US2134095A - Rotary well reamer - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 25, 1938. w. A. ABEGG ROTARY WELL REAMER Filed. June 15, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 firs/rib)" 14/94 72/? 6 625266 M/ Patented Oct. 25, 1938 UNITED STATES.

ROTARY WELL mama Walter A. Abegg, IDS Angeles, Calif., minor to Globe Oil Tools Company, Los Nietos, Cali! a corporation of California Application June 15, 1937, Serial No. 148,301

14 Claims.

This invention relates to well drilling tools and relates more particularly to well reamers for use in the rotary method of well drilling. A general object of this invention is to provide a practical and particularly eflicient well reamer having self cleaning cutters.

The rotary well reamers now in general use generally have three roller cutters mounted at circumferentially spaced points to have 3-point contact with the wall of the well. The typical 3-point reamer has a decided tendency to bind or stick in the well bore, probably because it maintains the well bit truly centralized and prevents any play or wobbling of the bit. Another undesirable feature of rotary well reamers having roller cutters is the tendency for the cutters to become balled up or to accumulate mud that interferes with the cutting or reaming action of the cutters.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary well reamer in which the cutters are related and arranged to have 4-point contact with the wall of the well bore, that is, the cutters are spaced about the axis of the reamer shank to engage the well wall at four circumferentially spaced points.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary well reamer in which the roller cutters are arranged in substantially diametrically opposite pairs, the cutters of each pair being'in close relation, whereby the reamer may remain free in the well and does not drag or retard the drilling speed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well reamer of the character mentioned in which the shank is formed and the cutters are related to leave substantial spaces about the reamer when the same is in the well, thereby facilitating fishing operations in the event that the reamer or the drilling string becomes lost or caught in the well.

Another and important object of this invention is to provide a well reamer embodying rotatable cutters that are self-cleaning in operation and that do not become "bailed up with accumulations of mud. etc.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary well reamer in which the teeth or cutting parts of the adjacent cutters clear themselves of mud, etc. by meshing one with the other without direct or actual contact.

Another object of this invention is to provide a self-cleaning reamer of the character mentioned in which the cutters may be identical or alike, thereby reducing the cost of manuiacture and maintenance.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well reamer of the character mentioned embodying simple, effective means for mounting the pairs of identical cutters so that the cutting parts of adjacent cutters mesh to clear the cutters of mud and the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a well reamer of the character mentioned that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and that embodies cutters whose teeth may be cut in a lathe.

The various objects and"features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application or the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the reamer provided by this invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the reamer provided by this invention illustrating one pair of cutters and the adjacent parts. Fig. 3 is a horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3 illustrating the mounting of one of the cutters. Fig. 5 is a horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5--5 on Fig. 2 and Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 3.

The improved well reamer provided by this invention includes, generally, a body or shank I0, four roller cutters Ii, and means I! supporting the cutters II on the shank ID in diametrically opposite pairs with the cutting parts of each pair of cutters in intermeshing relation.

The body or shank i is provided to carry the cutters H and their supporting means 12 and is intended to be connected in a rotary well drilling string. The shank I0 is an elongate member provided at its opposite ends with means for facilitating its connection in the string. In the particular case illustrated in the drawings a tapered threaded pin I3 is provided on the upper end of the shank I0 and a tapered threaded socket [4 is provided in the lower end of the shank ID to facilitate the connection of the shank in the drilling string. The opposite end portions l of the shank l0 may be cylindrical and may have wickers 16 to facilitate the fishing of the reamer from the well in the event that it becomes caught side surfaces n substantially tangential to the peripheries of theend portions II and two side surfaces It curved concentric with the longitudinal axis of the shank l9 and having a greater radius of curvature than the end portions ll.

