Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US4792000?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=5,381,459
Timestamp: 2014-03-10 08:45:26
Document Index: 43813659

Matched Legal Cases: ['art             1547', 'art             1533', 'art              1551', 'art              1551', 'art              1551', 'art              1551', 'art              1551', 'art              1551', 'art              1551']

Patent US4792000 - Method and apparatus for well drilling - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA drilling tool for use in drilling operations for providing shock absorption capability and lateral support to the rotary drill string. The telescoping axial load shock absorber is positioned immediately adjacent at least one lateral support provided by a reamer or stabilizer. The stabilizer preferably...http://www.google.com/patents/US4792000?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US4792000 - Method and apparatus for well drillingAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS4792000 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 07/066,234Publication dateDec 20, 1988Filing dateJun 25, 1987Priority dateAug 4, 1986Fee statusLapsedPublication number066234, 07066234, US 4792000 A, US 4792000A, US-A-4792000, US4792000 A, US4792000AInventorsDuane D. Papke, Gregg S. PerkinOriginal AssigneeOil Patch Group, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (5), Referenced by (27), Classifications (15), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod and apparatus for well drillingUS 4792000 AAbstract A drilling tool for use in drilling operations for providing shock absorption capability and lateral support to the rotary drill string. The telescoping axial load shock absorber is positioned immediately adjacent at least one lateral support provided by a reamer or stabilizer. The stabilizer preferably employs a removable fixed blade secured to the tool by an undercut groove. The roller cutter for a reamer is also mounted in a preferred unique manner with the mounting blocks secured in a recess having an undercut retainer portion in the event of bolting failure. The mounting's brackets may be formed integral of the tool body or attached by welding or the like. A preferred form of mounting a blade on a stabilizer tool is also disclosed.
What is claimed is: 1. A mounting apparatus for a roller cutter on a reamer rotary drilling tool, including:a cylindrical shaft having first and second ends and a roller cutter mounted between said ends; a pair of bearing blocks for providing rotational support for said shaft, one of said bearing blocks mounted on said first end of said shaft and the other of said bearing blocks mounted on said second end of said shaft, said shaft movable axially relative to said bearing blocks when positioned therein; each of said bearing blocks having a projection extending outwardly from said roller cutter and along the longitudinal axis of said shaft for being received in a complimentary groove formed on the drilling tool facing the roller cutter to prevent radial outward movement of said bearing block from the drilling tool; means on each of said bearing blocks for releasably securing of said bearing blocks with the drilling tool; at least one resilient C-shape claim secured about said shaft between said roller cutter and one of the bearing blocks after the bearing block is releasably secured to the drilling tool for locating the roller cutter on the shaft spaced from said one of the bearing blocks. 2. The mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including;a second resilient C-shaped clamp secured about said shaft between said roller cutter and the other of said bearing blocks after the bearing blocks are releasably secured to the drilling tool. 3. The mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including;means for sealing each of said bearing blocks to said shafts at locations axially spaced on said shaft to form sealed bearing zones; and a passageway formed in said shaft communicates the sealed zone of each bearing block to form a sealed chamber. 4. The mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 3, including;said chamber filled with a lubricant; and means for equalizing the pressure of the lubricant in said chamber with the pressure adjacent said roller cutter. Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A drilling tool apparatus embodying the present invention is generally designated A in FIG. 1. The apparatus A is preferably connected in a drill string S immediately above a drill bit B. Rotation of the drill bit B in a desired, conventional manner results in the deepening of a borehole H in the earth E with the attendant formation of borehole walls W. During rotation of the drill string S to rotate the drill bit B the tubular apparatus A, which forms a portion of the drill string S, is rotated in the usual manner. Drilling fluid may be circulated down the drill string S and outwardly through the drill bit B into the well bore H in the usual manner to enhance drilling operations.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower tubular assembly or mandrel 12 includes and is preferably formed by an integral tubular member 20 having a substantially cylindrical inner surface 20a that partially defines the central or interior flow passage 18 for enabling communication of the drill fluid through the drill string S. The tubular member 20 forms an outer surface 20b which extends upwardly from adjacent the lower connecting threads 14 to adjacent the upwardly facing annular shoulder 20c. Formed on the outer surface 20b is a plurality of conventional spline ribs or outwardly extending projections 20d for a purpose to be described in greater detail hereinafter.
The spline sleeve 28 forms a plurality of inwardly projecting splines 28a which interfit with the mating splines 20d on the lower sleeve 20 to enable relative limited longitudinally movement between the upper tubular assembly 10 and the lower tubular assembly 12 while enabling continuous transmission of torsionally or rotational motion between the upper tubular assembly 10 and the lower tubular assembly 12. This enables a relative telescoping movement or operating stroke of the tubular assemblies to and from an extended position and a shortened or collapsed position. A plurality of annular grooves 28b are formed in the spline sleeve 28 below the splines 28a for carrying a corresponding plurality of seals 30 which provides a sliding seal between the spline sleeve 28 and the lower sleeve 20 to exclude drilling fluid from the interengaged splines 28a and 20d.
