Patent application title: Well Cleaning Tool
Inventors:
Randy L. Smith (Sumner, IL, US)
IPC8 Class: AE21B3700FI
USPC Class:
166173
Class name: Wells brushing, scraping, cutting or punching-type cleaners on tubing or casing
Publication date: 2012-11-29
Patent application number: 20120298350
Abstract:
A well cleaning tool including a tubular body, a cylindrical sleeve and
at least one scratching element. The tubular body includes a threaded
lower end for attaching to an end cap, and a plurality of first passages.
The cylindrical sleeve is sized to receive the tubular body and includes
a plurality of second passages such that the second passages are in
alignment with the first passages. The at least one scratching element is
preferably a rigid cable with frayed ends that is passed through the
aligned first and second passages such that the frayed ends outwardly
extend from an outer surface of the sleeve. Threading or tightening the
tubular body lower end to the end cap will cause the first and second
passages out of alignment, causing the rigid cable to crimp or pinch
between the first and second passages, retaining the rigid cable in
place.Claims:
1. A well cleaning tool comprising: a tubular body having an outer
surface and a plurality of first passages staggered relative to each
other along a longitudinal length of said tubular body, a cylindrical
sleeve sized to releasably receive said tubular body, wherein said
cylindrical sleeve having an internal surface that is in frictional
engagement with said outer surface of said tubular body, said cylindrical
sleeve further including a plurality of second passages staggered
relative to each other along a longitudinal length of said cylindrical
sleeve, wherein said first passages are in alignment with said second
passages, a plurality of scratching elements, wherein a length of each of
said scratching elements is positioned through said first and second
passage and outwardly extends from said second passage, retaining means
to pinch said scratching element between said first and second passages.
2. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said tubular body defines a threaded lower end having external threads that cooperate with internal threads of a lock nut and end cap.
3. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 2, wherein tightening said threaded lower end to said end cap will cause the first and second passages out of alignment causing the scratching element to pinch between the first and second passages and retaining said scratching element in place.
4. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 3, wherein said plurality of scratching elements are rigid cables having frayed ends.
5. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 4, wherein said rigid cable is passed through aligned first and second passages such that said frayed ends outwardly extend from said cylindrical sleeve.
6. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said tubular body for connecting to a drill string.
7. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 6, wherein said tubular body is a hollow tubular body.
8. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the number of first passages is equal to the number of second passages.
9. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said first passages extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal length of said tubular body.
10. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said second passages extend perpendicular to the longitudinal length of said cylindrical sleeve.
11. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 1, wherein aligning the first and second passages and removing the scratching element from said first and second passages releases the cylindrical sleeve for separating from said tubular body.
12. A well cleaning tool comprising: a first body having an outer surface and a plurality of first passages, a second body sized to releasably receive said first body, wherein said second body having an internal surface that is in frictional engagement with said outer surface, said second body including a plurality of second passages, wherein said first passages are in alignment with said second passages, at least one scratching elements, wherein a length of each of said at least one scratching elements is positioned through said first and second passage and outwardly extends from said second passage, retaining means to maintain each of said at least one scratching elements between said first and second passages.
13. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 12, wherein said plurality of first passages are staggered relative to each other along a longitudinal length of said first body.
14. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 12, wherein said plurality of second passages are staggered relative to each other along a longitudinal length of said second body.
15. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 13, wherein said first passages extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal length of said first body.
16. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 14, wherein said second passages extend perpendicular to the longitudinal length of said second body.
17. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 12, wherein said first body defines a threaded lower end having external threads that cooperate with internal threads of a lock nut and end cap.
18. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 17, wherein adjusting said lower end such that said first and second passages are out of alignment and said scratching element is pinched between said first and second passages and retaining said scratching element in place.
19. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 12, wherein said at least one scratching elements are rigid cables having frayed ends, and wherein said rigid cable is passed through aligned first and second passages such that said frayed ends outwardly extend from said second body.
20. The well cleaning tool as recited in claim 12, wherein aligning said first and second passages and removing the scratching element from said first and second passages releases the second body for separating from said first body.
Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 61/519,413, filed May 17, 2011, with title "Well Cleaning Tool" which is hereby incorporated by reference. Applicant claim priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. Par. 119(e)(i).
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a well cleaning tool for removing debris accumulated in a well casing and, more particularly, to such a tool having a plurality of bristles or scratching elements for removing the debris. The well cleaning tool may be used alone, but may also be used in combination with solvents and/or cleaning fluids which assist in removal of the debris. Such debris typically comprises of drilling fluid, cement compositions, pipe joint compositions and other materials.
[0005] 2. Brief Description of Prior Art
[0006] Oil, gas, water and other types of wells almost always employ a steel pipe or well casing to ensure the integrity of the well borehole. The well casing is cemented during the completion stage of a drilling operation.
[0007] The optimization of production is an important criteria of any completion. Studies have shown that residue on the internal diameter of the well casing (such as cement, pipe joint composition, scale, burrs, etc.) have a negative impact on productivity. Therefore, a major emphasis has been made to clean the inner diameter of the well casing. Thus, when the operators have finished the pumping of cement composition through the well casing, a work string is lowered on which a mechanical scraping device is used to scrape the walls of the casing. Cleaning of the well casing is also necessary at intervals during well production to remove debris and residues, such as oil, paraffin and scale which have accumulated on the well casing wall.
