Abstract: Systems and methods for rig assembly and for erecting a mast of a rig and such systems with roller apparatus to facilitate movement of a mast section from a mover. In a first embodiment, the method includes erecting a rig mast section on a substructure, the substructure including a first substructure box spaced-apart from a second substructure box, the first substructure box comprising a first upper box above a first lower box and the second substructure box comprising a second upper box above a second lower box.

Abstract: Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein is directed to, among other things, systems and methods for making up pivotably pinned structural connections that may be used for erecting drilling rig masts. One illustrative system includes a drilling rig mast having at least one support leg, a drilling rig mast support having at least one mast support shoe, and a pinned connection between the at least one support leg and the at least one mast support shoe. Additionally, the pinned connection of the disclosed system includes a pin, an oversized hole having at least a first hole portion, and a removable plug that is adapted to be inserted into the oversized hole, wherein the removable plug has at least a first plug surface portion, and wherein the first hole portion and the first plug surface portion define at least part of a pin hole that is adapted to receive the pin.

Abstract: Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein is directed to, among other things, systems and methods for making up pivotably pinned structural connections that may be used for erecting drilling rig masts. One illustrative system includes a drilling rig mast having at least one support leg, a drilling rig mast support having at least one mast support shoe, and a pinned connection between the at least one support leg and the at least one mast support shoe. Additionally, the pinned connection of the disclosed system includes a pin, an oversized hole having at least a first hole portion, and a removable plug that is adapted to be inserted into the oversized hole, wherein the removable plug has at least a first plug surface portion, and wherein the first hole portion and the first plug surface portion define at least part of a pin hole that is adapted to receive the pin.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rig assembly and for erecting a mast of a rig and such systems with roller apparatus to facilitate movement of a mast section from a mover. In a first embodiment, the method includes erecting a rig mast section on a substructure, the substructure including a first substructure box spaced-apart from a second substructure box, the first substructure box comprising a first upper box above a first lower box and the second substructure box comprising a second upper box above a second lower box.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining electrical and hydraulic connections between a junction box (or junction boxes) located on or near an offshore platform's floor and a movable drilling rig structure are disclosed. The disclosed invention is a unique vertically folding service arm capable of moving in both the horizontal and vertical directions in order to provide enhanced range of movement. The increased range of movement provided by the vertically folding service arm of the present invention allows electrical and hydraulic supply lines to remain connected between a junction box (or boxes) located on or near the platform floor and the rig structure even as the rig structure moves back-and-forth on the platform between multiple well centers. The vertically folding service arm of the present invention can also be easily disconnected and “folded” for transport without requiring the electrical and hydraulic supply lines to be disconnected from the drilling rig structure.

Abstract: The pipe racker assembly includes a mast, a dolly assembly vertically slidably secured to the mast for vertical movement, a handling arms assembly rotatably secured to the dolly assembly and having an upper handling arm extensible to accommodate pipes of varying length and as long as 45 feet and lower arms capable of gripping pipe either from a horizontal pipe rack or from a carousel pipe rack turntable when the handling arms are rotated 90.degree. on the dolly assembly. A stabilizer is secured to the ends of the handling arms in order to allow the handling arms assembly to be supported remote from the pipe racker assembly to reduce the structural strength requirements of the assembly.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for engaging beams is disclosed. A frame is positioned so that each end of the frame is adjacent to opposing surfaces of the beam. A shoe is located between one surface of the beam and the upper end of the frame, and a series of inclined plates are located between the shoe and the upper end of the frame. A hydraulic cylinder is operated to move the inclined plates, until the plates are perpendicular to the shoe, to cause the shoe and the lower end of the frame to engage the beam. Another hydraulic cylinder located between the frame and an object such as a drilling rig can be operated to move the object relative to the beam.

Abstract: A telescopic drilling derrick apparatus that is light for easy transportation and utilizes structure to enable the mast to be raised from a collapsed horizontal position to a vertical position while still in an unextended position and thereafter telescopically raising the mast to full vertical height.

Abstract: A crowd drive assembly for a power shovel is described. The power shovel includes a main frame, a boom connected at the lower end thereof to the main frame, a dipper handle pivotally connected to the boom and a dipper connected to the dipper handle. A rack and pinion crowd drive arrangement is provided wherein a yoke is mounted within an opening in the boom for receiving and guiding the dipper handle as it is extended and retracted by the crowd drive. A shipper shaft is journaled in the boom and extends through trunnions therein. The yoke is pivotally mounted, coaxially with the shipper shaft directly on the trunnions which are an integral part of the boom so that loads experienced by the yoke are transmitted directly to the boom and not to the shipper shaft. A removable bearing housing arrangement supports the yoke on the trunnions.