Brushing, Scraping, Cutting Or Punching-type Cleaners Patents (Class 166/170)
  • Publication number: 20090272524
    Abstract: A downhole cleaning assembly and method of cleaning a tubular. Generally, the downhole assembly is connected to a work string concentrically located within a casing string. In one embodiment, the downhole assembly comprises a tool body operatively connected to a work string. At least one pad member is connected to the tool body, with the pad member having cutting technology, such as, for example, hardened elements or “inserts,” (commonly used in connection with drill bits) along certain outer peripheral surfaces of the pad member. Such cutting technology includes, but is not necessarily limited to, Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) inserts, tungsten carbide inserts or diamond bit elements commonly used in connection with drill bit technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Rickey C. Voth
  • Publication number: 20090107670
    Abstract: A tool is preferably landed in a downhole profile commonly found adjacent to seal bores. Once landed, preferably with coiled tubing, pressure in the coiled tubing triggers a switch to power a motor to rotate a polishing cylinder that features spirally wound vanes. A reservoir of resin or other repair material is connected to an injection pump to deliver the material as the vanes are rotating. The material exits between the vanes so that the vanes can spread it and work it into surface irregularities. After the material is sufficiently spread into voids and the requisite polishing completed, the seal bore is again ready to accept a tool in a sealed relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Darren E. Bane
  • Publication number: 20080308269
    Abstract: A tool (2) for washing a wellbore or hollow tubular has a longitudinal axis and comprises one or more elongate nozzles (7) for ejecting fluid generally radially from the tool. The or each nozzle extends circumferentially around the tool so as to provide a continuous stationary jet of fluid. Preferably the nozzles collectively provide 360° around the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Giovanni D'Amico
  • Patent number: 7314083
    Abstract: A rotary jetting tool for connection to a hollow, fluid conducting workover string has a main tool body with a hollow central passageway and a rotatable jet carrier mounted on a depending central shaft. A rotor, with fluid conducting passageways is mounted on the central shaft for rotation and limited axial movement and has fluid flow reaction outlets to urge rotation and axial movement. A striking lug on the rotor cooperates with a reaction lug on the jet carrier to provide incremental rotation and a jet head, with jet orifices directed to impact mineral deposits in the well bore is connected to the jet carrier and houses the rotor, so as to receive and discharge workover string fluid flow through the jet orifices as the jet head rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventor: Leo A. Martini
  • Patent number: 7311141
    Abstract: A casing scraper comprises a plurality of blade modules mounted on a mandrel. The blade modules are identical to each other and have castellated ends which are engaged with the couplers to prevent relative rotation between the modules. By manipulation of a thread protector the modules can be operated in a configuration in which they are free to rotate relative to the mandrel or in a configuration in which they are rotationally fast with the mandrel. Each module comprises a housing in which a plurality of scraper blades are mounted. The scraper blades include shoulders which prevent the blades passing completely through mounting windows provided in the housing and are biased radially outwardly relative to the housing by compression springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rory Tulloch, Bruce McGarian
  • Patent number: 7121336
    Abstract: A cylindrical brush for scrubbing the inside surface of a pipe is made of bristles attached to a springy helix. The diameter of the brush is greater than the inside diameter of the pipe. When the brush is pushed through the pipe the helix collapses and compacts the bristles to scrub the surface. When the brush is released in the pipe, the helix expands and spreads the bristles; thereby aiding in release of debris collected on the bristles during the scrubbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: McGinnis Chemical, Inc
    Inventor: Jerry W. Hatley
  • Patent number: 7049436
    Abstract: Alcohol based hydraulic fracturing fluids useful for treating oil and gas wells are disclosed. The fluids are compatible with carbon dioxide, and comprise an alcohol, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a breaker. Hydroxypropyl guar with a molar substitution of about 1.2 to about 2.2 is identified as a presently preferred polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Greg Niechwiadowicz, Anita C Jerat
  • Patent number: 6775872
