Method of and kit for installing a centralizer on a pipe segment

Abstract

First and second centralizer portions, comprising a first end collar coupled to a plurality of first bow spring segments and a second end collar coupled to a plurality of second bow spring segments, respectively, may be received onto the pipe segment on opposite sides of an installed stop collar. The plurality of first bow spring segments are coupled to the plurality of second bow spring segments, such as by welding, to form a bow spring centralizer with a plurality of bow springs extending between the first and second end collars, the bow spring centralizer movable along the pipe segment within a limited range defined by the separation of the first and second end collars. In one embodiment, the first centralizer portion and the second centralizer portion may be formed by cutting through the bow springs of a bow spring centralizer.

1 . A method of installing a centralizer on a pipe segment, comprising the steps of:
 installing a stop collar on a pipe segment;   receiving an end collar of a first centralizer portion onto the pipe segment on a first side of the stop collar and receiving an end collar of a second centralizer portion onto the pipe segment on a second side of the stop collar opposite the first side;   assembling a centralizer by coupling the first centralizer portion to the second centralizer portion;   wherein the range of axial movement of the centralizer along the pipe segment is limited by the stop collar.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of assembly comprises the step of:
 coupling a first plurality of bow spring segments of the first centralizer portion to a second plurality of bow spring segments of the second centralizer portion to form a bow spring centralizer having a plurality of bow springs extending between the end collars of the first and second centralizer portions.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling step comprises connecting the first plurality of bow spring segments to the second plurality of bow spring segments using a plurality of welds along a plurality of weld paths intermediate the end collars of the first and second centralizer portions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 cutting through a plurality of bow springs of a bow spring centralizer intermediate a first end collar and a second end collar to form the first centralizer portion and the second centralizer portion.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the cuts are linear. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cuts through the bow springs are made at a non-perpendicular angle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein coupling the first plurality of bow spring segments to the second plurality of bow spring segments comprises welding the first plurality of bow spring segments to the second plurality of bow spring segments. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the welding occurs along generally linear weld paths forming a non-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal centerlines of the bow springs formed thereby. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 welding a backing plate to an interior face of at least one of the plurality of bow springs, wherein the backing plate covers at least a portion of the weld path between the first bow spring segment and second bow spring segment.   
     
     
         10 . A kit for assembling a bow spring centralizer about a stop collar on a pipe segment comprising:
 a first centralizer portion having a first end collar and a first plurality of bow spring segments coupled at a first end to the first end collar;   a second centralizer portion having a second end collar and a second plurality of bow spring segments coupled at a first end to the second end collar;   wherein at least one of the first plurality of bow spring segments has a second end with a shape complimentary to a second end of at least one of the second plurality of bow spring segments to facilitate forming a bow spring by welding the second end of the at least one of the first plurality of bow spring segments to the second end of the at least one of the second plurality of bow spring segments.   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 11  wherein the kit further comprises a backing plate. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 10  further comprising a stop collar having a bore to be received on a pipe segment. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 10  wherein the first end collar and the second end collar have bores sized to receive a pipe segment. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13  further comprising a stop collar having a bore sized to receive the pipe segment. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein the second end of the at least one of the first plurality of bow spring segments forms an angle of 20 to 70 degrees, inclusive, to a longitudinal centerline of the bow spring segment. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein the second end of the at least one of the plurality of bow spring segments is chamfered. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein the second end of the at least one of the first plurality of bow spring segments is chamfered.