US2264600A - Paraffin scraping and oil saving device - Google Patents

Description

V/ll l /l/ar IIWIIII P. O. WEBB PARAFFIN SCRAPING AND OIL SAVING DEVICE Filed June 22, 1939 Dec. 2, 1941.

3 mm Q, EBB.

PHILIP Patented Dec. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PABAFFIN SCRAPING AND 01L SAVING DEVICE Philip 0. Webb, Ada, Okla, assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Glenn E. Breeding,

Oklahoma City, Okla.

This invention relates to new and useful im-. provements in paraflin scraping and oil saving devices.

One object of the invention is to provide improved means for scraping parafiin and oil from pump or sucker rods as the same are withdrawn from a well tubing, whereby the rods are cleansed, the oil is saved, and soiling of the derrick floor is prevented.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved paraflin scraping and oil saving device having resilient means for frictionally engaging the sucker rods, whereby parafiin and oil are removed therefrom; the resilient means in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a 'parafiin scraping and oil saving device, constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a view, partly inelevation and partly in section, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a similar view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is an isometrical view, showing one of the resilient plungers being retracted and fastened in an inoperative position,

being spring-pressed so as to be urged into and held in constant engagement with said rods.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device, of the character described, wherein a plurality of scraping elements are disposed so as to have their inner ends abut each other and the sucker rods in surrounding relation, the elements being so arranged as to permit lateral or transverse movement of said rods while the same are being withdrawn without disturbing the engagement of said elements with the rods.

An important object of the invention is to provide ,an oil saver and paraflin scraper having improved scraping elements which, due to their resiliency and particular arrangement, readily permit the passage of tool joints therethrough; there being means provided for retracting and holding the elements in an inoperative position, whereby objects of relatively large diameter may be raised or lowered past the inner ends of said elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device, of the character described, wherein the inner end of each scraping element is formed with a plurality of bearing faces, whereby when one surface becomes worn and unfit for further use the element may be rotated so as to present another surface to the sucker rods; the device also having improved resilient means for absorbing a part of the impact or thrust of the upwardly moving rods and for maintaining the elements in their proper position.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing,

Figure 5 is an inverted isometrical view of the resilient reinforcing member, and

Figure 6 is an isometrical view of one of the plungers and its guide rod.

' In the drawing, the numeral I0 designates an upright cylindrical housing or casing having a reduced lower end or shank II which is adapted to be connected to the upper end of a well tubing l2 by a suitable coupling collar l3. Thus, the housing I0 is supported by the tubing l2 and has its bore l4 communicating with the bore of said tubing. A plurality of radial sleeves or ex-. tensions iii are made integral with the central portion of the housing and project outwardly and upwardly therefrom at an angle to the vertical. The inclination of this angle has been shown as substantially 45 degrees; however, it is obvious that an angle of lesser or greater inclination might be employed. The sleeves I5 are tubular and each sleeve has its outer end externally screw-threaded so as to receive an internally screw-threaded closure member or cap l6, while the inner end of each sleeve communicates with the housing bore M.

An annular retaining plate or flange l1, having a plurality of depending stud bolts l8 made integral therewith, is mounted on the upper end of the housing I0 and is connected thereto by having its bolts fastened by suitable nuts l9 to angular brackets 20 which are welded or otherwise secured to the external surface of said housing, as is clearly shown in Figure 2. The plate I1 is of greater diameter than the housing so as to overlie and protect the sleeves l5, said plate also serving as a support for the slips of the usual breakout wrench (not shown). A small, annular lip or flange 2|, having an external diameter of lesser size than the diameter of the bore ll of the housing, depends axially from the plate I! and is adapted to engage within the upper end of said bore as shown in Figure 3. It is pointed out that the central opening of the plate is in axial alinement with the housing bore and that the pump or sucker rod A, which is disposed within the tubing I2, extends therethrough as well as through said housing.

Each sleeve I5 is arranged to receive a cylindrical piston 22 of firm rubber, or other suitable resilient material, which has a diameter substantially equal to the bore of said sleeve, whereby the piston has a snug sliding fit therein. A piston rod or stem 23 is axially disposed within each sleeve and has its outer end. extending through an axial opening formed in the cap l6. An enlarged circular head 24 is formed on the inner end of the stem which is embedded or molded within the resilient piston 22 as shown in Figure 3, whereby said stem and piston are connected together to form a plunger 25. For

holding the inner end of each plunger in en agement with the sucker rod A, a coiled or helical spring 26 is confined within each sleeve l5 between its cap l6 and an annular disk or plate 21 which is carried by the stem 23 and which abuts the outer or upper end of the piston 22. Obviously, the spring 26, being under compression, constantly exerts its pressure to urge the plunger into the bore l4 of the sleeve and into engagement with the sucker rod, which pressure may be readily varied by adjusting the cap IS.

