CA1066266A - Pipe handling and transportation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A B S T R A C T

The present invention relates to apparatus for lift-ing and transporting lengths of pipe, to and from a drilling platform. The apparatus comprises: at least two pipe loading and/or unloading mechanisms, mounted transversally of the deck in spaced relation one to the other in the longitudinal direc-tion of the deck; at least two spaced apart pipe elevators mount-ed to one longitudinal side of the deck so as to depend therefrom;
a "gin" pole adapted to be slidably mounted on the deck so as to extend vertically therethrough; a pipe deflector plate releas-ably mounted about the pole adjacent the upper end thereof, so as to extend radially and forwardly therefrom, the deflector plate being adapted to be rotatable about the vertical axis of the pole and lockable in any one of at least two angular posi-tions; a first cable extending between two fixed joints, one of these points being located on the pole, the second point located adjacent the deck remote from the pole; means for chang-ing the length of the first cable between the aforementioned fixed points; an open ended elongate semi-cylindrical pipe car-rier adapted to be freely supported by, and to hang beneath the first cable in substantially parallel juxtaposition there-with; a second cable provided to affect the movement of the carrier upon the first cable, the second cable being fixedly attached at one end to the carrier, and arranged to extend to and pass around a first pulley, fixedly attached to the pole, and thereafter to extend to motor driven winch means located adjacent the deck, remote from said pole.

Description

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~06~;~66 The invention relates generally to the drilling of oil or gas wells and more particularly to apparatus for hand-ling well casing, tubing and drill pipe, and affecting the transfer of same to and from a drilling platform.
In the past, numerous attempts have been made to provide suitable apparatus to affect the transfer of drill pipe from a standby position to a position which facilitates its insertion into the drill string. Examples of such equip-ment can be found in United States Patent 3,785,506, issued to Crocker et al in 197~, and United States Patent 3,532,229, issued to O. C. Scraggs in 1970.
The present invention however, provides an arrange-ment which facilitates the transportation of pipe to and from a drilling platform in an economical manner, the arrangement utilizes a novel and simple cable system which is operable ~ :
in all environmental conditions with relative ease.
Accordingly, the invention comprises apparatus for lifting and transporting lengths of pipe, to and from a drill- . ..
ing platform, from:a ~ipe loading or unloading deck adjacent the drilling platform, comprising: at least two pipe loading and/or unloading mechanisms, mounted transversally of the deck in spaced relation one to the other in the longitudinal direc-tion of the deck; at least two spaced apart pipe elevators mounted to one longitudinal side of the deck so as to depend therefrom;
a "gin" pole adapted to be slidably mounted on the deck so as to extend vertically therethrough; a pipe deflector plate releas-ably mounted about the pole adjacent the upper end thereof, so as to extend radially and forwardly therefrom, the deflector plate being adapted to be rotatable about the vertical axis of the pole and lockable in any one of at least two angular posi-. .

~066Z6~
tions; a first cable extending between two fixed points, one of these point being located on the pole, the second point lo-cated adjacent the deck remote from the pole; means for chang-ing the length of the first cable between the aforementioned fixed points; an open ended elongate semi-cylindrical pipe carrier adapted to be freely supported by, and to hang beneath the first cable in substantially parallel juxtaposition there-with; a second cable provided to affect the movement of the carrier upon the first cable, the second cable being fixedly attached at one end to the carrier, and arranged to extend to and pass around a first pulley, fixedly attached to the pole, and thereafter to extend to motor driven winch means located adjacent the deck, remote from said pole.
The invention will now be described by way of exam-ple only, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the pipe trans-porting apparatus according to the invention;
Figure l(a) - l(c) show diagrammatically the move-ment of the pipe supporting carrier from the loading and/ox un-loading position, to the drilling platform;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the invention ar-rangement, the pipe elevating arrangement in the upper position;
Figure 3 (Sheet 6) is a perspective fragmentary view of the pipe carrier assembly according to the invention;
Figure 4 (Sheet 2) is a perspective view of the pipe loading and/or unloading mechanism;
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the mechanism accord-ing to Figure 4;
Figures 6 5a) and 6(h) are perspective vi.ews of the lQ66266 pipe elevating arrangement according to the inventlon in its upper, and lower operating positions;
Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the apparatus according to the invention showing diagrammatically the load-ing of a pipe section into the pipe carrier; and / Figures 8(a) and 8(b) show respectively a side ele-vational view and plan view of the gin pole and pipe deflec-tor arrangement.
Referring specifically to the drawings in which like components have been given like numerals, the apparatus according to the invention can best be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2 which show schematically the positioning of the appara-tus in relation to an elevated drilling platform.
In terms of structure, the drilling platform 10, and ; derrick 11 (shown in phantom outline) are conventional and do not form part of the present invention.
In its basic form, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inventive arrangement includes a winching mechanism 12 shown resting on a skid-type support 13, which it is to be under-stood could be conveniently carried on the bed of a truck, or, alternatively, positioned on a fixed elevated support.
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The winching mechanism 12 can be driven by a se~e power souree, or by the motGr of the supporting truck. Housing 14 will preferably eontain an operators cabin, cable stor-age faeilities and all controls for affeeting operation of the inventive system. As will be appreeiated, housing 14 can be fully insulated to permit eontinuous operation dur-ing periods of inelement weather.
A pipe loading and unloading deck 15 is provided adjaeent support 13 and is shown in the form of an elongate :106~Z6~

