CA1247590A - Oil well drilling rig assembly and apparatus therefor - Google Patents
Oil well drilling rig assembly and apparatus thereforInfo
- Publication number
- CA1247590A CA1247590A CA000542488A CA542488A CA1247590A CA 1247590 A CA1247590 A CA 1247590A CA 000542488 A CA000542488 A CA 000542488A CA 542488 A CA542488 A CA 542488A CA 1247590 A CA1247590 A CA 1247590A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mast
- pipe
- supply
- sections
- section
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 34
- 239000003129 oil well Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 9
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 abstract description 30
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 17
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 10
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 230000003405 preventing effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- NLZUEZXRPGMBCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Butylhydroxytoluene Chemical compound CC1=CC(C(C)(C)C)=C(O)C(C(C)(C)C)=C1 NLZUEZXRPGMBCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000905957 Channa melasoma Species 0.000 description 1
- 102000004338 Transferrin Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108090000901 Transferrin Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 206010044684 Trismus Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000136 polysorbate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012581 transferrin Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/14—Racks, ramps, troughs or bins, for holding the lengths of rod singly or connected; Handling between storage place and borehole
- E21B19/15—Racking of rods in horizontal position; Handling between horizontal and vertical position
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
An oil well drilling rig assembly having a main drilling mast which received and installs sections of drill pipe. A pipe supply mast is pivotally mounted in a spaced relationship from the base of the main mast to provide a safe catwalk area therebetween. The supply mast is movable between a horizontal position for transferring pipe sections between an adjacent pipe supply rack and a vertical position adjacent the main mast for transferring a section of pipe therebetween. The supply mast is raised and lowered by hydraulic cylinders and is telescopically adjustable to various lengths. A
combination shock absorbing bumper and alignment arrangement is provided between the mast drill mast and the pipe clamps on the supply mast. The supply mast is provided with a plurality of pipe clamps for releasably clamping a section of pipe on the supply mast. The clamps are provided with adjustable jaws which maintain the axial centerline for clamped pipes of various diameters. The pipe clamps are controlled by pressure actuated cylinders to regulate the clamping pressure in relationship to the thickness and strength of the pipe wall. Pipe sections are transferred individually between a sloped storage rack and the supply mast by indexing wheels. A pair of power drive pickup arms also transfer pipe sections between the storage rack and supply mast.
An oil well drilling rig assembly having a main drilling mast which received and installs sections of drill pipe. A pipe supply mast is pivotally mounted in a spaced relationship from the base of the main mast to provide a safe catwalk area therebetween. The supply mast is movable between a horizontal position for transferring pipe sections between an adjacent pipe supply rack and a vertical position adjacent the main mast for transferring a section of pipe therebetween. The supply mast is raised and lowered by hydraulic cylinders and is telescopically adjustable to various lengths. A
combination shock absorbing bumper and alignment arrangement is provided between the mast drill mast and the pipe clamps on the supply mast. The supply mast is provided with a plurality of pipe clamps for releasably clamping a section of pipe on the supply mast. The clamps are provided with adjustable jaws which maintain the axial centerline for clamped pipes of various diameters. The pipe clamps are controlled by pressure actuated cylinders to regulate the clamping pressure in relationship to the thickness and strength of the pipe wall. Pipe sections are transferred individually between a sloped storage rack and the supply mast by indexing wheels. A pair of power drive pickup arms also transfer pipe sections between the storage rack and supply mast.
Description
7S~ 1) _IL WELL DRILLING RIG
ASSEMBLY AND APPARAT~S THEREFOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to oil well drilling rig assemblies and in particular to an arrangement for transferring sections of drill pipe between a supply of such pipe to a position adjacent the main drill mast.
Furthermore, the invention relates to an improved clamping mechanism on the supply mast for releasable clamping the pipe sections thereon for transfer between the main mast and supply racks.
BACKGROUND ART
Various mechanisms have been devised for transferring sections of drill pipe between a supply of such pipe and the main drill mast for either installing the pipe sections in the drill oil or for pulling the sections from the well. These prior pipe transfer devices move the pipe from its normal horizontal stored position adjacent the base of the main drill mast or derrick to a vertical yosition for installation in the drill hole by the equlpment mounted on the main mast. Examples of such prior transEer masts and associated equipment are shown in Unitecl States Patent Nos. 3,177,944 (Kni~hts) issued April 13, 1965; 3,613,905 (Woolslayer et al) issued October 19, 1971; 3,633,771 (Woolslayer et al) issued January 11, 1972; 3,702,640 (Cintract et al) issued November 14, 1972; 4,109,800 (Howard et al) issued August 29, 1978;
and 4,172,6~4 (Jenkins) issued October 30, 1979.
Although these prior constructions may perform satisfactorily, they are relatively expensive and difficult to operate and provide a safety problem in that movement of the supply mast or pipe transfer device toward the main drill mast, a workman in the vicinity between the main mast and pipe supply apparatus could be crushed.
/~,t ~ .
'75~0 A further problem with known pipe trans-fer devices ls tlle inabillty of the device to accom-modate pipes oE various siæe aiameters. ~lthough certc~in ~ransfer devices have adjustablc clamps, the centerline of the pipe with respect to the transfer mechanism will vary depending upon the size of the pipe. This presents alignment problems when the pipe is raised to a pipe installation position with the main mast due to the relocation of the supply pipe centerline. A still further problem with known pipe clamps is that the clamping pressure can damage the pipes secured thereby where relatively thin-walled pipe is used Eor a particular well installation in contrast to other installations using a heavy-walled pipe. Heretofore the clamps will maintain a constant clamping force regardless of the slze and wall thickness of the pipe being clamped thereby.
~ further problem with known drilling mast assemblies is that the pipe secti.ons may require manual movement and relocation :~o~ placing the pipe sections on the transfer mechan:ism, all of which increases -the number oE men required at a drill s:ite as well as the amount Oe time Eor loading or unloading the transfer mechanism with a pipe sec-tion. Furthermore, this manual handling of the pipe increases the safety risk for the workmen.~
~ Another problem with prior drill assemblies having pipe transfer devices is that the pipe sections are stored on the drilling platform or in the main drilling mast increasing the danger to the workmen ~and possible damage to -the equipment, especially when high winds are encountered due to the excess weight at an elevated position and resulting moment force that is applied to -the base of the drilling mast. Therefore, there is the need for an improved drilling mast assembly S~
and pipe -transfer mechanism which eliminates these problems which have existed in the art.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Objectives of the invention include providing an improved oil well drilling assembly having an improved transfer mas-t for transferrin~
sections of pipe between the main derrick, and a horizontal position adjacent a storage rack in a safe manner; and in which the transfer mast has an offset base mounting arrangement which provides a sufficient spacing from the base of the ma.in mast when in a raised position Eorming a catwalk between the main mast and supply mast preventing a workman from being cruslled therebe~tween as in some p.rior constructions.
~nother objective is to p:rov.ide such assembly in which the s~pply mast is ra.ised and lowered by tele-scopically extendable and retractable cy~inders providlng ~or a controlled, smooth movement of the mast; in wh.lch improved pipe clamping members are mounted on the supply mast; and in which the supply mast is formed by telescopically extendable members to permit adjustment to the length of the mast to match the particular length of the pipe sections being transEerred thereby.
~ further objective of the invention is to provide an improved clamping mechanism for the transfer mast which is adjustable to accommodate pipe sections of different diameters while maintaining the same axial centerline of the pipe with respect to the mast whereby -the pipe sections remain axially aligned wi-th the centerline of the main drilling mast when raised to the vertical position; and in which the clamping pressure of the pipe clamps is adjustable ~Z4L75~
to con:For.m with the thickness and strength o-E the pipe walls to adequately gr.ip the p.ipe sections to prevent rotation thereof when being installed in the main d~ill pipe string, without damaging the pipe walls by excessive clamping pressure.
