US2124015A

US2124015A - Packing head

Info

Publication number: US2124015A
Application number: US50482A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stone Frederick; Albert L Stone
Original assignee: Hydril LLC
Current assignee: Hydril LLC
Priority date: 1935-11-19
Filing date: 1935-11-19
Publication date: 1938-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 1955-07-19

Description

Juy E9, 1938.

F. STONE ET AL PACKING HEAD Filed NOV. 19, 19.35

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F. STONE ET Al.

PACKING HEAD Filed Nov. 1,9, 1955 www 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 july E9, E933, F, STONE E1- AL ZZS PACKING HEAD Filed Nov. 19, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 19, 1938. F. STONE ET AL PACKING HEAD 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 19, 1935 Si v Il m

,my 19, 193s. F, STONE ET AL 2,124,015

PACKING HEAD Filed Nov. 19, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 /4/ Iig-I4 @D y i y //0\ live/zioni Frederick Siam?, ./lberl SZW/me.

Patented July 19, 1938 STATES PATENT oFFlcE California 28 Claims.

This invention pertains to improvements in well pipe packing heads used for the purpose of sealing around work extending through the head l into the well pipe. The work may consist of a 5 drill pipe, kelly, or one of various types of members depending upon the particular operation being carried out, and to all of which the present packing head is generally applicable. In addition to being adaptable for sealing around the work during drilling operations,'or around pipe during pipe setting or removal operations, our improved forms of heads may also be used as blow-out preventers. To those skilled in the art, the various uses and situations to which the invention is adaptable, will be readily apparent. The invention deals particularly with packing heads in which a compressible packer is pressed into engagement with the work by a contractor, preferably in the form of a piston, that is movoperate the contracter to cause the packing to seal around the work, while under other conditions, the packing contracter may be similarly actu- 5 ated by pressure uid forming an independent source of supply. Due to the diiiiculty sometimes encountered in releasing the packing from the work once it has been tightly pressed into engagement therewith, we have also provided iluid '-l' pressure operated means for actuating the contracter in its packing releasing movement. Our improved means for releasing the packer by uid pressure is of particular advantage in that it is capable of operation by uid pressure not ex- I ceeding that existing in the well pipe, despite the fact that at the time, the high pressure within the well pipe may be acting against the contracter, 'tending to constrict the packer about the work. In its preferred form, the invention inl volves the provision of dierential pressure areas on the contracter piston and to which high pressure iluid from the well pipe, or some suitable independent source, is selectively applicable, in order to actuate the piston against the well pipe pressure to release the packer, and if desired, to operate the piston in its packing constricting movement independently of the wellpressure.

It is one of the major objects of the invention to provide a highly efficient and reliable blow-out preventer that is capable of responding automatically and immediately to sudden increase in the well pipe pressure, to establish a fluid tight seal around the work. Generally speakingnour improved blow-out preventer includes a packer that is constrictible about the work, and means Redondo Beach, Calif., Company, Los Angeles, Calii., a corporation oi.'

0 able vertically within the housing. Under certain conditions, the well pipe uid pressure may assignors to Hydril Application November 19, 1935, Serial No. 50,482

responsive to well pressure increases, for constricting the packer. In its preferred form, the blow-out preventer comprises a packer, a packer contracter or constricting means, typically and preferably a piston movable vertically within the packing head, and a second packer, one` preferably carried by the contracter, that renders the latter responsivev to pressure increases to close the ilrst mentioned packer, by maintaining a iluid restricter, or a positive seal, between the contracter and the work.

An additional feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved dual assembly of packing heads in tandem arrangement adapted to pass collared pipe into or out of the well without losing the uid seal around the pipe. Generally speaking, the two packers4 are operated and controlled so that, for example, as a collared section of pipe is being withdrawn from the casing with the lower packer open and the upper packer closed, when the collar has passed up through the lower packer, the latter is caused to close about the pipe and the upper packer is caused to then open to permit the collar to pass up through. A. reverse sequence of operations occurs during lowering of the collared pipe through the packers. As will hereinafter appear, the packers may be lib controlled either manually or automatically; in

the latter instance, by a control mechanism that is actuated by the pipe collar upon reaching a predetermined vertical position relative to the packers, all in a manner causing the packers to open and close in the sequences described.

In certain of its aspects, the present invention may be regarded as an improvement on the type of packing head vdisclosed in a copending appli-lv I cation, Ser. No. 548,839, filed July 6, 1931 by Frederick Stone on Packing head.

