With Orienting Or Racking Means For Unconnected Tools Or Sections Of Shaft Or Casing Patents (Class 175/85)
  • Patent number: 12644348
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and associated method for robotic drill rod handling. The system includes a frame, a drill rod magazine for storing and dispensing drill rods, the magazine removably coupled to the frame, a robotic arm for manipulating drill rods, the robotic arm coupled to the frame and a drill rod end effector, for grasping drill rods, the end effector coupled to the robotic arm. The system is configured to manipulate the robotic arm such that the end effector surrounds a second drill rod in a grasping position of the system, grasp the second drill rod with the end effector, manipulate the second drill rod to align the second drill rod with a first drill rod which is coupled to a drilling rig and rotate the second drill rod to couple the second drill rod to the first drill rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: REKO Automation Group Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Yzerman, Barrie Cutting, Christopher Serran, Benjamin Watson, Paul Rauch, Alexander Christie, Bill Krasnozon
  • Patent number: 12618318
    Abstract: A method of using dual-use pump systems to reduce greenhouse emissions and completion costs that includes positioning a first pump system (“FPS”) and a drilling apparatus (“DA”) at a first well pad and a second pump system (“SPS”) at a second well pad. The method includes performing a drilling operation using the FPS and the DA on at the first well pad, and then moving the DA to the second well pad to couple with the SPS. A completion unit is then coupled to the FPS at the first well pad. While the DA performs a drilling operation using the SPS at the second well pad, the completion unit performs a completion operation using the FPS at the first well pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Frank J. Husband, Malini Manocha, Colin Oliver
  • Patent number: 12612830
    Abstract: A magazine for auto drill-bit changes including a housing. The housing includes a first and second housing guide and at least two drill-bit pockets. The magazine also includes a bracket, an actuator, and a lid dimensioned to enclose the housing. The housing and lid pivotally coupled to the bracket, wherein the housing is actuatable between a parked, closed position and an open, tilted position when the actuator transitions from a first state to a second state. The lid includes a guide plate disposed on an underside of the lid. When the housing is in the parked position, the first and second housing guides engage the second portion of the guide plate and, when the housing is in the open, tilted position, the first guide engages the second portion of the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2025
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Kumar Nagarajan, William Frisbey, Scott Alan Christianson
  • Patent number: 12503344
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crane for assembly and installation of offshore wind turbines on an offshore location, to a vessel for assembly and installation of offshore wind turbines on an offshore location, and to a method for assembly and installation of offshore wind turbines on an offshore location. According to the invention the crane is provided with a base section and a top section, wherein the top section is rotatable supported by a bearing, and can be rotated with the wind turbine hoisting device relative to the base section about a vertical axis, wherein a first trolley guide is mounted to a top section of the installation crane for giding a vertically mobile wind turbine supporting trolley. According to the invention the vessel is provided with one or more assembly stations on different sides of the installation crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2025
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 12497846
    Abstract: A device and a method for changing the drill bits, tricone bits or DTH bits of drill strings on a drilling platform is describe herein, the device comprising an arm element (1) moveable in a rotating, vertical or horizontal manner. A post or supporting element (5) is connected to one of the ends of arm (1) and it is connected to arm (1) in such a way that it moves the arm. Element (5) serves as a base for arm element (1) and includes a drive unit (6)) allowing arm (1) to retract and extend in a controlled manner. A drill bit storage and receiving element (3) is at the other end of the arm (1), and element (3) has a rotating surface, in addition to having a hydraulic motor (7) or other type of motor to move same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2025
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Inventors: Raúl Patricio Bizama Almendras, Felipe Izquierdo González
  • Patent number: 12465996
    Abstract: A welding rod dispenser comprising: a deck, where the deck angles downward from back to front; a rotating assembly located at the front of the deck, where the rotating assembly comprises grabber teeth; and a leveler assembly located atop the deck. Welding rods placed atop the deck may tend to slide forward under the leveler assembly where the leveler assembly levels them into a single layer. Individual welding rods may then be grabbed by the grabber teeth one at a time before being moved forward by the rotating assembly for retrieval by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Inventor: Max Money Hart
