US2390601A

US2390601A - Blowout seal for well drilling rotaries

Info

Publication number: US2390601A
Application number: US500167A
Authority: US
Inventors: August R Maier
Original assignee: Oil Well Supply Co
Current assignee: Oil Well Supply Co
Priority date: 1943-08-26
Filing date: 1943-08-26
Publication date: 1945-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 1962-12-11

Description

Dec. 11, 1945.

BLOW OUT SEAL FOR WELL DRILLING ROTARIES A. R. MIAIER 2,390,601

Q vi l 2 LL INVENTOR.

406057 ,9 MQ/EE,

Patented Dec. 11, 1945 August R. Maier, Oil City, Pa., assignor to Oil Well Supply Company, a. corporation of New Jersey Application August 26, 1943, serial No. 500,167

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in blow out seals for well drilling rotaries.

As disclosed in the prior patent to S. C. Fletinghofl et al., No. 2,275,895, dated March 10, 1942, sealing means have been provided at the bottom of a well drilling rotary to prevent the ingress of foreign matter between the rotating and stationary parts which would contaminate the lubricating system of and injure the rotary. While the labyrinth seal of saidpatent is adequate under many operating conditions, it has been found inadequate in the case of severe blow outs.

The blow out hazard is present when drilling ing the rotary lubricating system eventually ruins the rotary mechanism. 7

It is the prime object of my invention to provide a positive blow out seal for a well drilling rotary which may be easily and readily applied, and which will be actuated by the force of th blow out itself to effect such a, seal.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein: i

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly insection, showing my invention applied to a wel1 drilling rotary; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Fig. 1, particularly showing the blow out seal.

In the drawing, the rotary includes a base 2 and a table 3 rotatably supported thereon in the usual manner, said table being driven bysuitable gearing including a pinion t on a shaft 5. The inner wall 6 of the base 2 has a depending flange I carrying the hold-down bearing 8 for the downwardly extending annularportion 9 of the table 3.

Secured to the lower end of the rotatable table forming a labyrinth seal l3,v but the same does notavoidthe necessity for an outer annular cleanance opening It through which fluid under pressure may enter the rotary and mix with the oil flowing in the base 2 thereof.

' To seal this opening, I provide an annular skirt i5 upon the hold-down ring ill depending below and adjacent said opening i4, having its outer face recessed to contain a flexible sealing ring it of rubber or the like. The sealing ring It extends laterally beneath and beyond the opening i4, and in close proximity to but normally out of contact with the under surface of a portion of the stationary structure of the rotary base, such as the retainer ring i2. The latter preferably has a smooth machined annular face portion I! formed thereon to minimize the wear upon ring it when in contact therewith.

In operation, and in the event of a blow out in the well, the upwardly rushing gas and foreign matter which would be directed toward opening it, strikes the flexible sealing ring l6 and dethe blow out, and which is effective under all conditions of operation. My improved seal has the added advantage of being readily applicable to existing rotaries by welding or attaching the flange l5 and applying ring l6 thereto.

Various changes and modifications are contemplated within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a well drilling rotary including a rotatable table and a stationary base, a blow out seal therefor including a flexible sealing ring secured to the lower portion of the table structure and extending laterally beneath and beyond the Joint between said table structure and an adjacent portion of the stationary base in proximity to the latter, said sealing ring being normally out of contact with said. portion of the base and actuated by the force of the blow out into sealing contact with said base portion, and said sealing ring having a tapered cross-section terminating in a pezipheral slinging lip.

2. In a well drilling rotary including a rotatable table and a stationary base, va blow out seal therefor including a flexible sealing ring secured to the lower portion of the table structure and extending laterally beneath and beyond the joint between said table structure and an adjacent portion of the stationary base in proximity to the latter, said sealing ring being normally out of contact with said portion of the base and actuated by the force of the blow out into sealing contact with said base portion said sealing ring having an outer peripheral edge portion comprising a slinging lip for discharge of fluid therefrom during rotation of the table.

AUGUST R. MAIER.