US2909225A - Jet type bailer with gas generating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 20, 1959 v. D. HANES ET AL 2,909,225

JET TYPE BAILER WITH GASYGENERATING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1, 1956 gif-32 INVENToRL VAUGHN D. HNES JOHN D, CHESNUT vBY e Afro/Sgr v. D. HANEs ETAL JET TYPE BATLER WITH GAS GENERATING MEcHANTsM Filed June l, 195e Oct. 20, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO/WYE).l

JET TYPE BAILER WITH GAS GENERATING MECHANISM Vaughn D. Hanes, Covina, and John D. Chesnut, Newport Beach, Calif., assignors to Aerojet-General Corl poration, Azusa, Calif., a corporation of Ohio Application June 1, 1956, Serial No. '588,826

6 Claims. (Cl. 166-63) This invention relates to oil well tools.Y More particularly, the invention relates to well bailers of the type wherein a uid jet is directed against debris in the well to cause the debris to move upwardly in the well to a point above the open top of the bailer sothat subsequent upward movement of the bailer in the well will cause the debris to be collected within the bailer body. Bailers of this general type are disclosed in the following copending patent applications: Serial No. 588,770, filed lune 1, 1956, by .lohn D. Chesnut; and Serial No. 588,827, led June 1, 1956, by Vaughn D. Hanes.

, J et bailers of the type disclosed in the aforementioned patent applications depend upon the kinetic energy in the jet for their operation. Kinetic energy may be delined by the equation where M is the mass and V2 is the square of the velocity of the jet. Inasmuch as the jets employed in the bailers above referred to are composed entirely of gaseous fluids (generated by the combustion of suitable propellants) such jets have a relatively low kinetic energy although their velocities may be high.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a jet for a jet bailer, which has greater kinetic energy, obtained by increasing the mass of the jet while maintaining approximately the same velocity of the jet. This object is achieved by providing a jet which consists of a combination of liquid and gaseous particles, the liquid particle having a much greater density than the gaseous particles. y

It' is a further object of the invention to provide an all-liquid jet for a jet bailer of the type wherein the propulsive force is generated by gaseous means.`

Other objects and advantages will be evident from the following description and drawings illustratingseveral embodiments of the invention.

Fig. l isa schematic 'view showing a bailer `embodying the present invention positioned within a Well.

Fig.'2 is an elevation, in cross section, showing the upper portion of the bailer shown in Fig. 1.

Y Fig.V 3 is an elevation, in vcross section, of the lower portion of the bailer shown in Fig. 2.

Fig; 4- is an elevation, in cross embodiment of the bailer.

Fig. 5 is an elevation, in cross section, of still another embodiment of-the invention'. fv f Fig. V6'is an elevation,in cross section, ofsltill another embodiment of the invention. v y j w Referring to Fig. 1, the numeral 1 indicatesa well bore which .may be lined with a well casing 2. Within thecasing 2 (orfwithin the well bore 1, if the bore hole `is not cased)l is a bridge orobstruct-ion 3 formed of sand Patented oct. zo, 1959 2 pended Within the well, slightly above the bridge 3, by means of a hoisting line 6 extending to the top of the well. The principal parts of the bailer 5 are a body having: one or more upwardly facing buckets 7; a pro- 5 pellant combustion chamber 8; a downwardly directed nozzle 9 and ignition means (not shown) for the propellant. Debris 3, dislodged by the iluid jet issuing from the nozzle 9 moves upwardly as indicated by the arrows 10 to some point above the buckets 7. Upward movement of the bailer 5 causes the dislodged debris to enter the upper ends of the buckets 7 as indicated by the arrows 11, where the debris is trapped for removal from the well. Y

Fig. 2 illustrates in more detail a bailer of the type indicated in Fig. 1. The bailer 5 is provided with some suitable means for attachment to the hoisting line 6, such as the eye bolt 12 and nipple 13 which is secured to theupper end of a drainage tube 14. Mounted on the drainage tube 14, which will be shown to provide a fluid inlet to the bailer body, are one or more buckets or cups 7 which are secured by any suitable means such as the welding indicated at 15. Preferably there are several such buckets 7, spaced apart, with their upper ends 16 open, to receive debris. Each bucket may be several feet in length. The drainage tube 14 is provided with a series of small drainage holes 17 which lead from the interior of each bucket 7 into the interior ofthe drainage tube 14. The purpose of these drainage holes 17 is to permit liquid to pass from the buckets 7 into the tube 14 while filtering out the solid debris.

The lower end of the drainage tube 14 communicates with the interior of a tubular housing 18 which may be an extension of the lowermost bucket 7, as shown, or may be a separate member. The lower end of the housing 18 (Fig. 3) contains a perforated closureplug 19 which is attached to the lower end of the housing 18 by any suitable means, such as Vthe threads 20. The lower end of the plug 19 is threadedly connected to. the upper end of a tubular shell 21 as indicated at 22. A wrench space 23 may be provided between the threads 20 and 22. A series of axially directed drain holes 24 extend through the plug 19 near the outer periphery thereof.`

The upper end of the plug 19 is provided with suitable means such as the threaded, stepped bosses 25 and 26 for attaching thereto a pair of tubular housings 27 and 28. The plug 19 is provided with a central bore 29 which receives a slidable tube 38 therein. The tubular housing 27 is spaced inwardly of the housing 18,to provide an annular fluid channel 31 therebetween. The

, upperVA end of tubular housing 27 (Fig. 2) is adjacent section, of another i.

the lower end of the drainage tube 14 and is preferably braced by tack welding to the bottom of the lowermost bucket 7 as indicated at 32. Ports 33 in the walls of the housing 27 permit the interior of the drainage tube 14 tobe in open communication with the annular fluid the plug 19 ('Fig. 3).

The lower end of the tubular housing 28 (Fig. 3)` is spaced inwardly from the Ahousing 27 to form an' annular gas passage 34 between the housings 27Iand .28.' The upperportion of the housing 28 is provided with aseries of gas inlet ports^35 in the walls thereof. The upper end ofthe housing 28 is threaded as indicated at 36 to receive an extensionv cap 371which houses `aj cup-shaped firing :pin38 and supports a percussioncap cartridge 39. vFor this latter purpose the extension cap or otherdebris. The wellwill normally ,lcontainuid t'o `some level 4 above the bridge 3. A bailer`5 is susport's'43' for vthe passage of gas therethrough.

i 2,909,225 e e j The upper end of the housing 28 (Fig. 3) is provided with an upwardly extending tubular support 44 on which the cup-shaped firing pin 38 is slidably mounted. Ports 45 formed in the base of thegtubular support 44 permit the passage of gas therethrough. The wall of the firing pin 38 is provided with an outwardly extending iange 46 which rests upon the top of a helical spring 47 which is normally held in a compressed condition. The lower end of the spring 47 rests upon the upper surface of the base of the tubular support 44. The inner surface of the cup-,shaped firing pin 38 is counterbored intermediate its ends as indicated at 48 to receive a portion of ball detent 49 which is housed with an opening 50 in the side wall of the support 44. The lower end of the counterbore 48 terminates in an upwardly facing shoulder 51 which supports the ball detent 49 in its normal, latched position, as shown Fig. 3. An opening 52 may be' provided in the top of the cupshaped firing pin 38.

Housed slidably within the tubular extension 44 is a plunger 53 which normally prevents the ball detent 49 from moving out of the counterbore 48. The plunger 53 is supported by a neck 54 of sufficiently smaller diameter than the plunger 53 so that when the plunger 53 moves upwardly far enough to bring the neck portion opposite the ball detent 49, the ball is permitted to move inwardly a distance suflicient to permit the shoulder 50 on the firing pin 38 to clear the ball 50 and permit the compressed spring 47 to expand suddenly, causing the ring pin 38 to strike the percussion cap 39 and initiate the firing thereof. The neck member 54 is supported on a downwardly facing cup-shaped extension member 55 having ports 57 in the walls thereof. The cup-shaped member 55 is loosely supported on the upper end of a tubular valve member S, the lower end of which is threadedly connected to the upper end of the tube 30 as indicated at 59. The upper end of the tubular valve member 58 is provided with a central opening 68 which receives a frangible blow-out plug 61 which normally seals the interior of the tube 30 against the passage of fluid therethrough in either direction.

The slidable tube 30 is provided, intermediate its ends, with sealing means, such as the O ring 62, for sealing the space between the exterior of the'tube 30 and the central bore 29 in the closure plug 19. The lower end of the tube 30 has an enlarged head 63 which forms a female coupling which is internally threaded as indicated at 64. A tubular nozzle member 65 is threadedly attached at its upper end to the coupling 63 at 64. The nozzle member 65 is provided with central, axially disposed passageway 66 which communicates at its upper end with a laterally extending passage 67, the outer end of which communicates with a chamber 68 formed within the shell 21 between the closure plug 19 and a bushing 69 which latter is threadedly secured to the lower end of the shell 21 as indicated at 70. The bushing 69 is provided with a central bore 71 through which the nozzle 65 extends. The nozzle 65 is restrained downward movement (from the position shown in Fig. 3) by means of a stop nut 72 which is threadedly secured to the nozzle 65 as indicated at 73. The lower end of the nut 72 normally rests upon the upper end of the bushing 69, as shown in Fig. 3.

'I'he central bore 66 of the nozzle 65 has an enlarged counterbore 74 in its lower portion. Within the counterbore 74 and spaced from thel walls thereof is a tube 75 which is threadedly secured to the upper interior portion of the nozzle 65 in alignment with the axial passageway 66, as indicated at 76. The lower portion of the tube 75 is preferably enlarged to form a somewhat pear-shaped head 77. The head 77 is of slightly smaller diameter than the counterbore 74, the latter being flared outwardly and downwardly at its lower end, as indicated at 78. The lower portion of the nozzle 65 is preferably enlarged to form a head 79 which is provided with an upwardly facing shoulder 80. A helical, compressible spring 81 surrounds the nozzle 65 and bears against the upwardly facing shoulder 80 and against the downwardly facing surface 82 of the bushing 69, to normally maintain the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 3. The space between the outside of the tube 75 and the interior wall of the counterbore 74 forms an annular channel 83 which communicates at its lower end with a restricted passage 84 formed between the head 77 and the counterbore 74. The upper end of channel 83 communicates with the lower end of a vertical passage 85 in the upper portion of the nozzle 65. The upper end of passage 85 communicates with the lower end of the passage 86 through the tube 30.

Seated upon the top of cover member 40 is a propellant charge 87 (Fig. 2) within the housing 27 which is closed at its upper end by any suitable means, such as the partition 88. The propellant charge 87 is shown as a solid propellant, of cylindrical shape and having a recess 89 in its lower end to receive the percussion cartridge 39. The type of propellant and its configuration is not an essential part of the present invention.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3 is as follows: with the parts in the positions shown in Figs. l and 2 the bailer 5 is attached to the hoisting line 6 and is lowered into the well until the nozzle (9 in Fig. 1 and 65, 77 and '79 in Fig. 3) contacts the top of the bridge formed by the debris 3. The weight of the bailer parts 7 and 8 (Fig. l) causes these parts to slide downwardly on the nozzle 9-65 compressing the spring 81. The relative upward movement of the nozzle member 65, thus effected, pushes up the associated parts, 30, 58, 55, 54 and 53 until the plunger 53 is above the ball detent 49. The ball 49 then moves inwardly against the neck 54, freeing the firing pin 38 which is snapped upwardly by the spring 47. The top of the firing pin 38 strikes the percussion cap in the cartridge 39, causing it to ignite, and, in turn, ignites the propellant S7. High pressure gas generated by the burning propellant (which contains sufficient oxygen for combustion) passes downwardly through the passage 34, the ports 35, the ports 43 and 45, and 57 into the interior of the cup-shaped member 55 (Fig. 3). When the gas pressure has built up sufiiciently to overcome the frangible blow-out plug 61, the passage 60 is opened, permitting the gas to pass downwardly through the tubular valve member 58, the tube 30, the passages 85, 83, 84 and downwardly against the debris 3, dislodging a portion of the debris and causing it to move upwardly in the well bore. There is usually iiuid in the well to a point above the top of the bailer. In this event, the suction created in the lower end of the tube 75 by the high velocity gas passing out of the restricted orifice 84 tends to pull well liquid downwardly from above and to commingle the liquid with the high velocity gas jet, thus greatly increasing the specific gravity of the combined liquid and gas jet over the gas jet alone. Liquid entering the tube 75 is supplied through the drain holes 17 (Fig. 2) in the tube 14 within the buckets 7. Liquid from the interior of the tube 14 flows downwardly through ports 67, into the top of the passage 66 and thence into the top of the tube 75, issuing from the lower end of tube 75 and commingling with the jet of gas issuing from the nozzle 78-79.

By the time the propellant 87 has been expended, a suliicient volume of debris 3 will have been raised to a point above one or more of the buckets 7 to lill the buckets. Filling is accomplished by raising the bailer 5 upwardly through the dislodged debris. The upwardly facing buckets 7 tend to become filled with both debris and well liquids. Since it is not the intention to use bailers of Vthe jet type for the removal of liquids, it is desrablethat as much of the liquid as possible `be sepa-iI rated from the debris leaving only debris in the buckets 7. 'IAhis is accomplishedby providing drain holes for liquid in the buckets 7. 'I'he drain holes may be in the'walls of the tube 14, as shown in Fig. 2, or they may be in the Walls or floor of the buckets, not shown. The well liquid which drains through the ports 17 into the tube 14 ows downwardly and into the nozzle 9, as described above. Fig. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the well lluid which is entrained in the gas jet issuing from the nozzle 91 is sucked into the nozzle through inlets or ducts 92 formed in the nozzle around the main jet of gas issuing from the central passage 93. The construction of the bailer shown in Fig. 4 is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3 with the omission of the inner housing 27 of Fig. v3 which serves tov form the liquid passage 31 which is unnecessary with the construction shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4 'parts which are similar to those of Fig. 3 are given the same numbers with an a added., No further description of the construction and operation of the device shown in Fig.. 4 is deemed necessary. u

' Fig. `5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the jet issuing from the nozzle 95 is composed entirely of liquid. The liquid is forced through the iet nozzle by means of high pressure gas generated by the burning of a propellant 8717. Parts having functions similar to the corresponding parts ofV Figs. 3 and 4 are given similar numbers with a b added. The liquid which is to be. ejected through the nozzle 95 is contained in a reservoir 96 within a tubular chamber portion of the bailer body 97, to the lower end of which is attached the nozzle 95. The nozzle 95 has a small, downwardly directed orifice 98 which is normally sealed by a frangible plug 99. The upper end of the reservoir chamber 97 is threadedly attached to the lower end of a tubular member 65b as indicated at 100. Member 65h is provided at its upper end with an enlarged head 101 having a downwardly facing shoulder 102 which rests upon the upper end of a threaded bushing 69b which is attached to the lower end of a tubular shell 2lb as indicated at 70b. The tubular shell 2lb is threadedly attached at its upper end to a tubular housing 18b as indicated at103. VSuitable sealing means, such as the O ring 104, is provided in member 2lb to seal the space between members 2lb and 18b. The upper end of the tubular shell 2lb is closed by a transverse wall-105 having a central bore 106 through which the tube 30b extends slidably. Sealing means such as the O ring 62b seals the space between the tube andthe wall 105. A helical compressible spring 81b is interposed between the top ofv member 2lb and the underside of the transverse wall 105 to maintain the members 65b- `and 2lb normally in the extended position shown in'Fig. 5. Spacer washers 108 may be placed under one end of the spring 81b, if desired, to adjust the compression of the spring. Relief ports 109 are provided in the wall of the shell 2lb communicating with the chamber which encloses the spring 81b.