The lower mandrel 20 carries an annular seal ring 32 which is illustrated in FIG. 2A with an annular lip 32x in engagement with the upper end annular shoulder 20c and which may be secured in position, if desired, by threaded engagement. The annular seal ring 32 has an inner groove 32a which carries seal 33 to effect a stationary seal with the outer surface 20b of the lower sleeve 20. A similar annular groove 32b in the outer portion of the seal ring 32 carries seal 34 which effects a sliding seal with the seal sleeve 24 of the upper tubular assembly 10. Fluid pressure in the bore 18 will urge downwardly on an upardly facing annular pressure responsive shoulder 32c of the seal ring 32 for maintaining the seal ring 32x in engagement with the lower sleeve 20 during the relative telescopic movement of the upper tubular assembly 10 and the lower tubular assembly 12.
The downward fluid pressure urging on the seal ring 32 and lower mandrel 20 will partially establish the preload deformation of a resilient element by urging the lower tubular assembly to the extended position which will be explained in greater detail. The magnitude of the resulting downward preload force on the mandrel 20 is a function of the pressure in the bore and the exposed pressure responsive area of the lower mandrel 20. This pressure responsive area can be varied by changing the diameter on which the 33 and 34 seal in the illustrated embodiment slide. Such change can be accomplished at the rig site by unscrewing or threads 23 and 25 and then installing differently dimensioned seal sleeves 24 and seal ring 32 to establish a different sealing diameter for seal 34. If desired, the seal ring 32 may be furnished without lip 32x to make the diameter of the seal 32 the controlling seal size location rather than seal 34. The flexibility afforded by the variation in or modification to the pressure responsive area can be achieved in the field or drilling site at slight cost and with a minimum of delay. In remote or offshore drilling locations this capability to adapt to unexpected drilling conditions is highly desirable.
An intermediate seal cartridge 40 (FIG. 2A) is disposed between the inner sleeve 20 and the chamber forming sleeve 26 adjacent threads 25 and held below the seal sleeve 24. The seal cartridge 40 is provided with outer and inner annular recesses 40a and 40b for receiving seals 42 and 43, respectively, for sealing with the chamber sleeve 26 and the lower sleeve 20. If desired the seals 42 and 43 and their intermediate seals may be omitted. Disposed in the annular chamber 35 between the sealed cartridge 40 and a retainer ring 44 located adjacent the limit stop collar 20f is a partially illustrated resilient energy absorbing element 46. The resilient energy absorbing element 46 may be of any suitable conventional type as disclosed in the patents incorporated herein by reference herein for engaging the seal cartridge 40 and retain 44 for urging and maintaining the tubular assemblies 10 and 12 in the extended position. While any known type of conventional resilient element 48 may be employed, a field replaceable cartridge element 46 formed of an annular arrangement of a stacked alternating series of rubber cushions and Belleville washers has been found to be highly desirable in providing the desired spring constant having the load and deformation characteristics tailored or preselected as illustrated in FIG. 4B. By way of comparison, a typical all metal or Belleville washer resilient urging means spring constant characteristic is graphed in FIG. 4A. When the tubular assemblies 10 and 12 are in the fully extended position, the stroke is graphed as zero. As the tubular assemblies move together the movement stroke is plotted against the force required for such movement to show the spring constant of the resilient means. Another graph example is shown of FIG. 15 of the previously mentioned Mason patent. A shock absorbing tool having the resilient means with the characteristics of FIG. 4A would be preloaded, usually by internal hydrostatic pressure to operate with 3 to 4 inches of deformation. Below three inches of deformation, the spring would be too hard to effectively dampen the drill bit vibrations. The spring constant characteristics of FIG. 4A are conventional and acceptable for use with tri-cone rotary drill bits which utilize a high bit weight, relatively low rotary speed and a variable flow rate. Due to the large bit weight desired for tri-cone bits the substantially flat portion of the spring characteristic curve of FIG. 4A is acceptable.
With a known spring characteristic and the anticipated range of certain drilling conditions, the desired resilient element preload for optimum drill bit operation can be determined. For the present apparatus the pertinent range of drilling conditions is the desired weight on the bit, the weight of the drill string below the resilient element, the drilling fluid weight and flow rate as well as the anticipated drill depths. Based on these factors and certain selected tool characteristics to be discussed hereinafter the desired preload deformation on the resilient element can be established. As the resilient cartridge element 46 is field replaceable, immediate flexiblity is available to the drilling operation in changing the spring constant of the resilient element in meeting unanticipated drilling conditions.
