U.S. patent application number 14/726767 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-17 for exit side tool for makeup and breakout of pipe.
The applicant listed for this patent is American Augers, Inc.. Invention is credited to Rich Gentry, Kenneth L. Hunt, Richard Levings, Kalpeshkumar V. Patel.
Application Number | 20150259993 14/726767 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54068382 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150259993 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patel; Kalpeshkumar V. ; et
al. |
September 17, 2015 |
Exit Side Tool For Makeup And Breakout Of Pipe
Abstract
A tool for making up and breaking out a drill string at an exit
side of a bore. The tool includes a fixed wrench assembly and a
moveable wrench assembly for torqueing a pipe joint. The tool also
includes a drill pipe retainer assembly that is mounted indirectly
of the frame and is adapted to receive and release a pipe section.
A roller assembly is provided at a special hydraulically-adjustable
table to allow low-torque unthreading and threading of pipe
segments.
Inventors: |
Patel; Kalpeshkumar V.;
(Akron, OH) ; Hunt; Kenneth L.; (Wooster, OH)
; Gentry; Rich; (Wooster, OH) ; Levings;
Richard; (Perry, OK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
American Augers, Inc. |
West Salem |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54068382 |
Appl. No.: |
14/726767 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14094321 |
Dec 2, 2013 |
|
|
|
14726767 |
|
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|
|
62005275 |
May 30, 2014 |
|
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61732068 |
Nov 30, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
175/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 19/163 20130101;
E21B 19/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 19/16 20060101
E21B019/16 |
Claims
1. A system for the makeup and breakout of drill pipe comprising: a
tool frame; a pair of retainers supported on the frame, the pair of
retainers defining a retainer axis; a first wrench supported on the
frame; and a second wrench supported on the frame and independently
movable relative to the first wrench; wherein the first and second
wrench define a wrench axis which is not collinear to the retainer
axis.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a spinner assembly
comprising: a spinner frame; a plurality of spinners supported on
the spinner frame; a tray proximate the plurality of spinners; a
means for tilting the tray and plurality of spinners relative to
the frame.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the spinner assembly further
comprises a wrench storage support.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein the plurality of spinners are
movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position
relative to the tray.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the plurality of spinners are
movable due to operation of a hydraulic cylinder.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the tool frame is rotatably and
tiltably connected to a construction machine.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein the tool frame is rotated relative
to the construction machine by a cylinder.
8. A tool for making up and breaking out a pipe joint on the exit
side of a bore and attachable to a construction machine, said tool
comprising: a frame comprising a first end and a second end and
pivotable relative to the construction machines; a first wrench
assembly and a second wrench assembly mounted proximate the first
end of the frame, each adapted to grip a pipe section on opposing
sides of a pipe joint distal from an entry side of the bore, the
first wrench assembly and second wrench assembly defining a wrench
axis; wherein the second wrench assembly is moveable with respect
to the first wrench assembly; and a retainer assembly supported at
the second end of the frame and adapted to hold a pipe section, the
retainer assembly defining a retainer axis; wherein the wrench axis
and retainer axis are not collinear.
9. The tool of claim 8 wherein the frame is pivoted by a
cylinder.
10. The tool of claim 8 wherein the wrench axis and retainer axis
are parallel.
11. The tool of claim 8 wherein the frame is pivotable about three
pivot axes relative to the construction machines.
12. The tool of claim 8 wherein the retainer assembly comprises
movable tines and fixed tines.
13. The tool of claim 8 wherein the first wrench assembly comprises
two movable jaws.
14. The tool of claim 13 wherein the first wrench assembly further
comprises one stationary jaw.
15. A method for breakout of pipe sections from a drill string
comprising multiple pipe joints using a tool comprising a first
wrench, a second wrench, and a retainer assembly, the method
comprising: pushing the drill string through the ground with a
drill rig located at an entry side of a borehole until a pipe
section extends from the ground at an exit side of the borehole;
providing a spinner assembly proximate the exit side of the
borehole, the spinner assembly comprising a spinner and a tray;
aligning the spinner assembly to the pipe section; gripping a pipe
joint between the pipe section and an adjacent pipe section with
the first wrench and the second wrench such that the first wrench
is located on a first side of the pipe joint and the second wrench
is located on a second side of the pipe joint; rotating the second
wrench relative to the first wrench to break the at least one pipe
section from adjacent pipe section; releasing the at least one pipe
section; spinning the at least one pipe section with the spinner;
grasping the at least one pipe section with the retainer assembly;
and removing the at least one pipe section from the tray.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein gripping the pipe joint with the
first wrench comprises extending two jaws to contact the first side
of the pipe joint
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising moving the spinner
into an engaged position using a linear actuator prior to spinning
the at least one pipe section with the spinner.
