CN112196480B

CN112196480B - Open elevator applicable to various pipe diameter specifications

Info

Publication number: CN112196480B
Application number: CN202011030609.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王新明; 范竹刚; 朱可; 吴敬华; 田亚楠; 陶志影
Original assignee: Wuxi Zhihan Energy Technology Equipment And Service Co ltd
Current assignee: Wuxi Zhihan Energy Technology Equipment And Service Co ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-27
Filing date: 2020-09-27
Publication date: 2023-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-27
Also published as: CN112196480A

Abstract

The invention relates to an open type elevator, which comprises a shell and a clamping mechanism for clamping an oil pipe, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a first clamping block and a second clamping block, an orifice through which the oil pipe passes is defined by the first clamping block and the second clamping block, the first clamping block and the second clamping block are respectively and detachably fixed on a first sliding block and a second sliding block, and the first sliding block and the second sliding block can respectively move in a translational manner on a sliding surface in opposite directions through an actuating mechanism, so that the first clamping block and the second clamping block move away from each other to open the orifice or move close to each other to close the orifice. By adopting the open type elevator, the lifting operation of the oil pipes with various pipe diameters can be realized under the condition that the whole elevator is not required to be replaced through simple and reliable automatic operation, the structure is simpler, and the reliability is higher.

Description

Open elevator applicable to various pipe diameter specifications

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of petroleum well repair operation equipment, in particular to an open type elevator for lifting (or lifting) an oil pipe.

Background

It is well known that an elevator is an important component in well servicing operations. In workover operations, it is often necessary to effect the tripping of the tubing by means of an elevator system. However, due to the difference in tubing specifications (diameter sizes), a series of different specifications of elevator needs to be designed in order to accommodate different specifications of tubing. Through research, most of the elevators used in the market at present can only adapt to the diameter of an oil pipe with a single specification. Therefore, when well workover is carried out, operators need to carry the elevator of multiple specifications at one time to conveniently adapt to oil pipes of different diameters through changing the elevator of different specifications in the operation process, the automation degree of whole operation is lower, manual operation intensity is big and the operating efficiency is low, and on-the-spot operation environment has certain risk simultaneously, influences the security of oilfield operation.

Some improved elevator systems are known in the art. For example, chinese patent application CN104563915a discloses a hydraulic elevator with open/close indication, which proposes clamping and lifting of oil pipes with different pipe diameter specifications by replacing a patch model located in the elevator, wherein the patch realizes the maintenance of a closed state through a locking mechanism.

Chinese patent application CN203035129U discloses an oil pipe elevator which achieves adaptation of oil pipes of different pipe diameter specifications by being provided with replaceable movable crescent moon with different inner diameters, so as to reduce the trouble of replacing the whole elevator. The movable crescent needs to be manually operated by means of a rotary handle to realize the opening and closing of the elevator.

Furthermore, U.S. patent application US4035012a discloses a dual elevator that accommodates tubing of different pipe diameter specifications by mating a series of bushings having variable inner diameters.

However, on one hand, although the elevator system in the prior art proposes to remove the trouble caused by integrally replacing the elevator by replacing the movable part with a simple structure, a complex locking mechanism and a matched driving device are introduced, so that the structure is too complex; on the other hand, when the above-mentioned known elevator system in the prior art is used for lifting and lowering operations for different oil pipes, the level of automation and intelligence is still low, and especially, complete automation and intelligence of the whole process from the entry of the oil pipe into the elevator to the holding of the oil pipe by the elevator and the final lifting of the oil pipe by the elevator cannot be realized.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is based on the background that the invention aims to provide an open type elevator, so that the operation of lifting and lowering oil pipes with different pipe diameters can be realized under the condition that the whole elevator is not required to be replaced by simple and reliable automatic operation, and meanwhile, the structure is simpler and the reliability is higher by omitting a complex locking mechanism and the like.

The invention provides an open type elevator, which comprises a shell and a clamping mechanism for clamping an oil pipe, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a first clamping block and a second clamping block, an orifice through which the oil pipe passes is defined by the first clamping block and the second clamping block, the first clamping block and the second clamping block are respectively and detachably fixed on a first sliding block and a second sliding block, and the first sliding block and the second sliding block can respectively move in a translational mode on a sliding surface along opposite directions through an actuating mechanism, so that the first clamping block and the second clamping block move away from each other to open the orifice or move close to each other to close the orifice.

Advantageously, the open elevator further comprises a detection mechanism for detecting and confirming entry of the tubing into the housing, the actuation mechanism actuating the first and second latches to move closer to each other in response to a confirmation signal issued by the detection mechanism; the open elevator is further provided with a first proximity sensor to detect the approach of a moving part to confirm that the first and second clamps have moved to a state where the aperture is completely closed.

Advantageously, the actuating mechanism is a hydraulic cylinder, the piston rod of which is connected to a linkage mechanism such that a reciprocating linear motion of the piston rod is converted via the linkage mechanism into a translational motion of the first and second cartridges in opposite directions, respectively.

Advantageously, the linkage comprises a first pivot, a link, a first pivot with a first pivot arm, a second pivot and a second pivot with a second pivot arm, wherein the piston rod is connected to the first pivot, the first pivot is pivotally connected to the first pivot via the first pivot arm, a first end of the link is pivotally connected to the first pivot, a second end of the link is pivotally connected to the second pivot, the second pivot is pivotally connected to the second pivot via the second pivot arm, wherein a first connection plate is fixedly arranged on the first pivot, a second connection plate is fixedly arranged on the second pivot, a free end of the first connection plate is rotatably connected to the first slider, a free end of the second connection plate is rotatably connected to the second slider, and a reciprocating linear movement of the piston rod is converted into a rotation of the first pivot and the second pivot in opposite directions, such that the first and second pivot are finally translated in opposite directions via the first connection plate and the second connection plate, respectively.

Advantageously, the sliding surface comprises a first surface portion and a second surface portion, which meet each other, the first and second surface portions extending symmetrically and obliquely upwards from the intermediate connection, respectively, the first slider sliding on the first surface portion and the second slider sliding on the second surface portion.

Advantageously, the first and second sliders are each provided with a pair of attachment lugs for receiving therein a first and second attachment plate, respectively, the first and second attachment plates being provided with oblong holes, respectively, which are aligned with the pin holes of the attachment lugs for the pin shaft to pass through.

Advantageously, the inclination angles of the first surface portion and the second surface portion are designed such that, when the oil pipe is fully applied to one of the clamping blocks, the component force of the force borne by that clamping block in the direction along the sliding surface towards the intermediate connection is always smaller than the friction force in the opposite direction.

Advantageously, the detection mechanism comprises a sensing plate intended to be in contact with and pushed by the tubing entering the housing until approaching the second proximity sensor, a second proximity sensor determining that the tubing has entered the housing interior and simultaneously sending an elevator stop signal based on the approach of the sensing plate, and a return spring intended to return the sensing plate to its original position.

Advantageously, the detection mechanism further comprises a buffer spring connected to a support plate for supporting the return spring and the second proximity sensor to allow providing a buffer force on tubing impact when the second proximity sensor is not sending the elevator stop signal in time.

Advantageously, the first proximity sensor is arranged on the housing, the moving part being the link.

Advantageously, the open elevator includes a pilot member having a tapered opening coaxially disposed below the catch mechanism, the oil pipe passing through the tapered opening and through the aperture collectively defined by the first and second latches.

Advantageously, the first and second clamps are secured to the first and second sliders via bolts or quick connect mechanisms and can be quickly replaced to clamp specifications that fit tubing of different tube diameters.

By adopting the open type elevator disclosed by the invention, the lifting operation of oil pipes with various different specifications can be satisfied. The oil pipe detection mechanism can be used for automatically detecting the oil pipe entering the elevator, and the proximity sensor can be used for confirming that the elevator is closed in place so as to automatically control the lifting of the elevator, so that the automatic operation of lifting the oil pipe is realized. The open type elevator is applied to a workover rig, and can greatly improve the automation and the intelligence level of the workover rig.

Drawings

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an open elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a linkage mechanism for effecting relative movement of first and second latches of a latching mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a part of the structure of an oil outlet pipe when the oil outlet pipe is clamped by a clamping mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view, partially broken away, showing the internal structure of an open elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial top view illustrating an open elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view of an oil pipe detection mechanism of an open elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

figure 7 partially illustrates the safety catch arrangement of the lifting lugs of an open lift truck for attachment to a hook of a recreational vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The invention is described in further detail below with reference to the drawings and to specific embodiments. Description of orientations such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "radial", "axial", etc. that may be used in the following description are for convenience of description only and are not intended to limit the inventive arrangements in any way unless explicitly stated. In addition, terms such as "first," "second," and the like are also used hereinafter to describe elements of the present application, and these terms are used solely to distinguish between the individual elements and are not intended to limit the nature, sequence, order, or number of such elements.

