Tilts Relative To Base Patents (Class 52/116)
  • Patent number: 11306702
    Abstract: A transitioning wind turbine for land or offshore use having a tower base; a wind turbine tower attached to the tower base; a wind turbine attached to the wind turbine tower having a hub and an outer perimeter with spokes disposed between the hub and outer perimeter; a set of vanes carried by the spokes; a generator configured to engage the outer perimeter of the wind turbine and convert a rotational energy of the outer perimeter into power; a lifting tower having a pivot disposed at a proximal end of the lifting tower; a cable attached between the lifting tower and the wind turbine tower; and, wherein the lifting tower is configured to transition from the upright position to the tilted position as the wind turbine tower transitions between the horizontal position to the vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Gerald L. Barber
  • Patent number: 11242695
    Abstract: A land-based drilling rig includes a first substructure and a second substructure, the second substructure being positioned generally parallel to the first substructure. The land-based drilling rig also includes a drill rig floor coupled to the first and second substructures, the drill rig floor including a V-door. The side of the drill rig floor has the V-door defining a V-door side of the drill rig floor, where the V-door side of the drill rig floor is parallel to the first substructure. The first and second substructures pivotably support the drill rig floor. The land-based drilling rig also includes a mast, the mast mechanically coupled to one or more of the first substructure, the second substructure, and the drill rig floor. The mast is pivotably coupled to one or more of the first substructure, the second substructure, and the drill rig floor by a mast pivot point. The mast includes a V-door side, the V-door side of the mast parallel to the first or second substructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Padira Reddy, Ashish Gupta
  • Patent number: 11085246
    Abstract: A mobile drilling machine may include a drilling mast having a mast frame, a movable drill motor assembly, and a pivot; a machine frame including front and back portions, an engine, a ground engaging assembly, and a coupling assembly including first and second side plates, where the mast is pivotably coupled at the pivot between the first and second side plates; at least one primary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position above the pivot along the mast to assist in moving the mast between a stowed position to a drilling position; and a secondary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position below the pivot along the mast to assist the at least one primary fluid cylinder when the mast is at a negative drilling angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Charles Taylor Hudson, Richard J. LaReau
  • Patent number: 10865583
    Abstract: A land-based drilling rig includes a first substructure and a second substructure, the second substructure being positioned generally parallel to the first substructure. The land-based drilling rig also includes a drill rig floor coupled to the first and second substructures, the drill rig floor including a V-door. The side of the drill rig floor has the V-door defining a V-door side of the drill rig floor, where the V-door side of the drill rig floor is parallel to the first substructure. The first and second substructures pivotably support the drill rig floor. The land-based drilling rig also includes a mast, the mast mechanically coupled to one or more of the first substructure, the second substructure, and the drill rig floor. The mast is pivotably coupled to one or more of the first substructure, the second substructure, and the drill rig floor by a mast pivot point. The mast includes a V-door side, the V-door side of the mast parallel to the first or second substructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Padira Reddy, Ashish Gupta
  • Patent number: 10788016
    Abstract: A transitioning wind turbine for land or offshore use having a tower base; a wind turbine tower attached to the tower base; a wind turbine attached to the wind turbine tower having a hub and an outer perimeter with spokes disposed between the hub and outer perimeter; a set of vanes carried by the spokes; a generator configured to engage the outer perimeter of the wind turbine and convert a rotational energy of the outer perimeter into power; a lifting tower having a pivot disposed at a proximal end of the lifting tower; a cable attached between the lifting tower and the wind turbine tower; and, wherein the lifting tower is configured to transition from the upright position to the tilted position as the wind turbine tower transitions between the horizontal position to the vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventor: Gerald L. Barber
  • Patent number: 10550645
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling drilling equipment to access and work with well heads located in a cellar type arrangement. Modules are combined together with wheel risers to form various shaped platforms for spanning across the roof of cellars for hydrocarbon extraction. The various shaped platforms provide support adjacent the well head for work over rigs and surface rigs to drive adjacent the well heads located in the cellar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: St. Peter Metal Works, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Ware, Thomas St. Peter
  • Patent number: 10407937
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for erecting drilling structures including drill floors and drilling masts include attaching a rigging line to the drilling structure and to a strand jack arranged with at least one hydraulic jack and a plurality of clamps that alternatingly secure onto the rigging line and pull the rigging line in tension. Pulling the rigging line with the strand jack raises the drilling structures to an upright or elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: NABORS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven K. Deel, Christopher Magnuson
  • Patent number: 9739071
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for erecting drilling structures including drill floors and drilling masts include attaching a rigging line to the drilling structure and to a strand jack arranged with at least one hydraulic jack and a plurality of clamps that alternatingly secure onto the rigging line and pull the rigging line in tension. Pulling the rigging line with the strand jack raises the drilling structures to an upright or elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Nabors Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Deel, Christopher Magnuson
  • Patent number: 9650802
    Abstract: An antenna tower is provided having one or more antennae at the removed end thereof, which tower is configured for ease of maintenance of the antenna by a serviceman standing on the ground and servicing the antenna. Applicants' antenna tower includes a fixed vertical base or mast tube, fixed to the ground and having a removed end. At or near the removed end of the base tube, a swing tube is pivotally attached. The swing tube has a first end removably coupled to a near end of the base tube, and a removed end extending beyond the removed end of the base tube. Attached to the removed end of the swing tube is a pivotally mounted configured member or pivot tube. The pivotally mounted elongated member receives an antenna thereupon. The pivot tube is removably coupled to the swing tube to allow the pivot tube to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventors: Charles Anderson, Daniel Anderson, Grady Roe
  • Patent number: 9399890
    Abstract: A transportable rig apparatus provides for well completion operations while also providing a rig apparatus that readily resists or negates the effects of dynamic wind forces or other weather phenomenon. More particularly, the transportable rig apparatus provides a mast assembly that can extend in a generally vertical direction, e.g. perpendicular to the rig carrier and/or ground surface, such that the rig can be placed directly adjacent to a wellbore, the mast assembly providing a mast apparatus that readily resists or negates the effects of strong winds or other weather phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES—NORTH AMERICA SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Flusche Mark
  • Patent number: 9359784
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a high-capacity drilling rig system that includes novel design features that alone and more particularly in combination facilitate a fast rig-up and rig-down with a single set of raising cylinders and maintains transportability features. In particular, a transport trailer is disclosed having a first support member and a drive member which align the lower mast portion with inclined rig floor ramps and translate the lower mast legs up the ramps and into alignment for connection. A pair of wing brackets is pivotally deployed from within the lower mast width for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the mast from a horizontal position into a vertical position. A cantilever is pivotally deployed from beneath the rig floor to a position above it for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the substructure from a collapsed position into the erect position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: T&T Engineering Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Trevithick, Darrell Jamison, Gus Rodriguez, Keith Orgeron
  • Patent number: 9260929
    Abstract: A mobile rig for use in lowering a string comprising joints of a conduit into a well is provided with a rig transporter comprising a motorized unit, a mast assembly, a pivotal connection on the mast assembly with respect to the rig transporter. At least one hydraulic arm is pivotally mounted to the rig transporter and the mast assembly operable to move the mast to an upright position and for lowering the mast to a substantially horizontal position for transportation. In one embodiment, a top drive is mounted in the mast which is raised and lowered with the mast whereby the top drive is transported in the mast in the substantially horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES—NORTH AMERICA SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Flusche Mark
  • Patent number: 9238947
    Abstract: A wellbore tubular handling system and method for moving tubulars into a wellhead. The wellbore tubular handling system includes a service rig including a transport chassis, a mast pivotally connected to the transport chassis and moveable between a storage position and an erected position and a block supported on the mast; an upper snubbing unit pivotally connected to the mast, the upper snubbing unit including a first driving ram and a second driving ram, each including a mounted end and an outboard end, each of the first driving ram and the second driving ram being connected at the pivotal connection to the mast adjacent their mounted ends and a travelling snubbing slip assembly mounted to the outboard ends of the first driving ram and the second driving ram and being drivable toward and away from the mounted ends by the first driving ram and the second driving ram; and a stationary snubbing slip assembly configured for connection to the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: DOWN FORCE TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Michael James Kallal
  • Patent number: 9228394
    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 center in the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 9169698
    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 center in the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 9003719
    Abstract: A mast assembly including a locking actuator for locking a cradle of the mast in position. The locking actuator includes a housing having a first lock pin extending in a first direction and a movable member supported by the housing having a second lock pin extending in a second direction opposite the first, the locking actuator being slideably mounted to the cradle for sliding movement along an axis parallel to an axis of extension/retraction of the locking actuator. When the locking actuator is extended the first and second lock pins are inserted into respective lock holes in a base member thereby locking the cradle against pivoting movement relative to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Will-Burt Company
    Inventors: Anatol Kwartler, Paul B. Blackwelder, Andrew J. L. Hartman, Rexford R. Mast
  • Patent number: 8991029
    Abstract: A beam structure of the present disclosure includes a baffle plate. A plurality of lap strips are attached around outer edges of the baffle plate. An adhesive layer is applied to outer surfaces of the lap strips. A plurality of sidewalls are assembled together around the adhesive layer, the lap strips and the baffle plate, thereby forming the beam structure. In an embodiment, the beam structure may be used as a boom assembly for a machine, such as an excavator machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei P. Yelistratov, James A. Forck
  • Publication number: 20150052828
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bi-directionally raisable drilling rig mast system that includes a drilling rig mast having a bi-directional mast erection connection, a first erection connection positioned proximate a first side of a rig substructure, and a second erection connection positioned proximate a second side of the rig substructure, the second side being at an opposite side of the rig substructure from the first side. The system further includes at least one mast erection apparatus having an upper end that is adapted to be pivotably attached to the bi-directional mast erection connection and a lower end that is adapted to be pivotably attached to the first erection connection for erecting the drilling rig mast from the first side of the substructure, the lower end being further adapted to be pivotably attached to the second erection connection for erecting the drilling rig mast from the second side of the substructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Benjamin Donnally, Chunqiao Ren, Xilin Liu
  • Publication number: 20150021095
    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 22, 2015
    Inventors: Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 8910431
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a tower structure and erection thereof include, in one embodiment, a tower structure comprising a base support member, a mast structure pivotally coupled to the base support member, and a motion control device coupled between the base support member and the mast structure for controlling movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: EMI Products, LLC
    Inventors: Fallon M. Egan, Christoval Sanchez, Patrick M. Weisbrod
  • Patent number: 8904736
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a mast assembly mounted to a sidewall of the vehicle. The mast is pivotally mounted and can be held in a first stowed position by way of a first clamp member. The mast is pivotal relative to the sidewall, to an essentially vertical and erect position, and held in the second position by way of a second clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Christopher Clifton, Dean L. Jones, Philip S. Mitchell, David Myers, James M. Pruett
  • Patent number: 8904716
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bi-directionally raisable drilling rig mast system that includes a drilling rig mast having a bi-directional mast erection connection, a first erection connection positioned proximate a first side of a rig substructure, and a second erection connection positioned proximate a second side of the rig substructure, the second side being at an opposite side of the rig substructure from the first side. The system further includes at least one mast erection apparatus having an upper end that is adapted to be pivotably attached to the bi-directional mast erection connection and a lower end that is adapted to be pivotably attached to the first erection connection for erecting the drilling rig mast from the first side of the substructure, the lower end being further adapted to be pivotably attached to the second erection connection for erecting the drilling rig mast from the second side of the substructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Benjamin Donnally, Chunqiao Ren, Xilin Liu
  • Patent number: 8863449
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a raisable substructure of a drilling rig that includes first and second substructure boxes. The first and second substructure boxes of the raisable substructure each include, among other things an upper box and a lower box, wherein each of the upper boxes is adapted to be raised above a respective lower box. The disclosed raisable substructure also includes a movable center floor section that is adapted to be supported by the upper boxes of the first and second substructure boxes, wherein the movable center floor section is further adapted to be slidably moved between the upper boxes during assembly of the drilling rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Benjamin Donnally, Chunqiao Ren, Xilin Liu