All the above mentioned features of the inven- `a tion, as well as additional objects and the details of certain illustrative and typical forms thereof, will be explained more fully and understood to better advantage from the following description. Reference is had throughout the descrlptionto thev accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a typical form of combined packing head and blowpacking in radially distended condition;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 4, showing a .variational form of the contracter carried packing; l

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a further variational 4form of packing carried bythe contracter, in

normal condition and after engagement by the collar, respectively;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1, showing-a variant form of packing head adapted to take work, such as agrief or drive stem, of polygonal cross section;

Figs. 11 and 12 are sections on line Il-II and l2-i2, respectively of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section on line l3-I3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is an elevation, diagrammatic in parts, showing a dual assembly of packer heads in tanI dem arrangement, with manually controlled means for operating the respective packers;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged longitudinal section showing the control mechanism between the two packer heads in Fig. 14

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 14, showing an automatically controlled system for operating the packers; and

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary enlarged section on. line |1-l1 of Fig. 16.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a packing head, generally indicated at 20, attached to the upper end of a well pipe or casing 2| by a threaded joint at 22, or in any other suitable manner. The packing head assembly comprises 'a tubular body lor housing 23 having a lower reduced diameter bore 24 and an upper counterbore 25, there being a downwardly tapering shoulder 26 between the two bores. A tubular head 21 having a reduced diameter bore 28, counterbore 29 and intermediate tapered bore 30, is threaded at 3| into the upper end of the housing. Although the head- 211s capable of vertical adjustment, if for any reason such adjustment is found desirable, it will ordinarily be screwed fully down to seat ange 21a on shoulder 23a. Fluid leakage from within the housing around the head is prevented by suitable means, such as a double lipped packing ring 33.

The tubularhead 21 conveniently provides'a mounting for a radially compressible rubber packer 34, which preferably takes the form of a sleeve having a substantially uniform diameter bore 35 with beveled surfaces at 35 and 31, an outer and upper cylindric surface 38, and a downwardly tapering or conical surface 39. The lower end of the packer 34 has an annular groove 40 forming lips 4| and 42 which are adapted to be radially pressed into sealing engagement with the work 43 and the contracter piston 44, respectively, by fluid pressure applied against the lower end of the packer. 'I'he packer may be mounted on the lower end' of head 21 in any suitable manner, typically by means of a ring 45 attached to the lower end of the head sleeve 21h by lock balls 46, and fastened to the upper end of the packer by looped reenforcingcables 41 having their ends terminating and secured within the ring, as illustrated.

'I'he packer contracting `piston 44 h upper and lower portions 44a and 44h of differential diameters corresponding to the diameters of the

housing bores

25 and 24, respectively, the piston having a sliding t within the housing and carrying suitable packing rings 48 to prevent fluid leakage. The angularity of the intermediate tapered surface 49 of the piston is somewhat greater than the angularity of the .housing shoulder 26, so as to provide an annular space at 50 between the piston and housing, for the introduction of pressure fluid for purposes later to be explained. In its lowermost position, piston 44 seats on annular surface 26a, see Fig. 2, the angularity of which corresponds to the taper of the piston surface 49.

The contracter 44 has a bore 5| of substantially the same taper as surface 39 of the packer, so that as the contracter moves upwardly relative to the packer, it acts to constrict the latter radially inward against the work 43. The relative positions of the contracter 44 and packer 34 in constricted condition are illustrated in Fig. 2, wherein the rubber is .shown to be compressed against the pipe 43 and upwardly into the space 52 between ring 45 and the pipe, the ring bore being rounded at 45a to avoid tearing the packer.

The lower depending portion 21h of the tubular head l21 is spaced at 53 from the wall of the housing to provide an annular space containing a floating piston 54, which bears against the upper end of the contracter 44. The purpose of piston 54 is primarily to communicate to piston 44 the pressure of uid introduced to chamber 53, as will be later described. It will suiilce to state at this point that as a result of fluid pressure appliedto piston 54, the contracter 44 is moved downwardly for example from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 1, to release the packer from the work. Accordingly, in certain aspects of the invention,piston 54 may be regarded as a part of the packer contracting and releasing means. It is made separate from piston 44 primarily for convenience of assembly. In order to facilitate removal of the entire packer and piston assembly from the housing by unscrewing and lifting the head 21, we provide within the upper end of the contracter 44 one or more keys 56, see Fig. 13, projecting inwardly in ovei'- lapping relation to ring 45, so that as the head and packer assembly is lifted, the ring is caused to engage keys 56 and lift the contracter piston out of the housing.

Suitable adjustable stop means is provided in conjunction with the head 21, to limit the upward travel of the piston assembly, and also to limit the degree to which the packer is constricted about the work, independently of the amount of fluid pressure being exerted upwardly against the contracter to compress the packer. The adjustable stop means may be of any suitable character, and is shown typically as comprising a plurality of clrcularlyarranged set screws 51 extending through the head 21 and ring 59 into space 53 within the housing. Individual packing rings 59 prevent leakage of the high pressure fluid around the set screws. Normally, screws 51 will be set to linut the upward travel of

pistons

44 and 54 at a point at which the packer 34 will be constricted about the Work with suflicien tightness to prevent any considerable upwa leakage of fluid, but at the saine time to permi `iust enough fluid leakage through the packer to lubricate its engagement with the Work, so that packer wear as a result of rotational or longitudinal movement of the work will be reduced to a minimum. Chamber |90, enclosed by the piston and head 21 above the packer is vented to the atmosphere, via bore 28, through passage ISI. Consequently, any fluid leakage past the piston intochamber |98 will be expelled, so as not to interfere with the piston operation.