A movable blade retainer 86 for closing the open end of the blade receiving slot 72 is positioned adjacent the blade 76 after it has been received in the slot 72. A threaded bolt 88 is received in a threaded opening 86a formed in the fixed end closure 86 to operably connect with the blade retainer 86 for tightly clamping the ends of the blade in the slot 72. The fixed slot closure member 84 has a stepped diameter opening 84a for receiving and connecting with the bolt head 88a. The portion of the slot 72 adjacent the fixed end closure 84 is formed with a taper 84b to wedge the enlarged portion 74 of the blade 76 upwardly or outwardly into securing contact with the blade support walls 80 and 82 upon rotational tightening of the threaded bolt 88. The movable closure member 86 is also provided with a similar tapered or welding surface adjacent the blade 76 for fully forcing the enlarged portion 74 of the stabilizer blade 76 positioned in the slot 72 into full securing engagement or contact with the blade support walls 80 and 82 upon tightening of the bolt 88. Preferably, the blade 76 is provided with a longitudinally opening 76a in the flared portion 74 through which the bolt 88 extends in order that the bolt 88 may retain the blade 76 in the unlikely event of failure of the bracket 70 during rotary drilling operations. The preferred stabilizer blade mounting apparatus permits blade changes to be rapidly performed in the field with a minimum loss of drilling time.
Preferably, each bearing bushing 102 and 104 carries a pair of longitudinally spaced packings or O-rings 102a, 102b, 104a and 104b for sealing the shaft at spaced locations in order that the bearing contact with the shaft journals may be protected from exposure to undesired solid matter in the drilling fluid. If desired, the shaft bearings 102 and 104 and journals 100a and 100b can be lubricated during operation by a grease or other viscous liquid lubricant provided in a common chamber 103. To form the common lubricating chamber 102 the shaft 100 is drilled longitudinally or axially to provide a central passage 100c and cross drilled at operating locations 100d and 100e intermediate of the pairs of spaced seals 102a, 102b, 104a and 104b with the mounting blocks 54 and 56 to communicate the sealed portions of the two bushings through the central passageway 100c. If desired, recessed grooves 100f and 100g may be cut or provided on the outer surface of the shaft 100 adjacent the cross drilling locations 100d and 100e to insure proper fluid distribution and adequate supply of lubricant. A threaded plug 108 at one end of the longitudinal central drilled passageway in the shaft may be used as a fill port for the lubricant with the plug 108 preventing escape of the lubricant after filling. Due to the symmetrical nature of the shaft 100 it is possible to install the fill plug 108 in the lower position illustrated, but the preferred position is with the fill plug 108 at the upper installed end. If it is desired to equalize the pressure of the liquid lubricant adjacent the seals and the pressure adjacent the exterior of the tool T and the roller cutter 52, a pressure equalization cartridge may be provided which is located generally at 110 in FIG. 5. To provide adequate protected space for the pressure equalization cartridge, the end of the shaft 100 opposite the fill plug 108 has the pasageway 100c countersunk or drilled to a large diameter portion to provide an enlarged opening 100h for receiving the cartridge 110. The cartridge 110 is secured in position after insertion by a gapped retainer snap ring 112 which radially expands into a groove 100j formed in the countersunk portion 100h.
The pressure equalization cartridge 110 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 6. The cartridge 110 is formed by a two piece tubular body 114 and 116 that fits snugly in the large diameter portion 100h and which mounts a flexible diaphragm 118 which moves in response to pressure variations to equalize the fluid pressure on either side thereof. The diaphragm 118 is provided with a metal closure cap 118a for flexure protection of the diaphragm 118 during assembly, transportion or running of the reamer tool. The cartridge 110 is formed by a first body sleeve 114 having a central flow port 114a aligned and co-acting with the metal pad 118a of the diaphragm 118 for enabling communication of the pressure adjacent the exterior of the tool to the diaphragm 118 and a positioning or retainer sleeve 116. The diaphragm 118 is retained to the body 114 by telescoping interfit with the retainer cartridge body 116 and which is also ported at 116a for enabling communication of the lubricant to the other side of the diaphragm 118. A seal 119 carried by the body 114 prevents leakage of fluid between the cartridge body 110 and the shaft 100 while the snap ring 112 retains the cartridge 110 in the shaft 100 during