Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular handling apparatus for moving tubulars between a substantially horizontal transfer station and a second transfer station. The apparatus comprises a base and a boom, rotatable with respect to the base between a lowered position and a raised position by boom rotation drive means in a boom rotation direction around a horizontal boom rotation axis. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a gripper, rotatably attached to the boom and adapted for gripping the tubular, which gripper is rotatable about a gripper rotation axis by a gripper rotation drive means in a gripper rotation direction. According to the invention, the gripper rotation axis is parallel to and spaced from the horizontal boom rotation axis and in that the gripper rotation drive means provide a gripper rotation direction opposite to the boom rotation direction.

Abstract: A boom breakaway assembly for a spray boom used by a vehicle. The boom breakaway assembly includes a reciprocating system having a first position and a second position, a retention system, and a bias system. In the first position, the bias system applies a maximum effective bias rate to the reciprocating system and the retention system applies a holding force upon the spray boom to maintain the spray boom in a desired outward position. In the second position, the bias system applies a minimal effective bias rate to the reciprocating system and the retention system reduces or disengages the holding force upon the spray boom, thereby allowing the spray boom to move from the outward position to a breakaway position when the spray boom encounters an obstacle. The bias system returns the reciprocating system to the first position once the spray boom clears the obstacle.

Abstract: A pre-loading system for a pipe handling apparatus in which a boom is pivotally mounted at one end to a skid and in which an arm is interconnected to an opposite end of the boom. The pre-loading system has a tensioning system with one end affixed to the arm and an opposite end fixedly mounted so as to apply tension to the arm when the arm has a load applied to an end of the arm opposite the boom. The tensioning system includes a first cable assembly having one end interconnected to the arm and an opposite end fixedly mounted, and a second cable assembly interconnected to the arm and having an opposite end fixedly mounted. The first and second cable assemblies extend from opposite sides of the arm.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus has a base, a main rotating structural member pivotally connected to the base, a pipe handler connected to the main rotating structural member for moving a pipe from a generally horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, and a jack connected to the pipe handler. The jack exerts a downward force in generally parallel relation to the pipe when the pipe is in the vertical orientation. The pipe handler has a gripping structure for gripping an outer surface of the pipe. The gripping structure has a stab frame. The jack is affixed to the stab frame. The jack has a piston-and-cylinder assembly positioned relative to the stab frame, and a hydraulic actuator connected to the piston-and-cylinder assembly. The hydraulic actuator is suitable for passing hydraulic fluid to the piston-and-cylinder assembly so as to move the piston-and-cylinder assembly from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: A system has a pipe handling apparatus with an arm moving between a first position and a second position, a derrick having a window through which the pipe handling system delivers a pipe to a well head, and a header mounted in the window of the derrick. The header receives the arm of the pipe handling system when the arm is in the second position. An outside surface of the header suitably fits within the window of the derrick. An inside surface of the derrick suitably receives the arm. The inside surface resists an upward motion and a sideways motion of the arm. The header has a body that has a head and legs.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus has a supporting structure, an arm pivotally interconnected to the supporting structure such that the supporting structure and the arm are movable between a first position and a second position within a single degree of freedom, and a stiffener cooperative with the arm when the arm and the supporting structure are in the second position. The stiffener applies a mechanical resistance to the arm in the second position. The second position is at an end of the travel of the supporting structure and the arm. The stiffener applies a variable resistance to the arm as the arm moves from the first position to the second position. This variable resistance is at its greatest when the arm is in the second position.

Abstract: A pipe handling system comprises a pipe erector that is operable to move a pipe from a horizontal storage position to an inclined position. In the inclined position, an upper end of the pipe is adjacent to an elevated drill floor of a drilling rig and the pipe is at an angle between horizontal and vertical. The pipe handling system also comprises a guide system that is operable to engage the pipe and control lateral movement of the pipe as it is moved from being supported in the inclined position by the pipe erector to a vertical position supported by the drilling rig.

Abstract: Device for storing tubular on a drilling and/or production installation, comprising a shaft (8, 9, 10, 11) to accommodate a plurality of tubular in a substantially vertical position and a guide (15, 22) that is moveable above the shaft (8, 9, 10, 11). The device comprises means for displacing the guide (15, 22) in a substantially horizontal plane to a position above a selected one of all the tubular in the shaft. Also described are a catwalk (12) configured to displace the tubular in an axial direction through a V-door in the derrick (5), and which is further configured to be tilted into a substantially vertical position to receive or deliver a tubular, and a knuckle boom crane (7) with a grapple (27) that is adapted to grip an upper end of a substantially vertical tubular and carry the tubular in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular handling apparatus for moving tubulars between a substantially horizontal transfer station and a second transfer station. The apparatus comprises a base and a boom, rotatable with respect to the base between a lowered position and a raised position by boom rotation drive means in a boom rotation direction around a horizontal boom rotation axis. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a gripper, rotatably attached to the boom and adapted for gripping the tubular, which gripper is rotatable about a gripper rotation axis by a gripper rotation drive means in a gripper rotation direction. According to the invention, the gripper rotation axis is parallel to and spaced from the horizontal boom rotation axis and in that the gripper rotation drive means provide a gripper rotation direction opposite to the boom rotation direction.

Abstract: A mast for lifting and suspending over a wellhead a coiled tubing injector and blow out preventer is pivotally mounted on a rear portion of a truck. The mast has two side-by-side telescoping legs that extend and retract synchronously. When in a retracted position, the blow out preventer and coiled tubing injector are attached to the mast, between the legs, and legs of the mast extended to lift the equipment.

Abstract: For deploying a pipe string, a traveling table is movably mounted to a mast and clamps an upper region of a pipe section. For weld alignment, at least two centralizer units are mounted to the mast between the traveling table and an upper end of the pipe string. One centralizer unit translates a lower region of the pipe section radially for alignment of the lower end of the pipe section with the upper end of the pipe string. Another centralizer unit at a middle region of the pipe section translates the middle region of the pipe section radially for correcting angular mismatch of the lower end of the pipe section with the upper end of the pipe string. Each centralizer, for example, includes four hydraulic cylinders, each operative for driving a respective pinned cam having a face carrying a roller for contacting the pipe section.

Abstract: Pipe handling apparatus to move tubulars from a horizontal position on a piperack adjacent a well bore to a vertical position over the wall center or mousehole. A bicep arm assembly is pivotally connected to a base plate. A forearm assembly is pivotally attached to the distant end of the bicep arm assembly and a gripper head is pivotally connected to the distant end of the forearm assembly. The bicep arm assembly is mounted to the structure of the drill rig.