US2833572A - Double packed oil well stuffing box - Google Patents

Description

May 6, 1958 C. F. MOSELEY DOUBLE PACKED OIL WELL STUFFING BOX Filed Jan. 20, 1954 IN VEN TOR;

C. E Mase/ey United States Patent 2,833,572 DOUBLE PACKED OIL WELL STUFFING BOX Charles Fredrick Moseley,'Bartlesville, Okla.

Application January 20, 1954, Serial No. 405,200 4 Claims. (Cl. 286-163) This invention relates to packing glands, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a double packed stufling box adapted for use around the polished rod of a producing oil well.

As is it well known in the oil industry, the majority of producing oil wells are pumped by use of a rod type pump. The pumping unit is installed near the bottom of the oil well and is actuated by a string of rods from the surface. The uppermost rod, which projects from the well head, is commonly called the polished rod. A packing gland or stufling box is ordinarily secured to the well head around the polished rod to prevent a leakage of the pumped oil around the polished rod. The majority of stufling boxes in common use are provided with a single set of packing rings, therefore, the pumping unit must be stopped to replace the packing rings in order to prevent leakage of well fluid upward through the stufling box,

The present invention contemplates a novel stufling box utilizing two sets of packing rings. The box is constructed in such a manner that the upper set of packing rings may be replaced while the well pumping unit is in operation. In addition, it is also contemplated to provide a secondary packing gland containing an oil reservoir and assuring a constant lubrication of the polished rod and increase the service life of the packing rings, particularly the upper set.

An important object of this invention is to permit replacement of the main set of packing rings in an oil well stufling box without the necessity of stopping the oil well pumping unit. I

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel double packed oil well stufiing box wherein the separate sets of packing rings are independently adjustable. I

Another object of this invention is to increase the service life of the main packing rings of a double packed oil well stuffing box. I

A further object of this invention is to prevent a blowout of the main packing rings of a double packed oil well stuffing box during operation of the stufling box, as well as during replacement or adjustment of the stuffing box.

A still further object of this invention is to maintain a constant lubrication for the upper packing rings of a double packed oil well stufiing box.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical elevational view of a novel double packed oil well stufling box with a quarter section of the box removed.

Figure is a plan view of the stufiing box shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Fig. 1, reference character 2 generally designates a novel stuffing box comprising a tubular housing 4 having its 2,833,572 Patented May 6, 1958 A counter-bore 10 is formed in the tubular body 4 immediately above the threaded portion 6 thereof to receive a plurality of super-imposed packing rings 12. The packing rings 12 are conically shaped and are disposed in the counter-bore 101with their larger ends 14 extending downwardly into contact with the periphery of the counter-bore 10 and their smaller ends 16 extending upwardly into contact with the polished rod 8. The lower end 14 of the lowermost packing ring 12 rests upon a circumferential shoulder 18 formed at the lower end of the counter-bore 10.

Another counter-bore 20 is formed in the body 4 above and concentric with the counter-bore 10 to receive a gland compression ring 22. The lower end of the compression ring 22 is tapered upwardly and inwardly and provided with a pair of concentric vertically and horizontally spaced shoulders 24 and 26. It will be observed from Fig. 1 that the shoulders 24 and 26 contact the packing rings 12. A circumferential flange 28 ex-' tends outwardly from the upper end of the body 4 to receive the mating flange 30 of an upper tubular body section 32. Circumferentially spaced bolts 34 interconnect the flanges 28 and 30.

The body section 32 extends upwardly from the body 4 and is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed obliquely extending threaded apertures 36. Each aperture 36 receives a compression bolt 38 whichextends downwardly into the counterbore 20 of the lower body section 4 into contact with the compression ring 22. It will be apparent that the position of the compression bolts 38 in the apertures 36 determines the amount of pressure exerted by the compression ring 22 on the packing rings 12. Therefore, the sealing contact provided by the packing rings 12 with the polished rod 8 and inner periphery of the counter-bore 10 may be adjusted as desired. A

threaded counter-bore 40 is formed in the body section 32 in alignment with each'of the apertures 36 to receive a gland nut 42. The nuts 42 are utilized to retain a flat type packing ring 44 in the respective counter-bores 40 and prevent a leakage of fluid outwardly around the compression bolts 38. v p

Another set of super-imposed packing rings "46 are disposed in the tubular body section 32 above the lower packing rings 12. The packing rings 46 are preferably of the same type as the packing rings 12 and are disposed in a similar manner to provide a sealing contact with the polished rod 8 and the inner periphery of the body 32.

It will be observed that the packing rings 46 arefour in number, whereas the packing rings 12 are only twoin number. I do not wish to be limited to the exact number of packing rings shown,'however, the packing rings 46 are ordinarily greater in number than the packing rings 12 since they may be considered as the primary ormain packing rings to prevent a flow of well fluidupwardly through the stuffing box 2 during normal operation of the polished rod 8. An inwardly projecting circumferential.

- nected by bolts 54 to mating flanges (not shown) on the upper end of the body section 32. It will be apparent that the bolts 54- determine' the vertical position ofthe The gland 56'is'also tubular in shape and is 'of a size" to be inserted in the gland50'l'oosely around the polished rod sfor contacting the uppermost packing ring 46-adjacent' theinner periphery thereof. The upper portion 58 of the upper gland. 56is enlarged and providedwitli a pair'of outwardly extending and diametrically opposed lugs 60: Bolts 62 extend through the lugs 60 and' downwardlyinto connection with mating lugs 64' formed on the upper end of the body section 32'. Referring to Fig. 2, it 'willbe observed that the lugs 60 and 64 are disposed at substantially right angles to the previously de scribed lugs 52: Thebolts 62' provide for a tightening of the gland 56 and compression of the packing rings 46 in proximitywith the polished rod 8, and the angular disposition of theflanges GO with respect to the flanges 52 facilitates independent adjustment of the glands and 56-. It will also benoted in Fig: 2 that thecompression' bolts 38 'are arranged between the lugs 52 and 60 to facilitate access thereto.

Another conical shapedpacking ring 66 is disposedin the upper end of the gland 56 around the polished rod 8-and rests on a circumferential shoulder 68 formed in the inner periphery of the enlarged portion 58' of the gland 56. An apertured cap member 70 is loosely disposed around the polished rod'8above theupper gland 56.- The cap 70 is provided with a downwardly extending circumferential flange 72 of a' size to envelop theupper end of thegland 56in; themanner shown in' Fig. 1-. A circumferential shoulder 74 is formed on-tlie undersurface of'the, cap' 70-to contact the packing ring 66' and maintain the ring in sealing contact with the polished rod 8 and the inner periphery of the gland 56. Diametrically opposed cup shaped flanges76are formed on opposite sid'es off-the cap 70*and are connected by bolts 78 to mating flanges (not shown) on the upper end ofthe gland-56: Thus; the cap gland 70 maybetightened'on the gland 56 tocontrol the'press ureexerted .bythe shoulder 74on.the packing ring 66.

' As readily seen inFig; l, the tubular gland56 forms a chamber: 80" around the polished rod 8 between the uppermost packing .ring 46' andthe packing ring 66. The chambert is provided to receivea suitable lubricant and the lubricant is supplied to thejchamber 80 through a suitable grease fitting 82threadedlysecured in the wall of the gland 56. k

' Operation Theystufiing box 2. is assembled as shown inFig. l andthelower. end- 6 thereof, is threadedly. engaged with the well head aroundi'thehpolished rod 8. Preferably prior to operation of:the polished, rod 8, the-chamber 80 issjcharged with asuitable lubricant through the fitting 82. Thus, when the polished rod 8 begins. toreciprocate, thefpacking rings .46: and12, will be supplied with lubricant to: increase the: service life thereof.

The polishedt rod 8 reciprocates, vertically; through the stuflingboxldn the; usualrnanner, and ordinarily well fluid flows upwardly through the: lower end 6 of; therbody 4. into contact. with the sealing rings 12; If desired, the sealing n'ngs112 may be; loosened by, slightly unthreading the compression bolts 38: and, permit, the; well pressure to flow through the lower body section 4 into contact withqthe packing rings 46; This ,will5reducethewear of the packing rings 12 and materially; increase the' service life; thereof; As-previouslyi stated, the packing rings 12 and 4.6 may be? adjustedindependentlyr Whendt is desired toreplace one ormoreof the packingrrings .46, the bolts 54 and 62 are removed-to permit an upward movement of the glands 50 and 56. Access may then. be gained to thepacking rings 46. During thisreplacement at the packingringst, thepolishedrod Kmay. continue to reciprocate andiprovide a continuous operation of the well pump (not shown). The packing rings 12 will effectively seal oif the well head pressure and if they have been loosened prior to the time for changing the packing rings 46, the compression bolts 38 may be tightened to provide the desired compression of the packing rings 12. Upon replacement of the packing rings 46, 'the'glands 50' and 56 are moved downwardly along the polished rod 8 to the. position shown in Fig. 1 and reconnected to the body section 32 by the bolts 54 and 62. Furthermore, the chamber 80 may be re-charged with lubricant by use of the fitting 82 during reciprocation of the polished'rod 8;

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present invention provides a novel double packed oil well stuifing be independently adjusted and substantially placed out box wherein the main packing rings may be replaced Without stopping operation of the oil well pumping unit.

