Catwalk Pipe Restraint System
A catwalk pipe restraint system for an oil field operation. The pipe restraint system includes a support body secured to the trough of a catwalk. A lever arm is pivotally connected to the support body. A jaw insert disposed on the lever arm is sized to contact a pipe in the trough. The lever arm is movable between a first open position and a second closed position. In the closed position the jaw of the pivot arm spans the width of the trough and functions to secure the pipe tubular in the trough. A hydraulic piston connected to the support body and the lever arm provides the force for moving the pivot arm between the open and closed position. The hydraulic activation allows for remote operation of the pipe restraint arm to minimize possibility of injury or accident because of excessive movement of the pipe in the trough.
The present invention relates to the handling of oil field pipe tubulars and more particularly to the restraining pipe tubulars on catwalks associated with derricks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDuring completion operations additional drilling pipe or tubulars are required to extend the drill string. This pipe is regularly moved from the ground to the rig floor through a combination of manual and mechanical means. In common practice a joint of pipe is placed in the trough of a hydraulic catwalk located on the ground proximate a derrick or drilling platform. A distal end of the trough is hydraulically lifted by the catwalk thus raising the distal end of the joint of pipe in the trough to a position adjacent the rig floor. A hydraulically rotated power swivel is maneuvered to engage and rotate its threads in to the threads of the joint of pipe in the trough of the catwalk. The power swivel will then lift the joint of pipe into position in the derrick. It is common practice for rig workers to manually hold in place the joint of pipe in the trough in order to keep it from rotating, moving laterally, or exiting the trough while the power swivel rotates in to the threads. This is a common place for injuries to occur where the drill pipe might unwantedly move while in the trough.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a pipe handling system for use with an oil derrick. The pipe handling system comprises a pipe support system and a pipe restraint assembly. The pipe support system comprises a base, an elongate pipe trough having a first end and a second end with the first end connected to the base, and a lift system connected between the base and the pipe trough where the lift system is adapted to extend the second end of the pipe trough vertically to a position remote from the base. The pipe restraint assembly comprises a support body secured to the pipe trough, a restraint arm comprising a lever arm connected to the support body at a hinge point and a jaw, and a pivot force connected to the support body and the restraint arm. Wherein the pivot force is adapted to move the restraint arm between a first open position and a second closed position in which the restraint arm spans the pipe trough.
In another embodiment the present invention is directed to a pipe restraint arm for use with an oil field catwalk, the catwalk having a trough for supporting a pipe tubular being provided to a drilling operation. The pipe restraint arm comprises a support body, a restraint arm, and a pivot force. The support body comprises a bracket adapted to be secured to the pipe trough, the bracket having a first side and a second side, at least one plate secured to the bracket, the plate defining a hinge point adjacent the first side of the bracket, and an arm stop secured to the second side of the bracket. The restraint arm comprises a lever arm having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the hinge point of the support body, and a jaw disposed on a second end of the lever arm. The pivot force is connected to the support body and to the first end of the pivot arm. Wherein the pivot force is adapted to move the lever arm between a first open position and a second closed position in which the restraint arm spans the pipe.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a pipe handling system for use in oil field applications. With reference now to the drawings in general and to
The pipe support system 14, sometimes familiarly known as a catwalk, comprises a base 18, an elongate pipe trough 20, and a lift system 22. The pipe trough 20 is configured to cradle and support the drill pipe 12 and has a first end 24, a second end 26, and an open top. The first end 24 is connected to the base 18. The lift system 22 is connected between the base 18 and the pipe trough 20. Preferably, the lift system 22 comprises a hydraulic system and hydraulic cylinder. The lift system 22 functions to elevate the second end 26 of the trough vertically to a position remote from the base and adjacent the drilling platform. One skilled in the art will appreciate the pipe 12 in the trough 20 can be attached to a power swivel (not shown) on the drilling platform when the lift system 22 has elevated the second end 26 of the trough.
One skilled in the art will appreciate with the lift system 22 extending the second end of the trough 20 into the air, the pipe 12 in the trough may be prone to move within the trough, potentially both laterally and longitudinally, or even be ejected from the trough. With continued reference to
Turning now to
The support body 30 preferably further comprises at least one arm attachment plate 38 secured to one side plate of the bracket 36. More preferably, a pair of parallel plates 38 are secured to the side plate of the bracket 36. The plates 38 define an attachment point 40 for the pivot force 34 and a hinge point 42 for the restraint arm 32. Preferably, the attachment point 40 for the pivot force 34 is proximate a bottom portion of the bracket 36 and the hinge point 42 for the restraint arm 32 will be laterally displaced from an upper portion of the bracket 36.
Continuing with
The restraint arm 32 is preferably comprised of a lever arm 45 and a jaw 47. More preferably the restraint arm 32 is comprised of at least one and most preferably a pair of parallel and similarly formed plates 46. The lever arm 45 defines a pivot point 48 for connection to the hinge point 42 of the support body 30. Preferably, the pivot point 48 and hinge point 42 are rotatably attached using a pin 50 to allow the lever arm 45 to pivot relative to the support body 30. As discussed above, the lever arm 45 will pivot between the open position and the closed position, and be of sufficient length to span the width of the trough 20.
With further reference to
Still referring to
Turning now to
Referring now to
With reference now to
After the pipe 12 is secured by restraint assembly 16, the power swivel (not shown) can then be engaged with the end of the pipe 12 while removing the chance of injury or accident to operators in the area, by removing any requirement for manual backup of the joint of tubing by rig workers while rotating into the threads of the joint of tubing. The design and operation of the present invention allows for the movement of the pipe in the trough to be restricted to varying degrees. Adjustment of size or power applied to the pivot force 34, selection of a different size or type of jaw insert 52, and adjusting the size of the restraint arm 32 will all allow for tubulars and troughs of different sizes to be accommodated. Additionally, one can control pivot force 34 by adjusting the distance between the connection point 54 and the pivot point 48 which adjusts the lever arm, adjusting hydraulic pressure, changing a diameter of the hydraulic cylinder.
Various modifications can be made in the design and operation of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, while the principal preferred construction and modes of operation of the invention have been explained in what is now considered to represent its best embodiments, which have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.
Claims
1. A pipe handling system for use with an oil derrick, the pipe handling system comprising:
- a pipe support system comprising: a base; an elongate pipe trough having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the base; and a lift system connected between the base and the pipe trough, the lift system adapted to extend the second end of the pipe trough vertically to a position remote from the base;
- a pipe restraint assembly comprising: a support body secured to the pipe trough; a single restraint arm comprising: a lever arm connected to the support body at a hinge point; and a jaw; and a pivot force connected to the support body and the restraint arm; wherein the pivot force is adapted to move the restraint arm between a first open position and a second closed position in which the restraint arm spans the pipe trough.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the lift system comprises a hydraulic cylinder connected to the pipe trough proximate the second end of the pipe trough, such that when the cylinder is extended the second end of the pipe trough is in an elevated position remote from the base.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the support body comprises:
- a bracket secured to the pipe trough, the bracket having a first side and a second side;
- at least one plate secured to the first side of the bracket, the plate defining the hinge point adjacent the first side of the bracket; and
- an arm stop secured to the second side of the bracket.
4. A pipe handling system for use with an oil derrick, the pipe handling system comprising:
- a pipe support system comprising: a base; an elongate pipe trough having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the base; and a lift system connected between the base and the pipe trough, the lift system adapted to extend the second end of the pipe trough vertically to a position remote from the base;
- a pipe restraint assembly comprising: a support body secured to the pipe trough; a single restraint arm comprising: a lever arm connected to the support body at a hinge point; and a jaw; wherein the lever arm comprises: a pair of parallel plates; and a plurality of support members disposed between the plates; and a pivot force connected to the support body and the restraint arm;
- wherein the pivot force is adapted to move the restraint arm between a first open position and a second closed position in which the restraint arm spans the pipe trough; and
- wherein when the restraint arm is in the closed position a portion of the arm stop is positioned between the plates of the lever arm.
5. The device of claim 3 wherein the restraint arm further comprises a jaw insert secured to the jaw;
- such that when the restraint arm is in the closed position the jaw insert is disposed to contact a pipe in the pipe trough.
6. The device of claim 2 wherein the restraint arm further comprises a jaw insert secured to the jaw;
- such that when the restraint arm is in the closed position the jaw insert is disposed to contact a pipe in the pipe trough.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein the jaw insert comprises a hard rubber material.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the pipe trough comprises a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a longitudinal bottom; and
- wherein the support body comprises:
- at least one plate secured to the first side of the pipe trough, the plate defining the hinge point adjacent the first side of the trough.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the support body further comprises an arm stop secured to the second side of the pipe trough.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the lever arm comprises:
- at least one plate; and
- wherein when the restraint arm is in the closed position a distal end of the lever arm is positioned adjacent the arm stop.
11. (canceled)
12. The device of claim 8 wherein the lever arm comprises:
- a pair of parallel plates; and
- a plurality of support members disposed between the plates; and
- wherein the jaw is formed in a middle portion of the plates.
13. A pipe restraint assembly for use with an oil field catwalk, the catwalk having a trough for supporting a pipe tubular being provided to a drilling operation, the pipe restraint arm comprising:
- a support body comprising: a bracket adapted to be secured to the pipe trough, the bracket having a first side positioned adjacent a first longitudinal side of the pipe trough and a second side positioned adjacent a second longitudinal side of the pipe trough; at least one plate secured to the bracket, the plate defining a hinge point adjacent the first side of the bracket; and an arm stop secured to the second side of the bracket;
- a single restraint arm comprising: a lever arm having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the hinge point of the support body; and a jaw disposed on the lever arm;
- a pivot force connected to the support body and to the first end of the lever arm;
- wherein the pivot force is adapted to move the lever arm between a first open position and a second closed position in which the restraint arm spans the pipe trough.
14. The pipe restraint arm of claim 13 wherein the pivot force comprises a hydraulic cylinder.
15. The pipe restraint arm of claim 14 wherein the lever arm defines a connection point disposed proximate the first end of the lever arm; and
- wherein the lever arm defines a pivot point disposed proximate the first end of the lever arm and adjacent the connection point; and
- wherein the pivot point of the lever arm is pivotally connected to the hinge point of the support body; and
- wherein the hydraulic cylinder is connected to a bottom side of the support body and is pivotally connected to the connection point of the lever arm.
16. The pipe restraint arm of claim 13 wherein the restraint arm further comprises a jaw insert connected to the jaw
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 12, 2017
Publication Date: May 3, 2018
Applicant: VAUGHN KENNEMER, Trustee of the Vaughn Kennemer Trust, u/t/a January 5, 2017 (Carter, OK)
Inventor: Vaughn Kennemer (Carter, OK)
Application Number: 15/486,282