U.S. patent number 3,655,071 [Application Number 05/040,986] was granted by the patent office on 1972-04-11 for horizontal pipe racking and handling apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Byron Jackson, Inc.. Invention is credited to Faustyn C. Langowski, John W. Turner, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,655,071 |
Langowski , et al. |
April 11, 1972 |
HORIZONTAL PIPE RACKING AND HANDLING APPARATUS
Abstract
Horizontal pipe racking and handling apparatus in which stands
of drill pipe are moved between horizontal racked positions and a
position suspended at the center of a well drilling derrick, the
horizontal rack supporting the pipe in vertical rows at opposite
sides of line leading to the center of the derrick, and in which
pipe stand racking and unracking apparatus includes a plurality of
relatively shiftable pipe gripping and hoisting devices spaced
longitudinally of the racked pipe so as to be operative to transfer
pipe stands consisting of two joints or three joints of pipe. Each
of the pipe transfer devices consists of a frame structure
including a horizontally extended arm on which a carriage is
shiftable, the carriage carrying vertically shiftable pipe stand
engaging heads, and the carriages of all of the pipe transfer
devices being driven by a common drive. In addition, the pipe
handling apparatus includes a combined catcher and positioner for
the lower end of the pipe stand as it approaches a vertical
position in the derrick whereby to confine the lower end of the
stand against undesired movement and to position the stand above
the drill string supported in the rotary table; the catcher and
positioning device also being operable to engage and move the lower
end of the drill collar between a position above the rotary table
and a vertically racked position. The apparatus also includes an
upper racker device for engaging and moving the upper end of the
drill collars between a position above the rotary table and an
offset vertically racked position.
Inventors: |
Langowski; Faustyn C. (Houston,
TX), Turner, Jr.; John W. (Houston, TX) |
Assignee: |
Byron Jackson, Inc. (Long
Beach, CA)
|
Appl.
No.: |
05/040,986 |
Filed: |
May 27, 1970 |
Current International
Class: |
E21b 019/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;214/2.5,1P
;175/85,63 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Forlenza; Gerald M.
Assistant Examiner: Werner; Frank E.
Claims
We claim:
1. In well drilling derrick apparatus having hoisting apparatus for
stands of drill pipe and drill collars, a horizontal drill pipe
rack to one side of the derrick, pipe moving means for moving
stands of drill pipe between said rack and a position with the
upper end of a stand of drill pipe disposed above the derrick floor
to be engaged by or released from the hoisting apparatus, a rack
for vertically racking drill collars in the derrick at one side of
the derrick, means for engaging and confining the lower ends of
said stands of drill pipe and said drill collars when they are
suspended in the derrick by said hoising apparatus operable to move
the lower end of said stands of drill pipe between a position on
said pipe moving means and a position at the center of the derrick
and to move the lower end of said drill collars between a position
in said rack and a position at the center of the derrick, said
means for engaging said stands of drill pipe and drill collars
comprising support means extending laterally of said derrick to one
side of the center of the derrick and parallel to the line of
movement of said stands of drill pipe by said pipe moving means, a
carriage shiftable on said support means, means for actuating said
carriage in opposite directions, an arm pivotally mounted on said
carriage, means providing a throat at the outer end of said arm for
receiving said stands of drill pipe and said drill collars, a gate
for closing said throat, actuator means for said gate, and actuator
means for said arm to pivot the same between a position at which
said throat is aligned between said pipe moving means and the
center of the well and positions at which said throat is disposed
in said drill collar rack.
2. In well drilling derrick apparatus having hoisting apparatus for
stands of drill pipe and drill collars, a horizontal drill pipe
rack to one side of the derrick, pipe moving means for moving
stands of drill pipe between said rack and a position with the
upper end of a stand of drill pipe disposed above the derrick floor
to be engaged by or released from the hoisting apparatus, a rack
for vertically racking drill collars in the derrick at one side of
the derrick, means for engaging and confining the lower ends of
said stands of drill pipe and said drill collars when they are
suspended in the derrick by said hoisting apparatus operable to
move the lower end of said stands of drill pipe between a position
on said pipe moving means and a position at the center of the
derrick and to move the lower end of said drill collars between a
position in said rack and a position at the center of the derrick,
said means for engaging said stands of drill pipe and drill collars
comprising support means extending laterally of said derrick to one
side of the center of the derrick and parallel to the line of
movement of said stands of drill pipe by said pipe moving means, a
carriage shiftable on said support means, means for actuating said
carriage in opposite directions, an arm reciprocably carried by
said carriage for longitudinal movement in a direction normal to
the direction of movement of said carriage, a head having opposed
oppositely opening throats for respectively receiving stands of
drill pipe and drill collars, a gate for closing each throat,
actuator means for closing each gate, and actuator means for
retracting and extending said arm to align said throats between the
center of the derrick and said pipe moving means and a position in
said drill collar rack.
