US1648039A - Control casing head - Google Patents

Description

I New. 9 'QZ f@ M. T. ARCHER CONTROL CASING HEAD Filed Feb. 1, 1927 2 Sheets-Shen 2 ATTORNEY' Patented Nov. 8, 1927. y

UNITED gSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

MER'JON T, ARCHER, 0F PITTSBURGH, '.PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONAL SUPPLY COMPANY, F TOLEDO, OHIO, .A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

CONTROL CASING HEAD.

- Application led February 1, 1927. Serial No. 165,102.

My invention relates to control vcasing heads for oil wells. In drilling oil wells the hole is in many cases lined with several concentric strings of pipe or casing, the largest pipe being at the top and the smaller sizes within the larger sizes and extending to greater depths, each size being ycemented off at its lower end. As each string of casing reaches the top of the well, means must be provided for suspending theA several strings so that, in case gas under high pressure is encountered, it will not damage the well. The object of this invention is to provide a novel means for suspending the several strings of casing, and Jfor uniting the several.

, strings into a unit which can not be accidently displaced or separated. My invention comprises also the novel idea of'making the base and the string suspending members in lateral sections which may be readily connected into rigid annular members and as readily separated into their constituent sections. Other objects appear hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a control casing head showing my invention, the left side being a side elevation and the right side a vertical section. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 with portions of the casing 5 and the coupling 6 broken away to show the internal structure, the base ring 1a being shown in lateral sections. Fig. 3 is a fragment showing in vertical section a modication wherein the largest string of casing is supported diii'erently from .the manner shown in the other views. Figs. l and 5 are fragmentary vertical sectional views of two other modiiications of the invention.

On Figs. 1 and 2, 1 designates an annular base or ring having the horizontal iange 2 resting on a suitable support, as cement 3, to which it is connected, as'by bolts 4'. The internal diameter of the base 1 is such that it will receive the largest casing' to be used in a well. This casing 5 is screwed into a standard coupling 6 which rests on the intei-nal seat, shoulder, or ledge 7 in the base 1,

a packing ring 8 being interposed between.

the shoulder and the lower end of the coupling. A locking collar 9 surrounds the coupling 6 and has an inturned flange 10 resting on the top of the coupling. It is threaded externally-at its lower end and screws into ltheinternal threads 11 in the base 1 somethe next head or ring 13, the outwardly extending flange 14 at the lower end ot' the ring 13 resting on the corresponding flange 15 at lthe upper end of the base. The pacifing ring 16 between the flanges makes the Joint between the base and the ring i'luidtight after the flanges are drawn tightly toward each other by the bolts 17. The ring 13 surrounds the collar 9 above the threads far as the casing 5 and its coupling 6 are 11 and above the said collar turns inwardly to form the annular roof 18 whose central opening 19 is made of a diameter to receive the casing 5L which has a smaller diameter thantlie casing 5. The upper end of the casing 5a is screwed lnto the coupling 6 which rests on the ring packing 8a on the seat or shoulder 7 on the interior face of the ring 13. Ihe ring 13 .surrounds the locking collar 91l having the inturned {iange 10 resting on the top of the coupling 6EL and provided with external threads screwed in the 'internal threads 11B in the ring 13 somewhat above the packing ring 8a, so that the casing 5a and the coupling Ga are rigidly attached to the ring or headl 13 and the joint at the packing ring 8a is made fluid-tight. The top of the collar 6a is provided with the notches 12a for the applica-tion of a bar or lever. f

The top of the head or ring 13 serves as abase or support for the head or ring 13, the heads or rings being provided with the registering external flanges 14a and 15a, whichr are secured together by the bolts 17a, the packing-ring 16a being seated between the anges. The ring 13 has the annular roof 18a which overhangs the collar 9a and has ico v the coupling to make a gas-tight joint at 5a, and the' lower end of the coupling 6, and

vlateral halves provided with registering ver- .pling are lowered with the casing 5a in the casing 5 until the lower end of the coupling the shoulder 7 a at the said level, the sections the opening 19 to receive the casing 5 so that the couplingl 6I1 rests on the ackwhich has a smaller diameter than .the casl ing 8 on the seat 7n. A pipe wrench olds the coupling 6a while the nipple is being screwed out of the cou ling; the locking ring 9 is applied to the tireads 11a to lock the coupling 6n to the ring 13. The pipe 5" with in 5a.

Ilie upper end of the casing 5" is screwed into the coupling'h which rests on thc packing ring 8" on the internal shoulder lb in the ring 13. The collar 9" (only the lower por-v tion shown) for clamping the coupling 6" to the ring 13u is screwed into the internal threads 11b in the ring 13".

The top of the ring or head 13a may serve as a base or support for another ring for suspending a still smaller pipe 5, or for supporting the usual casing head cap. Any desired number of heads or rings may be superposed in the manner described, for suspending concentric strings of casing.