    Abstract: A vehicle for traversing a surface such as for carrying out an inspection, survey or maintenance operation upon that surface comprises two bodies interconnected by means to move the bodies towards and away from each other, each of those bodies being supported upon a multiplicity of resilient bristles (13; 25; 32) extending from it, the bristles of each body being mounted in groups upon bristle-carrying members (10; 23; 31) each guided for movement towards and away from the body, and fluid pressure means (25; 22; 34) to effect the guided movement of the bristle-carrying members in at least one of those directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: University of Durham
    Inventors: Ernest Appleton, Neil William Stutchbury
  • Patent number: 6575239
    Abstract: A well cleaning tool adapted for connection to a drill string for removing debris and residues from the inner wall of a well casing, comprises an elongate generally cylindrical member (1) having a plurality of scratching elements (2) in the outer surface thereof. First and second helical channels or grooves (3 and 4) are defined in the outer surface of the cylindrical member (1) between the scratching elements (2), the second helical channel or groove (4) running in the counter direction to the first helical channel or groove (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Ruff Pup Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Allen
  • Patent number: 6546581
    Abstract: A casing scraper for cleaning the internal wall of a tube 26 such as a well casing has at least three, rigidly connected, axially and angularly spaced scraper bodies 12, 14, 16 each with a scraping surface 13, 15, 17. The radial dimension of the scraper at each scraping surface is slightly greater than the internal radius of the tube which it will scrape. When the scraper is fully inserted in the tube bore, the scraping surfaces are deflected inwardly and the axial connection 20, 22 between the bodies is accordingly elastically deformed. Th energy stored through this elastic deformation produces a radially outwardly acting force which presses the scraping surfaces 13, 15, 17 against the wall of the tube 26. The eccentric arrangement of the scraping surfaces, and the axial spacing between the surfaces causes the parts of the scraper connecting the scraping surfaces to be placed in bending when the scraper is in place within the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Pilot Drilling Control Limited
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Matthew Clubb
  • Patent number: 6530429
    Abstract: A cleaning tool (1) for cleaning casing within a wellbore is comprised of an upper (3) and lower (4) sleeve which are mounted via ball bearings (5) on a work string (2). The ball bearings enable the upper (3) and lower (4) sleeves to have no or negligible rotational movement notwithstanding rotation of the work string (2). The upper (3) and lower (4) sleeve limit the axial movement of the cleaning tool (1) along the work string (2). The cleaning tool (1) is further comprised of at least one lantern (6) which supports the plurality of cleaning member (7) which may be brushes or scraping blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: SPS-AFOS Group Limited
    Inventor: Paul David Howlett
  • Patent number: 6523615
    Abstract: A method of producing fluids from a well bore by polishing the inside diameter surface of a down-hole tubular. The method includes the steps of providing a down-hole tubular having an inside diameter and being made of a carbon steel alloy or a high chromium alloy, preparing an inside diameter surface of the down-hole tubular, subjecting the inside diameter surface to an electropolishing treatment to produce a smooth surface being slick and essentially non-stick, locating the down-hole tubular within the well bore adjacent a fluid-producing formation, and producing the fluids through the inside diameter of the down-hole tubular. The electropolishing treatment can also be applied to the inside diameter surfaces of carbon steel drill pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: John Gandy Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Gandy, Roger E. Ethridge, Charlie R. Mauldin
  • Patent number: 6523612
    Abstract: One or more brush bodies fabricated from an incompressible material, for example, from high density polyurethane, high density polyethylene, high density polypropylene, nylon, ORLON—synthetic forming polymers and copolymers of acrylic acid or its derivatives, high density plastics, phenolic resin-based materials hard rubber, wood, aluminum, or other easily drillable metals, are connected to, or integrally fabricated with one or more elastomeric, conventional cement plugs, and are pumped down within the interior of oilfield casing situated within an earth borehole, to minimize or eliminate the need to run a workstring of drillpipe and drill bit to clean out the interior of the string of casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: James Scott Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6455483