  • Patent number: 12460486
    Abstract: A system that can include a vertical support rotationally coupled to a rig floor, a hoisting arm movably coupled to the vertical support, and a catwalk, wherein the hoisting arm is configured to transport the tubular between the catwalk and well center or mousehole while the vertical support maintains a substantially constant azimuthal orientation. A method can include movably coupling a vertical support to an upper track, extending an upper tailing arm a first horizontal distance from the vertical support to engage an upper portion of a tubular, retracting the upper tailing arm to move the upper portion of the tubular proximate the vertical support, and extending a hoisting arm a second horizontal distance to engage a middle portion of the tubular, wherein the second horizontal distance is less than the first horizontal distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Kunec, Ashish Gupta, Keith Hager
  • Patent number: 12359515
    Abstract: A pipe rack for a machine includes a drill carousel for supporting at least two drill strings. The drill carousel defines a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The drill carousel includes a base disposed proximate to the first end of the drill carousel and a plurality of receptacles coupled to and extending from the base. At least two of the plurality of receptacles are adapted to at least partially receive a corresponding drill string from the at least two drill strings. The pipe rack also includes a retainer plate. The retainer plate is adapted to couple with the at least two drill strings. The pipe rack further includes at least one breaker plate disposed between the base and the retainer plate. The at least one breaker plate is spaced apart from the retainer plate along a first axis of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventor: Yagneshwar Natarajan
  • Patent number: 12338112
    Abstract: A mast and grapple combination includes a mast and a grapple. The mast has a first end (lower end) and a second end (upper end). A carriage travels along the mast from the first end toward the second end. The grapple is carried by the carriage. The grapple has jaws which open and close, and is mounted for rotation about a transverse axis relative to the carriage. A jaw drive mechanism controls operation of the jaws, such that the jaws are movable to an open position to receive a pile and a closed position to grip the pile. A jaw orientation drive mechanism controls rotation of the jaws about the transverse axis, thereby changing the orientation of the jaws and, consequently, the orientation of the pile gripped by the jaws relative to the mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Inventor: Jason Linley
  • Patent number: 12331599
    Abstract: A drilling machine includes a loading device of the carousel type for a plurality of rod modules and optionally a plurality of covering modules. The loading device includes a platform, on which the rod modules are arranged to be orthogonal to the platform, and a conveyor system for conveying the rod modules along a closed path. The carousel loading device includes a lateral containment frame provided with an opening for the extraction and/or insertion of the rod modules through the translation of the rod modules in a direction that is substantially parallel to the platform or has at least one component parallel to the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Inventors: Renzo Comacchio, Pasqualino Comacchio, Patrizio Comacchio
  • Patent number: 12276253
    Abstract: A semi-submersible crane vessel for use in assembling a wind turbine and for installation by means of a crane of the vessel of the assembled wind turbine on a foundation. At an assembly station, the hull of the vessel is provided with a mast-receiving well that is sunk into, or through, the hull, preferably a well that extends into, or through a support column of the hull, which well is configured to receive therein at least a portion of the mast of the wind turbine during an assembly step of the wind turbine. For example, the mast-receiving well has a depth of at least 15 meters, e.g. at least 30 meters, measured from the deck of the deckbox structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventor: Diederick Bernardus Wijning
  • Patent number: 12188310
    Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus for coupling and decoupling a connector head to and from an end of a wired drill pipe held by an elevator includes an actuator configured to move the connector head between a coupled position and a decoupled position. The actuator is configured to move the connector head in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the wired drill pipe before moving it away from said wired drill pipe when decoupling the connector head from the wired drill pipe, and to move the connector head into the longitudinal axis of the wired drill pipe before moving it in parallel with said longitudinal axis when coupling the connector head to the wired drill pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco Norway AS
    Inventors: Svein Hellvik, Morten Welmer
  • Patent number: 12031393
