U.S. patent number 3,795,326 [Application Number 05/255,657] was granted by the patent office on 1974-03-05 for apparatus for handling drill pipe.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Armco Steel Corporation. Invention is credited to Claude R. Neilon, Herbert L. Willke.
United States Patent |
3,795,326 |
Neilon , et al. |
March 5, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
APPARATUS FOR HANDLING DRILL PIPE
Abstract
Apparatus which transfers drill pipe between a horizontal
attitude in a storage position and a vertical attitude over a well
to be drilled is provided, the drill pipe being controlled during
transfer by a pipe carriage riding on a fixed track.
Inventors: |
Neilon; Claude R. (Houston,
TX), Willke; Herbert L. (Houston, TX) |
Assignee: |
Armco Steel Corporation
(Middletown, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
22969320 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/255,657 |
Filed: |
May 22, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/22.58;
414/783; 414/782 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
19/155 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
19/15 (20060101); E21B 19/00 (20060101); E21b
019/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;214/1P,2.5,146.5,149,1Q |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Werner; Frank E.
Claims
1. In well drilling apparatus comprising a derrick and means
associated with the derrick for raising and lowering drill pipe in
relation to a drilling hole, apparatus for handling drill pipe
which comprises:
a. a pipe rack adjacent the derrick for storing drill pipe in a
substantially horizontal attitude;
b. a track extending from above the floor of the derrick to a
location near the outboard end of drill pipe stored in the pipe
rack;
c. a truck mounted on said track and movable along said track from
above the floor of the derrick to the outboard end of drill pipe
stored in the pipe rack;
d. releasable gripping means mounted on said truck for gripping
drill pipe near its outboard end, said gripping means being pivotal
about an axis transverse to the movement of said truck on said
track and being disposed in relation to said track to permit drill
pipe held by said gripping means to pass by said track as said
gripping means pivots;
e. means located near the outboard end of pipe stored in the pipe
rack for transferring drill pipe between said pipe rack and said
gripping means; and
f. means for transferring the inboard end of drill pipe between the
pipe rack and a location above the floor of the derrick where said
inboard end of said drill pipe can be delivered to said means for
raising and lowering drill pipe;
g. said gripping means pivoting in relation to said truck as said
truck moves along said track and the inboard end of the drill pipe
is raised or lowered in the derrick, between a position holding the
drill pipe substantially horizontally near the outboard end of the
track to a position holding the drill pipe substantially vertically
when said truck is located over the floor of the derrick and the
inboard end of drill pipe
2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said gripping means
comprises a frame pivotaly mounted on said truck, a pipe stop
depending from said frame, and inboard of said stop a pipe latch
depending from said frame.
3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said latch comprises a
plate depending from said frame and having a vertically disposed
slot therein for accepting drill pipe, a pivot mounted on said
plate, a locking arm mounted on said pivot, the pipe bearing
surface of said arm in its closed position crossing the slot to
confine pipe within said slot, means associated with the plate and
the arm for biasing the arm to its closed position, a cam surface
on the outside bottom surface of the arm for pivoting the arm away
from its closed position and clearing the slot when pipe is moved
forcibly into the slot, and means associated with said arm for
receiving an applied force to pivot the arm and clear the slot
for
4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said track includes two
parallel rails disposed horizontally from one another, the truck is
movably mounted between said rails, and the gripping means pivots
along a path which passes between said rails, said rails being
sufficiently free of interconnection to permit drill pipe held in
said gripping means to pass
5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said track has
associated with its end over the derrick floor a cam surface, and
said gripping means has a cam surface mating therewith to rotate
the gripping means into position
6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a drive assembly is
associated
7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for
transferring drill pipe between said pipe rack and said gripping
means includes a hydraulic lift which moves the drill pipe along a
vertical plane between engagement with the gripping means and a
transfer position in the pipe
8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said pipe rack includes
pipe conveying means for moving drill pipe between said transfer
position and a
9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for
transferring the inboard end of drill pipe includes a hydraulically
actuated lifting assembly with a roller mounted thereon for
accepting and supporting drill pipe near its inboard end, said
assembly raising the inboard end of the drill pipe to a position
over the floor of the derrick when drill pipe is being transferred
to the derrick from the pipe rack, said assembly lowering the
inboard end of drill pipe from the floor of the derrick to a
position for return to said transfer position when drill pipe is
being
10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for
transferring the inboard end of drill pipe comprises:
a. a second track extending from above the floor of the derrick to
a location near the inboard end of drill pipe stored in the pipe
rack; and
b. a second truck mounted on said second track and movable along
said track and having a pipe supporting position thereon for
transporting the inboard end of drill pipe between the pipe rack
and a location above the floor of the derrick where said inboard
end of said drill pipe can be delivered to said means for raising
and lowering drill pipe; and
power operated means is associated with said trucks for moving the
first truck along the first track and for moving the second truck
along the
11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said power operated
means includes a first drive assembly connected to the first truck
and a second drive assembly connected to the second truck, each of
said drive
12. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein elevating means is
located near the end of the second track over the floor of the
derrick for raising
13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said elevating means
comprises a hydraulic lift with a roller thereon for supporting the
drill pipe near
14. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said pipe rack
includes conveying means for transporting horizontally disposed
drill pipe between a storage position in the pipe rack and a
transfer position, and lifting means is disposed to transport drill
pipe along a vertical plane between
15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said lifting means
includes a pluraltiy of hydraulically actuated lifts disposed along
the length of drill pipe to be moved vertically, one of said lifts
being located near the outboard end of the drill pipe for raising
said drill pipe into engagement with said gripping means when
transporting pipe to the derrick, and when removing pipe from the
derrick for lowering said drill pipe from the gripping means for
transport to the storage area of the pipe rack, another of said
lifts being located near the inboard end of the drill pipe for
lowering said drill pipe to a support position on the second truck
when transporting pipe to the derrick, and when removing pipe from
the derrick for raising said drill pipe from the support position
on the second truck to a position for transport to the storage area
of the pipe
16. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said second track
curves from a position near the inboard end of drill pipe stored in
the pipe rack to a position sufficiently above the floor of the
derrick to permit drill pipe supported on the first and second
trucks to be in a substantially vertical
17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said second truck
includes releasable gripping means pivotally mounted thereon for
gripping drill
18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said first truck and
said second truck are connected by a link to keep the trucks
substantially the
19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein a third truck is
mounted on said first track outboard of said first truck, said
first and third trucks are connected by a link to keep them
substantially the same distance apart, and said power operated
means drives said third truck, thereby also driving said first and
second trucks through the links between adjacent
20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said power operated
means
21. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein the gripping means of
the first truck and the gripping means of the second truck are
connected by an elongated member to link the trucks together and
keep the trucks substantially the same distance apart during pipe
handling operations.
22. Apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said pipe rack
includes conveying means for transporting horizontally disposed
drill pipe between a storage position in the pipe rack and a
transfer position and lifting means is disposed to transport drill
pipe along a vertical plane between the pipe rack and the gripping
means of each the first truck and the second truck when the first
and second trucks are in their outboard
23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said lifting means
includes a plurality of hydraulically actuated lifts disposed along
the length of drill pipe to be moved vertically, said lifts being
located for raising said drill pipe into engagement with the
gripping means of the first and second trucks when transporting
pipe to the derrick, and when removing pipe from the derrick for
accepting drill pipe from the gripping means of the first and
second trucks and lowering said drill pipe for transport to
24. Apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein the gripping means of
the first and second trucks each comprises a supporting structure
pivotally mounted on each of said trucks, said elongated member
extends between the supporting structure of each gripping means,
said supporting structure of each gripping means has a pipe latch
thereon, and the supporting structure of the gripping means of the
first truck has a pipe stop connected therewith for stopping
movement of drill pipe through the pipe latch when
25. Apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein said pipe latch
comprises a plate depending from said supporting structure and
having a vertically disposed slot therein for accepting drill pipe,
a pivot mounted on said plate above the slot, a locking arm mounted
on said pivot, the pipe bearing surface of said arm in its closed
position crossing the slot to confine pipe within said slot, means
associated with the plate and the arm for biasing the arm to its
closed position, a cam surface on the outside bottom surface of the
arm for pivoting the arm away from its closed position and clearing
the slot when pipe is moved forcibly into the slot, and means
associated with said arm for receiving an applied force to
pivot
26. In well drilling apparatus comprising a derrick and means
associated with the derrick for raising and lowering drill pipe in
relation to a drilling hole, apparatus for handling drill pipe
which comprises:
a. a pipe rack adjacent the derrick for storing drill pipe in a
substantially horizontal attitude, said pipe rack including
conveying means for transporting horizontally disposed drill pipe
between a storage position in the pipe rack and a transfer
position, and hydraulic lifting means for moving at least the
outboard end of horizontally disposed drill pipe in a vertical
direction from said transfer position;
b. a first track extending from above the floor of the derrick to a
location near the outboard end of drill pipe in said transfer
position;
c. a first truck mounted on said first track and movable along said
track from above the floor of the derrick to the outboard end of
drill pipe in said transfer position, said truck having pipe
gripping means comprising a frame pivotally mounted on said first
truck about an axis transverse to the movement of said truck on
said track, a pipe stop depending from said frame, and inboard of
said pipe stop a pipe latch depending from said frame, said pipe
latch cooperating with said lifting means to accept and hold drill
pipe raised into the latch by said lifting means, said gripping
means being disposed in relation to said first track to permit
drill pipe held by said gripping means to pass by said track as
said gripping means pivots;
d. a second track extending from above the floor of the derrick to
a location near the inboard end of drill pipe positioned in said
transfer position;
e. a second truck mounted on said second track and movable along
said track and having a pipe supporting frame thereon, said second
truck being disposed to support drill pipe near its inboard end as
drill pipe is transferred between the pipe rack and the
derrick;
f. a first drive assembly connected to said first truck and a
second drive assembly connected to said second truck, each of said
drive assemblies being operable independently of the other to move
the trucks along their respective tracks and transport drill pipe
between the pipe rack and the derrick; and
g. hydraulic elevating means located near the inboard end of the
second track for raising the inboard end of the drill pipe off the
second truck when transporting pipe to the derrick and for lowering
drill pipe onto the second truck when removing pipe from the
derrick, said elevating means including roller means to permit
drill pipe to roll across the elevating
27. Apparatus as defined in claim 26 wherein said lifting means
comprises a plurality of hydraulically actuated lifts disposed
along the length of drill pipe in said transfer position, one of
said lifts being located near the outboard end of the drill pipe
for raising said drill pipe into engagement with said gripping
means when transporting pipe to the derrick and when removing pipe
from the derrick for removing drill pipe from the gripping means
and lowering drill pipe to the transfer position for transport to
the storage area of the pipe rack, another of said lifts being
located near the inboard end of drill pipe in the transfer position
for lowering drill pipe onto said pipe supporting frame on the
second truck when transporting pipe to the derrick and when
removing pipe from the derrick raising said drill pipe from said
pipe supporting frame on the second truck to the transfer position
for transport to the storage area of
28. In well drilling apparatus comprising a derrick and means
associated with the derrick for raising and lowering drill pipe in
relation to a drilling hole, apparatus for handling drill pipe
which comprises:
a. a pipe rack adjacent the derrick for storing drill pipe in a
substantially horizontal attitude, said pipe rack including
conveying means for transporting horizontally disposed drill pipe
between a storage position in the pipe rack and a transfer
position, and hydraulic lifting means for moving horizontally
disposed drill pipe in a vertical direction from said transfer
position;
b. a first track extending from above the floor of the derrick to a
location near the outboard end of drill pipe in said transfer
position;
c. a first truck mounted on said first track and movable along said
track from above the floor of the derrick to the outboard end of
drill pipe in said transfer position, said truck having pipe
gripping means pivotally mounted thereon to pivot about an axis
transverse to the movement of said truck on said track;
d. a second track curving upwardly from a position near the inboard
end of drill pipe in said transfer position to a location above the
floor of the derrick;
e. a second truck mounted on said second track and movable along
said track, said second truck having pipe gripping means pivotally
mounted thereon to pivot about an axis transverse to the movement
of said second truck on said second track;
f. the pipe gripping means of the first truck and of the second
truck each comprising a supporting structure pivotally mounted on
the truck and a pipe latch associated with the supporting
structure, the supporting structure of the gripping means of the
first truck having a pipe stop connected therewith for stopping
movement of drill pipe through the pipe latch when the drill pipe
is in a vertical attitude;
g. an elongated member connecting the supporting structures of the
gripping means of the first and second trucks to maintain the
trucks substantially the same distance apart during pipe handling
operations;
h. the second track curving upwardly to a location sufficiently
above the derrick floor to permit drill pipe supported in the first
and second trucks to be in a substantially vertical position when
the trucks are both located on their tracks over the derrick
floor;
i. said lifting means including a plurality of hydraulically
actuated lifts disposed along the length of drill pipe in said
transfer position, said lifts being located for raising said drill
pipe into engagement with the gripping means of the first and
second trucks when transporting pipe to the derrick and when
removing pipe from the derrick for accepting said drill pipe from
the gripping means of the first and second trucks and lowering said
drill pipe to said transfer position; and
j. means for driving the first truck along the first track, said
second
29. In well drilling apparatus comprising a derrick and means
associated with the derrick for raising and lowering drill pipe in
relation to a drilling hole, apparatus for handling drill pipe
which comprises:
a. a pipe rack adjacent the derrick for storing drill pipe in a
substantially horizontal attitude, said pipe rack including pipe
conveying means for moving horizontally disposed drill pipe between
a storage position in the pipe rack and a transfer position;
b. a track extending from above the floor of the derrick to a
location near the outboard end of drill pipe in said transfer
position, said track including two parallel rails disposed
horizontally from one another;
c. a truck mounted on said track between said rails and movable
along said track from above the floor of the derrick to the
outboard end of drill pipe in the transfer position;
d. releasable gripping means mounted on said truck for gripping
drill pipe near its outboard end, said gripping means being pivotal
about an axis transverse to the movement of said truck on said
track and being disposed in relation to said track to permit drill
pipe held by said gripping means to pass between said rails as said
gripping means pivots, said rails being sufficiently free of
interconnection to permit drill pipe held in said gripping means to
pass between said rails;
e. a power operated drive assembly associated with said truck for
driving said truck along said track;
f. means located near the outboard end of pipe stored in the pipe
rack for transferring drill pipe between said pipe rack and said
gripping means, said means including a hydraulic lift which moves
the drill pipe along a vertical plane between engagement with the
gripping means and the transfer position in the pipe rack; and
g. means for transferring the inboard end of drill pipe between the
transfer position in the pipe rack and a location above the floor
of the derrick where said inboard end of said drill pipe can be
delivered to said means for raising and lowering drill pipe;
h. said gripping means pivoting in relation to said truck as said
truck moves along said track and the inboard end of the drill pipe
is raised or lowered in the derrick, between a position holding the
drill pipe substantially horizontally near the outboard end of the
track to a position holding the drill pipe substantially vertically
when said truck is located over the floor of the derrick and the
inboard end of drill pipe
30. Apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said gripping means
comprises a frame pivotally mounted on said truck, a pipe stop
depending from said frame, and inboard of said stop a pipe latch
depending from said frame.
31. Apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said track has
associated with its end over the derrick floor a cam surface, and
said gripping means has a cam surface mating therewith to rotate
the gripping means into position
32. Apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said means for
transferring the inboard end of drill pipe includes a hydraulically
actuated lifting assembly with a roller mounted thereon for
accepting and supporting drill pipe near its inboard end, said
assembly raising the inboard end of the drill pipe to a position
over the floor of the derrick when drill pipe is being transferred
to the derrick from the pipe rack, said assembly lowering the
inboard end of drill pipe from the floor of the derrick to a
position for return to said transfer position when drill pipe is
being transferrred from the derrick to the pipe rack.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In conventional drilling, drill pipe is ordinarily stacked in
vertical stands inside the derrick as trips are made in and out of
a well being drilled. This procedure, however, presents hazards
when drilling from a floating vessel subject to pitching and
rolling under wave action. Grave danger is presented if drill pipe
stacked in the derrick suddenly shifts. In addition, vertical
stacking of large quantities of drill pipe in the derrick on a
floating vessel, with the resultant high center of gravity of the
drill pipe, affects the stability of the vessel adversely.
Consequently, a pipe handling system which permits the storage of
drill pipe in a horizontal attitude during trips in and out of the
well, thereby providing a relatively low center of gravity, is
desirable. Such a pipe handling system, however, must be
sufficiently economic and safe for practical use. The drilling
industry is well aware that the handling of drill pipe,
particularly under pitching and rolling conditions, is a difficult
and dangerous task.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides apparatus for transferring drill pipe
between a horizontal attitude in a pipe rack and a vertical
attitude above a hole to be drilled. The apparatus includes a track
extending from above the floor of the derrick to a location near
the outboard end of drill pipe stored in a pipe rack located
alongside the derrick. A pipe-supporting truck is mounted on the
track and moves along the track from above the floor of the derrick
to the outboard end of drill pipe in the pipe rack. The truck has
pipe gripping means pivotally mounted thereon for holding the
outboard end of drill pipe in a suspended, movable position. As the
inboard end of drill pipe is raised in the derrick, the truck
proceeds along the track from the outboard end of the pipe rack to
a location above the floor of the derrick, where the outboard end
of the drill pipe may be released from the gripping means in the
vicinity of the hole being drilled, and threaded on the part of the
drill string already in the hole.
While coming out of the hole, the lower end of drill pipe broken
from the drill string is moved into the gripping means on the
truck, and the truck controls the drill pipe as the truck moves to
the outboard end of the track and the upper end of the drill pipe
is lowered in the derrick.
A pipe handling system in accordance with the invention permits
storage of pipe in a pipe rack at a location below the track, the
pipe rack having a transfer position therein from which drill pipe
may be raised into engagement with the pipe gripping means on the
truck.
Consequently, the invention provides a pipe handling system in
which the center of gravity of pipe stored in the pipe rack can be
maintained significantly below the floor of the derrick.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1, consisting of FIGS. 1A and 1B, is a schematic view of an
embodiment of pipe handling apparatus in accordance with the
invention; FIG. 1B extending from the left hand side of FIG.
1A.
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line 2--2 in
FIG. 1B.
FIG. 3 is a portion of the sectional view taken along the line 2--2
in FIG. 1B.
FIG. 4, consisting of FIGS. 4A and 4B, is a schematic view of
another embodiment of pipe handling apparatus in accordance with
the invention, with the components disposed as if pipe were being
removed from the drilling string; FIG. 4B extending from the left
hand side of FIG. 4A.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a portion of the apparatus in FIG.
4A, the components being disposed as if pipe were being transferred
for adding to the drilling string.
FIG. 6, consisting of FIGS. 6A and 6B, is a schematic view of yet
another pipe handling apparatus in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 6B extending from the left hand side of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 7, consisting of FIGS. 7A and 7B, is a schematic, plan view of
the pipe handling apparatus shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
FIG. 8 is an end view of the track construction illustrated in
FIGS. 6A and 6B.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the pipe latch mechanism illustrated
in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the view being taken from the opposite
direction of that of FIG. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a pipe rack 10 is located
alongside a derrick 12. A track 14 extends from beyond the outboard
end of the pipe rack 10 to a position above the floor 16 of the
derrick 12, preferably in the vicinity of the drilling hole. Drill
string 18 may be supported in the hole by conventional means, such
as slips in a rotary table.
A track 20 curves from the inboard end of the pipe rack 10 to a
position in the upper part of the derrick 12. The tracks 14 and 20
may be supported in their positions by conventional frames or other
suitable supporting members. A truck 22 is mounted on the track 20,
and the track 20 extends upwards in the derrick 12 to a location
high enough to permit the truck 22 on the track 20 to maintain
engagement with a multiple joint of drill pipe 24 disposed in a
vertical attitude. A gripping means 30 for gripping the drill pipe
24 is pivotally attached to truck 22 by pivot shaft 32. The
gripping means 30 may comprise a pipe latch 31.
A truck 34, which is movably mounted on track 14, has a pipe
gripping means 36 pivotally attached to truck 34 by pivot shaft 38.
Gripping means 36 includes a pipe latch 40, a supporting member or
frame 42, and a pipe stop 44 attached to the supporting member 42.
The pipe stop 44 is shown in position for handling pipe while
coming out of the hole. When going into the hole, a removable pipe
stop 46 (shown in broken lines) may be attached to the supporting
member 42 to keep the pin end of drill pipe 24 at a position higher
than the box end of the drill string 18, thereby permitting easier
transfer of the drill pipe 24 into engagement with the drill pipe
18. With pipe stop 46 in place, the upper end of drill pipe 24, of
course, will also be higher as shown by broken lines.
The drill pipe 24 in its vertical attitude, when going into the
hole, may be transferred to conventional elevators from the
gripping means 30 and 36 in order to move the drill pipe 24
directly over the drill string 18. After engagement with the
elevators, pipe latch 31 and pipe latch 40 can be released by a
person stationed near the pipe latch 31 and by another person
located on the floor 16. In this case, the lower end of drill pipe
24 can be controlled manually. Alternatively, automatic devices may
be provided for grasping the drill pipe 24, releasing the drill
pipe 24 from the gripping means 30 and 36, and then moving the
drill pipe 24 over the center line of the drill string 18.
For example, hydraulically actuated arms 48 and 50 may be disposed
in the derrick to move between positions over the center line of
the drill pipe 18 and the position of the drill pipe 24 in the
gripping means 30 and 36. Remotely controlled pipe gripping jaws 52
and 54 are disposed on arms 48 and 50 to grip the drill pipe
24.
