U.S. patent application number 11/654457 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for apparatus for positioning and stabbing pipe in a drilling rig derrick.
Invention is credited to Robert C. Hooper, Timothy M. Spisak.
Application Number | 20070114069 11/654457 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38052367 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070114069 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hooper; Robert C. ; et
al. |
May 24, 2007 |
Apparatus for positioning and stabbing pipe in a drilling rig
derrick
Abstract
A remotely controlled apparatus for positioning and stabbing
pipe within a drilling rig derrick is provided. A support base
assembly is mounted to a structural member of a drilling rig
derrick. A jointed articulating boom having a boom base member and
a boom arm member is attached to the support base assembly and can
be pivoted about vertical and horizontal axes. The jointed
articulating boom extends and retracts by cooperative motion
between the boom base member and the boom arm member. A pipe
gripper assembly having opposing arcuate jaws is mounted at the
outer extent of the jointed articulating boom and can be pivoted
about a horizontal axis. A remote control panel subassembly is used
to control the movement of jointed articulating boom and pipe
gripper assembly.
Inventors: |
Hooper; Robert C.;
(Broussard, LA) ; Spisak; Timothy M.; (Broussard,
LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ted M. Anthony
P.O. Box 3408
Lafayette
LA
70502
US
|
Family ID: |
38052367 |
Appl. No.: |
11/654457 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10983550 |
Nov 8, 2004 |
|
|
|
11654457 |
Jan 17, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
175/85 ;
166/77.51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 19/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/085 ;
166/077.51 |
International
Class: |
E21B 19/16 20060101
E21B019/16 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for positioning and stabbing pipe within a drilling
rig derrick comprising: a. an articulating boom having a first end,
a second end and at least one joint between said first and second
ends, wherein each such at least one joint is pivotal about a
horizontal axis intersecting said joint, and wherein said first end
of said articulating boom is pivotally mounted inside a drilling
rig derrick and is rotatable within said derrick about vertical and
horizontal axes intersecting said first end; b. a pipe gripper
attached to the second end of said articulating boom; c. means for
selectively moving said boom about said vertical and horizontal
axes intersecting said first end of aid articulating boom; d. means
for selectively extending and retracting said articulating boom;
and e. means for selectively increasing or decreasing the length of
said articulating boom.
2. An apparatus for positioning pipe within a drilling rig derrick
comprising: a. a mounting apparatus attached to said derrick; b. an
articulating boom, pivotally attached to said mounting apparatus,
comprising: i. a first rigid member having a base and a distal end,
wherein said base of said first rigid member rotates about vertical
and horizontal axes intersecting said base; and ii. a second rigid
member having a base and a distal end, wherein the base of said
second member is pivotally attached to the distal end of said first
rigid member, and said second rigid member pivots about a
horizontal pivot axis between said first and second rigid members;
and c. a pipe gripper attached to the distal end of said second
rigid member.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said pipe gripper is pivotally
attached to the distal end of said second rigid member, and said
pipe gripper pivots about a horizontal axis.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said pipe gripper comprises a
pair of opposing arcuate jaws.
5. An apparatus for positioning pipe within a drilling rig derrick
comprising: a. a mounting apparatus attached to said derrick; b. a
vertical shaft rotatably attached to said mounting apparatus,
wherein said vertical shaft rotates about a vertical axis; c. a
first boom member having a base and a distal end, wherein said base
of said first boom member is pivotally attached to said vertical
shaft, and said first rigid member pivots about a horizontal axis
between said base and said vertical shaft. d. a second boom member
having a base and a distal end, wherein the base of said second
boom member is pivotally attached to the distal end of said first
boom member, and said second boom member pivots about a horizontal
axis between said first and second boom members; and e. a pipe
gripper attached to the distal end of said second rigid member.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said pipe gripper is pivotally
attached to the distal end of said second rigid member, and said
pipe gripper pivots about a horizontal axis.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said pipe gripper comprises a
pair of opposing arcuate jaws.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] NONE
STATEMENTS AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY
SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] NONE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to an apparatus for positioning and
stabbing tubular goods, including large diameter pipe such as
casing, within a drilling rig derrick. More particularly, the
present invention pertains to an apparatus which can be mounted
within a drilling rig derrick, and which can grip a section of
pipe, such as large diameter casing, suspended within said derrick.
More particularly still, the present invention pertains to a
remotely operated apparatus which can grip a section of pipe
suspended within a drilling rig derrick and align such pipe so that
threads at the lower end thereof can be joined with mating threads
of a section of pipe situated therebelow.
