WO2015114472A2

WO2015114472A2 - Apparatus for lifting and/or moving operations of drilling equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2015114472A2
Application number: PCT/IB2015/050116
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernt Olav Holen; Tine SÆBØ
Original assignee: Mhwirth As
Priority date: 2014-01-28
Filing date: 2015-01-07
Publication date: 2015-08-06
Also published as: GB201611614D0; GB2537287A; NO20140099A1; GB2537287B; NO342079B1; WO2015114472A3

Abstract

Apparatus for lifting and/or moving operations of drilling equipment on a surface (40), comprising a suspension device with a lifting arm, wherein the lifting arm comprises at least a first polygon (10) and a second polygon (20) that can be connected to one another, the first polygon (10) comprising: - a first beam (1) rotatably connected to a second beam (2); - the second beam (2) is rotatably connected to a third beam (3); - the third beam (3) is rotatably connected to a fourth beam (4); - the fourth beam (4) is rotatably connected to the first beam (1), where the fourth beam (4) is configured with a bend having an angle (4"') of less than 180 degrees and further where the fourth beam (4) is configured with a first set of connecting means (P1) for cooperative connection to the second polygon (20).

Description

APPARATUS FOR LIFTING AND/OR MOVING OPERATIONS OF

DRILLING EQUIPMENT

The invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out lifting and/or moving operations on a deck, such as a drilling deck or drill floor. The apparatus is particularly useful in lifting and/or moving loads, such as tools for connecting drill pipes, between different stations. The invention is usable both offshore and onshore.

Background of the invention

In the oil and gas industry, pipes are used, for example, to create a fluid connection between a platform and a borehole. The pipe forming the fluid connection can, in addition to being other types of pipe, be, for example, a drill string. The drill string is used to form a borehole as the drill string penetrates further and further into the earth's crust. A drill string is usually formed by screwing together drill pipes in threes or fours (three, four drill pipes = one stand, 27 - 40 metres in length) for interim storage in a fingerboard, before one stand at a time is screwed to the existing drill string and then accompanies the drill string into the earth's crust as the drilling operation proceeds. It is known to use so-called "iron roughnecks" for screwing and unscrewing the drill pipes, and a number of companies supply such solutions. An iron roughneck generally consists of a two-piece wrench unit and a spinning system. The spinning system rotates one joint of drill pipe relative to another joint of drill pipe in order either to screw the two joints of drill pipe together or to unscrew them from each other. The wrench unit provides the torque necessary for the screwing or unscrewing operation.

Because of the limited space available on a typical drill floor, it is often necessary to be able to move equipment, such as iron roughnecks, guide devices, gripping devices etc. ahead of, during or after drilling operations. It may be necessary to move the equipment between different locations, for example, to and from the well centre, to and from a storage location for pipes, such as a fingerboard, or into a stowed position. US 7178612 B2 makes known an apparatus for moving an iron roughneck into position to allow making-up or breaking-up of threaded joints in a drill string.

It is further known to use iron roughnecks that run on rails back and forth between different positions on deck, such as between stowed position, well centre and the mousehole.

The prior art represents a disadvantage from a purely structural view in that in addition to containing a large number of arms for providing take-up of weight, it is also dependent on a smaller number of arms or links for synchronising the movement. This results in a more complex mechanical design, and at the same time these synchronising links or arms are sensitive to wear, as there is a large movement ratio between them and the actual movement. An object of the present invention is therefore to solve at least one of the

disadvantages associated with the prior art.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system where the drill floor is free of rails and other elements in connection with iron roughnecks.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a system without the use of separate synchronising link or parallel arms to obtain synchronisation. This is vital in order for the apparatus to maintain positioning accuracy throughout its service life.

Summary of the invention

The invention is defined in the independent claim, whilst the dependent claims describe additional characterising features of the invention.

The present invention relates to a mechanically synchronised lifting arm which with the aid of, for example an actuator can be moved horizontally across a drill floor. The mechanical synchronisation takes place as a consequence of how the arms are configured and cooperatively connected. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus for lifting and/or moving operations of drilling equipment on a surface, comprising a suspension device having lifting arm, the lifting arm comprising at least a first polygon and a second polygon that can be connected to each other, the first polygon comprising:

- a first beam rotatably connected to a second beam;

- the second beam is rotatably connected to a third beam;

- the third beam is rotatably connected to a fourth beam;

- the fourth beam is rotatably connected to the first beam,

where the fourth beam is configured with a bend having an angle of less than 180 degrees, and where the fourth beam is further configured with a first set of connecting means for cooperative connection to the second polygon.

