Patent EA-002429-B1 (EA)
Title: Cleaning and lubricating device for threads, especially for drill pipes
IPC: E21B17/00
Filed: 1999-04-27
Abstract: 1. A cleaning and lubricating device for threads, especially threads on pipes screwable together, such as drill pipes (34; 34'; 34") and casings, characterized in that the cleaning and lubricating device comprises a nozzle head, the main body (10) thereof being ormed with supply gates or channels (18,18'), each eading into an internal annulus (14,14') belonging thereto, for individual supply of treating fluid to the respective annulus (14,14'), and that each annulus (14, 14') is assigned a 360 degree  encircling, radially directed ischarge slot opening (26,26' ; 70,70'). 2. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said discharge slot openings (70,70') are directed radially outwardly, in order to clean and lubricate internal threads in a socket-shaped pipe portion (52) surrounding the nozzle head (10). 3. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said discharge slot openings (26,26') are directed radially inwardly for cleaning and lubricating external threads on a pipe tap portion (38) formed on a pipe end and surrounded by the nozzle body (10), which is shaped substantially annularly and exhibits a large, through-going, axially directed aperture. 4. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 1,2 or 3, characterized in that each discharge slot opening (26,26' ; 70,70') is defined between an internal, 360 degree  encircling portion (12) of the main body of the nozzle head (10) and an axially displaceable nozzle ring (16,16') movable between a closed position in which the respective nozzle ring (16,16') rests sealingly against a land face on said internal, encircling portion (12) of the nozzle body (10), and adjustable open positions, where a circumferential portion of respective nozzle ring (16,16') is positioned at a larger or smaller distance from said land face on the in ternal portion (12) of the nozzle body (10). 5. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that each nozzle ring (16,16') is spring-loaded (20) in the axial direction and assigned an operating means, e. g. an adjusting nut (22,22') screwable axially to and fro along threads formed internally in the nozzle body (10), for displacing the nozzle ring (16,16') belonging thereto upon the screwing of the nut (22,22') axially into or out from the nozzle body (10). 6. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that each nut is as signed a locking means, e. g. a set screw, disposed in a threaded bore (28,28') formed in the nozzle body (10), in order to lock the nut (22,22') in an adjusted position. 7. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in any one of the preceding claims 1-6, and assigned a centring device (44,46,48; 54,54', 58,60) for centring a pipe's (34; 34' ; 34") end coupling (socket 52/tap end 38) in relation to the axis (56; 50) of the cleaning and lubricating device, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the centring device carries a centring head (48; 54,54') having a conically tapering outer portion, shaped, designed and adapted to be inserted guidingly into the bore of the pipe end coupling (52; 38), thus centring the pipe end coupling in relation to the axis (56; 50) of the cleaning and lubricating device, so that a pipe socket (52) is caused to surround the nozzle head concentrically prior to treatment, while an externally threaded pipe tap end coupling (38) is brought to be concentrically surrounded by the nozzle head; in both cases upon a relative axially directed displacement movement between socket/pipe tap end on the one hand and the nozzle head (10) on the other hand. 8. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 7, characterized in that the centring head (48; 54,54') sits on the end of a lengthenable/shortenable displacing device such as a telescopic pipe assembly or the like, for lineary, axially directed displacement in the direction of the axis (50; 56) of the nozzle head/body (10). 9. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 8, characterized in that the centring head (48) sits on the end of an axially displaceable piston rod, an inner telescopic pipe (46) or similar, line arly displaceable member, concentrically surrounded by an axially displaceable telescopic pipe, cylinder for the piston rod or the like (44). 10. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in claim 9, characterized in that said axially displaceable telescopic pipe or cylinder (44) for said piston rod (46), at the upper end thereof is securely connected to an upwardly open, case-/bowl-shaped housing (42) in which the nozzle head/body (10) is stationarily placed. 11. A cleaning and lubricating device as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that such a device (10) for cleaning and lubricating a pipe section's (34') socket end is suspended from the top of a pipe handling apparatus (72) provided with pivotable arms (82,82') having catchers (84,84') for such a pipe section (34'), and wherein, preferably coaxially below the socket thread cleaning and lubricating device (10) suspended from the top of the pipe handling apparatus, is placed on the rigfloor (78) a corresponding device (10) for the tap end of the pipe section (34').