Drill pipe wiper

2,809,012

Oct. 8, 1957

Q. O. STEVENS

DRILL PIPE WIPER

Filed Jan. 6, .1955

Sheets-Sheet 1

<img file="US2809012A_D0001.tif" />

<img file="US2809012A_D0002.tif" />

Oct. 8, 1957

Q. O. STEVENS

2,809,012

DRILL PIPE WIPER

Filed Jan. 6, .1955

Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US2809012A_D0003.tif" />

<img file="US2809012A_D0004.tif" />

<img file="US2809012A_D0005.tif" />

<img file="US2809012A_D0006.tif" />

<img file="US2809012A_D0007.tif" />

<img file="US2809012A_D0008.tif" />

<img file="US2809012A_D0009.tif" />

INVENTOR.

Q O. St&lt;zi/e/?s

<img file="US2809012A_D0010.tif" />

United States Patent Office 2,809,012

Patented Oct. 8, 1957

2,809,012

DRILL PIPE WIPER

Quinn O. Stevens, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application January 6,1955, Serial No. 480,208

Claims. (Cl. 255—23) ¹⁰

This invention relates to improvements in oil and gas 15 well drilling apparatuses, and more particularly to an improved wiper for removing drilling mud from drill pipe as the pipe is removed from an incomplete well.

In the rotary method of oil and gas well drilling, a drill bit is secured to the lower end of a drill string. The 20 drill string has a smaller diameter than the drilling bit, and consists of a plurality of drill pipe joints interconnected in tandem relation by tool joints to extend upwardly through the well bore to the surface. At the surface of the well, the drill pipe is interconnected to a rotary 25 table, which, in turn, is driven by a suitable power unit. When the rotary table is turned, the drilling string is rotated to drive the drill bit and produce a well bore. As the drilling operation progresses, a liquid, commonly referred to as drilling mud, is pumped down through the 30 drilling string and drill bit to collect earth and rock cuttings made by the bit. The drilling mud then flows upwardly through the annulus between the well bore and the drill string to remove the cuttings.

Frequently, it is necessary to remove the drill string 35 for various reasons, such as replacement of the drill bit. As each joint of drill pipe is removed from the well bore, it is disconnected from the remainder of the drill string and stacked near the rotary table for convenient access when re-running the drill string in the well. The drilling 40 mud tends to cling to the outer walls of the drill pipe and, if not removed, interferes with the handling of the pipe.

In the past it has been the practice to remove the drilling mud from the outer surface of the drill pipe by 45 either spraying water onto the pipe as it reaches the surface, or passing the pipe through an elastic wiping device. The washing operation is impractical for various reasons, since it accumulates in the working area and dilutes the drilling mud. The wiping devices heretofore used usually 50 consist of a resilient or elastic plate having an aperture in the central portion thereof for tightly receiving the drill pipe. During use, these wiping devices are frequently injured when a tool joint (which is larger in diameter than the drill pipe) is passed therethrough. 55 Furthermore, in order to use the present day wipers, the drilling operation must be stopped before the wiper can be installed.

The present invention contemplates a novel drill pipe wiper utilizing two opposed wiping plates disposed in overlapping relation. Each plate is so constructed to wipe slightly more than one-half of the area of the drill pipe, and the plates can be placed over the drill pipe during the drilling operation. It is also contemplated to support-the wiping plates on a segmental floating ring at the top of the drill pipe riser to accommodate the lateral movement of the drill pipe. The entire wiper device is installed at the top of the drilling riser and below the rotary table completely out of the normal work- γθ ing area.

An important object of this invention is to efficiently and effectively remove drilling mud from drill pipe as the pipe is removed from an incompleted well.

_ Another object of this invention is to provide a drill pipe wiper which may be installed while the drilling operation is in progress.

. Another object of this invention is to provide a drill pipe wiper which may be removed and repaired while the drilling operation is in progress.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drill pipe wiper which may be placed in an inoperative position when installed on a drilling apparatus, without interfering with the drilling operation.

, Another object of this invention is to provide a drill pipe wiper having a novel mechanism for allowing the wiping plates to follow the eccentric or lateral movement of the drill pipe.

A further object of this invention is to provide a drill pipe wiper adapted for installation out of the working area of the drilling personnel, and the wearing parts of which may be easily removed and replaced.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a simply constructed drill pipe wiper which may be economically manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one form of my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my novel wiper apparatus shown installed on a drilling nipple or riser.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the wiper apparatus.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the apparatus, as viewed from the left end of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the floating and anchoring: ring assembly removed from the remainder of the apparatus and having portions broken away to illustrate the: details of construction.

