Abstract:
An apparatus and method to raise and lower a well rod string is provided. The apparatus includes a top plate that engages a temporary polished rod clamp and lifting means and legs affixed to a well head. The lifting means provide elevation of the well rod string to adjust the position of the polished rod clamp relative to the carrier bar of a pumping unit.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method to adjust the well rod string penetration depth into a water, oil or gas well. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Water, oil and gas pump operators often are in need of adjusting the depth of penetration of the well rod string into the well. Often the well rod string extends too far into the well, which resulting in a situation wherein the well rod string must be raised. Alternatively, the well rod string does not extend far enough into the well, resulting in a situation wherein the well rod string must be lowered. 
         [0003]    To accomplish adjustment of the well rod string penetration depth into the well it is currently necessary to configure the pumping unit into multiple positions and adjust the well polished rod attachment to the polished rod clamp at the location of the carrier bar of the pumping unit. The art of maneuvering the pumping unit into positions to allow adjustment of the polished rod clamp is timely and often dangerous. Thus, the time and safety considerations currently required to adjust the penetration depth of well rod string have created a need for industry to quickly and easily and safely adjust the polished rod penetration depth. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Accordingly, it is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method to adjust the penetration depth of the well rod string by attachment of the apparatus to the polished rod. 
         [0005]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention comprises an apparatus for adjusting vertically a well rod string&#39;s penetration into a well by temporary attachment or the apparatus at a well&#39;s polished rod above a stuffing box at a well head, said apparatus comprising a top plate, a lifting means, a leg stabilizing plate and at least two or more legs, said top plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a void space that is larger than the polished rod, the bottom surface of the top plate in contact with and disposed above the lifting means, said top plate disposed perpendicular to said polished rod, said lifting means comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, said lifting means top portion in contact with the bottom surface of the top plate and said lifting means bottom portion in contact with the leg stabilizing plate, said leg stabilizing plate having a top section and a bottom section, said leg stabilizing top section in contact with the bottom portion of the lifting means and said leg stabilizing bottom section in contact with the at least two or more legs, each of said at least two or more legs comprises a top segment and a bottom segment, each of said at least two or more legs top segment are adapted for attachment to the leg stabilizing bottom section and each of said at least two or more legs bottom segments are adapted for attachment at the well head. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the invention further comprises an apparatus for adjusting vertically a well rod string&#39;s penetration into a well by temporary attachment of the apparatus at a well&#39;s polished rod above a stuffing box at a well head, said apparatus comprising a temporary polished rod clamp, a top plate, a lifting means, a leg stabilizing plate and at least two or more legs, said temporary polished rod clamp having a inner surface adapted for securing attachment to the polished rod, a top, a bottom, and an outer surface, said top plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a void space that is larger than the polished rod and smaller than the bottom surface of the temporary polished rod clamp, the top surface of the top plate in contact with the bottom surface of the temporary polished rod clamp, the bottom surface of the top plate in contact with and disposed above the lifting means, said top plate disposed perpendicular to said polished rod, said lifting means comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, said lifting means top portion in contact with the bottom surface of the top plate and said lifting means bottom portion in contact with the leg stabilizing plate, said leg stabilizing plate having a top section and a bottom section, said leg stabilizing top section in contact with the bottom portion of the lifting means and said leg stabilizing bottom section in contact with the at least two or more legs, each of said at least two or more legs comprising a top segment and a bottom segment, each of said at least two or more legs top segment adapted for attachment to the leg stabilizing bottom section and each of said at least two or more legs bottom segment adapted for attachment to the stuffing box at the well head. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the invention comprises a method to raise or lower a well rod string having a polished rod and a polished rod clamp resting atop the carrier bar and attached to the polished rod, said method comprising the steps of lowering a horsehead of a pumping unit, affixing an apparatus comprising a temporary polished rod clamp, a top plate, a lifting means, a leg stabilizing plate and legs to the top portion of a well head, attaching the temporary polished rod clamp to the polished rod, raising the temporary polished rod clamp, adjusting the position of the polished rod clamp is affixed to the polished rod, lowering the lifting means and removing the apparatus from atop the well head. 
         [0008]    Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, providing a means to adjust the amount of penetration of a polished rod into a well via a lifting means and a plate. Further the invention includes a method to engage the polished rod and adjust its connection to the carrier bar and polished rod clamp. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front planar view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a back planar view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a right side planar view of one embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top planar view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom planar view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front top right-sided perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a left-side perspective view of a polished rod clamp useful for the practice of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a top planar view of a polished rod clamp useful for the practice an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  illustrates a handle useful for practice of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates a carrying apparatus for transport of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention loaded in the carrying apparatus of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  shows the top portion of a well with the horsehead in the up position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  shows the portion of a well with the horsehead in the down position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  illustrates the one embodiment of the present invention in a compacted position and at the location of the polished rod without the temporary polished rod clamp attached. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  illustrates the embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 14  at the location of the polished rod with the temporary polished rod clamp attached to the polished rod and the lifting jacks fully compressed. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  illustrates one embodiment of the instant invention as the invention is partially compressed and partially extended and the polished rod is partially raised. 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  illustrates a fully extended configuration of one embodiment of the instant invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, the well head and pumping unit with the invention configured according to the condition found in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  illustrates one embodiment of the instant invention, the well head and pumping unit with the invention configured according to the condition found in  FIG. 16 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 20  illustrates one embodiment of the instant invention, the well head and pumping unit with the invention configured according to the condition found in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 21  illustrates manipulation of the polished rod clamp from the position held in  FIG. 20 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 22  illustrates compression of one embodiment of the present invention after manipulation shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference characters refer to the same or similar elements in all figures. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  shows a front planar view of one embodiment of the instant invention. Specifically, the top plate  1  is shown and a void space  16  is also shown. The bottom of the top plate one is in contact with the top portion of the lifting  1  means. In this case, the lifting means comprises left lifting jack  4  and right lifting jack  5 . The lifting means comprise any lifting means known in the lifting arts, including hydraulic jacks and pumps, pneumatic jacks and pumps and electric jacks and pumps. Also depicted in  FIG. 1  are the left jack pump socket  6  and left jack base  7  and right jack pump socket  8  and right jack base  9 . Right carrying handle  15  and left carrying handle  14  are also depicted. 
         [0034]    The top portion  2  of the left lifting jack  4  is in contact with the bottom surface of the top plate  1 . Similarly, the top portion  3  of the right lifting jack  5  is also in contact with the bottom surface of the top plate  1 . The bottom portions of lifting jack  4  and lifting jack  5  are in contact with the top section of the leg stabilizing plate  10 . The leg stabilizing plate bottom section is in contact with the top segment of the left leg  12  and the top segment of the right leg  13  that are adapted for attachment to the stuffing box, not depicted.  FIG. 1  also shows the safety chain  11  hung in place after the invention is installed atop the stuffing box. This ensures that the invention will not be dismounted while in use, 
         [0035]      FIG. 2 , back-side view of one embodiment of the present invention, depicts the top portion  2  of the left lifting jack  4  is in contact with the bottom surface of the top plate  1  and the top portion  3  of the right lifting jack  5  is also in contact with the bottom surface of the top plate  1 . The bottom portions of lifting jack  4  and lifting jack  5  are in contact with the top section of the leg stabilizing plate  10 . The leg stabilizing plate bottom section is in contact with the top segment of the left leg  12  and the top segment of the right leg  13  that are adapted for attachment to the stuffing box, not depicted.  FIG. 2  also shows the safety chain  11  hung in place after the invention is installed atop the stuffing box as well as the right handle  15  and left handle  14 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  depicts a right-side planar view of one embodiment of the instant invention. The bottom surface of the top plate  1  is in contact with the top portion  3  of the right side lifting jack  5 . The bottom portion of the lifting jack  5  is in contact with the top section of the stabilizing plate  10  and the bottom section of the stabilizing plate  10  is in contact with the right leg  13 . The right side right jack pump socket  8 , the right jack base  9 , the right side carrying handle  15  and safety chain  11  are also depicted. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a top down planar view of one embodiment of the instant invention. The void space  16  in the top plate  1  is shown. The length of the void space comprises the distance across the top plate  1  to the outer perimeter of the top plate  1 , and the width of the void space comprises the distance between the two opposing internal sides of the length of the void space. The width of the void space  16  is perpendicular to the length of the void space  16 . The non-depicted polished rod has a width that is less than the width of the void space. The top portion of the left lifting jack  4  and the top portion of the right lifting jack  5  and the corresponding left pump jack socket  6  and right pump jack socket  8  are depicted. Also, right carrying handle  15 , the left carrying handle  14  and the safety chain  11  are depicted. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a bottom up planar view of one embodiment of the instant invention. The void space  16  in the top plate  1  is shown. The safety chain  11 , the left pump jack socket  6 , the right pump jack socket  8 , the left carrying handle  14  and the right carrying handle  15  are depicted. The bottom section of the stabilizing plate  10  is shown and is in contact with the top segment of the left leg  12  and the top segment of the right leg  13  that are adapted for attachment to the stuffing box. In this embodiment of the present invention, the legs are hollow to attach to bolts of the stuffing box. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  shows a right front top perspective view of one embodiment of the instant invention. Specifically, he top plate  1  is shown and a void space  16  is also shown. The bottom of the top plate  1  is in contact with the top portion of the lifting means. The lifting means comprises left lifting jack  4  and right lifting jack  5 . Figure depicts the left jack pump socket  6  and left jack base  7  and right jack pump socket  8  and right jack base  9 . Right carrying handle  15  and safety chain  11  are also depicted. The bottom portions of left lifting jack  4  and the right lifting jack  5  are in contact with the top section of the leg stabilizing plate  10 . The leg stabilizing plate bottom section is in contact with the top segment of the left leg  12  and the top segment of the right leg  13  that are adapted for attachment to the stuffing box, not depicted. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  depicts a perspective side view of a temporary polished rod clamp  17  having a hinge  175 , an opening  171  to receive the polished rod, not pictured, and a top bolt  172 , center bolt  173  and bottom bolt  174  to tighten the polished rod clamp to the polished rod. The bottom surface of the temporary polished rod clamp  17  sets on the top surface of the top plate  1  during use of the invention. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8  depicts a top down planar view of the temporary polished rod clamp  17  showing the opening  171 , hinge  175 , top bolt  172  and center bolt  173 . The polished rod, not pictured, fits into the opening  171  and is securedly attached via tightening of the top, center and bottom bolts. 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  depicts the jack pump handle  21 . The ratchets  211  and  212  fit into bleeder ports, not depicted. The bottom portions of the jack pump handle fit into the jack pump sockets  6  and  8 , not pictured. 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  depicts a carrying apparatus  22  for the instant invention and provides easy transport of the invention. A ratchet receiver  222  is depicted and adapted to receive one of the bottom portions of the ratchet depicted in  FIG. 9 . It is anticipated, but not depicted, that the opposite side of the stand has a second ratchet receiver to receive the other bottom portion of the ratchet depicted in  FIG. 9 . Also depicted in  FIG. 10  are the leg mounts  224  and  225 , which are adapted to receive the legs of the one embodiment of the instant invention as depicted in  FIGS. 1-6 .  FIG. 11  shows one embodiment of the instant invention set in the carrying apparatus  22 . 
         [0044]    As is well known in the art of water, oil and gas pumping,  FIG. 12  depicts a pumping unit  18  having a horsehead  181  in the up position, which has the polished rod  19  at its highest point in elevation during an upward portion of the pump cycle. Also depicted in  FIG. 12  are the Samson post  182 , pumping unit base  183 , pumping unit gear box  184 , left crank aim  185 , right crank arm  1814 , right pitman  187 , right counterweight  1810 , walking beam  1811 , bridal  1812 , and carrier bar  1813 . Further, the carrier bar  1813  has a polished rod clamp  27  attached to it. In actual pumping operations, there is often additional polished rod clamps attached above the carrier bar. The polished rod clamps maintain attachment of the polished rod  19  during pumping operations as the polished rod plunges into the well head  20  at the stuffing box  201 . Also pictured in  FIG. 12  is the well casing  203 , flow line  204  and tubing  202 , 
         [0045]      FIG. 13 , again well known in the water, oil and gas pumping art, depicts the rod lowering portion of the e pumping cycle, wherein the horsehead  181  is down and the polished rod is extended its maximum penetration into the well. The same reference characters are used as referenced in  FIG. 12 , however the left pitman  186  and left counter weight  189  are also depicted. 
         [0046]      FIG. 14  depicts one embodiment of the instant invention in actual use, wherein the polished rod  19  runs through the top plate  1  and between the lifting jacks  4  and  5  and into the well head stuffing box  201 . The lifting jacks ate in then most compact condition and the legs  12  and  13  are attached to the stuffing box  201 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 15  depicts the temporary polished rod clamp  17  setting atop the top plate  1  and the polished rod clamp securedly attached to the polished rod  19 , which extends down into the well through the stuffing box  201 .  FIG. 16  depicts an intermediate stage of extension of the lifting jacks, produced when the ratchets engage the lifting jacks  4  and  5  via the lifting jack sockets  6  and  8 . As the lifting jacks  4  and  5  extend, the top plate  1  is pushed up, which causes the temporary polished rod damp  17  to be likewise pushed up and because the temporary polished rod clamp  17  is securedly attached to the polished rod  19 , the polished rod is raised.  FIG. 17  shows full extension of the lifting jacks and therefore full elevation of the polished rod  19 , which contains the additional rod components of the well rod string. 
         [0048]      FIG. 18  corresponds to the condition shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , wherein the lifting jacks are in the most compact condition. This most compact condition shows the polished rod clamp  27  securedly attached to the polished rod  19  and sitting atop the carrier bar  1813 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 19  corresponds to the condition shown in  FIG. 16 , wherein the lifting jacks are in art intermediate stage of extension and the polished rod  19  is being lifted because it is attached to the temporary polished rod clamp  17 , which is sitting atop the top plate  1 . As the polished rod  19  is being raised, the polished rod clamp  27  is being raised. The carrier bar  1813  is not being raised as the lifting jacks extend because it is not attached to the either the polished rod  19 , nor is the carrier bar attached to the polished rod clamp  27 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 20  depicts the full extension of the lifting jacks and corresponds to the condition shown in  FIG. 17 . The polished rod  19  is no fully lifted due to its attachment to the temporary polished rod clamp  17 , which sits atop the top plate  1 , which sits atop the lifting jacks  4  and  5 . The condition depicted in  FIG. 20  no shows significant separation between the carrier bar  1813  and the polished rod clamp  27 . In actual use, the polished rod clamp can be detached safely from the polished rod  19  as all the polished rod weight and the weight of the well rod string down the well is being supported by the temporary polished rod clamp  17 , sitting atop the top plate  1 , which is being held up and fully extended by the lifting jacks  4  and  5 .  FIG. 21  shows the polished rod clamp  27  attached at a lower position on the polished rod  19  and the polished rod clamp  27  now sitting atop the carrier bar  1813  again.  FIG. 22  shows the fall compression of the lifting jacks  4  and  5 . The full weight of the polished rod  19  is now held by the earlier bar  1813  and the invention can be removed, 
         [0051]    The net result of the manipulations shown in.  FIGS. 14-22  is that the polished rod clamp now grips the polished rod in a lower position. Thus, the polished rod does not penetrate as far into the well. This manipulation was initiated when the horsehead was in the down position. Alternatively, if it was desired to extend the polished rod farther into the well, the condition shown in  FIG. 21  would be the same, i.e., having the lifting jacks fully extended, however the polished rod clamp would not be moved closer to the carrier bar, but rather moved further away from the carrier bar and securely attached in such a predetermined position. The lifting jacks would be lowered and, as the polished rod is correspondingly lowered, the polished rod clamp would come into contact with the carrier bar, which would again support the weight of the polished rod and the well rod string and the invention apparatus could be removed. In this instance, the distance of movement up of the polished rod clamp could not exceed the traveling distance of the lifting jack between the fully compressed and fully extended configurations. It is contemplated in this invention that the temporary polished rod clamp and top plate may be integrally formed. Further, it is contemplated within the scope of this invention that any of the temporary polished rod clamp, top plate, lifting means, stabilizing plated and legs may be integrally formed to one another. 
         [0052]    it is believed that the apparatus of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes nay be made in the form, geometry, construction, and arrangement of the components without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention and without sacrificing its material advantages. The forms described are merely exemplary and explanatory embodiments thereof it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.