April 29, 1952 s. W.

LONG 2,594,666
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FOR DRAWWORKS
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CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FOR DRAWWORKS
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Patented Apr. 29, 1952
2,594,666

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,594,666

*CLUTCHAssEMBLY FOR DRAWWORKS
Spencer W. Long, Inglewood, Calif., assignor to
The National Supply Company, Pittsburgh, Pa.,
a corporation of Pennsylvania,
Application April 13, 1949, Serial No. 87,249
4. Claims. (C. 192-48)
2
This invention relates to drilling apparatus of drumshaft 2 by means of the air operated frica, .
the type employed in connection with the drilling tion clutch 24 embodying my invention, and de
of oil, gas, water and other Wells, and is particu scribed hereinafter. The high speed drive
larly directed to improvements in the draw works Sprocket 25 is fixed on the drumshaft 2 and is
employed in Such drilling apparatus. provided with jaws 26 for connection with mating.
The principal object of my invention is to pro jaws 27 on the clutch 28. The clutch 28, is
vide a new and improved form of clutch assembly. splined to the brake shaft 29 for operating the
for use in a rotary draw works. auxiliary brake 30. A line shaft 3 rotatably Sups
Another object is to provide a heavy-duty, ported in an axially spaced bearing 32 carried by
high-capacity, fiction clutch for a draw works, O the frame 8, is provided with a high. Speed drive
the clutch being adapted for operation by fluid sprocket 33 rotatably mounted on the line shaft
pressure, and provided with selectively operable and arranged to be connected in driving rela
positive drive means which is automatically re tion therewith by means of an air operated fric
leased upon Over-running of the driven member. tion clutch assembly 34. The sprocket 33 is
Another object is to provide a clutch assembly adapted to drive the Sprocket 25 by means of the
for driving a dra WWorks drumshaft, the aSSelby. drive chain 35. A low speed drive Sprocket 36 is
having friction drive means and positive drive fixed on the line shaft 3 and is arranged to drive
means, the positive drive means being employed the sprocket 23 through the drive chain 37. . . . .
for controlling the rate of rotation of the spool A jackshaft assembly generally designated 38
ing drun.ini a reverse direction. 20 includes a pair of aligned jackshaft sections 39
A more detailed object is to provide a heavy and 49 rotatably supported in axially Spaced
duty, high-capacity, friction drive clutch as bearings 4 and 42. These bearings are carried
sembly for a draw Works and having releasable by the draw works frame f8. A driving sprocket
positive driving jaw members for establishing a 43, rotatably mounted on the jackshaft Section
positive driving connection. When desired, one of 39, is connected by a chain 44 to drive the
the members being Self-centering On a cone sup sprocket 45 fixed to the line shaft 3. Means are
portin its inoperative position. provided for driving the jackshaft section 39, and
Further and more detailed objects and advan as shown on the drawings this ineans includes
tages will appear hereinafter. a power receiving sprocket. 46 driven by a chain
In the drawings: 47. The sprocket 46 is fixed to a sleeve 48 rotat
Figure 1 is a plan. View partly in section and ably mounted on the jackshaft Section 39. A
partly broken away showing a well drilling draw axially shiftable clutch 49 is provided with splined
works of the type used in connection with my in teeth 50 on one end and a gear 5 on the other
vention. end. The member 49 may be shifted to engage
Figure 2 is a Sectional view of a preferred emi the Splined teeth. 5 with Similar splined teeth
bodiment of my invention, the view being taken (not shown) within the sleeve 48, thereby co
substantially on the lines. 2-2 as shown in Fig necting the sleeve 48 in driving relationship with
ure 1, the lower half of the Section being omitted, the sleeve. 52. The sleeve. 52 is rotatably mounted
Figure 3 is an elevation view showing clutch on the jackshaft section 39.
jaws employed in connection with my invention. 40. A splined clutch 53 may be shifted axially cf. ,
Referring to the drawings, the draw works unit the sleeve. 52 to connect its inner splined teeth
includes a pair of skid frames 5 and 6 con (not shown) with the splined ring 54 fixed on
nected together along the juncture line 7. These the sprocket 43. Thius, the sprocket ray be
skid frames, together with the Supporting struc driven in a forward direction and the splined
ture carried thereon, are hereinafter referred to 45 clutch 53 engages the Splined ring 54 when the
as the draw works frame 8. A spooling drum 9 Splined clutch 49 engages the sleeve 48.
