UNIVERSAL PIPE DISPATCH FOR DRILL PIPE JOINTS

Abstract

A universal pipe dispatch, comprising a self-contained pipe joint dispatch module. The dispatch module includes, all in a unitary mobile structure, (1) a pipe joint queuing mechanism, (2) a pipe joint magazine, (3) a plurality of extendable pipe joint delivery arms and (4) a tilting mechanism. The queuing mechanism unloads and loads up pipe joints via gravity-feed, one-by-one, out of and back into the magazine. The delivery arms selectively pick and release pipe joints as dispensed by, or loaded back up into, the queuing mechanism. Each delivery arm can extend a selected length away from the queuing mechanism so as to deliver and retrieve pipe joints anywhere within reach of the delivery arms. The tilting mechanism is affixed to the underside of the dispatch module and can elevate one end of the dispatch module to a selected height so that the dispatch module rests at a predetermined horizontal angle.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, commonly-assigned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/866,455, filed Aug. 15, 2013. The disclosure of this provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure of this application is related generally to pipe dispatches that dispense drill pipe joints during drilling operations, and more specifically to a pipe dispatch that is substantially universally compatible with a wide range of manufacturers and models of mobile horizontal directional drilling rigs.

BACKGROUND

Mobile horizontal directional drilling (“HDD”) rigs conventionally include a horizontal directional drilling machine pivotally mounted on a tracked vehicle or tractor. Such mobile rigs generally provide a directional drill bit which is “steerable”, and which is mounted on the end of a flexible drill stem. Such a drill is often used for drilling holes, for instance, for installing flexible fiber-optic cable underground, for laying electric cable underground, or similar applications. The fact that the drill is steerable permits a user of the drill to drill under roadways, driveways, sidewalks, and similar, without disrupting the surface. With the conventional drilling machine described above, drilling operations usually are initiated at an angle of approximately 15 degrees to the horizontal. Once the drill bit is underground, it can be steered to drill a passageway of desired azimuth and then withdrawn when the work is completed.

Consistent with conventional drilling operations for many years, part of HDD operations includes adding lengths of drill pipe (or “pipe joints”, as such lengths of drill pipe may be alternatively referred to in this disclosure) end to end to form a drill string as drilling continues into the earth. Adding drill pipe as the drilling advances (or removing it as the drill bit is retrieved) is also colloquially known as “make up” (or “break out” in reverse), or just “tripping”. Not only on HDD rigs, but also on conventional slant rigs (for oil and gas drilling) and vertical rigs (for oil & gas drilling and water well and geo thermal drilling and other exploration drilling rigs), there are formidable logistics involved in transport, handling and storage of the drill pipe on location. One joint of Range 2 drill pipe (a common drill pipe) is typically about 31 feet in length, may be between about 2⅜ inches to about 6½ inches in diameter, and may weigh anywhere between 200 lbs to 800 lbs. There are considerable handling and personnel safety issues when handling large numbers of pipe joints.

A flat bed trailer usually brings drill pipe out to the drilling location. The trailer is positioned next to the drill rig and mechanized lifting equipment assists the manhandling of the drill pipe off the trailer and then over to the rig. Personnel on the rig then manhandle the individual joints of pipe into place for make up or break out.

In some instances a modern HDD rig will also provide two arms coming out from the rig. Using these additional lifting arms, rig personnel may then concatenate 3 to 5 joints of drill pipe (called “staging”) prior to tripping the overall staged length into the well bore.

On slant rigs (deployments of an HDD rig where the entry point into the earth is about 15 degrees or less from the horizontal), a similar method is conventionally used bringing the drill pipe up to the location with a trailer. In this case, pipe racks have previously been positioned. Pipe racks are essentially trestles of structural steel with controlled slopes and stops, over which pipe joints may be rolled longitudinally over short distances by hand. The pipe joints are lifted off the trailer and manhandled onto the racks. Having a lot of pipe racks and loose, individual joints of drill pipe stacked on them takes up a lot of room on the drilling location.

A common conventional solution towards safer and more economical handling of drill pipe on location is to store and handle pipe joints in magazines or cartridges. A drill pipe magazine may typically store 24-30 joints of pipe in, for example, a 4×6 or a 5×6 configuration. There is no standard design for a magazine, and many variations are available. Typically, the magazine also provides horizontal and/or vertical dividers between individual layers or columns of pipe joints stored within the magazine. The presence of the dividers allows the magazine to be unloaded or loaded up in organized fashion, column by column or layer upon layer.

Drill pipe in magazines can be much more easily, safely and conveniently handled on location by handling the magazines instead of the individual drill pipe joints. Site storage is also facilitated. Multiple magazines sharing the same, substantially rectangular cross-section may be more easily stored in modular fashion, rather than trying to store and handle individual pipe joints on racks, for example.

Magazines of drill pipe may be easily carried, lifted and set next to an HDD rig on location. A pipe dispatch is then optimally required to facilitate the unload (and, advantageously, the subsequent load up) of individual joints of pipe from the magazine, one by one, as they are tripped in or out of the well bore (with or without staging).

The prior art discloses various types of pipe dispatches. U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,280 to Rozendaal, U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,928 to Teller et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,018,164 to Anthis et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,724 to Allred et al. all disclose pipe dispatches including magazines that provide vertical dividers in the magazine to separate the individual pipe joints into individual columns thereof. Each column gravity-feeds concurrently onto a corresponding compartment in a divided tray on the bottom. The tray is displaced laterally, causing the entire bottom layer of pipe joints to move laterally towards the HDD rig. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,607,280 and 6,374,928, a hydraulically-actuated pick-and-place arm then picks up and relocates individual pipe joints as they are presented, one by one, by lateral movement of the tray. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,018,164 and 7,552,724, extendable gripping arms then dispense pipe joints in the tray, one by one, by extending outwards to push pipe joints, one by one, away from the tray and into position for tripping. The extendable arms are mechanically actuated in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,018,164 disclosure and hydraulically actuated in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,724 disclosure. It should be appreciated that the pipe dispatches disclosed in these four patents are integral with, and customized to, a particular HDD rig. It is not immediately clear in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,607,280, 6,374,928 or 7,562,724 disclosures whether the magazine is interchangeable, or whether it is fixed and requires manual loading and unloading.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,703 to Draney et al. discloses a pipe dispatch including a cartridge that dispenses pipe joints to the side via what appears to be a gravity feed. The pipe dispatch is integral with, and customized to the particular HDD rig. The magazine is adapted for manually loading pipe joints by hand if desired. Manhandling joints of range 2 drill pipe, which may weigh anywhere from 200 lbs to 800 lbs each, would therefore appear to be beyond the scope of this patent's disclosure.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,153 to Allen and U.S. Pat. No. 7,149,600 to Rippolone et al. both disclose dispatches of cylindrical members from hoppers rather than magazines. In each case, the hoppers are configured to gravity feed towards a bottom longitudinal corner. A notched or splined wheel at that corner catches the nearest cylindrical member in its notch, and rotates to dispense the member through a slot in the bottom corner of the hopper. Without organized stacking and placement in an internally-divided magazine, the potential in these two patents' disclosures for the cylindrical members to get stuck or jammed in the hopper (or around the splined or notched wheels) seems manifest. The pipe dispatch of U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,153 is also highly customized to the HDD rig with which it is integral.