A constant lubrication is provided for the stuffing box to materially increase the service life-0f the mainpacking rings. Furthermore, the auxiliary packing rings utilized during replacement of the main packing rings may of operation during the normal operation of.the stuffing box.

Changes may be made. in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understoodthat any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention maybe made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A stutfing box for an oil well polished rod, comprising a tubular body loosely surrounding. the polished rod,

a main set of super-imposed conical shaped packing rings in the body. around the polished rod. a tubular gland extending into the upper end of the body into contact with the uppermost main packing ring adjacent the outer periphery thereof, a second tubular gland disposed in the first mentionedigland in contact with the uppermost main packing. ring adjacentthe inner periphery thereof; connecting means. on the body for independently adjusting saidfirst and second tubular glands, an auxiliary set of super-imposed conical shaped packing rings in the body around the polished rod arranged below'the main packing rings, a compression ring'in the body loosely disposed around the polished rod in contact with the uppermost auxiliary packing ring, an inwardly projecting shoulder provided in the body to retain the compression ring in position adjacent the auxiliary, packing rings and to support the lowermost main packing ring, and means adjustably secured in the body'for contacting the compression ring and controlling the compression of said auxiliary packing rings.

2. A. stuffing box for an oil Well polished rod, comprising a tubular body loosely: surrounding the polished rod, a main set'of super-imposed conical shaped packing rings in the body around the polished rod; a tubular gland extending into the upper end of the body into contact with the uppermost main packing ring adjacent the outer periphery thereof, asecond tubular gland disposed in the first mentioned gland in contact with the uppermost main packing ring; adjacent the inner periphery thereof, connecting means on the body for independently adjusting.

said first and second tubular glands, an oil reservoir in said second gland around the polished rod, an auxiliary set of super-imposedconical shaped packingrings'in the body. around the polished rod arrangedbelow the main packing rings, a compression ring in the body loosely disposed around the polished rod in contact with the uppermost auxiliary. packing ring, an inwardly projecting shoulder provided in the body to retain the compression ring in position adjacent the auxiliary packing rings and to support the lowermost main packing ring, and means ndjustably secured in the body for contactingthe compression ring and controlling the compression of said auxiliary packing rings.

3. A stufiing box for an oil well polished rod, comprising a tubular body loosely surrounding the polished rod, a main set of super-imposed conical shaped packing rings in the body around the polished rod, a tubular gland extending into the upper end of the body into contact with the uppermost main packing ring adjacent the outer periphery thereof, a second tubular gland loosely disposed on the polished rod within the first mentioned gland in contact with the uppermost main packing ring adjacent the inner periphery thereof, connecting means on the body for independently adjusting the first and second tubular glands and controlling the compression of the main packing rings, a conical shaped packing ring in the second gland spaced upwardly from the main packing rings, said second gland forming an oil reservoir between the last mentioned packing ring and the main packing rings, a cap gland adjustably secured on the upper end of the second gland in contact with the last mentioned packing ring, an auxiliary set of super-imposed conical shaped packing rings in the body around the polished rod arranged below the main packing rings, a compression ringloosely disposed on the polished rod in contact with the uppermost auxiliary packing ring, and means adjustably secured in the body for contacting the compression ring and controlling the compression of the auxiliary packing rings into contact with the polished rod and the inner periphery of the body and means integral with the body for supporting the lowermost main packing ring and retaining the compression ring in position adjacent the auxiliary packing rings.

4. A stuffing box for an oil well polished rod comprising a tubular body having a reduced lower end to provide a shoulder, a set of lower conical shaped packing rings supported by the shoulder, a compression ring disposed above the lower packing rings, adjusting means for urging the compression ring against the lower packing rings to control the pressure thereof against the polished rod, an inwardly projecting shoulder Within the body to retain the compression ring in position, a set of main conical shaped packing rings supported by the inwardly projecting shoulder, a tubular gland member extending downwardly within the tubular body into contact with the uppermost main packing ring adjacent the outer periphery thereof, a second tubular gland disposed in the first tubular gland extending into contact with the uppermost main packing ring adjacent the inner periphery thereof, connecting means on the body for independently adjusting the two gland members, an upper conical shaped packing ring cooperating with the second gland member to provide a sealed oil reservoir therein for supplying lubrication to the polished rod, and cap gland means adjustably secured on the second tubular gland and in contact with the upper packing ring for controlling the compression thereof against the polished rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 731,228 Rush June 16, 1903 1,028,758 Mason et al June 4, 1912 1,971,542 Taylor Aug. 28, 1934 2,056,687 Moseley Oct. 6, 1936 2,090,956 Wheeler Aug. 24, 1937 2,254,862 Watson et al Sept. 2, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 25,138 Great Britain of 1898

Images