US2387682A - Rotary jar and safety joint - Google Patents

Description

(36h23, 1945. .1 Q RlCHEY l 2,387,682

ROTARY JAB AND SAFETY JOINT Filed Sept, 1. 1942 Patented Oct. 23, 1945 `UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

A2,387,682 ROTARY JAR AND SAFETY JOINT A James G. Richey, Alhambra, Calif. `Application September 1, 1942, Serial No. 456,876

(Cl. Z55- 27 2 Claims.

My invention relates generally to oil well tools and appliances, and, more particularly, to a combined jar 'and safety joint, and my present invention 'is an improvement on the oil and tool vibrator patentedby me November 3,1931, Patent Number 1.829.758, and the combined safety `joint and jar, forming the subject matter of my copending application for United States Letters Patent led November 22, 1939, Serial Number 305,636 and which resulted in Patent N0. 2,326,394, issued August 10, 1943.

The principal objects of my present invention are to generally improve upon the construction of oilwell tool vibrators or jarsV disclosed in my aforesaid patent and patent application, as well as other existing forms of similar tools, by providing same with simple and eicient means which functions as an added safetyjoint to prevent the sleeve or bowl portion of the tool from un-screwing from the threaded mandrel as the result oflthe weight of said sleeve, and the tool carriedthereby, when the drill string and tool are elevated so as to -withdraw the tool from the wellhole.

`It `will be understoodthat in my improved jar or vibrator a mandrel, which is connected to the lower end of the drill string and the mandrel in closing sleeve or bowl which carries the drill or other'tool, are provided with interrupted threads which cooperate as the drill string is rotated to impart jarring blows to the tool in the eventthat the same becomes stuck or lodged in the formation at the lower end of the well hole and which jarring action is generally eiTective in loosening the drill or other implement so that the same may continue to perform its intended functions. j

It sometimes happens that in pulling the drill strlng'from the well hole, the threads on the tool carrying sleeve run 01T the threads on the mandrel which action is due to the weight of the sleeve and tool carried thereby while the drill stringisbeing elevated Vin the hole, and it is one of the objects of my invention to provide a safety joint connection including lugs onthe mandrel which engage in grooves and pockets in the sleeve forfelectually preventing the sleeve from running off the mandrel.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will beihereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which I Fig. 1 is a vertical section talren lengthwise through the centerof `my improved safety joint and jarand showing the tool made up for drilling. f

Fig. 2 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 1, and showing the parts of the tool in position while imparting jarring vibration or jarring 'blows to the drill or other tool.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section of a portion of the sleeveorbowl `and showing the grooves and pockets o f the safety joint therein.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal-section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5-`5 of Fig. A3.

Fig. 6 isa horizontalsectiontaken` on the line E`6 of Fig. 3. i o

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical" section showing'an over-runing clutch between thev sleeve and mandrel and-also showing the shoulder on the mandrel for engaging the end of one of the threads on the sleeve to provide a driving connection between said'sleeve and mandrel.

Fig. 8 is an enlargedhorizontal section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7 and looking downwardly. 1

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a cross s lil-I0 of Fig. 2.

Referring `by numerals to the accompanying ction taken on the line drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention, I 0 designates the lowermost portion of the lower member of the` drill string which lower portion is internally threaded for the receptionof the external threaded pin or plug portion II, which is formed on the upper end of a mandrel I2. This mandrel isaxially arranged within a sleeve comprising an upper tubularmember I3, the lower'end of the latter being screw seated on the upper end of a lower sleeve member I4, and the lower end vof said member is internally threaded for the reception of the threaded upper end of a sub I6 to which the drill or other well tool is detachably connected. Formed on the upperportion of the mandrel just below the threaded pin II is a shoulder I'I, which when thetool is made up for drilling purposesfbears `directly against the upper end `of the upper sleeve member I3, and seated in grooves I8, that are formed in the mandrel below shoulder I'I, are conventional packing rings I9 which provide a uid pressure tight joint between the mandrel and the upper portion of upper sleeve member I3.

`Ashort portionof the mandrel. :lust below the up for drilling lower groove I8, has the same external diameter as the internal diameter of sleeve member I3, thus providing a substantial bearing 20 between the upper portion of the mandrel and upper member I3 and that portion 2I of the mandrel below bearing 20 is slightly reduced in diameter with respect to the internal diameter of sleeve member I3. The lower end of this portion 2i; of the mandrel terminates in a shoulder 22, which when thetool is made up for drilling purposes, rests directly on top of the lower sleeve member I4, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

A short portion 23 of the mandrel, immediately below shoulder 22, is reduced in diameter with ,respect to the portion 2|, and the lower end of this reduced portion 23 is provided with a vertically disposed shoulder 24 that is adapted to engage the upper .end of the upper one of the internal threads which are formed within lower sleeve member I4 and which engagement provides a driving connection between the mandrel and sleeve during drilling operations.

