U.S. patent application number 11/823854 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-01 for land rig.
Invention is credited to Douglas Wayne Lee, Marcus Sherwin McCoo.
Application Number | 20090000218 11/823854 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40158776 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090000218 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Douglas Wayne ; et
al. |
January 1, 2009 |
Land rig
Abstract
A land rig including a mast, a substructure beneath the mast,
the substructure having a top part, movement apparatus connected to
the substructure, the movement apparatus connected to the mast, the
movement apparatus for moving the mast and for moving the top part
of the substructure. This abstract is provided to comply with the
rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other
reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical
disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not
be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims,
37 CFR 1.72(b).
Inventors: |
Lee; Douglas Wayne;
(Houston, TX) ; McCoo; Marcus Sherwin; (Katy,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Guy McClung
# 114, 5315-B F.M. 1960 Rd. West
Houston
TX
77069-4410
US
|
Family ID: |
40158776 |
Appl. No.: |
11/823854 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/123.1 ;
173/151 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/123.1 ;
173/151 |
International
Class: |
E04H 12/18 20060101
E04H012/18 |
Claims
1. A land rig comprising a mast, a substructure beneath the mast,
the substructure having a top part, movement apparatus connected to
the substructure, and connected to the mast, the movement apparatus
for moving the mast and for moving the top part of the
substructure.
2. The land rig of claim 1 further comprising the substructure
including a top part and a base, the top part movably connected to
the base, the mast pivotably connected to the top part of the
substructure.
3. The land rig of claim 1 further comprising the movement
apparatus comprising at least one winch apparatus including winch
lines.
4. The land rig of claim 3 further comprising movable line
apparatus connected to the mast and movable up and down on a
portion of the mast, the movement apparatus including winch lines
passing through the movable line apparatus.
5. The land rig of claim 4 further comprising the movable line
apparatus movable down toward the top part of the substructure and
releasably connectible to the top part of the substructure.
6. The land rig of claim 5 further comprising the substructure
including a top part and a base, the top part connected to the
base, the movable line apparatus positionable at a point on the
mast to facilitate erection of the mast by the movement apparatus,
and the movable line apparatus positionable adjacent the top part
of the substructure, the movable line apparatus releasably
connectible to the top part to facilitate raising of the top part
with respect to the base.
7. The land rig of claim 2 further comprising support structure
connecting the top part to the base.
8. The land rig of claim 7 wherein the support structure includes a
plurality of spaced-apart support members each support member with
a first end pivotably connected to the top part and a second end
pivotably connected to the base.
9. The land rig of claim 3 further comprising the at least one
winch apparatus comprising at least one A-frame structure and at
least one winch and winch lines, the at least one A-frame structure
having an A-frame top with a top sheave apparatus for the winch
lines, and an A-frame movement device for moving the A-frame top up
and down so that the winch lines are alternately positionable for
movement of the mast and for movement of the top part of the
substructure.
10. The land rig of claim 9 wherein the at least one A-frame
structure is a plurality of spaced-apart A-frame structures.
11. The land rig of claim 9 wherein the at least one A-frame
structure has a plurality of lockable telescoping legs.
12. The land rig of claim 3 wherein the at least one winch
apparatus is a plurality of spaced-apart winch apparatuses each
with associated winch lines.
13. The land rig of claim 3 further comprising the substructure
including a top part and a base, the top part having a top part
center and movably connected to the base, and the movement
apparatus including lines connectible near the center of the top
part.
14. The land rig of claim 4 the substructure including a top part
and a base, the top part having a top part center and movably
connected to the base, and wherein the movable line apparatus is
movable to a position near the center of the top part to facilitate
raising of the top part with respect to the base.
15. The land rig of claim 1 wherein the substructure includes a
drilling end and a second end spaced-apart from the drilling end,
the movement apparatus closer to the second end than to the
drilling end.
16. The land rig of claim 4 wherein the winch lines can remain
connected to the movable line apparatus during drilling by the land
rig.