18. The method of claim 15 further comprising: adding a new pipe
section to the tray with the retainer assembly; spinning the at
least one new pipe section onto the adjacent pipe section; gripping
the adjacent pipe section with the first wrench and the new pipe
section with the second wrench such that the first wrench is
located on a first side of a new pipe joint and the second wrench
is located on a second side of the new pipe joint; and rotating the
second wrench relative to the first wrench to provide a torqued-up
connection between the adjacent pipe section and the new pipe
section.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the new pipe section is
connected to a backreamer.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising backreaming the
borehole.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application Ser. No. 62/005,275, filed on May 30, 2014, and is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/094,321, file Dec. 2, 2013, which claims the benefit of
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/732,068, filed Nov. 30,
2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a tool that may
be used in connection with a horizontal directional drilling
system, comprised of a plurality of drill pipes that are joined
together at pipe joints and to a method for using such a tool. More
particularly, the invention comprises a tool that is used to
perform various functions on or with respect to the drill pipe
sections of the drill string on the exit side of the bore.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many utility lines, pipelines and other underground
components are installed in or under the ground by boring a
borehole in a generally-horizontal direction in the ground rather
than by digging a trench. This type of construction, which is
sometimes referred to as "horizontal boring", "directional
drilling" or "horizontal directional drilling", reduces the need to
dig a trench in order to install an underground component, and
thereby saves several steps in the installation process. If no
trench is dug, there will be no trench to fill, and no disturbed
surface to reclaim. A directional drilling machine may be operated
to drill a bore along a planned path underground. Typically, the
planned path is generally arcuate in shape from the entry point at
the surface of the ground, continuing underneath a roadway, river
or other obstacle, to an exit point on the surface on the other
side of the obstacle.
[0004] There are several operations that must be performed on the
exit side of the bore where the drill string emerges from the
ground. For example, the boring tool may be disconnected from the
end of the drill string and the pipe sections of the drill string
may be disconnected one by one from the drill string. If a
backreamer is used, it may be installed in place of the boring
tool. High torque is typically used in order to loosen the boring
tool or a pipe section for removal from the drill string or to
install the backreamer on the drill string. Most commonly, the
drill crew will use a pair of large wrenches such as pipe wrenches
or oil field tongs to remove the boring tool and each pipe section,
or to install a backreamer. Frequently, the drill crew will connect
the handle of the wrench to the bucket of a hydraulic excavator
using a chain or strap, and then use the excavator to apply a
vertical force to the bucket while the drilling rig operator
rotates the drill string to loosen the boring tool or a pipe
section or to tighten the backreamer on the end of the drill
string. If the drill string is to be disassembled on the exit side,
the individual pipe sections may be placed in a stack or in a pipe
section magazine. These pipe sections are heavy and long, and it is
labor-intensive to disconnect them manually on the exit side of the
drill site.
SUMMARY
[0005] The invention is directed to a system for the makeup and
breakout of drill pipe. The system comprises a frame, a pair of
retainers supported on the frame, and defining a retainer axis, a
first wrench supported on the frame, and a second wrench supported
on the frame and independently movable relative to the first
wrench. The first and second wrench define a wrench axis which is
not collinear to the retainer axis.
[0006] The invention is also directed to method for breakout of
pipe sections from a drill string. The drill string comprises
multiple pipe joints using a tool comprising a first wrench, a
second wrench, and a retainer assembly. The method comprises
pushing the drill string through the ground with a drill rig
located at an entry side of a borehole until at least one pipe
section extends from the ground at an exit side of the borehole. A
spinner assembly is provided proximate the exit side of the
borehole. The spinner assembly comprises a spinner and a tray. The
spinner assembly aligns to the drill string, and the pipe joint is
gripped with the first wrench and the second wrench such that the
first wrench is located on a first side of the pipe joint and the
second wrench is located on a second side of the pipe joint. The
second wrench is rotated relative to the first wrench to break the
at least one pipe section from the drill string at the pipe joint.
