US2590880A - Orientation device for wells - Google Patents

Description

L. Cf MILLER ORIENTATION DEVICE FOR WELLS April l., 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Dec; 3o, 1949 April 1, 1952 L. c. M|LLER E 2,590,880

rORIENTATION DEVICE FoR wELLs' Filed Dec. 3o, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Flr .a

l INVENTOR. 60N/09s c. ,f4/af@ s BY . ATTORNEYS.

Patented pr. l, 1.952

ORIENTATION DEVICE FOR WELLS Leonidas C. Miller, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 30, 1949, Serial No. 135,884

(Cl. 33e-72) 19 Claims.

This invention relates to the rotary well drilling art and is particularly directed to apparatus for use in orienting a tool lowered into a well bore.

When a whipstock or other directional tool is lowered into a well bore it is necessary to maintain some sort of record of the angular rotation of the individual sections of the pipe string car rying the whipstock or other tool as each section is sequentially lowered into the bore hole. Ordinarily the orientation of the whipstock or other tool is known at the time it is lowered into the well bore, and means are provided for tabulating the clockwise and counter-clockwise angular movement of the drill pipe sections as each is lowered into the hole. One form of orientation apparatus is shown in my prior patent, No. 2,324,103, granted July 13, 1943. When the whipstock or other tool has been lowered to the desired depth the algebraic sum of the individual clockwise and counter-clockwise movements is taken, and from this computation the angular position of the whipstock or other tool is calculated. If this angular position varies from the orientation desired the pipe string is turned at the surface through the prop-er angular distance to bring the whipstock or other tool at the lower end of the pipe string into the desired position.

When a large number of joints of pipe make up the total length of the drill stringa correspondingly large number of readings or tabulations must be made inA order that the final position of the whipstock or other tool may be calculated. If any one of the annular readings is in error or if one is inadvertently omitted from the tabulation the final calculated orientation of the whipstock or other tool will be in error and there is no way of checking to determine whether the calculated reading is correct or incorrect.

In accordance with my invention I provide a device which may be operated by a man standing at the level of the derrick door, which device automatically provides a visual indication of ,the angular position of the whipstock or other tool at the lower end of the drill string as it is -lengthened section by section and lowered into the bore hole. No tabulations need be made, and lit' is unnecessary at the end of the process to make an algebraic sum of the clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the drill pipel or tubing as it is lowered into the hole.

Accordingly, the principal object of my invention is to provide an orienting device which may be used to aord a visual indication of the individual angular movements of the drill string as it is being lowered into or withdrawn from the hole.

Another object is to provide a device of this type which is rugged in design, simple to operate and not apt to get out of order.

Another object is to provide a device of this type having a sighting member carried on a swivel mounta reference member adapted to be releasably secured to an element on the drill pipe or tubing, and an intermediate register member which may be connected to turn with either of the first two said members as desired.

Another object is to provide an orienter device of this type in which the sighting member, the reference member and the register member are ooaxially positioned.

A further object is to provide such a device in which the members are independently rotatable and wherein the register member may move axially for frictional engagement with either the reference member or the sighting member, as desired.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing a preferred type of orienter deviceembodying my in- Vention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the lines 2-2 as shown in Figure l.

`Figure 3 is atransverse sectional view taken substantially on the lines 3 3 as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 isl a sectional view similar to Figure'Z vbut showing the moving parts in a different position.

n Figure 5 is a schematic diagonal of a well drilling rid illustrating a preferred method of operating the orienter device embodying my invention. j

Figure 6 is asectional view of a portion ofthe device taken substantially on the lines 6-6 as shown in Figure 4.

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the register member.

Y Figure 8 is a plan view partly in section and partly broken away showing the preferred form of Vpipe clamp used in connection with the ap-l paratus embodying my invention.

. Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 5 thereof, the well drilling derrick I0 supports the usual travellingblock l I and hook l2 by means of a flexible cable I3. Elevator links I4 supended from the hook I2 carry a conventional pipe elevator I5. This elevator engages under a coupling collar to support a stand of drill pipe I6, and the drill pipe I6 may be lowered into the bore hole by lowering the travelling block II within the derrick I as will be understood by those skilled in the art. A rotary machine I1 may be located at the level of the derrick floor I8, and this rotary machine may be provided with a bushing assembly I9 having a central tapered bore 2D. Pipe slips or Wedges (not shown) may be placed within the tapered bore 20 to support the weight of the drill string generally designated 2|. This drill string is composed of multiple lengths of pipe I6.