It will be noted from the foregoing review of the prior art that conventional drill pipe dispatches are customized to the HDD rig to which they are attached. Further, the attachment to the HDD rig is conventionally integral with the rig itself. Generally speaking, current drill pipe dispatches are only suitable for HDD rigs of the same manufacturer, and sometimes only suitable for HDD rigs of the same manufacturer and model. All of the foregoing examples of the prior art overlook the advantages of a drill pipe dispatch that is compatible with multiple manufacturers and models of HDD rigs. Advantageously, such an improved pipe dispatch would be substantially universally compatible with HDD rigs both in the U.S. and overseas. Therefore, there exists a need for such a universally compatible pipe dispatch.

SUMMARY AND TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES

The disclosure of this application addresses one or more of the above-described drawbacks of the prior art. Such disclosure includes a pipe dispatch that comprises a discrete mobile unit. In preferred embodiments, the mobile unit includes an independent chassis-based mobile unit such as a flat bed trailer, which, when placed in position next to an operational HDD rig, can elevate itself at one end to become parallel with the slope at which the HDD is drilling. In this way, the trailer can be set at a desired horizontal angle within a wide range of slopes, so as to suit a wide range of drilling situations. Preferred embodiments provide hydraulically actuated pistons on the chassis of the trailer near the rear axle. Upon actuation, the pistons extend to elevate the trailer at one end until the desired slope is achieved. The hydraulic system for the pistons is preferably self-contained on the trailer itself, thus obviating a need for reliance on (and tie-in with) another hydraulic system on, for example, the HDD rig. In preferred embodiments, the trailer is also suitable (with elevation pistons fully retracted) to be pulled by a standard 10-wheel tractor over public roads. In this way, the mobile pipe dispatch may be easily transported from job to job, and, once at the job, may be easily positioned next to an HDD rig. Likewise, when the job is over and the pipe dispatch is packed up, the tractor can easily hook up and pull the trailer away.

Again in preferred embodiments, a replaceable drill pipe magazine is provided on top the flat bed of the trailer. Being replaceable, magazines may be swapped out on the trailer at any time. For example, an empty drill pipe magazine may be removed and replaced with a full one during make up of a drill string. Conversely, for example, a full magazine may be removed and replaced with an empty one during break out. Purely by way of example, a magazine may hold, in end-to-end total, about 2,000 feet of drill pipe, which corresponds to about 64 pipe joints of range 2 drill pipe. It will be appreciated that the disclosed pipe dispatch may provide a magazine on the trailer holding varying numbers of drill pipe joints in a wide variety of lengths and diameters.

Again in preferred embodiments, the drill pipe magazine dispenses drill pipe joints one at a time via extendable arms. One arm is advantageously provided at each end of the magazine. The arms extend laterally from the trailer to dispense individual pipe joints from the magazine. The drill pipe joints in the magazine may be organized and divided in any manner suitable to deliver pipe joints one at a time to the extendable arms in a retracted position. Ideally, delivery to the extendable arms is with low probability that the pipe joints will get stuck or jammed in the magazine. The distal end of each arm provides grips for a pipe joint. As a pipe joint is delivered from the magazine, the arms are in a retracted position and the grips take hold of the pipe joint at each end. The arms then extend laterally from the magazine and dispense the pipe joint to the HDD rig. The arms are preferably actuated hydraulically. Again, the hydraulic system for the arms is preferably self-contained on the trailer, rather than tied into and dependent on some other hydraulic system.

The magazine may be loaded up from the HDD rig by substantially reversing the procedure described in the previous paragraph. In preferred embodiments, with the arms in an extended position, the grips take pipe joint off the HDD rig, holding the pipe joint at either end. The arms then retract and pull the pipe joint into the magazine. Load up of multiple pipe joints within the magazine may be by any convenient arrangement, such as by displacement between suitable dividers outwards and/or upwards of existing pipe joints already in the magazine.

Embodiments of the pipe dispatch disclosed herein may further provide the magazine, extendable arms and associated structure inside a modified standard ISO storage container deployed on top of the trailer. The container may be modified to provide access (doors and windows), a removable roof and/or walls, hydraulic and power connections and any other feature to suit the dispensing of pipe joints from the magazine situated inside the container. The container also provides a slot in one long wall to enable the extendable arms to extend and retract fully through the container wall while carrying a drill pipe joint.

The container provides excellent shelter and cover for the magazine, the pipe joints loaded in the magazine, the extendable arms and all the other internals during periods of inclement weather. The container also standardizes the overall footprint of the mobile pipe dispatch, regardless of the size of magazine (and associated drill pipe joints) for which a container may be internally configured. Such standardized footprint facilitates storage, handling and transport. It will be appreciated that different pipe dispatches (configured for different size or length drill pipe, for example) may become easily interchangeable on trailers when each pipe dispatch is housed within a modified ISO container.

This disclosure describes, therefore, in a first embodiment, a universal pipe dispatch, comprising a self-contained pipe joint dispatch module, the dispatch module including, all in a unitary mobile structure, (1) a pipe joint queuing mechanism, (2) a pipe joint magazine, (3) a plurality of extendable pipe joint delivery arms and (4) a tilting mechanism. The queuing mechanism is disposed to unload and load up pipe joints, one-by-one, out of and back into the magazine, the magazine divided internally so as to organize pipe joints contained therein such that individual pipe joints gravity-feed sequentially out of and back into the magazine. Each delivery arm provides a pipe joint gripping mechanism at a first end thereof, the gripping mechanisms configured to be remotely actuated to synchronously and selectively pick and release pipe joints, the queuing mechanism configured to deliver pipe joints one-by-one to the gripping mechanisms during unload mode, and to receive pipe joints one-by-one from the gripping mechanisms during load up mode. Each delivery arm is further disposed to extend a selected length away from the queuing mechanism within a range thereof so as to (1) deliver pipe joints to a predetermined drop line within reach of the delivery arms, and (2) retrieve pipe joints from a predetermined pick line also within reach of the delivery arms. The tilting mechanism is affixed to the underside of the dispatch module, the tilting mechanism including at least one extendable tilting member, each tilting member disposed to elevate one end of the dispatch module to a selected height so that the module rests at a predetermined horizontal angle.

