US2035905A - Jarring tool - Google Patents

Description

March 3l, 1936. Y l, J -MCCUL| QUGH 2,035,905

' JARRING TOOL Filed OCT', 7, 1935 Patented Mar. 31, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIE JARRING TOOL Calif.

Application October 7, 1933, Serial No. 692,635

6 Claims.

This invention relates toy a well tool and relates more particularly to a jarring tool to eifect a jarring action in a well.

During the drilling of a well it is sometimes necessary to impart a jarring action to an object within a Well. For example, during fishing operations it is often necessary to jar the lish or lost object before it can be withdrawn from the well. Various forms of jarring tools have been proposed l0 and used. The types of jarring tools in general use embody sections connected for limited rela tive longitudinal movement, that are held in a contracted position, and are released for relative movement through rotation between the sections or by varying the pressure on the circulation fluid,

to bring cooperating shoulders into jarring engagement. In practice it is not always practical to rotate the sections relative to one another while an upward strain is being exerted on the tool, and

considerable difficulty is experienced in providing a jarring tool operable by varying the pressure on the circulation fluid that is not made inoperative or ineffective through accumulations of solid matter deposited from the fluid.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, practical, and eifective jarring tool that may be operated without rotation and without varying the pressure of the circulation fluid.

It is an object of the invention to provide a jarring tool in which slackly linked sections are releasably held in a contracted position by a means which automatically releases the sections for relative movement upon a predetermined strain being exerted on the tool.

It is another object of the invention to pro'- vide a jarring tool that is fully operable by simple reciprocation of the operating string to which it is attached and which may be operated as many times as desired without being withdrawn from a well.

It is another object of the invention to provide a jarring tool that does not interfere with the free flow of the circulation fluid.

A further object of the invention is to provide a jarring tool that embodies a minimum number of parts and in which the wearing parts are simple and easily replaced.

Other objects and features of my invention will be best and more 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 drawing, in which.:

Y Fig. l is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the jarring tool illustrating the parts in the (Cl. Z55-27) contracted or unactuated position. Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the tool in the operative or jarring position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an 5 enlarged detail transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. l, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. l.

The jarring tool provided by my present inl0 vention includes, generally, two main or body sections A and B related for limited relative longitudinal movement, and latch or control means C for releasably holding the sections A and B in a contracted position.

The body sections A and B of the tool form a unit or assembly that is adapted to be connected between the object to be jarred and an operating string. 'I'he tool may be arranged immediately adjacent or above the shing tool, for engaging 20 the object to be jarred, or it may be arranged at any point along an operating string, as desired. The sections A and B are connected for limited relative longitudinal movement and have parts or shoulders adapted to cooperate to effect 25 a jarring action. One section is adapted to be connected to an operating string and the other section is adapted to be connected with a fishing too-l, or the like, engaging the object to be jarred.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention 3o the sections A and B are telescoped, that is, one section extends into the other. In the particular case illustrated the section A is tubular and the section B has a stem portion Hl extending into the tubular section A. In the particular case 35 illustrated the section A is the upper section and is adapted to be connected with an operating string while the section B is the lower section and is adapted to be connected with the object to be jarred. It will be obvious that the arrangement 40 just described may be reversed, that is, the stern section B may be the upper section of the tool to extend into the lower tubular section.

The section A of the tool includes a main tubular part H and a detachable head or upper end 45 l2 screw threaded into the upper end of the part l l. The upper end I2 may be in the nature of a sub block having a central longitudinal opening I3 communicating with the interior of the tubular portion ll and an upwardly projecting 50 tapered screw-threaded pin I4 to facilitate attachment to an operating string, or the like. The exterior of the upper end l2 may be iiush with the exterior of the main tubular portion Il. The main portion H is an elongated tubular member.

The lower end part of the main portion I I of 'the section A is of reduced internal diameter to provide an upwardly facing shoulder I5 to cooperate with a shoulder on the section B to eifect a jarring action as will be hereinafter described.