[0005] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0006] Standard rotary drilling rigs are typically comprised of a
supportive rig floor, a roughly vertical derrick extending above
said rig floor, and a traveling block which can be raised and
lowered within said derrick. Such rig equipment is often used to
insert and remove tubular goods, such as pipe, from a wellbore
which is being drilled or serviced.
[0007] Drill bits and other equipment used in connection with the
drilling and/or servicing of wells are typically conveyed into and
out of such wells on tubular pipe known as drill pipe or "drill
string". At a point that a well has been drilled to a desired
depth, large diameter pipe called casing is often installed in said
well and cemented in place. Such casing, which provides structural
integrity to the wellbore and helps keep geologic formations
isolated from one another, is also installed in wells using the
above described drilling rig equipment.
[0008] Casing, drill pipe or other similar tubular goods are
typically installed in wells in a number of different sections of
roughly equal length. These sections, often called "joints," are
typically screwed together or otherwise joined end-to-end at the
earth's surface in order to form a roughly continuous "string" of
pipe. As the bottom or distal end of the pipe string penetrates
further into a well, additional joints of pipe are added is to the
ever lengthening pipe string in the rig derrick. Conversely, when
pipe is being removed from a wellbore, the pipe string is pulled
from the well and joints are unscrewed in the rig derrick, one or
more at a time, until all of the pipe has been retrieved from said
well.
[0009] The process of inserting a string of pipe in a well is
typically commenced by lowering a first section of pipe into a
wellbore at the rig floor, and suspending said section of pipe in
place using a set of "lower slips." In this position, the uppermost
end of said first section of pipe is generally situated a few feet
above the rig floor. Thereafter, a second section of pipe is lifted
within the drilling rig derrick and suspended vertically in said
derrick from the rig's traveling block. This second section of pipe
is then positioned in linear alignment above the first section of
pipe which was previously run into the well. The lower end of said
second section is then connected to the upper end of said first
section. Once joined, the two sections of pipe are lowered further
into the well and hung in place using lower slips. This process is
repeated until the desired length of pipe is run into the well.
[0010] In many cases, individual sections of pipe are joined
together using threaded connections. In such instances, the upper
end of one section of pipe has threads which engage with mating
threads on the lower end of an adjacent section of pipe. It is the
custom of the oil and gas industry to insert sections of pipe into
a wellbore so that male or "pin" end threaded connections face
downward, while female or "box" end connections face upward. Thus,
when individual joints of pipe are added to a string of pipe in a
well in the manner described above, the pin end of the upper joint
of pipe (which is suspended within a derrick) is typically
"stabbed" into the box end of the lower joint (which is suspended
in the well bore). The upper joint is then rotated so that the
mating threads of the two joints join together.
[0011] Numerous devices have been developed to assist in the
alignment and interconnection of joints of elongated pipe and other
tubular goods used in the drilling and completion of oil and gas
wells. Many of these devices employ means for gripping a joint of
pipe while it is suspended within a derrick. Force is then applied
to said suspended pipe joint until it is oriented in linear
alignment with one or more joints of pipe which have already been
inserted in such wellbore.
[0012] Because drill pipe usually has a smaller diameter than
casing, it is often much lighter on a per-foot basis than casing.
As a result, a suspended section of drill pipe can generally be
manually aligned within a derrick by roughnecks and/or other rig
workers. Perhaps more significantly, drill pipe threads are
typically very coarse compared to casing threads. Accordingly,
drill pipe threads are relatively difficult to misalign when joints
of drill pipe are brought into end-to-end abutting relationship for
threaded interconnection.
[0013] By contrast, because casing is generally much heavier than
drill pipe and other similar tubular goods, it is often difficult,
if not impossible, for rig workers to manually position such casing
within a derrick. Furthermore, casing joints typically employ
connections having relatively fine threads. As a result, it is
critical that joints of casing which are to be threadably connected
must be in close linear alignment with one another. If not, the
threaded pin end of one casing joint can become cross threaded with
the box end of the next adjacent casing joint. Such cross-threading
can occur even when there is very slight misalignment between two
adjacent joints of casing.
[0014] Thus, it is generally advantageous to provide means for
positioning heavy tubular goods, such as casing, while it is
suspended within a drilling rig derrick. Moreover, such positioning
means must promote relatively precise alignment of adjacent joints
of casing to ensure proper threaded connection of such casing.