In a second embodiment, a universal pipe dispatch is disclosed, comprising a self-contained pipe joint dispatch module, the dispatch module including, all in a unitary mobile structure, (1) a pipe joint queuing mechanism, (2) a pipe joint magazine, (3) a plurality of extendable pipe joint delivery arms and (4) a tilting mechanism. The queuing mechanism is disposed to unload and load up pipe joints, one-by-one, out of and back into the magazine, the magazine divided internally so as to organize pipe joints contained therein into vertical columns. The queuing mechanism further comprises a pendulum mechanism and an elevator mechanism, the pendulum mechanism including a pendulum block disposed to swing in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of pipe joints when loaded in the magazine, the pendulum block providing a pendulum receptacle formed therein, the elevator mechanism including an elevator block disposed to elevate from under the vertical columns in a direction parallel to the swing plane of the pendulum block. Each delivery arm provides a pipe joint gripping mechanism at a first end thereof, the gripping mechanisms configured to be remotely actuated to synchronously and selectively pick and release pipe joints, the queuing mechanism configured to deliver pipe joints one-by-one to the gripping mechanisms during unload mode, and to receive pipe joints one-by-one from the gripping mechanisms during load up mode. Each delivery arm is further disposed to extend a selected length away from the queuing mechanism within a range thereof so as to (1) deliver pipe joints to a predetermined drop line within reach of the delivery arms, and (2) retrieve pipe joints from a predetermined pick line also within reach of the delivery arms. The tilting mechanism is affixed to the underside of the dispatch module, the tilting mechanism including at least one extendable tilting member, each tilting member disposed to elevate one end of the dispatch module to a selected height so that the module rests at a predetermined horizontal angle. The pendulum mechanism, when actuated in unload mode, is disposed to cause pipe joints in a first selected vertical column to gravity-feed sequentially into the pendulum receptacle while the pendulum block holds pipe joints in other vertical columns in place, the pendulum mechanism further disposed, when the first selected column is empty, to swing such that pipe joints in a vertical column neighboring the first selected vertical column gravity feed sequentially into the pendulum receptacle while the pendulum block holds pipe joints in other vertical columns in place. Each delivery arm, when actuated in unload mode, is disposed to cause its gripping mechanism to pick and hold pipe joints out of the pendulum receptacle one-by-one. Each delivery arm then, when actuated in unload mode, is disposed to (1) rotate synchronously about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the held pipe joint, (2) extend, and (3) release the held pipe joint over the predetermined drop line. Each delivery arm, when actuated in load up mode, is disposed to cause its gripping mechanism to pick and hold pipe joints from the predetermined pick line. Each delivery arm then, when actuated in load up mode, is disposed to (1) retract, (2) rotate synchronously about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the held pipe joint, and (3) release the held pipe joint into the pendulum receptacle. The pendulum mechanism, when actuated in load up mode, is disposed to swing so as to deliver a received pipe joint in the pendulum receptacle under a second selected vertical column while the pendulum block holds pipe joints in other columns in place. The elevator mechanism, when actuated in load up mode, is then disposed to elevate the elevator block to push the received pipe joint up out of the pendulum receptacle and into the second selected vertical column, the elevator block further disposed to hold received pipe joint in the second selected vertical column while the pendulum mechanism swings to receive further pipe joints. The pendulum mechanism is further disposed, during load up mode and when the second selected column is full, to swing such that the elevator block pushes pipe joints sequentially up into a vertical column neighboring the second selected vertical column while the pendulum block holds pipe joints in other vertical columns in place.

In other embodiments, the dispatch module sits atop a wheel-borne trailer, and the tilting mechanism is affixed to the underside of the trailer. In other embodiments, selected ones of the queuing mechanism, the delivery arms, the tilting mechanism and the gripping mechanisms are actuated hydraulically.

In yet other embodiments, magazine is removable from the dispatch module. In such embodiments the magazine may also be one of a set of interchangeable magazines, each interchangeable magazine within the set holding pipe joints of a first selected length and a second selected diameter to a third selected capacity, wherein the selected lengths, diameters and capacities are within predetermined ranges thereof.

In yet other embodiments, selected ones of the pendulum block, the pendulum receptacle and the elevator block have non-slip surfaces at points of contact with pipe joints. Further, in some embodiments, the pendulum block may provide at least one roller bearing to assist entry and exit of pipe joints into and out of the pendulum receptacle.

It is therefore a technical advantage of the disclosed pipe dispatch to be substantially universal among many manufacturers and models of HDD rigs. As noted above, the disclosed pipe dispatch is not integral with, or customized to, any HDD rig. Instead, the disclosed pipe dispatch is provided on its own independent trailer. The trailer may be brought up (and often, simply driven up) next to the HDD rig and elevated at one end until it sits at a desired slope to match the HDD rig. Thus the disclosed pipe dispatch is compatible with many HDD rigs of different manufacturers and models. Drill pipe joints are dispensed from a magazine with extendable arms. The arms may be extended out to any desired length (within their extendable range) to suit delivery of the drill pipe to the particular HDD rig. This flexibility is important to enable the pipe dispatch to be compatible with many manufacturers and models of HDD rigs. For example, 102″-110″ is a general standard (although not completely universal) for drill pipe staging width on HDD rigs in the U.S. In contrast, 98½″ is a more commonly-encountered drill pipe staging width on HDD rigs overseas from the U.S. The disclosed pipe dispatch provides the flexibility to dispense drill pipe to all such HDD rigs of varying drill pipe staging width.

In some preferred embodiments, microprocessors and sensors are also provided so that the pipe dispatch can automatically sense the correct extension of its arms to suit a particular HDD rig.

A further technical advantage of the disclosed pipe dispatch is to make drilling operations overall safer and more efficient.

A further technical advantage of the disclosed pipe dispatch is that it facilitates the storage, handling and transport of drill pipe.

A further technical advantage of the disclosed pipe dispatch is that when deployed in a modified ISO container, the joints of drill pipe stay out of the elements, which thus helps prolong the life of the drill pipe.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the disclosure of this application, in order that the detailed description of the embodiments that follows may be better understood. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same general purposes of the material set forth in this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of embodiments described in detail below, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are general arrangement illustrations of a first embodiment of a disclosed universal pipe dispatch, illustrate with reference to pipe dispatch 100;

FIG. 2 illustrates trailer assembly 200 on FIGS. 1A and 1B in more detail;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate magazine 300 on FIGS. 1A and 1B in more detail;

FIG. 4 illustrates container 400 on FIGS. 1A and 1B in more detail;

FIG. 5 illustrates the first embodiment of pipe dispatch 100 in an exemplary deployment with HDD rig 500.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are general arrangement illustrations of a disclosed universal pipe dispatch, illustrated with reference to dispatch module 600;

FIG. 7 is a section view as shown on FIG. 6B;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view as shown on FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a section view as shown on FIG. 6B;

FIGS. 9A through 9D are “freeze-frame” illustrations depicting unload of magazine 610 on FIGS. 6A and 6B;

FIGS. 9E through 9J are “freeze-frame” illustrations depicting load up of magazine 610 on FIGS. 6A and 6B;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are general illustrations of delivery arm mechanism 650 on FIGS. 6A and 6B; and

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 12A through 12D depict components of, and the operation of, delivery arm mechanism 650 from FIGS. 10A and 10B in more detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout this disclosure, components and features of the disclosed pipe dispatch may be discussed with reference to more than one illustration. A particular component or feature is given the same numeral throughout this disclosure and the accompanying illustrations. Further, purposes of this disclosure, the terms “drill pipe” and “pipe joint”, whether referring to multiple or individual pieces thereof, have the same meaning throughout and may be used interchangeably.

FIGS. 1A through 5 illustrate a first embodiment of a universal pipe dispatch as disclosed in this application. On FIGS. 1A and 1B, pipe dispatch 100 comprises trailer assembly 200, magazine 300 and container 400. In both FIGS. 1A and 1B, the roof and the ends of container 400 are removed for illustration purposes, in order to assist seeing inside container 400. In FIG. 1B, the internals and frame of container 400 have been further exposed for clarity. FIGS. 1A and 1B also show that magazine 300 is loaded with drill pipe P, and that an individual pipe joint P′ is being dispensed from magazine 300. Each of the components of pipe dispatch 100 will be described further on in more detail with reference to additional Figures.

FIG. 2 illustrates trailer assembly 200 from FIGS. 1A and 1B in more detail. Trailer assembly 200 comprises flat bed 210 and wheels 220. In preferred embodiments, trailer assembly 200 may be a standard 8-wheel trailer, suitable to be hitched to and pulled by a standard 10-wheel tractor.

Trailer assembly 200 is shown on FIG. 2 in its elevated state. As described above in the Summary section, one end of trailer 200 (in the embodiment illustrated on FIG. 2, the rear end of trailer 200) is disposed to elevate so that flat bed 210 may be set at a user-selected slope. Arrow E illustrates this elevation on FIG. 2. With further reference to FIG. 2, such elevation is enabled by trusses 230 and associated hydraulic pistons 240 positioned either side of flat bed 210 near the end desired to be elevated. It will be seen that in order to elevate one end of flat bed 210, hydraulic pistons 240 are extended and the whole trailer assembly 200 becomes stabilized on trusses 230. The desired slope may be achieved by extending hydraulic pistons 240 to an elevation corresponding to the slope. In embodiments of trailer assembly 200 used with HDD rigs, just by way of example, common desired slopes may be between 8° and 22° from horizontal. This disclosure is expressly not limited to any particular desired slope, however.

Although not illustrated on FIG. 2, it will also be appreciated that when trailer assembly 200 is to be moved, hydraulic pistons 240 and trusses 230 may be withdrawn to a retracted position nearer the chassis underneath flat bed 210. At that point, wheels 220 touch the ground. Trailer assembly 200 may then be towed away or repositioned.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate magazine 300 from FIGS. 1A and 1B in more detail. In FIG. 3A, magazine 300 is shown in relationship to trailer assembly 200. Magazine ends 320 are omitted for clarity on FIG. 3A, but are shown on FIGS. 3B and 3C. Magazine 300 is depicted in a fully-loaded state in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In FIG. 3C, magazine 300 is partially depleted. FIGS. 3A and 3B also show magazine 300 dispensing individual drill pipe joint P′. Pipe joint P′ is omitted in FIG. 3C so that grips 330 on the ends of arms 310 may be seen more clearly.

Turning first to FIG. 3A, drill pipe P is shown being dispensed from magazine 300 by arms 310. Arms 310 are extendable and retractable, and are preferably hydraulically actuated. Magazine 300 loads individual pipe joint P′ onto arms 310 by any convenient mechanism. The details of the pipe joint loading mechanism, and the hydraulics by which arms 310 extend and retract, are omitted for clarity on FIG. 3A (and all other Figures in this disclosure, including FIGS. 3B and 3C). This disclosure is expressly not limited to any particular mechanism or method by which (1) individual pipe joints P′ may be loaded out of and back into magazine 300, and/or (2) arms 310 may be extended or retracted to dispense individual pipe joints P′ into or out of magazine 300. In FIG. 3A, purely by way of example, it will be seen that drill pipe P gravity-feeds column-by-column out of magazine 300, with arms 310 dispensing individual pipe joints P′ from the bottom of the column at hand. This exemplary methodology is further illustrated on FIGS. 3B and 3C. As noted above, magazine ends 320 are shown on FIGS. 3B and 3C, and by comparison of FIGS. 3B and 3C it will be seen that drill pipe P in FIG. 3C has been partially dispensed. FIG. 3C shows that drill pipe P that was previously loaded in column 322 has now gravity-fed out of magazine 300.

As noted above in this disclosure, the disclosed pipe dispatch is not limited to any particular size, length or grade of drill pipe P that may be dispensed from magazine 300. The disclosed pipe dispatch may also dispense cylindrical rods instead of drill pipe, or even elongated members of different cross-sectional profile. Magazines may be configured and/or divided to suit the drill pipe or other members being dispensed. Likewise, the method or mechanism by which a particular magazine may load up on to the extendable arms, or receive members from the extendable arms, may be configured to suit.

FIG. 3C further illustrates grips 330 on the ends of arms 310, and pivots 340 along the lengths of arms 310. Grips 330 may be of any suitable design to hold individual pipe joints P′ as they are being dispensed, such as with mechanical “fingers”. Preferably the fingers are hydraulically actuated to grip and release. Although not necessary on all designs within the scope of this disclosure, pivots 340 are provided in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3C in order to assist placement of individual pipe joints P′. It will be appreciated that as arms 310 extend over the HDD rig's drill pipe staging with an individual pipe joint P′, pivots 340 may be actuated to lower P′ on to the staging in precise fashion once P′ is vertically in position. Pivots 340 are again preferably hydraulically actuated.