A whipstock or other tool (not shown) is carried on the lower end of the drill string 2I and is initially oriented in a known direction. As the drill string is lowered into the well hole and as additional pipe sections are added, the drill string turns about its longitudinal axis through small angular increments. This turning movement may be caused by contact of the whipstoek or pipe couplings or protectors 22 with the Wall of the bore hole, and the angular movement is not constant but may take place in a clockwise dricetion while certain stands are being lowered into the well bore, and may take p-lace in a different magnitude and in a counter-clockwise direction while other stands are being lowered. Accordingly, some sort of record must be kept of the angular movements of the drill string as it is lowered into the hole in order that the nal orientation of the whipstock or other tool may be accurately known.

In order that a record may be kept a plurality of clamp members 23 and 24 are provided which may be conveniently attached to the pipe string. These clamps may be identical and each is provided with a tapered socket 25. The clamp assembly 24 is first applied to the upper end of the lowermost stand of pipe which carries the whipstock or other tool at its lower end. The whipstock is positioned in the general location of the rotary machine II while the pipe clamp assembly 24 is applied by the derrick man. In Figure the relative size of the pipe clamp assemblies 23 and 24 has been greatly exaggerated for purposes of illustration. A telescope sighting instrument 26 is then employed by the derrick man so that the socket 25 on the clamp assembly V24 is oriented in a known direction. This may be accomplished by sighting at a distant fixed object such as, for example, a telephone pole 21. A taper pin 28 is received by the taper socket 25, and since the pin 28 and telescope 29 have their principal axes in the same vertical plane the socket 25 is oriented in a known direction whenever the derrick man sights the telephone pole 21 through the telescope instrument 2G. The derrick man then withdraws the sighting instrument, together with its taper pin 28, from the socket 25, allowing the clamp assembly 24 to remain on the pipe. The travelling block II and associated parts are then lowered so that the upper end of the pipe I6 and clamp assembly 24 approach the rotary machine I'I. Pipe slips (not shown) are then inserted into the taper bore 20 to contact the pipe below the location of the clamp assembly 24 and thus support the pipe string within the well bore. The elevator I5 is then disconnected from the upper end of the pipe stand and another pipe stand is threadedly connected to the lower one by conventional means.

The orienter 3l! embodying my invention is then engaged with the clamp assembly 24. A taper pin 3| on the orienter is thrust into the socket 25. An operator at the level of the derrick floor sights the pole 2'I through the telescope 32 on the orienter 3B. If the telephone pole 2 is centered in the cross-hairs of the telescope 32 when the latter is parallel with the axis of the taper pin 3l, the pipe string 2l has not turned angularly as it was being lowered into the hole. However, if angular rotation has occurred the operator at the level of the derrick floor will have to swing the telescope 32 either clockwise or counter-clockwise to sight on the telephone pole 27. An operating element 33 is provided on the orienter 30, and this element is actuated by the operator so that a record of the angular movement of the telescope 32 is automatically recorded by the orienter Eil. A detailed description of the construction and operation of the orienter appears hereinafter. The operator at the derrick floor then withdraws the orienter 3l) including the taper pin SI from the clamp assembly 24 and then removes the clamp assembly 24 from the plpe.

While the operator at the derrick iioor is manipulating the orienter 3i] to secure a record of any possible angular movement of the pipe previously lowered into the hole, the derrick man applies another clamp assembly 23 to the upper end of the new pipe stand and aligns the socket 25 of the clamp assembly 23 with the known reference 27 in the manner previously described.

While the telescope instrument 25 and orienter 3i? are each shown as being provided with a tapered pin, it will be understood that if desired the taper pin can be xed on the clamp and the taper socket provided on the telescope instrument 25 and on the orienter 3Q. The derrick man again removes the sighting instrument 26, the pipe slips (not shown) are withdrawn from the taper bore 2l), the travelling block I I is again lowered to bring the elevator I5 and clamp assembly 23 near the rotary table I'I, the slips are reset, and the process is repeated. After the pipe clamps are removed from the lower portion of the pipe stand they are lifted up into the derrick by means of a catline (not shown) and re-applied to the pipe. While only two clamp assemblies 23 and 24 have been shown in the drawings, it will be understood that it may be desirable to employ a third clamp so that one may be connected enroute from the derrick floor to the derrick man while the other two are being used.