[0015] Thus, there is a need for a pipe stabbing apparatus which
can be mounted within a drilling rig derrick, and which can be used
to grip and position a section of pipe suspended within such
derrick. Specifically, there is a need for a pipe stabbing
apparatus having a versatile range of motion in multiple planes of
movement. There is further a need for a pipe stabbing apparatus
capable of gripping different sizes of pipe having a wide range of
different diameters, without having to shut down operations in
order to manually adjust or reconfigure such stabbing
apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0016] The present invention is a pipe stabbing apparatus which can
be easily lifted into a drilling rig derrick and secured to one or
more members of such derrick. The apparatus of the present
invention is fully automated, and can be remotely controlled from a
control panel that can be positioned at virtually any desired
location on a rig, including the rig floor. By virtue of such
adjustable remote control panel, an operator of the apparatus can
position himself so as to view a pipe section which is engaged by
the apparatus. Using such direct visual input, an operator can
control the movement of the apparatus in order to manipulate the
positioning of a first joint of pipe which is suspended in a
derrick as it is brought into linear alignment with a second
section of pipe suspended within a wellbore.
[0017] The present invention is significantly less bulky than other
known devices utilized for this purpose. The apparatus of the
present invention employs a jointed boom which can be mounted at
virtually any location within a derrick, and thus affords little
interference with other operations taking place within said
derrick. The apparatus is movable in virtually every plane of
motion, and the boom can be easily extended or retracted in order
to grip and position a section of pipe suspended from a traveling
block in a derrick. The present invention can even grip a suspended
section of pipe below the vertical position at which said boom is
mounted within said derrick. Moreover, the apparatus of the present
invention is especially well adapted for gripping many different
sizes of pipe, including very large diameter casing, without
requiring operations to cease for adjustment or reconfiguration of
the apparatus.
[0018] The pipe stabbing apparatus of the present invention
includes a jointed, extensible boom. One end of said boom can be
quickly secured to a structural member or cross beam of a drilling
rig derrick using a bracket assembly or other similar mechanism.
Further, the end of the boom which is secured to the derrick can
pivot about both vertical and horizontal axes. A pipe gripper is
attached to the opposite (free) end of said extensible boom.
[0019] A primary remote control panel serves as the distribution
point or manifold from which hydraulic fluid can be directed to one
or more hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies used to move the
boom in several different planes of movement, and to open and/or
close said pipe gripper. Said primary remote control panel includes
a plurality of solenoid-type valves which can be selectively opened
in order to direct such hydraulic fluid and, ultimately, to control
movement of the extensible boom and pipe gripper. A secondary
remote control panel is also included, in close proximity to said
extensible boom, to facilitate manipulation of said boom during the
mounting process.
[0020] The primary remote control panel includes lines which can
extend to the derrick floor or other desired location on the rig.
Certain of these lines are hydraulic lines which function,
respectively, to deliver power fluid from a pump to the hydraulic
cylinders of the extensible boom mounted in the derrick, and to
return such hydraulic fluid to a reservoir. One or more power
source cables also extend from the derrick-mounted boom to the
electrically operated valves. Additionally, a control cable runs to
the primary remote control panel which is positioned at a desired
location on the rig which, in most cases, is on the rig floor.
[0021] A secondary control panel is located in relatively close
proximity with the jointed extensible boom of the present
invention. The secondary control panel is particularly useful when
the casing stabber of the present invention is being mounted within
a drilling rig derrick, or when said casing stabber is being
removed from said derrick. Said jointed extensible boom can be
extended and/or retracted as desired in order to facilitate
handling and mounting/removal of said casing stabber.
[0022] The jointed, extensible boom can be hydraulically actuated
to extend and retract as desired. The end of the boom which is
mounted to the derrick can pivot about vertical and horizontal
axes, thereby permitting both side-to-side as well as up-and-down
movement. A pipe gripper is mounted to the outer or "free" end of
said boom. The pipe gripper is comprised of a pair of opposing
arcuate jaws that are pivotally supported on the free end of the
boom and are hydraulically actuated for opening or closing. Such
jaws can be engaged around many different sizes of pipe, and do not
impair or restrict the ability of a gripped pipe joint to be
rotated or turned about its longitudinal axis. Such opposing
arcuate jaws can also be pivoted about a horizontal axis.
[0023] An important object of the present invention is to provide a
pipe stabbing apparatus which can be easily taken apart to
facilitate transport, storage and operative mounting of the entire
apparatus at a selected position within a drilling rig derrick and
above the rig floor.
[0024] A further object of the invention is to provide a pipe
stabbing apparatus which includes an extensible boom, as well as a
pipe gripping assembly at one end, which is hydraulically movable
in several planes of motion.