elevated platform extending towards the drilling platform 10.
Deck 15 carries two pipe loading and unloading mechanisms 16 and has, in operable association with one side, two pipe ele-vating mechanisms 17, each of which will be described in more detail hereafter.
Adjacent opposite longitudinal sides of deck 15 are provided respectively, a pipe loading rack 18 and a pipe stor-age rack 19 (Figure 2), a number of pipe sections 20 being illustrated thereon.
During loading and unloading, the ends of pipes 20 are enveloped, as is conventional, by plastic caps 21, which serve to protect the threaded end sections from damage prior to attachment to a well string.
Mounted upon drilling platform 10, and extending therethrough in a vertical direction, is what will be termed a "gin pole" 22, this pole in the present invention serving to provide a location for one pulley bracket 23, pivotally mounted adjacent the uppermost end thereof, on bracket 24.
Immediately below bracket 24, pole 22 additionally carries a pipe deflector plate 25, the purpose and operation of which will be described in moxe detail hereafter with reference to Figures 8(A) and 8(B).
Gin pole 22 is adapted to be raised and lowered relative to platform 10, by hoisting means, not shown, and locked into position by means of a locking collar 26, or any equivalent device. The height at which pole 22 may be locked will vary from platform to platform dependant upon the location of the pole on the platform. It will be appreciated that the chosen height must be sufficient to enable the pipe being transported from deck 15 to be brought onto the drilling ~066Z66 platform 10 to a location convenient for its subsequent re-moval and introduction into the drilling string.
The apparatus according to the invention further includes a pipe conveying system including a pipe carrier or cradle 27 and cable arrangements 28 and 39.
The specific components of the invention, indicated generally above will now be described in more detail.