The orienter generally designated 30 automatically maintains a record of the angular movement of the sections of the drill pipe or tubing as it is connected to the well string and lowered into the well bore. As shown in the drawings this orienter 3G includes a sighting member 34, a register member 35, and a reference member 35. These members are coaxially positioned and mounted for independent rotation. The function of the operating element 33 is to connect the register member 35 to either the sighting member 34 or to the reference member 35 as desired.

The telescope S2 may take any suitable or desirable form and is provided with the usual eyepiece 3'I. The telescope is mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of the aligned pivot pins 38 which are carried on the upstanding parallel brackets 39. A spirit level 40 may also be provided on the brackets 39, and the said brackets may be formed integrally with a anged cap member 4I. This cap member 4I is secured 4for axial movement within the sleeve 45. Ahollow stem 65 is provided with aligned transto the ring 42 by means of screw elements 43. Axially spaced bearing assemblies 44 are provided for rotatably mounting the ring 42 on the sleeve 45. The sleeve 45 extends axially of the members 34, 35 and 38 and carries threads 46 at its lower end for a fixed connection with the base 41 which constitutes a portion of the reference member 36. The taper pin 3| is fixed in the base 41 and the axis of the taper pin extends at right angles to the axis of the sleeve 45.

The register member 35 is mounted for rotation on the sleeve 45. This sighting member includes an anular rib 48 which carries the outer race of an anti-friction bearing assembly 49 as a press iit. The inner race 50 of the bearing assembly 49 is clamped between shoulder 5I on collar 52 and nut 53 threaded on collar 52. A coil spring 54 encircles the lower portion of the sleeve v45 and serves to support the collar 52, bearing assembly 49 and register member 35 upon a shoulder 55 of the base 41. The bore 56 of the collar 52 receives the cylindrical surface 51 of the sleeve 45 in sliding relationship. Means are provided for preventing relative rotary movement between the collar 52 and sleeve 45 while permitting relative axial movement. As shown clearly in Figures 3 and '1 of the drawings, this means includes a radially extending taper pin 58 threadedly mounted on the collar 52 and extending into a radially extending tapered socket 59 provided on the sleeve 45. The pin 58 may be axially adjusted to eliminate substantially all of the blacklash between the collar 52 and the sleeve 45 while permitting relative axial movement therebetween.

The reference member 33 includes a ring 50 `which is xed to the base 41 by means of a series of axially extending threaded elements 6l (see Figure 6). Near the upper end of this ring 60 is provided an internal taper surface 52. The register member 35 is provided on its lower end with a corresponding external taper surface 53. Axial movement of the register member 35 serves to bring the taper surfaces 62 and 53 into engagement to form a friction drive.

Similarly, the upper end of the register member 35 is provided with an external taper surface 94 which is adapted to engage the corresponding internal taper surface 65 provided on the ring 42 which forms a part of the sighting member 34. Axial movement of the register member 35 may bring the surfaces 54 and 55 into engagement to establish a friction drive.

Means are provided for shifting the register 'member 35 from a position of engagement with the sighting member 34 to a position of engagement with the reference member 35 and vice versa. As shown in the drawings, this means includes a central hollow stem 36 slidably mounted This verse apertures 81 near its lower end which receives the central eccentric portion 68 on the actuating pin 89. This actuating pin 59 extends transversely of the axis of the sleeve 45 and hollow stem 55 and is turnably mounted within axially spaced bearings 10 provided on the base 41. The pin is shouldered at 1l and a retainer 12 is attached by means of removable screw elements 13 to one end of the pin 59 to prevent disassembly. The other end of the pin 59 projects laterally from the reference member 36 and the clutch-operating element 33 is xed to this projecting end. A ball 14 urged by a spring v15 may enter one of a plurality of detents 16 provided in the actuating pin 69 for maintaining the pin in selected position about its axis. From this description it will be understood that when the clutch-operating element 33 is used to turn the pin 69 within the base 41, the eccentric portion 68 moves the hollow stem 66 in an axial direction.

