US2799348A - Well cementing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July .16, 1957 J. s. PAGE WELL CEMENTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-sheet 1.

Filed .June 8, v195s INVENTR.

BY 'K .4free/Vey,

J. S. PAGE WELL CEMENTING APPARATUS July 16, 1957 Filed Julie. 8. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A Trona/5y.

United States PatentQ WELL CEMENTING APPARATUS John S. Page, Long Beach, Calif. Application June 8, 1953, Serial No. 360,053 Claims. (Cl. 16d- 212) rlfhis invention has to do with well cementing apparatus andA i`s particularly concerned with apparatus for use where tubing is employed in a well casing to supply cement,lor the like, into the well. It is aV general object of the invention to provide apparatus of this general character which is of simple, practical, economical construction and which is dependable and effective in action.

Itis not uncommon to employ a tubing in a well, for instance, within a well casing to supply cement, or the like, into the well as, for instance, into the lower end portion of the casing or to discharge into the well from the casing. Such cementing operations involve the handling of cement or other uids at high pressure and variations in `uid pressure, all of which make it highly advantageous that the lower end portion of the tubing employed in carrying out such an operation be anchored or secured in the casing against undesirable movement or shifting therein. It is an object of this invention to provide Vapparatus for the handling of cement by means of a tubing and including structure whereby the lower end portion and the tubing from which the cement is discharged is established in gripping engagement with the casing so that it does not move or 'shifttherein It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus of theY general character referred to wherein a gripping mechanism is provided in or carried by the tubing in combination with a fluid control valve and a packer, which gripping mechanism is adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure to grip the casing in which the tubing is located when pressure conditions occur that would tend to cause shifting of the tubing in the casing.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus of the general character referred to characterized by a simple, practical, improved construction for a grippingvmechanism adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure and toy be carried by a tubing to elfectively anchor the tubing in a well casing.

Itis another object of this invention to provide a simple, practical, improved anchor construction of the general character referred to wherein jaws are provided to engage the well casing and are combined in a pair or so related as to cooperate so that they cannot separate or become displaced in-.a manner to be lost in the well. v

vIt isl another object of this invention to provide an anchor .construction of the general character referred to characterized-by a plurality of pairs of jaws, spaced apart longitudinally of the anchor and circumferentially of the anchor to have effective gripping engagement in a well casing and wherein the jaws of each pair are coupled orlinked together against separation with the result that the jaws will not'become lost in the well. .,The various objects and features of my inventionr will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:- "Eig, 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a well casing Patented July .16, 1957 flee 2 showing apparatus embodying the present vinvention arranged therein with the valve provided by the invention open, the gripper provided by the present invention inactuated and the packing means provided by the invention with one element engaged with the casing and the other inactuated. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the valve construction shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, detailed, sectional view of the packer construction shown in Fig. l. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the gripper construction shown in Fig. l with parts thereof broken away to show in section thereto illustrating the details of construction employed in the gripper. Fig. 5 is a plane section taken as indicated by line 5 5 on Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a view of the portion of the structure shown in Fig. 4 showing the grippers of one pair actuated or in gripping engagement with the casing.

The apparatus as provided by the present invention is adapted to be operated in a well casing A which may be considered as set or in fixed position in a well. A tubing B is provided in the casing extending downwardly therein to the desired location and serves to carry a valve C, a gripper D, and a packing means E. In accordance with the present invention the tubing B is considerably smaller in size than the casing A with the result that there is an open space or annulus 10 between the casing and the tubing. In practice, the valve C, gripper D and means E are carried by the tubing B and may be individually inserted in or connected to the tubing or they may be connected one to the other and as a group inserted in the tubing, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings. In the drawings and in accordance with the invention, the valve C is connected to the tubing, and the gripper D is below the valve and may be connected thereto to depend therefrom. The packing means E is below the vgripper D and may be connected directly thereto to depend therefrom. lf desired there may be a portion or section 11 of the tubing B connected to and depending from the packing means E.

The valve C is shown connected to the tubing B as by a suitable coupling 12 and is preferably a sleeve type valve adapted to be operated, that is, opened or closed, by manipulation of the tubing. In particular case illustrated the valve is adapted to be operated by vertical movement or reciprocation of the tubing.