operation. During assembly of the roller cutter mounting assembly, the cartridge 110 is installed and secured in the manner illustrated before the shaft ends 100a and 100b are slidably positioned in the mounting blocks 54 and 56. The mounting blocks 54 and 56 are then slidably and sealingly positioned closely adjacent the roller cutter 52. The lubricating chamber 103 is then filled with a liquid or grease lubricant and the plug closure 108 installed when filling is complete. The partially assembled mounting apparatus is then positioned on the reamer tool T and the mounting brackets 52 and moved outwardly along the shaft 100 for positioning the outwardly extending projections 52a and 54a of the mounting blocks 52 in facing undercut recesses 120a and 122a formed in the outer surface 20b of the tubular body 20. Suitable conventional threaded bolting 120 is then installed to secure the mounting blocks 54 and 56 to the tool body and prevent further axial movement of the blocks 54 and 56 along the shaft 100 and to maintain the projecting lugs 54 a and 56a in the securing recesses. The projecting lugs 54a and 56a serve to retain the mounting blocks 54 and 56 with the reamer tool tubular body T in the event of a bolt 120 failure and thereby avoids the formation of an undesired fish in the bore hole. With the mounting blocks 54 and 56 secured to the tool T the roller cutter blade 52 is free to float back and forth axially a limited amount. This axial movement is eliminated by then installing deformable C-shaped clamps or washers 122 that are sufficiently resilient to enable installation and which serve as spacers or thrust bearing to properly position the roller cutter 52 between the mounting blocks 54 and 56. Preferably, the C-shaped spacer washers are installed on both sides of the roller cutter 52 to engage the mounting blocks 54 and 56 and block axial movement of the roller cutter 52 and shaft 100 in either axial direction. During disassembly the spacing C-shaped washers 122 are first removed and discarded and the assembly procedures performed in reverse order. Such roller cutter mounting is field repairable, enables the optimum cutters to be used for any formations encountered and requires a minimum spare part inventory at the drill site.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view, in section, of a bore hole having the drilling tool of the present invention mounted in the rotary drill string immediately above the drill bit;
FIG. 7, 8 and 9 are views of a preferred dove-tail mounting of a replaceable blade for a stabilizer.
To enhance such rotary well drilling operations, numerous tools have been developed for mounting and use at sub-surface locations in the drill string to enhance the drilling operation. One such tool is called a reamer and is used to slightly underream, enlarged, straighten the maintain gage of a bore hole. Reamers, which are sometimes also used as drill string stabilizers, are conventionally supplied with a plurality of rotatable cutting blade rollers on a tubular member that contact the wall of the bore hole for enlarging the bore hole or removing the undesired obstruction. In some instances the term reamers are also described as a down hole milling or scraping tool used to cut or remove wall cake from the casing. The term reamer, as used herein, is not intended to cover a milling type of tool or the use of such a down hole drilling tool for removing the casing or a mud cake within the casing.
According to the 1986-87 edition of the Composite Catalog of Oil Field Equipment and Services published by Gulf Publishing of Post Office Box 2608, Houston, Tex., reamer tools with reference to specific volumes and page numbers, are presently commercially available in many embodiments for use from the following supplies:
______________________________________REAMERS - Hole Opening:A-Z Int'l Tool Co.        146 V-1C. P. Oil Tool Co.        865 V-1Canamco Services &amp; Supplies Int'l                     695 V-1Diamant Boart             1547 V-1Drilco Division (Smith)   1748 V-1Drillstar                 1775 V-1Driltrol                  1800 V-1Eastman Whipstock, Inc.   1873 V-2Grant Tool Co.            2339 V-2Haco Int'l Co.            2387 V-2Industrialexportimport/Petromin                     3603 V-3S M F Int'l               5809 V-4Security Division         5663 V-4Texas Oil Tools, Inc.     6155 V-4Tri-State Oil Tool Industries, Inc.                     6263 V-4Triumph-L O R, Inc.       4304 V-3Wilson Industries, Inc.   6796 V-4REAMERS - Jar &amp; Key Seat:Bowen Tools, Inc.         555 V-1Drilco Division           1764 V-1Drillstar                 1786 V-1Driltrol                  1800 V-1Grant Oil Tool Co.        2344 V-2Homco Int'l, Inc.         2689 V-2Oilfield Mfg. Pte. Ltd.   5158 V-4S M F Int'l               5819 V-4Tri-State Oil Tool Industries, Inc.                     6261 V-4Wilson Industries, Inc.   6796 V-4REAMERS - Rotary:Canamco Services &amp; Supplies Int'l                     695 V-1Darron Oil Tools          1452 V-1Diamant Boart             1533 V-1Dreco Energy Services Ltd.                     1696 V-1Drilco Division           1743 V-1Drillstar                 1779 V-1Driltrol                  1800 V-1Eastman Whipstock, Inc.   1874 V-2Grant Oil Tool Co.        2324 V-2Griffith Oil Tool Ltd.    2357 V-2Industrialexportimport/Petromin                     3603 V-3Mento A/S                 4487 V-3Mid-Continent Supply Co.  4589 V-3Oncor Products, Hughes Drilling Equip.                     