GB2574100A

GB2574100A - Dope unit for pipe handling machine

Info

Publication number: GB2574100A
Application number: GB1904053.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mydland Petter
Original assignee: Mhwirth AS
Current assignee: Mhwirth AS
Priority date: 2018-03-27
Filing date: 2019-03-25
Publication date: 2019-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-25
Also published as: NO344708B1; GB2576443B; NO20180430A1; GB2574100B; GB201915590D0; GB201904053D0; GB2576443A

Abstract

A dope unit 10 for a pipe handling machine comprises a rotatable carrier unit 12 on which is mounted a cleaning unit 20 and a lubricating unit 30. A drive unit (15, fig 6) rotates the carrier unit 12 around an end portion of an object 50 to be lubricated. The carrier unit 12 is a disc 13 surrounded by a splash guard 35. A conical head 11 can support the object 50 to be cleaned through the rotating disc 13. The object to be cleaned can be a stand of drill string 51. Washing nozzles 21,22,23 of the cleaning unit 20 are orientated away from the lubricating unit 30. Dope is applied by a brush or sponge of the lubricating unit 30. A method includes rotating the carrier unit in a first direction to clean the object before changing the rotation direction to apply dope. In one method, a combined unit (40, fig 6) cleans the thread 53 of the tubular stand 51 before being rotated to direct the lubricating unit at the thread 53.

Description

DOPE UNIT FOR PIPE HANDLING MACHINE

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a dope unit for a pipe handling machine and a pipe handling machine for elongate pipes used in drilling operations. Other embodiments relate to a method of applying dope on a pipe on a drilling rig.

BACKGROUND

In drilling operations, it is common to build a string of tubulars, such as a drill string, on a drill floor above a well centre opening. The string is usually assembled using a series of threaded pipe sections, where the threaded connections are made up (or broken out) using appropriate machines, such as pipe handling machines and power tongs.

The integrity of the connections is of high importance, particularly considering the load the pipe string is exposed to during use and the fact that the same pipe sections may be subjected to make up (connect) and break out (disconnect) operations a large number of times during its lifetime. For this purpose, dope is usually applied on the threads before connection.

It is desirable to further improve the reliability, operational lifetime and operational efficiency of processes and machines on drilling rigs. The present invention has the objective to provide improved systems and methods in the abovementioned or other areas.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, there is provided a dope unit for a pipe handling machine, comprising a rotatable carrier unit, the carrier unit carrying a cleaning unit and a lubricating unit, the dope unit further comprising a drive unit for rotating the carrier unit around an end portion of an object to be lubricated.

In an embodiment, there is provided a pipe handling machine with a dope unit.

In an embodiment, there is provided a method for supplying dope to a stand on a drilling rig using a pipe handling machine, comprising the steps: positioning the stand relative to the dope unit, cleaning a thread of the stand with the cleaning unit, and applying dope on the thread of the stand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various characteristics will become clear from the following description of illustrative embodiments, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a pipe handling machine according to an embodiment,

Fig. 2 shows a first view of a dope unit for such a pipe handling machine,

Fig. 3 shows a second view on a dope unit for such a pipe handling machine,

Fig. 4 shows a view on the drive and the supply of the dope unit,

Fig. 5 shows another view on the drive of the dope unit,

Fig. 6 shows another view on a dope unit,

Fig. 7 shows a dope unit, wherein a thread of a stand for a drilling device is cleaned and lubricated,

Fig. 8 shows a view on the carrier unit of the dope unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a dope unit for a pipe handling machine, including but not limited to such pipe handling machines used on drilling rigs. The dope unit may comprise a receptacle for an end portion of the object to be cleaned and lubricated, and a carrier unit, wherein the carrier unit and the receptacle are rotatable relative to each other. The carrier unit carries a cleaning unit and a lubrication unit. The dope unit further comprises a drive unit for rotation the carrier unit. The dope unit allows to clean and lubricate an object to allow a particularly simple installation of the object.

In an embodiment the carrier unit comprises a rotatable disc. The receptacle might have a conical head in order to center the object. In particular, when the object is a stand of a drilling rig, the conical head might center the central bore of the stand in order to clean and dope a thread on the end portion of the stand, so the stand can be screwed into another stand for extension of the drilling sting. The dope applied to the thread prevents rust and eases the screwing process of screwing one stand in the head of another stand.