    Abstract: A drilling rig includes a drill floor with a well center opening, a derrick having a drilling machine which is suspended above the well center opening, a pipe supply area which is arranged adjacent to the well center opening on the drill floor, and a pipe handling machine. The pipe supply area has at least one pipe rack which horizontally stores pipe sections. The pipe handling machine moves at least one of the pipe sections between a horizontal storage position in the at least one pipe rack and a vertical position or a substantially vertical position above the well center opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: MHWIRTH AS
    Inventors: Per Inge Roensberg, Roy Birkeland, Ellen Kolnes, Nicolai Nilsen, Jarle Ropstad, Bjarne Larsen, Soeren Oeydna, Lars Otto Sannes
  • Patent number: 11905770
    Abstract: A latch assembly having a first portion movably coupled with a second portion. The first portion has a roller housing, a latch panel, and handle, and the second portion has a respective roller housing, a respective latch panel, and a respective handle. In a closed position, the latch panel engages with the respective roller housing, and the respective latch panel engages with the roller housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Larry G. Keast
  • Patent number: 11820013
    Abstract: A mobile manipulation system configured to perform objective tasks within human environments is provided. The mobile manipulation system can include a mobile base assembly including a computing device, at least two drive wheels, and a sensor. The mobile manipulation system can include an actuation assembly including a chain cartridge and a drive chain including a plurality of inter-connected links conveying at least one cable within an interior space of each inter-connected link. The actuation assembly system can also include a telescopic structure including a plurality of segments configured to extend and retract telescopically and conveying the drive chain therein. The mobile manipulation system can include a mast attached to the mobile base assembly along which the actuation assembly translates vertically and a head assembly atop the mast including a first collection of sensors. The mobile manipulation system can also include a manipulation payload coupled to the telescopic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Hello Robot, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Edsinger, Charles Kemp, Blaine Matulevich
  • Patent number: 11781430
    Abstract: A drilling and bolting rig for performing drilling and bolting operations. The drilling and bolting rig includes a magazine for storing a consumable, a feed supporting a drill head for movement relative to a work surface, and a loader configured to retrieve the consumable from the magazine and load the consumable into the drill head. The loader includes an arm operable to engage the consumable. The arm is supported for both rotational and translational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Ross Willaman, Michael Georgiou, Greg Broad, Kevin Saeler
  • Patent number: 11719044
    Abstract: A robot, robotic systems, and methods for conducting a subterranean operation. In some embodiments, a robot may include: a main body comprising a housing; a powered clamping system; a controlled atmosphere volume disposed within the housing or within the clamping system; and an electrical component disposed within the controlled atmosphere volume. In some embodiments, the controlled atmosphere volume may comprise an EX-certified volume and the electrical component may be disposed within the EX-certified volume, such that the electrical component may be disposed in the EX-certified volume that is disposed in the housing and/or an EX-certified volume that is disposed in the clamping system, such as in an electrically powered tong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies AS
    Inventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Erlend Halvorsen, Svein Søyland
  • Patent number: 11649685
    Abstract: A pipe shuttle for moving a pipe segment from an operating position to a pipe box. The pipe shuttle has a pair of gripper arms flanking a cradle. The cradle has a spring-loaded pad that has a concave surface for holding a pipe segment. As the pipe shuttle moves from underneath a pipe box to near a cradle, rollers are positioned to engage a guide plate. When the shuttle is underneath the pipe box, the rollers engage the guide plate to keep the cradle open. When moved towards an operating position, the rollers no longer engage the guide plate and cause grippers to close on the pipe segment. The spring-loaded pad allows the pipe shuttle to be moved relative to the pipe segment when the pipe segment is in its operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick G. Porter
  • Patent number: 11591863
    Abstract: A multifunction handler for handling drilling elements in a drilling rig includes a slide, which has a guide system and a lifting system. The slide is adapted to slide along a first axis parallel to the longitudinal extension of a drilling rig mast. An articulated arm, a robotic apparatus, and a handling head are adapted to seize, hold and release a drilling element. The articulated arm is fixed at a first end to the slide. A first end of the robotic apparatus is fixed to the second end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm allows moving the robotic apparatus along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The handling head connects to the second end of the robotic apparatus. The robotic apparatus moves the handling head with at least three degrees of freedom and the handler moves the handling head with at least five degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: DRILLMEC INC.
