Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to protectors for use in protecting tubular goods employed in the petroleum industry having a minimized running profile.  
         [0003]     More particularly, this invention relates to a latch-type protectors adapted to protect encapsulated or bare auxiliary tubing at tool joints of tubing strings, to have a low profile or a minimized running profile to reduce hangup problems, and to provide an initial clamping force to hold the protector in place during installation.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     In the petroleum industry, production tubing is disposed within a borehole for transporting oil and gas from subsurface bearing formations to the surface. This tubing is comprised of elongate sections threaded together to form a production string, the joint thereby formed being referred to variously as a tool joint, coupling, or upset.  
         [0006]     In conjunction with this production tubing, it is frequently necessary to provide a system for delivering fluid media downhole. One reason may be to permit the injection of chemical treatment fluids near the producing formation for enhancing the production, for treatment of downhole conditions such as those involving undesirable corrosion, salt, or scale, and for delivery of corrosion or scale inhibitors, de-emulsifiers, or the like, downhole.  
         [0007]     Yet another reason for providing these fluid delivery systems is for the transmission of fluid pressure to various downhole valves or tools from the surface for purposes of control or the like. Thus, various forms of injection or control lines referred to hereinafter generally as tubing and having internal diameters much smaller than that of the production tubing itself are provided which are disposed radially outward of and adjacent to the production tubing. In some cases the tubing is of an encapsulated variety wherein both the tubing and wire rope (which provides crush resistance from side forces) are encapsulated in an appropriate thermoplastic elastomer, whereas in other applications, the tubing may be of an unencapsulated or bare variety.  
         [0008]     In other situations, electrical cables are routed downhole in like manner to the tubing for monitoring pressure instruments or for providing power for downhole motors or the like.  
         [0009]     One problem with these tool joints and the associated tubing or cables (referred to hereinafter as tubing for convenience) is that they are frequently subjected to damage from contact with surrounding casing or the formation itself, such as when the production string is moved up or down within the borehole. This damage may be due to abrasion or compressive forces against the joint or tubing which often occurs as the tool joint is moved across a deviation in the borehole. Thus, means were sought for protecting this bare or unencapsulated tubing, cable and the tool joints from damage.  
         [0010]     With reference to the accompanying drawings in general, in its most common form this protection took the form of a hollow cylindrically-shaped metallic cover known generally as a tubing protector comprised of half-sections which were disposed circumferentially about the tool joint and the injection or control tubing. These half-sections were hinged longitudinally along diametrically opposed edges by means of two piano-type hinges with mating straight hinge pins. A representative such protector may be seen depicted generally at page 4612 of the 1982-83 Composite Catalog of Oilfield Equipment and Services, published by World Oil.  
         [0011]     A plurality of radially inwardly-extending lugs were disposed on the inner surface of the protector at opposed ends which were sized whereby they could form an interference fit contacting the outer surface of the production tubing or sloping portions of the tool joint itself.  
         [0012]     These interference fits were intended to prevent relative rotational and longitudinal movement between the protector on the one hand and the production and injection or control tubing. Both such motions were frequently the cause of serious damage to the tool joint and tubing, such as the crimping or crushing of the injection tubing, abrasion of the tool joints, etc.  
         [0013]     Although such tubing protectors of various designs afforded some degree of protection, several problems became associated with these protectors. First, the outer diameters of couplings of the commercially available production tubing such as the diameter of the portion of some joints known as the “upset” vary as a function of the specified weight of the production tubing for a given nominal production tubing o.d., the larger sizes of production tubing having greater variations. For example, production tubing having a four inch outer diameter may have tool joints which vary in outer diameter by as much as one inch. However, such widely-ranging variances in outer diameters made the aforementioned critical interference fits difficult to achieve.  
         [0014]     One approach to this problem was to fabricate half-sections of protectors of varying sizes. In this manner, half-sections may be paired in relation to the given outer diameter of the given tool joint so as to provide a custom fit. However, such an approach was found to be commerically impractical for several reasons. First, numerous dies of varying radii of curvature had to be maintained for each weight of tubing to provide the desired nominal inner diameters of the tubing protector half-sections to cover the widely varying ranges of outer diameters of the tool joints.  
         [0015]     Due to the hinging on both sides of the protector, variation in internal diameters thereof to accommodate different tool joints was provided primarily from the different sizes of protector half-sections which were staked. This approach was found to be prohibitively expensive, resulting in high production costs, large inventory levels, and large amounts of capital tied up in stock in order to accommodate the varying sizes.  
         [0016]     Moreover, even for a given specified nominal size of production tubing, manufacturing tolerances, wear on the joints during use, or the like still resulted in oversizing or undersizing of tool joint outer diameters by as much as 0.020-0.030 inches from the specified value. Also the outer diameter of the tubing itself in accordance with conventional industry standard could often typically vary by as much as .+−0.0.031 inches or .+−0.0.75% for tubing up to 4 inches in diameter or for tubing of 4 inches or more in diameter, respectively. This factor made it not only desirable but often essential to be able to custom fit such protectors at the wellsite to achieve the necessary close interference fit.  