As mentioned in the background, the elevator is mainly an important component of well servicing, and it is generally divided into an open elevator and a closed elevator in terms of its structure. The invention relates to an open type elevator which can be suitable for oil pipes with various pipe diameters, and the open type elevator can be driven between an open state and a closed state through hydraulic power. The open elevator may be driven to open or close an aperture or receiving space through which the supply pipe passes.

Fig. 1 shows an open elevator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The open elevator 1 comprises a housing 2; lifting lug 4 used for connecting with the hook 3 of the traveling block-see figure 7, the hook 3 of the traveling block and lifting lug 4 are fixed through the safety lock catch 37, the safety lock catch 37 comprises two rotating parts which can rotate around upper and lower pin shafts respectively; and a holding mechanism for holding the oil pipe 6 arranged in the open elevator 1. The clamping mechanism comprises a first clamping block 7 and a second clamping block 8, wherein the first clamping block 7 and the second clamping block 8 can be detachably fixed on a first sliding block 9 and a second sliding block 10 respectively through bolts or quick connecting mechanisms known in the art, so that quick replacement of the first clamping block 7 and the second clamping block 8 can be realized. In particular, a series of different gauges of clips may be provided to allow a series of orifice inner diameters to be provided that are adapted to different pipe diameter gauges of the oil pipe.

The first slider 9 and the second slider 10 can be driven close to each other (i.e. closed position) or far from each other (i.e. open position) by an actuation mechanism, in particular via a linkage 11. In the closed position, the first and second latches 7, 8 are butted against each other to form a circular closed aperture 12 (see fig. 5) to allow a gripping action to be provided to the tubing.

As shown in fig. 1, the actuating mechanism is preferably a hydraulic ram 13. The top end of the piston rod 14 of the hydraulic cylinder 13 is connected to the link mechanism 11 such that the reciprocating movement of the piston rod 14 can be finally converted into a translational movement of the first and second cartridges 7 and 8 in substantially opposite directions via the link mechanism 11. Next, how the opening and closing control of the elevator is achieved by the link mechanism 11 will be described in detail.

Referring in particular to fig. 2, the piston rod 14 of the hydraulic cylinder 13 is connected to a first pivot 15, a first rotary shaft 16 mounted on the housing 2 is pivotally connected to said first pivot 15 via a first pivot arm 17, a first end of a connecting rod 18 is pivotally connected to said first pivot 15, a second end of said connecting rod 18 is pivotally connected to a second pivot 19, a second rotary shaft 20 mounted on the housing 2 is pivotally connected to said second pivot 19 via a second pivot arm 21, a first connecting plate 22 is fixedly arranged on said first rotary shaft 16, a second connecting plate 23 is fixedly arranged on said second rotary shaft 20, a free end of said first connecting plate 22 is rotatably connected to said first slider 9, and a free end of said second connecting plate 23 is rotatably connected to said second slider 10.

According to a specific embodiment, referring to fig. 4 and 5, the first slider 9 and the second slider 10 are each provided with a pair of connection lugs 24 to receive the first connection plate 22 and the second connection plate 23 therein, respectively, and the first connection plate 22 and the second connection plate 23 may be provided with receiving holes aligned with the pin holes of the connection lugs 24 for the pin shafts 25 to pass therethrough.

Specifically, for example, in the state in which the elevator is closed as shown in fig. 1, with reference to fig. 2, as the piston rod 14 is extended from the cylinder, the piston rod 14 will push the first pivot 15 and rotate the first rotation shaft 16 in a clockwise direction via the first pivot arm 17, and rotate the second rotation shaft 20 in a counterclockwise direction via the link 18, the second pivot 19, and the second pivot arm 21, so that the first link plate 22 and the second link plate 23 swing about the first rotation shaft 16 and the second rotation shaft 20, respectively, and thereby pull the first slider 9 and the second slider 10, respectively, in translational movements in substantially opposite directions (substantially rightward and substantially leftward, respectively, in fig. 1), thereby putting the elevator in an open state. The process of closing the elevator is the reverse of the above process and will not be described in detail here.

According to an advantageous embodiment, see in particular fig. 3, the sliding surface for sliding the first and

second slider

9, 10 comprises a first surface portion 26 and a second surface portion 27 which meet each other, said first surface portion 26 and said second surface portion 27 respectively extending symmetrically and obliquely upwards from the intermediate connection 28 (i.e. the sliding surface is in a form of a low middle and high sides). The first slider 9 slides on said first surface portion 26 and the second slider 10 slides on said second surface portion 27. The inclination angles of the first surface portion 26 and the second surface portion 27 are designed such that the first slider 9 and the second slider 10 can have a self-locking function.