provided with the usual brake rims 20 is fixed A reverse drive is provided for rotating the
on a drumshaft 2. This drum shaft is Supported jackshaft section 39 in a reverse direction when
on axially spaced bearings. 22. These bearings, as required. This reverse drive includes a double .
well as other bearings hereinafter described, are 50 Sprocket 55 fixed on the sleeve 48, and corrected
Supported by elements of the frame omitted in by chain to drive the sprocket 56 fixed on the
Figure 1 for purposes of clarity of illustration. countershaft sleeve, 57. The countershaft sleeve
A. low speed, drive sprocket 23 is rotatably 5 is mounted. On Suitable bearings (not shown)
mounted on the drumshaft 2 and is adapted to and is provided with a driving gear 58 fixed there
be connected in driving relationship with the 55 on. The countershaft sleeve 5T is constantly roa
 2,594,666
3 4.
tated With the power-receiving sprocket 40, but intermittent, and it is known that it does not
it merely idles under normal driving conditions. act to maintain constant feeding pressure on the
When a reverse drive is required the clutch 49 is drill bit.
moved axially to place the gears 5 and 58 into In order to overcome this difficulty, there is
mesh, thereby disengaging the splined teeth 50. provided a speed reduction unit 90 which may
The sleeve 52 is then driven in a reverse direc include a single or double Worm gear reduction.
tion, and upon closing of the Splined clutch 53 The SOW Speed shaft 9 of this unit 9) is con
the Sprocket 43 and jackshaft section 39 are ro nected by means of sprocket 92 and chain 93 to
tated in a reverse direction. the Sprocket 94 Which is rotatably mounted on
An air Operated friction clutch assembly gen O One end of the line shaft 3. A jaw clutch 95 is
erally designated 59 is provided for connecting provided for releasably connecting the Sprocket
the adjacent ends of jackshaft sections 39 and 40. 94 in direct driving relationship with the line
This clutch assembly 59 includes a ring 60 fixed shaft 3. The high speed shaft 96 on the unit 90
to the jackshaft section 39 and a housing 6 fixed is connected by coupling 98 to a hydraulic mo
to the jackshaft Section 40. An inflatable rub 5 tor 99. A hydraulic pump OO is connected by
ber-like ring 62 on the housing 6 carries fric coupling 0 in direct driving relationship With
tion shoes 63 adapted to contact the periphery of the jackshaft Section 40. Hydraulic lines O2
the drum 64 formed on the ring 60. From this and 3 connect the hydraulic motor 99 with the
description it will be understood that inflation hydraulic pump 30 So that the pump may drive
of the annular ring 62 serves to effect a driving 20 the motor. A suitable control device 04 of con
engagement whereby the jackshaft assembly 4 ventional type is operatively positioned in the
is driven from the jackshaft section 39. When lines 02 and fo3 or aSSociated with the pump 100
the inflatable ring 62 is deflated the shoes 63 move for regulating the Volume of flow of hydraulic
Out of engagement with the drum 64, with the fluid between the pump 90 and motor 99.
result that the driving connection is interrupted. 25 Fron this description it Will be understood that
An inertia brake assembly 65 may be provided the rotating jackshaft Section 40 may drive the
for holding the jackshaft section 40 from rotation pump OO which in turn drives the hydraulic
When desired. motor 99. The motor 99 drives the shaft 96 at
Means are provided on the jackshaft Section a relatively high speed, and the output shaft 9
40 for driving a rotary machine (not shown) at a 30 turns at a very much slower Speed. This slow
plurality of Speeds. As shown in the drawings, speed drive is then communicated via sprockets
this means includes a pair of driving Sprockets 92, 94, 36 and 23 to turn the Spooling drum 9
66 and 67, which are fixed on the jackshaft as very slowly in a direction to pay off or to unspool
Sembly 40. A countershaft 68 rotatably sup the cable for feeding the drill String. The Con
ports the axially spaced bearing 69 carrying a trol 04 may have remote actuating mechanism
pair of Sprockets 70 and 7 connected by chains positioned at the driller's control panel 05 if
2 and 73 to be driven from sprockets 66 and 67 desired. This control 94 may be set by the
respectively. The driven sprockets TO and T are driller to provide a fixed rate of flow in the lines
rotatably mounted on the countershaft 68 and 02 and 03 so that regardless of the speed of
either may be connected in driving relationship 40 the jackshaft section 40 the pump 99 turns the
With the countershaft 68 by means of the axially Shaft 96 at a rate to produce the desired rate Of
shiftable clutch 74. From this description it feed-off rotation for the spooling drum 9.
will be understood that the countershaft 68 may The provisions for Supplying air to each of
be driven at either of two speeds with respect to the air operated friction clutches and for supply
the jackshaft section 40. 45 ing cooling water for the brake rims 20 of the
A beveled gear 75 fixed on the countershaft 68 drum 9 are largely omitted from the drawings
drives a similar beveled gear 76 fixed on the stub for purposes of clarity of illustration, Similarly,
shaft , which is carried on bearing 78. A self the lubricating connections, fittings, piping, etc.
aligned coupling 79 connects one end of the which convey lubricants to the various bearings
power transmission shaft 89 to the stub shaft 77 50 of the device are also omitted from the drawings.
and a Second Self-aligning coupling 8 connects In accordance with my invention a hub fo
the other end of the transmission shaft 80 to the is fixed on a tapered end 09 of the drumshaft 2.
power transmission shaft 82. This latter shaft A key prevents relative rotation. A plate 2
82 extends under a guard 83 and is connected to is secured to the shaft end by means of cap screws
rotate the drive shaft of the rotary machine (not 55 3 and serves to hold the hub O in position on
shown). the tapered shaft end. External splines f4 are
A catshaft 84 is rotatably connected in axially provided on the outer periphery of the hub, and
Spaced bearings 85 carried on the drawworks these Splines are engaged by the internal splines
frame 8. This catshaft may be provided with a formed on the inner diameter of the annular fric
cathead assembly 86 on each end thereof as 60 tion disks 5. A first friction plate 6 is posi
shown in Figure 1. The catshaft is provided with tioned between the disks 5 and a second friction
a driven Sprocket 87 fixed thereon arranged to be plate 7 is positioned adjacent the stationary
driven from driving sprocket 88 rotatably mount Wall if 8 of the clutch housing or shell 9. A
ed On the line shaft 3. A chain 89 connects the pistOn 20 engages one of the disks 5 and is
SprocketS 87 and 88. A sprocket 7 fixed on the 65 mounted for axial movement within the shell
jackshaft section 39 drives the sprocket 8 which 9. The piston 20 and plates if 6 and T are
is fixed to the Sprocket 88. each provided with external splines which are
In conventiontal drilling rigs the cable which received by the internal splines 2 provided
is wound on the spooling drum 9 is paid out Within the shell 9. A cover 22 which encom
gradually in order to feed the drill string and bit 70 paSSes the end of the drumshaft 2 is connected
into the formation. This feed-off operation is ac to the shell 9 by means of the through bolts
complished conventionally by relaxing the brake 23. The piston f2O is sealed with respect to the
bands (not shown) which are trained over the shell and cover by means of a flexible diaphragm
brake rims 20. The feed-off accomplished by 24. A rotary stuffing box assembly 25 carried
relaxation of the brake bands is irregular and 75 by the cover 22 at a location on the center line
 2,594,666.
5 6
of the drumshaft 2 serves to introduce fluid . by rotating the drum 9 in a forward direction {
pressure into the space 26 between the piston
2O and the cover 22. From this description it
will be understood that the shell 9 is placed in
driving relationship With the hub When air
pressure is admitted into the space 26 to bring
the friction disks 5 into engagement. With the
piston. 20 and friction plates 6 and fif.
The driving sprocket, 23 is connected to the
shell 9 of the clutch 24. As shown in the draw:
ings this connection includes a plurality of
threaded elements 27 and a plurality of pins 28
which transmit the torque, he driving Sprocket
23, is provided with an elongated annular hus
section 29 mounted on axially Spaced bearings
30 and 3. ".
In accordance with my invention i provide an
annular clutch ring 32 which is carried. On the
sprocket member 23. Ihis clutch ring 32 encir
cles a portion of the elongated hub section 29
and is provided with splines 33 Gin its Outer
periphery. These splines engage within internal
splines 36 provided within the bore of the cylin
drical section 35 of the shell 9. Bevel clutch
jaws 36 are provided on the clutch ring 32 and
a companion set of bevel clutch jaws 3 are
mounted on a side face of the hub it. A plu
rality of axially extending pins 38 are attached
to the clutch ring 32 at one end and are attached
to a shifter collar 39 at the other end. A corn 30
pression spring 4 encircles each of the pins 38.
One end of each spring engages the shifter colla.1
39 and the other end engages a washer fixed
within the web 42 of the sprocket member 23.
It will be understood that each of the pins 38
extends through the web 2. A non-rotary ring
43 may be axially shifted by any suitable fork
device (not shown) to move the shifter collar
39 to the left as viewed in Figure 2. This moves
the pins 38 and brings the bevel jaws 36 of the
clutch ring 32 into driving engagement with the
companion jaws 37 carried on the hub it.
Engagement of the jaws 36 and 37 establishes
a positive driving connection between the Sprocket
member 23 and the drumshaft 2. This is a valu
able feature for it enables the drumshaft 2 to
be turned even in the event of failure of air Sup
ply for actuating the high capacity friction clutch
24.
The clutch ring 32 may be moved back to the 50
inoperative position shown by applying a force
to the nonrotary ring 43, if desired. The clutch
ring 32 is provided with a conical bore 44 which
seats on the conical surface 5 provided on the provided with an annular series of external Spline
hub section 29 of the sprocket 23. The Spring 55 teeth, a power transmitting member rotatably
40 maintains the conical surfaces A4 and 45 mounted on the shaft and having a radial Wall
in engagement so that the clutch ring 32 in its
inoperative position is held in a central position
so that it does not vibrate or chatter and So that
it does not case wear on the interengaging 60
splines 33 and 34.
The clutch ring 32 has an important func
tion. With the feed-off device above described.
When the drum f is unspooling line while the
drill string is being rotated the clutch ring 32
is moved to its operative engaged position to Con
nect the drumshaft 2 in positive driving rela
tionship with the sprocket 23. During the long
periods of drilling it is unnecessary to introduce
air into the space 26 for clamping the friction
disks 5. When it is desired to raise the drill
string after an interval of drilling with the bit
on bottom the air operated friction clutch 34. On
the line shaft 3i is engaged to bring the high
speed drive through sprocket 25 into play, there
to wind up the cable thereon and thereby raise
the drill string off botton. When the high Speed
drive through sprockets 33 and 25 rotates the
drumshaft 2, the hub over-runs the clutch
ring 32 with the result that the beveled surfaces
146 on the clutch ring 32 and hub automatis .
cally disengage the jaws 36 and 13. So that the
springs 40 may move the clutch 32 back, to its
O inoperative position. It is therefore to be linder- .
stood that the high Speed drive through Sprocket.
25 may be brought into play at any time. While.
the feed-off device is in operation without first
requiring that the low speed clutch be first dis
engaged. ... . . . . . .
Certain features of the construction, shown
in Figure 1. of the drawings are the Subject-of the
copending application of John B. Picard for
“Rotary Drilling Rig,'. filed April 12, 1949, and
bearing Serial No. 86,875. . .. .
Having fully described ny invention, it is to:
be understood that I do not wish to be limited.
to the details herein set forth, but my invention
is of the full Scope of the appended claim.S.