The arm 48 may be suitably mounted in a supporting structure 56
mounted on the derrick 12, the arm 48 being retractable to the side
of the derrick 12 to clear the space in the derrick for other
operations. The arm 50 is suitably mounted on a support structure
58 mounted in a track 60 on the derrick floor 16 in order that the
arm 50 and the support structure 58 may be moved out of the way
when not needed in the vicinity of the hole.
The gripping means 30 and 36 are held in spaced relation from one
another by pipe 62 or other appropriate elongated member. In the
embodiment illustrated the pipe 62 and the supporting member 42 are
formed from the same length of pipe.
The truck 34 is connected to a drive truck 64 by a link 66
pivotally connected to truck 34 by pivot shaft 68 and pivotally
connected to truck 64 by pivot shaft 70. Truck 64 is attached to
conveyor chains 71 which are driven by a chain drive 72. The
conveyor chains 71 are supported on and within box section beams
74, located on either side of the central axis of the pipe rack 10.
Conveyor chain gears 76 and 78 are located at the ends of the box
section beams 74 to complete the conveyor system, gear 76 being
driven by chain drive 72 through belt 77. If one preferred, of
course, truck 34 could be driven directly by chains 71 if chains 71
were run to the vicinity of the drilling hole.
When drill pipe is being removed from the hole, the drill string 18
is raised in the derrick 12, and the section of drill pipe 24 is
broken from the remainder of the drill string 18. This operation
may be accomplished by conventional devices. The drill pipe 24 is
then located in the gripping means 30 and 36 in vertical attitude,
either manually or by actuation of suitable devices such as arms 48
and 50. When the drill pipe 24 is firmly latched in the gripping
means 30 and 36, the chain drive 72 is actuated to move the truck
64 away from the derrick 12 along the track 14, the truck 64 being
attached to the conveyor chain 71 in a non-slipping relationship.
As the truck 64 moves outward from the derrick 12 on the track 14,
the truck 34 and the truck 22 follow because of connection through
link 66 and pipe 62. An intermediate traveling position is
illustrated in FIG. 1 in broken lines. As there shown, the top end
of the drill pipe 24 has descended toward the floor 16 of the
derrick 12, as the bottom end of drill pipe 24 has moved away from
the floor 16.
Drive truck 64 continues out track 14 until it reaches its outboard
position, at which time the chain drive 72 stops. In this position,
the drill pipe 24 is suspended in horizontal attitude and is
disposed above a transfer position 80 in the pipe rack 10, which is
formed by V-shaped heads 83 and 85 on hydraulic lifting cylinders
82 and 84 in retracted position. On actuation, the heads 83 and 85
move upwardly until drill pipe 24 rests thereon. The gripping means
30 and 36 are released, and the heads 83 and 85 are retracted to a
transfer position 80. Additional lifting cylinders, of course, may
be disposed under drill pipe 24 to provide sufficient support
without undue bending.
A second hydraulic lifting cylinder 86 supports cylinder 84 to
permit retraction of cylinder pivotally below its normal
pipe-supporting position and allow the outboard end of the drill
pipe 24 to swing past the cylinder 84 as the drill pipe 24 is
raised or lowered along the tracks 14 and 20.
With particular reference to FIG. 2, the track 14 comprises two
spaced tubular rails 88 and 90 on which the trucks 34 and 64 ride.
The track 20 comprises two parallel tubular rails 92 and 94 on
which the forward truck 22 rides. The space between the rails 88
and 90, as well as between the rails 92 and 94, is maintained free
of obstruction in order that the drill pipe 24 may pass between the
rails and consequently pass by the track as drill pipe is raised or
lowered. In this regard, it should be noted that the frame of the
pipe rack which supports the rails is discontinuous along the path
between the transfer position and a horizontal plane passing
through the spaced rails.
Although an automated system is preferable, pipe may be transferred
between the transfer position 80 in the pipe rack and the pipe
storage area by any suitable system.
The automated system best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a series
of vertical conveying screws 100 which are capable of raising pipe
from storage positions in pipe bins 101 up to a level where a
horizontally disposed conveying screw 102 moves pipe in a
horizontal attitude toward transfer position 80 in the pipe rack
10. On the other side of the pipe rack 10 a horizontally disposed
conveying screw 104 moves pipe from that side of the rack toward
the transfer position 80. A series of vertically disposed conveying
screws 106 is located on this side of the pipe rack 10 to move pipe
located in bins 108 up to a level where the conveying screw 104 can
engage the drill pipe and move the pipe to the transfer position
80.
By reversing the direction of the conveying screws, pipe can also
be moved to the storage bins of the pipe rack 10 from the transfer
position 80. The conveying screws are of course mounted securely,
such as by journal bearings 105, to permit operation under the
loads involved. Each conveyor screw may be powered by a suitable
power source, such as a hydraulic or electric motor.
Three sets of the conveying screw arrangement illustrated in FIG.
2, or some other suitable number, may be disposed along the length
of the pipe rack in order to move the drill pipe between the
storage area of the pipe rack and the transfer position 80, while
providing sufficient spacing of forces on the drill pipe being
moved. In order to compensate for end-wise thrust due to the rotary
action of the conveyor screws when propelling a stand of pipe in
the vertical and horizontal directions, one set of conveying screws
utilizes screws with a left-hand helix, while the other two sets of
conveyors may have screws with a right-hand helix. Additional
compensation may also be obtained by adjusting the spacing between
the conveyor sets to control the amount of deflection in the
unsupported spans of drill pipe.
Thus, when the pipe rack is full and when going into the hole, pipe
moves from the pipe rack to the transfer position 80 and is then
moved up into engagement with the gripping means 30 and 36. Once
the drill pipe is engaged with the gripping means 30 and 36, the
drill pipe 24 is moved to a vertical attitude within the derrick 12
as described earlier. This phase of the operation starts with the
taking of drill pipe from a vertical storage bin nearest the
transfer position of the pipe rack 10. When this storage bin has
been emptied of pipe, pipe is then taken from the vertical storage
bin next nearest to the transfer position 80, etc. The rotation of
the vertical and horizontal screw conveyors may be synchronized to
assure that once a line of pipe is being moved, each rotation of
the conveying screws expels a stand of pipe onto the transfer
position 80. At that point, the V-block heads 83 and 85 of the
hydraulic lifts 82 and 84 may be actuated to force the drill pipe
24 into engagement with the gripping means 30 and 36 attached to
the trucks 22 and 34.
When coming out of the hole, after the trucks 22 and 24 have come
to rest over the transfer position 80 in the pipe rack 10, the pipe
is released to the lifting cylinders 82 and 84, the cylinders are
retracted to place the pipe in transfer position 80, and the pipe
is then transferred back to the storage position in the pipe rack.
When coming out of the hole, of course, the first stand of pipe out
of the hole will be placed in the farthest position of the pipe
rack and pipe then added thereto successively, working back from
the farthest position.
FIG. 3 is a partial section of the central portion of the pipe rack
10 illustrated in FIG. 2, the section in this figure being taken
just to the rear of the gripping means 36 of truck 34 as
illustrated by the line 2--2 in FIG. 1. As there shown, the lifting
cylinder 82 has a V-block head 83 providing a transfer position 80.