The valve C, as shown in the drawings, includes a single, tubular body 13, the upper end of which is connected to the tubing B by the coupling 12 while the lower end receives or carries the upper end of the gripper D. The body 13 is a simple, straight unit, round in cross section, establishing a flow passage 14 extending continuously from the tubing B to the gripper D. One or more lateral ports or openings 15 are provided in the body 13 at the lower'end portion thereof.

The valve C further includes a sleeve 16 slidable relative to the tubular body 13 to vary in position relative to the jaw between an up or open position where it is above the ports 15 and a down or closed position where it is over or covers the ports. ln actual operation the sleeve remains relatively stationary in the well casing A, and the body 13 of the valve moves vertically to effect opening and closing of the valve.

Suitable packing means, such as annular packings 17, are carried by the sleeve at the end portions thereof and provide sealing engagement between the ends of the sleeve and the exterior of the body 13. A suitable control means is provided and includes one or more casing engaging elements 18 operable to normally resist movement of the'sleeve in the well casing. In the particular case illustrated the members 18 are circumferentially spaced outwardly bowed leaf springs carried by and extending between the end portions of the sleeve and adapted to bear outwardly against the interior of the well casing. With the construction just described the sleeve 13 will assume a position such as is shown in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings in the course of lowering of the tubing into the casing, the upper end of the sleeve 16 being stopped against the coupling 12 that connects the body 16 and tubing B. As the tubing is lowered the valve is moved downwardly in the casing against the resistance offered by the engagement of the leaf springs 18 due to their frictional engagement with the casing. When the casing has been lowered to the desired position or whenever it is desired to close the valve, upward movement of the tubing B will result in relative movement between the valve body and the valve sleeve with the result that the ports will be covered by the valve sleeve.

The gripper D, as provided by the present invention, is located below the valve C and may be directly connected to the valve C to extend down therefrom. ln the case illustrated the gripper- D includes an elongate tubular case` 2t* with end portions 21 and 22 in the form of cou* plings and with an enlarged middle portion 23 extending between and connecting the end portions. The coupling portion or end 21 of case D is shown directly connected or threaded to the lower end of the body of the valve C.

The invention provides one or more cylinders in connection with the case 20, and in the preferred construction a plurality of cylinders 30 are carried by the enlarged middle portion 23 of the case. The cylinders 30 are preferably alike and are diametrically disposed relative to the middle portion Z3 of the case 20 and are spaced apart lengthwise of the case. Further, the several cylinders are in different positions circumferentially of the case, for instance, in the case illustrated in the drawings, there are three cylinders Sil spaced 120 degrees apart around the axis of the case.

Where the middle portion 23 of the case 20 is tubular or shell-like, as is shown in the drawings, the cylinders 30 are preferably simple, straight, tubular elements extending through or across the interior of the case with clearance and so that they have their ends engaged with or xed to the portion 23 of the case diametrically opposed thereon. In the preferred construction, each cylinder 30 is a simple, straight, cylindrical element with its ends xed to the portion 23 of the case Ztl as by welding W. Each cylinder is provided with a straight, smooth, cylindrical bore and is open at both ends. It is to be observed that the cylinders are smaller in diameter than the middle portion 23 of the case 20 so that there are passageways 36 in the case extending past the cylinders so that fluid can be circulated through the gripper D from one end to the other in the course of which the fluid flows around the several cylinders.

ln accordance with the invention a pair of jaws 4t) is carried in each cylinder Sil and each jaw has a head portion 4t which is round and slidably engaged in the bore 35 of the cylinder. The outer or terminal end of each head 41 is curved and provided with teeth 4.2, the curvature being preferably about equal and to the curvature occurring at the interior of the well casing A. A stem 45 projects from the inner end of each head 41, and the stems are such as to overlap and each is provided with or carries a stop lug 46. In the construction provided, each stem 45 is slightly less than half-round in cross section and has the stems overlap establishing a space 47 between them. The lugs 46 are at the terminal ends of the stems 45 and project from the opposing sides of the stems and are such as to engage one with the other and thereby prevent outward movement of the jaws 4G relative to each other in a manner that would result in separation of the jaws, or their becoming displaced from the cylinder.

