US2103583A - Well reamer - Google Patents

Description

J. H. HowARD ET Ax. 103,53

WELL 'REAMER Filed June 15, 193 l Patented Dec. 28, 19.37

ED STATES PATENT oFFlcE WELL REAMER Application .lune 15,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a well tool and relates more particularly to a reamer for use in the rotary method of wellvdrilling. A general object of this inventionV is to provide an improved well reamer embodying practical effective means rotatably mounting the roller reaming cutters.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well reamer embodying a plurality of roller reaming cutters positioned and mounted to be operable to enlarge a well bore to a substantial extent' whereby the reamer is well adapted for enlarging the pilot bore or rat-hole of a deep well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well reamer of the character mentioned in 5 which the roller cutters are dependably mounted for rotation in a manner so that they cannot become displaced or lost when the tool is in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well reamer of the character mentioned embodying simple, dependable means for removably or replaceably mounting the rotatable roller cutters. Another object of this invention is to provide a well reamer of the character mentioned in which the roller cutters and their bearings may be handledand easily arranged in position on the shank as units.

Another object of this invention isto provide a reamer of the character mentioned in which the D bearings of the rollerV cutters directly transmit practically all of the operating thrusts and pressures directly to the body or'shank thus relieving.

' the pins of these forces.

Another object of this invention is lto provide a well reamer of the character mentioned in which the legs or caps for, supporting the outer ends of -the cutter mounting pins may be easily and quickly replaced when worn.

A further object oi this invention is to provide 0 a well reamer of the character 4mentioned that is .simple and inexpensive to manufacture and to recondition after use.

The various objects and features of our invention will be readily understood from the following 5 detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description'reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. lis a side elevation of the reamer provided 0. by this invention' showing it mounted above a pilot bit. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View taken substantially as indicated by line 2 2 cn Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary detailed sectional views taken as 5 indicated by lines 3 3 and 4-'-4, respectively, on

1936, Serial No. 85,212

Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view showing a leg or cap welded to the body.

The improved reamer provided by the present invention includes.' generally, a shank or body Ill, a plurality of roller reaming cutters I I and means I2 rotatably mounting the cutters II on the body I0.

The body Ill is an elongate structure or member adapted to be connected in a well drilling string. In practice where the reamer is to be employed for the purpose of enlarging a Well having a pilot bore the shank I0 may be'connected with the lower end of a drilling string andmay be provided at its lower end with a pilot bit. Suitable connecting means are provided at the opposite ends of the body I0. In the particular case illustrated in the drawing a tapered screw threaded pin I3 is provided on the upper end of the body Ill to facilitate its connection with the drilling string and a ,socket I 4 is provided in the lower end of the body. Fig. 1 of the drawing shows a pin I5 of a pilot bit I6 threaded in the socket I4 of the body I0. The bit I6 is in the nature of a drag type bit and is adapted to operate in a rat-hole or pilotv bore to guide the reamer. The body I0 may be cylindrical in its general configuration. In the preferred construction the lowerportion of the body I0 is reduced in diameter to provide the body with a downwardly facing annular shoulder I1. The shoulder I'I is spaced some distance above the lower end of the body Ill. A central longitudinal fluid passage I8 extends through the body I0 from one end to the other to conduct the circulation iluid.

The shank or body I 0 is formed and shaped to receive the cutters Il and the `cutter mounting means I2. Sets or pairs of recesses I9 and 20 are provided in the exterior of the body I0 for this purpose. In the reamer illustrated there are three cutters II and the body III has three circumferentially vspaced pairs of recesses I9 and 20. The recesses I9 and 20 are provided' in the exterior of the body III above its shoulder I1. The recesses I9 arev the uppermost recesses and have nat upper walls. inclined downwardly and inwardly relative to the central longitudinal axis of the reamer. The innerl walls 2l of the recesses I9 are preferablyflat and are inclined downwardly and outwardly being normal to the upper walls of the recesses. A recess 20 is provided immediately below each recess I9. The recesses 20 are somewhat larger than the lrecesses I9 and extend downwardly to the body shoulder I1. The upper walls of the recesses I9 are inclined downwardly and inwardly with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the tool while the inner walls of the recesses 20 are inclined downwardly and outwardly and die out or terminate at their lower ends at the shoulder I1. A partially cylindrical depression 22 is provided in the inner wall of each recess 20. The walls of the depressions 22 are ground or machined to receive bearing parts of the means l2 as will be hereinafter described.l

Flat angular shoulders 23 are provided on the body Il) at the lower ends of the depressions 22.