Formed in the periphery of the portion 23 of the mandrel is a series of pockets 25, the bottom surfaces of which are correspondingly inclined circumferentially and arranged to roll lengthwise of these pockets, are balls 26, which arenormally pressed toward the shallow portions of the pockets by expansive coil springs 21, thus providing a conventional over-running brake or clutch between the intermediate portion of the mandrel and the upper portion of lower sleeve member I4, and which brake is eective in locking the mandrel and sleeve to each other While the tool is made up for drilling purposes, and while being raised and lowered in the well hole. This overrunning clutch is fully described and claimed in my co-pending application, Serial Number 305,636. f

That portion of the mandrel below the portion 23, and which is designated by the numeral 28, is reduced in diameter with respect tothe portion 23, and said reduced lower portion extends downward through the lower sleeve portion I4 and into the upper portion of the sub I6.

Extending axially through the mandrel is a bore 29 which enables uid to be circulated through the tool and to provide la fluid pressure tight joint between the lower portion of the mandrel and the lower sleeve member I4, packing rings 30 are arranged between sleeve member I4 and the lower` portion of the mandrel and vwhich packing rings are retained in position by a nut 3 I.

Formed on the upper portion of the lower member 28 of the mandrel is a plurality of interrupted threads 32 which engage corresponding interrupted threads 33 that are formed within lower sleeve member I4 and the upper end of the uppermost one of these threads is adapted to engage shoulder 24 on the mandrel when the tool is made (see Figs. l and '1). Formed on mandrel portion 28, below the threads 32 is a plurality of interrupted threads 34, which are adapted to engage corresponding internal threads 35 formed within lowersleeve member I4, and the upper 'one of these internal threads 35 is spaced apart a distance of one thread from the lower one of the internal threads 33. The gaps between the ends of the thread sections 32 and 34 are disposed 180 degrees apart and likewise, the gaps between thread sections 33 and 35 are disposed 18() degrees apart. Y

The safety joint which prevents the sleeve and tool carried thereby from running off the mandrel senese Y while the drill string is being raised or lowered in the well hole is illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive, and this joint includes a circumferential flange 36 which is formed on the inner surface of the wall or upper sleeve member I3 and at diametrically opposite points, portions of this flange 36 are cut away to form openings 31, see Figs. 3, 5 and 6.

K Formed on the inner surface of sleeve member I3, a short distance above flange 36, is a flange 38 and at diametrically opposite points, portions of this flange 36 are removed to form openings 39. The vertical planes on which the openings 31 and 39 are formed are disposed ninety degrees apart. The lower circumferential portions of the flange 38 between the openings 39 and above the openings 31 inflange 36, are cut away slight distances inwardly'from said opening 39 so as to provide arcuate pockets 40 on the undersides of said flange 3B with vertically disposed shoulders 40a at the ends of said pockets. See Fig-.3.

Formed on the lower portion of mandrel member 2| at diametrically opposite points are lugs 4I which are adapted to pass through openings 31 in flange 36 and to occupy the lower portions of the pockets 40, also the channel or space which connects the lowerportions of said pockets and which extends between the iianges 36 and 38 below the openings 39.

When my improved tool is made up for drilling, or while bein-g run into, or withdrawn from the well holes, the parts of'said tool may occupy the positions as illustrated in Fig. 1 with shoulder 24 bearing against the upper end of the upper one of the internal threads 33, with the upper end of lower sleeve member I4 i bearing against shoulder 22 on the mandrel with the upper end of upper sleeve member I3 bearing against shoulder I1 and with the balls 26, positioned in the shallow portions of the recesses 25, so as to provide a locking engagement between the mandrel and sleeve. Under these conditions, the threads 32 and 34 on the mandrelare positioned beneath the ` threads 33 and 35 `on the sleeve.

No claim is made in this application to the means just described for imparting jarring movement to the tool carrying sub I6, as such means is practically the same in structure and functions, as the jarring means illustrated 'and described in my above identied issued patents.

Thus, in effect, the tool is practically a one piece structure, and rotary motion of the drill string will be imparted through the tool to the drill, cr other tool, that is connected to the lower end of the sleeve.

In the event that the drill or tool connected to the lower end of the sleeve becomes stuck, and it is desired to impart vibration or jar thereto, in order to effect its release, the drill string ,is rst rotated anti-clockwise, or, toward the left, a sufficient distance to break the connection between the over-running brake with the lower portion I4 of the sleeve, and the drill string to which the mandrel is connected, is now drawn upwardly a short distance, until the balls 26 ,of the clutch are out of engagement with the upper portion of lower sleeve member I4, thus, positioning the parts as illustrated in Fig. 2. `Theldrill string and mandrel .are now rotated clockwise, or toward the right hand, and during such rotation, the drill string is put under upward stresses so that the threads 32 and 34 on the mandrel will bear against the underfaces of the threads33 and 35 on the sleeve, consequently drawing the mandrel down the distance equal to the pitch of the threads and when the threads on the mandrel run oif the threads on the sleeve, the mandrel will be drawn upward with a sudden movement due to the upward stresses impressed upon the drill string, with the result that sharp vibration or jarring blows will be imparted to the sleeve tending to move the same upward and withdraw the drill, or other tool that is stuck in the formation.

To impart downward vibration or jar to the drill or other tool at the lower end of the string, the latter is rotated toward the left hand without upward stresses and as the co-operating threads run olf each other, the weight of the entire drill string will force the mandrel downward so that the underfaces of the threads on said mandrel will strike against `the upper faces of the threads on the lower sleeve member I4, thereby imparting downward blows to said sleeve and to the drill, or tool connected thereto.

In the event that the weight of the sleeve and tool carried thereby, should overcome` the binding action of the over-running brake and run olf the threads 33 and 35 on the mandrel while the drill string is being raised or lowered in the well hole, the sleeve after running oif the threads 33 and 35 will drop until ange 36 on the bowl strikes and comes to rest upon lugs 4l.

As a result of this engagement, the sleeve will be carried upward or downward with the drill string and mandrel.

Should sleeve lll rotate so as to bring openings 3l into position above lugs 4l then said sleeve will drop and lugs 4l afterpassing through openings 31 will passupward into pockets 40 and strike against the under faces of flanges 38 between shoulders a, thereby arresting further downward movement of the sleeve.

Should the sleeve rotate while lugs 4| are in the pockets 4G, such rotation will be limited as said lugs engage the shoulders 40a at the ends of said pockets, thus preventing detachment of the sleeve from the mandrel.

Should the sleeve frictionally contact the formation around the well hole and stop momentarily while the drill string is being lowered with the lugs on the downwardly moving mandrel positioned in the pockets 40, said lugs will travel downward until they strike against the upper face of flange 36 and thus cause sleeve to travel downwardly with the mandrel and drill string.

Should jarring operations fail to release the tool which is stuck and it becomes necessary to leave same in the well hole, then drill string is manipulated so as to cause lugs 4l to pass through openings 31 into pockets 40 and the mandrel is now lowered slightly and rotated to position notches 39 in upper ange 38, directly above the lugs 4I, thereby enabling said lugs to pass through said notches 39 as the mandrel is drawn upward (see dotted lines and arrows in Fig. 3).

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an oil well tool safety joint and jar, which is of simple structure, inexpensive of manufacture and very effective in performing the functions for which it is intended.

Minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved safety joint and jar may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a safety joint, the combination with a rotatively associated sleeve and mandrel having means for limiting relative longitudinal movement in one direction and said mandrel having a lug, of a pair of spaced internal circumferential flanges on said sleeve, a portion of the lower iiange being cut away to form an opening, a portion of the upper flange being cut away to form an opening oifset from the opening in the lower flange, the lower portion of the upper vflange being cut away circumferentially to provide a pocket, the ends of which terminate adjacent the opening in said upper flange and the distance from the top of said pocket to top of the lower flange being substantially greater than the height of said lug.

2'. In a safety joint, the combination with a rotatively associated sleeve and mandrel having means for limiting relative longitudinal movement in one direction and said mandrel having a lug, of a pair of spaced internal circumferential 40 flanges on said sleeve, a portion of the lower flange being cut away to form an opening to permit the passage of said lug, a portion of the upper iiange being cut away to form an opening for the passage of said lug, said openings being offset circumferentially relative to each other, lugs depending from the upper ange adjacent the opening therein, which lugs provide stops for limiting the movement of said lug circumferentially while in engagement with the underface of said upper ilange, the distance between the underface of the flange and the upper face of the lower liange being substantiallygreater than the height of the lug on said mandrel and the distance between the lower faces of the lugs on said upper flange and the upper face of the lower ange, being slightly greater tlnan the height of the lug on said mandrel.

JAMES G. RICHEY.

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