US2599039A

US2599039A - Rotatable tubing hanger

Info

Publication number: US2599039A
Application number: US782412A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jack F Baker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-10-27
Filing date: 1947-10-27
Publication date: 1952-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 1969-06-03

Description

June 3, 1952 J. F. BAKER 9 ROTATABLE TUBING HANGER Filed Oct. 27; 1947 IN V EN TOR.

yang p a. 60W

HZ'TOENEV Patented June 3, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTATABLE TUBING HANGER Jack F. Baker, Long Beach, Calif.

Application October 2'7, 1947, Serial No. 782,412

15 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a device for hanging a string of tubing in a well, especially an oil well. More particularly, the invention relates to such a hanger by the aid of which the tubing may be rotated about its axis.

Devices are known in the prior art, which support a string of well tubing for rotary movement about its axis. Such movement may serve to control a valve inthe tubing strings, or to distribute wear or damage of the tubing, as caused, for example. by sucker rods in a pumping well, or by electrolysis, about the tubing wall, materially increasing the life of the tubing.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved device of this character.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a device having a low overall height, whereby the installation of the device is simplifled.

It is another object of this inventionto provide such a device of simple, rugged construction and having few parts.

It is another object of this invention to'provide such a device having an improved arrangement sealing against the escape of well fluid.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a device having a simple mode of operation.

.This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and fonning part of the present specification. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not tobe taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is an elevation, partly in section, showing the tubing hanger of the invention, installed;

Rigure 2 is a. cross section, on a reduced scale, taken substantially as indicated by line 22 of Figure 1; and v Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary detail section, taken substantially as indicated by line for. a conventional tubing head 2. Thus, thecap [includes a base member comprising a circularplate 5 adapted to be secured to the tubing head flange 2-11 by a plurality of bolts 8, and rendered fluid tight therein by suitable packing 1.

The base member 5 has a cylindrical well 8, formed therein as by a wall 9, secured to the base, as by welding I0. A circular opening I I, coaxial with the well 8, extends .through the member 5, the opening H being of less diameter than the wall 9 so that an annular shoulder I2 is defined about the opening II by the Wall 9.

A hanger member M of tubular form is provided, having a through opening l5 into the lower end of which the upper end of the tubing string T is threadedly secured. The hanger M has an intermediate circular flange l6. with cylindrical extensions or hubs i1 and I8 of reduced diameter, respectively above and below the flange [6, thus providing upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces l9 and 20 respectively on opposite sides of the flange l6.

The downwardly facing surface 20 of the flange l6 cooperates with the shoulder I 2 to rotatably support the hanger l4 and the tubing string T secured thereto. Since the weight of such tubing is usually of the order of several tons, it is desirable to interpose an antifriction bearing 23 between the surfaces l2 and 20. This bearing 23 is preferably a combined radial and thrust bearing and is shown as comprising a lower race 24 of conventional form. seated within the wall 9 on the shoulder I2. wardly facing surface 28 is appropriately formed and hardened to provide the other race, a plurality of balls 25 being provided between the races.

The upper end of the well 8 is provided with a closure 26 secured as by having an annular extension 21 which threadedly engages the wall 9, and additionally, if desired, by welding 28,. The lower face 29 of this extension 2! cooperates with the upper surface [9 of the flange I6 to appro priately restrict upward movement of the hanger The downwardly directed hub l 8 of the hanger l4 extends through the opening I l of the base 5; similarly the upwardly directed hub I1 telescopes within the annular extension 21 of the closure 28.

Suitable sealing means, such as rings 30 having acircular cross section and formed for example of synthetic rubber, are provided between the hub l8 and the opening ll, being accommodated for example in grooves 3| in the hub I81 Similar rings 32 are provided to seal between the hub l1 and the extension 21. In this way, escape of well fluid from the tubing T or the well casing at the tubing head is prevented, as is likewise the mingling of said fluids.

The down- A ring 33, of similar type, provided in the well 8 and'sealing between the outer portion of the surface 20 and the bearing race 24, serves to protect the bearing 23 against loss of lubricant and entry of foreign matter such as grit or water.

The closure 26 has a tubular upward extension or boss 34, providing an outlet communicating with the passage through the hanger I4. The extension 34 is interiorly and exteriorly threaded for receiving an appropriate conduit or discharge member 35, as shown by Way of example, as engaging the interior threads. A portion of the rod string for operating the well pump is shown at 36.

From the foregoing, it will be clear that the hanger I4 is accurately guided for rotation by the upper and lower hubs I1 and I8 and is sup-1 ported by the anti-friction bearing 23. Thus, the hanger I4, together with the tubing susa pended therefrom, can be rotated readily by appropriate operationof the hanger I4. Thestationary closure 26 enables connection of the tub-' ing to a dischargeconduit or the like in a simple manner and serves additionally toirestrain the hanger I4 against upward movement. Further, the overall height of the device is low so that a conventional Christmas tree or other control apparatus can be connected to the device Without extensive modification.

For imparting rotary movement to the hanger 3 I4'and tubing T, the hanger flange I6 is provided with a plurality of equi-angularly spaced recesses 31, for receiving a bar or the like insertible through a slot 38 in the wallv9. The spacing of the'recesses 31, together with the angular ex-' tent of the slot 38, serve to limit the angle by face 29-thereof. A ball 4|, accommodated therein is 'urged downwardly against the upper surface I9 of the flange I6 by a light compression spring 42. When the member I4 is moved in a clockwise.

direction, as indicated by the arrows in Figures land 3, the ball M is urged upwardly to the left in the hole 40, freeing the member I 4. If the member I4 is moved slightly in the opposite direction, the ball 4I wedges between the surface I9 and the upper surface of the hole 40 preventing any substantial movement of the member I4.

Obviously, the tubing head cap I together with the tubing T may be lifted from the head 2 after removal of the bolts 6, by appropriate means engaging the member 35, or other suitable means secured, by either the internal or external threads on the boss 34, to the closure member 26. If desired, the cap I and the tubing may be lifted by an appropriate member (not shown) secured in theupper end of the bore I5 of the hanger I4, as by the threads provided for this purpose. In this way the connections between the structural parts of the cap I are not subjected to the'weight of the tubing.

I claim:

1; In a tubing hanger: means forming a base with a through opening; means forming a circular well on said base, defining thereon a shoulder about said opening; a tubular hanger memher for supporting the tubing having an intermediate flange within said well, cooperating with said shoulder to rotatably support said member; closure means for the upper end of said well, co-

operating with said flange to restrict upward movement of said member, said closure means having an opening communicating with said tubing through said member and adapted for connection with a conduit; and means sealing about said hanger member to prevent escape of well fluid, said flange having thereon means engageable to rotate said hanger member, said circular well means having a passage through a wall thereof for access by driving means to engage said engageable means.

2. A structure as in claim 1 including rotary bearing means between said shoulder and said flange. 3'. In'a tubing hanger: means forming a base with a through opening; means forming a circ'ular well on said base, defining thereon a shoulder'about said opening; a tubular hanger member for supporting the tubing having an intermediate flange Within said well, cooperating with said'shollder .to rotatably support said member; closure means for the upper end of said well, cooperating with said flange torestrict. upward movement of said member, said closure means having an opening communicating with said tubing through said member, adapted for connection with a conduit means sealing about said member to prevent escape of well fluid; means carried by said flange and engageable through an opening in said well means for rotatively advancing said hanger member; and means engaging said flange for preventing reverse movement of said hanger member.

4. In a tubing hanger: means forming a base with a through opening; means forming a circular well on said base, defining thereon a shoulder about said opening; a tubular hanger member for supporting the tubing having an intermediate flange within said well, cooperating with said shoulder to rotatably support said member; closure means for the upper end of said well, cooperating with said flange to restrict upward movement of said member, said closure means having an opening communicating 'with said tubing through said member, adapted for connection with a conduit; means sealing about said member to prevent escape of well fluid; and means for rotatively advancing said hanger, comprising a plurality of angularly' spaced recesses in said flange, there being an opening of limited angular extent through said well forming meansthrough which at least some of said recesses are accessible.

5. In a tubing hanger: means forming a base having a circular through opening; means'forming a circular well on said base, defining thereon an annular shoulder about said opening; a member rotatably supported on said shoulder, having a through openin adapted to have the upper end of the tubing secured therein, said member having an upwardly facing annular surface; means forming a closure for the'upper end of said well, and cooperating'with said surfacev to restrict upward movement of said member, said closure means having an opening communicating with the opening in said member, adapted for connection with a conduit; and engageable means,

member.

6. In a tubing hanger; means forming a base having a circular through opening; means forming'a circular well on said basejdeflning thereon an annular shoulder about said opening; a memmeans forming aclosure for the upper end of said well, and cooperating with said surface. to restrict upward movement of :said member, said closure means having an opening communicating with the opening in said member, adapted for connection with a conduit means sealing' "between said member and said base; means sealing between said member and said closure means; and engageable means provided on-the peripheral Wall of saidrotatable member 'for'rotation of the latter, said circular well havingapassag e=opposite said engageable means 'for' entrance of j drivingmeans to actuate the said engageable means and'said rotatable member.

7. In a tubing hanger: means forming a base having a circular through opening; means forming a circular well on said base, defining thereon an annular shoulder about said opening; a member rotatably supported on said shoulder, having a through opening adapted to have the upper end of the tubing secured therein, said member hav-' ing a downwardly directed hub accommodated in said circular opening and an upwardly facing annular surface; means forming a closure for the upper end of said well, and cooperating with said surface to restrict upward movement of said member, said closure means having an opening communicating with the opening in said member, and adapted for connection with a conduit; means sealing about said hub in the said circular opening; means sealing between said member and said closure forming means; and engageable means provided on the peripheral wall of said rotatable member for rotation of the latter, said circular well having a passage opposite said engageable means for entrance of driving means to actuate the said engageable means and said rotatable member.