         [0017]     Furthermore, the outer diameter of the radially outward sloping portion of tool joints also varied with a given weight of production tubing. Thus for a given such weight, it was not uncommon to see in the field substantial variances in length of these portions of the tool joints. This in turn made it difficult to provide for reliable interference fits between these portions and the aforementioned lugs, which is why it was typical in the industry to provide for as much as 0.060-0.080 design clearance between the aforementioned lugs and the production tubing.  
         [0018]     This, in turn, meant that it was anticipated that the tubing protector would slide longitudinally along the production tubing until such an interference fit contact between the lugs and the tool joint was effected. Whereas a slight amount of longitudinal displacement of the tubing protector relative to the production tubing was permissible without causing undue wear on the tool joint or tubing, such clearance would at times permit relative rotational movement between the tool joint and the protector. As previously discussed, this frequently resulted in damage to the injection or control tubing and undue wear on the tool joint.  
         [0019]     Yet another serious problem encountered in prior tubing protectors was associated with the provision of diametrically opposed piano-type hinges as previously described. In order to effect the necessary tight interference fit, the pins were subjected to inordinately high strains. This was particularly due to the aforementioned impracticability of providing custom fits by means of appropriately sized half-sections alone. Thus installers of the protectors would attempt to make do with the size protector they had on hand, often employing installation or compression tools for compressing the ill-fitting protector sections about the production tubing. This, in turn, frequently resulted in permanent deformation of protector half-sections and hinge pins, thus rendering their removal difficult and their re-installation ill-advised at best and oftentimes impossible.  
         [0020]     In summary, tubing protectors were required to fit wide ranges of tubing o.d.s from {fraction (3/4)} inch to {fraction (41/2)} inches for example. Even for a specified o.d., it might vary by the aforementioned 0.031 inches or 0.75% or more depending upon where, manufacturer tolerance, and the like. Moreover, for a given tubing o.d., the associated commercially available specified tool joint nominal o.d. also could vary by as much as one inch or more.  
         [0021]     Still further, as previously noted, this joint o.d. itself could vary typically by 0.020-0.030 inches due to tolerances, wear, and the like. All of these variations required manufacturers to provide at times as many as 30 different sizes or radius of curvature half-sections of protectors.  
         [0022]     Accordingly, due to all of these ranges and dimensional variances, a latch-type production tubing protector was desired which was easy and inexpensive to manufacture, install, and remove, avoided the need for large numbers of dies, inventories of different parts and the like, and yet reliably accommodated a wide variation of tubing and tool joint sizes.  
         [0023]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,543 disclosed a latch type protector which solved many of this problems. However, problems with this type of protector were also experienced. First, the protector took at least two people to install, one to hold the pieces in place bridging a joint and the other to closed and set the protector. Moreover, the protectors have an insufficient holding for force to resist movement when production tubing is run into well with substantial deviations.  
         [0024]     Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved latch type protector which can be installed by a single person and has a sufficient holding force to resist movement in response to forces in excess of 4000 psi.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     The present invention provides a latch-type joint protector including: an elongate tubing protective member having first and second ends, each end including right and left hinge connectors; a pair of bridging members having first and second ends, one end including a hinge connector and the other end including a latching connector; a pair of C-shaped clamping member having first and second ends, one end including a hinge connector and the other end including a latching connector; a pair of hinge pins adapted to insert into mated pairs of hinge connectors to form hinge connections; and a pair of latch keys adapted to insert into mated pairs of latch connectors to form latch connections, where the C-shaped clamping members are designed to be forced over a pipe one above a joint, one below the joint, and having a sufficient clamping force to hold in place up to about 1000 lbs/in 2  of applied external force and where the protector has a minimized running profile.  
         [0026]     The present invention also provides a latch-type joint protector including: an elongate tubing protective member having first and second ends, each end including right and left hinge connectors; a pair of bridging members having first and second ends, one end including a hinge connector and the other end including a latching connector; a pair of C-shaped clamping member having first and second ends, one end including a hinge connector and the other end including a latching connector and lengthwise extending stress relief/conformance grooves or protrusions; a pair of hinge pins adapted to insert into mated pairs of hinge connectors to form hinge connections; and a pair of latch keys adapted to insert into mated pairs of latch connectors to form latch connections, where the C-shaped clamping members are designed to be forced over a pipe one above a joint, one below the joint, and having a sufficient clamping force to hold in place up to about 1000 lbs/in 2  of applied external force and where the protector has a minimized running profile.  