The section B of the tool includes the stem portion I0 which extends into the interior of the main portion II of the section A and which projects downwardly from the lower end of the section A, and a lower part or connecting member I6. The connecting member I6 may be screw threaded on the lower end of the stem portion III and is provided with a downwardly projecting screw threaded pin I1 for connection with a fishing tool or operating string. The stem portion I0 of the section A is slidable in the opening I8 of the reduced lower end of the section A and projects into the interior of the tubular portion II. An enlargement or head I9 is provided on the upper end of the stem III within the tubular portion II. The lower end of the head I9 provides a downwardly facing shoulder 2l! on the stem I0 which is adapted to cooperate with the shoulder I 8 of the section A. The head I9 slidably engages the interior or inner walls of the tubular portion I I and suitable rings 2I may be provided on the head I9 to frictionally engage and seal with the interior of the section I I.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention I provide means for preventing relative rotation between the sections A and B. Longitudinal splines or keys 22 may be provided on the stem I Il to slidably operate in keyways or grooves 23 in the opening I8. The sections A and B are proportioned and related so that the shoulders I5 and 28 are spaced apart when the sections are in the contracted position, illustrated in Fig. 1, and so that the shoulders I5 and 2i) are brought into engagement upon the release of the means C. Longitudinal grooves 2II are provided in the walls of the opening I8 to permit the escape of fluid trapped in the space between the shoulders I5 and 28. A sleeve or collar 25 is mounted on the stem I0 between the lower end of the section A and the upper end of the connecting member I6 to limit the stroke of the tool or the extent of relative longitudinal movement of the sections A and B. The shoulders I6 and 20 limit the relative movement of the sections A and B in one direction, while the lower end of the portion II of the section A engages the upper end of the collar 25 to limit the movement of the sections in the other direction. A fluid passage 28 is provided through the section B of the tool to pass fluid from the interior of the section A. The passage 26 extends from the upper end of the head I9, where it communicates with the interior of the section A, to the lower end of the connecting member I8 where it discharges into a shing tool, or the like.

The latch means C is provided to releasably hold the sections A and B in the contracted position where the shoulders I5 and 20 are spaced apart and to release the sections A and B for relative longitudinal movement upon a predetermined tensile strain being exerted on the tool. The means C is preferably located within the portion I I ofthe section A between the upper end of the head I8 and the lower end of the part I2 of the section A. The latch means C includes, generally, two cooperating latches, a latch 21 carried by the section B, and a latch 28 carried by the section A. The latch 21 may be directly connected with the section B, for instance, it may be connected -to the head I9 to project upwardly into the interior of the portion II of the section A. The

head I9 may be provided with an upwardly projecting lug 29 to carry the latch 21. The latch 21 may include two spaced parallel links 3E) pivotally secured to the lug 29 by a pivot pin 3l. The links 39 project upwardly from the opposite sides of the lug 29 and a roller 32 is rotatably mounted at the upper ends oi the links 38 on a shaft or pin 33 extending between the links.

The invention provides means for yieldingly urging the roller 32 toward the latch 28. In the drawing I have shown a loaf spring 34 attached A to the lug 29 and engaging the roller 32 to urge it toward the latch 28.

The latch 28 carried by the section A is in the nature of a shouldered latch and is positioned and mounted to cooperate with the latch 21 to releasably hold the sections A and B against relative movement when the sections are in the contracted position. The latch 28 is pivotally mounted in the interior of the portion I I of the section A. The latch 28 may be pivotally mounted on a transverse pivot pin 36 offset from the longitudinal axis of the tool. The latch 28 is provided with a seat 31 to receive or hold the roller 32 of the latch 21, and a shoulder 38 to engage under the roller 32 when the latches 21 and 28 are in cooperative positions. The latches 21 and 28 are related so that the pivotal axis of the latch 28 is in substantially horizontal alignment with the axis of rotation of the roller 32. The seat 31 and the shoulder 38 are formed to engage the roller 32 to prevent disengagement of the roller from the latch 28 until the latch 28 is shifted or pivoted upon a predetermined strain being exerted on the tool as will be hereinafter described. The extent of movement or pivoting of the latch 28 is limited by its rear or outer side 39 engaging the inner walls of the portion II.