    Abstract: A well stimulation and purging composition which is typically used in well cleanup, well stimulation and formation purging applications for enhancing oil and gas production. The composition is a cationic surfactant characterized by a homogenous aqueous solution of a coco diamine amido benzyl chloride type quaternary compound, phosphate chelator/ester, isopropanol anhydrous, ammonium bisulfide, and potassium chloride or a clay stabilizer formulation, and aids in extracting water and condensate from wells and dissipates, disperses and retards bacterial growth and buildup of iron sulfide, iron oxide, calcium and salt. The composition is applied to the wells in order to clear the water and condensate and significantly enhance total well production by chelating minerals such as salt, iron and calcium; retarding bacterial growth; and flocculating and foaming the water, condensate and solids from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Charles C. Carey
  • Publication number: 20020023748
    Abstract: A downhole tool for cleaning internal surfaces of subsea drilling rig equipment, including drilling risers, blowout preventor assemblies and wellhead assemblies, as well as for retrieving wear bushings, comprising an elongated support body, at least a pair of scraper blades and wash ports. A unique method of cleaning internal surfaces of subsea drilling rig equipment and retrieving a wear bushing in a single operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: Gregory D. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6343648
    Abstract: A down-hole tool for use in an oil or gas well is provided with detachable components that are held to a body or tool housing by longitudinal mechanical fasteners disposed in a generally radial orientation. The mechanical fasteners allow for the components to be quickly removed and refurbished or replaced, while also permitting radial movement or floating of the components during operation of the tool. A spring may be incorporated to bias the components in a radial outward direction during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Specialised Petroleum Services Limited
    Inventors: Mark Carmichael, Paul Howlett
  • Publication number: 20010042623
    Abstract: One or more brush bodies fabricated from an incompressible material, for example, from high density polyurethane, high density polyethylene, high density polypropylene, nylon, Orlon*, high density plastics, phenolic resin-based materials hard rubber, wood, aluminum, or other easily drillable metals, are connected to, or integrally fabricated with one or more elastomeric, conventional cement plugs, and are pumped down within the interior of oilfield casing situated within an earth borehole, to minimize or eliminate the need to run a workstring of drillpipe and drill bit to clean out the interior of the string of casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: James Scott Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20010037882
    Abstract: A centralised segment (1) comprising a first collar portion (3), a second collar portion (5), and bows (7) extending between the first collar portion (3) and the second collar portion (5). First connectors (9) are provided at first locations of the first collar portion (3) and the second collar portion (5), respectively. Second connectors (11) are provided at second locations of the first collar portion (3) and the second collar portion (5), respectively. The first connectors (9) are engageable with the second connectors (11) of the same or another centraliser segment (1). In this way, one or more centraliser segments (1) are connectable together to form a centraliser around a borehole casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: Kwik-Zip Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian Robert Linaker
  • Patent number: 6302201
    Abstract: A downhole tool for cleaning internal surfaces of subsea drilling rig equipment, including drilling risers, blowout preventor assemblies and wellhead assemblies, as well as for retrieving wear bushings, comprising an elongated support body, at least a pair of scraper blades and wash ports. A unique method of cleaning internal surfaces of subsea drilling rig equipment and retrieving a wear bushing in a single operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Gregory D. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6227291
    Abstract: A well cleaning tool for cleaning the inside walls of a well casing has at least two types of cleaning members; for example it may have a row of scraper blades and a row of brushes. The tool may also include one or more rotatable stabilizers that serve to maintain contact of the tool with the internal casing walls. The tool provides for obtaining the benefits of different types of cleaning members from a single trip into a well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Specialised Petroleum Services Limited
    Inventors: Mark Carmichael, Paul Howlett
  • Patent number: 6190090
