Patents by Inventor Allan Stewart Richardson
Allan Stewart Richardson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10794127Abstract: A rotor carries a gripping mechanism operable to grip an elongated object such as a drill string section. The rotor is driven by one or more drive mechanisms comprising a flexible element such as a chain. The flexible element allows some relative motion of the rotor and the drive mechanism. The described apparatus has application in making and breaking connections between tubulars in subsurface drilling operations.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Warrior Rig Technologies LimitedInventor: Allan Stewart Richardson
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Patent number: 10570677Abstract: Apparatus for use in subsurface drilling permits coupling and uncoupling of drill string sections while continuously moving the drill string. Tripping times can be reduced while maintaining low speeds of the drill string. In one embodiment coupling units operable to make or break couplings between drill string sections are arranged to circulate around a closed path. Each of the coupling units includes an elevator. Drill string sections may be passed off to a pipe handling system on a back side of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Warrior Rig Technologies LimitedInventors: Allan Stewart Richardson, Peter Ernest James Root
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Patent number: 10422192Abstract: A pipe handling system comprises a carriage having an upper surface adapted to support a tubular. The carriage comprises a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are pivotally coupled together for rotation about a pivot axis. The carriage is movable relative to a base and configured such that the leading end of the carriage is elevated as the carriage is advanced. An actuator is coupled between the first and second sections. The actuator is operable to pivot the second section relative to the first section about the pivot axis. In some embodiments the carriage is configured with a positive kink to deliver tubulars to a rig floor and with a negative kink to deliver tubulars to an online or offline stand building system. In some embodiments a live surface on the carriage is controllable to reduce or eliminate swinging of tubulars as they are transferred to or from the drill rig.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2018Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Warrior Rig Technologies LimitedInventors: Allan Stewart Richardson, Jeffery David Blacklock, Peter Ernest James Root
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Publication number: 20190024466Abstract: A rotor carries a gripping mechanism operable to grip an elongated object such as a drill string section. The rotor is driven by one or more drive mechanisms comprising a flexible element such as a chain. The flexible element allows some relative motion of the rotor and the drive mechanism. The described apparatus has application in making and breaking connections between tubulars in subsurface drilling operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2017Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventor: Allan Stewart RICHARDSON
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Publication number: 20180266196Abstract: A pipe handling system comprises a carriage having an upper surface adapted to support a tubular. The carriage comprises a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are pivotally coupled together for rotation about a pivot axis. The carriage is movable relative to a base and configured such that the leading end of the carriage is elevated as the carriage is advanced. An actuator is coupled between the first and second sections. The actuator is operable to pivot the second section relative to the first section about the pivot axis. In some embodiments the carriage is configured with a positive kink to deliver tubulars to a rig floor and with a negative kink to deliver tubulars to an online or offline stand building system. In some embodiments a live surface on the carriage is controllable to reduce or eliminate swinging of tubulars as they are transferred to or from the drill rig.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Allan Stewart RICHARDSON, Jeffery David BLACKLOCK, Peter Ernest James ROOT
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Patent number: 10012038Abstract: A pipe handling system comprises a carriage having an upper surface adapted to support a tubular. The carriage comprises a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are pivotally coupled together for rotation about a pivot axis. The carriage is movable relative to a base and configured such that the leading end of the carriage is elevated as the carriage is advanced. An actuator is coupled between the first and second sections. The actuator is operable to pivot the second section relative to the first section about the pivot axis. In some embodiments the carriage is configured with a positive kink to deliver tubulars to a rig floor and with a negative kink to deliver tubulars to an online or offline stand building system. In some embodiments a live surface on the carriage is controllable to reduce or eliminate swinging of tubulars as they are transferred to or from the drill rig.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Warrior Rig Technologies LimitedInventors: Allan Stewart Richardson, Jeffery David Blacklock, Peter Ernest James Root
