US2199693A - Well reamer - Google Patents

Description

May 7, 1940- A. c. cA'rLAND 2,199,693

WELL REAMER Filed Nov. 18, 1938 IE: E.

37 67 l `5 a 27 30 J N24 I www 9725* .Hf/avoria- Patented May 7, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE WELL REAMER Application November 18, 1938, Serial No. 241,205

9 Claims.

a reamer of the character mentioned in which the reaming cutters and their mounting elements l may be easily and quickly secured in place on the reamer body and removed for replacement by unskilled workmen and with simple, conventional tools.

Another object of this invention is to provide a Well reamer of the character mentioned in which the blocks for carrying the cutter pins are dependably secured tc the reamer body by simple, positive means that prevent the hammering and battering of the blocks against the reamer body. i0 A further object of this invention is to provide a well reamer of the character mentioned emlbodying novel means for vsecuring and locking the supporting blocks to the reamer body. Y

The various objects and features of my inven- 95 tion will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical .preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the acfco-mpanying drawing, in which:

Fig. lis a side elevation of the improved reamer of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal detailed sectional View illustrating one of the cutter units and its mounting means showingthe pin and screws in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a .fragmentary longitudinal detailed sectionalview taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is ai fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the manner in which the lock pin is held in place, and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 `illustrating another manner of locking the screw in place.

The rotary well reamer of the present invention may be said to comprise, generally, a shank or body I0, a plurality of reaming cutter units I and means I2 for securing the cutter units II to the body. v

The reamer body I0 is an elongate member -intended to be connected in a rotary well drilling string. 'Ihe body ID is provided at its opposite ends with suitable means for facilitating its connection inthe drilling string. In the particular construction illustrated a tapered screw threaded pin I3 is provided on the upper end of the body Ill and a tapered threaded socket I4 is formed in the lower end of the body I0. A central longitudinal fluid passage I5 rextends through the body Il) from one end to the other to handle the circulation fluid. The body I0 may be provided with series of grooves dening annular wickers I6 adapted to be engaged by grappling tools.

The intermediate part lI'I of the body I0 is generally triangular in cross section while the en d portions of the body may be cylindrical. 'I'he vertical corners or apices of the triangular body part I'I are rounded off and a vertical or longi- 10 tudinal recess I8 is provided in each of these corners. The recesses |8 are spaced between the upper and lower ends of the triangular part I'I and their upper and lower Walls are preferably flat and substantially horizontal. v The inner 15 walls of the recesses I8 are concave and in practice may be cylindrically curved, as illustrated. Vertically aligned horizontal sockets I9 are provided in the triangular body part I'I at the upper and lower ends oi the recesses I8. The sockets 20 IS are preferably in the. nature of cylindrical bores extending radially into the triangular part I'I and having their longitudinal axes transverse of the longitudinal axes of the recesses I8. In accordance with the invention the bottoms or 25 inner walls 2,0 of the sockets I9 are concave and conical. The sockets I9 join or communicate with the adjacent recesses` I8.- Thusthe sockets I9 above the recesses I8 have their lower portions in communication with the recesses I8 and the 3|)`r sockets I9 below the recesses I8 khave their upper portions joining the recesses. The sockets I9 are provided toreceive parts of the means I2 asl will be hereinafter'l described.

Each cutter unit I embodies a rotatable ream- 35I ing cutter 2|. Where the reamer body l0 has three recesses. I8, as4 above described, there are three cutter units and a cutter 2| is disposed in each recess. The cutters 2| are in the nature of elongate roller reaming cutters designed to 40V rotate about their longitudinal axes. The reaming cutters 2| are generally, cylindrical in shape and their lower portions .are -frusto-conical or tapered downwardly and inwardly.y The upper corners of the `cutters 2| may-be bevelled olf. 45 Peripheral or external cutting teeth 22 are-providedv on the cutters 2|. The-cuttingteeth 22 may be of any selected or preferred design. lIn the typical case illustrated the teeth 22 are in the nature of bevelled or sharpened ridges ex. ,50 tending longitudinally of the cutters-2| The tee-th 22 maybe straight and axial and may eX- tend between the opposite end portions of the cutters 2|. It is to be understood that the cutting teeth 22 of the cutters 2| may be pitched or 55 `V inclined, if desired. A central longitudinal opening 23 extends through each cutter 2|. The openings 23 are cylindrical and of uniform diameter except for enlargements or sockets 24 formed in the upper end portions of the cutters 2|. The opposite ends of the cutters 2| may be flat and the cutters are proportioned so that their ends are spaced from the end walls of the recesses I8.

