Abstract:
A clamp for supporting an apparatus, such as a pump, a motor, or other mechanism to be lowered into a drill hole includes two coupling halves connected together using a bolts and nuts. Each half has a semicircular interior that forms a cylinder when two halves are connected to each other. Protrusions in the semi-circular interiors mate with indentations in the pump wall to support the pump. Chains or other devices attach to eyelet bolts or to a pivoting bail affixed on top of the coupling halves so that the clamp and the pump may be raised or lowered by external lifting apparatus.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/277,725 filed Jan. 12, 2016 and titled “SUPPORT CLAMP,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to a clamp for suspending pumps and associated artificial lift apparatus. In particular, this disclosure relates to a clamp useful to suspend a pump or motor above a drill hole to permit the pump or motor to be lowered into the drill hole so that fluid may be pumped out of the drill hole. 
         [0003]    After drilling has found water or oil, it is necessary to bring the fluid to the surface. Thus, various apparatuses, such as a pump, a motor, or some other mechanism or device, may need to be lowered into the drill hole. Often a second apparatus, such as a motor, is also lowered into the drill hole to drive the first apparatus. Supporting the apparatuses while lowering them into the hole can be problematic. 
         [0004]    For example, in a typical environment, a long, cylindrical pump is supported by chains or other devices attached to the drilling structure. That support must be secure to lift and to hold the pump lest the pump be lost down the drill hole. Typically, the pump is cylindrical, meaning the support device must include a cylindrical attachment of some sort. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, the support structure for the pump (or other apparatus) must be attachable and detachable from the pump. As a result, prior support structures often included several parts. For example, the pump or motor is connected to, and therefore supported by, the drill mast using some form of a connector, which connector in turn is held on the pump by a series of bolts, nuts, flat extensions, loops, and chains. This supporting structure may be difficult to assemble in the field, and results in numerous small (and not that small) parts, one (or many) of which can be lost, misplaced, or otherwise end up loose on the drilling platform. In a high stress environment, loose metal parts can be dangerous. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present disclosure provides a support clamp that overcomes many of the shortfalls of prior designs. The present clamp quickly and simply attaches to an apparatus, such as a pump or motor, and can be easily detached from the pump or motor. The clamp is simple in structure, has few parts, and the parts are relatively inexpensively manufactured. 
         [0007]    The present clamp includes two generally identical coupling halves that are bolted together when secured to an apparatus, such as a pump. The coupling halves are connected to each other, and mounted around the pump, by lug bolts and lug nuts. A lug bolt may be permanently mounted to each coupling half to reduce the number of spare items or loose parts around the drilling platform. 
         [0008]    Each coupling half is unitary in structure, but may be seen as having three parts or portions. A flat flange on one end of each half has a lug bolt hole for allowing the lug bolt to pass through the flange. When two halves are placed against each other, lug nuts may be threaded unto the two lug bolts to connect the coupling halves. 
         [0009]    An intermediate body portion formed adjacent the flange has a generally semi-circular interior mounting surface that forms a semi-circular cylinder to accept half of the cylinder of a pump or motor or other apparatus. The interior mounting surface includes a protrusion extending radially along the interior mounting surface. The protrusion mates with a circular groove on the pump or motor (or other apparatus) to suspend the pump or motor when the clamp is in use. The body has an exterior side that forms an arc near the flange, but after a quarter circle, the exterior side transitions along a tangent line, thereby increasing the radial thickness of the coupling half. 
         [0010]    A block forms the other end of the coupling half. The block has an inner mating face, and an angled outer face that is an extension of the tangent line. A pre-formed lug bolt bore passes through the block from the outer face to the inner mating face. In one embodiment, an eyelet bore formed in the top of the block permits mounting of an eyelet ring in the eyelet bore with the eyelet ring extending up from the block. 
         [0011]    According to another embodiment, a pivoting link welded to the top of the block holds an upwardly extending pivoting bail. Welding the pivoting link permits the clamp to be smaller, because no eyelet bore is required, and thus the pivoting link may be welded directly or nearly directly above the lug bolt bore. Chains affixed to the eyelet ring or the pivoting bail support the clamp when in use. 
         [0012]    To attach the clamp to a pump or motor or other apparatus, two coupling halves are placed around the diameter of the pump or motor with the eyelet rings or the pivoting bail of each clamp extending towards the top. Each lug bolt bore in the blocks of the two coupling halves is aligned with the lug bolt holes in the flanges of the other coupling half, allowing a lug bolt to be inserted through the block of one coupling half and the flange of another, and a second lug bolt to be inserted through the flange of one coupling half and the block of the other coupling half. Lug nuts are threaded onto the two lug bolts for connecting the two coupling halves. In other embodiments, the lug bolts are permanently mounted to the blocks, resulting in fewer loose parts as well as making it easier to align the lug bolt bores with the lug bolt holes, because the lug bolts may be simply inserted into the lug bolt holes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from reference to the following Detailed Description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a clamp according to one embodiment of the present disclosure supporting a pump or other apparatus on a drilling mast or other support structure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts an exploded perspective view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  depicts a top view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts a side view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts an end view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  depicts a bottom view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  depicts a side view of a second embodiment of the clamp of the present disclosure supporting a pump or other apparatus on a drilling mast or other support structure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  depicts an exploded perspective view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  depicts a top view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  depicts a side view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  depicts an end view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  depicts a bottom view of the clamp depicted in  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  depicts another embodiment of the clamp of the present disclosure mounted to a drilling shaft in the initial lifting position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a clamp  10  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure supporting an apparatus such as a pump  12 . As can be seen, the clamp  10  mounts around the circumference of the pump  12 . The clamp  10  has eyelet rings  14  affixed to each end of the clamp  10 . Removable chains  18  hanging down from a drilling mast or other support structure connect to the clamp  10  by attaching to the eyelet rings  14 . The pump  12  may then be lowered into a drill hole and installed to pump out water, oil, or other liquid or gas. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 2-7  depict various views of the clamp  10 . As can be seen, the clamp  10  includes two coupling halves  20  and  22 . The coupling halves  20  and  22  are typically identical or nearly identical. Similarity allows the coupling halves to be interchangeable, meaning there is only one part to be purchased, inventoried, and employed in the field. 
         [0031]    As depicted in  FIGS. 2-7 , each coupling half  20  and  22  has a top  24 , a bottom  26 , a first end  28 , and a second end  30 . Each unitary coupling half  20  and  22  includes a central, arcuate body  34  with a rectangular flange  38  forming one end and an angled block  40  forming the other end. Generally semi-circular interior mounting surfaces  42  of each arcuate body  34  combine, when the clamp  10  is in use, to form a cylindrical void in the interior of the clamp, the void being sized to fit around the circumference of the pump  12 . 
         [0032]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-7 , each coupling half  20  and  22  is manufactured with a bolt hole  46  through the flange  38  and a lug bolt bore  48  through the angled block  40 . Each coupling half  20  and  22  also has a threaded eyelet bore  50  formed in the top of the block  40 . Typically, during manufacture of the coupling halves  20  and  22 , a lug bolt  52  is permanently mounted in the lug bolt bore  48  and the eyelet ring  14  is permanently mounted in the eyelet bore  50 . Such permanent mounting may take the form of a press-fit of the lug bolt  52 , or of over-tightening of the threads of the lug bolt  52  and eyelet ring  14 , or of applying adhesive chemicals to the lug bolt  52  or eyelet ring  14  just prior to threading the bolt or ring into the respective bore, or of screwing the eyelet ring  14  into the eyelet bore  50  and then welding the eyelet ring  14  to the coupling half at the correct orientation to allow proper loading of the eyelet ring  14 , or similarly welding of the lug bolt  52  into the lug bolt bore  48 . Although these mountings need not be permanent, by making the mountings permanent, the number of parts needed for “building” a clamp  10  is reduced to four: the two coupling halves  20  and  22  (each with the permanently mounted eyelet rings  14  and lug bolts  52 ) and two nuts  54  that are used to secure a coupling half  20  to the other coupling half  22 . 
         [0033]    Although in some embodiments, the diameter of the cylindrical void about in the interior of the clamp  10  may be sufficient to support the pump  12 , typically one or more protrusions  58  are formed on the interior mounting surfaces  42  of each body  34 . These protrusions are designed to mate with corresponding detents on the outer diameter of the pump  12  when the clamp  10  is mounted to the pump  12 . Thus, the protrusions  58  help support the pump  12 . Furthermore, gaps  60  between the protrusions  58  accommodate any pump wiring  62  (see  FIG. 1 ) that needs to be lowered with the pump  12 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 8-14  depict a clamp  10  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 8  depicts the clamp  10  according to this embodiment supporting a pump  12 . Most of the elements of this embodiment are similar or identical to those of the embodiment previously discussed. In this embodiment, however, the clamp  10  has a pivoting link  68  welded or otherwise affixed to the top  24  of each clamp  10 . The pivoting links  68  each hold a pivoting bail  70  that may pivot to extend up above the top of the clamp when in use. 
         [0035]    Thus, as can be seen in  FIG. 8 , the clamp  10  mounts around the circumference of the pump  12 . Removable chains  18  hanging down from a drilling mast or other support structure connect to the clamp  10  by attaching to the respective pivoting bails  70 . The pump or other apparatus  12  may then be lowered into a drill hole and installed to pump out water, oil, or other liquid or gas. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 9-14  depict various views of the clamp  10  according to this embodiment. As can be seen, again the clamp  10  includes two typically identical or nearly identical coupling halves  20  and  22 . Similarity allows the coupling halves to be interchangeable, meaning there is only one part to be purchased, inventoried, and employed in the field. 
         [0037]    As depicted in  FIGS. 9-14 , each coupling half  20  and  22  has a top  24 , a bottom  26 , a first end  28 , and a second end  30 . Each unitary coupling half  20  and  22  includes a central, arcuate body  34  with a rectangular flange  38  forming one end and an angled block  40  forming the other end. Generally semi-circular interior mounting surfaces  42  of each arcuate body  34  combine, when the clamp  10  is in use, to form a cylindrical void in the interior of the clamp, the void being sized to fit around the circumference of the pump  12 . 
         [0038]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 8-14 , each coupling half  20  and  22  is manufactured with a bolt hole  46  through the flange  38  and a lug bolt bore  48  through the angled block  40 . Typically, during manufacture of the coupling halves  20  and  22 , a lug bolt  52  is permanently mounted in the lug bolt bore  48 . Such permanent mounting may take the form of a press-fit of the lug bolt  52 , or of over-tightening of the threads of the lug bolt  52 , or of applying adhesive chemicals to the lug bolt  52  just prior to threading the bolt into the bore  48 , or welding of the lug bolt  52  into the lug bolt bore  48 . In this embodiment, rather than an eyelet ring  14 , a pivoting link  68  is permanently affixed to the top  24  of the block  40 . The pivoting link  68  connects a pivoting bail  70  to the top of the block  40 , replacing the eyelet ring  14 , and dispensing with the need for forming an eyelet bore  50  in the block  40 . Although these mountings need not be permanent, by making the mountings permanent, the number of parts needed for “building” a clamp  10  is reduced to four: the two coupling halves  20  and  22  (each with the permanently mounted lug bolts  52  and pivoting links  68 ) and two nuts  54  that are used to secure a coupling half  20  to the other coupling half  22 . 
         [0039]    Careful comparison of the embodiment of the clamp  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1-7  and the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 8-14  shows that the shape of the clamp  10  of  FIGS. 8-14  is slightly shorter in length than the clamp  10  depicted in FIGS.  1 - 7 . This shorter clamp  10  of  FIGS. 8-14  is possible because there is no threaded eyelet ring  14  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 8-14 . There being no eyelet ring  14 , there is no need to slightly lengthen the clamp  14  to allow space for the eyelet ring threads to go through the clam  10 . Instead, as indicated by review of  FIG. 9 , the pivoting link  68  may be welded directly “above” the bolt hole  46  and the lug bolt  52 . This results in using less material for the clamp  10 , making it lighter in weight and safer. 
         [0040]    Although in some embodiments, the diameter of the cylindrical void about in the interior of the clamp  10  may be sufficient to support the pump  12 , typically one or more protrusions  58  are formed on the interior mounting surfaces  42  of each body  34 . These protrusions are designed to mate with corresponding detents on the outer diameter of the pump  12  when the clamp  10  is mounted to the pump  12 . Thus, the protrusions  58  help support the pump  12 . Furthermore, gaps  60  between the protrusions  58  accommodate any pump wiring  62  (see  FIG. 8 ) that needs to be lowered with the pump  12 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 15  depicts a third embodiment of the present clamp  10 . In this embodiment, the clamp  10  still has the general dimensions of the clamp  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1-7 , but instead of the eyelet bolt  14 , the clamp  10  depicted in  FIG. 15  includes the pivoting link  68  and pivoting bail  70  as depicted in  FIGS. 8-14 . If these dimensions are used, a coupling half  20  from a clamp  10  according to the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-7  could be used with a coupling half  22  from a clamp  10  of the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-7  to support a pump  12  or other apparatus. 
         [0042]    To build a clamp  10  in the field, a worker thus takes two couplings halves  20  and  22 , rotates one of the halves 180 degrees, and places the two coupling halves  20  and  22  about the diameter of the pump  12  with the eyelet rings  14  or the pivoting bails  70  facing upward, making sure that the protrusions  58  align with corresponding detents in the pump exterior surface, as shown in  FIG. 15 . In so doing, the two lug bolts  52  are inserted into the bolt holes  46  of the opposing coupling half. The worker threads a nut  54  unto each lug bolt  52 , tightening the nut  54  to ensure the two coupling halves  20  and  22  will stay attached. As depicted in  FIGS. 1, 8, and 15 , chains  18  are affixed to the eyelet rings  14  or to the pivoting bails  70  (depending on the embodiment of coupling half  20  or  22  in use), and the pump  12  or other apparatus may then be lifted and lowered using any other lifting and support items available or desired. 
         [0043]    The unitary coupling halves  20  and  22  are typically made from high quality steel. However, other materials may be used, such as ceramics or composites or other metals. The decision of what materials to use will typically involve considerations such as weight of the pump, strength of the material to be used, corrosion considerations, and other factors as known in the art. 
         [0044]    Although depicted in the drawings as being generally cylindrical, the clamp  10  could have other shapes or could have various dimensions, depending on the specific requirements or applications involved, such as weight and size and such matters. Hence, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various clamp  10  designs and various lug bolt bore  48  and eyelet bore  50  or pivoting link  68  and pivoting bail  70  configurations exist that meet the functionality requirements of the various pumps and motors supported by the clamp  10 . Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described, those of skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its structures, methods, or other essential characteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive.