PIPE HANDLING APPARATUS

Abstract

A pipe handling apparatus includes a support base extending longitudinally and disposable proximate a pipe handling rig. A lifting base is movably attached to the support base. The apparatus has means for moving the lifting base longitudinally along the support base, an intermediate support frame coupled to the lifting base and a vertical lifting device coupled between the intermediate support frame and the lifting base. The vertical lifting device is configured such that through an entire lift motion thereof, the intermediate support frame remains in a same plane as the lifting base. A pipe handling channel is pivotally coupled at one end to the intermediate support frame. Means for elevating the other end of the pipe handling channel are coupled to the intermediate support frame and the pipe handling channel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to the field of apparatus for moving segmented pipe joints between storage containers and drilling or workover units. More specifically, the disclosure relates to such apparatus having particular operational features to increase efficiency and safety.

Drilling and workover hoisting systems (rigs), particularly those used on land, transport jointed pipe used in wellbore construction and workover operations in containers moved by truck to the place where the rig is disposed during operation. The segmented pipe containers hold the pipe segments generally horizontally. Devices known in the art for moving pipe segments to the rig typically accept one or more pipe segments into a channel or boom and raise the channel or boom to a selected angle from approximately ground level. Once the pipe segments are elevated to the selected angle, apparatus disposed on the rig may lift the elevated pipe segment to an approximately vertical orientation so that it can be used in the drilling or workover operation. The reverse procedure may be used to return the pipe segments to the container after they are no longer needed in the drilling or workover operation. Such apparatus for moving the pipe from the container to the rig and back are known in the art as “laydown machines.”

Because of the angle required to elevate the pipe segments to gain access to the rig, a number of safety issues are of concern to the rig operator, not least of which is the elevation angle itself. The required lifting angle may also slow down pipe movement operations in order to increase safety. There exists a need for a pipe laydown machine that is more efficient and increases safety over those laydown machines known in the art.

SUMMARY

A pipe handling apparatus according to one aspect includes a support base extending longitudinally and disposable proximate a pipe handling rig. A lifting base is movably attached to the support base. The apparatus has means for moving the lifting base longitudinally along the support base, an intermediate support frame coupled to the lifting base and a vertical lifting device coupled between the intermediate support frame and the lifting base. The vertical lifting device is configured such that through an entire lift motion thereof, the intermediate support frame remains in a same plane as the lifting base. A pipe handling channel is pivotally coupled at one end to the intermediate support frame. Means for elevating the other end of the pipe handling channel are coupled to the intermediate support frame and the pipe handling channel.

Other aspects and advantages will be apparent from the description and claims which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overview pipe handling apparatus disposed proximate a drilling rig.

FIG. 2 shows an example pipe handling apparatus in oblique view.

FIG. 3 shows the example pipe handling apparatus in end view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an example pipe handling apparatus 10 in position to lift a segment 104 of jointed pipe or tubing onto the floor 106 of a drilling or workover rig 100. The segment of pipe 104 may be lifted by a line (102 as shown), elevators from a top drive or other apparatus known in the art. Segments of pipe may be stored on a rack 103. The rig illustrated in FIG. 1 may be used on the land surface, however, the components of the pipe handling apparatus described herein may also be used on any form of marine drilling unit, whether bottom supported or floating. Accordingly, the type of drilling or workover rig is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The example pipe handling apparatus 10 may be observed in more detail in FIG. 2, with many of the components shown in the position they will be when a segment of pipe is moved to or from the rig (100 in FIG. 1) for clarity of the illustration. The pipe handling apparatus 10 components may be substantially entirely disposed on a transport track 12. The transport track 12 may be lifted on to a truck (not shown) for movement to and from the position proximate the rig as shown in FIG. 1. A lifting base track 14 may be engaged to the transport track 12 using rollers 14A or other friction reducing device to enable longitudinal movement of the lifting base track 14 along the transport track 12. Longitudinal movement of the lifting base track 14 relative to the transport track 12 may be performed, for example, using an hydraulic cylinder 14B, although other devices, for example and without limitation, such as screw and ballnut assemblies may be used.

