US1882099A - Cementing head - Google Patents

Description

Oct. ,11, 1932. A. u. E. TRouTH 4 CEMENTING HEAD Filed Nov. 22. 195o INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Oct. .11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN E. TROUTH, OF OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR TO INDEPENDENT OIL` WELL CEMENTING COMPANY, OF OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, A CORPORATION OF OKLAHOMA CEMENTING HEAD Application led November 22, 1930. Serial No. 497,490. l ,f

My, invention relates to cementing heads and like devices for vinjecting' material such as cement into a Well casing to seal off water or gas strata at the bottom of the well, the

principal objects of the invention being to expedite removal of elevators and like appliances after the well is cemented, and to provide means for passing a plug into the casing to operate on the cement without requiring removal of the cementing head.

In accomplishing these and other object of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying dra-wing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary section of an oil well and cementing head embodying the invention, showing elements in position for introducing cement to the casing.

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating parts in position for moving a plug into the casing.

iig. 3 is a section of the cementing head and plug retained therein pending delivery of cement to the casing.

Fig. 4 is a section. through the head and plug on the line 1--.4, Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the drawing:

1 designates a casing extending in a well hole 2 into water at the bottom of the well, and including an upper portion projecting above the surface of the ground in which the well is formed.

A cementing head comprising a hollow, preferably tubular elongated body 3 of substantially the same internal diameter as the casing, has an open lower outlet end abutting the casing and secured thereto by a collar 4, and an upper end closed by an end Wall 5.

Inlet collars 6 and 7 are vpreferably provided at suitable vertically spa-ced openings in the upper portion of the head and preferably include portions 8 projecting into the head and having beveled inner ends forming valve seats. Valves 9 and 10, having resilient facing members 11, are adapted to engage the seats to normally close the inner openings of the collars and prevent egress of fluid therethrough from the head. The valves are suspended by links or stems 12 having angularly extending arm portions pivotally mounted on ears 13 formed on the collar portions 8 to swing upwardly outwardly away from the seats under pressure of inlet Huid, and to be moved to closed position by gravity and pressure of 4fluid in the head.v The collar portionsv8 are suficiently long to accommodate the L-like stems.

The collars 6 and 7 are internally threaded for receiving nipples 14 carrying elbows 15 to which flexible fiow lines 16 may be removably attached by arms 17`hinged to the flow lines and adapted to extend over the elbows. It is desirable to employ relatively short nipples 14 in order to prevent breakage of the nipples incident to vibration of the apparatus.

Cement or pressure medium such as water under pressure -may be delivered through either iow line to the interior of the head under differential pressure from sources not shown.

Apertures 18 are provided in the head in vertically spaced relation to define the position of a plug 19 later described, for movement by the pressure medium into the casing. A conduit or channel 20 formed preferably by a boss-like arcuate wall 21 fixed to the outer surface of the head has opposite ends communicating with the apertures 18 respectively, for by-passing liuid around the plug position, attention being directed to the fact that one or more of these conduits may be provided as desired. The channel-forming member is preferably cast integral with the casing, and includes side wings or wall portions 22 extending in substantially parallel relation from the casing.

A valve plate 23 having a concave inner edge 24 conforming to the contour of the head and an outer ledge 25 -conforming to the inner face of the curved conduit-forming wall 21, is xed to a shaft or pin having trunnion-like opposite ends 26 and 27 journalled in said wall portions 22, at a central.

ing in the Opposite wall portion, bosses 28 l.as

-being formed on said portions to Vre-inforce the shaft bearings. l

Keyed to the protruding end of the shaft as shown in Fig. 4, is a valve handle 29 providing for manual operation of the valve to swing the same on an axis at right angles to the axis of the head into open position as shown in Fig. 1, or into channel-closing position as shown in Fig. 2.

