Abstract: An active, smartpipe stand (apparatus and method) for feeding and receiving pipe in a horizontal orientation to and from a pipe handling apparatus has a first pipe-lifting mechanism, a second pipe-lifting mechanism, and a pipe-rotating mechanism positioned between the first and second pipe-lifting mechanisms. The bottom of the first pipe-lifting mechanism is connected to the skid of the pipe handling apparatus. The bottom of the second pipe-lifting mechanism is connected to the skid of the pipe handling apparatus. The bottom of the pipe-rotating mechanism is connected to the skid of the pipe handling apparatus. Individual tubulars are unloaded, prepared, staged and sequenced, assembled and presented for delivery from horizontal to vertical. The pipe stand is positioned under the boom of the pipe handling apparatus when the apparatus is in the first position. The pipe stand extends within the skid structure.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus has a frame, a boom pivotally connected to the frame so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, an arm extending outwardly of the boom when the boom is in the second position, a gripper affixed to the end of the arm opposite the boom, a first line having a first end affixed to the boom, a second line interconnected to an opposite end of the first line and connected to the frame, and an actuator interconnected to the first and second lines. The actuator changes an angular relationship of the first and second lines so as to selectively tension the lines. The second line includes a first cable offset from linear alignment with the first line and a second cable extending in angular relationship with the first cable.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus for moving a pipe from a stowed position to a position deployed above a wellhead has a main rotating structural member pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, an arm interconnected to the main rotating structural member, a gripper affixed to an end of the arm opposite the main rotating structural member, and a tensioner connected to the gripper for applying a tension to the gripper when the arm is in the extended position. The gripper grips a surface of a pipe. The arm is pivotable between a home position and an extended position. The tensioning means has a guy wire connected at one end to the gripper. The guy wire has an opposite end connected to the arm. Alternatively, the opposite end is connected to the main rotating structural member.

Abstract: A tubular handling apparatus has a main rotating structural member pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, an arm interconnected to the main rotating structural member, and a gripper mechanism affixed to an end of the arm opposite the main rotating structural member. The gripper mechanism has a stab frame, a first gripper translatably attached to a side of the stab frame, and a second gripper translatably attached to the side of the stab frame below the first gripper. A connection bar is connected to the first and second grippers so as to translate the grippers for a substantially identical distance. A translating mechanism translates the grippers along the side of the stab frame.

Abstract: A system has a pipe handling apparatus with an arm between a first position and a second position, a derrick having a window through which the pipe handling system delivers a pipe to a wellhead, 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 derrickless system for servicing tubulars at a wellhead has a first tubular handling apparatus with a gripper positioned adjacent the wellhead where the gripper grips a surface of one of the tubulars, a second tubular handling apparatus with a gripper positioned adjacent the wellhead where the gripper grips a surface of another of the tubulars, and a slip assembly positioned in the wellhead. The slip assembly has a wedge bowl positioned at the wellhead that is suitable for receiving the tubular therein, and wedges positioned in the wedge bowl that are suitable for positioning between the wedge bowl and the tubular. Each of the grippers of the first and second tubular handling apparatus has a stab frame and three grippers attached to the stab frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipe handling apparatus that delivers and positions tubulars at a wellhead and a device for assisting pivotal movement of a boom relative to a base of the apparatus. A pneumatic spring assembly is pivotally connected between the boom and base. During operation, the pneumatic spring assembly urges the boom from a first position to a second position and resists movement of the boom from the second position to the first position. A pneumatic reservoir may be attached to the pipe handling apparatus. A gas-charging assembly fluidically connects the pneumatic spring assembly and pneumatic reservoir and allows the pneumatic reservoir to vary the pneumatic pressure within the pneumatic spring assembly. Sensors mounted in the pipe handling apparatus may provide feedback to a controller which may automatically adjust the amount of pneumatic pressure within the pneumatic springs for ideal performance of the springs.

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 connected to an opposite end of the boom. The pre-loading system has a tensioning assembly 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 assembly includes a first cable assembly having one end connected to the arm and an opposite end fixedly mounted, and a second cable assembly connected to the arm and having an opposite end fixedly mounted. The first and second cable assemblies extend from opposite sides of the arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting or disconnecting a threaded connection of a first tubular member and a second tubular member at a wellhead has a frame movable between a first position adjacent the wellhead and a second position away from the wellhead, a first gripping member connected to the frame and extending outwardly therefrom so as to apply a torque to the first tubular, and a second gripping member movably connected to the frame so as to be movable between a first position away from the wellhead and a second position at the wellhead. The second gripping member is suitable for applying an opposing torque to the second tubular.

Abstract: A system has a pipe handling apparatus with an arm between a first position and a second position, a derrick having a window through which the pipe handling system delivers a pipe to a wellhead, 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: 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.

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 connected to an opposite end of the boom. The pre-loading system has a tensioning assembly 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 assembly includes a first cable assembly having one end connected to the arm and an opposite end fixedly mounted, and a second cable assembly connected 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 frame, a boom pivotally connected to the frame so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, an arm extending outwardly of the boom when the boom is in the second position, a gripper affixed to the end of the arm opposite the boom, a first line having a first end affixed to the boom, a second line interconnected to an opposite end of the first line and connected to the frame, and an actuator interconnected to the first and second lines. The actuator changes an angular relationship of the first and second lines so as to selectively tension the lines. The second line includes a first cable offset from linear alignment with the first line and a second cable extending in angular relationship with the first cable.

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 method for gripping a tubular with a tubular gripping mechanism includes the steps of moving the tubular gripping mechanism adjacent the tubular, positioning a jaw assembly of the tubular gripping mechanism around the tubular, applying a force by an actuator onto the jaw assembly of the tubular gripping mechanism such that the jaw assembly moves so as to clamp onto the tubular, removing the force from the actuator onto the jaw assembly such that the jaw assembly remains clamped onto the tubular. The clamping force is directed to surfaces of the tubular gripping mechanism away from the actuator.

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: An active, smartpipe stand (apparatus and method) for feeding and receiving pipe in a horizontal orientation to and from a pipe handling apparatus has a first pipe-lifting mechanism, a second pipe-lifting mechanism, and a pipe-rotating mechanism positioned between the first and second pipe-lifting mechanisms. The bottom of the first pipe-lifting mechanism is connected to the skid of the pipe handling apparatus. The bottom of the second pipe-lifting mechanism is connected to the skid of the pipe handling apparatus. The bottom of the pipe-rotating mechanism is connected to the skid of the pipe handling apparatus. Individual tubulars are unloaded, prepared, staged and sequenced, assembled and presented for delivery from horizontal to vertical. The pipe stand is positioned under the boom of the pipe handling apparatus when the apparatus is in the first position. The pipe stand extends within the skid structure.

Abstract: A blowout preventer handling apparatus including a frame structure, a carriage slidably supported on the frame structure, a raising frame pivotally supported on the carriage, and a positioner mechanism cooperatively connected to the raising frame for receiving the blowout preventer therein and for moving the blowout preventer upwardly-and-downwardly, rotationally, and side-to-side. A tray is slidably supported on the carriage so as to be movable between a first position away from the positioning mechanism to a position directly below the positioning mechanism. An outrigger assembly is selectively movable outwardly of an end of the frame structure.