FIG. 4 illustrates container 400 on FIGS. 1A and 1B in more detail. Details described and illustrated elsewhere in this disclosure, including magazine 300, are omitted for clarity on FIG. 4. As noted above, preferred embodiments of container 400 may include a modified ISO storage container. Elements of such a container are shown on FIG. 4, while other elements (such as roof, ends and one wall) are omitted for clarity. FIG. 4 shows container frame 420, floor 430 and wall 440. It will be appreciated that numerous modifications may be made to container 400 to suit its role in the overall pipe dispatch. In the embodiment illustrated on FIG. 4, such modifications include a slot 410 fashioned in the frame, in order to accommodate arms 310 extending away from and retracting back towards magazine 300 with individual pipe joints P′ on board (compare FIG. 3A). Slot 410 from FIG. 4 is also clearly visible on FIG. 1A (although not called out on FIG. 1A), where the container wall has also been slotted to accommodate the reciprocating movement of arms 310 (also not called out on FIG. 1A). FIG. 4 illustrates a further modification to container 400, where guide bars 450 are provided to locate magazine 300 (compare FIG. 3A). Guide bars 450 are useful to locate an incoming magazine 300 when magazines 300 are being switched out during tripping operations after trailer assembly 200 is positioned in location (per discussion in Summary section above).

Other modifications to container 400 are possible, although not illustrated. For example, a self-contained diesel-driven hydraulic power unit may be installed within container 400 at either end of magazine 300. This hydraulic power unit may enable actuation of all of the hydraulically-driven mechanisms on board trailer assembly 200, such as to elevate one end of trailer assembly 200, or to actuate dispensing of drill pipe P into or out of magazine 300, or to actuate arms 310, grips 330 and/or pivots 340. In this way, overall pipe dispatch 100 is not reliant on any other source of power.

FIG. 5 illustrates pipe dispatch 100 from FIGS. 1A and 1B in an exemplary deployment with HDD rig 500. FIG. 5 shows trailer assembly 200, magazine 300 and container 400 as discussed in more detail above. It will be appreciated that, consistent with discussion above referring to FIG. 2, trailer assembly 200 on FIG. 5 has been elevated at the far end to be set at a slope to match HDD rig 500. FIG. 5 also shows arms 310 dispensing individual pipe joint P′ through slot 410 in wall 440 of container 400, and into staging area of HDD rig 500.

It will also be seen on FIG. 5 that, consistent with earlier discussion, pipe dispatch 100 may be deployed to be compatible with many different manufacturers, models and types of HDD rigs. Being self-contained, pipe dispatch 100 may be driven up and positioned in any suitable desired location with respect to HDD rig 500. As already noted, pipe dispatch 100 may dispense a wide variety of different length, size and type of drill pipe P to suit the job. Also, arms 310 may be selectably configured to extend different distances to suit different width staging areas for different HDD rigs. In certain embodiments, sensors and microprocessors will enable arms 310 to extend to a precise location within their range to dispense drill pipe 310 repeatably and accurately for different HDD rigs with different width staging areas.

FIGS. 6A through 12D illustrate a second embodiment of a universal pipe dispatch as disclosed in this application, with reference to pipe joint dispatch module 600, as depicted on FIGS. 6A and 6B. The components, functions and features of pipe joint dispatch module 600 are described with reference to FIGS. 6A through 12D.

It will be appreciated that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the specific first and second embodiments described separately with reference to FIGS. 1A through 5, and FIGS. 6A through 12D, respectively. It will be appreciated that dispatch module 600 is illustrated and described on FIGS. 6A through 12D primarily with reference to an exemplary pipe joint queuing mechanism feeding and receiving from an exemplary extendable pipe joint delivery system. As such, dispatch module 600 on FIGS. 6A through 12D may be viewed, in further embodiments, as an alternative pipe joint handling system for pipe dispatch 100 illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 1A through 5. Moreover, for the avoidance of doubt, the reverse is also true. That is, all of the variable features and options described and illustrated for pipe dispatch 100 with reference to FIGS. 1A through 5 are available to be deployed on, and may make additional embodiments of, dispatch module 600 as described and illustrated with reference to FIGS. 6A through 12D.

For example, and without limitation, dispatch module 600 on FIGS. 6A through 12D may be deployed atop a wheel-borne trailer with a tilting mechanism as illustrated and described with reference to FIG. 2. Alternatively, dispatch module 600 on FIGURES through 12D may be deployed with a removable magazine as illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. In such alternative embodiment, the removable magazine may further be interchangeable with other magazines holding pipe joints of different diameters and lengths, and having different capacities, all within predetermined ranges to fit dispatch module 600. Alternatively, dispatch module 600 on FIGS. 6A through 12D may be deployed with any or all of the container, power supply or hydraulic supply options described and illustrated with reference to pipe dispatch 100 on FIGS. 1A through 5.

FIGS. 6A and 6B should be viewed together, and illustrate features generally. Features shown on FIGS. 6A and 6B will be described in detail with reference to other Figures. FIG. 6A depicts a general arrangement of pipe joint dispatch module 600 with the top of dispatch container 605 removed. Container slot 602 is visible, through which dispatch module 600 dispenses and retrieves pipe joints during normal operations. Delivery arm mechanisms 650 are also illustrated generally at either end of dispatch module 600. On FIG. 6B, the front, sides and part of the frame of dispatch container 605 are also removed to reveal additional features of dispatch module 600.

On FIGS. 6A and 6B, hydraulic motor 603 is shown. In preferred embodiments, all hydraulic actuating mechanisms on dispatch module 600 are advantageously supplied by hydraulic motor 603, although this disclosure is not limited in this regard. Other embodiments may deploy other supplies, such as hydraulic or electric supplies, to power the various actuating mechanisms. FIGS. 6A and 6B further illustrate pendulum mechanisms 750 at each end of dispatch module 600. Each pendulum mechanism 750 comprises pendulum piston 752, pendulum arm 758 and pendulum block 754. It will be seen that actuation of pendulum piston 752 will cause pendulum block 754 to swing in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of pipe joints P stored in magazine 610. Pipe joints P are organized within magazine into a series of vertical columnar recesses 611, formed by end plates providing end dividers on magazine 610.

FIGS. 6A and 6B also illustrate elevator mechanisms 710 generally. It will be understood that elevator mechanisms 710 are at each end of pipe dispatch 600, although the elevator mechanism 710 at the far end is hidden from view on FIGS. 6A and 6B.

FIG. 7 is a section view as shown on FIG. 6B. Pipe joints P and P′ have been removed for clarity in FIG. 7, revealing vertical columnar recesses 611 on the end of magazine 610. Delivery arm mechanism 650 (with associated delivery arm support plate 652) is again illustrated generally, and will be described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 10A through 12D. As with FIG. 6B, pendulum mechanism 750 is depicted on FIG. 7 comprising pendulum piston 752, pendulum arm 758, and pendulum block 754. FIG. 7 further shows pendulum mechanism 750 as comprising roller bearings 756 and pendulum receptacle 755. Pendulum receptacle 755 is an arcuate cutout in pendulum block 754 suitable for receiving and gravity-holding a pipe joint.