A tubular housing 28b is threadedly secured to wall 105 at 110. The upper end of housing 28b terminates in a plate 111 which supports a charge of propellant 87b. Plate 111 is perforated as indicated at 112 to permit the passage of gas therethrough. Mounted within the housing 28b is a tubular support member 44b on which a cup-shaped firing pin 38b is slidably mounted and supported on a helical compressed spring 47b. A ball detent 4911 latches the firing pin releasably inthe position shown in Fig. 5. A plunger 53b is mounted on the upper side of a downwardly facing cup-shaped member 55b which is loosely supported on a tubular member 58b on the upper end of the tube 30b. The lower end of the passageway 113 through the tubular member 65b is threaded as indicated at 114 to receive a threaded orifice bushing 115 which constricts the outlet from passageway 113 in orderto maintain a back-pressure on the propellant 87h while the propellant is burning.

Operation of the bailer shown in Fig. 5 is as follows: 'Ihe bailerv is lowered` into the well with parts in the position shown in Fig. S. When the nozzle strikes the top of the debris in the well its downward motion is arrested but the tubular members 18b and 2lb continue to move downwardly, compressing 'the spring 81b, releasing the ball detent 49b, permitting the tiring pin 38b to snap upwardly to re the percussion cartridge 39b. The cartridge 39h ignites the propellant charge 87b. fHigh pressure gas generated by the burning of the prop ellant 87b moves downwardly through ports 112, 116,

, 35h, 57b, through the tube 30h, the passageway 113, and

through the orifice bushing into the reservoir 96 which is lled with liquid such as oil or water. When the pressure within reservoir 96 has risen sutliciently to cause shearing of the frangible plug 99 the jet orifice 98 is opened, permitting the liquid within the reservoir to be forced out through the orifice 98 in the form of a high velocity jet having a large kinetic energy. The dislodging of the debris by the jet and its removal by the bailer proceeds in the manner described in connection .with the bailers shown in Figs. l through 4.

Fig. 6 illustrates still another form of the invention wherein the gaseous jet is directed upwardly instead of downwardly and wherein the debris is sucked into the lower end of the bailer body instead of being jetted up-k wardly to be picked up by buckets on the upper portion of the bailer. Although the suction effect on the debris in the well is less than the jetting force developed by the bailers of Figs. 1-5, the device of Fig. 6 has the advantage of placing the entrance to the bailer body close to the debris to be removed so that it is not necessary to raise the debris to a point above the top of the bailer body.A

In Fig. 6 the well casing is indicated at 117 with a body of debris 118 therein. Well liquid 119 fills the casing 117 to some point above the bailer 120. The bailer 120 is supported by a hoisting line 121. An insulated electric conductor line 122 extends downwardly from the top of the well to an igniter in the bailer 120. The bailer is attached to the lower end of the hoisting line 121 by any suitable means such as the bail 123.

The bailer comprises a main body member 124, a nozzle member 125, a propellant combustion chamber 126. and an inlet port 127 having a downwardly closing check valve 128. The nozzle member is attached to the lifting bail 123 by any suitable means and is threadedly attached to the upper end of the tubular body member 124 as indicated at 129. The lower end of the tubular body member 124 is threaded internally as indicated at to receive a threaded ring 131 which provides an annular seat 132 for a apper valve 128 which is hingedly mounted on the ring 131 as indicated at 133. The propellant combustion chamber 126 is preferably in the form of a tubular housing which is threadedly supported at its lower end, as indicated at 134, on a spider member 135 which serves as a closure for the lower end of the combustion 126. The spider member 135 is secured to the bailer body 124 by any suitable means such as welding as indicated at 136. Fluid passages 137 extend through the spider 135. The upper end of the tubular combustion chamber 126 is threaded internally, as indicated at 138, to receive a tubular nozzle 139. The upper end of nozzle 139 extends upwardly within the opening in nozzle 125 and is of lesser diameter than the opening so as to provide an annular passageway 140 between the two nozzles. The upper end of nozzle 139 is normally sealed against the entrance of well fluid 119 by any suitable means such as the cap 141. A body of propellant 142 is shown within the combustion chamber 126. The propellant is provided with an igniter 143 to which are attached the electric lead wires 144. The leads 144 extend through thecap 141 and are connected to the conductor line 122. Thevoperation of the bailer shown in Fig. 6 is as follows: The bailer is lowered into the well until it rests upon the debris 11S, approximate position shown in Fig. 6, and the electric circuit 122-144 is energized, thus igniting the igniter 143 and the propellant 142. As gas pressure develops within the combustion chamber 126 the seal cap 141 is blown off of the nozzle 139 and a high pressure, high velocity, gas jet issues from the nozzle 139. This gas jet passing through the opening in nozzle 1.25 creates a suction which pulls well liquid upwardly through the annular passageway 140 between the nozzles 125 and 139. This suction also pulls well liquid upwardly through the bailer bodyv 124 and through the inlet port 127. The well liquid tends to pickup debris from the bridge 118 and pull it into the bailer body where it is trapped above the flapper valve 128 when the bailer is pulled upwardly by the hoisting line 121.

