US3788397A

US3788397A - Kickover tool

Info

Publication number: US3788397A
Application number: US00299812A
Authority: US
Inventors: B Terral; H Mcgowen
Original assignee: Camco Inc
Current assignee: CAMCO INC US; Camco Inc
Priority date: 1972-10-24
Filing date: 1972-10-24
Publication date: 1974-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-29
Also published as: GB1408518A; IE38271B1; IE38271L

Abstract

An improved kickover tool and well valve handling apparatus for placing a valve in or removing a valve from an offset side pocket in a well tubing and having a support body, a shifting tool pivotally supported from the support body with spring means yieldably urging the shifting tool into the side pocket by providing means for releasing the shifting force of the spring from the shifting tool after use whereby the shifting tool may become aligned in the well tubing for removal. The spring being a leaf spring with one end held under compression by shear means engageable by a valve handling support so as to be sheared when the valve handling support is pivoted relative to the shifting tool so that the shifting tool may become pivotally aligned in the tubing from the support body. Adjustable means for moving the valve handling support about a pivot from the shifting tool for engagement with the shearing means. A rotatable joint connected between the support body and the shifting tool secured by a shear pin to the shifting tool and sheared by movement of the shifting tool relative to the body for allowing greater lateral shifting movement of the shifting tool.

Description

United States Patent 1 Terral et a].

[ KICKOVER TOOL [75] lnventors: Ben D. Ten-a1; Harold E. McGowen,

Jr., both of Houston, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Cainco, Incorporated, Houston, Tex.

[22] Filed: Oct. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 299,812

Primary Examiner-David H. Brown Attorney, Agent, or FirmJefferson D. Giller; James F. Weiler; William A. Stout [57] ABSTRACT An improved kickover tool and well valve handling Jan. 29, 1974 apparatus for placing a valve in or removing a valve from an offset side pocket in a well tubing and having a support body, a shifting tool pivotally supported from the support body'with spring means yieldably urging the shifting tool into the side pocket by providing meansfor releasing the shifting force of the spring from the shifting tool after use whereby the shifting tool may become aligned in the well tubing for removal. The spring being a leaf spring with one end held under compression by shear means engageable by a valve handling support so as to be sheared when the valve handling support is pivoted relative to the shifting tool so that the shifting tool may become pivotally aligned in the tubing from the support body. Adjustable means for moving the valve handling support about a pivot from the shifting tool for engagement with the shearing means. A rotatable joint connected between the support body and the shifting tool secured by a shear pin to the shifting tool and sheared by movement of the shifting tool relative to the body for allowing greater lateral shifting movement of the shifting tool.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures HTENTED JAN 29 I974 sum 2 or 3 SHEET 3 0F 3 PATENTEU JAN 2 9 1974 1 KICKOVER TOOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One type of well valve handling apparatus or*kickover tool for use in placing a valve in or'removing a valve from an offset side pocket in a well tubing is disclosed in copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 95,408 filed Dec. 4, 1970. Generally, kickover tools include a spring for laterally moving a shifting tool and joint connected between the support body and the valve handling support from the bore of the well tubing into an offset side pocket for inserting a valve in or removing a valve from the offset side pocket. After use, the kickover tool is retrieved by moving the tool upwardly in the well tubing and the shifting tool is pulled back into the well tubing by overcoming the force of the kickover spring. Of course, on retrieval, the,kickover spring continuously urges the shifting tool and valve holding support against the side of the well tubing which causes wear and damage to the shifting tool and valve handling support, as well as damaging any plastic coating in the well tubing, all of which is highly undesirable. These problems become increased with larger size tubing, mandrels, and valves as the strength of the kickover spring is increased. Furthermore, in the larger size kickover tools and installations, the shifting tool must be moved a greater distance laterally. The present invention is directed to various improvements in a valve handling apparatus or kickover tool in which the force of the kickover spring may be released for reducing damaging drag between the tool and the tubing on retrieval as well as providing a more suitable tool for use in larger size installations.