The cutters I/I are in the nature of roller cutters and are alike in size and shape. The cutters Il are frusto-conical having pitched or inclined peripheries andv flat normal ends. Peripheral cutting teeth 24 are provided on the cutters II. The teeth 24 may be straight or spiralled as desired. It may be preferred to have the teeth 24 of one cutter II straight, the teeth 24 of the second cutter spiralled in a right hand direction and the teeth 24 of the third cutter spiralled in a left-hand direction whereby the teeth of the several cutters cannot track in their engagement with the earth formation. The ends of the cutting teeth 24 arepreferably bevelled oif at the large ends of the cutters II. Each cutter II is provided with a central longitudinal opening 25. A counterbore or socket 26 is provided in the outer end of each cutter II,

The means I2 rotatably mount the cutters II in the recesses 20 for rotation about downwardly and inwardly inclined axes. The means I2 include legs or caps 21 projecting downwardly and. outwardly from the upper end of each body recess 23. The caps 21 have their upper portions received in the recesses I9. The upper ends of the caps 21 are at and bear upwardly against the upper walls of the recesses I9 and flat inner surfaces of the caps bear against the inner walls 2I of the recesses I9. The opposite sides of the caps 21 are parallel and cooperate with the side walls of the recesses I9 to prevent lateral movement of the caps. The caps 21 may be connected with the body I0 for easy replacement when worn. In the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing the caps 21 are secured to the body I0 by screws 28. The screws 28 are inserted through openings 28b in the caps and are threaded in suitable openings in the body I0. The heads 28B of the screws are countersunk or recessed in the outer sides of the caps. The heads 28a are preferably socketed to permit the easy threading and unthreading of the screws. The screws 28 dependably and rigidly secure the caps 21 to the body I 0.

If Adesired the caps 21 may be welded to the shank I0, as illustrated in Fig. 5 of' the drawing to, in effect, constitute extensions or continuations of the body. When the caps 21 are welded to the body I0 they may be welded at their outer sides as well as their inner sides as at 29 and 39 in Fig. 5. In addition to the welding at 29 and 30 the screws 2,8 may also be employed to assist in securing the caps to the body. The inner sides of the caps 21 are nat and substantially parallel with the inner walls'of the body depressions 22. -'The outer lower corners of the caps .21 are preferably bevelled away. Partially circular or cylindrical depressions 3l -are provided in the inner sides of the caps 21. The lower ends of the depressions 3I are open at the lower ends of the caps 21. The inner or principal walls of the depressions 3I are parallel with the principal walls of the depressions 22. Flat downwardly facing surfaces 32 are provided on the lower ends of the caps 21 at the lower ends of the depressions 3|.

The means I2 for rotatably mounting the cutters I I further include bushings or bearings 33 arranged in the recesses 20. The bearings 33 are generally cylindrical and extend through the openings 25 of the cutters II. A radially projecting annular flange 34 is provided on the outer end of each bearing 33. The ilanges 34 cooperate with the depressions 3| in the caps 21. The outer surfaces of the flanges 34 are adapted to bear on the bottom or principal walls of the depressions 3| while the peripheriesof the anges cooperate with the curved peripheral walls of the depressions. The anges 34 are sufficiently thick to project inwardly from the inner sides of the caps 21. Extensions or. lugs 35 are provided on the lower parts of the flanges 34 and cooperate with the surfaces 32. The cooperation of the lugs 35 with the surfaces 32 holds the bearings 33 against rotation and assists in the transmission of thrusts from the bearings to the caps 21. The inner ends of the bearings 33 areadapted to cooperate with the bottom or principal walls of the body depressions 22. A central longitudinal opening 36 is provided in .each bearing 33. A portion 33a of reduced diameter is provided on the inner end of each bearing 33.

The cutters II may be rotatably supported on the bearings 33 through suitable anti-friction bearings. In the particular case illustrated series of anti-friction rollers 31 rotatably support the cutters II on the bushings or bearings The cutters I I are -arranged with their large ends outwardly. The sockets 26 in the large ends of the cutters II partially receive the flanges 30. The flanges 34 operate to space the outer ends of the cutters II from the inner sides of the caps 21. The cutters li are rotatably supported on the bearings 33 so that theirv teeth 24 project downwardly beyond the lower ends of the caps 21 to contact the shoulder of earth formation at the upper end of the pilot bore or rat-hole.