With the construction just described the two jaws in each cylinder are exactly alike in form and construction and from the drawings it will be apparent how they are lapped or meshed together so that they are freely and independently movable relative to each other within the limits of the construction, that is, they can be moved to retracted positions where the toothed terminal ends of the heads 41 are within the limits of or within the conlines of the middle portion 23 of the case and they can individually move outward until the toothed ends of the jaws engage and grip the well casing; however, under no circumstances can they move outwardly to such extent as to become free of and separate from the case Ztl.

In accordance with the invention a sealing means is provided in connection with each gripper 40, for instance, as shown in the drawings a sealing ring 50 may be carried by each gripper head 41 to have a sealing engagement with the bore 45 of the cylinder carrying the grippers. Further, one or more ports 51 are provided in the cylinder and the middle portion thereof so that lluid from within the case 20 is admitted into the middle portion of the cylinder to act on the jaws 20 and tend to move or force the jaws outwardly from the ends of the cylinder.

ln the preferred construction stops 60 are provided to check or prevent turning of the jaws 40 in the cylinders, and the stops may also serve to limit outward movement of the jaws. In the case illustrated each stop is shown as a plate fastened to the middle portion 23 of case 20 by suitable fastening means such as a screw 61, and the plate is engaged in a suitable notch 62 engaged in the gripper head at one side thereof. The notches 62 in the heads of the grippers have at sides engaged by the at ends of the stops or plates 60 with the result that the plates are effective in preventing the jaws from turning in the cylinders. It is to be observed that the heads of the jaws are set positioned so that the curved toothed terminal ends of the heads 41 are in a position to eectively tit or engage the interior of the case A when the jaws are moved outwardly to engage the casing.r

The packing means E shown in the drawings is carried by and depends from the gripper D and is shown as including a central tubular body 70, the upper end of which is threaded to the lower end portion 22 of the gripper. The packer or packing means is shown' as lincluding an expensive packing means 71 carried on the body 70 and adapted to be operated to expand into packing engagement with the casing A. A second packing means in the form of a cup 73 is carried by the body and is such as to normally have packing or sealing engagement with the interior of the casing.

In the construction illustrated, a sleeve 74 is carried on the upper portion of the packer body 70 and carries rings or" packing 71. The follower 75 engages over the lower end portion of the sleeve 74 and is adapted to move upwardly on the sleeve to force the packing rings 71 toward a collar 76 at the upper end of the sleeve. Through this action the rings 71 are expanded and are adapted to be moved outwardly into sealing engagement with the casing. The upper end of sleeve 74 abuts a shoulder 77 on the upper end portion of the jaw 70, and a second or lower sleeve 80 engages the lower end of the follower 75. The cup-shaped packing 73 is carried on the lower sleeve 80 and is retained thereon by suitable carriers 81 and 82. The cup-shaped packing 73 is fastened or opened downwardly and has a rim portion 85 normally bearing outwardly into sealing engagement with the interior of the casing. With this construction it will be apparent that uid tending to How up around the packer is caught by the cup-shaped packer 73 with the result that a sleeve 80 is moved up causing the follower 75 to move up and causing expansion of the packing rings 71.

In the case of a typical use of the apparatus as provided by the invention, the equipment is lowered or run into a well casing A to the desired position and will be stopped when the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Assuming the casing and the tubing to be full of fluid, such as a mud-laden fluid, cement is pumped into the tubing D from the upper end thereof, and as the cement is pumped `down into the tubing either as a continuous stream or as a slug of cement followed by mud, or the like, the fluid in the tubing D below the cement is forced out of the tubing either at the lower end thereof or through the ports or at both of these points. When the cement has been pumped down in the tubing until it reaches the valve C, the valve is operated or closed as by picking up on the tubing whereupon further downward circulation of the cement as by pumping cement down in the tubing or by pumping fluid into the tubing above the cement results in the cement being circulated down through the gripper D and through the packing means E to discharge into the casing A below the packing means. As this latter operation occurs, there is of necessity a differential in pressure between the interior of the case of the gripper and the exterior thereof with the result that the higher pressure occurring inside the case of the gripper that communicated to the jaws 40 through the ports 51 in the cylinders 30 results in outward movement of the grippers until the toothed heads thereof engage and grip the interior of the case A as shown in Fig. 6. Through this operationvof the gripper and while the cementing operation is being carried out, the lower end portion of the tubing is set or gripped in the casing and will not work or shift therein.

When the cernenting operation has been completed, that is, when the desired body of cement has been discharged from the tubing, the structure can be released and made ready for withdrawal of the tubing as by pumping fluid downwardly at the exterior of the tubing, all of which may result in a washing back of some cement so that it ilows out through the tubing. As this washing down operation is performed, that is, as uid pressure is developed at the exterior of the tubing, the pressure differential at the case of the gripper is reversedand the jaws 40 of the gripper are retracted or moved in so that they return to the unactuated position as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. With the jaws 40 thus retracted or released, the gripper is free of the well casing and when fluid pressure acts downwardly around the tubing, the packing means is released to the end that the tubing with the valve gripper and packing means is freed and can be readily withdrawn from the casing.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to lmyself any variations -or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A mechanism adapted to be carried by a tubing string, in a well casing. including, an elongate tubular case engaged in the tubing string and adapted to pass uid under pressure from the tubing, a pair of diamet-Y rically opposed openings in the case, an elongated tubular cylinder engaged in said openings in the case in sealed relationship therewith and extending transversely of the case with clearance and open at its ends outwardly of the tubular case, and a pair of jaws slidably mounted in the cylinder and adapted to be shifted in opposite directions in the cylinder by fluid under pressure from the case and to project from the case and engage the casing, the jaws being coupled together for limited movement relative to each other, the cylinder having a port passing fluid from the case to the cylinder between the jaws.

2. A mechanism adapted to be carried by a tubing string in a well casing including, an elongated tubular case engaged in the tubing string and adapted to pass uid under pressure from the tubing, a pair of diametrically opposed openings in the case, an elongate tubular cylinder engaged in said openings in the case in sealed relationship therewith and extending transversely of the case with clearance and open at its ends outwardly of the tubular case, and a pair of jaws slidably mounted in the cylinder and adapted to be shifted in opposite directions in the cylinder by fluid under pressure from the case and to project from the case and engage the casing, the jaws having Ioverlapped parts cooperating to limit relative movement between the jaws, the cylinder having a port passing fluid from the case to the cylinder between the jaws.

3. A mechanism adapted to be carried by a tubing string in a well casing including, an elongate tubular case engaged in' the tubing string and adapted to pass fluid under pressure from the tubing, a pair of diametrically opposed openings in the case, an elongate tubular cylinder engaged in said openings in the case in sealed relationship therewith and extending transversely of the case with clearance and open at its ends outwardly of the tubular case, and a pair of like jaws slidably mounted in the cylinder and adapted to be shifted in opposite directions in the cylinder by fluid under pressure from the case and to project from the case and engage the casing, the jaws having stems overlapping in the cylinder and carrying lugs cooperating to limit relative movement between the jaws, the cylinder having a port passing fluid from the case to the cylinder between the jaws.

4. A mechanism adapted to be carried by a tubing string in a well casing including, an elongate tubular case engaged in the tubing string and adapted to pass iluid under pressure from the tubing, a pair of diametrically opposed Aopenings in the case, an elongate tubular cylinder engagedin said openings in the case in sealed relationship therewith and extending transversely of the case with clearance and open at its ends outwardly of the tubular case, a pair of jaws slidably mounted in the cylinder and adapted to be shifted in opposite directions in the cylinder by fluid under pressure from the case and to project from the case and engage the casing, and means holding the jaws against rotation in the cylinder, the cylinder having a port passing fluid from the case to the cylinder between the jaws.

5. A mechanism adapted to be carried by a tubing string in a well casing including, an elongate tubular case engaged in the tubing string and adapted to pass fluid under pressure from the tubing, a pair of diametrically opposed openings in the case, an elongate tubular cylinder engaged in said openings in the case in sealed relationship therewith and extending transversely of the case with clearance and open at its ends outwardly of the tubular case, a pair of oppositely disposed jaws slidably mounted in the cylinder and adapted to be shifted in opposite directions in the cylinder by fluid under pressure from the case and to project from the case and engage the casing, and plates on the case engaged in notches in the outer end portions of the jaws controlling movement of the jaws in the cylinder, the cylinder having a port passing fluid from the case to the cylinder between the jaws.

References `Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,870,697 Taylor Aug. 9, 1932 1,951,638 Walker Mar. 20, 1934 2,352,700 Ferris July 4, 1944 2,603,292 Page July 15, 1952 2,606,618 Page Aug. 12, 1952 2,658,459 Page Nov. 10, 1953

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