With Magazine For Successively Moving Unconnected, Oriented Tool Or Shaft Sections To Use Position Patents (Class 175/52)
  • Patent number: 11867056
    Abstract: An underground drill comprising a frame, a drill carriage, an anchor assembly, a multi-axis input device, an electronic controller, and a mode selector. The drill carriage and the anchor assembly are operably connected to the frame. The electronic controller is configured to receive input from the multi-axis input device and produce a corresponding output signal. The mode selector has an anchor mode, wherein the output signal actuates the anchor assembly, and a drill mode, wherein the output signal actuates the drill carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Sartori, Mark Paul Manteufel, Lee Evan von Lehe
  • Patent number: 11441359
    Abstract: A forced separation device includes a transmission shaft, a main shaft, an electromagnetic transmission mechanism, a blasting separation mechanism and a pressure-resistant cabin. A pressing cover is fastened to the upper portion of the pressure-resistant cabin. The electromagnetic transmission mechanism is provided with a driving chuck and a driven chuck. The driving chuck is connected with the transmission shaft, the driven chuck is connected with the main shaft, the pressing cover is welded with the transmission shaft, and the driven chuck is welded with the lower portion of the pressure-resistant cabin. The blasting separation mechanism is provided with explosive packages and detonators. A plurality of explosive packages are distributed between the pressing cover and the top surface of the pressure-resistant cabin, and each explosive package is connected with the corresponding detonator respectively. The pressure-resistant cabin is further internally provided with a storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Institute of Exploration Techniques, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
    Inventors: Yaosen Du, Xiaolong Wu, Pengju Gao, Qingxiao Wang, Xiangyu Dong, Xiaoren Tang, Yuan Zhao, Xiaosai Wang
  • Patent number: 11391100
    Abstract: A sensor assembly supported on a horizontal directional drilling machine adjacent a magazine. The magazine includes a plurality of vertical columns configured to store a plurality of pipe sections. The sensor assembly comprises an elongate tower that suspends a rigid support structure above the plurality of columns. The rigid support structure includes a sensor housing that carries a plurality of proximity sensors. The proximity sensors correspond with the columns in one-to-one relationship. The proximity sensors measure values indicative of the number of pipe sections contained within each column and transmit the measured values to a processor included in the drilling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Max A. Metcalf, Taylor C. Culpepper
  • Patent number: 11371298
    Abstract: A support device for the rotation of a high-capacity and compact drill pipe storage unit of a seabed drilling rig in a lying state, including: a rack, a plurality of curved support frames, a plurality of lateral drill pipe stoppers and a plurality of annular fences. The curved support frames are provided parallelly and coaxially on a slideway of the rack. A separating plate is provided on each of the curved support frames. A curved support surface of each of the curved support frames is in contact with a circular edge surface of the corresponding separating plate. The annular fences are mounted on the rack. Each of the annular fences is provided with a first gap and a second gap. The first gap is provided corresponding to the lateral drill pipe stopper. The second gap is configured to allow the drill pipes enter and exit the drill pipe storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Hunan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Buyan Wan, Yongping Jin, Deshun Liu, Xiaojun Huang
  • Patent number: 11230894
    Abstract: A pipe loading system for a blast hole drilling rig. The blast hole drilling rig includes a drilling platform, a drill tower supported on the drilling platform, a drill motor supported at an upper end of the drill tower, operatively coupled to a drilling head configured to selectively engage with and rotate a drill pipe, and a pipe loader pivotably supported on the drilling platform and configured to selectively index a drilling tool into coaxial alignment with the drill pipe during a drilling tool change-out operation. The pipe loader includes a pipe support pod at a lower end and a pipe holding clamp at an upper end. Sensors detect a presence of the drilling tool in the pipe holder, an interconnection between the drilling head and the drill pipe, and a state of the pipe holding clamp. The pipe loading system closes the pipe holding clamp when the drilling tool is in the pipe loader and the pipe holding clamp is not in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC.