A still further objective of the invention is to provide such an assembly in which the pipe sections are loaded automatically onto the pipe clamps of the transfer mast from either side of the supply . mast either by a pair of power-driven pickup arms which will raise the pipe sections from a lower level on a trailer and place the same onto the clamps, or by means of a pair,of spaced indexi.ng wheels which automatically discharges indivi.dual pipes from a sloped supply trailer on-to the clamps; and in which the indexing wheels are power driven by a pressure cylinder enabling the pipes to be transEerred .Erom the mast onto the trailer in a revers~ op~ration, iE desired.
~ st.~ll Eurther objec~i.ve oE the invention is to provide such a drillin~ assembly and tr~ns:~er mast which eliminates the storage of the pipe sect.ions on the main d~il].ing mast or drilling platform thereby increasing the safety to the workmen and drilling e~uipment, which eliminates manual transfer or placement of th~s pipe sections onto and off of the transfer mast, and ln which an improved shock absorbing alignment mechanism is provided by the supply mast clamps in combination with the main drill mas-t to automatically center the supply mast with respect to the open side of the main drill mast for transferring the pipe sections therebetween.
~ further objective of the invention provides such an improved drilling mast assembly which reduces the number of workmen required at a drill site; provides a less e~pensive drilling unit; reducing the expense and time required for installing and removing sections ~;Z47S'~
oE drill pipe :Erom a well hole; increases the safety Eor the workmen; and reduces problems existing ln the well drilling art and solves problems that have long existed in -the art.
These objectives and advantages are obtained by the improved well dr.illing assembly, the general nature oE which may be s~.ated as including a main drilling m~st having a base and an upper structure, said upper structure being adapted to receive sections of drill pipe; a pipe supply mast adapted to releasably hold a section of drill pipe, said supply mast having upper, intermediate and lower sections, said lower section being pivotally mounted in a spaced relationship ~om the base of the main mast for movement between a horizontal pipe receivinc~ position and a ra.ised pipe dischar~e pOSitiOIl; storage rack means Eor holding a plurality o:~ drill pipe sectlons~ and pipe dispensing means operclt:ively communicatirlg with the pipe supply mast and storage rack mean~ for .ind.ividually dispensing a pipe section onto the upper section of the pipe supply mast when said s~lpply mast is in a horizontal position or subse~uent delivery by the supply mast to the upper structure oE the main drilling mast.
BRIEF nESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
. A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the : drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
FIG. l is a diagrammatic top plan view showiny the improved well drilling assembly with the pipe supply mast being in a horizontal, lowered ., ~z~s~
position located between storage racks containing sections of drill pipe and pipe casing;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing the main drill mast in a vertical raised position and the supply mast in full lines in a hori.~ontal pipe receiving position and in a raised vertical position engaged with the main drill mast, with an intermediate position of -the supply mast being shown in dot dash lines;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the pipe supply mast in a horizontal pipe receiving position with the e~tended end of the mast being shown in dot dash lines in an outwardly adjusted position;
FIG. ~ is a top plan view of the pipe supply mast of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a ~sect:ional v.iew taken on line 5-5, FIG. 2 showin~ one of the improved pipe clamping assemblies gripping a pipe which is shown in section, and also showing the improved shock absorbing and alignment mechanism;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the stationary pipe clamping jaw removed from the mounting plates;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view, portions of which are broken away and in section, showing the other of the pipe clamping jaws removed Erom the movable mounting pla-tes;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 8-8, FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the support frame for the pipe supply mast which is shown in dot dash lines in FIG. 2;
FIG. 10 is an eleva-tional view of the suppor-t frame of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the support frame of FIGS. 9 and 10;
iLZ~7S~
FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view looking in the direct:ion o:E arrows 12-12, FIG. 1 showing the improved pipe load.ing and unloading arrangemen-t in combination Witll the pipe supply mast shown in dot dash lines mounted within the support frame;
FIG. 13 is an elevational view of the transfer indexing wheel for the drill pipe sections looking in the direction of arrows 13-13, FIG. 12; and : FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14-14, FIG. 8.
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the d.rawinys.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION
, ... . . ... ..
~Ihe improved oil well drilling assembly is lncl.icated generally at 1, and ls shown diagram-matically in FIGS. 1 and 2. ~ssembly 1 includes a mc~in drill.ing mast indicatetl generally at 2, which received sec~t.tolls oE dr.l].l pipe 3 .Eo.r placi.ng the same in a drilled well hole in a usual manner. An improved pipe supply mast i.s indicated generally at 5, and is shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. Supply mast 5 includes a lower section 6 which is pivotally mounted on a pair of pivot blocks 7, an intermediate section 8, and a top section 9. Lower section 6 is formed by a plurality of structural members 6a and 6b and ex-tends generally parallel with upper section 9 with intermediate section 8 extending in an angled fashion therebetween.
Supply mast 5 is raised by a pair of hydraulic cylinders 10 between a lowered horizontal pipe receiving position and a vert.ical raised pipe discharged position, both of said positions being shown in full lines in FIG. 2. An intermediate supply mast position is shown in dot dash lines in FIG. 2. Cylinders 10 have a telescopically expandable and retractable construction to provide the necessary amount of swinging movement for moviny supply mast 5 between the raised and lowered positions. The lower end of cylinders 10 will be pivotally mounted by pins 11 to a main support beam 12.
The up~er end of cylinders 10 are pivotally mounted by pins 13 to a brace 14 attached to intermediate mast section 8.
Upper mast section 9 preferably is formed by a pair of telescopically joined inner and outer sections 16 and 17 with outer section 17 being tele-scopically slidably mounted wi-thin inner section 16.
~his telescopic mounting arrangement enables supply . 15 mast 5 to accommodate various leng-ths oE dxill pipes 3 for transfer between main drilling mast 2. Outer section 17 is shown ln an extended posi-tion by dot dash lines .in FIGS. 3 ancl ~.
In accordance wlth one of the features of the inventioll, a plurality of pipe clamp mounting assemblies, indicated generally at 20, 21 and 22, are mounted on pipe s~lpply Mast 5 Eor releasably clamping a section Oe drill pipe 3 thereon for transferring the pi.pe between a horizontal .lowered position and a vertical raised position adjacent main drilling mast 2.
Pipe clamp moun-ting assemblies 20 and 21 are mounted on opposite ends of mast section 16 wi-th mounting assembly 22 being mounted on the extended end of mast section 17.
Clamp mounting assemblies 20, 21 and 22 are generally similar to each o~her. Therefore only intermediate mounting assembly 21 is shown in detail in FIGS. 5 through 8 and FIG. 14. Assembly 21 in-cludes a pair of spaced plates 24 formed with aligned rectangular-shaped openings 25 for receiving supply S9~
mast sections 16 and 17 therein. Mast section 16 is :firmly attached to plates 27 w.ith mast section 17 being slidably mounted with respect to the plates within mast section 16. ThUs, pla-tes 29 in addition to prov.iding the support for mounting a pipe clamping mechanism thereon, also serves as the connection for telescopically slidably mounting inner mast section 17 withln mast section 16.
A pipe clamping mechanism indicated generally at 26, is mounted on each pair of plates 24. Each mechanism 26 includes a pressure actuated cylinder 28 which is pivotally mounted by pin 29 on one end of plates 24 and is located in the space between the plates to protect the cylinder from damage or interference with other struc~ures. Preferably cylinder 28 is pneu-matically opera-ted and is controlled from an operator control panel located on the drilling plat:Eorm. Cylinder r.ocl 30 is pivotally mounted by pin 31 between a pair of movable spaced pipe jaw holding plates 32 (FIGS. 5 and 8).
