US2074594A - Combination well drilling rig - Google Patents

Description

March 23, 1937. 5, E, SEALS COMBINATION WELL DRILLING RIG ATTORNEY.

7 Sheets-Sheet l I Filed March 12, 1956 I March 23, 1937. G SEALS 2,074,594

FEE- z- I COMBINATION WELL DRILLING RIG Filed March 12, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 23, 1937. G. E. SEALS 2,074,594

COMBINATION WELL DRILLING RIG Filed March 12, 1936 7 Shets-Sheet 3 IL'EJZJ.

5g 82 101 .4 o a I ATTORNEY.

March 23, 1937. G, E, SEALS 2,074,594-

COMBINATION WELL DRILLING RIG I INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

IEIEEJLE- March 23, 1937. G. E. SEALS 2,074,594

' COMBINATION WELL DRILLING'RIG ATTORNEY.

March 23, 1937. SEALS 2,074,594

. COMBINATION WELL DRILLING RIG Fild March 12, 1956 7 Shee ts-Sheet 6 f1 IE! -1 U ATTORNEY.

March 23, 1-937. G E, SEALS 2,074,594

COMBINATION WELL DRILLING RIG Filed March 12, 1936. '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEY.

Patented 23, 1937 stares.

rAT N'r orrica estates coamimrron warn DRILLING are Garlic E. Seals Monahans, Tex. Application March 12, 1936, Serial No. ma

' 6 Claims. (on. ass-s) This invention relates to earth boring machinery audit has particular reference to equipment for drilling we'lls.

The principal object of the invention, is to 5- combine in a. single unit, the elements of a standard -or cable. tool drilling assembly with the ieatui'es 01' a rotary well drilling apparatus and to so combine the two rigs that certain elements of one'will cooperatewith certain ele- 10 ments of theother to accomplish unusual and improved"results' over conventional equipment, either standard or rotary. Moreover, the invention aims to improve upon present drilling equipment primarily by unitizing the elements of the 5 assembly and mounting the units on skids whereby the elements may be separately loaded, hauled and reassembled without requiring unusual or special loading apparatus and conveyances.

Anotherbbjectof the invention is to provide a novel type oibase which serves all of the elements oi the combination. and will accommodate the equipmentirrespective of the size and capacity'of'the draw-works or the derrick, inasmuch as the base is constructed to be capable of adjustment. Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved means formounting and manipulating the Samson post which carries the walking beam. This particular type of mounting of the Samson post is novel in what'it is superimposedon the draw-works for rotation in order that theyoprative end of the walking beam may be moved relative to the point or operations. Moreover, this feature provides for the mounting of the draw-works in line of operations instead of to one side, which would be necessary otherwise to accommodate the Samson post, and'which would render its operation diilic'ult and complex. v v 'f The invention further provides, in. addition to a special type of derrick construction certain novel 'featuresoi operation oi the several elements'making up the complete assembLv as well as salient features of construction and operation of parts to become manifest as the de-. scription proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying, drawings wherein:-

Figure lfis-a side elevatlonal view of a combination'drilling rig constructed according to.

the presenvinvention.

Figure- 2 is a plan view of the apparatus, Figure 3- is an elevational view in axial crosssection of-the water cooled bull reeL- 55 Figure {is-a side elevation of the rotary drawworks and samson post, with portions of the base structure broken away.

- Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective of the Samson post mounting.

Figure 6 is a complementary part of the mounting shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the rotary drilling drum with clutch operating mechanism.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the rotary drilling drum with details of the brake operating mechanism.

Figure 9 is a phantom plan view of the complete apparatus, showing'in solid lines the several control devices for the several elements of the combination.

Figure 10 is a plan view oithe novel form of base structure provided for the units of the combination.

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a special type of derrick used in combination with the invention with the combination rig shown operatively connected therewith.

Figure'lZ is a fragmentary detail view, partly in section of the ferrule or sleeve employed for holding sections of the derrick legs in axial alignment.