We also provide, in conjunction with the piston assembly, a means whereby the driller may ascertain the relative positions of the packer and contracter at any time valve 85 is feeding pressure fluid to the

pistonthrough pipe

96 or 91, Without having to disassemble the packing head, or without having to rely upon such uncertain indications as the amount of fluid leakage occurring when the packer is not tightly contracted about the work. While any suitable type of indicating means may be used within the broad contemplation of the invention, we have shown a typical indicator in the form of a rod 68 connected at 6| packing at 62.

rod 68 may carry suitable calibrations or markings to piston 58 and extending upwardly through bores in the ring 58 and head 21, iuid leakage past the indicator rod being prevented by suitable If desired, the upper portion of which, gauging from the top surface of the head, will indicate the vertical position of the piston assembly within the housing, and also the extent to which the packer is constricted at any particular time.

In Aorder that the packing head may also be capable of automatic operation as a blow-out preventer, we also provide a second packer, generally indicated at 64, which renders the contracter 81| responsive to increased fluid pressure in the casing Zi, to constrict the main packer 34 about the work. 'I'his lower packer 64 preferably will be made to maintain a fairly tight uid seal between the constrictor 44 and the drill pipe, although some iiuid leakage past the packer 64 may occur without disturbing its effectiveness as a blow-out preventer, since the packer .and constrictor assembly will necessarily be actuated when a blow-out occurs, because of the great volume of l well fluid released. under high pressure. The

lupper packer.

ability of the head to function as a blow-out preventer is of importance in that, for example, should the well develop sudden pressure, the..

packer 3 8 is automatically closed as soon as an unbalanced pressure is built up at opposite sides of the lower packer 64. Although provision is made, as will be later described, whereby theY operator may close the packer 34 when the well starts to flow or develop pressure, the packing head is made automatically responsive so that if the operator fails to close the packer, it will automatically be closed before any damage can be done. It is to be understood that in certain of its broad aspects, the invention is not necessarily limited to the incorporation of the blow-out preventer feature in the head. It will ordinarily be included, however, since the packing head is particularly designed to operate as a blow-out pre- Venter.

Packer 64, carried by the contracter piston 44 below the upper packer 34, serves primarily to provide a suilicient seal or restriction between the contracter and the worin-that -will cause a more or less sudden increase of iiuid pressure in the casing 2| to raise the contracter and constrict the The lower packer may be of any suitable type or construction affording a sufficient` seal around the work for the purpose stated. In

Figs. 4 to 9 We have illustrated certain forms that may be regarded as typical.

The packer shown at 64 in Fig. 4, and also in Figs. 1 and 2, comprises a packing ring assembly 65 inserted Within counter-bore 66 in the lower end of piston 44 and supported on a retaining ring 61.` The packer assemblycomprises a plurality of rubber rings 68 confined between upper and lower radially distensible metallic rings 18 and 1|, each of which comprises a plurality of ring segments 13, typically three, arranged in angularly over-lapping relation as illustrated in Fig. 5, with each segment of the upper ring 10 connected with one each'of the lower ring segments directly below, by loosely fitting pins 12. Washers 68 are placed about the pins betweenvthe rubber rings. As shown in Fig. 2, the bores or rubber rings 68 preferably are at least as small as the outer diameter of the pipe 30, and preferably slightly smaller, so that normally the rubber closely hugs the pipe. The ring assembly isconfined between ring 61 and the piston shoulder 14 with suiicient looseness to allow the metal rings 10 and 1| to distend radially as the pipe collar 43a enters the packing, as will now be described.

case may be. In addition to being folded or' deflected in the condition illustrated in Fig. 4, rings 68 alsoare subjected to outward radial compression which, in the absence of some provision enabling the rings to yield, might cause the pack- -ing injury by the binding action of the Y collar.-

This possibility is obviated by making rings 1|) and 1| distensible so that as the collar tends to spread the packer, the ring segments 13 also. spread apart, as indicated in Fig. 6, to relieve the stress on the rubber but yet allow it to remain in sealing engagement with the collar.

Fig. 7 shows a variational form of lower packer, also of the radially distensible ring mounted type,

` adaptable for sealing oil around either collared or ilush joint pipe. In this form, the packing ring assembly, generally indicated at 15, is mounted within counterbore' 16 of the contracter piston 11, and comprises an annular rubber packer 18 mounted between radially distensible metallic rings 19 and 80, which in turn are held between annular portions |88 and |8| of the piston 11`and retaining ring |82, respectively. The rings 19 and comprise a plurality of 'segments 19a and 80a, typically four segments in each ring, having beveled surfaces |83 and |84 seating against surfaces |85 and |86 on the flanges |88 and |8|. respectively. Y

Rings 19 and 80 are interconnected and the packer 18 confined between them, by a. suitable number of screws |81 extending through the packer and interconnecting the ring segments. The packer is reenforced and centered relative to .the distensible ring assemblies by a suitable number of circularly arranged metal strips |88 projecting into grooves |89 and |98 in the rings 19 and 80. The top surface of the packer 18 is recessed at the inside to it the shouldered portion 9| of the' upper ring 19, the lower surface 4the lower ring surface |84.

|82 of the packer being tapered in accordance, with the angularity of the surface of ring 80 on which it seats.

