U.S. patent application number 12/193309 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-26 for portable drill pipe handling apparatus for use with oil and gas well drilling rigs.
Invention is credited to Scott R. Maltby.
Application Number | 20090053013 12/193309 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40378940 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090053013 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maltby; Scott R. |
February 26, 2009 |
PORTABLE DRILL PIPE HANDLING APPARATUS FOR USE WITH OIL AND GAS
WELL DRILLING RIGS
Abstract
A pipe handling apparatus transfers successive lengths of drill
pipe that are stored in a generally horizontal position on a pipe
rack, to an elevated position on the rig deck of an oil and gas
well drill rig. An elongated frame includes a base section with a
folding section that can be inclined. Both the base and folding
sections provide toothed racks. A trestle section travels from the
base section toward the inclined section. Pinion gears at opposed
end portions of the trestle section engage the toothed racks of the
base and folding sections. The trestle section gradually increases
in inclination as its front end portion travels toward and up
hoisting rails of the inclined folding section. While the rear end
of the trestle section remains on the base section, the front end
portion of the trestle section climbs the toothed racks of the
inclined rails.
Inventors: |
Maltby; Scott R.;
(Bakersfield, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARVEY SMITH NEHRBASS & NORTH, LLC
LAKEWAY 3, SUITE 3290, 3838 NORTH CAUSEWAY BLVD.
METAIRIE
LA
70002
US
|
Family ID: |
40378940 |
Appl. No.: |
12/193309 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60956815 |
Aug 20, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
414/22.61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 19/15 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/22.61 |
International
Class: |
E21B 19/15 20060101
E21B019/15 |
Claims
1. A pipe handling apparatus for transferring successive lengths of
pipe that are stored in a generally horizontal position on a pipe
rack to an elevated deck of an oil and gas well drilling rig,
comprising; a) an elongated frame that includes a base section with
front and rear end portions and a folding section that pivots upon
the front end portion of the base section between inclined and
folded positions; b) wherein in the inclined position the folded
section forms an obtuse angle with the base section; c) wherein the
folding section has a free end portion and in the inclined position
the free end portion is extendable to the elevated deck of the oil
and gas well drilling rig; d) the frame including a moving trestle
section having front and rear end portions, the trestle section
being movable upon the combination of the base and folded section
between a lower position and an upper position that positions the
front end portion of the trestle near the free end portion of the
folded section when the folding section is in the inclined
position; e) wherein the trestle section forms a triangle frame
geometry with the folding and base sections when the trestle moves
to the upper position, wherein the front end of the trestle section
engages the folding section and the rear portion of the trestle
engages the central portion of the base section; f) a pipe carrying
skate mounted upon the trestle section and movable upon the trestle
between extended and retracted positions; and g) a conveyor that
transports the trestle upon the base between upper and lower
positions when the folding section is in the inclined position,
wherein the trestle section forms a gradually increasing acute
angle with the base section when moving from the lower to the upper
position.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conveyor includes toothed
rack portions on the base section and folding section of the
elongated frame and one or more pinion gears at the end portions of
the trestle section that engage the toothed rack.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein at least some of the pinion
gears are powered.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pipe carrying skate slides
upon the trestle section.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pipe carrying skate is
powered to move into an angular position relative to the trestle,
enabling the pipe to be placed in a generally horizontal
position.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is further provided a
plurality of jacks that enable the elongated frame to be elevated
into multiple elevational positions.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated frame includes a
base section with a pair of spaced a part toothed racks thereon and
the folding section includes a pair of rails, each having a toothed
rack thereon, and wherein the toothed rack portions of the base
section and folding section are aligned so that the trestle can
travel from the base section to the inclined section on the aligned
toothed racked portions, and wherein the trestle is provided with
toothed geared portions that engage the toothed rack portions.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pins
that enable a joint of pipe to be supported upon the skate.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a traveling boot
that carries a projecting pin portion for securing a pipe joint at
its pipe joint bore when the pipe joint is on the skate.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
jacks that support the base section, the jacks enabling the
elevation of the base section to be varied.