The cutter units I further include cutter carrying pins 25. The pins 25 extend longitudinally through the cutter openings 23 and are suiii ciently long to project beyond the upper and lower ends of the cutters. The openings 23 receive the pins 25 with suitable clearance. Each pin 25 has spaced annular grooves 23. In the construction illustrated there are two spaced grooves 26 in each cutter pin 25. The grooves 26 are located to be within the c-utter openings 23 and are preferably of substantial vertical extent or length. An annular ball race 2l is provided in each cutter supporting pin 25. The races 2 are spaced above the uppermost grooves 23 and are located to have their medial, horizontal or transverse planes coincident with the bottoms of the sockets 24 in the cutters 2| The races 21 are of substantial depth having a transverse or vertical curvature of substantially Annular blocks or rings 28 are secured in the sockets 24. The rings 28 receive or pass the pins 25 with suitable clearance and bear inwardly or downwardly against the bottom walls of the sockets 24. In the preferred construction the rings 23 are integrally joined with the cutters 2|. Welding 29 at the upper ends of the rings 28 integrally joins the rings with the cutters 2|. Annular ball races 3|] are provided to oppose the races 2l. The races 30 are partly formed in the cutters 2| and partly formed in the rings 23. There are joining grooves provided in the bottoms of the sockets 24, where the sockets join the openings 23, and in the inner lower corners of the rings 28 which grooves constitute the races 39. The arc of transverse curvature of the races 30 is substantially 180.

The cutter units further include anti-friction bearing elements supporting the cutters 2| for free rotation on the pins 25. Rows of balls 3| occupy the registering or opposing races 2l and 30. The balls 3| of course assist in the transmission of radial loads and thrusts between `the cutters 2| and their pins 25. The balls 3| co" operating with the deep races 21 and 39 are operable to transmit both upward and downward axial thrusts between the cutters 2| and the pins 25 and operate to eiiectively hold the cutters against endwise movement in both directions. Series of roller bearings 32 cooperate with the walls of the openings 23 and with the inner walls of the grooves 29 to transmit radial thrusts and loads between the cutters 2| and the pins 25. The balls 3| and the rollers 32 support the cutters 2| for free rotation on the pins 25.

The anti-friction bearing means described above forms the subject of my application Serial No. 260,973, iled March l0, 1939, as a division of this application.

The means |2 for securing the cutter' units to the body il) are such that the units may be easily and quickly applied to the body and easily removed from the body for replacement. The means l 2 include blocks 33 inserted in the sockets I9. The blocks 33 are cylindrical or circular and accurately fit the sockets I9. The inner ends of the blocks 33 are conical and evenly bear on the conical concave bottom walls 2|) of the sockets I9. The blocks 33 preferably have flat horizontal faces 49 at the upper and lower walls of the recesses i8. Central longitudinal openings 34 extend through the blocks 33. Each block 33 has a radial opening 35 receiving a projecting end portion of a cutter supporting pin 25. The pins 25 accurately or tightly t the openings 35. The pin receiving openings 35 join the longitudinal openings 34 of the blocks 33. Notches 3E are provided in the opposite ends of the pins 25. The notches 35 have cylindric-ally curved walls which are ush with the walls of the longitudinal openings 34. The openings 34 are counterbored or provided at their outer ends with sockets 37. The notches 33 are correspondingly counterbored or enlarged to have portions ush with the walls of the sockets 31. The counterboring or enlarging of the notches 33 provides the notches with outwardly fac-ing shoulders 38.

The means |2 further include screws 39 for securing the blocks 33 to the body l0. The screws 39 are passed inwardly through the openings 34 and their inner portions are threaded in radial sockets 49 in the body l0. The screws 39 are cap screws and have cylindrical heads 4| received in the sockets 3l and the enlarged portions of the notches 36. The heads 4| are entirely received in the sockets 3l and the registering portions of the notches 33. The parts may be related and proportioned so that the inner ends of the screw heads 4| bear inwardly against the shoulders 38. The screws 39 may be tightened down to securely hold the blocks 33 against movement. The engagement of the screws 39 and their heads 4| in 1.-'

the notches 36 dependably holds the pins 25 against longitudinal movement and turning. Wrench receiving sockets 42 are provided in the heads 4| of the screws 39.

Means are provided to lock the screws 39 against unthreading. Horizontal openings or grooves 43 are provided in the triangular body part above and below the recesses 8. Openings 44 are provided in the blocks 33 to register with the grooves 43. The openings 44 are tangential with respect to the sockets 3T. The heads 4| of the attaching screws 39 are provided with longitudinal knurling or teeth 45. Mild steel rods 4S arepassed or driven through the openings 44 to cooperate with the screw heads 4|. The rods 46 engage the teeth 45 and the teeth distort or roughen the rods 4E. The engagement of the rods 46 with the teeth 45 dependably holds the screws 39 against unthreading and prevents loss or displacement of the rods. The opposite end portions of the rods 46 project into the grooves 43 and may be bent over as shown at 48, Fig. 4, to prevent loss or detachment of the rods.

In assembling a cutter unit the rollers 32 are rst inserted in their grooves 26 and are temporarily secured therein by stiff grease or the like. The pin 25 carrying the rollers 32 is then inserted through the opening 23 of the cutter 2|. The balls 3| are entered through the socket 24 to their positions in the race 21 and the part of the race 3|! in the cutter 2|. Following the insertion of the balls 3| the ring 28 is set in the socket 24 and welded to the cutter 2|. The welding 29 may then be ground off. The blocks 33 are arranged on the projecting end portions of the pin 25 and the unit is ready for attachment to the body Hl. The cutter unit .is moved radially inward with respect to the b'ody D to enter the blocks 33 in the sockets I9. When the blocks have been seated in the sockets I9 the screws 39 are passed through the openings 34 and threaded in the sockets 49. The rods 46 are then driven into the openings 43 and 44 to lock the screws 39 against unthreading.

In the operation of the reamer the body l may be connected in a rotary well drilling string and the latter may be operated in the well in the usual manner. When the drilling string is rotated the reaming cutters 2| act on the side Wall of the well to ream the same. The cutter supporting pins 25 are dependably secured to the body lll by the means l2. The cap screws 39 securely retain the blocks 33 in their sockets I9 and cooperate with the notches 36 to hold the pins against axial movement and to prevent turning of the pins 25. The conical inner ends of the blocks 33 cooperating with the conical bottom walls 2li of the sockets I9 assist in preventing hammering and battering of the blocks 33 in the sockets. The conical ends of the blocks 33 and the conical socket walls 29 cooperate to convert the thrusts on the blocks to tensile strains on the screws 39. The screws 39 are of substantial diameter to resist these forces and any elongation of the screws under the tensile strains is merely temporary and the screws return to their normal length when the strains are removed.

Whenl it is desired to replace a cutter unit Il the mild steel rods 46 are removed by driving them from the openings 44 and the screws 39 are unthreaded and removed. With the removal of the screws 39 the cutter unit Il together with the blocks 33 is freed for disconnection from the body l0. It is to be observed that the disconnection of the units from the body may be accomplished by the use of simple, conventional tools and does not require special care.