Rings 18 and 80 provide radially distensible backings for the packer 18 when the latter is subjected to outward compression as the pipe collar enters its bore. Thusvas the pipe collar, not shown, moves downwardly into the packer, lip 18a and the rubber in the lower portion of the packer, are deiiected and compressed outwardly (the collar being larger than the packer bore) in a direction generally paralleling the slope of As the packer is distended, the lower ring 80 also distends by downward and outward movement of the ring segments 80a along the inclined surface |86, thus keeping the packer in snug engagement with the work, but preventing it from becoming unduly compressed by the collar and thereby subjected to binding and extreme wear. From the described action of the lower ring 80 as the collar passes down through the packer, the capacity of the upper ring 18 for radial distension as the pipe collar is mov'ed upwardly through the packer, will be apparent without the necessity for further detailed description.

Some leakage of fluid past the packer and ring assembly may occur between the ring segments 18a and 80a, but as in the case of the -first described lower packer 54, the leakage will be small as compared with the great volume of well uid released at the time of a blow-out, so that the packer 15 will cause the piston 11 to respond automatically in its packer constricting movement, upon the sudden release of well pressure.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a variant form of lower packer designed for collared pipe and having certain particular advantages due to its simple form and ability to withstand rough usage and wear. Here the rubber packer ring 8|,loosely held between piston shoulder 82 and ring 83 androtatable within the contracter, is moulded around a perforated reenforcing metal tube 84, the rubber filling the tube perforations 84a to effectively integrate the metal tube with the packer ring in such manner that the former holds the rubber from flowing or gathering as the collar 43a passes through. The packer 8| has an inwardly projecting annular lip 85 engaging the outer surface of the pipe and having a downwardly tapered and rounded upper surface 86 and a lower substantially fiat surface 81. It is desired to taper the top surfacel 85 of the packing lip in order to facilitate downward passage of the pipe collar through the packing against pressure in the casing. By virtue of its shape, the lip 85 is reinforced against and made relatively resistant to upward deflection by the pipe collar so as to effectively withstand any severe conditions oi' wear that might result from rapidly pulling the collars through it es the pipe string is elevated. Upon engagement by the collar, the lip is doubled upwardly or downwardly, in accordance with the direction of collar movement, into

spaces

88 or 88 proportioned to afford ample clearance between the packing and collar to accommodate deflection of the lip, as indicated in Fig. 9, without excessive binding and resultant wear.

In Fig. 3 we show a typical manually operated system for selectively communicating high pressure fluid to

spaces

50 and 53 within the packing head, for the purpose of controlling the operation of the contracter piston. The operating uid pressures may be derived from the well casing 2| via line 80, or from some suitable independent source by way of line 8|, these lines being controlled by

valves

82 and 83, and connecting with pipe 84. The pressure uid may be selectively communicated to

spaces

50 and 53 under control of a four-way valve, diagrammatically indicated at 85, through

lines

88 and 81. Valve 85 operates to connect the space not in communication with the high pressure fluid; with an exhaust line 88.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the piston assembly, including

pistons

44 and 54, provides an upwardly facing pressure area, the top surface of piston 54 exposed to space 53, and two downwardly facing pressure areas, the conical surface 48 of piston 44, and the lower end of this piston including the area of packer 84 between the bore of the retaining ring 61 and the outsideof pipe 43. These pressure areas oiv the piston assembly may be conveniently designated, in the order named, as P1, P2, and Ps. As illustrated, the combined areas of P2 and P; is greater than the area P1, but P1 is greater than either P2 or Pa, although it is only of importance that P1 be greater than Ps.

Advantage is taken of the differential pressure areas of thel piston assembly as a, means whereby the packer 34 may be released from the work, while at the same time releasing movement of the contracter is resisted by fluid pressure within casing 2| acting against pressure area Pa of the piston. Referring to Fig. 3, assuming line 84 to be in communication with line 80 connecting with the casing, by reversing the position of valve 85 to connect the discharge pipe 88 with space 50 via line 88, the well pressure is applied through line 81 and space 53 against the upper pressure area P1 of the piston assembly. As stated before, the area P1 is greater than P3, and with the pressure exhausted from space 50, the unbalanced pressure on areas P1 and P3 results in downward movement of the contracter and release of the packer 34 from the work.

To illustrate the operation of the packing head when the well starts to flow, as for example during drilling or at any other time when the packer 34 normally is open, assume the parts to be in the positions of Fig. 1, with valve 82 open and valve 83 closed, and pipe 8| to be connected with a source of pressure fluid, for example with the circulating fluid pumps, not shown. Valve `85 is thrown to the position illustrated to communicate the pressure uid to space 50 and relieve pressure from space 53 above the piston. The fluid pressure acting upwardly against pressure area Pz raises the piston assembly tothe position f Fig 2 and any fluid contained in spac 53 is discharged through une s1. with the packer in this position, the pipe 43 maybe rotated and moved back and forth between collars during the operation of conditioning the circulating mud in the well to the point where the flow is under control and the packer may be released. It will be understood that where the contracter -is independently controlled and operated by fluid pressure from line 84, as we have just explained, the lower packer 64 need not necessarily be used, as the operator has full control in the event of sudden development of pressure in the well.