SIJMMARY The present invention is directed to an improved kickover tool or well valve handling apparatus in which means are provided for releasing the shifting force of the kickover spring from the shifting tool whereby, after use, the kickover tool may become pivotally aligned for retrieval through the well tubing.

The present invention directed to various improvements in a well valve handling apparatus for use in placing a valve in or removing a valve from an offset side pocket in a well tubing and having a support body with a shifting tool pivotally supported from the support body with releasing means for initially holding the shifting tool aligned in thetubing, and a valve handling support pivotally supported from the shifting tool and a kickover'spring yieldably urging the shifting tool into the side pocket when the releasing means is released. One feature is to provide releasable holding means normally holding the spring under force but releasing the spring force by disengaging the holding means. The holding means may be engageable by the valve handling support and released when the valve handling support is pivoted so that the shifting tool may, after use, become generally pivotally aligned by gravity in the tubing for withdrawal.

A still further object is the provision of an improved valve handling apparatus in which the shifting tool is a leaf spring and shear means are provided normally holding one end of the spring under compression. The shear means is engageable by the valve handling support for becoming sheared when the valve handling support moves relative to the shifting body thereby releasing the spring compression.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of adjustable means on the shifting tool for moving the valve handling support about its pivot support from the shifting tool and into engagement with the releasable holding means for keeping the valve handling support initially aligned in the well tubing.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of means for providing greater lateral shifting movement of the shifting tool by providing a rotatable shifting tool which is initially secured by a shear pin to the shifting tool, but sheared by a predetermined movement of the shifting tool relative to the body.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, given with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in cross section, illustrating the present invention as it is being lower in a well tubing adjacent a valve seat in an offset pocket of a tubing mandrel for installing a flow valve,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, showing the shifting tool oriented relative to the valve seat in the side pocket and released from the support preparatory to insertion of the valve into the valve seat,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the valve being inserted into the valve seat,

FIG. 4A is an enlarged elevational view, in cross section, showing the top portion of the present invention in position in a well tubing prior to kickover,

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT While the present invention will be described in connection with the valve handling apparatus or kickover tool described in U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. ,408,

it is understood that the present invention may be used with other types of kickover tools.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, a well tubing 10 is shown having connected therein vertically spaced mandrels 12, here shownas only one for convenience. Each tubing mandrel 12 includes a main bore 14 therethrough generally having the same size and aligned with the bore of the well tubing 10, and further includes a side pocket 16 whose axis is offset from the main bore 14 and includes a valve seat 18 for receiving a flow control valve 20 therein. The present invention is directed to a valve handling apparatus or kickover tool generally indicated by the reference numeral 29 for movement in the well tubing 10 for installing or removing'a valve 20 in or from the seat 18 in the mandrel 12.

Referring to FIGS. l4A, a guide sleeve 22 is provided aligned with the main bore 14 and above the side pocket 16. The guide sleeve includes a longitudinal guide slot 24, a guide surface 26 positioned below and handling support 34 which is pivotally carried by the shifting tool 32 from a pin 72, an elongate guide case 36, and alongitudinally movable body 80 carried by the support body 30. The support body 30 includes any suitable means for moving the apparatus 29 through the tubing and mandrels 12 such as a hydraulic pump or, as shown, for example only, a connection 40 for attachmentto a wireline. The movable body 80 generally includes a first part 82 and a second part 84 which are initially secured together by a shear pin 86.