17. A land rig comprising a mast, a substructure beneath the mast,
the substructure having a top part, the top part having a top part
center, movement apparatus connected to the substructure, and to
the mast, the movement apparatus for moving the mast and for moving
the top part of the substructure, the mast pivotably connected to
the top part of the substructure, the substructure including a
base, the top part movably connected to the base, the movement
apparatus comprising at least one winch apparatus including winch
lines, movable line apparatus connected to the mast and movable up
and down on a portion of the mast, the movement apparatus including
winch lines passing through the movable line apparatus, the movable
line apparatus movable down toward the top part of the substructure
and releasably connectible to the top part of the substructure, the
movable line apparatus positionable at a point on the mast to
facilitate erection of the mast by the movement apparatus, the line
apparatus positionable adjacent the top part of the substructure,
the movable line apparatus releasably connectible to the top part
to facilitate raising of the top part with respect to the base,
support structure connecting the top part to the base, wherein the
support structure includes a plurality of spaced-apart support
members each support member with a first end pivotably connected to
the top part and a second end pivotably connected to the base, the
at least one winch apparatus comprising at least one A-frame
structure and at least one winch and winch lines, the at least one
A-frame structure having an A-frame top with a top sheave apparatus
for the winch lines, an A-frame movement device for moving the
A-frame top up and down so that the winch lines are positionable
for movement of the mast and for movement of the top part of the
substructure, wherein the at least one winch apparatus is a
plurality of spaced-apart winch apparatuses each with associated
winch lines, wherein the substructure includes a drilling end and a
second end spaced-apart from the drilling end, the movement
apparatus closer to the second end than to the drilling end, and
wherein the winch lines can remain connected to the movable line
apparatus during drilling by the land rig.
18. A method for erecting a land rig, the land rig comprising a
mast, a substructure beneath the mast, the substructure having a
top part, movement apparatus connected to the substructure and to
the mast, the movement apparatus for moving the mast and for moving
the top part of the substructure, the method including erecting the
mast with the movement apparatus, and raising the top part of the
substructure with the movement apparatus.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the mast is pivotably connected
to the top part of the substructure, the substructure includes a
top part and a base, the top part movably connected to the base,
movable line apparatus connected to the mast and movable up and
down on a portion of the mast, the movement apparatus including
winch lines passing through the movable line apparatus, the movable
line apparatus movable down toward the top part of the substructure
and releasably connectible to the top part of the substructure, the
movable line apparatus positionable at a point on the mast to
facilitate erection of the mast by the movement apparatus, the line
apparatus positionable adjacent the top part of the substructure,
the movable line apparatus releasably connectible to the top part
to facilitate raising of the top part with respect to the base, the
movement apparatus including at least one winch apparatus including
winch lines, the method further including erecting the mast using
the at least one winch apparatus with winch lines passing through
the movable line apparatus, moving the movable line apparatus
adjacent the top part of the substructure and releasably connecting
the movable line apparatus to the top part of the substructure, and
raising the top part of the substructure with respect to the
base.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the top part has a top part
center and the movable line apparatus is connected to the top part
near the top part center.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the substructure includes a
drilling end and a second end spaced-apart from the drilling end,
the movement apparatus closer to the second end than to the
drilling end, and wherein the winch lines can remain connected to
movable line apparatus during drilling by the land rig, the top
part having a top part center, the method including drilling with
the land rig while the winch lines are connected to the movable
line apparatus, the movable line apparatus connected to the top
part near the top part center during drilling.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention is directed to land rigs; such rigs for
wellbore drilling; such rigs with an erectable mast and/or
substructure portion; and methods of their use.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] The prior art discloses a variety of rigs used in drilling
and various wellbore operations; for example, and not by way of
limitation, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,340,938; 3,807,109; 3,922,825;
3,942,593; 4,269,395; 4,290,495; 4,368,602; 4,489,526; 4,569,168;
4,837,992; 6,634,436; 6,523,319 and the references cited in these
patents--all these patents incorporated fully herein for all
purposes.
[0005] In many land drilling operations, land rigs are delivered to
a site, assembled and then disassembled. It is important that land
rig components be easily transported and assembled. Costs
associated with land rigs and associated equipment, can be
calculated on a per hour or per day basis, and, therefore,
efficient takedown, transport, and setup operations are
desirable.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,825 discloses a rig with a stationary
substructure base and a movable substructure base mounted thereon
which is coupled to the stationary base and swings upright into an
elevated position on a series of struts that are connected to the
stationary base with swivel connections at each end. The movable
base is otherwise stationary since neither the stationary base nor
the movable base are mobile or repositionable without the use of an
auxiliary crane or the like.