[0025] A further object of the invention is to provide a pipe
stabbing apparatus which can grip and steer tubular goods,
including large diameter pipe such as casing, and which allows such
pipe to be spun or rotated about its longitudinal axis, even while
such pipe is engaged by said pipe stabbing apparatus.
[0026] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
pipe stabbing apparatus utilizing pipe gripping jaws which can
permit many different sizes of pipe to be gripped and moved without
the need to adjust or re-size such pipe gripping jaws.
[0027] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent as the following detailed description of the
invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting the pipe stabbing
apparatus of the present invention mounted within the derrick of a
drilling rig and used for gripping, engaging and aligning a section
of casing suspended from a traveling block within said derrick.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pipe stabbing apparatus
of the present invention gripping a section of large diameter
casing.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the opposing arcuate pipe
gripping jaws of the present invention in the open position.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the opposing arcuate pipe
gripping jaws of the present invention in the closed position.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a systemic view of the pipe stabbing apparatus of
the present invention wherein the pipe gripping jaws are gripping a
section of large diameter casing.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pipe gripping jaws of
the present invention, in the closed position, gripping a section
of large diameter casing.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a side view of the pipe gripping jaws of the
present invention, in the closed position, gripping a section of
large diameter casing.
[0035] FIG. 8 depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment of
the pipe stabbing apparatus of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, drilling rig
10 is depicted during operations for the installation of casing
into a well. Vertically extending derrick 11 and rig floor 12 are
supported on drilling platform 13. Rotary 14, which is positioned
on rig floor 12 at the surface of well 15, supports, by means of
suitable lower slips 16, an elongated section of casing 17. The
upper portion of casing section 17 protrudes out of rotary 14 and
is situated above rig floor 12, while the remainder of casing
section 17 projects downwardly from the rig floor and, ultimately,
into the well 15 being drilled or serviced.
[0037] When installing casing into well 15, it is necessary to
serially interconnect multiple sections of casing at a point of
joinder a short distance above rig floor 12. The process is
commenced by installing a first section of casing 17 into well 15,
and hanging or suspending same in place using lower slips 16. As
succeeding sections of casing are added to the casing string being
installed, the entire string is lowered into well 15 and suspended
in place using lower slips 16. This process is repeated until a
desired length of casing is installed into wellbore 15.
[0038] Still referring to FIG. 1, casing section 18 is shown
suspended from upper slips 19 attached to traveling block 20.
Traveling block 20 is capable of vertical movement within derrick
11. Once casing section 18 is placed in linear alignment with
casing section 17, roughneck 21 can turn or rotate said casing
section 18, thereby causing mating threaded connections at the
uppermost end of casing section 17 and the lowermost end of casing
section 18 to interconnect.
[0039] The present invention is primarily used to guide or position
a suspended first section of large diameter pipe into linear
alignment with a second section of pipe in order to facilitate
threaded interconnection of said first and second sections of pipe.
Referring to FIG. 1, the pipe stabbing apparatus of the present
invention, denoted generally as 100, is used to move suspended
casing section 18 so as to more precisely align said suspended
casing section 18, and more particularly the lowermost threaded end
thereof, with the uppermost threaded end of casing section 17,
which is suspended in wellbore 15. By aligning said casing sections
17 and 18, said pipe sections can be threadably connected with less
chance of cross-threading.
[0040] Still referring to FIG. 1, pipe stabbing apparatus 100 of
the present invention is mounted within vertical drilling rig
derrick 11. The specific placement of pipe stabbing apparatus 100
within derrick 11 is generally dictated by the layout of the
particular drilling rig and derrick on which it is employed.
However, said pipe stabbing apparatus 100 is generally mounted at a
vertical level which permits maximum functionality and range of
motion with respect to sections of pipe suspended within derrick
11, such as casing section 18. Further, while pipe stabbing
apparatus 100 can be mounted on any side of derrick 11, said pipe
stabbing apparatus 100 is typically positioned so as to permit
maximum visibility for personnel located on rig floor 12, and to
avoid interference with operation of other equipment within derrick
11.
[0041] FIG. 2 depicts a side perspective view of pipe stabbing
apparatus 100 of the present invention. Said pipe stabbing
apparatus 100 is mounted to derrick 11 using brackets or similar
devices so that said pipe stabbing apparatus projects generally in
the direction of well 15 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Depending on the
configuration of the particular drilling rig being used, the
optimum position for mounting of pipe stabbing apparatus 100 is
frequently in direct lateral alignment with the centerline of
casing section 18, and near the mid-point of one side of derrick
11.