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a pipeline is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing through which pipeline fluids may enter from the rear of the housing, pass through the housing and subsequently exit from the housing. A first bonnet, having several openings, is mounted at the front of the housing on a shaft which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A second bonnet is mounted on the housing and fits over the first bonnet. The second bonnet has openings which, when aligned with the openings in the first bonnet, permit the flow of pipeline fluid out of the housing in various directions. The first bonnet is movable in relation to the second bonnet so as to vary the degree of alignment of the openings in the bonnets. By varying the degree of alignment of the openings in the bonnets, the flow of fluids through the housing is regulated so as to control the speed of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tuboscope Pipeline Services Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Clinton Campbell, Brian Varney
  • Patent number: 6148921
    Abstract: The invention features an offshore oil installation (1) comprising two mounting plates (6, 8) resting on the ocean bed, each mounting plate (6, 8) supporting a manifold (10; 10') connected at two ends with two respective terminal joining pieces of flexible pipe section (5, 7; 7, 9) fixed to the manifold (10; 10') substantially in the extension of each other, each manifold (10; 10') further comprising a flange for sealed joining with a pipe (12) coming from an underwater structure such as a wellhead (2; 3), the manifold (10; 10') of the two supporting plates (6; 8) being interconnected at one end by a flexible pipe section (7) and connected at the other end by two respective pipe sections (5, 9) to a surface extracting installation (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Coflexip
    Inventors: Herve Jean Albert Marcel Valla, Pierre Henri Vasseur
  • Patent number: 6079498
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and equipment to assist the flow of offshore oil production. At least three production flow lines are used, which are interconnected close to offshore well-heads or manifolds forming two U-shaped lengths of pipe acting as circuits for passage of the hydrocarbon mixture produced. A mechanical interface is periodically inserted into one flow line of the U-shaped branches of pipe and, driven by a volume of pressurized gas, travels along the one from among the two U-shaped pipe length to return to a gathering center. In its passage it pushes along the volume of hydrocarbon mixture which has accumulated in the flow lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras
    Inventors: Paulo Cesar Ribeiro Lima, Divonsir Lopes, Fernando Antonio Costa Sidrim
  • Patent number: 6076603
    Abstract: A method of removing paraffin from a wellbore at a well site having production tanks includes the following steps of heating a scraper to at least about the melting temperature of paraffin; lowering the scraper into a wellbore and below a paraffin accumulation; pulling the scraper and paraffin upward into a lubricator means above a production tree; and using hot fluid and by manipulating valves, causing the paraffin to move from the lubricator means into a tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Perry Perrin
  • Patent number: 6032929
    Abstract: A hydraulically-operated hoist is disclosed. The hoist includes a plurality of hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangements, each having an upper end. Two guide rails are disposed in parallel with the hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangements. A self-aligning yoke is connected between the upper ends of the hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangements and is raised and lowered along the two guide rails by the hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangements. The yoke comprises a beam with the two ends. An arm is connected to each end of the beam, extends obliquely upward from the beam, and terminates in a remote end rotatably connected to the upper ends of the hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangements. At least two sheaves are rotatably connected to the beam, each of which are capable of running its own wire line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Maritime Hydraulics AS
    Inventor: Per Vatne
  • Patent number: 5884700
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the production tubing string of a flowing gas well is disclosed. The method includes introducing treatment fluid into the wellhead end of the production tubing string, allowing an applicator fall through the production tubing string thus applying a first coating of treatment fluid and retracting the applicator thus applying a second coating of the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Texaco Inc
    Inventors: Thomas H. Cook, Donald A. Branton, Ray D. Hudgins
  • Patent number: 5732774