The invention provides means for normally yieldingly holding the latch 2S against movement where the shoulder 38 holds the roller 32 against disengagement from the latch 28. The means for holding the latch 28 against movement is such that it permits pivoting of the'latch to allow disengagement of the roller 32 from the shoulder 38 upon a predetermined tensilestrain being exerted on the tool. The means for yieldingly holding the latch 28 against movement when the parts are in the contracted position is in the nature of a yielding resilient member 4I) connecting the latch 28 with the section A of the tool. In a tool of the character provided by this invention it is desirable to provide means for holding the latch 28 against movement when in the unactuated position which resists considerable strain and permits pivotal movement of the latch 28 only upon a heavy tensile strain being exerted on the tool so that the operating string carrying the tool is elongated or stretched before the releasing of the latch means C to provide for a heavy jarring action between the shoulders I5 and 28.

In the present form of the invention the member III is in the nature of a yielding resilient cable connected to the latch 28 at a point removed from its pivotal axis and attached to the section A at a point above the latch 28. The member 4I) may be a stranded steel cable, or the like,` having the necessary characteristics to suit it for use in the tool. For example, the cable 48 offers the proper resistance to a heavy tensile strain to permit stretching of the operating string before it is elongated sufficiently to permit the necessary pivoting of the latch 28 to release the roller 32 and is suiiiciently resilient to return to its length after releasing of the control means C.

' In the particular form illustrated in the drawing the cable or member 40 is arranged through an opening in the outer end of a projecting arm 4l on the latch 28 and is arranged over a bar or rod 42 in the upper portion of the section A. The arm 4l projects upwardly and inwardly from the pivotal axis of the latch 28 and may be formed integral with the latch. The arm 4| may be proportioned to provide for the desired or proper leverage. The upper end of the cable 40 is arranged over the rod 42 which is spaced above the latch 28. It is preferred to position the rod 42 a considerable distance above the latch 28 so that the cable 4i? is comparatively long to be capable of suiilcient elongation, to permit releasing of the means C, without danger of straining or failing. I have shown the rod 42 extending transversely through the upper end of the portion Il of the section A adjacent the lower end of the heel I2. One end of the rod 42 may seat in a recess or socket 43 in one side of the portion Il and its opposite end may be arranged through an opening 44 in the opposite wall of the portion Il. The rod 42 may have a head or enlargement 45 seating in the opening 44 and may be secured to the portion l! by a bolt or screw 45 arranged through an opening in the wall of the portion I l and screw threaded into an end of the rod. An annular recess or groove 41 may be provided on the rod 42 to carry the cable 4B to prevent its displacement or shifting along the rod.

In operation the tool is arranged so that the sections A and B are connected between a fishing tool, or the like, in engagement with the object to be jarred and an operating string, such as a string of drill pipe, or the like. The parts of the tool are normally in the unactuated or contracted position as illustrated in Fig. l of the drawing.

When it is desired to operate the tool to impart a jarring action on the object to be jarred, which in the particular arrangement and positioning of parts illustrated in the drawing is connected with the section B, an upward strain is exerted on the section A through the operating string. As thesection B is held stationary through engagement with the object engaged by the shing tool, or the like, the upward strain on the operating string stretches the operating string and the cable or member 453. Until a certain predetermined tensile strain is imparted to the tool the roller 32 is arranged in the seat 3l and engages the shoulder 3 to prevent upward movement of the section A relative to the section B. When a strain heavy enough to stretch the cable 4E) an amount sufficient to permit pivoting of the latch 28 to allow disengagement of the roller 32 from the latch, the section A is automatically released for upward movement relative to the section B. Upon releasing of the control or latch means C the upward strain exerted on the operating string and the resiliency of the stretched operating string causes the section A to be moved upwardly rapidly and with great force to bring the shoulder I5 into heavy jarring engagement with the shoulder 2G. After releasing of the control m'eans C, the cable returns to its normal length to return the latch 2S to its normal position. To reset the tool the section A is moved downwardly relative to the section B so that the roller 32 rides over the shoulder 38 and is urged into the seat 3l by the spring 34. The tool is then set for another operation.

It is to be noted that the jarring tool provided by this invention is extremely simple in construction and operation and embodies but few wearing parts. The shoulders l5 and 20 may be made sufficiently large to withstand the jarring action to which they are subjected and the rings 2l prevent solid matter from passing from the upper part of section A and lodging between the shoulders. The latches 21 and 28 may be mounted in the tool so as to be readily replaceable. Circulation of fluid through the tool is not interrupted during its operation and does not interfere with the operation of the tool.

Having described only a typical preferred form of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the specic details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I olaim':

1. A well tool of the character described including, two sections connected for limited relative longitudinal movement, and means for releasably holding the sections against relative movement, said means being releasable upon a predetermined strain being exerted on the tool to cause relative longitudinal movement between them, said means including cooperating latches pivotally carried by the sections, one latch operable to shift out oi engagement with the other under a predetermined strain tending to move the sections relative to one another, an extensible resilient cable yieldingly resisting movement of said latch, and means for yieldingly holding the said other latch in the operative position.

2. A well tool of the character described including, two sections connected for limited relative longitudinal movement, and means for releasably holding the sections against relative movement, said means being operable to release the sections upon a predetermined strain being exerted on the tool to cause relative longitudinal movement between them, said means including a part shiftably carried by one section for movement substantially transverse thereof, a latch pivotally carried by the other section and adapted to cooperate with said part, and a member attached to the latch at a point spaced from its pivotal axis and tightly tied to the said other section to yieldingly resist pivotal movement of the latch and adapted to stretch under a longitudinal strain to allow said pivotal movement.

3. A well tool of the character described including, two sections connected for limited relative longitudinal movement, and means for releasably holding the sections against relative movement, said means being operable to release the sections upon a predetermined strain being exerted on the tool to cause relative longitudinal movement between them, said means including two cooperating parts, one a latch shiftably carried by one section, the other a shouldered latch pivoted to the other section, a roller on the firstmentioned latch cooperating with the shoulder of the pivoted latch, and an extensible resilient cable extending longitudinally through said other section and having one end attached to the said other section and its other end attached to the shouldered latch at a point removed from its pivotal axis to yieldingly resist movement of the shouldered latch.

4. A well tool of the character described including, two sections connected for limited relative longitudinal movement, and means for releasably holding the sections against relative m'ovement, said means being operable to release upon a predetermined strain being exerted on the tool to cause relative longitudinal movement between them, said means including co-operating latches pivotally carried by the sections, one latch operable to shift out of engagement with the other under a predetermined strain tending to move the sections relative to one another, an extensible resilient cable attached to said latch and its respective section to yieldingly resist movement of said latch, and means for yieldingly holding the said other latch in the operative position.

5. A well tool of the character described including, two sections connected for limited relative longitudinal movement, and means for releasably holding the sections against relative movement, said means including cooperating latches pivotally carried by the sections, one latch operable to pivot substantially transversely relative to the other latch, a longitudinally extending member tightly tied to a section and said other latch to resist disengaging movement of said other latch and adapted to stretch upon a strain being put on the sections to allow the latches to disengage, and means urging` the latches into cooperation one with the other.

6.V A rotary jarring tool including two sections connected for limited relative longitudinal movement, and means for holding the sections against relative longitudinal movement releasable by a longitudinal strain on the sections, said means comprising a spring urged latch on one section, a pivoted latch on the other section for cooperating with Ythe spring urged latch, an arm on the pivoted latch, a xed transverse part in the said other section, and a cable extending longitudinally through said other section having one end connected to said part and its other end connected to said arm toresist releasing pivotal movement of the pivoted latch and extensible by a strain on the sections to allow releasing of the latches.

IRA J. MCCULLOUGH.

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