P IPE CARRIE R ASSEMBLY
Figure 3 shows the preferred structure of the carrier 27, which essentially comprises an elongate trough-like member open at end 29 and adapted to be closed, at various positions along its length by a plate-like component 30 thereby facili-tating the handling of different lengths of pipe 20. In the preferred embodiment, component 30 is attached to a transver-sally extending rod or bar 31 which co-operates with slots 32 formed at regularly spaced intervals in the upper edges 33 of carrier 27. As will be appreciated, component 30 serves to prevent pipe 20, during transportation when carrier 27 is an-gularly inclined relative to the horizontal, from sliding therefrom.
Pipe carrier 27 is additionally provided, as shown in Figures 3 and 7 with a longitudinally aligned projection 34 formed or otherwise fixedly attached to the convex under-surface thereof. Projection 34 preferably extends the length of carrier 27 and serves to affect the "tipping" of the carrier into its loading, or unloading position on deck 15, upon en-gagement with brackets 16, as will be rnore particularly des-cribed hereafter.
To complete the carrier assembly, there is provided, in this embodiment, two carrier supports 35 and 40, preferably ~066266 attached, as by welding, one adjacent each end thereof. Sup-3~
k~L ports ~ and 40 are hook-like in configuration and carry at their ends remote from carrier 27, a pulley wheel assembly (Figure 7), comprising a generally U-shaped bracket 36 pivot-ally mounted about pin 37 to support 35 or 40, and a pulley wheel 38 mounted for free rotation within bracket 36. Sup-port 40, located at the foremost end of carrier 27 is further adapted to provide for the fixed location of one end of cable 39.
As can be seen from the various figures, pulley wheels 38 and their associated brackets 36 serve to support the carrier 27 on the first cable, the latter providing a track for carrier 27 on which it is supported from its load-ing or unloading position adjacent deck 15 to a posi tion ad-jacent gin pole 22 as schematically shown with reference to Figures l(a), l(b) and l(c), the arrows showing cable direction of movement. Cable 28 is fixedly attached at one end to gin pole 22, passes under pulleys 38, over pulley 42 to be wound about winch drum 44 of winching mechanism 12.
The second cable 39, which as previously indicated is attached at one end to support 40, passes about pulley wheels 23 and 41 to be wound about winch drum 43 of winching mechanism 12.
To affect movement of the carrier 2~' from deck 15 to platform 10, as shown in Figure lA, through lC, by actua-tion of the cable system will now be briefly explained.
With carrier 27 in the position according to Figure lA, cable 28 is firstly placed in tension by winch 44 thus effectively shortening the cable and thus elevating the car-rier 27 to the position shown in Figure lB. The tension ap-~L0~62~;6 plied to cable 28 being maintained during transportation.
Winch 43 is then actuated to tension cable 39, thus affect-ing movement of carrier 27 on its track, (provided for by cable 28) to its upper position adjacent gin pole 22, at which position, pipe 20 may be unloaded.
To return the carrier 22 to deck 15, winch 43 is operably reversed thus permitting carrier 27 to move, under its own weight, while supported on cable 28, to the position shown in Figure lB. Thereafter, winch 44 is actuated to relax the tension in cable 28, thus dropping the carrier into engage-ment with unloading mechanism 16 on deck 15.
PIPE LOADING AND/OR UNLOADING MECHANISM
The pipe loading and/or unloading mechanism 16 re-ferred to above in connection with Figures 1 and 2 is more specifically shown in Figures 4 and 5. The mechanism, shown here in its preferred form comprises two basic interlocking components, a bracket support 45 and a carrier engaging bracket 46. Bracket support 45 comprises an elongate base plate 47 provided with attachment lugs 48 extending outwardly of its ends to facilitate location on deck 15 (Figure 2). Extending .-centrally of base plate 47 is a trough-like depression 49 formed by side walls 50 and end walls 51. Intermediate end walls 51, trough 49 is provided with compartments 52 defined by equidis~
tantly spaced apart wall members 53, and adapted to releasably receive bracket 45.
The second component of mechanism 16, namely brac-ket 46, comprises a bar member 54 square in transverse cross-section and dimensioned to provide a sliding fit with compart-ment 52. Member 54 has a first substantially vertical lower portion 54 (A) and an angularly inclined upper portion 54(B).