FIG. 7 further depicts elevator mechanism 710. Elevator mechanism 710 comprises elevator block 712 disposed to be raised and lowered by actuation of hydraulic elevator pistons 714. Elevator block 712 also provides elevator receptacles 716. It will be appreciated that one elevator receptacle 716 is provided at a predetermined height below each columnar recess 611 in magazine 610. Elevator receptacles 716 are arcuate cutouts in elevator block 712 suitable for receiving and holding pipe joints.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view as shown on FIG. 7, and illustrates many of the components and features shown on FIG. 7, except from a different perspective. Delivery arm support plate 652 has also been removed from FIG. 8 for further clarity.

FIGS. 9 and 9A through 9J should be viewed together, and illustrate in “freeze-frame” style the unload and load up of pipe joints from magazine 610 in dispatch module 600. FIGS. 9A through 9D illustrate unload mode. FIGS. 9E through 9J illustrate load up mode.

FIGS. 9 and 9A are the same view. On FIGS. 9 and 9A, pipe joint P′ is waiting to be picked and removed from pendulum receptacle 755 in pendulum block 754 by delivery arm mechanism 650 (not illustrated). Pipe joints P₁ through P₄₄ are previously loaded up into columnar recesses 611 in magazine 610. Pipe joints P₁ through P₄₄ are selectively called out on FIGS. 9 and 9A to show the sequence of unload and load up on FIGS. 9A through 9J. On FIG. 9 and FIGS. 9A through 9D, pipe joints P₁ through P₈ gravity-drain in sequence first, then P₉ gravity-drains from the next columnar recess 611. The sequence continues, gravity-draining pipe joints column by column until pipe joints P₄₃ and P₄₄ are the last to unload. The load up sequence is the reverse, as will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9E through 9J.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A and 9D, and as noted above, FIG. 9A is the same view as FIG. 9. In FIG. 9B, pipe joint P′ has been removed from pendulum receptacle 755 by delivery arm mechanism 650 (not illustrated), and pipe joint P₁ is ready to gravity-fall into pendulum receptacle 755. Moving to FIG. 9C, pendulum mechanism (not completely illustrated) is actuated to move pendulum block 754 in the direction of arrow R and then back, causing pipe joint P₁ to fall into pendulum receptacle 755. Roller bearings 756 (as labeled on FIG. 9) are provided to assist pipe joint P₁ with falling into pendulum receptacle 755. Pipe joint P₁ may now removed from pendulum receptacle 755 by delivery arm mechanism 650 (not illustrated), at which time the process may be repeated to cause pipe joint P₂ to fall into pendulum receptacle 755. The process repeats until all of pipe joints P₁ through P₈ gravity-drain. With reference now to FIG. 9D, pendulum block 754 is then moved further in the direction of arrow R, and back again, to collect pipe joint P₉ from the bottom of the next columnar recess 611. The process repeats until pipe joint P₄₄ is the last to be unloaded.

FIGS. 9E through 9J illustrate the reverse load-up process. On FIG. 9E, delivery arm mechanism (not illustrated) has delivered pipe joint P₄₄ into pendulum receptacle 755. It will be appreciated that pipe joint P₄₄ is labeled in this way on FIG. 9E because, with reference to FIG. 9, location P₄₄ is the location where pipe joint P₄₄ will ultimately reside. Returning to FIG. 9E, and with further reference to FIG. 9F, pendulum mechanism 750 (not completely illustrated) causes pendulum block 754 to move in the direction of arrow R and carry pipe joint P₄₄ until it is beneath the most-distant columnar recess 611. With reference now to FIGS. 9F and 9G, elevator mechanism (not completely illustrated) causes elevator block 712 to move in the direction of arrow U (i.e., upwards), and raise pipe joint P₄₄ out of pendulum receptacle 755. Pendulum block 754 may now move in the direction of arrow L to collect P₄₃, the next pipe joint to be loaded. Referring now to FIG. 9H, elevator block has moved in the direction of arrow D (i.e., downwards), allowing pendulum block to hold pipe joint P₄₄ in its columnar recess while delivery arm mechanism 650 (not illustrated) has delivered pipe joint P₄₃ into pendulum receptacle 755. It will be appreciated that pipe joint P₄₃ is labeled in this way on FIG. 9H because, with reference to FIG. 9, location P₄₃ is the location where pipe joint P₄₃ will ultimately reside.

Moving on to FIG. 9I, and with further reference to FIG. 9H, pendulum block 754 moves in the direction of arrow R until it has placed pipe joint P₄₃ beneath pipe joint P₄₄. Elevator block 712 then moves in the direction of arrow U, and pushes pipe joint P₄₃ out of pendulum receptacle 755. In doing so, elevator block 712 pushes pipe joint P₄₄ further up into its columnar recess 611. Elevator block 712 then holds both pipe joints P₄₃ and P₄₄ in columnar recess 611 so that, similar to FIG. 9G, pendulum block 754 may move in the direction of arrow L to collect the next pipe joint. The process repeats until, with reference to FIG. 9J, the columnar recess 611 containing pipe joints P₄₃ and P₄₄ is full. At that point, as shown on FIG. 9J, the next columnar recess is filled beginning with pipe joint P₃₅ (that is, the pipe joint that will ultimately reside at location P₃₅ per FIG. 9).

To assist retention of pipe joints while being supported by pendulum block 754, pendulum 755 or elevator block 712, contact surfaces between these components and pipe joints may receive a non-slip coating, such as Teflon.

FIGS. 10A through 12D should be viewed together and illustrate delivery arm mechanism 650. FIG. 10A is a general arrangement with previously-described components removed for clarity. With additional reference to FIG. 9, FIG. 10A shows delivery arm mechanism holding pipe joint P′ in relation to fully-loaded magazine 610, pendulum mechanism 750, pendulum block 754, elevator mechanism 710 and elevator block 712.

FIG. 10B illustrates delivery arm mechanism 650 in isolation, still holding pipe joint P′. Delivery arm mechanism 650 is illustrated on FIG. 10B to comprise two identical, synchronously-operated assemblies, although this disclosure is not limited in this regard. In other embodiments, delivery arm mechanism 650 may comprise any number of similar (although not necessarily identical) synchronously-operated assemblies. On FIG. 10B, each assembly comprises delivery arm support plate 652 and delivery arm support gusset 654, upon which inner and outer delivery arm members 661 and 662 are rotatably mounted. Hydraulic motor 656 enables selective rotation of inner and outer delivery arm members 661 and 662. Inner and outer delivery arm members 661 and 662 may be separated or brought together via actuation of delivery arm extension piston 664. Slots 653 cut in delivery arm support plate enable rotation of inner and outer delivery arm members 661 and 662.

