U.S. patent application number 12/069913 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-13 for methods and systems for raising and lowering a rig mast and substructure by remote control.
Invention is credited to Elie J. Chehade, Nicolas Y. Hanna.
Application Number | 20090200856 12/069913 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40473936 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090200856 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chehade; Elie J. ; et
al. |
August 13, 2009 |
Methods and systems for raising and lowering a rig mast and
substructure by remote control
Abstract
Systems for drilling operations, the systems including: a
drilling rig with a base; a mast movably connected to the base of
the drilling rig; a drawworks system for raising and lowering the
mast; a drawworks control system for controlling the drawworks as
it raises and lowers the mast; a remote control system for remotely
controlling the drawworks control system so that the mast can be
raised and lowered by personnel spaced apart from the drilling rig;
and, in certain aspects, the rig including a substructure which can
be raised, and lowered by remote control. 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 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
Inventors: |
Chehade; Elie J.; (Dubai,
AE) ; Hanna; Nicolas Y.; (Dubai, AE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEFFREY E. DALY;National Oilwell Varco
7909 Parkwood Circle Drive
HOUSTON
TX
77036
US
|
Family ID: |
40473936 |
Appl. No.: |
12/069913 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
299/30 ;
299/10 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 7/02 20130101; E21B
15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
299/30 ;
299/10 |
International
Class: |
E21C 35/24 20060101
E21C035/24 |
Claims
1. A system for drilling operations, the system comprising a
drilling rig with a base, a mast movably connected to the base of
the drilling rig, a drawworks system with cables for raising and
lowering the mast, the cables connected to the mast, a drawworks
control system for controlling the drawworks as the mast is raised
or lowered, and a remote control system for remotely controlling
the drawworks control system, the mast raisable and lowerable by a
person spaced apart from the drilling rig using the remote control
system.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising the rig including a
substructure, a floor on the substructure, apparatus for raising
and lowering the substructure, and the remote control system for
remotely controlling the apparatus for raising and lowering the
substructure.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the mast is pivotably connected to
the base and is pivotable on the base to achieve a raised
position.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the drawworks system includes a
brake system, the brake system remotely controllable using the
remote control system.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the brake system includes an
emergency park brake, an eddy current brake, and service
brakes.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein the brake system includes a
cooling system, the cooling system remotely controllable by the
remote control system.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote control system is
battery powered by a battery.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote control system has
ON/OFF apparatus for turning the drawworks on and off.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the drawworks system includes a
transmission and a motor and the transmission is remotely
controllable by the remote control system.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the drawworks is operable in a
forward mode and in a reverse mode and the remote control system
controls mode selection.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the motor is controllable by the
remote control system.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the drawworks system includes a
motor, a brake system, and a transmission, the brake system
including service brakes, and the remote control system includes
joystick apparatus for controlling the service brakes to control
speed of movement of the mast during lowering and raising.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the remote control system
includes a deadman switch on the joystick apparatus.
14. The system of claim 1 further comprising display apparatus on
the remote control system for displaying rig operational
parameters.
15. The system of claim 1 wherein the drilling rig includes a rig
system with an enable switch for selectively enabling the remote
control system.
16. The system of claim 1 wherein the drilling rig includes
hookload indicating apparatus in communication with the remote
control system.
17. The system of claim 1 wherein the drilling rig includes a brake
system with a park brake and an air system for providing air to the
park brake, and pressure indicating apparatus in communication with
the remote control system for indicating the system air
pressure.
18. A method for remotely controlling a mast raising or lowering
operation, the mast movably connected to a base of a drilling rig,
the drilling rig including a drawworks system with cables for
raising and lowering the mast, the cables connected to the mast, a
drawworks control system for controlling the drawworks as the mast
is raised or lowered, the method comprising remotely controlling
the drawworks control system with a remote control system, the mast
raisable and lowerable by a person spaced apart from the drilling
rig using the remote control system.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein the remote control system is
battery powered by a battery.
20. A method of claim 18 wherein the drawworks system includes a
brake system, the brake system remotely controllable using the
remote control system, the brake system including an emergency park
brake, an eddy current brake, and service brakes, the remote
control system including joystick apparatus for controlling the
service brakes to control speed of movement of the mast during
lowering and raising, the method further comprising using the
joystick apparatus to control the service brakes to control speed
of movement of the mast during lowering and raising.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention is directed to drilling rigs with erectable
masts and substructures; and to systems and methods for raising and
lowering, by remote control, such parts that are raised, e.g. rig
components.
[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. One of the first steps in
assembling many rigs is to raise a rig mast from a substantially
horizontal transported position to a substantially vertical
operational position. In many prior methods, the mast is raised and
lowered by personnel on structure immediately adjacent the mast
with controls and related devices that are hard-wired to mast
raising apparatuses such as a drawworks.
[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. The movable substructure base and the
drill mast are raised with a winch mounted on an auxiliary winch
truck.
[0007] 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 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.
[0008] 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
[0009] The present invention, in certain aspects, provides a system
for remotely raising and lowering a mast of a drilling rig. In one
particular aspect, an operator at a distance from a rig, using a
remote control system according to the present invention, controls
a rig's control system, thereby remotely controlling a rig
drawworks and associated cables that are used to raise and lower
the mast of the rig. In one aspect, the rig has a substructure and
the substructure is raised and lowered by remote control.
[0010] In certain aspects, the present invention discloses a system
that includes a land rig with an erectable mast; a drawworks; a
substructure; a rig control system for controlling the drawworks;
and a remote control system in communication with the rig control
system for controlling the drawworks to raise and lower the mast
and for raising and lowering the substructure.
[0011] Accordingly, the present invention includes features and
advantages which are believed to enable it to advance rig component
raising and lowering 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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:
[0014] New, useful, unique, efficient, non-obvious drilling rigs,
systems for raising and lowering components of a rig (e.g. a mast
and/or a substructure), and remote control systems for doing this;
and
[0015] Such systems in which drawworks brakes are remotely
controlled; and
[0016] Such systems in which joystick apparatus on a remote control
system according to the present invention is used to remotely
control the speed of raising or lowering a mast.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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
[0020] 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.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a side schematic view of a system according to the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an enlargement of part of the system shown in FIG.
1.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a step in the raising of a
mast of the system of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a step in the raising of a
mast of the system of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a side view showing a step in the raising of a
mast of the system of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a side view showing a step in the raising of
components of the system of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a side view showing a step in the raising of
components of the system of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a side view showing a step in the raising of
components of the system of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 9 is a top view of a console for a remote control
system according to the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a system according to the
present invention.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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
[0033] The present invention provides systems and methods for
remotely controlling rig apparatus used to raise and lower a rig
mast. This invention's teachings are applicable to any rig which
has an erectable mast raised and lowered by a drawworks and
substructure raised with hydraulic winches or cylinders.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a system 10 according to the present invention
which includes a drilling rig 12 with a derrick 14, an A-frame 14,
as part of the rig 12, on a floor 16 mounted to a substructure 18.
A mast 20 pivotably connected to the floor 16 is, as shown,
initially in a substantially horizontal position, e.g. for
transport. The mast 20 is a typical drilling rig mast with top
sheaves 22 or crown, a set of raising sheaves 24, and a raising
connection lug 26. A drill line 33 is winched in an out by a
drawworks 30. Lines 31 and 32 which run around the sheaves 27 and
raising sheaves 24, used to raise the mast, are attached together
and lifted by the traveling block 90 when the traveling block 90 is
pulled with the line 33 winched by the drawworks 30. Operations
personnel use a cabin 28 on the floor 16. A rig control system 34
controls the drawworks 30.
[0035] The drill line 33 extends over a "brakeover" sheave 35 down
to the drawworks 30. The cables 31 and 32 extend over the raising
sheaves 24 (e.g. eight in total) fixed in different areas on the
mast and A-frame and are attached to a slingline equalizer 91 by
the traveling block 90.
[0036] An operator A with a remote control system 40 according to
the present invention is spaced-apart from the drilling rig 12. The
remote control system 40 remotely controls the rig control system
34. As shown in FIG. 3, the operator A has activated the remote
control system 40 to take control of the drawworks 30 via the rig
control system 34; and has initiated raising of the mast 20. The
mast 20 has pivoted upwardly from its initial horizontal position.
FIG. 4 shows the mast 20 pivoted further upwardly. The mast raising
mechanism has been activated by the drawworks 30 spooling the drill
line 33, while the traveling block 90 and the slingline equalizer
91 travel in the mast from bottom to top, and in turn the slingline
equalizer 91 pulls with it the raising lines 31 and 32, lifting the
mast.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the mast 20 is fully erect. As shown in
FIG. 6, raising of the substructure 18 has commenced (also done by
remote control) to raise the floor 16 and derrick to a desired
height above ground G, with the remote control system 40 remotely
controlling raising/lowering apparatuses 18a , by controlling the
flow of hydraulic fluid to the winches pulling them up. A cable
tray or "grasshopper" support 81b is used with the system. FIG. 7
illustrates further raising of the floor 16. FIG. 8 shows the floor
16 raised to a desired height.
[0038] FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of a remote control system 50
according to the present invention useful as the remote control
system 40 of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing
connections between a drawworks DK (like the drawworks 30, FIG. 1),
with a motor or motors M and a brake system BS, a drawworks control
system CS (like the system 34, FIG. 1) and the remote control
system 50. The drawworks has an emergency park brake, an eddy
current brake, or "Baylor" brake, and typical service brakes. The
brakes require cooling and the cooling system CT for the brakes is
also controllable by the system CS.
[0039] The drawworks control system 50 has a housing 51 with a
cable connector 52 for optional wired use of the system 50 and an
emergency pushbutton 53 to push to stop the drawworks in an
emergency. The connector 52 may also be used to connect a cable for
programming devices of the system 50; to change system batteries;
or to program system displays. An ON/OFF switch 54 controls power
to the system 50. Power is provided by a battery BT mounted inside
the remote control housing 51. A pushbutton 55 starts the drives 36
that provide power to the drawworks. A light 56 indicates whether
the system 50 is ON (light lit) or OFF (light off).
[0040] Mast raising is conducted with a transmission 37 of the
drawworks, an internal component of the drawworks, in low gear and
with a system Baylor brake 38 off. The switch 57 is switched to
control the rig control system to switch the transmission 37 into
low gear and the switch 58 is switched to switch the clutch 37a of
the transmission 37 to a low clutch setting. A switch 59 controls
the system CS to set and release the Baylor brake.
[0041] Switches 61, 62 control the system CS to turn ON pumps of
the cooling system CT that supply cooling water to the brakes.
Lights 61a , 62a indicate if the pumps are ON. A light 64 indicates
when ON that the drawworks is ready to move the mast, e.g., that
the radio connection is set with good coverage, the drawworks is
powered, and the remote control system 50 is in full control of the
components. A switch 63 controls the system to place the drawworks
in Forward (raise mast) or Reverse mode (lower mast). Lights 63a
(Forward mode) and 63b (Reverse mode) indicate the mode of the
drawworks.
[0042] A throttle knob 65 controls the system CS to control the DC
current to the drawworks motor M.
[0043] Lights 66 indicate battery status of a battery BT. A light
67 indicates if ON that the emergency brakes have been applied. A
light 68 indicates whether air being supplied to the drawworks to
operate the clutch and transmission is at a sufficient level (e.g.
appears green). If this light appears red, this is an indication
that the air pressure is too low.
[0044] The display 71 displays the rig's hook load (e.g. in
thousands of pounds). The displays 72, 73 display the pressure of
the drawworks brake system BS (in psi). Displays indicate pressure
on the service brakes. The display 72 displays the pressure of the
system's "off driller side" disc brakes and the display 73 displays
the pressure of the "driller side" brakes.
[0045] The display 74 displays the pressure in psi of hydraulic
fluid from a rig hydraulic pressure unit HPU. This fluid powers the
hydraulic drawworks brake system BS (but not the eddy current
brakes). If this pressure goes below a pre-set level (e.g. 3000
psi) the park/emergency brakes are automatically applied.
[0046] Pushing a parking brake button 75 applies the hydraulic
brakes of the brake system BS, stopping the drawworks, and bringing
to a stop raising or lowering of the mast. A light 75a indicates
whether the drawworks has been stopped by pushing the button
75.
[0047] A joystick 80 controls the service brakes and thus controls
the speed of raising (and of lowering) the mast. In one aspect
pushing forward on the joystick 80 (toward the top of FIG. 9)
releases the service brakes, increasing the speed of raising (or of
lowering) (arrow indicates "SERVICE BRAKE RELEASE" direction); or
pulling back on the joystick decreases the speed. The joystick 80
has a deadman switch 81 which is pressed in order to release the
brakes. If this deadman switch is not being pressed, the service
brakes will be fully applied. Appropriate switches, e.g. switches
SA, SB, and appropriate display(s), e.g. display SC, are used in
raising and lowering of a substructure (with corresponding devices
and circuitry in the remote control system, as is true for all the
functions of the remote control system).
[0048] In a typical operational sequence using the system 50, the
switch 54 is turned ON. Optionally, an enable switch ES of the
system CS (e.g. on a driller's console DC) is activated so that the
system 50 can take over.
[0049] Low/high gear, low/high clutch engagement, and the drawworks
throttle controls at the system CS are disabled via relays in the
control system and the driller's joystick throttle control is also
disabled. Once the system CS recognizes that the remote control
system 50 is enabled, it will disregard the driller's joystick
throttle control and signals related thereto and follow the input
from the joystick 80 of the system 50 and the remote control system
50 will have control of the drawworks speed. The control system CS
receives a signal from the joystick 80 (from a radio receiver RR of
the system 50).
[0050] A splitter barrier SB (installed in the rig control system
34) splits a hookload signal from a transducer TD of the system CS,
providing a hookload indicating signal to the system CS and to the
system 50. Two transducers TS, TE of the HPU unit provide feedback
to the driller's console DC. A splitter ST on each transducer
provides signals to the system 50 indicative of the pressure on the
brake system BS.
[0051] The driller can manually start the brake cooling pumps
before commencing operations, or these pumps can be activated using
the system 50.
[0052] A pressure switch PS for a rig air pressure measured next to
the drawworks provides a digital signal to the system CS and to the
system 50 and to the driller's console DC indicating the level of
the system air pressure. A pressure switch PR indicates the
pressure applied to the park brake and provides a signal indicative
of whether the park brake is set or released.
[0053] An encoder EC of the system CS indicates whether the
drawworks is in Forward or Reverse mode, and at what speed.
Feedback for the Baylor brake condition is provided by the system
CS. Pressure switches PU, PE on the low gear and clutch air supply
indicate whether the gear and clutch are engaged.
[0054] In one particular mast raising operation according to the
present invention, SCR circuit breakers CB are closed and the
drawworks control system is set to automatic. The rig floor is
cleared of all personnel. The operator of the system 50 starts the
brake water cooling pumps. The operator of the system 50 engages
the low gear and insures the low gear is engaged; he sets the
drawworks to Forward; and checks that the READY light is ON. He
then turns the knob 65 so that the drawworks motor begins running.
He then verifies that the HPU pressure (display 74) is around 2000
psi and verifies that the brake pressure (displays 73, 74) is
around 1200 psi. He checks that the rig air pressure light 68 is ON
and verifies that the auxiliary brake controller is powered. The
Baylor brake is tested by setting it off and on again from the
remote control system 50; and its feedback is checked. The raising
of the mast is commenced by engaging the clutch, beginning to
release the service brakes of the brake system BS, and moving the
joystick 80 forward.
[0055] The operator should see the pressure dropping on both
displays 72, 73 and the light 63a should illuminate.
[0056] In emergency engagement of the park brake, the system cuts
the pressure from the brake calipers and built in springs activate
the brake.
[0057] The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not
in necessarily all, embodiments a system for remotely controlling
the raising and lowering of a drilling rig's mast, the system in
certain aspects including a system for drilling operations, the
system including: a drilling rig with a base; a mast movably
connected to the base of the drilling rig; a drawworks system with
cables for raising and lowering the mast, the cables connected to
the mast; a drawworks control system for controlling the drawworks
as the mast is raised or lowered; and a remote control system for
remotely controlling the drawworks control system, the mast
raisable and lowerable by a person spaced apart from the drilling
rig using the remote control system. Such a system may include one
or some, in any possible combination, of the following: the rig
including a substructure, a floor on the substructure, apparatus
for raising and lowering the substructure, and the remote control
system for remotely controlling the apparatus for raising and
lowering the substructure; wherein the mast is pivotably connected
to the base and is pivotable on the base to achieve a raised
position; wherein the drawworks system includes a brake system, the
brake system remotely controllable using the remote control system;
wherein the brake system includes an emergency park brake, an eddy
current brake, and service brakes; wherein the brake system
includes a cooling system, the cooling system remotely controllable
by the remote control system; wherein the remote control system is
battery powered by a battery; wherein the remote control system has
ON/OFF apparatus for turning the drawworks on and off; wherein the
drawworks system includes a transmission and a motor and the
transmission is remotely controllable by the remote control system;
wherein the drawworks is operable in a forward mode and in a
reverse mode and the remote control system controls mode selection;
wherein the motor is controllable by the remote control system;
wherein the drawworks system includes a motor, a brake system, and
a transmission, the brake system including service brakes, and the
remote control system includes joystick apparatus for controlling
the service brakes to control speed of movement of the mast during
lowering and raising; wherein the remote control system includes a
deadman switch on the joystick apparatus; display apparatus on the
remote control system for displaying rig operational parameters;
wherein the drilling rig includes a rig system with an enable
switch for selectively enabling the remote control system; wherein
the drilling rig includes hookload indicating apparatus in
communication with the remote control system; and/or wherein the
drilling rig includes a brake system with a park brake and an air
system for providing air to the park brake, and pressure indicating
apparatus in communication with the remote control system for
indicating the system air pressure.
[0058] The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not
in necessarily all, embodiments a method for remotely controlling a
mast raising or lowering operation, the mast movably connected to a
base of a drilling rig, the drilling rig including a drawworks
system with cables for raising and lowering the mast, the cables
connected to the mast, a drawworks control system for controlling
the drawworks as the mast is raised or lowered, the method
including: remotely controlling the drawworks control system with a
remote control system, the mast raisable and lowerable by a person
spaced apart from the drilling rig using the remote control system;
and, in one aspect, such a method wherein the remote control system
is battery powered by a battery; and/or wherein the drawworks
system includes a brake system, the brake system remotely
controllable using the remote control system, the brake system
including an emergency park brake, an eddy current brake, and
service brakes, the remote control system including joystick
apparatus for controlling the service brakes to control speed of
movement of the mast during lowering and raising, the method
further including using the joystick apparatus to control the
service brakes to control speed of movement of the mast during
lowering and raising.
[0059] 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. In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in
its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are
including, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A
reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not
exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is
present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and
only one of the elements.
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