[0042] Still referring to FIG. 2, pipe stabbing apparatus 100
includes jointed, articulating boom 110. Jointed articulating boom
110 is comprised of boom base member 111 and boom arm member 112,
which are pivotably joined with one another using boom pivot joint
113. In the preferred embodiment, said articulating boom is
comprised of two structural members, with a single joint
therebetween. However, it can be envisioned that other combinations
of structural members and pivoting joints could be employed to
yield similar results and/or functionality. Also in the preferred
embodiment, boom base member 111 includes obtuse angle 111a, while
arm member 112 is substantially straight.
[0043] Jointed articulating boom 110 is attached to base assembly
114, which is used to mount pipe stabbing apparatus 100 to
structural members of derrick 11. Although mounting of pipe
stabbing apparatus 100 within derrick 11 can be accomplished any
number of ways, in the preferred embodiment base assembly is
attached to vertical runners 114a and 114b. Said vertical runners
114a and 114b are in turn bracketed to horizontal cross members or
other structural components of rig derrick 11.
[0044] Boom base member 111 is attached to eccentric base plate
119, which is in turn pivotably anchored to vertical base shaft
115. Eccentric base plate 119 rotates about pivot pin 116, thereby
permitting boom base member 111 (and thus all of jointed
articulating boom 110) to rotate about a vertical axis passing
through vertical base shaft 115 and pivot pin 116. In the preferred
embodiment of the invention, the range of motion of said eccentric
base plate 119 and jointed articulating boom is roughly 180
degrees.
[0045] Rotation of boom base member 110 about pivot pin 116 is
powered by hydraulic cylinder 117. One end of hydraulic cylinder
117 is anchored to base assembly 114 with anchor means 118, such as
a suitable pin and bracket. Hydraulic cylinder 117 further includes
piston rod 120 (substantially obscured from view in FIG. 2). One
end of said piston rod 120 is anchored to eccentric plate 119. As
piston rod 120 of hydraulic cylinder 117 is extended and retracted,
eccentric plate 119 is made to rotate about pivot pin 116, which in
turn causes boom base member 111 (and, ultimately, all of jointed
articulating boom 110) to rotate about said pivot pin 116.
[0046] Jointed articulating boom 110 extends and retracts by
cooperative motion between boom base member 111 and boom arm member
112. Boom base member 111 is pivotably mounted to eccentric plate
119 using horizontal pivot pin 121. As a result, boom base member
111 can pivot about a horizontal axis passing through said
horizontal pivot pin 121, thereby permitting boom base member 111
to tilt forward. As such, when mounted within derrick 11, jointed
articulating boom can tilt forward in the general direction of well
15.
[0047] The movement of boom base member 111 about the horizontal
axis passing through pivot pin 121 is powered by hydraulic cylinder
122. One end of hydraulic cylinder 122 is anchored to vertical base
shaft 115. Anchor bracket 123 is pinned to anchor plate 124 by
means of a suitable anchor pin 125. Hydraulic cylinder 122 further
includes piston rod 126, which can be extended and retracted with
respect to hydraulic cylinder 122. The outer end of piston rod 126
is anchored to clevis plate 127 using clevis bracket 128 and clevis
pin 129. The movement of piston rod 126 is controlled from a remote
control panel subassembly, hereinafter explained, through hydraulic
lines or conduits to said hydraulic cylinder and to other hydraulic
cylinders used in the casing stabbing apparatus of the invention,
and hereinafter described.
[0048] Similarly, movement of boom arm member 112 relative to boom
base member 111 is powered by hydraulic cylinder 130. Hydraulic
cylinder 130 is anchored at one end to boom base member 111; anchor
bracket 131 is pinned to anchor plate 132 by means of suitable
anchor pin 133. Hydraulic cylinder 130 further includes piston rod
134. One end of piston rod 134 is anchored to boom arm member 112
with anchor pin 135. Piston rod 134 can be extended and retracted
with respect to hydraulic cylinder 130, thereby permitting boom arm
member 112 to swing about a horizontal axis passing through boom
pivot joint 113.
[0049] Pipe gripper assembly 200 is mounted at the outer extent of
boom arm member 112. Pipe gripper assembly 200 includes opposing
arcuate jaws 201a and 201b. Pipe gripper assembly 200 is mounted to
mounting plate 208, which is in turn pivotably mounted to the end
of boom arm member 112 with pivot pin 202, thereby permitting said
pipe gripper assembly 200 to pivot about a horizontal axis passing
through said pivot pin 202.