  • Publication number: 20140259986
    Abstract: A mast assembly including a locking actuator for locking a cradle of the mast in position. The locking actuator includes a housing having a first lock pin extending in a first direction and a movable member supported by the housing having a second lock pin extending in a second direction opposite the first, the locking actuator being slideably mounted to the cradle for sliding movement along an axis parallel to an axis of extension/retraction of the locking actuator. When the locking actuator is extended the first and second lock pins are inserted into respective lock holes in a base member thereby locking the cradle against pivoting movement relative to the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: THE WILL-BURT COMPANY
    Inventors: Anatol Kwartler, Paul B. Blackwelder, Andrew J. L. Hartman, Rexford R. Mast
  • Publication number: 20140250802
    Abstract: A tilt tower and pipe auger anchor assembly comprising a tilt tower having a mast and a swing tube and a coax cable engaging both the mast and the swing tube, the mast has a near end, the near end has a mast flange plate with fastener holes therethrough. A pipe auger anchor has walls defining a generally hollow elongated body having a near end and a removed end, the near end including a pipe auger anchor flange plate mateable with the mast flange plate. The pipe auger anchor flange plate has fastener openings therein and fixedly attached to the near end perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow elongated body and an auger at the removed end. The auger provides a penetration force when the body is rotated and the auger is engaged with the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Charles Anderson, Joshua Anderson
  • Patent number: 8800219
    Abstract: An antenna tower is provided having one or more antennae at the removed end thereof, which tower is configured for ease of maintenance of the antenna by a serviceman standing on the ground and servicing the antenna. Applicants' antenna tower includes a fixed vertical base or mast tube, fixed to the ground and having a removed end. At or near the removed end of the base tube, a swing tube is pivotally attached. The swing tube has a first end removably coupled to a near end of the base tube, and a removed end extending beyond the removed end of the base tube. Attached to the removed end of the swing tube is a pivotally mounted configured member or pivot tube. The pivotally mounted elongated member receives an antenna thereupon. The pivot tube is removably coupled to the swing tube to allow the pivot tube to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Wilbur L. Anderson, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Anderson, Daniel Anderson, Grady Roe
  • Patent number: 8782968
    Abstract: An interface apparatus between a tower and platform includes a tower support assembly with opposed angle brackets and a first tower support assembly coupler/decoupler which is repeatably moveable between coupled and decoupled conditions with the tower support assembly. In the coupled condition, the coupler/decoupler is capable of coupling to the tower support assembly at a plurality of predetermined positions along the opposed angle brackets. The interface apparatus includes a second tower support assembly coupler/decoupler which allows the tower to pivot relative to the tower support assembly and rotate relative to the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions LLC
    Inventor: James M. Benson
  • Patent number: 8720128
    Abstract: A method to disassemble a mast assembly having a substructure including a first and second section, a first and a second cylinder, and a lower mast section. The method includes the steps of disengaging a pair of front mast legs of the lower mast section from a pair of front leg supports. The pair of front leg supports are moved from an operational to a transport position. The lower mast section is lowered from a vertical to a horizontal position by retracting the first cylinder and the second cylinder. A mast center spreader is thereafter removed from the lower mast section. A center drill floor section is removed from between the first substructure section and the second substructure section so that a combination of the first substructure section, the first cylinder and a portion of the lower mast and a combination of the second substructure section, the second cylinder and a portion of the lower mast may be transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Woolslayer Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dewayne G. Vogt
  • Publication number: 20140115977
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a tower structure and erection thereof include, in one embodiment, a tower structure comprising a base support member, a mast structure pivotally coupled to the base support member, and a motion control device coupled between the base support member and the mast structure for controlling movement therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: EMI PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Fallon M. EGAN, Christoval SANCHEZ, Patrick M. WEISBROD
  • Patent number: 8661743
    Abstract: A mast assembly for a transportable rig which accommodates the height of wellhead equipment such as BOP and/or valve stacks and permits orientation of a top drive rotor in the mast directly over the wellhead as the top drive moves up and down in the mast. In one embodiment, the mast contains a base portion that supports a moveable portion of the mast assembly. In one embodiment, angularly rearwardly oriented supports are utilized to provide an open space to accommodate the height of the wellhead equipment between upright rails on which the top drive moves so that the top drive rotor can be aligned with the bore of the wellhead equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Mark Flusche
  • Publication number: 20130340356
    Abstract: A mast assembly for a transportable rig which accommodates the height of wellhead equipment such as BOP and/or valve stacks and permits orientation of a top drive rotor in the mast directly over the wellhead as the top drive moves up and down in the mast. In one embodiment, the mast contains a base portion that supports a moveable portion of the mast assembly. In one embodiment, angularly rearwardly oriented supports are utilized to provide an open space to accommodate the height of the wellhead equipment between upright rails on which the top drive moves so that the top drive rotor can be aligned with the bore of the wellhead equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Complete Production Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Flusche
  • Publication number: 20130299189
    Abstract: An apparatus including a base, and a drilling tower pivotally coupled to the base to pivot the drilling tower between first and second pivot positions. The drilling tower includes a first portion, and a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion to pivot the second portion between third and fourth pivot positions when the drilling tower is in the first pivot position. According to another aspect, a method includes pivotally coupling a drilling tower to a base, which includes providing a first portion of the drilling tower, pivotally coupling a second portion of the drilling tower to the first portion of the drilling tower, and pivotally coupling the first portion of the drilling tower to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Nabors Drilling International Limited
    Inventors: Padira REDDY, Ashish Gupta, Sean M. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20130269268
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a telescoping substructure of a drilling rig that includes first and second telescoping substructure boxes. The first and second telescoping substructure boxes each include, among other things, a lower substructure box and an upper substructure box that is adapted to be telescopically raised and lowered relative to the lower substructure box. Furthermore, each telescoping substructure box also includes raising means for telescopically raising and lowering the upper substructure box relative to the lower substructure box between a collapsed configuration for transportation and a raised configuration for drilling operations, wherein each of the first and second telescoping substructure boxes are adapted to facilitate movement of the telescoping substructure in at least one of a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction over wellhead equipment positioned above a wellbore location when the upper substructure boxes are in the raised configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Jay John Thiessen, Kameron Wayne Konduc, Donald Leonard Burlet
  • Patent number: 8539723
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump includes a hydraulic cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder sealed by an upper head and a lower head and carrying a piston which divides the hydraulic cylinder assembly into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A load is connected to the piston and urges it toward the lower head. A conduit connects a reversible hydraulic pump assembly in fluid flow communication with a pressurized supply of hydraulic fluid and the lower chamber for counterbalancing the load. A control system is operably associated with the reversible hydraulic pump assembly to cause hydraulic fluid to flow back and forth between the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder assembly and the pressurized supply of hydraulic fluid. A system is also provided to counteract leakage in the pump by adding hydraulic fluid makeup on an as needed and controlled basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Downhole Water Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Ramsey, Michael L. Finley
  • Publication number: 20130043037
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump includes a hydraulic cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder sealed by an upper head and a lower head and carrying a piston which divides the hydraulic cylinder assembly into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A load is connected to the piston and urges it toward the lower head. A conduit connects a reversible hydraulic pump assembly in fluid flow communication with a pressurized supply of hydraulic fluid and the lower chamber for counterbalancing the load. A control system is operably associated with the reversible hydraulic pump assembly to cause hydraulic fluid to flow back and forth between the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder assembly and the pressurized supply of hydraulic fluid. A system is also provided to counteract leakage in the pump by adding hydraulic fluid makeup on an as needed and controlled basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: MICHAEL C. RAMSEY, MICHAEL L. FINLEY
  • Patent number: 8371074
    Abstract: A mast assembly having a base, and a mast pivotally connected to the base for movement between a horizontal and an upright position. A linear actuator is connected between the base and the mast and is extensible to move mast about the pivot. A strut is selectively positioned between the mast and the base to inhibit pivotal movement toward the horizontal position during lifting of the mast. A plurality of abutments on the base permits selective connection between the actuator and the base. The strut position supports the mast while said actuator is moved between the abutments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: ReDriven Power Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Bernard Grant
  • Patent number: 8276325
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a mast assembly mounted to a sidewall of the vehicle. The mast is pivotally mounted and can be held in a first stowed position by way of a first clamp member. The mast is pivotal relative to the sidewall, to an essentially vertical and erect position, and held in the second position by way of a second clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Christopher Clifton, Dean L. Jones, Philip S. Mitchell, David Myers, James M. Pruett
  • Patent number: 8196877
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus for holding a construction item in a desired position while the construction item is being secured to a support structure. Embodiments of the apparatus comprise a pressure-plate configured with a pole-ball-socket, a pole-ball, and a flexible pole section. A plurality of pole sections may be used in a telescoping arrangement so that the apparatus may be used to lift a construction item to an elevated position. The pressure-plate defines a pressure-plate-surface configured for being associated with a surface of a construction item. The flexible pole section is then extended to move the construction item to a desired location (such as at ceiling height). Typically the pole section is held at an angle relative to a supporting surface (such as a floor) and then extended to a length about four inches longer than the distance from the supporting surface and said desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventors: William Gridley, Randall B. Scott
  • Patent number: 8146794
    Abstract: The present invention provides a boom and arm member of a construction machine excellent in weld zone fatigue strength and a method of improvement of its fatigue strength, that is, a boom and arm member of a construction machine superior in weld zone fatigue strength, the boom and arm member of a construction machine characterized in that toes of full penetrated weld zones of the boom and arm member have vibration strike marks, and a method of improvement of its fatigue strength. Preferably, the residual stress of the bottom surface of the vibration strike marks is a 10 MPa or higher compressive residual stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Nose, Kiyotaka Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8112946
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an articulating mast having sections that may be moved between an open, in-use position and a more compact reduced width configuration for storage and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Woolslayer Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dewayne G. Vogt
  • Patent number: 8046959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a construction apparatus comprising a base carrier, a mast which is arranged on the base carrier in a pivotable manner, a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder for erecting the mast, which are connected to each other in an articulated manner in a connecting section, the first hydraulic cylinder being linked to the base carrier and the second hydraulic cylinder being linked to the mast, and a coupling rocker-arm which is linked on one side to the mast and on another side to the connecting section. According to the invention in the part of the connecting section a spacer is arranged, through which the connecting section is supported on the mast in a detachable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Emil Stoetzer, Leonhard Weixler
  • Patent number: 8024895
    Abstract: An arrangement for the raising and lowering of a mast, which includes an upper mast portion and base, which upper mast portion is rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis, located in the base of the mast is described. The arrangement includes (i) docking device for restraining the upper mast portion against rotation; (ii) attachment device for attaching a drive device for driving the docking device between a first engaged configuration wherein the upper mast portion is restrained against rotation and a second disengaged configuration wherein the upper mast portion is free to rotate and (iii) locking device selectable via an intermediate unlocked configuration between a first locked configuration wherein the docking device is engaged and a second unlocked configuration wherein the docking device is disengaged and is characterized in that the locking means is controllable remotely to allow automatic operation of the raising and lowering sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Abacus Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey Hall, Alan John Jenvey
  • Publication number: 20110162296
    Abstract: An interface apparatus between a tower and platform includes a tower support assembly with opposed angle brackets and a first tower support assembly coupler/decoupler which is repeatably moveable between coupled and decoupled conditions with the tower support assembly. In the coupled condition, the coupler/decoupler is capable of coupling to the tower support assembly at a plurality of predetermined positions along the opposed angle brackets. The interface apparatus includes a second tower support assembly coupler/decoupler which allows the tower to pivot relative to the tower support assembly and rotate relative to the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: ATLAS COPCO DRILLING SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventor: James M. Benson
  • Publication number: 20110154745
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a mast assembly mounted to a sidewall of the vehicle. The mast is pivotally mounted and can be held in a first stowed position by way of a first clamp member. The mast is pivotal relative to the sidewall, to an essentially vertical and erect position, and held in the second position by way of a second clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher Clifton, Dean L. Jones, Philip S. Mitchell, David Myers, James M. Pruett
  • Patent number: 7958693
    Abstract: In a boom 15 for a working machine 10 attached to an upper rotational body 30 supported on a center of an upper portion of a crawler-type traveling device 40 to be transversely rotatable, the boom 15 includes, as portions cast by integral molding, a boom support point part 16, a boom cylinder rod support point part 18, and an arm support point part 19, and is configured so that the boom support point part 16 is connected to the boom cylinder rod support point part 18 by a general-purpose first rectangular pipe 61, and so that the boom cylinder rod support point part 18 is connected to the arm support point part 19 by a general-purpose second rectangular pipe 62.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Oyamada, Keiichi Nishihara, Takahiro Ikeda, Takafumi Nobayashi, Masao Nagata, Saizou Kondou, Masami Miyanishi
  • Publication number: 20110072737
    Abstract: A portable drilling rig apparatus includes a rig floor having a pedestal structure thereon, the pedestal structure comprising a lower pivot point and a lower attachment point and wherein the pedestal structure is configured to be rotated to a vertical position about the lower pivot point. The drilling rig further includes a mast structure having a mast pivot point at a lower end of the mast structure wherein the mast pivot point is configured to be pinned to an upper pivot point of the pedestal structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL DRILLING EQUIPMENT COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Philip Wasterval
  • Patent number: 7866927
    Abstract: A pole installation system includes a pole base and pole member releasably connected to the pole base. A mobile pole caddy is employable to transport the pole member to and from the pole base and to raise or lower the pole member while it is pivotally connected to the pole base to install or disintall the pole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas K. Wong
  • Publication number: 20100313495
    Abstract: A mast assembly having a base, and a mast pivotally connected to the base for movement between a horizontal and an upright position. A linear actuator is connected between the base and the mast and is extensible to move mast about the pivot. A strut is selectively positioned between the mast and the base to inhibit pivotal movement toward the horizontal position during lifting of the mast. A plurality of abutments on the base permits selective connection between the actuator and the base. The strut position supports the mast while said actuator is moved between the abutments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Bernard Grant
  • Patent number: 7828087
    Abstract: A well drilling apparatus includes multiple, transportable, modular, pre-assembled sections which include a substructure and multiple mast sections. These pre-assembled sections allow for a quicker complete rig-up of the well drilling apparatus at ground level in a horizontal direction, without the use of a crane. Once the assembly has been completed at ground level, the mast is raised to its vertical operating position via mechanisms for raising and lowering dog tails. During transport, the guide rails are built-in to the mast sections and the crown block is attached to the traveling block, thereby facilitating the rigging-up process. The mast may be lowered after the drilling operation has been accomplished without interfering with any blow-out preventer devices that may have been placed on the wellhead while the structure was at its raised operational level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Theodore Chen Vora
  • Publication number: 20100236160
    Abstract: A wind power machine including a mast that is articulated so as to adopt an upright position above a foundation anchored into the ground and a folded-up position close to the ground. The mast includes substantially straight parts articulated together so as to pivot to bring the mast into the upright position or into the folded-up position. The wind power machine further includes a locking device placed at least one of the articulations between two of these parts to lock the mast in the upright position. The locking device includes: a radially movable clamping ring, placed at the end of one of the two parts of the articulation inside the mast; and an actuation mechanism capable of moving the clamping ring radially so as to produce an intimate male/female-type connection between the two parts of the articulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Societe Francaise Des Alizes
    Inventors: Philippe Quinet, Andre Bieber