In an embodiment the rotatable disc is aligned perpendicularly to the end portion of the object and the cleaning unit and the lubrication unit are aligned parallel to the end portion of the object. This helps to find an easy orientation for the cleaning unit and the lubrication unit towards the object to be cleaned and lubricated. A straight angle between the carrier unit and the other units makes handling of the object easier to avoid damage to the cleaning unit or lubrication unit.

In an embodiment the cleaning unit comprises a set of nozzles to spray a cleaning medium, for example water, on the end section of the object to be cleaned. A set of nozzles can improve the cleaning process, as the cleaning medium is sprayed in different areas of the object to be cleaned. The set of nozzles can also reduce the time for cleaning as different areas are cleaned in parallel processes. Alternatively, a cleaning brush combined with a cleaning medium can be used.

In a further improvement of the cleaning unit a spray cone of the cleaning nozzles is orientated away from the lubrication unit in order to keep the cleaning medium away from the lubrication medium. Mixing cleaning debris and the lubrication medium may lead to corrosion (and contaminated lubricant may lead to damage seal surfaces or threads) on the end portion of the object to be cleaned and may also reduce lubricity of the lubricant. Therefore it can be advantageous to directly the spray cone of the nozzles away from the lubrication unit to avoid mixing of these media.

In a preferred embodiment the lubrication unit comprises a lubrication brush or a sponge. A brush or a sponge is a simple but high effective mean to apply the dope on an end portion of the object. If the object has a thread on the end portion, a brush might easily follow the grooves of the thread to achieve a uniform application of dope. A rotational centered feed lubricant sponge, brush unit combined with flexible hoses can also be used to apply lubricant medium or (workshop tested).

In a further improvement of the invention the cleaning unit and the lubrication unit are combined in one block. Combining the two units in one combined unit reduces space and eases the handling of the objects.

More preferable the cleaning unit and the lubrication unit are combined on a combination unit, wherein the combination unit is rotatable relatively to the carrier unit. With a rotatable combination unit, it is possible to direct either the cleaning unit (or a cleaning section) or the lubrication unit (or a lubrication section) towards the object to be cleaned and lubricated, while the other unit is out of the way. This facilitates the cleaning or the application of the lubricant and avoids washing of the lubricant.

In a further improvement of the invention the cleaning unit is directed to the end portion of the object to be cleaned and lubricated, when the carrier unit is rotating in a first rotation direction and that the lubrication unit is directed to the end portion of the object, when the carrier unit is rotating in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. The change of the drive direction facilitates the supply of the cleaning unit and/or the lubrication unit via a flexible hose. Alternatively, the cleaning unit can wash and the lubrication unit can apply dope in the same direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the drive unit is connected to a gear box having at least on gear to drive the carrier unit. Using gears is a simple way to drive the carrier unit. The gear box is preferably a two-stage gear transmission or a worm gear to reduce the rotational speed and increase the drive torque. The drive unit may comprise an electric or hydraulic motor to drive the gear box. If applicable, the motor can be arranged so that the direction of rotation can be reversed.

In a preferred embodiment the drive unit is arranged below the carrier unit, preferable below the gear box. The drive unit can easily be placed below the carrier unit, especially below the gear box, to avoid any damage to the gear box while handling the objects to be cleaned and lubricated. Placing the drive unit below the gear box makes it easy to connect the drive unit to the gear and turn the carrier unit in the wanted direction.

In a further improvement the carrier unit is at least partially encased by a splash guard, for example by rubber flaps. In this way the cleaning medium can be kept within the dope unit and does not spray on other parts of the pipe handling machine, where it may cause corrosion or damage electrical parts of the pipe handling machine.

The present invention further relates to a pipe handling machine, preferably but not limited to a pipe handling machine for a drilling rig with a dope unit. For the extension of the drilling string of a drill rig it is well known to use stands. The bottom of following stand is screwed into the head of the last stand, so the drill string is extended.

In a preferred embodiment of the pipe handling machine the dope unit is arranged on a lower guiding arm of the pipe handling machine. As the stands are taken from a fingerboard by the pipe handling machine, the lower guiding arm is used to center the stands and position it for cleaning and doping.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the pipe handling machine comprises a dope storage depot and a pump unit supplying dope to the lubrication unit of the dope unit. In this way the dope can, for example, be easily applied to the lubrication unit of the dope unit via a flexible dope hose.

Preferably the dope unit is fixed at or near the lower guiding arm or a platform of the pipe handling machine via a spring-damper-system. A spring-damper-system may reduce the impact on the dope unit, especially on the receptacle, when a stand is picked up and placed on the dope unit. A spring-damper-system can reduce wear or prevent the drive unit from being damaged by the pipe handling as the impact is reduced.

The invention also relates to a method for supplying dope to a stand of a drilling ring using a pipe handling machine as described above, the method comprising the following steps:

positioning the stand on the receptacle of the dope unit, cleaning a thread of the stand with the cleaning unit, and applying dope on the thread of the stand.

The method allows a fast and reliable cleaning and lubrication of the objects, especially of the stands in a pipe handling machine, so the drilling speed can be increased.

In a further improvement of the unit and/or method, the direction of rotation of the carrier unit can be reversed after the cleaning process. The change of direction makes it possible to supply the dope and/or the washing medium via flexible hoses. In embodiments of the present invention, the maximum rotation of the carrier unit can be more than 180°, more than 270° or more than 360°. The flexible hoses could be used to allow for the necessary rotation, or alternatively a swivel can be used.

Furthermore, if the cleaning unit and the lubrication unit are combined in a combination unit, the combination unit might be rotated after the cleaning process in order to direct the lubrication unit towards the thread. This improves the cleaning and the lubrication process, as the cleaning medium and the lubrication medium can be applied to the stand easier. Especially the cone angle of the nozzles can be increased without risking to wash the lubrication medium out of the brush or mixing the lubrication media with the washing liquid.

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the appended figures. Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a pipe handling machine, the cleaning and the lubrication of drilling string extensions, so called stands, and a dope unit for cleaning and lubrication of such stands used in a pipe handling machine. The pipe handling machine is, for example, used on an offshore drilling or well intervention vessel or in any kind of subsea operation using tubular shaped tools. Other examples for which the present invention may be suitable for use include research vessels, geothermal drilling, deep sea mining etc.

Figure 1 shows a pipe handling machine 1, in this example a lower guiding arm, suitable for use on e.g. drilling rigs. The pipe handling machine 1 comprises a platform 5 on which an arm 6 is mounted. The arm 6 comprises an upper part 2 with a guide head 3 to support an object 50, for example a pipe for a drilling operation, a so called stand 51, from a storage depot. The storage depot might be a (not shown) fingerboard with a plurality of fingers, i.e. parallel elongate support members defining storage spaces between them, in which sections of stands 51 or other tubular members may be stored. The pipe handling machine 1 further comprises a dope unit 10 with a receiver 11 for the object 50 to be cleaned and lubricated. A dope storage depot 7, preferably a dope bucket, may be located on the platform 5 to provide the dope to a lubrication unit. Furthermore, a pump unit 9 may be installed on the platform 5 to pump the dope from the dope storage depot 7 to a lubrication unit via a dope hose or another dope supply line. To improve safety a railing 8 may surround at least parts of the actuator 6 of the pipe handling machine 1. As can be seen, in this illustrative embodiment the dope unit 10 is arranged on the pipe handling machine 1, however it may alternatively be arranged spaced from the pipe handling machine 1, for example mounted on the drill floor such that the arm 6 extends towards the dope unit 10 and supports the object 50 when positioned adjacent the dope unit 10.

Fig. 2 shows a fist view of the dope unit 10 for the pipe handling machine 1 described above. The dope unit 10 comprises a receiver 11 for an end portion 52 of the object 50 to be cleaned and lubricated. The receiver 11 may be, for example, a support plate for supporting the object 50. Optionally, the dope unit 10 does not comprise a receiver 11 but, for example, the pipe handling machine 1 is configured to hold the object 50 in place relative to the dope unit 10. The dope unit 10 further comprises a carrier unit 12, preferably a disc 13 with a central opening 14, wherein a cleaning unit 20 and lubrication unit 30 are arranged on the carrier unit 12. The cleaning unit 20 comprises a plurality of cleaning nozzles 21,22, 23 directed at the end portion 52 of the object 50 to be cleaned. The lubrication unit 30 comprises a brush 31 or a sponge 32 to supply the dope on the end portion 52 of the object 50 after the cleaning process is finished. The dope unit 20 further comprises a splash guide 35, preferably rubber flaps, surrounding the carrier unit 12 to prevent cleaning fluid and dirt from escaping out of the dope unit 10 and polluting other part of the pipe handling machine 1 or the surroundings.

