Rotary Fluid Jet Cutter

Abstract

Apparatus for cutting tubulars or solid work pieces by fluid jet pressure without the need for attaching the apparatus to the tubular. The apparatus minimizes the risk of explosion due to overheating or sparks caused by open flames, k method for cutting the tubular or solid work piece is also disclosed. The apparatus may be used for cutting the casing of an oil or gas well as it is removed from the well.

I claim: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for cutting a tubular or solid work piece by high pressure fluid comprising:
 a main housing having an aperture therein adapted to receive the tubular or other work piece;   an actuator coupled to the housing;   a spinner disc coupled to the actuator and rotatably supported within the house; and   a jet nozzle assembly secured to the spinner disc.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a first and second sprockets connected together by a roller chain within the main housing, the actuator being connected to the first sprocket and the spinner disc being connected to the second sprocket. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a swing arm nozzle support adjustably connected to a top cover plate, the jet nozzle assembly being fixedly connected to the swing arm nozzle support. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the top cover plate is attached to the spinner disc. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of adjustable leg supports secured to the main housing. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further including a top guard plate secured to and spaced from the top cover plate. 
     
     
         7 . A method for cutting a tubular or solid piece of work comprising:
 1) positioning the tubular within a housing having an aperture for receiving the tubular,   2) rotatably supporting one or more jet nozzle assemblies on the housing surrounding the tubular or work piece,   3) supplying high pressure cutting fluid to the jet nozzle assembly, and   4) directing a fluid jet from the jet nozzle assembly against the outer periphery of the tubular or work piece to thereby sever the tubular or solid work piece.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the tubing is casing from an oil or gas well. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  including the step of removing a portion of the casing from the well and cutting the portion of the casing that is out of the well. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  further including the step of moving the jet nozzle assembly in an arcurate path around the tubular or solid piece of work. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a plurality of jet nozzle assemblies secured to the spinner disc and a plurality of swing arm nozzle supports.