    Abstract: An improved pipe wiping device is set forth which incorporates from an upper end fishing neck, a threaded connection for a central mandrel and multiple pipe wiping elements which are formed of flat resilient sheet material cut in circular fashion and having notches therein. The pipe wiping elements are alternately spaced so that the notches in the pipe wiping elements are overlapped above or below by protruding pipe wiping elements. Enlarged and elongated spacers are positioned between adjacent pipe wiping elements. The central mandrel terminates at a flexible coupling formed of resilient material or a spring. It then connects with a buoyant chamber there below to cause the device to float in the drill mud in the pipe string as the pipe string is pulled from the well borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Archie K. Haggard
  • Patent number: 5372191
    Abstract: A device comprises cleaning heads 4,5 mounted on a shaft for free rotation. On sinking and elevating the device on a tractive member, in a liquid up-current, the heads start rotating in different sides. Cutting elements--knives--having an involute profile and arranged on oppositely directed spiral paths cut the deposits. On descent, cutting collars of said knives situated in the lower portion on head perform "rough" cutting, the knives of both heads crush the cuts and chips, and cutting collars in the upper portion of the upper head carry out the "finishing" of the internal surface of an uptake pipe. The given mathematical relations defining the ratio of parameters of the device elements are as follows: the heights of heads and an angle of attack of knives, the lengths of the shaft and a stabilizer, their mass, the length of the pitch of knives and the diameter of the heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Alexei A. Efimkin
  • Patent number: 5267616
    Abstract: A process for running scrapers for subsea petroleum well lines has, according to a first embodiment, launching of a scraper through the line to be disobstructed, towards the wellhead on a step-by-step basis. The operation proceeds by sending the scraper along successively larger sections via reversing flow through the obstructed line to limit passage of the scraper to that obstructed line, until the whole line is swept. Furthermore, according to a second embodiment, the process consists of the launching of one or more scrapers from a chamber installed in the subsea production system, towards the platform, sweeping only the whole obstructed line, all at once. Preferably one or more scrapers are launched from a chamber installed in the subsea equipment towards the surface platform and sweeping the entirety of a first obstructed line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventors: Jose E. M. D. Silva, Marco A. N. Herdeiro, Ricardo W. Capplonch, Luiz V. A. P. Miranda
  • Patent number: 5238061
    Abstract: A gas operated apparatus having a gas supply supplying gas power, a stabilizer for aligning the apparatus in a well, a gas powered motor connected to the conduit for actuating the motor and a bit driven by the motor for rotating in a well. The motor includes a gas inlet, a pressure regulator, a governor, a vane rotor and stator, planetary gears and a power output for rotating the bit at a proper rpm and torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Camco International Inc.
    Inventors: Louis A. Strihafka, Howard E. Johnson, Jr., Brian K. Moore
  • Patent number: 5168929
    Abstract: An oil well tool and method for its use for removing accumulated deposits along an oil well tubing in a downhole pump operated oil well is disclosed. The tool when in use is untethered and adapted to be lowered through an oil well tubing under its own weight and the forces of gravity. The tool includes: a heating and scraping portion that removes the deposits as the tool is lowered through the tubing, a set of seals for preventing pumped fluids from passing through or around the tool, and a mechanism for setting the seals at a desired location along the tubing. With the seals set and the pump operating, the tool is raised up through the well tubing with the pumped fluids to a wellhead storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Inventor: Dale R. Galloway
  • Patent number: 5127125
    Abstract: A pipeline scraper comprising an elongated scraper body of preferably elastomeric solid material, having at least one annular sealing surface on both sides of a section having a smaller diameter, the distance between the sealing surfaces being equal to or smaller than the internal diameter of the pipeline, whereby on both sides of the section having a smaller diameter, at least one annular ridge-like, radial lip is provided which has a height which is at most a fifth to a tenth of the radius of the scraper body in the area of the sealing lip, with the distance of the scraper body from the pipeline in the area of the sealing lip corresponding to the 0.5- to 0.75-fold of the height of the lip and the sealing lip being formed and dimensioned such that upon getting into contact with the pipeline wall it is deflected and bent-off, respectively, such that the associated edge and the lateral face of the sealing lip get into contact with the pipeline wall, however, still leave a space to the scraper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: I.S.T. Molchtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Skibowski
  • Patent number: 5113544
