Slim Hole Pipe Cutting Apparatus

Abstract

A pipe cutting apparatus for insertion through a slim hole into a deep well casing includes a cylindrical body member having a side wall defining open top and bottom ends and an interior area. The side wall defines a pair of slots. A pair of cutting members includes a first end coupled to the side wall adjacent one end of a respective slot and a second end extending into a respective slot. Each cutting member is inwardly biased through a slot into the interior area. The side wall includes a diameter smaller than a diameter of the well casing and larger than that of the tubing such that respective cutting members bear against the tubing when the body member is inserted into the deep well casing. A blade is coupled to each second end of respective cutting members and configured to cut the tubing when the body member is rotated.

1 . A pipe cutting apparatus for use in cutting tubing that extends internally within a deep well casing, said cutting apparatus comprising:
 a body member having a continuous side wall defining opposed open top and bottom ends and an interior area therebetween;   wherein said side wall defines at least one longitudinally extending slot;   at least one cutting member having a first end coupled to said side wall adjacent an end of said at least one slot and a second end extending into said at least one slot, said at least one cutting member being normally biased such that said second end extends through said slot into said interior area.   
     
     
         2 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said side wall of said body member includes a diameter smaller than a diameter of the well casing and larger than a diameter of the tubing such that said at least one cutting member bears against the tubing when said body member is selectively positioned between the internal tubing and the deep well casing. 
     
     
         3 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein:
 said at least one cutting member includes opposed side edges extending longitudinally between said first and second ends; and   a blade is coupled to said second end of said at least one cutting member adjacent said first side edge, said blade being configured to cut the tubing when said cutting member is bearing against the tubing and said body member is rotated.   
     
     
         4 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said first end of said at least one cutting member includes a mounting plate coupled to an outer surface of said side wall of said body member. 
     
     
         5 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of said side wall adjacent said top end of said body member includes a threaded configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said bottom end of said body member includes a cut lip configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cutting member is constructed of spring steel configured to bend inwardly toward said interior area so as to contact the tubing when said body member is inserted into the well casing. 
     
     
         8 . A pipe cutting apparatus for use in cutting tubing that extends internally within a deep well casing, said cutting apparatus comprising:
 a body member having a continuous side wall defining opposed open top and bottom ends and an interior area therebetween;   wherein said body member defines a pair of opposed longitudinally extending slots extending partially between said open top and said bottom end; and   a pair of cutting members each having a first end coupled to said side wall adjacent an end of a respective slot and a second end extending over said respective slot, each said cutting member being inwardly biased such that said second end extends inwardly through said slot into said interior area.   
     
     
         9 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 8 , wherein said side wall of said body member includes a diameter smaller than a diameter of the well casing and larger than a diameter of the tubing such that respective cutting members bear against the tubing when said body member is selectively positioned between the tubing and the deep well casing. 
     
     
         10 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 9 , wherein:
 said respective cutting members include opposed side edges extending longitudinally between respective first and second ends; and   a blade is coupled to respective second ends of said respective cutting members adjacent respective first side edges, said blade being configured to cut the tubing when said respective cutting members are bearing against the tubing and said body member is rotated.   
     
     
         11 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 8 , wherein said first end of each cutting member includes a mounting plate coupled to an outer surface of said side wall of said body member. 
     
     
         12 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 8 , wherein an inner surface of said side wall adjacent said top end of said body member includes a threaded configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 8 , wherein said bottom end of said body member includes a cut lip configuration so as to clear debris. 
     
     
         14 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 8 , wherein each cutting member is constructed of spring steel configured to bend inwardly toward said interior area so as to contact the tubing when said body member is inserted into the well casing. 
     
     
         15 . The pipe cutting apparatus as in  claim 8 , wherein said body member includes a cylindrical configuration and is configured to slide between the tubing and deep well casing.