Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring backlash of a drive train of an equipment unit. The drive train may comprise an input member operatively connected with an actuator and an output member operatively connected with a work portion of the equipment unit. An example apparatus may include a sensor operable to facilitate operational measurements indicative of an operational parameter associated with the drive train, and a processing device operable to cause the actuator to move the input member until the output member moves, record the operational measurements while the actuator moves the input member, and determine a backlash of the drive train by determining a difference between the operational measurements when the input member starts to move and the operational measurements when the output member starts to move.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hoisting a top drive of a drilling rig. An example system includes a hoisting system having a linear electric motor operable to raise and lower the top drive. An example method includes commencing operation of a processing device to cause operation of the linear electric motor to raise and lower the top drive. The linear electric motor may have a stator connected to and extending vertically along a mast of the drilling rig, and a rotor connected to the top drive and operable to move relative to the stator. The rotor may be connected to the top drive via one or more flexible lines.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hoisting a top drive of a drilling rig. An example system includes a hoisting system having a linear electric motor operable to raise and lower the top drive. An example method includes commencing operation of a processing device to cause operation of the linear electric motor to raise and lower the top drive. The linear electric motor may have a stator connected to and extending vertically along a mast of the drilling rig, and a rotor connected to the top drive and operable to move relative to the stator. The rotor may be connected to the top drive via one or more flexible lines.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring backlash of a gear train of a pump unit for pumping a fluid. An example method may include locking a crankshaft of the pump unit such that the crankshaft cannot rotate. The method may further include commencing operation of a processing device to receive rotational position measurements indicative of rotational position of an output shaft of a prime mover, cause the prime mover to rotate the output shaft in a first direction until the output shaft reaches a first rotational position, and cause the prime mover to rotate the output shaft in a second direction until the output shaft reaches a second rotational position. The processing device may then determine backlash of the gear train by determining rotational distance between the first rotational position of the output shaft and the second rotational position of the output shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drive system for a blowout preventer (BOP). The drive system includes a first pseudo direct drive (PDD) motor assembly having a first PDD motor and a second PDD motor assembly having a second PDD motor. The first PDD motor is configured to engage with a first shaft coupled to a first ram of the BOP and the second PDD motor is configured to engage with a second shaft coupled to a second ram of the BOP. The first PDD motor and the second PDD motor are operable to induce translation of the first shaft and the second shaft, respectively, to drive the first ram and the second ram toward one another along a longitudinal axis to reach an engaged configuration in the BOP.

Abstract: A direct drive drawworks having a first electric motor comprising a first output shaft, a second electric motor comprising a second output shaft, and a drum for storing a flexible line. The drum may be disposed between the first electric motor and the second electric motor. The first output shaft and the second output shaft may each be connected to the drum. The first electric motor and the second electric motor may be collectively operable to rotate the drum. The first output shaft and the second output shaft may be connected to the drum such that the drum rotates at the same speed as the first output shaft and the second output shaft.

Abstract: A piston assembly for a piston pump includes an actuator rod, a piston coupled to the actuator rod and configured to contact a radially-inner wall of a cylinder, and a piston support structure coupled to the actuator rod and configured to contact the radially-inner wall of the cylinder. A fluid channel extends through the actuator rod and the piston support structure, and the fluid channel is configured to deliver a lubricating fluid to an annular space positioned between the piston and the piston support structure along an axial axis of the piston assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring backlash of a drive train of an equipment unit. The drive train may comprise an input member operatively connected with an actuator and an output member operatively connected with a work portion of the equipment unit. An example apparatus may include a sensor operable to facilitate operational measurements indicative of an operational parameter associated with the drive train, and a processing device operable to cause the actuator to move the input member until the output member moves, record the operational measurements while the actuator moves the input member, and determine a backlash of the drive train by determining a difference between the operational measurements when the input member starts to move and the operational measurements when the output member starts to move.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring backlash of a gear train of a pump unit for pumping a fluid. An example method may include locking a crankshaft of the pump unit such that the crankshaft cannot rotate. The method may further include commencing operation of a processing device to receive rotational position measurements indicative of rotational position of an output shaft of a prime mover, cause the prime mover to rotate the output shaft in a first direction until the output shaft reaches a first rotational position, and cause the prime mover to rotate the output shaft in a second direction until the output shaft reaches a second rotational position. The processing device may then determine backlash of the gear train by determining rotational distance between the first rotational position of the output shaft and the second rotational position of the output shaft.

Abstract: A direct drive drawworks having a first electric motor comprising a first output shaft, a second electric motor comprising a second output shaft, and a drum for storing a flexible line. The drum may be disposed between the first electric motor and the second electric motor. The first output shaft and the second output shaft may each be connected to the drum. The first electric motor and the second electric motor may be collectively operable to rotate the drum. The first output shaft and the second output shaft may be connected to the drum such that the drum rotates at the same speed as the first output shaft and the second output shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hoisting a top drive of a drilling rig. An example system includes a hoisting system having a linear electric motor operable to raise and lower the top drive. An example method includes commencing operation of a processing device to cause operation of the linear electric motor to raise and lower the top drive. The linear electric motor may have a stator connected to and extending vertically along a mast of the drilling rig, and a rotor connected to the top drive and operable to move relative to the stator. The rotor may be connected to the top drive via one or more flexible lines.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drive system for a blowout preventer (BOP). The drive system includes a first pseudo direct drive (PDD) motor assembly having a first PDD motor and a second PDD motor assembly having a second PDD motor. The first PDD motor is configured to engage with a first shaft coupled to a first ram of the BOP and the second PDD motor is configured to engage with a second shaft coupled to a second ram of the BOP. The first PDD motor and the second PDD motor are operable to induce translation of the first shaft and the second shaft, respectively, to drive the first ram and the second ram toward one another along a longitudinal axis to reach an engaged configuration in the BOP.

Abstract: A piston assembly for a piston pump includes an actuator rod, a piston coupled to the actuator rod and configured to contact a radially-inner wall of a cylinder, and an piston support structure coupled to the actuator rod and configured to contact the radially-inner wall of the cylinder. A fluid channel extends through the actuator rod and the piston support structure, and the fluid channel is configured to deliver a lubricating fluid to an annular space positioned between the piston and the piston support structure along an axial axis of the piston assembly.

Abstract: A drilling fluid pump system includes a plurality of modular pump units that are each driven by a linear electric motor. A control system that can include positional feedback information which is used to control all of the linear motors in the pump system and reduce pressure pulsation. The linear motors can be controlled to reduce fluid pressure pulsation by controlling velocity and relative timing between pistons. To accommodate removal and addition of individual pump units the pump modules can be isolated electrically and hydraulically. This can improve scalability, reliability, and serviceability of the pump system.