FIG. 10B further illustrates gripping mechanisms 670 on outer delivery arm members 662. Gripping mechanisms 670 are actuated independently to allow outer delivery arm members 662 to receive, hold and release pipe joints. Gripping mechanisms 670 may be of any suitable conventional design, such as in the style of “thumbs” (as illustrated on FIG. 10B), or alternatively “fingers”. This disclosure is not limited to style of gripping mechanisms 670 or method of independent actuation.

FIGS. 11A through 12D illustrate in more detail, and in further isolation, the features and components of delivery arm mechanism 650 shown on FIG. 10B. FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate pipe joint P′ ready to be picked up from pendulum receptacle 755 (not illustrated but refer to FIG. 9). Actuation of hydraulic motor 656 causes rotation in the direction of arrow T on FIG. 11A. Inner and outer delivery arm members 661 and 662 may be separated and brought together via delivery arm extension piston 654 in the direction of arrows XR on FIG. 11B.

FIGS. 12A through 12D illustrate pipe joint P′ ready to be released to, or picked up from, a neighboring HDD rig (not illustrated). The features and components illustrated on FIGS. 12A through 12D are the same as on FIGS. 11A and 11B, except that actuation of hydraulic motor 656 causes rotation in the direction of arrow Q on FIGS. 12A and 12C. On FIGS. 12A and 12B, inner and outer delivery arm members 661 and 662 are in a retracted state in the direction of arrows XR on FIG. 12B. On FIGS. 12C and 12D, they are in an extended state, following actuation of delivery arm extension piston 654.

The embodiments of the disclosed universal pipe dispatch discussed in detail so far have been directed to deployments alongside HDD rigs. It will be appreciated, however, that the scope of the disclosed universal pipe dispatch is not limited to such HDD rig deployments. Consistent with the above disclosure, the disclosed pipe dispatch may be used in deployments with much steeper angles, such as slant rigs. Other deployments include conventional vertical drilling, where lengths of drill pipe (staged or otherwise) are lifted from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation. Embodiments of the disclosed pipe dispatch may be deployed at a steep angle to the horizontal, and then drill pipe may be dispensed at this angle. In such slant rig or vertical drilling applications, the disclose pipe dispatch may replace all conventional pipe racks and position the drill pipe into place on the cat walk to be lifted by the drill rig for drill pipe make up and break out.

In such steep-angle deployments, it may be necessary to modify or add features to the arms and grips to enhance grip on the drill pipe and deter slip. The grips would preferably be equipped with a slip segment, such as non-slip inserts on the fingers of the grips. Tungsten carbide coatings may provide a non-slip surface for grip inserts or other non-slip features of the slip segment.

A further variation on the disclosed pipe dispatch would be to turn the container on its end to use in a true vertical deployment, such as for offshore drilling operations where rig space is a premium.

Although the inventive material in this disclosure has been described in detail along with some of its technical advantages, it will be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made to the detailed embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of such inventive material.

Claims

1. A universal pipe dispatch, comprising:

a self-contained pipe joint dispatch module, the dispatch module including, all in a unitary mobile structure, (1) a pipe joint queuing mechanism, (2) a pipe joint magazine, (3) a plurality of extendable pipe joint delivery arms and (4) a tilting mechanism;

the queuing mechanism disposed to unload and load up pipe joints, one-by-one, out of and back into the magazine, the magazine divided internally so as to organize pipe joints contained therein such that individual pipe joints gravity-feed sequentially out of and back into the magazine;

each delivery arm providing a pipe joint gripping mechanism at a first end thereof, the gripping mechanisms configured to be remotely actuated to synchronously and selectively pick and release pipe joints, the queuing mechanism configured to deliver pipe joints one-by-one to the gripping mechanisms during unload mode, and to receive pipe joints one-by-one from the gripping mechanisms during load up mode;

each delivery arm further disposed to extend a selected length away from the queuing mechanism within a range thereof so as to (1) deliver pipe joints to a predetermined drop line within reach of the delivery arms, and (2) retrieve pipe joints from a predetermined pick line also within reach of the delivery arms; and

the tilting mechanism affixed to the underside of the dispatch module, the tilting mechanism including at least one extendable tilting member, each tilting member disposed to elevate one end of the dispatch module to a selected height so that the module rests at a predetermined horizontal angle.

2. The universal pipe dispatch of claim 1, in which the dispatch module sits atop a wheel-borne trailer, and the tilting mechanism is affixed to the underside of the trailer.

3. The universal pipe dispatch of claim 1, in which selected ones of the queuing mechanism, the delivery arms, the tilting mechanism and the gripping mechanisms are actuated hydraulically.

4. The universal pipe dispatch of claim 1, in which the magazine is removable from the dispatch module.

5. The universal pipe dispatch of claim 4, in which the magazine is one of a set of interchangeable magazines, each interchangeable magazine within the set holding pipe joints of a first selected length and a second selected diameter to a third selected capacity, wherein the selected lengths, diameters and capacities are within predetermined ranges thereof.

6. A universal pipe dispatch, comprising:

a self-contained pipe joint dispatch module, the dispatch module including, all in a unitary mobile structure, (1) a pipe joint queuing mechanism, (2) a pipe joint magazine, (3) a plurality of extendable pipe joint delivery arms and (4) a tilting mechanism;

the queuing mechanism disposed to unload and load up pipe joints, one-by-one, out of and back into the magazine, the magazine divided internally so as to organize pipe joints contained therein into vertical columns;

the queuing mechanism further comprising a pendulum mechanism and an elevator mechanism, the pendulum mechanism including a pendulum block disposed to swing in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of pipe joints when loaded in the magazine, the pendulum block providing a pendulum receptacle formed therein, the elevator mechanism including an elevator block disposed to elevate from under the vertical columns in a direction parallel to the swing plane of the pendulum block;

each delivery arm providing a pipe joint gripping mechanism at a first end thereof, the gripping mechanisms configured to be remotely actuated to synchronously and selectively pick and release pipe joints, the queuing mechanism configured to deliver pipe joints one-by-one to the gripping mechanisms during unload mode, and to receive pipe joints one-by-one from the gripping mechanisms during load up mode;

each delivery arm further disposed to extend a selected length away from the queuing mechanism within a range thereof so as to (1) deliver pipe joints to a predetermined drop line within reach of the delivery arms, and (2) retrieve pipe joints from a predetermined pick line also within reach of the delivery arms;

the tilting mechanism affixed to the underside of the dispatch module, the tilting mechanism including at least one extendable tilting member, each tilting member disposed to elevate one end of the dispatch module to a selected height so that the module rests at a predetermined horizontal angle;

the pendulum mechanism, when actuated in unload mode, disposed to cause pipe joints in a first selected vertical column to gravity-feed sequentially into the pendulum receptacle while the pendulum block holds pipe joints in other vertical columns in place, the pendulum mechanism further disposed, when the first selected column is empty, to swing such that pipe joints in a vertical column neighboring the first selected vertical column gravity feed sequentially into the pendulum receptacle while the pendulum block holds pipe joints in other vertical columns in place;