In Fig. 10 of the drawings, we show a variational form of packing head designed particularly to take work of polygonal cross section, such as for example the drive stem |80, although as a matter of fact the previously described head isf also capable of packing around work of polygonal 21,134,015 I cross section despite the use of a circular bore packer 34, since the rubber may readily be contracted to entirely close about work of non-circular cross section. Excessive or destructive wear on the stationary packer, as might be expected, is largely prevented due to the ability to maintain a restricted leakage of lubricating iiuid by adjustment of the contracter piston stops, as previously explained. The general construction of the packer head in Fig. 10, and the arrangement of parts are generally similar to the previously described form, except as to the rotational mounting of the packer and its shape characteristics, and, accordingly, similar parts in the two forms are given the same reference numerals. The packer is rotatably mounted on the depending portion 21b' of the head 21', by means of sleeve |02 which rotates within 2lb' on bearings |03, and which has a bottom ilange |04 also journaled on thrustbearings |05. 'I'he packer |0| is attached to ange |04 by reenforcing cables |06, and rotates with the sleeve |02. 'Ihe latter is rotatably. driven by the drive stem |00 by Way of a sleeve |01, whose bore shape corresponds to the cross sectional shape of the drive stem, inserted within a correspondingly shaped bore in the upper end of sleeve |02, as illustrated in Fig. 11. Piston 54, which may carry the indicator shown in Fig. .1, is rotatably stationary within the housing and rides on bearings |08 supported by race ring |09, which in turn rests on the upper end of piston 44.

Packer |0| and sleeve|02 rotate with the drive stem |00, and this is of course true whether the packer be in constricted or released condition.

`And by reason of its frictional engagement with the packer, it may be mentioned that vthe contracter piston 44 is also caused to rotate with the sleeve and packer assembly. Although the lower end of piston 44 is not shown in Fig. 10, it may carry a lower packer of the type previously reierred to in connection with the rst describedv forms of the invention. It will be unnecessary to describe in detail the operation of the form of the -invention shown in Fig. 10, since, except for the provision for rotation of the packer and its contracter within the housing, the head operates in essentially -the same manner as the previously described form.

In Figs. 14 and 15 we show another form of the invention in which a pair of packing heads are mounted in tandem arrangement and provided with operating controls whereby they may be actuated sequentially, dependent upon the direction of movement of the work, to pass collared pipe joints without losing the seal around the pipe. Packing heads ||0 and individually similar to the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, are mounted one above the other in spaced relation, the lower head being attached to the casing ||2 and connected with the'lower end of the housing of the upper head ||0, by way of pipe 3 and an adapter ||4. The lowerA end of the adapter is threaded at I I5 into the bore of the tubular head ||6 of the lower packer. As illustrated, the collared pipe ||1 extends through the head assembly, the adapter bore ||8 being suiiiciently large to pass the pipe collar ||1a, but

pressure is communicable from line |2| to the spaces and contracter pressure areas corresponding to 50, 53 and Pz, Pi in Fig. 1, of the upper head ||0, via lines |22 and |23, respectively, and to the corresponding spaces and pressure areas within the lower packing head III, by way of lines |24 and |25. Manually operated four-way valves |26 and |21 control the application of pressure uid to the contracters in heads ||0 and III, respectively, and the release of uid pressure through lines |28, and |29, in the manner previously described with reference 'to Fig. 3.

A collar operated switch, generally indicated at |30 in Fig. 15, is provided for the purpose of signalling to the operator when the collar I|1a has reached a predetermined position between the packing heads, and for purposes to be presently described. The switch |30 comprises a body |3| attached by screws |32 to the side of adapter I4, and a slide block |33 movable laterally within slot |34 in the wall of the adapter and the interior |35 of the body 3 I. BlockV |33 is guided between the rollers |36, and carries at its inner end a roller |31 normally riding the surface of the pipe ||1 and engageable by collar ||1a to shift block |33 laterally to actuate the switch.

Roller |31 is pressed against the pipe by a coil spring |38 encircling a small diameter rod- |39 vattached to block |33, and projecting outwardly vthe exposure of the outer end of the rod t atmospheric pressure.

It may be mentioned that the parts of 'the l switch 30 described thus far are generally adaptable for actuating various types of signalling or indicating devices, as well as control systems that are operated by virtue of the engagement of roller |31 by the pipe collar. Hence, the invention is to be regarded as contemplating broadly the use of the laterally shiftable block and roller assembly as an actuating meansl for any suitable type of signal or control system.

The movement, either upward or downward, of collar ||1a within the adapter ||4 slightly beyond the point of engagement of roller |31 .with the collar, is indicated by a signal light |4| when the contact elements |42 of the switch are closed by rod |39 and -roller |31 being pushed outwardly by the pipe collar. Similarly, as the roller rides orf the collar, rod |39 moves inwardly to open the switch and the light circuit.

