U.S. patent application number 11/906147 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-02 for electrically powered well servicing rigs.
Invention is credited to Robert Lewis Bloom.
Application Number | 20090084558 11/906147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40433618 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090084558 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bloom; Robert Lewis |
April 2, 2009 |
Electrically powered well servicing rigs
Abstract
A mobile land rig for use in wellbore operations. The mobile
land rig, in certain aspects, has a vehicle; an erectable mast;
winch apparatus (e.g., one or two winches); and electric motor
apparatus for powering the winch apparatus. In one aspect there are
two winches and one electric motor powers both winches. 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 and 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: |
Bloom; Robert Lewis;
(Gainesville, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Guy McClung
# 114, 5315-B F.M. 1960 Rd. West
Houston
TX
77069-4410
US
|
Family ID: |
40433618 |
Appl. No.: |
11/906147 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/385 ;
166/77.1; 173/28; 254/323 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 7/02 20130101; E21B
19/008 20130101; E21B 7/023 20130101; E21B 19/084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/385 ;
166/77.1; 173/28; 254/323 |
International
Class: |
E21B 7/02 20060101
E21B007/02; E21B 19/22 20060101 E21B019/22 |
Claims
1. A mobile land rig for use in wellbore operations, the mobile
land rig comprising a vehicle, an erectable mast on the vehicle,
winch apparatus on the vehicle, electric motor apparatus on the
vehicle for powering the winch apparatus.
2. The mobile land rig of claim 1 wherein the winch apparatus
includes a main winch and a sandline winch.
3. The mobile land rig of claim 1 wherein the electric motor
apparatus is a single electric motor.
4. The mobile land rig of claim 1 wherein the winch apparatus
includes a main winch and a sandline winch, the electric motor
apparatus is a single electric motor, and both the main winch and
the sandline winch powered by the single electric motor.
5. The mobile land rig of claim 4 wherein the single electric motor
has two drive shafts, a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft,
the first drive shaft for driving the main winch, and the second
drive shaft for driving the sandline winch.
6. The mobile land rig of claim 4 wherein the single electric motor
has a single drive shaft, the main winch driven by the single drive
shaft, and the sandline winch driven by the single drive shaft.
7. The mobile land rig of claim 6 further comprising shifting
mechanism for selectively driving the main winch or the sandline
winch.
8. The mobile land rig system of claim 1 wherein the mobile land
rig is a well servicing rig or a workover rig.
9. The mobile land rig system of claim 1 wherein the electric motor
apparatus provides braking while the winch apparatus lowers a
load.
10. The mobile land rig of claim 1 further comprising mast erection
apparatus which is electrically powered.
11. The mobile land rig system of claim 10 wherein the mast
erection apparatus includes an electric winch system.
12. The mobile land rig system of claim 1 further comprising
vehicle levelling apparatus which is electrically powered.
13. The mobile land rig system of claim 12 wherein the vehicle
levelling apparatus includes an electrically-operated ball screw
unit.
14. The mobile land rig system of claim 1 further comprising a
computerized control system for controlling the electric motor
apparatus.
15. The mobile land rig system of claim 1 wherein the electric
motor apparatus is at least one electric motor which is one of AC
induction motor, DC motor, permanent magnet motor, and a printed
circuit board permanent magnet motor.
16. The mobile land rig system of claim 1 further comprising a
power source for the electric motor apparatus.
17. The mobile land rig system of claim 16 wherein the power source
is one of local utility, battery, power storage apparatus, and
generator.
18. The mobile land rig system of claim 1 further comprising a
control system in controlling communication with the electric motor
apparatus and the winch apparatus, and an operator panel in
communication with the control system whereby an operator can
control the electric motor apparatus and the winch apparatus.