~IL066266 A generally rectangular plate 55 is fixedly attached to the front face of portion 54(A) to extend vertically therewith.
Plate 55 being of such dimension so as to extend transver-sally on either side of trough 49, and to extend in the ver-tical direction, normal to trough 49 sufficient that its up-per, longitudinal edge 56 projects a substantial distance above the intersection of portions 54(a) and 54(b) of member 54, the purpose of which will be explained hereafter.
Finally bracket 46 includes a pair of support plates 57 located and fixed to opposing sides of member 54 such that the lower edge of plates 57 are flush with the top surface of -~
side walls 50 when the lower extremity of member 54 is located within a component 52. Plates 57 are strengthened by the inclu-sion of a rear wall member 58 which extends a short distance downwardly into trough 49 bearing against the outer surface of a wall member 53. Thus the bracket 44 is substantially locked in position and is capable of withstanding application of oper-ating loads, in the direction of arrow "A" (Figure 5) without being disconnected from support 45.
PIPE ELEVATING SYSTEM
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Figures 6(A) and 6(B) show respectively the opera-tion of the pipe lifting arrangement according to the invention, Figure 6(A) showing the system in its pipe receiving mode, Fig-ure 6(B) showing the system in the elevated pipe positioning mode.
~ In terms of structure, and again, the apparatus is shown in its preferred form, the components comprise a main support 59 substantially Z-shaped in configuration and square, in transverse cross-section. Thus, support 59 has a substan-tially vertical elongate centre section 59(a) and shorter, sub-106~Z6~
stantially horizontal upper and lower sections 59(b) and 59(c) extending oppositely from each end thereof. Upper section 59(c) is adapted to be engaged and held by a supporting brac-ket attached to deck 15 and lower section 59(b) provides the support for a hydraulically actuated jacking device indicated at 60.
The co-operating attachment brackets, indicated at 61, comprise a framework formed by a base plate 62, side plates 63 and transverse flange 64, the space defined by the upper surface of plate 62, the under-surface of flange 64 and the inner surfaces of side plates 63 being such that the upper section 59(c) of support 59 may be releasably engaged therein.
Bracket 61 is adapted for attachment through base plate 63 to deck 15 and is located on the edge of the deck so that side plates 63 protrude a substantial distance outwardly of the edge, the top surface of side plates 63 are additionally angled re-versely and downwardly from their protruding front portion to permit the pipe when supported thereon to roll therefrom onto deck 15.
Mounted upon an outward facing vertical side of centre section 59(a~ of support 59 are guide channels 65 adap-ted to slidingly receive the front section of T-shaped lifting element 66.
As can be seen from the figures, jack 60 is operably attached to element 66, and actuation thereof affects the ver-tical displacement of element 66 from its lower (Figure 6(A)) position to its upper (Figure 6(B)) position. As will be evi-dent, the upper edge 67 of element 66 is inclined towards brac-ket 61 for the specific purpose of imparting a rolling movement to pipe 20. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as - ` ~

~66Z66 shown in Figures 1 and 2, two such pipe elevating arrangements are required, spaced a predetermined distance apart on the edge of deck 15, the hydraulic jacking devices 60 being operated simultaneously in the elevating mode.
To ensure a clear understanding of the operative association of the pipe elevating system and the loading and/or unloading mechanism, reference is now made to Figure 7.
In operation, when the empty pipe carrier is returned on its cable system to deck 15, the carrier is lowered by re-leasing the tension in cable 28 as previously explained until it contacts the sloping component 54(b) of bracket 54. The convex undersurface of carrier 27 continues to slide downwardly towards deck 15 until its curved projection 34 engages with the upper projecting edge 56 of plate 55 on bracket 54. This engagement causes carrier 27 to tilt forwardly into the position shown in Figure 7, in solid outline, this being in effect the loading position.
The pipe elevating system is now therefore in its lower, pipe receiving position, shown in phantom outline in Figure 7. A section of pipe is shown in position, again in phantom, upon lifting element 66 and abutting the front face of bracket 61. Subsequent actuation of jacking device 60, af-fects the elevation of pipe 20 such that it rolls from the up-per edge of element 66 onto the angled upper surface of element 66 and thereafter onto deck 15 and into carrier 27. Subsequent tensioning of the cable system pivots the carrier into its hori-zontal, transporting position free of bracket 54 in the direc-ti~n of arrow "B" (Figure 7). Transportation of pipe 20 to the drilling platform 10 is then carried out as schematically shown in Figures l(A) - l(C), and as previously described.

~L06~2~;6 In the unloading mode, when pipe is being brought from the drilling platfrom 10 to deck 15 for storage on rack 19 (Figure 2(A)), the simplicity of the inventive structure .
will be more readily appreciated, in that it is simply neces-sary to reverse the carrier on its supporting cable track, and the orientation of bracket 54 within the supporting base 45.
The tilitng of carrier 27 by engagement of curved projection 34 and the projecting upper edge 56 of plate 55, will cause the unloading of pipe 20 from carrier 25 onto deck 15 from whence it will roll onto rack 19.
DEFLECTOR PLATE ASSEMBLY
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Imp~rtant to the operation of the invention arrange-ment is the provision of a pipe deflector assembly 25, which as can be appreciated from the drawing is pivotally attached to gin pole 22. As can be seen from the drawings, particularly Figure 1, pipe 20 when cradled within the carrier 27 extends forwardly of the carrier, a substantial distance. This protru-sion of pipe is necessary to facilitate removal from the carrier on the drilling platfrom 10. E~oisting means (not shown) and con-ventional, being attachable to the end of the pipe 20 to li:Et the pipe from the carrier for subsequent coupling unto the drill string.
As will be appreciated it is necessary that the end of the pipe, as carrier approaches platform 10, is dixected away from the gin pole 22 and this therefore is the purpose of deflector plate assembly 25.
Referring now to Figures 8(a) and 8(b) in its preferred form, deflector plate 25 is of composite construction and includes a sleeve member 67 mounted for rotation about pole 22 at a fixed predetermined location immediately below bracket 24. Attached ~0662~ii6 to sleeve member 67 and extending outwardly therefrom in di-verging relation are side panels 68 (Figure 8tB)) joined at their apex and to sleeve member 67, as by welding.
It is also necessary for the orientation of deflec-tor plate assembly 25 to be changed, and fixedly mounted, in order to facilitate deflection of the end of pipe 20 to a pre-ferred side of pole 22.
As can be seen from Figure 8A, deflector assembly 25, contacts a flange 69 extending normal to the axis of pole 22. This flange serves to support assembly 25 and also pro- ~-vides, in conjunction with a co-operating flange 70 extending from the rear of sleeve 67, the means whereby assembly 25 can be angled.
In the preferred configuration, flange 69 is pro-vided with three radially spaced apertures 71, and flange 70 with one single aperture 72 positioned so as to register with each aperture 71 on flange 69, upon rotation of sleeve 67 a-bout pole 22. Pin means 73 are utilized to lock the assembly in the desired angular position.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this des-cription is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art, the manner of carrying out the invention. It is understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the presently preferred embodiment. Various changes may be made in the shape, size and general arrangement of compo-nents. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts may be re-,, ~ - 1 'I ~

~l066266 versed, and certain features of the invention may be used in-dependently of the use of other features, all as will be appa-rent to one skilled in the art after having the benefits of 4 the description of the invention, and the appended claims.

Claims (8)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPER-TY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Apparatus for lifting and transporting lengths of pipe to and from a drilling platform, from a pipe loading or unload-ing deck adjacent the drilling platform, said apparatus compris-ing:
(a) at least two pipe loading and unloading means mounted transversally of said deck in spaced relation one to the other in the longitudinal direction of said deck;
(b) at least two spaced apart pipe elevating means mounted to one longitudinal side of said deck so as to depend therefrom;
(c) pole means mounted on said platform so as to be extendable, vertically therethrough;
(d) pipe deflector means, mounted about said pole means adjacent the upper end thereof, so as to extend radially and forwardly therefrom, said deflector means being adapted to be ro-tatable about the vertical axis of said pole means and lockable in any one of at least two angular positions;
(e) a first cable means extending between two fixed points, one of said points located on said pole means, the second said point located adjacent said deck remote from said pole means;
(f) means for changing the length of said first cable means between said fixed points;
(g) an open ended elongate semi-cylindrical pipe carrier adapted to be freely supported by, and to hang beneath said first cable means in substantially parallel juxtaposition therewith;

(h) a second cable means fixedly attached at one end to said carrier arranged to extend to and pass around a first pulley means fixedly attached to said pole means, and thereafter to extend to winch means located adjacent said deck remote from said pole means; and (i) motor means operably connected to said winch means.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said carrier includes a plurality of spaced apart support means fixedly at-tached to said carrier and adapted to be releasably engagable with said first cable means; and projection means fixedly se-cured to the convex undersurface of said carrier and extending at least in part, the length of said carrier.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said carrier further includes a closure member adapted to be selectively located transversely within said carrier.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein said pipe carrier is longitudinally reversible so pipe may be loaded laterally onto said carrier or discharged laterally therefrom, from either side of said carrier.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein each said pipe loading and unloading means comprises an elongate base member adapted to be attached to said deck, and an upright angulated member detachably secured thereto, said angulated member being provided with an abutment engagable with said carrier projecting means so as to rotate said pipe carrier to the loading or unloading position.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said pipe elevating means comprises a substantially Z-shaped supporting frame having upper and lower substantially horizontal flanges interconnected by a substantially vertical web portion, guide means longitudinally co-extensive with said web portion, pipe supporting platform means mounted within said guide means to extend substantially normal to said web portion, and con-strained for movement to an upper pipe discharging position wherein said platform means is planar with said upper flange, and a fluid actuated cylinder assembly mounted upon said lower flange and operably engageable with said platform means.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the means for changing the length of said first cable means comprises a motor driven winch.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein each said winch is mounted on a vehicle.