The lifting base track 14 and other components are shown in FIG. 2 in the position they would be when moving a segment of pipe from the rig (as shown in FIG. 1) to a transport channel 26, or vice versa. Vertical lifts, such as scissors lifts, may be coupled to each lateral side the lifting base track 14. The scissors lifts may each include a first scissors arm 20A, coupled by a centrally located pivot 20C to a second scissors arm 20B. One end of the bottom of the first scissors arms 20A may be fixedly, pivotally coupled to the lifting track 14. The bottom of the second scissors arms 20B may be movably connected to the lifting base track 14, for example using rollers (not shown) or sliding bearings (not shown). An hydraulic cylinder 21 may be used to expand and contract the distance between the bottoms of the first 20A and second scissors 20B arms to cause the upper ends of the first and second scissors arms, 20A, 20B respectively to lift vertically out of the plane of the lifting base track 14. An intermediate support frame 22 may be coupled to the upper ends of the scissors arms 20A, 20B. One of the upper ends of the scissors arms, for example first scissors arms 20A may be pivotally coupled to an end of the intermediate support frame 22. The other upper end of the other scissors arms, e.g., second scissors arms 20B, may be movably coupled to the intermediate support frame 22. Other types of vertical lifts may be used in other examples, however, the principle of operation is that the intermediate support frame moves vertically, i.e., in the same plane, as the lifting base track 14 from its fully lifted position as shown to its fully lowered position on top of the lifting base track 14.

The intermediate support frame 22 may support a pipe handling channel 26. The pipe handling channel 26 may be coupled at one end by a pivot (30 in FIG. 3) to one end of the intermediate support frame 22. An hydraulic cylinder 24 may connect the pipe handling channel 26 to the intermediate support frame 22 to enable elevating one end of the pipe handling channel 26. When elevated as shown in FIG. 2, one or more segments of pipe (FIG. 1) may be removed from the pipe handling channel 26 by suitable equipment on the rig (see FIG. 1) or returned thereto. After transfer of the segment(s) of pipe (see FIG. 1), the hydraulic cylinder may be lowered so that the channel 26 is horizontal, as is the intermediate support frame 22. The lifting base track 14 may be moved away from the rig, e.g., using the hydraulic cylinder 14B so that the end of the channel 26 clears the rig (FIG. 1). The intermediate support frame 22 may then be lowered by operating the hydraulic cylinder 21 connected to the scissors arms 20A, 20B (or other vertical lifting device). During the lifting or lowering of the intermediate support frame 22, the channel 26 is maintained in a horizontal orientation for safety. It should also be noted that by maintaining the intermediate support frame in the described orientation, motion of the channel is limited so that the pipe segment(s) therein cannot fall out of the open end of the channel 26, thus limiting risk of dropping the pipe segment(s) therein.

When one or more segments of pipe are returned to the pipe handling channel 26, and referring to FIG. 3, one or more friction elements 32 disposed proximate the back end of the channel may help slow the rate of movement of the pipe segment(s) for safety purposes. The back end of the pipe handling channel 26 may include a stop (28A in FIG. 2) to prevent further movement of the pipe segment(s) out of the back of the pipe handling channel 26. When the intermediate support frame 22 is fully lowered, the pipe handling channel 26 may be rotated to enable removing the pipe segment(s) to pipe handling device. Locking pins 31A, 31B may be selectively removed to enable rotation of the pipe handling channel 26 so that the pipe segment(s) may be rolled onto the pipe handling device

The pipe handling device may include L-shaped arms 16 operated by respective hydraulic cylinders 18. The handling device may be used for both removing segment(s) of pipe from the container (103 in FIG. 1) to be moved to the rig (FIG. 1) and to return such segment(s) the container (103 in FIG. 1).

Power to operate the various hydraulic cylinders, e.g., 24, 21, 14B may be provided by a remotely located pump and reservoir, and coupled to control valves 27 used to operate the pipe handling apparatus. Similar configuration may be used in the case of an electrically powered apparatus, e.g., using motors, jack screws and ball nuts.

A pipe handling apparatus according to the present disclosure may provide increased safety and efficiency when transferring segments of pipe between a storage container (pipe rack) and a drilling or workover rig.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A pipe handling apparatus, comprising:

a support base extending longitudinally and disposable proximate a pipe handling rig;

a lifting base movably attached to the support base;

means for moving the lifting base longitudinally along the support base

an intermediate support frame coupled to the lifting base;

a vertical lifting device coupled between the intermediate support frame and the lifting base such that through an entire lift motion thereof, the intermediate support frame remains in a same plane as the lifting base;

a pipe handling channel pivotally coupled at one end to the intermediate support frame, the pipe handling channel rotatable disposed within the intermediate support frame to enable rotation of the pipe handling channel with reference to its longitudinal axis with respect to the intermediate support frame;

a lock selectively disengageable when the vertical lifting device is fully retracted such that longitudinal rotation of the pipe channel is enabled only when the vertical lifting device is fully retracted; and

means for elevating the other end of the pipe handling channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for moving the lifting base comprises an hydraulic cylinder.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vertical lifting device comprises a pair of scissor arms on each side of the lifting track and intermediate support frame, and an hydraulic cylinder to move the scissors arms along the lifting track.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for elevating comprises an hydraulic cylinder.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising pipe handing device to move segments of pipe between the pipe handling channel and a storage rack.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the pipe handling device comprises a plurality of L-shaped arms each coupled to a respective hydraulic cylinder, each cylinder coupled at one end to the lifting base.