US2207001A - Well equipment - Google Patents

Description

July 9, 1940. sQv. DILLoN 2,207,001

' WELL EQUIPMENT v Filed oct. 11, 1957 zsheets-sheet 1' ATTORNEY f Y PatentedJuly 9, 1940 WELL EQUIPMENT Stephen V. Dillon, Tulsa, Okla.

Application October 11, 1931,- Serial No. 168,485

6 Claims.

This application is a continuation-impart -of my application Serial No. 27,788, filed June 21, 1935, Patent No. 2,095,244.

The invention relates to improvements in well equipment and moreY particularly to novel packing means for obstructing the space between the well string and the bore-of a well.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide improved packing means comprising a source of pressure fluid arranged in close proximity to an expansible element, for the purpose of inflating such element after the packing means has been introduced by the well stringinto the well, to obstruct 'the space between the -well string and the bore ofthe well.

Another object is to furnish means for'such purpose comprising a device for controlling the ination and deflation of the expansible element by movement of the well string relativelyto the expansible element. -f

A further object is to supply packing means of duplex character so that one expansible element may be positioned on the well stringabove an oil-bearing or gas producing strata and another 25 may be positioned below said strata.

A still further object is to provide a device of the aforementioned kind combined with novel means for controlling the admission of iiuids into and the discLarge of fluids out of a tubular section of the well string.

With the foregoing objects outlined and with other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described in detail, i1- lustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an improved packing means and valve structure forming part of my novel well equipment.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are horizontal sectional views taken respectively on the lines 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a modification of one of the packing assemblies.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the same.

Figs. 7 and 8 are horizontal sectional views taken respectively onthe lines 1-1 and 8-8 of Fig. 5.

In the embodiment of the invention shown-in lgs. l to 4, inclusive, I3 and I4 designate expansible packing elements of the inflatible and deflatible type and each of these elements may be in the form of a hollow ball made of a rubber lining I5 coated on its exterior with any suitable protecting means such as a coat I6 of synthetic rubber or Thiokol.

Each ball surrounds an auxiliary or outer tube I1, the inner surface of which snugly engages the outer surface of a section I8 of the tubing string, l and to prevent any leakage, clamping rings I9 ar i 20 engage the ends of the ball. The ring I9 clamps one end of each ball to the auxiliary tube, while the ring 20 clamps the opposite end of the ball to a casing 2|, 22. These casings are 'reversed l in reference to the expansible packing elements .and the casing 2| is preferably arranged above its ball while the casing 22 is preferably arranged Vbelow its ball. This arrangement permits a shot hole 23 or the like in oil or gas-producing strata to u be segregated from the bore of the Well above and below the shot hole and consequently if treating acid or the like is introduced into the shot hole, it will be prevented bythe expansible packing elements from coming in contact with the casings 2 I, 20 22 and other parts which are preferably made of metal. I

The casingsor chambers are designed 'to contain sources or supplies of an expansible medium, such as dry ice, and after the tubing string has 25 been lowered into the well, valves 24 and 25 controlling ports 26 and 21 in the chambers can be opened to permit gas released .from the gasproducing medium in the chamber, to enter the balls for the purpose of inflating the balls and 30 causing theml to form obstructions between the tubing string and the bore of the well.

For the purpose of controlling the valves, each valve may be normally held in closed position by a coil spring 28. These springs surround the 35 stems, 29, 30 of the respective valves. As shown in Fig. l, the spring surrounding the stem 28 may have' one end Abearing'against an abutment 3| on the stem, and its other end bearing against one end of the casing 2|, while the spring sur- 40 rounding the stem 30 may bear at one end upon an end of the casing 32 and vat its other end against the head of valve 25.

The valve stems are simultaneously operated to release gas from the chambers 2| 22 .into the 45 balls, by means of cam discs 32 and 33 (fixed tc the section I8 of the tubing string) and this is accomplished when the tubing string is lowered relatively to the auxiliary tube I1.

-As it will be necessary to deflate the balls in order to raise the tubing string, each of the chambers 2 I, 22 is provided with a release valve 34, 35. Each of these valves is normally held seated by a spring 36 and one of the valve stems has a hook 31 at its 'outer end. These valve stems cooperate 55 with the cam discs 32 and 33, and when the cam discs are in certain positions and turned, cam surfaces on these discs will engage the stems of valves 34, 35, and open the release valves. It is necessary at such time that the valves 24 and 25 be held open so as to release gas not only from the balls into the chambers but from the chambers to the atmosphere, and consequently the discs 32 and 33 are so arranged as to hold the valves 24 and 25 open while the cam surfaces o n the discs are actuating the valves 34,- 35, due to the turning movement of the discs by the well string. Each cam disc has a cut-out sector 38 (Fig. 4) to permit the discs to clear the valve stems 3l and 39 when the tubing string is moved downwardly relatively to the auxiliary tube I1.

Each of the chambers 2|, 22 is rigidly secured to the auxiliary tube I1 and in order to prevent this auxiliary tube from moving during the manipulation of the tubing string for control purposes, the auxiliary tube may be rigidly linked to the lower end of a lock wedge block shown in myabove-mentioned application Serial No. 27,788. For example, a threaded sleeve 40 can rigidly connect the casing 2| to the flange 4| at the lower end of a sleeve 42 and the upper end of this sleeve can be rigidly secured to said wedge block of the tubing lock by any suitable means not shown. Perforations 43 in the collar` 40 permit the escape of gas that is vented through the upper release valve 34.