The pipe section is rotated and spun and grasped with the retainer
assembly, and removed from the tray.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view of a horizontal directional drilling
machine and a drill string having a portion beyond the exit side of
a bore.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a machine supporting a tool
for making up and breaking out a pipe joint at the exit side of a
bore.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the tool of FIG. 2.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an end view of the tool of FIG. 3.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the tool of FIG. 2
having a drill string within the tool.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tool for making up and
breaking out a drill string at the exit side of a bore.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 6.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the tool of FIG.
6.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spinner table for use with
the tool of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative spinner
table.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the use of
horizontal drilling machine or drill rig 20 to thrust and rotate a
drill string 22 to drill a bore 24 from an entry point 26 to an
exit point 28. The following figures illustrate the use of a tool
for use at the exit point 28 to disconnect pipe sections from the
drill string 22. The horizontal drilling machine 20 may be utilized
with a one-pipe or two-pipe drill string.
[0018] A typical drill rig includes a thrust frame that can be
aligned at an oblique angle with respect to the ground. Mounted on
a drive carriage on the thrust frame is a pipe-rotation mechanism
that is adapted to rotate and thrust or retract the drill string
22. The drive carriage also includes a carriage drive assembly that
is adapted to push the carriage along the thrust frame. The
combination of rotation of the drill string 22 and longitudinal
movement by the drill rig 20 advances the drill string through the
ground.
[0019] As the drilling operation proceeds, the drill string 22 is
lengthened by adding pipe sections to the string. The pipe sections
may be provided with a male threaded connector on one end and a
female threaded connector on the other end. Each time a pipe
section is added to the drill string, the pipe section being added
is aligned with the drill string and the threaded connector on its
far end is mated with the threaded connector on the near end of the
drill string. Generally, the drill string 22 is restrained against
rotation while the pipe being added is rotated to engage the
threaded connector on the far end of the pipe section with the
threaded connector on the near end of the drill string to create a
threaded connection between the components.
[0020] When the boring tool reaches a desired depth during the
drilling operation, it can be directed along a generally horizontal
path and back up to break the surface of the ground at a distant
exit point 28. To control the direction of the bore 24, a boring
tool with an angled-face or a deflection member may be used. When
the direction of the bore 24 must be changed, the boring tool is
positioned with the angled-face or deflection member oriented to
cause the tool to move in the desired direction. This ability to
change the direction of travel of the drill string 22 also allows
the operator to steer the drill string around underground obstacles
like large roots and rocks.
[0021] When the pilot bore 24 is complete, the boring tool is
removed from the second end of the drill string 22, and the pipe
sections are disconnected from each other to disassemble the drill
string on the exit side of the bore. In the alternative, the bore
24 may be enlarged by replacing the boring tool with an enlarging
device, commonly known as a backreamer. If a backreamer is used, it
will be connected to the far or distal end of the drill string 22
in place of the boring tool and moved through the pilot bore back
towards the boring machine, either with or without rotation of the
drill string. The backreamer expands and stabilizes the walls of
the bore, generally while pulling a product pipe or other
underground component through the enlarged bore behind it. Movement
of the backreamer back towards the drilling machine is accomplished
by driving the drive carriage in a rearward direction on the thrust
frame to withdraw a pipe section, disconnecting the withdrawn pipe
section from the drill string, connecting the next pipe section
remaining in the drill string to the pipe rotation mechanism on the
drive carriage and repeating the process until all of the pipe
sections have been withdrawn from the ground.
[0022] With reference now to FIG. 2, shown therein is an embodiment
of a pipe handler, or tool 30 that may be employed at the exit
point 28 of the bore to perform various functions on or with
respect to the drill string 22. As shown, a construction machine 32
is provided to support the tool 30. For purposes of illustration,
the construction machine 32 of FIG. 2 is a tracked excavator. One
skilled in the art will anticipate that many construction machines
may be adapted to provide operative force to the tool 30.
[0023] The tool 30 comprises a frame 34. The frame 34 is connected
to the construction machine 32 by an attachment assembly 42 which
will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 3 below.
The attachment assembly 42 provides a pivotal connection such that
the tool 30 may be oriented to the drill string 22 for makeup or
breakout of pipe sections 80 to or from adjacent pipe sections
81.
[0024] With reference now to FIG. 3, the tool 30 is shown in
greater detail. The frame 34 comprises a tubular frame component.
