U.S. patent application number 14/644560 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-02 for system and method for moving a drilling rig.
The applicant listed for this patent is Phillip Rivera, JR., Phillip Rivera, SR.. Invention is credited to Phillip Rivera, JR., Phillip Rivera, SR..
Application Number | 20150184466 14/644560 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53481138 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150184466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rivera, SR.; Phillip ; et
al. |
July 2, 2015 |
System and Method for Moving a Drilling Rig
Abstract
An improved system and method for moving a drilling rig is
described herein. In one embodiment, the system can comprise a lift
cylinder maneuverable in a longitudinal direction, a casing having
a portion of lift cylinder attached at the center of the casing,
and an anchor where a top portion of the anchor is connected to the
bottom portion of the lift cylinder. The casing can be mateable at
the bottom portion of a drilling rig. The walking system can
further comprise a pair of traverse cylinders mounted on opposite
sides of the anchor and a skid pad, on which a portion of the
traverse cylinder is connected. The traverse cylinder can be
maneuverable in a lateral direction. The skid pad can be connected
to the bottom portion of the mounting plate. Furthermore, the skid
pad can be capable of supporting the weight of the drilling
rig.
Inventors: |
Rivera, SR.; Phillip;
(Houston, TX) ; Rivera, JR.; Phillip; (Houston,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rivera, SR.; Phillip
Rivera, JR.; Phillip |
Houston
Houston |
TX
TX |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53481138 |
Appl. No.: |
14/644560 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13897405 |
May 18, 2013 |
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14644560 |
|
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61648624 |
May 18, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
414/589 ;
414/800 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 15/00 20130101;
E04B 1/34352 20130101; E21B 7/02 20130101; E21B 15/003
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 15/00 20060101
E21B015/00; E04B 1/343 20060101 E04B001/343 |
Claims
1. An improved system for moving a drilling rig comprising a lift
cylinder maneuverable in a vertical direction; a casing, a portion
of said lift cylinder attached at the center of said casing,
further wherein said casing is mateable at the bottom portion of a
drilling rig; an anchor, a top portion of said anchor connected at
the bottom portion of said lift cylinder; one or more traverse
cylinders mounted on the opposite sides of said anchor; said
traverse cylinders maneuverable in horizontal direction; and a skid
pad, a portion of said lift cylinders connected to said skid pad,
said skid pad connected to a bottom portion of said anchor, further
wherein said skid pad is capable of supporting weight of said
drilling rig.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said lift cylinder is a single
acting cylinder.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said single acting cylinder is
maneuverable in one direction.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said lift cylinder is a double
acting cylinder.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein said double acting cylinder is
maneuverable in two opposite directions.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said lift cylinder is
rotatable.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said skid pad uses a track and a
guide method.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein said guide is mountable to said
anchor.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said anchor is capable of sliding
within said guide.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein said anchor comprises a
plurality of rollers.
11. An improved method for moving a drilling rig comprising
expanding a lift cylinder, said lift cylinder is capable of lifting
a drilling rig upwards such that a skid pad presses against the
ground; horizontally expanding a traverse cylinder, further wherein
said drilling rig is directed laterally;
12. The method of claim 10 further comprising extracting said lift
cylinder, wherein said drilling rig rests against the ground and
said skid pad is slightly raised above the ground; horizontally
extracting said traverse cylinder, wherein said drilling rig is
maneuverable laterally;
13. The method of claim 11 further comprising rotating said lift
cylinder such that said skid pad is rotated towards another
direction.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to utility application Ser.
No. 13/897,405 entitled "System and Method for Erecting a Drilling
Rig filed May 18, 2013, which is utility application claiming
priority to provisional application 61/648,624 entitled "System and
Method for Erecting a Drilling Rig" filed May 18, 2012.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This disclosure relates to an improved system and method for
moving a drilling rig.
[0003] Drilling wells for oil and mineral explorations requires an
extensive amount of machinery, complicated assembly and disassembly
of equipment, as well as coordination and planning for maintenance
of rigs in day-to-day practice.
[0004] At times, it is necessary to move a rig from one location to
another. Land rigs have been designed to be divided into sections
to move to a new place or location. However, these processes are
expensive and time consuming, often taking weeks to finish.
[0005] With the current trend of innovation in this industry, there
have been improvements in the drilling process, such as
cost-effective technology, upgraded machine performance, and rig
mobility. However, moving drilling rigs still requires outside
machinery being installed onto rig or at rig site for any movement
of the rig to occur. At present, no rig possesses a built-in
walking system or other movement device.
