US3863898A

US3863898A - Changing block hoisting system

Info

Publication number: US3863898A
Application number: US395466A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wayne L Brackin
Original assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
Current assignee: NOV Inc
Priority date: 1973-09-10
Filing date: 1973-09-10
Publication date: 1975-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-04

Abstract

A quick changing divided block hosting system for running pipe into and out of wells being drilled, completed or worked over. A crown block with a multiplicity of lines is positioned in the derrick. A traveling block with a multiplicity of sheave units is connected to the lines from the crown block. Means are provided for selectively attaching the sheave units together and a connection is provided for selectively connecting one or more of the sheaves to the derrick.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,863,898

Brackin Feb. 4, 1975 CHANGING BLOCK HOISTING SYSTEM FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS lnvenwri Wayne Bmkim Beaumont, Tel 664,863 3/1962 Italy 254/188 [73] Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc., Dallas, Tex.

. Primary Examiner-Robert J. Spar [22] Filed Sept Assistant Examiner-Kenneth Noland [2]] Appl. No.: 395,466 Attorney, Agent, or FirmEddie E. Scott [52] U.S. Cl. 254/194, 254/]88 ABSTRACT A quick changing block hosting ystem for Field of Search 3 94, l95. 1961 running pipe into and out of wells being drilled, com- 254/144, pleted or worked over. A crown block with a multiplicity of lines is positioned in the derrick. A traveling [56] References cued block with a multiplicity of sheave units is connected UNITED STATES PATENTS to the lines from the crown block. Means are provided 19,91,751 4/1924 n H 254/188 for selectively attaching the sheave units together and 1,670,215 5/1928 Rutland 254/138 'a connection is provided for selectively connecting 3,101,928 8/1963 Dyer et al. 254/194 one or more of the sheaves to the derrick. 3.353,?94 ll/l967 Smith 254/192 3,366,366 1/1968 Arthur 254/192 2 Chums, 5 Drawmg Flames PAIEHTEDFEH SHEEI 10F 2 FIG.

PATENTED 1863.898

SHEU ESP 2 CHANGING BLOCK HOISTING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved system for running pipe. such as drill string and flow tubing. into and out of wells being drilled. completed or worked over. The invention particularly relates to a changing block hoisting system.

During the running of drill string or production tubing into a well or the pulling of such pipe from a well. the pipe sections must be handled in the derrick or rig. The pipe sections are usually moved to one side of the derrick or rig where they are stacked and this move ment must be in unison with the movement of the traveling block in order not to interfere with the well operations. Such work requires perfect timing and a great deal of exertion on the part of the crew and the work is quite hazardous.

With the advent ofmodern drilling systems. including automatic drilling systems. the need for flexibility in handling the pipe has acquired greater significance. During some well operations. a substantial lifting force is required thus requiring the use of multiple sheave units. During other well operations, a lesser number of sheave units or a single sheave unit may be sufficient. A need. therefore. clearly exists for a hoisting system that can be easily and quickly changed to different numbers of sheave units. The traveling block of modern drilling systems may be provided with a side opening in order to allow the pipe to be moved quickly out of the traveling block. It has now become desirable to be able to change the location of the side opening with respect to the well rig and a need clearly exists for a hoisting system that allows the location of the side opening in the traveling block to be adjusted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART ln U.S. Pat. No. 3,434,696 to W. L. Brackin, patented Mar. 25. 1969, a hook assembly for use with a split-type traveling block is shown. The traveling block has an opening extending vertically therethrough. The use of hoisting apparatus having the axially aligned opening permits the traveling block, hook assembly and the elevator, which are used to support the pipe string during movement thereof into and out ofthe well bore to be moved vertically relative to the pipe as the connections are made or broken.

ln U.S. Pat. No. 3.276.749 to W. M. Marks, et al.. patented Oct. 4. I966, a multi-sheave block is shown. A portion of the sheaves of the traveling block are mounted for lateral movement relative to the center of gravity of the load they are carrying. When the number of sheaves in service is increased or decreased, at least a portion of these sheaves can be adjusted laterally as required to maintain the centerline of support of the block in the desired position relative to whatever load the block is supporting.

ln U.S. Pat. No. 3.ll,928 to N. D. Dyer. et 21]., patented Aug. 27, I963. a traveling block assembly is shown. The traveling block includes a vertical opening therethrough which is also open at the side of the block. The traveling block allows the pipe to turn as it is being raised or lowered into the well without rotating the traveling block.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a quick changing divided block hoisting system for use in a derrick or rig. A crown block having a multiplicity of lines is positioned in the derrick or rig. A traveling block positioned below the crown block includes a multiplicity of sheave units connected to the multiplicity of lines from the crown block. The sheave units are connected by connecting means that will allow the sheave units to be easily and quickly connected or disconnected. At least one of the sheave units includes an attachment means whereby said sheave unit can be selectively connected to the derrick or rig.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a face elevation of a hoisting system constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the wireline arrangement of the hoisting system shown in FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the hoisting system shown in FIG. I taken on line 33 showing the traveling block.

FIG. 4 is a view of the traveling block shown in FIG. 3 with one sheave unit removed.

FIG. 5 is a view of the traveling block shown in FIG. 3 with the sheave units positioned to change the location of the side opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. I, a hoisting system constructed in accordance withh the present invention is shown. The hoisting system includes a crown block I0 adapted to be positioned in the support structure SS of a derrick or rig (not shown). The crown block I0 includes a plurality of sheaves respectively designated A. B. C and D (C is not shown in FIG. I) from which there is suspended a traveling block unit I]. A conventional wireline l2 extends from the draw works DW through the crown block 10 and traveling block unit I] to the dead line DI. that is attached to a portion of the support structure SS. An elevator I3 is connected to the traveling block unit 1] by

links

14 and 15. The

links

14 and 15 engage the brackets 16 and I7 extending from the traveling block unit II. The elevator I3 includes movable dogs 18 and I9 movable upon inclined faces 20 and 21 of a central bowl in the elevator 13. The mow able dogs I8 and 19 will move to and from a pipe gripping position wherein the section of pipe 22 may be engaged or released.

The traveling block unit II includes three sheaves designated E, F, and G. respectively. The sheave E is removably connected to the sheave F by a bolt 25 that extends through holes in sheaves E and F and is secured by a nut 26. Sheave G is connected to sheave F by a bolt 27 that fits through holes in sheaves F and G and is secured by a nut 28. A connecting bracket 29 extends from sheave F.

Referring to FIG. 2, the threading of the wireline 12 through the crown block 10 and traveling block unit I] is illustrated. The wireline I2 extends from a draw works DW wherein it may be wound or unwound from a drum driven by suitable power means. The line 12 passes over sheave A in the crown block I0, then downward through sheave E in the traveling block unit I], thence upward over the sheave C in crown block 10 downward to sheave G in traveling block unit II, thence upward over sheave D in crown block 10 downward to sheave F in traveling block unit I], thence upward over sheave B in crown block 10 to the dead line (DL) wherein it is secured to the support structure 55.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a plan view of the hoisting system of FIG. I taken along the lines 3-3 is shown. As viewed from above. the traveling block unit 11 includes a central opening 23 for receiving a section of pipe and a side opening 24 for moving the pipe into and out of the unit 11. The wireline l2 passes through the respective sheaves E. F. and G. Sheave E is connected to sheave F by bolt 25 that extends through a hole in a connecting bracket extending from sheave E and a hole in connecting bracket 31 attached to sheave F. Sheave G is connected to sheave F by bolt 27 that extends through a hole in a connecting bracket 32 extending from sheave G and a hole in a connecting bracket 31 attached to sheave F. A hole 33 is located in the opposite end of bracket 30 and a hole 34 is located in the opposite end of bracket 32. A connecting bracket 35 extends from sheave F on the side opposite from bracket 31. A pair of

holes

36 and 37 are located in bracket 35.

The structural details of a hoisting system constructed in accordance with the present invention having been described. the operation of the system will now be considered. The traveling block unit II that hangs below the crown block 10 by means of the various runs of the wireline I2 is connected to the pipe 22 by elevator 13. The line 12 is wound upon a drum at the draw works DW thereby pulling the pipe 22 upward. Pipe being run into or out of a well may be received in the side opening 24 and central opening 23 of the traveling block unit ll or removed at will through the same opening. Certain operations do not require the full lift ing force of the three sheaves E. F, and G in the traveling block unit 1]. In this instance, one or more of the sheaves. such as sheave F, is disconnected from the other two sheaves E and G by loosening and removing the nuts 26 and 28 and removing the

bolts

25 and 27. The sheave F is then connected to the derrick or rig (not shown) by the bracket 29. A filler piece 38 shown in FlG. 4 is positioned between sheaves E and G and

bolts

25 and 27 are replaced thereby securing the sheaves E and G as the operating unit of the traveling block. lt will be appreciated that the sheaves E and G could be connected together at right angles or that the filler piece 38 could have been connected in

holes

33 and 34.

In order to change the location of the side opening 24 relative to the derrick and other equipment, the prior art hoisting systems required that the crown block and traveling block be rethreaded to orient the side opening in a different direction. The hoisting system of the present invention may be changed so that the side opening extends in other directions as shown in FIG. 5. Referring to HO. 5. the

bolts

25 and 27 have been removed from brackets 30. 31, and 32 and the sheave 31 has been swung through the central opening 23. The bolts lows:

l. A quick changing divided block hoisting system for use with an oil well drilling rig to move pipe. comprising:

a crown block included in said rig. said crown block having at least three sets of lines;

a traveling block positioned below said crown block with a first sheave unit connected to one of said sets of lines.

a second sheave unit connected to another of said sets of lines. and

a third sheave unit connected to the other of said sets of lines. said first. second. and third sheave units being positioned on three sides of said pipe;

first connection means on said first sheave unit for selectively connecting said first sheave unit to said second sheave unit at a first side of said first sheave;

second connection means on said first sheave unit for selectively connecting said first sheave unit to said second sheave unit at a second side of said first sheave opposite to said first side of said first sheave.

third connection means on said third sheave unit for selectively connecting said third sheave unit to said second sheave unit at a side on said third sheave coincedent to said first side; and

fourth connection means on said third sheave unit for selectively connecting said third sheave unit to said second sheave unit at a side on said third sheave coincedent to said second side.

2. A hoisting apparatus for moving pipe within an oil well derrick. said hoisting apparatus including a traveling block with a side opening that may be changed from admitting the pipe from a first side to admitting the pipe from a second side. comprising:

a crown block with three sets of lines; and

a traveling block with a first sheave connected to one set of lines.

a second sheave connected to another set of lines.

and a third sheave connected to the other set of lines. said first sheave having first means for selectively connecting said first sheave to said second sheave at first side of said first sheave thereby admitting said pipe from said first side,

said first sheave having second means for selectively connecting said first sheave to said second sheave at a second side of said first sheave opposite to said first side of said first sheave thereby admitting said pipe from said second side,

said third sheave having third means for selectively connecting said third sheave to said second sheave at a side on said third sheave coincedent to said first side thereby admitting said pipe from said first side. and

said third sheave having fourth means for selectively connecting said third sheave to said second sheave at a side on said third sheave coincedent to said second side thereby admitting said pipe from said secondside.

Claims

1. A quick changing divided block hoisting system for use with an oil well drilling rig to move pipe, comprising: a crown block included in said rig, said crown block having at least three sets of lines; a traveling block positioned below said crown block with a first sheave unit connected to one of said sets of lines, a second sheave unit connected to another of said sets of lines, and a third sheave unit connected to the other of said sets of lines, said first, second, and third sheave units being positioned on three sides of said pipe; first connection means on said first sheave unit for selectively connecting said first sheave unit to said second sheave unit at a first side of said first sheave; second connection means on said first sheave unit for selectively connecting said first sheave unit to said second sheave unit at a second side of said first sheave opposite to said first side of said first sheave, thirD connection means on said third sheave unit for selectively connecting said third sheave unit to said second sheave unit at a side on said third sheave coincedent to said first side; and fourth connection means on said third sheave unit for selectively connecting said third sheave unit to said second sheave unit at a side on said third sheave coincedent to said second side.

2. A hoisting apparatus for moving pipe within an oil well derrick, said hoisting apparatus including a traveling block with a side opening that may be changed from admitting the pipe from a first side to admitting the pipe from a second side, comprising: a crown block with three sets of lines; and a traveling block with a first sheave connected to one set of lines, a second sheave connected to another set of lines, and a third sheave connected to the other set of lines, said first sheave having first means for selectively connecting said first sheave to said second sheave at first side of said first sheave thereby admitting said pipe from said first side, said first sheave having second means for selectively connecting said first sheave to said second sheave at a second side of said first sheave opposite to said first side of said first sheave thereby admitting said pipe from said second side, said third sheave having third means for selectively connecting said third sheave to said second sheave at a side on said third sheave coincedent to said first side thereby admitting said pipe from said first side, and said third sheave having fourth means for selectively connecting said third sheave to said second sheave at a side on said third sheave coincedent to said second side thereby admitting said pipe from said second side.