US2539584A

US2539584A - Well drilling rig

Info

Publication number: US2539584A
Application number: US664846A
Authority: US
Inventors: August R Maier
Original assignee: Oil Well Supply Co
Current assignee: Oil Well Supply Co
Priority date: 1946-04-25
Filing date: 1946-04-25
Publication date: 1951-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 1968-01-30

Description

Jan. 30, 1951 R v 2,539,584

WELL DRILLING RIG Filed April 25, 1946 4 Shee ats-Sheet 1 I I Jig. Z.

80 YI INVENTOR.

I 5111905173 Mei/er 1/15 ATTORNEY Jan. 30, 1951 Filed April 25, 1946 A. R. MAIER 2,539,584

WELL DRILLING RIG 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR. flugus/fi. fla/er' *bmzwwh l/AS ATTORNEY Jan. 30, 1951 A. R. MAIER WELL DRILLING RIG 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 25, 1946 INVENIZOR.

Augusf R. Na/er BY Jan. 30, 1951 A. R. MAIER 2,539,584

WELL DRILLING RIG Filed April 25, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jig. 7.

a l 5 60" f IN V EN TOR.

fit/gust ff. Na/er bm a l Patented Jan. 30, 1951 WELL DRILLING RIG August R. Maier, Oil City, Pa., assignor to Oil Well Supply Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application April 25, 1948, Serial No. 664,846

'8 Claims.

This invention relates to a well drilling rig of the rotary drilling type and more particularly to a multiple engine drive for such rig.

The invention has among its objects the provision of a well drilling rig with a, multiple engine drive, such drive being characterized by its simplicity, its compact arrangement, and its flexibility of operation and control.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a multiple engine drive employing a small number of shiftable clutches and selectively operable couplings, but yet allowing the driving of the slush pump, the drawworks, and the rotary selectively together or singly by one or both engines.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a multiple engine drive for a well drilling rig, in which compounding may be ef-' fected between engines while requiring the power take off shaft or extension shaft of each engine to transmit the torque from only one engine.

These and further objects of the invention will be more readily apparent in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

' In the preferred embodiment described and illustrated a drive employing two engines is disclosed. It will be understood, however, that the invention may also be employed, the space available and operating conditions permitting, with any number of engines more than two merely by multiplying the number of engines similar to that which is denoted the pump engine and their connection to the compounding means, which in the preferred embodiment is the sleeve on .the extension shaft of the engine denoted the hoist engine.

In a multiple engine drive, of which the dual engine drive disclosed is typical, for driving the drawworks, the slush pump, and if desired, the rotary of a drilling rig, it is desirable to have the assembly completely unitized and of compact construction. Such design is a practical necessity so that the dual engine drive unit can be transported easily over the highways without having to disassemble any of the major units used in the complete assembly. It is also desirable to have a compact arrangement so that the unit occupies a minimum of space on the drilling rig, has a minimum of overhang after the unitisassembled on the drawworks skid frame, and so that the drive has no shafts, clutches, and chains which have to be removed when moving from one location to another, except for the one chain or driving means between the drive unit and the drawworks. It is also very desirable, in order to provide utmost flexibility, that, if necessary, either of the two engines can be used singly or compounded to drive either the drawworks or the slush pump. The device of the present embodiment fulfills the requirements for a successful, easily operated, multiple engine drive as set out above. V

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in end elevation of an oil well drilling rig provided with a driving means in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in plan of the driving means and associated elements of the drilling rig shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the driving unit itself, such view being taken from the side from which the drawworks is driven;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the transmission system of the drive unit;

Figure 5 is view in vertical section through the axis of the pump engine extension shaft of the transmission;

Figure 6 is a view in vertical section through the axis of the hoist engine extension shaft of the transmission;

Figure 7 is a view in cross section through the drive unit showing details of the clutch operating mechanism, the section being taken along the line VII -VII of Figure 2; and- Figure 8 is a view in cross section through the drive unit showing details of the duplicate clutch operating mechanism located at the rear of the unit, the section being taken along the line VIII-VIII of Fi ure 2.