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Publication number: 20180179833Abstract: Apparatus for use in subsurface drilling permits coupling and uncoupling of drill string sections while continuously moving the drill string. Tripping times can be reduced while maintaining low speeds of the drill string. In one embodiment coupling units operable to make or break couplings between drill string sections are arranged to circulate around a closed path. Each of the coupling units includes an elevator. Drill string sections may be passed off to a pipe handling system on a back side of the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2016Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Allan Stewart RICHARDSON, Peter Ernest James ROOT
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Patent number: 9879486Abstract: A portable pipe handling apparatus and method includes providing a support structure adapted to support a pipe stand along a pipe stand building axis associated therewith, and inclining the pipe stand building axis so that an upper end of the axis is adjacent a top drive in a drilling rig mast and so that the pipe stand translation trajectory which is substantially co-axial with the pipe stand building axis intersects a hand-off window between the top drive and the pipe stand building axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Warrior Rig Technologies LimitedInventors: Allan Stewart Richardson, Monte Neil Wright
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Publication number: 20180016853Abstract: An integrated casing drive system combines a top drive having a rotary drive portion, a pipe handler having a casing gripper wherein the pipe handler is rotationally mounted to the top drive, and a selectively actuable casing drive lock for locking the rotary drive portion to the pipe handler.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventor: Allan Stewart RICHARDSON
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Patent number: 9803436Abstract: An integrated casing drive system combines a top drive having a rotary drive portion, a pipe handler having a casing gripper wherein the pipe handler is rotationally mounted to the top drive, and a selectively actuable casing drive lock for locking the rotary drive portion to the pipe handler.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Warrior Rig Technologies LimitedInventor: Allan Stewart Richardson
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Patent number: 9551185Abstract: A distributed drive includes a frame, a main sprocket, and a plurality of drive assemblies mounted therearound for rotation of the main sprocket. The main sprocket has a circumferential drive rim around which the drive assemblies are mounted in driving engagement with the drive rim so as to selectively rotate the main sprocket relative to the frame. Each drive assembly includes at least two auxiliary sprockets lying substantially in the plane of the main sprocket. An endless belt is mounted around the auxiliary sprockets so that a span of the endless belt spans between a pair of the auxiliary sprockets in an arc-of-contact with the drive rim. At least one of the two auxiliary sprockets is a selectively driven drive sprocket for selective rotation of the main sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Warrior Energy Technologies LimitedInventor: Allan Stewart Richardson
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Patent number: 9528332Abstract: A power tong includes a rotor, driven by a primary drive, for spinning and torquing threaded connections of a tubular gripped in the rotor. A grip in the rotor grips the tubular. A serpentine member supplies power to actuate the grip. The serpentine member is driven by a secondary drive. The primary and secondary drives are mounted on a stator frame. The rotor is rotatably mounted to the stator frame and driven by the primary drive during continuous three hundred and sixty degrees of rotation. A fixed or backup jaw may also be mounted to the stator frame. Tubular grippers on the fixed jaw grip a first side of a tubular joint. The grip on the rotor grips the opposite side of the tubular joint. High torque low-rotational speed applied to the rotor torques the joint. Low torque high-rotational speed applied to the rotor spins the joint.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Warrior Energy Technologies LimitedInventor: Allan Stewart Richardson
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Patent number: 9297223Abstract: A power transmission for a slewing interface includes a rotor rotatable relative to a stator about a slewing axis, at least one drive sprocket mounted on the stator adjacent the rotor, a first drive cooperating with the at least one drive sprocket, at least two satellite sprockets on the rotor and spaced around the rotor, at least one drive belt mounted around the drive sprockets and around the satellite sprockets in driving engagement collectively therewith, power is delivered continuously from the first drive to at least one of the satellite sprockets at all times during rotation of the rotor about the slewing axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Warrior Rig Ltd.Inventor: Allan Stewart Richardson
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Publication number: 20160017674Abstract: A pipe handling system comprises a carriage having an upper surface adapted to support a tubular. The carriage comprises a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are pivotally coupled together for rotation about a pivot axis. The carriage is movable relative to a base and configured such that the leading end of the carriage is elevated as the carriage is advanced. An actuator is coupled between the first and second sections. The actuator is operable to pivot the second section relative to the first section about the pivot axis. In some embodiments the carriage is configured with a positive kink to deliver tubulars to a rig floor and with a negative kink to deliver tubulars to an online or offline stand building system. In some embodiments a live surface on the carriage is controllable to reduce or eliminate swinging of tubulars as they are transferred to or from the drill rig.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Allan Stewart RICHARDSON, Jeffery David BLACKLOCK, Peter Ernest James ROOT