[0006] As such, it would be useful to have an improved system and
method for moving a drilling rig.
SUMMARY
[0007] An improved system and method for moving a drilling rig is
described herein. In one embodiment, the system can comprise a lift
cylinder maneuverable in a longitudinal direction, a casing having
a portion of lift cylinder attached at the center of the casing,
and an anchor where a top portion of the anchor is connected to the
bottom portion of the lift cylinder. The casing can be mateable at
the bottom portion of a drilling rig. The walking system can
further comprise a pair of traverse cylinders mounted on opposite
sides of the anchor and a skid pad, on which a portion of the
traverse cylinder is connected. The traverse cylinder can be
maneuverable in a lateral direction. The skid pad can be connected
to the bottom portion of the mounting plate. Furthermore, the skid
pad can be capable of supporting the weight of the drilling
rig.
[0008] In addition, an improved method for moving a drilling rig
can comprise expanding a lift cylinder and horizontally expanding a
traverse cylinder. As a result, drilling rig can be directed
laterally. The lift cylinder can be capable of lifting a drilling
rig upwards such that a skid pad presses against the ground.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a drilling rig with a walking system
mounted on a drilling mat.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a walking system.
[0011] FIG. 3A illustrates how a lift cylinder, a roller housing,
and a keeper plates are connected to an anchor.
[0012] FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of a traverse cylinder 205
connected to a skid pad.
[0013] FIG. 3C illustrates a top view of a traverse cylinder
connected to a skid pad.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a casing.
[0015] FIG. 5A illustrates a lift cylinder in an expanded
state.
[0016] FIG. 5B illustrates a lift cylinder in a refracted
state.
[0017] FIG. 6A illustrates a traverse cylinder in an expanded
state
[0018] FIG. 6B illustrates a traverse cylinder in a retracted
state.
[0019] FIG. 7A illustrates a portion of a drilling rig, which can
comprise a plurality of horizontal beams.
[0020] FIG. 7B illustrates a walking system being aligned with a
horizontal beam.
[0021] FIG. 7C illustrates how a walking system can be attached to
a horizontal beam.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Described herein is an improved system and method for moving
a drilling rig. The following description is presented to enable
any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as
claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples
discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all
features of an actual implementation are described in this
specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of
any such actual implementation (as in any development project),
design decisions must be made to achieve the designers' specific
goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related
constraints), and that these goals will vary from one
implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such
development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would
nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill
in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this
disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not
intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be
accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and
features disclosed herein.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a drilling rig 100 comprising a walking
system 101, mounted on a drilling mat 102. Drilling rig 100 can
comprise an assembly of equipment used in the mineral exploration
and production process. Walking system 101 can comprise machine
equipment capable of lifting and moving drilling rig 100. Walking
system 101 can be permanently built into the base of drilling rig
100. In such embodiment, drilling rig 100 can comprise a plurality
of walking systems 101 be built into its base allowing drilling rig
100 rotational movement both laterally and longitudinally, as
discussed further below. Walking system 101 can be an automated
device that can be operated through an electronic device, such a
wired or wireless control. Drilling mat 102 can provide a flat
surface, upon which walking system 101 can maneuver and move
drilling rig 100. Furthermore, drilling mat 102 can aid in
distributing the weight of drilling rig 100 across its surface.
Drilling mat 102 can be made from durable material that includes
but are not limited to metal and/or plastics such as
copolymers.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of walking system 101.
Walking system 101 can comprise a lift cylinder 201, an anchor 202,
a roller housing 203, a mounting plate 204, a pair of traverse
cylinder 205, a skid pad 206, a pair of indexing pins 207, and a
roller assembly 208. Lift cylinder 201 can be a mechanical actuator
that is used to transfer energy throughout the device producing a
unidirectional movement. Lift cylinder 201 can be a device that
allows walking system 101 to move up, and move down. Furthermore,
lift cylinder 201 can initiate walking system 101 to rotate at 360
degrees radius. As such, walking system 101 can be maneuvered in
any direction and can cover more surface area.