'Thrust bearings or thrust washers are provided on the bearings 33 at the inner ends of the cutters II. In accordance with the invention two washers 3B and 39 are provided at the.

inner end of each cutter. II. The washers 3B surround the bearings 33 to cooperate with the inner ends of the cutters II. The washers 33 are arranged on the reduced portions 33a of the bearings 33 to cooperate with the depressions 22 in the body I3. The outer sides of the washers 39 cooperate with the inner or principal walls of the depressions 22 while the peripheries of the washers engage the peripheral walls oi the depressions. Flat surfaced lugs are provided on the washers 39 and cooperate with the faces 23 to hold Vthe washers against rotation. Antifriction ball bearings 4I may be providedbetween the opposing surfaces of each pair of washers 33 and 39. The ball bearings 4I may cooperate with suitable races in the washers 38 and 39. It is to be understood that the ball bearings 4I are not essential and that the opposing surfaces of the washers 33 and 33 may have direct contact. s

It is an important feature of the invention that the cutters li, the bearings 33 and 31 and the washers 33 and 33 may be arranged in the recesses El) as units. The washers 39 are pressed on the reduced portions 33a of the bearings 33 and the frictional cooperation of the washers 33 with the said reduced portions is sui'llcient to retain the washers 38, the cutters H and the roller bearings 31 on the bearings \33 so that the cutter assemblies may be handled and mounted as individual units. It is to be understood that while the washers 39 are pressed on the bearing portions 33 to retain the various other parts of the cutter assemblies on `the bearings they may be readily removed when desired.

Shafts or pins 43 are provided to retain the bearings 33 and th'e parts carried thereby in the recesses20. The pins 43'are passed inwardly through openings 44, in the caps 21 and extend throughV the openings 36 of the bearings 33. The inner end portions of the pins 43 are threaded in openings 45 in the body l0. The openings 44 and 45 are inclined downwardly and inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the reamer. The inclination of the openings 44 and 45 is such that the teeth 28 of the frusto-conical cutters ll lare substantially horizontal when they come into engagement with the shoulder of earth formation in the well. Heads 46 are providedV on the outer ends of the pins 43 and are recessed in theouter Vsides of the caps 21. The inner portions of the pins 43 are threaded in the openings 45and the heads 46 'of the pins bear on the caps 21 so that the pins serve to tie the lower portions of the legs 21 to the body I9. Ports 50 are provided in the lbody lll and extend from the viluid passage 118 to the upper, walls of the recesses 2U. The ports 5l] operate to discharge circulation uid downwardly againstthe cutters lli to flush them of mud and cuttings.

It is believed that the operation of the reamer provided by this invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description. The cutters il are rotatably. mounted to be rapid and eillcient in their engagement with a shoulder of earth formation in a well bore. The cutters il present cutting edges of substantial length and, therefore, are operable to enlarge the bore to a substantial extent. The means l2 rotatably mount the cutters ll for free independent rotation about downwardly and inwardly inclined axes. The cutters are mounted or supported so that they cannot become lost or displaced during voperation of the reamer. The anges 3i cooperate with' the depressions 3i and the washers 39 cooperate with the depressions 22 to transmit a large part of the thrusts and operating forces directly to the body l0 and caps 21. Accordingly, the pins 43 are not subjected to excessive strain. The cutting parts 2a of the cut- The cutter assemblies mayy be quickly arranged in position in the recesses 2li as units to be secured to the bodyby the pins 43. VThe cutters il, the roller bearings 21 and the washers 38 and 39 with the ball bearings 4l may be assem- ,bled on` the bearirigs 33. The frictional engage-l ment of the washers 39 on the reduced bearing portions 33u is such that the washers serve. to

retain the other parts of the assemblies on the bearings 33. The cutter assemblies maybe readily shipped and handled asindividual units for mounting onthe body Ill. When the parts becomeworn they may be easily and quickly replaced. Upon the removal of a pin 43 the cutter assembly carried by that pin is free for removal from the` body. The assembly may be readily moved out of the lower end of the recess 20. A new or replacement 'cutter assembly-is then arranged in the -recesses and is secured in place by the pin 43. When thecaps 21 become worn they may be easily removed for replace ment. If the legs 21 are welded to the body I0 as shown in Fig. 5, the welding at29 and 30 must be removed with an acetylene torch or other means before disconnecting thelegs from the body. AThe reamerprovided by the present invention is effective in operation and is inexpensive to manufacture and repair.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of our invention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set` forth, but wish to reserve Vto ourselves any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A well reamer including, a body vhaving a recess, a cap secured to the body and extending l downwardly across the outerside of the recess, opposing depressions in the wall of the recess and inner side of the cap, a cutter assembly comprising a bearing having a flange `at one end,

a cutter rotatable on the bearing, and a washer a pin carried by the body and cap and extending through the bearing to support the assembly.

