US3152645A - Means for removing paraffin - Google Patents

Means for removing paraffin Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3152645A
US3152645A US103130A US10313061A US3152645A US 3152645 A US3152645 A US 3152645A US 103130 A US103130 A US 103130A US 10313061 A US10313061 A US 10313061A US 3152645 A US3152645 A US 3152645A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
valve
chamber
tubing string
bore
well bore
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US103130A
Inventor
Tom L Abbott
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US103130A priority Critical patent/US3152645A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3152645A publication Critical patent/US3152645A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B37/00Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells

Definitions

  • This invention comprises a novel and useful means for removing paraffin and more particularly pertains to a means for more effectively and economically treating a well bore in predetermined regions thereof for removing paraffin deposits accumulating therein.
  • the present invention relates to subject matter which is similar to but constitutes an improvement over the invention disclosed and claimed in my prior cot-pending application Serial No. 748,974, filed July 16, 1958, for Paraiiin Removing Valve Assembly for Tubing, now Patent No. 3,016,094 of January 9, 1962.
  • paraffin deposits regularly occur at fixed regions in the well bore depending upon various conditions in the operation of the well, it is a purpose of this invention to provide an apparatus and a means whereby a paraffin removing agent may be effectively introduced into the well bore at the region of paraffin deposits for thus more effectively and economically removing the latter and restoring the production of petroleum from the well.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in accordance with the immediately preceding object wherein the paraffin removing agent may be introduced into the well bore through the tubing string and may be effectively and accurately directed from the latter against that portion of the well bore upon which the paraffin deposits customarily accumulate.
  • a further and more specific object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a means whereby the tubing string may itself be employed as a means for introducing a paraffin removing agent accurately and precisely at the region of paraffin deposits within a well bore without the necessity for withdrawing the tubing string from the well bore and with a minimum loss of time required for the performance of the paraffin removing operation.
  • a further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a means whereby a desired portion of the tubing string may be opened to the interior of the well bore and simultaneously therewith the passage through the tubing string may be sealed E and closed below this opening in order that a parafiin removing agent may be introduced p ICC and held or retained in the tubing string and then discharged from the latter to a predetermined location in the well bore.
  • a still further important object of the present invention is to provide a compound linkage or lever system for effecting the desired timed synchronized operation of the valve elements of the device which may in some instances be more effective in its operation than the rack and gear assembly which was utilized in my prior patent.
  • Still another important specific object of this invention is to provide an improved sealing means for preventing the escape of the cleaning fluid at other places than and at other times than that selected for dispensing of the cleaning agent from the apparatus.
  • FIGURE l is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical central section, parts being broken away, and showing the manner in which the present invention is .applied to a tubing assembling in a well bore;
  • FIGURE 2 is a view in vertical section taken upon an enlarged scale substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 2 2 of FIGURE l and showing certain structural features and arrangements of the apparatus in accordance with this invention;
  • FIGURE 3 is a view in vertical section taken upon an enlarged scale substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 3 3 of FIGURE 2 and showing certain internal details of the valve chambers and mechanism of the invention;
  • FIGURE 4 is a further enlarged detail View in vertical section taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 4 4 of FIGURE 2 ⁇ and showing a portion of the valve actuating means of this invention;
  • FIGURE 5 is a view in vertical section taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 5 5 of FIGURE 3 and showing a portion of the arrangement of FIGURE 3 but at right angles thereto;
  • FIGURE 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by section line 6 6 of FIGURE 2;
  • FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the body of the apparatus with the valve elements, valve actuating mechanism, the cover and the tubing being removed therefrom;
  • FIGURE 8 is a view similar to a portion of FIGURE 2 but showing a modified valve operating linkage assembly which may be employed with the invention
  • FIGURE 9 is a detailed view taken in vertical section and upon an enlarged scale substantially upon a plane indicated by section line 9 9 of FIGURE 8;
  • FIGURE l0 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention.
  • FIGURES 11 and l2 are perspective views of the valve operating linkage of the upper and lower valve assemblies respectively.
  • FIGURE l For an understanding of the environment in which the invention is to be employed.
  • a well bore which extends from the surface of the earth into a productive oil bearing formation, and in which the liquid to be produced by the well stands therein at a level such as that indicated at 12.
  • this well bore is cased as at 114, there being provided the usual casing head 16.
  • this casing extends into the oil producing region.
  • the casing may terminate above this oil producing region or if extended thereinto, it is preferably perforated in accordance with conventional practice to permit the inflow of petroleum into the well bore as indicated by the level 12.
  • Shown at 1S is a string of tubing having a tubing head or closure in its upper end and which tubing string extends to the lower end of the well bore and carries a conventional form of reciprocating pump, not shown, by means of which the fluid in the well bore and which accumulates therein from time to time may be pumped to the surface through the reciprocation of a conventional sucker rod string 24 which is connected to the pump.
  • a conventional sucker rod string 24 which is connected to the pump.
  • valve assembly of this invention for dispensing the parafiin remover and which is designated generally by the numeral 30 and which comprises a body or casing which forms a section of and is interposed in the tubing string 18 is shown in FIGURE 1.
  • a manually operated control lever 32 may conveniently be journalled upon a bracket or support 34 carried by the casing head 16 for effecting operation of the valve assembly 30, when paraffin deposits are to be removed from the interior of the tubing string or the well bore, as set forth hereinafter.
  • a tension member 35 Secured to one end of the control lever 32 and operated thereby is a tension member 35 which may consist of a cable or the like, and which slidably extends through the casing head 116 alongside the tubing string 18 and is operatively connected to the valve mechanism of the valve assembly 3) for actuating the same as will become subsequently apparent.