This motion is communicated to the register member 35 through a stop pin 11 which is threadedly mounted on the upper end of the collar 52 and which projects through an axial slot 18 provided in the sleeve 45. The stop pin projects radially under a portion of a sliding collar 1,9 mounted on the hollow stem 66. A retaining cap is threaded on the upper end ofthe hollow stem 86 and confines a radially extending disk 8i against a shoulder onthevhollow'stem. A coil spring 82 engages thedisk 8l `at one end and engages the sliding collar 19 at the .other end. Accordingly,' when the hollow stem 66 moves downward from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 4, the lower surface of the collar 19 contacts the radial stop pin 11 and moves the collar 52 downwardly until the taper surfaces 63 and 62 meet in frictional engagement. The action of the spring 82 is resisted by the action of the spring 54, but the spring 82 is designed so that its coils meet in contact, that is, the spring becomes solid, so that the stop pin 11 moves the collar 52 downwardly.

Releasable means are provided for connecting the sleeve 45 to the sighting member 34. As shown in the vdrawings this means includes a radially movable pin 83 sldably mounted within an axially extending bore provided on the sleeve 45. The upper end 84 of the pin 83 is bevelled to facilitate its entrance into a tapered recess 85 provided on the plate 8B. A spring 81 acts to move the pin 83 toward the recess 85. A slot 88 in the side of the pin 83 receives a portion of the disk BI so that when the hollow stem 65 and disk 8i move downwardly the .pin 83 is withdrawn from the recess 85.

The plate 86 is carried on the angularly adjustable ring 89 which is located within the upper portion of the ring 42. A set screw 90 on the ring '42 is provided for frictionally engaging the ring 89 and for securing it in any adjusted angular position. The purpose of this adjustment is to enable the axis of the telescope 32 and axis of the taper pin 3i to be accurately aligned initially at thev factory. Once this alignment is secured the set screw 90 is employed to clamp the ring 89 so that thereafter it functions as' an integral part of the ring 42.

When the clutchfoperating element 33 is turned from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 4, the hollow stem 66 and disk 8| are moved axially downward. thereby withdrawing the pin 83 and moving the register member 35 into frictional engagement with the reference member 38 along the cooperatu ing surfaces 62 and 63. When the operating element 33 is returned from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 2, the coil spring 54 raises the register element 35 into frictional engagement with the sighting element 34 along the surfaces 64 and 55,' and the spring 81 moves the pin 83 upwardly. If the socket 85 happens to be in registry with the pin 83, the pin B3 enters the socket. If not, the upper surface of the pin rests against the lower surface of the plate 86.

While the anti-friction bearing assembly 49 maintains the sighting element 45 for free rotation with respect to the sleeve 45. means are provided' to apply frlctional restraint to avoid inadvertent turning movement of the register member 35. As shown clearly in Figures 3 and '1, friction disks 91 and 92 having serrated outer edges are clamped to the collar 52 on opposite sides of the bearing race 50. 'lhe serrated edges of these friction disks are bent inwardly to form a wiping contact with the edge surfaces of the annular rib 48. These disks 9i and 92 impose a frictional restraint on rotation of the register member 35.

In the operation of the device the derrick man attaches the clamps 23 and 24 sequentially to the pipe stands :as described above. This is accomplished by manipulation of the screws 93 and 94.011 .the clamps. The screw 93 anchors the frame of the clamp to the pipe and the screw 93' turns the worm pinion 84 so that the worm wheel 95 which meshes with the worm pinion may turn the socket member 25 with respect to the frame of the clamp. The derrick man fixes the clamp to the pipe in an angular position such that the telescope 29 when mounted on the clamp will .register approximately with the target 2l'. The ne adjustment on aligning the axis of the telescope 29 with the telephone pole 21 is made .by turning the .screw 93'.

When the clamp with its aiigned socket 25 is in position just above the dei-rick floor, the operator engages the taper pin 3| in the previously .aligned socket 25. The index marks 96, 3l and ment 33 is in the up lposition as shown in Figure 1. The operator standing near the level of the derrick oor thrusts the taper pin 3| into the previously aligned socket 25. Since the clamp is fixed Vto the pipe, any turning movement of the pipe stand as it was lowered into the hole carries the clamp with it. Accordingly, when the orienter 30 is attached to the clamp by means of the socket 25 and taper pin 3i the telescope axis will not coincide with the target 2l unless it is turned to bring its axis out of the same plane with the axis of the taper pin 3|. Such turning movement of the telescope 32 is made after the operator -at thelevel of the derrick floor has first moved the actuating element 33 to its down position as show-n in Figure 4. The pin 83 is thus retracted from the socket and the sighting member 34 is free to turn .relative to the reference member 36. When the operator locates the target 21 through the telescope 32 he moves the actuating element 3.3 back to its up position, thereby engaging the surfaces 54 and 55 for establishing a friction contact between the record member 35 and the sighting member 34. The pin 83 does not enter the socket 95 because the relative rotation between the sighting member 39 and reference member 36 has placed the socket 85 out of registry with the pin 83.

