Abstract: A guide track system is provided for a drilling rig floor robot. The system consists of a drilling floor insert having a rotary table and floor robot guide tracks disposed within the insert beneath its top surface. Spaced-apart parallel slots traverse the top surface from an edge of the insert substantially towards the rotary table. The floor robot is supported by a support member having support legs that extend downwardly through the slots into the insert to glidably couple with the guide tracks. Hydraulic rams disposed within the insert are used to move the floor robot along the guide tracks to and from the rotary table. The guide tracks are protected from drilling fluid and debris released onto the drilling rig floor as sections of drill pipe are tripped out of a drill string.

Abstract: A cable drawworks for a drilling rig has an electric motor and a primary drive transmission which connects the motor to a drum shaft that passes through the hub of a cable drum. The drum shaft is rotatably mounted on the drawworks frame whereas the cable drum is rotatably mounted on the drum shaft. The drum shaft connects to a secondary drive transmission that connects the drum shaft to the cable drum. The secondary drive transmission has a planetary gear transmission set. Each end of the cable drum has a brake drum and a brake band wrapped around thereon. A brake actuating system is used to selectively tighten the bands and includes an equalization linkage system resulting in equal braking forces being applied to each brake drum. The simplified cable drawworks system is compact enough to be mounted on the drilling rig floor and eliminates the need for liquid cooling of the braking mechanism.

Abstract: Method and system for connecting a joint of pipe to a top drive motor just above the drilling platform of a drilling rig where the connection can be made quickly and safely by a drilling operator. The system includes a top drive motor that tilts about a horizontal axis and a pipe launcher that brings joints of pipe up to the drilling platform for connection with a top drive motor at a safe and convenient height above the platform. The top drive motor further includes a clamping assembly that grasps and pulls the joint of pipe to the motor as the connection is being made. The clamp assembly supports the motor-pipe connection as the top-drive motor is raised in the drilling mast of the rig bringing the joint of pipe up into a vertical orientation for connection with the drill tubing string.

Abstract: Method and system for connecting a joint of pipe to a top drive motor just above the drilling platform of a drilling rig where the connection can be made quickly and safely by a drilling operator. The system includes a top drive motor that tilts about a horizontal axis and a pipe launcher that brings joints of pipe up to the drilling platform for connection with a top drive motor at a safe and convenient height above the platform. The top drive motor further includes a clamping assembly that grasps and pulls the joint of pipe to the motor as the connection is being made. The clamp assembly supports the motor-pipe connection as the top-drive motor is raised in the drilling mast of the rig bringing the joint of pipe up into a vertical orientation for connection with the drill tubing string.