# US 2014/0196906 A1 · Latching system for well swabbing tools > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196906 A1 - Document ID: US20140196906A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/685,753 - Filed: 2012-11-27 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-27 - Inventors: LANE ELENBURG; COBY MEYERS; BRYAN ELENBURG; Richard Machina - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196906A1 ## CPC - E21B 43/00: Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells (applicable only to water E03B) - E21B 33/072: for cable-operated tools (E21B33/076 takes precedence) - E21B 37/10: Well swabs - F04B 47/12: having free plunger lifting the fluid to the surface - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - F04B: POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS (machines for liquids, or pumps, of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type F04C; non-positive-displacement pumps F04D; pumping of fluid by direct contact of another fluid or by using inertia of fluid to be pumped F04F) ## Abstract A latch system configured to permit one-way automatic passing of a swabbing tool. The latch system having a housing in communication with a well bore and a latch assembly housing a latch member with a latch. The latch is configured to selectively translate through an aperture in the housing. The latch assembly utilizes a biasing member to selectively control the location of the latch. The biasing member is sealingly separated from exposure to discharge fluids within the housing. While in an extended position, the latch allows the removal of the swabbing tool from the well bore but prevents the passing of the swabbing tool from a swab tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A latch system for a well head, comprising: a housing configured to couple to the well head, the housing in communication with a well bore to permit the passing of discharge fluids, the housing having an aperture; and a latch assembly having a body coupled to the housing, the latch assembly comprising: a latch configured to selectively engage the aperture and extend internally to the housing; and a biasing member configured to engage the latch and permit selective translation of the latch within the latch body; wherein the biasing member is sealingly separated from exposure to discharge fluids. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The latch system of claim 1, wherein the latch of the latch assembly is manually operated. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The latch system of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a spring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The latch system of claim 1, wherein the translation of the latch is controlled by remote operation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The latch system of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a hydraulic device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The latch system of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a motorized device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The latch system of claim 1, further comprising: a lever in communication with the latch and being configured to translate the latch within the body as the lever is alternated between a first orientation and a second orientation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The latch system of claim 1, further comprising: an optional adapter to threadedly couple the housing to the well bore. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The latch system of claim 1, further comprising: a grease sert configured to provide lubrication to at least one of the latch and the biasing member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The latch system of claim 1, wherein the latch is configured to prevent the passing of a swabbing tool through the well bore after the swabbing tool has cleared the well head. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The latch system of claim 1, further comprising: a swab tee in communication with the well bore and being configured to receive the discharge fluid from the well bore. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The latch system of claim 1, further comprising: a swab tube coupled to an upper end of the housing, the swab tube in communication with a swabbing tool, the swab tube configured to contain the swabbing tool outside of the well. ### Claim 13 A method of swabbing a well having a wellhead and a well bore, comprising: coupling a latch system to the well, the latch system having a latch body and a housing in communication with the well bore; locating a swabbing tool within the interior of the well bore; and operating a latch to extend internally within the housing, the latch being biased by a biasing member sealingly separated from discharge fluids within the well bore; wherein the latch is configured to automatically permit the passing of the swabbing tool in a single direction while extending internally within the housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the latch permits the free motion of the swabbing tool within the well bore while in an extended position within the interior of the housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the latch is manually operated. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the latch is operated from a remote location. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: transferring control of the latch system between a manual operation and a remote operation. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein at least one adapter is used to couple the latch system to the wellhead. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claims 13, wherein the housing is integrally coupled to a swab tee configured to receive the discharge fluids. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: retracting the latch to permit the lowering of the swabbing tool, such that the swabbing tool enters the wellhead.