11. A pipe handling apparatus for transferring successive lengths
of drill pipe that are stored in generally horizontal positions on
a pipe rack to an elevated deck of an oil and gas well drilling rig
that is at a much higher elevation than the pipe rack comprising;
a) an elongated linear structural frame that includes a base
section with front and rear end portions, an inclined section that
is attached to the front end portion of the base section forming an
obtuse angle with the base section, and a trestle section that is
supported upon the base and inclined sections for travel between
inclined and horizontal positions, wherein in the horizontal
position the trestle section nests on the base section; b) wherein
the inclined section has a free end portion that extends to the
elevated deck of the oil and gas well drilling rig; c) the trestle
section having front and rear end portions, the trestle section
being movable upon the combination of the base and folded sections
between a lower position that nests the trestle section upon the
base section and an upper position that positions the front end
portion of the trestle near the free end portion of the folded
section; d) wherein the trestle section forms a triangle with the
folding and base sections when the trestle moves to the upper
position, wherein the front end of the trestle section engages the
folding section and the rear portion of the trestle engages the
central portion of the base section; e) a pipe carrying skate
member mounted upon the trestle section and movable along the
length thereof between extended and retracted positions; and f) a
conveyor that transports the trestle upon the base and folding
sections between upper and lower positions when the folding section
is in the inclined position so that the trestle section forms a
gradually increasing acute angle with the base section when moving
from the lower to the upper position.
12. The inventions substantially as shown and described herein.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/956,815, filed 20 Aug. 2007, incorporated herein by reference,
is hereby claimed.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX"
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to oil and gas well drilling
and to an apparatus for handling pipe that is used during oil and
gas well drilling (including geothermal and/or mineral drilling).
More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved
pipe handling apparatus for transferring successive lengths of
drill pipe from a pipe rack to the deck of a drilling rig, wherein
a moving section of the apparatus lifts pipe upwardly along an
inclined path with a trestle that is driven to travel upon a base
or supporting frame, the trestle gradually increasing in
inclination as it moves between a lower beginning position and an
upper final inclined position that presents the length of the drill
pipe to workers on the rig floor.
[0006] 2. General Background of the Invention
[0007] During the drilling of oil and gas wells, an elongated
"string" of pipe is made up of separate joints of pipe (e.g. drill
pipe can be in lengths of thirty feet (30') (9.1 meters), casing
typically in lengths of forty feet (40') (12.2 meters) that are
connected end to end during the "trip" into the well and as
drilling progresses deeper and deeper into the earth. The lower end
of the string carries a drill bit. These same joints of pipe are
each separated from the drill string one joint at a time when the
drill string is removed from the well bore after such a "trip" into
a well.
[0008] Drill pipe joints can be stored (e.g. horizontally) on pipe
racks next to the drill rig cat walk. Typically, the drill rig
floor is at a considerably higher elevation than the pipe racks and
cat walk. Many drillers face the problem of transferring drill pipe
from the pipe rack to the elevated rig deck.
[0009] One of the problems with the transportation of drill pipe is
that of maintaining a proper orientation of the section of the
drill pipe relative to the rig floor, especially when it is about
to be either removed from the pipe transportation unit to the rig
floor or transferred from the rig floor back to the pipe
transportation unit. For example, it is important that the pipe be
oriented in the correct position so that it can be elevated to
lower the collar of the pipe directly into waiting pipe
elevators.
[0010] Another problem with the transportation of pipe racks to the
drill floor is that the pipe is typically stacked in layers. This
means that each layer must be unstacked one layer at a time. Pipe
can be stacked many layers thick especially if the drilling
operation is going very deep into the earth.
[0011] There have been numerous approaches to the task of
transferring pipe from a lower pipe rack to an upper, elevated rig
floor. Some pipe handling devices are ground supported mechanical
units. Others are truck units with a main high line and a fast line
to feed and retrieve the pipe trough.
[0012] The mechanical units are heavy and are designed for
individual rigs. They remain with the drilling rig during drilling
operations. The truck mounted units are more diversified and
portable, but take up more space because of the typically large
truck portion of the apparatus.