    Inventors: Adolfo Basile, Andrea Tiberi
  • Patent number: 11499384
    Abstract: An automated pipe tripping apparatus includes an outer frame and an inner frame. The inner frame includes a tripping slips and iron roughneck. The automated pipe tripping apparatus may, in concert with an elevator and drawworks, trip in a tubular string in a continuous motion. The tripping slips and iron roughneck, along with the inner frame, may travel vertically within the outer frame. The weight of the tubular string is transferred between the tripping slips and the elevator. The iron roughneck may make up or break out threaded connections between tubular segments, the upper tubular segment supported by the elevator and the lower by the tripping slips. An automated pipe handling apparatus may remove or supply sections of pipe from or to the elevator. A control system may control both the automated pipe tripping apparatus and the elevator and drawworks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ensco Services Limited
    Inventor: Rick Pilgrim
  • Patent number: 11401757
    Abstract: A pipe grabber is readily installed onto a pipe handler used to elevate large and heavy sections of pipe to and from a drilling platform. The pipe grabber has a pair of upper link arms pivotal about an upper cylinder pin, a pair of lower link arms pivotal about a lower cylinder pin, a pair of link pins coupling individual ones of the pair of upper link arms to individual ones of the pair of lower link arms, and a hydraulic cylinder affixed between the upper and lower cylinder pins. The pipe grabber captures a pipe within the pipe supporting trough when the cylinder is extended, and the upper link arms are configured to retract within a pipe grabber housing beneath the pipe supporting trough when the cylinder is retracted. A pair of hooks protrude from a housing side wall to suspend the pipe grabber from a pipe handler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Forum US, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Jeseritz, Ian F. Cockerline
  • Patent number: 11346165
    Abstract: A system and method for horizontally building stands of tubulars and transferring them to a rig floor. The system has a horizontal stand builder which assembles double or triple stands of tubulars. A catwalk and V-door are positioned alongside the horizontal stand builder. A skate is able to push either single, double, or triple stands along the catwalk and up the V-door to a position whereby an elevator on the rig can grip the stand and move it onto the rig. For transferring single stands of tubular, there is a carrier at the upper end of the V-door which can grip the single stand and lift it to the position for the elevator to grip it and move it onto the rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Gustaaf Rus
  • Patent number: 11248425
    Abstract: An apparatus for deploying lubricator pipes includes a rack configured to hold a plurality of lubricator pipes in a generally parallel orientation. The rack is pivotable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, and the plurality of lubricator pipes pivot as the rack pivots and remain generally parallel to one another in the rack. The apparatus also includes an actuator coupled to the rack and configured to pivot the rack from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Nathaniel Pettibone
  • Patent number: 11225846
    Abstract: A novel integrated pipe handling system and method is provided wherein one or more pipe tubs having lift arms can be loaded with pipe and transported to a drill site where it may be deployed next to a pipe handling trailer. The pipe tubs and pipe handling trailer are arranged such that when the lift arms are raised, pipes may roll from a tub to the trailer, where a pipe is transferred to an angularly adjustable trough on the trailer. The trough may be raised to a preselected position and the pipe moved along the trough by a skate such that the pipe is available to be transferred from the pipe handling trailer to a drilling rig. The process may be reversed to remove pipe from the drilling rig. A control system, which may be operated in a manual or automated mode, is used to operate the integrated system using information about each pipe joint recorded during the loading process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Glider Products LLC
    Inventors: Terry L. McIver, Zachary C. Nash, Gary R. Weatherman
  • Patent number: 11215023
    Abstract: A dual-open entry injector head positioning system installed on support structures, such as conventional lifting frames, utilized over wells on offshore vessels. The injector head positioning system is lighter and more compact than conventional equipment positioning systems, while permitting simultaneous deployment of multiple intervention systems (such as, for example, continuous tubing and wireline) from said lifting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: PROFESSIONAL RENTAL TOOLS, LLC
    Inventors: Grant Fleming, Scott Dees
  • Patent number: 11020840
