US2965406A

US2965406A - Magnetic drill joint

Info

Publication number: US2965406A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1960-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 1977-12-20

Description

Dec. 20, 1960 F. LE Bus, SR

MAGNETIC DRILL JOINT Filed 001;. 6, 1958 INVENTOR F L. Le Bus 5/."

BY Q WWW ATTORNEY United States Patent MAGNETIC DRILL JOINT Franklin L. Le Bus, Sr., Longview,

Longview, Tex., a partner- Filed Oct. 6, 1958, Ser. No. 765,360

3 Claims. (Cl. 294-655) This invention relates to improvements in well bore drilling apparatus, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved apparatus for cleaning out the well bore during the drilling operation.

In the drilling of well bores, and the like, metallic particles frequently become loose within the bore and greatly hinder the drilling operation. For example, drill teeth, or other parts of the drill frequently break off during the drilling process and tend to float around the drill string with the drilling fluid. In addition, bits of metallic junk are frequently inadvertently dropped into the well bore during the drilling operation. These particles of steel and iron, and the like, are usually very hard, and may cause serious damage to the drilling equipment within the bore. It is, therefore, desirable to eliminate these particles from the well bore. The method normally utilized today for removal of the undesirable metallic particles from the well bore comprises withdrawing the drill string from the bore in order to permit the lowering of a suitable fishing tool therein for picking up the particles. This is a costly and time consuming operation, particularly in the drilling of relatively deep well bores.

The present invention contemplates a novel apparatus for the removal of metallic particles from the well bore during the drilling operation. The present invention provides a magnetic drill joint adapted to be interposed in the drill string above the drill bit in order to attract any floating metallic particles thereto as the drill string is rotated during the normal drilling operation. The drilling fluid normally circulated downwardly through the drill string and upwardly in the annular space therearound tends to float the metallic particles upwardly around the outer periphery of the drill string and the magnetic drill joint interposed therein. The drill joint provides a magnetic force field for attracting the metallic particles thereto and the magnetic force retains the particles thereagainst during the drilling operation, thus substantially eliminating any damage to the drilling equipment which might result from the loose bits of junk, and the like, in the well bore. It will be apparent that the magnetic drill joint eliminates the necessity of interrupting the drilling operation for the lowering of a fishing tool within the bore to retrieve the damaging metallic particles. The magnetic drill joint functions to clean the well bore during the normal drilling operation and does not in any manner interfere with the drilling operation. The novel drill joint is simple and eflicient in operation, and economical and durable in construction.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for drilling a well bore.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel apparatus for removing metallic particles from a well bore during the normal drilling operation without interfering therewith.

Another object of this invention is to provide a magnetic drill joint adapted to be interposed in the drill string for attracting metallic particles thereto during the drilling operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a magnetic drill joint which is simple and efiicient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

, In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a drill string having the novel magnetic drill joint interposed therein, and disposed within a well bore.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of one portion of the novel drill joint.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of

a second portion of the novel drill joint.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 10 refers in general to a magnetic drill joint having an upper sleeve 12 and a lower sleeve 14. The upper sleeve 12 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced recesses or pockets 16. The pockets 16 preferably extend downwardly at an angle, as shown at 18 (Fig. 2), for receiving a suitable magnet member 20 at the bottom thereof. The magnet 20 may be secured within the pocket 16 in any well known manner (not shown). It will be apparent that a magnet 20 is provided in each of the pockets 16. The upper sleeve 12 is provided with a threaded stud member 22 at the lower end thereof as viewed in the drawings for cooperating with a mating threaded box member 24 provided in the upper end of the lower sleeve 14 in order to secure the

sleeves

12 and 14 in longitudinal alignment, as is well known.

The lower sleeve 14 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular grooves or recesses 26.'

The walls of the recesses 26 are preferably tapered downwardly and inwardly, but not limited thereto, and are provided with a substantially straight sided portion 28 at the lower end thereof. An annular shoulder 30 is provided on the outer periphery of the sleeve 14 adjacent the lower portion 28 of each of the grooves 26 for receiving an annular magnet member 32 thereon. The magnet 32 may be comprised of a plurality of arouate segments (not shown) in order to facilitate disposition thereof on the shoulder 30 and around the sleeve 14, if desired. The magnet 32 may be secured on the shoulder 30 in any well known manner (not shown). It will be apparent that a magnet 32 is provided on each of the shoulders 30. It is preferable that the outer diameter of the magnets 32 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the sleeve 14 in order to protect the magnets 32 from damage or from being dislodged during the drilling operation.

The sleeve 14 is provided with a threaded stud member 34 at the lower end thereof, as viewed in the drawings, for receiving a suitable drill bit 36 thereon, as is well known. In addition, the upper sleeve 12 is provided with a threaded box member (not shown) adapted to receive the threaded stud member (not shown) of a drill string, generally indicated at 38 (Fig. 1). Thus, the drill joint 10 may be interposed in the drill string 38 above the drill bit 36.

Operation The magnetic drill joint 10 is interposed in the drill string 38 above the drill bit 36, as hereinbefore set forth. The drill string 38 is then utilized in the usual manner for the drilling of a well bore 40. As the bit 36 penetrates the bore 40, metallic particles 42, such as broken teeth from the bit, or other steel or iron junk, or the like, may tend to collect in the annular space 44 between the shown; by the arrows; 46. The circulating fluid= tendsto float the: particles upwardly therewith. and. around the magneticsdrilljointli).

'lhe magnets. 32:0f the lower drill joint sleeve-14pm.- vide' a magnetic force field which attracts many of the metallic particles 42, and the particles; adhere to. the magnets 32, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Some of the particles, however, may notpass through or be caught in the; magnetic force field" of the magnets 32', or for some other reason may by-pass' -the magnets 32; These.

particleswill; continue to' travel upwardly in the annular space 44. It will be apparent that the. velocity of the fluid, as. well as. the floating particles. 42, will; decrease during the upward travel in the annular space 44,, thus permitting the-magnets;20 provided in the pockets 16. of

the. upper; sleeve 12 to magnetically attract substantially all: ofthe-metallic particles. 42 which have. by-passed the. lower magnets 32. As hereinbefore set forth,,the pockets.

16. extend downwardly and angularly in. the sleeve 12. Thus, the metallic particles tend to settle down on the magnets 20. in the bottom of the pockets, andv the forceof gravity assists the magnetic force in' maintaining the particles. 42 in the pockets 16. In this manner, substantially all of the metallic particles which. may be present inathe. annular; space 44 during the drilling operation.

will be atrractedto the magnetic drill joint 10,. and pre-- eluded from fallingdownwardly in the well bore.

steel,.orother'metallic particles. in the well bore;

IlZ Will. be apparent that either the upper sleeve 12 or the lower sleeve 14 may be utilized separately in the drill.

string 38, if; desired, inorder to. provide. a magnetic. drill joint therefor. However, it has been found that the combination ofthe upper and lower sleeves provides a very eflicient removal or cleaningof the well bore duringv the drilling operation.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel apparatus for drilling well biores wherein a magnetic drill joint is interposed in the drill stringfor'attracting any metallic particles which may be loose in the. well bore during the drilling operation. The. magnetic drill joint cleans the well during the normal drilling operation and in no manner interferes. there with, thusz greatly facilitatingthe drilling operation by eliminating the useof special fishing tools for removal of. The drilling operation may proceed substantially uninterrupted and.

the metallic particles from the well bore.

without danger of damage to. the drilling equipment by the? loose junk, and the like, in the well bore. The apparatus is simple and-efficient in operation and'economical and durable in construction.

The drilling fluid usually circulates around the" Thus; thedrilling equipmentwillnot be damaged by. the hard.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the. spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A magnetic drill joint for'a drill string which comprises a sleeve member adapted to be interposed in the drill string during the drilling of a wellbore, a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular recesses provided on the outer periphery of the sleeve member, and outwardly extending circumferential shoulder provided on the outer periphery of the sleeve member adjacent each of the recesses, an annular magnet member secured to each of the shoulders to provide a magnetic force field around the sleeve in the well bore to attract metallic particles thereto for cleaningof the well bore during the'drilling operation.

2. A magnetic drill joint for a drill string which comprises a sleeve member adapted to be interposed in the drill string during the drilling of a well bore, a plurality of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced recesses providedv on the outer periphery of the sleeve, said recesses extending inwardly and downwardly in the. sleeve,. a magnet member secured in the bottom of each recess to provide a magnetic force field around. the sleeve: to

attract metallic. particles thereto whereby the particles will.

collect on: the magnet for cleaning of the well:boreduring the drilling operation.

3. A magnetic drill joint for a drill string which comprises upper and lower sleeve members secured in longitudinal alignment and adapted. to be interposed in the:

drill' string during the drilling of a well bore, a plurality of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced pockets provided on the outer periphery of the upper sleeve; said pockets extending inwardly and downwardly in the sleeve, awmagnet member secured in the bottom ofeach pocket,.a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular grooves provided on theouter periphery of the lower sleeve'member, an outwardly extending circumferential shoulder providedon the outer periphery of the lower sleeve member adjacent eachof the grooves, an annular magnet member secured to each of the'shoulders to cooperate with the first mentioned magnet members to provide a magnetic: force field: around the upper and lower sleeves-in thewwell'. boreto attract metallic particles thereto for: cleaningthe well bore duringthedrilling operation.

References Cited in the file of this-patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,127,728 Grant Aug. 23', 1938 2,147,544 Potts Feb. 14, 1939 2,556,849. Nolley et a1. .June21,-1'951. 2,789,790 Kirby Apr. 23;.1951. 2,830,668. Kirby Apr. 15,1958