[0013] Some patents have issued that are directed to the problem of
conveying oil and gas well drilling pipe joints from a pipe rack to
the floor of the drilling rig. The following table lists possibly
relevant patents, the order of listing having no significance.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Issue Date Patent No. Title MM-DD-YYYY
4,235,566 Pipe Conveying Catwalk 11-25-1980 4,403,898 Pipe Pick Up
and Lay-down Machine 09-13-1983 3,774,780 Portable Pipe Pick-Up,
Conveying 11-27-1973 and Racking Device 4,040,524 Apparatus for
Handling Pipe At Well 08-09-1977 Site 4,081,087 Pipe Laydown and
Pickup Machine 03-28-1978 4,610,315 Pipe Handling Apparatus for Oil
09-09-1986 Drilling Operations 4,082,193 Pipe Handling Apparatus
04-04-1978 2,656,052 Apparatus for Feeding Lengths of 10-20-1953
Drill Pipe in Succession to the Drill Pipe Elevator of Drill Rigs
3,464,507 Portable Rotary Drilling Pipe 09-02-1969 Handling
System
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention differs from these prior art devices
by providing an improved drill pipe conveyor.
[0015] The apparatus of the present invention comprises a pipe
handling apparatus for transferring successive lengths of drill
pipe that are stored in a generally horizontal position on a pipe
rack, to an elevated position on the rig deck of an oil and gas
well drill rig. The apparatus includes an elongated frame that
includes a base section with a folding section that can be
inclined. Both the base and folding sections provide toothed racks.
A trestle section travels from the base section toward the inclined
section. Pinion gears at opposed end portions of the trestle
section engage the toothed racks of the base and folding sections.
The trestle section gradually increases in inclination as its front
end portion travels toward and up hoisting rails of the inclined
folding section. While the rear end of the trestle section remains
on the base section, the front end portion of the trestle section
climbs the toothed racks of the inclined rails. The trestle section
carries a trough that cradles a section of drill pipe to be carried
to the rig floor. When the trestle section reaches its full upper
position, the rear end of the trough can be elevated to a generally
horizontal position using a hydraulically powered scissor lifting
arrangement to more properly position the drill pipe for receipt by
the drill rig deck area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the
present invention, reference should be had to the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numerals,
and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view of the first
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the
main frame and folding section in folded position;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the first embodiment of
the apparatus of the present invention showing the folding section
in an inclined position;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a partial elevational rear view of the first
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the
pick-up arms in a lower most position;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the first embodiment of
the apparatus of the present invention showing the pick-up arms in
a loading position;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a partial, sectional rear view of the first
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with jacks
elevated;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a partial side elevational view of the first
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with lift
rails in folded position;
[0024] FIG. 8 is an elevational rear view of the first embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention showing the trough
trestle in an inclined position;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the first embodiment of
the apparatus of the present invention showing the trough in a
tilted, generally horizontal position;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the first embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention with trough trestle
elevated;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a side view of the first embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention showing the pipe and trough
elevated to a horizontal position at the drilling rig floor;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a partial elevational view of the first
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with trough
trestle folded for shipping and jacks elevated;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a top view along lines 13-13 of FIG. 12;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a partial sectional fragmentary view of the front
lifting rails and hinges;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along lines 15-15 of FIG.