19. A mobile land rig for use in wellbore operations, the mobile
land rig comprising a vehicle, an erectable mast on the vehicle,
winch apparatus on the vehicle, electric motor apparatus on the
vehicle for powering the winch apparatus and for providing braking
while the winch apparatus lowers a load, wherein the winch
apparatus includes a main winch and a sandline winch, the electric
motor apparatus is a single electric motor, both the main winch and
the sandline winch powered by the single electric motor, shifting
mechanism for selectively driving the main winch or the sandline
winch, a computerized control system for controlling the electric
motor apparatus and the winch apparatus, a power source for the
electric motor apparatus, and an operator panel in communication
with the control system whereby an operator can control the
electric motor apparatus and the winch apparatus.
20. The mobile land rig of claim 19 wherein the single electric
motor has two drive shafts, a first drive shaft and a second drive
shaft, the first drive shaft for driving the main winch, and the
second drive shaft for driving the sandline winch.
21. A method for performing wellbore operations with a mobile land
rig, the method comprising erecting a mast on a vehicle of a mobile
land rig, the mobile land rig including winch apparatus on the
vehicle and electric motor apparatus on the vehicle for powering
the winch apparatus, and winching an item with the winching
apparatus.
22. A winch system for a mobile land rig, the winch system
comprising winch apparatus mountable on a vehicle of a mobile land
rig, and electric motor apparatus mountable on the vehicle in
driving relationship with the winch apparatus for powering the
winch apparatus.
23. A method for winching an item on a mobile land rig, the method
comprising attaching the item to a winch apparatus, the winch
apparatus mounted on a vehicle of a mobile land rig, and winching
the item with the winch apparatus, the winch apparatus powered by
electric motor apparatus.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is directed to well servicing rigs;
methods of their use; in certain particular aspects to such rigs
with electrical motor(s) as power apparatus, e.g., for a winch or
winches; and in other particular aspects, to such rigs with a
single electric motor to power two rig winches.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Well servicing rigs, which are not used to drill a wellbore,
perform a variety of operations after an oil or gas well has been
drilled to get a well ready for production; for example, and not by
way of limitation: logging operations; swabbing operations;
operations involving the insertion of pipe or tubing into the well;
and a perforation operation to perforate tubing.
[0005] A typical well servicing system, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,003,598, has a mobile vehicle/carrier with a collapsible mast or
derrick which may be hydraulically raised and lowered by means of
hydraulic pistons. A first winch and cable as provided near the
crown of the derrick perform functions such as manipulating joined
pipe segments if required. A second winch assembly and a drum
having on it a line and item or tool, e.g., a conductive wireline
with a logging instrument to be lowered into the well to permit
logging.
[0006] Established producing wells are often "worked over" or
serviced from time to time, including replacing downhole equipment
or lowering or raising objects into the wellbore such as casing,
tubing, rods, tools, etc. When such service operations become
necessary, often a portable workover rig is used which can be moved
to the well site and set up. Certain known workover rigs have a
derrick or mast which supports pulleys or block and tackle
arrangements; a mainline drum about which a heavy cable is wound
and the free end connected over a crown block and connected to a
traveling block. By rotating the drum, the traveling block is
raised or lowered with the drilling mast as is necessary. Another
drum, called a sandline drum (not used with the traveling block),
has a line wound about it which goes up over the crown block and is
then connected to an object such as a swab mandrel which is to be
lowered into the well bore to a selected depth. In many
conventional workover rigs the mainline drum and the sandline drum
are each driven by a dedicated separate motor, typically e.g. a
system with diesel-powered engines and associated drive shafts,
clutches, right angle gear boxes, chains, and sprockets; or
hydraulic motors.
[0007] Providing hydraulic power fluid to well servicing rigs and
workover rigs has presented a variety of problems. When hydraulic
systems leak, hydraulic fluid is spilled polluting the environment.
Hydraulically-powered motors and apparatuses, especially in
multi-motor systems, are relatively heavy; relatively noisy;
require a large amount of space on a rig; and are relatively
complex and expensive to operate and maintain. Diesel-powered
engine systems for servicing rigs and workover rigs present issues
with excessive weight, power efficiency, safety concerns, excessive
noise, inefficient manually operated-braking systems, diesel fume
pollution and relatively high maintenance costs.
[0008] The prior art discloses a variety of mobile rigs, well
servicing rigs, workover rigs, and components of them; for example,
and not by way of limitation, the following U.S. Patents present
exemplary systems and components thereof: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,704,653;
2,847,098; 3,109,523; 3,670,831; 3,734,210; 3,994,350; 4,257,578;
4,290,495; 4,371,046; 4,432,532; 4,478,291; 4,555,092; 4,591,006;
4,756,366; 5,094,302; 5,794,723; and 7,249,629--these patents all
incorporated fully herein for all purposes.
[0009] The present inventor has recognized the need for low weight,
low cost, more efficient, safer, less noisy,
environmentally-friendly mobile rigs for well servicing and
workover, in certain aspects, with advanced control systems and/or
improved braking performance. The present inventor has recognized
the need for such rigs which are effective and efficient, yet
relatively simple. The present inventor has recognized the need for
such rigs with motors that are not hydraulically powered and rigs
that are not powered through complicated mechanical drive
arrangements. The present inventor has recognized the need for
providing an electrical motor powered hoisting and braking system
for the main drum and sand line drum, combined with an advanced
electronic computerized control system in well servicing rig
systems that are lighter quieter, safer, more efficient, and
friendlier to the environment than conventional mechanical or
hydraulically powered well servicing rigs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses a
mobile rig for well operations which has apparatuses, e.g. winch
apparatus, powered by an electric motor or motors. In certain
aspects, such a rig has one or more single-board computers in a
control system and/or one or more programmable logic controllers or
a similar type of electronic control devices.
[0011] In certain particular aspects, the present invention teaches
a mobile rig with a single electric motor which provides power for
a main winch apparatus and for a sandline winch apparatus. In
certain aspects, the single electric motor also provides the
primary braking function for each of the winch apparatuses.
[0012] In certain aspects, the present invention discloses a mobile
rig with a single, dual-shaft electric motor which provides power
to two winch systems.
[0013] In certain aspects, the present invention teaches a mobile
rig with an electric motor or motor which is engaged for both
hoisting operations and for lowering items into a wellbore,
providing control of a load being lowered into a wellbore.
[0014] In certain aspects, the present invention teaches a mobile
rig with a drawworks powered by its own permanent magnet electric
motor and a sandline winch powered by its own permanent magnet
electric motor.
[0015] In certain aspects, the present invention discloses a rig
which employs electric power for a variety of rig functions, e.g.,
but not limited to, winch operation, mast raising, and outrigger
deployment; rigs in which all such operations are powered by
electric motors; and/or with a motor or motors that provide control
while lowering a load and/or a braking function.
[0016] Accordingly, the present invention includes features and
advantages which are believed to enable it to advance mobile 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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 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:
[0019] New, useful, unique, efficient, non-obvious
electrically-powered mobile rig systems for well operations and
methods of their use;
[0020] Such systems and methods which employ multiple electric
motors or a single electric motor, and, in one particular aspect, a
rig with a single electric motor to operate two winches; and
[0021] Such systems and methods which significantly reduce or
eliminate leakage of hydraulic fluids.
[0022] 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, other purposes and advantages will be
appreciated from the following description of certain 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, changes, or additions of further
improvements.
[0023] 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 in any way.
[0024] 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
[0025] 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 legally
equivalent embodiments.
[0026] FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a system according to
the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view of part of the
system of FIG. 1A.
[0028] FIG. 1C is an enlarged perspective view of part of the
system of FIG. 1A.
[0029] FIG. 1D is a top view of part of the system of FIG. 1A.
[0030] FIG. 1E is a partial cross-section view of part of the
system of FIG. 1A.
[0031] FIG. 1F is a partial cross-section view of part of the
system of FIG. 1A.
[0032] FIG. 1G is a partial cross-section view of part of the
system of FIG. 1A.
[0033] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a system according to the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 2B is a side view of the system of FIG. 2A.
[0035] FIG. 2C is a top perspective view of the system of FIG.
2A.
[0036] FIG. 2D is a top view of the system of FIG. 2A.
[0037] FIG. 2E is an enlarged top view of part of the system as
shown in FIG. 2D.
[0038] FIG. 2F is a perspective view of part of the system as shown
in FIG. 2A.
[0039] FIG. 2G is a partial cross-section view of part of the
system as shown in FIG. 2A.
[0040] FIG. 2H is a partial cross-section view of part of the
system as shown in FIG. 2A.
[0041] FIG. 2I is a partial cross-section view of part of the
system as shown in FIG. 2A.
[0042] FIG. 3A is a side view of a system according to the present
invention.
[0043] FIG. 3B is a top view of the system of FIG. 3A.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a side schematic view of a system according to the
present invention.
[0045] Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown
in the above-identified figures and described in detail below.
Various aspects and embodiments of the invention are described
below are 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.
[0046] 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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0047] FIGS. 1A-1G show a system 10 according to the present
invention which includes a vehicle with a trailer 12 moved by a
truck 14 and a mast 16 which can be raised from the trailer 12 to
an erected position as shown in FIG. 1A. Levelling jacks 18 support
the trailer 12. Optionally, no separate truck is used and the rig
is self-propelled.
[0048] An electric motor 20 provides power to operate a main winch
30 (also called a drawworks) and a sandline winch 40. The motor 20
has two drive shafts, with one shaft extending from each end of the
motor. One drive shaft 21 drives the main drum winch 30 via a gear
system 32. Optionally, a chain drive system is used. Another drive
shaft 22 drives the sandline winch via a chain drive system 42. A
shiftable cutout coupling 23 selectively couples the drive shaft 21
to a shaft 37a of the gear system 32. A housing 39 encloses the
gears and shafts.
[0049] A shiftable cutout coupling 24 selectively couples the drive
shaft 22 to a shaft 44 of the chain drive system 42. The gear
system 32 includes intermeshed gears 35a-35f on shafts 38a-38d,
respectively, which drive a drive shaft 36 of the main drum winch
30. The chain drive system 42 drives a drive shaft 46 of the
sandline winch 40. The chain drive system 42 has a chain 45 on
sprockets 46a, 46b mounted, respectively, on the shaft 44 and a
shaft 48. A housing 49 partially encloses the chain 45. The system
10 includes a blowout preventer control cabinet 11; an AC drive
compartment 13; and a water cooled resistor tank 11 for removing
the power (heat) generated during braking functions with the motor
20.
[0050] In one particular aspect, the motor 20 is a 1250 horsepower
AC induction motor which provides a main winch hoisting capacity of
500 horsepower and a lowering capacity of 1250 horsepower. In other
particular aspects, the motor's horsepower is between 800
horsepower to 1500 horsepower. Such a motor can provide controlled
lowering of a load, e.g. up to 250,000 pounds, 113,636 kilograms.
Any system according to the present invention can have such an
electric motor or any other suitable electric motor.
[0051] Comparing the system 10 in one particular comparison to a
traditional rig with two separate hydraulically powered motors, one
for each winch (e.g. 500 horsepower motors) and using a 1250
horsepower AC motor with the system 10, it is anticipated that the
system 10 will achieve a tripping in time of 22 seconds, and a
tripping out time of 30 seconds (total tripping time 52 seconds);
whereas with the traditional system tripping in time is 26 seconds,
tripping out time is 55 seconds, for a total tripping time of 81
seconds. ("Tripping in time" is the time required to lower tools,
tubing, or other well components approximately sixty feet into the
hole and "tripping out time" is the time required to raise tools,
tubing, or other well components approximately sixty feet up out of
the hole.)
[0052] FIGS. 2A-2I show a system 100 according to the present
invention which in some aspects is like the system 10, FIG. 1A
(like numerals indicate like parts). A motor 120, similar to the
motor 20, FIG. 1A, has a single drive shaft 122 which drives both
the gear system 32 and the chain drive system 42, thus a single
motor drive shaft drives the main winch 30 and the sandline winch
40.
[0053] A coupling 102 couples the motor drive shaft 122 to the
drive shaft 37a of the gear system 32 and a shifting mechanism 104
selectively couples the drive shaft of the gear system 32 to the
drive shaft 44 of the chain drive system 42. FIG. 2G shows the
shifting mechanism 104 in a neutral position (engaging neither
splines 106 on the shaft 37a nor splines 108 on the shaft 44). FIG.
2H shows the system with the main winch 30 (drawworks) engaged; the
shifting mechanism 104 has engaged the splines 106 on the shaft
37a. FIG. 2I shows the system with the sandline winch 40 engaged;
the shifting mechanism 104 has engaged the splines 108 on the shaft
44.
[0054] FIGS. 3A and 3B show a system 200 according to the present
invention which includes a truck 202 that pulls a trailer 204. An
erectable mast 206 initially rests on the trailer 204. The trailer
204 includes outrigger levelling jacks 208. The trailer 204
supports a main drum or drawworks winch 210 and a sandline winch
220. In one particular aspect, the mast is raised by a system ST
(shown schematically) which has a small electrically-powered winch
or an electrically-powered ball screw system BC. A system SY (shown
schematically) with an electric motor raises and lowers the
outrigger levelling jacks 208. Optionally, the system SY includes
an electrically operated ball screw system BR (shown schematically)
built into the outrigger system.
[0055] In one aspect, the main drum winch 210 has an internal
electric motor system and the sandline winch 220 has an internal
electric motor system. In one aspect the motors are AC permanent
magnet motors (which may be the case for any motor in any system
according to the present invention) with an AC drive system
250.
[0056] The AC drive system converts DC power to variable frequency
AC power and includes a cooling unit 252 and an interface panel 254
for the cooling unit. In the cooling unit, water or forced air
cools the resistors in a bank 218 that become hot while burning off
the power developed during the motor's braking function. The AC
motors can "brake" the load during load lowering or stopping. The
AC motor simply acts like a generator while braking the load. As it
acts like a generator, it produces power which is burned off
through the bank of resistors. Such a system has no brake pads or
brake shoes and no physical exertion is performed by a mobile rig
operator to try to manually brake the load through long lever
handles and mechanical linkage to brake bands.
[0057] According to the present invention, the computerized control
system provides signals to the AC motor to safely determine the
motor speed and braking activity. The panel 254 is mounted to the
floor of the trailer and includes electrical switch gear and
control relays for operating the resistor cooling unit 252 and/or
air blowers for cooling off the resistor bank. It communicates with
temperature sensors associated with the resistor bank.
[0058] A system with the blowout preventer panel 214 has control
valves and gages which close the blowout preventer, e.g. in the
event of an undesirable escape of gas (blowout) from the
wellbore.
[0059] An operator panel 222, in communication with the
apparatuses, winches, and devices of the system 200, allows an
operator to perform the various functions of the system 200.
[0060] The electric motors 230, 240 may, according to the present
invention, be any suitable electric motor (as may be true for any
system according to the present invention) including, but not
limited to: AC induction motors; permanent magnet motors; printed
circuit board permanent magnet motors; or direct current (DC)
motors.
[0061] Power is supplied to the motors 230, 240 from a power source
260 which may include (as is true for powering any motor of any
system according to the present invention): local utility power;
power from batteries; power from a power storage device or
facility; and/or one or more independent engine generator
units.
[0062] FIG. 4 shows schematically a system 300 according to the
present invention which has a truck 302 with a trailer 304 having
an erectable mast 306 and levelling jacks 308. A system operator
310 in a cabin 312 controls the various apparatuses, winches, and
functions of the system 300 via a control system 314. A system 324
raises the mast 306.
[0063] The system 300 has a main winch 320, a sandline winch 330,
and an electric motor 340 which provides power for both winches.
Appropriate lines 331, 332 around appropriate sheaves 333-335,
support and move various items, e.g. tubing 336 and/or tool 337 in
a wellbore 338.
[0064] Power for the electric motor 340 is provided from a power
source 350. The electric motor 340 can run both winches. The
levelling jacks 308 and the system 324 can include electrically
operated ball screw units. Such a system may have one or some, in
any possible combination, of the following:
[0065] The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not
in necessarily all, embodiments a mobile land rig for use in
wellbore operations, the mobile land rig including: a vehicle; an
erectable mast on the vehicle; winch apparatus on the vehicle; and
electric motor apparatus on the vehicle for powering the winch
apparatus. Such a mobile land rig may have one or some, in any
possible combination, of the following: the winch apparatus
including a main winch and a sandline winch; the electric motor
apparatus is a single electric motor; the winch apparatus includes
a main winch and a sandline winch, the electric motor apparatus is
a single electric motor, both the main winch and the sandline winch
powered by the single electric motor; the single electric motor has
two drive shafts, a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft, the
first drive shaft for driving the main winch, and the second drive
shaft for driving the sandline winch; the single electric motor has
a single drive shaft, the main winch driven by the single drive
shaft, and the sandline winch driven by the single drive shaft;
shifting mechanism for selectively driving the main winch or the
sandline winch; the mobile land rig is a well servicing rig or a
workover rig; the electric motor apparatus provides braking while
the winch apparatus lowers a load; mast erection apparatus which is
electrically powered; the mast erection apparatus includes an
electric winch system; vehicle levelling apparatus which is
electrically powered; the vehicle levelling apparatus includes an
electrically-operated ball screw unit; a computerized control
system for controlling the electric motor apparatus; the electric
motor apparatus is at least one electric motor which is one of AC
induction motor, DC motor, permanent magnet motor, and a printed
circuit board permanent magnet motor; a power source for the
electric motor apparatus; wherein the power source is one of local
utility, battery, power storage apparatus, and generator; and/or a
control system in controlling communication with the electric motor
apparatus and the winch apparatus, and an operator panel in
communication with the control system whereby an operator can
control the electric motor apparatus and the winch apparatus.
[0066] The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not
in necessarily all, embodiments a mobile land rig for use in
wellbore operations, the mobile land rig including: a vehicle; an
erectable mast on the vehicle; winch apparatus on the vehicle;
electric motor apparatus on the vehicle for powering the winch
apparatus and for providing braking while the winch apparatus
lowers a load; wherein the winch apparatus includes a main winch
and a sandline winch; the electric motor apparatus is a single
electric motor; both the main winch and the sandline winch powered
by the single electric motor; shifting mechanism for selectively
driving the main winch or the sandline winch; a computerized
control system for controlling the electric motor apparatus and the
winch apparatus; a power source for the electric motor apparatus;
and an operator panel in communication with the control system
whereby an operator can control the electric motor apparatus and
the winch apparatus. Such a mobile land rig may have one or some,
in any possible combination, of the following: the single electric
motor has two drive shafts, a first drive shaft and a second drive
shaft, the first drive shaft for driving the main winch, and the
second drive shaft for driving the sandline winch.
[0067] The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not
in necessarily all, embodiments a method for performing wellbore
operations with a mobile land rig, the method including: erecting a
mast on a vehicle of a mobile land rig, the mobile land rig
including winch apparatus on the vehicle and electric motor
apparatus on the vehicle for powering the winch apparatus; and
winching an item with the winching apparatus.
[0068] The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not
in necessarily all, embodiments a winch system for a mobile land
rig, the winch system including winch apparatus mountable on a
vehicle of a mobile land rig, and electric motor apparatus
mountable on the vehicle in driving relationship with the winch
apparatus for powering the winch apparatus.
[0069] The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not
in necessarily all, embodiments a method for winching an item on a
mobile land rig, the method including: attaching the item to a
winch apparatus, the winch apparatus mounted on a vehicle of a
mobile land rig; and winching the item with the winch apparatus,
the winch apparatus powered by electric motor apparatus.
[0070] 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 inventor may rely
on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the scope of
the 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. What follows are some
of the claims for some of the embodiments and aspects of the
present invention, but these claims are not necessarily meant to be
a complete listing of nor exhaustive of every possible aspect and
embodiment of the invention.
* * * * *