US2594551A - Centralizer and method of attaching - Google Patents

Description

April 29, 1952 F. M. GIST 2,594,551

CENTRALIZER AND METHOD ,OF a'mcams Filed March 15, 1950 FIG. I

INVENTOR.

FRED MensT Patented Apr. 29, 1952 CENTR-ALIZER AND METHOD OF ATTACHING Fred Morgan Gist, Monahans, Tex.

Application March 15, 1950, Serial No. 149,686

2 Claims.

This invention relates to centralizers for pipe used in the bores of oil and other wells and includes novel features for securing such centralizers to the well pipes and insulating them from damaging electrical forces encountered underground.

The invention will be understood from the following description together with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. I is an elevation of a section of a well pipe with my centralizer assembled thereon.

Fig. II is a section along line 22 of Fig. I.

Fig. III is an enlarged section in perspective of well pipe, centralizer, and retaining band.

Proceeding now with the description, like references depict similar parts in the several views wherein 5 is a well pipe having rigid centralizers 6 whose bases I are composed of a distortable insulating material, spaced about its periphery. The ends of the centralizers have reduced end sections 8 and sections 9 which are substantially parallel with their bases 1. Projecting outwardly from the bases 1 of the centralizers beyond sections 8 and 9 are pins Ill engaging bands ll comprised of spring steel or other such strong material and having inwardly turned ends l2 to form eyes l3 which may be brought into registry to receive the tapered lock pins 14-44. Bands l l have preferably elongated slots l5 for movably receiving pins l when the band H is assembled about the centralizers and the well pipe. Band II is faced with distortable insulating material l6 which is preferably, although not necessarily of thicker section between the slots l as is clearly shown in Figs. II and III. Tapered lock pins I4I4, shown also in exploded position lI--l'l, Fig. I, have serrated mating faces l8 and substantially parallel bases IS. The distortable insulating material 1 and [B may be a rubber compound of resilient material having high dielectric strength which may be bonded to the centralizers 6 and the bands II by vulcanization.

The operation is as follows:

Centralizers 6 having been suitably formed and the distortable resilient dielectric material having been bonded thereto and forming their bases and pins l0 having been erected thereon; and bands ll having been suitably formed and faced with distortable, resilient dielectric material, the assembling operation proceeds. A centralizer is brought into place on the pipe, slot IS in the band is passed over pin and so on until the desired number of centralizers are thus engaged about the pipe whereupon the eyed ends l3 of the bands are brought into registry and tapered lock pins I! are snugly engaged therein. Another band is similarly assembled around the opposite ends of the centralizers and over pins in thereon, and the lock pins assembled as before. The lock pins are now driven toward each other in the respective eyes and as their tapered mating faces progressively engage the bands are brought more tautly about the centralizers distorting the resilient material both on the bases 1 of the centralizers and the faces l6 of the bands. The serrated faces of the lock pins ll engage each other to resist movement in the opposite direction. The distorted resilient material continuously seeks to return to its original undistorted positions and thus maintains the assembly in a secure position about the pipe which may now be introduced into the well bore and manipulated as desired in any cementing or similar operation.

Elongated openings I5 permit of ready conformity of the parts to position in the assembly, and if desired the pins It) may be distorted after assembly as by a suitable hammer blow to prevent undesired or accidental disassembly while bringing the parts together.

I have shown my centralizer-s as being formed of rigid material altho they may be of spring steel sections curved away from the pipe at their mid-section, such as are shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 149,687, filed March 15, 1950.

The shape of my locking pins ['5 permits of the engagement of their bases [9 with the full area of the eyes l3 of the bands, altho a cam or other action might also be employed to bring the bands tautly about the assembly. It will be noted that by turning the ends of the bands inwardly in forming eyes l3 they are secured against displacement between the body of the band and the pipe.

What I claim is:

1. A pipe centralizer comprising a plurality of rigid members annularly spaced and longitudinally disposed on the pipe, said members having bases of resilient dielectric material and having reduced end portions with extending pins, a pair of retaining bands faced with resilient dielectric material and having openings for receiving the pins, and means whereby the bands are secured about the reduced ends and the pipe and tensioned by distorting the resilient material.

2. A pipe centralizer comprising a plurality of rigid members annularly spaced and longitudi- 3 4 nally disposed on the pipe, said members having bases of resilient dielectric material and having REFERENCES CITED requced P with extfmdmg, P The following references are of record in the pair of retaining bands faced with resilient difil of this patent;

electric material and having openings for re- 5 ceiving the pins and having intermeshing eyes on UNITED STATES PATENTS the band ends, and a pair of triangular shaped Number Name Date lock pins adapted to wedge in the eyes of each 565,698 Sparks Aug. 11, 1896 band whereby the bands are secured about the 1,894,519 McLaine Jan. 17, 1933 reduced ends and the pipe and tensioned by dis- 1 2,318,878 Miller May 11, 1943 torting the resilient material.

FRED MORGAN GIST.

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