The inner ends of the plungers are adapted to abut each other as well as to engage the rod A, as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2. For accomplishing this joint engagement, the inner end of each piston 22 is provided with a plurality of inclined, radially-disposed faces 28 which taper or extend inwardly toward the free or inner end of said piston as shown in Figure 6. An axial, semi-circular recess 29 is formed in the extremity of the piston so as to bisect and delete the apices of the faces 28, whereby the inner end of said piston has a contour which simulates a pyramidal frustrum. A pair of diametrically opposed, inclined grooves or channels 30, being substantially semi-circular in cross-section, are also provided in the inner end of each piston between the faces 28 in a plane having the same inclination as the planes of said faces.

When the plungers 25 are positioned within their respective sleeves with the springs 26 urging them inwardly, the adjacent faces 28' of the pistons 22 will abut each other, while the grooves 30 will engage and surround the sucker rod A as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Due to the inclination of the sleeves and the plungers, only the uppermost faces will abut each other and only the uppermost grooves will engage the rod A. Of course, the lowermost faces and grooves will be spaced from each other, as is clearly shown in Figure 3. It is pointed out that the axial recesses 29 permit the pistons to engage each other and the sucker rod. It is also pointed out that when the uppermost faces and grooves become worn or otherwise unfit for further use, the plungers may be rotated 180 degrees so that the lowermost faces and grooves may be put into use.

A short, cylindrical collar or sleeve 3|, having an external diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the housing bore I4, is disposed within the upper end of said bore between the depending boss or lip 2| of the plate H and the pistons 22 of the plungers 25 as shown in Figure 3. Although the collar 3| may be constructed of any suitable resilient material, it is preferable to form the same of rubber, whereby said collar will absorb a part of the impact or thrust exerted upon the plungers by the withdrawal of the sucker rods from the tubing. The lower end of the resilient collar is provided with a plurality of spaced arcuate recesses 32 (Figure 5) which have their walls bevelled or inclined inwardly and downwardly at the same inclination as the pistons, whereby the contour of the recesses conform to or complement the upper surfaces of said pistons. It is noted that the depending ears or portions of the collar, which space apart the recesses 32, have their extremities bevelled off as shown at 33 so that they will not interfere with the pistons in their lateral movement.

A short pipe 34 is welded or otherwise secured to the external surface of the housing l0 immediately above its reduced lower end II and communicates with the bore [4 of said housin through a discharge port or opening 35. The pipe is inclined downwardly and may be connected to a suitable conductor (not shown) for discharging and conveying away a portion of the paraffin and oil scraped from the sucker rod A by the grooves 30 of the pistons 22.

In order to facilitate the installation of the device, the outer extremity of the stem 23 of each plunger 25 is formed with an annular groove or recess 36 which is adapted to be engaged by a suitable tool 31, whereby said plunger may be retracted or pulled outwardly as shown in Figure 4. A pair of spaced diametrically extending openings 38 are formed in the intermediate portion of each stem 23 and one or either of the openings is arranged to receive a pin 39 so as to hold each plunger in its retracted or inoperative position and prevent inward movement thereof. A pin 39 is connected to the cap I6 of each sleeve l5 by a chain 40 and bracket 4| and, normally, when not in use, depends therefrom, as is clearly shown in Figure 2. Of course, the innermost openings 33 of the stems 23 are provided for the purpose of maintaining the plungers 25 fully retracted, while the outer openings co-act with the pins 39 to maintain said plungers in a partially retracted position. It is noted that the particular opening engaged by the pin depends upon the clearance or space required in the bore l4 of the housing.

In operation, the hereinbefore described paraffin scraper and oil saver with its plungers fully retracted, is mounted on the uper end of a tubing string from which the sucker rods are to be removed or it may have the reduced shank H of its housing screw-threaded into a polish rod stuffing box (not shown) after the packing gland has been removed. When the uppermost sucker rod has been withdrawn past or even with the lower ends of the plungers 25, the pins 39 are removed from the outer openings 38 of the stems 23 so as to permit the springs 26 to move said plungers inwardly into rod-engaging position. In this position, the upper grooves 30 of the pistons 22 will surround a portion of the sucker rod and the upper inclined faces 28 of said pistons will engage each other, as is clearly shown in Figure 1. As the rods are drawn upwardly, paraffin and oil will be scraped or removed from the external surface of said rods by the grooves 30. When a joint is encountered, the plungers will move upwardly and outwardly against the pressure of the helical springs which will return said plungers to their original position after the joint has passed by. Although the passage of a joint will slightly distort the pistons vertically, undue distortion of said pistons is prevented by the resilient collar II which is held in position depending lip 2| of the plate l'l.