Jaw pla~s 32 ar~ pivotally moun~ed by a pin 33 between plates 24 ad~acent semicyl:indr.ical-shaped recesses 45 Eormed in an end o.E plates 2Q. ~ pipe holding jaw indicated generally at 35 (FIGS. 7 and 8), has a generally T-shaped configuration and is slidably ad-justably mounted between jaw holding plates 32 by a locking pin 36. A plurality of holes 37 are formed in the T-shaped base portion 38 of jaw 35 through which pin 36 is inserted when jaw hole 37 is aligned with one of a plurality of holes 39 formed in jaw holding plates 32 to maintain jaw 35 in the desired adjusted position.
Another pipe holding jaw indica-ted generally at 42 (FIGS. 6, 8 and 14), is adjustably mounted within a slide 43 formed between spaced plates 24 adjacent to and in communication with semicylindrical-shaped re-cesses 45 formed in the ends of plates 24. Pipe holding s~
jaw 42 includes an outer, rectangular-shaped housing 46 having a pair oE spaced internal reinforcing plates 47. A V-shaped top plate 48 is mounted on one end of hou~ing 46 and has a plurality of spaced pipe gripping tong dies 49 slidably mounted within dovetail-shaped grooves 50 formed in top plate 48. Housing 46 and reinforcing plates 47 are formed with a plurality of aligned spaced holes 52 and 53 respectively. A
locking pin 54 extends through holes 52 and 53 when aligned with holes 55 and 56 which are formed, in space plates 24 and inner slide plates 51, respectively, to lock jaw 42 i.n a predetermined pipe holding position.
Pla-tes 51 are firmly connected by welds or other fastening means to plates 24 to provide a slide for housing 46.
~ tong die mounting block 57 is secured to the outer end oE base 38 of jaw 35 (FIG. 7) and is Eormed with a dovetail-shaped groove 58 Eor slidably mounting a pipe gripping tong die 59 therein.
Pipe clamping mechanism 26 provides one of the improved advantages and Eeatures oE drilling rig assembly 1 since it provides a constan-t centerline 60 (FIG. 5) Eor drill pipe 3 regardless of the particular diameter of the drill pipe. Jaws 35 and 42 are adjusted toward or away from a pipe section 3 dependiny upon the particular diameter oE the pipe. Tlle amount of adjustment is the same Eor both jaws thereby maintaining the pipe centerline 60 a-t the same position. This elimina-tes any additional realignment or manipulation of the pipe sections upon supply mast 5 being raised to the transfer position with drilling mast 2. Pipe section 3 will be firmly gripped by jaws 35 and 42 within a circular opening formed by semicircular recess 45 of plates 24 and semicircular recess 41 formed in jaw plates 32.
~75~0 In accordance with another Eeature oE the invention, the outer corners of plates 24 are formed with a pair of angled surfaces 62 which merge into surfaces 63 which are parallel w.ith plate edges 64 (FIG. 5) for cooperative engagement with a pair of rubber blocks 6~. Blocks 68 are secured to the outer frame members 65 of main drilling mast 2 and extend inwardly toward each other. Blocks 68 are provided with outer surfaces 66 and 67 which are complementary with plate edge surfaces 62 and 63, respectively. Thus, as clamping assemblies 20 and 21 approach main mast 2, angled surfaces 66 of rubber blocks 68 will engage angled surfaces 62 of plates 24 causing plates 24 to move -transversely into correct alignment until sur:Eace . 15 67 oE blocks 68 engage complementary plate surfaces 63.
This sliding movement between surfaces 62 and 66 will transversely alic3n m~st 5 with respect to ma.in mast 2.
In addltion, rubber blocks 68 will stop the pivo~al movement oE mast 5 at the desired position agalnst main mast 2 wher~by cente.rline 60 oE p.ipe section 3 will be at the c1~sired position.
Thus, re~ardless oE the number o:E times that trans~er rnast 5 is ra:ised and lowered for transferring new pipe sections Erom a supply thereof to main mast 2, the centerllne of the pipe section will xemain constant due to adjustable pipe clampi.ng mechanisms 26 and the self-aligning feature of rubber blocks 68. Likewise, in addition to aligning supply mast 5 with respect to mast 2, blocks 68 function as shock absorbers to absorb the impact energy oE mast 5 as it engages mast 2.
Another advantage of improved pipe clamp mechanisms 26 is that the force exerted on cyl.inder rod 30 is adjustable whereby the pipe clamping pressure exerted by jaw 35 can be adjusted to a predetermined pressure. This prevents excess pressure being applied s~
to a relatively thin wall pipe section 3 which could damage the same, and will enable sufficient clamping pressure to be exerted on a pipe section 3 preventing rotation thereo~ when a collar or other installation device ls applied or removed from the pipe section.
The pressure e~erted on rod 30 is controlled easily from a control panel (not shownj which is located on the main mast platform through hydraulic or pneumatic lines extending thereto.
Pipe supply mast 5 is supported by a frame assembly indicated generally at 70, when in a horizontal pipe receiving position as shown particularly in FIGS.
9~12 and in dot dash lines in FIG. 2. E`rame 70 is mounted on a plurality of spaced I-beam 71 and includes a latticework Oe vertical, horizontal and diagonal frame members 72, 73 and 7~ respectively. Innermost vertical Erame membe.rs 73 form a cradle opening 75 in which upper mast sectlon 9 rests when in the horizontal position.
~not}ler oE ~lle main features oE improved oil well drill:ing assembly 1 is the mechanism Eor trans-Eerring sect:ions of dri.ll pipe 3 onto and oEf of pipe supply mast 5. This arrangement is shown particularly in FIGS. 1, 12 and 13. Drill pipes 3 are delivered to the well site on a pipe trailer 78 having a pipe rack 79.
Rack 79 is movable vertically and at a forward or reverse inclined angle by a plurality of spaced hydraulic or ` pneumatic cylinders 80. A pair of indexing wheels 81 are mounted in a spaced relationship on a pivot rod 77 on one side of pipe trailer 78 by brackets 84 and are rotated by a pressure cylinder 82.
An individual pipe will by gravity roll into one quadrant 83 of indexing wheel 81. Actuation of cylinder 82 will rotate wheels 81 in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 12) which will discharge pipe section 3 :~L24'75~
onto top fr~me members 76 of frame assembly 70 whereupon the pipe section will roll downwardly onto and across edges 64 of spaced plates 24 and onto V-shaped plate 48 of pipe clamping jaw 42 within recess 45. Cylinder 28 then is actuated pivotally moving clamping jaw 35 into engagement with pipe section 3.
Indexing wheels 81 also can be operated in reverse to move a pipe section from transfer mast 5 onto pipe trailer 80 when the pipe sections are being removed from a well. The right-hand end hydraulic cylinders 80 (FIG. 12) of pipe trailer 78 would slope pipe raclc 79 in the opposite direction from that shown in FIG. 12 whereupon rotation of .indexing wheels 81 .in a cloclcwise direction will move the pipe onto the trailer.
. 15 In aecordanee with sti:Ll another fea-ture o~
the lnvention, a p.ipe eas.ing transfer meehanism .indieated generally at 87, is loeated on the oppos.ite side oE
transEer mast Erame supporting assembly 70 from p.ipe trailer 78 (F~.G. 12). Caslng transfer meehan.ism 87 ineludes a eas:ing support raek 88 whieh is pivotally mounted by pins 89 on braekets 86 whieh are connected to Erame assembly 70 for supporting a plurality of pipe easings 90. Raek 88 is inelined downwardly toward frame assembly 70 by a hydraulie eylinder 91 attaehed to the outer end of raek 88. A pair of spaeed lifting arms 93 are pivotally mounted by pins 94 to braekets 95 mounted on frame assembly 70. Arms 93 are pivotally moved with respect to bracket 95 by pressure eylinders 96 whieh are pivotally mounted by pins 89 to bracket 86 beneath bracket 95. The extended ends of piston rods of~cylindexs 96 are pivotally connected by pins 99 -to a midpoint of lifting arm 93.