In particular, in practice, if it were to occur that the tubing 6 is biased entirely against one of the blocks, the angle of inclination described above would be designed such that the force component of the force exerted on that block or its corresponding slider (in this case the tubing weight) in the direction along the sliding surface portion towards said intermediate connection 28 would always be less than the friction force in the opposite direction, so that slider would remain stationary all the time, avoiding the risk of the tubing 6 falling as a result of the slider hitting the opposite other slider as it slides down towards the intermediate connection 28. By the design of the self-locking function, a complex locking mechanism in the prior art can be omitted, and parts are greatly reduced, so that the reliability of the device is improved.

In addition, as can be seen in fig. 2 and 4, the receiving holes in the first and second connection plates are designed in the form of oblong holes 29. By means of this oblong hole 29, it is possible to adapt to the variation of the displacement of the first slider 9 and the second slider 10 in the height (i.e. axial) direction and in the radial direction involved when opening or closing, when the first connection plate 22 and the second connection plate 23 respectively bring said first slider 9 and second slider 10 to slide in substantially opposite directions on the respective sliding surfaces slightly inclined as described above.

Next, how to implement an automated and intelligent tubing tripping operation using the open elevator 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail in connection with the above description.

Before the oil pipe 6 is driven by the open type elevator 1 to perform the lifting operation, the detection mechanism 5 is used to perform the detection operation to confirm whether the oil pipe 6 enters the casing 2 of the elevator. As shown in fig. 6, the detection mechanism 5 generally includes a sensing plate 30, a proximity sensor 31 (e.g., a proximity switch), and a return spring 32, wherein the proximity sensor 31 and the return spring 32 may be disposed on the same support plate 33.

Specifically, with the power provided by the driller's module, the open elevator 1 is driven downward by the lifting lug 4 on the open elevator 1, which is connected to the hook 3 of the traveling crane, to align the oil pipe 6, and then the oil pipe can pass through the tapered opening of the guide member 34 in the open elevator and through the aperture collectively defined by the first and second clamps 7 and 8 (see especially fig. 1 and 4), at which time the collar 38 of the oil pipe will contact the sensing plate 30 and push the sensing plate 30 against the force of the return spring 32 until it approaches the proximity sensor 31. The proximity sensor 31, upon detecting the sensing plate 30, confirms that the tubing has entered the housing 2 and sends a signal to the system to deactivate the elevator.

At this time, the system stops the descending motion of the elevator in response to the elevator stop signal issued by the detection mechanism 5, while issuing a command to control the hydraulic cylinder 13 to drive the first slider 9 and the second slider 10 to move along the respective sliding surface portions to approach each other to be in the closed position as shown in fig. 5. In the process, the approach of a moving part (in this embodiment, the link 18 in the link mechanism 11) is detected by another proximity sensor 35 provided on the housing 2 of the open type elevator, and a signal confirming that the first and second clamps 7 and 8 have been moved to a state where the aperture is completely closed is sent from the proximity sensor 35 to the system, which then controls the elevator to move upward for a small distance in response to the confirmation signal sent from the proximity sensor 35 until the collar 38 of the oil pipe 6 can be supported on the first and second clamps 7 and 8 (see fig. 4), thereby enabling the oil pipe to perform a lifting movement together with the open type elevator. At the same time, during the movement of the open elevator a small distance up the tubing, the tubing will no longer press against the sensor plate 30, allowing the sensor plate 30 to return to its original position due to the urging of the return spring 32.

Advantageously, the detection mechanism 5 may also include a buffer spring 36 connected to the support plate 33, allowing a buffer force to be provided against tubing impact when the proximity sensor 31 is not sending an elevator stop signal in time or the system is not receiving the elevator stop signal in time.

The elevator according to the invention can realize complete automation and intellectualization of the whole process from the entering of the oil pipe into the elevator to the holding of the oil pipe by the elevator and the final lifting of the oil pipe by the elevator by means of the automatic operation, thereby reducing manual operation, greatly improving the operation efficiency and improving the operation safety. In addition, by providing movable parts such as clamping blocks which can be quickly replaced, quick adaptation to oil pipes with different pipe diameter specifications can be allowed.