The opposite ends l9 of the flattened interme diate portion of the shank ill are preferably inclined or. tapered. Recesses or pockets 29 are provided in the intermediate portion of the shank ll to receive the cutters i l. The recesses or pockets 29 have their mouths or outer ends at the. side surfaces II and extend axially or vertically of the shank Ill. There are two diametrically opposite pockets 2' and the sides of the pockets are open at the surfaces l1. The upper and lower walls 2| of the pockets 29 are preferably flat and at right angles to the axis of the shank II and the inner wall of ,each pocket 29 may have two vertically extending concave surfaces or'walls. as best illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The shank i0 is provided with the usual longitudinally extending passage 2| for conducting the circulation fluid.

The cutters l l are in the nature of roller reaming cutters and inaccordance with the invention the four cutters Ii may be identical. The cutters H are generally cylindrical and have fiat upper and lower ends. The lower portions of the cutters Il may be frusto-conical or tapered. A central longitudinal opening 22 extends through each cutter H from one end to the other. Peripheral cutting parts are provided on the cutters I I. The cutting parts may be in the nature of teeth 22 formed by making a plurality of spaced V-shaped circumferential grooves 24 in the peripheries of the cutters and interrupting or intersecting the circumferential grooves 24 with axially extending grooves 25. The grooves 25 may be partially cylindrical in transverse cross section. When the teeth 28 are formed in this manner they occur in circumferential series separated by the V-shaped grooves 24 and the several teeth of each series 29 are separated by the vertical grooves 25.

The means l2 for mounting or supporting the cutters II on the shank I0 support two cutters II in each pocket 29, the cutters in each pocket being in adjacent parallel relation. The mounting means for the cutters ll may be varied considerably without departing from the broader principles of the invention, that is, mounting means of various natures may be employed to support the cutters in the relationship contemplated by the invention. The cutter mounting or supporting means l2 removably or detachably support the cutters H on the shank ill and inclllde supporting pins 26 passed through the cutter openings II. The protruding portions of the pins 26 are supported by parts removably secured to the shank Hi. The projecting portions of the cutter pins 26 are carried by blocks 21 inserted in sockets or bores 26 in the shank Ill. The cutters II are rotatable on their pins 26 and the pins 26- are supported by the blocks 21 so that the cutters ll projectbeyond the surfaces I I to have reaming contact with the wall of the well bore. The blocks 21 are cylindrical in transverse cross section and each has a flat side surface 29. The opposite ends of the blocks 21 may be flat.

The'sockets or berg 29 are shaped to accuratelyor closely receive e blocks 21. The bores 22 are cylindrical and extend transversely into the intermediate portion of the shank II from, its

sides I 9. In the particular construction illuk trated in the drawings there are'two bores 29 adjacent each end 2| of each pocket 29. the bores 24 adjacent the ends of the sockets being in parallel relation.

In the preferred form of the invention the cutter supporting means l2 are such that the cutters ll of each pair are'in slightly staggered or vertically oflset relation so'that the teeth 29 of the adjacent identical cut yrs are in meshing relation. The adjacent b0 s 29 at the ends of the pockets 26 are slightly vertically oilset, that is, the longitudinal axes of the adjacent bores 29 are slightly oflset vertically. The bores 29 at the ends of a pocket 29 are correspondingly oi!- set so that the distance between the centers of the vertically aligned bores 29 at the opposite ends of the pockets is equal. The blocks 21 are introduced in the bores 28 from their outer ends and the inner ends of the blocks may bear against the inner walls of the bores' and the outer ends of the blocks may be flush with the sides I 9 of the shank. Each block 21 is provided with a transverse or diametric opening 20. The openings receive the projecting portions of the cutter supporting pins 26. The blocks 21 are arranged in the sockets" to have their flat side surfaces 29 face inwardly toward the pockets 24. The bores 28 are spaced from the ends 2| of the pockets 29 and flat walled notches 3| connect the ends of the pockets 20 with the bores 29. The side surfaces 29 of the blocks 21 form side or bottom walls of the notches 3|. Fiat sided thrust washers 32 are provided on the pins 28 and are received in the notches ii. The thrust washers 22 are held against turning through cooperation with the walls of the notches 9| and bear against the surfaces 29 of the blocks 21. The thrust washers 92 are engaged by the ends of the cutters II. The washers 92 at the' corresponding ends of the cutters ii are of the same thickness. For this reason the washers 92 cooperating with the surfaces 29 of the vertically offset blocks 21 support the cutters ll against endwise movement in the relationship where one cutter of each pair is slightly higher than the adjacent cutter II.

