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Primary leak containment device for well-headsRelated Patent Categories: Wells, Above Ground Apparatus, Fluid Catcher Around Pipe CouplingPrimary leak containment device for well-heads description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070169931, Primary leak containment device for well-heads. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a primary leak containment device for collecting and diverting spilled liquid from the stuffing box during operation of a reciprocating pumping device or `pump-jack` system as is commonly employed, for example, in the oil recovery industry. More specifically, it is an inverted truncated conical shaped receptacle or funnel, adapted to be readily secured in a generally fluid tight aspect around a wellhead, below the top of the stuffing box, and having a fluid outlet aperture formed near its lower end and an external spigot surrounding the aperture. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A common problem encountered during the operating of a reciprocating pumping device or `pumpjack` system is the frictional wear and associated fluid leakage at the stuffing box. Generally, the stuffing box is positioned on top of the wellhead and surrounds the polish rod to provide a fluid tight seal to prevent fluid leaking. Over time the seal within the stuffing box wears and loses its effectiveness with the resultant loss of liquid from the well. [0003] Such leakage may initially be of a small volume and continue for an extended period of time until the increase in leakage volume warrants maintenance of the stuffing box. This leakage unless contained, can eventually result in a substantial volume being spilled from the wellhead. As a result there is an expense associated with cleaning and maintaining the wellhead in a safe working condition and a further expense associated with required environmental site cleanup through the disposal of the surrounding contaminated soil. [0004] The primary leak containment device of the present invention is simple to use and easy to install and requires little or no maintenance. The device may be installed on a wellhead at the time of pumping commencement and may be left in place for the duration of production thereby preventing any quantity of liquid escaping from the stuffing box fouling the wellhead or surrounding soil. [0005] In the prior art the applicant is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,593 which issued Sep. 11, 2001 to Holtby for an Oilwell Leak Containment Device for a Completed Oilwell. This device is a shallow segmented pan where coupling means is located within the pan and drainage aperture is provided within a segment of the pan allowing a passage of liquid to a second container or tray. [0006] The applicant is also aware of U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,794 which issued Jun. 16, 1992 to Hibdon et al. for a Waste Fluid Containment and Recovery Apparatus, wherein a pan is secured to a wellhead by bolting through the pan into the wellhead. [0007] The applicant is also aware of U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,397 which issued Jul. 23, 1985 to Calhoun for an Oil Saving Apparatus for use with Well Pump Polish Rod, wherein a housing may be secured to the upper end of a stuffing box and enclosing the polish rod to collect and divert leaked fluid from the stuffing box. [0008] The simplicity of design of the present invention is neither taught nor suggested. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The primary leak containment device of the present invention may be a conical shaped receptacle or funnel having an integrally formed annular collar depending from its narrow end. The device may be manufactured from a somewhat flexible, resilient or semi-rigid material such as, without intending to be limiting, sheet steel or plastic. The containment device has a single contiguous split through both conical receptacle and cylindrical collar, thereby forming adjacent edges. The split side allows the adjacent edges of the receptacle to be manually expanded so as to permit placement of the leak containment device around, the associated polish rods and stuffing box of the wellhead. Suitable closure devices such as, for example, quick release, adjustable `over-center` latches affixed adjacent to the split edges of the receptacle and depending collar tightly draw the split sloping side edges together and enable the collar to be secured about the wellhead in a fluid tight manner. [0010] A fluid outlet aperture is provided near the lower (narrow) end of the receptacle, in proximity to the depending collar, to facilitate easy drainage of a quantity of liquid from the primary leak containment device to a secondary liquid storage container. The spigot may be provided with threads or a suitable quick release coupling so that a closure device such as a cap can be readily attached so that the flow of liquid from the primary receptacle may be interrupted permitting the emptying or exchanging of a secondary device without spillage of fluid. Alternatively, where a hose or other suitable extension is attached to the spigot alternative closure means may be employed. [0011] The ease with which this device can be installed on a wellhead encourages its continuous use during the production and servicing operation. [0012] Thus, summarized, the primary leak containment device for wellheads according to one embodiment of the present invention may be characterized as including: [0013] a) a liquid receiving receptacle which is releasably mountable to a wellhead and in one embodiment may be conical or funnel shaped with a depending annular cylindrical collar at its narrow (lower) edge, both collar and sloping side of the receptacle having a contiguous split thereby forming adjacent edges in both collar and sloping side. The liquid receiving receptacle may be manufactured from semi-rigid material so as to be readily deformable to accommodate placement around associated polish rods and stuffing box on a wellhead. [0014] b) a liquid receiving receptacle where adjacent edges on the sloping side of the receptacle and on the depending collar are secured in a liquid tight aspect by a plurality of suitable adjustable closure latches which are easily accessible on the external under surface of the receptacle. [0015] c) a liquid receiving receptacle having a fluid outlet aperture provided near the lower (narrow) end of the receptacle in proximity to the depending collar and an external spigot extending coaxial with the outlet aperture. [0016] d) a liquid receiving receptacle having an external spigot extending from the under surface of the receptacle to which suitable closure means for interrupting the discharge of liquid from the receptacle may be secured. [0017] In summary, the present invention may be characterized in one aspect as a leak containment device for a well-head, the containment device including a resilient hollow inverted frusto-conical upper section having a narrow end at a lower end of the upper section and an annular collar mounted to the lower end of the upper section so as to extend downwardly therefrom, and so that the upper section and the collar co-axial are about a substantially vertical axis of symmetry when mounted on the well-head. [0018] A spigot is mounted in fluid communication with, so as to extend from a side of the lower end. A contiguous separatable seam is formed in the upper section and the collar so as to allow resilient deformation of the upper section and the collar to open the seam into an open position for passage of the well-head into the upper section and the collar. [0019] The collar is sized for snug mating engagement around the well-head when the seam is resiliently returned to, and releasably locked in, a closed position wherein the seam is closed fluid-tight so as to inhibit fluid leakage through the seam. [0020] The seam may be substantially linear and substantially vertical when the device is mounted on the well-head. [0021] The seam may be an overlap seam further comprising a gasket mounted within the seam to one edge of the seam for sealing the seam when in the closed position. The means for releasably locking the seam may include at least one releasable latch mounted across the seam. [0022] The collar may further include an annular gasket mounted within the collar for fluid-tight sealing engagement around the well-head. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0023] FIG. 1, is a simplified depiction of a `pump-jack` system with the liquid receiving receptacle installed. [0024] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in section of the liquid receiving receptacle mounted to a wellhead. Continue reading about Primary leak containment device for well-heads... Full patent description for Primary leak containment device for well-heads Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Primary leak containment device for well-heads patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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