EP2672058A2 - Method and device for sealing the ends of drilling rod elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves moving a drill pipe element (12) into a closure position (22) by using a handler (14) i.e. pipe handler, such that a closure cap (20) reaches the drill pipe element by a movement of the drill pipe element caused by the handler. The drill pipe element is lowered to the closure cap or in a direction of the closure cap by the handler in the closure position. The drill pipe element is induced to the closure position by a lateral movement of the handler. The closure cap is arrived at the drill pipe element by a lift mechanism. An independent claim is also included for a device for attaching and/or removing a closure cap at and/or from a drill pipe element.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for closing the ends of drill pipe elements in drilling rigs for the development of deposits of fossil, liquid or gaseous fuels or geothermal energy. Such drill string elements, which together form the respective drill string, are referred to in technical terminology as a drill pipe (DP).

From the US 5,967,236 B Such a method and a corresponding device are basically known. Although the device allows the insertion of a closure element in a drill string element. However, the initial positioning of the closure element is carried out by the respective operating personnel.

An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for automatic or semi-automatic closing of drill pipe elements, so that after the removal or partial removal of the drill string possibly in the drill string elements still remaining liquid in the form of drilling mud and the like, optionally with oil or Similar is offset, can not flow out of the drill pipe element uncontrolled and so pollution of the environment or possibly even the environment can be prevented.

This object is achieved by a method for closing the ends of drill pipe elements and a method for closing the ends of drill pipe elements.

Embodiments of the method and a device operating according to the method relate to the direction of movement of the respective drill string element when attaching the cap. The drill pipe element is transported during removal by means of a respective handling device from the expansion site to the area of a drill pipe support in an upright, ie vertical orientation. This movement of the drill pipe element by means of the handling device represents a sideways movement. It is then considered that the handling device lowers the drill pipe element at a closure position onto a closure cap or in the direction of a closure cap. This lowering means a momentary interruption of sideways movement. It is also contemplated that the handling device will move the drill string member to the closed position by sideways movement and without changing the direction of that movement. Again, two variants come into consideration, namely an interruption of the sideways movement, so that with a lifting mechanism or the like, a cap can be attached to the drill string element, or a continuous continuation of the sideways movement, wherein a movement of the lifting mechanism is coordinated with the sideways movement, so that without Interruption of sideways movement a cap can be attached to the drill string element.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Corresponding objects or elements are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals. The embodiments are not to be understood as limiting the invention. Rather, in the context of the present disclosure, modifications and modifications are possible, in particular those variants and combinations, for example, by combination or modification of individual in conjunction with the described in the general or specific description part and in the claims and / or the drawing features or Elements or process steps for the expert with regard to the solution of the problem can be removed and lead by combinable features to a new subject or to new process steps or process steps.

Figur 1

eine Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Bohrgestängeelementen mit einer Verschlusskappe,

Figur 2

eine Vorrichtung zum Entfernen einer zuvor zum Verschließen eines Bohrgestängeelements angebrachten Verschlusskappe,

Figur 3

bis

Figur 8

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Bohrgestängeelementen mit einer Verschlusskappe,

Figur 9

bis

Figur 11

eine nochmals weitere Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Bohrgestängeelementen mit einer Verschlusskappe,

Figur 12

einen in einer Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 3 bis Figur 8 oder einer Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 9 bis Figur 11 verwendbaren Hebemechanismus und

Figur 13

zwei Ausführungsformen einer zum Verschließen von Bohrgestängeelementen vorgesehenen Verschlusskappe.

Show it

FIG. 1

a device for closing drill pipe elements with a closure cap,

FIG. 2

a device for removing a closure cap previously attached for closing a drill pipe element,

FIG. 3

to

FIG. 8

a further embodiment of a device for closing drill pipe elements with a closure cap,

FIG. 9

to

FIG. 11

a further embodiment of a device for closing drill pipe elements with a closure cap,

FIG. 12

one in a device according to FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 or a device according to FIG. 9 to FIG. 11 suitable lifting mechanism and

FIG. 13

two embodiments of a closure cap provided for closing drill pipe elements.

The representation in FIG. 1 schematically shows in simplified form a device 10 for closing the ends of drill pipe elements 12 - hereinafter referred to as closing of drill string elements 12, of which in FIG. 1 only one and only one lower section is shown. The drill pipe elements 12 may individually or in the form of a combination of drill pipe elements 12 (a so-called train of drill string elements 12, so-called doubles or triples) with a dedicated handling device 14, for example, a so-called pipe handler, at the level of the so-called drill floor 16 at one - or removal of drill pipe to be moved. In the following, the term drill pipe element 12 or drill pipe elements 12 is used in each case for a jointly moved unit of drill pipe elements 12, that is to say one or more drill pipe elements 12.

So far, the following is provided for moving drill pipe elements 12 on the drill floor 16: The respective handling device 14 takes a Bohrgestängelager each have a drill pipe element 12 in which a plurality of drill string elements 12 are mounted in a horizontal orientation. The handling device 14 directs the respective moving drill string element 12 into a vertical position, so that it can be coupled to the drill string in a manner known per se. When removing or partially removing the drill string - hereinafter together referred to as dismantling - the uppermost drill string element 12 is removed by means of the handling device 14 and brought from the previously vertical orientation in a horizontal orientation and then stored in Bohrgestängelager.