[0007] The movable substructure base and the drill mast are raised
with a winch mounted on an auxiliary winch truck.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,593 discloses a mobile well drilling rig
apparatus which has a trailerable telescoping mast and a separate
sectionable substructure assembly with a rig base, a working floor,
and a rail structure. The mast is conveyed to the top of the
substructure by rollers and is raised by hydraulic raising
apparatus to an upright position. With such a system the mast
assembly can be relatively long when transporting it and the mast
can be unstable during raising. This system uses drawlines and
winch apparatus to raise the mast onto the working floor.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,436 discloses a mobile land drilling
apparatus and method. The rig has a mobile telescoping substructure
box. A lifting apparatus selectively supports the mobile
telescoping substructure box unit in a raised position and lowered
position. An extension cylinder further extends the mobile
telescoping substructure box unit in telescopic extension. A
stationary frame member and a telescoping frame member have a
plurality of cables attached thereto for supporting the telescoping
frame member when extended. A trolley winch allows completion of
the rig assembly without an external crane.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention, in certain aspects, provides a land
rig with an erectable mast and substructure, with part of the upper
substructure and the mast raised by movement apparatus (e.g. winch
apparatus, one, two, or more winches; hydraulic cylinder apparatus,
electrical movement apparatus, powered screw jacks, or
air/hydraulic apparatuses).
[0011] In certain aspects, the present invention discloses a land
rig in which a height-adjustable A-frame system is used in erecting
the mast and raising part of the substructure.
[0012] In certain aspects, the present invention provides a land
rig for erecting a mast and raising a substructure in which main
lines need not be unhooked and repositioned during raising
operations.
[0013] In certain aspects, the present invention discloses a land
rig with a movable and repositionable sheave assembly which
facilitates operations.
[0014] In certain aspects, the present invention discloses a land
rig in which lines used for mast erection and raising of part of a
substructure need not be unpinned or moved during drilling
operations.
[0015] In certain aspects, the present invention discloses land
rigs in which the apparatus for erecting a mast and raising part of
a substructure are located apart from a drilling area of the rig
once the mast is erected so that the apparatus does not interfere
with rig operations.
[0016] In certain particular aspects hydraulic winches (one, two,
three, four, or more) such as model No. 750-123 from Lantec Company
are used in embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] In certain aspects, the present invention discloses a land
rig with a mast; a substructure beneath the mast, the substructure
having a top part; movement apparatus connected to the
substructure, and connected to the mast; the movement apparatus for
moving the mast and for moving the top part of the
substructure.
[0018] In certain aspects, the present invention discloses methods
for erecting a land rig, the land rig having a mast, a substructure
beneath the mast, the substructure having a top part, movement
apparatus connected to the substructure and to the mast, the
movement apparatus for moving the mast and for moving the top part
of the substructure, the method including: erecting the mast with
the movement apparatus; and raising the top part of the
substructure with the movement apparatus.
[0019] Accordingly, the present invention includes features and
advantages which are believed to enable it to advance land rig
technology. Characteristics and advantages of the present invention
described above and additional features and benefits will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of
the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and
referring to the accompanying drawings.
[0020] Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to any
particular individual feature disclosed here, but include
combinations of them distinguished from the prior art in their
structures, functions, and/or results achieved. Features of the
invention have been broadly described so that the detailed
descriptions that follow may be better understood, and in order
that the contributions of this invention to the arts may be better
appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the
invention described below and which may be included in the subject
matter of the claims to this invention. Those skilled in the art
who have the benefit of this invention, its teachings, and
suggestions will appreciate that the conceptions of this disclosure
may be used as a creative basis for designing other structures,
methods and systems for carrying out and practicing the present
invention. The claims of this invention are to be read to include
any legally equivalent devices or methods which do not depart from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0021] What follows are some of, but not all, the objects of this
invention. In addition to the specific objects stated below for at
least certain preferred embodiments of the invention, there are
other objects and purposes which will be readily apparent to one of
skill in this art who has the benefit of this invention's teachings
and disclosures. It is, therefore, an object of at least certain
preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide the
embodiments and aspects listed above and:
[0022] New, useful, unique, efficient, non-obvious land rigs,
apparatus for raising parts of a land rig (mast and/or part of
substructure), and methods of their use; and
[0023] Such systems in which mast erecting apparatus and/or
substructure portion raising apparatus is located away from a
drilling end of a rig;
[0024] Such a rig with one or more height-adjustable A-frames as
pat of the mast erection apparatus.