    Abstract: A gripping system for securing a work piece includes a clamp device, a rotary actuator, and a control circuit. The clamp device includes a ball screw mechanism and a jaw portion that has multiple grip fingers. The ball screw mechanism includes a shaft and a holder assembly. The shaft extends through the holder assembly and is configured for displacement along a central axis of the jaw portion. A distal tip of the shaft engages the grip fingers. The control circuit controls the rotary actuator to drive rotation of the shaft relative to the holder assembly, causing displacement of the shaft along the central axis. The displacement of the shaft causes the distal tip of the shaft to force the grip fingers to move in a radial direction away from the central axis to provide a clamp force on the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Ashley Susan Combs, Daniel Thomas
  • Patent number: 10995550
    Abstract: A wellbore rig top drive is disclosed. The wellbore rig top drive can include a main bearing housing. The wellbore rig top drive can also include a main bearing supported by the main bearing housing. The main bearing can be configured to support a weight of a wellbore string and facilitate rotation of the wellbore string about an axis. The wellbore rig top drive can further include a quill supported by the main bearing and configured to rotate about the axis. The quill can be coupleable to the wellbore string. In addition, the wellbore rig top drive can include a drive motor disposed below the main bearing and supported by the main bearing housing. The drive motor can be coupled to the quill to provide torque to rotate the quill about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Faisal Yousef, Ernesto Rivera, Tommy Vu, Randy Pyrch
  • Patent number: 10988994
    Abstract: For wellbore operations, a pipe handler moves pipe up to a rig floor. A pipe loader moves pipe from a presented position into alignment with well center. The pipe handler moves pipe up to a slanted presented position. The slanted presented position can be adjusted by manipulating the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Prostar Energy Technologies (USA) LLC
    Inventors: Jason Peter Clarke, Douglas Andrew Hunter, Daniel Harvard Kusler, Mark Charles Taggart
  • Patent number: 10975635
    Abstract: An automated drilling rig system includes a drilling rig and a catwalk system. The drilling rig includes a rig floor, a substructure, a mast, a top drive, and a pipe handling apparatus. The pipe handling apparatus includes a column coupled to the rig floor at a position offset from the well centerline. The catwalk system includes a pipe tub, a catwalk lift frame, and a catwalk assembly. The pipe tub is configured to store one or more tubular members for use with the drilling rig. The catwalk assembly includes a base and a catwalk slide. The catwalk lift frame is coupled to the base of the catwalk assembly and extends substantially vertically to the rig floor. The catwalk slide is coupled to the catwalk lift frame at a first end and pivotably coupled to the base at a second end via a leveling strut. The catwalk slide includes a skate adapted to slide along the length of the catwalk slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Ashish Gupta, Derek Patterson, Padira Reddy
  • Patent number: 10890040
    Abstract: A rotary head guide system for a mobile drilling machine is disclosed. The rotary head guide system may include a drilling mast including a mast frame having an opening along substantially an entire length of the mast frame. The mast frame may include edges forming flanges on each side of the opening. The flanges may extend along the length of the mast frame. Additionally, the rotary head guide system may include a rotary head movably coupled to the drilling mast by a support structure including at least two guide assemblies engaging the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventor: Charles Taylor Hudson
  • Patent number: 10890039
    Abstract: A deck bushing system for a drilling machine having a mast deck including a deck hole is disclosed. The deck bushing system may include a deck bushing sized to be received in the deck hole. The deck bushing may include a tubular member having a generally square shaped flange. Additionally, the deck bushing system may include a deck bushing housing fixedly secured to the mast deck. The deck bushing housing may form a generally V-shape opening toward the deck hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventor: Fernando Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10822893
    Abstract: A tong includes a frame having jaws configured to engage a tubular and a tong control assembly disposed on the frame. The tong control assembly includes a housing connected to the frame, a shutoff switch, and a toggle lever located at a suitable position on the housing, whereby the toggle lever is configured to be operated while the shutoff switch is depressed, and wherein the toggle lever is configured to control at least one of: a rotational speed of the jaws and a rotational direction of the jaws. A method of operating a tong includes clamping a first tubular using first jaws of a tong, clamping a second tubular using second jaws of the tong, rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular, and controlling a rotational speed of the first tubular using a toggle lever disposed on a frame of the tong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Georg Zimbelmann, Ditmar Clasen, Bjoern Thiemann