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Publication number: 20160002988Abstract: A portable pipe handling apparatus and method includes providing a support structure a providing a support structure adapted to support a pipe stand along a pipe stand building axis associated therewith, and inclining the pipe stand building axis so that an upper end of the axis is adjacent a top drive in a drilling rig mast and so that the pipe stand translation trajectory which is substantially co-axial with the pipe stand building axis intersects a hand-off window between the top drive and the pipe stand building axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Allan Stewart RICHARDSON, Monte Neil WRIGHT
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Patent number: 9157286Abstract: A portable pipe handling apparatus and method includes providing a support structure adapted to support a pipe stand along a pipe stand building axis associated therewith, and inclining the pipe stand building axis so that an upper end of the axis is adjacent a top drive in a drilling rig mast and so that the pipe stand translation trajectory which is substantially co-axial with the pipe stand building axis intersects a hand-off window between the top drive and the pipe stand building axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Warrier Rig LtdInventors: Allan Stewart Richardson, Monte Neil Wright
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Publication number: 20150204141Abstract: A distributed drive includes a frame, a main sprocket, and a plurality of drive assemblies mounted therearound for rotation of the main sprocket. The main sprocket has a circumferential drive rim around which the drive assemblies are mounted in driving engagement with the drive rim so as to selectively rotate the main sprocket relative to the frame. Each drive assembly includes at least two auxiliary sprockets lying substantially in the plane of the main sprocket. An endless belt is mounted around the auxiliary sprockets so that a span of the endless belt spans between a pair of the auxiliary sprockets in an arc-of-contact with the drive rim. At least one of the two auxiliary sprockets is a selectively driven drive sprocket for selective rotation of the main sprocket.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventor: Allan Stewart RICHARDSON
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Patent number: 9017194Abstract: A distributed drive includes a frame, a main sprocket, and a plurality of drive assemblies mounted therearound for rotation of the main sprocket. The main sprocket has a circumferential drive rim around which the drive assemblies are mounted in driving engagement with the drive rim so as to selectively rotate the main sprocket relative to the frame. Each drive assembly includes at least two auxiliary sprockets lying substantially in the plane of the main sprocket. An endless belt is mounted around the auxiliary sprockets so that a span of the endless belt spans between a pair of the auxiliary sprockets in an arc-of-contact with the drive rim. At least one of the two auxiliary sprockets is a selectively driven drive sprocket for selective rotation of the main sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Warrior Rig Ltd.Inventor: Allan Stewart Richardson
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Patent number: 8863621Abstract: A power tong includes a rotor, driven by a primary drive, for spinning and torquing threaded connections of a tubular gripped in the rotor. A grip in the rotor grips the tubular. A serpentine member supplies power to actuate the grip. The serpentine member is driven by a secondary drive. The primary and secondary drives are mounted on a stator frame. The rotor is rotatably mounted to the stator frame and driven by the primary drive during continuous three hundred and sixty degrees of rotation. A fixed or backup jaw may also be mounted to the stator frame. Tubular grippers on the fixed jaw grip a first side of a tubular joint. The grip on the rotor grips the opposite side of the tubular joint. High torque low-rotational speed applied to the rotor torques the joint. Low torque high-rotational speed applied to the rotor spins the joint.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Inventor: Allan Stewart Richardson
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Publication number: 20140283653Abstract: A power tong includes a rotor, driven by a primary drive, for spinning and torquing threaded connections of a tubular gripped in the rotor. A grip in the rotor grips the tubular. A serpentine member supplies power to actuate the grip. The serpentine member is driven by a secondary drive. The primary and secondary drives are mounted on a stator frame. The rotor is rotatably mounted to the stator frame and driven by the primary drive during continuous three hundred and sixty degrees of rotation. A fixed or backup jaw may also be mounted to the stator frame. Tubular grippers on the fixed jaw grip a first side of a tubular joint. The grip on the rotor grips the opposite side of the tubular joint. High torque low-rotational speed applied to the rotor torques the joint. Low torque high-rotational speed applied to the rotor spins the joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventor: Allan Stewart Richardson