US2189445A - Combination plug and dump bailer - Google Patents

Description

Feb@ 6, R. V

COMBINATION PLUG AND DUMP BAILER Febo 6, C. R. COMBINATION PLUG AND DUMP BAILER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zw/@022W Zoff/:a fur Filed July 11. 1939 Patented Feb. 6, 1940 PATENT OFFICE 2,189,445 COMBINATION/ PLUG AND DUMP BAILER Clarence R. Dale, Beverly Hills, Calif., assigner to Dale Service Corporation, Culver City, Calif., a corporation of California Application July l1, 1939, Serial No. 283,810

2o claims. This invention has to do with apparatus for depositing materials such as cement, sand and the like at intermediate depths in wells, and isv struction or bridge in the well or casing. The

various situations in well drilling, cementing or reconditioning, where it becomes necessary or desirable .tobridge the well at intermediate depths with cement or sand, are well known and require no detailed discussion.

One of my primary objects is to provide a combination apparatus, comprising 'generally a suitable means, such as a dump-type bailer, for conducting or lowering into the well a quantity of the material to be deposited therein, and a barrier or plug adapted to be lowered in the well ahead of the bailer, the plug and bailer being so associated that in a single run and series of operations, the plug may be set at the desired depth and the material dumped from the bailer on top of the plug. Preferably, though not necessarily in certain broad aspects of the invention, setting of the plug and opening of the bailer closure to discharge material from the bailer on to the plug, occur during or are controlled by movement of the bailer relative to the plug. As in the later described typical form of the invention, I may use a plug having radially expansible but normally contracted means adapted to engage the wall of the well or casing to hold the plug in set position, and a releasable connection between the plug and bailer operable upon relative upward movement o f the bailer to cause the plug holding means to expand into gripping engagement with the wall of the well. In the same operation and upon upward movement of the bailer from the plug, the bottom closure of the bailer is opened, causing the bailer contents to be dumped directly on Ithe plug.

' Although the invention contemplates broadly the use of any suitable dumping apparatus, I

preferably employ a dump bailerof the type disclosed in Patent Number`2,l55,785 issued April 25,' 1939, to me 'on Cement dump bailer, for. one reason, among others, that the form of releasable bottom closure in that bailer lends itself particularly to association or connection with the plug, so that as the bailer is raised, the closure is immediately opened and an undiluted body of the bailer charge is deposited on the plug. In the patented bailer referred toffthe bottom closure comprises a disc that is releasable, free from the bailer, upon upward movement of the bailer body. In accordance with the preferred form of the present invention, the plug is integrally connected to the bailer closure so that when the latter is released, it remains in the well together with the body of the plug.

The invention embodies various additional objects and details, but these as well as the features mentioned in the foregoing, will be understood to better advantage from the following description of the invention in one of 'its typical and illustrative forms. Throughout the description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a View showing an illustrative form of the invention, a portion of the bailer body appearing in longitudinal section;

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the plug in section and the bailer parts in changed position;

Fig. 3 shows the bailer released from the plug with the latter held in Iengagement with the casing;

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged cross sections on lines 4 4 and 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross section of taken on line B-Gof Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the plug showing the pipe engaging pins in expanded position; and

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the pins held in their retracted positions.

The typical form of bailer bottom assembly shown in the drawings comprises a body generally indicated at IIJ composed of an elongated tube il, the upper end of which is connected by coupling `l2 or in any other suitable manner, with an upper tubular section or extension lia of the body. As will be understood, the bailer the plug is lowered in the well on a suitable suspension means, not shown, such as a wire cable. The tubular body II preferably has a straight cylindric bore i3 deiining the material containing chamber i4 from which, upon opening of the later described closureythe material has unobstructed passage as the bailer is elevated. The bottom of chamber 'il is closed at or near the lower end IIb of the body preferably by a form of closure which, when opened,v leaves the outlet I5 through which the material is discharged from the chamber, substantially entirely open and unobstructed. As typical, I may employ a disc closure I8 formed of suitable material such as Bakelite, aluminum alloy or other friable mate- ,l

rial that may be disintegrated by a drill, and which normally seats upwardly against an annular shoulder on the body. The disc seat may be formed by a ring I1 secured to the body and suflciently thin that the seat offers no substantial obstruction to the flow of material from the bailer.