In the operation of pulling the collared pipe string from the well, assume the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 15 with the packer (corresponding to 34 in Fig. 1) in the lower packinghead open, and the corresponding packer in the upper head ||0 constricted about the pipe.- Upward movement of the pipe from the position of Fig. 15 causes collar |l1a to close switch |42 and the signal'light circuit. The signal thus given indicates to the operator that collar ||1a has passed upwardly through the packer of the lower head and that the' lower packer therefore may be closed about the pipe to maintain the seal, and the packer within the upper head ||0 opened to pass the pipe collar.

described with reference to and to raise the contracter piston to close the packer. At the same time, any fluid pressure acting against area P1 and opposing opening movement of the piston, 'is released through line |25 to exhaust line |29. After the packer within the lower head is closed, valve |26 is turned to communicate fluid pressure through line |23 against area P1 of the contracter piston in head ||0 to move it downward and open the upper packer. wardly through packing head H0, after which valves |26 and |21 will be operated to again close the packer in head ||0 and open the packer in the lower head The above described operations are then repeated during the withdrawal of the next succeeding length of pipe. It will be understood, without the necessity for repetitious explanation, that during the lowering of collared pipe into the well, the two packing heads will be operated in a sequence the reverse of that followed while the pipe is being pulled.

Figs. 16 and 17 show a further variant form of the invention embodying a tandem arrangement of upper and lower packing heads |45 and' |46, adapter |41 and collar actuated switch |48, all similar to the corresponding parts previously Figs. 14 and 15. The delivery of high pressurefluid from line |49, connecting with the casing |50 via pipe |5| or with an independent source of supply through pipe |52, to packing heads |45 and |46, is controlled by four-way valves |53 and |54, respectively. As in Fig. 14, lines |55 and |56 are communicable with the upper pressure areas P1 of the contracter pistons, and lines |51 and |58 with the intermediate pressure areas Pz. Broadly speaking, the valves |53 and |54 may be actuated by any suitable means responsive to operation of the various control switches, as will be explained. Typically, we have shown the valves to be operated by solenoid actuated devices diagrammatically indicated at |59 and |60. These valve operating devices comprise pinions |6|, |6|a connected in any suitable manner 'with valves |53, |54, respectively, so that the valves are rotated by rotation of the pinions. Meshing with the pinions are solenoid racks |62, |62a extending within coils |63, |64 and |63a, |64a.

In operation, assume that the pipe |66 is being pulled from the well and that the pipe collar within adapter |41 has reached a position corresponding to Fig. 15. Upon further upward movement, the pipe collar closes switch |48 and the circuit through |61, the solenoid reversing switch |68, and wire |69 connecting with coil |63a of the valve actuating device |60, resulting in upward movement of the rack |62a and reversal of valve |54 from the position shown. As a result, iluid pressure is released from area P1 of the contracter within the lower packing head |46, and the high pressure uid is communicated through line |58 to pressure area P2 of the contracter, causing the packer to close about the pipe.

In order to insure that the lower packer will have become closed before the packer within the upper head |45 is opened, the operation of the upper packer is made dependent upon movement of the contracter within the lower head to a position in which it will have fully closed its packer. Mounted on each of the packing heads |45 and |46 is a switch element |10, see Fig. 17, adapted to be contacted by indicator rod 60 carried by the floating piston 54, when the piston 54. reaches the position it normally occupies when Collar ||1a may then be moved up# |60 and valve |54,

the piston'44 within the head has raised to' the position at which the packer is constricted about the pipe. Accordingly, at the point at which the contracter within the lower head' |46 has raised to the point of closing the lower packer, switch |10a is closed to energize coil |64 of the valve actuating device |59, via wire |1|, switch |68 and wire |12, to pull rack |62 downward and reverse valve |53 from the position illustrated. High pressure fluid then is applied via line |55 against the upper pressure area Pi of the contracter within head |45 to open the packer, fluid pressure being released from the piston area P2 via line |51.

The packer below the collar thus having been closed and the upper packer opened, the pipe |66 may then be elevated to withdraw the pipe collar from the upper head |45, after which switch |68 is thrown to the dotted line position and switch |13 closed to energize coil |63 via wire |14, to return the valve actuating devices |59 to the position illustrated. Switch |13 then is again opened. As a result of the last mentioned operation of the device |59, valve |53 is operated to close the packer within the upper head |45, and at the point at which the packer has closed about the pipe, switch |10 is actuated to energize coil |64a via wires |14 and |15, to reverse the device |60 and valve |54 to the positions illustrated, and thereby direct the pressure fluid through line |56 to open the lower packer. Switch |68 then is thrown to the full line position, and the above described operations repeated during the removal of the next successive stand of pipe.

In lowering the piper into the well, assume the lower packing head |46 to be closed and the upper head |45 opened, with switch |68 in the dotted line position. At the point at which the pipe collar is lowered to actuate switch |48, the device |59 and valve |53 first are operated to close the packer within the upper head, and then, after the upper contracter has raised to packer closing position, switch |10 is closed to actuate the device opening the packer within the lower head. When the pipe collar has been lowered through the lower packing head, switch |68 is reversed and switch |13 closed to actuate the device |60 to close the lower packing head, whereupon switch |10a is closed to actuate the device |59 and open the packer within the upper head. Switch |13 then is opened and switch |68 thrown back to the dotted line position, and the described sequence of operations repeated as the succeeding pipe stand is lowered.

We claim:

1. In a packing head applied to a Well pipe, a

'tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a

packer contracter movable vertically within said housing, means holding one end of said packer against substantial vertical movement in the housing during vertical movement of said contracter, and means for introducing to a space in said housing and substantially closed from communication with said well pipe through the housing bore, fluid exerting a vertically 'applied pressure against said contracter.

2. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, an annular radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a. tubular packer contracter engaging the outside of said packer and movable vertically within said housing, and means for introduring to a space in said housing and substantially closed from communication with said well pipe through the housing bore, fluid under pressure to move said .contracter vertically within the housing.

- 3. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a

tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a tubular packer contracter movable vertically within said housing and having its lower end xposed to well pipe pressure, and means for introducing to a space in said housing above the lower end of the contracter and substantially closed from communication with said well pipe through the housing bore, iiuid under pressure to move said contracter vertically within the housing.

4. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, a continuously annular and radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, means for stationarily supporting one end of said packer, a packer contracter movable vertically within said housing, and means for introducing into spaces within said housing and substantially closed from communication with said well pipe through the housing bore, iluid under pressure tending to movesaid contracter in opposite directions.

5. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a packer contracter movable vertically within said housing, means holding one end of said packer against vertical movement during packer contracting movement of said contracter, and means for introducing into and discharging from spaces within said housing and substantially closed from communication with said well pipe through the housing bore, iuid under pressure applied to annular diierential pressure areas of said contracter, said areas being formed by opposed surfaces on said contracter of dierential radial extent.

i 6. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a packer contracter movable vertically within said housing and engaging the outside of said packer, and means for introducing into spaces within said housing and substantially closed from communication with said well pipe through the housing bore, fluid under pressure tending to move said contracter in opposite directions, the last mentioned means including means for selectively communicating the pressure within said well pipe to said spaces.

'1. In a packing Vhead applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to takean elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a stationary support above said packer, exible means embedded within the packer and connected to said support, a packer contracting piston within said housing, and means for moving said piston vertically within the housing.

8. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated packer in the housing `and about said member, a packer contracting piston movable upwardly within the housing by the iuid pressure in said well pipe to constrict the packer about said member, adjustable stop means limiting the upward member through its bore, a radially contractible` travel of the piston, and means for moving said piston downwardly by fluid pressure to release the packer irom said member.

9. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to 'take an elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a packer contracting piston in said housing having opposed diierential pressure areas exposed to spaces within the housing that are substantially closed from communication with said well lpipe through the housing bore, one of said areas being formed by a surface on said piston intermediate its ends, means for selectively introducing uid under pressure to said spaces to actuate the piston, and means for holding one end of said packer against vertical movement during packer contracting movement of said piston.

10. In a packing head applied to a Well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a packer contracting .piston within said housing and having a downwardly facing pressure area exposed to the pressure in said well pipe, and a second downwardly facing pressure area formedby an annular surface on the piston intermediate its ends, exposed to a space within the housing that is substantially closed from communication with said well pipe through the housing bore, and means for communicating 4iiuid pressure to said space and against the second mentioned piston area.

11. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through itsv bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a packer contracting piston within said housing and having a downwardly facing pressure area exposed to the pressure in said well pipe, a second downwardly facing pressure area, and an upwardly facing pressure area, the last mentioned pressure areas being'exposed to separate closed spaces within the housing, and means for selectively introducing uid under pressure to Said spaces.

12. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a packer. contracter movable upwardly within the housing to constrict the packer about said member, and a packer carried by said contracter and adapted to cause the latter to move upwardly from a position in which the rst mentioned packer is released from pressural engagement with said member, to a position in which said rst mentioned packer is pressed into tight ensagement with said member, in response to increased iluid pressure in said well pipe.

13. In a packing head applied to a well pipe,

a tubular housing adapted to take a collared pipeA through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said vcollared pipe, a packer contracter movable upwardly within the housing to constrict the packer about said collared pipe, and a packer carried by said contracter and normally engaging the outside lared pipe and having suiiiclent radial lexpansibllity to-pass pipe collars, the last mentioned packer being adapted to cause said contracter to move upwardly from a position in which the rst mentioned packer is released from pressural engagement with said collared pipe, to a position in which said rst mentioned packer is pressed of said col-r into tight engagement with said collared pipe, in response to increased fluid pressure in said well pipe.

14. In a. packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a packer contracting piston within said housing and movable upwardly to constrict the packer about said member, and a packer carried by said piston below the iirst mentioned packer and engaginglthe outside of said member.

15. Ina packing head appliedv to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a packer contracting piston within said housing and movable upwardly to constrict the packer about said member, means holding the upper end of said packer against bodily upward movement within the housing, and a packer carried by said piston below the first mentioned packer and engaging the outside of said member.

16. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer contained in the housing and normally spaced about said member, .a packer contracting piston within said housing, means for moving said piston downwardly within the housing, andl means normally engaging the outside of said member and rendering the piston responsive to sudden increase in the well pipe pressure to radif ally contract the packer into fluid tight engagement with said member.

17. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a packer contracting piston within said housing and having a downwardly facing pressure area exposed to the pressure in said well pipe, a second downwardly facing pressure area, and an lupwardly facing pressure area, the last mentioned pressure areas being exposed to separate closed spaces within the housing, means for selectively introducing fluid under pressure to said spaces, and a packer carried by said contracter and engaging the outside of said member.

18. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take an elongated member through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said member, a movable packer contracting piston in said housing, a movable member actuated by said piston and extending through the top of the housing above said piston.

19. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, a tubular housing adapted to take through its bore an elongated member of polygonal cross section, a tubular packer in the housing and having a bore adapted to take said member, and a packer contracting piston movable vertically and rotatably within said housing.

20. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, the combination comprising a pair of vertically spaced packers each comprising a tubular housing adaptcd to take a collared pipe through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said pipe, and a packer contracter movable verizfcally within the housing; and means for opening one of said packers from closed condition to pass the pipe collar as said pipe is moved longitudinally within said head.

21. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, the

and about said pipe,

combination comprising a pair of vertically spaced packers each comprising a tubular housing adapted to take a collared pipe through its bore, a radially countractible packer in the housing and about said pipe, and a packer contracter movable vertically within the housing; means for opening one of said packers from closed condition to pass the pipe collar as said pipe is moved longitudinally Within said head, and means for indicating movement of the collar to a predetermined position relative to the other packer.

22. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, the combination comprising a pair of vertically spaced packers each comprising a tubular housing adapted to take a collared pipe through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and a packer contracter movable vertically within the housing; and means controlled by movement of the pipe collar to a predetermined position for indicating when the pipe collar has passed through one of said packers.

23. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, the combination comprising a,pair of vertically spaced packers each comprising a tubular housing adapted to take a collared pipe through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said pipe, and a packer contracter movable vertically within the housing; and fluid pressure operated means for actuating one of the packer contracters to close its packer after the pipe collar has passed through, and for then actuating the other contracter to open its packer.

24. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, the combination comprising a pair of vertically spaced packers each comprising a tubular housing adapted to` take a collared pipe through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said pipe, and a packer contracter movable vertically within the housing; and fluid pressure operated means controlled by movement of the pipe collar, for actuating one of the packer contracters to close its packer after the pipe collar has passed through, and for then actuating the other contracter to open its packer.

25. In a packing head applied to a well pipe, the combination comprising a pair of vertically spaced packers each comprising a tubular housing adapted to take a collared pipe through its bore, a radially contractible packer in the housing and about said pipe, and a packer contracter movable vertically within the housing; and means for automatically actuating one of the packers to close its packer after the pipe collar has passed through. and for then automatically actuating the other contracter to open its packer.

26. In apparatus of the character described, the combination comprising a tubular housing connected to a well pipe, a radially contractible packer in the housing and having a bore of substantially circular cross section, fluid under pressure being applied to said packer, arotatably driven drive stem of polygonal cross section extending through said bore, packer contracting means operable to contract said packer against the flat surfaces of said drive stem, means controllable from the outside of said housing for actuating said contracting means in its packer contracting movement, the drive stem rotating within the packer in its contracted condition, and the extent of packer contraction being limited to maintain a restricted leakage of iluid through the packer bore to lubricate the engagement between the packer and drive stem.

27. In apparatus of the combination comprising, a tubular housing the character described,A

connected to a well pipe, a radially contractible rubber packer having a vertically extending bore, means holding said packer against rotation within the housing, a rotating drive stem of polygonal cross section extending through said bore. packer contracting means operable to contract said packer against the flat surfaces of said drive stem, means controllable from the outside of said housing for actuating said contracting means in its packer contracting movement, the drive stem rotating within the packer in its contracted condition, and the extent of packer contraction being limited to maintain a restricted leakage of uid through the packer bore to lubricate the engagement between the packer and drive stem.

28. In. apparatus of the character described, the combination comprising, a tubular housing connected to a Well pipe, a continuously annular rubber packer sleeve exposed at one end to fluid pressure, means holding said packer against rotational movement, a rotating drive stem of polygonal cross section extending through the packer bore, packer contracting means bearing against the outside of the. packer and operable to contract said packer against the flat surfaces'of said drive stem, means controllable from the outside of said housing for actuating said contracting means in its packer contracting movement, the drive stern rotating within the packer in its contracted condition, and means limiting the extent of packer contraction to maintain a restricted leakage of fluid fthrough the packer bore to lubricate the engagement between the packer and drive stem.

ALBERT L. STONE.- FREDERICK STONE,