each delivery arm, when actuated in unload mode, disposed to cause its gripping mechanism to pick and hold pipe joints out of the pendulum receptacle one-by-one;

each delivery arm then, when actuated in unload mode, disposed to (1) rotate synchronously about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the held pipe joint, (2) extend, and (3) release the held pipe joint over the predetermined drop line;

each delivery arm, when actuated in load up mode, disposed to cause its gripping mechanism to pick and hold pipe joints from the predetermined pick line,

each delivery arm then, when actuated in load up mode, disposed to (1) retract, (2) rotate synchronously about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the held pipe joint, and (3) release the held pipe joint into the pendulum receptacle;

the pendulum mechanism, when actuated in load up mode, disposed to swing so as to deliver a received pipe joint in the pendulum receptacle under a second selected vertical column while the pendulum block holds pipe joints in other columns in place;

the elevator mechanism, when actuated in load up mode, then disposed to elevate the elevator block to push the received pipe joint up out of the pendulum receptacle and into the second selected vertical column, the elevator block further disposed to hold received pipe joint in the second selected vertical column while the pendulum mechanism swings to receive further pipe joints; and

the pendulum mechanism further disposed, during load up mode and when the second selected column is full, to swing such that the elevator block pushes pipe joints sequentially up into a vertical column neighboring the second selected vertical column while the pendulum block holds pipe joints in other vertical columns in place.

7. The universal pipe dispatch of claim 6, in which the dispatch module sits atop a wheel-borne trailer, and the tilting mechanism is affixed to the underside of the trailer.

8. The universal pipe dispatch of claim 6, in which selected ones of the queuing mechanism, the delivery arms, the tilting mechanism and the gripping mechanisms are actuated hydraulically.

9. The universal pipe dispatch of claim 6, in which the magazine is removable from the dispatch module.

10. The universal pipe dispatch of claim 9, in which the magazine is one of a set of interchangeable magazines, each interchangeable magazine within the set holding pipe joints of a first selected length and a second selected diameter to a third selected capacity, wherein the selected lengths, diameters and capacities are within predetermined ranges thereof.

11. The universal pipe dispatch of claim 6, in which selected ones of the pendulum block, the pendulum receptacle and the elevator block have non-slip surfaces at points of contact with pipe joints.

12. The universal pipe dispatch of claim 6, in which the pendulum block provides at least one roller bearing to assist entry and exit of pipe joints into and out of the pendulum receptacle.

13. A universal pipe dispatch, comprising:

a self-contained pipe joint dispatch module, the dispatch module including, all in a unitary mobile structure, (1) a pipe joint queuing mechanism, (2) a removable pipe joint magazine, (3) a plurality of extendable pipe joint delivery arms and (4) a tilting mechanism, the magazine comprising one of a set of interchangeable magazines, each interchangeable magazine within the set holding pipe joints of a first selected length and a second selected diameter to a third selected capacity, wherein the selected lengths, diameters and capacities are within predetermined ranges thereof;

the queuing mechanism disposed to unload and load up pipe joints, one-by-one, out of and back into the magazine, the magazine divided internally so as to organize pipe joints contained therein into vertical columns;

the queuing mechanism further comprising a pendulum mechanism and an elevator mechanism, the pendulum mechanism including a pendulum block disposed to swing in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of pipe joints when loaded in the magazine, the pendulum block providing a pendulum receptacle formed therein, the elevator mechanism including an elevator block disposed to elevate from under the vertical columns in a direction parallel to the swing plane of the pendulum block;

each delivery arm providing a pipe joint gripping mechanism at a first end thereof, the gripping mechanisms configured to be remotely actuated to synchronously and selectively pick and release pipe joints, the queuing mechanism configured to deliver pipe joints one-by-one to the gripping mechanisms during unload mode, and to receive pipe joints one-by-one from the gripping mechanisms during load up mode;

each delivery arm further disposed to extend a selected length away from the queuing mechanism within a range thereof so as to (1) deliver pipe joints to a predetermined drop line within reach of the delivery arms, and (2) retrieve pipe joints from a predetermined pick line also within reach of the delivery arms;

the tilting mechanism affixed to the underside of a wheel-borne trailer, the dispatch module sitting atop the trailer, the tilting mechanism including at least one extendable tilting member, each tilting member disposed to elevate one end of the dispatch module to a selected height so that the module rests at a predetermined horizontal angle;

selected ones of the queuing mechanism, the delivery arms, the tilting mechanism and the gripping mechanisms actuated hydraulically;

the pendulum mechanism, when actuated in unload mode, disposed to cause pipe joints in a first selected vertical column to gravity-feed sequentially into the pendulum receptacle while the pendulum block holds pipe joints in other vertical columns in place, the pendulum mechanism further disposed, when the first selected column is empty, to swing such that pipe joints in a vertical column neighboring the first selected vertical, column gravity feed sequentially into the pendulum receptacle while the pendulum block holds pipe joints in other vertical columns in place;

each delivery arm, when actuated in unload mode, disposed to cause its gripping mechanism to pick and hold pipe joints out of the pendulum receptacle one-by-one;

each delivery arm then, when actuated in unload mode, disposed to (1) rotate synchronously about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the held pipe joint, (2) extend, and (3) release the held pipe joint over the predetermined drop line;

each delivery arm, when actuated in load up mode, disposed to cause its gripping mechanism to pick and hold pipe joints from the predetermined pick line,

each delivery arm then, when actuated in load up mode, disposed to (1) retract, (2) rotate synchronously about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the held pipe joint, and (3) release the held pipe joint into the pendulum receptacle;

the pendulum mechanism, when actuated in load up mode, disposed to swing so as to deliver a received pipe joint in the pendulum receptacle under a second selected vertical column while the pendulum block holds pipe joints in other columns in place;

the elevator mechanism, when actuated in load up mode, then disposed to elevate the elevator block to push the received pipe joint up out of the pendulum receptacle and into the second selected vertical column, the elevator block further disposed to hold received pipe joint in the second selected vertical column while the pendulum mechanism swings to receive further pipe joints; and

the pendulum mechanism further disposed, during load up mode and when the second selected column is full, to swing such that the elevator block pushes pipe joints sequentially up into a vertical column neighboring the second selected vertical column while the pendulum block holds pipe joints in other vertical columns in place.

14. The universal pipe dispatch of claim 13, in which selected ones of the pendulum block, the pendulum receptacle and the elevator block have non-slip surfaces at points of contact with pipe joints.

15. The universal pipe dispatch of claim 13, in which the pendulum block provides at least one roller bearing to assist entry and exit of pipe joints into and out of the pendulum receptacle.