Figure 13 is a detailview in perspective and partly in section showing the manner of relatively bracing the legs of the derrick. i

Figure 14 is a detail view of the dual control for the sand reel and Figure 15 is a fragmentary detail view of the lever control. for the bull reel shown in Figure 3.

In the drilling of wells, especially in regions where the formation is cavey it is desirable to employ the rotary method of drilling, yet when firmer formation is encountered in the same project, cable tools are preferred in view of the fact that hole can be made at much greater speed and at less cost. To efiect interchange of the methods, separate sets of machinery, that is, rotary and cable tool, must be set up alternately as ftormation is encountered. This obviously makes the cost prohibitive, hence it is not done, although highly desirable, since the time required to complete a well is reduced materially as is consequently the cost.

The foremost elements of the present inven- 0 tion are interrelated to the extent that they cooperate; onewitlr the other so that combining of the two, eretotore separate mefliods of drilling is madeble'with some addedexpense, which is overcome by the reduction of cost in practical drilling; operations.

Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawings reference is primarily made to Figures 1 and 2 in which I designates a portion of the I-beam base, supported upon sub sills 2 and held together by bolts 3. These bolts likewise secure the skids 4 to the I-beams I and upon which the elements of the combination are mounted for ease in assembling, dismantling and transportation. Reference to the base structure, illustrated in greater detail in Figure 10 will be again made presently.

Mounted on the skids ii at the rearrnost end of the base beams I is a bull reel or cable drum 5, and as apparent in Figure 2, this drum is provided with brake flanges 6 between which are situated brake bands '7. The shaft 8 of the drum is cored out at one end, as apparent in Figure 3 and the brake drums 9 are hollow, as shown. An aperture in in the shaft allows water introduced into the end of the shaft through nipple ii, to enter one of the brake drums 9, from which it flows into the other brake drum through pipe I2, passing through the drum 5. Drainage is provided for through the apertures in each drum 9, normally closed by plugs i3.

The gudgeons of drum 5 are journaled in bearing blocks or slides M'superimposed upon the standards it, which in turn, are mounted upon the skids t. In Figure 2 it will be observed that heavy springs I6 are arranged to bear against the shaft 8 near either end and thus absorb the shocks imposed upon the shaft by the cable on the drum 5.

One end of each brake band I is fixed while the other end is secured to the brake lever ll (Figure 2). One end of the brake lever is turned upward and to this end is secured an operating rod Iii, (Figures 2 and 9) which extends forwardly to the drillers station and is provided with a hand lever iii. In order that the drum 5 may be provided with greater spooling capacity, a flat disc clutch is employed and is operated also from the drillers station in the manner shown in Figure 9, in which only a part of the clutch is shown to illustrate the connection therewith of the link 2i A bell crank 22 is pivoted at A and to one end thereof the link 2! is connected. A pull rod 23 is joined to the other end of the bell crank and extends to the drillers station where a rod 2% is rotatably mounted in bearings 25. One end of rod 28 is bent in the manner shown and pivotally connected to the pull rod 23. The opposite end of rod 24 is formed into a hand lever 26 and at a point accessible to the operator adjacent the rotary draw-works, which latter will be described presently.

A sprocket wheel 21 is mounted on the shaft 8 of drum 5 and is driven by a chain 28, surrounding this sprocket and a similar sprocket 29 on the band wheel shaft 30 which carries the band wheel 3|.

The band wheel shaft 30 has a square boss 32 on its outer end, as apparent in Figure 1, about which the hub 33 of the band wheel is secured. This hub is in two separable parts as is the band wheel 3| and these parts are secured together at the hub by bolts 3 8 and at the rim by bolts 35 which latter pass through ears 36 integral with the inside of the band wheel rim or flange. This makes for quick assembly and removal in the setting up and dismantling of the apparatus.