The swinging end of each arm 93 is formed with a no-tch 100. A casing 90 rolls down inelined support raek 88 into notehes 100 of arms 93. Aetuation of ~'75~C~
~1~~
cylinders 96 will move arms 93 upwardly from their ~ull llne position oE ~IG. 12 to the dot dash line position, whereupon the casing 90 will be discharged onto top Erame member 76. Casing 90 will roll along frame member 76 and onto top edges 64 of pipe clamp assembly plates 24 and into recess 45 and onto pipe holding jaw 42. Movable jaw 35 and plates 32 will be pivoted below plate edges 64 until casing 90 has entered recess 45 whereupon jaw holding plates 32 will pivot from between plates 24 to a clamping position in the same manner as when a pipe section 3 is clamped by pipe clamp mechanisms 2~.
The operation of arm 93 will work in reverse for transEerring a casing from transfer mast 5 to a stored position on casing support rack 88.
During this operation, cylinder 91 will lower casing rack 8~ downwardly to enable the transfer casings to roll toward the outer end oE rack 88 aEter arm 93 has moved to its lowered posit.ton. Cylinder 91 will. lower the outer ell~ o.E rack 8R to ~Eoxm an outwardly downwardly ~xtend.tncJ r~clc.
The improved oil well drilling rig assembly has a number oE advantages. The offset arrangement of the lower por-tion oE the transfer mast Eorms a catwalk between the transfer mast and main drilling mast pre-venting the possibility of a workman being crushed or injured during movement of the transfer mast toward the main mast. Another advantage is that plates 24 of the improved pipe clamp mounting assemblies, in addition to supporting the pipe clamping mechanisms provide the mounting for the transfer mast sections enabling the transfer mast to be telescopically adjusted to various lengths to accommodate different lengths of pipe sections.
Still another advantage is the adjustability of the pipe clamping jaws which enable the jaws to clamp pipes of '7S9~
different diameters and wall thicknesses for transfering the pipe sections between the main mast and a pipe supply rack while maintaining the centerline of the pipe constant regardless of the pipe size, and in addition regulates the clamping pressure to prevent injury to thin wall pipes.
A further advantage i9 the ~elf-aligning and shock absorbing arrangement between the transfer mast and main derrick mast that is provided by the spaced rubber bumpers or blocks mounted along one side of the main mast which have angled surE~ces which mate with complementary-shaped surfaces formed at the corners oE the plates of the pipe clamping assemblies, which eliminates any minor transverse misalignment oE the trans~er mast with respect to the main mast to ensure exact alignment of the p;pe sections when delivered to the main drilling mast.
~Rst section 16 and 17 can be manually moved ln relation to each other, if desired, and be suitab:ly Eixed in association as by use o set screws or the like, as dèsired. Fig. 5 indicates that the main Eixed mast 2 has an open side indicated at 0 in Fig. 5 to facilitate moving the pipe section into association with the drill pipe and permitting ready acess to such fixed mast. It also will be appreciated that the plates 24 primarily support the mast section 16 and aid in positioning the telescopic section 17. A walkway w is indicated in Fig. 2 that is formed between the base of the main mast 2 and the support end of the pipe supply mast 5.
59~
~nother feature of the invention is that the mast sections 16 and 17 can be adjusted longi-tudinally by power means if desired. A power cylinder (not shown) would extend longitudinally of the inner section 17 and be secured within it by suitable brackets or equivalents. The piston rod of the cylinder would extend the length of the section 16 and preferably connect to it by a bracket or equivalent adjacent its lower end. The power cylinder would be long enough as to provide a full telescoping closing or opening for the section 17 in relation to mast section 16. Power for such power cylinder would be supplied from the apparatus fluid power source.
Jaws 35 and 42 both are manually adjusted in relation to each other in that the holes 37 in jaw 35 are spaced equal distance from each other which is the ~ame distance as the holes 52 are spaced Erom each other in jaw 42 and that equiv-alent holes are used in each of these jaws at all times to maintai n the jaws properly on the center-line of the drill stri ng .
~4'7S~3 Lt ~Iso w;.ll be re~lized that the rul-ber blocl.s ~!~ c~n of course be m~de From any su;.table re.sillent material normally these blocks must be quite stlEF but wo~lld llave ~ome i.nherent resi.liency or .[lexibili.ty hut would be made from high durometer rubber or plastic materials. If desired, the blocks could even he formed from metal but this would tend to wear and may not have as long of li:Ee as use oE a plastic materia.l.
~e~ardin~ the automatic movement or rolling of the ~ipe sections across the edges of the space plates :lQ 24 as described in relation to Fig. 12, these associated surfaces 76,76 could le slightly higher than the sur:Faces 64, or some manual push could be given to the pipe sec-tlons to cause them to roll to or .Erom the recess 45 or i.E desi.red, some other actuator of a conventional type ].5 could be provided. I,ikewise, when pipe secitons 90 are ll.Ctecl up to the frarQe mecltls tlley ca.n be moved in a.ny clesi.re(l manner to ~,el~ them to ro'll on to and over the oul^(r s~.lrl':~lce 6ll. '.l~ w:i.l.l. be rea'.l.i7,ed that any desirecl ty~e o~ a latcl-l means manu~lly or automa.ti.ca.lly actuated ~0 c~n be provided on the nrms ~3 to retain the pi.pe sec-~ions 90 Ln enga~ement ~ h ~his arm when being movetl up or do~n in the rack, as clesired, Accordingly, the improved oil we].l drilli.ng rig assembly is simpli.~i.ed, provides an e:Efective, saEe, inexpensive, and ef:Eicient construction which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides Eor eliminating dif:Eiculties encountered ~ith prior devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.
The description and illustration oE the inven-tion is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Having now described tlhe features, discove~ies and prin-ciples oE the i.nvention, the manner in which the improved oil well drilling rig assembly is constructed, the charac-3.~ teristics o:E the construction, and advantageous, new ~ncl use~ul results obtained are set forth in the appended claims.
ASSEMBLY AND APPARAT~S THEREFOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to oil well drilling rig assemblies and in particular to an arrangement for transferring sections of drill pipe between a supply of such pipe to a position adjacent the main drill mast.
Furthermore, the invention relates to an improved clamping mechanism on the supply mast for releasable clamping the pipe sections thereon for transfer between the main mast and supply racks.
BACKGROUND ART
Various mechanisms have been devised for transferring sections of drill pipe between a supply of such pipe and the main drill mast for either installing the pipe sections in the drill oil or for pulling the sections from the well. These prior pipe transfer devices move the pipe from its normal horizontal stored position adjacent the base of the main drill mast or derrick to a vertical yosition for installation in the drill hole by the equlpment mounted on the main mast. Examples of such prior transEer masts and associated equipment are shown in Unitecl States Patent Nos. 3,177,944 (Kni~hts) issued April 13, 1965; 3,613,905 (Woolslayer et al) issued October 19, 1971; 3,633,771 (Woolslayer et al) issued January 11, 1972; 3,702,640 (Cintract et al) issued November 14, 1972; 4,109,800 (Howard et al) issued August 29, 1978;
and 4,172,6~4 (Jenkins) issued October 30, 1979.
Although these prior constructions may perform satisfactorily, they are relatively expensive and difficult to operate and provide a safety problem in that movement of the supply mast or pipe transfer device toward the main drill mast, a workman in the vicinity between the main mast and pipe supply apparatus could be crushed.
