Clamp-On Drill String Wiper

Abstract

A clamp-on wiper that facilitates the cleaning of external surfaces of sections of a drill string or drill pipe to remove earth, drilling mud, and other solid / liquid compounds while the drill string is being handled on a drilling platform. The pipe wiper includes a split cylinder with two halves hinged together, each with a handle. Internal to each half cylinder are a number of half circle flexible squeegees that conform to the outside diameter of the drill string when the device is closed. The device may be handled by an individual and positioned around the pipe without the need for access to the end of the drill string. The user may close and hold the pipe wiper around the pipe while the drill string is moving upward so as to wipe liquid and solid debris from the pipe as it is raised.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to tools and equipment used in oil field drilling and pipe handling operations. The present invention relates more specifically to a device that facilitates the cleaning of the external surfaces of sections of drill string or drilling pipe to remove mud, drilling mud, petroleum products, and solid / fluid mixtures of such compounds, while the drill string or pipe is being handled on a drilling rig platform.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]A great deal of science and technology has been devoted to exploration and drilling for fossil fuels in recent years. The high cost of petroleum exploration and drilling operations has increased the need for efficiency in the operation of drilling rigs and the like. One aspect of the drilling process that is critical to efficient exploration, drilling, and production, is the safe and timely process of operating a drilling rig and platfo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a clamp-on wiper device for drill strings and pipes that can clean the external surfaces while they are being handled on a drill platform. The device is easy to use and can be handled by a single individual. It consists of a split cylinder with flexible components that fit around the drill string and can be closed to wipe away liquid and solid debris. The device is designed to make drilling safer and efficient by keeping the drill string clean while it is being raised on the platform.

Problems solved by technology

Although this process can be dangerous at times, its safety and efficiency depends on the care taken by the workers in the handling of equipment, and to some extent, the ability of the workers to operate within a relatively clean and clear environment.

For the most part, these existing systems are fixed on the rig (i.e., are not portable or capable of being handled directly by the workers) and require that an end of the drill string (typically the bit end of the string) pass longitudinally through the cleaning system in order for the system to operate.

Such fixed systems tend to be complex and require hydraulic or pneumatic manipulation at remote valves to provide for the tightening of a cleaning ring-like structure positioned completely around the drill string.

The operation of such fixed systems is inefficient at best and is commonly bypassed as drill string pipe operations on the drilling platform occur quite fast and often do not allow for the rapid activation or deactivation of any of these fixed debris wiping systems.

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