Fig. 3 shows a second view on the dope unit 10, especially on the suspension of the dope unit 10. A base plate 37 of the dope unit 10 is set up on the pipe handling machine 1 via a spring-damper-system 36. The spring-damper-system 36 comprises a plurality of springs 38 and/or a damping element 39 to connect the base plate 37 with the lower guiding arm 4. The damping elements 39 may be hydraulic shock absorbers or similar to reduce the movement of the springs 38. The spring-dampersystem 26 allows a well controllable elastic deformation, when the object 50 is set up on the receiver 11 of the dope unit 10 or taken from the receptacle and reduces the impact on the dope unit 10.

Figs 4 and 5 show another view on the dope unit 10, mainly on the drive unit 15 for the carrier unit 12. The drive unit 15 comprises an electrical drive that is connectable to a gear box 29 as shown in Fig. 5 The gear box 29 comprises a first gear 17 and a second gear 18, where the second gear 18 is connected to the carrier unit 12. The first gear s connected to the drive unit 15. The gear box 29 reduces speed and increases torque of the drive unit 15. Preferable the drive unit 15 is placed below the carrier unit 12, more preferable below the gear box 29, so that the drive unit 15 does not interfere the insertion to or removal from the objects 50 to the dope unit 10. The cleaning fluid may be provided to the cleaning unit 20 by a swivel 27 as shown in Fig. 4. Alternatively the cleaning fluid, e.g. water and the dope can be supplied via flexible supply lines 26 such a supply hoses 34.

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the dope unit 10. The receiver 11 has a conical head 19 to center a tubular object 50 like a stand 51. This facilitates the positioning of the object 50 on the receiver 11 as the conical head allows more tolerance to the handling by the arm 6 of the pipe handling machine 1. The dope unit 10 comprises a carrier unit 12 that is rotatable relatively to the receiver 11. The carrier unit 12 carries a combination unit 40 that comprises a cleaning unit 20 and a lubrication unit

30. The combination unit 40 carries a lubrication brush 31 to supply the dope to a thread 53 at the end portion of the stand 51. The carrier unit 12 has a central opening 14, through which the conical head 19 of the receiver 11 passes. The carrier unit 12 is driven by the second gear 18 of the gear box 29, which is driven by the first gear 17. The fist gear 17 is connected to the drive unit 15, wherein a cover protects the drive unit from the cleaning fluid, the dope and other contaminants. The combination unit 40 may have a first section 44 with the lubrication unit 30 and a second section 45 with the cleaning unit 20 as shown in Fig. 8. To avoid an unwanted washing of the lubrication brush 31 the cone angle of the washing nozzles 21,22, 23 is orientated away from the lubrication unit 30, so the cleaning section and the lubrication section of the combination unit 40 are separated.

Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 show an example of the process of cleaning and lubrication the thread 53 at the end portion 52 of the tubular object 50 to be cleaned and lubricated. In a first step the tubular object 50 is positioned on the conical head 19 of the receiver 11 by the actuator 6 of the pipe handling machine 1. The thread 53 is cleaned by high pressure nozzles 21, 22, 23 spraying the cleaning fluid on the thread and removing dust and dirt from the end portion 52 of the tubular object 50. In a following step of the process the dope is apply to the thread 53 by the lubrication brush 31 or a sponge 32 of the lubrication unit 30. The direction of rotation of the carrier unit 12 can be reversed after the cleaning process, so that the carrier unit 12 is rotation back in its starting position. This allows an easy and simple supply of the cleaning fluid and the dope via flexible hoses. In another embodiment of the invention the carrier unit 12 can continuously turn in the same direction.

ITEM DESCRIPTION

1 Pipe handling machine	26 supply line
2 upper guiding arm	27 swivel
3 first receptacle	29 gear box
4 lower guiding arm	30 lubrication unit
5 platform	31 lubrication brush
6 actuator	32 sponge
7 dope storage depot	33 supply line
8 railing	34 dope hose
9 pump unit	35 splash guard I flaps
10 dope unit	36 spring-damper-system
11 receptacle	37 base plate
12 carrier unit	38 spring
13 disc	39 damping element
14 central opening	40 combination unit
15 drive unit	41 adjustment element
16 cover	42 coupling
17 first gear	43 block
18 second gear	44 first section

conical head second section

20 cleaning unit	50 object (to be lubricated)
21 nozzle	51 stand
22 nozzle	52 end portion
23 nozzle	53 thread

spray angle

The invention is not limited by the embodiments described above; reference should be had to the appended claims.

Claims

1. Dope unit (10) for a pipe handling machine (1), comprising a rotatable carrier unit (12), the carrier unit (12) carrying a cleaning unit (20) and a lubricating unit (30), the dope unit (10) further comprising a drive unit (15) for rotating the carrier unit (12) around an end portion (52) of an object (50) to be lubricated.

2. Dope unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the carrier unit (12) comprises a rotatable disc (13) with a central opening (14).

3. Dope unit (10) according to claim 2, wherein the rotatable disc (13) is aligned perpendicularly to the end portion (52) of the object (50) and the cleaning unit (20) and the lubricating unit (30) are aligned parallel to the end portion (52) of the object (50).

4. Dope unit (10) according to any of claims 1-3 comprising a receiver (11) for an end portion (52) of the object (50) to be lubricated, the receiver (11) configured for supporting the object (50) to be lubricated.

5. Dope unit (10) according to claim 4, wherein the receiver (11) has a conical head (19).

6. Dope unit (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the cleaning unit (20) comprises a set of nozzles (21,22, 23, 24).

7. Dope unit (10) according to claim 6, wherein a spray cone of the cleaning nozzles (21, 22, 23, 24) is orientated away from the lubrication unit (30).

8. Dope unit (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the lubrication unit (30) comprises a lubrication brush (31) or a sponge (32).

9. Dope unit (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the cleaning unit (20) and the lubricating unit (30) are combined in one block (43) arranged on the carrier unit (12).

10. Dope unit (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the cleaning unit (20) and the lubrication unit (30) are combined in a combination unit (40), wherein the combination unit (40) is rotatable relatively to the carrier unit (12).

11. Dope unit (10) according to claim 10, wherein the combination unit (40) is rotatable between a first operational position in which the cleaning unit (20) is operationally directed towards the end portion (52), and a second operational position in which the lubrication unit (30) is operationally directed towards the end portion (52).

12. Dope unit (10) according to claim 11, wherein the carrier unit (12) is configured to rotate in a first direction when the combination unit (40) is in the first operational position and in a second direction when the combination unit (40) is in the second operational position, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

13. Dope unit (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive unit (15) is connected to a gear box (29) having at least on gear (17, 18) arranged to drive the carrier unit (12).

14. Dope unit (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive unit (15) is arranged below the carrier unit (12).

15. Dope unit (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the carrier unit (12) is at least partially encased by a splash guard (35).

16. Pipe handling machine (1) with a dope unit (10) according to any preceding claim.

17. Pipe handling machine (1) according to claim 16, wherein the dope unit (10) is fixed to a support platform (5) of the pipe handling machine (1).

18. Pipe handling machine (1) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the pipe handling machine (1) comprises a guide head (3) operable to position the object (50) relative to the dope unit (10).

19. Pipe handling machine (1) according to any of the claims 16 to 18, wherein the pipe handling machine (1) comprises a dope storage depot (7) and a pump unit (9) configured to supply dope to the lubrication unit (30) of the dope unit (10).

20. Pipe handling machine (1) according to any of the claims 16 to 19, wherein the dope unit (10) comprises a spring-damper-system (36).

21. A method for supplying dope to a stand (51) on a drilling rig using a pipe handling machine (1) according to any of the claims 16 to 20, comprising the steps:

positioning the stand (51) relative to the dope unit (10), cleaning a thread (53) of the stand (51) with the cleaning unit (20), applying dope on the thread (53) of the stand (51).

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the direction of rotation of the carrier unit (12) is reversed after the cleaning step.

23. A method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the cleaning unit (20) and the lubrication (30) are combined in a combination unit (40), the method comprising rotating the combination unit (40) after the cleaning process to direct the lubrication unit (30) towards the thread (53).