If desired, bow springs 44 can be positioned on the sleeve 40 to frictionally engage the bore of the well and p revent movement of the surrounding elements while the tubing string section I8 is being manipulated.

In Figs. to 8, inclusive, I have illustrated a much more practical form of the dry ice chamber and expansible element. For example, as shown in these iigures, one end plate 45 of the casing may be of stepped formation to form an annular rabbet 4 to receive one end of. the ball 41 and this end plate can be clamped to the stepped end plate of the'casing by any suitable clamping means 48. The end plate 45 of the casing surrounds the auxiliarytube 49 .and a packing gasket 50 and packing gland 5| are used where the joint' is located. y

The body of the chamber in this example may consist of a short section 52 of pipe, 'the ends of which will extend into annular grooves 53 in the end plates 45 and 54. Bolts 55 which pass through apertures-in the end plates may be employed to hold the partsl in assembled relation, and a packing gasket 56 and packing gland5'| can be used where the plate 54 surrounds the auxiliary tube.

For the purpose of permitting well uid to readily ilow into the tubing string while the tubing string in my equipment is being lowered into the well, the tubing string is preferably provided, as shown in Fig. 1, with a port 58 that may register with a port 59 in the auxiliary tube l1. The auxiliary tube has a second lower port 60' positioned below the port 59 and at a point spaced about forty-ve degrees from the port 59. Consequently when the tubing string is turned to set a tubing catcher or tubing lock (not shown) or both of them, and the tubing is then lowered so as to lock the tubing against either .downward or upward movement, the port 58 will be brought into register with the port BIJ with the result that well fluid can then travel into the tubing string through the ports 60 and 58.

When the ports 58 and' 60 are in registration,

well ud can not only enter the tubing string but treating agents o r the like can be introduced into the well through the tubing string and even though this treating medium is hintroduced under relatively high pressures, it will not disturb the position of the tubing string, as the tubing stop and tubing lock (shown in application Serial No. 27,788) will prevent upward or downward movement of the tubing string, and the expansible packing elements I3 and |4 will confine the treating medium to the shot hole or the like, and will prevent it from moving upwardly or downwardly in the bore of the well.

As it sometimes happens that liquid will gather in the well above the packing means and interfere with the removal of the parts, I provide the tubing string with a second port 6| (Fig. 1) which is adapted to cooperate with a port 62 in the pipe 42. When the tubing string is lowered relatively to the auxiliary tube I1 without being turned, the port's 8| and 62 come into register and this permits liquid gathering in the well above the upper packing element I4 to be pumped up the well through the tubing string.

lFrom the foregoing it will be understood that I have combined with a tubing string, a novel packing means controlled by relative movement of the tubing string. If the improved packing means is employed in combination with the tubing stop and lock, shown in my application Serial No. 27,788, the tubing string will be locked against either upward or downward movement, and consequently the packing means willbe held stationary and pressure conditions within the well will not disturb the position of the tubing string.

For purposes'of illustration, I have shown the well string as a string of tubing, but it is obvious that the packing means can also be employed with a rod string or a well string partially ofv rod string and partially of tubing.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. I am aware that changes may be made in the details disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Packing means for wells, comprising an iniiatable and delatable element adapted to surround a Well string, a container positioned in the Well and adapted to store a source of pressure medium, a passageway placing the interior of the container in communication with the interior of the iniiatable and defiatableelement, a valve for controlling said passageway, a vent port for said container, and a valve controlling said vent port.

2. The combination with a well string arranged in the bore of a well, of a plurality oi'. packing means surrounding the wellstring and adapted to obstruct the ow of iluid between the well string and the bore of the Well, each of said means comprising an inflatable and deflatable element, each element being provided with a passageway for introducing a pressure fluid into the same, pressure fluid generating and storing means arranged on the Well string and communicating with the interior of the elements through said ports, and means for controlling said ports.

3. The combination with a well string arranged 'in the bore of a well, of. an inatable and deflatable element surrounding the well string and obstructing the passage of rluid between the well string and the bore of the well, means for generating and storing a pressure fluid arranged on said well string, and controllable means for introducing the pressure fluid into said element and for discharging the pressure fluid from said element. 1

4. The combination with a well string arrange in the bore of a Well, of a pressure fluid generating and storing means arranged on the Well string and including a container having a plurality of. discharge portsan inflatable and deatable packing element surrounding the Well string and adapted to obstruct the passage of fluid between the Well string and the bore of the Well, one of said discharge ports leading into said element for iniiating the latter, and means for controlling, the passage of said pressure fluid through said ports.

I 5. In equipment of the character described,` a rod like element adapted to be inserted in a well, an inatable and deatable member surrounding said element and adapted to close the space in the well between said element and the bore of the well, a pressure medium storage member carried by said element, means for leading pressure medium from the storage member into said inatable and deflatable member, means for controlling the last mentioned means, said control means being actuated by relative movement between sad element and one of said members.

6. In equipment of the character described, a

rod-like element adapted to be inserted in a well,

an iniiatable and deflatable member surrounding said element and adapted to close the space in the well between said element andthe bore of the Well, a pressure medium storage reservoir carried by said element, means for leading pressure medium from the reservoir. into said member,

means for anchoring the member in the Well to allow the rod-like element to be moved relatively to said member while the latter remains in stationary position, a valve for controlling the passage o'f uid from the reservoir to said member, and means actuated by relative movement between said element and member for controlling said valve.

. STEPHEN V. DILLON.

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