The closure I6 is releasably held against its seat by a latch mechanism comprising a plurality of circularly arranged individual latch elements in the form of levers I9 pivotally kmounted at 2U intermediate their ends within a ring 2| attached to the body, the ring being interiorly slotted at 22 to receive the levers. Each of the levers is contained within a longitudinal body groove 23, the lower disc engaging ends I9a of the levers projecting inwardly through slots 24 formed in the body. A curved surface sleeve or flange 25 applied to the lower end of the body is provided for the purpose of facilitating passage by the bailer of obstructions that it may encounter in its descent within the Well, when the bailer is used independently of the plug.

Operation of the latch elements I9 is controlled by vertical movement of the tube II with relation to a body carried assembly, generally indicated at 26, that is maintained in frictional contact with the wall of the well and so associated with the latch mechanism that the latter is caused to release the closure disc upon withdrawal movement of the body. Typically, the assembly 26 may comprise a plurality of bowed springs 21 terminally applied to a pair of spaced sleeves 28 and 29 movable longitudinally of the body. For the purpose of permitting maximum flexure of the springs throughout their lengths, and at the same time securely attaching the springs to the sleeves 28 and 29, I may use the type of connections between the parts that is described and shown in detail in the bailer patent referred to above. Further description of these details will be unnecessary to an understanding of the present invention.

The upper ends of the latch levers I9 normally are received within the lower sleeve 29 in the position shown in Fig. 1, and the levers are yieldably held in retaining engagement with the closure I6 by leaf springs 30 attached to the levers and bearing against the bases of body grooves 2.3. The spring and sleeve assembly 26 is releasably locked against downward movement with relation to the body and latch levers I9 by one or more springs 3I depending from and attached to the upper sleeve 28. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1, the lower end of spring 3| is received within the upper grooved end of a segmental keeper 32 secured to the outer surface of the body. It will be understood of course that the lock spring or springs 3I are arranged in circularly spaced and offset positions relative to the bowed springs 21. The lock springs are releasably thrust into the keeper grooves to maintain the spring and sleeve assembly 26 in a predetermined upper position with relation to the body and latch levers, by a coil' spring 33 confined between the upper end. of sleeve 28 and an adjustable nut 34 threaded on the body. In this manner, relative movement between the body and friction spring assembly in a closure releasing direction is prevented until the lock springs 3| have become released from keepers 32, as will presently appear.

Associated with the lower end of the bailer is a plug, generally indicated at 35, which may be of any suitable type and construction, capable of forming a fixed barrier in the well or casing, and adapted to be controlled in its setting operation by upward relative movement of the bailer, as will presently appear. In the typical form illustrated, the plug comprises a body including upper and lower sections 36 and 31 held together by screws 38 and formed of a suitable drillable material or metal such as to render the plug disintegrable by drill bit should it at any time be desired to open the well bore through the plugged section. The plug preferably carries a packer 39 which is shown to be clamped between the body sections 36 and 31 and to comprise a lower disc or annulus 40 having clearance from the well bore or casing 4I and made of a relatively stiff material, such as fabric reinforced belting. The upper layer 42 is made of relatively exible material such as impregnated canvas, and is sufiiciently larger in diameter than the casing bore to assume an inverted cup shape, and thereby effectively seal around the plug against down flow of fluid discharged onto it from the bailer. The stiffer reinforcing layer 40 prevents the more flexible material 42 from turning down under the weight of material above. The plug 35 also carries suitable means for frictionally engaging the casing at least with sufficient tightness to prevent upward movement of the plug with the bailer in the plug setting operation, after release of the closure holding latches. As a convenient means for thus frictionally engaging the casing, I may provide a series of circularly arranged stiff wire bristles 43 which may be mounted on the lower section 31 of the plug in the form of individual brushes 44, the bodies 45 of which are supported by depending leg portions 46 of the plug casting. As best illustrated in Fig. 6, the bodies 45 of the brushes are inserted within vertically extending ways 41 in the plug, the brushes being clamped between the bottoms 46a of the legs 46 and the packer 39 and retained within the Ways by the overlaps at 48.

The plug is provided with suitable radially expansible, normally retracted holding means adapted to be brought into gripping engagement with the casing after the plug is lowered to setting position, by virtue of upward'movement of the bailer. The holding means may comprise a suitable number of circularly spaced pins 43 having pointed ends 49a, and contained within radial bores 50 in the lower body section 31. Each pin 49 normally is held rin radially retracted position by a locking pin 5I, see Fig. 8, inserted from above through bore 52 in the body sections and packer into a crossbore 53 in the pin 49.