The band wheel shaft is of extra heavy type and is provided with three bearings 31 (Figure 2) serving the front, center and rear points, the purpose being to resist the strain ordinarily imposed upon this shaft by several drive chains operating various units of the assembly and to which reference will be again made later in the description.

Disposed between the band wheel shaft 30 and the drum 5, also on skids t is a sand reel 38, whose shaft is adjustable at either end. This adjustment is provided through bearings 39 at either end. Bolts d0 bear upon journal boxes (not shown) supporting the reel shaft and the shaft may be thus alined andmaintained in alinement with the point of operations. This reel also is provided with a flat disc clutch il, similar to clutch 20 of drum 5, in order to provide greater spooling capacity, and is operated in the manner shown in Figure 9. A bell crank 52 is pivoted at b to the frame below the reel 38 and through a link 33, connection is made to the clutch disc ii, only a part of the clutch being shown in this figure. An operating rod M is operatively connected to the crank 32 and extends to the drillers station near the rotary draw-works. A hand lever 415 serves to actuate the rod M to operate the sand reel. The sand reel 38 has a dual control through the rod 34, that is to say, the clutch M as well as the single brake band 66 is actuated simultaneously by this rod. The detail of the connection between the rod M and the clutch and brake is shown in Figure 14 above Figure 9.

The rod Ml is pivotally connected, as' shown with a plate or arm ll which latter is centrally connected at c to one end of the brake band 46 of the sand reel 38. A link d8 connects the arm 57 to one end of bell crank 62. Obviously, a pull on the rod 56 will displace the joint c of the arm ii to effect frictional engagement of the band it with its drum and simultaneously the link 43 will be actuated by rotation of the bell crank 42 to move the clutch element ti out of engagement with its companion element (Figure 2) to release the sand reel from its driving element.

The sand reel 38 is driven from the band wheel shaft 30 through chain 49 and, by virtue of clutch 50 on the band wheel shaft, this drive can be controlled. To operate clutch 50 a rod 5| (Figure 9) having a hand lever or crank 52 on the end adjacent the drillers position, extends rearwardly and is similarly shaped on its other end to effect connection with a link 53. This link is also connected to an element of the clutch 50 so that manipulation of the rod 5| will engage and disengage the elements of clutch 50 and thereby control the operation of the sand reel 38 in cases where it is desirable to operate the band wheel shaft without operating the sand reel.

It is pointed out that individual and collective control of the elements of the combination, in a manner similar to that just described is highly desirable in actual performance, hence the provision of the group of clutches on the band wheel shaft 30. These clutches and their purpose will be described in the course of the description to follow.

It will be understood that the power for operating the assembly is supplied by a suitable power plant (not shown) and through a belt, chain or other drive, also omitted, the band wheel 3| is driven. It is obvious that by providing a split sprocket in place of the band wheel 3|, a chain drive may be used. Power thus derived drives the band wheel shaft 30 and through this medium, the bull reel 5 is driven and is controlled not only through the clutch 2B but also through the clutch 56 on the band wheel shaft 30 (Figure 2). Also,

the sand reel 38 is operated through chain 48, as

explained, from the band wheel shaft and similarly, the line shaft 55 is actuated through chains 56 and 51. The purpose of the two drives for the line shaft 55 is to provide a speed differential. A

large sprocket 58 on the band wheel shaft 88 is surrounded by the chain 56 which likewise surrounds sprocket 58 on the line shaft. A large the band wheel shaft, the speed of the line shaft clutch 66 serves to control the drive through chain 51 to the line shaft. A rod 61 (Figure 9) extends from the drillers station to the frame below the clutch 66 and through line 68, actuates theclutch.

when the rod 61 is operated.

The foregoing deals primarily with the standard or cable method of drilling wells. Reference is now made to the rotary elements and as such,

the numeral 68 denotes a jack shaft which is driven from the band wheel shaft 38 through the medium of chain 18 (Figures 1 and 2). A clutch 1! (Figures 2 and 9) controls the drive through chain 18 and is actuated by rod 12, extending from the drillers station to the clutch and connection is made to the latter through link 18.