[0008] Well casing scrapers are well known in the art. However, the scraping action of a traditional scraper with blades have been known to be ineffective. In addition, such prior art scraping devices have been complicated to assemble and maintain.
[0009] Therefore, there is a need for a down hole assembly that will be effective in cleaning the well casing. There is also a need for a down hole assembly that incorporates bristles as the scraping element that are a sturdy construction and allow for ease of replacement.
[0010] As will be seen from the subsequent description, the preferred embodiments of the present invention overcome shortcomings of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A well cleaning tool is disclosed. The well cleaning tool generally includes a hollow tubular body, a cylindrical sleeve and scratching elements. The tubular body includes a threaded lower end for attaching to an end cap, and a plurality of passages. The hollow cylindrical sleeve is sized to receive the tubular body. Like the tubular body, the cylindrical sleeve includes a plurality of passages such that the passages of the sleeve are in alignment with the passages of the tubular body.
[0012] The scratching element is preferably a rigid cable with frayed ends that is passed through the aligned passages of the sleeve and tubular body such that the frayed ends extend from an outer surface of the sleeve. Threading or tightening the tubular body lower end to the end cap will cause the passages out of alignment, causing the rigid cable to crimp or pinch between the passages of the sleeve and tubular body, fixing the rigid cable in place.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a well cleaning tool.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the well cleaning tool illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the well cleaning tool illustrated in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] In accordance with the present invention, a well cleaning tool for cleaning a well casing is disclosed. Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a well cleaning tool having a plurality of bristles or scratching elements for removing debris on the internal diameter of the well casing. In the broadest context, the well cleaning tool disclosed herein consists of components configured with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.
[0017] Referring to the drawings, a well cleaning tool is disclosed. The cleaning tool, designated as numeral 10, generally includes a hollow tubular body 20 that is adapted for connection 21 to a drill string (not shown). The tubular body 20 defines an outer surface 22 in which, as will be described, scratching elements 40 outwardly extend. The tubular body 20 further defines a threaded lower end 25 (shown in FIG. 2) having external threads 25A that cooperate with internal threads 26A, 27A of a lock nut 26, and end cap 27, respectively.
[0018] The tubular body 20 further includes a plurality of passages 24 that extend through the tubular body 20. As illustrated the passages 24 extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the body 20. In the preferred embodiment, one of the passages 24 is positioned above the other, and the passages 24 are staggered relative to each other along the longitudinal length of the tubular body 20.
[0019] The present invention further includes a cylindrical sleeve 30. As illustrated the sleeve 30 is sized to receive the tubular body 20 such that an internal surface 31 of the sleeve 30 is in frictional engagement with the outer surface 22 of the tubular body 20.
[0020] The cylindrical sleeve 30 further defines an outer surface 32 in which, as will be described the scratching elements 40 outwardly extend. The sleeve 30 further includes a plurality of passages 34 that extend through the sleeve 30. As illustrated the passages 34 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the sleeve 30. In the preferred embodiment the number of passages 34 in the sleeve 30 being equal to the number of passages 24 in the tubular body 20.
[0021] The tubular body 20 and cylindrical sleeve 30 each include at least two (2) circumferentially arranged passages 24, 34, respectively as previously described. In the preferred embodiment, one of the passages 34 is positioned above the other, and the passages 34 are staggered relative to each other along the longitudinal length of the sleeve 30. In application, the passages 24 are positioned to align with the passages 34.
[0022] The sleeve 30 sliding receives the tubular body 20 such that the passages 34 of the sleeve 30 are in alignment with the passages 24 of the tubular body 20. The scratching element 40 is preferably a rigid cable with frayed ends 42 that is commercially available. A length of the rigid cable 40 is operatively positioned through the aligned passages 24, 34 such that the frayed ends 42 outwardly extend from the outer surface 32 of the sleeve 30. As should be understood, the length of the rigid cable 40 is such that only the frayed ends 42 of the rigid cable 40 extend from the outer surface 32 for cleaning the internal diameter of a well casing. Further, the passages 24, 34 with the ends 42 extending therefrom, are preferably staggered along the length of the sleeve 30 to insure full coverage of the circumference of the casing as the scraper 10 is run axially through the casing.
[0023] It will be further understood that the sleeve 30 is not affixed to the tubular body 20 and is retained in position on the body 20 by the rigid cable 40 passing through the aligned passages 24, 34. Thus, in use, aligning the passages 24, 34 (as will be further discussed) and removing the cables 40 from the passages 24, 34 releases the sleeve 30 for separating from the tubular body 20.
[0024] The present invention also teaches the means of retaining the rigid cable 40 within the passages 24, 34. Once the scratching elements 40 are installed as described, threading or tightening the tubular body 20 end 25 to the lock nut 26 and end cap 27 in the direction of arrow "A" shown in FIG. 1 will cause the passages 24 out of alignment with passages 34. As the passages 24, 34 move out of alignment, the rigid cable 40 is slightly crimped or pinched 45 between the passages 24, 34, fixing the rigid cable 40 in place. With the passages out of alignment as described, the scratching elements 40 are effectively locked into position and will not separate from the scraper 10 during operation.
[0025] To replace or remove the rigid cable 40, threadably loosen the tubular body 20 from the end cap 27 in a direction opposite arrow "A" until the passages 24, 34 are aligned. As the passages 24, 34 move in to alignment, the rigid cable 40 can freely pass through the passages 24, 34.
[0026] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims in the formal application and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
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