13 with safety boot;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view of the first embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the rubber
tipped pneumatic safety pin portion thereof in activated position
and traveling safety boot;
[0033] FIG. 17 is a partial sectional elevational view of the first
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with trough
raised, scissor folded;
[0034] FIG. 18 is a partial sectional elevational view of the first
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with rear of
trough raised by scissor system for pipe collar elevation on rig
floor;
[0035] FIG. 19 is a fragmentary rear cross-sectional view of the
first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention
illustrating loading of a joint of pipe into the trough, gear racks
and pinions;
[0036] FIG. 20 is a fragmentary rear cross-sectional view of the
first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention
illustrating the removal of a joint of pipe from the trough with
adjustable pickup or lay down arms;
[0037] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of
the apparatus of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 22 is a side view of the second embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention shown in folded position;
[0039] FIG. 23 is a side view of the second embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention shown in unfolded, operating
condition;
[0040] FIGS. 24-26 are fragmentary end views of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 27 is a partial, schematic side view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with trough
trestle raised and pipe/trough in delivery position;
[0042] FIG. 28 is a fragmentary side view of the second embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention showing hinges for
folding lifting rails;
[0043] FIG. 29 is an elevation view of the second embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention with jacks raised for stacking
pipe;
[0044] FIG. 30 is a plan view taken along lines 30-30 of FIG. 29
showing trough with travel boot and pop up safety pins for pipe
containment;
[0045] FIG. 31 is an end view taken along lines 31-31 of FIG. 30
showing adjustable pickup arms, jacks, safety pins, pipe boot
electric and hydraulic motors;
[0046] FIG. 32 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention showing hydraulic motors and
gear racks; and
[0047] FIG. 33 is a partial, enlarged plan view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing
motors, pumps and drivers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] FIGS. 1-20 show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of
the present invention, designated generally by the numeral 10 in
FIG. 1. Drill pipe transfer apparatus or "pipe skate: 10 is used
with drilling rig 11, enabling the transfer of successive lengths
or joints 44 of drill pipe that are stacked and stored in a
generally horizontal position on a pipe rack 15, to an elevated
deck or floor 17 of an oil and gas well drilling rig 11 having a
base 12 (see FIG. 1).
[0049] The apparatus 10 of the present invention provides an
optionally portable pipe skate for the safe transportation of the
pipe joint members 44 from a horizontal position on pipe rack 15
and then diagonally to the drilling rig floor 17 and/or to a pipe
elevator for vertical positioning (see pipe string P, FIG. 1)
before transport into the well bore.
[0050] The apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a main
frame 20 that can be positioned on the top of a drill rig catwalk
14. The apparatus 10 includes folding section 19 with a pair of
spaced apart lifting or hoisting rails 21 having one end portion
pivotally mounted to the main frame 20 and a free end portion that
rests against the catwalk ramp or rig floor as shown in FIG. 1. The
hoisting rails 21 are diagonally positioned during use as shown in
FIG. 3.
[0051] The pipe joints 44 are rolled to adjustable pick up arms 31
on the main frame 20 and then placed into a trough 39 portion. Each
pickup arm 31 can have a removable stop pin.
[0052] A moving trestle 22 travels upon main frame 20 and carries
the trough 39 and the pipe joint 44, then rises up to the rig floor
17. The trestle 22 gradually increases in inclination relative to
the horizontal catwalk 14 and main frame 20. Once fully inclined,
the trestle 22 provides a trough 39 that can extend forward from
the trestle 22 bringing the pipe joint 44 collar 46 to a rig
elevator or well bore (see FIGS. 8-11).
[0053] The rear of the trough 39 can be raised by means of a
scissor hydraulic mechanism 24 (see FIG. 11), thus lowering the
pipe collar 46 to a workable height or into pipe elevators on the
rig 11. The pipe joint 44 is moved forward in the trough 39 in the
direction of arrow 34 in FIG. 11 by a traveling safety boot 40. The
rig 11 crown block 18 (or other lifting device) can than raise the
pipe joint 44 to a vertical position above the well bore or pipe
string P.
[0054] Extracting pipe joints 44 from pipe string P that extends
into the well requires a reverse process as each pipe joint 44 is
returned to a horizontal position on the pipe rack 15. Multiple
layers of pipe joints 44 can be stacked on the same rack 15 with
main frame 20 jacks 30.
[0055] The present invention provides transportation of heavy
tubular pipe members 44 (and optionally tools) from the pipe racks
15 to the rig floor 17 or well bore and back. Such tools can be
short subs, reamers, drill bits or pipe handling tools. The
apparatus 10 includes a main frame 20 that can be a light weight
lattice truss or like frame. The main frame 20 is supported upon a
plurality of (e.g. hydraulic) jacks 30.