    Inventors: Ahsan Shahid, Carl John Moberg, Timo Diekmann
  • Patent number: 11162362
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an anchoring apparatus and an operation method thereof. The anchoring apparatus includes: a movable framework (1); a folding-type working platform (2) that includes a working platform frame (203), a longitudinal guide (204), a transverse guide (205) and a central turntable (206), the longitudinal guide (204) being movable along the transverse guide (205), and the central turntable (206) driving the longitudinal guide (204) and the transverse guide (205) to rotate relative to the working platform frame (203); a drilling machine (3); a workpiece supply system (4); and a power control system (5) that drives the movable framework (1) to move. With the anchoring apparatus, the mechanical and automatic anchoring with anchor bolts and anchor cables can be implemented in anchoring, the labor intensity in anchoring can be greatly reduced, the efficiency of anchoring can be improved, and the safety in the entire process can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: HENAN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Housheng Jia, Wenbing Guo, Shaowei Liu, Wenyuan Jiang, Zhiqiang Zhao, Bo Peng, Guanghui Zhi, Mengjie Zhang, Xuhai Ding, Mengxiong Fu, Yongen Li, Zhiqiang Guo
  • Patent number: 11156040
    Abstract: A ground drilling device having a drilling carriage, which defines a drill string axis, a first drill rod magazine for a plurality of rod sections and a transfer device for the transfer of a rod section between the first drill rod magazine and a position of the rod section along the drill string axis, wherein at least a first connection element is arranged at the first rod magazine and/or at the drilling carriage for the connecting of the first rod magazine to a second rod magazine such that the second rod magazine is arranged next to the first rod magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: TRACTO-TECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Lucas Jostes, Stefan Hermes, Dieter Wurm, Sebastian Fischer, Andreas Joachim Hanses, Lars Rosenthal, Markus Hamers, Thomas Himmelreich, Manuel Pohl
  • Patent number: 11156039
    Abstract: A pipe shuttle for moving a pipe segment from an operating position to a pipe box. The pipe shuttle has a pair of gripper arms flanking a cradle. The cradle has a spring-loaded pad that has a concave surface for holding a pipe segment. As the pipe shuttle moves from underneath a pipe box to near a cradle, rollers are positioned to engage a guide plate. When the shuttle is underneath the pipe box, the rollers engage the guide plate to keep the cradle open. When moved towards an operating position, the rollers no longer engage the guide plate and cause grippers to close on the pipe segment. The spring-loaded pad allows the pipe shuttle to be moved relative to the pipe segment when the pipe segment is in its operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick G. Porter
  • Patent number: 11118415
    Abstract: Method for transporting drill pipes (12) to and/or from a drill string (14) of a drill rig comprising a plurality of connected drill pipes (12), the method comprising repeatingly lifting/lowering single drill pipes (12) one by one from/to a lower region (28) to/from an upper region (30) adjacent to an upper end (32) of the drill string (14). An arrangement (10) for transporting drill pipes (12) to a drill string (14) and a drill rig comprising the arrangement (10) are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: RIGTEC AS
    Inventor: Morten Eriksen
  • Patent number: 11118416
    Abstract: A device includes a first cavity sized to hold a first cassette of tubulars, a second cavity sized to hold a second cassette of tubulars, and a first lifting mechanism disposed in the first cavity. The first lifting mechanism when in operation lifts the first cassette of tubulars from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation with respect to a drill floor. The device also includes a second lifting mechanism disposed in the second cavity, wherein the second lifting mechanism when in operation lifts the second cassette of tubulars from the horizontal orientation to the vertical orientation and a drive mechanism that when in operation rotates the device by a predetermined amount to dispose the first cavity in a region directly proximate to the drill floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Ensco International Incorporated
    Inventor: Van Van Vu
  • Patent number: 11085251
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in the initial positioning, guiding, clamping and removal of a tubular casing used to produce a borehole, including a mainframe with an opening configured to receive, clamp onto and centralize the casing within the mainframe opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Automated Recycling Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Lloyd
  • Patent number: 11078731
    Abstract: A pipe handling device and method for use with a horizontal directional drilling system. The pipe handling device stores sections of drill pipe in individual columns within a magazine. The magazine is constructed so that it can be mounted to a boring machine in a pin-up or pin-down orientation. A plurality of signal elements are attached to the magazine and each extend at least partially within a footprint of each column. The signal elements may move from a first position, indicating the column is full of pipe sections, to a second position, indicating the column is not full of pipe sections. A proximity sensor assembly detects movement of the individual signal elements and signals a processor accordingly. These signals indicate whether or not a given column is full of pipe sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Max Allen Metcalf, Rick G. Porter
  • Patent number: 11052977
    Abstract: A tubular installation apparatus (1) including a lay tower (2) mounted to a support structure (4). The lay tower (2) is configured to lower a tubular section along a firing line (L) extending along the lay tower (2). A magazine (3) is removably mounted to the lay tower (2) and configured to be pre-loaded with a plurality of tubular sections. A feed mechanism (23, 25) is configured to feed one or more tubular sections from the magazine (3) to the firing line (L) of the lay tower (2) for connection to the end of a catenary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: LAYTRIX LIMITED
    Inventor: James Andrew Stevenson
  • Patent number: 10994344
    Abstract: A drill including a drill spindle capable of driving a cutting tool in movement. The drill has at least one channel for distributing a lubricant to the cutting tool, a pump to supply the channel with lubricant and control element(s) for controlling the flow rate of the pump. Such a drill further has mechanical element(s) for determining at least one piece of information representing the torque exerted on the spindle along its axis during drilling. The control element(s) act on the flow rate of the pump as a function of the torque exerted on the spindle along its axis during drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SETI—TEC
    Inventors: Pierre Alexis Atzori, Olivier Cresson, Jerome Petitgas, Sebastien Pereira
  • Patent number: 10794126
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a land-based drilling rig apparatus include a dual-activity mast having a first fingerboard supported by the mast and disposed on a first side of the well center bore, and include a second fingerboard supported by the mast and disposed on a second side of the well center bore. The first and second fingerboards may permit simultaneous operations, such as tripping and casing stand assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Magnuson
  • Patent number: 10745985
    Abstract: A system for handling pipes on a drilling rig includes an elevator suspended from a stand transfer vehicle, a top drive or other lifting device of a drilling rig. The system also includes a rig-floor pipe lifting machine including a fork sized to engage a tool-joint of a pipe. A navigation system includes a controller that can be programmed to autonomously drive the rig-floor pipe lifting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Travis James Miller, Frank Benjamin Springett
  • Patent number: 10697258
    Abstract: A method of operating a drilling rig that is located above a wellbore center includes building a casing string stand using a mouse hole that is offset from the wellbore center, wherein the casting string stand comprises two sections of casing; racking the casing string stand in a casing string racking board that is coupled to a mast of the drilling rig, and cementing the casing string stand to a wall of the wellbore. The method further includes racking a drill string stand in a drill string racking board that is coupled to the mast of the drilling rig, wherein the drill string racking board is generally aligned with the casing string racking board in two directions, but is located above the casing string racking board in a third, vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Ashish Gupta
  • Patent number: 10597956
    Abstract: A bit changer assembly includes a bit basket actuator assembly configured to be coupled to a drill rig. The bit basket actuator assembly includes an actuator, a guiderail, and a bit basket that is movably coupled to the guiderail via actuation of the actuator. The bit changer assembly also includes a bit carousel configured to be coupled to the drill rig, such that the bit carousel is rotatably and vertically moveable relative to the drill rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Joy Global Surface Mining Inc
    Inventors: Jason E. Gaska, Samuel F. Haworth
  • Patent number: 10487598
    Abstract: A storage system for storing elongate tubulars includes a base with a drive and a setback area for a vertical support of the elongate tubulars, an elongate column mounted on the base, and a first fingerboard assembly arranged on the elongate column. The base rotates about a vertical axis via the drive. The first fingerboard assembly includes at least one fingerboard. Each of the at least one fingerboard includes a plurality of storage slots arranged in a parallel, side-by-side configuration. Each of the plurality of storage slots receives a plurality of the elongate tubulars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: MHWIRTH AS
