Abstract: A rig transport system provides an air bearing subsystem supporting a drilling and workover rig. The transport system moves the entire rig without having to disassemble the rig, including leaving the derrick in a vertical standing position, along one of a pair of parallel tracks. The air bearing subsystem distributes the rig load over a large footprint to reduce ground bearing pressure. The air bearings lift the load so that the entire rig rides on a film of air, thereby reducing moving friction by up to about 96%.

Abstract: A rig transport system provides an air bearing subsystem supporting a drilling and workover rig. The transport system moves the entire rig without having to disassemble the rig, including leaving the derrick in a vertical standing position, along one of a pair of parallel tracks. The air bearing subsystem distributes the rig load over a large footprint to reduce ground bearing pressure. The air bearings lift the load so that the entire rig rides on a film of air, thereby reducing moving friction by up to about 96%.

Abstract: An automatically available curtain of water to the outside of a residence is provided by a residential fire-protection system. A supply line is provided from a swimming pool or other stored quantity of water to a pump. The pump provides water under pressure to a spray line, which may preferably be located on the ridges of the residence or may preferably be positioned at the level of the foundation of the residence. The spray line creates a wall or curtain of water between the structure and an approaching fire to prevent the residence from catching on fire. A plurality of heat sensors detect the approach of an exterior fire, and automatically initiate the fire protection system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for drilling rig mobilization and demobilization. The rig is assembled or constructed at a remote site. It is later taken apart and transported to another remote site or back to a staging point. The rig itself comprises a rig floor which is supported on a set of vertical rig legs which support the rig floor for movement between raised and lowered positions. An equipment module is preferably installed on the rig floor. It goes above the rig floor while other modules are attached under the rig floor and provide additional equipment and service space. The method involves the transportation of the rig floor, the legs, equipment module and other modules to and from the rig site by hover craft while riding on a top deck on the hover craft for lateral transfer and installation.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a derrick on an oil drilling rig includes a cable having a first end for connection to one side of the derrick at a predetermined location spaced below the crown. A series of pulleys is secured to the oil derrick to define a predetermined path for the cable extending from the fixed first end across the derrick at the predetermined location and then down the derrick to a location adjacent the lower end. The portion of the cable extending across the derrick is positioned in the path of a traveling block as it is pulled up the derrick. An alarm device is linked to the cable to produce an output alarm signal if the cable is pulled up by the traveling block as it approaches the top of the derrick, giving the operator a warning that the traveling block should be stopped to avoid impact with the crown.