[0056] A plurality of adjustable pick-up arms 31 are provided that
can be used for transferring each joint 44, one at a time to the
trough portion 39 of the apparatus 10 (see FIG. 19). The jacks 30
raise and lower the main frame 20 for easy stacking and unstacking
of pipe joints 44. The adjustable pick-up arms 31 can either lift
pipe joints 44 to the trough 39 or can be used as lay-down ramps
when returning pipe joints 44 to the racks 15 (see FIG. 20).
[0057] The main frame 20 includes a folding section 19 that can be
in the form of hoisting rails that can be folded into a collapsed
position on the main frame 20 (for transport) or rotated upon pivot
37 to an inclined position (see arrow 24 FIG. 3) so that a free end
portion of the hoisting rails 21 rests against the drill rig floor
17.
[0058] The trough trestle 22 can be gear driven, having a front end
portion that travels up the hoisting rails of folding section 19.
The trestle 22 has a rear end portion that engages and travels upon
the base section 20. The trestle 22 can be gear driven front and
rear as it progresses down the base section 20 and up the rails 21
of folding section 19 during an elevation of each pipe section 44
diagonally to a height just above the rig floor 17.
[0059] The trough trestle 22 thus begins at a horizontal position
where it is entirely disposed upon the main frame 20. However, as
the trestle 22 moves toward the rig floor 17, its front end portion
climbs the rails 21 of the folding section 19 using a hydraulically
powered pair of pinion gears that register in 26, 26A, 26B toothed
racks 35 on the lifting rails 21.
[0060] The rear end of the trough trestle 22 provides hydraulically
driven pinion gears that engage toothed rack 38 portions on the
main frame 20. While the front of the trestle 22 climbs up the
inclined hoisting rails 21, the rear of the trestle 22 moves in a
horizontal plane upon main frame 20, approaching the drilling rig
11, but not changing in elevation. The effect of this action is to
gradually increase the inclination of the trestle 22 as it moves
from a starting, entirely horizontal position adjacent to the pipe
rack 15 to a final inclined position with its front end adjacent to
the rig floor 17 (see FIGS. 1 and 3).
[0061] Once a joint 44 of pipe is elevated slightly above the rig
floor 17, the pipe skate 10 operator can advance the trough 39
forward on the trestle 22, moving the pipe joint 44 to the rig
elevator or close to rotary table 16 or well bore so that the joint
44 can then be added to pipe string P. On very large rigs 11 where
the bore hole is some distance from the edge of the rig floor 17,
the pipe collar 46 can prove to be at an unworkable height at the
time it reaches the elevator. Therefore, the rear of the trough 39
can be elevated with respect to the trestle 22 using a hydraulic or
pneumatically operated scissors mechanism 24 (see FIG. 11) that
lowers the front of the pipe or pipe collar 46 to a position next
to rotary table 16 or next to the rig elevator. To aid in a
solution to this problem, a traveling safety boot 40 at the rear of
the trough 39 can be used to accommodate varying lengths of pipe
(e.g. particularly casing).
[0062] The trough 39 can be provided with air operated kickers or
eject pins 23 that eject the pipe 44 from the trough 39 and then
down to lay arms 31 and then to the pipe rack 15. Safety pins can
be provided at location 42 in the form of a plurality of pop-up air
pins on each side of the trough 39 to contain or stabilize the pipe
joint 44 when it is in the trough 39 (see FIG. 6). The stop pins 42
can be installed at various places on the trough 39 top surface to
stop the pipe from rolling off the trough 39 during operation. Stop
pins can by hydraulically, manually, or pneumatically operated to
pop up or retract.
[0063] Traveling safety boot 40 is placed at the rear of the trough
39 for the pipe joint 44 to butt-up against. Safety boot 40 can
travel forward and back to accommodate varying lengths of drill
pipe joint 44 or to push pipe forward. The safety boot 40 can be
provided with a stationary air pin in the center. This stationary
air pin stabs into the rear of the pipe joint 44 bore to prevent it
from exiting the trough 39 except in the proper forward motion.
Manual boots 40 can be placed in the trough for picking up short
pipe subs and smaller drilling equipment.