Figure 5 is a sectional view as taken along lines 5—5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is another sectional view as taken along lines 6—6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the wiping plates separate from the remainder of the apparatus and shown in their operating positions over a drill pipe.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8—8 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Figure 1, reference character 10 generally designates my novel wiper apparatus shown positioned on the upper end of a drilling nipple or riser 11 around a section of drill pipe 12. As it is well known in the art, the drilling nipple 11 is positioned below the rotary table (not shown).

The apparatus 10 comprises an anchoring ring 13 (see also Figures 4-6) of a size to encircle the drilling nipple 11. The anchoring ring 13 is L-shaped in cross section, having an outwardly extending circumferential flange 14 at the upper end cf the main body portion 15. Furthermore, the ring 13 is cut into two sections 16 and 17, and the sections are interconnected at one side by a suitable hinge 18. Clamping flanges 19 extend radially outward from the opposite ends of the sections 16 and 17, and are apertured to receive a clamping bolt 20. It will thus be apparent that anchoring ring 13 may be separated and clamped directly around the drilling nipple 11, thereby eliminating the necessity of removing the drill pipe 12 prior to installation of the ring. Each of the sections 16 and 17 is also provided with a pair of spaced, radially disposed set screws 21 to provide a total of four centering points. The set screws 21 are threaded through complementary apertures (not shown) in the main body portion..

3,80θ&gt;012 of the ring 13 to centralize the ring 13 around the drilling nipple 11.

A floating ring 22, having a pair of inwardly extending circumferential flanges 23, is disposed over the flange 14 of the anchoring ring 13. The floating ring 22 is larger in diameter than the ring 13 and the flanges 23 are slidingly disposed on the top and bottom of the linage 14 to permit a lateral movement of the ring 22. In a typical application of the wiping apparatus 10, it has been found that the relative sizes of the rings 13 and 22 may be correlated to allow a three inch lateral movement of the floating ring 22 on the anchoring ring 13, however, this movement could be as large or small as desired, and I do not wish to be limited to any specific extent of movement. The floating ring 22 is also formed in two sections, 24 and 25, with outwardly extending clamping flanges 26 on each end of each section. Suitable bolts 27 interconnect the mating flanges 26 to retain the floating ring 22 in assembly around the flange 14 of the anchoring ring 13. Therefore, the floating ring 22 may also be assembled while the drill pipe 12 is extending through the drilling nipple 11.

Each of the sections 24 and 25 of the floating ring 22 supports a base bar 28 (Figures 1-3) on the upper surface thereof to position the bars 28 in parallel relation on opposite sides of the drill pipe 12. Each bar 28 is preferably an angle iron and is rigidly secured to the respective section of the floating ring 22 in any suitable manner, such as by welding. A vertical angle iron post 29 is rigidly secured to the outer ends of each support bar 28 to in turn support a pair of guide members 30 in parallel relation above the support bars 28. Each guide 30 is rigidly secured to the respective pair of posts 29, and each is substantially E-shaped in cross section to form a pair of vertically spaced guideways or races 31 and 32. The races 31 and 32 extend the entire length of the guide members 30, and are directly opposed on opposite sides of the drill pipe 12 to slidingly receive upper and lower wiping plates 33 and 34 respectively.

The wiping plates 33 and 34 (see also Figure 7) are preferably identical, and each comprises a substantially square plate 35 of elastic material, such as rubber or a suitable cloth laminated with rubber. A metal re-inforcing bar or band 36 extends around three edges of each plate 35 on the top and bottom surfaces to reinforce the elastic plates 35 and provide contacting surfaces for the races 31 and 32. The bands 36 are preferably imbeded in the respective elastic plate 35, and the bands on the top and bottom of each plate may be suitably interconnected by bolts or studs (not shown).

An aperture 37 is formed in each elastic plate 35 adjacent the inner end 38 thereof. It will be observed that the ends 38 are not re-inforced by the band 36. Each aperture 37 is normally slightly less in diameter than the outer diameter of the drill pipe 12, and is provided with an entranceway 39 leading to the end 38 of the respective plate 35 . The entranceways 39 are cut through the plates 35 and are preferably of a width equal to approximately onehalf the diameter of the drill pipe 12 to facilitate the placement of the wiper plates 33 and 34 in operating position around the pipe as illustrated in Figure 7. It will also be observed that the entranceways 39 are rounded at their outer ends. Each aperture 37, along with its respective entranceway 39, forms a horseshoe-shaped opening for receiving the drill pipe 12 and contacting approximately three-fourths of the periphery of the pipe. And inasmuch as the wipers 33 and 34 are positioned in opposed relation on opposite sides of the drill pipe 12, the-entire periphery of the pipe will be contacted by the two wipers.

As previously indicated, the wiper plates 33 and 34 are slidingly disposed in the guide member 30, with the wiper 33 extending into the upper races or guide ways 31 and the wiper 34 in the lower races-32. An actuating arm 40 (Figures 1-3 ) is secured to the upper surface of the wiper and extends out over one of the guide members 30. The arm 40 is secured to the respective re-inforcing band 36 at the outer end 41 of the wiper 33 in any suitable manner, such as by welding, to slide the wiper 33 toward and away from the drill pipe 12 as will be more fully hereinafter set forth. Another actuating arm 42 is similarly secured to the lower surface of the lower wiper 34 and extends out in the same direction between the guide 30 and the adjacent bracing bar 28.

Levers 43 and 44 (shown in Figures 1 and 2) are pivotally secured to the outer ends of the actuating arms 40 and 42 respectively, and extend horizontally toward the central portion of the adjacent guide member 30. The inner ends of the levers 43 and 44 are in turn pivotally connected to the opposite ends of a bell crank 45. The bell crank 45 is pivotally supported in a horizontal position on a support member 46 extending outwardly from the central portion of the adjacent guide member 30. It will thus be apparent that when one of the actuating arms 40 or 42 is moved, the forces will be transmitted through the levers 43 and 44 and bell crank 45 to move the other actuating arm in the opposite direction. The studs 47 and 48, inter-connecting the bell crank 45 with the levers 43 and 44 respectively, are of varying lengths to retain the levers in horizontal positions, and the lever 44 may be bent, as shown at 44α in Figure 1, if necessary, to clear the support 46 or the bell crank stud 49.

A clevis 50 is secured to the central portion of the actuating arm 40 above the upper wiper 33 to pivotally support one end of a lever 51. The lever 51 extends outwardly from the respective end of the apparatus 10 and is pivotally secured at its outer end to a vertically positioned lever 52. A diagonal support arm 53 extends downwardly from a stationary supporting channel 54 to pivotally support the lever 52 near the center thereof.

The channel 54 is carried by a stabilizing brace 55 extending between the vertical posts 29 at the respective ends of the guide members 30. A similar brace 56 extends between the posts 29 at the opposite ends of the guides 30 to retain the guides in the desired parallel relation. Each of the braces 55 and 56 is removably secured to the respective posts 29 by bolts 57 to facilitate the disassembly of the apparatus 10 as will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

The supporting channel 54 is rigidly secured to the central portion of the brace 55 (see also Figure 8) and has a depending clevis 58 secured to its lower surface near the brace 55. A cylinder bracket 59 is pivotally secured in the lower end of the clevis 58 to support one end of an air cylinder 60. The cylinder 60 is of any suitable type and is provided with air hoses or conduits 61 and 62 near each end thereof. The hoses 61 and 62 communicate with an air supply (not shown, but ordinarily available at the well site) and a suitable control valve (not shown) for supplying air to either end of the cylinder. 60. A piston rod 63, connected to a reciprocable piston (not shown) in the cylinder 60, extends out the end of the cylinder 60 opposite the bracket 59 and is pivotally secured to the lower end of the vertical lever 52.

Operation

In operation of the apparatus 10, air is directed through the hose 61 to extrude the piston rod 63 from the cylinder 60. This movement of the rod 63 pivots the vertical lever 52 counterclockwise (as shown in Figure 1) on the arm 53 to move the lever 51 lengthwise to the left. The lever 51 acts through the clevis 50 and arm 40 to force the upper wiper 33 to the left. The levers 43 and 44 and bell crank 45 operate as described above to simultaneously move the arm 42 and lower wiper 34 to the right.

As the wipers 33 and 34 are moved into contact with the drill pipe 12, the elastic plate members 35 are bent at each edge of the entranceways 39, and the apertures 37 are moved in encircling position around the pipe 12 as shown in Figure 7. As soon as each plate 35 is moved

2,809,012 to the position shown in Figure 7, the edges of the entranceway 39 will spring back into a normal, substantially flat position. Inasmuch as the apertures 37 are slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe 12, the elastic members 35 will be forced against the outer surface of the drill pipe. The edges of each aperture 37 will contact more than one-half the periphery of the pipe 12, and since the entranceways are disposed on opposite sides of the pipe, the entire periphery of the pipe will be contacted by either the upper wiper 33 or the lower wiper 34.

When the apertures 37 have encircled the pipe 12, the edges of each aperture will grip more than one-half the periphery of the pipe and retain the wipers 33 and 34 in position until a substantial outward pull is exerted on the wipers. Therefore, it is not necessary to retain air pressure on the hose 61 when the wipers are in operating position. As the drill pipe 12 is pulled upwardly through the apparatus 10, the edges of the apertures 37 will effectively wipe the drilling mud (not shown) from the entire outer surface of the pipe. When the tool joints (not shown) interconnecting the joints of drill pipe 12 are pulled through the apertures 37, the elastic plates 35 will be bent upwardly and outwardly around the apertures 37 to accommodate the larger diameter of the tool joints.

Immediately upon the complete passage of the tool joints through the wipers, the plates 35 will spring back into a position in gripping relation around the drill pipe 12. The entranceways 39, being approximately one-half as wide as the pipe 12, will facilitate the bending of the plates 35 to accommodate the tool joints, without damaging the plates 35. However, a sufficient portion of the edges of the apertures 37 will still contact the tool joint to effectively remove the drilling mud therefrom, thus providing a clean drilling string from end-to-end.

It should also be noted that the wipers 33 and 34 are carried by the floating ring 22 through the bars 28, posts 29 and guides 30. Therefore, the wipers will follow any lateral movement of the drill pipe 12 during the removal of the pipe from the well, to prevent undue distortion and possible damage to the elastic plate members 35. The floating ring 22, being slidingly disposed around the flange 14 of the anchoring ring 13, prevents upward movement of the wipers 33 and 34, yet provides a reasonably free lateral movement of the wipers.

When it is desired to stop the wiping operation, air pressure is imposed in the hose 62 to force the piston rod 63 into the cylinder 68. The rod 63 acts through the levers 52 and 51 to move the actuating arm 40 to the right. The movement of the arm 40 is again transmitted through the levers 43 and 44 and the bell crank 45 to simultaneously move the actuating arm 42 to the left. Thus, the wipers 33 and 34 are moved in opposite direction away from the drill pipe 12 into the position shown in Figure 2. As the elastic plates 35 are moved away from the drill pipe 12, they are bent on opposite sides of the entranceways 39 to free the plates from the pipe 12. When removed from the pipe 12, the plates 35 spring back to their normal positions.

The wipers 33 and 34 are moved outwardly until the actuating arm 42 contacts the posts 29 at the left end of the apparatus. The posts 29 prevent further movement of the arm 42, and hence the wipers 33 and 34. The air pressure may then be cut off from the hose 62. In this inoperative position of the wipers 33 and 34, the drill pipe 12 may be moved freely through the drilling nipple 11 without contacting any portion of the apparatus 10.

When it is desired to remove the apparatus 10 (assuming that the drill pipe 12 is in the position shown in Figures 1-3 and prevents removal of the entire apparatus as a unit) the brace 55 is unbolted and removed from the respective posts 29. Also, the lever 51 is disconnected from the clevis 50, thereby permitting removal of the levers 51 and 52, the support members 54 and 53 and the air cylinder 60 as a sub-assembly. The brace 56 at the opposite end of the apparatus is then removed, and the levers 43 and 44 are disconnected from the bell crank 45. Whereupon, the wipers 33 and 34 may be slid outwardly from the pipe 12 out of the races 31 and 32.

The floating ring 22 is then separated by removing the bolts 27, and the sections 24 and 25 can be removed from the opposite sides of the anchoring ring flange 14. It will be apparent that one bar 28 and one guide 30 will be removed with each half of the floating ring 22, to leave only the anchoring ring 13. Whereupon, the bolt 20 is removed from the flanges 19 and the anchoring ring 13 is swung open on the hinge 18 to completely disassemble the apparatus 10 without interference with the drill pipe 12. Obviously, the apparatus 10 may be assembled on the drilling nipple 11, while the drill pipe 12 is extending through the nipple, by reversing the steps just described. Therefore, the apparatus 10 may be assembled or disassembled while the drilling operation is in progress and without interfering with the drilling operation in any manner.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the present invention provides a novel drill pipe wiping apparatus which will efficiently and effectively remove drilling mud from the entire drilling string. The apparatus is utilized out of the normal working area and may be assembled or disassembled while the drilling operation progresses. Also, the wipers may be replaced while drilling is being done. It will also be apparent that the present invention provides novel opposed wiping plates, each of which cleans more than one-half, but not all of, the periphery of the drill string. And the wiping plates will not be damaged by passage of large objects therethrough. Furthermore, the wiping plates will follow the lateral movement of the drill pipe to prevent undue distortion of the wiping surfaces. The apparatus is simple in construction and may be economically manufactured.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.