The several embodiments of the invention described above are representative only and the invention is not to be limited thereto but is of the scope deinedby the appended claims. Y

We claim: Y

l. A jet bailer comprising: a bailer body having a fluid inletin the bottom thereof; a downwardly closing check valve in a debris-receiving chamber above said fluid inlet;

a combustion chamber within said bailer body; a uid passage from said debris-receiving chamber past said combustion chamber; a gas-receiving nozzle on the upper end of said combustion chamber and directed upwardly,4 and exteriorly ofsaid bailer body; a liquid-receiving nozzle on the upper end of said bailer body communicatf ing with said Huid passage and surrounding said gas. receiving nozzle; and means for generating gas pressure in said combustion chamber.

2. A. jet bailer which comprises a bailer body having an open bucket at its upper end, a rst chamber'within said body, gas generating materials within said first chamber, a second chamber in said body to contain liquid, a rst nozzle for exhausting gases from said rst chamber into said second chamber, a second downwardlydirected nozzleV at the bottom of said bailer body communicating with said second-chamber for exhausting said liquid, and ignitionmeans for igniting said gas generatingl material.

3. In a bailer having open buckets mounted thereon,

the combination comprising: A bailer body; a combustion` chamber arranged within said body; a gas discharge nozzle forming a part of said body, said nozzle being directed downwardly and exteriorly of said body; means providing communication between said combustion chamber and said gas discharge nozzle; a liquid discharge nozzle positioned within the gas discharge nozzle, whereby It is then raisedslightly, to theliquid exiting from the liquidy discharge nozzle will be entrained in the gas stream exiting from the gas discharge.

nozzle; and inletmeans providing communication between said liquidV discharge nozzleV and, the exterior of saidl Y bailer/body.

4..A jetj type bailer comprising: A bailer body;` an.

axialz drainage tube extending through said body; upwardly` facing open buckets mounted on and around said drainage tube, said buckets having drainage ports,

extending throughlthe walls of said drainage, tube within said buckets; a combustion chamber arranged, within saidv body; a gas discharge nozzle, forming a part of said body, said nozzle being directed downwardly and exteriorly of said bailer body; means providing communication between said combustion chamber and said gas discharge nozzle; a means providing a liquid.ilow

path from the interior of saiddrainage tubes to said gas nozzle,whereby liquid exiting from the passageway Will be entrainedl in the gas stream exiting from the gas discharge nozzle.

6.V In a bailer, the combination comprising: A bailer.

body having aninlet; an open bucket mountedon said body; a combustion chamber arranged within said body; a, reservoir for liquid arranged within said body; means providing communication between said reservoir. and said combustion chamber; a discharge nozzle forming a part of said body, said nozzle being arranged to com,- municate with the lower end of said reservoir and said nozzle being directed downwardly and exteriorly of said body and. said reservoir; and frangible means normally closing said nozzle, but adapted to be `dislodged to permit.

ahigh velocity jet ofrliquid to discharge from the nozzle when sufcient pressure is exerted thereon.

References Cited in the 'rile of this .patent- UNITED STATES PATENTS 901,287 Flanegin Oct. 13, 1908 2,136,881 Johnston Nov. 15; 1938 2,740,478 Greene Apr. 3, 1956 2,776,715 Furson et al. Jan. 8, 1957- 2,804,150 Furson Aug, 27 1957

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