The frame 34 comprises a first end 38 and a second end 40. The
attachment assembly 42 comprises a base 46 pivotally mounted to the
frame, and an attachment bracket 48. The frame 34 is pivoted about
a first, substantially horizontal, axis 52 by a cylinder 50
disposed between the base 46 and the frame. The attachment bracket
48 serves as a mechanical connection to the machine 32 (FIG. 2).
The frame 34 pivots about a second axis 54 relative to the
attachment bracket 48 due to operation of a cylinder 60 extending
between the base 46 and the attachment bracket 48. The frame 34 is
manipulated by cylinders 50, 60 such that it is substantially
parallel with a section of pipe 80 (FIG. 2) to be removed.
[0025] With continued reference to FIG. 3, the frame 34 supports
and provides attachment for multiple components of the tool 30. The
tool 30 comprises a first vice assembly 62, a second vice assembly
64, a first retainer assembly 66, a second retainer assembly 68,
and a roller assembly 70. These assemblies work in concert to make
up, or connect, and break out, or loosen, sections of pipe in
accordance with the invention. The first vice assembly 62 grips the
pipe string 22 (FIG. 2) at an adjacent pipe section 81 (FIG. 2) and
second vice assembly 64 grips the pipe section to be removed 80
(FIG. 2), with a pipe joint between the first vice assembly and
second vice assembly. The first retainer assembly 66 and second
retainer assembly 68 retain the section of pipe to be removed. The
roller assembly 70 applies a rotational force to the section of
drill pipe to be removed after the pipe joint has been loosened by
the first and second vice assemblies 62, 64. The roller assembly 70
is movable between an engaged and a disengaged position by
actuation of roller cylinder 140.
[0026] Bracket assemblies 72 provide attachment between the
components 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 of the tool and the frame 34. In one
embodiment, the roller assembly 70 and retainer assemblies 66, 68
may be detachable, or movable along the frame 34. As shown, the
bracket assemblies 72 have multiple configurations relative to the
frame 34. The bracket assemblies 72 may be welded to a bottom side
of the frame 34, or may include a top portion 73 that extends over
the top of the frame 34. Further, a cap 74 may be bolted on top of
the bracket assembly 72.
[0027] The first vice assembly 62 and second vice assembly 64 each
comprise a first jaw 84 and second jaw 86. First jaw 84 and second
jaw 86 are mounted so as to be moveable with respect to each other
between an open position and a closed position in which the jaws
may grip a pipe section. An actuator 88 is mounted on the first jaw
84 and adapted to move the first jaw between the open position and
the closed position. Similarly, an actuator 88 is mounted on the
second jaw 86 and adapted to move the second jaw between the open
position and the closed position. The actuators 88 may comprise a
hydraulic motor or other suitable actuator. Thus, first jaw 84 and
second jaw 86 of the first vice assembly 62 will cooperate to grip
a pipe section when in the closed position.
[0028] With reference now to FIG. 4, the first vice assembly 62 is
fixed and the second vice assembly 64 is moveable with respect to
the first vice assembly to apply a rotational force to a pipe
section with respect to an adjacent pipe section that is gripped by
the first vice assembly. The tool 30 comprises a linear actuator
100 for moving the second vice assembly 64 relative to the first
vice assembly 62. The linear actuator 100 may be a hydraulic
cylinder. Extension and retraction of the linear actuator 100 when
the first vice assembly 62 is in the closed position will rotate
the pipe section 80 (FIG. 2) relative to an adjacent section 81
causing the pipe joint formed between these sections to loosen.
[0029] The first vice assembly 62 is shown offset from second vice
assembly 64. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
second vice assembly 64 may alternatively be fixed and first vice
assembly 62 may be moveable with respect thereto. Furthermore, in
another embodiment of the invention, both vice assemblies 62, 64
may be moveable with respect to each other to apply a rotational
force to the drill string 22 (FIG. 1). Further, the vice assemblies
62, 64 are preferably movable relative to the drill string 22
through operation of the cylinder 50 to pivot frame 34 relative to
the attachment bracket 48.
[0030] With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first retainer
assembly 66 is shown. The first retainer assembly 66 comprises at
least one bracket frame 102 comprising a pipe receiver opening 104
and a pair of downwardly depending legs 110 and 112 that may be
angled outwardly as they extend from the pipe receiver opening. As
shown, the first retainer assembly 66 comprises two bracket frames
102. The first retainer assembly 66 further comprises a first
retainer arm 114 that is pivotally attached to the bracket frame
102 and adapted to be moved between an open position that will
allow a drill pipe section to be received in pipe receiver opening
104 and a closed position (as shown) that retains the pipe section
80 in the opening. As shown, the first retainer arm 114 includes
two components that move parallel to one another. The first
retainer arm 114 is controlled by a first retainer actuator 116. As
shown, the first retainer actuator 116 is a hydraulic cylinder. The
first retainer assembly 66 may also comprise a second retainer arm
120. The second retainer arm 120 is likewise pivotally attached to
the bracket frame 102 and is adapted to be moved between an open
position and a closed position. A second actuator 122 likewise
moves the second retainer arm 120 between the open position and the
closed position.
[0031] The second retainer assembly 68 is shown with identical
components as the first retainer assembly 66, spaced apart from the
first retainer assembly to provide two retaining locations for the
pipe section 80. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that the first 66 and second 68 retainer assemblies may be given
different locations along the frame 34. As shown, the second
retainer assembly 68 is proximate the second end 40 of the frame
34. Further, it is anticipated that the functions of the tool 30
may be performed with only one retainer assembly.
[0032] The roller assembly 70 comprises a means for rotating the
pipe section 80 that is held in the first retainer assembly 66 and
in the second retainer assembly 68 about a long axis of the pipe
section. The roller assembly 70 may be used to rotate the drill
pipe section 80 to engage the threads or disengage the threads of
the threaded connectors of drill pipe section 81. In the
embodiments shown herein, limited radial extent of the rotational
force that second vice assembly 64 would require that second vice
assembly grip, twist and release the pipe section 80 multiple times
to disconnect it from the drill string. The roller assembly 70 is
provided to overcome this limitation.
[0033] The roller assembly 70 comprises first roller jaw 130
comprising a first roller 134 and second roller jaw 132 comprising
a second roller 136. Each of first roller jaw 130 and second roller
jaw 132 is pivotally mounted with respect to the frame 34.
Preferably, each roller jaw 130, 132 comprises a plurality of
rollers that are rotationally driven. The roller assembly 70
further comprises a motor 138 to rotate the rollers 134, 136. As
shown in FIG. 5, a motor 138 is utilized proximate each roller jaw
130, 132 to rotate the rollers 134, 136. The motors 138 may rotate
the first and second rollers 134, 136 so as to impart a spin to the
pipe section, thereby disengaging pipe section 80 from section 81.
A first roller linear actuator 140 pivots first roller jaw 130 with
respect to the frame 34. A second roller linear actuator (not
shown) may be provided to pivot the second roller jaw 132 with
respect to the frame 34. It is also possible that roller assembly
70 may be operated to impart a tightening spin to a pipe section or
other component on the exit side of the bore by rotating the first
and second rollers in the opposite direction to that which is used
to disengage the pipe section 80.
[0034] With continued reference to FIG. 5, the tool 30 further
comprises a control valve assembly 150 that is connected to an
auxiliary hydraulic circuit (not shown) of construction machine 32
(FIG. 2), that may be used to control the various pipe gripping and
torque requirements for the operation of the first and second vice
assemblies 62, 64, the first and second retainer assemblies 66, 68,
and the roller assembly 70. Preferably, a pressure reducer is
provided to keep control valve assembly 150 from receiving
hydraulic fluid at a pressure higher than about 3000 psi from the
construction machine 32 (FIG. 2).
[0035] Control valve assembly 150 may include a radio control
receiver that is operatively connected to the hydraulic actuators
88, 116, 122, 140 of the tool 30 and the cylinders 50, 60 (FIG. 3).
The radio control receiver is adapted to communicate with remote
controller (not shown) for remote operation of the tool 30.
[0036] While the majority of this description describes using the
tool 30 for the purpose of removing, or breaking out, sections of
pipe from the drill string 22, one of ordinary skill could envision
the opposite purpose. For example, after a drill bit (not shown)
used for primary boring operations is removed from the exit point
28 of the bore 24 and removed from the drill string 22, a
backreamer or other tool can be provided to the drill string. This
is accomplished by "making up" the drill string 22 using the tool
30. As shown in FIG. 5, a pipe section 80 to be added may be held
in the retainer assemblies 66, 68. The roller assembly 70 may
provide rotational force to cause the pipe section 80 to be
threaded to the pipe string 22 at the adjacent pipe section 81. The
connection is then completed through by gripping the adjacent pipe
section 81 with the first vice 62, while using the second vice 64
to provide a rotational force to torque the connection.