[0025] The present invention recognizes and addresses the problems
and needs in this area and provides a solution to those problems
and a satisfactory meeting of those needs in its various possible
embodiments and equivalents thereof. To one of skill in this art
who has the benefits of this invention's realizations, teachings,
disclosures, and suggestions, various purposes and advantages will
be appreciated from the following description of preferred
embodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detail in these
descriptions is not intended to thwart this patent's object to
claim this invention no matter how others may later attempt to
disguise it by variations in form or additions of further
improvements.
[0026] The Abstract that is part hereof is to enable the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
scientists, engineers, researchers, and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent terms or legal terms of
phraseology to determine quickly from a cursory inspection or
review the nature and general area of the disclosure of this
invention. The Abstract is neither intended to define the
invention, which is done by the claims, nor is it intended to be
limiting of the scope of the invention or of the claims in any
way.
[0027] It will be understood that the various embodiments of the
present invention may include one, some, or all of the disclosed,
described, and/or enumerated improvements and/or technical
advantages and/or elements in claims to this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] A more particular description of embodiments of the
invention briefly summarized above may be had by references to the
embodiments which are shown in the drawings which form a part of
this specification. These drawings illustrate certain preferred
embodiments and are not to be used to improperly limit the scope of
the invention which may have other equally effective or equivalent
embodiments.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a front perspective schematic view of a land rig
according to the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective schematic view of a land rig
according to the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a side view of the land rig of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 4A is an enlargement of part of the land rig of FIG.
1.
[0033] FIG. 4B is a top view of part of the land rig of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 4C is a perspective view of part of the land rig of
FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 4D is a cross-section view along line 4D-4D of FIG.
4A.
[0036] FIG. 5A is a side view showing a step in a method for making
part of the land rig of FIG. 1.
[0037] FIG. 5B is a side view showing a step in a method for making
part of the land rig of FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 5C is a side view showing a step in a method for making
part of the land rig of FIG. 1.
[0039] FIG. 5D is a side view showing a step in a method for making
part of the land rig of FIG. 1.
[0040] FIG. 5E is a side view showing a step in a method for making
part of the land rig of FIG. 1.
[0041] FIG. 5F is an enlargement of part of the system of FIG.
5A.
[0042] Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown
in the above-identified figures and described in detail below.
Various aspects and features of embodiments of the invention are
described below and some are set out in the dependent claims. Any
combination of aspects and/or features described below or shown in
the dependent claims can be used except where such aspects and/or
features are mutually exclusive. It should be understood that the
appended drawings and description herein are of preferred
embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention or the
appended claims. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims. In showing and describing the preferred embodiments, like
or identical reference numerals are used to identify common or
similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and
certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown
exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and
conciseness.
[0043] As used herein and throughout all the various portions (and
headings) of this patent, the terms "invention", "present
invention" and variations thereof mean one or more embodiment, and
are not intended to mean the claimed invention of any particular
appended claim(s) or all of the appended claims. Accordingly, the
subject or topic of each such reference is not automatically or
necessarily part of, or required by, any particular claim(s) merely
because of such reference. So long as they are not mutually
exclusive or contradictory any aspect or feature or combination of
aspects or features of any embodiment disclosed herein may be used
in any other embodiment disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a land rig 10 according to the present
invention which includes an A-frame apparatus 20 mounted on a
substructure 40 and a mast system 60 (with a mast 11) movable from
a generally horizontal position (as shown, e.g. in FIGS. 3 and 5A)
to an erect, upright position (as shown, e.g. in FIGS. 5D, 5E).
[0045] The land rig 10 may include any and all the typical
associated equipment, controls, hoists, drawworks, apparatuses,
devices and systems used with any known land rig. As shown the land
rig 10 includes tubular rotation apparatus (e.g. a top drive system
12 and/or a rotary apparatus 13) on the mast 11; a crown sheave or
block 14; a travelling block 15 (see FIG. 3); a raising sheave 16;
an optional racking board 17; mast ends 18, two of which, 18a,
pivot on a top part 43 of a substructure 40 and two of which, 18b,
are selectively connectible to the top part 43; and a drawworks
system 19.
[0046] The mast 11 may be any suitable known mast (single-piece,
multi-piece, and/or telescoping). As shown the mast 11 includes two
parts 11a and 11b with part 11b movable up from part 11a.