It should be noted that the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative only, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many changes and modifications may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, by considering the contents of this specification. The true scope of the invention is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An open elevator (1) comprising a housing (2) and a clamping mechanism for clamping an oil pipe (6), the clamping mechanism comprising a first clamping block (7) and a second clamping block (8), the first clamping block (7) and the second clamping block (8) together defining an aperture through which the oil pipe (6) passes, characterized in that the first clamping block (7) and the second clamping block (8) are detachably fixed to a first slider (9) and a second slider (10), respectively, the first slider (9) and the second slider (10) being translatable on sliding surfaces in opposite directions, respectively, by means of an actuation mechanism, such that the first clamping block (7) and the second clamping block (8) are moved away from each other to open the aperture or towards each other to close the aperture; the actuating mechanism is a hydraulic cylinder (13), a piston rod (14) of the hydraulic cylinder (13) is connected to the connecting rod mechanism (11) so that the reciprocating linear motion of the piston rod (14) is converted into the translational motion of the first clamping block (7) and the second clamping block (8) respectively along opposite directions through the connecting rod mechanism (11);

wherein the linkage (11) comprises a first pivot (15), a link (18), a first shaft (16) with a first pivot arm (17), a second pivot (19) and a second shaft (20) with a second pivot arm (21), wherein the piston rod (14) is connected to the first pivot (15), the first shaft (16) is pivotally connected to the first pivot (15) via the first pivot arm (17), a first end of the link (18) is pivotally connected to the first pivot (15), a second end of the link (18) is pivotally connected to the second pivot (19), the second shaft (20) is pivotally connected to the second pivot (19) via the second pivot arm (21), and the reciprocating linear movement of the piston rod (14) is converted into a rotation of the first shaft (16) and the second shaft (20) in opposite directions, such that the first slider (9) and the second slider (10) are eventually brought into a translational movement in opposite directions, respectively.

2. An open elevator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the open elevator (1) further comprises a detection mechanism (5) for detecting and confirming that an oil pipe (6) has entered into the housing (2), the actuation mechanism actuating the first and second catches (7, 8) to move close to each other in response to a confirmation signal issued by the detection mechanism (5); the open elevator (1) is further provided with a first proximity sensor (35) to detect the approach of moving parts to confirm that the first and second clamps (7, 8) have moved to a state where the aperture is completely closed.

3. An open elevator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first rotation shaft (16) is fixedly provided with a first connection plate (22), the second rotation shaft (20) is fixedly provided with a second connection plate (23), the free end of the first connection plate (22) is rotatably connected to the first slider (9), the free end of the second connection plate (23) is rotatably connected to the second slider (10), so that finally the first slider (9) and the second slider (10) are brought into translational movement in opposite directions via the first connection plate (22) and the second connection plate (23), respectively.

4. An open elevator (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the sliding surface comprises a first surface portion (26) and a second surface portion (27) that meet each other, the first surface portion (26) and the second surface portion (27) extending symmetrically and obliquely upwards from an intermediate connection (28), respectively, the first slider (9) sliding on the first surface portion (26) and the second slider (10) sliding on the second surface portion (27).

5. An open elevator (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first and second sliders are each provided with a pair of attachment lugs (24) to receive therein a first and second attachment plates (22, 23), respectively, each provided with an oblong hole (29) aligned with a pin hole of the attachment lug (24) for a pin shaft (25) to pass through.

6. An open elevator (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the angle of inclination of the first surface portion (26) and the second surface portion (27) is designed such that when the oil pipe (6) is fully applied to one of the clamps, the force component of the force exerted on that clamp in the direction along the sliding surface towards the intermediate connection (28) is always smaller than the friction force in the opposite direction.

7. An open elevator (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the detection mechanism (5) comprises a sensing plate (30), a second proximity sensor (31) and a return spring (32), the sensing plate (30) being intended to be in contact with and pushed by the tubing (6) entering into the housing (2) until approaching the second proximity sensor (31), the second proximity sensor determining that the tubing has entered into the housing interior and simultaneously sending an elevator stop signal based on the approach of the sensing plate (30), the return spring (32) tending to return the sensing plate (30) to the original position.

8. An open elevator (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the detection mechanism (5) further comprises a buffer spring (36) connected to a support plate (33) for supporting the return spring (32) and the second proximity sensor (31) to allow providing a buffer force for impact action on the oil pipe (6) when the second proximity sensor (31) is not sending the elevator stop signal in time.

9. An open elevator (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first proximity sensor (35) is arranged on the housing (2), the moving part being the link (18).

10. An open elevator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the open elevator (1) comprises a pilot member (34) with a tapered opening coaxially arranged below the catch means, through which the oil pipe (6) passes and through the aperture jointly defined by the first and second catches.

11. An open elevator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first and second clamps (7, 8) are fixed to the first and second sliders (9, 10) via bolts or quick connect mechanisms and can be quickly replaced to a clamp specification adapted to oil pipes of different pipe diameters.