         [0027]     The present invention provides a method for mounting the protectors of this invention including the steps of positioning a first C-shape clamping member above a joint of the drill string, forcing the member onto the pipe, where the first member engages the pipe with sufficient clamping force to remain in place during normal protector mounting, positioning a second C-shape clamping member below a joint of the drill string, and forcing the member onto the pipe, where the second member engages the pipe with sufficient clamping force to remain in place during normal protector mounting. Once the two C-shaped clamping members have been forced in place, control tubing or cable is fitted into an interior groove of an elongate tubing protecting member. With the control tubing or cable fitted into the interior groove of the elongate tubing protecting member, hinge connectors of the elongate tubing protector are mated with corresponding hinge connectors on the C-shaped clamping members and hinge pins are inserted into the mated hinge connectors to form hinge connections. Next, hinge connectors of bridging members are mated with corresponding hinge connectors on the elongate tubing protecting member and hinge pins are inserted into the mated hinge connectors to form hinge connections. Finally, latch connectors on the bridging members are mated to latch connectors on the C-shaped clamping members and tapered latch keys are inserted into the mated latch connectors with sufficient force so that the protector will remain in place when subjected to a shear force not exceeding about 3500 psi, preferably not exceeding about 5500 psi, particularly not exceeding about 7500 psi, and especially not exceeding 9000 psi. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]     The invention can be better understood with reference to the following detailed description together with the appended illustrative drawings in which like elements are numbered the same:  
         [0029]      FIG. 1A -D are four views depicting one embodiment of a latch-type tubing protector of the present invention attached over a pipe joint of a pipe string inside a cased well; (outies—bridging unit bevels)  
         [0030]      FIG. 1E -H are four views depicting one embodiment of a latch-type tubing protector of the present invention attached over a pipe joint of a pipe string inside a cased well; (outies—bridging unit bevels—interior bumps)  
         [0031]      FIG. 1I -L are four views depicting one embodiment of a latch-type tubing protector of the present invention attached over a pipe joint of a pipe string inside a cased well; (outie, innie—bridging unit bevels—interior bumps partial pattern)  
         [0032]      FIG. 2A -D are four views depicting another embodiment of a latch-type tubing protector of the present invention attached over a pipe joint of a pipe string inside a cased well;  
         [0033]      FIG. 2E -H are four views depicting one embodiment of a latch-type tubing protector of the present invention attached over a pipe joint of a pipe string inside a cased well; (innies—full bevels)  
         [0034]      FIG. 2I -L are four views depicting one embodiment of a latch-type tubing protector of the present invention attached over a pipe joint of a pipe string inside a cased well; (innies—full bevels—interior circumferential ridges)  
         [0035]      FIG. 2M -P are four views depicting one embodiment of a latch-type tubing protector of the present invention attached over a pipe joint of a pipe string inside a cased well; (innies—full bevels—interior spikes)  
         [0036]     FIGS.  3 A-B depict cross-sectional views of a C-shaped members and a pipe before being forced onto the pipe and after; and  
         [0037]     FIGS.  4 A-F depict three preferred embodiments of C-clamping members of this invention with raised elements on an interior surface of the member. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0038]     The inventors have found that a pipe joint protector can be constructed including channel member, two C-shaped members and two bridging members, where the C-shaped members are adapted to be forced over a drill pipe above and below a pipe joint and form fit with sufficient force to hold the protector in place during protector assembly. The inventor has found that having the C-shaped members, the protectors can be installed by a single person without being concerned with the protector falling off the pipe of sliding down the pipe during assembly.  
         [0039]     The present inventor broadly relates to an improved pipe joint protector that forms a protected channel over the pipe joint through which lines can be run, where the protector includes an elongate tubing protective member have an elongate a bluff-shaped contour, a first end and a second end. Each end including two lateral hinge connectors. One pair of lateral hinge connectors are adapted to matingly engage hinge connectors associated with first ends of a pair of bridging members and receive hinge pins to form hinge connections. The other pair of lateral hinge connectors are adapted to matingly engage hinge connectors associated with first ends of a pair of C-shaped clamping members. The C-shaped clamping members and the bridging members also include latch connectors adapted to receive a tapered key when the latching connectors are matingly engaged. The C-shaped clamping members also include vertical extending stress relief indentations and/or protrusions located near the connectors. The C-shaped clamping members are designed to be forced over a pipe above and below a pipe joint and lockingly engage the pipe sufficient with a sufficient holding force to allow protector construction without the need to hold the components of the protector in place while the protector is being assembled. The present invention also broadly relates to a method for installing the protectors on a drill string. The protector is designed to have a minimized running profile.  
         [0040]     Referring now to  FIG. 1A -D, one preferred embodiment of a protector of this invention, generally  100 , is shown attached across a joint  102  connecting two pipes  104  of a pipe string  106  within a cased well  108  including a casing  110  and a casing sleeve  112 . The protector  100  includes a pair of C-shaped clamping members  122   a - b , a corresponding pair of bridging members  124   a - b  and an elongate tubing protective member  126  connected to and extending between the two C-shaped clamping member-bridging member pairs  122   a + 124   a  and  122   b + 124   b.    
         [0041]     Each C-shaped member  122   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  128  at a first end  130  and a hinge connector  132  at a second end  134 . Each C-shaped clamping member  122   a - b  is designed to be forced onto the pipes  104 , one below and one above the joint  102 . The C-shaped clamping members  122   a - b  have an arcuate shape and are designed to tightly engage the surface of the pipes  104  with sufficient holding force so that the remainder of the protector  100  can be assembled without requiring a person to hold the ends of the protector in place while the remainder of the protector is assembled. Each C-shaped clamping member  122   a - b  also includes stress relieving longitudinally extending protrusions  135 .  