Fig. of the drawing illustrates another means for locking the screws 39 against unthreading. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 5 the openings 44a in the blocks 33ab are enlarged or counterbored at one end. The counterbored portions of the openings Mab join the sockets 3la in the blocks 33a. Locking rods 46a are inserted in the openings 44a. Heads 5| are provided on the rods 46a and are threaded in the counterbored portions of the openings 44a. Sharp annular shoulders 52 are provided on the rods 46a and are adapted to cooperate with the teeth or knurling 45 of the screw heads 4I. When the heads 5| of the rods ita are threaded in the openings 44a the shoulders 52 engage the teeth or knurling 45 to turn or to tend to turn the screws 39 in the direction to tighten the screws. The heads 5l are preferably provided with sockets for receiving a tool to facilitate the turning and threading of the rods 46a. The plain or inner ends of the rods 46a preferably extend into a groove 43 and may be bent over at 48a to lock the rods 43a against unthreading. It will be apparent how the shoulders 52 of the rods 46e cooperating with the teeth or knurling 45 dependably hold the screws 39 against unthreading.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, 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 body having spaced sockets, a reaming cutter, a pin carrying the cutter and projecting from the opposite ends of the cutter, blocks arranged on the projecting and lateral openings joining the first named openings and receiving the end portions of the pin, and screws passing through said rst named openings and attaching the blocks to the body and cooperating with the pin to hold the pin against rotation.

.3. A well reamer comprising a body having a recess and lateral socket bores at the upper and lower ends of the recess, a cutter in the recess, a pin carrying the cutter and projecting from the upper and lower ends of the cutter, blocks fitted in said bores and having longitudinal openings and having lateral openings joining the longitudinal openings and receiving the end portions of the pin, said pin having notches in its ends, and screws passing through the said longitudinal openings and threaded into the body to attach the blocks to the body and cooperating with said notches to prevent rotation and axialk movement of the pin. v

4. A well reamer comprising a body having a recess and lateral socket bores at the upper and lower ends of the recess, a cutter in the recess, a pin carrying the cutter and projecting from the upper and lower ends of the cutter, blocks tted in said bores and having longitudinal openings and having lateral openings joining the longitudinal openings and receiving the end portions of the pin, said pin having notches in its ends, screws passing through said longitudinal openings and threaded into the body, said screws engaging the notches to hold the pinI against rotation, heads on the screws bearing in the said longitudinal openings to secure the blocks to the body, and removable means cooperating with the said heads to hold the screws yagainst unthreadlng.

5. A well reamer including a body having spaced parallel lateral sockets, the inner walls of the sockets being conical, a cutter, a. pin passing through the cutter to carry the same and projecting from the opposite ends of the cutter, blocks having openings receiving the end portions of the pin, the blocks being insertable in the sockets to mount the cutter pin on the body,

the inner ends of the blocks being conical to engage with the conical inner walls of the sockets, and screws attaching the blocks to the body and urging the b-locks inwardly in the sockets.

6. In a well tool, a body, a cutter supporting pin, and means mounting the pin on the body including blocks on the end portions of the pin, the blocks having openings passing through them and second openings extending in transverse tangential relation to the rst named openings and' cluding blocks on the end portions of the pin, the blocks having openings passing through them and second openings extending in transverse tangential relation to the rst named openings and joining the said first named openings, screws passing through said first named openings and threaded into the body, heads on the screws engaging in said rst named openings to attach the blocks to the body, teeth on said heads, the body having grooves registering with said second openings, and rods in said second openings engaging the said teeth to prevent unthreading of the screws, the rods having end portions bent over in the grooves to prevent displacement of the rods.

8. In a well tool, a body, a cutter supporting pin, and means mounting the pin on the body including blocks on the end portions of the pin, the blocks having openings passing through them and second openings extending in transverse tangential relation to the irst named openings and joining the said first named openings, screws passing through said rst named openings and threaded into the body, heads on the screws engaging in said first named openings to attach the blocks to the body, teeth on said heads, and rods threaded in said second openings and cooperating with the said teeth to prevent unthreading of the screws.

9. In a well tool, a body, a cutter supporting pin, and means mounting the pin on the body including blocks on the end portions of the pin, the blocks having openings passing through them and second openings extending in transverse tangential relation to the first named openings and joining the said first named openings, screws passing through said first named openings and threaded into the body, heads on the screws engaging in said first named openings to attach the blocks to the body, teeth on said heads, rods threaded in said second openings, and shoulders on the rods cooperating with said teeth to hold the screws against unthreading.

ALFRED C. CATLAND.

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