    Abstract: A pig which may be propelled by fluid flow through a pipeline includes a cupped or hollow spherical head having an inside and an outside. The head has an opening for facing upstream and receiving fluid flow in the pipeline and has an outside for facing downstream and for contacting the inside walls of the pipeline. An elongate tail has a first end connected to the inside of the head and a second end extending out of the opening. The tail is of smaller diameter than the opening and has a length greater than about 1.5 times the largest internal diameter of the pipeline. A first fastener is provided on the outside of the head and a second fastener is provided on the second end of the tail. The fasteners are used to connect multiple pigs end-to-end and to attach objects, such as pipeline cleaning and maintenance equipment, to the pig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventor: Brian C. Webb
  • Patent number: 5058668
    Abstract: In well pumping apparatus in which a polished rod is arranged for extension through a stuffing box at the upper end of a wellhead, the stuffing box assembly having a pair of axially spaced bearing assemblies and packing coils positioned between rod guide members at either end of the assembly to guide the polished rod for reciprocal movement along a vertical path through the wellhead. Each rod guide member is composed of an inert material and provided with a liner portion occupying the annular space between an exposed end of the stuffing box and the polished rod in such a way as to retain alignment of the polish rod in its reciprocal movement through the stuffing box. In a modified form, the lowermost liner portion has scraper rings mounted in internal grooves to remove scale build-up on the polished rod, reduce packing wear and minimize leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Inventor: Hille Newton
  • Patent number: 5012866
    Abstract: A wiping tool for free fall in a drill stem is disclosed. The wiping tool is adapted to be dropped in the drill stem to wipe the inner wall. It is constructed with an elongate mandrel terminating at upper and lower subs. The upper sub supports a fishing neck and the lower sub encloses a check valve assembly. Adjustable weight means are affixed to the lower sub. Wiping is accomplished by an elongate sleeve having narrow upper and lower ends slideably mounted on the central mandrel, and the sleeve is enlarged at central portions to a diameter sufficient to wipe the wall of internal upset pipe, and wherein said sleeve is resilient, and is therefore able to reduce in diameter on passing through an internal upset and resiliently restores to the initial diameter after passing through the upset. A closed system stores incompressible fluid to keep the sleeve filled and inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventor: Uvon Skipper
  • Patent number: 4937907
    Abstract: A cleaning plug assembly for cleaning condenser and heat exchanger tubes and the like is disclosed. The plug is adapted to be propelled through a tube by fluid pressure injected into the tube, and includes an elongated body supporting annular rings extending radially outwardly for contacting the inner surface of a tube. The rings are selectively removable from the body of the plug and are formed to circumferentially contract and expand within the tube to be cleaned. The rings are secured against free rotation on the plug body by projections formed in circumferential grooves formed on the body for receiving the rings. The projections are sized to allow contraction of the rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Inventor: Michael P. Antal
  • Patent number: 4923011
    Abstract: A wiping tool for free fall in a drill stem is disclosed. The wiping tool is adapted to be dropped in the drill stem to wipe the inner wall. It is constructed with an elongate mandrel terminating at upper and lower subs. The upper sub supports a fishing neck and the lower stub encloses a check valve assembly. Adjustable weight means are affixed to the lower sub. Wiping is accomplished by an elongate sleeve having narrow upper and lower ends slideably mounted on the central mandrel, and said sleeve is enlarged at central portions to a diameter sufficient to wipe the wall of internal upset pipe, and wherein said sleeve is resilient, and is therefore able to reduce in diameter on passing through an internal upset and resiliently restores to the initial diameter after passing through the upset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventor: Uvon Skipper
  • Patent number: 4921046
    Abstract: A well clean-out tool comprising a ported nipple, thimble, packer cup, packer cup mandrel and an inner mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Caskey
  • Patent number: 4896720
    Abstract: The inside wall surface of a wall casing or tubing string is cleaned by providing an apparatus including a resilient flanged plug member and an elongated body having plural helical wraps of wire bristles disposed on the exterior surface thereof for engagement with the casing wall to provide a scraping and cleaning action. The apparatus is typically employed to clean the interior of the casing concurrent with displacing a column of cement composition through the casing for use in cementing the casing in place in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Mark W. DeRouen