3027 V-2S M F International       5806 V-4Security Division         5663 V-4Texas Oil Tools, Inc.     6155 V-4Tri-State Oil Tool Industries, Inc.                     6261 V-4Triumph - L O R, Inc.     4298 V-3Tsukamoto Seiki Co., Ltd. 6299 V-4Wilson Industries, Inc.   6796 V-4REAMERS - Stabilizing:Canamco Services &amp; Supplies Int'l                     695 V-1Dreco Energy Services, Ltd.                     1696 V-1Drilco Division           1743 V-1Driltrol                  1800 V-1Grant Oil Tool Co.        2324 V-2Griffith Oil Tool Ltd.    2357 V-2Haco Int'l                2387 V-2Industrialexportimport/Petromin                     3603 V-3Oncor Products, Hughes Drilling Equip.                     3028 V-2S M F Int'l               5806 V-4Security Division         5663 V-4Triumph- L O R, Inc.      4298 V-3Tsukamoto Seiki Co., Ltd. 6299 V-4Wilson Industries, Inc.   6796 V-4______________________________________
Another useful tool used in the drill string to enhance drilling operation is a stabilizer which contains the bore hole wall and effectively serves as a radial bearing or lateral support for the rotating drill string in the bore hole. By holding the drill string against lateral forces or radial movement, the stabilizer serves to limit the unsupported column length of the drill string to prevent buckling as well as radial or lateral vibration, drill string diameter wear and the bending stress inducing movement of the drill string. In certain formations, a stabilizer also can be used enlarge the cylindrical bore hole side wall to a predetermined gauge or diameter. Stabilizers are usually formed by a tubular member with a plurality of outwardly extending fixed blades having wall contacting surfaces of hardened material that bear against or contact the sides of the borehole. The outwardly extending blades are usually mounted straight (vertical) or have a helical swirl. Various arrangements of mounting the blades, which may be field replaceable, also serve as a descriptive distinction of the types of various stabilizers.
______________________________________STABILIZERS - Casing, Drill Pipe &amp; Tubing:A-1 Bit &amp; Tool Co.         103 V-1Arai Iron Works Co., Ltd   245 V-1B J Products, Hughes Drilling Equipment                      2955 V-2Canamco Services &amp; Supplies Int'l                      695 V-1Darron Oil Tools           1448 V-1Grant Oil Tool Co.         2324 V-2Haco Int'l Co.             2387 V-2Industrialexportimport/Petromin                      3603 V-3Mento A/S                  4487 V-3Oncor Products, Hughes Drilling Equipment                      3030 V-2Petco                      5401 V-4S. E. A. Supply Co., Inc.  2209 V-2S M F Int'l                5798 V-4STABILIZERS - Clamp on:Drilco Division            1764 V-1Reed Tool Co.              5525 V-4S M F Int'l                5801 V-4STABILIZERS - Cushion:Chimo Polyurethanes Ltd.   1279 V-1Driltrol                   1802 V-1Grant Oil Tool Co.         2328 V-2STABILIZERS - Diamond:B J Products, Hughes Drilling Equipment                      2969 V-2Diamant Boart              1551 V-1J. K. Smit &amp; Sons Diamond Tools Ltd.                      5757 V-4STABILIZERS - Drill Collar:Silvio Ballerini &amp; C. S. P. A.                      387 V-1Bowen Tools, Inc.          512 V-1Canamco Services &amp; Supplies Int'l                      695 V-1Cutting &amp; Wear Resistant Developments                      1349 V-1Darron Oil Tools           1448 V-1Diamant Boart              1551 V-1Drilco Division            1732 V-1Driltrol                   1801 V-1Grant Oil Tool Co.         2325 V-2Haco International Co.     2387 V-2Hendershot Tool Co.        2654 V-2Industrialexportimport/Peromin                      3603 V-3O K G T                    5123 V-4Oncor Products, Hughes Drilling Equipment                      3030 V-3Reed Tool Co.              5525 V-4S M F International        5799 V-4Teleco Oilfield Services, Inc.                      6051 V-4Triumph - L O R, Inc.      4290 V-3Tsukamoto Seiki Co., Ltd.  6298 V-4Vereinigte Edelstahlwerke V E W                      6481 V-4Walker - Neer Manufacturing Co., Inc.                      6618 V-4Wilson Industries, Inc.    6792 V-4STABILIZERS - Free Wheeling:A-1 Bit &amp; Tool Co.         103 V-1A-Z International Tool Co. 145 V-1Drillstar                  1786 V-1Oncor Products, Hughes Drilling Equipment                      3031 V-2Triumph - L O R, Inc.      4296 V-3STABILIZERS - Integral Blade:Bowen Tools, Inc.          512 V-1Canamco Services &amp; Supplies Int'l                      695 V-1Christensen, Inc.          5047 V-3Cutting &amp; Wear Resistant Developments                      1349 V-1Dailey Petroleum Services Corp.                      1364 V-1Darron Oil Tools           1448 V-1Diamant Boart              1551 V-1Dreco Energy Services Ltd. 1696 V-1Drilco Division            1735 V-1Drillstar                  1776 V-1Driltrol                   1802 V-1Eastman Whipstock, Inc.    1869 V-2Grant Oil Tool Co.         2330 V-2Griffith Oil Tool Ltd.     2357 V-2Haco Int'l Co.             2387 V-2Hunting Oilfield Services Ltd.                      3200 V-2Norton Christensen, Inc.   5047 V-3Oilfield Mfg. Pte. Ltd.    5154 V-4Oncor Products, Hughes Drilling Equip.                      3034 V-2Reed Tool Co.              5525 V-4S M F International        5797 V-4Security Division          5663 V-4Triumph - L O R, Inc.      4290 V-3Tsukamoto Seiki Co., Ltd.  6298 V-4Vereinigte Edelstahlwerke V E W                      6481 V-4Walters Oil Tool Machine Ltd.                      6628 V-4Wilson Industries, Inc.    6796 V-4STABILIZERS - Mill:Cutting &amp; Wear Resistant Developments                      1349 V-1Darron Oil Tools           1448 V-1Driltrol                   1802 V-1Tri-State Oil Tool Industries, Inc.                      6261 V-4Wilson Industries, Inc.    6796 V-4STABILIZERS - Non-Magnetic:Christensen, Inc.          5048 V-3Cutting &amp; Wear Resistant Developments                      1349 V-1Darron Oil Tools           1450 V-1Diamant Boart              1551 V-1Norton Christensen, Inc.   5048 V-3Reed Tool Co.              5525 V-4SMF International          5796 V-4Teleco Oilfield Services Inc.                      6051 V-4Triumph-LOR, Inc.          4290 V-3Vereinigte Edelstahlwerke VEW                      6481 V-4Wilson Industries, Inc.    6796 V-4STABILIZERS - Packed Hole Assemblies:Christensen, Inc.          5045 V-3Diamant Boart              1551 V-1Draco Energy Services Ltd. 1696 V-1Driico Division            1732 V-1Driltrol                   1801 V-1Grant Oil Tool Co.         2324 V-2Norton Christensen, Inc.   5045 V-3Oncor Products, Hughes Drilling Equipment                      3026 V-2SMF International          5797 V-4Security Division          5663 V-4Vereinigte Edelstahlwerke VEW                      6481 V-4Wilson Industries, Inc.    6796 V-4STABlLIZERS - Pulsation:Fluid Kinetics Corp.       1955 V-2Holthuis B.V./GEHO         2667 V-2Joy Petroleum Equipment Group                      3773 V-3STABILIZERS - Replaceable Pad:Drilco Division            1732 V-1Grant Oil Tool Co.         2329 V-2Oncor Products, Hughes Drilling Equipment                      3034 V-2SMF International          5800 V-4Triumph-LOR, Inc.          4299 V-3STABILIZERS - Rubber:BJ Products, Hughes Drilling Equipment                      2953 V-2Chimo Polyurethanes Ltd.   1279 V-1Drilco Division            1740 V-1Drillstar                  1778 V-1Driltrol                   1802 V-1Grant Oil Tool Co.         2328 V-2Regal International, Inc.  5573 V-4SMF International          5803 V-4Triumph-LOR, Inc.          4296 V-3Vereinigte Edeistahlwerke VEW                      6481 V-4STABILIZERS - Sleeve:Canamco Services &amp; Supplies International                      695 V-1Chimo Polyurethanes Ltd.   1279 V-1Christensen, Inc.          5049 V-3Cutting &amp; Wear Resistant Developments                      1351 V-1Darron Oil Tools           1449 V-1Diamant Boart              1551 V-1Drilco Division            1735 V-1Drillstar                  1776 V-1Driltrol                   1801 V-1Eastman Whipstock, Inc.    1867 V-2Grant Oil Tool Co.         2331 V-2Haco International Co.     2387 V-2Norton Christensen, Inc.   5049 V-2Oilfield Mfg. Pte. Ltd.    5167 V-4Oncor Products, Hughes Drilling Equipment                      3031 V-2Reed Tool Co.              5525 V-4SMF International          5798 V-4Security Division          5663 V-4Tri-State Oil Tool Industries, Inc.                      6261 V-4Triumph-LOR, Inc.          4296 V-3Tsukamoto Seild Co., Ltd.  6298 V-4Vereinigte Edeistahlwerke VEW                      6481 V-4STABILIZERS - Spiral Blade:Bowen Tools, Inc.          512 V-1Canamco Services &amp; Supplies International                      695 V-1Cutting &amp; Wear Resistant Developments                      1349 V-1Darron Oil Tools           1448 V-1Diamant Boart              1551 V-1Dreco Energy Services Ltd. 1696 V-1Drilco Division            1735 V-1Drillstar                  1776 V-1Driltrol                   1802 V-1Grant Oil Tool Co.         2324 V-2Griffith Oil Tool Ltd.     2357 V-2Haco International Co.     2367 V-2Industrialexportimport/Petromin                      3603 V-3Oncor Products, Hughes