Drill pipe 24 to be transferred has an enlarged diameter 25 at its
box end. Drill pipe moves to this transfer position 80 from the
storage bins 101 by actuation of the vertical conveying screws 100,
which move the pipe in one bin vertically where horizontal conveyor
screw 102 engages with a stand of pipe and moves it horizontally
toward transfer position 80.
One revolution of the horizontal conveyor screw 102 moves the pipe
one position horizontally and one revolution of the vertical
conveyor screw 100 moves the pipe one position vertically to engage
the horizontal conveyor screw immediately behind the preceding
drill pipe. A spacer block 110 is located within each pipe storage
bin 101 in order to provide a closure at the top of the storage bin
101 when emptied of drill pipe. The spacer block 110 permits the
pipe from the next succeeding bin 101 to pass over the opening of a
storage bin 101 closer to the center of the pipe rack 10.
When going into the hole, the line of pipe within the engagement of
the horizontal conveyor screw 102 will force the pipe beyond the
end of the screw (shown by broken lines) onto the transfer position
80. When returning pipe to the pipe rack a hydraulic thrust
cylinder 112, several being located along the drill pipe 24 on the
transfer position 80, will upon actuation push the pipe 24 away
from the V-block head 83 onto the slight inclined plane of the pipe
rack support 114, where the drill pipe will roll by gravity into
engagement with the horizontal conveying screw 102.
The gripping means 36 located above the lifting cylinder 82
includes a pipe latch 40 comprising a plate 116 having a slot 118
therein with cam surfaces 120 at the bottom of the plate 116
leading toward the slot 118. The slot 118 is slightly larger than
the diameter of the drill pipe. A locking arm 122 is attached to
the plate 116 by pivot shaft 123, which is located above one side
of the slot 118. A spring 124 is attached to the locking arm 122
and the plate 116 to bias the locking arm 122 in a closed position
over the slot 118. The locking arm of course may take various
shapes and may be pivoted on the plate 116 at various locations,
such as above the middle of slot 118, depending on the particular
latching operation desired.
The inner pipe-bearing surface 126 of the locking arm 122 extends
from near the pivot shaft 123 across the slot 118 and then curves
back to approximately the side of the slot 118 below the pivot
shaft 123. In this position, the slot is closed and the pipe 24 is
held within the pipe latch. The bottom outer surface of the locking
arm 122 has a cam surface 128, which cooperates with a drill pipe
124 when moved forcibly up against the cam surface 128 to move the
locking arm 122 away from the slot 118.
The V-block head 83 of the lifting cylinder 82 includes an
auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 130 which engages a ridge 132 on the
locking arm 122 and moves the locking arm up and away from the slot
118 to the position indicated by the broken lines. Such an
auxiliary cylinder may be suitably disposed at each location where
the pipe latch of either gripping means 30 and 36 may be required
to be opened, such as on the arms 48 and 50 in the derrick 12.
Alternatively, a lug or similar extension may be provided on the
locking arm 122 for accepting a lever and permitting release of the
latching mechanism by movement of the lever. A raised stop 134 on
the plate 116 precludes the locking arm from rotating too far.
A pivot shaft 38 connects the gripping means 36 to the frame of the
truck 34. Also attached to the frame of the truck 34 is a wheel 136
which rides on the tubular rail 88. The wheel 136 is mounted on a
shaft 138 which passes through the frame of the truck 34 to the
other side to another wheel (not shown) which rides on tubular rail
90. The wheel 136 is preferably in the shape of a spool with two
opposing beveled surfaces 135 and 137 mating with the tubular rail
88.
A wheel 140 mounted on a shaft 142 rides under the rail 88 and
keeps the wheel 136 from jumping off the rail 88. The shaft 142 is
attached to the truck 34 and carries a corresponding wheel (not
shown) which rides under the tubular rail 90. Truck 34 has a total
of four wheels similar to wheel 136 spaced thereon for stability in
riding on the tubular rails 88 and 90. A total of four wheels
corresponding to wheel 140 are located under each of the wheels
136.
Truck 22 has gripping means 30 connected to its frame by means of
pivot shaft 32, gripping means 30 having a construction like that
described for gripping means 36. Truck 22 also has wheels 144 and
146 mounted on shafts 148 and 150 in a manner similar to those with
respect to truck 34. The drive truck 54 is constructed similar to
truck 34, except that drive truck 64 does not have a gripping means
associated with it.
The foregoing equipment may be suitably automated to permit rapid,
yet safe transfer of drill pipe between a horizontal attitude in a
pipe rack and a vertical attitude in a derrick. The system permits
use of a remotely controlled, power-actuated elevator and the other
components normally associated with a manually controlled, rotary
drilling rig. It should be noted that the drill pipe is constrained
during transfer to avoid sudden or unexpected movement. The system
also permits drill collars to be stored when not in use in
conventional fingers provided in derricks for vertical
stacking.
Another embodiment in accordance with the invention is illustrated
in FIGS. 4 and 5. A pipe rack 160 is disposed adjacent a derrick
162 which has a floor 164. A drill string 166 is disposed within
the hole to be drilled and is supported by slips in the rotary
table or by other suitable manner.
A track 168 is mounted on suitable support members and extends from
above the floor 164 of the derrick 162 to a position near the
outboard end of the pipe rack 160. The track 168 comprises two
parallel, horizontally displaced channel beams, or other suitable
members such as I-beams. A truck 170 is disposed between the beams
with four wheels 172 mounted on the truck 170 in a conventional
manner for riding on the inner bottom surfaces of the I-beams.
The truck 170 has a pipe gripping means 174 pivotally connected to
the truck by a pivot shaft 176. The gripping means 174 includes a
frame 178, a pipe stop 180 attached to the frame, a pipe latch 182,
and a pipe guide 184. The pipe latch 182 is constructed in the same
manner as illustrated in FIG. 3 for pipe latch 40. Pipe guide 184
is a plate with a slot somewhat wider than the drill pipe to be
guided, the slot having cam surfaces leading into the slot. Pipe
stop 180 may be simply a plate depending from the frame 178.
Mounted on the frame 178 is a wheel 186 which when mated with
inclined surface 188 on the track 168 rotates the gripping means
174, as the truck 170 moves to the end of track 168, into a
position for acceptance of vertically disposed drill pipe. When
coming out of the hole, elevators 190 attached to a hook block 192
may be employed to pick up the drill string 166 in the hole to a
position where a stand of drill pipe 194 is to be broken from the
drill string. After the stand of drill pipe has been broken from
the drill string, the stand of drill pipe 194 is moved over to
engagement with the latching mechanism 182 on the gripping means
174. This step may be accomplished manually or mechanically. The
pipe stop 180 keeps the stand of pipe from passing beyond the
gripping means 174.
Although elevators 190 and hook block 192 are illustrated as
conventional items, any other suitable means for raising and
lowering drill string may be employed. As illustrated, two joints
of drill pipe 194 are broken from the drill string 166 at one time.
One joint or more, of course, may be broken and handled at one time
depending on the size of the equipment and the ability of the stand
of drill pipe to withstand bending stresses as it moves between
vertical and horizontal positions.
Truck 170 is attached to cable 196 by any suitable means such as a
clamp 198. Cable 196 passes over end sheaves 200 and 202 mounted
suitably on the frame which supports an I-beam of track 168. Cable
196 passes over directional sheaves 204 and 206 and around power
sheave 208. Consequently, truck 170 can be moved to any position
along track 168 by actuation of power sheave 208 in the direction
desired. Preferably, a second drive cable (not shown) is connected
to truck 170 near the other side of the track to maintain even
movement of the truck 170 along the track 168 without tendency to
bind in the track.
