Patent Publication Number: US-8973652-B1

Title: Pipe wiper box

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is being filed on Aug. 22, 2011 on the same date that another application entitled “ADAPTER ASSEMBLY” to Grant Pruitt and Cris Braun is being filed and the same date that another application entitled “CASING STRIPPER ATTACHMENT” to Grant Pruitt and Cris Braun is being filed. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     RESERVATION OF RIGHTS 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to intellectual property rights such as but not limited to copyright, trademark, and/or trade dress protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to wiper systems and, more particularly, to a drill pipe wiper system for removing materials from an outer surface of an existing drill pipe while the existing drill pipe is being removed from a ground surface. 
     Well drilling units are employed in prospecting for gaseous and liquid minerals and for bringing them to the surface. Because of the need for drilling to greater depths, as well as improving the speed of the drilling operation, traditional precision drilling techniques have been superseded by continuous rotary drilling. Rotary drilling utilizes rotational motion of a bit to drill the well bore. The bit is attached to a drill string which is comprised of drill collars, a drill pipe and a kelly joint. At the surface, rotational motion is imparted on the drill string by a rotary table to which the kelly joint is attached. 
     The drill cuttings produced by the bit that operates at the bottom of the well bore are carried to the earth&#39;s surface by circulating drilling fluids, i.e. drilling mud. The drilling fluids are continuously pumped down the well bore. The drill string must be removed periodically to replace worn bits and damaged drill pipe, also known as “tripping out.” During tripping out, drilling fluids spill from the drill pipe. Such spillage wastes the drilling fluids and exposes rig workers to unsafe working conditions. To prevent fluid drainage from the drill pipe during tripping out, workers use pipe wipers to wipe the drill pipe as the pipe is removed. 
     II. Description of the Known Art 
     Patents and patent applications disclosing relevant information are disclosed below. These patents and patent applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,896 issued to Thompson et al. on Apr. 7, 1992 (“the &#39;896 patent”) teaches a system for washing and cleaning sections of drill pipe being tripped out of the hole, and the system including a cylindrical housing having a central opening therethrough, the cover sections movable between open and closed positions by hinged joint along one edge, utilizing a system of hydraulic system cylinders, and in the closed position, maintain closed for defining a chamber therewithin. Within the housing chamber, the &#39;896 patent teaches that there is further included a wiper member, which comprises a circular member of rubberized material having a bore through its central axis through which sections of pipe travel during the cleaning process, the bore being a width so as to frictionally engage and wipe the wall of a section of drill pipe. The wiper taught by the &#39;896 patent would be spaced apart from the housing and housed within an annular channel along the inner surface of the housing so that the wiper would be stationary within the housing as the housing is placed in the closed position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,213 issued to Stannard et al. on Feb. 3, 1986 (“the &#39;213 patent”) teaches a pipe wiper device and system for stripping fluid from the external surface of tubular articles being pulled from the wellhead of a well. The wiper device taught by the &#39;213 patent includes a container having a carriage movably mounted therein. A pair of wiper pad assemblies taught by the &#39;213 patent are carried by the carriage and movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to each other. A pair of opposed actuators taught by the &#39;213 patent are provided for moving the wiper pad assemblies inward and outward with respect to each other and the connection between the wiper pad assemblies and actuators is such that the wiper pad assemblies and carriage are movable perpendicular to the direction of actuation of the actuators thereby to accommodate sideways movement of the carriage. The actuators taught by the &#39;213 patent are operated by a system that automatically retracts the wiper pad assemblies responsive to rig standpipe pressure so that the wiper pad assemblies retract automatically during drilling. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,344 issued to Frey on Nov. 24, 2009 (“the &#39;344 patent”) teaches a drill pipe wiper system that includes a plurality of coextensively shaped rectilinear support rails with axially opposed ends with a plurality of openings formed in the opposed ends of the support rails, a plurality of ports penetrating an outer surface of the support rails, and a plurality of spring-loaded latch pins. The system taught by the &#39;344 patent further includes a plurality of coextensively shaped rectilinear end rails and a mechanism for attaching the support rails to a support surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,388 issued to Brown on Dec. 5, 2000 (“the &#39;388 patent”) teaches a wiper device that comprises an elongated conveyor arm which can pivot in a horizontal plane and freely move forward and backward through a limited travel (which movement capabilities are collectively termed “floating” capability). The arm taught by the &#39;388 patent carries a wiper pad assembly on its outer end. The wiper pad assembly taught by the &#39;388 patent can therefore float with the arm to accommodate lateral and to and fro sway of the drill string within the confines of the rig rotary table bushing, when the wiper pads are engaged with the drill string. The arm taught by the &#39;388 patent can be advanced and withdrawn to convey the wiper pad assembly between the operative stripping position over the bushing and a retracted position off to one side of the bushing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,252 issued to Cameron on Dec. 1, 2008 (“the &#39;252 patent”) teaches a pipe wiper assembly for stripping fluid from oil and gas well strings which has a pair of rams which can move from a first remote position relative to the pipe forward to a second position contacting and wiping the pipe and forward to a third position when the pipe is not in the oil or gas well to protectively cover the well, the rams being mounted in a carrier which has freedom of movement in any radial direction to allow the rams to be centralized around the oil or gas well string. The unit taught by the &#39;252 patent having alignment guides such that when the rams are returned to the first position the rams and carrier will be centralized over the well bore and the freedom of radial movement is eliminated. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,853 issued to Mason et al. on Dec. 15, 1992 (“the &#39;853 patent”) teaches a pipe wiper assembly which comprises a first housing for supportingly receiving at least one resilient wiper member, and a second housing supported above the well bore for connecting the first housing to the stack assembly of the drilling unit. The first and second housings taught by the &#39;853 patent are interconnected such that the first housing is selectively movable in response to vertical deviations of the drill pipe as the drill pipe is withdrawn from the vertically extending well bore. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The pipe wiper assembly of the present invention provides a device that assists with wiping the pipe as the pipe is removed from the hole (“tripped out”). The pipe wiper assembly provides a housing having two pipe apertures, an upper pipe aperture and a lower pipe aperture, that allow the pipe to pass through the housing. The pipe passes through the two pipe apertures of the pipe wiper assembly during the removal. The housing also provides two upper containment arms that adjust between an open position and a closed position within the housing. In the closed position, the two upper containment arms maintain the wiper within the housing. The housing also provides a lower containment lip that forms the lower piper aperture. 
     The upper containment arms and lower containment lip partially enclose the housing to form the wiper storage. The housing stores a wiper within wiper storage. The wiper has an aperture through with the pipe passes. The diameter of the wiper is larger than the pipe apertures formed by the upper containment arms and lower containment lip. The upper containment arms in the closed position and the lower containment lip prevent the wiper from exiting the wiper storage. 
     The present invention provides containment arms that slide closed. The sliding of containment arms eliminates the need for hinges. The removal of the hinges provides for easier storage and transportation of the pipe wiper assembly. The removal of hinges also reduces manufacturing costs of the pipe wiper assembly. 
     The present invention eliminates the need for hinges in the pipe wiper assembly. Hinges of known pipe wiper assemblies are damaged very easily at the drilling site. If the hinges were to fail, the pipe wiper assembly would not function properly. A damaged hinge could decrease drilling thus costing valuable time and money. Furthermore, the hinges from a pipe wiper assembly tend to be damaged such that existing pipe wipers will not function properly. In such instances, the drilling fluid may spill from the pipe wiper assembly costing the drilling team valuable time and money due to the lost drilling fluid. Furthermore, the spilled drilling fluid could remain on the drilling rig floor such that the drilling team must contend with the spilled drilling fluid. 
     The present invention reduces the downtime of the drilling rig by reducing time expended to trip out the drilling pipe. 
     The present invention also reduces the amount of equipment required at a drilling site. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pipe wiper assembly that enables ease of use for the end user. 
     It is an object of the present invention to reduce the equipment needed at a drilling site. 
     It is another object of the present invention to reduce the costs required for a drilling operation. 
     It is another object of the present invention to reduce shipping and manufacturing costs required for a drilling operation 
     It is another object of the present invention to allow more efficient tripping out of the drilling pipe. 
     It is another object of the present invention to decrease the time required to trip out the drilling pipe. 
     It is another object of the present invention to increase the life of the pipe wiper assembly. 
     It is another object of the present invention to allow for the trouble free operation of the drilling operation for the rig personnel. 
     It is another object of the present invention to create a safer work environment for rig personnel. 
     It is another object of the present invention to simplify the method of assembly of the drilling operation. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a rugged pipe wiper assembly. 
     It is another object of the present invention to reduce manufacturing costs of a pipe wiper assembly. 
     These and other objects of the invention will become more fully apparent as the description proceeds in the following specification and the attached drawings. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view showing one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another environmental view showing one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view showing one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view thereof; and 
         FIG. 5  is another perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view thereof; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view thereof; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view thereof; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view thereof; and 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view thereof 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show environmental views of the pipe wiper assembly and its installation within the bowl  104 . Base  150  of the pipe wiper assembly is placed within the upper portion of the bowl  104 . Clamp  102  secures the housing  100  to the bowl  104  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Base  150  provides a lip for contacting the clamp to secure the housing  100  within clamp  102 . The housing  100  and bowl  104  provide apertures that allow for passage of the drill string through the housing  100  and the bowl  104 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , housing  100  provides two pipe apertures, an upper pipe aperture  101  and a lower pipe aperture  103 , that allow the pipe to pass through the housing  100 . The pipe passes through the two pipe apertures  101 ,  103  of the pipe wiper assembly during the removal. In one embodiment, lower pipe aperture  103  is fixed such that the size of lower pipe aperture is not adjustable. Lower containment lip  152  forms lower pipe aperture  103 . Lower containment lip  152  prevents the pipe wiper from falling into the hole. 
     The housing also provides an adjustable upper pipe aperture  101 . The size of upper pipe aperture  101  adjusts depending upon the position of the upper containment arms  106 ,  122 . Upper containment arms  106 ,  122  adjust between an open position and a closed position within the housing. In the open position shown in  FIG. 3 , upper containment arms  106 ,  122  increase the size of upper pipe aperture  101 . The increased size of upper pipe aperture  101  enables a user to install the pipe wiper. After the pipe wiper is installed within housing  100 , the user adjusts the upper containment arms  106 ,  122  to the closed position to secure the pipe wiper within housing  100  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     In the closed position, the two upper containment arms  106 ,  122  form the upper pipe aperture  101 . The upper containment arms  106 ,  122  and lower containment lip  152  partially enclose the housing  100  to form the wiper storage  158 . The housing  100  stores a wiper within wiper storage  158 . The wiper has an aperture through with the pipe passes. The diameter of the wiper is larger than the pipe apertures  101 ,  103  formed by the upper containment arms  106 ,  122  in the closed position and lower containment lip  152 . The upper containment arms in the closed position and the lower containment lip prevent the wiper from exiting the wiper storage  158  formed by housing  100 , upper containment arms  106 ,  122 , and lower containment lip  152 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , upper containment arms  106 ,  122  slideably adjust between an open position shown in  FIG. 3  to a closed position shown in  FIG. 4 . Adjustment apertures  138 ,  140  enable the adjustment of upper containment arms  106 ,  122  between the open position and the closed position. The user inserts the upper containment arms  106 ,  122  into the adjustment apertures  138 ,  140  to position the containment arms  106 ,  122  in the closed position. 
     Stopping fingers  108 ,  114  of upper containment arm  106  and stopping fingers  124 ,  130  of upper containment arm  122  assist attaching containment arms  106 ,  122  to the housing  100 . Stopping fingers  108 ,  114 ,  124 ,  130  of containment arms  106 ,  122  protrude outward from containment arms  106 ,  122 . In one embodiment, stopping fingers  108 ,  114 ,  124 ,  130  extend above and below containment arms  106 ,  122 . The stopping fingers  108 ,  114 ,  124 ,  130  contact housing  100  instead of passing through adjustment apertures  138 ,  140 . Stopping fingers  108 ,  114 ,  124 ,  130  prevent containment arms  106 ,  122  from passing completely through adjustment apertures  138 ,  140 . 
     To secure the containment arms in a closed position, the user inserts the containment arms  106 ,  122  until stopping fingers  108 ,  114 ,  124 ,  130  contact housing  100 . Lock bodies  110 ,  126  of containment arms  106 ,  122  align with lock bodies  116 ,  133  of housing  100 . Lock bodies  110 ,  126  provide lock apertures  112 ,  128 . Likewise, lock bodies  116 ,  132  provide lock apertures  117 ,  133 . The alignment of lock body  110  with lock body  116  also aligns lock apertures  112 ,  117 . The alignment of lock body  126  with lock body  132  aligns lock apertures  128 ,  133 . 
     Locking fingers  146 ,  148  insert into lock apertures  112 ,  117  and lock apertures  128 ,  133  to secure the containment arms  106 ,  122  in the closed position. The inserted locking fingers  146 ,  148  maintain containment arms  106 ,  122  in the closed position. 
     Installation fingers  118 ,  120 ,  134 ,  136  of containment arms  106 ,  122  installed within housing  100  prevent the removal of containment arms  106 ,  122  from housing  100 . In one embodiment, installation fingers  118 ,  120 ,  134 ,  136  removably attach to containment arms  106 ,  122  to enable a user to install and remove containment arms  106 ,  122  within housing  100 . Installation fingers  118 ,  120 ,  134 ,  136  extend outward from containment arms  106 ,  122 . The installation fingers  118 ,  120 ,  134 ,  136  do not pass through the openings of adjustment apertures  138 ,  140 . Therefore, installation fingers  118 ,  120 ,  134 ,  136  maintain the attachment of containment arms  106 ,  122  to housing  100  while the installation fingers  118 ,  120 ,  134 ,  136  are installed in containment arms  106 ,  122 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show side views of containment arms  106 ,  122  in the closed position. Lifting aperture  149  allows for a lifting arm (not shown) to lift housing  100 . Stopping fingers  108 ,  114 ,  124 ,  130  are larger than the openings of adjustment apertures  138 ,  140 . Therefore, stopping fingers  108 ,  114 ,  124 ,  130  prevent removal of the containment arms  106 ,  122  from housing  100 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  also show containment arms  106 ,  122  secured in the closed position by locking fingers  146 ,  148 . Lock bodies  110 ,  126  of containment arms  106 ,  122  extend outward from containment arms  106 ,  122 . Lock bodies  116 ,  132  extend outward from housing  100 . The stopping fingers  108 ,  114 ,  124 ,  130  align the locking apertures  112 ,  128  of lock bodies  110 ,  126  with locking apertures  117 ,  133  of lock bodies  116 ,  132  when the containment arms  106 ,  122  are adjusted to the closed position. The alignment of locking apertures  112 ,  128  with locking apertures  117 ,  133  enable locking fingers  146 ,  148  to pass through the locking apertures  112 ,  117 ,  128 ,  133  to secure the containment arms  106 ,  122  in the closed position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 , containment arms  106 ,  122  slideably adjust between an open position shown in  FIG. 8  to a closed position shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The slideable adjustment of containment arms  106 ,  122  eliminates the need for hinges for attachment of containment arms  106 ,  122  of the known art. Because of the activity occurring on the drilling floor, the hinges of the known art damage easily. Such hinge damage prevents users from adjusting the upper pipe aperture  101 . The slideable adjustment of containment arms  106 ,  122  through adjustment apertures  138 ,  140  eliminate the need for hinged attachment of containment arms  106 ,  122 . Therefore, containment arms  106 ,  122  adjust between the open position and closed position without the difficulties caused by a hinged attachment of the known art. Upper guides  142 ,  144  positioned above adjustment apertures  138 ,  140  assist with the adjustment of containment arms  106 ,  122 . Likewise, lower guides  143  (the lower guide under upper guide  144  is located in a similar location as lower guide  143  on the opposite side) positioned below adjustment apertures  138 ,  140  assist with the adjustment of containment arms  106 ,  122 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an exploded view of the present invention. Casing  156  attaches to lower containment lip  152  and base  150  to form the housing. In one embodiment, casing  156 , lower containment lip  152 , and base  150  are welded together to form the housing. Attachment lip  154  provides an area for placement of lower containment lip  152 . Lower containment lip  152  has an inner aperture forming lower piper aperture  103  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Lower pipe aperture  103  allows passage of the pipe (not shown). However, lower containment lip  152  prevents pipe wiper from falling through the bottom of the housing and into the hole. 
     Base  150  of housing  100  provides an area that extends from outward from housing  100 . The clamp  102  shown in  FIG. 1  contacts base  150  to secure housing  100  with the bowl  104  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  show lower containment lip  152  forming a lower surface for storage of a wiper (not shown). The lower containment lip  152  prevents the wiper from falling through lower aperture  103  to maintain the wiper within housing  100 . 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
     As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.