It is noted that the sucker rods may be withdrawn at an angle to the vertical axis of the housing and that said rods may whip r swing back and forth within said housing so as to move the plungers outwardly within their sleeves. A portion of the impact or thrust exerted upon the plungers by the rods is absorbed by the collar 3| which also tends to maintain the pistons of said plungers in their operable position. It is also noted that due to the abutting faces 28 of the pistons, the same tend to reinforce or brace each other and prevent displacement or distortion thereof. As has been hereinbefore set forth, the flat upper surface of the annular plate l'l serves as a convenient support for the tools (not shown) which prevent the string of sucker rods from roby the tating when a section is being disconnected. It

is further noted that the plungers may be withdrawn and held in their partially retracted position so as to permit the passage of the usual rod protectors (not shown) and then returned to their normal position. Also, in the event sucker rods of a greater diameter than the conventional rods are being removed, it is possible to use this device with the plungers in their partially retracted position without impairing the efliciency of their operation.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A paraflin scraping and oil saving device for a longitudinally movable well rod including, a housing, elastic means yieldably mounted in the housing for engaging and surrounding the rod, and elastic means entirely within the housing immediately above the first-named elastic means and cooperating therewith for maintaining the first-named elastic means in position and preventing undue distortion of the same upon a longitudinal movement of the rod in the direction of said last named elastic means.

2. A paraflin scraping and oil saving device for a well rod including, a housing, inclined resilient means within the housing for engaging and surrounding the rod, yieldable means within said housing for urging the inclined means into engagement with said rod, and resilient means in the housing above said inclined means for yieldably maintaining the same in position and for preventing undue distortion of the same.

3. A paraflin scraping and oil saving device including, a housing having a bore through which a longitudinal element extends, a plurality of angularly disposed pistons having their inner ends extending into the bore of the housing and adapted to engage around the element and free to move in all directions, and resilient means within said housing for yieldably holding said pistons in yieldable engagement with said element, whereby as the element is pulled through the housing, said pistons strip extraneous matter from the surface of said element, the inner ends of the pistons also abutting each other so as to tend to reinforce and aline each other around the element.

4. A paraflin scraping and oil saving device including, a housing having a bore through which a longitudinal element extends, a plurality of pulled through the housing, said pistons strip extraneous matter from the surface of said element.

5. A paraflln scraping and oil saving device including, a housing through which a longitudinal element extends, a plurality of radially-disposed cylinders having their inner ends communicating with the interior of the housing, a resilient member movably mounted within each cylinder, the members having their inner ends adapted'to' engage around the element, resilient means for yieldably holding said members in engagement with said element, whereby as the element is pulled through the'housing, said members strip extraneous matter from the surface of said element, and resilient means within said housing above said members for maintaining the members in position and for preventing undue distortion of the same.

6. A paraflin scraping and oil saving device including, a housing through which a longitudinal element extends, a plurality of radially-disposed members having their inner ends adapted to engage around the element, means for yieldably holding said members in engagement with said element, whereby as the element is pulled through the housing, said members strip extraneous matter from the surface of said element, the members being automatically retractible in order to by-pass couplings, and a resilient tubular sleeve disposed within the housing above the members so as to engage the upper surfaces thereof for maintaining said members in their proper position and for absorbing a part of the upward thrust of the longitudinal element.

7. A paraflin scraping. and oil saving device for a longitudinally movable well rod including, a housing having a bore through which the rod extends, a plurality of angularly disposed elastic pistons in the housing having their inner ends extending into the bore of the housing and adapted to engage around said rod, said pistons having their inner ends free to move vertically and laterally and provided with tapered surfaces for abutting each other, whereby said pistons reinforce and aline each other around the rod, the inner ends of the piston having inclined grooves for engaging said rod, and co-acting to completely surround the rod and strip extraneous matter from the surface thereof, the pistons being yieldably mounted in the housing and inclined for readily accommodating transverse movement of said rod and the passage of enlarged portions therethrough.

8. As a sub-combination claim in a paraflin scraping and oil saving device for elongate well elements, a cylindrical elastic piston having one end reduced, said end being provided with flattened angularly related faces and grooves disposed so that after a face and groove become worn the piston may be turned to bring an unworn face and groove into operative position.

9. A paraflin scraping and oil saving device including, a housing through which a longitudinal element extends, a plurality of inclined resilient members radially-disposed within the housing having their inner ends adapted to yieldably engage around the element, whereby the members strip extraneous matter from the surface of said ing having their inner ends adapted to yieldabiy engage around the element, whereby the members strip extraneous matter from the surface of said element when the latter is pulled through said housing, and a resilient cylindrical sleeve disposed within the housing above said members, the sleeve having recesses formed in its lower end for receiving the upper portions of the members for maintaining the same in their proper position and for absorbing a part of the upward thrust of the longitudinal element.

11. A piston for an oil saver and paraflfin scraper, said piston comprising a cylindrical body having one end elastic and provided with a central recess and tapered faces radiating from said recess, a pair of the opposite races being provided each with a groove extending from said recess, whereby said piston may be disposed with one of its grooves in working engagement with a well element and the other groove out of such engagement, so that when the engaged groove becomes worn the piston may be turned to present the other groove to the well element.

PHILIU? O. WEBB.

Images