[0025] Anchor 202 can be a casing of walking system 101 that houses
a portion of lift cylinder 201. Anchor 202 can comprise a pair of
keeper plates 209, a cavity 210, and a rim 211. A first keeper
plate 209a and a second keeper plate 209b can be affixed together
to hold lift cylinder 201 in place. As a result, keeper plates 209
can be mounted on anchor 202 to strengthen support for lift
cylinder 201 and to connect lift cylinder 201 with skid pad 206.
Furthermore anchor 202 can ensure that lift cylinder 201 is in a
steady, upright position. Consequently, cavity 210 can be an empty
portion within anchor 202 configured to house the bottom portion of
lift cylinder 201.
[0026] Rim 211 can be an extended border placed at the outer
opposite sides of anchor 202. Rim 211 can be attached
perpendicularly at the bottom portion of anchor 202. In one
embodiment, walking system 101 can comprise a plurality of lift
cylinders 201.
[0027] Roller housing 203 can be a circular platform whose surface
area is wider than anchor 202, in one embodiment. Roller housing
203 can comprise a second orifice 203a and a plurality of
perforations 203b. Second orifice 203a can be located in the middle
of roller housing 203 that can also be mateable with lift cylinder
201. Perforations 203b can be holes axially placed near the outer
edge of roller housing 203. Perforations 203b can be mateable with
indexing pins 207. Furthermore, roller housing 203 can support and
aid in weight distribution of drilling rig 100 throughout walking
system 101. Roller housing 203 can hold and connect lift cylinder
201 with skid pad 206.
[0028] Mounting plate 204 can be an L-shaped device that can be
attached at the opposite side of anchor 202. Mounting plate 204 can
be placed horizontally on top of rim 211. As such, traverse
cylinders 205 can be mounted between rim 211 and mounting plate
204. Traverse cylinder 205 can allow walking system 101 to move
laterally.
[0029] Skid pad 206 can be a flat platform that serves as the base
and support of a walking system 101. Skid pad 206 can use a track
and guide method, in which skid pad 206 can comprise a skid pad
guide 212. Skid pad guide 212 can be a protruding surface at the
top of skid pad 206. Skid pad guide 212 can be mateable with anchor
202, in which anchor 202 can glide through skid pad guide 212. Skid
pad 206 can comprise a wall 213 on one side. Wall 213 can be a
slightly raised surface at one edge of skid pad 206. As such, skid
pad guide 212 and wall 213 can form a recessed perpendicular
surface at the surface of skid pad 206.
[0030] Indexing pin 207 can be a pair of vertical shaft attached at
the opposite side of roller housing 203. Indexing pin 207 can be
made of sturdy material such as steel or other hard metal. Indexing
pin 207 can be used to ensure that drilling rig 100 is positioned
in place with walking system 101. Moreover, indexing pin 207 can
help direct drilling rig 100 straight up.
[0031] Roller assembly 208 can be device mounted within anchor 202.
Roller assembly 208 can house a plurality of rollers 214. Rollers
214 can be spherical device mounting roller assembly 208, which
allows roller assembly 208 to roll and easily glide through a
surface. As such roller assembly 208 can be a portion within anchor
202 mateable to a top surface of skid pad guide 212.
[0032] FIG. 3A illustrates how lift cylinder 201, roller housing
203, and keeper plates 209 are connected to anchor 202. Lift
cylinder 201 can comprise of a first barrel 301a, a first piston
rod 301b and a platform 302. First barrel 301a can serve as
cylindrical housing for first piston rod 301b and other internal
machine parts of hydraulic cylinders 201. First piston rod 301b can
be a long cylindrical shaft that moves in and out of first barrel
301a. Platform 302 can be a rectangular plate comprising a center
orifice configured to be mateable with first barrel 301a. The outer
opposite ends of platform 302 can comprise of orifices used to
accept fastening device that include but are not limited to screws,
pins, and nuts and bolts. Further, the bottom portion of barrel
301a can comprise a recessed curb 301c. Recessed curb 301c can hold
platform 302 in a desired position. Moreover, recessed curb 301c
can prevent platform 301 from slipping out of first barrel 301a. A
portion of first piston rod 301b can be inserted into cavity 210.
As such, platform 302 can mount the top portion of first barrel
301a, while the top surface of roller housing 203 can be attached
to the bottom portion of first piston rod 301b. Platform 302 and
roller housing 203 can be connected to lift cylinder 201 through
soldering, welding, cementing, and/or through any fastening
device.