/~,t ~ .
'75~0 A further problem with known pipe trans-fer devices ls tlle inabillty of the device to accom-modate pipes oE various siæe aiameters. ~lthough certc~in ~ransfer devices have adjustablc clamps, the centerline of the pipe with respect to the transfer mechanism will vary depending upon the size of the pipe. This presents alignment problems when the pipe is raised to a pipe installation position with the main mast due to the relocation of the supply pipe centerline. A still further problem with known pipe clamps is that the clamping pressure can damage the pipes secured thereby where relatively thin-walled pipe is used Eor a particular well installation in contrast to other installations using a heavy-walled pipe. Heretofore the clamps will maintain a constant clamping force regardless of the slze and wall thickness of the pipe being clamped thereby.
~ further problem with known drilling mast assemblies is that the pipe secti.ons may require manual movement and relocation :~o~ placing the pipe sections on the transfer mechan:ism, all of which increases -the number oE men required at a drill s:ite as well as the amount Oe time Eor loading or unloading the transfer mechanism with a pipe sec-tion. Furthermore, this manual handling of the pipe increases the safety risk for the workmen.~
~ Another problem with prior drill assemblies having pipe transfer devices is that the pipe sections are stored on the drilling platform or in the main drilling mast increasing the danger to the workmen ~and possible damage to -the equipment, especially when high winds are encountered due to the excess weight at an elevated position and resulting moment force that is applied to -the base of the drilling mast. Therefore, there is the need for an improved drilling mast assembly S~
and pipe -transfer mechanism which eliminates these problems which have existed in the art.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Objectives of the invention include providing an improved oil well drilling assembly having an improved transfer mas-t for transferrin~
sections of pipe between the main derrick, and a horizontal position adjacent a storage rack in a safe manner; and in which the transfer mast has an offset base mounting arrangement which provides a sufficient spacing from the base of the ma.in mast when in a raised position Eorming a catwalk between the main mast and supply mast preventing a workman from being cruslled therebe~tween as in some p.rior constructions.
~nother objective is to p:rov.ide such assembly in which the s~pply mast is ra.ised and lowered by tele-scopically extendable and retractable cy~inders providlng ~or a controlled, smooth movement of the mast; in wh.lch improved pipe clamping members are mounted on the supply mast; and in which the supply mast is formed by telescopically extendable members to permit adjustment to the length of the mast to match the particular length of the pipe sections being transEerred thereby.
~ further objective of the invention is to provide an improved clamping mechanism for the transfer mast which is adjustable to accommodate pipe sections of different diameters while maintaining the same axial centerline of the pipe with respect to the mast whereby -the pipe sections remain axially aligned wi-th the centerline of the main drilling mast when raised to the vertical position; and in which the clamping pressure of the pipe clamps is adjustable ~Z4L75~
to con:For.m with the thickness and strength o-E the pipe walls to adequately gr.ip the p.ipe sections to prevent rotation thereof when being installed in the main d~ill pipe string, without damaging the pipe walls by excessive clamping pressure.
A still further objective of the invention is to provide such an assembly in which the pipe sections are loaded automatically onto the pipe clamps of the transfer mast from either side of the supply . mast either by a pair of power-driven pickup arms which will raise the pipe sections from a lower level on a trailer and place the same onto the clamps, or by means of a pair,of spaced indexi.ng wheels which automatically discharges indivi.dual pipes from a sloped supply trailer on-to the clamps; and in which the indexing wheels are power driven by a pressure cylinder enabling the pipes to be transEerred .Erom the mast onto the trailer in a revers~ op~ration, iE desired.
~ st.~ll Eurther objec~i.ve oE the invention is to provide such a drillin~ assembly and tr~ns:~er mast which eliminates the storage of the pipe sect.ions on the main d~il].ing mast or drilling platform thereby increasing the safety to the workmen and drilling e~uipment, which eliminates manual transfer or placement of th~s pipe sections onto and off of the transfer mast, and ln which an improved shock absorbing alignment mechanism is provided by the supply mast clamps in combination with the main drill mas-t to automatically center the supply mast with respect to the open side of the main drill mast for transferring the pipe sections therebetween.
~ further objective of the invention provides such an improved drilling mast assembly which reduces the number of workmen required at a drill site; provides a less e~pensive drilling unit; reducing the expense and time required for installing and removing sections ~;Z47S'~
oE drill pipe :Erom a well hole; increases the safety Eor the workmen; and reduces problems existing ln the well drilling art and solves problems that have long existed in -the art.
These objectives and advantages are obtained by the improved well dr.illing assembly, the general nature oE which may be s~.ated as including a main drilling m~st having a base and an upper structure, said upper structure being adapted to receive sections of drill pipe; a pipe supply mast adapted to releasably hold a section of drill pipe, said supply mast having upper, intermediate and lower sections, said lower section being pivotally mounted in a spaced relationship ~om the base of the main mast for movement between a horizontal pipe receivinc~ position and a ra.ised pipe dischar~e pOSitiOIl; storage rack means Eor holding a plurality o:~ drill pipe sectlons~ and pipe dispensing means operclt:ively communicatirlg with the pipe supply mast and storage rack mean~ for .ind.ividually dispensing a pipe section onto the upper section of the pipe supply mast when said s~lpply mast is in a horizontal position or subse~uent delivery by the supply mast to the upper structure oE the main drilling mast.
BRIEF nESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
. A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the : drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
FIG. l is a diagrammatic top plan view showiny the improved well drilling assembly with the pipe supply mast being in a horizontal, lowered ., ~z~s~
position located between storage racks containing sections of drill pipe and pipe casing;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing the main drill mast in a vertical raised position and the supply mast in full lines in a hori.~ontal pipe receiving position and in a raised vertical position engaged with the main drill mast, with an intermediate position of -the supply mast being shown in dot dash lines;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the pipe supply mast in a horizontal pipe receiving position with the e~tended end of the mast being shown in dot dash lines in an outwardly adjusted position;
FIG. ~ is a top plan view of the pipe supply mast of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a ~sect:ional v.iew taken on line 5-5, FIG. 2 showin~ one of the improved pipe clamping assemblies gripping a pipe which is shown in section, and also showing the improved shock absorbing and alignment mechanism;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the stationary pipe clamping jaw removed from the mounting plates;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view, portions of which are broken away and in section, showing the other of the pipe clamping jaws removed Erom the movable mounting pla-tes;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 8-8, FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the support frame for the pipe supply mast which is shown in dot dash lines in FIG. 2;
FIG. 10 is an eleva-tional view of the suppor-t frame of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the support frame of FIGS. 9 and 10;
iLZ~7S~
FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view looking in the direct:ion o:E arrows 12-12, FIG. 1 showing the improved pipe load.ing and unloading arrangemen-t in combination Witll the pipe supply mast shown in dot dash lines mounted within the support frame;
FIG. 13 is an elevational view of the transfer indexing wheel for the drill pipe sections looking in the direction of arrows 13-13, FIG. 12; and : FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14-14, FIG. 8.
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the d.rawinys.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION
, ... . . ... ..
~Ihe improved oil well drilling assembly is lncl.icated generally at 1, and ls shown diagram-matically in FIGS. 1 and 2. ~ssembly 1 includes a mc~in drill.ing mast indicatetl generally at 2, which received sec~t.tolls oE dr.l].l pipe 3 .Eo.r placi.ng the same in a drilled well hole in a usual manner. An improved pipe supply mast i.s indicated generally at 5, and is shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. Supply mast 5 includes a lower section 6 which is pivotally mounted on a pair of pivot blocks 7, an intermediate section 8, and a top section 9. Lower section 6 is formed by a plurality of structural members 6a and 6b and ex-tends generally parallel with upper section 9 with intermediate section 8 extending in an angled fashion therebetween.