2. A well reamer including,a body having a recess, a cap secured to the body and extending downwardly across the outer side of the recess, opposing depressions in the wall of the recess and inner side of the cap, a cutter assembly comprising a bearing havingy a flange at one end, a cutter rotatable on the bearing, and a washer forcibly pressed on the other end of the bearing to be rigid therewith whereby the assembly may be handled as a unit, the flange and washer beingy adapted to cooperate with the depressions, and a pin extending through the bearing to support the assembly threaded in an opening in the body and having a. head engaging the cap to connect the lower portion of the cap in the body.

3. In a well tool the combination of, a bearing, a ange on one end of the bearing, a roller cutter on the bearing having one end'engaging the iiange, and an anti-friction thrust bearing at the other end of the cutter including a Washer on the bearing engaging the other end of the cutter,

a thrust washer removably force-fitted on the bearing, and a row of balls between said washers, the cutter being held against displacement by the iange and the thrust bearing whereby the assembly may be handled as a unit. y

4. A cutter assembly for a Well tool including, a bearing having a portion of reduced diameter at one end, a radial flange on the other end of the bearing,.a rotatable cutter on the bearing between said portion and. the flange, a thrust washer on the bearing adjacent said reduced portion for cooperating with an end of the cutter, and a second'thrust washer removably pressed on said reduced portion to retain the cutter and the rst mentioned washer on the bearing whereby the assembly may be handled as unit.

5. A welll reamer including, a' body having a recess, a cap extending across the outerl side of the recess, there being opposing depressions in the inner side of the cap and the wall of the recess, a cutter assembly including, a tubular bearing having a ange at one end cooperating with one of the depressions, a roller cutter on the bearing, and a thrust washer pressed on the bearing to retain the cutter thereon whereby the assembly may be handled as a unit, the washer .cooperating with the other depression, and a pin extending through the bearing and retaining the assembly in the recess.

6. A well reamer including, a body having a recess, a cap extending across theA outer side of the recess, means removably securing the cap to the body, there being opposing depressions in Ithe inner side of the cap and the' wall of the recess, a cutter assembly including, a tubular bearing having a flange at one end cooperating with one of the depressions, a roller cutter on the bearing, and a thrust washer pressed on the bearing to retain the cutter thereon whereby the assembly may be handled as a unit, the washer cooperating with the other depression and a pin extending through the bearing and retaining the assembly in the recess.

'7. A well recess and a notch adjacent the recess, a cap extending across tlie outer side of the recess, there being opposing depressions inthe inner side of the cap and the wall of the recess,P a cutter assembly including, a tubular bearing having a iiange at one end cooperating with one of the depressions and a portion of reduced diameter at the other end, a roller cutter on the bearing having one end cooperating with the flange, a free washer on the bearing adjacent said portion for reamer including, a body having a cooperating with the other end of the cutter, a washer on said portion of the bearing cooperating with the other depression, and a lug on the last mentioned washer cooperating with the notch to prevent rotation of the last mentioned washer.

8. A well reamer including, a. body having a recess, a cap extending across the outer side of the recess, there being opposing depressions in the inner side of the cap and the Wall of the recess, a cutter assembly including, a tubular bearing having a ange at one end cooperating with one of the depressions and a portion of reduced diameter at the other end, a roller cutter on the bearing Ahaving one end cooperating with the flange, a

free washer on the bearing adjacent said portion for cooperating with the other end of the cutter, a non-rotatable washer on said portion of the bearing cooperating with the other depression, and an anti-friction bearing between said Washers.

9. A well reamer including, a body having a recess, a c ap integrally joined with the body and extending across the outer side of the recess, there being opposing depressions in the inner side of the cap and the wall of the recess, a cutter assembly including, a tubular bearing having a flange at one end cooperating with one of the depressions, a roller cutter on the bearing, and a thrust Washer pressed on the bearing to retain the cutter thereon whereby the assembly may be handled as a unit, the Washer cooperating with the other depression and a pin extending through the bearing and retaining the assembly in the recess.

JOHN H. HOWARD. ALFRED C. CATLAND.

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