rlhe operator then withdraws the orienter 33 Vfrom the clamp by removing ie pin 3i from the socket 25. He then disconnects the clamp from the pipe :and the clamp is hoisted up into the derrick on a catline for subsequent attachment to another' stand of pipe by the derrickman.

While the orienter V3E! has been in use on one of the clamps ie derrickman attaches another clamp and aligns the socket 25 thereof with the target by means of his telescope 29. He withdraws the sighting instrument '2G including the telescope 29, the clamp remaining on the pipe. The pipe is again lowered vand the clamp just applied by the derrickman reaches a sleeve near the derrick floor. The operator again places the taper pin 3l in the previously aligned socket 25 on the clamp and turns the sighting member until the pin 83 moves into the socket 85, thereby aligning the axis of the telescope 32 with the axis of the taper pin 3l and securing the members 34 and 3G against relative rotation. He then moves the actuator element 33 to the down position, thereby engaging the register member 35 with the reference member 35 along the friction surfaces 62, 63. He then swings the telescope 32 until the target is sighted. The actuator element 33 is raised and the orienter 30 is withdrawn from the clamp on the pipe. This sequence of operations is repeated until the last stand of pipe has been added to the drill string. The operator puts the taper pin 3l in the socket 25 of the clamp on the pipe and turns the sighting member 34 until the pin 83 enters the socket S5. He then tightens the clamp screw 99 on the sighting member v3d. This serves to connect the sighting member with the reference member and to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The of the telescope 32 is thus held parallel with the axis of the taper pin 3i. The pipe I6 is then rotated by means of the rotary machine Il slowly until the telescope 32 is sighted on the target 21. The pipe is thus oriented so that the whipstock or other tool on the lower end thereof is in the same angular relationship with respect to the target 21 as it was when it was initially lowered into the Well hole.

During the various steps in orienting the pipe as it is lowered into the hole, the index 9'! on the register member 35 may travel clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the indexes 96 and 93. The final position of the index 91 provides an indication of the nal position of the whipstock or other tool at the lower end of the drill string. Furthermore, the position of this index 91 during the various steps in the orienting process continuously furnishes an indication of the accumulative angular movement of the whipstock or other tool.

From the above description it will be understood that it is unnecessary to tabulate angular readings or to make any algebraic summation of angular movements in order to turn the last stand of pipe through the required angle and in the required direction to bring the whipstock or other tool at the lower end of the pipe into the desired position.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for determining the orientation of a tool supported by a pipe extending into a well bore, the combination of a clamp member releasably secured tothe pipe, an orienter having a reference member, cooperating parts on the reference member and clamp member providing a releasable connection therebetween, the orienter including a register member and a sighting member, the latter two members being mounted for independent rotation relative to the Vreference member about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, and cooperating elements for releasably clutching the register member to either the sighting member or reference member as desired.

2. In a. device for determining the orientation of a tool supported by a pipe extending into a well bore, the combination of: a clamp member for releasably secured to the'pipe, an orienter having a reference member, cooperating parts on the reference memb-er and clamp member providing a releasable connection therebetween, said parts including a taper pin on one member engageable in a taper socket in the other member, the orienter including a register member and a sighting member, the latter two members being mounted for independent rotation relative to the reference member about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, and cooperating elements for releasably clutching the register member to either the sighting member or reference member as desired.

3. In a device for determining the orientation of a tool supported by a pipe extendng into a well bore, the combination of: a clamp releasably secured to the pipe, an orienter having a reference member, cooperating parts on the reference member and clamp providing a releasable connection therebetween, said parts including a taper pin on the reference member engageable in a taper socket in the clamp, the orienter including a register member and a sighting membei', the latter two members being mounted for independent rotation relative to the reference member about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, and cooperating elements for releasably clutching t'ne register member to either the sighting member or reference member as desired.