Supply mast 5 is raised by a pair of hydraulic cylinders 10 between a lowered horizontal pipe receiving position and a vert.ical raised pipe discharged position, both of said positions being shown in full lines in FIG. 2. An intermediate supply mast position is shown in dot dash lines in FIG. 2. Cylinders 10 have a telescopically expandable and retractable construction to provide the necessary amount of swinging movement for moviny supply mast 5 between the raised and lowered positions. The lower end of cylinders 10 will be pivotally mounted by pins 11 to a main support beam 12.
The up~er end of cylinders 10 are pivotally mounted by pins 13 to a brace 14 attached to intermediate mast section 8.
Upper mast section 9 preferably is formed by a pair of telescopically joined inner and outer sections 16 and 17 with outer section 17 being tele-scopically slidably mounted wi-thin inner section 16.
~his telescopic mounting arrangement enables supply . 15 mast 5 to accommodate various leng-ths oE dxill pipes 3 for transfer between main drilling mast 2. Outer section 17 is shown ln an extended posi-tion by dot dash lines .in FIGS. 3 ancl ~.
In accordance wlth one of the features of the inventioll, a plurality of pipe clamp mounting assemblies, indicated generally at 20, 21 and 22, are mounted on pipe s~lpply Mast 5 Eor releasably clamping a section Oe drill pipe 3 thereon for transferring the pi.pe between a horizontal .lowered position and a vertical raised position adjacent main drilling mast 2.
Pipe clamp moun-ting assemblies 20 and 21 are mounted on opposite ends of mast section 16 wi-th mounting assembly 22 being mounted on the extended end of mast section 17.
Clamp mounting assemblies 20, 21 and 22 are generally similar to each o~her. Therefore only intermediate mounting assembly 21 is shown in detail in FIGS. 5 through 8 and FIG. 14. Assembly 21 in-cludes a pair of spaced plates 24 formed with aligned rectangular-shaped openings 25 for receiving supply S9~
mast sections 16 and 17 therein. Mast section 16 is :firmly attached to plates 27 w.ith mast section 17 being slidably mounted with respect to the plates within mast section 16. ThUs, pla-tes 29 in addition to prov.iding the support for mounting a pipe clamping mechanism thereon, also serves as the connection for telescopically slidably mounting inner mast section 17 withln mast section 16.
A pipe clamping mechanism indicated generally at 26, is mounted on each pair of plates 24. Each mechanism 26 includes a pressure actuated cylinder 28 which is pivotally mounted by pin 29 on one end of plates 24 and is located in the space between the plates to protect the cylinder from damage or interference with other struc~ures. Preferably cylinder 28 is pneu-matically opera-ted and is controlled from an operator control panel located on the drilling plat:Eorm. Cylinder r.ocl 30 is pivotally mounted by pin 31 between a pair of movable spaced pipe jaw holding plates 32 (FIGS. 5 and 8).
Jaw pla~s 32 ar~ pivotally moun~ed by a pin 33 between plates 24 ad~acent semicyl:indr.ical-shaped recesses 45 Eormed in an end o.E plates 2Q. ~ pipe holding jaw indicated generally at 35 (FIGS. 7 and 8), has a generally T-shaped configuration and is slidably ad-justably mounted between jaw holding plates 32 by a locking pin 36. A plurality of holes 37 are formed in the T-shaped base portion 38 of jaw 35 through which pin 36 is inserted when jaw hole 37 is aligned with one of a plurality of holes 39 formed in jaw holding plates 32 to maintain jaw 35 in the desired adjusted position.
Another pipe holding jaw indica-ted generally at 42 (FIGS. 6, 8 and 14), is adjustably mounted within a slide 43 formed between spaced plates 24 adjacent to and in communication with semicylindrical-shaped re-cesses 45 formed in the ends of plates 24. Pipe holding s~
jaw 42 includes an outer, rectangular-shaped housing 46 having a pair oE spaced internal reinforcing plates 47. A V-shaped top plate 48 is mounted on one end of hou~ing 46 and has a plurality of spaced pipe gripping tong dies 49 slidably mounted within dovetail-shaped grooves 50 formed in top plate 48. Housing 46 and reinforcing plates 47 are formed with a plurality of aligned spaced holes 52 and 53 respectively. A
locking pin 54 extends through holes 52 and 53 when aligned with holes 55 and 56 which are formed, in space plates 24 and inner slide plates 51, respectively, to lock jaw 42 i.n a predetermined pipe holding position.
Pla-tes 51 are firmly connected by welds or other fastening means to plates 24 to provide a slide for housing 46.
~ tong die mounting block 57 is secured to the outer end oE base 38 of jaw 35 (FIG. 7) and is Eormed with a dovetail-shaped groove 58 Eor slidably mounting a pipe gripping tong die 59 therein.
Pipe clamping mechanism 26 provides one of the improved advantages and Eeatures oE drilling rig assembly 1 since it provides a constan-t centerline 60 (FIG. 5) Eor drill pipe 3 regardless of the particular diameter of the drill pipe. Jaws 35 and 42 are adjusted toward or away from a pipe section 3 dependiny upon the particular diameter oE the pipe. Tlle amount of adjustment is the same Eor both jaws thereby maintaining the pipe centerline 60 a-t the same position. This elimina-tes any additional realignment or manipulation of the pipe sections upon supply mast 5 being raised to the transfer position with drilling mast 2. Pipe section 3 will be firmly gripped by jaws 35 and 42 within a circular opening formed by semicircular recess 45 of plates 24 and semicircular recess 41 formed in jaw plates 32.
~75~0 In accordance with another Eeature oE the invention, the outer corners of plates 24 are formed with a pair of angled surfaces 62 which merge into surfaces 63 which are parallel w.ith plate edges 64 (FIG. 5) for cooperative engagement with a pair of rubber blocks 6~. Blocks 68 are secured to the outer frame members 65 of main drilling mast 2 and extend inwardly toward each other. Blocks 68 are provided with outer surfaces 66 and 67 which are complementary with plate edge surfaces 62 and 63, respectively. Thus, as clamping assemblies 20 and 21 approach main mast 2, angled surfaces 66 of rubber blocks 68 will engage angled surfaces 62 of plates 24 causing plates 24 to move -transversely into correct alignment until sur:Eace . 15 67 oE blocks 68 engage complementary plate surfaces 63.
This sliding movement between surfaces 62 and 66 will transversely alic3n m~st 5 with respect to ma.in mast 2.
In addltion, rubber blocks 68 will stop the pivo~al movement oE mast 5 at the desired position agalnst main mast 2 wher~by cente.rline 60 oE p.ipe section 3 will be at the c1~sired position.
Thus, re~ardless oE the number o:E times that trans~er rnast 5 is ra:ised and lowered for transferring new pipe sections Erom a supply thereof to main mast 2, the centerllne of the pipe section will xemain constant due to adjustable pipe clampi.ng mechanisms 26 and the self-aligning feature of rubber blocks 68. Likewise, in addition to aligning supply mast 5 with respect to mast 2, blocks 68 function as shock absorbers to absorb the impact energy oE mast 5 as it engages mast 2.
Another advantage of improved pipe clamp mechanisms 26 is that the force exerted on cyl.inder rod 30 is adjustable whereby the pipe clamping pressure exerted by jaw 35 can be adjusted to a predetermined pressure. This prevents excess pressure being applied s~
to a relatively thin wall pipe section 3 which could damage the same, and will enable sufficient clamping pressure to be exerted on a pipe section 3 preventing rotation thereo~ when a collar or other installation device ls applied or removed from the pipe section.
The pressure e~erted on rod 30 is controlled easily from a control panel (not shownj which is located on the main mast platform through hydraulic or pneumatic lines extending thereto.