A. guide key 46 is pivotally connected to the movable body 80 at its lower end by an emergency shear pin 50. Support body 30 also includes an opening 44 through which the guide key 46 is yieldably urged outwardly by a spring 48. The guide key 46 also includes an upwardly directing actuating shoulder 56 which when the key 46 is below the guidesurface 26 will contact the surface thereby rotating and aligning the valve handling apparatus 29 in the well bore as the key 46 moves along the guide surface 26, into the slot 24, and into engagement with the actuating shoulder 28.

t Suitable releasable engaging means such as shoulder 60 is connected to the lower end of the second part 84 .of the movable body 80 for engaging a portion of the shifting tool 32, such as 62, to keep the tool 32 initially aligned within the guide case 36 and thus aligned with the main bore 14 in the tubing 10 as the apparatus is initially moved down the well bore. However, when the apparatus 29 is moved into the desired mandrel in which it is desired to install or remove a valve, the guide key 46 is moved into the selected guide slot 24 and the shoulder 56 engages the actuating shoulder 28 preventing further upward movement of the movable body 80 but allowing further upward movement of the support body 30 which will disengage the releasing engaging means or shoulder 60 as the pin 62 moves upwardly past the shoulder 60 allowing the shifting tool 32 to be actuated, rotated about pin 90, and shifted laterally into the side pocket 16 as spring 64 acts between the inside of the guide case ,36 and tool 32 to shift the shifting tool 32 and the valve handling support 34 over into the side pocket 16 and aligned overthe valve seat 18.

For installing a flow control valve 20, a suitable running adapter 74 such as the type JC-3 sold by Camco, incorporated of Houston, Texas, and as more fully described in Pat. No. 3,353,608 may be used. With the release of the shifting tool 32 and its movement outwardly and above the valve seat 18, and as best seen in FIG. 3, the kickover tool or valve handling apparatus 29 may be lowered to cause the lower end of the valve to move into the valve seat 18. The pivoted connec tion 72 between the shifting tool 32 and the valve handling support 34 allows the valve'20 to become vertically aligned with the valve seat 18 and further downward movement of jarring of the apparatus 29 allows the valve handling support 34 and adapter 74 to become aligned with the valve seat 18 and further downward movement seats the valve 20 in the valve seat 18.

Of course, the valve handling apparatus 29 of the present invention may also be used to remove a valve 20 from a valve seat in a selected mandrel by utilizing a pulling adapter of any conventional type, such as the type JDC of Camco, Incorporated of Houston, as shown in Pat. No. 3,353,608, in place of the running adapter 74.

After the valve 20 is seated or removed from the valve seat 18 the apparatus 29 is withdrawn from the tubing 10 by upward movement. The above named general description of the kickover tool 29 is generally disclosed in US. Pat. application Ser. No. 95,408.

However, and referring to FIG. 6, assuming the kickover tool 29 is removed through the tubing 10, the spring 64 continues to yieldably urge the shifting tool 32, the valve handling support 34 and any adapters connected therethrough against the inside of the tubing 10 causing wear and damage to the kickover tool 29 as well as damaging any plastic coating on the inside of the tubing 10. The problem is increased in larger sized equipment as the spring 64 must be of sufficient strength to shift heavier and larger equipment a greater lateral distance. One of the features of the present invention is the provision of means for releasing the force of the spring 64 so that the shifting tool 34 may freely pivot about pivot by gravity and align itself with the support body 30 and avoid undue dragging against the inside of the tubing 10 as the tool 29 is retrieved.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, the spring 64 is preferably a leaf spring, one end is preferably secured to a spring hinge which in turn is supported around a pviot pin 102 on the shifting tool 32. The second end of the hinge 100 is secured from movement by a shear pin 104 connected to the shifting tool 32. Thus, the shear pin 104 holds the spring 64 under compression so that when the releasing

means

60 and 62 are disengaged,-as best seen in FIG. 6, the kickover spring 64 may laterally move the shifting tool 32 over into the side pocket 16. It is to be noted from FIGS. 2 and 6 that at this point valve handling support 34 is still aligned with the shifting tool 32. However, as best seen in FIG. 3, when the valve 20 is inserted into the valve seat 18 and a downward jar is taken on the kickover tool 29 the valve handling support 34 will rotate about its pivot support 72 from the shear pin 104 thus freeing the spring hinge 100 to rotate about pin 102 and release the compressive force in the spring 64. After use, the shifting tool 32 may rotate about pin 90 from the support body 30 and assume a generally aligned position with the body 30 for retrieval through the well tubing 10 without being forced up against the inside of the tubing 10 by the spring 64.