  • Patent number: 4844165
    Abstract: A TFL assembly is disclosed for use in a dual diameter flow-line/riser system which includes a small diameter flow-line section and a large diameter riser section. The assembly comprises a pig fitting in the small diameter flow-line section and a pig catching tool fitting in the large diameter riser section. The pig catching tool comprises a central opening which is sealed off by the pig upon joining said pig and tool after entry of the pig from the small diameter flow-line section into the large diameter riser section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Jan Van Der Steeg
  • Patent number: 4683946
    Abstract: A self contained vehicle is disclosed for the installation of a endless belt type oil well evacuation system, and for the modification of previously installed systems. The vehicle is provided with lifting means and rotational supply means for the endless belt in order to facilitate the feeding out and taking in of the belt material. The rotational supply means is provided with an automatic tension adjustment mechanism to avoid excess slack in handling the endless belt. A transverse adjustment mechanism is also provided to allow the endless belt to be lined up with the well head. Also disclosed is a drive unit to provide means for holding and driving the endless belt while installing or modifying the evacuation system. The belt is provided with a number of cups or transport units which are essentially three sided. One side of the cup is preferably soft and pliable in order to facilitate the evacuation of the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Strategic Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Jones
  • Patent number: 4629004
    Abstract: A plunger lift is adapted to be disposed in a well tubing string for slidable movement in relation to the tubing string in response to lift pressure. The plunger lift is an integral, one-piece unit that comprises a generally cylindrical, elongated shaft having an external, spirally extending coil machined in fixed relation to the external surface of the shaft. The spiral coil is disposed on the shaft such that an oblique angle is formed by the coil and a line perpendicular to the shaft. The coil is defined by a radially and outwardly projecting web terminating in an outer rim which is directed downwardly in an axial direction away from the web to form an undercut or recessed portion beneath the web. The coil traverses the major length of the shaft for advancement of well fluids therealong. A choke passage is provided in the shaft so that fluid is able to pass upwardly through the plunger lift for the selective withdrawal of fluids from the upper end of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Inventor: Billy W. Griffin
  • Patent number: 4612986
    Abstract: A well cleaning apparatus and method of treating a well includes a generally tubular implement which has a first section with adjustable, radially extending cables, and a second section with cable loops extending outward, a bottom cone-shaped plug and a top plug. The first section cables can be anchored by rotating or sliding a crimping tube therein, or by molten material poured therein. The second section cable length can be adjusted by a sliding base bracket. The first section chops up scale, sludge and tar while the second section cables sweep them away. The method includes these steps, as well as steaming the casing at high pressure and low water volume to aid cleaning, and stimulate formation flow without creating sand bailing problems. The apparatus can be attached to the bottom of a well pump, with several first sections spaced along the length of the work string of the pump to enable cleaning of the entire well casing by a limited upward and downward movement of the entire assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Inventors: Frank D. Fosdick, Jr., Jerald L. Browder
  • Patent number: 4603739
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for using an internal casing wiper tool 10 to wipe the casing sides 10 of a well bore hole 30 in order to remove debris 60 contained thereon and further to remove debris 60 contained in fluid found in the bore hole 30. The tool includes a first chamber 210 for collecting larger sized pieces 430 of debris 60 and a second chamber 300 for collecting the smaller sized pieces 440 of debris 60 as the tool is lowered into the well bore hole 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: Michael E. Krugh
  • Patent number: 4580635