  • the arrangement is such that by manual operation of the valve control member 32 at the surface of the ground upon the casing head, the valve assembly may be operated for delivering or dispensing cleaning fluid applied through the tubing string in any convenient manner, as by connection to ⁇ the tubing string, by removing the tubing head 2@ or the like so that the tubing string itself will conduct the paraffin removing agent to the area which is tobe treated thereby.
  • valve assembly 3l consists of a cylindrical body 4t) which is surrounded by a detachable cylindrical sleeve, casing or cover 4Z.
  • This sleeve may be removably secured in any desired manner as by the use of fastening screws or the like if desired.
  • the body 40 is provided with an axial bore therethrough as indicated at 44 which bore is diametrically enlarged and internally threaded at its upper and lower end portions as at 46 and 48 respectively whereby the adjacent ends of the tubing sections 18 may be engaged therein and continuous communication established therei through except as prevented by the valve means to be set forth hereinafter.
  • the bore 44 is enlarged to provide upper and lower Valve chambers or compartments 50 and 52 while the body itself is laterally notched or cut away as at 54 and 56 to receive the removable closures 58 kand 60 for these valve chambers.
  • the closures are secured by suitable fasteners in a conventional manner.
  • valve chambers 50 and 52 are disposed in vertically and circumferentially spaced relation with respectto each other for a purpose to be subsequently apparent, and there is provided a further upper laterally recessed notched portion 62' at the upper end of the body.
  • the exterior surface of the body 40 is provided with longitudinally extending channels or slots 64 and 66, the former establishing communication between the floor of the slot 62 and the top wall of the slot 54, while the latter establishes communication between the floor of the slot 62 and the top wall of the slot 56.
  • These channels are adapted to receive and house therein operating means for the valve assemblies whereby these operating means will be completely embedded within the body 40 and enclosed in this body and in the previously mentioned protective sleeve or covering 42.
  • the notch 62 has a flat bottom wall 68 and a valve actuating plate 70 is received in this notch and is movable between the top and bottom walls thereof and against the flat back wall 72, this plate constituting a segment of a circle as shown.
  • valve actuating plate 70 has a straight rear edge 73 which slides against and is complementary to the flat face 72 of the notch 62. Thus, a guiding action is established between these surfaces as the valve actuating plate is reciprocated in the notch 62 between the top and bottom walls thereof.
  • An aperture or bore 74 extends from the flat top wall 76 of the body 40 into the notch 62 to permit sliding passage of the actuating cable 35 thereinto, this cable having its lower end secured in any desired manner to the valve actuating plate 70.
  • the cable may conveniently be secured to a sleeve or bushing 76 which is secured to the valve actuating plate 70 as by means of a fastening bolt 78 projecting upwardly therethrough.
  • a compression spring 80 surrounds this bushing or sleeve 76 and at its opposite ends abuts against the top face of the notch 62 and the top face of the valve actuating plate 70.
  • a diametrically enlarged cylindrical plunger 82 Carried by the lower end of the fastener 78 is a diametrically enlarged cylindrical plunger 82 which is slidably received within a plunger bore 84 extending downwardly into the body from the bottom face 68 of the notch 62.
  • This plunger being rigidly secured to the valve' actuating plate 70 serves to assist in guiding the latter for straight line reciprocation under the influence of the cable 35 and the spring 80.
  • the bore 84 in which the plunger 82 slides communicates by cross passages 90 at its lower end and 92 at its upper portion with the axial Vpassage 44 extending through the valve assembly and with the exterior of the device. O-rings as at 94 formed in channels in the bore 84 serve to establish a fluid tight seal of the plunger 82 therewith and thus prevent leakage of fluid along this bore.
  • a pair of studs 96 see also FIGURE 6, which are adjustably threaded into bores 98 in the bottom wall 68 of the notch 62, and which slidably extend through corresponding bores as at 100, see FIGURE 2, in the valve actuating plate 70.
  • the studs thus provide a means which serves both to guide the valve plate during its reciprocation and also to limit the upward travel of the same.
  • valve actuating rods 102 and 104 Secured to the valve actuating plate 70 and extending therethrough is a pair of valve actuating rods 102 and 104, which as shown in FIGURE 2 extend respectively into the chambers 54 and 56, these rods being disposed in the channels 64 and 66 respectively.
  • Each of these rods is ⁇ secured to and iixedly engaged upon the valve actuating plate '70 as by means of fastening nuts 106 and 108 which are threaded upon the upper end of the rods and secure the latter to the pressure plate.
  • the valve actuating rods 102 and 104 are likewise reciprocated.
  • the lower ends of each of the valve actuating rods as will be seen from FIGURES 2 and 3, have angulated end portions 110 and 112 which extend into the notches 54 and 56 and by linkage mechanism are connected to and actuate the valve elements associated therewith.
  • valve shafts 122 are secured or journalled in these lugs and also in the valve chamber cover plate 58.
  • valve plates or leaves 124 Secured to these valve shafts are valve plates or leaves 124 provided with notch portions 126 which as will be seen from a comparison of full line and dotted line positions in FIGURE 3 are adapted to move into alignment with each other in the same horizontal plane and in which position the notches 126 will seat upon and receive the sucker rod shaft 24, so that the valve members will thus close the passage 44 extending between the chambers 50 and 52.
  • the valve shafts are rotated in the other direction, the valves will be lifted to their open position shown in full lines therein, permitting free flow of fluid through this bore.
  • valve plates 130 of similar construction are mounted upon valve shafts 132 similarly journalled in the lower valve chamber 52 and perform the same function.
  • the arrangement is such that the valve plates 124 of the chamber 50 will be opened as shown in FIGURE 3 when the valve plates 130 of the chamber 52 are closed as shown in FIGURE 5.
  • valve actuating rods 102 and 104 are suitably connected to the valve shafts in the two valve chambers to effect oscillation of these valves between their opened and closed positions upon vertical reciprocation of the valve rods in response to vertical movement of the Valve actuating plate 7 0.
  • valve rod 104 and its lower end is provided with a transverse or cross member 140 whose extremities are pivoted as at 142 to a pair of links 144 which in turn are pivoted at 146 to crank arms 148 carried by the valve shafts 132.
  • transverse or cross member 140 whose extremities are pivoted as at 142 to a pair of links 144 which in turn are pivoted at 146 to crank arms 148 carried by the valve shafts 132.
  • FIGURE 2 A similar arrangement, see FIGURE 1l, is provided for effecting operation of the valve shafts 122 of the valve members 124 in the upper valve chamber 50.