The extent of vertical offsetting of the adjacent cutters II is substantially equal to one half of the thickness or vertical extent of the teeth 29. The sets or pairs of bores 28 are related so that the pins 26 supported by the blocks 21 in the bores carry the cutters 'so that the adjacent cutters II are in the relation where their teeth 23 mate or mesh. Due to the vertical offsetting of the cutters i I described above, the cutters ll of the pairs may be supported in such close relation that their teeth 23 mesh throughout the major portions of their depths. It is to be understood, however, that the cutting teeth 23 of the adjacent cutters ll need not come into' direct or actual contact. Fig. 2 of the drawings best illustrates the meshing relation of two adjacent cutters II and the vertical offsetting ofthe cutters that permits the desired meshing of the cutting teeth 22.

The means I 2 include means for preventing rotation of the cutter supporting pins 26 and for locking theblocks 21 in place. A notch 24 is provided in one end of each pin 29 and keys 2| are welded or otherwise fixed in the openings 99 of the blocks 21 receiving .the end portions of the pins 26 to cooperate with the notches 34. The

iii

these spaces about the shank Ill may greatly keys 88 cooperating with the notches 34 dependably prevent rotation of the pins 28. Openings 38 extend axially in the intermediate portion of the shank ill from its opposite ends l9 and intersect or join the bores 28 at substantially diametrically opposite points. The blocks 21 have notches 31 for registering with the openings 38.

.Tapered pins 38 are arranged in the openings 36 to cooperate with the notches 31. The pins 38 cooperating with the notches 31 positively prevent displacement of the blocks 21. The blocks 21 fitting the cylindrical bores 28 have no tendency to move vertically or inwardly and their outward movement is positively prevented by the pins 38 cooperating with the notches 31. Screws 38 are threaded in the outer portions of the openings 38 to hold the pins 38 in place. It is to be understood that the pairs of adjacent blocks 21 of the cutter supporting means l2, described above, may be made integral in which case the duced'in the bores 28. With the introduction of.

the blocks 21 in the bores 28 the washers 32 are entered in the notches 3|. When the blocks 21 have been properly positioned in the bores 28 the pins 38 are arranged in place to secure the blocks 21 against displacement. It will be understood how the cutters Il may be easily removed from the shank I when it is desired to repair or recondition the reamer. When the pins 38 are withdrawn from the openings 36 the blocks 21 may be easily withdrawn from the bores 28 to disconnect the cutters H from the shank I0.

In the operation of the reamer provided by this invention the cutters ll projecting from the mouths of the pockets 28 engage or act on the wall of the well bore. The reamer is usually rotated in a right-hand direction as indicated by the arrow A in Fig. in which case the adjacent cutters ll rotate on their individual axes in the direction indicated by the arrows B. From an inspection of Fig. 5 of the drawings it will be apparent that the meshing or mating teeth of the adjacent cutters llpass between one another while moving in opposite directions. The teeth 23 thus moving one past the other efiectively clear the cutters ll of mud, etcf The longitudinal grooves 25 assure the better clearing of the mud from the cutters H. The engagement of the cutters H with the earth formation during the rotation of the reamer assures the independent rotation of the cutters H and as the teeth 23 of the adjacent cutters mesh the cutters are at all times maintained free and clear of accumulations of mud, etc.

The cutters H are provided on the shank H) in diam etrically opposite pairs to have contact with the side wall of the well bore atfour spaced points. This four point engagement of the cutters with the 'earth formation is such that the reamer remains free in the well and does not bind or materially resist rotation of the drilling string. Further, the cutters ll being arranged in diametrically opposite pairs and the shank l0 being provided with the fiat side surfaces l1 provides or leaves substantial spaces at opposite sides of the shank giving the reamer greater movement and freedom in the well. Further facilitate the fishing or removal of the reamer from the well in the event that it becomes lost or stuck. Although the cutters II are formed and mounted to mesh for the purpose described above, they may be identical to materially reduce the cost of manufacture of the reamer. The cutters H and the wear receiving elements of the cutter supporting means l2 are easily replaceable so that the reamer may be reconditioned when worn.

Having described a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein setforth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

-1. A well reamer comprising a shank, and two substantially diametrically opposite pairs of roller reaming cutters on the shank, the cutters of each pair being in adjacent relation and the said pairs being spaced substantial distances apart circumferentially of the shank.

2. A well reamer comprising a shank, and two pairs of-adjacent roller reaming cutters rotatably supported on diametrically opposite sides of the shank the shank to rotate about substantially vertical axes, said pairs of adjacent cutters being spaced substantial distances apart circumferentially of the shank.

3. A well reamer comprising a shank, and two substantially diametricallyopposite pairs of roller reaming cutters on the shank, the cutters including cutting teeth, the teeth of the cuttersof each pair being in meshing relation.

4. A well reamer comprising a shank to be connected in a well drilling string, a pair of roller sides of said portion.

6. A well reamer comprising a shank to be connected in a well drilling string, roller cutters having cutting teeth, and means rotatably sup-- porting the cutters in longitudinally ofiset relation with the teeth in intermeshing relation.

7 A well reamer comprising a shank to be connected in a well drilling string, two roller cutters each having peripheral longitudinally spaced cutting teeth, and means rotatably supporting the cutters on the shank for rotation about axes extending longitudinally of the shankand in adjacent longitudinally offset relation so that the teeth of one cutter are in intermeshing relation to the teeth of the other cutter.

8. A well reamer comprising a shank to be connected in a rotary well drilling string and having two diametrically opposite pockets, two roller cutters in each pocket, and supports supporting 'the cutters in the pockets for rotation about spaced axes whereby the cutters provide fourpoint engagement with the wall of the well bore.

9. A well reamer comprising a shank to be connected in a rotary well drilling string and having two diametrically opposite pockets, two roller cutters in each pocket, and two spaced pins passing through each pocket each rotatably supporting a cutter whereby the cutters have fourpoint engagement with the wall of the well bore. 10. A well reamer comprising, a shank to be connected in a rotary well drilling string and having two diametrically opposite pockets, the sides of the-shank between the pockets being flattened, two roller cutters in each pocket, and

' supports supporting the cutters in the pockets I for rotation about spaced axes whereby the cutters provide four-point engagement with the wall oi the well bore.

11. A well reamer comprising a shank to be connected in a rotary well drilling string and having, an external pocket, pairs of substantially cutting parts, the cutters being vertically oflset and with their cutting parts in meshing relation.

12. 'A well reamer comprising a shank to be connected in a rotary well drilling string and having an external pocket, pairs 01' substantially vertically aligned supports at the upper and lower ends'oi the pocket, the distance between the aligned supports being equal, the said pairs of spaced supporting pins passing vertically through each pocket, means supporting the end portions of the pins, and cutters rotatable on the pins in adjacent relation and having cutting parts. the cutting,parts of the adjacent cutters being in meshing relation.

14. A well reamer comprising a shank to be connected in a rotary well drilling string and having two diametrically opposite pockets, two spaced supporting pins passing vertically through each pocket, means supporting the end portions of the pins, said means including members rem'ovably secured to the body and carrying the opposite end portions oi the pins, and cutters rotatable on the pins in adjacent relation and having cutting parts, the cutting parts of the adjacent cutters being in meshing relation.

WALTER A.'ABEGG.

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