Pipe supply mast 5 is supported by a frame assembly indicated generally at 70, when in a horizontal pipe receiving position as shown particularly in FIGS.
9~12 and in dot dash lines in FIG. 2. E`rame 70 is mounted on a plurality of spaced I-beam 71 and includes a latticework Oe vertical, horizontal and diagonal frame members 72, 73 and 7~ respectively. Innermost vertical Erame membe.rs 73 form a cradle opening 75 in which upper mast sectlon 9 rests when in the horizontal position.
~not}ler oE ~lle main features oE improved oil well drill:ing assembly 1 is the mechanism Eor trans-Eerring sect:ions of dri.ll pipe 3 onto and oEf of pipe supply mast 5. This arrangement is shown particularly in FIGS. 1, 12 and 13. Drill pipes 3 are delivered to the well site on a pipe trailer 78 having a pipe rack 79.
Rack 79 is movable vertically and at a forward or reverse inclined angle by a plurality of spaced hydraulic or ` pneumatic cylinders 80. A pair of indexing wheels 81 are mounted in a spaced relationship on a pivot rod 77 on one side of pipe trailer 78 by brackets 84 and are rotated by a pressure cylinder 82.
An individual pipe will by gravity roll into one quadrant 83 of indexing wheel 81. Actuation of cylinder 82 will rotate wheels 81 in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 12) which will discharge pipe section 3 :~L24'75~
onto top fr~me members 76 of frame assembly 70 whereupon the pipe section will roll downwardly onto and across edges 64 of spaced plates 24 and onto V-shaped plate 48 of pipe clamping jaw 42 within recess 45. Cylinder 28 then is actuated pivotally moving clamping jaw 35 into engagement with pipe section 3.
Indexing wheels 81 also can be operated in reverse to move a pipe section from transfer mast 5 onto pipe trailer 80 when the pipe sections are being removed from a well. The right-hand end hydraulic cylinders 80 (FIG. 12) of pipe trailer 78 would slope pipe raclc 79 in the opposite direction from that shown in FIG. 12 whereupon rotation of .indexing wheels 81 .in a cloclcwise direction will move the pipe onto the trailer.
. 15 In aecordanee with sti:Ll another fea-ture o~
the lnvention, a p.ipe eas.ing transfer meehanism .indieated generally at 87, is loeated on the oppos.ite side oE
transEer mast Erame supporting assembly 70 from p.ipe trailer 78 (F~.G. 12). Caslng transfer meehan.ism 87 ineludes a eas:ing support raek 88 whieh is pivotally mounted by pins 89 on braekets 86 whieh are connected to Erame assembly 70 for supporting a plurality of pipe easings 90. Raek 88 is inelined downwardly toward frame assembly 70 by a hydraulie eylinder 91 attaehed to the outer end of raek 88. A pair of spaeed lifting arms 93 are pivotally mounted by pins 94 to braekets 95 mounted on frame assembly 70. Arms 93 are pivotally moved with respect to bracket 95 by pressure eylinders 96 whieh are pivotally mounted by pins 89 to bracket 86 beneath bracket 95. The extended ends of piston rods of~cylindexs 96 are pivotally connected by pins 99 -to a midpoint of lifting arm 93.
The swinging end of each arm 93 is formed with a no-tch 100. A casing 90 rolls down inelined support raek 88 into notehes 100 of arms 93. Aetuation of ~'75~C~
~1~~
cylinders 96 will move arms 93 upwardly from their ~ull llne position oE ~IG. 12 to the dot dash line position, whereupon the casing 90 will be discharged onto top Erame member 76. Casing 90 will roll along frame member 76 and onto top edges 64 of pipe clamp assembly plates 24 and into recess 45 and onto pipe holding jaw 42. Movable jaw 35 and plates 32 will be pivoted below plate edges 64 until casing 90 has entered recess 45 whereupon jaw holding plates 32 will pivot from between plates 24 to a clamping position in the same manner as when a pipe section 3 is clamped by pipe clamp mechanisms 2~.
The operation of arm 93 will work in reverse for transEerring a casing from transfer mast 5 to a stored position on casing support rack 88.
During this operation, cylinder 91 will lower casing rack 8~ downwardly to enable the transfer casings to roll toward the outer end oE rack 88 aEter arm 93 has moved to its lowered posit.ton. Cylinder 91 will. lower the outer ell~ o.E rack 8R to ~Eoxm an outwardly downwardly ~xtend.tncJ r~clc.
The improved oil well drilling rig assembly has a number oE advantages. The offset arrangement of the lower por-tion oE the transfer mast Eorms a catwalk between the transfer mast and main drilling mast pre-venting the possibility of a workman being crushed or injured during movement of the transfer mast toward the main mast. Another advantage is that plates 24 of the improved pipe clamp mounting assemblies, in addition to supporting the pipe clamping mechanisms provide the mounting for the transfer mast sections enabling the transfer mast to be telescopically adjusted to various lengths to accommodate different lengths of pipe sections.
Still another advantage is the adjustability of the pipe clamping jaws which enable the jaws to clamp pipes of '7S9~
different diameters and wall thicknesses for transfering the pipe sections between the main mast and a pipe supply rack while maintaining the centerline of the pipe constant regardless of the pipe size, and in addition regulates the clamping pressure to prevent injury to thin wall pipes.
A further advantage i9 the ~elf-aligning and shock absorbing arrangement between the transfer mast and main derrick mast that is provided by the spaced rubber bumpers or blocks mounted along one side of the main mast which have angled surE~ces which mate with complementary-shaped surfaces formed at the corners oE the plates of the pipe clamping assemblies, which eliminates any minor transverse misalignment oE the trans~er mast with respect to the main mast to ensure exact alignment of the p;pe sections when delivered to the main drilling mast.
~Rst section 16 and 17 can be manually moved ln relation to each other, if desired, and be suitab:ly Eixed in association as by use o set screws or the like, as dèsired. Fig. 5 indicates that the main Eixed mast 2 has an open side indicated at 0 in Fig. 5 to facilitate moving the pipe section into association with the drill pipe and permitting ready acess to such fixed mast. It also will be appreciated that the plates 24 primarily support the mast section 16 and aid in positioning the telescopic section 17. A walkway w is indicated in Fig. 2 that is formed between the base of the main mast 2 and the support end of the pipe supply mast 5.
59~
~nother feature of the invention is that the mast sections 16 and 17 can be adjusted longi-tudinally by power means if desired. A power cylinder (not shown) would extend longitudinally of the inner section 17 and be secured within it by suitable brackets or equivalents. The piston rod of the cylinder would extend the length of the section 16 and preferably connect to it by a bracket or equivalent adjacent its lower end. The power cylinder would be long enough as to provide a full telescoping closing or opening for the section 17 in relation to mast section 16. Power for such power cylinder would be supplied from the apparatus fluid power source.
Jaws 35 and 42 both are manually adjusted in relation to each other in that the holes 37 in jaw 35 are spaced equal distance from each other which is the ~ame distance as the holes 52 are spaced Erom each other in jaw 42 and that equiv-alent holes are used in each of these jaws at all times to maintai n the jaws properly on the center-line of the drill stri ng .
~4'7S~3 Lt ~Iso w;.ll be re~lized that the rul-ber blocl.s ~!~ c~n of course be m~de From any su;.table re.sillent material normally these blocks must be quite stlEF but wo~lld llave ~ome i.nherent resi.liency or .[lexibili.ty hut would be made from high durometer rubber or plastic materials. If desired, the blocks could even he formed from metal but this would tend to wear and may not have as long of li:Ee as use oE a plastic materia.l.
