Variable size,multi-hinge centralizer

Claim 2

The combination of a centralizer and a well pipe comprising a pair of axially spaced and aligned collar means mounted on the well pipe, each collar means comprising of a multiplicity of more than two separate segments releasably connected together and encircling the well pipe, each segment being circumferentially curved to a predetermined radius of curvature and having a center of curvature radially displaced from the center of curvature of the outer surface of the well pipe and a plurality of outwardly bowed staves extending between and mounted on said collar means.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein each said stave has one end mounted on one said segment of one collar means and the other end mounted on one said segment of the other collar means.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 2 wherein only one stave end is mounted on any said given segment.

Claim 5

A The combination of claim 1 wherein the radius of curvature of each said segment is approximately 3 1/2 inches.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 1 wherein at least four of said segments comprise each collar means and only three different circumferential widths form all diameters of collar means.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 1 in which said staves are releasably connected to said segments.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 6 in which each said segment to which a stave is connected has a cutout portion through which the stave extends, a bridge element over the stave and an abutment engaged by a portion of the stave for preventing withdrawal of the stave.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 1 in which each said segment has a circumferential extent of substantially less than 90* with respect to the said predetermined radius of curvature of said segment.

Claim 10

A centralizer for multiple sizes of well pipe comprising at least three axially aligned and spaced for producing at least two pairs of collar means with end collar means and common intermediate collar means, each collar means comprised of a multiplicity of more than two separate segments releasably connected together to encircle the well pipe, each segment being circumferentially curved to a predetermined radius of curvature for all of the multiple sizes of well pipe with said radius being within the range of radii of such multiple well pipe size, and a plurality of outwardly bowed staves extending between and mounted on each pair of collar means and extending in each direction from said intermediate collar means.

Claim 11

A centralizer for multiple sizes of well pipe comprising at least three axially aligned and spaced for producing at least two pairs of collar means with end collar means and common intermediate collar means, each collar means comprised of a multiplicity of more than two separate segments releasably connected together to encircle the well pipe, each segment being circumferentially curved to a predetermined radius of curvature for all of the multiple sizes of well pipe with said radius being within the range of radii of such multiple well pipe size, and a plurality of outwardly bowed staves extending between and mounted on each pair of collar means and extending in each direction from said intermediate collar means.

Claim 12

The centralizer of claim 9 in which only one stave is mounted on any given segment.

Claim 13

The combination of a centralizer device and a well pipe comprising, a muLtiplicity of more than two arcuate collar segments having longitudinal edges connected together into a collar of a size encircling the well pipe, each said collar segment being circumferentially curved to a predetermined radius of curvature and having a center of curvature radially displaced from the center of curvature of the outer surface of the well pipe, two said collars axially spaced and aligned, a plurality of outwardly bowed staves extending between and mounted on said collars, and at least some of said arcuate collar segments circumferentially wider than said staves and having a stave mounted thereon with only one stave mounted on a segment.

Claim 14

The combination of a centralizer device and a well pipe comprising, a muLtiplicity of more than two arcuate collar segments having longitudinal edges connected together into a collar of a size encircling the well pipe, each said collar segment being circumferentially curved to a predetermined radius of curvature and having a center of curvature radially displaced from the center of curvature of the outer surface of the well pipe, two said collars axially spaced and aligned, a plurality of outwardly bowed staves extending between and mounted on said collars, and at least some of said arcuate collar segments circumferentially wider than said staves and having a stave mounted thereon with only one stave mounted on a segment.

Claim 15

The combination of claim 11 wherein connecting elements are provided along each longitudinal edge of each segment with the elements along one edge opposite relative to the elements along the other longitudinal edge for comprising reversible and mating connecting sections.

Claim 16

The combination of claim 11 wherein for accomplishing said connection between segments each segment has one-half of a hinge section along each said longitudinal edge comprised of plural spaced and aligned tubular elements, and hinge pins join the adjacent hinge sections of the multiplicity of arcuate collar segments into each said collar.

Claim 17

The combination of claim 13 wherein the tubular elements along one longitudinal edge of each segment are offset relative to the tubular elements along the other longitudinal edge for comprising reversible and mating hinge sections.

Claim 18

A centralizer for any size well pipe whose external surface has a curvature within a predetermined range of curvatures employing a multiplicity of arcuate segments each having the same predetermined curvature which curvature is within said predetermined range of curvatures, and each having an arcuate extend of substantially less than 180* and means for circumferentially connecting the segments together and with a plurality of bowed spring staves each having one of such segments attached to each end, constructed by the method of, selecting at least three staves with attached segments, selecting an appropriate number of individual segments which are not attached to the ends of said staves to join with such selected stave segments at each end of the staves to form collars at each end of the staves of a size to encircle the particular well pipe on which the centralizer is to be mounted, and connecting together the selected nonattached segments and said attached segments to form spaced and aligned collars with the staves extending therebetween.

Claim 19

A centralizer for any size well pipe whose external surface has a curvature within a predetermined range of curvatures employing a multiplicity of arcuate segments each having the same predetermined curvature which curvature is within said predetermined range of curvatures, and each having an arcuate extend of substantially less than 180* and means for circumferentially connecting the segments together and with a plurality of bowed spring staves each having one of such segments attached to each end, constructed by the method of, selecting at least three staves with attached segments, selecting an appropriate number of individual segments which are not attached to the ends of said staves to join with such selected stave segments at each end of the staves to form collars at each end of the staves of a size to encircle the particular well pipe on which the centralizer is to be mounted, and connecting together the selected nonattached segments and said attached segments to form spaced and aligned collars with the staves extending therebetween.