U.S. patent application number 12/235270 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for self erecting storage unit.
Invention is credited to Leonard Case, Ed Hagan.
Application Number | 20100071284 12/235270 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42036192 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100071284 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hagan; Ed ; et al. |
March 25, 2010 |
Self Erecting Storage Unit
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for storing materials on a well site are
disclosed. A self erecting storage system includes a trailer and
storage bin. A first latching mechanism is coupled to the trailer.
A movable arm with a second latching mechanism is also coupled to
the trailer. The storage bin has a first pin and a second pin. The
first pin may be coupled to the first latching mechanism and the
second pin may be coupled to the second latching mechanism.
Inventors: |
Hagan; Ed; (Hastings,
OK) ; Case; Leonard; (Duncan, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN W. WUSTENBERG
P.O. BOX 1431
DUNCAN
OK
73536
US
|
Family ID: |
42036192 |
Appl. No.: |
12/235270 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/192 ;
52/745.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 41/00 20130101;
B65D 88/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/192 ;
52/745.01 |
International
Class: |
E04H 7/00 20060101
E04H007/00 |
Claims
1. A self erecting storage system comprising: a trailer; a first
latching mechanism coupled to the trailer; a movable arm coupled to
the trailer; a second latching mechanism coupled to the movable
arm; a storage bin having a first pin and a second pin, wherein the
first pin is couplable to the first latching mechanism, and wherein
the second pin is couplable to the second latching mechanism.
2. The self erecting storage system of claim 1, wherein the first
latching mechanism and the second latching mechanism comprise a
receiving latch.
3. The self erecting storage system of claim 2, wherein the
receiving latch is rotatable.
4. The self erecting storage system of claim 3, wherein the
receiving latch comprises a cylinder.
5. The self erecting storage system of claim 4, wherein the first
pin comprises a groove.
6. The self erecting storage system of claim 5, wherein the
cylinder is placed in the groove when in the extended position.
7. The self erecting storage system of claim 1, wherein the first
pin is a latching pin.
8. The self erecting storage system of claim 1, wherein the
latching mechanism is remotely operated.
9. The self erecting storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage
bin is a silo.
10. The self erecting storage system of claim 1, further comprising
a load sensor coupled to the storage bin.
11. The self erecting storage system of claim 1, further comprising
an extendable base coupled to the storage bin.
12. The self erecting storage system of claim 1, wherein the
movable arm is coupled to a hydraulic cylinder.
13. A method of raising a self erecting storage system comprising:
placing a first storage bin on a trailer; coupling a first end of
the trailer to a first location on the first storage bin; coupling
a movable arm to a second location on the first storage bin,
wherein the movable arm is coupled to a second end of the trailer;
extending the movable arm, wherein the first storage bin is raised
as the movable arm extends; decoupling the first location on the
first storage bin from the first end of the trailer; and decoupling
the second location on the first storage bin from the movable
arm.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first end of the trailer is
coupled to the first location on the first storage bin by a
latching mechanism;
15. The method of claim 14, wherein decoupling the first location
on the first storage bin from the first end of the trailer is
performed remotely.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the latching mechanism is self
aligning.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the latching mechanism
comprises a receiving latch and a latching pin.
18. The method of claim 13, further comprising: coupling the
movable arm to a hydraulic cylinder; wherein the hydraulic cylinder
extends the movable arm.
19. The method of claim 13, further comprising coupling the storage
bin to a load sensor.
20. The method of claim 13, further comprising: placing a second
storage bin on a trailer; coupling a first end of the trailer to a
first location on the second storage bin; coupling a movable arm to
a second location on the second storage bin, wherein the movable
arm is coupled to a second end of the trailer; extending the
movable arm, wherein the second storage bin is raised as the
movable arm extends; decoupling the first location on the second
storage bin from the first end of the trailer; and decoupling the
second location on the second storage bin from the movable arm.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first storage bin and the
second storage bin have different capacities.
22. A method of lowering a self erecting storage system comprising:
coupling a first latching mechanism to a trailer; coupling an
extendable arm to the trailer; coupling a second latching mechanism
to the extendable arm; connecting the first latching mechanism to a
first pin on a storage bin; extending the extendable arm;
connecting the second latching mechanism to a second pin on the
storage bin; retracting the extendable arm.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the storage bin is a silo.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the latching mechanism
comprises a receiving latch and a latching pin.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to oilfield
operations, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for
storing materials on a well site.
[0002] Oil field operations are conducted in a variety of different
locations and involve a number of equipments, depending on the
operations at hand. The requisite materials for the different
operations are often hauled to and stored at the well site where
the operations are to be performed.
[0003] Considering the number of equipments necessary for
performing oil field operations and ground conditions at different
oil field locations, space availability is often a constraint.
Currently, the materials necessary for performing oil field
operations are often stored in storage bins. The storage bins are
often in a trailer configuration with a large footprint.
[0004] For instance, in normal fracturing operations proppant or
sand is combined with a fracturing fluid in a blender and then
pumped by high pressure pumps into the well bore. Depending on the
reservoir and well requirements, a large volume of materials may be
required on location. In some pad frac applications several well
bores may be treated without moving the fracturing equipment,
therefore requiring up to 2,000,000 pounds of materials in a 24
hour period. The typical volume for a trailer storage device is
often between 2500 sks to 3200 sks. As a result, an area of over
14000 square feet may be required for storing the 2,000,000 pounds
of materials which is necessary for some pad frac applications.
Considering the limitations on space availability on the field, the
large footprint necessary for material storage is undesirable.
FIGURES
[0005] Some specific example embodiments of the disclosure may be
understood by referring, in part, to the following description and
the accompanying drawings.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a material storage apparatus in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a self erecting silo in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a latch mechanism in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 depicts the latch mechanism of FIG. 3 in the engaged
position.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an erected self erecting silo in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict a self erecting silo with an
extendable support base in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0012] While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted and
described and are defined by reference to example embodiments of
the disclosure, such references do not imply a limitation on the
disclosure, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The subject
matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification,
alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to
those skilled in the pertinent art and having the benefit of this
disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of this
disclosure are examples only, and not exhaustive of the scope of
the disclosure.
SUMMARY
[0013] The present invention relates generally to oilfield
operations, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for
storing materials on a well site.
[0014] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a
self erecting storage system comprising: a trailer; a first
latching mechanism coupled to the trailer; a movable arm coupled to
the trailer; a second latching mechanism coupled to the movable
arm; a storage bin having a first pin and a second pin, wherein the
first pin is couplable to the first latching mechanism, and wherein
the second pin is couplable to the second latching mechanism.
[0015] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to
a method of raising a self erecting storage system comprising:
placing a first storage bin on a trailer; coupling a first end of
the trailer to a first location on the first storage bin; coupling
a movable arm to a second location on the first storage bin,
wherein the movable arm is coupled to a second end of the trailer;
extending the movable arm, wherein the first storage bin is raised
as the movable arm extends; decoupling the first location on the
first storage bin from the first end of the trailer; and decoupling
the second location on the first storage bin from the movable
arm.
[0016] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to
a method of lowering a self erecting storage system comprising:
coupling a first latching mechanism to a trailer; coupling an
extendable arm to the trailer; coupling a second latching mechanism
to the trailer; connecting the first latching mechanism to a first
pin on a storage bin; extending the extendable arm; connecting the
second latching mechanism to a second pin on the storage bin;
retracting the extendable arm.
[0017] The features and advantages of the present disclosure will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of
the description of exemplary embodiments, which follows.
DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present invention relates generally to oilfield
operations, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for
storing materials on a well site.
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a material storage apparatus in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In one
embodiment, the material storage unit is a silo 100. The silo 100
may be mounted on and transported to a desired location using a
trailer 102 which may be pulled by a truck 104.
[0020] The trailer 102 may be used to transport the silo 100 to a
desired location. In one embodiment, the trailer 102 is compatible
with a number of silos (not shown) to be used at a desired
location. In this embodiment the trailer 102 may be used to
transport a number of different silos, one at a time, to desired
locations. As would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in
the art, with the benefit of this disclosure, the silos may have
different capacities. In this embodiment, all silos, regardless of
capacity, are equipped with connecting points that have a fixed
position relative to the trailer 102, thereby allowing the same
trailer to be utilized for transporting the different silos.
[0021] As depicted in FIG. 2, the silo 100 is coupled to the
trailer 102 using two sets of latching mechanisms 200 and 202. A
first set of latching mechanisms 200 is attached at the rear end of
the trailer 102 and acts as the stationary pivot point about which
the silo 100 rotates. A second set of latching mechanisms 202 is
attached to a lifting frame 204 coupled to the silo 100. In one
embodiment, hydraulic cylinders 206 extend out from the trailer 102
and raise the silo 100 from a horizontal position to a vertical
position. As the hydraulic cylinders 206 extend, the lifting frame
204 raises the silo 100. Once the silo 100 has been raised to the
vertical position by the hydraulic cylinders 206 the first latching
mechanism 200 and the second latching mechanism 202 are
disengaged.
[0022] FIG. 3 depicts a latch mechanism in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment,
the latch mechanisms 200, 202 are self aligning and self attaching
latch mechanisms. In one exemplary embodiment, the latch mechanism
200, 202 may comprise a receiving latch 302 placed on the trailer
102 bed and the lifting frame 204 and corresponding latching pins
304 positioned on the silo 100. In one embodiment, the receiving
latch 302 may be pivotable in the direction of the arrows 306. In
this embodiment, the receiving latch 302 may pivot in order to self
align with the latching pin 304, providing a self aligning latching
system. For instance, when a self erecting silo is to be removed
from the field, a trailer having a receiving latch 302 may be
backed in towards the latching pin 304 on the silo. As the
receiving latch 302 reaches the latching pin 304 it rotates,
allowing the latching pin 304 to enter the opening 308 on the
receiving latch 302. As depicted in FIG. 3, the receiving latch 302
may include a cylinder 310. Before the latching pin 304 is engaged
with the receiving latch 302 the cylinder 310 may be in the
retracted position. Once the receiving latch 302 has self aligned
with the latching pin 304, the latching pin 304 moves into the
opening 308 of the receiving latch 302 until it reaches the end
portion 312 of the opening. The latching pin 304 may include a
groove 314.
[0023] FIG. 4 depicts the latching pin 304 after it is engaged with
the receiving latch 302. As depicted in FIG. 4, once the latching
pin 304 reaches the end portion 312 of the opening 308, the
cylinder 310 may be activated to extend in the direction of the
arrow 402 through the groove 404 in the latching pin 304. Once the
cylinder 310 is in the extended position, the receiving latch 302
and the latching pin 304 are latched together. As would be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit
of this disclosure, the cylinder 310 may be extended and retracted
from the truck 104 or a remote location thereby permitting remote
operation of the latching mechanisms 200, 202. Further, as would be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit
of this disclosure, a number of different methods may be used to
remotely operate the latching mechanism. In one exemplary
embodiment, the latching mechanisms may be unlatched remotely using
an air cylinder, an electric mechanism or a hydraulic
mechanism.
[0024] As depicted in FIG. 5, once the latching mechanisms 200, 202
have been disengaged, the lifting frame 204 is retracted and the
trailer 102 may be taken away, leaving the silo 100 as a stand
alone unit on the field. The trailer 102 can then be removed from
the location to make space available for additional equipment
and/or storage units on the field. In one embodiment the same
trailer 102 may be used to transport additional silos to the
field.
[0025] As depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in one exemplary embodiment
the silo 100 may rest on an extendable support base 500. The
extendable support base 500 may enhance the silo's 100 stability,
specially in inclement weather or on substandard soil/pad
conditions. Specifically, the extendable support base 500 may be a
solid plane reducing the load per unit area at the base.
Consequently, the improved design disclosed herein will permit the
stabilization of the silo 100 despite unfavorable conditions such
as soft ground or inclement weather. In one embodiment, the
extendable support base 500 may be 8 by 13 feet in dimension when
retracted as depicted in FIG. 6A and may be enlarged to 10 by 15
feet when in the extended position as depicted in FIG. 6B. As would
be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, with the
benefit of this disclosure, in different embodiments, the
extendable support base may have different dimensions depending on
the size of the storage bin and the conditions on the field. As
would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, with
the benefit of this disclosure, a number of different arrangements
may be used to create an extendable support base 500.
[0026] In one exemplary embodiment, the extendable support base 500
may comprise a horizontal portion 502 coupled to four folding
portions 504 which are movable between a vertical retracted
position as depicted in FIG. 6A and a horizontal extended position
as depicted in FIG. 6B.
[0027] Once a silo 100 is no longer required on the field, the
trailer 102 may be transported back to the field. In one
embodiment, a truck 104 may be used to transport the trailer 102.
The trailer 102 is then backed into position and the first set of
latching mechanisms 200 contacts the pins on the silo 100 and
latches shut once the trailer 102 contacts the silo 100. Once the
lower first set of latch mechanisms 200 is attached, the lifting
frame 204 is raised hydraulically until the upper set of latching
mechanisms 202 are latched to the upper pins. Once all the latches
200, 202 are engaged, the hydraulic cylinders 206 retract and the
lifting frame 204 moves down, lowering the silo 100 onto the
trailer 102 bed.
[0028] In one exemplary embodiment (not shown), the silo 100 may be
equipped with load sensors which provide real-time metering of the
materials in the silo by weight loss. U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/930,756 (hereinafter "'756 Application"), assigned to
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., discloses exemplary systems and
methods of conducting metering by weight loss and is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety. In one exemplary embodiment,
the systems and methods disclosed in the '756 Application may be
coupled to the silo 100 of the present invention to permit
real-time metering by weight loss. In one exemplary embodiment, the
silo 100 may be coupled to a plurality of sensors (not shown). The
load sensors may be arranged to allow a determination of real-time
weight loss while compensating for errors in the reading that may
result from factors such as the wind load on the silo 100. The load
sensors may be arranged so that an error in the load sensors'
signal from a moment or a torque or off axis force produces equal
in magnitude but opposite in polarity influence on that load
sensor's output signal. These separate signals may then be
combined, allowing the contribution of the moment and/or torque
signal resulting from errors in the load sensor signal to cancel
each other. In one embodiment, the error signal cancellation may be
accomplished through a symmetrical arrangement of the load sensors.
In one exemplary embodiment, a software application may be used to
process the readings from the multiple load sensors to deduce the
inaccuracies resulting from factors such as the wind load and
determine the actual real-time weight loss from the silo 100. As
would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, with
the benefit of this disclosure, the load sensors may be load cells,
load pins, or other suitable sensors.
[0029] It would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the
art, with the benefit of this disclosure, that although the present
invention is described with reference to a silo, other dry material
storage units may also be utilized without departing from this
disclosure.
[0030] Therefore, the present invention is well adapted to attain
the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are
inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are
illustrative only, as the present invention may be modified and
practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those
skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein.
Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of
construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the
claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular
illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified
and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit
of the present invention. In addition, the terms in the claims have
their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and
clearly defined by the patentee.
* * * * *