[0064] The present invention 10 thus provides an improved pipe
handling apparatus for transferring successive lengths of drill
pipe 44 that are stored in a generally horizontal position on a
lower elevation pipe rack 15, to an elevated deck or floor 17 of an
oil and gas well drilling rig 11.
[0065] The apparatus 10 includes an elongated main frame 20 with
front and rear end portions and a folding section 19 that pivots
upon the front end portion of the base section between inclined 19
(FIGS. 1 and 3) and folded (FIG. 7) positions.
[0066] In the folded position (FIG. 7), the folding section 19
nests on the base section 20. In the inclined position, the folded
section 19 forms an obtuse angle with the base section 20.
[0067] The folding section 19 has spaced apart, parallel hoisting
rails 21 and a free end portion. In the inclined position, the free
end portion is extendable to the elevated deck 17 of the oil and
gas well drilling rig 11. For example, the free end portion of the
folding section 19 can simply rest against the drill rig deck 17 as
a support. The folding section 19 includes a pair of opposed
hoisting rails 21.
[0068] The frame 20 includes a moving trestle 22 section having
front and rear portions. The trestle section 22 is movable upon the
combination of the frame 20 and the folded section 19 between an
lower position that nests the trestle 22 section upon the frame 20
and an upper position that positions the front end portion of the
trestle 22 near the free end of the folded section 19 when the
folded section is inclined (FIG. 1).
[0069] The trestle section 22 thus forms a triangle with the
folding 19 and frame 20 sections when the trestle 22 moves to the
upper position of FIGS. 1 and 10, 11, wherein the front end portion
of the trestle 22 section engages the folding section 19 and the
rear portion of the trestle 22 engages the frame 20.
[0070] A pipe joint 44 carrying skate member or trough 39 is
mounted upon the trestle 22 section and is movable along the length
thereof between extended and retracted positions.
[0071] A conveyor arrangement can be used to transport the trestle
22 upon the frame 20 and folding 19 sections between upper and
lower position when the folding section 19 is in the inclined
position of FIG. 1, so that the trestle section 22 forms a
gradually increasing acute angle with the frame 20 moving from the
lower (FIGS. 12-13) to the upper position (FIGS. 1, 10-11).
[0072] In the preferred embodiment, powered pinion gears engage
toothed racks 27 on the inclined rails 21 of the folding section
19. Pinion gears also engage toothed racks 38 on the main frame
20.
[0073] FIG. 1 shows generally the preferred embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention designated by the numeral 10. In
FIG. 10 there can be seen a drilling rig 11 having a base 12,
derrick 13, catwalk 14. The drill rig 11 has a rotary table 16 and
a crown block 18. Pipe rack 15 holds a plurality of drill pipe
joints 44 as shown in FIG. 1. Each joint 44 of drill pipe has bore
49, pin end 48, and a box end or collar 46.
[0074] The apparatus 10 of the present invention is used for
transporting a pipe joint 44 upwardly to the rig floor 17 and
presenting a collar end portion 46 of the drill pipe to the
personnel that are operating the drill rig and which occupy a
position about the rotary table 16.
[0075] In FIGS. 1-3, the apparatus 10 of the present invention
includes a main frame 20 and a folding section 19. Main frame 20
sits upon catwalk 14 and is supported by means of a plurality of
telescoping (e.g. hydraulic) cylinder jacks 30. Jacks 30 enable
frame 20 to be raised and lowered. The jacks 30 can be raised or
lowered depending upon the level of pipe joints 44 that occupy a
position upon pipe rack 15 to enable easy transfer of joints 44
between rack 15 and trough 39. The pipe joints 44 can often be
stacked many layers deep so that the elevation of the top layer of
joints of pipe 44 varies during drilling operations. In FIGS. 2-3,
the drill rig 11 and its upper deck 17 are shown with the main
frame 20, its folding section 19 that carries hoisting rails
21.
[0076] In FIG. 2, the main frame 20 remains in horizontal position
while the folding section 19 is rotated as shown by the curved
arrow in FIG. 3 to the inclined position shown. In FIGS. 3, 4 and 5
safety chains 47 can be used to secure the uppermost end portion of
folding section 19 to the rig 11 at upper deck 17 as shown.
[0077] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the position of main frame 20 and
inclined section 19 when the trestle 22 is in a horizontal position
such as when a pipe joint 44 is being transferred from pipe rack 15
to trestle 22. In FIG. 5, a pipe joint 44 has been moved with pick
up arms 31 to the trough 39 portion of trestle 22.
[0078] FIGS. 4-5 and 10-11 illustrate delivery of a joint of pipe
44 to the rig floor 17. Trestle 22 begins in a generally horizontal
position (FIG. 5) and then moves forward using powered (e.g.
hydraulic motor), driven pinion gears 26 of the trestle 22 that
engage toothed racks 38 provided on the main frame 20 and toothed
racks 27 provided on the hoisting rails 21 of folding section 19.
In FIG. 10, trestle 22 has moved to a forward position where its
inclination of trestle 22 is greatest. In this position, a drill
pipe joint 44 can be advanced in the direction of the arrow 25 in
FIG. 10 using traveling safety boot 40. In order to present the
collar 46 end of pipe joint 44 to the rig deck 17 and to the
workers at rotary table 16, a scissor apparatus 24 elevates trestle
22 and trough 39 as shown by the curved arrow 33 in FIG. 11.
Scissor apparatus 24 places the trough 39 in a generally horizontal
position. The traveling safety boot 40 then moves forward in the
direction of arrow 34 in FIG. 11 to present the pipe joint 44,
collar end 46 to the drillers/personnel on the rig deck or floor
17.
[0079] FIGS. 12-14 show the main frame 20 and its folding section
19 in more detail. In FIGS. 12-13, jacks 30 are shown supporting
main frame 20 as it sits upon catwalk 14. Safety chains 45 can be
used to form a connection between lower end of main frame 20 and
the upper surface of catwalk 14.
[0080] Pick up arms 31 are shown in FIGS. 13 and 19-20. The pick up
arms 31 can be a hydraulically operated to a lift pipe joint 44
from the pipe rack 15 and transfer each such pipe joint 44 one at a
time to the longitudinal slot 43 on the upper surface of trough 39,
so that each joint 44 can then be elevated to the rig floor 17.
[0081] In FIGS. 14-20, further details of construction of main
frame 20, trestle 22, and trough 39 are shown. Trestle 22 has a
pair of opposed c-shaped beams 35. Each beam 35 provides a toothed
rack 36 that engages pinion gear rollers 26B attached to trough 39.
Pinion gears 26A on trestle 22 engage toothed racks 38 on main
frame 20. In FIGS. 19-20, the outermost pinion gears 26A travel in
a toothed rack 38 on main frame 20. Pinion gears 26A are provided
at the rear of the trestle 22 and travel in toothed rack 38 on main
frame 20 thus driving the rear portion of trestle 22 as it travels
toward the rig 11. Pinion gears 26A can be hydraulically powered
with motor drives 28 (e.g. hydraulic motors) and pumps 29 or other
drive system.
[0082] There are two additional pinion gears 26A that support the
front of trestle 22. The front pair of outer pinion gears 26A
engage toothed rack 27 of folding section 19. The innermost pinion
gears 26B are mounted with axle 41 to trough 39 to support trough
39 and move it forward/backward within the C-shaped beam members 35
of trestle 22. Thus the pinion gears 26B move the trough 39 forward
or backward with respect to trestle 22.
[0083] In FIGS. 7-10 and 15-16, traveling safety boot 40 is shown
having a safety pin 50 that can be activated or deactivated to
engage the pipe bore 49. The traveling safety boot 40 can be moved
forward or backward relative to the rig floor 17 when the apparatus
10 is in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, using a threaded rod
51 and internally threaded sleeve 71. Rotation of the rod 51 in one
direction moves the boot 40 in one direction and vice versa. In
FIG. 15, the safety pin 50 is in a deactivated position. In FIG.
16, the safety pin 50 has been advanced and occupies a position
within bore 49 of pipe joint 44.
[0084] FIGS. 17 and 18 show more particularly the scissor mechanism
24 that can be used to elevate trough 39 relative to trestle 22. A
collapsed position of scissor assembly 24 shown in FIG. 17. An
expanded operational position is shown in FIG. 18. Hydraulic
cylinder 52 can be used to activate and deactivate the scissor
assembly 24. A pinion gear 53 at the bottom of scissor 24 engages a
toothed rack 36 of trestle 22.
[0085] FIGS. 21-33 show a second embodiment of the apparatus of the
present invention, designated generally by the numeral 55. Drill
pipe transfer apparatus 55 can be used to transfer joints 44 of
drill pipe between a pipe rack 15 and a drill rig 11 as with the
first embodiment of FIGS. 1-20. In FIGS. 21-33 catwalk 57 replaces
the catwalk 14 of FIG. 1. Catwalk 57 can include main frame skate
58.
[0086] Jacks 56 support main frame 58 and can elevate or lower it.
Main frame 58 supports trough 69 which can support a pivotally
attached forward elevator section or rail(s) 68 that moves between
a folded position (FIG. 22) and an unfolded, operating position
(FIG. 23).
[0087] Pick up arms 59 can be of adjustable length, providing
sections that telescope to change length. In FIG. 31, arm 59 can
have inner section 60, outer section 61 (or sleeve), adjustment
openings 63, and removable locking pin 64 that fits through aligned
openings 63 on sections 60, 61 to define their length.
[0088] In FIGS. 24 and 31, pick up arms 59 are shown moving a pipe
joint 44 toward trough 67. In FIGS. 25-26 and 31, 33, pipe joint 44
is in the transport position on trough 67. FIG. 27 shows a pipe
joint 44 and supporting trough 67 traveling to drilling rig 11 upon
trestle 69 and forward section as indicated by arrows 72,
73/rail(s) 68.
[0089] Main frame 54 supports trestle 69 which supports trough 67.
The second embodiment of FIGS. 21-33 also provides a safety boot 70
as with the first embodiment. A hydraulic drive can power both the
trough 67 and trestle 69. Pins 71 prevent escape of a pipe joint 44
from trestle 69. Pins 71 are preferably hydraulically or
pneumatically operated to extend above surface 66 or to retract to
a position at or below surface 66. FIG. 28 can be the same
configuration as FIG. 14.
[0090] The following table lists the parts numbers and parts
descriptions as used herein and in the drawings attached
hereto.
TABLE-US-00002 PARTS LIST Part Number Description P pipe string 10
portable drill pipe transfer apparatus/pipe skate 11 drilling rig
12 base 13 derrick 14 cat walk 15 pipe rack 16 rotary table 17 rig
floor 18 crown block 19 folding section 20 main frame 21 hoisting
rails 22 trestle 23 eject pin/kicker 24 scissors mechanism 25 arrow
26 pinion gear .sup. 26A pinion gear .sup. 26B pinion gear 27
toothed rack/folding section 28 motor drive 29 pumps 30 jack 31
pick up arms 32 motor drive 33 arrow 34 arrow 35 beam member 36
toothed rack/trestle 37 pivot 38 toothed rack/main frame 39 trough
40 traveling safety boot 41 axle 42 safety pin/location 43
longitudinal slot trough 44 pipe joint 45 safety chain 46 collar 47
safety chain 48 pin end 49 pipe bore 50 safety air pin 51 threaded
shaft 52 hydraulic cylinder 53 pinion gear 54 hydraulic tanks 55
drill pipe transfer apparatus 56 jack 57 catwalk 58 main frame
skate 59 pick up arm 60 inner section 61 outer section 62 catch pin
63 adjustment opening 64 locking pin 65 lift cylinder 66 upper
surface 67 trough 68 elevator rail 69 trough trestle 70 safety boot
71 popup safety pins 72 arrow 73 arrow
[0091] Because many varying and different embodiments may be made
within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and
because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein
detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law,
it is to be understood that the details herein are to be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *