Mobile Drilling Unit

Abstract

A mobile truck has a storage rack on the right hand half of the truck bed containing a selection of drill pipe and casing segments extending the length of the truck. On the truck bed along its left hand side is a house containing the machinery necessary to propel the truck and to provide hydraulic power to operate the various motors on the drilling rig. An operator's cab extends forward from the truck bed directly in front of the machinery house. A drill mast having a platform extending perpendicular from its lower end is pivotally connected to the front right side of the truck. A transfer arm is also pivotally attached to the front right side of the truck and is hydraulically operated to transport drill pipe and casing segments from the storage rack to a vertical drilling position underneath a drive unit on the mast. The mast is hydraulically operated between an upright drilling position and a horizontal travel position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is mobile well drills and is particularly applicable in the water well drilling field where the drilling rig is commonly operated on public highways and the set up and drilling operations are performed with a minimal number of men and equipment.

Conventional drilling equipment may include as many as three separate vehicles. A first vehicle contains the mast and drilling machinery, a second vehicle contains a storage rack with a selection of drill pipe and casing segments, and a third truck contains a tank of water necessary for mud drilling. All three vehicles are driven to the site and the first vehicle is set up for drilling by erecting its mast. A mud pond is formed on the surface using the water from the tank truck, and drill pipe is raised by means of block and tackle from the storage truck to the erected mast. The cost of the equipment and labor necessary to drill a well by this method is high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a drilling unit which is highly mobile and is suited for rapid automatic operation by a relatively small drilling crew. The drilling rig includes a mobile truck bed having a storage rack along one side and a machinery house along the other; an operator's cab extending forward from the truck bed; a mast which is pivotally attached to the truck bed by a platform connecting its lower end to the front of the truck bed, and which mast is hydraulically operable to pivot the mast between an erect drilling position and a transport position above the storage rack. The platform extends the base of the mast forward when erected to provide a clear view of the drilling operation from the operator's cab. When the mast is lowered to the transport position, its base is lifted upward and rearward of the operator's cab.

A general object of the invention is to provide a mobile drilling rig containing all the machinery and transfer mechanisms necessary to automatically drill a well.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mobile drilling rig in which all operations can be easily performed by a single operator. Such operations include not only drilling, but also transfer of the drill segments between the storage rack and the drill mast.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drilling rig in which the mast is arranged to provide an unobstructed view of the drilling operation from the operator's cab when the mast is in the erect position and an unobstructed view of the highway from the operator's cab when the mast is in the transport position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drilling rig in which the mast is arranged with respect to the storage rack to provide easy and automatic transfer of drill segments from the storage rack to the mast by means of a transfer arm also pivotally attached to the front of the truck bed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a drilling rig in which the truck cab also serves as the operator's cab during drilling. The operator's cab is located forward of the truck bed thus allowing control of all operations therefrom and "direct drive-on" to the drill site in contrast to "back-on" operation characteristic of other drilling rigs.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not represent the full scope of the invention, but rather the invention may be employed in many different embodiments, and reference is made to the claims herein for interpreting the breadth of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of a drilling rig incorporating the present invention, and

FIG. 2 is a view in cross section with parts cut away of the drilling rig in FIG. 1 taken on the plane 2-2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drilling rig of the present invention includes a truck bed 1 supported by eight wheels 2 connected by standard suspension means for travel on highways. Four hydraulic jacks 3 are connected to the truck bed 1 and extend down from each of its four corners. When operated, the jacks 3 lift the truck bed 1, transferring its weight from the suspension system to the jacks 3 to provide a more stable platform during drilling.

Located on the top right side of the truck bed 1 is a storage rack 4 containing drill and casing segments. The storage rack 4 is comprised of identical fore and aft supporting structures 5 and 6 firmly attached and extending upward from the truck bed 1. The storage rack 4 is divided into three tiers, each tier containing an assortment of drill and casing segments. A selected drill-casing segment is discharged from the storage rack 4 by tilting one of these tiers and allowing one drill-casing segment to roll off its outboard ends onto fore and aft carriages 7 and 8 which catch and hold it. Each carriage 7 and 8 is supported and positioned immediately outboard the storage rack 4 by crank arms 9 and 10, the lower ends of which are rotatably attached to the right side of the truck bed 1 and rotated by hydraulic motors (not shown in the drawings) located underneath the truck bed 1. The carriages 7 and 8 are connected to the crank arms 9 and 10 by a series of linkages and cams such that rotation of the crank arms 9 and 10 about their lower ends translates the attached carriages 7 and 8 vertically to unload positions adjacent the outboard ends of the tiers of the storage rack 4 and to a pick position. For a detailed description of the structure and operation of the storage rack 4 see the copending application Ser. No. 173,197 and entitled "Well Drill Transfer Mechanism."

