioned means including impact parts on the sections adapted to come into jarring engagement upon longitudinal movement oi one section relative to the other, one of said impact parts being detachable from the section carrying it upon rotation of said section relative to the other section.

8. A tool for use in a string of pipe operating in a well including two sections to be connected in the string, threads connecting the sections, a lock member threaded on one section, lugs on the lock member and the other section adapted to cooperate when the string is under a torsional strain tending to tighten the threads, the member automatically retracting to disengage the lugs when a reverse rotational strain is on the string, and means for effecting a jarring action between the sections when the threads are disengaged.

9. A tool for use in a string of pipe operating in a well including two sections to be connected in the string," threads connecting the sections, a lock member threaded on one section, lugs on the lock member and the other section adapted to cooperate when the string is under a torsional strain tending to tighten the threads, the mem-f ber automatically retracting to disengage the lugs when a reverse rotational strain is on the string, and means for effecting a jarring action between the sections when the threads are disengaged, said means including an impact part, and threads connecting the impact part to said section whereby said part is adapted to be unthreaded by rotation o! the string to allow the separation of the sections.

10. A safety joint including, a socket section, a stem section releasably threaded into the socket section, a shiftable member on the stem section, parts on the member and socket section adapted to have releasable non-rotative cooperation, threads connecting the member with the stem section and pitched in the opposite direction to the threads connecting the sections to advance the member on the stem section to bring said parts into cooperation when the stem section is turned in a direction to thread the sections together and to retract the member when the sections are under torque applied in the other direction, and a spring surrounding the stem section and connected to the stem section and member to urge the member to the retracted position.

11. A safety joint including, two sections one a stem section, the other a socket section receiving the stem section, a releasable threaded con- 5 nectlon between the sections, a member on the stem section adapted to engage the socket section, threads connecting the member with the stem section and pitched in the opposite direction to the threads of said connection to maintain the member'in engagement with said other section when a clockwise strain is on the joint to limit threading together of the sections and operable to retract the member from said other section when a counterclockwise strain is on the tool to disengage the member from said other section, and a torsional spring surrounding the stem section and normally yieldingly holding the member in a retracted position.

12. A safety joint including, two sections, a releasable threaded connection between the sections, a member on one section adapted to engage the other section, threads connecting the member with the rst mentioned section and pitched in the opposite direction to the threads ofsaid connection to maintain the member in engagement with said other section when a clockwise strain is on the joint to limit threading together of the sections and operable to retract the member from said other section when a counterclockwise strain is on the tool to disengage the member from said other section, and a torsional spring surrounding the flrstmen tioned section and acting between the ilrst mentioned section and the member to aid in the retraction of the member.

13. A safety joint including, two sections, a releasable threaded connection between the sections, a member on one section, parts on the member and the other section adapted to have 40 releasable non-rotative cooperation, threads connecting the member with the rst mentioned section and pitched in the opposite direction to the threads of said connection to hold said parts in cooperation with the sections are under torque applied in a direction to tighten the threads of said connection 'and to move the member relative to the sections to disengage said parts when the sections are stationary and under torque applied in the other direction, and a spring spaced 60 longitudinally from said threads urging the member to a position where said parts are disengaged. Y

,ERWIN BURNS.

HARRY P. WICKERSHAM.