  • Patent number: 10815735
    Abstract: A swivel stand apparatus includes a swivel tower and a swivel mounting frame to which the swivel tower preferably removably attaches using locking members. Non-wheeled friction reducing sliders preferably form an interface between the swivel mounting frame and the frame. The flanged beams are part of a basket which can receive and connect to either a jack base or a flange base. The basket can have legs of different lengths to allow connection of the basket to the bases in only one orientation to prevent incorrect connection of the basket to the base. The basket preferably includes specially configured pipe racks for holding vertically positioned pipe or pipe joints. The jack base preferably includes multiple legs to connect to legs of the basket, and two legs to contact and support the basket without necessarily being mechanically interlocked thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SWIVEL RENTAL & SUPPLY, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Douglas C. Burns
  • Patent number: 10648250
    Abstract: An elevator device for drilling systems consisting substantially of a lifting device (2) cooperating with a loading device (3) applied to a drilling machine (4); said lifting device (2) taking a rod (100) or a casing (101) from a horizontal position to successively engage said rod or casing in a driving head (5) of a drilling machine (4), said device being directly mounted on the driving head and being driven by said driving head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: WELL EQUIPMENTS INTERNATIONAL S.R.L.
    Inventor: Luigi Peveri
  • Patent number: 10597948
    Abstract: A boom system for transporting and deployment of utility service lines (such as cables, wires, hoses, pipes, etc.) from sources of the services to a drilling rig. The mobile boom system includes a mobile skid with posts located at opposite ends of the skid, and one or more articulating booms pivotally attached to each skid post. One or more articulating booms attached to a post at the first end of the skid can support and carry the service lines connected to the sources and one or more articulating booms attached to a post at the second end of the skid can support and carry the service lines connected to a drilling rig, or to an articulating boom extending from a drilling rig. The mobile articulating boom system can include means for moving and selectively positioning the mobile articulating boom system at a drilling site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Ferland, Bernard Cook, DeWayne Speer, Robert Lee Stauder, Anthony James Evans, Gary Don Davis, Patrick L. Gustafson, Victor Arthur Garcia
  • Patent number: 10557320
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a skate configured to engage a tubular while moving along a catwalk trough is provided. The skate comprises a frame having a drive system configured to move the tubular along the catwalk trough, a grip device coupled to the frame and configured to grip a pin end of the tubular, and a controller in communication with the drive system that controls movement of the frame based on movement of a box end of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventors: Juan Arbelaez, Joshua Brandon Meuth, Aaron Bryant
  • Patent number: 10526854
    Abstract: A method for handling pipe includes orienting a pipe having first and second ends so that the second end of the pipe is positioned vertically above the first end, and while the pipe is oriented with the second end positioned vertically above the first end, gripping onto the pipe proximate the first end with a lift jaw assembly that is coupled to a lift arm assembly. The pipe is vertically misaligned at a substantially non-zero misalignment angle relative to the first end of the pipe while gripping the pipe with the lift jaw assembly, wherein vertically misaligning the pipe includes rotating the lift jaw assembly relative to the lift arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory Keogh, Baldwin Zahn, Christopher Yeldell, Albert Koether
  • Patent number: 10527075
    Abstract: A torque restraint device for connection to a top drive or to a travelling block of a drilling rig. The device is reversibly connectable to a guide track connected to a mast of the drilling rig. The device includes a main body supporting a pair of lockable jaws connected with a hinge body. The jaws are configured to form a closed and locked bracket for engaging the guide track and configured to pivot on the hinge body to provide an open bracket to facilitate disengagement of the device from the guide track. The hinge body forms a connection between at least one of the jaws and the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Nelsen Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Blair Nelsen, James Chisholm, Cody Gunderson
  • Patent number: 10358879
    Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine that includes a rod box that has a large capacity, which allows the HDD machine to operate continuously for longer periods of time. The rod box has an upper end and a lower end and is pivotally connected to a frame of the HDD machine at a pivot axis positioned adjacent the lower end of the rod box. The rod box is pivotally movable between a stowed position and an operational position. The rod box obstructs movement of a drill head of the HDD machine when in the stowed position and is laterally offset from the drill head when in the operational position so as to not interfere with movement of the drill head. The rod box is tapered such that a width is larger adjacent the upper end of the rod box as compared to the lower end of the rod box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Brandon A. Maurer, Ward E. Ryon, Clint Recker
  • Patent number: 10323486
    Abstract: Energy may be stored, converted, and generated during a drilling operation. An example method includes receiving fluid energy from a flow of drilling fluid (115) in a borehole (105). The received fluid energy may be stored as mechanical energy in an energy storage device (205) in the borehole (105). Additionally, electrical energy may be generated from the mechanical energy using a generator mechanically or magnetically coupled to the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Cobb, Paul Rodney
  • Patent number: 10260294
    Abstract: Wellbore drilling system comprising: a drilling tower, a drill floor having a well center through which a drill string passes along a firing line, a drilling tubulars storage rack adapted to store multiple drilling tubulars in vertical orientation, a tubular racking device having at least a lower first tubular racker assembly and at least a second tubular racker assembly operable at a greater height than the first tubular racker assembly, each tubular racker assembly comprises a base, a motion arm connected to said base, and a tubular gripper member connected or connectable to the motion arm and adapted to grip a tubular, wherein—with the tubular gripping member connected to the motion arm of the racker assemblies—the tubular racking device is adapted to grip and retain a drilling tubular by the tubular racker assemblies, and wherein the tubular racking device is adapted to place a tubular in and remove a tubular from the drilling tubulars storage rack, and wherein the tubular racking device has a reach
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Hendrik Hessels
  • Patent number: 10161226
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for personnel on an oil drilling rig includes a cylindrical quick disconnect switch having a receptacle and a plunger. The receptacle has an open circuit pair of electrical wires. The plunger is configured to attach to a derrick man. The plunger and the receptacle are configured to mate when the plunger is inserted into the receptacle and to remain frictionally mated until pulled apart. The mating results in closing the circuit between the pair of electrical wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Sapheco, LLC
    Inventor: Perry L. Bagnaro
  • Patent number: 10151157
    Abstract: A tubular handling system has a trough with two exterior channels and an interior channel disposed between the two exterior channels. The two exterior channels and the interior channel are disposed along a longitudinal length of the trough and are configured to support at least one tubular. The tubular handling system also has a set of exterior kickers configured to move the tubular from one of the exterior channels to the interior channel and from one of the exterior channels to a position out of the trough. The tubular handling system has an interior kicker configured to move the tubular from the interior channel to one of the exterior channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventor: Gerardo Guerra
  • Patent number: 10100579
    Abstract: A system for cooling an exhaust system of a construction machine. The system has a compartment within which the exhaust system is contained. A first compartment wall forms an external boundary of the compartment and has a plurality of air inlets proximate the exhaust system. A fan assembly is also within the compartment and separated from the exhaust system by a barrier. A conduit crosses the barrier and has an inlet near the exhaust system and an outlet positioned between the barrier and the fan assembly. Air flows within the compartment along an air flow path that extends from the air inlets, around the exhaust system, through the conduit and into the fan assembly. The air flow path extends from the fan assembly through a plurality of air outlets formed in an external compartment wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip David Campbell, Chester S. McVay, Tyler J. Stanley
  • Patent number: 10053934
    Abstract: A racking arm assembly is adapted to be mounted on a drill floor of a drilling rig and includes a lift arm assembly having a first arm that is movably coupled to a vertical support column, wherein the lift arm assembly is adapted to be raised and lowered along a vertical length of the vertical support column during a pipe handling operation. A lift jaw assembly is pivotably coupled to a second arm of the lift arm assembly and includes a lift jaw assembly having a lift jaw gripping apparatus that is adapted to grip and fixedly hold a drill pipe stand proximate a pin end of the drill pipe stand during the pipe handling operation. The lift jaw gripping apparatus is further adapted to be rotated relative to the lift arm assembly about a substantially horizontal axis while the lift jaw gripping apparatus is fixedly holding the drill pipe stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory Keogh, Baldwin Zahn, Christopher Yeldell, Albert Koether