I prefer to divide the heads or rings into packing ring 8h in the manner already described with respect to the casings 5 and 5a and their couplings,'the sections of ring 13a having been -assembled in an obvious manner around the casing 5a and the locking ring .9a and secured together by the bolts 22 and to the ring 13 by the bolts 17u extending through the lianges 14a and 15a.

As shown in the lower end of Fig. 2, the base 1, may be. divided into lateral sections secured together by the bolts 22 passed through the 4vertical flan es`21 thereon, the base 1a having the divided horizontal flanges 2a. 'Ihe split base provides means whereby the sections 'may be moved laterally beneath the coupling 6 while it and the casing 5 are suspended by -the usual nipple, not shown. In the manner above described other strings of casing may be seated on still smaller rings superposed on the ring 13.

v If referred, each casing and its coupling may e assembled in its assembled ring or head and then all three lowered to their of packing 8 being on the shoulder 7, the places by means of a hoisting device conassembled casing 5 and coupling 6 being susnected to 'the hooks 24. By this method the pended by a derrick hoist attached in the e described nipples are not screwed into the usual manner to a pipe or nipple (not upper ends of the couplings. shown) screwed into the upper end of e In Fig. 3, a ring 25 has a bottom flange 26 coupling 6, the assembled casing and eou' threaded externally and screwed into the4 top pling are lowered lwith the casing 5 inthe of the coupling 6, the inner face of the ring base until the lower end of the coupling-rests being spaced from the casing 5*. The ring on the packin ring 8. A pipe wrench is 25 has the outwardly extending flange 27, connected to tie cou ling to hold `lit from bolted to the flange 14.- on the ring or head turning while the sai nipple is screwed out 13', there being a packing ring 16 between of the coupling. The locking ring 9 is then the flanges. The. collar 9a is screwed on the slid down on the coupling 6 and /screwed in threads 11 on the inner face of the ring 13. the threads 11 until the flange 10 has en- The top of the ring 13 forms a seat for the gaged the top of the coupling and caused next ring or head like 132 15 being a flange on the ring 13 for couplmg the ring 13 to the flange 14a on the ring 13a. The ring 25 has openings, only one, marked 28, being shown, which communicates with the space between the casing 5a and the coupling 6, to which opening an off-take tube like 23 may be attached.

In Figs. 4 and 5 the same reference characters are used as in Fig. 1 where the parts are identical. When the same numerals are used as in Fig. 1 but with different letters, the partsy are similar in structure but those of Figs. 4 and 5 are somewhat modified.

In Fig. 4, the rings 13x and 13y have plane horizontal bases or roofs 18x and.l8y which lie directly on the tops of the next lower rings, the tops of the rings being extended up above the tops of the adjacent locking collars.` This form of the invention is somewhat more easily manufactured, but does not tical flanges 20, to which bolts 22 are applied for drawing the halves tightly together.

The ring or head 13 is provided with a suitable number of later pipes 23 which communicate with the space beneath the roof 18, and the ring 13u has a suitable number of similar pipes 23 (only one shown) communicatlng with the space beneath the roofs 18 and 18a. These pipes and their function are old and need not be further described. The base 1 or 1al being in place, the ring the packing ring 8.

The casing 5a having the coupling 6*?L screwed on its upper end is then suspended from a hoist by a nipple screwed into the coupling 6. The assembled pipe and cou- 6 is somewhat above the level at which the shoulder 7a will be when the ring 13 is placed on the ring 1 or 1B. The casing 5a and the coupling 6a being suspended with a of the ring 13 are moved in laterally so as to surround the locking ring 9, the casing to be seated on the ring 1 or la. The flanges 14 and 15 are fastened together by the bolts 17, and the flanges 20 lare secured together by the .bolts 22. The casing 5 is then lowered its coupling 6* is applied to its seat on the' fifi inn

invention shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 5, the parts are substantially7 as in Fig. 4, except that the locking rings 9x and 9y arc merely plain rings seated on the tops of the couplings 6" and 6b and drawn down on the tops thereof by the bolts 29 and 29'L carried by the lugs 30 and 30 on the interior surfaces of the rings 13x and 13% I claim- 1. In a device of the class described, a ringhaving an opening to receive a well casing and provided with an internal shoulder' io support a coupling screwed on the upper end of the casing, a collar surrounding the coupling and adapted to engage the top'of the coupling and having rigid connect1on with the ring, and a second ring surrounding the collar and attached to the Iirst ring, the second ring having an internal shoulder to support a coupling screwed on the upper end of a second well casing concentric with the first casing.

2. In a device of the class described, a ring having an opening to receive a well casing and provided with an internal shoulder to support a coupling screwed on the upper end of the casing, a collar surrounding the coupling and adapted to engage the top of the coupling and having rigid connection with the ring, and a second ring' surrounding the collar attached to the irst ring, the second ring having an internal shoulder to support a coupling screwed on the upper end of a second well casing concentric with the first casing, the said rings being made in lateral sections, whereby the sections may be assembled into complete rings around the casings while the casings are suspended and the bottoms of the collars are held above the said shoulders.