    Abstract: A direct acting slug and wipe tool for use in drill pipe in drilling operations effects a cleaning operation by placing a rib inflated bladder in contact with the inside surface of a drill pipe in connection with a free floating pneumatic chamber. The inflatable bladder is toroidal and circumferentially disposed about and communicates with a sealed and closed chamber filled with a fixed amount or mass of gas. Weights may be added to the wiper in order to fix its equilibrium floating position. The wiper with the inflatable bladder is able to wipe the interior of the drill pipe even through those portions having a reduced inner diameter, such as at the drill pipe joints. Thus, as the drill pipe is tripped, the slug and wipe tool is longitudinally displaced with respect to the drill pipe through a plurality of drill pipe sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Norton Christensen, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, Craig R. Hyland
  • Patent number: 4515212
    Abstract: The invention provides for an improved internal casing wiper tool 10 designed to wipe the casing sides 10 of a well bore hole 30 in order to remove debris 60 contained thereon and further to remove debris 60 contained in fluid found in the bore hole 30. The tool of the present invention includes a first chamber 210 for collecting larger sized pieces 430 of debris 60 and a second chamber 300 for collecting the smaller sized pieces 440 of debris 60 as the tool is lowered into the well bore hole 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: Michael E. Krugh
  • Patent number: 4418747
    Abstract: A shuttle assembly is provided which includes a spring cleaning element secured at each end to mounting members which are freely slideable on a longitudinal axial rod. The rod is longer than the cleaning element in its normal extended position so that the cleaning element can shuttle back and forth on the rod. Stop members are secured to the end portions of the rod. When either rod end engages a capturing device at the end of a heat exchanger tube, inertia causes the cleaning element to slide forwardly until the adjacent mounting member tappingly engages the adjacent stop member of the assembly, causng undesirable material on the cleaning element to drop off. The mounting members are of a lesser O.D. (Outside Diameter) than the I.D. (Inside Diameter) of the pipe and are also of a lesser O.D. than the O.D. of the normally extended cleaning element. The O.D. of the cleaning element is such as to allow for transverse rattling engagement with the inner tube wall during shuttling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Water Services of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter J. Baron, Laird C. Cleaver
  • Patent number: 4391324
    Abstract: A valve supporting tubular assembly capable of being mounted on a geothermal well head, with the tubular assembly of such structure that an internal plug that supports resilient packers and has circumferentially extending teeth defined thereon may be removably locked in a first position to seal the interior of the tubular assembly above the outlets to the valves, the plug may also be moved longitudinally in the tubular assembly to scrape solids deposited on the interior surface thereof by geothermal fluids, and the plug may also be moved to a second position to pack off the interior of the tubular assembly below the valve outlets to permit the valves to be moved or maintenance work performed thereon without shutting down the geothermal well. In addition, the plug is provided with means to equalize the pressure above and below the plug in the tubular assembly to permit the plug and components situated thereabove to be removed from the tubular assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Midway Fishing Tool Co.
    Inventor: Lehman T. Reed
  • Patent number: 4310942
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning chimneys from a position at the bottom thereof comprising a brush cleaning member and a self-contained pulley system whereby the entire apparatus climbs the chimney from bottom to top in a stepwise fashion due to the actuation of two sets of retracting legs thereby cleaning the entire length of the chimney. The apparatus may be used to interchangeably accomodate different size brushes and legs so that various chimney and flue sizes and shapes can be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Inventor: Harry Krape
  • Patent number: RE32085
    Abstract: A wiper for wiping liquids from the interior walls of various tubular members, such as drill pipe, tubing, casing or internal upset pipe is disclosed which is particularly useful in drilling and workover as the tubular members are withdrawn from a well bore. Features of the wiper include the ability to readily and easily pass through and wipe liquids from restricted passages or bores such as internal upset pipe, means for centralizing the wiper in the passages or bore for efficient wiping, pressure equalization for equalizing pressures within the wiper with outside pressures encountered within the well bore, made from materials which will not create an explosive condition in use, and ease of manufacture, assembly and disassembly, so that the wiper can be manufactured easily, readily and inexpensively, and repairs and replacement of wear prone parts can be readily and inexpensively made. Other features and advantages are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Haggard I. D. Wiper, Inc.
    Inventor: Archie K. Haggard