  • valve plates may be moved to a closed position at which time they will lie ilat upon the bottom walls of their respective valve chambers 50 or 52, with their notched portions snugly receiving in a fluid tight manner the sucker rod 24.
  • O-rings or the like may be provided in the arcuate notched portions of the valve plates for this purpose.
  • both the upper and lower 6 valve assemblies will be in an intermediate position allowing free flow through the tubing string and through the passage 44 within the device. t At this time, the vent port 92 will be closed by the plunger 82 which also will be in an intermediate vertical position in its bore.
  • the cable 35 and the plunger 82 When it is desired to remove an incrustation of paran from the interior of the tubing string, the cable 35 and the plunger 82 will be lowered, thus closing the lower valve assembly and opening the upper valve assembly. This also causes the plunger S2 to close the port 90 as well as the port 92.
  • the treating agent will extend to any desired depth in the tubing string above the lower valve assembly.
  • the cable 32 and the plunger 82 will be moved to their uppermost position, the upper valve assembly being closed and the lower valve assembly being opened and the ports and 92 will likewise be uncovered by the plunger 82. This will discharge the cleaning agent to the lower end of and to the exterior of the tubing string.
  • a slightly modiiied construction of the linkage is employed.
  • helical springs are engaged about the pivot connections of the linkage in order to yieldingly urge the mechanism into a position at which the associated valve plates will be open.
  • the lower end of the actuating rod 104 has a pivot 152 to which a pair of actuating links 154 are secured.
  • the other ends of these links are pivoted as at 156 to a mid-portion of a pair of levers 158, having their outer ends pivoted to the links 160 and having their inner ends secured to a xed pivot 162.
  • the links 160 likewise have their ends pivoted as at 164 to crank arms 166 on the valve actuating shafts.
  • a similar arrangement is provided for the upper valve assembly connected to the valve actuating rod 102.
  • the advantages of this construction is that additional resilient means are provided for effecting the return of the valve mechanism to its idle or open position.
  • FIG- URE 10 still further modied construction is shown in FIG- URE 10.
  • a cylindrical valve body 200 having frusto-conical upper and lower end portions as at 202 and 204.
  • an axial bore is provided through this body which is internally threaded as at 206 at its upper end for engagement with adjacent section of tubing, not shown, and which at its lower end is likewise threaded to engage the tubing section 208.
  • the sucker rod string 210 and the previously mentioned control cable 35 is provided extending through an axial bore 212 in the top face 214 of the upper conical section 202.
  • an upper notch 220 together with vertically and circumferentially spaced notches 222 and 224, each of which opens into a valve chamber, the upper valve chamber being shown provided with a closure plate 226, while the corresponding closure plate has been removed from the lower valve chamber which chamber itself is identied by the numeral 228. Since the valve chambers are identical in construction, and the same valve assemblies are provided in each, a duplication of the showings thereof is deemed to be unnecessary. As in the preceding embodiment, the valve chambers are each provided with pairs of cooperating valve plates such as the plate 230 mounted upon a valve axle 232 and provided with a sealing notch 234 to engage upon the sucker rod shaft 210.
  • valve shafts project through the cover plates of the valve housings such as a cover plate 226, and upon the exterior surface of the valve housings are provided with mutilated sector gears 240.
  • the gears 240 mesh with pinions 242 each secured'to a stud axle 244 carried by the cover plate, and a rack bar 245 is disposed between and meshed with the two gears 242.
  • the rack bar is urged to its lower position by a pair of compression springs 250, and is secured to one extremity 252 on a valve actuating rod 254.
  • the two valve actuating rods extend through grooves 256 and 258 in the surface of the valve body, and are connected to the valve actuating plate 260 having a compression spring 262 urging the latter to its lower position.
  • a rack and pinion drive is provided and placed on the compound lever system in order to eiiect the desired simultaneous operation of the valve members.
  • a device for dispensing a paraiiin cleaning agent in a well bore comprising a hollow body inserted in and constituting -a part of a tubing string in a well bore, said tubing string having a sticker rod therein, a discharge port in said body located at a region of paraffin deposit in a well bore, a discharge valve in said body controlling ilow through said discharge port, sealing valves in said body cooperating with said sucker rod to prevent flow of iluid therepast, actuating means for said sealing valve connected to said discharge valve for simultaneous operation therewith, said body having axially and circumferentially spaced notches in the sides thereof, a valve actuating plate mounted in one of said notches for re# ciprocation therein, said control valve and said sealing valve actuating means being connected to saidV plate, said sealing valve actuating means including actuating mechanism housed in others of said notches.
  • a device for dispensing a paraiiin cleaning agent in a well bore comprising a hollow body inserted in and constituting a part of a tubing string in a well bore, a sucker rod in said tubing string, a discharge port in said body located at a region of paraflin deposit in a well bore, a discharge valve in said body controlling flow through said discharge port, sealing valves in said body cooperating with said sucker rod to prevent tlow of uid therepast, actuating means for said sealing valves connected to said discharge valve for simultaneous operation therewith, said discharge valve comprising a plunger slidable in a plunger bore, said body having an axial bore for receiving said sealing valves, inlet and outlet ports in said body respectively connecting said plunger bore with said axial bore and with the exterior of said body and controlled by said plunger valve.
  • An apparatus for dispensing a treating agent into a predetermined region in ⁇ a well bore having therein a tubing string containing a sucker rod which comprises; a hollow body provided with an axial bore through which said sucker rod extends, said body being inserted in and comprising a part of said tubing string, said axial bore having an enlargement defining a chamber in said body, a discharge port in said body communicating with said chamber and with the exterior of said body for discharging a treating agent from said chamber into the well bore, a valve in said body and exterior of said chamber controlling ow to the chamber through said port closure means in said chamber and movable between' an open position allowing fluid llow through said chamber and axial bore and ia closed position wherein said closure means has a sealing engagement with said sucker rod and substantially prevents ilow through said chamber, -actuating means for each of said control valves Iand said closure means and disposed within said hollow body but outside of said chamber for simultaneous and synchronized operation of said closure means and said control valve.
  • said hollow body includes a compartment therein adjacent said chamber, said actuating means including elements housed in said compartment.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)