Upon removing pin 5I as will shortly appear, the plug holding pin 49 is projected radially into vholding engagement with the casing by a coil spring 54 contained within the inner end of bore 50. to the bailer so as to be withdrawn from the plug as the bailer is elevated, by a simple form of' attchment consisting of wires 55 fastened to .the

. pins and applied to the bottom of the bailer body As illustrated, pins 5I are suitably attached In operation, the bailer with its cement 'or release the bailer body for subsequent upward movement relative to the spring and sleeve assembly. In some situations, as where the charge is to be dumped within a liner of smaller diameter than the casing, the casing size may be such that springs 21 will not havel become contracted sufficiently to release the locksprings 3l, until springs 21 are thrust into the liner,` inwhich event the bailer will descend in the casing with the parts positioned as in Fig. l.

The bailer and plug assembly is lowered to a predetermined .depth at which the plug is to be set and the charge dumped. When this depth is reached, the bailer is elevated to release its bottom closure and to set the plug, the bailer being caused to move upwardly relative to the plug in the plug setting operation, since upward displacement of the plug is resisted by the frictional engagement of brushes 44 with the wall of the casing'. Elevating the bailer body Il from the position of Fig. 1 causes sleeve 29 to cam the latch'levers outwardly to closure releasing positions, see Fig. 2, as the inclined lever surfaces I9b are thrust upwardly within the sleeve. The latter is held against upward movement by reason of the engagement of springs 21 with the casing. After the closure I6 is released,` the bottom outlet I5 'of the bailer is fully opened for the unobstructed discharge of material from the chamber I4 as the bailer is progressively elevated. As illustrated in Fig. 3, upward movement of the body relative to the spring and sleeve assembly 26 is limited by the engagement of stop 60 with the lower sleeve 29. y

. Simultaneously with release of the bailer from its bottom closure, the plug holding pins 49 are caused to be radially projected into engagement with the casing. 'AAs the bailer is raised, pins 5I are withdrawn from bores 53 in the plug holding pins, permitting 'the latter to be thrust outward by coil springs 54 to securely retain the plug in position and enable it to support the bailer chargedeposited on the plug. As will be apparent, slight upward movement of the bailer before the bailer outlet I5 is fully opened, is sufficient to release pins 49, so that the'plug is securely held in position before the bailer material load is placed on it. Thus, in a single operating sequence. and by straight upward movement of the bailer, the plug is set withinY the casing and the bailer outlet opened to deliver the charge directly upon the plug.

I claim: 1. The combination comprising a container for iiowable material adapted to be lowered in a well ,and having a normally closed outlet, a well plug at the bottom end oi said container and adapted to be lowered with and directly ahead of the container, means engageable with the wall of the well for holding the plug therein, said container being upwardly movableA from the plug, and means for opening said outlet so that during'such upward movement of the container said material is discharged directly upon the plug.

2. The combinationcomprislng a container for owable material, adapted tc be lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, a well plug releasably connected to the bottom end of said container and adapted to be lowered with and directly ahead of the container, means engageable with the Wall ofthe well for holding the plug therein, said container being upwardly movable from the plug, and means for opening said outlet lso that during such upward movement of the container said material is discharged directlyl upon the plug. l

3. The'combination iiowable material adapted to be lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, a well plug comprising va container forat the bottom end of said container and adapted to be lowered with and directly ahead of the container, means engageable with the wallI of the well for holding the plug therein, said container being upwardly movable from the plug, and means operable-by virtue of such upwardmovement of the container to open said outlet to discharge said lmaterial from the container upon said plug.

4. The combination comprising a container for flowable material adapted to be lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, a well plug at the bottom end of said container and adapted to be'lowered with and ldirectly ahead of the container, said container being upwardly movable from the plug, means operable by virtue'- of such upward movement of the container for holding said plug in the well, and means for opening said outlet so that as the container is raised from the plug, said material is discharged from the outlet upon the plug. y

5. The combination comprising a container for flowable material adapted to be lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, a well plug at the bottom end of said container and adapted to' be lowered with and directly ahead of the container, said container being upwardly movable from the plug, means operable by. virtue of such upward movement of the container for holding said plug in the well, and Ameans for opening said outlet by upward movement of the container to discharge said material upon the plug.

6. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a Welland having a normally closed outlet,

Aa well plug at the bottom end of the bailer and adapted to be lowered with Yand directly ahead of the bailer, means engageable with the wall of the well for holding the plug therein, said body being upwardly movable from the plug, and means for opening said outlet so that during such upward -movefment of the body, material contained thereinis discharged directly upon the plug.

'1. The combination comprising a'dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, a well plug releasably connected to the bottom end of the bailer and adaptedto be lowered with and directly ahead of the bailer, means engageable with the wall of the well for holding the plug therein, said body being .upwardly movable from the plug, and means for opening said outlet so that during such upward movement of the'body, material contained therein is discharged directly upon the plug. l.

8. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, a weil plug at the bottom end ofthe bailer and adapted to be lowered'with and directly ahead of the bailer, means carried bythe plug and frictionally engaging the wall of the well while the plug is being lowered therein, means engageable with the wall of the well for holding the plug therein, said body being upwardly movable from the plug, and means for opening said outlet so -that during such upward movement of the body,

material contained therein is discharged directly upon the plug.

9. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, a well plug at the bottom end of the bailer and adapted to be lowered with and directly ahead of the bailer, means engageable with the wall of the well for holding the plug therein, said body being upwardly movable from the plug, and a closure for said outlet connected to the plug so that upon upward movement of the body relative thereto, the outlet is opened to discharge material from the body upon the plug.

l0. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end, a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, means for holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that the bailer may be independently raised, and a closure for said outlet adapted to be opened by virtue of upward movement of said body from the plug.

11. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end, a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, means for holding said plug against upward movement in the Well so that the bailer may be independently raised, and a closure for said outlet attached to the plug and adapted to be Vopened by virtue of upward movement of said body from the plug.

12. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end, a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, means for holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that the bailer may beindependently raised, a

closure for said outlet adapted to be opened by virtue of upward movement oi said body from the plug, and means carried by said body for releasably holding said closure in closed position.

13. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end, a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, means for holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that the bailer may be independently raised, and a closure for said outlet attached to the plug. and means carried by said body for releasably holding said closure in closed position, the last mentioned means being releasable and the closure opened by virtue of upward movement of the body relative to the plug.

14. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end,

a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, radially movable and normally retracted means for holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that the bailer may be independently raised, and a closure for said outlet, said'holding means being expanlsible into engagement with the wall of the well and said closure being openen., by virtue of upward movement of the body relative to the plug.

15. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end, a. well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, radially movable and normally retracted means for holding said plug against upward movement in the Well so that the bailer may be independently raised. a closure for said outlet, means normally connected to said body and retaining said holding means in radially retracted position, said retaining means being operable to release the holding means for radial expansion and said closure being opened, by virtue of upward movement of the body relative to the plug.

16. 'I'he combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered i in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end, a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, means for holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that the bailer may be independently I raised, and a disc carried by said plug and normally closing said outlet, said body being movable upwardly from said disc to open the outlet,

17. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in al well and having an outlet at its bottom end, a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, means for holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that the bailer may be independently raised, a disc carried by said plug and normally closing said outlet, and latch means on the body releasably holding the disc in closed position and operable l.to release the disc upon upward movement of the body from the plug.

18. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet'at its bottom end, a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, means carried by the plug and frlctionally engaging the wall of the well during its downward movement therein, means for holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that the bailer may be independently raised, a disc carried by said plugr and normally closing said outlet, and latch means on the body releasably'holding the disc in closed position and operable to release the disc upon upward movement of the body from i the plug.

19. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end, a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, radially expansible and normally retracted means for holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that the bailer may be independently raised, means releasable by upward movement of the body relative to the plug for retaining said holding means in retracted position, a disc carried by said plug and normally closing said outlet, and latch means on the body releasably holding the disc in closed position and operable to release the disc upon upward movement of the body from the plug.

20. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular body adapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end,

a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, radially projecting bristies carried by the plug and frictionally engaging the Wall of the well during its downward movement, therein, means for holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that the bailer may be independently raised, and a closure for said outlet adapted to be opened by virtue of upward movement of said body from the plug.

CLARENCE R. DALE.

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