[0037] With reference now to FIG. 6, shown therein is an
alternative embodiment of a pipe handler, or tool 200 that may be
employed at the exit point 18 of the bore to perform various
functions on or with respect to the drill string 22 (FIG. 2).
[0038] The tool 200 comprises a frame 202. The frame 202 is
connected to the construction machines 32 (FIG. 2) by an attachment
assembly 42 as previously described with reference to FIG. 3. The
attachment assembly 42 provides a pivotal connection to
construction machine 32 (FIG. 2) such that the tool 200 may be
properly oriented to the drill string 22 for makeup or breakout of
pipe sections 80 to or from adjacent pipe sections 81 (FIG. 5).
[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, the attachment assembly 42 comprises a
base 46 pivotally mounted to the frame, an attachment bracket 48
for quick attach to the construction machines (such as the arm of
an excavator), a first cylinder 180, and a second cylinder 182. The
attachment bracket 48 serves as a mechanical connection to the
machine 32 (FIG. 2). The base 46 is pivotally attached to the
attachment bracket 48 about axis 54, and pivotally attached to the
frame 202 about axis 52. The first cylinder 180 is attached at a
first end to the tool 200 and at a second end to the construction
machine 32 (FIG. 2). Operation of the first cylinder 180
manipulates the tilt of the frame 202, particularly to switch
between retaining and wrench operations, as will be described
below. The second cylinder 182 extends between the base 46 and
attachment bracket 48 and pivots the frame 202 about the second
axis 54, rotating the frame 202 relative to the attachment bracket
48. With reference now to FIG. 7, the attachment assembly 42
further comprises a third cylinder 184 extending between the base
46 and the frame 202. The third cylinder 184 extends between the
base 46 and the frame 202 to pivot the frame relative to first axis
52.
[0040] With reference again to FIG. 6, the frame 202 comprises an
arm assembly 204. The arm assembly 204 supports a wrench assembly
206, a first retainer assembly 208 and a second retainer assembly
210. The first retainer assembly 208 and second retainer assembly
210 are attached at a first end 212 of the arm assembly 204. As
shown, the first end 212 of the arm assembly 204 comprises three
supports 214. Each of the supports 214 may define an aperture 216
for reducing the weight of the arm assembly 204 without sacrificing
structural integrity.
[0041] The first retainer assembly 208 comprises both fixed tines
220 and movable tines 222. The fixed tines 220 provide a channel
defining a retainer axis 252 to allow the pipe section to be
correctly positioned within the first retainer assembly 208. The
movable tines 222 are movable between an open position and a closed
position, such that a pipe section may be held in the first
retainer assembly 208 when the movable tines are in the closed
position. The second retainer assembly 210 similarly comprises
fixed tines 220 and movable tines 222 that may be independently or
cooperatively operated with the first retainer assembly 208 between
an open position and a closed position.
[0042] The wrench assembly 206 comprises a first wrench 226 and a
second wrench 228 (FIG. 7). One of the first wrench 226 and the
second wrench 228 is movable relative to the other to apply a
rotational motion to a pipe section with respect to an adjacent
pipe section. As shown, the first wrench 226 is a fixed wrench and
the second wrench 228 is rotatable relative to the first wrench as
shown in the previous embodiment with reference to FIG. 4. One of
ordinary skill will appreciate that a cylinder or other linear
actuator may be utilized to rotate the second wrench 228 as
disclosed in FIG. 4.
[0043] With reference again to FIG. 7, the second wrench 228 is
shown. The first wrench 226 and second wrench 228 define a wrench
axis 250. The first retainer assembly 208 and second retainer
assembly 210 define the retainer axis 252. In the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 6 and 7, the wrench axis 250 and the retainer axis 252 are
not collinear. As shown, wrench axis 250 and retainer axis 252 are
parallel, though one of skill in the art will appreciate that other
configurations of the first retainer assembly 208 and second
retainer assembly 210 may be contemplated. In the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 1-5, the wrench axis and the retainer axis are
collinear.