[0047] The substructure 40 includes a base 41; movable support
apparatus 42; and the top 43 (the rig floor) supported in certain
positions by a movable support apparatus 42. The movable support
apparatus 42 includes a series of spaced-apart support beams or
struts 44 each of whose ends are pivotably connected to the top 43
or the base 41 of the substructure 40. There are two A-frame
apparatuses 20, one on each side of the rig as shown in FIG. 2 with
a total of four winches. It is within the scope of the present
invention to use one or at least one winch; e.g. a single winch
centered in the rig, e.g. useful in smaller, lighter and/or mobile
rig systems.
[0048] Each A-frame apparatus 20 includes two A-frame sections 20a,
20b each with two legs (21, 22, A-frame 20a; 23, 24, A-frame 20b)
each with two parts (21a, 21b and 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b and 24a, 24b;
23a, 23b, 24a, 24b not shown. The parts telescope with respect to
each other, one inside the other, to provide height adjustability
for the A-frame apparatus 20.
[0049] Each A-frame 20 has a winch 25a; an idler sheave 26a; a
frame sheave 27a, a winch 25b; and idler sheave 26b; a frame sheave
27b, raising apparatuses 28a, 28b which raise and lower the A-frame
as the legs (21, 22; 23, 24) extend (raising) or retract
(lowering). Any suitable raising apparatus may be used, e.g.
hydraulic cylinders, air cylinders, piston/cylinder apparatuses,
and electric screw jacks. As shown, the raising apparatuses 28a,
28b are telescoping hydraulic piston/cylinder apparatuses.
[0050] Lines 29a, 29b from the winches 25a, 25b, respectively,
extend around the idler sheaves 26a, 26b, to the frame sheaves 27a,
27b and to and around raising sheaves 16a, 16b (raising sheave 16a
shown; raising sheave 16b not shown).
[0051] The movable sheaves are movable in trolley guide tracks on
the mast. FIG. 4D shows the movable sheave 16a with wheels 81
connected to a sheave body 82 The wheels 81 move in a trolley guide
track 11A of the mast 11. Pins 84 releasably pin the sheave body 82
to parts 11p of the mast 11. Similarly, pins through holes 86 in
the body 82 releasably connect the body 82 to the top 43 of the
substructure 40. As shown the movable sheave 16a has recesses 16r
for six lines.
[0052] FIG. 5F shows a typical kickover cylinder apparatus 90 which
provides starting force to move the top 43 toward a lowered
position. The apparatus 91 has a mounting structure 92 for mounting
a movement apparatus 91 to the body 82. Via a member 93 force from
the movement apparatus 91 is transferred to the top 43 of the
substructure 40. The kickover cylinder apparatus 90 exerts force
against the top 43 moving the top 43 forward, resulting in certain
of the legs 44 (which are initially vertical) moving so that they
are at an angle to the top 43.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 5A, the raising apparatus 28a has raised
the A-frame 20 (as shown). The legs 21, 22, 23, 24 have been
extended with parts pinned or otherwise locked together. The
A-frame apparatus is now in position to raise the mast 11.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 5B the winches 25a, 25b have raised the
mast 11 (by taking in lines 29a, 29b), the mast has pivoted on the
mast ends 18a, and the mast ends 18b have been connected to the top
43 of the substructure 40 (e.g. with removable pins extending
through the mast ends 18b into eyes on the top 43. The legs 21, 22,
23, and 24 have been locked in an extended position with pins
through the leg parts.
[0055] The racking board 17 has moved into the position shown in
FIG. 5B and is held in place by lines 17a, 17b connected between
the racking board 17 and the mast 11 (line 17a) and between the
racking board 17 and a belly board 17c. The racking board 17 can be
movably attached to the mast 11 initially (e.g. before the step of
FIG. 5A) or it can be connected to the mast 11 at any time.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 5C, the movable sheaves 16a, 16b have
been moved down on channel-shaped guides 39 (see FIG. 4A) to the
position shown in FIG. 5C and are then releasably connected to the
top 43 of the substructure 40. The sheaves 16a, 16b are moved up
and down, e.g., by an auxiliary winch 70. It is within the scope of
the present invention to move the movable sheaves 16a, 16b using
any suitable movement apparatus, including, but not limited to,
hydraulic cylinder apparatus, pneumatic cylinder apparatus, and/or
electric motor(s).
[0057] As shown in FIG. 5D, the raising apparatuses 28a, 28b have
lowered the A-frames 20 (so the angle for the lines 29 is correct
so that the winches 25a, 25b can raise the top 43 of the
substructure 40 to the position of FIG. 5E. The lower ends of the
raising apparatuses pivotably connected to the top 43 of the
substructure. Also the winches 25a, 25b are located relatively far
away from the mast 11 and from operations associated with the
rig.
[0058] The winches 25a, 25b then take in lines 29 to raise the top
43 of the substructure 40 as shown in FIG. 5E. In this position the
lines 29 are positioned as shown in FIG. 5E relative to the items
on the top 43, i.e., out of the way of a variety of items on the
top 43 so that movement on and operations on the top 43 are not
impeded by the lines 29, and so that operations of the rig,
particularly around the mast, are not impeded.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 5E, for efficiency of movement and for
efficient lifting forces when the movable sheaves 16a, 16b are
moved down on the mast and then connected to the top 43 of the
substructure 40, the movable sheaves 16a, 16b are connected at a
point on the top 43 of the substructure 40 which is closer to the
center of the top 43 (center as viewed in 5E) than to the end (left
end as viewed in FIG. 5E) of the top 43. Also as shown in FIG. 5E,
the A-frames remain in place during rig operations, with lines
attached and extending between sheaves so that systems are in place
to lower the top 43 and lower the mast 11 when desired. The movable
sheave assemblies move down on the tracks until eyes in them are
aligned with corresponding eyes of the mast through which pins are
releasably inserted while the wheels remain connected to the
movable sheave assemblies.
[0060] As shown in the various drawings the winches are located
away from a drilling end of the rig (e.g. FIGS. 1, 3) so that the
winches, lines, and associated apparatuses and parts are subjected
to less corrosion and contamination as compared to a location
closer to the drilling end of the rig.
[0061] The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not
in necessarily all, embodiments a land rig for wellbore operations,
the land rig including: a mast; a substructure beneath the mast,
the substructure having a top part; movement apparatus connected to
the substructure, and connected to the mast; the movement apparatus
for moving the mast and for moving the top part of the
substructure. Such a land rig may one or some, in any possible
combination, of the following: the substructure including a top
part and a base, the top part movably connected to the base, the
mast pivotably connected to the top part of the substructure; the
movement apparatus having at least one winch apparatus including
winch lines; movable line apparatus connected to the mast and
movable up and down on a portion of the mast, the movement
apparatus including winch lines passing through the movable line
apparatus; the movable line apparatus movable down toward the top
part of the substructure and releasably connectible to the top part
of the substructure; the substructure including a top part and a
base, the top part connected to the base, the movable line
apparatus positionable at a point on the mast to facilitate
erection of the mast by the movement apparatus, and the movable
line apparatus positionable adjacent the top part of the
substructure, the movable line apparatus releasably connectible to
the top part to facilitate raising of the top part with respect to
the base; support structure connecting the top part to the base;
wherein the support structure includes a plurality of spaced-apart
support members each support member with a first end pivotably
connected to the top part and a second end pivotably connected to
the base; the at least one winch apparatus is at least one A-frame
structure and at least one winch and winch lines, the at least one
A-frame structure having an A-frame top with a top sheave apparatus
for the winch lines, and an A-frame movement device for moving the
A-frame top up and down so that the winch lines are alternately
positionable for movement of the mast and for movement of the top
part of the substructure; wherein the at least one A-frame
structure is a plurality of spaced-apart A-frame structures;
wherein the at least one A-frame structure has a plurality of
lockable telescoping legs; wherein the at least one winch apparatus
is a plurality of spaced-apart winch apparatuses each with
associated winch lines; the substructure including a top part and a
base, the top part having a top part center and movably connected
to the base, and the movement apparatus including lines connectible
near the center of the top part; the substructure including a top
part and a base, the top part having a top part center and movably
connected to the base, and wherein the movable line apparatus is
movable to a position near the center of the top part to facilitate
raising of the top part with respect to the base; wherein the
substructure includes a drilling end and a second end spaced-apart
from the drilling end, the movement apparatus closer to the second
end than to the drilling end; and/or wherein the winch lines can
remain connected to the movable line apparatus during drilling by
the land rig.
[0062] The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not
in necessarily all, embodiments a land rig for wellbore operations,
the land rig including: a mast, a substructure beneath the mast,
the substructure having a top part, the top part having a top part
center; movement apparatus connected to the substructure, and to
the mast; the movement apparatus for moving the mast and for moving
the top part of the substructure; the mast pivotably connected to
the top part of the substructure; the substructure including a
base, the top part movably connected to the base; the movement
apparatus is at least one winch apparatus including winch lines;
movable line apparatus connected to the mast and movable up and
down on a portion of the mast; the movement apparatus including
winch lines passing through the movable line apparatus; the movable
line apparatus movable down toward the top part of the substructure
and releasably connectible to the top part of the substructure; the
movable line apparatus positionable at a point on the mast to
facilitate erection of the mast by the movement apparatus; the line
apparatus positionable adjacent the top part of the substructure;
the movable line apparatus releasably connectible to the top part
to facilitate raising of the top part with respect to the base;
support structure connecting the top part to the base; wherein the
support structure includes a plurality of spaced-apart support
members each support member with a first end pivotably connected to
the top part and a second end pivotably connected to the base; the
at least one winch apparatus comprising at least one A-frame
structure and at least one winch and winch lines; the at least one
A-frame structure having an A-frame top with a top sheave apparatus
for the winch lines; an A-frame movement device for moving the
A-frame top up and down so that the winch lines are positionable
for movement of the mast and for movement of the top part of the
substructure; wherein the at least one winch apparatus is a
plurality of spaced-apart winch apparatuses each with associated
winch lines; wherein the substructure includes a drilling end and a
second end spaced-apart from the drilling end; the movement
apparatus closer to the second end than to the drilling end; and
wherein the winch lines can remain connected to the movable line
apparatus during drilling by the land rig.
[0063] The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not
in necessarily all, embodiments methods for land rig operations
including erecting a land rig, the land rig as any according to the
present invention, the methods including: erecting a mast with a
movement apparatus, and raising part of a rig substructure with the
movement apparatus. Such methods may include one or some, in any
possible combination, of the following: wherein the mast is
pivotably connected to a top part of the substructure, the
substructure includes a top part and a base, the top part movably
connected to the base, movable line apparatus connected to the mast
and movable up and down on a portion of the mast, the movement
apparatus including winch lines passing through the movable line
apparatus, the movable line apparatus movable down toward the top
part of the substructure and releasably connectible to the top part
of the substructure, the movable line apparatus positionable at a
point on the mast to facilitate erection of the mast by the
movement apparatus, the line apparatus positionable adjacent the
top part of the substructure, the movable line apparatus releasably
connectible to the top part to facilitate raising of the top part
with respect to the base, the movement apparatus including at least
one winch apparatus including winch lines, and the method further
including erecting the mast using the at least one winch apparatus
with winch lines passing through the movable line apparatus, moving
the movable line apparatus adjacent the top part of the
substructure and releasably connecting the movable line apparatus
to the top part of the substructure, and raising the top part of
the substructure with respect to the base; wherein the top part has
a top part center and the movable line apparatus is connected to
the top part near the top part center; wherein the substructure
includes a drilling end and a second end spaced-apart from the
drilling end, the movement apparatus closer to the second end than
to the drilling end, and wherein the winch lines can remain
connected to movable line apparatus during drilling by the land
rig, the top part having a top part center, the method including
drilling with the land rig while the winch lines are connected to
the movable line apparatus, the movable line apparatus connected to
the top part near the top part center during drilling.
[0064] In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present
invention and the embodiments disclosed herein and those covered by
the appended claims are well adapted to carry out the objectives
and obtain the ends set forth. Certain changes can be made in the
subject matter without departing from the spirit and the scope of
this invention. It is realized that changes are possible within the
scope of this invention and it is further intended that each
element or step recited in any of the following claims is to be
understood as referring to the step literally and/or to all
equivalent elements or steps. The following claims are intended to
cover the invention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form
it may be utilized. The invention claimed herein is new and novel
in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 102 and satisfies the
conditions for patentability in .sctn. 102. The invention claimed
herein is not obvious in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 103 and
satisfies the conditions for patentability in .sctn. 103. This
specification and the claims that follow are in accordance with all
of the requirements of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112. The inventors may rely
on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the scope of
their invention and of the claims that follow as they may pertain
to apparatus not materially departing from, but outside of, the
literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following
claims. All patents and applications identified herein are
incorporated fully herein for all purposes. In the claims,
means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures
described herein as performing the recited function and not only
structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus,
although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in
that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts
together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the
environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be
equivalent structures. It is the express intention of the applicant
not to invoke 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations
of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim
expressly uses the words `means for` together with an associated
function.
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