US2632532A - Frame structure - Google Patents

Description

March 24, 1953 A. BLACKBURN 2,632,532

7 FRAME STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 16, 1946 INVENTOR. LUTHERAEZACKH/PN WWII/M ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRAME STRUCTURE Luther A. Blackburn, Lynwood, cant. Application September 16, 1946, Serial No. 697,370

This invention relates to frame structures, and more specifically pertains to sectional frames for supporting and enclosing oil well pumping equipment in position for use over a well. 011 well pumping mechanism of a type comparatively new in the field contemplates the use of a crosshead, in which the polished rod of the pump assembly is clamped, actuated by endless drive chains arranged vertically around the well. While such equipment is more costly to manufacture and install than the conventional walking beam type pumping apparatus heretofore employed, its greater efliciency dictates its use in deep wells. As there is considerable lossin the effective pumping stroke at the bottom of the well'incident to elongation and contraction of the tubing string and sucker rod string which must alternately carry the load of the oil column on successive strokes of the pump, it is necessary,

in order to recover a unit volume of oil, that the -length of the pump stroke at the surface be proportioned to the depth of the well. The length of the stroke obtainable with the modern chainactuated mechanism is limited only by the lengths of the chains, but as they are arranged parallel to the polished rod suitable vertical supporting structure must be provided tomount the sprockets for the drive chains as well as those -was desired. While adequate strength is assuredin frames of this type, their construction is often awkward and time-consuming, as it is usually necessary to build them on the site.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a frame composed of a plurality of sections adapted for facile assembly to produce a composite structure of any height desired, for the support therein of sprockets and auxiliary apparatus required for the suspension and actuation of the vertical drive chains of modern deep well pumping units.

3 Claims (01. 189-16) Another and highly important object is the provision of a frame composed entirely of plate stock of novel form and arrangement to furnish accommodation for counterweight assemblies at each end thereof and to assure a maximum area within the frame for drive mechanism while contributing-sufficient strength to withstand the section frame. a pair of side plates 1, each of which comprises an intermediate vertical fiat panel 8 flanked by flat-bottomed indented ribs 9. tions ID of each side plate I are also flat and are Another object is to provide a crown plate for the upper end of a vertically assembled sectional frame of the type alluded to, to afford support for bearings for counterweight'chain sprockets accommodated within registering slots formed within the crown plate and adjacent end of the other upper frame section.

Still another object is to provide a frame comprising side plates adapted to perform the threefold function of enclosing the internal pumping mechanism, of furnishing the principal support for the pump elements and actuating mechanism, and of affording vertical guides forcounterweights adapted to be reciprocated with each cycle of operation of the pump.

Numerous other objects and salient features of my invention, such for example as simplicity of construction, greater facility of assembly resulting in a saving of time at the well, economy of manufacture in both materials and labor, and adaptability to pumping units of different sizes, will be apparent to those of skill in the art to which my invention appertains from an examination of the following description read in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a two-section frame unit embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the frame shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through thelower part of the unit, taken on line 3-301 Fig. 1 and illustrating the cross-sectional contour of each section;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the upper portion of the assembly, depicting particularly the crown plate for supporting the co un- ;out the several views, 5 and 6 designate, respectively, the upper and lower sections of: a two- Each section 5 and 6' comprises The outer sec offset outwardly to lie in the planeof panel 8. The vertical edges of the plate are bentasi'ndicated'at II to form right angles with the plane of the central panel 8 and extend in thedirection toward whichribs 9 are offset from the panel and outer sections I 0. The anglesformed 3 in each plate between the indented ribs 9 and panel 8 and outer sections contribute the additional strength required to withstand the weight imposed thereon by the pumping unit during operation.

The side plates 1 of each section and B of the frame are arranged in parallel, spaced relation with their respective corresponding elements directlyppposedto one another, being rigidly secured inthis relationship by end plates I2v End plates l2 are each formed with a central, vertical, offset rib l3 disposed intermediate the side edges to further reinforce the structure against buckling, as will appear. The end plates I2 are arranged between plates 1 in parallelplanes forming right angles withw'the zlatter, .theyertical edges of plates I2 being secured by welding or the like to the outer sections H) of side-plates 1 adjacent the ribs 9. To assist in maintaining 1 this rlationship, theie01 .e's J4? of end plates I 2 "are -vbvent at right angles; ,forming narrow bear- :jing, Surfacesfor side plates 1-. [.5 indicates a plurralityof triangular-corner plates secured in :the :inside corners of the rectangle delineated by the 'side ;and end: plates 'I andi IZ in cross-section to reinforce the described :relationship of these -parts: A T-*irori"l6 is=attach ed in vertical posi- -tion by-weldirigror:thezlike to themiddle of the 1rib: l3 of eachiendplate' l2so as to project into .ithexiframe for guiding. the ends of a' cross'head .be'understoo'd'that the Teirons It at correspcndting ends of respective sections5 and B areyin any completely assembled-frame, perfectly aligned to assure uninterrupted :movement of the crosshead .frcirri top tobottom'of the composite frame.

The inwardly-directed edges H of side plates "1; in addition to reinforcing the latter plates, also provide guides for ,counterweights adapted to ireiprocatevertically in opposition to the move- :ment o'f'the cros'shead at the outside 'of the 1"e'- A spective end plates l2. Each section 5 and]; is requipped with 'a'" pair 'o'f identical covers 'Il for the ends thereof to complete the vertical enclosurerinwhi'ch the 'counterweights are raise dand lowered. A plurality of hi ngeeleme'nts 18 are. 'secu'red' td "tne'uge fof ea'ch c'oyer fl' and com- .plerr'ientaryli ingeelements were seeu dto t i edgesbfithe'side plateslwith which the covers are contiguous when the frame is assembledlfor us'eQ Hinge pins 20' i nserted through the respeci -cu'reth covers tothe side plates; The removal of hinge pins 20 at one side of any one of c'pyers -lTpe'rmits' that cover to be'l slv vung outwardly on the hinge assembly at'tl'ie opposite side, 'facili-- t'altir'i'g adjustment of the counterweights'and the replacement of the cover. u

- While 'theframe sections are substantially identical in the particulars hereinabov e pointed out, it will he observed by reference to Fig; 1 that reach of side plates T of the lower section 6 .is for'med with a cut-o'ut,' indicatedat 2'I,'of a .width at-the bottom of the section substantially .equal to the distance between the end plates l2. Theside edges of the opening 2| in each plate .cpnvergeupwardlyethrough the ribs 9 to provide a; widthin'openingzl at the'top thereof-approxi- \rnatelyequal tothat fpthelpanel 8.1 1

iwmpQsi eframetm'ay 'be.;c0mp0sed OfJSeC- tions 5 are identical to one another and are seionagof anynumberiandzsize; :f'Ihc upperrsec- I cured together in the same manner as are the sections 5 and 6 of the present embodiment, as is about to be described. T this end, each upper section 5 and the top of the lower section 6 are equipped with narrow flange plates 22, welded or otherwise secured to the horizontal edges of respective side plates 1 so as to project laterally therefrom. Each flange plate 22 is formed with a series of holes adaptedto registerwith holes of the plate 22 of the adjoining-frame section upon assembly of the unit for the extension of bolts or the like by which the sections are re- =leasablyconnected.

I V A crown plate 23 is superimposed upon the top of the uppermost section 5 of the assembly .and conforms in. outline with the upper edges 'of the four' side and end plates 1 and I2. Each end of. the crown plate 23 is accordingly formed with extensions 24 which overlie the outer sections l 5 -of side plates T to- 'obtain additionalsup- -porttherefrom: A large opening- 25 is formed in the center-of 'crown;plate23 for the'extensi-on of the polished -rod on -the-upstroke ofrthe pumping ;assemblytwhich the frameis adapted tosupport." The plate is slotted as at 26 at each end on a medial line,- which slots-26 register with vertical slots 21 cut in theupper portions of the end plates 12 to accommodate counterweight sprockets (not'shownj) forthe-pumping unit. At opposite sides o-f'sl0ts26 the ends of plate 23 are bent" downwardly" to engage the outer surfaces TOf the endplates iz at opposite sides of the vertical slots- 2:- so as to resist displacement of ccrownplate 23 in-directionsparallelwith side 'plates '1: It will-be-understood that crown plate .23 is-adapted' to-support bearings on=opposite sides of both slots" 26 for rotatable support-of shafts 'onwhich' the counterweightsprockets are -mount ed. Lateral movement of crown -p1at'e'23 relative to the'sections 5and fi-therebelow is obviated by vertical retainer plates 28 secured to the underside of crown-plate 23*, of a-lengtlr only "slightly less tharlr the distance 'betweerrthe side 'plates'l ":The retainers 28' arespaced rap-art-fa distance' subst'antially' equal to" the widths of panels t6'whereb'yithe ends thereof: engage th'e 'side'plate's "1 adj ace'nt'tha angle formed'between the panels-and iridented 'ribs Eirofplates "1; The lower edges of retainers-2 serebent-at rightangles 'to 'contribute"additional-=-strength to the crown plate assembl '29 indicates-aware; -bolted 'or otherwiseattached to' lugs- 3i]; mountedupon crown plate fi to'enclose the "counterweight sprockets and-bearings. A pair cf'lifting eyes'fl are secured by welding or th'e' like tUthet pof 'ca '29 to facilitate its removal and "replacement when the sprocket "bearings o'r counterweight "chainsrequire {attention. Correspondingly, crownfplate"32 lis providdpyith lifting pads 32 mounted by welding or f ilie like to each of the rear corners, respectively, hereof by which pla'te'i's with 'the'sprocketsafid bearings mounted thereon'niay befinore easily installed in" th'efdscribed"relationship with the frame section 5? In pr'dr't'o fac'l'itate access to the lower'pu'mprug-mechanism lioused within' 'the bottom" frame section 5, fprovideen opening in panel 8 of one side"platel' offsaid'lower section '6: Along the 70 upper fedgefof the opening 'astrip'r33 fe -welded.

fo'nesideof which overhangs -the"opening--to'- recceivieftl'ierfeunder the-upper ,ed'geof: a closureiplate .gtflcfifxat :wid his bstantiallynth? same-a ibetie the opening but slightly shorter for ga -purppse 75 about to be described. Four lugs secured to FRI:

the inner surfaces of the side plate I, last identified, project slightly into the opening to support th closure 34 against pressure from the outside of the frame. The lower edge of closure 34 is held in place by a pair of lugs 36 attached to the outside of side plate 1 at the lower edge of the opening. The lugs 36 extend upwardly into the opening a distance less than the overhang of strip 33 at the upper edge of closure 34. A handle 3! is provided to manipulate closure plate 34 which may be placed in position to substantially fill the opening by first extending the upper edge of the closure under strip 33 and thereafter elevating the same over the lower lugs 36, behind which closure 34 may then be dropped. An opening controlled by such a closure plate may be provided in each side of the lower section, and each section thereabove may be equipped in the same manner if desired.

It will thus be noted that I have provided a frame composed of a plurality of sections adapted for most facile assembly at the point of use to provide a supporting structure of any desirable size, each section being economically constructed of plate and formed to accommodate the chains, sprockets, and crosshead mechanism of modern oil well pumping units.

While I have shown and described but one embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that many changes in size, design, shape and number of the parts may be made, that the upper section 5 of the frame and crown plate 23 may be welded or otherwise rigidly secured together prior to assembly of the composite frame at the well, that any conventional expedients may be provided to facilitate mounting the frame over the well, or the entire assembly may be supported on rails for lateral movement thereof so as to enable removal of the pumping mechanism or tubing, etc., from the well when occasion demands, and that other conventional door-supporting apparatus may be substituted for the strip 33 and lugs 35 and 36 of the present embodiment, if desired, all without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a derrick frame structure for a well pumping unit, a pair of frames, each comprising a pair of opposed side plates and a pair of opposed end plates secured rigidly in right angular relationship, said end plates being inset with respect to the lateral edges of said side plates to form a central chamber of a length less than the length of each side plate, and end chambers, each of said side plates extending at each end beyond said end plates and forming with the exterior side of each of said end plates the side walls of each one of the said end chambers each one of said end chambers being adjacent an end of said central chamber, a closure member hinged to one of said side walls of each end chamber, the upper end of one of said frames and the lower end of the other frame being flanged, means to hold said flanges of said respective frames together with one of said frames superimposed upon the other and the corresponding chambers thereof alignedwith one another, and a crown plate superimposed upon the upper end of the uppermost frame having depending retainer plates extending into the central chamber of the upper frame to resist lateral displacement of the crown plate, said crown plate having a central opening therein registeringwith said central chamber and having elongated slots in opposite ends, respectively of said plate registering with said end chambers.

2. In a derrick frame structure for a well pumping unit, a pair of frames, each comprising a pair of opposed side plates and a pair of opposed end plates secured rigidly in right angular relationship, said end plates being inset with respect to the lateral edges of said side plates to form a central chamber of alength less than the length of each of said side plates, and vertical end chambers, each of said side plates extending at each end beyond said end plates and forming with the exterior side of each of said end plates the side walls of each one of the said vertical end chambers, each one of said end chambers being adjacent an end of said central chamber, a closure member hinged to one of said side walls of each vertical end chamber, the upper end of one of said frames and the lower end of the other frame being flanged, means to hold said flanges of said respective frames together with one of said frames superimposed upon the other and the corresponding chambers thereof aligned with oneanother, a crown plate superimposed upon the upper end of the uppermost frame having a central hole therein and slots in opposite ends thereof vertically aligned with the respective end chambers, means to releasably secure said crown plate on said frame, and a plurality of lifting pads secured to the corners of said crown plate.

3. In a derrick frame structure for a well pumping unit, a pair of frame sections each comprising a pair of vertical side plates and a pair of vertical end plates, the latter extending transversely between said side plates at points spaced inwardly from the ends of the latter to maintain the same in spaced parallel relationship, and form a central chamber each of said side plates having indented ribs extending vertically and disposed adjacent and between said end plates, each of said end plates having indented ribs vertically arranged and disposed equi-spaced from the lateral edges thereof, respectively, vertical guides mounted on the ribs of said end plates, respectively, and within the central chamber formed by said side and end plates, an end closure in substantially spaced parallel relation to said inwardly spaced end plates forming vertical end chambers across the spaced apart ends of said vertical side plates adjacent each end of the said central chamber, means to secure said sections together with corresponding elements thereof vertically aligned with one another, a crown plate carried on the top of the uppermost frame section, and means to maintain said frame sections and crown plate in aligned relationship.

LUTHER A. BLACKBURN.

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

UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS 7 OTHER REFERENCES Engineering News Record, June 3, 1943, page 91.

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