Apparatus and method for stripping solids and fluids from a string used in drilling or servicing wells

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for stripping solids and fluids from a string used in the drilling or servicing of a well when the string is removed from the well. The apparatus can comprise two or more pivotally connected arcuate body portions that can be enclosed around the string in a clamshell fashion. The apparatus can further comprise a seal disposed therein to provide a toroidal sealing member around the string when the apparatus encloses the string. A quick release latch mechanism is provided on the apparatus for easy and quick installation on, and removal from, the string. Handles on the apparatus allow personnel to hold the apparatus in a stationary position as the string passes through the apparatus when being raised from the well. In so doing, the sealing member strips solids and fluids from the string.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A seal against fluid movement along a tubular body, the seal comprising:
 sealing members connected at joints that together define an annular seal with an interior sealing edge forming an opening for receiving the tubular body with an outer edge; and   the sealing members further comprising a plurality of cuts in the sealing members extending radially from the opening formed by the sealing members to allow the opening to expand and contract in diameter.   
     
     
         22 . The seal of  claim 21  in which the sealing members are connected at each joint between adjacent sealing members by overlapping portions that extend from the interior sealing edge to the outer edge of the annular seal. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the sealing members are disposed in a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body comprising two or more arcuate body portions pivotally connected together and a latch mechanism disposed on one or more body portions, the latch mechanism releasably connecting the arcuate body portions together to form the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises an over center latch. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein the sealing members comprise a plurality of seal portions, one seal portion for each arcuate body portion. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein the arcuate body portions further comprise a groove disposed on an interior surface thereof, the groove removably receiving the sealing members therein. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein the sealing members are configured to be removably installed in the groove. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the sealing members further comprise means for allowing the sealing member opening to expand and contract in diameter. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein the means further comprises a plurality of cuts in the sealing members extending radially from the sealing member opening. 
     
     
         30 . A sealing member to be removably received by an apparatus having two or more arcuate body portions pivotally connected together and forming a cylindrical body when closed together for stripping off solids and fluids from a string used in the drilling or services or a well, the sealing member comprising:
 a) a plurality of seal portions having a top face and a bottom face, one seal portion for each arcuate body portion; and   b) the seal portions form an opening that forms a seal around the string when the cylindrical body is enclosed around the string whereby the sealing member strips solids and fluids off of the string when the string passes through the apparatus;   the sealing member being connected to adjacent sealing members at joints that together define an annular seal with an interior sealing edge forming an opening for receiving the tubular body with an outer edge; and   the sealing member further comprising a plurality of cuts in the sealing member extending radially from the opening formed by the sealing members to allow the opening to expand and contract in diameter.   
     
     
         31 . The sealing member as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein the sealing member further comprises means for allowing the sealing member opening to expand and contract in diameter. 
     
     
         32 . The sealing member as set forth in  claim 31 , where in the means further comprises a plurality of cuts in the sealing member extending radially from the sealing member opening. 
     
     
         33 . The seal as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein the sealing member further comprises a channel between the top face and bottom face of the seal portions, the channel surrounding the sealing member opening. 
     
     
         34 . A method for sealing against fluid movement along a tubular body, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a hand held pipe wiper comprising:
 i) sealing members connected at joints that together define an annular seal with an interior sealing edge forming an opening for receiving the tubular body and with an outer edge; and 
 ii) the sealing members further comprising a plurality of cuts in the sealing members extending radially from the opening formed by the sealing members to allow the opening to expand and contract in diameter; 
   b) enclosing the pipe wiper around a string whereby the sealing member has formed a seal around the string; and   c) holding the pipe wiper in position while the string is being raised out of a well whereby the sealing element strips off solids and fluids from the string.   
     
     
         35 . The method as set forth in  claim 34 , wherein the hand held pipe wiper further comprises two or more arcuate body portions pivotally connected together and forming a cylindrical body when closed together, a latch mechanism disposed on one or more body portions, the latch mechanism releasably connecting the arcuate body portions together to form the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         36 . The method as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises an over center latch. 
     
     
         37 . The method as set forth in  claim 34 , wherein the sealing members comprise a plurality of seal portions, one seal portion for each arcuate body portion. 
     
     
         38 . The method as set forth in  claim 34 , wherein the arcuate body portions further comprise a groove disposed on an interior surface thereof, the groove removably receiving the sealing members therein. 
     
     
         39 . The method as set forth in  claim 34 , wherein the sealing members further comprise means for allowing the sealing member opening to expand and contract in diameter. 
     
     
         40 . The method as set forth in  claim 40 , wherein the means further comprises a plurality of cuts in the sealing member extending radially from the sealing member opening.