[0044] With reference now to FIG. 8, the first wrench 226 is shown
in cross section. The first wrench 226 is supported on the frame
202 and comprises a first jaw 230, a second jaw 232 and a third jaw
234. The first jaw 230 and the second jaw 232 are each advanced by
a linear actuator 88 such as a ram or cylinder. The third jaw 234
may not be actuated by a linear actuator, as shown in FIG. 7, but
may provide a third gripping location for the first wrench 226. The
first jaw 230 and the second jaw 232 cooperate to grip a pipe
section that is located therebetween the first jaw, the second jaw,
and the third jaw 234. The second wrench 238 (FIG. 8) may be
similarly formed with a first, second and third jaw.
[0045] With reference now to FIGS. 9-10, a spinner assembly 300 is
shown therein. The spinner assembly 300 comprises a frame 302, a
spinner substructure 304, and a wrench storage 306. The frame
provides unitary support for the wrench storage 306 (FIG. 9) and
spinner substructure 304 for ease of transportation, though one of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this arrangement is
not strictly necessary. The spinner substructure 304 provides a
low-torque assembly for making up and breaking out sections of pipe
from a pipe string in cooperation with the high-torque function of
the wrench assembly 206 (FIG. 6). The wrench storage 306 comprises
a cylindrical rest 308 for placement of the wrench assembly 206
(FIG. 6) when not in use or disconnected from the construction
machines 32 (FIG. 2).
[0046] The spinner substructure 304 comprises a first support tray
314, a second support tray 316, a plurality of spinners 318, a
table actuator 320, and a pivot connection 322. The first support
tray 314 and the second support tray 316 provide locations for
adjacent pipe sections (not shown) to rest when the spinner
substructure 304 is in operation. The spinners 318 are provided to
rotate a distal pipe section relative to a drill string 22 (FIG.
1), threading or unthreading the pipe section. The spinners 318 may
be moved between an engaged and disengaged position by spinner
cylinder 324 (FIG. 9). Alternatively, the spinner cylinder 324
could be a jackscrew or other linear actuator. The spinners 318 and
spinner cylinder 324 may traverse the spinner substructure 304
along a shuttle arm 350 (FIG. 10) to move with a pipe section as it
is being spun.
[0047] Likewise, the table actuator 320 may comprise a hydraulic
cylinder or other linear actuator. The table actuator 320
manipulates the spinner substructure 304 about the pivot connection
322 to match an exit angle of an exit side pipe such that the exit
side pipe is supported on the first 314 and second 316 support
tray. The first 314 and second 316 support tray may be fixed
relative to one another, or may be movable relative to one another
by several means, including hydraulically telescoping a frame
element 326 of the spinner substructure 304. As shown in FIG. 10, a
third support tray 327 may be utilized to support pipe
sections.
[0048] One of skill in the art will appreciate that the frame 302
of the spinner assembly 300 may include and support a power pack
(not shown) to power the table actuator 320, spinners 318, and
other dedicated elements of the spinner assembly. Additionally, a
power pack may be utilized to power elements of the tool 200 (FIGS.
6-8) when power from the construction machines 32 (not shown) is
not provided.
[0049] With reference to FIGS. 6-10, in operation, a drill string
22 exits a bore hole at an exit point 28 (FIG. 1). The spinner
table 300 is placed proximate the exit point 28 and manipulated by
the table actuator 320 such that the spinner substructure 304 is
appropriately aligned with the drill string 22. The wrench assembly
206 is manipulated to be placed over the pipe section such that the
first wrench 226 is on a first side and the second wrench 228 is on
a second side of a pipe joint. The first wrench 226 and second
wrench 228 are actuated, and the second wrench is rotated relative
to the first wrench to break the tension of the pipe joint. The
plurality of spinners 318 then are moved from the disengaged to the
engaged position. The spinners 318, when engaged, spin the distal
pipe section to fully unthread the distal pipe section from the
adjacent pipe section. The unthreaded pipe section is then
supported by the first support tray 314 and the first retainer
assembly 208 and second retainer assembly 210 are placed over the
unthreaded section such that the section is along the retainer
axis. The first 208 and second 210 retainer assemblies are moved
from the open position to the closed position such that the
unthreaded section is held by the tool 200 and can be moved to
storage (not shown). One of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that these steps may be repeated reversed to make up
sections of pipe string.
[0050] Although this description contains many specifics, these
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but
as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently
preferred embodiments thereof.
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