[0050] Pivoting of said pipe gripper assembly 200 about said
horizontal axis passing through pivot pin 202 is powered by
hydraulic cylinder 203. One end of hydraulic cylinder 203 is
anchored to boom arm member 112 using anchor bracket 204 and anchor
pin 205. Hydraulic cylinder 203 further includes piston rod 206.
The outer end of piston rod 206 is pinned to mounting plate 208
using anchor pin 207. As piston rod 206 of hydraulic cylinder 203
extends and retracts, pipe gripper assembly 200 can swivel about
pivot pin 202, and can tilt up or down about a horizontal axis
passing through pivot pin 202, as desired.
[0051] Derrick control panel subassembly 300 includes a bank of
valves which are electrically opened and closed using controls 301.
Further, said valves are shiftable to provide hydraulic power fluid
to a selected one or more of the hydraulic cylinders used to power
jointed articulating boom 110 and pipe gripper assembly 200 as may
be required during the operation of the apparatus for stabbing and
positioning a section of casing. Derrick control panel subassembly
300 is in close proximity to jointed articulating boom 110, and is
used primarily to manipulate and/or position jointed articulating
boom 110 while said assembly is being mounted to, or removed from,
derrick 11.
[0052] Hydraulic power fluid supply conduits 136 extend from one
end of each of the valves downwardly to the drilling platform and
are there connected to a suitable hydraulic pump (not shown in FIG.
2) for the purpose of supplying hydraulic power fluid necessary to
operate the several hydraulic cylinder and piston assemblies
hereinbefore described. Return conduits 137 also project from each
of the valves to the drilling platform to allow exhausted hydraulic
fluid to return to a reservoir or sump in the course of
recirculation in a conventional fashion.
[0053] In its standard configuration, a remote control panel
subassembly is used to control the movement of jointed articulating
boom 110 and pipe gripper assembly 200. Referring to FIG. 1, said
remote control panel subassembly 400 is depicted as being
positioned on rig floor 12. Remote control panel 400 includes a
bank of electrically actuated valves and valve controls 401 similar
to derrick control panel subassembly 300. Hydraulic power fluid
supply conduits 136 and 137 extend out of derrick 11 to pump 402.
Operator 403 operates pipe stabbing apparatus 100.
[0054] In order to shift valves controlled by valve controls 401,
electrical solenoids are included in remote control panel
subassembly 400, and are actuated by power signals delivered via
conductors extended through a control cable 404 which extends from
the drilling platform upwardly to the remote control panel
subassembly 400. Said control cable can be plugged into remote
control panel subassembly 400 using a suitable jack.
[0055] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of pipe gripper assembly
200 of the present invention in the substantially open position.
Pipe gripper 200 is comprised of opposing arcuate jaws 201a and
201b. Said opposing arcuate jaws 201a and 201b are pivotably
attached to back member 210 using pivot pins 211a and 211b, and can
swing to permit opening and closing of pipe gripper assembly 200.
In the preferred embodiment, opposing arcuate jaws 201a and 201b
operate in synchronized fashion, such that said opposing arcuate
jaws open and close together.
[0056] Hydraulic cylinder 212 powers the synchronized opening and
closing of opposing arcuate jaws 201a and 201b. Hydraulic cylinder
212 has piston rod 213, which can be extended and retracted. One
end of hydraulic cylinder 212 is anchored to extension fingers 214
using anchor bolt 215. Similarly, the outer end of piston rod 213
is anchored to extension fingers 216 using anchor bolt 217. By
actuating hydraulic cylinder 212, and thereby extending or
retracting piston rod 213, opposing arcuate jaws 201a and 201b can
pivot about pivot pins 211a and 211b, respectively. Mounting
bracket 218 is attached to back member 210, and facilitates
mounting of pipe gripper assembly 200 to mounting plate 208 (not
shown in FIG. 3).
[0057] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of pipe gripper assembly
200 in a substantially closed position. Opposing arcuate jaws 201a
and 201b are depicted as gripping a section of cylindrical pipe,
such as a joint of large diameter casing, around the outer
peripheral surface of said pipe. For purposes of illustration, said
cylindrical pipe could be identical to casing section 18. As piston
rod 213 extends relative to hydraulic cylinder 212, opposing
arcuate jaws 201a and 201b close together in synchronized manner
and grip around the outer peripheral surface of casing section
18.