3. In a device of the class described, a ring having an opening to yreceive a well casing and provided with an internal shoulder to support a coupling screwed on the upper end of the casing, a collar engaging the top of the coupling and having rigid connection with the ring, and a second ring surrounding the collar and attached t0 the first ring, the second ring having an internal shoulder to support a coupling screwed on the upper end ot' a second well casing concentric with the first casing.

4. In a device of the class described, a ring having an openingto receive a well casing and provided with an internal shoulder to support a coupling screwed on the upper end of the casing, a collar engaging the top of the coupling and having rigid connection with the ring, and a second ring surrounding the collar and attached to the first ring, the second ring having an internal shoulder to support a coupling screwed on the upper end of a second well casing concentric with the first casing, the said rings being made in allow tongs to be used as in the form of lateral sections, whereby the sections may be assembled into complete rings around the casmgs whlle the casmgs are suspended and the bottoms of the collars are held above the said shoulders.

5. In a device' of the class described, a ring havlng an opening to receive a well casing and provlded with an internal shoulder to support a couphng screwed on the upper end of the casing, a collar to hold the coupling on the shoulder, a second ring having an internal shoulder to support a coupling screwed on the upper end of a second well casing concentric with the first casing, and a collar to hold the second coupling on the second shoulder, the said rings being made in lateral sections, whereby the sections 'may be assembled into complete rings around the casings while the casings are suspended and the bottoms of the collars are held above the said shoulders.

6. In a device of the class described, a ring having a central opening to receive a well casing and an internal shoulder to support a coupling on thecasing in said opening, a collar connected to the ring and clamping the coupling to the shoulder, a second ring supported on the lirst ring and having a top wallover the said casing and coupling and .casing'within and concentric with 'the first` casing and an internal shoulder around the opening, a coupling connected to the top of the second casing and resting on the second shoulder, and means attached to the second ring for loc-king the second coupling in fixed relation with the second internal shoulder.

7. In a device of the class described, a ring having a central opening to receive a well casing and an internal sioulder to support a coupling on the casing in said opening, a collar connected to the ring and clamping the coupling to the shoulder, a second ring supported on the rst ring and having a top wall over the said casing and coupling and having a central opening for a second well casing within and concentric with the first casing and an internal shoulder around the opening, a coupling connected to the top of the second casing and resting on the second shoulder, and means attached to the second ring for locking the second coupling in fixed relation with the second internal shoulder, the rings being made in lateral sections for assembly around the casings with their internal shoulders beneath couplings on the casings while the casings are suspended.

8. In a device of the class described, a ring having an opening to receive a well casing the eouplin'", and having adjustable connection With 't e ring, and a second ring surrounding the collar and seated on the first ring, the second ring having an internal shoulder to support a coupling screwed on the upper end of a second Well casing concentric with the first casing.

9. In a device of the class described, a ring having an opening to receive a Well casing and provided with an internal shoulder to support a coupling screwed on the upper end of the casing, a collar surrounding the coupling and adapted to engage the top of the coupling and have rigid connection with the ring, and a second ring supported by the first ring, the second ring adapted to support a second Well casing Within and concentric to the first casing.

10. In a device of the class described, a rino having an opening to receive a Well casiang and provided with an internal shoulder to support a coupling screwed on the upper end of the casing, a locking collar adapted to engage the top of coupling, means for substantially connecting said locking collar to the ring, and a second ring supported by the first ring, the second ring adapted to support a second well casing Within and concentric to the first casing.

11. In a; device of the class described, a ring having a central opening to receive a casing'and an internal shoulder around the opening to support the casing, a collar around thev casing and adapted to engage the top of casing and having rigid connection with the ring, a second ring, a seat on the top of the first ring for receiving the second ring, and top and bottom external flangesv for attaching the first ring to its support and to the second ring.

12. In a device of the class described, a ring having a central opening to receive a casing and an internal shoulder around the lopening to support the casing, a collar around the casing and adapted to engage the top of casing and having rigid connection with the ring, a second ring, a seat on the top of' the first ring for receiving the second ring, and top and bottom external flanges for 4'attaching the first ring to its support and to the second ring, the rings being made in lateral sections for assembly around the casings with their internal shoulders beneath couplings on the casings While the casings are suspended.

13. In a device of the class described, a series of superimposed concentric rings of progressively smaller diameters from below upwardly, each ring having an internal annular shoulder for supporting a string of casing, the diameter of the shoulders being such as to pass the casing but not a coupling thereon, and a collar having rigid connection with each ring and ositioned around the coupling supported by the ring and adapted to engage the top of the coupling.

14. In a device of the class described, a series of superimposed concentric rings of progressively smaller diameters from below upwardly, each ring having an internal annular shoulder for supporting a string of casing, the diameter of the shoulder being such as to pass the casing but not a coupling thereon, a collar having rigid connection with each ring and positioned around the coupling su ported by the ring and adapted to engage t 1e top of the coupling, the rings and collars being made in lateral sections so that they may be assembled around the the casings with the shoulders beneath the coupling While the casings. are suspended.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

MERTON T. ARCHER.

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