3. In well drilling derrick apparatus having hoisting apparatus for
stands of drill pipe and drill collars, a horizontal drill pipe
rack to one side of the derrick, pipe moving means for moving
stands of drill pipe between said rack and a position with the
upper end of a stand of drill pipe disposed above the derrick floor
to be engaged by or released from the hoisting apparatus, a rack
for vertically racking drill collars in the derrick at one side of
the derrick, means for engaging and confining the lower ends of
said stands of drill pipe and said drill collars when they are
suspended in the derrick by said hoisting apparatus operable to
move the lower end of said stands of drill pipe between a position
on said pipe moving means and a position at the center of the
derrick and to move the lower end of said drill collars between a
position in said rack and a position at the center of the derrick,
said means for engaging said stands of drill pipe and drill collars
comprising support means extending laterally of said derrick to one
side of the center of the derrick and parallel to the line of
movement of said stands of drill pipe by said pipe moving means, a
carriage shiftable on said support means, means for actuating said
carriage in opposite directions, an arm movably mounted on said
carriage, means providing a throat at the outer end of said arm for
receiving said stands of drill pipe and said drill collars, a gate
for closing said throat, actuator means for said gate, and actuator
means for said arm to move the same between a position at which
said throat is aligned between said pipe moving means and the
center of the well and positions at which said throat is disposed
in said drill collar rack.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the handling of drill pipe and drill collars in the drilling of
wells, such as oil or gas wells, particularly where the drill pipe
and drill collars must be stored in an immovable condition during
round tripping of the drill string, for example, to change bits,
and during the time that additional lengths of drill pipe must be
available for addition to the drill string as the drilling
progresses, the provision at a reasonable expense of suitable
apparatus for handling the drill pipe and drill collars, which
apparatus is also capable of properly manipulating the pipe or
collars, has long posed problems.
Various systems have been heretofore proposed whereby the drill
pipe is racked horizontally at a location to one side of the floor
of the drilling derrick, and individual stands of the pipe are
successively moved between substantially vertical positions
supported in the derrick by the usual elevator and traveling block
and a racked position. Such systems have involved conveyor type
storage means for the stands of pipe as well as the use of transfer
devices adapted to move a stand of pipe between a racked position
and a position aligned with the center of the derrick by physically
engageing and lifting the stand of pipe as it is moved between such
positions.
Such prior devices have posed significant problems in a number of
respects, for example, if the pipe stands are racked in a conveyor
type system and fed to the position aligned with the center line of
the derrick, problems are encountered in the physical movement of
the conveyors, and additional problems are presented in that all of
the stored pipe must be moved in unison resulting in the need for
high powered and expensive drive mechanisms. In addition, while in
the handling of "singles" of drill pipe, having an average length
on the order of 30 feet, it is a fairly simple matter to transfer
the pipe in a horizontal position by engaging and lifting the pipe
adjacent its ends, but the lifting devices which can reasonably
support a drill pipe single may experience difficulties in
supporting a "double" which consists of two singles, and which
averages about 60 feet in length, due to the tendency of the pipe
to sag. Obviously further problems involving sagging of the drill
pipe stand would be encountered if an effort is made to support a
"treble" consisting of three singles, and averaging about 90 feet
in length. These problems combine to render very difficult the
provision of apparatus for horizontally racking drill pipe to one
side of a derrick without resorting to extensive and extremely
costly installations.
One of the common modes of moving the pipe stand from an unracked
position aligned with the center line of the derrick to a position
at which the box end of the stand is adapted to be engaged by the
elevator whereby to lift the stand to a vertical position, has been
the use of a dolly rollable on tracks leading to the floor of the
derrick and in which the pin end of the stand rests. The dolly is
stopped short of the center line of the derrick, with the stand
supported in the upwardly moving elevator, and the lower end of the
stand must travel from the point at which motion of the dolly is
arrested, a number of feet to the center line of the derrick, in
order for the pin end to be stabbed into the box end of the drill
pipe supported in the rotary table. Particularly in the case where
the derrick is on a floating vessel, it is hazardous for a floorman
on the derrick floor to manually control such movement of the lower
end of the stand supported in the elevator, and the rougher the
sea, the more hazardous is such a manual operation, due to the
tendency of the pipe to swing. A similar problem exists when the
pipe stand is being removed from the drill string and moved to the
racked position, since the lower end of the pipe stand, following
disconnection from the drill string, must be moved laterally onto
the dolly.
A somewhat similar problem exists in the movement of drill collars
between positions aligned with the center of the derrick and a
laterally displaced racked position in the usual drill collar rack.
If the lower end of a drill collar is free to swing during its
travel between these two positions, it becomes a hazardous
operation, particularly when the great mass of a drill collar is
compared with the relatively lesser mass of a stand of drill
pipe.
Moreover, if the above described handling operations are not
manually performed by a crew, the functions must be accomplished
mechanically, say from a remote control location by an operator who
can continually maintain control of the drill collars or drill pipe
stand. Thus, the provision of suitable apparatus has heretofore
been extremely expensive, on one hand, and inadequate, on the other
hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to obviate the above problems and to provide an
economically feasible pipe and drill collar handling apparatus, the
present invention provides novel pipe transfer apparatus for use in
moving stands of drill pipe, either doubles or trebles between
horizontally racked positions and a position aligned with the
center line of the derrick, wherein the pipe transfer apparatus
comprises a plurality of similar support and arm structures, each
arm having a carriage shiftable thereon and each carriage having a
vertically shiftable pipe engaging head for picking up the pipe at
either position and supporting the pipe as it is moved between such
positions. Associated with each pipe transfer structure are
laterally spaced posts between which the pipe stands are confined
in vertical rows. The plurality of pipe transfer devices are all
spaced relative to one another so that three such transfer devices
are adapted to engage and support a treble drill pipe stand at such
locations that the sag of the pipe stand between points of support
is minimized, and therefore the pipe will not be overly stressed.
Moreover, since the posts are associated with the pipe transfer
devices, it is not possible for the pipe transfer heads to place
the engaged portions of the pipe stand between one pair of posts
while an intermediate portion of the pipe is placed between another
pair of laterally spaced posts, notwithstanding the existence of
some sag in the unsupported section of pipe stand, and
notwithstanding the tendency of the sagging portion of the stand to
swing relative to the fixed rack, for example, in response to
vigorous rolling of a floating vessel.
In order to minimize the complexity of the drive mechanism for the
pipe transfer devices, they are driven as a unit from a single
power source, resulting in not only a reduction in the necessity
for drive mechanism, but also minimizing the necessity for control
devices whereby the pipe is moved into or from selected racked
positions.
In addition to the foregoing, the present invention provides means
located above the derrick floor to engage and confine the lower end
of a stand of drill pipe against undesired swinging movement as it
is being moved between a position aligned with the center line of
the derrick and a position on the dolly. More particularly, such
means provides a throat into which the lower end of the pipe stand
moves as the dolly approaches the center line of the derrick during
the addition of a pipe stand to the drill string, and a latch is
closed about the drill string to confine it in the throat against
swinging movements. Thereafter, the lower end of the stand, while
confined against undesired lateral movement in any direction, is
positively positioned substantially in alignment with the drill
string supported in the rotary table, and the stand is slidable in
the throat to allow the stand to be stabbed into the upper end of
the drill string. Thereafter, the pipe engaging and positioning
means is shiftable to an out-of-the-way position and thence to a
standby position for receiving the next stand. Alternatively, the
pipe engaging and positioning means may be engaged with the lower
end of the stand of drill pipe supported by the usual elevator, as
the stand is broken out of the drill string, and while the stand is
confined against undesired lateral swinging movement, the lower end
of the stand is positively positioned above the dolly, so that the
stand may be lowered onto the dolly, for movement towards the rack,
whereupon the pipe engaging and positioning means is opened to
allow such movement of the pipe stand.
Since, as previously indicated, undesired swinging of the drill
collars also poses a problem, the present invention also
contemplates the provision of pipe engaging and positioning means
which is also engageable with the lower end of a drill collar as
the latter is positively moved between a position aligned with the
center line of the derrick and a vertically racked position.
In accomplishing the foregoing, the invention contemplates in one
form, the provision of a pipe engaging and positioning head having
a common throat and a latch for holding therein either a drill pipe
stand or drill collar; and in another embodiment of the invention,
the pipe gripping means comprises a compound head adapted at one
side to engage and confine a drill pipe stand, and adapted at the
other side to engage and confine a drill collar, the head being
mounted for movement to the necessary location for receiving and
confining and for releasing both the drill pipe stand and the drill
collar.
Since the dolly which is employed for moving a stand of drill pipe
between the derrick floor to a location adjacent the rack may be
power driven, as is well known in the art, the invention also
contemplates the provision of a dolly which is so constructed as to
interfit with the tool joint of the pipe stand, so that motion of
the dolly is positively transmitted to the pipe stand to cause it
to accelerate and move with the dolly at the desired rate and in
the desired direction, notwithstanding inertia tending to preclude
such acceleration and movement and notwithstanding other forces
resulting from the movement of a vessel on which the rack and pipe
handling apparatus will be employed.
This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other
purposes which may be made more clearly apparent from a
consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is
shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present
specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose
of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is
to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken
in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best
defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing horizontal pipe racking and
handling apparatus made in accordance with the invention, with
certain parts broken away along the line 1--1 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 2 is a view in horizontal section through the derrick, but
showing the pipe racking apparatus in plan, as taken on the line
2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section as taken on line
3--3 of FIG. 1, showing the upper drill collar racker;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section, as
taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a view in vertical section, as taken on the line 5--5 of
FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed view showing a pipe transfer head
and 7--7 of FIG. for the head with parts broken away;
FIG. 7 is a view in horizontal section, as taken on the line 7137
of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view partly in side
elevation, and with parts broken away, illustrating the pipe
supporting dolly and the track therefore;
FIG. 9 is a view in vertical section, as taken on the line 9--9 of
FIG. 8 and showing the dolly in end elevation;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view showing a combined
drill pipe and drill collar positioning mechanism, the 2 mechanism
being shown in full lines in position for engagement by a stand of
drill pipe and being shown in broken lines positioning the stand of
drill pipe at the center of the derrick;
FIG. 11 is a view in vertical section, as taken on the line 11--11
of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a view in vertical section, as taken on the line 12--12
of FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view illustrating the mechanism of FIG. 10
positioning the lower end of a drill collar in a drill collar rack
on the derrick floor;
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view illustrating a modified combined
drill pipe and drill collar positioning mechanism, the mechanism
being shown in full lines in position for engagement by a stand of
drill pipe and being shown in broken lines positioning the stand of
drill pipe at the center of the derrick;
FIG. 15 is a view in vertical section, as taken on line 15--15 of
FIG. 14; and
FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view illustrating the mechanism of FIG. 14
positioning the lower end of a drill collar in a drill collar rack
on the derrick floor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is generally illustrated a well
drilling derrick D having a base structure B providing a floor F
which is elevated above the deck S of a ship, for example, but it
will be understood that the apparatus hereinafter to be described
has application to land based drilling derricks. The rig includes a
drawworks DW for raising and lowering a traveling block T from
which is suspended the usual hook H adapted to support a drilling
swivel (not shown) and adapted to support on links L a tilting
elevator E. This elevator E may be constructed in accordance with
the disclosure U.S. Letters Pat. No. 3,494,484, issued Feb. 10,
1970, in the name of McFadden, although a power operated elevator
may also be employed for engaging pipe stands and closing thereon,
as will be well recognized in the art. In any event, the elevator E
is adapted to engage a drill string DS at its upper end to elevate
the drill string upwardly to expose a stand of drill pipe, for
example, a treble which is to be disconnected from the drill string
DS while the drill string is supported in the rotary table R by the
usual rotary table slips RS or otherwise. Alternatively, the
elevator E is adapted to support a stand of drill pipe above the
drill string DS at the center line of the derrick, while the
traveling block T is lowered to stab the pipe stand into the box at
the upper end of the drill string DS. In addition, the elevator E
is adapted to similarly support lengths of drill collars as they
are being made up in or broken out of the drill string.
The present invention involves the provision of a horizontal pipe
rack PR adapted for the storage of a suitable number of stands of
drill pipe and including pipe transfer means in the form of a
pluralty of pipe transfer units generally denoted at U and arranged
in opposing pairs at the left hand side and the right hand side of
a track 10 leading from the derrick floor F outwardly therefrom in
alignment with the center line of the derrick. The track 10
comprises a pair of laterally spaced rails 11 between which is
supported a dolly, generally denoted at 12, the dolly being as will
hereinafter be described movable between a stop 13 at a location
spaced from the rotary table R and an outer tail stop 14 at the
outer end of the track 10. Spaced along the path of the track 10
and disposed between the rails 11 are suitable V rollers 15, 16 and
17 suitably mounted on the deck S of a ship or on the derrick
substructure D and being revolvably mounted at the upper ends of
the respective ends of actuator rods 15a, 16a and 17a of vertically
disposed actuator cylinders 15b, 16b and 17b.
Stands of drill pipe DP are adapted to be moved between the racked
positions in the racks PR, and the position shown in broken lines
in FIG. 1 with one end of a pipe stand DP engageable with or
releasable from the elevator E and with the other end of the stand
resting in the dolly 12.
The dolly 12, the details of which are best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9,
comprises a body 3 having rollers 4 at its opposite sides engaged
in the opposing rails, as well as side rollers 5 which engage the
sides of the rails 11. At the outer end of the dolly body 3 remote
from the derrick D is an upstanding end wall 6 adapted to engage
the end of a stand of pipe DP disposed in the dolly. Inwardly from
the end wall is a pair of upwardly divergent side walls 7 providing
a seat for the tool joint for the stand of drill pipe. At the
opposite end of the body from the end wall 6 is another pair of
upwardly divergent side walls 8 at the apex of which is an arched
key seat 9 of a size smaller than the tool joint but adapted to
receive the body of the drill pipe. Thus, when the end of the pipe
stand is placed in the dolly, it is positively engageable with the
end wall 6 of the dolly and in the key seat 9, so that the dolly
may be powered toward the derrick to position the pipe stand DP for
engagement by the elevator E. On the other hand, when a stand of
drill pipe DP is lowered onto the dolly from the derrick and is to
be returned to the rack, the tool joint will be positively engaged
to assure that the pipe stand can be accelerated and moved to the
racking position.
In order to drive the dolly in opposite directions, a cable drive,
as seen in FIG. 2, may be provided, comprising a drive motor 20 for
effecting rotation of a drum 21, as seen in FIG. 1, in opposite
directions. The cable 22 has a portion frictionally engaged with
the drum 21 and extends about a sheave 23 at the inner end of the
track and about another sheave 24 at the other end of the track,
and the cable is connected to the dolly so as to effect powered
movement of the dolly in either direction longitudinally of the
track 10.
The respective pipe transfer devices U previously referred to are
typified by a transfer device as illustrated in FIG. 4. These
transfer devices are adapted to be made up in units. Each unit
comprises a lower supporting beam 25 adapted to be mounted upon a
substructure 26. At its inner end, the beam is provided with a
flange 27 for connecting it as by fasteners 27a in endwise relation
to the corresponding beam of the opposing unit. Adjacent its outer
end, the beam supports a vertical post 28. Preferably, another
vertical post 29 is provided at the outer extremity of the beam.
Suitably affixed to the posts 28, 29 is an arm 30, preferably in
the form of a rectangular tube for rigidity, which extends
horizontally in substantially parallel relation above the beam 25.
The posts 28, 29 extend above the arm 30 to facilitate the
connection of suitable struts 31, 32 to the posts and to the arm to
fortify the connection of the arm to the posts. On its upper and
lower faces, the arm 30 has welded thereon inverted angle irons
providing longitudinally extended tracks 33, 34 (See FIG. 5).
Shiftable on the arm is a carriage 36 which is provided with a
plurality of rollers 37 engaged with the upper track and an
opposing plurality of rollers 38 engageable with the lower track,
whereby rocking of the carriage on the arm is precluded, but the
carriage is freely shiftable longitudinally on the arm. Mounted in
spaced relation to the carriage 36 by suitable connecting members
39 is a pipe transfer device generally indicated at 40 and
including an actuator 41 and a head 42.
As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the actuator structure 41 comprises
an outer rectangular hollow body 43 in which is reciprocably
disposed an inner rectangular body 44. Internally of the inner body
44 is the cylinder 45 of a fluid pressure actuator. The upper end
46 of the cylinder is suitably connected to the upper end 47 of the
outer body 43. Extending from the lower end of the cylinder 45 is
the actuator rod 48 which is pinned, as at 49, or otherwise
suitably connected at the lower end of the inner body 44, whereby
extension of the rod from the cylinder will effect downward
movement of the inner body and retraction of the rod will effect
upward movement of the inner body. Fluid under pressure is adapted
to be supplied to the opposite ends of the cylinder through
conduits 50 and 51 which extend into the inner body and are
connected to the ends of the cylinder, the conduit 50 extending
downwardly in the space between the cylinder 45 and the inner body
44 for connection to the lower end of the cylinder.
The pipe transfer head is suitably affixed to the lower extremity
of the inner body 44 as by fasteners 52 and includes a downwardly
opening and upwardly flared throat 53. The head has a latch 54
pivotally connected thereto by a pivot pin 55 and adapted in one
position to engage and retain the pipe stand DP in the throat 53 of
the head and adapted in the other position to allow the head to
move downwardly onto the pipe stand and to allow a pipe supported
in the head to be released. Preferably, the latch 54 has an arm 56
which will partially block the throat 53 when the latch is open, so
that when the latch is closed by an actuator cylinder 54a, the
opening for the pipe is larger than the pipe.
Forming a part of the unit is a plurality of laterally spaced pipe
retainer posts 60, each fixed to and projecting upwardly from the
beam in parallel spaced relation for receiving therebetween
vertical rows of pipe stands DP. In order to shift the carriage 36
along the arm 30 so as to dispose the head 42 above a selected row
of pipe stands DP or above a selected space into which a pipe stand
should be placed, drive means are provided comprising a chain 61
extending about a pair of sprockets 62, 63 mounted at the opposite
ends of the arm 30 and connected to opposite ends of the
carriage.
Referring to FIG. 2, it will be noted that one of the sprockets 63
is driven by a power source or motor 64, say through a reduction
gear box 65, and the other sprockets 63 of the other units U are
connected to jackshafts 66 which extend from the power source to
the other two units U. It will be understood at this point that the
position of the head 42 of all of the units U, whether at a desired
location to pick up a stand of pipe DP from one of the rows or to
deposit a stand of pipe between the adjacent posts, as well as the
positioning of the head 42 to pick up a pipe from the central
position between the opposing racks or to deposit a stand of pipe
in such central location may be controlled from a remote location
or may be automatically controlled by suitable position sensing
control devices, not shown, which can control the drive motor 64
either in response to the longitudinal position of the carriages 36
on the arms 30 or in response to the angular position of the
jackshafts 66, but in any event, all of the carriages on all arms
30 of each of the unit U at either side of the racking assembly
will be driven in unison and will correspondingly position the
respective heads 42.
As previously indicated, the units U are pre-fabricated and are
adapted to be interconnected with other similar units so as to
provide right hand and left hand pipe racks disposed at opposite
sides of track 10. In order to further simplify the construction
and facilitate installation of the apparatus in the field or on a
vessel, means are provided for supporting the rails 11 of the track
10 between the opposing units U, which can be readilly assembled in
the field. Thus, as seen in FIG. 4, the tracks 10 are suitably
supported on horizontal support members 70 having mounting flanges
71 adapted to be suitably connected to the innermost posts 60 of a
pair of pipe rack units U. Accordingly, the rails 11 may be
transported to the installation site in comparatively short lengths
and assembled with the rack units U so as to extend radially of the
center line of the derrick D. Thereafter, the cable 22 may be
extended about the sheaves 23 and 24 and the cable drum 21 and
connected to the opposite ends of the dolly 12.
Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that in the placement of the
pipe transfer or racking units U relative to the derrick D, they
may be conveniently arranged or spaced so as to support a treble
stand of drill pipe at locations spaced inwardly from the
extremities of the stand and at an intermediate location
notwithstanding approximately at the middle of the intermediate
joint of pipe in the stand. However, the pipe transfer or racking
units U are preferably so spaced that an adjacent pair of units U,
the outermost pair in the illustrative arrangement, are adapted to
handle a double length stand of drill pipe, the spacing of the
transfer or racking units being such that both treble and double
stands are supported at spaced locations whereby to limit the
sagging of the intermediate unsupported portion of the stand beyond
the elastic limit of the pipe. Moreover, since the pipe racking
posts 60 are located substantially beneath the pipe engaging heads
42 of the respective units U, the pipe stands can only be placed
between posts which are aligned in the respective units,
notwithstanding that substantial sag may exist between the
supported points in the pipe stand and that such sagging portions
may tend to swing responsive to the roll of the vessel.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that the apparatus, as thus
far described, is operable to move pipe stands DP between racked
positions, between the posts 60, and a position at which one end of
the stand is supported on the rollers 15 and 16 located between
rails 11 of the track 10. In addition, the apparatus is operable to
move the dolly 12, elevate the rollers 16 and 17, and lower such
rollers, so that a pipe stand DP is shiftable between the
aforementioned position supported on the dolly and rollers 15 and
16 and the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, at which one
end of the pipe stand DP extends into the derrick so as to be
either engaged by or released from the elevator E. When a pipe
stand DP is being added to the drill string DS, the elevator E will
be either manually or automatically closed about the portion of the
pipe stand disposed between the elevator links L. As the traveling
block T is elevated, the dolly 12 will be moved further inwardly
and the rollers 16 and 17 retracted to allow the dolly to move into
engagement with the inner stop 13, at which time the upper end of
the pipe stand is substantially at the center line of the derrick,
but the lower end of the pipe stand is located on the dolly 12 to
one side of the center line of the derrick, as seen in FIG. 10. On
the other hand, when the pipe stand DP is being removed from the
drill string DS, the pipe stand will initially be suspended in the
derrick by the elevator E, and the lower end of the suspended pipe
stand DP must be swung off to the side so as to be placed into the
dolly 12, and thereafter, the dolly may be actuated to move
outwardly on the track 10 as the upper end of the pipe stand DP is
lowered by the suspension apparatus including the traveling block
T, until the pipe stand assumes the broken line position of FIG.
1.
In accordance with the invention, means are provided to confine the
lower end of the pipe stand as it is moved between the center line
of the derrick and the dolly 12 so as to prevent undesired motion
of the lower end of the pipe stand and so as to eliminate the need
for manually handling of the lower end of the pipe stand, such
means also being operable to position the lower end of the
suspended pipe stand DP either on the dolly 12 or at the center
line of the derrick. Such confining and positioning means for the
lower end of the pipe stand DP is generally indicated at 80 in the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 13.
More particularly, the means 80 for confining the lower end of the
pipe stand DP against undesired movement and for positioning the
lower end of the pipe stand comprises, as best seen in FIGS. 10
through 12, an arm 81 pivotally supported by a vertical pin 82 on a
flange 83 which projects outwardly from a carriage 84, the carriage
84 being shiftably supported for horizontal movement from side to
side of the derrick at a connecting side of the derrick by a track
85 comprising a pair of rails 86.
The rails 86 are suitably supported at their opposite ends on
structural members of the derrick and the carriage 84 has rollers
87 at its opposite sides engageable in the rails 86, so that the
carriage is movable between suitable shock absorbing stops 88 and
89 disposed between the rails 86. In order to move the carriage 84,
suitable drive means are provided including in the illustrative
embodiment, a reversible motor 90 mounted beneath the carriage 84
and adapted to drive a sprocket 91 engaged with a chain 92 which
extends longitudinally between the rails 86 and which is anchored
at its opposite ends on the stops 88 and 89. At its outer or free
end, the arm 81 has a generally V-shaped throat 92 opening
laterally so as to receive the lower end of a drill pipe stand DP.
In order to confine the pipe stand DP in the throat 92, a gate 93
is pivotally mounted on the arm 81, as at 94. The gate 93 is
connected to the rod 95 of a double acting actuator cylinder 96
which is pivotally connected, as at 97, to the arm 81 and to which
pressure fluid can be supplied from an appropriate source (not
shown).
When the pipe stand confining and positioning means is being
employed to move the lower end of a drill pipe stand from a
position on the dolly 12, as shown in full lines in FIG. 10, to the
center line of the well, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 10, the
gate 93 is closed by the actuator cylinder 96 and its rod 95 to
confine the lower end of the pipe stand DP against lateral
displacement from the throat 92. When the pipe stand DP is elevated
to free it from the dolly 12, the positioning carriage 84 may then
be actuated by the motor 90 to drive the carriage to the broken
line position of FIG. 10 at which the lower end of the pipe stand
DP is positioned at the center line of the derrick. Conversely,
when it is desired to position the lower end of the pipe stand DP
in the dolly, when the pipe stand is removed from the drill string
DS, the arm 81 is adapted to be disposed in the broken line
position of FIG. 10, at which position the gate 93 may be closed to
confine the pipe stand in the throat 92 so that the carriage 84 may
then be actuated to the full line position of FIG. 10, at which
position the lower end of the pipe stand DP may be lowered into the
dolly 12 before the gate 93 is opened.
It will be appreciated that during the addition of pipe stands to
the drill string DS, it is necessary that the arm 81 be retracted
to allow its outer end to pass the previously positioned stand of
pipe as the arm 81 is being returned to a position for receiving
the next stand. Accordingly, actuator means including a rod 99,
connected as at 100, to the arm 81, and reciprocable in a double
acting actuator cylinder 101, pivotally connected, as at 102, to
the carriage 84, are provided for effecting retraction of the arm
81, in response to the application of pressure fluid to the
cylinder 101 to either retract or extend the rod 99.
The ability of the positioning arm 81 to be retracted enables the
confining and positioning means 80, just described above, to also
be employed in the racking of drill collars vertically in the
derrick. Illustratively, a number of drill collars DC are shown in
FIG. 1 as being racked in an upper finger board 105, the lower ends
of the drill collars DC being disposed in a receptacle 106 on the
floor of the derrick. The drill collars are moved at their lower
ends between racked positions and a position at the center line of
the derrick by the confining and positioning means 80, and the
upper ends of the drill collars are moved by a similar structure
180, shown more particularly in FIG. 3, and located aloft in the
derrick above the finger board 105.
The finger board is shown in general to include a frame 110
suitably affixed to the derrick structure and providing a plurality
of parallel, spaced arms 111, 112 and 113 defining elongated
openings adapted to receive the upper ends of the lengths of drill
collars DC. Typically, at least one of the arms, the arm 112 in the
illustrated structure, has a number of retainer fingers 114
thereon, actuatable between closed positions defining compartments
for the drill collars DC and open positions enabling drill collars
to be moved into and from the spaces between the fingers 111, 112
and 113. The details of the finger actuators need not be elaborated
upon herein, but they may be hydraulically opened and closed, as is
well known.
The means 180 for controlling and positioning the upper ends of
drill collars either in the finger board 105 or at the center line
of the derrick comprises an arm 181 pivotally supported by a
vertical pin 182 on a flange 183 which projects outwardly from a
carriage 184 which, like the previously described carriage 84, is
shiftably supported for movements from side to side of the derrick
on a track 185 comprising a pair of rails 186. These rails 186 are
suitably connected to the derrick structure, and the carriage 184
has rollers 187 engaged in the rails 186. Opposing shock absorbing
stops 188 and 189 are provided to limit movement of the carriage,
and a reversible motor 190 is mounted beneath the carriage 184 and
adapted to drive a sprocket 191 which engages a chain 192 connected
at its opposite ends to the stop 188 and 189.
At its outer or free end, the arm 181 has a generally V-shaped
throat 192 opening laterally so as to receive the upper end of a
drill collar DC. In order to confine a drill collar in the throat
192, a gate 193 is pivotally mounted on the arm 181, as at 194. The
gate 193 is connected to the rod 195 of a double acting actuator
cylinder 196 which is pivotally connected, as at 197, to the arm
181 and to which pressure fluid can be supplied from an appropriate
source (not shown).
When the drill collar confining and positioning means 180 is being
employed to move the upper end of the drill collar to a racked
position in the finger board 105 from the center line of the
derrick or alternatively to move the upper end of the drill collar
from the racked position to the center line of the derrick. It is
necessary that the carriage 184 be shifted laterally in the derrick
on the track 185 and in addition, that the arm 181 be pivoted
between the extended position shown in FIG. 3 and a range of
angular positions, whereby to place the drill collars DC in the
spaces between the racking arms 111, 112 and 113 as well as to be
retracted to a position substantially parallel with the track 185
so as to clear drill collars racked in the space between the rack
arms 112 and 113. Accordingly, actuator means, including a rod 199
connected, as at 200, to the arm 180 and reciprocable in a double
acting actuator cylinder 201, pivotally connected, as at 202, to
the carriage 184, are provided for effecting angular positioning or
retraction of the arm 181, in response to the application of
pressure fluid to the cylinder 201 to either retract or extend the
rod 199.
The racking of drill collars DC will now be described. Referring to
FIG. 13, it will be noted that the lower ends of the drill collars
DC are to be placed in the receptacle 106, or other conventional
means for holding the lower ends of the drill collars in racked
positions, by the positioning means 80 which is also employed to
position the lower ends of the drill pipe stands DP. Thus, in the
progressive racking of drill collars, as they are being removed
from the drill string DS, the lower end of a drill collar will be
engaged and confined against lateral movement by the positioning
means 80, while the drill collar is suspended in the hoisting
apparatus at the center line of the derrick. With the drill collar
so suspended, the lower end thereof is shifted laterally with
respect to the center of the derrick by retracting the rod 99 into
the cylinder 101 until the lower end of the drill collar is in
alignment with the parallel spaces between the compartment walls
111a, 112a and 113a. Then, the carriage 84 may be shifted along the
track 85 to dispose the lower end of the drill collar DC in the
selected racked position. While the positioning means 80 holds the
lower end of the drill collar DC, the upper positioning means 180
is operated to engage the upper end of the drill collar which is
still located at approximately the center line of the derrick and
which is still engaged in the elevator E which will be disengaged
from the drill collar after the upper end of the drill collar is
confined against lateral movement in the throat 192, as seen in
FIG. 3. Thereafter, the positioning means 180 may be operated, for
example, as required by the illustrative upper rack 105, to move
the carriage 184 to the right, as seen in FIG. 3, to enable the arm
181 to be pivoted upon retraction of the actuator rod 199 to a
position at which the upper end of the drill collar is aligned with
one of the spaces between the rack arms 111, 112 and 113; whereupon
the carriage may be actuated to the left, as seen in FIG. 3, to
move the drill collar to a substantially vertical position, with
its upper end in a location to be confined by closure of one of the
rack fingers 114. Following this, the positioning means 180 is
further retracted to clear racked drill collars and moved back to a
position for engaging a subsequent drill collar. During this
operation of the upper positioning means 180, the lower positioning
means 80 may either remain in engagement with the lower end of the
drill collar undergoing positioning by the upper positioning means
180, or, if the lower receptacle 106 is capable of positively
preventing movement of the lower end of the drill collar, the lower
positioning means 80 may be returned to a standby position for
engagement with the next drill collar in the drill string. Without
requiring further specific description, it will be understood that
the movement of drill collars from racked positions to the center
line of the well for connection in the drill string essentially
involves operations which are substantially the reverse of the
operations employed to remove the drill collar drom the drill
string and rack the same.
The use of the present apparatus for racking pipe stands DP or
unracking them and moving the stands between the derrick and the
racked positions involves the following operations. If it is
assumed that the drill string is being run into the well, either
during the drilling operation or during round tripping of the drill
string, a stand of drill pipe DP will be moved from the racked
position between a pair of posts 60 of the respective rack units U
at either the left or right hand side of track 10 which leads
between the rack apparatus PR and the derrick floor F. To
accomplish this, the motor 64 is operated to drive the jackshafts
66 so as to move all of the pipe transfer carriages 36 on one side
to a position at which all of the heads 42 are above a selected
space between the pipe rack posts 60. The actuators 40 for the
heads are operated to lower the heads into positions at which
closure of the latches 54 will enable the pipe stand to be lifted
upon upward movement of the heads 42. Following such upward
movement, carriages 36 are further actuated to move the heads 42 to
positions above the track 10, at which positions the heads are
lowered and the latches 54 opened so that the stand will be
deposited on the supporting rollers 15 and 16 and on the dolly 12.
The dolly is actuated and the rollers 16 and 17 progressively
elevated until the pipe stand DP is in the position illustrated in
FIG. 1, at which its upper end is engageable by the elevator E. The
elevator E is latched about the pipe stand DP and the drawworks
operated to lift the pipe stand into the derrick the dolly 12
traveling inwardly and supporting the lower end of the pipe stand
until the dolly 12 is in the position shown in FIG. 10, in
engagement with the inner stop 13. The confining and positioning
means 80 may have previously been moved to the standby position
during elevation of the pipe stand DP, but in any event, is now
positioned as shown in FIG. 10 to engage the pipe stand DP above
the dolly 12, and when the gate 93 is closed, the pipe stand will
be positively controlled against lateral movement, while being free
for longitudinal movement. Thereupon, the positioning means 80 is
shifted to the broken line position of FIG. 10, and the pipe stand
DP stabbed into the upper end of the drill string for connection
thereto by the usual tonging apparatus (not shown). The gate 93 is
then opened and the arm 81 is retracted so that the arm will clear
the pipe stand now in the drill string and the positioning means 80
may be returned to the standby or full line position of FIG. 10, in
readiness for a repetition of the cycle.
In the reverse operation, when pipe stands are being removed from
the drill string and racked in the rack PR, the stand is suspended
by the elevator E, and controlled to prevent undesired lateral
movement by the positioning means 80 which engages the pipe stand
before the stand is broken out of the drill string. Then, after
breaking out the stand with the usual tongs, the lower end of the
stand is moved positively to the position over the dolly 12. The
pipe stand is lowered to engage the dolly, and the gate 93 opened
to allow the pipe to move with the dolly as the stand is lowered by
the hoisting mechanism, including the elevator E, to the broken
line position of FIG. 1, where the elevator is released, freeing
the pipe stand for movement with the dolly to the location between
the rack units U for transfer to the racked position, as previously
indicated.
FIGS. 14 through 16 illustrate a modified positioning means which
may be employed in lieu of either or both of the positioning means
80 and 180, and which is depicted in the position of the
positioning means 80.
In this embodiment, the carriage 284 is supported by a track 285,
the rails 286 of which are engaged by rollers 287 carried by the
carriage 284. The arm 281, in this embodiment, is reciprocable, as
distinguished from the pivoted arms 81 and 181 previously
described, and is preferably of rectangular form, slidably disposed
in a complemental way 283 in the carriage, as seen in FIG. 15. The
carriage is actuated along the rails 286 between shock absorbing
stops 288 and 289 by a reversible motor 290 and a drive sprocket
291 which drivingly engages the chain 292 extending between the
stops 288 and 289. Similarly, the arm is reciprocated through the
carriage by a reversible motor 300 which drives a sprocket 301, the
sprocket engaging a chain 302 which is anchored adjacent to the
ends of the arm 281, as also seen in FIG. 15.
At the inner end of the arm 281 is a head 304 adapted to confine
and position drill pipe stands and adapted to confine and position
drill collars. In this embodiment, as in the previously described
embodiment, the drill pipe stand DP engages in a throat 292 and is
confined by a gate 293 which is pivotally mounted at 294 and
actuatable between open and closed positions by a double acting
actuator 296 which is supplied with pressure fluid from an
appropriate source.
The head 304 also has at its opposite side from the throat 292, a
throat 392 adapted to receive drill collars, and a gate 393 is
pivoted on the head so as to be actuated between open and closed
position by a double acting actuator 396.
It is now apparent from the foregoing that the head 304 will
receive a pipe stand DP in its throat 292 when the pipe stand is
elevated in the derrick and rests at its lower end on the dolly 12,
as shown in full lines in FIG. 14, and that the carriage 284 and
arm 281 can then be shifted to the broken line position.
Thereafter, when the pipe stand DP is connected to the drill
string, the gate 293 can be opened to allow the head to be
retracted and to clear the pipe stand as the head is returned to
the standby position, awaiting the next pipe stand. The carriage
284 and arm 281 can also be reversely operated to move the pipe
stand DP from the broken line position to the full line
position.
It is also apparent from the foregoing that the head 304 can be
manipulated or shifted in the compound directions necessary to move
the lower end of a drill collar between the receptacle 106 at a
selected location and the center of the derrick, while the upper
end of the drill collar is suspended by the hoist equipment or is
engaged in the finger board 105.
* * * * *