` The plug 19 comprises a cylindrical body formed of any suitable material, preferably wood, and having slightly less diameter than the head and/or casing to move freely therein. The plug isprovided at opposite ends thereof with cups 30 "and 31 formed preferably of leather and having upwardly directed anges 33, the anges of the lower cup being` recessed in an annular groove 34 in the lower end portion of the plug, for sealing the space between the plug and the walls of the head, and facilitating plunger-like action of the plug upon downward movement thereof in the casing as later described. The cups are secured to the plug by fasteners such as nails 35.

The plug is retained in position between the ends of the by-passing channel while the valve plate 23 is in open position, and is adapted for displacement when the valve plate is closed. Retaining means is preferably provided, comprising set screws 36, mounted in openings in lthe head wall, having slotted ends or other means accessible eXteriorly of the casing for the application of a tool for threading or unthreading the screws from the openings, and having points 37 adapted to enter into the plug.

In using the device, cement is delivered through either inlet collar displacing the valve on said collar an-d owing through the channel 20 past the plug into the casing. When sufiicient cement has been supplied to effect a seal at the bottom of the well, the valve on the collar and thevalve 23 in the by-pass are closed, and the pressure medium, for example water, is delivered through the other inlet, displacing its respective valve, and bearing against the plug.

Continued pressure of the stream of fluid tends to displace the plug. When the device is provided with set screws as shown, the screws are preferably adapted to retain the plug against substantially high pressures, and are unthreaded to permit the plug to move downwardly into and through the casing and against cement in the casing under the influence of pressure of the fluid.

As the plug is moved downwardly on the cement by the action of the iuid pressure thereon the cement is forced downwardly intol the casing and upwardly into the space surrounding the casing to seal said space from the lower end of the casing.

The eementing head thus does not require removal for introducing a plug or urging a the series of steps to effect sealing of the y stratum is completed, the cement and water supply lines and similar appliances may be disconnected from the head and the head removed from the casing.

The introduction of the stream of pressure medium into the head following the cementing step incidentally cleanses the head and elements contained therein, such as the valve sea-ts and valves, of particles 0f cement.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In combination with a casing, and a plug adapted to move through the casing, a head on the casing adapted to support the plug a plurality of independent fluid inlets in the head above said plug, common means for bypassing liquid from any of said inlets around the plug, and a valve in said by-pass means.

2. A cementing head having a. plurality of fluid inlets, a plug for mounting in said head below the inlets, means independent of'said inlets for by-passing `fluid around the position of the plug, and a valve in said by-pass means.

3. In combination with a casing, and a pplug adapted to move through the casing, a

head above said plug, valved means for said inlets, means for by-passing either water or cement around the plug, and a valve inthe by-pass means:

4. In combination with a casing and a plug adapted to move through the easing, a head on the casing adapted to support the plug, a plurality of fluid inlets in the head above said plug, a by-pass formed integrally with the head for by-passing fluid from any of said inlets around the plug, and a valve in said ley-pass.

5. In combination with a, casing and a plug adapted to move through the casing, a head on the casing adapted to support the plug, a plurality of fluid inlets in the head above said plug, a normally closed hinged valve on each inlet within said head, means for bypassing fluid from any of said inlets around the plug, and a valve in said by-pass means.

6. A eementing head adapted for mounting on well casin g, including a tubular body having a 'lower open end and a closed upper end, and provided intermediate its ends with a pair of ports spaced vertically to define a plug position, said body having a plurality of inlets above said ports, and means independent of said inlets and communicating with said ports for by-passing Huid around said plug position.

7. A cementinghead adapted for mounting on well casing including a tubular body having a lower open end and a closed upper end, and provided intermediate its ends with a pair of ports spaced vertically to define a plug position, said body having a pluralit of inlets above said ports, an arcuate *wa fixed to the outer surface of said body and having opposite ends communicating respectively With said ports for by-passlng 'luid around said plug position, and a valve journalled in the arcuate Wall for controlling said by-pass iiow.

8. In combination With a casing and a plug adapted to move through the casing, a head on the casing adapted to support the. plug, a plurality of fluid inlets in the head above said plug, a normally closed hinged valve on each inlet Within said head, and means for by-passing fluid from any of said inlets around the plug.`v

In testimony whereof I afiX my signature.

' JOHN E. TROUTH.

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