Drilling Equipment                      3030 V-2Reed Tool Co.              5525 V-4SMF International          5797 V-4Security Division          5663 V-4Tri-State Oil Tool Industries, Inc.                      6261 V-4Triumph-LOR, Inc.          4290 V-3Vereinigte Edeistahlwerke VEW                      6481 V-4Wilson Industries, Inc.    6796 V-4STABlLlZERS - Suction:Joy Petroleum Equipment Group                      3773 V-3STABILIZERS - Turbo Lift:Darron Oil Tools           1448 V-1Datadril Division          1453 V-1STABlLIZERS - Welded Blade:A-1 Bit &amp; Tool Co.         103 V-1Bowen Tools, Inc.          512 V-1Darron Oil Tools           1448 V-1Dreco Energy Services Ltd. 1696 V-1Drilco Division            1742 V-1Drillstar                  1776 V-1Driltrol                   1802 V-1Eastman Whipstock, Inc.    1868 V-2Grant Oil Tool Co.         2330 V-2Griffith Oil Tool Ltd.     2357 V-2Haco International Co.     2367 V-2Hendershot Tool Co.        2654 V-2Oilfield Mfg. Pte. Ltd.    5167 V-4SMF International          5797 V-4Tri-State Oil Tool Industries, Inc.                      6261 V-4Triumph-LOR, Inc.          4294 V-3Tsukamoto Seild Co., Ltd.  6296 V-4Wilson Industries, Inc.    6796 V-4______________________________________
U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,647 to Dixon and Crews, which is also assigned to the owner of Drilco, discloses a square drill collar type fixed blade stablizer used for drill bit stabilization and deviation control. As noted therein, stabilizers can be further characterized as non-rotating or rotating. The so called non-rotating types employ a fixed well bore wall protective sleeve member which is rotatably mounted on the drill stem attached stabilizer body and for purposes of the patent invention will be considered a fixed blade stabilizer. Crews combines a fixed blade stabilizer and drill collar in a single tool equipped with field replaceable vertical wear blades received in specially formed longitudinally extending grooves. Such tool is also disclosed in Drilco's "RWP" or replaceable wear pad stabilizer sales literature.
Of particular interest is the prior art illustration of FIG. 1 of the patent which shows six different drill string mounting arrangements of various individual separate downwhole drilling tools such as non-rotating stabizilizers, a roller cutter reamer - stabilizer, fixed blade rotary stabilizers and square drill collars above the drill bit. Each individual tool performs a separate function independent of the others and requires make-up of two threaded connections in the drill string. As the threaded connections are weak points and subject to failure they are necessary, but undesirable.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,609 to Garrett (also Drilco) a flexible threaded end connector is disclosed for use with reamer - stabilizer of the fixed helical blade type with the blades formed on a replaceable sleeve. The flexible connector attempted to protect the threads by preventing leakage and providing proper torque transfer when the drill string is subjected to buckling or bending from compressive loading.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,626, to Balu et al, a releasable mounting arrangement for hardened well contacting inserts or blades to a stabilizer is disclosed. A closed end undercut vertical slot or groove is formed on the tool with a central full non-undercut release opening for the slot. A retainer block having a plurality of spring loaded detents is secured in the opening to maintain the wear pads locked into the groove. Additional back up friction lock means may be provided if desired. In FIG. 13, an undercut groove embodiment for mounting a longitudinally spaced pair of non-lubricated mounting blocks for a roller cutter reamer tool is disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,999 to Garrett discloses a rotating fixed blade stabilizer of the square drill collar type. The field replaceable hardened wear inserts are received in the 90 grooves and are secured therein by bolting.
The shock absorbing tool should be contrasted with the bumper sub which is a slip-joint tool that is used in the string of drill pipe when drilling from a floating vessel to absorb the vertical motion of the vessel caused by wave action. The bumper sub slip-joint is inserted above the heavy drill collars in order to maintain the weight of collars on the drill bit as the drill pipe above the slip-joint moves up and down with the motion of the vessel. The bumper sub is also a term used in fishing operations to describe and identify a tool that imparts a jarring action to the fishing string to help free the "fish". The shock absorber tool is also not to be confused with the drilling jar tool which is used to deliver a jarring impact to free a drill string stuck in the bore hole as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,153 to Reaugh.
The drilling shock absorbing tool is generally formed of two tubular assemblies secured in a relatively movable longitudinal telescoping relationship and which are splined or otherwise restrained to prevent relative circumferential rotation. A resilient vibration dampening means is operably connected between the two tubular assemblies to absorb and virtually eliminate the variable dynamic loading on the drill bit. Dampening is usually provided by mechanical springs, trapped fluid and or gas, resiliently deformable rubber members or combinations thereof which resist the axial compressive stroke. To be most effective the shock absorber is run immediately above the drill bit and below the drill collars. The stabilizer or stiff column characteristics of the shock absorber tool is adversely affected by the necessity for the longitudinal operating stroke or telescoping movement which usually results in a bending resistant weak point in the drill collar portion of the string. As this weakness can result in uncontrolled deviation of the borehole direction it is highly undersirable. Prior effects to correct this weakness have not been commercially successful or accepted with serious reservations.
______________________________________ABSORBERS - Shock, Drilling:______________________________________B J Products, Hughes Drilling Equip.                     3036 V-2Bowen Tools, Inc.         563 V-1Brown Products, Hughes Production Tools                     3047 V-2Canamco Services &amp; Supplies Int'l                     695 V-1Christensen, Inc.         5042 V-3Cougar Tool               1315 V-1Dailey Petroleum Services Corp.                     1360 V-1Dreco Energy Services Ltd.                     1692 V-1Drilco Division           1751 V-1Griffith Oil Tool Ltd.    2357 V-2Hawn Tool Co.             2662 V-2Hunt Oil Tool Co.         3219 V-2Jarco Services, Inc.      3692-3 V-3Mento A/S                 4487 V-3Norton Christensen, Inc.  5042 V-3Positive Action Tool      5453 V-4Security Division         5664 V-4Swaco Division            5945 V-4Triumph - L O R, Inc.     4288 V-3______________________________________
U.S. Pat. No. 3,660,990 to Zerb, et al and U.S. Pat. No. 3,774,731 to Zerb alone disclose shocker absorber tools and are both entitled "Vibration Damper". Both patents now owned by the owner of the present invention employ a rubber elements as a resilient damping means.
A third type provides a relatively "soft" resilient element in a sealed chamber that is pressure equalized. A gas pressure zone is provided in the chamber as a resilient element which results in a soft spring type urging at shallow drilling depths and a hard spring type urging at deeper depths.
The Maurer Engineering, Inc., 2916 West T.C. Jester, Houston, Tex. 77018, undated shock absorber sales literature discloses a relatively short sub designed to be run immediately above the bit having a pressure balanced expansible chamber in which a Belleville spring resilient means located. Use of soft, medium and hard spring arrangements are disclosed to meet anticipated operating axial shock loads. The catalogue further suggests a combination stabilizer/shock absorber tool can be custom tailored if desired for specific applications, but contains no such disclosure.
The Trumph - LOR type Z Dampening Sub at page 4288 of the Composite Catalog employs on all metal resilient springs in an oil bath chamber having a floating piston arrangement which compensates for thermal expansion of the oil filled chamber and downhole hydrostatic pressure. A two stage resilient system employing metal ring springs is disposed in the chamber. One stage of springs is provided with a soft spring constant while the other stage provides a hard spring constant to ensure proper operation through a wide range of bit weights.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of sub-surface tools used in and for enhancing rotary well drilling operations. In particular the present invention relates to a multi-purpose shock absorber tool having lateral bore hole wall support to increase drilling stability. The relatively short shock absorber tool is formed by two telescoping tubular assembly forming a sealed central flow path for the drilling fluid and an expansible chamber. The expansible chamber is filled with a suitable protective clean liquid or gas and is sealed in a manner to control hydrostatic fluid forces.
Preferably, the upper or outer tubular assembly of the shock absorber mounts a stabilizer radial support while the inner mandrel or lower tubular assembly carries either a stabilizer or a reamer for lateral support. By connecting the shock absorber tool directly to the drill bit, optimum stabilization and reaming as well as shock absorbing is obtained. The relatively weak point telescoping section is supported more effectively by the relatively short unsupported length of the shock absorber tool between the lateral supports while positioning the shock absorption as close as possible to the drill bit. In addition, at least two threaded make-up connections are eliminated from the drill collar portion of the drill string.
The upper tubular assembly stabilizer is preferably provided with integral blades, with replaceable blades, or with welded blades although any form of bore wall containing stabilizer may be used. The lower mandrel is preferably formed with a reamer having sealed or non-sealed roller cutter bearings. When a stabilizer is mounted on the lower mandrel it may be an integral or welded blade stabilizer or a removable jacket or sleeve-type that is also retained on the lower mandrel by make-up of the drill bit.
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 892,315, filed Aug. 4, 1986 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,138.
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