When removing a drill pipe element 12 from the drill string during its removal, drilling fluid and the like can emerge from the drill pipe element 12 that has just been removed, resulting in undesirable contamination. The device 10 proposed here for closing at least the lower end of a drill pipe element 12 and a corresponding method prevent such contamination.

According to the in FIG. 1 shown embodiment of such a device 10 is thereafter provided that the drill pipe element 12 with a dedicated handling device 14, in particular the pipe handler, in a vertical orientation to a defined position, for example, the location of the so-called mouse hole 18, is moved, and that there for closing the end of the respective drill pipe element 12 as a closure element, a closure cap 20 or the like is attached to the lower end of the drill pipe element 12. A plurality of caps 20 are supplied via a feeder 24, for example a ramp or the like, at the abovementioned defined position to which the handling device 14 moves the drill pipe element 12 just removed. Here, the handling device 14 lowers the drill pipe element 12, so that an underside of the drill pipe element 12 comes into contact with the closure cap 20 in position. Optionally, this can be done at the below referred to as the closure position 22 position, which is approached by the handling device 14 for closing the drill string elements 12, ie in particular the position of the Mouse hole 18, a spring element 26, in particular a coil spring or the like, be provided which accomplishes a tolerance compensation during lowering of the drill string member 12 and provides sufficient contact pressure when attaching the cap 20 at the bottom of the drill string member 12.

After the handling device 14, ie in particular the pipe handler, the drill string member 12 has lowered for combination with the cap 20 in a vertical orientation, the handling device 14 raises the drill string member 12 in a vertical orientation again, so that the drill string element 12 from the closed position 22 free becomes. Then, then a rotation of the drill pipe element 12 by means of the handling device 14 is possible and the drill pipe element 12 can finally be stored in a horizontal orientation in Bohrgestängelager.

The mouse hole 18 is particularly suitable as a closure position 22 because the respective handling device 14 whose location (position) must be specified anyway, otherwise 18 drill rod elements 12 are temporarily stored in the mouse hole for later installation in the drill string. Accordingly, for attaching sealing caps 20 to the undersides of a respective drill string element 12, no additional position needs to be given to the handling device 14, and a position already used for other process sequences can be used. Regardless comes as a closure position 22 but also any other position on the drill floor 16 into consideration, so that the mouse hole 18 and the closure position 22 can be approached independently with the handling device 14 and the mouse hole 18 at any time as a mouse hole 18 remains usable ,

For the programming of the handling device 14 means the additional definition of the location of the closure position 22 only one more position indication and an automatic movement when removing drill string elements 12 and later storing the drill string elements 12 in one Bohrgestängelager, the handling device 14 approach any predetermined as a closure position 22 position.

The device 10 comprises at least the feed device 24 and the spring element 26 located at the end thereof below the feed device 24. With a housing surrounding the spring element 26, the device 10 can be easily inserted, for example, into the mouse hole 18, resulting in a safe installation situation , After removal of the drill string, the device 10 can also be removed easily.

The representation in FIG. 2 1 schematically shows, in simplified form, an embodiment of a device for removing, here for stripping, sealing caps 20 which are located at the lower end of the respective drill pipe element 12 after closing a drill pipe element 12.

The representation in FIG. 2 shows that in a method for removing a cap 20 of a drill string element 12 during movement of the drill string element 12 by means of a handling device 14 a stripping position 28 is approached at the in the course of movement of the drill string member 12 by means of the handling device 14 stripping the cap 20 from Drill rod element 12 takes place. In this case, the drill pipe element 12, which is provided in the further course of the movement for combining with a drill string, with the respective handling device 14, ie in particular the already mentioned pipe handler, in a vertical orientation on a stripping system 30, the top right in the illustration in FIG FIG. 2 also shown in a simplified schematic plan view, moved past.

The stripping system 30 is formed in the manner of a rake with two prongs, which are in particular slightly bent at their free ends in order to achieve a guide of the lower end of the respective drill string element 12. The scraper system 30 is otherwise inclined against the direction of movement of the drill string element 12, so that with a progressive horizontal movement (Sideways movement) of the vertically oriented drill pipe element 12, the closure cap 20 is stripped from the underside of the drill pipe element 12. The drill pipe element 12 can then move freely with its underside, namely the local thread, through the tines of the stripping system 30 and thus passes by means of the handling device 14 to the borehole to be combined there with the drill string.

The stripping system 30 may be located above the mouse hole 18. This situation is illustrated in FIG. 2 shown. Other positions are also possible. As is known, the mouse hole 18 is a position for stopping drill pipe elements 12, so that the mouse hole 18 is as a hollow cylinder open at the top. When a closure cap 20 is removed with the stripping system 30 from a drill string member 12, the cap 20 falls into the mouse hole 18 or a corresponding hollow cylinder, because the stripping system 30 is in a corresponding position above the mouse hole 18. In a suitable vertical position along the entire height of the hollow cylinder forming the mouse hole 18, a ramp 32 is formed which prevents removed caps 20 from falling to the bottom of the mouse hole 18. Instead, the removed caps 20 fall into a container 34 or the like. The ramp 32 is in the mouse hole 18 in particular resiliently mounted, so that when using the mouse hole 18 for stopping drill pipe elements 12, the ramp 32 is pressed by the weight of the respective drill string member 12 to the side and thus the mouse hole 18 at any time for stopping of drill string elements 12 remains usable.

With regard to the method of stripping caps 20 from the undersides of drill pipe elements 12, the movement of the drill pipe or elements 12 at any time by a corresponding handling device 14, in particular the pipe handler, the position of the mouse hole 18 is known as stripping 28 or any other for stripping caps 20 to be used in a known manner, Thus, for example, by appropriate programming of the respective stripping position 28, can be made known.

The sequence of movement when installing drill pipe elements 12 into the drill string is then as follows: First, a drill pipe element 12 is removed from the drill pipe bearing and brought from the previously horizontal orientation in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation. Then, the handling device 14 moves the erected drill string element 12 to the stripping system 30, ie to a stripping position 28 defined by the position of the stripping system 30. In this case, if appropriate, the movement speed of the handling device 14 can be reduced shortly before reaching the position of the stripping system 30. This reduction of the movement speed can be maintained until at least shortly after reaching the position of the stripping system 30. Thereafter, movement of the respective drill string member 12 may be continued at the normal travel speed of the handling device 14 such that the drill string member 12 passes to the wellbore for combination therewith with the drill string. During the movement of the drill pipe element 12 along the position of the scraper system 30, the stripping of the respective closure cap 20 takes place due to the design and the orientation of the scraper system 30. The closure cap 20 thereby falls under the influence of gravity into the mouse hole 18 or the like Step removed and collected.

The representation in FIG. 3 shows a comparison with the illustration in FIG. 1 Alternative embodiment of a device 10 for closing drill pipe elements 12. The previous comments on the movement of the respective drill pipe element 12 from the expansion site to the drill pipe support apply here and for all other devices 10 for closing drill pipe elements 12 accordingly.

In the FIG. 3 and apparatus 10 shown in the following figures comprises a rotatable drum 40 with a funnel 42 formed centrally above the drum 40. In each of the funnels 42 one end of a drill pipe element 12 is inserted, to automatically attach a cap 20 there by means of the device 10. A plurality of caps 20 are held within the apparatus 10 and within the drum 40 in vertically mounted cartridges 44. The cartridges 44 are distributed within the device 10 along the outer peripheral line thereof. The cartridges 44 are in this case between a bottom plate 46 and a cover plate 48 of the device 10, wherein the funnel 42 is preferably but not necessarily formed centrally in the cover plate 48.

The representation in FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through the device 10 from FIG. 3 and their drum 40. It can be seen that a plurality of sealing caps 20 are located in the cartridges 44. The caps 20 are stacked in each cartridge 44, so arranged one above the other. The longitudinal section through the drum 40 also reveals that the cartridges 44 are located on the sides of the device 10 and that in the illustrated embodiment of the device 10, the funnel 42 is formed centrally in the cover plate 48. The hopper 42 serves to receive a lower end of a respective drill pipe element 12, from the one shown in FIG FIG. 4 only a portion of the lower portion with the drill string thread (the conical portion at the lowermost end of the drill string member 12) is shown.

When inserting the lower end of a drill pipe element 12 into the device 10, the funnel 42 effects an adjustment and centering of the lower end of the drill pipe element 12 and with a sensor, ie a sensor 50 or more sensors 50, 52, is a respective vertical position of the lower end the drill pipe element 12 is detected during its lowering into the device 10. In the embodiment shown, in which the sensor system comprises two sensors 50, 52, that is to say a first sensor 50 and a second sensor 52, the speed of lowering of the drill pipe element 12 by means of the respective handling device 14 can, in response to a sensor signal from the first sensor 50 reduced (creep) and in response to a sensor signal from the second sensor 52, the lowering of the drill string element 12 by means of the handling device 14 are stopped. Then, the lower end of the drill string member 12 is in an automatic closing with a Cap 20 suitable position. In the case of a sensor system with only one sensor, its sensor signal for stopping the lowering of the drill pipe element 12 into the device 10 is evaluated.

For automatically closing the lower end of each introduced into the funnel 42 of the device 10 lower end of the drill pipe element 12 with a cap 20, a lifting mechanism 54 is provided. By means of the lifting mechanism 54 is in each case a cap 20 is brought to the drill pipe element 12. Its function is based on the representation in the following FIG. 5 further explained.

The representation in FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through the device 10 according to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 but with one in comparison to the longitudinal section in FIG. 4 90 ° rotated cutting plane. It can be seen that the lifting mechanism 54 in the embodiment shown comprises two lifting cylinders 56. The lift mechanism 54, upon activation (eg, due to a sensor signal from the above-described sensors), causes the closure cap 20 provided centrally at the level of the bottom plate 46 of the device 10 to move towards the lower end of the drill string member 12 inserted into the hopper 42. The embodiment of the lifting mechanism 54 with two lifting cylinders 56 is only one possible embodiment of such a lifting mechanism 54. Likewise, an embodiment with only one lifting cylinder 56 or a version with a scissor lift mechanism, a pair of Scherenhubmechanik, a rotating spindle or a pair of rotary spindle and the like into consideration.

The representation in FIG. 6 illustrates the transport of individual caps 20 within the device 10, namely the removal of a respective cap 20 at the lower end of a cartridge 44 and the provision of the thus removed cap 20 for the lifting mechanism 54. Accordingly, in the lower part of the device 10, ie above the Base plate 46, a feed channel 58 formed in which a loading slide 60 horizontally between the edge of the drum 40 and an open there or at a corresponding position of the loading carriage 60 bottom opening of a cartridge 44 and the center of the Device 10 is movable. The removal of a further closure cap 20 from a cartridge 44 by means of the loading carriage 60 is preferably carried out following the attachment of a closure cap 20 on a drill pipe element 12, so that there is always a closure cap 20 for closing a drill pipe element 12 is available.

The representation in FIG. 7 shows the device 10 and its drum 40 in a top view. There, the circular arrangement of the cartridges 44 with the caps 20 located therein is particularly well visible. The feed channel 58 extends underneath the drum 40 at the bottom of the device 10, at least in one direction from the center of the device 10 to the edge of the drum 40 under each one of the cartridges 44 located there. In the illustrated embodiment, the feed channel 58 extends outwardly from the center of the device 10 in a straight line in two directions to the edge of the drum 40. When continuously closing drill pipe elements 12 with closure caps 20, a cartridge 44 becomes empty, rotation of the drum 40 occurs, such that a new cartridge 44 passes over the feed channel 58 arrives. By means of the loading carriage 60, further closure caps 20 for closing drill pipe elements 12 can then be removed from this new cartridge 44. The rotation of the drum 40 is carried out with a rotary drive 62. For this purpose, it is detected by means of a sensor system whether there are still caps 20 in a cartridge 44. One possibility in this regard is a photosensor (not shown) located, for example, at the bottom of the feed channel 58 below a respective cartridge 44 positioned thereon, which is irradiated with an empty cartridge 44 from a light source (also not shown) located above the cartridge 44, such that an empty cartridge 44 can be recognized on the basis of a sensor signal that can be generated in this way. By means of the rotary drive 62, the drum 40 can then be clocked in rotation, until a cartridge 44, which contains at least one cap 20, is located above the feed channel 58.

The representation in FIG. 8 shows a view of the device 10 for closing drill pipe elements 12 as in FIG. 3 , Here is a snapshot when inserting a cartridge 44 with caps 20 in the drum 40 of Device 10 shown. The insertion of a cartridge 44 in the drum 40 by the operating on the rig operator.

Furthermore, it can be seen that in the embodiment shown the cartridges 44 are completely or partially transparent, for example by means of a viewing window 64 extending in the axial direction from the lower to the upper end (or substantially from the lower to the upper end) of the cartridge 44. About the viewing window 64 is visible to operators of the device 10 when a cartridge 44 is empty. Such an empty cartridge 44 can be removed manually from the drum 40 and replaced by a filled cartridge 44.

The cartridges 44 are closed at the top with a lid 66. If differently colored lids 66 are used, the respective lid color may be used to indicate to operators of the apparatus 10 cartridges 44 with caps 20 of different sizes (for drill pipe members 12 of different diameters or different threads).

The cartridges 44 may be manually populated away from the device 10. The drum 40 can be equipped with cartridges 44 with the same same caps 20 or with different caps 20. If the drum 40 is equipped with cartridges 44 with different caps 20, with a cartridge 44 has become empty, the rotation of the drum 40 by means of the rotary drive 62 can be controlled manually, so that in each case a cartridge 44 with the end to be closed drill pipe element 12th matching caps 20 above the feed channel 58 is located.

In a method for closing the ends of drill pipe elements 12 with the in the FIGS. 3 to 8 Thus, the following method steps are carried out: First, a drill string element 12 is automatically moved in vertical or at least substantially vertical orientation by means of the respective handling device 14 via the funnel 42 of the device 10 (FIG. FIG. 4 ). Then the drill string member 12 also becomes automatic lowered by means of the handling device 14 into the interior of the device 10. In this case, an automatic detection of the respectively achieved vertical position of the drill pipe element 12 may be provided by means of a device 10 included sensors, so that the lowering of the drill pipe element 12 is automatically stopped when reaching a later automatic closing of the lower end of the drill pipe element 12 provided height is ( FIG. 4 ). Then, in a subsequent process step, a lifting mechanism 54 is automatically activated and by means of the lifting mechanism 54, a closure cap 20 is lifted from the bottom region of the device 10 and moved in the direction of the lower end of the drill string element 12 ( FIG. 5 ). Due to the defined height of the lower end of the drill string member 12 relative to the apparatus 10, a height to which the lift mechanism 54 must raise the closure cap 20 for attaching the closure cap 20 to the lower end of the drill string member 12 is fixed. Additionally or alternatively, it can also be provided that the lifting mechanism 54 comprises a sensor (not shown), by means of which a successful attachment of a closure cap 20 at the lower end of a drill pipe element 12 is automatically recognizable. For example, a current consumption of the lifting mechanism 54 can be monitored, because the power consumption increases when the cap 20 is already combined with the lower end of the drill string element 12 and a further upward movement of the lifting mechanism 54 is no longer possible. Additionally or alternatively, for example, it may also be provided that the moment of attachment of the closure cap 20 at the lower end of the drill string element 12 is sensed by means of a strain gauge or the like. After attaching the closure cap 20, the respective drill string element 12 is automatically lifted by means of the handling device 14 and thus removed from the device 10. Thereafter, the drill pipe element 12 is automatically transported by means of the handling device 14 to the respectively provided storage location, ie the drill pipe support. Within the device 10, the lifting mechanism 54 is automatically lowered again and it is with the loading slide 60 - also automatically - a new cap 20 brought.