The rotary drilling table 14, (Figure 11) of conventional construction is driven from the jack shaft 69 through the medium of the chain 15, surrounding sprocket 16, mounted on one end of the jack shaft 68. a

The peculiar construction of the rotary drawworks of the invention is of considerable importance, due to the fact that in order to interlock the cable. with the rotary system of drilling, departure from conventionalities of both systems or methods must be resorted to. In the first place, in order that the rotary drilling drum 11 may be properly aligned with the center of the derrick 18, (Figure 11) or point of operations, it is necessary that the Samson post 18, which carries the walking beam 88 (Figure 1) be also disposed so that alignment of the operative end of the walking beam with the well or derrick center is possible. To this end, and to insure thorough rigidity of the drum 11, its brake flanges or drums 8| are disposed adjacent the inside surfaces of the frame posts 82 (Figure 4) of the draw-works. The control clutches are disposed on the outside of the posts 82 to provide for the reinforcement obtained by so disposing the drilling drum 11. Greater clearance is obtained by thus mounting the drilling drum and the arrangement provides for the proper placement of the walking beam mounting.

The walking beam mounting or Samson post 18 is situated on the headboard 83 (Figure 4) of the draw-works frame 82. A detailed illustration of this mounting is shown in Figures 5 and 6. A

mounting plate or support 84, shown in dotted The plate 84 has apertures 86 therein at spaced intervals which are in register with arcuate slots 81 in the plate 85. Bolts 88 are passed through the slots and apertures of the plates to secure the same against relative displacement when the walking beam 88 is in or out of operative position.

When the walking beam 88 is required to be in operative position, that is during operation of the cable system, the forward end (Figure 1.) is disposed over the hole in the center of the derrick. In this position, bolts 88 are secured.

However, when it is desired to place the rotary system in operation, these bolts are loosenedand the walking beam is swung to one side of the derrick 18 so. that it will not interfere with the rotary drilling operations. In so doing, plate rotates on the base plate 84 and when the beam is disposed in inoperative position, bolts 88 are tightened to hold the beam against dis-' placement.

Suitable reinforcement in the form of braces 88 and 88 are provided for rigidifying the Samson post 18 and a headache post on stop 9| (Figures 1 and 4) is disposed to prevent injury to the operators should the fulcrum pin of the walking beam 88 become sheared.

The walking beam 881s operated through the medium of a pitman arm 82, connected by means of a stirrup 83, (Figure 1) to the walking beam and by means of a crank 84 (Figure 2) to the band wheel shaft 38. Obviously, rotation of the band wheel shaft will impart reciprocatory motion to the walking beam 88 and by suitable cable means, (not shown) the tools are operated in the well.

For ease in assembling and dismantling, the Samson post 18 is hinged at its base at (Figures 1 and 4) to the head piece 83 of the draw-works. Inoperatively, the Samson post 18 lies downward on the draw-works but when moved to'vertical or operative position, bolts 96 (Figure l) secure the same in place. It is, of course necessary, in dismantling, to first disconnect the pitman arm 82 from the crank 84; then remove the walking beam 88and disconnect the brace 88, by removing bolts 81 (Figure 1).

With-especial reference to the rotary drawworks, it will be observed that the peculiar mounting of the Samson post 18 enables the draw-works to be brought near the center of the derrick without interference by the Samson post, which would, under ordinary conditions, be impractical if not impossible. The Samson post is disposed directly in line with the inside brake wheel flange 81 of the draw-works.

The rotary drilling drum 11 of thedraw-works is provided with two drives from the line shaft 55, as shown in Figure 2, in order to obtain two speeds. Chain 81 surrounds a sprocket on the line shaft 55 and a sprocket 88 on the shaft 88 of the drum 11. This drive is from a small to a large sprocket while the drive at the opposite end of shaft 88 is from a large to a small sprocket, the latter being disposed on the shaft 88 and identified by the numeral I88 and is surrounded by the chain l8l, which likewise surrounds a larger sprocket I82 on the line shaft 55 (Figure 2).