[0033] In one embodiment, lift cylinder 201 can be a single-acting
cylinder where the pressure is received from only one side of the
cylinder. In such embodiment, lift cylinder 201 can only move in
one direction. In another embodiment, lift cylinder 201 can be a
double-acting cylinder where the pressure from fluid can be applied
on both sides of the cylinder. As such, lift cylinder 201 can move
in two opposite directions.
[0034] FIG. 3B illustrates side view of traverse cylinders 205
connected to skid pad 206. Traverse cylinder 205 can comprise a
second barrel 303, a second piston rod 304, and a rod end 305. One
end of second piston rod 304 can attach to wall 213 through rod end
305. Rod end 305 can be a threaded rod fastener device that can be
made of metal materials, in one embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 3C illustrates a top view of traverse cylinder 205
attached to skid pad 206. Rod end 305 can comprise a threaded hole
used to accept fastening devices such as, but not limited to, pins,
bars, bolts, and screws. Traverse cylinder 205 can be mounted on
the opposite sides of mounting plate 204. Mounting plate 204 can be
fastened on each side of anchor 202 using any fastening device such
as screws, nuts, and bolts. As such, traverse cylinder 205 can be
placed in between mounting plate 204 and rim 311, which can hold
traverse cylinder 205 in a steady lateral position. Rod end 305 of
second piston rod 304 can be fastened to wall 213. As such, wall
213 can comprise a pair of brackets 306. Brackets 306 can be flat
wings that are each fitted with a bracket orifice that can be used
to fasten rod end 305 and wall 213 together. In such structure, a
fastening device that can include, but is not limited to, screws,
bolts, pins, and bars can be inserted through the hole of rod end
305 and bracket orifice, which can align and affix rod end 305 and
bracket 306 together. This structure can allow mounting plate 204
to glide through skid pad guide 208 while maintaining a fix lateral
movement of traverse cylinder 205.
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a casing 400. Casing 400 can be a
rectangular housing mateable to a portion of lift cylinder 301.
Lift cylinder holder 400 can comprise an opening 401, a border 402
and a pair of pin guides 403. Opening 401 can be a hole placed at
the center of casing 400 configured to fit first barrel 301 a of
lift cylinder 201. Border 402 can be the protruding edges of casing
400. Border 402 can have a pair of bottom border 402a placed at the
lower portion of casing 400. Bottom border 402a can comprise of
threaded orifices used to accept fastening devices such as, but not
limited to, pins, bars, bolts, and screws. Pin guides 403 can be a
cylindrical recessed portion placed at the opposite sides of bottom
border 402a. Pin guides 403 can be mateable with indexing pins
207.
[0037] FIG. 5A illustrates lift cylinder 201 in an expanded state.
In an embodiment where lift cylinder 201 can use a single-acting
cylinder, drilling rig 100 can be pushed upward by lift cylinder
201. As skid pad 206 presses against the ground, lift cylinder 201
can lift drilling rig 100 slightly above the ground. In another
embodiment where lift cylinder 201 can use double-acting cylinder,
lift cylinder 201 can be expanded downwards making skid pad 206
press against the ground, while the opposite end of lift cylinder
201 can simultaneously expand upward and push drilling rig 100
against the ground.
[0038] FIG. 5B illustrates lift cylinder 201 in a retracted state.
In an embodiment where lift cylinder 201 can use a single-acting
cylinder, drilling rig 100 can rest on the ground, while lift
cylinder 201 can be retracted upwards, slightly lifting skid pad
206 from the ground. In another embodiment where lift cylinder 201
can use a double-acting cylinder, the top portion of lift cylinder
201 can be retracted to make drilling rig 100 rest on the ground.
Meanwhile, the bottom end of lift cylinder 201 can retract upwards
and raise skid pad 206 slightly above the ground. In this state,
lift cylinder 201 can rotate in any direction, allowing drilling
rig 100 the capable of being directed to a different location.
[0039] FIG. 6A illustrates traverse cylinder 205 in an expanded
state. Second barrel 303 can be pushed farther away from wall 213
by second piston rod 304 in expanded state. As the force is applied
on traverse cylinder 205, second piston rod 304 pushes out from
second barrel 303. Since rod end 305 of second piston rod 304 can
attach to wall 213, anchor 202, which can mount second barrel 303
of traverse cylinder 205, can be pushed away from wall 213 by
second piston rod 304. Skid pad guide 208 can assist the movement
of anchor 202, as anchor 202 can be directed away from wall
213.
[0040] FIG. 6B illustrates traverse cylinder 205 in a retracted
state. At such state, second barrel 303 can be pulled towards wall
213 as second piston rod 304 is refracted. In this state, force can
be applied to traverse cylinder 205, making second piston rod 304
retract and pull second barrel 303 towards the direction of second
piston rod 304. As second piston rod 304 retracts, anchor 202,
which can hold traverse cylinder 205, can be pulled towards wall
213, thus moving the upper portion of walking system 101 to another
other side. The simultaneous movement of traverse cylinder 205 can
allow drilling rig 100 to move from one side to another.
[0041] An operator can maneuver walking system 101 towards any
direction through a control system. The walking system 101 can be
moved to a desired location through the simultaneous movements
created by lift cylinder 201 and traverse cylinder 205. At a
resting position, lift cylinder 201 can be in its retracted form
where skid pad 206 is slightly raised from the ground, leaving
drilling rig 100 rested against the terrain. To move drilling rig
100 to a new location, lift cylinder 201 can be expanded, lifting
drilling rig 100, as skid pad 206 pushes against the ground. While
lift cylinder 201 is in expanded state, traverse cylinder 205 can
expand sideways, causing skid pad 206 to move laterally. This
movement made by traverse cylinder 205 can cause drilling rig 100
to be lifted and moved a step closer to a desired location. Once
traverse cylinder 205 is fully expanded, lift cylinder 201 can be
retracted, lowering drilling rig 100 towards the ground. As lift
cylinder 201 retracts, traverse cylinder 205 can retract sideways
and move skid pad 206 to the other side. Furthermore, while lift
cylinder 201 is in retracted form, walking system 101 can be
maneuvered to either move forward or change its direction. To
change the direction of walking system 101, lift cylinder 201 can
be rotated while in its retracted form. Lift cylinder 201 can, one
embodiment, rotate on a 360 degrees axis. Traverse cylinder 205 can
also rotate according to the direction made by lift cylinder 201.
Once the desired angle or direction of lift cylinder 201 is
achieved, lift cylinder 201 can expand, and the same process can be
repeated until drilling rig 100 reaches its new location.
[0042] FIG. 7A illustrates a portion of drilling rig 100, which can
comprise a plurality of horizontal beam 700. Horizontal beams 700
can be a material used for drilling rig 100 that is capable of
withstanding load. Horizontal beam 700 can be made up of pliable
and durable material such as steel and other hard metal. Horizontal
beam 700 shown in this figure can be at the bottom portion of
drilling rig 100. Horizontal beam 700 can have a trapezoidal form
wherein walking system 101 can be attached
[0043] FIG. 7B illustrates walking system 101 being aligned with
horizontal beam 700. The bottom portion of walking system 101,
which comprises skid pad 206 can be positioned below and at the
center of horizontal beams 700. While, the top portion of walking
system 101, which comprises casing 400 can be aligned just above
skid pad 206 such that horizontal beam can be in between skid pad
206 and casing 400.
[0044] FIG. 7C illustrates how walking system 101 can be attached
to horizontal beam 700. First barrel 301a of lift cylinder 201 can
go through the center orifice of platform 302 while opposite ends
of platform 302 can be positioned in between horizontal beams 700.
In such construction, platform 302 can aid first barrel 301a
maintain a fix vertical position with drilling rig 100 as lift
cylinder 201 moves upward. The upper portion of barrel 301a can go
through the opening 401 of casing 400. Casing 400 can be attached
to horizontal beams 700 by fastening bottom border 402a with
horizontal beams 700 and platform 302.
[0045] Bottom border 402a comprising of threaded orifices can be
mateable with the perforations made on steel plates 701. As such,
horizontal beam 700, platform 302, and casing 400 can be aligned
and attached together through fasteners that can include but are
not limited to bolt, washer, and/or nuts. Furthermore, to ensure
that walking system 101 is securely attached to drilling rig 100
adhesives can be used to fasten the materials together through
welding, brazing, and/or soldering. Moreover, one end of indexing
pins 207 attached to roller housing 203 can also be mated with pin
guides 403. As a result, walking system 101 can be aligned with
drilling rig 100.
[0046] Various changes in the details of the illustrated
operational methods are possible without departing from the scope
of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the
activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one
or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the
specific operational environment the method is being implemented
in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended
to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each
other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in
the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the
invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the
appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which
such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms
"including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English
equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein."
* * * * *