US1508704A - Well-drilling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

sepa. 16, 1924. 1,508,704

R. E. LEONARD I WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. .2,V 1921 2 sheets-sheen 1 Jpgbz. l Z? J5 gib if 5/ 52' DI IL CKE a? ZZ D 50 j@ j V' 55d www# Sept. 16, 1924.`

R. E. LEONARD WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 2.

1921 2 SheeLS-Sheet` 2 j w W P y f 6 u mf M 0 M n W 7 H a A/H. ff M Q y w luvulln/llnul l ,w M M ww -k p @atente sept. M1924.

STATES ROY E. LEONARD, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

' WELIFDBILLING APPARATUS.

To all whom z't'mm/ concern:

v citizen of the United States, residing in- Los Angeles, county Vof Los Angeles, State of California, have invented newand useful improvements inl Well-Drilling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has to do with well drilling apparatus such as is used in drillin oil and water wells, and it is an object 0% the invention to provide improvements in apparatus of this character to simplify its construction and operation.

A noteworthy feature of the invention is the mechanismand arrangement by which the drilling line is supported or connected to the mechanism which operates or reciprocates it. The supporting mechanism is adjustable so that the drilling line can be supported at various heights and means is provided for adjusting of the supporting mechanism. With the arrangement -provided by the invention the adjusting means is located at a convenient part of the apparatus and is always adjustable and easily operable regardless of whether or not the apparatus is in operation. j Another feature of' the invention, is the provision of uidpressure means for adjustlng or regulating the height of the drilhng line embodying no iuid carrying parts, joints or connections subject to movement or liable to fail. The arrangement, of said means allows it to be of heavy strong construction without making the apparatus cumbersome' or un ainly. y,

Another particu arfeature of the invention is the provision of a drilling apparatus with fluid pressure means convenlently available for wrenching casings, tools, etc., and also capable of performing other functions. The invention providesiuid pressure means in the apparatus in such combination with the otherv available or adjusting the drilling line, wrenching casings or -drill-ing tools, etc., and for performing ike operations.

The various objects and features of the invention will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical form n of the invention throughout which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Flg. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a typical well drilling apparatus embodyin the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view o arts of the apparatus as to be Application led February 2, 1921. Serial No. 441,953.

the same being a view taken as indicatedby line 2-2 on Flg. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3--3'on Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 3, being a view taken as indicated by line 4 4 on F1g. 3; Fig. 5 is any end v'iew of the parts shown in Fi 3 being a sectional view taken as'indicate by line 5-5 on Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the outer end portion of the walking beam.

n the drawings I show a portion of a typical Well drilling apparatus embodying the present invention. Numeral 10 designates the main sill of the frame structure 11 which includes the derrick ioor 12, the Samson post 13, the headache post 14, the jack post 15, etc. A walking beam 2l-is-earried on a saddle 22 having trunnions 23 journaled in side irons 24 which are mounted on the upper end of the Samson post 13. ln the particular arrangement shown in the drawings the walking beam 21is adapted to be operated from a crank 25 through a suitable connecting rod 26. The crank 25 is carried on shaft 27 driven through the band wheel 28. The` structure and arrangement herein so far set forth is common to ap aratus of this character and is merely typical of that in connection with which the present invention may be embodied.

In accordance with the resent invention a bracket 30, carrying a pu le 3,1, is mounted on the outer end of the wa king beam 21,

that is the'end of the walking beam o po site to that to which the connecting r 26 is connected, and a bracket 32 carrying two pulle s 33 is mounted at thecenter' of the walkmg'beam 21. The pulleys 33 are on opposite sides of the beam 21 and are outward of the sides ofthe beam, as will be clearly seen from ins ection of Fig. 2 of the drawings. A ilexl le member 35, preferably a flexible cable or chain has an outer part 35a, carried in the ulley 31 so that its outer end hangs from tlie outer end of the walking beam 21 to carry a cable clamp 19. The inner end of the .part 35 is connected by a cross bar 35", tothe two parts 37 of the flexible member which are carried in j carried bybrackets e() mounted ony the sides of the Samson post. After passing aroundl to .two parts of the cross head 42, as vit is obvious how a single part' might be arranged over single pulleys arranged similarly to those hereinabove set forth to perform substantially the same function. The principal object in dividing the members 35 into the two parts 37 is to balance or v equally distribute the load or strains in the crossk head 42 so that it will operate easily in the guides 43. The clamp 19, connected to the outer end Aot the part is adapted to carry'the drilling line 16 which extends through the derrick floor 12 and into the casing 18 and carries at its lower end drilling tools 17.

With the arrangement and structure above described rotation of the shaft 27 through band wheel 28 will cause swinging or operation vof the 4walkin beam 21 through crank 25 and rod 26.y he walking beam 21 in operating raises anddro s the outer portion 35a' of the lexible mem er 35 and therefore the clamp 19 thus operating the drilling line 16. It will be obvious how movement of the cross head 42 in the guides 43 will cause movement of the parts 37 over pulleys 39, 38 and 33 causing movement of the outer portion' 35 of the flexible I member 35 over pulley41 thereby adjust-y ing 0r varying the'positioning ofthe clamp yto the desired position.

' 42 located at a pintcrem'oved from the arts it' 19 relative tothe outer end of the walking beam 21. By moving the cross head 42 the desired amount the clam 19 can be adjusted ith the cross head walking beam and other moving can be very easily and safely move or adjusted when the apparatus 1s in operation.

With the particular arrangement of pulleys shown in the drawings theo rative length of the flexible member '35 kvaries only an innitely small amount between the two extreme positions of -the beam 21, vand there is Working or friction in only a ve small portion of the member l35. The on y p0rtions of the member 35 which move or work during'operation of the apparatus are those portions of the parts 37 extending around the pulleys 33 and 38 and that part of the outer part 35 which extends around the pulley 31. All other parts ofthe member 35 move bodily as though they were rigid. If it is so desired Va curved guide plate 50,

. curved concentrically with the trunnions 23,

may be rovided at the outer end of the walking eam 21 toguideI-the .outer part 35* of the member 35 so that it moves in a truly vertical line. When the guide plate 50 is employed there is a slight working in that portion of the member 35 which is carried an the guide plate.

In the' preferred form of the invention the means forv operating the cross head 42, and therefore the member 35, is fluid pressure means and comprises a cylinder and piston mechanism 54. mounted on the main sill 10 referably between the Samson post 13 andlheadache post 14. A piston 56 is adapted to reciprocate in `the cylinder and is connected to the cross head 42'by a suitable connecting rod 57 extending through a stulling box 58 lin one end ofthe cylinder and an opening 59 in the Samson post 13.' Fluid under pressure is adapted to be admittedzfrom the supply pipe 58 into the ends of the cylinder 55 through a ldistributing valve 59 and pipes `60. The valve 59 is operable to admit iluid from pipe 58 into either of the pipes 60 and simultaneously allow fluid to escape from the other pipe 60 through the exhaust pipe 60'. Auxiliar escape valves 60b may be provided to allow escape of fluid from the cylinder to adjust the positioning of the cross head and drilling line. In the preferred arrangement of the cross head and cylinder and piston mechanism the cross head is held .out or away from thecylinder fluid is, allowed to escape from the cylinder ythus `war y. It is obvious how any desired ermitting the cross head to move in amount of lluid maiy] be allowed to escape from the cylinder t us lowering the drilling line and tools the desired amount. It is to be noted that the cylinderl and piston mechanism, which adjusts or regulates the drilling line 16 through the connecting or flexible member35, is located where it can be easily and conveniently o erated at any time and where it can be o strongheavy construction without making it necessary to make other parts of the apparatus-particularly strong and heavy. `For instance, if the cylinder and piston mechanism were located on the Walking beam 21,.r or were suspended at the end of the walking beam 21, as heretofore proposed, it would be necessary to provide a particularly heavy or strono' walking beam and to rovide exceptionally heavy or strong con uits to sup ly the necessary fluid pressure to the cylin er.

A cylinder 55 is lli In fact, it has been found in practice diiiicult, and in fact practically impossible, to successfully communicate fluid pressure to a cylinder, or the like, located on or suspended from the walking beam 'I he fluid pressure connections and conduits used in connectionY with the cylinder and piston mechanism of the present apparatus may be of ordinary weight and construction.

With the c linder and piston mechanism arranged, as s own in the drawings, between the Samson post and headache post it can be advantageously employed for wrenching tools, casings, and for performing similar duties. The means provided by the present invention for making the cylinder and piston mechanism available for performing these duties comprises, generally, a rod connected to the cross head 42, yand flexible members, 71, such as chains or cables, connected to therod 70 and adapted to connect to wrenches 72, or the like. rllhe rod 70 may be advantageousl connected to the upper part of the cross ead 42 wherefrom it may extend through an opening 'in the Samson post and be carried in a guide 76 arranged at one end of the cylinder 55. A transverse head 77 may be provided on the outer end of the rod 70 to carry the flexible members 71. The flexible members 71 are preferably carried by pulleys 90 mounted at opposite sides of the'post 14 and are adapted to connect to the outer end portions of the `wrenches 72 which are arranged on drilling tools, casings, or the like.r With this apparatus the lcylinder and piston mechanism may be operated to effectively and properly wrench tools or casings. With wrenches 72 arranged on the parts to be wrenched, as shown in Fi 3 and 4 of the drawings admission of iluld into the cylinder 55 to move the cross head 42 out, or

away vfrom the Samson post, will cause' movement of the rod 70 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3 and will thereby move the wrenches 72 in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4. With the members 71 arranged over the pulleys 90 the pull on the wrenches 72 will be practically uniform throughout the extent of their movement. By arran ing a pressure gauge 95 in one of the ui conducting parts, tools or casings may be wrenched up with the desired pressure, or to the proper tightness. When loosening the tools or casin it is not vitally important .that any partwular pressure be put onl the wrenches ut when tightening tools or casings it is important that they be wrenched' tight enough and yet not too tight. With the apparatus of the present invention a joint may be wrenched to anyv predetermined tightness simply by regulating the pressure admitted into the c linder.

By providing two ilexib e members 71 vand havin two wrenches 72 can be simultaneously operated in opposite directions, thus causing a given amount of movement of the cross head to move the wrenched parts twice as far as would be the case if 01,11 one flexible member was connected to a single Wrench arranged on one of the parts while the 'other part is held stationary. Further by providing two flexible members the strains are distributed 'and balanced in the various parts. Y

lt is to be understood that the present invention is not restricted to the use of two exible members 71 as it is obvious how satisfactory results could be had' with only one" member 71 connected to a. wrench arranged on one of the parts to be wrenched if the other part is held stationary.

In practice when tools or casing are being wrenched the parts being wrenched and also the wrenches, etc., may be supported or braced in any desired manner to hold or maintain them in their proper respective positions.

Having described a preferred form of my invention, I claim':

0 1. In Well drilling apparatus, a drilling line, operating mechanlsm for the drilling line, a slidable cross head, a flexible member connecting the drilling line 4and cross head and arranged in connection with the operating mechanism so that the drilling line is operated by said operating mechanism, a stationary cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, and a connecting rod connected to the piston, arranged through one end of the cylinder, and connected to the cross head so that the drilling line is supported by fluid pressure in the other end of the cylinder.

2. In well drilling apparatus, a frame, an oscillating pivoted lever, a pulley at the outer end of the lever, a pulley at the pivoted portion of the lever, a drilling line, a cross head slidably mounted on the frame, a flexible member carried by the pulleys and having one end extending from the outer end of the lever and connected to the drilling line the 'other end extending from the pivota portion of the lever and connected to the cross head, a cylinder mounted on the frame, a piston in t a connecting rod connected to the piston arranged through one end of the cylinder, and connected to the cross head so that the drillin line is supported by Huid pressure in the otlier end of the c linder.

e cylinder, and

3. In well dril ing apparatus which in- 4 cludes a drilling line and operating mechanism therefor, a stationarily mounted Huid 4. In well drilling apparatus which includes a drilling line and operating mechanism therefor, a stationary cylinder and piston mechanism, said mechanism being positioned with respect to the operating mechanism and with the well so as to be operatively a-ttachable to the drilling line and operating mechanism, so the drilling line is operated by the operating mechanism and is adjustably .supported by the cylinder and piston mechanism,` and so said cylinder and piston mechanism is attachable to tools'at the well for operating them,

5. In a well drilling apparatus, mechanism for operating a wrench at the Wellincluding, a stationary fluid pressure-actuated cylinder and piston mechanism removed from the Well, a iexible member adapted to be attached to the wrench to connect the wrench with the cylinder and piston mechanism, and means located between the cylinder and piston mechanism and the well for guiding the flexible member.

6. In a well drilling apparatus, mechanismv for operating two wrenches at the Well including, a stationary fluid pressure actuated cylinder and piston mechanism removed from the well, two flexible members adapted to be attached to the wrenches to connect the cylinder and piston mechanism with the wrenches, and guide pulleys for the flexible members located between the Well and the cylinder and piston mechanism.

7. In well drilling apparatus mechanism for operating a wrench at the well including, a stationary cylinder and piston mechanism removed from the well, a rod extending through the piston through one end of the cylinder and away from the well, a flexible member connected with the rod and adapted to be attached to the wrench so that fluid pressure in the other endof the cylinder will move it to actuate the wrench, and means for guiding' the flexible member.

8. In well drilllng apparatus that includes a drilling line and operating mechanism therefor, said operatin' mechanism including a Walking beam a apted to -be reciprocated above the derrick floor and over the mouth of` the well, a cylinder and `piston mechanism stationarily and horizontally mounted near the derrick floor, flexible means connected to said cylinder and piston mechanism and thence extending to the walking beam where it is operatively connected to the drilling line whereby the drillm line is adjustably vsupported by said c `1- in er and piston mechanism; said cylin er and piston mechanism being so itioned with respect to the well that it is a so operatively attachable to tools at the well for operating them.

9. In well drilling apparatus, a drilling line, operating mechanism for the drilling line, a slidable cross head, a flexible member connecting the drilling line with the cross head and arranged in connection with the operating mechanism so that the drilling line is operated by the operatingv mechanism, and stationarily mounted fluid pressure means for moving the cross head to adjust the position of the drilling line.

In witness that I claim the fore oing I have hereunto subscribed my name t is 27th day of January, 1921.

ROY E. LEONARD.

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