SUPPORT FRAME

Abstract

A lifting frame having an upper yoke member and a pair of substantially parallel vertical members to forms the sides of the lifting frame. A lifting sub extends from the upper yoke member for connecting the lifting frame to a traveling block or top drive assembly, while a lower horizontal base member permits attachment to bails or other lower linkage members. The vertical members have at least partially aligned sections of reduced thickness, allowing the internal width dimension (between the inner surfaces of the substantially vertical members) to be increased without simultaneously increasing the overall external width of the lifting frame.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/718,529 filed Oct. 25, 2012, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.

STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention comprises a frame for lifting and/or supporting equipment. More particularly, the present invention comprises a frame for lifting and/or supporting an injector or other equipment during continuous tubing operations. More particularly still, the present invention comprises a frame for lifting and/or supporting an injector or other equipment while continuous tubing operations are performed on a floating vessel.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Lifting frames are frequently used to support well intervention activities and to provide a compensated window to facilitate the installation and use of surface equipment aboard floating vessels such as, for example, semisubmersible drilling rigs, drillships and/or other similar facilities.

As one example, lifting frames are commonly used when performing continuous tubing operations from a semisubmersible rig, drill ship or other floating vessel. In such instances, a continuous tubing injector and/or pressure-control equipment are typically positioned within such lifting frame, which is in turn attached to and supported by a rig's traveling block. A flow head and running string can also be attached to equipment lifted and/or supported by such a lifting frame. Such a configuration enables a rig's heave-compensation system to account for and offset vessel motion while such continuous tubing operations are being performed.

Conventional lifting frames generally comprise an upper horizontal yoke member, as well as a pair of substantially parallel vertical members extending from said upper member. Said parallel vertical members cooperate to define an inside width of a lifting frame—that is, said width is the dimension between the inner surfaces of said vertical members. Such width dimension must be sufficient to enable a continuous tubing injector head to fit between said parallel vertical lifting frame members.

Such internal width dimension can vary depending upon a variety of factors. (By way of illustration, but not limitation, an inside width of 101″ is currently required in order to accommodate virtually all existing injector heads). Said parallel vertical members of conventional lifting frames are typically constructed of either I-beams or tubular members having substantially uniform thickness or width.

The inside width dimension, combined with the thickness/width of said parallel vertical support members themselves, collectively define the external width of a lifting frame. Unfortunately, space availability is not unlimited on many drilling rigs, drillships or other floating vessels, and derricks of different drilling rigs, drillships or other floating vessels frequently have different configurations or layouts. As a result, many rigs cannot accommodate lifting frames having certain external widths or side-to-side spans; in such cases, the external width dimension acts as a limiting factor. In such cases, smaller lifting frames (that is, lifting frames having a smaller external side-to-side dimension) may not have sufficient internal space or inner width dimension to accommodate certain continuous tubing injectors and/or other equipment.

Thus, there is a need for a universal lifting frame that can be used for the lifting and support of equipment on drilling rigs and other floating vessels including, without limitation, continuous tubing injectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The lifting frame assembly of the present invention comprises an upper horizontal yoke member. A pair of substantially parallel vertical members extends from said upper member and forms the sides of said lifting frame. A lifting sub is attached to said upper yoke member thereby providing a means for connecting said lifting frame to a rig's traveling block or top drive assembly. In a preferred embodiment, a lower horizontal member is provided to permit attachment to bails or other linkage devices.

Unlike conventional devices, the lifting frame of the present invention utilizes box beam masts, as opposed to conventional I-beams or tubular members, as said substantially parallel vertical members. Accordingly, the inside width dimension of the lifting frame—that is, the distance between the inner surfaces of said substantially vertical members—can be increased without simultaneously increasing the overall external width of said lifting frame. The lifting frame of the present invention comprises a slim frame that can be installed on virtually all known rigs, drillships and/or other similar vessels, while still being capable of accommodating virtually all known injector heads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The foregoing summary, as well as any detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings and figures contained herein. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings and figures show certain preferred embodiments. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and devices disclosed in such drawings or figures.

FIG. 1 depicts an overhead view of a lifting frame of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a side perspective view of a lifting frame of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a side perspective view of a lifting frame of the present invention, rotated ninety (90) degrees from the view depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 depicts a side perspective view of a lifting frame of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 depicts an overhead view of a lifting frame 100 of the present invention. Lifting frame 100 comprises an upper horizontal yoke member 10. Lifting sub 11 extends from said upper yoke member 10 thereby providing a means for connecting said lifting frame 100 to a rig's traveling block or top drive assembly (typically via a set of elevators or other linkage assembly). When configured in this manner, lifting frame 100 can be supported, and raised and lowered, within a derrick of a drilling rig.

FIG. 2 depicts a side perspective view of lifting frame 100 of the present invention. Lifting frame 100 comprises an upper substantially horizontal yoke member 10 having lifting sub 11 extending from said upper yoke member 10. In a preferred embodiment, optional winch assembly 12 can be mounted to the base of said upper yoke member 10.

A pair of substantially parallel vertical leg members 20 extends from said upper member and forms the sides of said lifting frame 100. In a preferred embodiment, a lower, substantially horizontal base member 30 is provided at the bottom or distal ends of said vertical leg members 20, and extends between said substantially parallel vertical leg members 20. Said lower base member 30 permits attachment of bails or other linkage devices (not pictured in FIG. 2) to lifting frame of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a side perspective view of lifting frame 100 of the present invention, rotated ninety (90) degrees from the view depicted in FIG. 2. As depicted in FIG. 3, lifting frame 100 comprises an upper substantially horizontal yoke member 10 having lifting sub 11 extending from said upper yoke member 10. Optional winch assembly 12 is mounted to the base of said upper yoke member 10. A pair of substantially parallel vertical members 20 extends from said upper member 10, forming the sides of said lifting frame 100. Lower base member 30 is provided at the bottom ends of said vertical members 20, and extends between said substantially parallel vertical members 20. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of apertures 22 can extend through vertical members 20; among other benefits, apertures 22 reduce the overall weight of lifting frame 100, without significantly decreasing the strength or functionality of the assembly.

FIG. 4 depicts a side perspective view of lifting frame 100 of the present invention. Lifting frame 100 comprises an upper substantially horizontal yoke member 10 having lifting sub 11 extending from said upper yoke member 10 as well as optional winch assembly 12. Substantially parallel vertical members 20 extend from said upper member 10 to form the sides of said lifting frame 100, while lower member 30 extends between said substantially parallel vertical members 20. Apertures 22 extend through vertical members 20. In a preferred embodiment, keyway slot 31 is formed within said lower base member 30 to provide an opening or pathway through said lower base member 30 (such as, for example, continuous tubing extending through an injector head supported by lifting frame 100).

Referring back to FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment lifting frame 100 of the present invention utilizes substantially hollow box beam masts, as opposed to conventional I-beams or conventional tubular members of uniform thickness, to form substantially parallel vertical members 20. Each of said members 20 has an area of reduced width or thickness 21 which are, at least partially, vertically aligned with each other along the lengths of said members 20. Still referring to FIG. 2, dimension “x” represents the interior width or span between said substantially parallel vertical members 20 at such aligned areas of reduced thickness 21, while dimension “y” represents the exterior width of said substantially parallel vertical members 20 at such aligned areas of reduced width or thickness 21.

The inside width of lifting frame 100—that is, the span or distance between the inner surfaces of said substantially vertical members 20 at aligned sections 21 (dimension “x”)—is increased without simultaneously increasing the overall external width (dimension “y”) of said lifting frame. As such, lifting frame 100 of the present invention provides a slim frame that can be installed within the derrick of virtually all known rigs, drillships and/or other similar vessels, while still being capable of accommodating virtually all known injector head dimensions.

The above-described invention has a number of particular features that should preferably be employed in combination, although each is useful separately without departure from the scope of the invention. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.

Claims

1. A lifting frame for supporting equipment within a derrick comprising:

a) a substantially horizontal yoke member;

b) a first elongate member having an upper end, a lower end, a length and a width, wherein said first elongate member is oriented substantially vertically, said upper end is connected to said substantially horizontal yoke member and said width of said first elongate member is reduced along a portion of said length;

c) a second elongate member having an upper end, a lower end, a length and a width, wherein said second elongate member is oriented substantially vertically and substantially parallel to said first elongate member, said upper end is connected to said substantially horizontal yoke member, and said width of said elongate member is reduced along a portion of said length; and

d) a lower base member connected to said lower ends of said first and second elongate members.

2. The lifting frame of claim 1, wherein said portions of reduced width of said first and second elongate members are substantially vertically aligned with each other.

3. The lifting frame of claim 1, wherein said first and second elongate members are constructed from substantially hollow tubular members.

4. The lifting frame of claim 3, wherein said substantially hollow tubular members comprise box beams.

5. The lifting frame of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of apertures extending through said tubular members.

6. The lifting frame of claim 1, further comprising a lift sub disposed on said yoke member.

7. The lifting frame of claim 1, further comprising a winch assembly disposed on said yoke member.