If the term is used automatically here and in the following, this is to be interpreted as meaning that the operation of the respective unit, for example the handling device 14 or the device 10 or within the device 10, in particular the operation of the lifting mechanism 54, the loading carriage 60 and / or. or the rotary drive 62, under control of a control device, not shown here, but known per se, for example in the form of a so-called programmable logic controller (PLC), so that the method steps described without operator intervention - so automatically - expire. Part of such an automatic operation is in a particular embodiment, a coordination of two units, so for example, a coordination of the handling device 14 and the device 10, such that the drill pipe element 12 is introduced into the device 10 after removal by means of the handling device 14, that attachment of a closure cap 20 is possible by means of the device, such that automatic closure of the drill string element 12 by means of the device 10 automatically attaches a closure cap 20 to the lower end of the drill string element 12, and finally due to the attachment of a closure cap 20 to the drill string element 12 this is automatically removed by the handling device 14 again from the device 10 and moved on. The term automatically should also encompass a realization of a functionality of a control device, in which the operator retrieves or triggers individual method steps by appropriate operator actions, for example the activation of the lifting mechanism 54 for attaching a closure cap 20. Such a control device effects the automatic control the handling device 14 and the device 10, so that during operation of the control device, the method steps described here and hereinafter are performed. In a particular embodiment, a respective control device for the handling device 14 and the device 10 may be provided, wherein two such control devices communicatively communicate with each other in a known manner, so that a coordination of handling device 14 and device 10 is possible.

A device 10 in the FIGS. 3 to 8 shown type can be placed on basically any location on the drill floor 16, for example in the range of a trajectory of mouse hole 18 to Bohrgestängelager. At a height of the device 10 of about 1.5 m corresponds to a height of an upper edge of the device 10 in about a height of a designated in technical terminology as a tool joint junction between two drill string elements 12, so that when removing drill pipe by means of the respective handling device 14 no particular vertical positioning is required to introduce the respective drill string element 12 in the course of the removal of the drill string for closing with a closure cap 20 in the device 10. The respectively removed from the drill string drill string element 12 can thus be positioned by means of the respective handling device 14 at substantially constant height above the device 10. There is to a small extent a lowering of the drill pipe element 12, so that the attachment of a closure cap 20 can take place. Then, the drill string element 12 is lifted by the handling device 14 again so far that the drill string element 12 can be removed from the region of the device 10 and moved further in the direction of the drill pipe support. These small additional vertical positioning movements cause the removal of removed drill pipe elements 12 and their closure, each with a cap 20 takes hardly longer than a removal of removed drill string elements 12 without a closure as described here.

In a particular embodiment of the device 10 and a corresponding method for operating such a device 10 may also be provided that the lowering of a drill pipe element 12 in the device 10 and lifting a cap 20 by means of the lifting mechanism 54 toward the end of the respective drill string element 12 takes place simultaneously or at least partially simultaneously, so that thus the process of closing the end of the drill pipe element 12 is particularly fast. Additionally or alternatively, it may be provided that after closing one end of a drill pipe element 12 with a respective closure cap 20 with the loading carriage 60 directly a new cap 20 brought and this is lifted immediately afterwards with the lifting mechanism 54 in a predetermined vertical position, so that when supplying a new drill pipe element 12 for closing the end already a cap 20 is ready and for the actual closing of the end of the respective drill pipe element 12 only one small additional vertical movement of the lifting mechanism 54 is required, which can be done in a very short time.

The device 10 in the FIGS. 3 to 8 is a device 10 for closing a drill pipe element 12 with a cap 20, wherein when moving the drill pipe element 12 by means of a handling device 14 (sideways movement) a closure position 22 - namely the position above the lifting mechanism 54 - is approached, in the course of a means of handling device 14 effected movement (downward movement) of the drill pipe element 12, the closure cap 20 reaches the drill pipe element 12. The closure cap 20 engages the drill string member 12 by lowering the drill string member 12 toward a closure cap 20 raised with the lift mechanism 54 or by raising the closure cap 20 with the lift mechanism 54 to the drill string member 12 or by simultaneously lowering the drill string member 12 and Lifting the cap 20 takes place. In any case, by a movement which takes place in a direction axially to the orientation of the drill pipe element 12, the closure cap 20 so combined with the drill string element 12, that the lower end is closed.

The representation in FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of a device 10 for closing the ends of drill pipe elements 12, each with a closure cap 20. In contrast to that in the FIGS. 3 to 8 shown device 10 when closing the drill string elements 12 whose movement by means of the respective handling device 14 also in a vertical orientation or at least substantially vertical orientation, but without a necessary change of their vertical position, ie without a necessary change in height of a lower edge of the Drill pipe element 12 above the drill floor 16. These are in the illustration in FIG. 9 three consecutive positions of one end of a drill pipe element 12 are shown. First, the end of the drill pipe element 12 is located in front of the device 10, then in the device 10 and finally, with the cap 20 mounted, outside the device 10. The direction of movement of the end of the drill pipe element 12 is illustrated by the arrow. To guide the end of the drill pipe element 12, the device 10 has a guide channel 68, which is optionally widened like a funnel on the side at which successive individual drill string elements 12 are supplied, so that the shape of the guide channel 68 with respect to a correct positioning of the ends the drill string elements 12 is effective relative to the device 10. Speaking above of an unnecessary change in a height of a lower edge of the drill string member 12, this means that the closure of the drill string member 12 does not require a change in the vertical position of the drill string member 12. Depending on a height of the device 10, a change in the vertical position of the drill pipe element 12 can take place in the course of movement during transport of the drill string element 12 removed from the drill string to the device 10 and then further to the drill pipe support. This can then take place continuously and is not causally connected to the closing of the drill pipe element 12.

The representation in FIG. 10 shows the device 10 from FIG. 9 with partially removed side surfaces of their housing. There it can be seen that the device 10 has in its interior a rotatable drum 40 with cartridges 44. In the cartridges 44 are - as already explained in connection with the explanation of the preceding embodiment of a device 10 for closing drill pipe elements 12 - a plurality of caps 20. A rotation of the drum 40 is carried out - manually initiated or automatically triggered (for example described above by means of a rotary drive 62 and due to a sensor signal from a photosensor) - whenever a cartridge 44 becomes empty.

At the in FIG. 10 In the embodiment shown, the loading carriage 60 is located above the drum 40 and the removal of a closure cap 20 from a cartridge 44 takes place by lifting the closure cap stack within the respective cartridge 44. The uppermost closure cap 20 can then be moved by means of the loading carriage 60 with a translational movement to a lifting mechanism 54 located outside the drum 40 and a receiving plate 70 which is vertically movable by means of the lifting mechanism 54. By activating the lifting mechanism 54, the thus provided closure cap 20 can be attached to the lower end of the respective drill string element 12 and is attached to the lower end of the respective drill string element 12 during operation of the device 10. Also, by means of this lifting mechanism 54 so each cap 20 is brought to the drill string element 12, namely here by the cap 20 is combined by means of the lifting mechanism 54 with the drill string element 12.

The representation in FIG. 11 shows an enlarged section of the interior of the device 10 according to FIG. 10 , Here, in particular, the mobility of the lifting mechanism 54 in relation to the end of the respective drill pipe element 12 to be closed becomes clear. For closing the end of the respective drill string element 12, its sideways movement is briefly stopped when a drill string element 12 in a position in which closing with a closure cap 20 is possible by means of a sensor system, for example an optical or an inductive sensor 72 is, is recognized. Then, by means of the lifting mechanism 54, the receiving plate 70 and with this the respectively provided thereon closure cap 20 is raised in the direction of the end of the respective drill pipe element 12 and finally the end of the drill pipe element 12 with the closure cap 20. Subsequently, the receiving plate 70 is lowered by means of the lifting mechanism 54 again. By means of the loading carriage 60, a new cap 20 can then be placed on the receiving plate 70, so that it is available for closing a next drill pipe element 12 available. Again, the method for closing the ends of drill pipe elements 12 can be optimized in time, for example by means of the loading carriage 60 at the latest Then, when a new drill pipe element 12 enters the device 10, that is, when by means of a arranged at the beginning of the guide channel 68 sensor (not shown) a related sensor signal is generated, a cap 20 is provided on the receiving plate 70. Likewise, the provision of a new closure cap 20 may be coupled thereto, in that a sealed drill pipe element 12 leaves the device 10 and its guide channel 68 and a corresponding sensor signal is generated.

The device 10 in the FIGS. 9 to 11 is a device 10 for closing a drill pipe element 12 with a closure cap 20, wherein when moving the drill pipe element 12 by means of a handling device 14, a closure position 22 - namely the position above the lifting mechanism 54 - is approached, in the course of a means of handling device 14 caused movement (Sideways movement) of the drill pipe element 12, the closure cap 20 reaches the drill pipe element 12. The cap 20 comes to the drill string element 12 by the sideways movement of the drill string member 12 is interrupted briefly and lifted with the lifting mechanism 54 located on the receiving plate 70 cap 20 to the drill pipe element 12 and thereby combined with the drill string element 12 that its lower end is closed.

All representations presented here are to be understood as schematic representations to clarify the mode of operation of the device 10. On a representation of special details has been omitted. For example, in the illustrations in FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 not shown as a cap 20 passes from a position above a cartridge 44 to the receiving plate 70. For this purpose, it may be provided that at the end of the loading carriage 60, a gripper is located, which receives the cap 20 above the cartridge 44 and holds and can move to the receiving plate 70. Alternatively, it can also be provided, which extends to bridge the distance between the drum 40 and its cartridges 44 and the receiving plate 70 between the drum 40 and the receiving plate 70, a groove or the like, in which the respective cap 20 can be moved by means of the loading carriage 60 to the receiving plate 70.

The principle of the representations in the FIGS. 3 to 8 shown device 10 and in the FIGS. 9 to 11 can also be combined, for example, such that in a device 10 according to FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 an exclusively horizontal movement of the respective drill pipe element 12 (as in the device 10 in FIG FIG. 9 to FIG. 11 explained) takes place and with a lifting mechanism 54, in particular a disposed within the drum 40 lifting mechanism 54, the combinations of a respective closure cap 20 with the respective drill string element 12 takes place.

The representation in FIG. 12 shows a particular, namely mechanical lifting mechanism 54, which instead of an electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically operated lifting mechanism 54, in particular for use within the device 10 according to FIG. 9 to FIG. 11 comes into consideration. The lifting mechanism 54 according to FIG. 12 also comes for use in a device 10 according to FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 into consideration, if - as outlined above - there is also the respective end of the drill string element 12 to be closed at a constant or at least substantially constant height by the device 10 is moved.

The lifting mechanism 54 according to FIG. 12 comprises two rotatable discs 74, 76 to which a receiving plate 70 is eccentrically articulated. The actuation of the lifting mechanism 54 is carried out by the respective drill pipe element 12 itself. For a rotatably with one of the two discs 74, 76, in particular in the direction of movement of the drill string member 12 rear disc 76, associated actuating lever 78 is provided which is designed so that in a Thus, the successful operation of the lifting mechanism 54, the receiving plate 70 from a lowered position in a raised position, in particular a highest position, can be raised. The operating lever 78 is further configured so that the receiving plate 70 is in a raised position when the end of the drill string element 12 to be closed is centered or at least substantially centered above the receiving plate 70 (and the cap 20 resting there). The aforementioned design of the actuating lever 78 relates in particular to an angle between at least two lever segments forming the actuating lever 78 and a length of the lever or the lever segments.

The receiving plate 70 moves upon actuation of the operating lever 78 and the resulting activation of the lifting mechanism 54 (refer to the illustration in FIG FIG. 12 ) Both from left to right, ie in the direction of movement of the drill string member 12, as well as upwards, ie in the direction of the end of the drill string element 12 to be closed. For tolerance compensation is optionally provided that the receiving plate 70 is a springy or otherwise suitable type and elastically mounted punch 80 includes, on which the respective cap 20 is located. Also, by means of this lifting mechanism 54 so each cap 20 is brought to the drill string element 12, namely here by the cap 20 is combined by means of the lifting mechanism 54 with the drill string element 12.

After closing the end of the drill pipe element 12 with the closure cap 20 and the further sideways movement of the drill string element 12 (so that this is a device 10 of the in FIG. 9 This leaves the operating lever 78 finally free again. Due to the weight of the receiving plate 70 or due to the weight of the receiving plate 70 and additionally supported by a return element 82, the receiving plate 70 then moves automatically back into a lowered position. In this lowered position, with a loading carriage 60 ( FIG. 11 ) a new cap 20 are placed on the receiving plate 70. With the return of the receiving plate 70 in the lowered position and the rotationally fixed to one of the two discs 74, 76 associated actuating lever 78 is again in a starting position for re-actuation by a drill pipe element 12 verschwen kt.

The return member 82 is, for example, a weight located at the end of a string, a steel cord, a chain, or the like. This cord or the like is wound around one of the discs 74, 76 or a further disc arranged concentrically with one of the discs 74, 76, so that the weight exerts a restoring force under the influence of gravity and thus acts as a return element 82. Instead of the weight is also a spring used, which is attached to one of the discs 74, 76, that it is stretched when lifting the receiving plate 70 and, accordingly, can exert a restoring force.

The lifting mechanism 54 according to FIG. 12 and each device 10 comprising such a lifting mechanism 54 is a device 10 for closing a drill pipe element 12 with a closure cap 20, wherein when the drill pipe element 12 is moved by means of a handling device 14 a closing position 22 - namely a position centrally above the receiving plate 70 - is approached which, in the course of a movement (lateral movement) of the drill pipe element 12 brought about by means of the handling device 14, reaches the closure cap 20 against the drill pipe element 12. The closure cap 20 reaches the drill pipe element 12 by actuating the lifting mechanism 54 by means of the actuating lever 78, thereby causing the receiving plate 70 to lift with a closure cap 20 located there. In the course of lifting the receiving plate 70, the closure cap 20 reaches the drill pipe element 12.

The particular advantage of the lifting mechanism 54 according to FIG. 12 is that this is based on a purely mechanical action principle, so that an external power supply is not required. In addition, the lifting mechanism 54 is low maintenance and mechanically uncomplicated. Finally, the lifting mechanism 54, and thus the receiving plate 70 moved by it, performs both a horizontal and a vertical movement, so that the closure cap 20 to be attached and located on the receiving plate 70 follows in part the horizontal movement of the drill string element 12. Stopping the movement of the drill pipe member 12, as still in the embodiment according to FIG. 11 is required, this is no longer necessary. Instead, the attachment of the closure cap 20 can take place in a continuous movement process.

