SKIDDING SYSTEM FOR A CATWALK
A skidding system is provided for laterally moving a catwalk. The system can include a plurality of legs placed about the perimeter of the catwalk. Each leg can extend and contract in length. The lower end of each leg can include a trolley member slidably coupled to a foot assembly. The catwalk can be moved laterally by extending the legs to raise the catwalk off of the ground, moving the trolley members within the foot assemblies and then contracting the legs to lower the catwalk to its new position.
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The present invention is related to the field of skidding systems for catwalks, more particularly, skidding systems that move catwalks laterally with respect to drilling rig platforms.
BACKGROUNDPipe launchers are used for presenting and receiving sections of pipe to and from drilling rig platforms. They are often referred to as “catwalks” as they include platforms that run along their length for service personnel to walk upon. As catwalks can weigh several tonnes, their initial placement may not be exact or ideal for presenting and receiving sections of pipe to and from the drilling rig platform.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a skidding system for catwalks that permits movement of the catwalk to better position the catwalk with respect to a drilling rig platform.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA skidding system is provided for catwalks that permits side-to-side, fore and aft, diagonal or rotational movement of the catwalk to better position the catwalk relative to the drilling rig platform.
In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of substantially vertical legs that are operatively attached to a catwalk about its perimeter. A vertical leg can be placed at or near each corner of a catwalk. For larger catwalks, additional vertical legs can be placed at one or more midpoints along the length of the catwalk. Each vertical leg can extend in length to raise the catwalk off of the ground, and can further contract in length to lower the catwalk to the ground.
In another embodiment, each vertical leg can include a trolley member operatively coupled to a lower end of the vertical leg. In a further embodiment, a foot assembly is slidably coupled to each trolley member whereby the trolley member can move substantially horizontal relative to the foot assembly. In operation, foot assemblies can be oriented in the same direction, typically but not necessarily, perpendicular to the length of the catwalk.
When the foot assemblies are perpendicular to the catwalk, the catwalk can be moved laterally or side-to-side. When the foot assemblies are parallel to the catwalk, the catwalk can be moved fore and aft. When the foot assemblies are placed at substantially the same angle relative to the catwalk, the catwalk can be moved diagonally. When each foot assembly is positioned substantially parallel or tangent to the perimeter of an imaginary circle centred on the approximate centre of the catwalk, the catwalk can be rotated or moved in a circular fashion about its centre.
To move the catwalk, the vertical legs are extended in length to contact the ground and raise the catwalk a sufficient distance off of the ground. In one embodiment, the vertical legs can be extended through the use of hydraulic cylinders. Once lifted off of the ground, the catwalks can be moved by moving each trolley member horizontally in its respective foot assembly. In another embodiment, hydraulic cylinders can be used to move the trolley members within the foot assemblies. Once the catwalk has moved, the vertical legs can be contracted in length to lower the catwalk back to the ground.
A catwalk can be provided with the skidding system described herein. In other embodiments, the skidding system described herein can be provided separately for use for catwalks. The skidding systems described herein can also be provided as a kit to retrofit existing catwalks.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
It should be obvious to a person skilled in the art that other embodiments of the leg members can include fixed member 18 being nested within movable leg member 20. It should also be obvious that the cross-sectional shape of the leg members can be triangular, rectangular, circular, elliptical, polygonal, kidney-shaped or combinations thereof or any other suitable cross-sectional shape that allows movable leg member 20 to move relative to fixed leg member 18 and maintain structural stability. Referring to the illustrated embodiment shown in
Referring to the illustrated embodiment shown in
The other end of cylinder 22 is attached to bracket 56 with pin 54. Bracket 56 is attached to movable leg member 20. Thus, as cylinder 22 is activated to extend in length, movable leg member 20 is moved downward relative to fixed leg member 18. When cylinder 22 is activated to contract in length, movable leg member 20 is retracted into fixed leg member 18. While cylinder 22 has been shown mounted on the exterior of the leg members, it should be obvious to a person skilled in the art that other embodiments can include cylinder 22 being disposed within the leg members. It yet further embodiments, movable leg member 20 and cylinder 22 can be one and the same element where the stationary portion of cylinder 22 is disposed within fixed leg member 18 and the cylinder or ram portion of cylinder 22 can be movable leg member 20.
It should also be obvious to a person skilled in the art that cylinder 22 being a hydraulic ram cylinder is a choice made as a matter of convenience and not of necessity. Pneumatically operated ram cylinders or air springs can substitute for cylinder 22 to provide means to extend the length of leg 19 to lift a catwalk. In yet other embodiments, cylinder 22 can be substituted with screw jack-type devices that can extend and contract in length to provide the same functionality of cylinder 22.
Referring to
In operation, trolley member 26 can move along trolley tracks 44 as cylinder 32 is extended or contracted in length. One end of cylinder 32 can be attached to anchor block 43 with pin 45. The other end of cylinder 32 can be attached to trolley member 26 (not shown). Similar to cylinder 22, cylinder 32 can be a hydraulic cylinder with hydraulic fluid supply and return hoses (not shown) attached to connector fittings 33a and 33b and controlled by hydraulic control systems as well known to those skilled in the art. In other embodiments, cylinder 32 can be substituted with a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring or a screw jack-device of device or any other suitable type of device as known to those skilled in the art. Handle 58 disposed on end plate 29 provides means for service personnel to manually position foot assembly 24 with respect to the catwalk when lifted off of the ground.
Referring to
Referring to
The use of ball 50 and coupler 48 can allow the lower end of movable leg member 20 to be operatively coupled to foot assembly 24 and still allow foot assembly 24 to rotate in more than one direction relative to movable leg member 20. In so doing, foot assembly 24 can rotate as required when it is in contact with the ground if the ground is not smooth or level. Coupler 48 can also allow each foot assembly 24 to be moved to any position relative to a catwalk.