4. Pipe orientation apparatus for use with a clamp on the pipe, comprising in combination: a sighting member, a register member, a reference member, the members being coaxially mounted for independent turning movement about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, a sighting instrument on the sighting member, an aligning element on the reference member for releasable connection with the clamp, cooperating rotation lock elements on the sighting member and reference member for releasably securing the members together in a single locking orientation, and releasable clutch elements for frictionally connecting the register member to either the sighting member or the reference member.

5. Pipe orientation apparatus for use with a socketed clamp on the pipe, comprising in combination: a sighting member, a register member, a reference member, the members being coaxially mounted for independent turning movement about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, a sighting instrument on the sighting member, an aligning pin o-n the reference member releasable connection with the socketed clamp, cooperating rotation lock elements on the sighting member and reference member for releasably securing the members together in a single locking orientation, and releasable clutch elements for connecting the register member to either the sighting member or the reference member.

6. Pipe orientation apparatus for use with a clamp von the pipe, comprising in combination: a sighting member, a register member, a reference member, the members being coaxially mounted for independent turning movement about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, a sighting instrument on the sighting member, an aligning element on the reference member for releasable connection with the clamp, cooperating rotation lock elements on the sighting member and reference member for releasably securing the members together in a single lock- 7. Pipe orientation apparatus for use with ya clamp on the pipe, comprising in combination: a sighting member, a register member, a reference member, the members being coaxially mounted for independent turning movement about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, a sighting instrument on the sighting member, an aligning element on the reference member for releasable connection with the clamp, cooperating rotation look elements on the sighting member and reference member for releasably securing the members together iny a single locking orientation, and shifter elements for moving the register member axially into frictio-nal engagement with either the sighting member or the reference member.

8. Pipe orientation apparatus for use with a clamp on the pipe, comprising in combination: a sighting member, a register member, a reference member, the members being coaxially mounted for independent turning movement about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, a sighting instrument on the sighting member, an aligning element on the reference member for releasable connection with the clamp, cooperating rotation lock elements on the sighting member and reference member for releasably securing the members together in a single locking orientation, and shifter elements for moving the register member axially into frictional engagement with either the sighting member or the reference member, the shifter elements being operatively connected to release said rotation lock elements.

Q 'Pipe orientation apparatus for use with a socketed clamp on the pipe, comprising in combination: a sighting member, a register member, a reference member, the members being coaxially mounted for independent turning movement about -a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, a sighting instrument on the sighting member, a laterally extending aligning pin on the reference member for releasable connection with the socketed clamp, cooperating rotation lock elements on the sighting member and reference member for releasably securing the members together in a single locking orientation and to maintain the axis of the sighting member and the axis of the aligning pin in the same plane, and releasable clutch elements for connecting the register member to either the sighting member or the reference member.

10. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sighting member having a sighting instrument thereon, a reference member having a laterally extending aligning element thereon whereby it may be supported, means including bearing means 'for rotatably supporting the sighting member upon the reference member about an axis parallel to the pipe axis, cooperating rotation lock elements on said members for releasably securing them against relative rotation to maintain the axis of the aligning element and axis of the sighting member in the same plane, a register member mounted for independent rotation coaxially of the sighting member and reference member, releasable clutch elements for frictionally connecting the register member to either the sighting member or the reference meming a laterally projecting aligning element thereon whereby it may be supported, means including bearing means for rotatably supporting the sighting member upon the reference member about an axis parallel to the pipe axis, cooperating rotation lock elements on said members for releasably securing them against relative rotation to maintain the axis of the aligning element and axis of the sighting member in the same plane, a register member mounted for independent rotation coaxially of the sighting member and reference member, releasable clutch elements for frictionally connecting the register member to either the sighting member or the reference member, an actuating element cn the reference member operatively connected to engage said clutch elements as desired, and means actuated by said actuating element for releasing said rotation lock elements when the register member is frictionally connected to the reference member.

12. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sighting member having a sighting instrument thereon, a reference member having an aligning element thereon, means includ- Ving bearing means for rotatably supporting the sighting member upon the reference member about an axis parallel to the pipe axis, cooperating rotation lock elements on said members for releasably securing them at only one relative angular position against relative rotation, a register member mounted for independent rotation coaxially of the sighting member and reference member, releasable clutch elements for frictionally connecting the register member to either the sighting member or the reference member, and supplementary rotation lock means effective at any relative angular position of the sighting member and reference member to secure them against relative rotation.

13. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sighting member having a sighting instrument thereon, a reference member including a base having a radially projecting aligning element thereon, an axially extending sleeve xed on the base, means including bearing means for rotatably supporting the sighting member upon the sleeve about an axis parallel to the pipe axis, cooperating rotation lock elements on the sleeve and sighting member for releasably securing them at only one relative angular position against relative rotation, a register member, a collar mounted for axial sliding movement on the sleeve, bearing means rotatably supporting the register member upon said collar, selectively operable means for axially shifting the collar to engage the register member with either the sighting member or the reference member and to release said rotation lock elements when the register member is engaged with the reference member.

14. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sighting member having a sighting instrument thereon, a reference member including a base having a radial aligning pin thereon, an axially extending sleeve xed on the base, means including bearing means for rotatably supporting the sighting member upon the sleeve, cooperating rotation lock elements on the sleeve and sighting member for aligning the axis of the radial pin and the axis of the sighting instrument, a register member, a collar mounted for axial sliding movement on the sleeve, bearing means rotatably supporting the register member upon said collar, selectively operable means for axially shifting the collar to engage the register member with either the sighting member or the reference member and to release said rotation lock elements when the register member is eneased with the reference member.

15. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sighting member having a sightf on the base, means including bearing means for rotatably supporting the sighting member upon the sleeve about an axis parallel to the pipe axis, a register member having friction surfaces for engagement with either the sighting member or the reference member, a collar mounted for axial sliding movement on the sleeve, bearing means rotatably supporting the register member upon said collar, friction drag elements preventing free rotation of the register member on said collar and selectively operable elements for axially shifting the collar to frictionally engage the register member with either the sighting member or the reference member.

16. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sighting member having a sighting instrument thereon, a reference member including a base, an axially extending sleeve xed on the base, means including bearing means for rotatably supporting the sighting member upon the sleeve about an axis parallel to the pipe axis. a register member, a collar mounted for axial sliding movement on the sleeve, the sleeve having an axially extending slot with diverging side walls, a taper pin mounted for radial adjustment on the collar and received between said diverging side walls to minimize relative turning movement between the collar and the sleeve, bearing means rotatably supporting the register member upon said collar, and selectively operable means for axially shifting the collar to engage the register member with either the sighting member or the reference member.

17. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sighting member having a sighting instrument thereon, a reference member including a base, an axially extending sleeve fixed on the base, means including bearing means for rotatably supporting the sighting member upon the sleeve about an axis parallel to the pipe axis, cooperating rotation lock elements on the sleeve and sighting member for releasably securing them at only one relative angular position against relative rotation, the lock elements comprising an axially movable pin on one member adapted to register with an opening provided on the other member, a register member, a collar mounted for axial sliding movement on the sleeve, bearing means rotatably supporting the register member upon said collar, selectively operable means for axially shifting the collar to engage the register member with either the sighting member or the reference member, said means including an actuating element on the reference member accessible exteriorly thereof, said means also including a stem extending axially of the sleeve, the actuating element being connected to shift the stem axially, and means operatively connected to the stem for retracting the pin from the opening when the register member is engaged with the reference member.

18. In an orienter device for determining the orientation of a tool supported by a, pipe extending into a Well bore, the combination of: a reference member, means including an element on the reference member providing a releasable connection with an element on the pipe, a register member and a sighting member, the latter two members being mounted for independent rotation relative to the reference member about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, and cooperating elements for releasably'clutching the register member to either the sighting member or the reference member as desired.

19. In a device for determining the orientation of a tool supported by a pipe extending into a Well bore, the pipe having an element clamped thereto, the combination of: a reference member, means including an element on the reference member providing a releasable aligning connection with the element clamped on the pipe, a register member and a sighting member, the latter two members being mounted for independent 14 turning movement relative to the reference member about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, and means for releasably securing the register member to either the sighting member or the reference member as desired.

LEONIDAS C. MTLLER.

REFERENCES CTED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,770,224 Anderson July 8, 1930 2,324,103 Miller July 13, 1943 2,519,191 Jassy Aug. 15, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 24,145 Great Britain Nov. 19, 1897 322,497 Great Britain Dec. 6, 1929

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