A drill mast 11 is pivotally attached to the front of the truck bed 1 directly forward of the storage rack 4. The mast 11 includes two tubular stanchions 12 and 13 connected together in spaced parallel relationship. Extending along the length of each stanchion 12 and 13 is a track 14, each track 14 being rigidly attached to its respective stanchion 12 and 13 by spaced brackets 15. The tracks 14 run parallel to one another and have a channel shaped cross section with the open side of each facing the other. A drive unit 16 is propelled along the tracks 14 by a standard hydraulic cylinder actuated rope and pulley hoist and feed assembly 17 attached to the mast 11 on the side opposite the tracks 14 and drive unit 16.

The drive unit 16 has a rotary drive section 18 adapted to attach to and rotate a standard drill segment. Suspended beneath the rotary drive section 18 is a power chuck section 19 adapted to grasp and drive downward a surrounding casing segment. For a detailed description of the structure and operation of the drive unit 16 see the copending application Ser. No. 173,523, and entitled "Drilling Apparatus."

Attached to and extending substantially perpendicular from the base of the mast 11 is a platform 20 securely welded to the lower ends of the stanchions 12 and 13. The platform 20 divides to form two integral arms 21 and 22, the ends of which rotatably attach to the truck bed 1. Attachment is secured by two pairs of brackets 23 which are securely welded to the front edge of the truck bed 1. The end of the arm 21 is attached between the left hand pair of brackets 23 by a pin 24, and the end of the arm 22 is attached between the right hand pair of brackets 23 by a pin 25. The pins 24 and 25 are aligned to form a pivot axis.

Connected to the truck bed 1 directly in back of the left hand pair of brackets 23 is a pair of spaced upright side frames 26. The side frames 26 extend vertically from the top side of the truck bed 1 a substantial distance and provide support for a left hydraulic cylinder 27. The left cylinder 27 is rotatably attached between the side frames 26 by means of a pin 28. Likewise, a pair of right hand side frames 29 connect to and extend upward from the top side of the truck bed 1 directly behind the right hand pair of brackets 23. The right hand side frames 29 support a right hydraulic cylinder 30 rotatably attached between them by means of a pin 31. The rod 32 of the left cylinder 27 is rotatably attached to a pair of ears 33 which connect to the top side of the arm 21 at approximately its midpoint. Similarly, the rod 34 of the right cylinder 30 is rotatably attached to a pair of ears 35 connected to the top side of the arm 22 at approximately its midpoint.

As shown in FIG. 2, a wrenching mechanism 36 is connected to the platform 20 by brackets 37 extending between the stanchions 12 and 13 at their base. The wrenching mechanism 36 includes a pair of hydraulically operated jaws 38 operable to grasp and hold the weight of the drill stem in the well.

A selected drill-casing segment is transported from the storage rack 4 to a vertical drilling position under the drive unit 16 by a transfer arm 39. The transfer arm 39 includes a cylindrical pedestal section 40 having a pivot arm 41 welded to it and extending substantially perpendicular therefrom. The end of the pivot arm 41 is rotatably attached to a pair of brackets 42 mounted on the front edge of the truck bed 1 between the arms 21 and 22 of the platform 20. The axis of rotation of the pivot arm 41 is in alignment with the pivot axis of the mast 11. A pair of ears 43 connect to the top side of the truck bed 1 directly behind the brackets 42 and extend upward to provide support for a transfer cylinder 44. The transfer cylinder 44 is rotatably attached to the ears 43 and the end of its rod 45 rotatably attaches to the midpoint of the pivot arm 41. The transfer arm 39 also includes an upper mandible 46 and a lower mandible 47. The mandibles 46 and 47 have jaws which are hydraulically operable to grasp a selected drill-casing segment supported by the carriages 7 and 8, when the transfer arm 39 is in a horizontal pick position over the truck bed 1, and retain the selected segments during their transfer to the vertical drilling position. For a detailed description of the structure and operation of the transfer arm see the copending application Ser. No. 173,522, entitle "Well Drill Transfer Mechanism."

Located substantially along the length of the left hand side of the truck bed 1 is a machinery housing 48. As shown in FIG. 2, the machinery housing 48 contains all the necessary equipment to propel the drilling rig over the highway and provide hydraulic power to operate the drive unit 16, the feed assembly 17, the cylinders 27, 30 and 44, the transfer arm 39, the wrenching mechanism 36, and the storage rack 4.

Attached to the truck bed 1 directly in front of the machinery housing 48 is an operator's cab 49. The cab 49 extends forward from the truck bed 1 on its left hand side. The cab 49 contains all the controls necessary to operate the mechanisms recited above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mast 11 is lowered from its upright drilling position to a horizontal transport position (shown in phantom lines) by actuating the left and right hydraulic cylinders 27 and 30. The top end of the mast 11 rests on a brace 50 connected to the truck bed 1 near its back edge and extending upward to support the mast 11 during transport. Because the base of the mast 11 is substantially spaced from the pivot axis by the platform 20, it is raised upward and slightly rearward of the operator's cab 49 when the mast 11 is lowered to the transport position. This arrangement provides clear visibility to the right for the operator when driving the drilling rig on the highway.

The rods 32 and 34 of the left and right hydraulic cylinders 27 and 30 are connected to the platform to provide for improved operator visibility during drilling. Thus, connection of the rods 32 and 34 to the platform 20 rather than the stanchions 12 and 13 allows the operator an unobstructed view of the drilling operation. The side frames 26 and 29 are necessary to raise the connection point of the left and right bydraulic cylinders 27 and 30 substantially above the platform 20 to obtain leverage when the drill mast 11 is in the upright drilling position and the platform 20 is horizontal.

Like the platform 20 of the mast 11, the pivot arm 41 on the transfer arm 39 raises the base or lower end of the transfer arm 39 up and behind the operator's cab 49 when the transfer arm 39 is in the horizontal position during travel. Additionally, the pivot axis of the transfer arm 39 is aligned with the pivot axis of the mast 11 in order to retain their relative positions in both the upright and transport positions.

Claims

We claim:

1. In a mobile drilling rig the combination comprising:

a truck bed having a front edge;

an operator's cab connected to the truck bed at its front edge;

a drill mast having a base, a drive unit and a feed assembly for the drive unit;

a platform rigidly connected to the base of the drill mast and extending substantially perpendicular therefrom to rotatably attach to the front edge of the truck bed adjacent the operator's cab; and

first drive means connected to the platform and the truck bed to pivot said drill mast between an upright drilling position and a horizontal transport position above the truck bed.

2. The mobile drilling rig as recited in claim 1 wherein said first drive means includes a hydraulic cylinder rotatably connected to the truck bed and platform.

3. The mobile drilling rig as recited in claim 1 and including

a storage rack attached to the truck bed;

a transfer arm rotatably attached to the front edge of the truck bed to pivot about the same axis as said drill mast; and

second drive means connected to the truck bed and said transfer arm to pivot said transfer arm between a vertical position adjacent the upright drill mast and a horizontal position adjacent the storage rack.

4. The mobile drilling rig as recited in claim 3 wherein the transfer arm is rotatably attached to the truck bed by a pivot arm and said second drive means includes a transfer hydraulic cylinder rotatably connected to the truck bed and the pivot arm.

5. The mobile drilling rig as recited in claim 4 wherein said first drive means includes a hydraulic cylinder rotatably connected to the truck bed and to the platform, and the connection of the hydraulic cylinder to the truck bed is substantially above its connection to the platform when the drill mast is in the upright drilling position.

6. In a mobile drilling rig the combination comprising:

a truck bed having a front edge;

an operator's cab connected to the truck bed at its front edge;

a drill mast having a base and a drive unit;

a platform rigidly connected to the base of said drill mast and rotatably connected to the truck bed adjacent the operator's cab;

a side frame connected to the truck bed and extending upward therefrom; and

a hydraulic cylinder having one end connected to said platform and the other end connected to said side frame,

wherein said platform extends substantially perpendicular from said mast and the connection of said hydraulic cylinder to said side frame is above its connection to said platform when the mast is in an upright drilling position.

7. The mobile drilling rig as recited in claim 6 in which said drill mast is comprised of a pair of spaced tubular stanchions.

8. The mobile drilling rig as recited in claim 7 in which said platform rigidly connects to each stanchion and divides to form a pair of arms which are each rotatably attached to said truck bed.

9. In a mobile drilling rig the combination comprising:

a truck bed having a front edge;

a drill mast rotatably attached to the truck bed to pivot about an axis between an upright drilling position and a transport position;

a storage rack connected to the truck bed;

a transfer arm rotatably attached to the truck bed to pivot about the same axis as said drill mast; and

a hydraulic cylinder having one end connected to said truck bed and its other end connected to said transfer arm, said hydraulic cylinder being operable to pivot said transfer arm between a vertical position adjacent the upright drill mast and a horizontal position adjacent the storage rack.

10. The mobile drilling rig as recited in claim 9 in which said transfer arm includes a pivot arm which extends substantially perpendicular from the lower end of said transfer arm and which connects the transfer arm with said truck bed.