Description

Oct. 13, 1964 T. L. ABBOTT 3,152,645
MEANS FOR REMOVING PARAFFIN Filed April 14, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 13, 1964 r. ABBOTT 3,152,645
MEANS FOR REMOVING PARAFFIN Filed April 14, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l 74 ..4675 30 F195 y 0 o Il;
Fig? l 62 72 98 84 i 7bm L. Abbo/f 1N VEN TOR.
www# me);
Oct. 13, 1964 r. l.. ABBOTT 3,152,645
y MEANS FOR REMovING PARAFFIN Filed April 14, 1961 4 sheets-sheet 4 Pfg/0 Fig/2 204 Tom l.. Abbo/ zNVENToR.
9 BY WWML'W United States Patent O 3,152,645 MEANS FOR REMOVING PARAFFIN Tom L. Abbott, PAI. Box 1002, Whiteface, Tex. Filed Apr. 14, 1961, Ser. No. 103,130 12 Claims. (Cl. 166 224) f This invention comprises a novel and useful means for removing paraffin and more particularly pertains to a means for more effectively and economically treating a well bore in predetermined regions thereof for removing paraffin deposits accumulating therein.
The present invention relates to subject matter which is similar to but constitutes an improvement over the invention disclosed and claimed in my prior cot-pending application Serial No. 748,974, filed July 16, 1958, for Paraiiin Removing Valve Assembly for Tubing, now Patent No. 3,016,094 of January 9, 1962.
In petroleum wells in which the reservoir pressure has been depleted to such an extent that the petroleum must be recovered therefrom by a pumping operation, it frequently occurs that the rate of pumping is detrimentally effected, sharply curtailed and even completely halted by virtue of the accumulation of paraffin deposits either in the well bore which prevents the inflow of petroleum from the oil producing horizon into the well bore or in the tubing string of the pumping line thereby choking the flow of petroleum through the tubing string or halting the reciprocation of the pump sucker rods therein or both. When this condition occurs, and in some Wells it occurs repeatedly at relatively short intervals, it is usually necessary to pull the tubing string for the purpose of cleaning and removing by Various methods the accumulation of paraffin upon the face of the well bore or in the tubing string or both; or to resort to laborious operations for cleaning the paraffin deposits from within the tubing. In either event, reduction from .the well is halted for periods of varying length, with a n-ancial loss being involved thereby.
It is the primary purpose of this invention to produce an apparatus whereby paraffin deposits thus occuring may be quickly and easily removed without the necessity for pulling the tubing string or sucker rod and with a minimum delay in the operation of the well.
Inasmuch as paraffin deposits regularly occur at fixed regions in the well bore depending upon various conditions in the operation of the well, it is a purpose of this invention to provide an apparatus and a means whereby a paraffin removing agent may be effectively introduced into the well bore at the region of paraffin deposits for thus more effectively and economically removing the latter and restoring the production of petroleum from the well.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in accordance with the immediately preceding object wherein the paraffin removing agent may be introduced into the well bore through the tubing string and may be effectively and accurately directed from the latter against that portion of the well bore upon which the paraffin deposits customarily accumulate.
A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a means whereby the tubing string may itself be employed as a means for introducing a paraffin removing agent accurately and precisely at the region of paraffin deposits within a well bore without the necessity for withdrawing the tubing string from the well bore and with a minimum loss of time required for the performance of the paraffin removing operation.
A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a means whereby a desired portion of the tubing string may be opened to the interior of the well bore and simultaneously therewith the passage through the tubing string may be sealed E and closed below this opening in order that a parafiin removing agent may be introduced p ICC and held or retained in the tubing string and then discharged from the latter to a predetermined location in the well bore.
In my above identified patent there is disclosed an apparatus operating upon the same general principles and for the same general objects as those set forth above for the present invention. However, some difficulty has `arisen in some instances in the operation of the apparatus in my above-identified patent in that the valve actuating means being exposed at part upon the exterior of the device are subject to interference by being exposed to engagement by foreign matter. It is therefore also a very important object of this invention to overcome the aforementioned difficulties encountered by housing as completely as possible the operating mechanism within the confines of the apparatus whereby the operating mechanism will be concealed, protected and thus rendered more sure and dependable in its operation.
A still further important object of the present invention is to provide a compound linkage or lever system for effecting the desired timed synchronized operation of the valve elements of the device which may in some instances be more effective in its operation than the rack and gear assembly which was utilized in my prior patent.
Still another important specific object of this invention is to provide an improved sealing means for preventing the escape of the cleaning fluid at other places than and at other times than that selected for dispensing of the cleaning agent from the apparatus.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
FIGURE l is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical central section, parts being broken away, and showing the manner in which the present invention is .applied to a tubing assembling in a well bore;
FIGURE 2 is a view in vertical section taken upon an enlarged scale substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 2 2 of FIGURE l and showing certain structural features and arrangements of the apparatus in accordance with this invention;
. FIGURE 3 is a view in vertical section taken upon an enlarged scale substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 3 3 of FIGURE 2 and showing certain internal details of the valve chambers and mechanism of the invention;
FIGURE 4 is a further enlarged detail View in vertical section taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 4 4 of FIGURE 2 `and showing a portion of the valve actuating means of this invention;
FIGURE 5 is a view in vertical section taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 5 5 of FIGURE 3 and showing a portion of the arrangement of FIGURE 3 but at right angles thereto;
FIGURE 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by section line 6 6 of FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the body of the apparatus with the valve elements, valve actuating mechanism, the cover and the tubing being removed therefrom;
FIGURE 8 is a view similar to a portion of FIGURE 2 but showing a modified valve operating linkage assembly which may be employed with the invention;