The term 'polygon' as used herein should be understood as a polygon consisting of at least four sides, the sides either being formed of separate beams, or that one or more angled beams can form two of the sides of the polygon.

Also as used herein, the term 'cooperative connection' should be understood as a direct connection between the first and the second, and optionally more polygons, or a system that has one or more intermediate connections between two polygons.

In an embodiment of the invention, one or more arms, hereafter referred to as parallel arms, can be arranged between the first and the second polygon. The parallel arms allow an extension of the reach of the lifting arm. It should be understood that the parallel arms are only included for the sake of the reach, and do not impact on the synchronisation or movement of the lifting arm relative to the surface as such. In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is further defined in that:

- the first end portion of the first beam can be rotatably connected to a first end portion of the second beam;

- the second beam can at its second end portion be rotatably connected to a first end portion of the third beam;

- the third beam can at its second end portion be rotatably connected to a first end portion of the fourth beam;

- a second end portion of the first beam can be connected between the first end portion and a second end portion of the fourth beam, and the connecting means can be configured at the second end portion of the fourth beam. That the beams are connected to each other at end portions thereof should be understood as meaning that they do not necessarily need to be attached to each other through the ends, but rather that they also may be fastened to each other at a distance from the ends. An end portion should therefore be understood as, for example, within half the distance/length of the respective beam's total length.

In an aspect of the apparatus according to the present invention, the second polygon comprises:

- a fifth beam that can be rotatably connected to a sixth beam;

- the sixth beam can be rotatably connected to a seventh beam;

- the seventh beam can be rotatably connected to an eighth beam;

- the eighth beam can be rotatably connected to the fifth beam,

where the eighth beam can be configured with a bend having an angle of less than 180 degrees. Furthermore, the eighth beam can be configured with a second set of connecting means for cooperative connection to the first polygon.

In an embodiment, the apparatus can further comprise that:

- the fifth beam can at its first end portion be rotatably connected to a first end portion of the sixth beam;

- the sixth beam can at its second end portion be rotatably connected to a first end portion of the seventh beam;

- the seventh beam can at its second end portion be rotatably connected to a first end portion of the eighth beam;

- a second end portion of the fifth beam can be connected between the first end portion and a second end portion of the eighth beam, where the connecting means can be configured at the second end portion of the eighth beam. The connecting means may be screws, bolts, pins, studs, plugs or any other means that permit the beams to rotate about the connecting means/points.

In an aspect of the apparatus, the first polygon and the second polygon can be configured in such a way that they are mirrored relative to each other about an x- axis and a y-axis in a notional coordinate system, when they are connected. In a further aspect, the second beam in the first polygon and the corresponding sixth beam in the second polygon can be both parallel to each other and parallel relative to the surface during movement of the lifting arm.

In an aspect, axes extending through the beams in the first polygon can be parallel to axes extending through corresponding beams in the second polygon. This means that the first beam is parallel to the fifth beam, the third beam is parallel to the seventh beam, the part of the fourth beam that extends between the first end portion and the bend is parallel to the part of the eighth beam that extends between the first end portion and the bend, the part of the fourth beam that extends between the second end portion and the bend is parallel to the part of the eighth beam that extends between the second end portion and the bend.

In an aspect, the fourth beam in the first polygon can be connected to the second polygon in such a way that a rotational movement will be compensated by an opposite rotational movement of the corresponding eighth beam in the second polygon, such that a tool holder connected at an outer end of the lifting arm will be given a substantially linear movement on movement of the lifting arm.

In an aspect, an actuator can be provided for movement of the lifting arm. The actuator can, for example, be connected to the fourth beam in the first polygon or to the eighth beam in the second polygon. An actuation of one of the beams by the actuator will result in both the eighth beam and the fourth beam acting as pivoted beams, and the beams will rotate about the bends at an angle different from 180 degrees, respectively. A person of skill in the art will, however, understand that the actuator can be fastened to any one of the beams to achieve the same effect. The term 'actuator' should be understood in a wide sense and may in practice be any device capable of providing a movement of the lifting arm, as, for instance, a hydraulic actuator, mechanical actuator, actuating lever or manipulator arm.

In an aspect of the apparatus, the third beam in the first polygon can be configured with a second set of connecting means towards its second end portion for cooperation with a second set of connecting means configured towards the second end portion of the eighth beam in the second polygon.

In an embodiment, the seventh beam in the second polygon can be configured with a first set of connecting means towards its second end portion for cooperation with a first set of connecting means configured towards the second end portion of the fourth beam in the first polygon.

In an aspect, the connecting means can be arranged in the bend in respectively the fourth beam and the eighth beam.

In an embodiment of the apparatus, axes extending through the first beam and the third beam, and also between the fifth beam and the seventh beam, respectively, can form an angle with each other different from 0° and 180° on movement of the lifting arm.

Furthermore, it will be clear to those of skill in the art that individual features or several features that are apparent from the different aspects and embodiments of the invention can be used together with any of the other aspects or embodiments of the invention.

Several non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures where like parts have been given like reference numerals, and wherein:

Brief description of the figures

Figs. 1A-1C depict an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention connected to an iron roughneck, where the iron roughneck is in a retracted position in Fig. 1 A, in a partly extended position in Fig. IB, and in an almost fully extended position in Fig. 1C, respectively;

Fig. 2 depicts an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, and shows details of a first polygon;

Fig 3 depicts an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, and shows details of a second polygon;

Fig. 4 shows the pattern of movement of the polygon in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 shows two polygons connected to each other;

Fig. 6 illustrates how the polygons are mirrored relative to each other;

Fig. 7A depicts a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 7B shows details of a second embodiment of the first polygon according to the present invention;

Fig. 7C shows details of a second embodiment of the second polygon according to the present invention; and

Figs. 8A and 8B depict two different embodiments of the apparatus with one or more arms between the first and second polygon to increase the length of reach; Description of an embodiment of the invention

Figs. 1 A- 1C depict an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention placed on a surface 40, such as a drill floor, work deck etc., where the apparatus is used with an iron roughneck. Fig. 1 A shows the iron roughneck in a retracted position, Fig. IB shows the iron roughneck in a partly extended position, and Fig. 1 C shows the iron roughneck in an almost fully extended position, respectively. In Figs. IB and 1 C it is shown that the apparatus is equipped with a tool holder 30 at one of its ends, the tool holder 30 holding a tool 31. Furthermore, an actuator 32 is arranged at the other end of the apparatus for movement of the apparatus, and thus also the tool 3 1. On comparing the positions of the actuator 32, illustrated as a cylinder with a moving piston rod, in the three Figures 1A- 1 C, it can be seen that the piston rod extends further out in Fig. I B than in Fig. 1A, and even further out in Fig. 1 C than in Fig. IB.

In Fig. 1C it is illustrated that the apparatus is constituted of a first 10 and a second 20 polygon. The first polygon 10 is illustrated by the dotted line 10', whilst the second polygon 20 is illustrated by the broken line 20'. In Fig. 1C it can be seen that the polygons 10, 20 have been extended more in Fig. 1C than in Figs. 1A and I B.

Fig. 2 depicts an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, and shows details of the first polygon 10. The illustrated polygon 10 consists of three straight beams (beams 1 , 2 and 3), and a fourth beam 4, which has a bend 4" ' . A first beam 1 is at its first end portion 1 ' rotatably connected to a first end portion 2' of the second beam 2. The second beam 2 is at its second end portion 2" rotatably connected to a first end portion 3' of the third beam 3. The third beam 3 is at its second end portion 3" rotatably connected to a first end portion 4' of the fourth beam 4, whilst a second end portion 1 " of the first beam 1 is connected between the first end portion 4' and a second end portion 4" of the fourth beam 4. A second set of connecting means P2 is configured at a first end portion 3 " of the third beam 3, whilst a first set of connecting means PI is configured at the second end portion 4" of the fourth beam 4. Connecting means P3 are arranged in the bend 4" ' of the fourth beam 4.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, none of the beams 1 , 2, 3, 4 are the same length, but it should be understood that this need not be the case as long as the beam lengths give the desired effect of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 depicts an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, and shows details of the second polygon 20. Like the first polygon 10, the second polygon 20 comprises four beams. The fifth beam 1 1, sixth beam 12 and seventh beam 13 are shown as straight beams, whilst the eighth beam 14 is configured with a bend 14" ' having an angle of between 0° and 180°. Furthermore, the fifth beam 1 1 is at its first end portion 1 1 ' rotatably connected to a first end portion 12' of the sixth beam 12, whilst the sixth beam 12 at its second end portion 12" is rotatably connected to a first end portion 13' of the seventh beam 13. The seventh beam 13 is at its second end portion 13 " rotatably connected to a first end portion 14' of the eighth beam 14. Furthermore, a second end portion 1 1 " of the fifth beam 1 1 is connected between the first end portion 14' and a second end portion 14" of the eighth beam 14. A second set of connecting means P2' for connection to the first polygon 10 is configured at the second end portion 14" of the eighth beam 14, whilst a first set of connecting means ΡΓ is configured at the second end portion 13" of the seventh beam 13. Connecting means P3' are arranged in the bend 14' " of the eighth beam 14.

As will be appreciated, the first polygon 10 and the second polygon 20 are connected to each other through a first set of connecting means PI, PI ' and a second set of connecting means P2, P2'.

By again referring to Figs. 1 A-1 C, and to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the actuator 32 in the illustrated example is connected to the eighth beam 14 in the second polygon 20. An actuation of the eighth beam 14 by the actuator 32 will cause both the eighth beam 14 and the fourth beam 4 to act as pivoting beams, and the beams 4, 14 will rotate about the connecting means P3 and P3', respectively. A person of skill in the art will understand that the actuator can be attached to any of the beams to achieve the same effect.

Fig. 4 shows the pattern of movement of the polygon in Fig. 2, where the fourth beam 4 acts as a pivoting beam.

Fig. 5 shows two polygons that have been put together. The figure shows more details of the assembly of the polygons 10, 20 than can be seen in Fig. 1 C. The first polygon 10 is illustrated by the dotted line 10', whilst the second polygon 20 is illustrated by the broken line 20'. The second beam 2 in the first polygon 10 and the corresponding sixth beam 12 in the second polygon 20 are both parallel to each other, and relative to the surface 40, on movement of the lifting arm.

Fig. 6 shows how the embodiments of the polygons in Figs. 2 and 3 are mirrored relative to each other.

Fig. 7A depicts another embodiment of the assembly between the first polygon 10 and the second polygon 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the second set of connecting means P2' on the eighth beam 14 in the second polygon 20 is connected to the second set of connecting means P2 at a first end portion 1 " of the first beam 1 in the first polygon 10. Furthermore, the first set of connecting means PI on the fourth beam 4 in the first polygon 10 is connected to the first set of connecting means PI ' on the fifth beam 1 1 in the second polygon 20.

Fig. 7B shows details of a second embodiment of the first polygon 10 according to the present invention.

Fig. 7C shows details of a second embodiment of the second polygon 20 according to the present invention.

Figs. 8A and 8B depict two embodiments of the apparatus where parallel arms are arranged between the first polygon 10 and the second polygon 20 in order to provide a lifting arm with a longer reach. In Fig. 8A a first embodiment with parallel arms is shown where the first and second sets of connecting points P2, Ρ are the same as in Figs. 1 -6, whilst Figure 8B shows a second embodiment where the first and second sets of connecting points P2, Ρ are located at the same points as in Figs. 7A, 7B, 7C. In Figs. 8A and 8B the parallel arms are only present to increase the reach of the lifting arm, and do not affect the movement of the lifting arm relative to the surface, it being the polygons 10, 20 that determine this movement. To obtain a synchronised movement of parallel arms for the

embodiment shown in Figs. 1 -6 and 8 A, it is essential that the part between the second end portion 4" and the bend 4" ' of the fourth beam 4, and the first intermediate beam 5, are parallel. In this embodiment it is therefore necessary to have a bend 5" ' innermost on the first intermediate beam 5 (as shown in Fig. 8 A). Like the first intermediate beam 5 connected to the first polygon 10, the second intermediate beam 15 is configured with a bend 15" ' innermost so as to be parallel with the eighth beam 14 connected to the second polygon 20.

The embodiments described herein should be considered to be non-limiting. It is clear that a person of skill in the art will be able to make modifications or changes to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached patent claims. Although the lifting arm described herein has been described in connection with an iron roughneck, it should be understood that the apparatus can be used to move or lift other elements too, such as mud box, casing tong, grease for pipe threads, centring arm, etc.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for lifting and/or moving operations of drilling equipment on a surface (40), comprising a suspension device with a lifting arm, characterised in that the lifting arm comprises at least a first polygon (10) and a second polygon (20) that can be connected to one another, the first polygon (10) comprising:

- a first beam (1) rotatably connected to a second beam (2);

- the second beam (2) is rotatably connected to a third beam (3);

- the third beam (3) is rotatably connected to a fourth beam (4);

- the fourth beam (4) is rotatably connected to the first beam (1),

where the fourth beam (4) is configured with a bend (4" ') having an angle of less than 180 degrees, and further where the fourth beam (4) is configured with a first set of connecting means (PI ) for cooperative connection to the second polygon (20).

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

- the first beam (1) at a first end portion (1 ') is rotatably connected to a first end portion (2') of the second beam (2);

- the second beam (2) at its second end portion (2") is rotatably connected to a first end portion (3') of the third beam (3);

- the third beam (3) at its second end portion (3") is rotatably connected to a first end portion (4') of the fourth beam (4);

- a second end portion (1 ") of the first beam (1) is connected between the first end portion (4') and a second end portion (4") of the fourth beam (4), and where the connecting means are configured at the second end portion (4") of the fourth beam (4).

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second polygon (20) comprises:

- a fifth beam (1 1 ) rotatably connected to a sixth beam (12);

- the sixth beam (12) is rotatably connected to a seventh beam (13);

- the seventh beam (13) is rotatably connected to an eighth beam (14);

- the eighth beam (14) is rotatably connected to the fifth beam (1 1),

where the eighth beam (14) is configured with a bend having an angle (14" ') of less than 180 degrees, and further where the eighth beam (14) is configured with a first set of connecting means (Ρ2') for cooperative connection to the first polygon (10).

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

- the fifth beam (1 1) at a first end portion (1 1 ') is rotatably connected to a first end portion (12') of the sixth beam (12);

- the sixth beam (12) at its second end portion (12") is rotatably connected to a first end portion (13 ') of the seventh beam (13); - the seventh beam (13) at its second end portion (13") is rotatably connected to a first end portion (14') of the eighth beam (14);

- a second end portion (1 1 ") of the fifth beam (1 1) is connected between the first end portion (14') and a second end portion (14") of the eighth beam (14), and where the connecting means are configured at the second end portion (14") of the eighth beam (14).

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 -4, wherein the first polygon (10) and the second polygon (20) are configured in such manner that they are mirrored relative to each other about an x-axis and a y-axis in a notional coordinate system, when they are connected.

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 3-5, wherein the second beam (2) in the first polygon (10) and the corresponding sixth beam (12) in the second polygon (20) are parallel both with each other and relative to the surface (40) during movement of the lifting arm.

7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 3-6, wherein the fourth beam (4) in the first polygon (10) is connected to the second polygon (20) in such manner that a rotational movement will be compensated by an opposite movement of the corresponding eighth beam (14) in the second polygon (20), such that a tool holder (30) connected at an outer end of the lifting arm is given a substantially linear movement by the lifting arm.

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an actuator (32) is provided for movement of the lifting arm.

9. An apparatus according to any one of preceding claims 2-8, wherein the third beam (3) in the first polygon (10) is configured with a second set of connecting means (P2) towards its second end portion (3") for cooperation with a second set of connecting means (Ρ2') configured towards the second end portion (14") of the eighth beam (14) in the second polygon (20).

10. An apparatus according to any one of preceding claims 2-9, wherein the seventh beam (13) in the second polygon (20) is configured with a first set of connecting means (Ρ ) towards its second end portion (13 ") for cooperation with a first set of connecting means (PI) configured towards the second end portion (4") of the fourth beam (4) in the first polygon (10).

1 1. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means (P3, P3') are arranged in the bend (4" ', 14" ') of the fourth beam (4) and the eighth beam (14), respectively.

12. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein axes extending through the first beam 1 and the third beam 3, and between the fifth beam 1 1 and the seventh beam 13, respectively, form an angle with each other different from 0° and 180° on movement of the lifting arm.

13. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein arms are provided that run between the at least first polygon (10) and the at least second polygon (20).