The multiple engine driving unit of the present invention, designated generally by the reference character 2, is designed to drive the drawworks 4 of an oil well drilling rig as shown in Figures 1 and 2. It will be understood that, if desired, the rotary of the rig may be driven ofl the drawworks. The unit also drives a slush pump 6, a portion of which is shown in Figures 1 and 2,

' designated l6 being called the hoist engine. The

"driving of the drawwbrks from the driving unit 2 is effected by chain 42 enclosed in the removable lubricating atmosphere enclosing guard [1.

i The transmission system of the driving unit is shown schematically in Figure 4. Each engine is provided with an extension shaft, the extension shaft for the pump engine l4 being designated l8 and that for hoist engine l6 being designated 28. Shafts l8 and 28 are provided with oil bath guards I9 and 2|, respectively, as ShOWn in Figure 2. Each such shaft is supported in bearings 22 in pillow blocks attached to suitable uprights from the driving unit skids l2, as shown in Figures and 6. Engines l4 and I6 may be selectively coupled to extension shafts I8 and 28, respectively, by means of the

flexible couplings

24 and 26, respectively, which will be more fully described hereinafter. Mounted on shaft I8 is a multiple sprocket 38 over which the compounding drive chain 3| runs. An oil bath guard 33 is provided to enclose chain 3| (Figure 2). Sprocket 38 may be selectively secured for rotation with shaft I8 or freed therefrom by the engagement and disengagement, respectively, of friction clutch 28. Also positioned on shaft i8 is a multiple sheave 34 which may be selectively clutched to the shaft by friction clutch 32 to drive slush pump 6 through the medium of multiple belts 36.

Positioned on shaft 28 is a compound drive sleeve 38 which may be clutched to or disengaged from shaft 28 by the operation of friction clutch 46. Sleeve 38 carries two multiple sprockets, the first, designated 48, driving the multiple chain 42 which runs to the drawworks, and the second, designated 44, engaging the multiple compounding chain 3|. Also mounted on shaft 28 is a V-pulley 49 selectively driven from shaft 28 through clutch 48. V-pulley 49 drives the air compressor 5| through the medium of V-belt 58. The air compressor feeds into the air storage tank 52, so that there is available at the rig compressed air for various operations including the coupling of the engines to their extension shafts by inflating the inner elements of the

couplings

24 and 26, as will be described below.

The structure of the parts associated with the pump engine shaft are shown in greater detail in Figure 5, in which the pump engine is omitted and the drive unit skids are shortened by being broken at their forward end. As there shown, the flywheel 54 of the pump engine I 4' is connected to the pump engine shaft 18 by the flexible coupling 24, which is selectively operable to connect the engine to the shaft and to disengage it therefrom. The coupling shown is of the type designated the Fawick Airflex pneumatic flexible coupling, made by the Fawick Airflex Company. Such coupling has an outer drum 56 affixed to the end of shaft l8 and an inner drum 58 bolted to the flywheel of the engine. Carried on the inner drum in an inflatable friction member 68 generally corresponding to a flattened automobile tire, the inflatable element being provided with a valve stem 62 through which air may be introduced thereinto. The construction of the element 68 and the spacing of its'oute'f surface from the inner surface of drum 56, when element 68 is deflated, is such that with flywheel 54 at rest, drum 56 is free to turn with respect thereto. When, however, even with element 68 deflated the engine is started, centrifugal force is sufficient to cause element 68 to engage drum 56 with some force. This property of the pneumatic flexible coupling employed is valuable, where it is desirable to run the air compressor by means of the hoist engine I8 before the inflatable element of clutch 26, which is similar to clutch 24, f

freely with respect to the sheave when clutch 32 is disengaged. The compounding clutch 28 is operated by the lever 66 aflixed to rock shaft 61, such lever carrying a clutch operating fork at its upper end. Pump operating clutch 32 is operated by a similar lever 18 affixed to rock shaft H, lever 18 carrying a clutch operating fork 96 on its upper end.

The compound driving sleeve 38 is mounted on the hoist engine extension shaft 28 (Figure 6) by means of bearings 12. Clutch 46, which is of a conventional friction clutch design similar to clutches '28 and 32, when engaged fixes sleeve 48 for rotation with shaft 28, and when disengaged allows it to rotate freely with respect to the shaft. Clutch 46 is operated by a lever 14 affixed to the rock shaft 15, as shown. On the tail end of shaft 28 ismounted the driving means for the air compressor 5I.- Such driving means consists, as set out above, of the V-pulley 49 and the clutch 48, which may be operated to connect the pulley to or disconnect it from the drive shaft. Clutch 48 is operated by the control means I88, in a manner more fully apparent from a consideration of Figure 8.

The operating levers for

friction clutches

28, 32, and 46 are connected, as will be apparent from Figures 5 and 6, to rods which extend to a forward control station at the radiator ends of the engines. In the particular embodiment shown, such controls are in the form of three upright levers located adjacent each other and pivoted near their lower ends on shaft 16. The first control lever 18, at the left in Figures 1 and 2, is connected to the pump drive clutch, the middle lever 88 is connected to the compound drive clutch 28, and the control lever 82, at the right, is connected to the hoist drive clutch 46. Control lever 82 is connected to a cross rock shaft 86 (see Figure 7) by means of a crank system generally designated 84. The opposite end of cross shaft 86, at the left as shown in Figure 7, is provided with a crank arm 88 which connects with a tie rod 94 interposed between such crank and the lower end of the clutch operating lever 14.

The connection between the operating lever 18 for pump clutch 32 and the lower end of control lever 18 is effected .by means of tie rod 98, as shown in Figure 5. Connection between the operating lever 66 for clutch 28 and the lower end of operating lever 88 is effected by a similar tie rod 92.

In order to provide duplicate controls for the three friction clutches at a control station at the rear of the driving unit, there is provided the duplicate control system shown generally in Figure 8, which also shows the yoke-like member I provided with the operating handle IIO for operation of the air compressor clutch 48 from such rear control station. Rock shaft I carrying the operating lever 14 for the hoist clutch 40 is extended to a position located generally centrally laterally of the drive unit, bordering the walkway between the engine extension shaft units. The end of shaft 15 is provided with an operating lever I08, as shown. Since

theclutches

32 and 46 are located in almost the same transverse plane, the operating lever 98 for the pump clutch 32 affixed to the end of shaft 'Il lies in a convenient operating relationship with respect to lever I00. The control mechanism of compound drive clutch 28, however, which is located forward of clutch 32, is provided with a separate series of links and levers to bring its operating lever into a convenient position at the rear control station. As shown in Figure 5, a vertical lever I04 is affixed to rock shaft 61, the bottom end of such lever being connected to the bottom end of a similar lever I00 mounted on rock shaft II by means of the cross link I02. Operating lever I00 is mounted on a sleeve freely rotatable on the rock shaft II. It is thus apparent that the. pump, compound drive, and hoist friction clutches may be controlled from either the front or rear control stations, thus saving a considerable amount of time in the operation of the drive unit.

The drive unit of the present invention displays great flexibility of operation since it allows the driving of either the slush pump or the drawworks by either or both engines. Thus, either engine may be effectively disconnected from the unit merely by the deflation of the inflatable member of its flexible pneumatic coupling. Such disconnected motor may .be safely worked upon while the rig is operated by the other engine, or it may be removed completely simply by being slid longitudinally of the skid after being unbolted therefrom. The compounding drive need not rotate, and thus wear, when only the slush pump is operated from the pump engine. The drive displays particular advantages due to the fact that although the engines may be compounded. no engine extension shaft is at any time subjected to the torque of more than one engine. Such result follows from the employment of the compound driving sleeve on the hoist engine shaft, compounding being effected through such sleeve and not through an engine extension shaft.

Whereas I have described and illustrated a particular embodiment of the driving unit for a well drilling rig of my invention, it will be understood that the invention is capable of considerable variation. I, therefore, desire to claim as new the following.

I claim:

1. In a rotary drilling apparatus having a plurality of driven instrumentalities, the combination of a first driven shaft, a first prime mover aligned therewith for driving the shaft, a selectively engageable coupling between the shaft and the prime mover, the coupling when disengaged allowing straight line removal of the prime mover from the shaft, a sleeve journaled for free rotation on the first shaft, a first clutch for selectively connecting the sleeve for rotation with the first shaft, a second driven shaft in spaced parallel relation to said first shaft, a second prime mover aligned with the second shaft for driving such shaft, a selectively engageable coupling between the second shaft and the second prime mover, the coupling when disengaged allowing straight line removal of the second rime mover from the second shaft, 9. first driving means drivingly connected to the second shaft, a second clutch for selectively connecting the first driving means for rotation with the second shaft, means connecting the first driving means of the second shaft in driving relationship with the sleeve on the first shaft, means on said sleeve to drive one of the driven instrumentalities of the drilling apparatus, a second driving means drivingly connected to the second shaft, a third clutch for selectively connecting the second-driving means for rotation with the second shaft, and means on the second driving means to drive another of the driven instrumentalities of the drilling apparatus.

2. In a rotary drilling apparatus having a plurality of driven instrumentalities, the combination of a first driven shaft, a first prime mover aligned therewith for driving the shaft, a selectively engageable coupling between the shaft and the prime mover, the coupling when disengaged allowing straight line removal'of the prime mover from the shaft, a sleeve journaled for free rotation on the first shaft, a first clutch for selectively connecting the sleeve for rotation with the first shaft, a second driven shaft in spaced parallel relation to said first shaft, a second prime mover aligned with the second shaft for driving such shaft, a selectively engageable coupling between the second shaft and the second prime mover, the coupling when disengaged allowing straight line removal of the second prime mover from the second shaft, a first driving means drivingly connected to the second shaft, a second clutch for selectively connecting the first driving means for rotation with the second shaft, means connecting the first driving means of the second shaft indriving relationship with the sleeve on the first shaft, means on said sleeve to drive one of the driven instrumentalities of the drilling apparatus, a second driving means drivingly connected to the second shaft, a third clutch for selectively connecting the second driving means for rotation with the second shaft, means on the second driving means to drive another of the driven instrumentalities of the drilling apparatus, an air compressor, means on the first shaft to drive the compressor, and a selectively engageable fourth clutch interposed between the last named means and the first shaft.

3. In a rotary drilling apparatus including a drawworks and a slush pump, the combination of a first driven shaft, a first prime mover aligned therewith for driving the shaft, a selectively engageable coupling between the shaft and the prime mover, the coupling when disengaged allowing straight line removal of the prime mover from the shaft, a sleeve journaled for free rotation on the first shaft, a first clutch for selectively connecting the sleeve for rotation with the first shaft, a second driven shaft in spaced parallel relation to said first shaft, a second prime mover aligned with the second shaft for driving such shaft, a selectively engageable coupling between the second shaft and the second prime mover, the coupling when disengaged allowing straight line removal of the second prime mover from the second shaft, a first driving means drivingly connected to the second shaft, :3. second clutch for selectively connecting the first driving means for rotation with the second shaft, means connecting the first driving means of the second shaft in driving relationship with the sleeve on the first Shaft,

means on said sleeve to drive the drawworks of the drilling apparatus, a second driving means drivingly connected to the second shaft, a third clutch for selectively connecting the second driving means for rotation with the second shaft, means on the second driving means to drive the slush pump of the drilling apparatus, and control means for the first, second, and third clutches located at a common control station.

4. In a rotary drilling apparatus including a drawworks and a slush pump, the combination of a first driven shaft, a first prime mover aligned therewith for driving the shaft, a. selectively engageable coupling between the shaft and the prime mover, the coupling when disengaged allowing straight line removal of the prime mover from the shaft, a sleeve journaled for free rotation on the first shaft, a first clutch for selectively connecting the sleeve for rotation with the first shaft in spaced parallel relation to said first shaft, a second driven shaft, a second prime mover aligned with the second shaft for driving such shaft, a selectively engageable coupling between the second shaft and the second prime mover the coupling when disengaged allowing straight line removal of the second prime mover from the second shaft, a first driving means drivingly connected to the second shaft, a second clutch for selectively connecting the first driving means for rotation with the second shaft, means connecting the first driving means of the second shaft in driving relationship with the sleeve on the first shaft, means on said sleeve to drive the drawworks of the drilling apparatus, a second driving means drivingly connected to the second shaft, a third clutch for selectively connecting the second driving means for rotation with the second shaft, means on the second driving means to drive the slush pump of the drilling apparatus, an air compr;ssor, means on the first shaft to drive the compressor, a selectively engageable fourth clutch interposed between the last named means and the first shaft, and control means for the first, second, third,

, and fourth clutches located at a common control station.

5. In a rotary drilling apparatus including a drawworks and a slush pump, the combination of a first driven shaft, a first prime mover aligned therewith for driving the shaft, a selectively engageable coupling between the shaft and the rear of the prime mover, the coupling when disengaged allowing straight line removal of the prime mover from the shaft, a sleeve journaled for free rotation on the first shaft, a first clutch for slectively connecting the sleeve for rotation with the first shaft, a second driven shaft parallel to the first driven shaft and spaced therefrom, a second prime mover aligned with the second shaft for driving such shaft and being of construction interchangeable with said first prime mover, a selectively engageable coupling between the second shaft and the rear of the second prime mover, the coupling when disengaged allowing straight line removal of the second prime mover from the second shaft, a first driving means drivingly connected to the second shaft, a second clutch for selectively connecting the first driving means for rotation with ithe second shaft in driving relationship with for rotation with the second shaft, means on the second driving means to drive the slush pump of the drilling apparatus, and air compressor, means on the first driven shaft to drive the compressor, a selectively engageable fourth clutch interposed between the last named means and the first driven shaft, control means for the first, second, third, and fourth clutches located at a common control station between the first and second shafts, and duplicate control means for the first, second, and third clutches located at a common control station in front of the prime movers.

6. In a well drilling rig including a drawworks and a slush pump, driving mechanism comprising a pair of interchangeably constructed prime movers, a pair of spaced parallel shafts adapted to be driven respectively by said prime movers, a unitary sleeve freely carried by one of said shafts, clutch means for connecting said sleeve with the shaft on which it is carried to be driven thereby, means connecting said sleeve with said drawworks for driving the latter, means carried by the other of said shafts for driving said slush pump, a sleeve freely carried on the shaft carrying said pump driving means, clutch means for connecting said second named sleeve with the shaft on which it is carried to be driven thereby, and belt means directly interconnecting said sleeves, whereby said drawworks and said slush pump may be driven by either or both of said prime movers.

7. In a well drilling rig including a drawworks and a slush pump, driving mechanism comprising a pair of interchangeably constructed prime movers havin power take-oil's, a pair of spaced parallel shafts axially aligned with said power take-offs, releasable clutches. connecting said shafts and said power take-offs, a sleeve journaled on one of said shafts, a releasable clutch connecting said sleeve with the shaft on which it is journaled for driving this sleeve, means connecting said sleeve with said drawworks for driving the latter, means carried by the other of said shafts for driving said slush pump. a

' sleeve journaled on the shaft which carries said pump driving means, a releasable clutch connecting said second named sleeve with the shaft on which it is journaled for driving this sleeve, and a belt directly interconnecting said sleeves so that said prime movers can be compounded for driving said drawworks and the compounded torque stresses in the driving mechanism are con fined to said first named sleeve.

8. In a well drilling rig including a drawworks and a slush pump, driving mechanism comprisin a pair of interchangeably constructed prime movers having power take-offs, a pair of spaced parallel shafts axially aligned with said power take-offs, releasable clutches connecting said shafts and said power take-offs, an integral unitary sleeve journaled-on one of said shafts and having on its exterior two separate means for engaging belt drives, a releasable clutch connecting said sleeve with the shaft on which it is journaled for driving this sleeve, a belt drive connecting one of the engaging means on the exterior of said sleeve with said drawworks for driving the latter, means carried by the other of said shafts for driving said slush pump, a sleeve journaled on the shaft which carries the pump driving means and having on its exterior a means for engaging a ,belt drive, a releasable clutch connecting said second named sleeve with the shaft on which it is journaled for driving this sleeve, and a belt drive directly interconnecting the other engaging means on the exterior of said first named sleeve with the engaging means on the exterior of said second named sleeve so that said prime movers can be compounded for driving said drawworks and the compounded torque stresses in the drivin 5 mechanism are confined to said first named sleeve.

AUGUST R. MAIER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 file of this patent:

Number 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Young Feb. 12, 1935 Sheldon Jan. 7, 1936 Sheldon Nov. 21, 1939 Dunn et a1. Mar. 5, 1940 Howe et a1. May 27, 1941 Webster July 22, 1941 Young June 20, 1944 Archer Aug. 13, 1946 Spalding Nov. 15, 1949