As an example, all foot assemblies 24 can be placed perpendicular to the catwalk so that the catwalk can be moved laterally or side-to-side. As another example, all foot assemblies 24 can be placed parallel to the catwalk so that the catwalk can be moved fore and aft. In a further example, all foot assemblies 24 can be placed at substantially the same angle relative to the catwalk so that the catwalk can be moved diagonally. In yet a further example, each foot assembly 24 can be placed substantially parallel or tangent to the perimeter of an imaginary circle centred on the approximate centre of the catwalk so that the catwalk can be rotated or moved in a circular fashion about its centre.
It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the choice of a ball and socket to operatively couple movable leg member 20 to foot assembly 24 is one of convenience and not necessity. Other embodiments can include the use of universal joints, constant velocity joints or any other suitable coupling joints as well known to persons skilled in the art.
Referring to
Although a few illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The terms and expressions used in the preceding specification have been used herein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow.
Claims
1. A skidding system for a catwalk having a plurality of support leg assemblies extending therefrom, the system comprising:
- a) a substantially vertical leg configured for operative attachment to each of the support leg assemblies, the vertical leg capable of extending and contracting in length;
- b) means for extending and contracting the vertical leg;
- c) a trolley member operatively coupled to a lower end of the vertical leg;
- d) a foot assembly slidably coupled to the trolley member whereby the trolley member is capable of moving substantially horizontal relative to the foot assembly; and
- e) means for moving the trolley member relative to the foot assembly.
2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vertical leg further comprises a fixed leg member and a movable leg member slidably coupled thereto whereby the movable leg member is capable of telescoping in and out relative to the fixed leg member.
3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for extend and contracting the vertical leg comprises at least one of the group consisting of a hydraulic ram cylinder, a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring and a screw jack.
4. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the trolley member further comprises a plurality of trolley rollers.
5. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the foot assembly further comprises tracks for the trolley rollers.
6. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the trolley member further comprises at least one of the group consisting of a hydraulic ram cylinder, a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring and a screw jack.
7. A kit for a catwalk, comprising:
- a) a plurality of support leg assemblies for attaching to the catwalk;
- b) a plurality of substantially vertical legs configured for operative attachment to the support leg assemblies, the vertical legs capable of extending and contracting in length;
- c) means for extending and contracting each vertical leg;
- d) a trolley member operatively coupled to a lower end of each vertical leg;
- e) a foot assembly slidably coupled to each trolley member whereby each trolley member is capable of moving substantially horizontal relative to the foot assembly; and
- f) means for moving the trolley member relative to the foot assembly.
8. The kit as set forth in claim 7 wherein the vertical leg further comprises a fixed leg member and a movable leg member slidably coupled thereto whereby the movable leg member is capable of telescoping in and out relative to the fixed leg member.
9. The kit as set forth in claim 7 wherein the means for extend and contracting the vertical leg comprises at least one of the group consisting of a hydraulic ram cylinder, a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring and a screw jack.
10. The kit as set forth in claim 7 wherein the trolley member further comprises a plurality of trolley rollers.
11. The kit as set forth in claim 10 wherein the foot assembly further comprises tracks for the trolley rollers.
12. The kit as set forth in claim 7 wherein the means for moving the trolley member further comprises at least one of the group consisting of a hydraulic ram cylinder, a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring and a screw jack.
13. A catwalk having a plurality of support leg assemblies extending therefrom, the improvement comprising:
- a) a substantially vertical leg operatively attached to each support leg assembly, the vertical legs capable of extending and contracting in length;
- b) means for extending and contracting each vertical leg;
- c) a trolley member operatively coupled to a lower end of each vertical leg;
- d) a foot assembly slidably coupled to each trolley member whereby each trolley member is capable of moving substantially horizontal relative to the foot assembly; and
- e) means for moving each trolley member relative to the foot assembly.
14. The catwalk as set forth in claim 13 wherein the vertical leg further comprises a fixed leg member and a movable leg member slidably coupled thereto whereby the movable leg member is capable of telescoping in and out relative to the fixed leg member.
15. The catwalk as set forth in claim 13 wherein the means for extend and contracting the vertical leg comprises at least one of the group consisting of a hydraulic ram cylinder, a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring and a screw jack.
16. The catwalk as set forth in claim 13 wherein the trolley member further comprises a plurality of trolley rollers.
17. The catwalk as set forth in claim 16 wherein the foot assembly further comprises tracks for the trolley rollers.
18. The catwalk as set forth in claim 13 wherein the means for moving the trolley member further comprises at least one of the group consisting of a hydraulic ram cylinder, a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring and a screw jack.
19. A method for moving a catwalk having a plurality of substantially vertical legs operatively attached thereon, the vertical legs capable of extending and contracting in length, each vertical leg having a trolley member operatively coupled to a lower end thereof, each trolley member slidably coupled to a foot assembly whereby each trolley member is capable of moving substantially horizontal relative to the foot assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) extending the length of each vertical leg whereby the foot assemblies are contacting the ground and the catwalk is raised off of the ground;
- b) moving each trolley member relative to the foot assemblies whereby the catwalk moves from its former position; and
- c) contracting the length of the vertical legs whereby the catwalk is lowered onto the ground.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 25, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 30, 2008
Applicant: Forum Canada ULC (Red Deer County)
Inventors: Vince Elio Morelli (Red Deer), Darren James Shiels (Red Deer County)
Application Number: 11/739,796
International Classification: E04H 12/18 (20060101);