FIGURE 9 is a detailed view taken in vertical section and upon an enlarged scale substantially upon a plane indicated by section line 9 9 of FIGURE 8;
FIGURE l0 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention; and,
FIGURES 11 and l2 are perspective views of the valve operating linkage of the upper and lower valve assemblies respectively,
Referring rst to the embodiment disclosed in FIG- URES 1-7 of the drawings, attention is directed first to FIGURE l for an understanding of the environment in which the invention is to be employed. Indicated by the numeral is a well bore which extends from the surface of the earth into a productive oil bearing formation, and in which the liquid to be produced by the well stands therein at a level such as that indicated at 12. Preferably this well bore is cased as at 114, there being provided the usual casing head 16. As shown, this casing extends into the oil producing region. However, it will be understood that in accordance with conventional practice, the casing may terminate above this oil producing region or if extended thereinto, it is preferably perforated in accordance with conventional practice to permit the inflow of petroleum into the well bore as indicated by the level 12.
Shown at 1S is a string of tubing having a tubing head or closure in its upper end and which tubing string extends to the lower end of the well bore and carries a conventional form of reciprocating pump, not shown, by means of which the fluid in the well bore and which accumulates therein from time to time may be pumped to the surface through the reciprocation of a conventional sucker rod string 24 which is connected to the pump. Inasmuch as the pump itself and its sucker rod are conventional, as well as the association of the same in the tubing string 18, a further description of the same is deemed to be unnecessary for the purposes of understanding the invention claimed hereinafter.
In wells being pumped which are subject to periodic accumulation of paraffin therein, it has been noted that such paraffin deposits usually tend to accumulate at the same position or vertical elevation in the well bore or tubing, forming deposits upon the walls of the same. The valve assembly of this invention for dispensing the parafiin remover and which is designated generally by the numeral 30 and which comprises a body or casing which forms a section of and is interposed in the tubing string 18 is shown in FIGURE 1. A manually operated control lever 32 may conveniently be journalled upon a bracket or support 34 carried by the casing head 16 for effecting operation of the valve assembly 30, when paraffin deposits are to be removed from the interior of the tubing string or the well bore, as set forth hereinafter. Secured to one end of the control lever 32 and operated thereby is a tension member 35 which may consist of a cable or the like, and which slidably extends through the casing head 116 alongside the tubing string 18 and is operatively connected to the valve mechanism of the valve assembly 3) for actuating the same as will become subsequently apparent. The arrangement is such that by manual operation of the valve control member 32 at the surface of the ground upon the casing head, the valve assembly may be operated for delivering or dispensing cleaning fluid applied through the tubing string in any convenient manner, as by connection to` the tubing string, by removing the tubing head 2@ or the like so that the tubing string itself will conduct the paraffin removing agent to the area which is tobe treated thereby.
Referring now more specifically to FIGURES 3 and 7, it will be observed that the valve assembly 3l) consists of a cylindrical body 4t) which is surrounded by a detachable cylindrical sleeve, casing or cover 4Z. This sleeve may be removably secured in any desired manner as by the use of fastening screws or the like if desired.
The body 40 is provided with an axial bore therethrough as indicated at 44 which bore is diametrically enlarged and internally threaded at its upper and lower end portions as at 46 and 48 respectively whereby the adjacent ends of the tubing sections 18 may be engaged therein and continuous communication established therei through except as prevented by the valve means to be set forth hereinafter.
Intermediate the ends of the body 40 the bore 44 is enlarged to provide upper and lower Valve chambers or compartments 50 and 52 while the body itself is laterally notched or cut away as at 54 and 56 to receive the removable closures 58 kand 60 for these valve chambers. The closures are secured by suitable fasteners in a conventional manner.
As will be observed from FIGURE 7, the valve chambers 50 and 52 are disposed in vertically and circumferentially spaced relation with respectto each other for a purpose to be subsequently apparent, and there is provided a further upper laterally recessed notched portion 62' at the upper end of the body.
The exterior surface of the body 40 is provided with longitudinally extending channels or slots 64 and 66, the former establishing communication between the floor of the slot 62 and the top wall of the slot 54, while the latter establishes communication between the floor of the slot 62 and the top wall of the slot 56. These channels are adapted to receive and house therein operating means for the valve assemblies whereby these operating means will be completely embedded within the body 40 and enclosed in this body and in the previously mentioned protective sleeve or covering 42.
From a consideration of FIGURES 2, 6 and 7 it will be observed that the notch 62 has a flat bottom wall 68 and a valve actuating plate 70 is received in this notch and is movable between the top and bottom walls thereof and against the flat back wall 72, this plate constituting a segment of a circle as shown.
As will be observed from FIGURE 6, the valve actuating plate 70 has a straight rear edge 73 which slides against and is complementary to the flat face 72 of the notch 62. Thus, a guiding action is established between these surfaces as the valve actuating plate is reciprocated in the notch 62 between the top and bottom walls thereof.
An aperture or bore 74 extends from the flat top wall 76 of the body 40 into the notch 62 to permit sliding passage of the actuating cable 35 thereinto, this cable having its lower end secured in any desired manner to the valve actuating plate 70. As shown inthe detailed view of FIGURE 4, the cable may conveniently be secured to a sleeve or bushing 76 which is secured to the valve actuating plate 70 as by means of a fastening bolt 78 projecting upwardly therethrough. A compression spring 80 surrounds this bushing or sleeve 76 and at its opposite ends abuts against the top face of the notch 62 and the top face of the valve actuating plate 70. Carried by the lower end of the fastener 78 is a diametrically enlarged cylindrical plunger 82 which is slidably received within a plunger bore 84 extending downwardly into the body from the bottom face 68 of the notch 62. This plunger being rigidly secured to the valve' actuating plate 70 serves to assist in guiding the latter for straight line reciprocation under the influence of the cable 35 and the spring 80. The bore 84 in which the plunger 82 slides communicates by cross passages 90 at its lower end and 92 at its upper portion with the axial Vpassage 44 extending through the valve assembly and with the exterior of the device. O-rings as at 94 formed in channels in the bore 84 serve to establish a fluid tight seal of the plunger 82 therewith and thus prevent leakage of fluid along this bore.
In order to further guide the valve plate in its reciprocation and adjustably limit the upward travel of the same, there are provided a pair of studs 96, see also FIGURE 6, which are adjustably threaded into bores 98 in the bottom wall 68 of the notch 62, and which slidably extend through corresponding bores as at 100, see FIGURE 2, in the valve actuating plate 70. The studs thus provide a means which serves both to guide the valve plate during its reciprocation and also to limit the upward travel of the same.
Secured to the valve actuating plate 70 and extending therethrough is a pair of valve actuating rods 102 and 104, which as shown in FIGURE 2 extend respectively into the chambers 54 and 56, these rods being disposed in the channels 64 and 66 respectively. Each of these rods is` secured to and iixedly engaged upon the valve actuating plate '70 as by means of fastening nuts 106 and 108 which are threaded upon the upper end of the rods and secure the latter to the pressure plate. Thus, as the pressure plate is reciprocated, the valve actuating rods 102 and 104 are likewise reciprocated. The lower ends of each of the valve actuating rods, as will be seen from FIGURES 2 and 3, have angulated end portions 110 and 112 which extend into the notches 54 and 56 and by linkage mechanism are connected to and actuate the valve elements associated therewith.
In the upper valve chamber 50, see FIGURES 3 and 5, at the back end thereof, on opposite sides of the axial passage 44 there are provided a pair of apertured lugs 120. A pair of valve shafts 122 are secured or journalled in these lugs and also in the valve chamber cover plate 58. Secured to these valve shafts are valve plates or leaves 124 provided with notch portions 126 which as will be seen from a comparison of full line and dotted line positions in FIGURE 3 are adapted to move into alignment with each other in the same horizontal plane and in which position the notches 126 will seat upon and receive the sucker rod shaft 24, so that the valve members will thus close the passage 44 extending between the chambers 50 and 52. However, when the valve shafts are rotated in the other direction, the valves will be lifted to their open position shown in full lines therein, permitting free flow of fluid through this bore.
In a similar manner, a pair of valve plates 130 of similar construction are mounted upon valve shafts 132 similarly journalled in the lower valve chamber 52 and perform the same function. However, the arrangement is such that the valve plates 124 of the chamber 50 will be opened as shown in FIGURE 3 when the valve plates 130 of the chamber 52 are closed as shown in FIGURE 5.
The previously mentioned valve actuating rods 102 and 104 are suitably connected to the valve shafts in the two valve chambers to effect oscillation of these valves between their opened and closed positions upon vertical reciprocation of the valve rods in response to vertical movement of the Valve actuating plate 7 0.
As shown in FIGURE 3, in conjunction with FIG- URES 2 and l2, the valve rod 104 and its lower end is provided with a transverse or cross member 140 whose extremities are pivoted as at 142 to a pair of links 144 which in turn are pivoted at 146 to crank arms 148 carried by the valve shafts 132. In view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 2, it is obvious that the two valve plates 130 will be rotated in opposite directions by vertical reciprocation of the valve actuating rod 104. A similar arrangement, see FIGURE 1l, is provided for effecting operation of the valve shafts 122 of the valve members 124 in the upper valve chamber 50.
The arrangement is such that the valve plates may be moved to a closed position at which time they will lie ilat upon the bottom walls of their respective valve chambers 50 or 52, with their notched portions snugly receiving in a fluid tight manner the sucker rod 24. To facilitate this seal O-rings or the like, not shown, may be provided in the arcuate notched portions of the valve plates for this purpose. Thus, in the closed position of the valves the flow of fluid downwardly past the valves is completely prevented. In the open position of the valves, they are moved out of the way so as to permit free flow of uid down the bore 44 and to in no way reduce the velocity of ilow through this bore or to increase the resistance of llow of fluid therethrough.
During pumping of the well, both the upper and lower 6 valve assemblies will be in an intermediate position allowing free flow through the tubing string and through the passage 44 within the device. t At this time, the vent port 92 will be closed by the plunger 82 which also will be in an intermediate vertical position in its bore.
When it is desired to remove an incrustation of paran from the interior of the tubing string, the cable 35 and the plunger 82 will be lowered, thus closing the lower valve assembly and opening the upper valve assembly. This also causes the plunger S2 to close the port 90 as well as the port 92. This allows the treating agent such as hot oil or the like to be introduced into the tubing string and passed downwardly through the upper chamber 50 and into the lower chamber 52 where it will be retained upon the closed lower valve assembly. The treating agent will extend to any desired depth in the tubing string above the lower valve assembly.
When the treating operation is completed, the cable 32 and the plunger 82 will be moved to their uppermost position, the upper valve assembly being closed and the lower valve assembly being opened and the ports and 92 will likewise be uncovered by the plunger 82. This will discharge the cleaning agent to the lower end of and to the exterior of the tubing string.
In the arrangement shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, a slightly modiiied construction of the linkage is employed. In this form of the invention helical springs are engaged about the pivot connections of the linkage in order to yieldingly urge the mechanism into a position at which the associated valve plates will be open. In this form of the invention, the lower end of the actuating rod 104 has a pivot 152 to which a pair of actuating links 154 are secured. The other ends of these links are pivoted as at 156 to a mid-portion of a pair of levers 158, having their outer ends pivoted to the links 160 and having their inner ends secured to a xed pivot 162. The links 160 likewise have their ends pivoted as at 164 to crank arms 166 on the valve actuating shafts. A similar arrangement is provided for the upper valve assembly connected to the valve actuating rod 102. The advantages of this construction is that additional resilient means are provided for effecting the return of the valve mechanism to its idle or open position.
4A still further modied construction is shown in FIG- URE 10. In this arrangement there is provided a cylindrical valve body 200 having frusto-conical upper and lower end portions as at 202 and 204. As in the preceding form of the invention, an axial bore is provided through this body which is internally threaded as at 206 at its upper end for engagement with adjacent section of tubing, not shown, and which at its lower end is likewise threaded to engage the tubing section 208. Within the tubing section is the sucker rod string 210 and the previously mentioned control cable 35 is provided extending through an axial bore 212 in the top face 214 of the upper conical section 202. As in the preceding embodiment, there is provided an upper notch 220, together with vertically and circumferentially spaced notches 222 and 224, each of which opens into a valve chamber, the upper valve chamber being shown provided with a closure plate 226, while the corresponding closure plate has been removed from the lower valve chamber which chamber itself is identied by the numeral 228. Since the valve chambers are identical in construction, and the same valve assemblies are provided in each, a duplication of the showings thereof is deemed to be unnecessary. As in the preceding embodiment, the valve chambers are each provided with pairs of cooperating valve plates such as the plate 230 mounted upon a valve axle 232 and provided with a sealing notch 234 to engage upon the sucker rod shaft 210.
The ends of these valve shafts project through the cover plates of the valve housings such as a cover plate 226, and upon the exterior surface of the valve housings are provided with mutilated sector gears 240. The gears 240 mesh with pinions 242 each secured'to a stud axle 244 carried by the cover plate, and a rack bar 245 is disposed between and meshed with the two gears 242. The rack bar is urged to its lower position by a pair of compression springs 250, and is secured to one extremity 252 on a valve actuating rod 254. As in the preceding embodiment, the two valve actuating rods extend through grooves 256 and 258 in the surface of the valve body, and are connected to the valve actuating plate 260 having a compression spring 262 urging the latter to its lower position. The operation of this form of the invention is identical to that previously described except that a rack and pinion drive is provided and placed on the compound lever system in order to eiiect the desired simultaneous operation of the valve members.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily`occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.
What is claimed as new is as follows:
1. A device for dispensing a paraiiin cleaning agent in a well bore comprising a hollow body inserted in and constituting -a part of a tubing string in a well bore, said tubing string having a sticker rod therein, a discharge port in said body located at a region of paraffin deposit in a well bore, a discharge valve in said body controlling ilow through said discharge port, sealing valves in said body cooperating with said sucker rod to prevent flow of iluid therepast, actuating means for said sealing valve connected to said discharge valve for simultaneous operation therewith, said body having axially and circumferentially spaced notches in the sides thereof, a valve actuating plate mounted in one of said notches for re# ciprocation therein, said control valve and said sealing valve actuating means being connected to saidV plate, said sealing valve actuating means including actuating mechanism housed in others of said notches.
2. The combination of claim 1 including -a casing surrounding said body and enclosing said notches.
3. The combination of claim 1 including grooves in said body, actuating rods slidable in said grooves and connected each to said plate and to one of said actuating means.
4. The combination of claim 1 including an axial bore in said body and wherein said other notches each communicate with a valve chamber in said bo'dy through which said axial bore passes, a cover plate in said notches for said valve chambers, said sealing valves being disposed in their respective valve chambers and said actuating mechanism being disposed in said other notches on the outside of said valve chamber cover plates.
5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said actuating mechanism comprises a linkage system.
6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said actuating mechanism comprises a rack and gear mechanism.
7. The combination of claim 1 including means for guiding and for limiting movement of said valve plate.
8. A device for dispensing a paraiiin cleaning agent in a well bore comprising a hollow body inserted in and constituting a part of a tubing string in a well bore, a sucker rod in said tubing string, a discharge port in said body located at a region of paraflin deposit in a well bore, a discharge valve in said body controlling flow through said discharge port, sealing valves in said body cooperating with said sucker rod to prevent tlow of uid therepast, actuating means for said sealing valves connected to said discharge valve for simultaneous operation therewith, said discharge valve comprising a plunger slidable in a plunger bore, said body having an axial bore for receiving said sealing valves, inlet and outlet ports in said body respectively connecting said plunger bore with said axial bore and with the exterior of said body and controlled by said plunger valve.
9. The combination of claim 8 including sealing rings in said plunger bore.
10. An apparatus for dispensing a treating agent into a predetermined region in `a well bore having therein a tubing string containing a sucker rod which comprises; a hollow body provided with an axial bore through which said sucker rod extends, said body being inserted in and comprising a part of said tubing string, said axial bore having an enlargement defining a chamber in said body, a discharge port in said body communicating with said chamber and with the exterior of said body for discharging a treating agent from said chamber into the well bore, a valve in said body and exterior of said chamber controlling ow to the chamber through said port closure means in said chamber and movable between' an open position allowing fluid llow through said chamber and axial bore and ia closed position wherein said closure means has a sealing engagement with said sucker rod and substantially prevents ilow through said chamber, -actuating means for each of said control valves Iand said closure means and disposed within said hollow body but outside of said chamber for simultaneous and synchronized operation of said closure means and said control valve.
11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said hollow body includes a compartment therein adjacent said chamber, said actuating means including elements housed in said compartment.
12. The combination of claim 11 including a longitudinal channel in the exterior portion of said body cornmunicating with said compartment, said actuating means including a reciprocable member received in said channel, a coveringon said body enclosing said compartment and channel.
References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 719,004 Hoffman Ian. 27, 1903 2,300,348 Dana Oct. 27, 1942 3,016,094 Abbott Ian. 9, 1962

Claims (1)

10. AN APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING A TREATING AGENT INTO A PREDETERMINED REGION IN A WELL BORE HAVING THEREIN A TUBING STRING CONTAINING A SUCKER ROD WHICH COMPRISES; A HOLLOW BODY PROVIDED WITH AN AXIAL BORE THROUGH WHICH SAID SUCKER ROD EXTENDS, SAID BODY BEING INSERTED IN AND COMPRISING A PART OF SAID TUBING STRING, SAID AXIAL BORE HAVING AN ENLARGEMENT DEFINING A CHAMBER IN SAID BODY, A DISCHARGE PORT IN SAID BODY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CHAMBER AND WITH THE EXTERIOR OF SAID BODY FOR DISCHARGING A TREATING AGENT FROM SAID CHAMBER INTO THE WELL BORE, A VALVE IN SAID BODY AND EXTERIOR OF SAID CHAMBER CONTROLLING FLOW TO THE CHAMBER THROUGH SAID PORT CLOSURE MEANS IN SAID CHAMBER AND MOVABLE BETWEEN AN OPEN POSITION ALLOWING FLUID FLOW THROUGH SAID CHAMBER AND AXIAL BORE AND A CLOSED POSITION WHEREIN SAID CLOSURE MEAN HAS A SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SUCKER ROD AND SUBSTANTIALLY PREVENTS FLOW THROUGH SAID CHAMBER, ACTUATING MEANS FOR EACH OF SAID CONTROL VALVES AND SAID CLOSURE MEANS AND DISPOSED WITHIN SAID HOLLOW BODY BUT OUTSIDE OF SAID CHAMBER FOR SIMULTANEOUS AND SYNCHRONIZED OPERATION OF SAID CLOSURE MEANS AND SAID CONTROL VALVE.
US103130A 1961-04-14 1961-04-14 Means for removing paraffin Expired - Lifetime US3152645A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US103130A US3152645A (en) 1961-04-14 1961-04-14 Means for removing paraffin

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US103130A US3152645A (en) 1961-04-14 1961-04-14 Means for removing paraffin

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3152645A true US3152645A (en) 1964-10-13

Family

ID=22293551

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US103130A Expired - Lifetime US3152645A (en) 1961-04-14 1961-04-14 Means for removing paraffin

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3152645A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4299280A (en) * 1980-04-04 1981-11-10 Greer Cecil B Tool retaining apparatus
US4674959A (en) * 1985-09-30 1987-06-23 D. W. Zimmerman Mfg., Inc. Pressure-operated valve, particularly for a downhole pump

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US719004A (en) * 1902-10-25 1903-01-27 Roy J Hoffman Oil-well cleaner.
US2300348A (en) * 1941-04-21 1942-10-27 Frank E Dana Method for cleaning oil wells
US3016094A (en) * 1958-07-16 1962-01-09 Tom L Abbott Paraffin removing valve assembly for tubing

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US719004A (en) * 1902-10-25 1903-01-27 Roy J Hoffman Oil-well cleaner.
US2300348A (en) * 1941-04-21 1942-10-27 Frank E Dana Method for cleaning oil wells
US3016094A (en) * 1958-07-16 1962-01-09 Tom L Abbott Paraffin removing valve assembly for tubing

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4299280A (en) * 1980-04-04 1981-11-10 Greer Cecil B Tool retaining apparatus
US4674959A (en) * 1985-09-30 1987-06-23 D. W. Zimmerman Mfg., Inc. Pressure-operated valve, particularly for a downhole pump

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE602004006643T2 (en) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SPRAYING TREATMENT FLUID INTO A DRILL
US2753940A (en) Method and apparatus for fracturing a subsurface formation
US4011906A (en) Downhole valve for paraffin control
US1619328A (en) Core barrel
US2224538A (en) Method and apparatus for gravelpacking wells
US2095056A (en) Apparatus for evaluating oil sands
US3152645A (en) Means for removing paraffin
US3014531A (en) Method of cleaning oil wells
US4193574A (en) Well shut off device
US2293196A (en) Method and apparatus for completing wells
US3074352A (en) Well pump
US2713908A (en) Apparatus for coating the interior of well pipes
US2642139A (en) Apparatus for treating wells
US1886886A (en) Method of and apparatus for the recovery of matter from wells
US2564066A (en) Multiple valve unit
US1542248A (en) Working barrel
US2639674A (en) Oil well pump cleaner
RU43907U1 (en) ADJUSTABLE HYDRAULIC BOILER
US2274029A (en) Flow responsive device
US3016094A (en) Paraffin removing valve assembly for tubing
US2905246A (en) Liquid level and pressure control valve for oil wells
US2737246A (en) Hydraulic valve device
US2250775A (en) Apparatus for developing wells
US1804247A (en) Flow tester
US2142483A (en) Gas-lift pump