    Inventor: Viggo Lutcherath
  • Patent number: 10450038
    Abstract: A continuous vertical tubular handling and hoisting buoyant structure has a hull, a main deck, an upper neck extending downwardly from the main deck, an upper frustoconical side section, an intermediate neck, a lower neck that extends from the intermediate neck, an ellipsoidal keel and a fin-shaped appendage secured to a lower and an outer portion of the exterior of the ellipsoid keel. The upper frustoconical side section is located below the upper neck and maintained to be above a water line for a transport depth and partially below the water line for an operational depth of the buoyant structure. An automated stand building system mounted to the hull is in communication with a controller and configured to make up the marine risers, make up casing, and make up drill pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Jurong Shipyard Pte Ltd
    Inventor: Nicolaas Johannes Vandenworm
  • Patent number: 10428592
    Abstract: A system comprises a wellsite including a wellbore location and a BOP positioned at the wellbore location, a drilling rig in the wellsite and including a rig floor and at least one substructure, the substructure having a longitudinal axis, and a first access area defined as the area between a pair of lines extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substructure such that the BOP is between the lines, the first access area being free of equipment that is not in transit. The first access area may include a left access area on a first side of the rig, which area may be free of equipment that is not in transit. A method for drilling may include maintaining the left access area free of equipment during rig-up and may further include moving the rig within the wellsite while maintaining at least the left access area free of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Ashish Gupta, Ryan Hause
  • Patent number: 10400514
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for drilling a horizontally-oriented well having a sigmoid-shaped wellbore including an upper sigmoid portion having a downward curving wellbore trajectory and a lower sigmoid portion having an upward curving wellbore trajectory. The upper sigmoid portion having a first trajectory having a generally horizontal gradient at an entry point of the wellbore and that increases in downward gradient to a vertical gradient at an inflection point. The lower sigmoid portion having a second trajectory that includes the vertical gradient at the inflection point and that decreases in downward gradient to a generally horizontal gradient at a horizontal transition point of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Mohamed N. Noui-Mehidi
  • Patent number: 10309205
    Abstract: A method of forming a lateral borehole in a pay zone located within an earth subsurface is provided. The method includes determining a depth of a pay zone in the earth subsurface, and then forming a wellbore within the pay zone. The method also includes conveying a hydraulic jetting assembly into the wellbore on a working string. The assembly includes a jetting hose carrier, and a jetting hose within the jetting hose carrier having a nozzle connected at a distal end. The method additionally includes setting a whipstock in the wellbore along the pay zone, and translating the jetting hose out of the jetting hose carrier to advance the nozzle along the face of the whipstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Coiled Tubing Specialties, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce L. Randall
  • Patent number: 9822593
    Abstract: A pipe-handling system includes at least two pipe-handling units arranged in a vertically displaceable manner along respective guide tracks of, respectively, first and second portions of a tower. The pipe-handling unit is provided with lower and upper rotary units spaced apart vertically on a chassis. Each of the rotary units is provided with a rotatable tong and a hanging-off device. A method is for inserting and withdrawing a pipe string in/from a borehole by the use of the pipe-handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: West Drilling Products AS
    Inventors: Bjorn Eilertsen, Odd B. Skjaerseth
  • Patent number: 9759020
    Abstract: A rod and rod cup alignment apparatus for a drilling machine has a receptacle for receiving a drill rod of the type having at least one rod flat, where the drill rod has a leading corner and a trailing corner relative to the direction of its rotation. The receptacle has at least one cup flat disposed on the inner surface of the receptacle and the cup flat further has a first top surface and a second top surface. The second top surface has a slope downward toward the bottom of the rod cup, so that, as the drill rod is lowered into the rod cup while the drill rod is rotating, the leading corner of the drill rod is caused to move downward along the second top surface, whereupon the trailing corner of the drill rod contacts the first top surface, thereby aligning the drill rod flat with the rod cup flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Donald W Smith, Luke Bender
  • Patent number: 9739098
    Abstract: A method that includes providing an assembled drilling rig on a first supportive surface at a first drill site, the assembled drilling rig having a walking system associated therewith, the walking system being configured to translate and rotate relative to the assembled drilling rig to displace the assembled drilling rig; actuating the walking system to lift the assembled drilling rig to a clearance height, relative to the first supportive surface; positioning a trailer under the assembled drilling rig; wherein the trailer includes a platform located above a plurality of wheels; supporting the assembled drilling rig on the trailer platform; and relocating the assembled drilling rig from the first drill site to a second drill site by rolling the wheels across the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Richmond Todd Fox
  • Patent number: 9644436
    Abstract: A drilling tool changer apparatus for a drilling rig includes a drill tower pivotable between a drilling orientation and a change-out orientation, the drill tower supporting a drill string comprising a drill pipe coupled to a drilling tool. The drilling tool changer apparatus also includes a drilling tool storage device pivotally movable about a hinge axis between a stowed position and a deployed position. The drilling tool storage device includes a drilling tool storage cassette including a replacement drilling tool. The drilling tool storage device and the drill tower are pivotally alignable in a substantially co-planar manner when the drilling tool storage device is in the deployed position and the drill tower is in the change-out orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Ross L. Hoult, Samuel C. Taylor, Andrew Wright, Jason P. O'Brien, Mark R. Lawler, Kayne D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9500048
    Abstract: A drilling machine, particularly for use in non-rocky terrain, includes a machine body with a mast equipped with one or more rotary operating heads having chucks coupled thereto for the downward rotation of drill stem modules and/or shroud tube modules, and a carousel loader of the drill stem modules. Each of the drill stem modules is inserted in a shroud tube module and is carried on a sliding platform. The drilling machine further includes a loader having a plurality of rods, forks, sockets, or seats, suitable for inducing a forward transfer of the shroud tube modules and corresponding drill stem modules in a substantially vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: COMACCHIO INTERNATIONAL S.A.
    Inventors: Pasqualino Comacchio, Patrizio Comacchio, Renzo Comacchio
  • Patent number: 9452523
    Abstract: A rack is disclosed, adapted to facilitate efficient transport, use and storage of augers, including foundation augers. The rack comprises a frame and a plurality of upwardly rising tower assemblies which grip or lock the helical flighting on earth augers. In various embodiments, components of the rack are adjustable to accommodate differing diameters of the auger, differing angles of incline of flighting, and differing heights of augers and their flighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Craig Richard Hokanson
  • Patent number: 9428970
    Abstract: A handling device for handling drill string components (8, 8?,8?) in a rock drilling rig (1), wherein the handling device includes a gripper unit (11) for gripping drill string components (8, 8?,8?) to be put into and be brought out from the rock drilling rig, and wherein the gripper unit (11) includes grippers (12,13,14) operational for gripping components positioned in a gripping position, which defines a grip position axis (G). The gripper unit (11) is supported swingable between: a) a first position, wherein the gripper unit is positioned for engagement with an end portion of a first drill string component (8?) and an end portion of a second drill string component (8?) in and aligned with said active drill string position (A), and b) a second position, wherein a gripper unit (11) is positioned for engagement with an end portion of a drill string component in a delivering position for drill string components that are to be brought into respectively taken away from said active drill string position (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Craelius AB
    Inventors: Anders Gustafsson, Olof Göransson, Lars Gellerhed
  • Patent number: 9394751
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods include a racker device and a catwalk structurally arranged to move a tubular or stand about a drilling rig site. A sensing arrangement is cooperatively associated with at least one of the racker device and the catwalk and is configured to sense an aspect of a tubular while the tubular is being handled at the drilling rig and output a signal representative of the aspect of the tubular. A tubular validation system is configured to receive the sensed aspect of the tubular obtained by the sensing arrangement and determine a specification characteristic of the tubular based on the sensed aspect. This may be compared to specification standards to determine whether the tubular or stand should be discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Nabors Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Magnuson
  • Patent number: 9341029
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel including a drilling installation for drilling a well, which installation comprises: —a drill floor surrounding a firing line; —a first drilling tower arranged on a deck of the vessel, comprising a frame with two elongated hollow casings, which extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame, are rigidly connected to each other by connection elements, wherein the frame is positioned at a side of the drill floor, such that the longitudinal axis of the frame extends parallel to the firing line, and such that the longitudinal axis and the firing line are substantially aligned with each other in a width direction of the frame; —an additional tower support arranged between the deck of the vessel and an elevated position at the first drilling tower; —two storage devices for vertically storing drilling tubulars; —two pipe rackers, each pipe racker being associated with one of the two storage devices, and each pipe racker being configured to move drilling tubulars between the ass
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning
  • Patent number: 9228398
    Abstract: A riser transport system includes telescoping vertical riser racks to facilitate vertical riser transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Premier Coil Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall D. Behrens
  • Patent number: 9207226
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for analyzing drilled submarine sediment on a ship. The apparatus includes: a core temperature measuring unit measuring temperatures of each portion of the drilled core positioned on a ship; a gas content analyzing unit analyzing a kind and a content of gases included in a submarine sediment sample collected from the drilled core in a state in which it is positioned on the ship; and a salinity measuring unit measuring salinity of the submarine sediment sample collected from the drilled core in a state in which it is positioned on the ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
    Inventors: Jong Hwa Chun, Jang Jun Bahk, Byong Jae Ryu
  • Patent number: 9181765
    Abstract: Parking and automatic handling equipment of drilling rods (10) includes a carousel (20) of containers (30) of drilling rods (40); and a rod handling system (100), positioned on a drilling machine. A handling arm (101) transfers the drilling rods (40) out of the carousel (20). The carousel (20) defines a closed path around which are arranged the containers (30) of drilling rods (40); the carousel (20) includes an internal structure (22) for supporting the containers (30) movable on a closed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: DRILLMEC S.P.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Ferrari
  • Patent number: 9091034
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for removing and treating contaminated materials on a bottom of a body of water and introducing growth packets to revitalize the treated bottom of the body of water. The structure may comprise a vessel with an open face. The vessel may be lowered down to the bottom of the body of water with the face facing down. As a result, the vessel and the bottom form an isolated space. The structure may comprise at least one agitating device(s) for stirring up the materials inside the vessel so as to form a mixture containing the sediment materials which in turn contain the contaminants. Multiple at least one pipe(s) may be coupled to the vessel for transporting the mixture out of the vessel for processing (filtering, treating with chemicals, etc.) so as to neutralize or eliminate the contaminants in the mixture. Then, the treated mixture can be returned to the inside of the vessel via the at least one pipe(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Environmental Lunch Box Technology LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kryzak
  • Patent number: 9045948
    Abstract: A drilling installation for drilling a well, for example an oil, a gas, or a thermal well, includes a tower structure, a first hoisting device adapted to manipulate a first object in a first firing line in the longitudinal direction of the tower structure, a second hoisting device adapted to manipulate a second object in a second firing line in the longitudinal direction of the tower structure, a storage device for vertically storing tubular elements, such as joined tubulars, and a first pipe racker for moving tubular elements between the storage device and the first firing line. The first and second firing line are located outside the tower structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning
  • Publication number: 20150144402
    Abstract: A handling device for handling drill string components with respect to a rock drill rig including a rotator device supported on a feed beam and arranged to rotate and drive a drill string component. A gripper grips drill string components. The gripper is swingably supported around a first swing axis between: a first position aligned with the active drill string position, and a second position aligned with a delivering position for drill string components. A swing arm includes a support configured to support a drill string component and is swingable around a second swing axis. A guiding beam is fastenable at end regions in connection with respective regions of the first and second swing axis. The guiding beam forms mechanical stops for the gripper in the second position and for the swing arm in the delivering position. Also, a rock drill rig and a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: ATLAS COPCO CRAELIUS AB
    Inventor: Rickard Gustavsson
  • Publication number: 20150047904
    Abstract: A universal pipe dispatch, comprising a self-contained pipe joint dispatch module. The dispatch module includes, all in a unitary mobile structure, (1) a pipe joint queuing mechanism, (2) a pipe joint magazine, (3) a plurality of extendable pipe joint delivery arms and (4) a tilting mechanism. The queuing mechanism unloads and loads up pipe joints via gravity-feed, one-by-one, out of and back into the magazine. The delivery arms selectively pick and release pipe joints as dispensed by, or loaded back up into, the queuing mechanism. Each delivery arm can extend a selected length away from the queuing mechanism so as to deliver and retrieve pipe joints anywhere within reach of the delivery arms. The tilting mechanism is affixed to the underside of the dispatch module and can elevate one end of the dispatch module to a selected height so that the dispatch module rests at a predetermined horizontal angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Forest D. Sharpe, William Malcolm
  • Patent number: 8955602
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drilling and tripping equipment package and control scheme and methods using two or more systems that operate simultaneously and continuously in a synchronized manner such that the feeding of tubulars into or out of a well bore is achieved with continuous or near continuous movement, without the need for periodic interruptions. The drilling and tripping equipment package and control scheme is also able to rotate the tubulars in the well bore with continuous speed and torque sufficient for both drilling and back-reaming operations. The drilling and tripping equipment package and control scheme is additionally able to circulate drilling fluid into the internal bore of the tubulars with sufficient pressure and flow to facilitate both drilling and back-reaming operations, with minimal interruption to circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: LeTourneau Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick Pilgrim
  • Publication number: 20150008038
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering drill pipe has a support frame, a catwalk platform, and a slide platform that are pivotally connected together. A drill pipe rack, a chain drive, and a kicker direct the drill pipe to and from the catwalk platform. A hydraulically actuated piston lifts the catwalk platform and slide platform into alignment to create a single inclined delivery platform extending from the ground to the rig floor. A powered means lifts or lowers the drill pipe along the delivery platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Folk
  • Publication number: 20150008039
    Abstract: Modular transfigurable drilling rig system composed of multiple components, which system is transfigurable between a transport mode in which the components of the system are transportable and an operational mode in which the components are assembled to a drilling rig which is adapted to drill into a well centre in the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Bernardus Diederick Wijning, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 8910719
    Abstract: A device and a method for handling rod-shaped elements on drilling gear are disclosed. The device for handling rod-shaped elements on drilling gear includes a drill rod magazine on which the rod components are deposited between a center of a drill hole and a center of a drilling mast, an elevator with a guide that lifts the drill rods above a drill hole, and a drive for displacing the elevator, a gripper attached to the elevator for picking up the rod component from the drill rod magazine, and a plurality of monitors. The plurality of monitors automatically monitor the movement of the rod-shaped components amongst the magazine, the elevator, and the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Max Streicher GmbH & Co. KG aA
    Inventors: Rupert Kockeis, Hans-Peter Murr, Tobias Stadler, Andreas Beck, Markus Heckendorf, Werner Gluck, Georg Streicher, Marco Winter
  • Patent number: 8905160
    Abstract: An assembly for handling drill pipes includes a basket for drill pipes arranged in rows and columns, and a support table that has a drill pipe receiver. The support table moves laterally with respect to the drill pipe basket between a plurality of column alignment positions and an external position which locates the drill pipe receiver laterally outside of the basket. The support table also moves between the plurality of column alignment positions and the external position. The drill pipe handling assembly also includes a drill pipe elevator assembly and a loader arm assembly comprising a loader arm having a pipe gripper. The loader arm moves between a table alignment position in which the pipe gripper may grab or release a drill pipe when the support table is in the external position and a drilling alignment position in which the pipe gripper may grab or release a drill pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudio Verzilli, Justin Wheeler, Tim Smith
  • Publication number: 20140353038
    Abstract: A well drilling tubulars bin system comprises a well drilling tubulars bin and control device. The bin comprises a frame structure, and an elevator mechanism, for holding multiple layers of a plurality of well drilling tubulars. The elevator mechanism comprises a liftable support structure, and a left and right hydraulic cylinder. The support structure is liftable from a lower position to an upper position. The support structure is raised and lowered in a level manner, or with a tilt angle. The elevator mechanism comprises a first left lift arm and a first right lift arm. The first left and right lift arms are at a first end rotatably connected to the support structure, and at a second end opposite from the first end rotatably connected to the frame structure. The left and right hydraulic cylinders are connected to the respective lift arms for rotating the respective lift arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Arthur Alexander De Mul, Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 8851202
    Abstract: A method and a device for transporting pipe string sections (2) between a storage unit (1) wherein the longitudinal axes of the pipe string sections are arranged horizontally and a position of use in a drill rig (32) where the longitudinal axes of the pipe string sections (2) are arranged vertically and where the pipe string sections (2) are displaceable by means of a pipe manipulator (40), and where the method comprises:—positioning a transport frame (14) for pipe string sections (2) at the storage unit (1), as the transport frame (14) is rotatable about a rotary axis (16) which in the position of use is parallel to the pipe string sections (2), and wherein the transport frame (14) is provided with a number of fasteners (18) for the pipe string sections (2); and—displacing a pipe string section (2) from the storage unit (1) and placing the pipe string section (2) in the transport frame (14), alternatively disengaging the pipe string section (2) from the transport frame (14) and placing the pipe string sectio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Standlifter Holdings AS
    Inventor: Leif Salthaug
  • Publication number: 20140262517
    Abstract: A rig for drilling a borehole from an underground tunnel includes a base assembly, a drilling assembly mounted to the base assembly, an upper frame assembly mounted to the drilling assembly above the base assembly, and a support hood coupled to the drilling assembly and positioned above the upper frame assembly. The support hood is configured to bear against a ceiling of the tunnel during drilling operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Richard Beddoes, Ulric Fournier, Allan Peats, Robert Roulston
  • Publication number: 20140251686
    Abstract: A mousehole apparatus having a main body configured for holding a drill pipe or similar elongate element, includes a carrier connected to a deck structure and having a support region adapted for releasable supportive interaction with an abutment element on the main body. The carrier comprises guiding devices for the main body and movement means operable to move the main body with respect to the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: AKER MH AS
    Inventor: Roy Birkeland
  • Patent number: 8827008
    Abstract: A racking board for retaining tubulars is disclosed having a first finger, a second forger positioned generally parallel to the first finger and with a gap between the fingers serving as a storage area for tubulars. A first inflatable member is supported adjacent to the first finger and a second inflatable member is supported adjacent to the second finger, the inflatable members adapted to expand radially into the gap upon inflation so as to capture and retain the tubular. In some embodiments, a single inflatable member in employed to expand into the gap and retain the tubular. A method of racking tubulars is disclosed using elongate, inflatable restraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: John Benjamin Hankins, Baldwin Zahn
  • Publication number: 20140238745
    Abstract: A pipe handler trailer assists with the handling of very large and heavy pipes that are regularly raised to and lowered from an elevated surfaces. A height adjustment assembly sets the maximum height that a skidway will reach when a lift cylinder is fully extended and lift arms are thereby rotated. Located within lift arms are toothed racks. An adjustment block couples the skidway to lift arms through the racks and also supports locking blocks that have teeth complementary to the teeth on the racks. A lock will vary from firm contact with the inner wall of lift arms to having a gap there between. When the lock engages the inner wall of the lift arm this drives the complementary teeth into secure engagement with the rack teeth, which can then rigidly support heavy load without motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Liberty Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Forrest L. Dahmes, Paul K. Danielson