Boring or penetrating the earth – With tool drive prime mover or above-ground mechanical... – With diversely operated shafts extending into bore
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2002-04-30
Schoeppel, Roger (Department: 3672)
Boring or penetrating the earth
With tool drive prime mover or above-ground mechanical...
With diversely operated shafts extending into bore
C175S195000, C175S202000, C175S203000, C464S015000, C464S019000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06378630
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a locking swivel device for connection with a drill string and for conducting a drilling fluid to the drill string. Further, the present invention is directed at a locking swivel device which is actuatable between a disengaged condition, in which the swivel device is unlocked to permit rotation of the drill string, and an engaged condition, in which the swivel device is locked to inhibit rotation of the drill string in at least one direction, and preferably both. The swivel device is actuated to the engaged condition by a pressure exerted by the drilling fluid.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Often during drilling operations, a conventional drilling swivel or swivel mechanism is connected with the drill string at the surface such that the drill string extends from the swivel into the wellbore downhole. The drilling fluid for conducting the drilling operation is conducted from a surface fluid pump through a kelly hose to the swivel. The drilling fluid is then conducted through the swivel and into the attached drill string such that the drilling fluid is directed downhole for performance of the drilling operation.
In addition to conducting the drilling fluid to the drill string, the swivel also supports the drill string in the wellbore in a manner such that the drill string is rotatable within the wellbore. Conventional swivels typically permit rotation of the drill string in either direction within the wellbore. In other words, the drill string may be rotated in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction as desired. The ability to rotate the drill string within the wellbore may be desirable for a number of reasons. For instance, the ability to rotate the drill string will facilitate the connection or disconnection of the drill pipe sections comprising the drill string and will facilitate the orienting of the drill string within the wellbore to a desired orientation.
However, conventional swivels often permit the rotation of the drill string in both directions at all times during the drilling operation, including while the drilling fluid is being pumped through the swivel to the drill string. The ability to rotate at all times throughout the drilling operation may not be desirable in a number of applications.
For instance, it is desirable to be able to lock the swivel where the swivel is to be used in conjunction with a downhole positive displacement mud motor. Specifically, the downhole motor is connected with a downhole end of the drill string for drilling the wellbore. Although rotation of the drill string in both directions may be desirable for a number of reasons, including permitting the making up or breaking down of the drill string, rotation of the drill string tends not to be desirable during the actual drilling operation. For instance, when the downhole motor is being operated, the motor creates or generates an amount of reactive torque within the drill string attached thereto. In order to facilitate the drilling operation, it is desirable to hold or otherwise counteract this reactive torque by inhibiting the rotation of the drill string.
Further, it is desirable to be able to lock the swivel in other applications such as where the swivel is placed or located between a rotary top drive unit and the drill string. In this case, locking of the swivel permits rotational movement provided by the top drive unit to be transmitted through the swivel to the drill string. Conversely, unlocking of the swivel inhibits the transmission of the rotational movement. As a result, various operations such as wireline operations may be performed while allowing the drill string to freely rotate.
Thus, there is a need for the swivel to provide a locking mechanism such that the drill string may be selectively either permitted to rotate or inhibited from rotation within the wellbore as required for the particular task being performed. Although various locking swivels have been provided in response to this need, none appear to have provided a fully satisfactory result.
For instance, International Publication Number WO 98/29637 published Jul. 9, 1998 by Helms describes a locking swivel for use in drilling applications which allows the operator to selectively engage and disengage the swivel to permit or inhibit rotational movement of the attached drill string. The locking swivel is comprised of a locking mandrel movable within a lower body and a swivel mandrel. The locking mandrel has splines at each end for engaging splined surfaces provided in both the body and the swivel mandrel. The locking mandrel is movable either up or down and thereby into or out of engagement with the splined surface in the swivel mandrel and the splined surface in the lower body.
A hydraulic chamber is formed between an exterior wall of the locking mandrel and an interior wall of the lower body. A dynamic seal means mounted with the locking mandrel divides the chamber into two sealed portions. Further, two hydraulic fitting ports are provided in the lower body and are disposed on either side of the dynamic seal means. In other words, one hydraulic port communicates with each sealed portion of the hydraulic chamber. The hydraulic fitting ports are connected by standard hydraulic lines to a hydraulic pump.
The locking mandrel is actuated into and out of engagement with the splined surfaces through the use of the hydraulic pump and the two hydraulic fitting ports. If the operator desires to lock the swivel, the operator directs the flow of hydraulic fluid to the first hydraulic fitting port to move the locking mandrel upwards such that the splines of the locking mandrel are engaged with the splined surfaces of the lower body and the swivel mandrel. If the operator desires to unlock the swivel, the operator switches the flow of hydraulic fluid to the second hydraulic fitting port to move the locking mandrel downwards such that the splines of the locking mandrel are disengaged with the splined surfaces of the lower body and the swivel mandrel.
Thus, Helms provides a relatively complex structure for locking and unlocking the swivel which is actuated by and used in conjunction with a separate hydraulic system and hydraulic pump. Further, given the manner of actuating the swivel, Helms requires manual handling or intervention by an operator in order to lock and unlock the swivel. Manual handling or intervention by an operator may be undesirable in some circumstances.
In addition, Canadian Patent Number 2,237,309 issued Jun. 22, 1999 to Brown et. al. is directed at a method and an apparatus for controlling reactive torque on a drill string while drilling. Specifically, a tubular mandrel connected with the drill string is rotatably mounted to a housing. A ratchet mechanism is provided between the mandrel and the housing for controlling the rotation of the mandrel within the housing. The ratchet mechanism permits rotation of the mandrel freely in a clockwise direction and prevents rotation of the mandrel in a counterclockwise direction.
More particularly, the ratchet mechanism is comprised of a ring of sloped ratchet teeth fixed to an exterior surface of the mandrel. A plurality of pins extend through the housing to engage the ratchet teeth. Further, the pins are biased by a spring into an engaged position in which the pins are engaged with the teeth thereby permitting rotation in a clockwise direction and precluding rotation in a counterclockwise direction. Alternately, the pins may be manually retracted from the teeth to a disengaged position in which the mandrel may be rotated in either direction.
Thus, as in Helms Brown et. al. requires manual handling or intervention by an operator in order to unlock or disengage the apparatus, particularly given that the ratchet mechanism is biased to the engaged position. As indicated, manual handling or intervention by an operator may be undesirable in some circumstances.
As a result, there remains a need in the industry for a locking swivel device. In particular, there remains a need for a locking swivel device having a relatively unco
Ritorto Leonardo
Roszak Robert
Canadian Downhole Drill Systems Inc.
Rodman & Rodman
Schoeppel Roger
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