[0058] FIG. 5 depicts a systemic view of the pipe stabbing
apparatus 100 of the present invention. Pipe stabbing apparatus 100
includes jointed articulating boom 110; said boom is comprised of
boom base member 111 and boom arm member 112, which are pivotably
joined with boom pivot joint 113. In the preferred embodiment, said
articulating boom is comprised of two structural members, with a
single joint between said two structural members. Also in the
preferred embodiment, boom base member is formed with obtuse angle
11 la, while arm member 112 is substantially straight.
[0059] Boom base member 111 is pivotably attached to eccentric base
plate 119, which is in turn pivotably anchored to vertical base
shaft 115. Eccentric base plate 119 pivots about pivot pin 116,
thereby permitting boom base member 111, and ultimately all of
jointed articulating boom 110, to rotate about a vertical axis
passing through said vertical base shaft 115 and pivot pin 116.
[0060] Rotation of boom base member 110 about pivot pin 116 is
powered by hydraulic cylinder 117. One end of hydraulic cylinder
117 is anchored to mounting assembly 114 with anchor means 118,
such as a suitable pin. Hydraulic cylinder 117 further includes
piston rod 120; the outer end of piston rod 120 is in turn pinned
to eccentric plate 119. As piston rod 120 of hydraulic cylinder 117
is extended and retracted, eccentric plate 119 rotates about pivot
pin 116 which in turn causes boom base member 111 (and, ultimately,
all of jointed articulating boom 110) to rotate about a vertical
axis passing through and parallel to said pivot pin 116.
[0061] Jointed articulating boom 110 extends and retracts by
cooperative motion between boom base member 111 and boom arm member
112. Boom base member 111 is pivotably mounted to eccentric plate
119 using pivot pin 121. As a result, boom base member 111 can
pivot about a horizontal axis passing through said pivot pin 121,
thereby permitting boom base member 111 to tilt or lean forward and
backward into an upright position.
[0062] Tilting of boom base member 111 is powered by hydraulic
cylinder 122. Hydraulic cylinder 122 is anchored to vertical base
shaft 115. Anchor bracket 123 is pinned to anchor plate 124 by
means of a suitable anchor pin 125. Hydraulic cylinder 122 further
includes piston rod 126, which can be extended and retracted with
respect to hydraulic cylinder 122. Piston rod 126 is anchored to
clevis plate 127 using clevis bracket 128 and clevis pin 129.
[0063] Similarly, movement of boom arm member 112 relative to boom
base member 111 is powered by hydraulic cylinder 130. Hydraulic
cylinder 130 is anchored at one end to boom base member 111. Anchor
bracket 131 is pinned to anchor plate 132 by means of suitable
anchor pin 133. Hydraulic cylinder 130 further includes piston rod
134, which is anchored to boom arm member 112 with anchor pin 135.
Piston rod 134 can be extended and retracted with respect to
hydraulic cylinder 130, thereby permitting boom arm member 112 to
swing by pivoting about boom pivot joint 113.
[0064] Pipe gripper 200 is mounted at the outer extent of boom arm
member 112. Pipe gripper 200 is comprised of opposing arcuate jaws
201a and 201b. Pipe gripper 200 is pivotably mounted to the end of
boom arm member 112 with pivot pin 202, thereby permitting said
pipe gripper to pivot about a horizontal axis passing through said
pivot pin 202.
[0065] Pipe gripper 200 can pivot about said horizontal axis
passing through pivot pin 202, and is powered by hydraulic cylinder
203. One end of hydraulic cylinder 203 is anchored to boom arm
member 112 with anchor bracket 204 and anchor pin 205. Hydraulic
cylinder 203 further includes piston rod 206, which is in turn
pinned to mounting plate 208 using anchor pin 207. As piston rod
206 of hydraulic cylinder 203 extends or retracts, pipe gripper 200
can pivot about pivot pin 202 and can tilt about a horizontal axis
passing through pivot pin 202.
[0066] Hydraulic power fluid supply conduits 136 extend from one
end of each of the valves downwardly to the drilling platform and
is there connected to a suitable hydraulic pump for the purpose of
supplying the hydraulic power fluid necessary to operate the
several hydraulic cylinder and piston assemblies hereinbefore
described. Return conduits 137 also project from each of the valves
downwardly to the drilling platform to allow exhausted hydraulic
fluid to return to a reservoir or sump in the course of
recirculation in a conventional fashion.
[0067] In its standard configuration, a remote control panel
subassembly is used to control the movement of jointed articulating
boom 110 and pipe gripper 200. In order to shift valves 401,
electrical solenoids are included in remote control panel
subassembly 400, and are actuated by power signals delivered via
conductors extended through a control cable 404 which extends from
the drilling platform upwardly to the remote control panel
subassembly 400. Said control cable can be plugged into remote
control panel subassembly 400 using a suitable jack.