The lifting mechanism 54 according to FIG. 12 also comes in place of the spring element 26 in the FIG. 1 considered device 10 into consideration. Then, the receiving plate 70 is dimensioned so that there is only exactly one cap 20 space, so that on the feeder 24 nachrutschende sealing caps 20 are retained by an already located on the receiving plate 70 cap 20. Furthermore, the lifting mechanism 54, for example by lateral attachment of a baffle plate, designed so that even when lifting the receiving plate 70 no caps 20 can slip and reach the area of the lifting mechanism 54. When the lift mechanism 54 includes a punch 80 as shown in FIG FIG. 12 is shown, a housing provided for receiving the punch 80 may be designed so that it takes over the function of such a baffle plate.

The representation in FIG. 13 Finally shows two possible embodiments of a cap 20. The top left in a perspective view shown cap 20 is externally on the end of the drill string member 12 thread by slipping on the conical (see FIG. 4 ) tapered threaded portion placed. The cap 20 has a likewise conical basic shape and is designed at least inside step-shaped, so that a combination with the thread is possible. The closure cap 20 shown at the bottom right in a side view also has a conical basic shape and a plurality of mutually parallel, upwardly tapering disk-shaped fins, so that the closure cap 20 can be inserted into the end of the drill pipe element 12. Regardless of whether the closure cap 20 engages the outside of the end of the drill string member 12 or is inserted into the end of the drill string member 12, the resilience of the material from which the closure cap 20 is made will cause it to be secure on or in the drill string member 12, but releasable is fixed.

The top left in FIG. 13 illustrated embodiment of a closure cap 20 is also in the FIGS. 1 to 9 shown. The bottom right in FIG. 13 illustrated embodiment of a closure cap 20 is also in the Figures 10 and 11 shown. However, this does not mean that the local device 10 only comes into consideration for the use of the closure caps 20 shown. So is the use of each other in FIG. 13 shown cap 20 or differently shaped caps 20, which hold automatically after a combination with the end of a drill pipe element 12 to this possible.

A few key aspects of the description presented herein may be briefly summarized as follows: Disclosed is a method and apparatus 10 for closing the ends of drill string members 12 in drilling rigs having a closure cap 20 attachable to one end of a respective drill string member 12 Drill with such a device 10 or a drilling rig with means for carrying out such a method specified. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 10 Device (for closing drill pipe elements) 46 baseplate 48 cover plate 50 (first) sensor 12 drill string 52 (second) sensor 14 Handling device (pipe handler) 54 lifting mechanism 56 lifting cylinder 16 drill floor 58 feed 18 mouse hole 60 skid 20 cap 62 rotary drive 22 closed position 64 window 24 feeding 66 cover 26 spring element 68 guide channel 28 stripping 70 mounting plate 30 scraper 72 sensor 32 ramp 74 disc 34 Container 76 disc 36.38 (free) 78 actuating lever 40 drum 80 stamp 42 funnel 82 Return element 44 cartridge

Claims (14)

Method for closing a drill pipe element (12) with a closure cap (20), wherein a closing position (22) is approached during movement of the drill pipe element (12) by means of a handling device (14) on which movement is effected in the course of a movement by means of the handling device (14) of the drill string element (12), the closure cap (20) reaches the drill pipe element (12). The method of claim 1, wherein the handling device (14) lowers the drill string member (12) at the closure position (22) to a closure cap (20) or towards a closure cap (20). The method of claim 1 wherein the handling means (14) moves the drill string member (12) to the closure position (22) by sideways movement. The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the closure cap (20) by means of a lifting mechanism (54) to the drill string element (12) passes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in each case a closure cap (20) from a rotatable drum (40) with a plurality of caps (20) is removed. A method for removing a closure cap (20) from a drill pipe element (12), wherein when moving the drill pipe element (12) with a handling device (14) a Abstreifposition (28) is approached, in the course of a movement of the drill string element (12) by means of Handling device (14) stripping the closure cap (20) from the drill string element (12). A method according to claim 6, wherein the scraper system (30) acts as a rake inclined against the direction of movement of the drill string member (12) is carried out with at least two prongs and wherein the drill pipe element (12) with the closure cap (20) located thereon for stripping the closure cap (20) by the tines of the stripping system (30) is guided. A method of attaching and removing closure caps (20) to or from a drill string element (12) as a combination of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a method according to any one of claims 6 or 7. Apparatus (10) for attaching and / or removing closure caps (20) to or from a drill string member (12) having means (24, 26, 30, 40, 54, 60) for performing all of the method steps of any one of the preceding claims. Apparatus (10) according to claim 9 including a lifting mechanism (54) as means for closing a drill string member (12) by means of a closure cap (20) provided with the lift mechanism (54) to the drill string member (12). Apparatus (10) according to claim 10, comprising a mechanical lifting mechanism (54) actuated by the drill string member (12) by means of its movement by the handling means (14). Apparatus (10) according to claim 9, 10 or 11, comprising a rotatable drum (40) for receiving a plurality of closure caps (20). Apparatus (10) according to claim 12, comprising a loading carriage (60) associated with the rotatable drum (40), by means of the loading carriage (60) from the drum (40) removed cap (20) to the lifting mechanism (54) is movable. Drilling rig with a device (10) according to one of claims 9 to 13.

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