         [0042]     Each bridging member  124   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  136  at a first end  138  and a hinge connector  140  at a second end  142 . Each bridging member  124   a - b  also includes a beveled leading and trailing ends  144 . The elongate member  126  includes first and second ends  146   a - b , each end  146   a - b  includes right and left lateral hinge connectors  148   a - b  and an interior channel  150  including a first area  152  for receiving up to four bare tubes  154  and a second larger area  156  for receiving a insulated tube  158 .  
         [0043]     The tapered latch key connectors  128  on the C-shaped members  122   a - b  and the tapered latch key connectors  136  are designed to engaged each other and to receive tapered keys  160 . The key  160  includes a beveled top  162 . The hinge connectors  132  on the C-shaped members  122   a - b  and the left hinge connectors  148   b  on the elongate member  126  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinge pins  164 . While the right hinge connectors  148   a  on the elongate member  126  and the hinge connectors  140  on the bridging members  124   a - b  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinges pin  166 .  
         [0044]     The protector  100  is designed to be assembled by first forcing the clamping member  122   a - b  over the pipes  104  above and below the joint  102 , where the member  122   a - b  hold the pipe with sufficient holding force to allow one person to install the protector  100  without concern of the clamping members  122   a - b  sliding down the pipes  104 . Next, the hinge connectors  148   a - b  on the protecting member  126 , the hinge connectors  132  on the clamping member  122   a - b  and the hinge connectors  140  on the bridging members  124   a - b  are mated and the hinge pins  164  and  166  are inserted into the mated connectors to form hinge connections. Finally, the latch connectors  128  and  136  are mated and the latch keys  160  are inserted. Once fully made up, the protectors  100  are designed to engage the pipes  104  with sufficient holding force to resist movement upon application of an external force not exceeding about 3000 psi, preferably, not exceeding about 4000 psi, particularly, not exceeding about 6000 psi, more particularly, not exceeding about 8000 psi, most particularly, not exceeding about 9000 psi and especially, particularly, not exceeding about 10000 psi. The protector  100  is also designed to have a smaller running profile than traditional latch type protectors as shown in the dashed line  168 .  
         [0045]     Referring now to  FIG. 1E -H, one preferred embodiment of a protector of this invention, generally  100 , is shown attached across a joint  102  connecting two pipes  104  of a pipe string  106  within a cased well  108  including a casing  110  and a casing sleeve  112 . The protector  100  includes a pair of C-shaped clamping members  122   a - b , a corresponding pair of bridging members  124   a - b  and an elongate tubing protective member  126  connected to and extending between the two C-shaped clamping member-bridging member pairs  122   a + 124   a  and  122   b + 124   b.    
         [0046]     Each C-shaped member  122   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  128  at a first end  130  and a hinge connector  132  at a second end  134 . Each C-shaped clamping member  122   a - b  is designed to be forced onto the pipes  104 , one below and one above the joint  102 . The C-shaped clamping members  122   a - b  have an arcuate shape and are designed to tightly engage the surface of the pipes  104  with sufficient holding force so that the remainder of the protector  100  can be assembled without requiring a person to hold the ends of the protector in place while the remainder of the protector is assembled. Each C-shaped clamping member  122   a - b  also includes stress relieving longitudinally extending protrusions  135 .  
         [0047]     Each bridging member  124   a - b  includes ataper latch key connector  136  at a first end  138  and a hinge connector  140  at a second end  142 . Each bridging member  124   a - b  also includes a beveled leading and trailing ends  144 . The elongate member  126  includes first and second ends  146   a - b , each end  146   a - b  includes right and left lateral hinge connectors  148   a - b  and an interior channel  150  including a first area  152  for receiving up to four bare tubes  154  and a second larger area  156  for receiving two insulated tubes  158 .  
         [0048]     The tapered latch key connectors  128  on the C-shaped members  122   a - b  and the tapered latch key connectors  136  are designed to engaged each other and to receive tapered keys  160 . The key  160  includes a beveled top  162 . The hinge connectors  132  on the C-shaped members  122   a - b  and the left hinge connectors  148   b  on the elongate member  126  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinge pins  164 . While the right hinge connectors  148   a  on the elongate member  126  and the hinge connectors  140  on the bridging members  124   a - b  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinges pin  166 .  
         [0049]     The protector  100  is designed to be assembled by first forcing the clamping member  122   a - b  over the pipes  104  above and below the joint  102 , where the member  122   a - b  hold the pipe with sufficient holding force to allow one person to install the protector  100  without concern of the clamping members  122   a - b  sliding down the pipes  104 . Next, the hinge connectors  148   a - b  on the protecting member  126 , the hinge connectors  132  on the clamping member  122   a - b  and the hinge connectors  140  on the bridging members  124   a - b  are mated and the hinge pins  164  and  166  are inserted into the mated connectors to form hinge connections. Finally, the latch connectors  128  and  136  are mated and the latch keys  160  are inserted. Once fully made up, the protectors  100  are designed to engage the pipes  104  with sufficient holding force to resist movement upon application of an external force not exceeding about 3000 psi, preferably, not exceeding about 4000 psi, particularly, not exceeding about 6000 psi, more particularly, not exceeding about 8000 psi, most particularly, not exceeding about 9000 psi and especially, particularly, not exceeding about 10000 psi. The protector  100  is also designed to have a smaller running profile than traditional latch type protectors as shown in the dashed line  168 .  