8. In a tubing hanger: means forming a base having a circular through opening; means forming a circular well on said base, defining thereon an annular shoulder about said opening; a member rotatably supported on said shoulder, having a through opening adapted to have the upper end of the tubing secured therein, said member having an upwardly directed hub of reduced diameter forming an upwardly facing annular surface; means forming a closure for the upper end of said well having a circular bore for accommodating said hub, as well as an annular face directed downward and cooperating with said annular surface to provide bearing mean to restrict upward movement of, said member, said closure means having an opening communicating with the opening in said member, and said closure means being adapted for connection with a conduit; sealing means disposed between the outer wall of said hub and the inner wall of said bore; and means sealing between said member and the base.

9. A structure as in claim 8 includin engageable means provided on the peripheral wall of said rotatable member for rotation of the latter, said circular well having a passage adjacent said engageable means for engagement of driving means. with said engageable means to move said rotatable member.

10. In a tubing hanger: means forming a base; having a circular through opening, means forming a circular well on said base defining thereon an annular shoulder about said opening; a tubular member adapted for connection with the 6 upper end of the tubing, having an intermediate circular portion accommodated within the well and cooperating l with said shoulder to rotatably support saidmember', said member having oppositely: extending upper andlower hubs'of reduced diameter forming respectively upwardly and downwardly facingannular surfaces onthe interme'diate *portion, the-downwardly directed hub extending through said opening; said shoulder and downwardly facing annular surface providing cooperating bearing means to" position said hanger member a closure member secured tothe up'perend ofsaid well, and having a downwardly facing bearing-surface cooperating with the upwardly facing surface to restrict upward movemerit of said member, said closure member having a vertical bore-extendingupwardly from said downwardly facing bearing surface and receiving the upwardly directed hub, said closure member havin an opening communicating with said tubular member; and means sealing between the outer wall of the lower hub of said tubular member and the inner wall of the circular opening in the base and between the outer wall of the upper hub of said tubular member and the inner wall of the bore in said closure member.

1 1. A structure as in claim 10 including engageable means provided around the outer wall of said tubular member for rotation of the latter, said circular well having a passage adjacent said engageable means for reception of actuating means to rotate said tubular member.

12. In a tubing hanger: means forming a base having a circular through opening; means forming a circular well on said base defining thereon an annular horizontal shoulder about said opening; a tubular member adapted for connection with the upper end of the tubing having an intermediate circular portion with oppositely extending hubs thereon, forming on said intermediate portion, upwardly facing horizontal and downwardly facing annular surfaces, the downwardly facing surface cooperating with said annular shoulder to rotatably support said member; closure forming means for said well providing an annular horizontal shoulder cooperating with the upwardly facing horizontal surface to restrict upward movement of said member, as well as a bore for receiving the upwardly directed hub, said downwardly directed hub extending through said opening, said closure forming means having an opening communicating with said tubing through said member; and sealing means between the outer walls of each of said hubs and the adjacent inner Walls of said bore and circular opening.

13. A structure as in claim 12 including engageable means provided around the outer wall of said tubular member for rotation of the latter, said circular well having a. passage adjacent said engageable means for reception of actuating means to rotate said tubular member.

14. In a hanger device for tubing: a horizontal base having a central opening an upstanding well member secured to said base around said opening and leaving a shoulder between said opening and said well member; a tubular hanger member having a body rotatably borne on said shoulder and disposed within said well member, a lower hub for attachment and suspension of said tubing, said lower hub depending within said central opening, and an upper hub extending from said I body; a closure secured to the upper portion of said well member and having a bore within which said upper hub is disposed, said closure also having a downwardly directed face overlying a porj tion of said body to retain said hanger member on said shoulder, and said closurehaving attachmer t means extending above said}, upper hub for attachment of upper tubing, the interior of said body being in direct communication with said upper tubing and said suspended tubing; packing means disposed between the innersurface of said bore and the outer surface of said upper hub; and packing means between the innr wall of said central opening and the outer surface of said lower hub, said packing means 'sealingofl ,the bearing between said body memberand shoulder from the interior of said hanger member.

15. A hanger device as in claimgm including JACK F. BAKER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 929,734 Walder Aug. 3, 1909 1,259,854 Greve Mar. 19, 1918 1,679,962 Gram Aug. 7, 1928 2,051,261 MacClatchie Aug. 18, 1936 2,088,418 King July 27, 1937 2,165,410 Penick et al July 11, 1939 2,230,589 Driscoll Feb. 4, 1941 2,294,061 Williamson Aug. 25, 1942 2,333,847

Deely Nov. 9, 1943