  • Patent number: 10041312
    Abstract: Handling device for a rock drill rig for handling drill string components for a drill string, wherein the handling device includes a linear guide, a slide being displaceable along the linear guide, and, supported by the slide, a gripping device, being displaceable between a drill string position in the rock drill rig and a delivering position outside the rock drill rig. The gripping device is supported by a swing arm which is swing drivable around a first rotational axis. The swing arm is swing drivable in respect of the slide around a second rotation axis. The swing arm support and the swing arm are swing drivable around a third rotational axis for swinging the gripping device to the drill string position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: EPIROC ROCK DRILLS AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventor: Johan Lindberg
  • Patent number: 10024124
    Abstract: A temporary support device for oil well tubes and method of use. The device comprises a holding structure (10) to be applied to the well surface casing (1), a holding base (20) resting on the well's cellar floor (40) and sets of adjustable supporting arms (30) connecting said holding structure (10) and said supporting base (20). The supporting base (20) is assembled and placed on the well's cellar floor (40) and the holding structure (10) is arranged around the upper end of the casing (1), alone or along with the tubular application device (2, 4, 5). Thereby, casing (1) is supported by the device of the invention. This supporting action is temporary until some operation is carried out and/or cementation and setting of the region surrounding tube (1) is produced, causing the tube to be permanently fixed in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Lance N. Pattillo
  • Patent number: 10000979
    Abstract: An earth drilling device includes a frame and a slide which is movable forward in the feed direction and backwards away from the feed direction. The frame includes a tilting device which causes the slide to incline relative to the frame and the feed axis when the slide is moved backward to the feed direction. An additional drill section may be inserted into the slide when it is inclined, then the slide may be moved forward in the feed direction to feed the additional drill section into the soil. A method for moving a drill section includes moving a slide opposite a feed direction in a frame. A tilting device causes the slide to incline relative to the frame and the feed direction, and an additional drill section is introduced into the slide. Then the slide is moved in the feed direction, feeding the additional drill section into the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TRACTO-TECHNIK GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Löher
  • Patent number: 9790752
    Abstract: A handling device for handling drill string components with respect to a rock drill rig including a rotator device supported on a feed beam and arranged to rotate and drive a drill string component. A gripper grips drill string components. The gripper is swingably supported around a first swing axis between: a first position aligned with the active drill string position, and a second position aligned with a delivering position for drill string components. A swing arm includes a support configured to support a drill string component and is swingable around a second swing axis. A guiding beam is fastenable at end regions in connection with respective regions of the first and second swing axis. The guiding beam forms mechanical stops for the gripper in the second position and for the swing arm in the delivering position. Also, a rock drill rig and a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO CRAELIUS AB
    Inventor: Rickard Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 9752395
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a wellbore drilling system comprising a drilling tower and a tubular racking device having at least a lower first tubular racker assembly and at least a second tubular racker assembly operable at a greater height than the first tubular racker assembly. The system further comprises one or more well center tools, each adapted for operation above the well center of the drill floor, e.g. an iron roughneck tool for making up and breaking out of threaded tubular joints. According to the present invention, the tubular racking device comprises a third tubular racker assembly which is vertically mobile and which is operable for tubular transfer between the firing line and the drilling tubulars storage rack in combination with the second tubular racker assembly, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Hendrik Hessels