25 I claim:
1. In a device of the class described, the coni
bination of a shaft, a hub fixed on the Shaft and
provided with an annular series of external Spline
teeth, a power transmitting member rotatably
mounted on the shaft and having a radial Wall.
and an axially extending shellencircling the hub,
a sprocket fixed to said member, a friction disk.
carried by said hub within Said shell and having
internal splines cooperating with the Spline teeth
35 on the hub, a movable element carried on the
member and adapted to clamp the friction disk.
between the element and Said radial Wall Where
by a friction driving connection is established
between the member and the hub, fluid pressure
40 means for actuating said element, mechanical
means for effecting a positive driving engage
ment between said member and the hub, Said
means including an axially slidable clutch ring
splined on said member, cooperating conical Sur
45 faces on the clutch ring and Said member form
ing a seat for the clutch ring in its inoperative
position, and cooperating bevel clutch jaWS on
the clutch ring and hub adapted to be engaged
through axial movement of the clutch ring, the
bevel jaws being disengaged when the hub over
runs the power-transmitting member.
2. In a device of the class described, the con
bination of a shaft, a hub fixed on the shaft and
and an axially extending shell encircling the
hub, a sprocket fixed to said member, a friction
disk carried by said hub within said shell and
having internal splines cooperating with the
spline teeth on the hub, a movable element car
ried on the member and adapted to clamp the
friction disk between the element and said radial
wall whereby a friction driving connection is
65 established between the member and the hub,
fluid pressure means for actuating said element,
mechanical means for effecting a positive driving
engagement between said member and the hub,
said means including an axially slidable clutch
70 ring splined on said member, cooperating conical
surfaces on the clutch ring and Said member
forming a seat for the clutch ring in its inopera
tive position, resilient means acting to move the
clutch ring toward said seat, and cooperating
5 bevel clutch jaws on the clutch ring and hub
 2,594,666.
7 8
adapted to be engaged through axial movement
of the clutch ring, the bevel jaws being disen
gaged when the hub overruns the power-trans
mitting member.
3. In a device of the class described, having
a shaft rotatably mounted upon Spaced bearings
and an overhanging end of the Shaft extending
beyond one of the bearings, the combination of
a hub member fixed on the overhanging portion
of the shaft, a pair of spaced roller bearings Sup
ported on said shaft between the hub member
and the shaft bearing, a power-transmitting
member mounted on said spaced roller bearings
for rotation relative to the shaft, releasable me
chanical means for effecting a positive driving
engagement between said members, Said means
including an axially slidable clutch ring carried
on one of said members and splined to rotate
therewith, axially engageable bevel jaws on the
clutch ring and the other member whereby the
clutch ring may drive the member and whereby
overrunning of the member with respect to the
clutch ring automatically moves the clutch ring
axially to disengage the jaws, cooperating coni
cal surfaces on the clutch ring and said mem
ber forming a seat for the clutch ring in its
disengaged position, a pair of friction disks en
circling the hub member and each splined to one
of said members, and fluid actuated means
adapted to bring said disks into frictional en
gagement with each other to establish a frictional
driving connection between said members.
4. In a device of the class described, having a
shaft rotatably mounted upon spaced bearings
and an overhanging end of the shaft extending
beyond one of the bearings, the combination
of a hub member fixed on the Overhanging por
tion of the shaft, a pair of spaced roller bearings
supported on said shaft between the hub member
and the shaft bearing, a power-transmitting
member mounted on said spaced roller bearings
for rotation relative to the shaft, releasable me
5 chanical means for effecting a positive driving
engagement between said members, Said means
including an axially slidable clutch ring carried
on one of said members and splined to rotate
therewith, axially engageable bevel jaws on the
O clutch ring and the other member whereby the
clutch ring may drive the member and whereby
overrunning of the member with respect to the
clutch ring automatically moves the clutch ring
axially to disengage the jaws, cooperating conical
surfaces on the clutch ring and Said member
forming a seat for the clutch ring in its disen
gaged position, a pair of friction disks encircling
the hub member and each splined to one of Said
members, means adapted to bring Said disks into
20 frictional engagement with each other to estab
lish a frictional driving connection between Said
members, said means including a fluid actuated
piston supported by the power-transmitting mem
ber and encompassing the end of the Shaft.
SPENCER. W. LONG.
REFERENCES CITED
The following references are of record in the
file of this patent:
30
UNITED STATES PATENTS
Number Name Date
Re. 18,947 Greve ------------- Sept. 12, 1933
1,794,613 Heany ------------- Mar. 3, 1931
35
2,161,075 Morgan ------------ June 6, 1939
2,360,489 Gillett ------------- Oct. 17, 1944