As drill pipe 194 is removed from the derrick, truck 170 is powered
away from the derrick 162 along track 168. The truck 170 with drill
pipe 194 suspended from the elevators 190 is illustrated in an
intermediate position in broken lines.
A second track 210 is constructed in a manner similar to the first
track 168 and has a truck 212 mounted thereon in a manner similar
to the way truck 170 is mounted on track 168. The truck 212 has a
pipe supporting cradle 214 pivotally mounted threon by pivot shaft
216. The cradle 214 comprises a frame having two upwardly facing
plates with pipe accepting slots in each of the plates. Truck 212
is connected to drive cable 218 by cable grip 220. Cable 218 passes
around end sheaves 222 and 224, over directional sheaves 226 and
228, and around power sheave 230. Consequently, actuation of power
sheave 230 will move truck 212 along the track 210.
As the box end (inboard end) of the drill pipe 194 nears the floor
164 of the derrick 162, and the truck 170 is continuing out on the
track 168, the truck 212 is moved into a position (shown in broken
lines) along the track 210 over the floor 164 whereby the inboard
end of the drill pipe 194 may come to rest on the cradle 214 of the
truck 212. If the box end is not against the cradle 214 continued
movement of truck 170 will slide the box end of pipe 194 against
the cradle.
Truck 170 continues movement out the track 168 until it reaches its
selected outboard position and the truck 212 is in the position
shown in FIG. 4. Hydraulic lifts 232, 234, and 236 are disposed
under the drill pipe 194 in this lowered position. Lift 236 upon
actuation will raise the inboard end of drill pipe 194 off the
cradle 214 to a position for transferring the drill pipe 194 to a
storage position in the pipe rack.
Hydraulic lift 232 carries a suitable means for releasing the pipe
latch 182, such as the auxiliary cylinder previously described.
Upon actuation, lift 232 extends up to the pipe 194 in the pipe
latch 182, releases the pipe latch, and accepts the pipe 194 from
the pipe latch 182. Hydraulic lift 234 may be suitably actuated to
provide support for the pipe 194 and to keep the pipe 194 from
bending unduly, the lifts 232, 234, and 236 being controlled in
relation to one another.
The lifts are then actuated to reach a position where the drill
pipe 194 may be transferred to a storage area. The drill pipe may
be transferred to the storage area manually or preferably by
suitable pipe conveying means, such as the conveying means
described hereinbefore.
When going into the hole, the drill pipe 194 is taken from the
transfer position by the lift cylinder 232 raising the pipe 194
into engagement with the pipe latch 182 and lift 236 lowering the
drill pipe 194 onto the cradle 214. The power sheaves 230 and 208
are then energized to take the pipe toward the center of the
derrick for engagement by the means in the derrick for raising and
lowering drill pipe.
As better shown in FIG. 5, the pipe 194 on the cradle 214 is shown
by broken lines at a position over the floor 164. The pipe 194, as
truck 170 continues to be powered, slides along the cradle over the
hydraulic lift 238 which has two rollers 240 mounted on its head to
form a V-shape. As the pipe 194 slides past the V-shaped rollers
240, the cylinder 238 is actuated to raise the pipe 194 to a
position where the elevators 190 may be set around the box end of
the pipe 194. At this point, the hook 192 is raised in the derrick
as the truck 170 moves along the track 168. As the truck 170
reaches the innermost end of the track 168, the driller will stop
the rise of the pipe 194 in the derrick, and an operator on the
floor can release the pipe latch 182. The pipe 194 is available in
the immediate vicinity of the hole to be added to the drill string
166.
With reference to FIG. 5, conventional center latch elevators 190
may be modified by adding opposing cam surfaces 191 on opposite
sides above the latch thereof. The cam surfaces 191 permit the
elevators in opened position to be moved into position under the
drill pipe for pick-up. The surfaces 191 keep the elevators open as
the hinged portion abuts the drill pipe during pick-up. As upwards
motion continues, the elevators will rotate until the latch portion
is above the drill pipe where the latch will close
automatically.
A control panel or console may be located on the derrick floor for
controlled operation of the horizontal pipe racker and the two
trucks of the pipe handling mechanism. In addition, various phases
of the procedure may be controlled automatically, or at least
semi-automatically, by the driller (control panel operator).
For example, when going into the hole, the driller may direct the
two pipe trucks 170 and 212 to their rack loading positions and
then command the mechanical transfer mechanism in the pipe rack 160
to discharge a stand of pipe. The latter command may automatically
cause the three axially disposed hydraulic cylinders 232, 234, and
236 to be subsequently actuated to load this stand onto the upper
and the lower trucks 170 and 212. The driller using the control
panel can then direct the trucks 170 and 212 toward the derrick
which command may automatically declutch the power sheave 208 of
the upper truck 170 and drive the lower truck 212 forward. As the
lower truck 212 approaches its terminus, a sensor may be engaged to
cause the power sheave 230 to be declutched and the upper truck
power sheave 208 to be simultaneously engaged to continue to propel
the stand of pipe forward, sliding the pipe through the cradle 214.
When the tool joint (box end) passes over the roller type V-shaped
lifting cylinder 238, still another sensor may be engaged causing
the cylinder 238 to be energized to lift the stand off the lower
truck 212, but permitting the forward motion to continue until the
upper truck 170 engages a sensor on its track 168. This sensor may
stop the forward motion of the pipe, declutch the upper truck 170
from its power sheave 208, and direct the lower truck 212 to its
track-loading (outboard) position. With this sequence completed,
the stand is in a substantially horizontal attitude with its box
end located just above the elevators 190, as illustrated in FIG.
5.
During a portion of the time the procedure just described has been
taking place, the stand of pipe last added to the drill string 166
can have been lowered into the well bore and set on rotary table
slips 193, the elevators 190 in this position being illustrated in
broken lines in FIG. 5.
To continue the above sequence, the driller lowers the block 192,
and the crew breaks the elevators 190 from the box end of the last
stand on the drill string 166. The driller then lifts the elevators
190 causing them to engage and close on a new stand of pipe and as
the upward motion is continued, the elevators 190 lock onto the new
stand and raise the stand into the derrick. When the stand
approaches the vertical, the upper truck 170 approaches the end of
its track 168 and comes to rest in a stable position. An important
feature of the present invention is that in the event of overtravel
of the elevators 190, the bottom end of the stand of pipe 194 is
harmlessly raised within the confines of the gripping means 174 of
the truck 170. At the same time, the gripping means 174 still holds
onto and constrains the stand of pipe.
At this point, the crew is able to grasp the stand of pipe 194,
release the gripping means 174 of pipe truck 170, and guide the pin
end of the pipe 194 into the box connection of the drill string 166
as the driller lowers the elevators 190. While this tool joint
connection is being made up, the driller can direct both pipe
trucks 170 and 212 to their outboard positions for accepting
another stand of pipe and repeating the cycle.
When coming out of the hole, the driller directs the upper pipe
truck 170 to its inboard position where it remains until loaded
with a stand of pipe mechanically or by a crew. After loading, the
upper truck 170 can be directed by the driller outwardly along the
track 168 while the elevators 190 is lowered. When the upper truck
170 passes a position where it need be driven no longer, it may
actuate a sensor which declutches the upper truck power sheave 208
and, at the same time, starts the lower truck 212 toward its
inboard, derrick-loading position, When the lower truck 212 reaches
its derrick-loading position, it can actuate another sensor which
energizes the roller type V-shaped lifting cylinder 238. Thus, as
the driller continues lowering the elevators 190, the stand of pipe
approaches a horizontal attitude and comes to rest on the roller
type V-shaped lifting cylinder 238. The driller then stops the
travel of the elevators 190, which are broken open by a crew or
otherwise, and lifted off the pipe. The driller then directs the
upper truck 170 to its outboard position by actuating power sheave
208. This command, simultaneously, can retract the roller type
V-shaped lift cylinder 238 and declutch the power sheave 230 of the
lower truck 212. When the upper truck 170 reaches its outboard
terminal, it actuates a sensor which declutches its power sheave
208 and, at the same time, actuates the three axially disposed
lifting cylinders 232, 234, and 236. The cylinders move to unload
the trucks 170 and 212 and then to locate the pipe at the elevation
of the transfer position in the pipe rack 160. When the stand comes
to rest at the transfer position another sensor can be actuated to
cause the stand of pipe to be transferred to a storage position in
the pipe rack 160.
During a portion of the time this procedure has been taking place,
the crew will have installed the elevators 190 on the next stand of
pipe to be pulled from the well bore and it will have been lifted
into the derrick. This cycle can be repeated as many times as
necessary to lay all of the drill pipe down.
With reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9, yet another embodiment of
pipe handling apparatus in accordance with the invention is
illustrated. As there shown, a pipe rack 250 is disposed alongside
the floor 252 of a derrick. Drill string 254 is suspended in rotary
table 256 by conventional means, such as slips. A track 258 is
disposed alongside the derrick floor 252 and extends from above the
floor 252 outwardly above the pipe rack 250. The track 258 is
disposed to run along the center of the pipe rack 250, and is
constructed from two oppositely disposed channel beams 260 and
262.
The beams 260 and 262 are mounted in parallel relationship on the
longitudinal supports 264 and 266 which in turn are mounted on the
main frame 268 of the pipe rack 250 by suitable supporting
elements. The space between the beams 260 and 262 and between the
supports 264 and 266 are maintained free of obstruction in order
that pipe may move vertically therebetween. In addition, the main
frame 268 of the pipe rack 250 may include spaced longitudinal
beams or supports 263 and 265 which support vertical elements 267.
Vertical elements 267 support in turn the longitudinal supports 264
and 266. Longitudinal beams 263 and 265 may be supported by
horizontal members 269 which are in turn supported by vertical
supports 271, thereby leaving an opening 270 in the main frame 268
for passage of pipe. Consequently, pipe located under the
horizontal members 269 may be moved to the transfer position and
then moved upwardly into engagement with the truck 274 without
obstruction by any elements of the main frame 268. Other suitable
frame designs could of course be employed.
With particular reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a pipe supporting truck
274 is mounted on the track 258 between the channel beams 260 and
262. The truck has two wheels 276 and 278 which ride in the channel
beam 260, and two wheels 280 and 282 which ride in the channel beam
262. The wheels are suitably disposed at the four corners of a
frame 284 of the truck 274. With particular reference to FIG. 9,
two plates 286 and 288 are mounted on the frame 284 such as by
welding, and extend in front of and downwardly from the frame 284.
A pipe gripping means 290 is pivotally mounted on the plates 286
and 288 through trunnions 292 and 294.
The pipe gripping means 290 comprises a frame 296, a depending
plate 298 at an outboard position of the gripping means 290, a pipe
latch 300 depending from a central portion of the frame 296, and a
pipe guide 302 depending from the inboard position of the frame
296. The pipe guide may conveniently take the form of a slot in a
depending plate, the slot having a width somewhat wider than the
diameter of a drill pipe and having cam surfaces leading to the
slot. Mounted on the inboard end of the pipe gripping means 290 is
a cam roller 307.
Truck 274 is propelled along the track 258 by a cable drive, or
other suitable drive means. The cable drive comprises end sheaves
304 and 306 mounted along one side of the track 258 and sheaves 308
and 310 mounted along the other side of track 258. Between the end
sheaves 304 and 306 is a directional sheave 312; between end
sheaves 308 and 310 is a directional sheave 314. Below directional
sheave 312 is a power sheave 316 which is driven through a suitable
clutch mechanism by a reversible hydraulic motor 318. A power
sheave (not shown) is disposed under the directional sheave 314 on
the same shaft as the power sheave 316. Consequently, when the
hydraulic motor 318 is actuated, the power sheave 316 and its
corresponding sheave on the opposite side drive cables 320 and 322
mounted on the sheaves. Directional sheaves 312 and 314 are
preferably three groove sheaves and the power sheaves 316 and the
other one not shown are preferably two groove sheaves to permit the
cable being wrapped between the directional sheaves and the power
sheaves two complete loops to minimize slippage between the cables
320 and 322 and the power sheaves.
The cable 322 passes underneath the top leg of channel beam 324,
which supports the channel beam 260, and returns underneath its
bottom leg. Similarly, the upper portion of cable 320 passes
underneath the upper leg of channel beam 326, which supports
channel beam 262, and the lower portion rides underneath the lower
leg of channel beam 326.
The truck 274 has two extensions 328 and 330 mounted to either side
thereof which are attached to cables 322 and 320 respectively.
These extensions extend out beneath the beams 324 and 326 and ride
thereunder along the track 258. Consequently, upon actuation of
hydraulic motor 318 the truck 274 can be propelled along the track
258.
The pipe latch 300 on the truck 274 is illustrated in FIG. 9. As
there shown, it comprises a plate 332 which has a slot 334
extending upwardly from the bottom of the plate 332, the slot 334
having a width slightly larger than the outside diameter of drill
pipe, but smaller than the outside diameter of the tool joint. Cam
surfaces 336 and 338 lead to the slot 334.
A locking arm or latch bar 340 is pivotally attached to the plate
332 by pivot shaft 341. The pivot shaft 341 is located above one
side of the slot 334, and the inner pipe bearing surface 342 of the
locking arm 340 extends across the slot 334 from near the pivot
shaft 340 to the other side of the slot 334 and then curves back
underneath a drill pipe when located therein to approximately the
first side of the slot 334. The outer bottom surface of the locking
arm 340 includes a cam surface 344 which when drill pipe is pushed
upwardly against cam surface 344 cooperates to rotate the locking
arm away from the slot 334 and thereby open the latch.
The locking arm 340 extends beyond the pivot shaft 341 for a short
distance to form a lever arm 343. A pivot shaft 346 connects a link
348 to the lever arm 343. The link 348 is pivotally linked to bar
350 by another pivot shaft 352. The bar 350 is pivotally mounted on
the plate 332 by shaft 354.
The shaft 354 rotates in regard to the plate 332, but is bound to
the bar 350 by friction mechanism 355 to prevent rotation between
the bar 350 and the shaft 354. As better shown in FIG. 6, the shaft
354 extends behind the plate 332 a significant distance. Attached
to the shaft 354 are links 356 and 358 in spaced relationship,
which carry a bar 360 connecting them. The shaft 354 and the links
358 and 356 may be welded together in a fixed relationship. The bar
360 is located over a hydraulic lift 362 mounted on a suitable
frame of the pipe rack 250. Consequently, actuation of the
hydraulic lift 362 will rotate the bar 350 about the axis of the
shaft 354, forcing the other end of the bar 350 down at the pivot
shaft 352. In turn, the lever arm 343 will be forced downwardly and
the locking arm 340 will rotate about the pivot 341 to open the
slot 334. A lug 364 is attached to the plate 332, and a spring
arrangement 366 is attached therethrough to bar 350 by pin 367 to
bias the bar 350 in an upward position, thereby force the lever arm
343 upwardly, and thereby maintain the locking arm 340 in a
position closed over the slot 334.
With particular reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a stand of drill pipe
368 is illustrated in a transfer position in the pipe rack 250. The
pipe rack 250 may have automatic means therein for moving the drill
pipe 368 to and from storage positions in the pipe rack 250 or the
drill pipe 368 may be moved to this transfer position under the
track 258 in any suitable manner, such as manually.
Drill pipe 368 may be transferred from horizontal attitude in the
transfer position to a vertical attitude above the floor 252 of a
derrick in the following manner.
An arm 369 is pivotally connected to the frame of the pipe rack 250
by a pivot shaft 370 or by other suitable means. In preferred
practice, the arm 369 will have a Y construction with two points of
the Y being pivotally mounted on the frame of the pipe rack 250.
The arm 369 includes a pipe cradle 372 pivotally mounted thereon,
the cradle 372 fitting under the drill pipe 368. The arm 369 may
also include means for aligning the drill pipe 368 appropriately
beneath the truck 274 in its outboard position. In this regard, the
arm 369 may include a pipe cradle 376 connected to the arm 369
through a pivot shaft 378, and a hydraulic lift 380, which upon
actuation will move the pipe cradle 376 to move drill pipe 368 into
abutment with a pipe alignment stop 374.
The arm 369 is pivotally connected to a hydraulic lift 382 which in
turn may be pivotally connected to a support member 384.
Consequently, upon actuation of hydraulic lift 382 the arm 369 will
rotate upwardly and force the outboard end of drill pipe 368 into
engagement with the pipe latch 300 on the pipe gripping means 290.
The lift 382 and thus the arm 369 may then be retracted.
With the pipe 368 held by the pipe gripping means 290, the inboard
end of drill pipe 368 rests on roller 386, the roller 386 being
located to support the inboard end of the pipe 368 when the
outboard end of the pipe 368 has been raised from the transfer
position in the pipe rack 250 into engagement with the pipe
gripping means 290.
The hydraulic motor 318 is then actuated to move the truck 274
toward the floor 252 of the derrick. As this motion progresses, the
inboard end of the drill pipe 368 is supported by another roller
388 inboard of the roller 386 and located at a somewhat lower
position. As the truck 274 continues toward the derrick floor 252,
the inboard end of the drill pipe 368 passes across roller 390. The
proper elevation of rollers 388 and 390 in relation to roller 386
may be determined by the length of the drill pipe 368, the angles
involved, and the amount of deflection or bending in the drill pipe
368 during this particular movement and the reverse of the
movement.
As the pipe reaches the roller 390, the roller 390 moves upwardly
to support the inboard end of the drill pipe 368 in a higher
position for convenient handling on the derrick floor 252, as
illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 6A.
The inboard end of the drill pipe may be raised into a convenient
location in a number of ways, but the apparatus illustrated in the
drawing is suitable. As there shown, the roller 390 is mounted on a
frame 392. Frame 392 is pivotally connected to links 394 and 396
and to corresponding links 398 and 400 on the other side. Each of
the links 394, 396, 398 and 400 are pivotally connected to a fixed
support. A hydraulic lift 402 is pivotally connected to a link 404.
Link 404 is fixedly connected to links 394 and 398. Consequently,
upon actuation of hydraulic lift 402, the links 394 and 398 will be
raised around the axis on which they are attached to the fixed
support, and the frame 392 will be rotated upwardly and toward the
derrick floor 252, the links 396 and 400 rotating upwardly as they
follow the force applied to the links 394 and 398.
After the inboard end of the drill pipe 368 is in a convenient
location over the derrick floor 252, the inboard end is connected
to elevators or other suitable means located in the derrick, and
the inboard end of the drill pipe 368 is then raised in the derrick
as the truck 274 continues toward the derrick floor 252. As the
drill pipe 368 is raised in the derrick, the gripping means 290
will assume a vertical position as illustrated by broken lines in
FIG. 6A. At this point, the pipe latch 300 is released, either
manually or mechanically, by pushing on bar 360 of the latch
mechanism, and the pin end of the drill pipe 368 is available for
connection with the drill string 254.
When coming out of the hole, the truck 274 is powered to its
inboard position. A cam surface 406 is provided at the inboard end
of the track 258 to mate with the cam roller 307 and orient the
pipe gripping means 290 in a vertical attitude for acceptance of
vertically disposed drill pipe. As a drill pipe 368 is broken from
the drill string 254, the pin end of the drill pipe 368 is moved
over into engagement with the pipe latch 300, either manually or
mechanically, and the truck 274 is powered away from the derrick
floor 252 as the pipe 368 is lowered in the derrick. As the upper
box end of the drill pipe 268 approaches the derrick floor 252, the
roller 390 on frame 392 is rotated upwardly to accept the inboard
end of the drill pipe 368. The truck 274 is stopped while the
elevators or other raising and lowering means is removed from the
box end of the drill pipe 368. After disengagement, the truck 274
is again powered by actuation of hydraulic motor 318, the roller
390 on frame 392 is rotated downwardly, and the truck 274 continues
to its outboard position pulling the inboard end of the drill pipe
368 with it across the rollers 390, 388 and 386. At this point, the
arm 369 is moved upwardly into engagement with the drill pipe 368,
the hydraulic lift 362 is actuated to release the pipe latch 300 by
movement of the bar 360, and the arm 369 is then retracted to
locate the drill pipe 368 in the transfer position associated with
the pipe rack 250. From this transfer position, the drill pipe 368
can be transferred either manually or mechanically to a storage
position in the pipe rack 250.
The various steps and movements described herein can of course be
automated by use of suitable sensing devices located at appropriate
positions to provide a virtually automatic system for transferring
drill pipe between a vertical attitude in a derrick and a
horizontal attitude in a pipe rack located near the derrick. Pipe
handling apparatus in accordance with the invention also permits
the storage of drill pipe at a relatively low center of gravity
when the apparatus is used on off-shore drilling vessels. The
invention also provides a relatively safe system for transferring
drill pipe, since uncontrolled movements of drill pipe, which
frequently lead to serious injury and substantial damage, are
minimized.
The apparatus illustrated herein have tracks which have a downward
inclination as they extend away from the derrick floor to keep the
center of gravity of the pipe rack relatively low. Obviously,
depending upon the relative elevation of the pipe rack with respect
to the derrick floor, i.e., below, level or above, the track
systems could have a downward, horizontal, or upward attitude.
While several embodiments of the pipe handling apparatus of the
invention have been shown and described, changes and alterations
may be made of course without departing from the concept of the
invention.
In this regard, it should be understood that pneumatic or other
suitable power sources may be substituted in whole or in part for
the hydraulic power devices employed in the specific embodiments
disclosed.
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