In Figures '1 and 8, the rotary drum 11 is illustrated in detail. A'clutch I88 is provided on either end of the drum shaft 88 and are alternately operated to effect change in drives and consequently the speeds. This change is effected by means of a rod! (Figure 7) whose ends are pivotally connected at d to the arms of clutch forks I05. These forks engage the sliding parts of clutches- I03 and when the rod I04 is longitudinally moved, the forks are piv- 5 otally displaced at e and effectually move the clutch elements into and out of engagement alternately.

To eifect longitudinal movement of rod I04, a foot treadle I06 is provided and pivoted at f 10 midway between its ends. The treadle has a slotted arm II extending upwardly therefrom,

the slot receiving a pin I08 affixed to the rod I04. Obviously, depression of the treadle at either end will oscillate the arm I01, thereby 15 moving the pin I08 and consequently the rod In Figure 8. is shown the means by which equalized pressure of the bands I 09 of the drum TI on the brake drums 8| is obtained. An arm II 0 is pivoted at g below and midway between the ends of the drum to a bracket III. The ends of the arm'IIO carry bolts II2 which are adjustably connected to the free ends of the bands I09. The opposite ends of these hands 25 are looped and receive the bands H3 in the rod H4. The rod H4 is rotatably held to the skids 4 by straps H5 and one end of the rod is bent upward at H6 and terminates in a bifurcated end III to afford a locking means. By actuat- 30 ing the rod II4 by means of the lever II6, both bands I09 are contracted or expanded about their respective brake drums and when pressure is thus applied, the arm IIO will adjust itself to wear on either of the drums, or band linings.

35 When wear on one of the brakes is greater than that on the companion brake, it is a simple matter to take up this wear by adjusting the nuts on one of the bolts II2.

It has been stated that to properly combine 40 the elements of the rotary and cable systems of drilling to avoid interference one with the other, it is necessary to consider the relative disposition of elements.

The invention therefore provides a base structure shown in detail in Figure 10, certain elements of which accommodate the derrick l0 while the remaining elements provide a support for the units of the rotary draw-works and cable drums. The important feature of this base lies 50 in ability of one section thereof to be moved relative to the companion section supporting the derrick. In this manner replacements such as the walking beam, drive chains and the like will not have to be made when a derrick of larger or 55 smaller fioor area is used.

In Figure 10, the derrick supporting base is comprised of the longitudinal and transverse sills 2 forming the substructure. The longitudinal sills extend the full length of the base,

60 that is, of the complete combination of units.

As a support for the derrick, I-beams IE8 are disposed to form a square and the derrick legs are situated at each corner of the square, as shown at A, in dotted lines in Figure 10. These 65 I-beams are bolted to the sills 2 in the manner previously described, by bolts 3, (Figure 1).

The base structure for the units of the drawworks and cable units is arranged for movement relative to the center of the derrick and is com- 7 posed of the longitudinal I-beams I and transverse I beam I at the rear end of the assembly.

These beams as are the beams 8, are supported upon the sills 2. The forward ends of the I-beams I are provided with a series of aper- 75 tures 2 in spaced relationship withthe ends of sections II9, joined together by collars the beams which overlie one of the derrick sup porting beams II8. Bolts 3 are passed through apertures 2 and through the beam H8 to hold the beams I rigid with respect to the derrick base. If the specifications for the derrick call for a smaller one than the size of the base provides for, the ends of beams I are moved toward the center of the derrick base and resecured. This procedure is of course reversed when a larger derrick is specified. It is clear therefore that no replacements or other adjustments are necessary.

A type of derrick peculiarly adapted to the present system is shown in Figures 11 to 13 inclusive and is comprised of hydraulic pipe leg I20, through which bolts I2I are passed to hold the ends of the leg sections in place. This detail is shown in Figure 12. The girts I22 are preferably composed of I-beams secured in the manner shown in Figure 13 to the derrick legs.

The lower section of the derrick is hinged at I23 to the base and is raised first with the aid of the cable and drum assemblies. After the first section of the derrick is raised, it is steadied by four guy lines until the remaining parts of the derrick are moved into position and assembled.

Manifestly, the construction shown and described is capable of considerable change and modification and such changes and modifications are to be considered within the spirit and intent of the invention as fall within the scope and meaning of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A well drilling apparatus including in combination with a derrick, a base in sections, and a sub-base supporting said sections, one of said base sections supporting said derrick, said other section being arranged for movement toward and away from said first section, a rotary draw-works disposed forwardly of said movable base section, a plurality of cable drums spaced on said movable base section, skids secured to and supporting said rotary draw-works and cable drums on said movable base section, a walking beam, means for mounting said walking beam rotatably on said draw-works and means for controlling the operation of said draw-works and cable drums at a point adjacent said draw-works.

2. A well drilling apparatus including in combination with a derrick, a sectional base and a sub-base supporting said sectional base, whereby one of said base sections will be slidable relative to the other, a rotary draw-works, skids supporting said draw-works for sliding movement transversely of one of said base sections, a series of cable drums spaced from said draw-works, skids supporting said cable drums on said latter base section, a band wheel and shaft, means for driving said draw-works and cable drums from said band wheel shaft, a walking beam, a walking beam supporting post, means for rotatably mounting said post on said draw-works, means for actuating said walking beam from'said band wheel shaft and means to control the operation of said draw-works and cable drums from a point adjacent said draw-works.

3. A well drilling apparatus including in combination with a derrick, a base for said derrick, an auxiliary base movable relative to said derrick base and securable thereto in adjusted positions in accordance with the area. of the derrick, a band wheel and a band wheel shaft, a frame therefor, a rotary drilling drum disposed adjacent the point of securement between said base securing said mounting on the frame of said l rotary drilling drum whereby to effect movement of said walking beam into and out of operative position and means for operating said walking beam from said band wheel shaft.

4. In a well drilling apparatus, a derrick, a base 15 in sections, one of said sections being stationary and supporting said derrick, a series of cable operated drums supported on the other of said sections, frames therefor, a. band wheel and shaft, skid means for mounting said drum frames 20 and band wheel shaft slidably on said latter base section, a walking beam and a mounting therefor, means for rotatably supporting said walking beam mounting on the frame of one of said drums, means for driving said drums and said 25 walking beam from said band wheel shaft and means for adjusting said latter base section rela-- tive to the derrick supporting section to eifect operative alinement of said walking beam with the center of said derrick.

5. In a well drilling apparatus in combination with a derrick and a rotary table, a base in sections, one of which is movable relative to the other, the stationary of said sections being arranged to support said derrick, a rotary drawworks disposed on the movable section of said base, having a jack shaft operatively connected with said rotary table, a series of cable drums, a common drive shaft for said drums and said draw-works, a frame for said draw-works and said drums, each of said frames being mounted for individual, placement and displacement relative to said movable base section, a walking beam and a mounting post therefor, means for mounting said post rotatably on said draw-works frame for movement relative to the center of said derrick and means for securing said movable base section at adjusted positions relative to its companion base section.

6. In a well drilling apparatus, in combination with a derrick and a rotary table, a base in sections, one of which is arranged to support said derrick, the other being displaceable relative to the derrick supporting section, a rotary drawworks removably mounted on the displaceable section. of said base, a walking beam, a mounting therefor disposed rotatably on said draw-works,. Y a series of cable drums also removably mounted on said displaceable base section and a common drive shaft for said draw-works, walking beam and said cable drums.

GARLIN E. SEALS.

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