'Referring again to FIG. 48, a set screw 108 may be provided for acting against the bottom end of the shifting tool 32. The set screw 108 acts to hold the valve handling support 34 and any equipment connected thereto in axial alignment with the kickover tool 29 to prevent the equipment, such as valve 20, from moving out of alignment and being caught on a shoulder in the well tubing due to looseness in the pivoting joint 72. Furthermore, the set pin 108 acts to hold the shoulder 106 of the valve handling support 34 up against the spring hinge 100 for insuring that the shear pin 104 is properly and timely sheared.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 6, it is noted that initially that the releasing engagement means 60 and 62 between the body 30 and the shifting tool 32 is in engagement, but as best seen in FIG. 6 when they become released, the shifting tool 32 may be laterally moved into the side pocket 16 by the spring 64. However, in the larger installations, such as with larger valves, tubings and mandrels, the disengagement of the releasing

means

60 and 62 does not provide a sufficient rotation about the pivot pin 90 to move a shifting tool 32 a sufficient lateral extent over into the side pocket 16. Therefore, referring now to FIGS. 4A-7, a rotatable joint is provided about the pivoting pin 90 to provide additional rotation between the shifting pin 32 and the support body 30. Thus, while both the

support body

30 and 2 shifting tool 32 are connected to and rotate about the pin 90 a rotatable joint adapter 110 is provided, also pivoting about thepin 90 and initially connected to the shifting tool 32 by a shear pin 112. Thus, the rotatable joint 110 holds the shifting tool 32 aligned with the body 30 by initially providing a rigid connection through the shear pin 112 and the releasing pin 62. However, as best seen in FIG. 7, when the valve is inserted into the valve seat 18, causing the valve handling support 34 to pivot around pivot pin 72, pin 112 is sheared prior to the shearing of pin 106 to allow a further lateral movement of the shifting tool 32.

The present, invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as .others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in the details of construction, and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a well valve handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a valve in or removing a valve from an offset side pocket in a well tubing having a support body, a shifting tool pivotally supported from the support body and adapted to support a valve support apparatus, releasing means for initially holding the shifting tool aligned in the tubing, and spring means yieldably urging the shifting tool into the side pocket when the releasing means is released, the improvement comprising,

means for releasing the shifting force of the spring from the shifting tool whereby the shifting tool may after use become pivotally aligned in the tubing.

2. In a well valve handling apparatus adapted for'use in placing a valve in or removing a valve from an offset side pocket in a well tubing and having a support body, a shifting tool pivotally supported from the support body, releasing means for initially holding the shifting tool aligned in the tubing, a valve handling support pivotally supported from the shifting tool, spring means yieldably urging the shifting tool into the side pocket when the releasing means is released, the improvement comprising,

releasable holding means normally holding the spring under force, but releasing the spring force when released, and

said holding means engageable by the valve handling support and released when the valve handling support is pivoted whereby the shifting tool may, after use, become pivotally aligned by gravity in the tubmg.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the releasable holding means is a shear pin.

4. In a well valve handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a valve in or removing a valve from an offset side pocket in a well tubing and having a support body, a shifting tool pivotally supported from the support body, releasing means for initially holding the shifting tool aligned in the tubing, a valve handling support piv otally supported from the shifting tool, spring means yieldably urging the shifting tool into the side pocket when the releasing means is released, the improvement comprising,

said spring being a leaf spring,

shear means normally holding one end of the spring under compression, but releasing the spring when released, and said shear means engageable by the valve handling support sheared when the valve handling support is pivoted relative to the shifting tool whereby the shifting tool may, after, use, become pivotally aligned by gravity in the tubing from the support body.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 including,

adjustable means for moving the valve handling support about the pivot to the shifting tool and into engagement with the releasable holding means.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 including,

a rotatable joint connected between the'support body and the shifting tool, and

said joint initially secured by a shear pin to the shifting tool but sheared by movement of the shifting tool relative to the body for allowing greater shifting movement of the shifting tool. 7. In a well valve handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a valve in or removing a valve from an offset side pocket in a well tubing and having a support body, a shifting tool pivotally supported from the support body, releasing means for initially holding the shifting tool aligned in the tubing, a valve handling support pivotally supported from the shifting tool, spring means yieldably urging the shifting tool into the side pocket when the releasing means is released, the improvement comprising,

said spring being a leaf spring, a spring arm pivotally connected to the shifting tool, one end of the arm connected to one end of the shear means connected to the second end of the arm for initially holding the spring under compression, but releasing the arm and the spring when sheared,

the second end of the spring arm engageable by the valve handling support whereby the second end is moved and the shear means sheared when the valve handling support is pivoted relative to the shifting tool allowing the shifting tool, after use, to become pivotally aligned by gravity in the tubing from the support body.

Claims

1. In a well valve handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a valve in or removing a valve from an offset side pocket in a well tubing having a support body, a shifting tool pivotally supported from the support body and adapted to support a valve support apparatus, releasing means for initially holding the shifting tool aligned in the tubing, and spring means yieldably urging the shifting tool into the side pocket when the releasing means is released, the improvement comprising, means for releasing the shifting force of the spring from the shifting tool whereby the shifting tool may after use become pivotally aligned in the tubing.

2. In a well valve handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a valve in or removing a valve from an offset side pocket in a well tubing and having a support body, a shifting tool pivotally supported from the support body, releasing means for initially holding the shifting tool aligned in the tubing, a valve handling support pivotally supported from the shifting tool, spring means yieldably urging the shifting tool into the side pocket when the releasing means is released, the improvement comprising, releasable holding means normally holding the spring under force, but releasing the spring force when released, and said holding means engageable by the valve handling support and released when the valve handling support is pivoted whereby the shifting tool may, after use, become pivotally aligned by gravity in the tubing.

4. In a well valve handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a valve in or removing a valve from an offset side pocket in a well tubing and having a support body, a shifting tool pivotally supported from the support body, releasing means for initially holding the shifting tool aligned in the tubing, a valve handling support pivotally supported from the shifting tool, spring means yieldably urging the shifting tool into the side pocket when the releasing means is released, the improvement comprising, said spring being a leaf spring, shear means normally holding one end of the spring under compression, but releasing the spring when released, and said shear means engageable by the valve handling support sheared when the valve handling support is pivoted relative to the shifting tool whereby the shiftIng tool may, after, use, become pivotally aligned by gravity in the tubing from the support body.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 including, adjustable means for moving the valve handling support about the pivot to the shifting tool and into engagement with the releasable holding means.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 including, a rotatable joint connected between the support body and the shifting tool, and said joint initially secured by a shear pin to the shifting tool but sheared by movement of the shifting tool relative to the body for allowing greater shifting movement of the shifting tool.

7. In a well valve handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a valve in or removing a valve from an offset side pocket in a well tubing and having a support body, a shifting tool pivotally supported from the support body, releasing means for initially holding the shifting tool aligned in the tubing, a valve handling support pivotally supported from the shifting tool, spring means yieldably urging the shifting tool into the side pocket when the releasing means is released, the improvement comprising, said spring being a leaf spring, a spring arm pivotally connected to the shifting tool, one end of the arm connected to one end of the spring, shear means connected to the second end of the arm for initially holding the spring under compression, but releasing the arm and the spring when sheared, the second end of the spring arm engageable by the valve handling support whereby the second end is moved and the shear means sheared when the valve handling support is pivoted relative to the shifting tool allowing the shifting tool, after use, to become pivotally aligned by gravity in the tubing from the support body.