         [0050]     Referring now to  FIG. 1I -L, one preferred embodiment of a protector of this invention, generally  100 , is shown attached across a joint  102  connecting two pipes  104  of a pipe string  106  within a cased well  108  including a casing  110  and a casing sleeve  112 . The protector  100  includes a pair of C-shaped clamping members  122   a - b , a corresponding pair of bridging members  124   a - b  and an elongate tubing protective member  126  connected to and extending between the two C-shaped clamping member-bridging member pairs  122   a + 124   a  and  122   b + 124   b.    
         [0051]     Each C-shaped member  122   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  128  at a first end  130  and a hinge connector  132  at a second end  134 . Each C-shaped clamping member  122   a - b  is designed to be forced onto the pipes  104 , one below and one above the joint  102 . The C-shaped clamping members  122   a - b  have an arcuate shape and are designed to tightly engage the surface of the pipes  104  with sufficient holding force so that the remainder of the protector  100  can b e assembled without requiring a person to hold the ends of the protector in place while the remainder of the protector is assembled. Each C-shaped clamping member  122   a - b  also includes stress relieving longitudinally extending protrusions  135 .  
         [0052]     Each bridging member  124   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  136  at a first end  138  and a hinge connector  140  at a second end  142 . Each bridging member  124   a - b  also includes a beveled leading and trailing ends  144 . The elongate member  126  includes first and second ends  146   a - b , each end  146   a - b  includes right and left lateral hinge connectors  148   a - b  and an interior channel  150  including a single area  152  for receiving up to five bare tubes  154 .  
         [0053]     The tapered latch key connectors  128  on the C-shaped members  122   a - b  and the tapered latch key connectors  136  are designed to engaged each other and to receive tapered keys  160 . The key  160  includes a beveled top  162 . The hinge connectors  132  on the C-shaped members  122   a - b  and the left hinge connectors  148   b  on the elongate member  126  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinge pins  164 . While the right hinge connectors  148   a  on the elongate member  126  and the hinge connectors  140  on the bridging members  124   a - b  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinges pin  166 .  
         [0054]     The protector  100  is designed to be assembled by first forcing the clamping member  122   a - b  over the pipes  104  above and below the joint  102 , where the member  122   a - b  hold the pipe with sufficient holding force to allow one person to install the protector  100  without concern of the clamping members  122   a - b  sliding down the pipes  104 . Next, the hinge connectors  148   a - b  on the protecting member  126 , the hinge connectors  132  on the clamping member  122   a - b  and the hinge connectors  140  on the bridging members  124   a - b  are mated and the hinge pins  164  and  166  are inserted into the mated connectors to form hinge connections. Finally, the latch connectors  128  and  136  are mated and the latch keys  160  are inserted. Once fully made up, the protectors  100  are designed to engage the pipes  104  with sufficient holding force to resist movement upon application of an external force not exceeding about 3000 psi, preferably, not exceeding about 4000 psi, particularly, not exceeding about 6000 psi, more particularly, not exceeding about 8000 psi, most particularly, not exceeding about 9000 psi and especially, particularly, not exceeding about 10000 psi. The protector  100  is also designed to have a smaller running profile than traditional latch type protectors as shown in the dashed line  168 .  
         [0055]     Referring now to  FIG. 2A -D, one preferred embodiment of a protector of this invention, generally  200 , is shown attached across a joint  202  connecting two pipes  204  of a pipe string  206  within a cased well  208  including a casing  210  and a casing sleeve  212 . The protector  200  includes a pair of C-shaped clamping members  222   a - b , a corresponding pair of bridging members  224   a - b  and an elongate tubing protective member  226  connected to and extending between the two C-shaped clamping member-bridging member pairs  222   a + 224   a  and  222   b + 224   b.    
         [0056]     Each C-shaped member  222   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  228  at a first end  230 , a hinge connector  232  at a second end  234  and stress relieving longitudinally extending indentations  235 , one indentation  235  located near the key connector  228  and the other indentation  235  located near the hinge connector  232 . The C-shaped members  222   a - b  also include beveled shoulders  229  located on each side of the indentations  235 , where the beveled shoulders  229  are designed to minimize protector hangup during downhole operations. Each C-shaped clamping member  222   a - b  is designed to be forced onto the pipes  204 , one below and one above the joint  202 . The C-shaped clamping members  222   a - b  have an arcuate shape and are designed to tightly engage the surface of the pipes  204  with sufficient holding force so that the remainder of the protector  200  can be assembled without requiring a person to hold the ends of the protector in place while the remainder of the protector is assembled.  
         [0057]     Each bridging member  224   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  236  at a first end  238  and a hinge connector  240  at a second end  242 . Each bridging member  224   a - b  also includes a beveled leading and trailing ends  244 . The elongate member  226  includes first and second ends  246   a - b , each end  246   a - b  includes right and left lateral hinge connectors  248   a - b  and an interior channel  250  including a first area  252  for receiving up to four bare tubes  254  and a second larger area  256  for receiving a square insulated tube  258  and a larger bare tube  259 .  
         [0058]     The tapered latch key connectors  228  on the C-shaped members  222   a - b  and the tapered latch key connectors  236  are designed to engaged each other and to receive tapered keys  260 . The key  260  includes a beveled top  262 . The hinge connectors  232  on the C-shaped members  222   a - b  and the left hinge connectors  248   b  on the elongate member  226  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinge pins  264 . While the right hinge connectors  248   a  on the elongate member  226  and the hinge connectors  240  on the bridging members  224   a - b  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinges pin  266 .  
         [0059]     The protector  200  is designed to be assembled by first forcing the clamping member  222   a - b  over the pipes  204  above and below the joint  202 , where the member  222   a - b  hold the pipe with sufficient holding force to allow one person to install the protector  200  without concern of the clamping members  222   a - b  sliding down the pipes  204 . Next, the hinge connectors  248   a - b  on the protecting member  226 , the hinge connectors  232  on the clamping member  222   a - b  and the hinge connectors  240  on the bridging members  224   a - b  are mated and the hinge pins  264  and  266  are inserted into the mated connectors to form hinge connections. Finally, the latch connectors  228  and  236  are mated and the latch keys  260  are inserted. Once fully made up, the protectors  200  are designed to engage the pipes  204  with sufficient holding force to resist movement upon application of an external force not exceeding about 3000 psi, preferably, not exceeding about 4000 psi, particularly, not exceeding about 6000 psi, more particularly, not exceeding about 8000 psi, most particularly, not exceeding about 9000 psi and especially, particularly, not exceeding about 10000 psi. The protector  200  is also designed to have a smaller running profile than traditional latch type protectors as shown in the dashed line  268 .  
         [0060]     Referring now to  FIG. 2E -H, one preferred embodiment of a protector of this invention, generally  200 , is shown attached across a joint  202  connecting two pipes  204  of a pipe string  206  within a cased well  208  including a casing  210  and a casing sleeve  212 . The protector  200  includes a pair of C-shaped clamping members  222   a - b , a corresponding pair of bridging members  224   a - b  and an elongate tubing protective member  226  connected to and extending between the two C-shaped clamping member-bridging member pairs  222   a + 224   a  and  222   b + 224   b.    
         [0061]     Each C-shaped member  222   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  228  at a first end  230 , a hinge connector  232  at a second end  234  and stress relieving longitudinally extending indentations  235 , one indentation  235  located near the key connector  228  and the other indentation  235  located near the hinge connector  232 . The C-shaped members  222   a - b  also include beveled shoulders  229  located on each side of the indentations  235 , where the beveled shoulders  229  are designed to minimize protector hangup during downhole operations. Each C-shaped clamping member  222   a - b  is designed to be forced onto the pipes  204 , one below and one above the joint  202 . The C-shaped clamping members  222   a - b  have an arcuate shape and are designed to tightly engage the surface of the pipes  204  with sufficient holding force so that the remainder of the protector  200  can be assembled without requiring a person to hold the ends of the protector in place while the remainder of the protector is assembled.  
         [0062]     Each bridging member  224   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  236  at a first end  238  and a hinge connector  240  at a second end  242 . Each bridging member  224   a - b  also includes a beveled leading and trailing ends  244 . The elongate member  226  includes first and second ends  246   a - b , each end  246   a - b  includes right and left lateral hinge connectors  248   a - b  and an interior channel  250  including a first area  252  for receiving up to three small bare tubes  254  and a second larger area  256  for receiving an insulated tube  258  and up to two larger bare tubes  259 .  
         [0063]     The tapered latch key connectors  228  on the C-shaped members  222   a - b  and the tapered latch key connectors  236  are designed to engaged each other and to receive tapered keys  260 . The key  260  includes a beveled top  262 . The hinge connectors  232  on the C-shaped members  222   a - b  and the left hinge connectors  248   b  on the elongate member  226  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinge pins  264 . While the right hinge connectors  248   a  on the elongate member  226  and the hinge connectors  240  on the bridging members  224   a - b  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinges pin  266 .  
         [0064]     The protector  200  is designed to be assembled by first forcing the clamping member  222   a - b  over the pipes  204  above and below the joint  202 , where the member  222   a - b  hold the pipe with sufficient holding force to allow one person to install the protector  200  without concern of the clamping members  222   a - b  sliding down the pipes  204 . Next, the hinge connectors  248   a - b  on the protecting member  226 , the hinge connectors  232  on the clamping member  222   a - b  and the hinge connectors  240  on the bridging members  224   a - b  are mated and the hinge pins  264  and  266  are inserted into the mated connectors to form hinge connections. Finally, the latch connectors  228  and  236  are mated and the latch keys  260  are inserted. Once fully made up, the protectors  200  are designed to engage the pipes  204  with sufficient holding force to resist movement upon application of an external force not exceeding about 3000 psi, preferably, not exceeding about 4000 psi, particularly, not exceeding about 6000 psi, more particularly, not exceeding about 8000 psi, most particularly, not exceeding about 9000 psi and especially, particularly, not exceeding about 10000 psi. The protector  200  is also designed to have a smaller running profile than traditional latch type protectors as shown in the dashed line  268 . To increase the holding force, an interior surface  270  of each clamping member  222   a - b  can include gripping nipples  272  distribute randomly or in a given pattern on the interior surface  270 , with patterns being preferred.  
         [0065]     Referring now to  FIG. 2I -L, one preferred embodiment of a protector of this invention, generally  200 , is shown attached across a joint  202  connecting two pipes  204  of a pipe string  206  within a cased well  208  including a casing  210  and a casing sleeve  212 . The protector  200  includes a pair of C-shaped clamping members  222   a - b , a corresponding pair of bridging members  224   a - b  and an elongate tubing protective member  226  connected to and extending between the two C-shaped clamping member-bridging member pairs  222   a + 224   a  and  222   b + 224   b.    
         [0066]     Each C-shaped member  222   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  228  at a first end  230 , a hinge connector  232  at a second end  234  and stress relieving longitudinally extending indentations  235 , one indentation  235  located near the key connector  228  and the other indentation  235  located near the hinge connector  232 . The C-shaped members  222   a - b  also include beveled shoulders  229  located on each side of the indentations  235 , where the beveled shoulders  229  are designed to minimize protector hangup during downhole operations. Each C-shaped clamping member  222   a - b  is designed to be forced onto the pipes  204 , one below and one above the joint  202 . The C-shaped clamping members  222   a - b  have an arcuate shape and are designed to tightly engage the surface of the pipes  204  with sufficient holding force so that the remainder of the protector  200  can be assembled without requiring a person to hold the ends of the protector in place while the remainder of the protector is assembled.  
         [0067]     Each bridging member  224   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  236  at a first end  238  and a hinge connector  240  at a second end  242 . Each bridging member  224   a - b  also includes a beveled leading and trailing ends  244 . The elongate member  226  includes first and second ends  246   a - b , each end  246   a - b  includes right and left lateral hinge connectors  248   a - b  and an interior channel  250  including a first area  252  for receiving up to three small bare tubes  254  and a second larger area  256  for receiving a square insulated tube  258  and up to two larger bare tubes  259 .  
         [0068]     The tapered latch key connectors  228  on the C-shaped members  222   a - b  and the tapered latch key connectors  236  are designed to engaged each other and to receive tapered keys  260 . The key  260  includes a beveled top  262 . The hinge connectors  232  on the C-shaped members  222   a - b  and the left hinge connectors  248   b  on the elongate member  226  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinge pins  264 . While the right hinge connectors  248   a  on the elongate member  226  and the hinge connectors  240  on the bridging members  224   a - b  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinges pin  266 .  
         [0069]     The protector  200  is designed to be assembled by first forcing the clamping member  222   a - b  over the pipes  204  above and below the joint  202 , where the member  222   a - b  hold the pipe with sufficient holding force to allow one person to install the protector  200  without concern of the clamping members  222   a - b  sliding down the pipes  204 . Next, the hinge connectors  248   a - b  on the protecting member  226 , the hinge connectors  232  on the clamping member  222   a - b  and the hinge connectors  240  on the bridging members  224   a - b  are mated and the hinge pins  264  and  266  are inserted into the mated connectors to form hinge connections. Finally, the latch connectors  228  and  236  are mated and the latch keys  260  are inserted. Once fully made up, the protectors  200  are designed to engage the pipes  204  with sufficient holding force to resist movement upon application of an external force not exceeding about 3000 psi, preferably, not exceeding about 4000 psi, particularly, not exceeding about 6000 psi, more particularly, not exceeding about 8000 psi, most particularly, not exceeding about 9000 psi and especially, particularly, not exceeding about 10000 psi. The protector  200  is also designed to have a smaller running profile than traditional latch type protectors as shown in the dashed line  268 . To increase the holding force, an interior surface  270  of each clamping member  222   a - b  can include circumferentially extending protrusions  272  distribute randomly or in a given pattern on the interior surface  270 , with patterns being preferred.  
         [0070]     Referring now to  FIG. 2M -P, one preferred embodiment of a protector of this invention, generally  200 , is shown attached across a joint  202  connecting two pipes  204  of a pipe string  206  within a cased well  208  including a casing  210  and a casing sleeve  212 . The protector  200  includes a pair of C-shaped clamping members  222   a - b , a corresponding pair of bridging members  224   a - b  and an elongate tubing protective member  226  connected to and extending between the two C-shaped clamping member-bridging member pairs  222   a + 224   a  and  222   b + 224   b.    
         [0071]     Each C-shaped member  222   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  228  at a first end  230 , a hinge connector  232  at a second end  234  and stress relieving longitudinally extending indentations  235 , one indentation  235  located near the key connector  228  and the other indentation  235  located near the hinge connector  232 . The C-shaped members  222   a - b  also include beveled shoulders  229  located on each side of the indentations  235 , where the beveled shoulders  229  are designed to minimize protector hangup during downhole operations. Each C-shaped clamping member  222   a - b  is designed to be forced onto the pipes  204 , one below and one above the joint  202 . The C-shaped clamping members  222   a - b  have an arcuate shape and are designed to tightly engage the surface of the pipes  204  with sufficient holding force so that the remainder of the protector  200  can be assembled without requiring a person to hold the ends of the protector in place while the remainder of the protector is assembled.  
         [0072]     Each bridging member  224   a - b  includes a taper latch key connector  236  at a first end  238  and a hinge connector  240  at a second end  242 . Each bridging member  224   a - b  also includes a beveled leading and trailing ends  244 . The elongate member  226  includes first and second ends  246   a - b , each end  246   a - b  includes right and left lateral hinge connectors  248   a - b  and an interior channel  250  including a single area  252  for receiving an insulated tube bare tubes  254  and up to two large bare tubes  258 .  
         [0073]     The tapered latch key connectors  228  on the C-shaped members  222   a - b  and the tapered latch key connectors  236  are designed to engaged each other and to receive tapered keys  260 . The key  260  includes a beveled top  262 . The hinge connectors  232  on the C-shaped members  222   a - b  and the left hinge connectors  248   b  on the elongate member  226  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinge pins  264 . While the right hinge connectors  248   a  on the elongate member  226  and the hinge connectors  240  on the bridging members  224   a - b  are designed to engage each other and to receive hinges pin  266 .  
         [0074]     The protector  200  is designed to be assembled by first forcing the clamping member  222   a - b  over the pipes  204  above and below the joint  202 , where the member  222   a - b  hold the pipe with sufficient holding force to allow one person to install the protector  200  without concern of the clamping members  222   a - b  sliding down the pipes  204 . Next, the hinge connectors  248   a - b  on the protecting member  226 , the hinge connectors  232  on the clamping member  222   a - b  and the hinge connectors  240  on the bridging members  224   a - b  are mated and the hinge pins  264  and  266  are inserted into the mated connectors to form hinge connections. Finally, the latch connectors  228  and  236  are mated and the latch keys  260  are inserted. Once fully made up, the protectors  200  are designed to engage the pipes  204  with sufficient holding force to resist movement upon application of an external force not exceeding about 3000 psi, preferably, not exceeding about 4000 psi, particularly, not exceeding about 6000 psi, more particularly, not exceeding about 8000 psi, most particularly, not exceeding about 9000 psi and especially, particularly, not exceeding about 10000 psi. The protector  200  is also designed to have a smaller running profile than traditional latch type protectors as shown in the dashed line  268 . To increase the holding force, an interior surface  270  of each clamping member  222   a - b  can include teeth  272  distribute randomly or in a given pattern on the interior surface  270 , with patterns being preferred.  
         [0075]     The beveling on the clamping members and on the bridging members and on the key are designed to allow the production string with the protectors of this invention to be run down wells with significant deviations, while minimizing the likelihood that the string will get hung up due to the protector chancing on an interior ridge of the casing or casing sleeve.  
         [0076]     Referring now to FIGS.  3 A&amp;B, a clamping member  300  is set adjacent a pipe  302  at a position above a joint (not shown). A rubber mallet is hit firmly against a position  304  on an exterior surface  306  of the member  300  forcing the clamping member  300  onto the pipe  302  as shown in  FIG. 3B . Once forced onto the pipe  302 , the clamping member  300  holds its position and can only be moved by the application of sufficient force to slide it along the pipe of proper positioning. This force is not so high that the installer cannot move the clamping member, but is sufficient to hold the clamping members in place as the bridging members and elongated member are attached by hinge pins and latch keys. When the latch key is inserted into the tapered latch key connection, it draws the protector at the clamping member up against the pipe with sufficient holding force to resist an external force not to exceed about 3000 psi, preferably, not exceeding about 4000 psi, particularly, not exceeding about 6000 psi, more particularly, not exceeding about 8000 psi, most particularly, not exceeding about 9000 psi and especially, particularly, not exceeding about 10000 psi as stated above.  
         [0077]     Referring now to FIGS.  4 A&amp;C, the clamping member  400  is shown to include raised elements  402  protruding from an interior surface  404  of the member  400 . The raised elements  402  can be of any design raised protrusions such as domes, spikes, squares, or the like. Looking at  FIG. 4B , the raised elements  402  are shown as domes, while in  FIG. 4B , the raised elements  402  are shown as spikes or triangular protrusions. These elements  402  are designed to increase the holding force between the interior surface  404  and a pipe (not shown).  
         [0078]     Referring now to FIGS.  4 D&amp;E, the clamping member  400  is shown to include raised elements  402  protruding from an interior surface  404  of the member  400 . The raised elements  402  can be any designed raised protrusions such as domes, spikes, squares, or the like. Looking at  FIG. 5B , the raised elements  402  are shown as domes, while in  FIG. 5B , the raised elements  402  are shown as spikes or triangular protrusions. These elements  402  are designed to increase the holding force between the interior surface  404  and a pipe (not shown).  
         [0079]     All references cited herein are incorporated by reference. While this invention has been described fully and completely, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described including changes and modification that may be made which do not depart from the scope and spirit of the invention as described above and claimed hereafter.

Technology Category: e