[0068] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pipe gripping jaws of
the present invention, in the closed position, gripping a section
of large diameter casing. FIG. 7 is a side view of the pipe
gripping jaws of the present invention, in the closed position,
gripping a section of large diameter casing.
[0069] FIG. 8 depicts a side view of an alternate embodiment of the
pipe stabbing apparatus 100 of the present invention. Pipe stabbing
apparatus 100 includes jointed articulating boom 110; said boom is
comprised of boom base member 111 and boom arm member 112, which
are pivotally joined with boom pivot joint 113. Jointed
articulating boom 110 extends and retracts by cooperative motion
between boom base member 111 and boom arm member 112. In this
embodiment, boom arm member 112 is actually comprised of upper boom
arm member 112a and lower boom arm member 112b.
[0070] Extension member 500 can be received within lower boom arm
member 112b, and can be used to selectively extend or contract the
overall length of lower boom arm member 112. In this embodiment,
one end of hydraulic cylinder 501 is anchored to upper boom arm
member 112a with anchor bracket 502 and anchor pin 503. Hydraulic
cylinder 501 further includes piston rod 504, which is in turn
pinned to mounting plate 505 using anchor pin 506. As piston rod
504 of hydraulic cylinder 501 extends or retracts, the overall
length of boom arm member 112 can be selectively controlled.
Frequently, it is desirable to adjust the length of boom arm member
112 for purposes of stabbing a section of pipe within a
derrick.
[0071] In operation, the casing stabbing apparatus 110 of the
invention will be mounted at some intermediate location within
derrick 11, such as on a cross member thereof as illustrated in
FIG. 1, using mounting assembly 114. With the casing stabbing
apparatus 110 thus mounted and positioned within derrick 11, the
various hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies are then used to
engage upper casing section 18 hung from upper slips 19 on
traveling block 20.
[0072] The opposing arcuate jaws 201a and 201b are opened apart
from each other by pivotation of each of the jaws about the
respective pivot pins 211a and 211b. With the arcuate casing jaws
201a and 201b thus opened apart from each other, said jaws are then
moved to a position where they surround the suspended upper casing
section 18. This is accomplished by means of the piston and
cylinder subassembly previously described.
[0073] When upper casing section 18 has been thus engaged by
opposing arcuate jaws 201a and 201b, operator 403, by appropriate
manipulation of the control valves on remote control assembly 400,
can cause casing section 18 to be moved in small increments in any
direction. Thus, by remote control, operator 403 can move casing
section 18 to a position directly above lower casing section 17
held by lower slips 16 in rotary 14. Then, as traveling block 20 is
lowered, the threads at the lower end of suspended upper casing
section 18 can be made to precisely align with the mating threads
in lower casing section 17 in the vicinity of the rotary table.
Suspended upper casing section 18 can be rotated to tighten such
mating threads into engagement with each other without damage to
said threads, and with a minimum amount of manual manipulation
required by personnel on the rig floor. Importantly, the dangerous
procedure of having a crew member manually manipulating the heavy
casing section from a position high in the derrick is totally
eliminated. With the present invention it is not even necessary for
the operator of the hydraulically powered casing stabbing apparatus
to be in the derrick. When upper casing section 18 has been joined
with lower casing section 17, opposing arcuate jaws 201a and 201b
are opened apart from each other.
[0074] In many instances, it will be desired, at times when the
casing stabbing apparatus 100 is not in use, to move jointed
articulating boom 110 to a position where it does not project out
over the rig floor 12, and does not interfere with other pipe or
tubular member handling operations.
[0075] The pipe stabbing apparatus of the invention is particularly
efficient and effective in use because it eliminates the need to
have one and frequently two persons in the rig derrick who try to
manipulate the casing manually, or even to control the
hydraulically controlled apparatus of this invention. With the
present invention, this control can be entirely from a remote
location, such as the rig floor. By the use of the remote control
assembly 400, operator 403 can set up at the optimum location. As
such, operator 403 can detect the direction of lean, if any, of the
suspended elongated casing section.
[0076] Although the pipe stabbing apparatus of the present
invention has been depicted in a particular form constituting a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various changes
and modifications in the illustrated and described structure can be
effected without departure from the basic principles which underlie
the invention. Changes and innovations of this type are deemed to
be circumscribed by the spirit and scope of the invention except as
such spirit and scope may be necessarily limited by the appended
claims, or reasonable equivalents thereof.
* * * * *