~e~ardin~ the automatic movement or rolling of the ~ipe sections across the edges of the space plates :lQ 24 as described in relation to Fig. 12, these associated surfaces 76,76 could le slightly higher than the sur:Faces 64, or some manual push could be given to the pipe sec-tlons to cause them to roll to or .Erom the recess 45 or i.E desi.red, some other actuator of a conventional type ].5 could be provided. I,ikewise, when pipe secitons 90 are ll.Ctecl up to the frarQe mecltls tlley ca.n be moved in a.ny clesi.re(l manner to ~,el~ them to ro'll on to and over the oul^(r s~.lrl':~lce 6ll. '.l~ w:i.l.l. be rea'.l.i7,ed that any desirecl ty~e o~ a latcl-l means manu~lly or automa.ti.ca.lly actuated ~0 c~n be provided on the nrms ~3 to retain the pi.pe sec-~ions 90 Ln enga~ement ~ h ~his arm when being movetl up or do~n in the rack, as clesired, Accordingly, the improved oil we].l drilli.ng rig assembly is simpli.~i.ed, provides an e:Efective, saEe, inexpensive, and ef:Eicient construction which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides Eor eliminating dif:Eiculties encountered ~ith prior devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.
The description and illustration oE the inven-tion is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Having now described tlhe features, discove~ies and prin-ciples oE the i.nvention, the manner in which the improved oil well drilling rig assembly is constructed, the charac-3.~ teristics o:E the construction, and advantageous, new ~ncl use~ul results obtained are set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An improved oil well drilling rig assembly including:
a) a main drilling mast having a base and an upper structure, said upper structure being adapted to receive sections of drill pipe;
b) a pipe supply mast adapted to releas-ably hold a section of drill pipe, said supply mast having upper, intermediate and lower sections, said lower section being pivotally mounted on a spaced relationship from the base of the main mast for movement between a horizontal pipe receiving posi-tion and a raised pipe discharge position;
c) storage rack means for holding a plur-ality of drill pipe sections;
d) pipe dispensing means operatively communicating width the pipe supply mast and storage rack means for individually dispensing a pipe section onto the upper section of the pipe supply mast when said supply mast is in a horizontal posi-tion for subsequent delivery by the supply mast to the upper structure of the main drilling mast;
e) the pipe supply mast including self-alignment means for transversely aligning said supply mast with the main drilling mast when said supply mast is in a raised pipe discharge position;
f) the self-aligning means includes a plate mounted on the supply mast having a pair of angled surfaces formed at opposite edges of the plate; and in which said plate angled surfaces are adapted to slidably engage complementary angled surfaces provided on the main mast to transversely align said masts; and g) where sections of said supply mast telescope within each other, and a power cylinder is mounted in and extends longitudinally of an inner mast section and is operatively connected to an outer mast section to expand and telescope such sections in relation to each other.
a) a main drilling mast having a base and an upper structure, said upper structure being adapted to receive sections of drill pipe;
b) a pipe supply mast adapted to releas-ably hold a section of drill pipe, said supply mast having upper, intermediate and lower sections, said lower section being pivotally mounted on a spaced relationship from the base of the main mast for movement between a horizontal pipe receiving posi-tion and a raised pipe discharge position;
c) storage rack means for holding a plur-ality of drill pipe sections;
d) pipe dispensing means operatively communicating width the pipe supply mast and storage rack means for individually dispensing a pipe section onto the upper section of the pipe supply mast when said supply mast is in a horizontal posi-tion for subsequent delivery by the supply mast to the upper structure of the main drilling mast;
e) the pipe supply mast including self-alignment means for transversely aligning said supply mast with the main drilling mast when said supply mast is in a raised pipe discharge position;
f) the self-aligning means includes a plate mounted on the supply mast having a pair of angled surfaces formed at opposite edges of the plate; and in which said plate angled surfaces are adapted to slidably engage complementary angled surfaces provided on the main mast to transversely align said masts; and g) where sections of said supply mast telescope within each other, and a power cylinder is mounted in and extends longitudinally of an inner mast section and is operatively connected to an outer mast section to expand and telescope such sections in relation to each other.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000542488A CA1247590A (en) | 1987-07-20 | 1987-07-20 | Oil well drilling rig assembly and apparatus therefor |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000542488A CA1247590A (en) | 1987-07-20 | 1987-07-20 | Oil well drilling rig assembly and apparatus therefor |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1247590A true CA1247590A (en) | 1988-12-28 |
Family
ID=4136107
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000542488A Expired CA1247590A (en) | 1987-07-20 | 1987-07-20 | Oil well drilling rig assembly and apparatus therefor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1247590A (en) |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0860581A1 (en) * | 1997-02-25 | 1998-08-26 | Hütte & Co. Bohrtechnik Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Drilling machine |
| EP0860580A1 (en) * | 1997-02-25 | 1998-08-26 | Hütte & Co. Bohrtechnik Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Apparatus for handling drill rods |
| CN102720446A (en) * | 2012-06-12 | 2012-10-10 | 宝鸡石油机械有限责任公司 | Automatic derrick monkey of drilling machine |
| US20140353038A1 (en) * | 2012-01-18 | 2014-12-04 | Itrec B.V. | Well drilling tubulars bin system, and method for use of system |
| US20150167407A1 (en) * | 2012-04-16 | 2015-06-18 | Herrenknecht Vertical Gmbh | Pipe Rack and Method for Feeding and Removing Tubular Bodies To and From a Drilling Installation |
| GB2525762A (en) * | 2014-05-02 | 2015-11-04 | Drillmec Spa | Automatized drilling rig at high efficiency and security for drilling wells for hydrocarbon extraction |
| US9476267B2 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2016-10-25 | T&T Engineering Services, Inc. | System and method for raising and lowering a drill floor mountable automated pipe racking system |
| US9945193B1 (en) | 2011-11-18 | 2018-04-17 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Drill floor mountable automated pipe racking system |
-
1987
- 1987-07-20 CA CA000542488A patent/CA1247590A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0860581A1 (en) * | 1997-02-25 | 1998-08-26 | Hütte & Co. Bohrtechnik Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Drilling machine |
| EP0860580A1 (en) * | 1997-02-25 | 1998-08-26 | Hütte & Co. Bohrtechnik Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Apparatus for handling drill rods |
| US9945193B1 (en) | 2011-11-18 | 2018-04-17 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Drill floor mountable automated pipe racking system |
| US20140353038A1 (en) * | 2012-01-18 | 2014-12-04 | Itrec B.V. | Well drilling tubulars bin system, and method for use of system |
| US9353582B2 (en) * | 2012-01-18 | 2016-05-31 | Itrec B.V. | Well drilling tubulars bin system, and method for use of system |
| US20150167407A1 (en) * | 2012-04-16 | 2015-06-18 | Herrenknecht Vertical Gmbh | Pipe Rack and Method for Feeding and Removing Tubular Bodies To and From a Drilling Installation |
| US9523249B2 (en) * | 2012-04-16 | 2016-12-20 | Herrenknecht Vertical Gmbh | Pipe rack and method for feeding and removing tubular bodies to and from a drilling installation |
| CN102720446A (en) * | 2012-06-12 | 2012-10-10 | 宝鸡石油机械有限责任公司 | Automatic derrick monkey of drilling machine |
| US9476267B2 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2016-10-25 | T&T Engineering Services, Inc. | System and method for raising and lowering a drill floor mountable automated pipe racking system |
| GB2525762A (en) * | 2014-05-02 | 2015-11-04 | Drillmec Spa | Automatized drilling rig at high efficiency and security for drilling wells for hydrocarbon extraction |
| GB2525762B (en) * | 2014-05-02 | 2017-05-10 | Drillmec Spa | High efficiency and high safety automated drilling rig for sinking wells for extracting hydrocarbons |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |