US2610827A - Rotary swivel - Google Patents

Description

L. FAGG ROTARY SWIVEL Sept. 16, 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed July 16. 1948 L. FAGG ROTARY SWIVEL.

Sept. 16, 1952 2 Sl-lEETS--SHEET 2 Filed July 16, 1948 l .m m M M e m 0 W f M W m w, W9 3m m MMZJM L @53 3 OoW//// M pm 1 HI:

Patented Sept. 1.6, K 1952 vU NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BGTARY K y Lee Fagg', Corscana, Tex., assigner, b'y mesne as sigmnents,v to.Bethlehem Supply Company, a

corporation offDelaware j Application July-16, 194s, seri-ama. 38;.9911

(Cl. 255g-.125)

1.0. Claims;

ThisV invention relates to rotary hydraulic swivels of the typev employed in the drilling of wells, and is-more particularlydirected to Vanimprovement in the wash pipe and in its packings provided to forma fluid-tight pipe connection between the stationary gooseneck of the swivel and the rotatabledrilling stem supported bythe said swivel. f

The modern oil field rotaryswivel is1a-rnassi`ve and sturdy mechanism designed to prov-ide abody means for operatively and' rotatably suspending the hollow drill stem in -the Well while being drilled. Italso ycomprisesv the conduitv means' for pumping theV circulating' drilling lluid through the stationary swivel body and into the rotatable hollow drill stern operably supported thereby. As usually constructed the upper part ofthe swivell body comprises a gooseneck operablyeintegral therewith andhaving a flow passage therethrough. The outer' endof the 'gooseneck'flow passage is adapted vto receive an armored hose connected to the delivery outletof the mudpumps. The inner end ofthe goo'seneck flowpa'ssageis adapted for a fluid-tight connection with the wash pipe. The function of the'wash complete the fluid-tight `flow passage Vfrom .the 'stationary inner end of the Vgooseneekflow-'passage to the upper end of the/rotatable hollow drill-stem.

The rotary swivel when inv operation-lis suspended between the fixed'l crown bloeit of the 'derrick and the xed point -of' entr-yol the well into the earth. The crown block supports sheaves overwhich the Vplural turns of theelevatingcable are looped to manipulate 'a -hoist block with 'sheaves-and a hook therebelow.. The hook engages a massive bail trunnioned in the upper body of the swivel. By thesemeans. the swivel with it'ssupport'ed ydrill stem may be raisedand-lowered inthewell. y

The drill stem is 4the-direct meansfwhereby a hole is driven in the earth. It 'isnormally comprised of jointed hollowsect'ons operable asT an integral pipe unit from its top toits bottom Iseotion. The top section of thedrill stem comprises the. swivel rotary spindle, yfollowed by a grief stem, and thisby sections of drill'pipe`,and iinally at its lower or bottom end is the. drill'bit. The Adrill bitv is provided with holes through which the circulating ydrilling iluid is projected toward "the cutting edges of thebit for the. purposeof flushing the detritus awayA from: the bottom' of :the hole ina-well knownmanner.:v f

The` swivel rotary spindle iusuall'y'is;Y mounted asia par-t'. of vthez-swivel assembly4 but' in: operation pipe is to it isan operable integral uni-tor the drill-stem and Arotates therewith. The spindle is hollow for the passage of the circulating fluid, `and is suitably mountedon suitable bearings-'totake-the vertical load of the supported drill stem-with a minimum of friction, and is alsov vprovided' fwith other suitable bearings to take the transverse thrusts ofthe drill `Vstern developed in operation. The lower end of the spindle extends below 'the body ot the-swivel and -is `normally machined for a threadedconnection to -a grief stem or kelly joint. The grief stem is the first joint of' the drill stem below the swivel 'and 'is rusually square in cross section. The'squareportion'of the-.grief stem vhas a .slidable engagement through the cen.- tsr of the rotary driving tables and' is rotated thereby. The jointed drill stem transmitsthe torque delivered to thegriefistem by the ypower driven rotary tabledown through. the` ldrill! stem to thedrill bit at the lower end thereof.

The length of the drill stem is .greatly outof proportion to its diametery and the drill stem is therefor capable .of considerable: elasticy deforma.- tion between. the-rotary. table at the surfacefand the, bit at the bottom-of. the hole.` The amount of twisting and torsional strain varies withzthefre sistance offered, to the: .progress vof the bit` through opposing; rock and deflection in thel drillstem takes: place. The drill. stem due to torsional straindeveloped; when 1n; operation takes a. cork.- s'crewy position in the well. andv contacts with the walls of. the well,.;and.revolvingvr with4 rapidlivaria tions in stress causesv whippingza'gainstftlie walls ofzfthewell 'which set.` upVY vibration landz'transverse stresses that are transmitted. to thesurface of the well 4throughout'the length of. thexdrill stem. Furthermore, n certain conditions may exist. above the earth that. causefurther variable transverse stresses, such as a crown block. not accurately located. vAlso within the structure of theswfivel itself `are inherent limitationsl of manufacture and assembly which result in-workable transverse clearancesfwhich;clearancesby accumulation may result .in acondition when in operation-whereby theactualraxis of'rotation ofithe drillzstem within n' the rotary swivel assumes a gyrato-ry movement aboutits theoretical vertical axis. Itis 4now ap'- ,pa'rentz that when-'such'. a: condition existsV a speciall problem` arises: forl making a `rfluidetight operable: pipe connectionY between the stationary inner end of Athe ygoosenecls; andl the uppenxe'nd of the rntatablecdrill steml The lknown prior @art discloses some rather; ineiectual attempts to satisfy this problem.

VItis therefore theeprimaryobj'ect voi'xmyfinvii-im-v tion to construct a hydraulic swivel comprising a wash pipe assembly having a fluid-tight universal joint connection with the stationary gooseneck thereof and with the rotatable drill stem supported by said swivel.

It is a further object of my invention in its preferred form to construct a hydraulic swivel comprising a wash pipe assembly having a. fluidtight universal joint connection with the stationary gooseneck thereof and with the rotatable drill stem supported therein, whereby the wash pipe per se is rotatable with respect to the said stationary gooseneck and is flexibly aflixed with the said rotatable drill stem but is relatively nonrotatable therewith.

It is a further object of my invention to provide in a hydraulic swivel a wash pipe assembly having a fluid-tight universal joint connection at each end thereof, whereby gyratory movement of either end of the axis of the wash pipe is operably provided for with respect to its opposite end.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description wherein details of design and operation will be given in full with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention, and wherein similar reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of a hydraulic rotary swivel incorporating the preferred form of my invention, as shown in enlarged detail in Figures 2 to 5, inclusive. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view showing the preferred embodiment of my invention as applied to the drill stem end of the wash pipe assembly,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view showing the preferred embodiment of my invention as applied to the gooseneck end of the wash pipe assembly,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmental front elevation detail view showing the clearance opening in the swivel body for the stuffing-box lubricator, and,

Fig. 5 is a detail plan View of the split clamp- -ing and retaining ring.

. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. l, the numeral I designates the complete ensemble of a hydraulic rotary swivel embodying the preferred form of my invention. :The swivel I0 comprises a bail II by which it is suspended when in operation from the hook -of a derrick hoisting block (not shown). The bail II is pivotally mounted in the body housing I2 by means of the trunnions I3 secured in the body housing by means of the securing discs I4 welded thereto. The body housing I2 comprises the bowl I5, the bonnet I6, the gooseneck I1, and the gooseneck cap I8.

The body housing I2 rotatably supports the swivel rotary spindle I9 which, as hereinbefore described, forms the top section of the hollow drill stem. The lower elements of the drill stem (not shown) are normally attached to the spindle I9 by means of the hollow tool `joint 20. The spindle I9 has an outstanding flange 2| whereby the load on the stem is transmitted through the main bearings 22 to the abutment, or shelf 23, in the housing I2. A bottom radial bearing 24 is provided in the base of the bowl I for the spindle I9 together with a packing assembly 25, .the latter being designed to prevent leakage of lubricant and to exclude foreign matter from the interior of the housing I2. In order to permit replacement for wear without damaging the spindle I 9, lower wear rings 26 and 21 are D0- sitioned on the lower support surfaces 28 and 29 of the spindle I9, whereby replacement of the wear rings may be made without replacement of the spindle I9 itself.

Upward thrust of the drill stem is taken by the hold-down bearing 30 mounted between the lower face of the skirt 3I of the bonnet I6 and the upper face of the flange 2| of the spindle I8. In order to provide a supply of lubricant for the bearings 30 and 33 an upstanding ring 32 is carried by the flange 2| of the spindle I8 and projects to an elevation above that of the top radial bearing 33.

The top radial bearing 33 is provided in a recess in the skirt 3| of the bonnet I6 for the spindle I9, together with a packing assembly 34, the latter being designed to prevent leakage of lubricant and to exclude foreign matter from the interior of the housing I2. Upper wear rings 35 and 36 are positioned on the upper support surfaces 31 and 38 of the spindle I9, being similar in design and purpose to the lower wear rings 26 and 21. The packing assembly 34 is held in position by the plate 39 attached to the bonnet I6 by fastening devices 40. In order to introduce lubricant into the packing assembly 34 a lubricant fitting 4I is provided in the bonnet I6 leading to the packing assembly 34.

We come now to those features of the hydraulic swivel to which my improvement is particularly directed-i. e. the structure of the wash pipe and its fluid-tight connections between the stationary swivel housing and the rotatable swivel spindle. For the purposes of clear delineation of and understanding of.' the structure of my improvement the enlarged fragmental Figures 2 to 5, inclusive, are to be considered for details thereof, while the Figure 1 indicates diagrammatically their embodiment within the swivel.

Referring now to Figures 1, 3 and 4 the gooseneck I1 is joined to the upper end of the bonnet I6 by means of fastening devices 42, and the joint 43 therebetween is sealed by a suitable packing 44. The gooseneck I1 is provided with a curved flow passage 45 having an inlet end 46 adapted to receive the discharge end of a drilling fluid hose (not shown) communicating with the discharge of the mud pump (not shown). The curved flow passage 45 becomes one with a straight vertical portion 41 thereof above the joint 43. The upper end of the straight vertical portion 41 of the flow passage is normally closed by a suitable threaded plug IB while the downward or outlet end thereof communicates with a matching now passage 48 in the top of the bonnet I6 within the conflnes of the packing 44. Surrounding the flow passage 48 and depending from the top of the bonnet I6 and preferably integral therewith is the skirt 49 having an enlarged counterbore 50 machined therein axially in line with the flow passage 48. The lower end of the skirt 49 forms an annular flange threaded externally at 5I to engage a threaded clamp cap 52. The cap 52 has an inwardly extending annular flange 53 having a central opening 54 suitably smaller in diameter than the counterbore 50 to provide a clamping abutment 65 to act as a retaining means for the wash pipe stuffing box assembly 56 in conjunction with its bearing ring 51 and its sealing ring 58 (hereinafter more fully described) The wash pipe stuffing box assembly 56 is a unit comprisingv a self-adjusting stuffing box 59 which is suitably recessed at its top endwith o.

geweer otherpacking'ring lit-similarjto` the rings 66, and

a lower support -ringi69i'n contactwith 'and 'Supl ported by the 'gland` 64. The vgland 64 is provided with-Spanner wrenchopenings "10. The topsiip' port ring l65 is provided with a seriesoi vertical openings 1I through which -lpressure `'iiuidfroxn the stepped opening 60"!is operably -e'ilective against the topxnostpacking fringes which transe said pressure -to each succeeding ring whereby the upturned lips thereof aiefpress'e'd outwardly in sealing contact against thei-riespece tive opposed lsurfaces of the coun-terboreAGI VAand of the outer surface oi the wash lpipe 1-2 (to vbe further described hereinafter). In operation the drilling fluid tends to infiltrate abrasive 'particles-into the packing's 66fand`these Vtend to cause excessive 'Wearon :the outer y'surfaceof the `wash pipe-4to minimize this/'wear the lanizernrirlgv 61 is channelled lon its outer and'innerI surfaces Vfasi at13 'and aser'ies of openings 14 communicate the channels one with the -other,wherebylubricant Iorcedinto the channels from 'a "communicating lubricant tting 15, providedrin the stuff# ing box 59,"works itseli.' upward, thereby tending to displace voutwardly the abrasive particles. For permitting assembly of the iittin'g15 and to'give it operatingclearance anopening' 16 'is vprovided in the lskirt 49 o'i the bor'metv I6. The 'fitting 15 when in place 'in the opening 16 also acts 'as a key means to prevent excessive yrotation of the stufhng box 59 from its assembled position in the count'erboreGI. 'f f In order `that the stuin'g box'ass'embly 56 may adjust itself automatically to possible axial 'gyratory movement of the wash pipe when 4in operation it is necessary that the stufling box assembly unl-t be specifically y'adaptedfor"such movement. I preferito do "this by making themounting of the Ystuiling boxiassembly 56 within the skirt 49 of the bonnet I6 'that of `a. universal .joint material; At .th ille the pressure of" the uid inthefeleira'li space 82 is exerted-against thefseallngrin'g-:ll and tends to: compress the. ringland to 'force its surface vtI into an lelastic sealing and holding contact withv the convex upper-corner surface 11f1ofth stumng box 56. For this `latter reason I prefer to 'make the sealingA ring 56o! afsiiit= able .elastic material such "as :rubber "or the llke whereby its `s'ealingaction -is 'maintained dure ing 'relatively oscillatory movement or face 11. Furthermore. sincellthe wash pipe. 12

' when lin operation rotates withres'pect `to :the

stuffing box packings means 62 rI prefer to-fhave suitable workingv clearances between the outside diameter of thewash pipe 12 und the respective the gland 8l; and of the's'tepped'openingtb the stuilin'g box 59asindlca'ted in-Fig'. 3.

ItV is nowapparent thatI have "prov-Riede. del'- tachable fluid-tight universal 'joint connection between the rotatable wash pipe 12 'andthe Vstationary swivel housingA I2. This-connection comprises a relatively rotatable il-uid tightengageme'nt 'of `a vstuhlng box assembly -56 V"about th'e said Wash pipe, and a relatively non-rotatable fluid tight ballsand-socket engagement of the said stuffing box :assembly with the said swivel of the ball-andesocket type. This 'is d'on'eby machining the end corners'oi thefvstumngbox ias convex surfaces vof spherical revolution "11 about the spherlcalcenter 1li-lying on its axis Y19. .'*Iliese surfaces 11 oi the stuiling box 59 "engage fsuitfably -adapted concave surfaces 89 and 6I. of the bearing :ring 51 'and of'the sealing 'ring v5,8 `refspectively. Furthermore, it f'is `necessarythat proper clearances be provided to permit thestufring box assembly 56 to have'suitable'limitedigyratory movement about its theoretical normal vertlcal axis-#this VI do by vproviding clearances between the respective opposed 'sufa`ces of thecounterbore '59 and ofthe stufdng box 59 v'as at 82 y'at the top, and at '93 diametrica-lly, and -between the gland. 64 jand the cap 52 at 84 altfythe bottom. The new passage yalla yin 'the top or the bonnet I6 is also given 'sulcientclearance v`vas at 85 to avoid V'contact with the wash pipe 12.

Whenfin operation pressure 'of thev drillingfiiuid against the leffective pressure :exposeda'reas of the stufling box 'assembly -56 'tends to [slidably seatthe lower corner surface 11fforcibly'against the Vbearing Aring 51, and for 'this reason `I fpie'fe'rhousing, whereby operable lmeans 'are prov-iied for possible simultaneous A'rotary vand niotion of the said wash vvpipe with respect'toli'e said stationary housing body. n

-Referring now to Figures 1, 2, fand 5 the wash pipe 12 lis a vcylindrical v:pipe preferably 'made of high grade wear resisting metal with 'a polished exterior surface and has the flow passage 96 extending throughout its-length. Itis provided at each end with symmetrically shaped ^i'iotch'es 81 diametrically opposed at -each side thereof by' means of which the Wash Apipe may be driven in rotation frornfe'ither end thereof with vand by the swivel spindle I9. The `double end drive provision permits of 'turning the'wash pipe endfor-end for economy purposes whenthe wear 'of one en'd becomes excessive. -As shown'in the nlarged view of Fig. 2 the upper yen'd'oi th'ehollw spindle I9 has its remi-to-end jilow passage '88 enlarged to provide la Vrecess 'to receive 'thellower end of the'wash pipe 12 and-'its vassociated dri-ve bushing 89. The 'lcwepend "of the said recess is counterbored as at v'rlithafn 'abutrneltfgl to receive the said drive bushing 8.9. Both 'the drive bushing 89 fand'the :abutment 9| haveth'lr opposedinner corners bevelled in order to lp'io'fvide space' forw'eld metal 92 by which the lznish5` ing 99i`s attached to the lspindle I9. The fdrlve bushing 89`is provided with tw'o diametri'c'a'lly opposed lugs 93 onitsuppersuiface*which'engage the adjacent notches 81 in the wash 'pipefl when in assembled position. -'I'lfie width of -'the lugs l93 is niadeof less Width than tha-t lof the notches 81 inthe wash pipe 12 in order toprb'vide4 a ysuitable operating clearance as shown at 59|, whereby lthe 'wash pipe 1'2 maybe slightly'tilted out of line vfrornihat rr'ofthe axis of the spindle I9. Above the counter'borev-Sll the recess "is slightly 'enlarged in "diameter V"as at surfaces 795" and 96, in order to Aprovide ' suitable operating clearances 91 and 98 for the Wash 'pipe T2 'when sustaiitiauy 'the fsenie f-niside nieineter Ses #that 7 ofthe counterbore 9||`topermit assembly of 'the drive bushing 89 and at the same time reduce the clearances |03 and |04 between the outer diam- -eter voi' the wash pipe 12 and the opposing surfaces and |02 respectively. This is practical since any tilting or gyratory movement ofthe wash lpipe will tend to be centered about the center of the annular sealing ring seated `in the groove 99 and therefor theclearances y,|03 and |04 need not be so great as those of 91and 98 which are further-away from the plane of the sealingring I 05. lFurthermore the smaller clearances of |03 and |04 give added protection to the sealing ring |05. Thel sealingring |05 is preferably madegof a suitable elastic sealing material such as rubber, or the like. In operation drilling fluid under pressure passing through the drill'stem will allowleakage past the lower end of the wash pipe, 12 through the clearance spaces 9L 91, and |03, and into the trapezoidal groove 99,'beneath the sealing ring- |05, and will press the latter into sealing engagement against the outer surface ofthe wash pipe 12 and the surface of the angular abutmenty|00 of the groove 9 9. Due to the elastic nature of the sealing ring |05 this sealing engagement will be effectively maintained during slight oscillatory or gyratory movements of the wash pipe 12.

- In order to prevent the wash pipe 12 from withdrawing upwardly from its driven relationship with the drive bushing 89, and at the same time permit it to tilt or gyrate at an angle with respect to the axis of the spindle I9, the split clamping and retaining ring |06 is provided. As shown in Figures 2 and 5 the ring |06 is annular in shape'having the flat circumferential ange I01and a vertical axial flange |08 surrounding its central opening |09 which is adapted to have a sliding fit when not clamped on the wash' pipe 12. The ring |06' is radially slotted at-one side as at IIO and the vertical flange |08 is extended outwardly along each side of this slot to provide the clamping abutments III which are adapted to receive the clamping meansv |I2. On the side opposite to that of the slot IIO with its clamping abutments III is the opening II3 adapted to have a suitable operating clearance I II about the shoulder portion II5 of the retaining bolt II6. The top surface I I1 of the spindle I9 is provided with a threaded opening I I8 adapted to receive the threaded end |I9 of the bolt I|6. The shoulder portion-I I5 is sufficiently long enough to provide a suitable operating clearance |20 between the bolt head I2| and the i'lange boss |22. In operation the retaining ring |06 is tightly clamped about the wash pipe 12 by properly adjusting the clamping means ||2, and is loosely attached to the swivel spindle I9 by the retaining bolt IIS.

It is now apparent that I have provided a detachable fluid tight universal joint driving connection between the rotary swivel spindle I9 and thewash pipe 12. This connection comprises a relatively non-rotatable flexible fluidV tight engagement of the wash pipe 12 with the rotary swivel spindle, whereby the wash pipe 12 is rotatable in conjunction with the spindle I9 and also has operable means for possible simultaneous gyratory motion of the said wash pipe with respect to the said rotary swivel spindle I 9.

It is further apparent that my improved design of wash pipe and its packings has particular advantages in case of the need for inspection, removal, and replacement of its parts. Loosening oi' the clamping means I I2 frees the wash pipe axiallyfrom the retaining ring |08, andlthe wash pipe may rbe withdrawn upwardly-throughl the gooseneck I1 by first removing the cap` I8.. vI'he retainingvring |06 may be withdrawnby removal of the bolt IIB. The stufing box assembly 59 is removed as a unit by removal of the clamp cap 52, bearing ring 51, and fitting 15. The packing means 62 may be removed by removing the gland 64 fromthe stufllng box 59. Their reassembly is obvious.

, Itis also apparent that the wash pipe 12 may be locked-to its associated element by means of the clamping and retaining ring |06 alone, and thus, if desired,.dispense-with the notches 91 in the wash pipe 12, and with its associated lock bushing 89, since the clamping and retaining ring is securely clamped to the wash pipe 12 and is non-rotatably attached to its associated element (as shown in Fig. 2 and describedhereim this latter is the rotary stem I9). However, since the notched ,wash pipe and its associated lock bushing 89 are amore positive locking means I have shown and claim them as my preferred locking means.

I claim:

1. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combination of a housing body, said body comprising a lower bowl portion and an upper removable bonnet portion, said upper bonnet portion compris` ing exteriorly thereof an outer mounting surface and interiorly thereof a depending centrallydisposed packing housing, said housing comprising an upwardly extending counterbored recess therethrough, a pipe stem rotatably supported in said lower bowl portion a wash pipe flexibly secured at its lower end to rotate with said-pipe stem and in communicationtherewith and having its upper end inspacedencircled relationship with said recess and substantiallycoaxial therewith, a gooseneck removablysupported on said exterior mounting surface comprising a; .passageway therethrough communicating with the. upper end of said wash pipe, a sealing ring mounted within the inner end of said recess,. a bearing ring mounted within the outer end of said recess, said rings having opposed spherical concave surfaces of revolution of equal radii on their inside diameter, a wash pipe packing assemblycomprising an outer/cylindricalstuftlng box having spherical end corner 'convex surfaces of revolution about acommon center located on its axis, said convex surfaces being` adapted for movable surface' engagement with the respective opposed concave surfaces of said sealing and bearing rings'when mounted therebetween within said recess, means for retaining said Wash pipe packing assembly and said rings in said mounted relationship' whereby said stuffing box has a sealed universally movable fluid-tight joint relationship with said recess, and packing means in said stufling box in engagement with said wash pipe for maintaining a relatively rotatable fluid-tight engage,

ment about said wash pipe.

2. In a hydraulicrotary swivel, thefcombination of a wash pipe, a rotary pipe stem comprising-upon its upper end thereof a downwardly extending counterbored recess having intermediate the ends thereof a diametrically enlarged trapezoidiform annular notch having its outer end boundary surface obtuse angled with respect to its outer circumferential surface, the said annular notch spatially encircling a portion of said wash pipe, a wash pipe retaining means adapted to be removably attached to said .wash pipe to form a unit therewith, said retaining means beingr further adapted to be removably and ,looselyv attached to the upper end of said pipe stem, said loose attachment permitting limited axial oscillation of said unit with respect to the axis of said pipe stem while being. substantially non-rotatable thereto, and a resilient `sealing kring mounted in said annular notch having sealing engagement with said obtuse angled surface thereof and with the outer circumferential surface of said -wash pipe, whereby said wash pipe has a ilexible'sealed relatively non-'rotatable engagementwith said rotary pipe stem.

3. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combination of a housing body, said body comprising a lower bowl portion and an upper removable bonnet portion, said upper bonnet portion comprising exteriorly thereof an outer'mounting surface and' interiorly thereof a depending centrally disposed packing housing, said housing comprising an upwardly extending counterbored recess therethrough, a pipe stem rotatably supported in said lower bowl portion, said pipe stem comprising within its upper end thereof a downwardly extending counterbored recess, said counterbored recesses being opposed one to the other and spaced apart vertically in `substantially. coaxial alignment, a'gooseneck removably supported on said exterior mounting surface comprising a passagewayA therethrough, a wash pipe communicating said gooseneck with said pipe stem and having its ends extending into and spatially 'encircled by said counterbored recesses, a first end of4 said wash pipe having a sealed flexible relatively ncn-rotatable relationship with a first one of said counterbored recesses, a sealing ring mounted within-the inner end of a second one ofsaid recesses, a bearing ring mounted within the outer end of said second one of said recesses, said rings having opposed spherical concave surfaces ofA revolution of equal radii, a wash pipe packing assembly comprising an outer cylindrical stuffing. box having -spherical end corner convex surfaces of revolution about a common center located on itsv axis, said convex surfaces being adapted for movable surface engagement with the' respective` opposed concave surfaces of said sealing and bearing rings when mounted. therebetween within said. second one of said recesses, meansfor retaining said wash pipe packing as'- sembly and said rings in said mounted relationship whereby said stuiilng'box has a sealed universally movable fluid-tight joint relationship with said second one of said recesses, and packing means in said stuffing-box in engagement with said` wash pipe for maintaining a relatively rotatable fluid-tight engagement about said wash pipe. f

4; In a hydraulic rotary' swivel, the combination of. a housing body, said body comprising a lower bowl portion and an upper removable'bonnet portion, said upper bonnet portion comprising4 exteriorly thereof an outer mounting surface and interiorly thereof a depending centrally disposed packing housing, said housing comprising an upwardly extending counterbored recess there-V through, a pipe stem rotatablyv supported in said lower bowl portion, said pipe stem comprising within its upper end thereof a packing housing comprising a downwardly extending counterbored recess, said counterbored recesses being opposed one to the. other and spaced apart vertically in substantially coaxial alignment, a gooseneck vremovably vsupported on. said exterior mounting surface; comprising a passageway therethrough, a1. wash pipe .communicating said` goosenek Witirv said pipe stem' and having its ends extending into and spatially encircled bysaid recesses, a first end of said wash pipe having a sealed universally movable fluid-tight joint relatively rotatable relationship with a first one of said recesses, the secondV one of said recesses having intermediate theends thereof a diametrically enlarged trapezoidiform annular notch having its outer end boundary surface obtuse angled with respectjto its outer circumferential surface, the said annular notch vspatially encircling ythe second end of said wash pipe, a wash pipe retaining means adapted. to be removably attached to the saidsecond end of said wash pipe to form ay unit there-` with, said retaining means being further adapted to be removably and loosely attached to the housing of the said second recess, said loose attach-- ment permitting limited axial oscillation of said unit with respect tothe axis of said secondrecess while being substantially non-rotatable thereto, and a resilient sealing ring mounted in said annular notch having sealing engagement with said obtuse angled surface thereof and with the outer circumferential surface of said wash pipe, whereby said wash pipe has a `flexible sealed relatively non-rotatable engagement `with said rotary pipe stem. i l

5. In a hydraulic rotaryswivel, the combina.- tion of a wash pipe, a rotary pipe stem compris-r ing upon its upper end thereof a downwardly extending counterbored recess having intermediate the ends thereof a diametricallyenlarged trapezoidiform annular notch having its upper end boundary surface obtuseangled with-respect4 to its adjacent outer circumferential surface, thev said annular notch spatially encircling a portion of said Wash pipe, means for retaining said wash pipe within said recess comprising a radially split flanged collar adapted with clamping means for removably clamping said split collarrigidly upon said wash pipe to forma unit therewith, said flange of said collar comprising a cylindrical opening parallel to and radially spaced from said wash pipe, a shouldered fastening means passing through said cylindrical opening and removably mounted upon the outer end of said pipe stem, said cylindrical opening having axialY and diametrical clearance about said shouldered fastening means` whereby said Wash pipe and split collar unit in its assembled relationship has limited axial oscillatory movement with respect to the axis of saidh pipe stem while being substantially non-rotatable thereto, and a resilient sealing ring'mounted in said annular notch hav-v ing sealing engagement with said obtuse angled surface thereof and with` the outer circumferential surface of said wash pipe, whereby said wash pipe has a flexible sealed relatively non-rotatable engagement with said rotary pipe stem. 6. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combination'of a housing body, said body comprising a lower bowl portion and an upper removable bon-- net portion, said upper bonnet portion comprisan upwardly' extending counterbored recess therethrough, a pipe stem rotatably supported in said lower bowl portion, said pipe stem comprising within itS upper end thereof a packingy housing comprising a downwardly extending counterbored recess, said counterbored recessesl being opposed one to the other and spaced apart vertically in substantially coaxial alignment',-a

gooseneck removably supported on said exterior mounting surface comprising a passageway therethrough, a wash pipe communicating said gooseneck with said pipe stem and having its ends extending into and spatially encircled by said recesses, a rst end of said wash pipe having a sealed universally movable fluid-tight joint relatively rotatable relationship with a rst one of said recesses, the second one of said recesses comprising intermediate the ends thereof a diametrically enlarged trapezoidiform annular notch having its outer end boundary surface obtuse angled with respect to its outer circumferential surface, the said annular notch spatially encircling the second end of said wash pipe, means for retaining said wash pipe within said second recess comprising a radially split flanged collar adapted with clamping means for removably clamping said split collar rigidly upon the said second end of said wash pipe to form a unit therewith, said flange of said collar comprising a cylindrical opening parallel to and radially spaced from said wash pipe, a shouldered fastening means passing' through said cylindrical opening and removably mounted upon the housing of the said secondV recess, said cylindrical opening having axial and diametrical clearance about said shouldered fastening means whereby said wash pipe and split collar unit in its assembled relationship has limited axial oscillatory movement with respect to the axis of said second recess while being substantially non-rotatable thereto, and a resilient sealing ring mounted in said annular notch having sealing engagement with said obtuse angled surface thereof and with the outer circumferential surface of said wash pipe, whereby said wash pipe has a flexible sealed relatively nonrotatable engagement with said second recess.

7. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combination of a housing body, said body comprising a lower bowl portion and an upper removable bonnet portion, said upper bonnet portion comprising exteriorly thereof an outer mounting surface and interiorly thereof a depending centrally disposed packing housing, said housing comprising an upwardly extending counterbored recess i therethrough, a pipe stem rotatably supported in said lower bowl portion, said pipe stem comprising within its upper end thereof a downwardly extending counterbored recess, said counterbored recesses being opposed one to the other and spaced apart vertically in substantially coaxial alignment, a gooseneck removably supported on said exterior mounting surface comprising a passageway therethrough, a wash pipe communicating said gooseneck with said pipe stem and having its ends extending into and spatially encircled by said recesses and substantially coaxial therewith, a sealing ring mounted within the inner end of said bonnet recess, a bearing ring mounted within the outer end of said bonnet recess, said rings having opposed spherical concave surfaces of revolution of equal radii on their inside diameter, a wash pipe packing assembly comprising an outer cylindrical stuffing box having spherical end corner convex surfaces of revolution about a common center located on its axis. said convex surfaces being adapted for movable surface engagement with the respective opposed concave surfaces of said sealing and bearing rings when mounted therebetween within said bonnet recess, means for retaining said wash pipe packing assembly and said rings in said mounted relationship whereby said stuffing box has a sealed universally movable fluid-tight joint relationship with said bonnet recess, and

packing means in said stulng box in engagement with said wash pipe for maintaining a relatively rotatable iluid-tight engagement about said wash pipe, the said pipe stem counterbored recess having intermediate the ends thereof a diametrically enlarged trapezoidiform annular notch having its outer end boundary surface obtuse angled with respect to its outer circumferential surface, the said annular notch spatially encircling a portion of said wash pipe, a wash pipe retaining means adapted to be removably attached to said wash pipe to form a unit therewith, said retaining means being further adapted to be removably and loosely attached to the upper end of said pipe stem, said loose attachment-permitting limited axial oscillation of said unit with respect to the axis of said pipe stem while being substantially non-rotatable thereto, and a resili ent sealing ring mounted in said annular notch having sealing engagement with said obtuse angled surface thereof and with the outer circumferential surface of said wash pipe, whereby said wash pipe has a flexible sealed relatively nonrotatable engagement with said rotary pipe stem.

8. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combination of a housing body, said body comprising alower bowl portion and an upper removable bonnet portion, said upper bonnet portion comprising exteriorly thereof an outer mounting surface and interiorly thereof a depending centrally disposed packing housing, said housing comprising an upwardly extending counterbored recess therethrough, a pipe stem rotatably supported in said lower bowl portion, said pipe stem comprising within its upper end thereof a. downwardly vextending counterbored recess, said counterbored recesses being opposed one to the other and spaced apart vertically in substantially coaxial alignment, a gooseneck removably supported on said exterior mounting surface comprising a passageway therethrough, a Wash pipe communicating said gooseneck with said pipe stem and having its ends extending into and spatially encircled by said recesses and substantially coaxial therewith, a sealing ring mounted within the inner end of said bonnet recess, a bearing ring mounted within the outer end of said bonnet recess, said rings having opposed spherical -concave surfaces of revolution of equal radii on their inside diameter, a wash pipe packing assembly comprising an outer cylin-- drical stuflng box having spherical end corner convex surfaces of revolution about a common center located on its axis, said convex surfaces being adapted for movable surface engagement with the respective opposed concave surfaces of said sealing Iand bearing rings when mounted therebetween within said bonnet recess, means for retaining said wash pipe packing assembly and said rings in said mounted relationship whereby said stuffing box has a sealed universally fluid-tight joint relationship with said bonnet recess, and packing means in said stuifing-box in engagement with said Wash pipe for maintaining a relatively rotatable fluid-tight engagement about said wash pipe, the said pipe stem c-ounterbored recess having intermediate the ends thereof a diametrically enlarged trapezoidiform annular notch having its outer end boundary surface obtuse angled with respect to its adjacent outer circumferential surface, the

said annular notch spatially encircling a, portion of said wash pipe, means for retaining said wash pipe within said pipe stem recess comprising a radially Split flanged collar adapted with.

clamping means IQrfremOYablyf' clamping Said split collar rigidly upon said wash pipe to form a unit, therewith, said flange .o fsaid collar com,- prisinga cylindrical opening parallel toy and radially spaced from said washpipe, a shouldered fastening means passing through said cylindrical opening and Iremovably mounted upon` the outer end of said pipe stern,t 4said cylindrical opening having axial and diametrical clearance about said shouldered fasteningmeans whereby said wash pipegand split collarrunit its assembled relationship has limitedv axial oscillatory movement with, respect to theaxis of said pipe stemwhile being substantially nonrotatable thereto, and a resilient sealing ring mounted in said annular notch having sealingv engagement with said obtuse angled surf-acer thereof and with the outer circumferential surface of said w-ash pipe, whereby said wash pipe has a flexible sealed relatively non-rotatable engagement with said rotary pipe stem. i 9. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combination of a housing body, s-aid 'body comprising a lower bowl portion and an upper removable bonnet portion, said upper bonnet portion comprising exteriorly thereof an outer mounting surface and interiorly thereof a depending centrally disposed packing housing, sai-d housing comprising .an upwardly extending counterbored recess therethrough, a pipe stem rotatably supported in said lower bowl portion, said pipe stem comprising within its upper end thereof a packing housing compris-ing a downwardly extending counterbored recess, said counterbored recesses being opposed one to the other and spaced apart vertically in substantially coaxial alignment, a gooseneck removably supported on said exterior mounting surface comprising vav therethrough, a wash pipe communipassageway -cating said having its ends extending gooseneck with said pipe stem and into and spatially enof' said-v aeccndj recess-said-loosa' at;

tacnmentf pemittine limited axial Oscillation ai@ unit; with respect, to ,thel axisof: said' .second? recess.`v while.,V being ksubstantially non-rota ahlei thereto, and. aresilient sealing ring :noun

ed-,in said annular notch having sealingengageament Vwith said obtuse angled'surface t-liereQfiy and with thefouter circumferential.'surface of said wash pipe, whereby saidrwash pipelines; flexiblesealed relatively non-rotatable 4engagement with said second recess.

10. In a hydraulic rotary swivel, the combination of a housing body, said body comprising; a

lower bowl portion and an upperremoyable sv bonnet portion, said upper bonnet portion comprising exteriorly thereof` an outer mounting surf-ace and interiorly thereof a depending centrally disposed packing housing, said housing comprising an upwardly extending counterbored recess therethrough, a pipe stem rotatably supported in said lower bowl portion, said pipe stem comprising within its upper end thereof a downlwardly extending counterbored recess, said recesses comprising -a sealing ring mounted circled by said recesses and substantially coaxial f therewith, a first one of said recesses comprising a sealing ring mounted within the inner end thereof and a 'bearing ring mounted within the outer end thereof, said rings having opposed spherical concave surfaces of revolution of equal radii on their inside diameter, a wash pipe packing assembly comprising an outer cylindrical stuing box having spherical end corner convex surfaces of revolution about a common center located on its axis, said convex surfaces being adapted for movable surface engagement with the respective opposed concave surf-aces of said sealing and bearing rings when mounted therebetween within said first one of said recesses, means f-or retaining said wash pipe packing assembly and said rings in said mounted relationship whereby said stuffing box has a sealedr universally movable fluid-tight joint relationship with said first one of said recesses, and packing means in said stuffing box in engagement with said wash pipe for maintaining a relatively rotatable fluid-tight engagement about said wash pipe, .a second one of said recesses having intermediate the ends thereof a diametrically enlarged trapezoidiform annular notch having its outer end boundary surf-ace obtuse angled with respect to its outer circumferential surface, the said annular notch spatially encircling a portiony of said wash pipe, a wash pipe retaining means adapted to be removably attached to said wash pipe to form a unit therewith, said retaining means being further adapted to be removable and loosely attached to the within the inner end thereof and a bearing ring mounted within the outer end thereof, said rings having opposed spherical concave surfaces s of revolution of equal radii on their inside diameter, a wash pipe packing assembly comprising an outer cylindrical stufling box having spherical end corner convex surfaces of revolution about a common center located on its axis, said convex surfaces being adapted for movable surface engagement with the respective opposed concave surfaces of said seal-ing and bearing rings when mounted therebetween within said first one of said recesses, means for retaining said wash pipe packing assembly and said rings in said mounted relationship whereby said stuiiing box has a sealed universally movable fluid-tight joint relationship with said first one of said recessesand packing means in said stuffing box in engagement with said wash .pipe for maintaining a relatively rotatable fluidtight engagement about sai-d wash pipe, a second one of said recesses having intermediate the ends thereof a diametrically enlarged trapezoi-diform annular notch having its outer end boundary surface obtuse angled with respect to its outer circumferential surface, the said annular notch spatially encircling a portion of said wash pipe, means for retaining said wash pipe within said second recess -comprising .a radially split flanged collar adapted with clamping means for removably clamping said split coll-ar rigidly upon said wash 4pipe to form a unit therewith, said flange of said collar comprising a cylindrical opening parallel to and ria.- dially spaced from said wash vpipe, a shouldered fastening means passing through said cylindrical opening and removably mounted upon the housing of said second recess, said cylindrical opening having -axi-al and diametrical clearance about said shouldered fastening means whereby said wash pipe and split collar unit inL its assembled relationship has limited axial os- 15 cillatory movement with respect to the axis of said second recess while being substantially non-rotatable thereto, and a resilient sealing' ring mounted in said annular notch having sealing engagement with said obtuse angled surface thereof and with the outer circumferential surface of said wash pipe, whereby said wash 4pipe has a exible sealed relatively non-rotatable ensagement with said second recess.

IEEE FAGG.

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

Number Re. 22,825 904,933 2,029,598 2,036,537 2,105,754' 2,1 19,244 2,220,120 2,394,800 2,459,472 2,472,061

16 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Morgan, Jr., et ai. Dec. 24, 1946 Brickner Nov. 24, 1908 Tmbs et al Feb. 4, 1936 Otis Apr. 7, 1936 Otis Jan. 18, 1938 Pranger May 31, 1938 Plummer Nov. 5, 1940 Murphy Feb. 12, 1946 Tremolada Jan. 18, 1949 Bloss et a1 June 7, 1949 Tremolada Oct. 25, 1949

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