GB2158132A - Pipe handling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for moving pipe (P) laterally in and out of trough 34 comprising a frame 32 supporting a trough 34 for receiving and supporting a length of pipe (P) and providing a surface along which the pipe can move, at least one arm preferably a spaced pair of arms 56, 74 positioned laterally beneath the surface each having one end 104 pivotally connected at one edge of the trough and a second end 86 for engaging the pipe, with fluid actuated cylinders 90 having lower ends 92 pivotally attached to the frame 32 beneath the trough and upper ends 94 pivotally attached to the arms between their ends; the arms pivoting about their one ends 104 when the cylinders are pressurised, raising the second ends 86 through openings (106) in the trough surface to engage the pipe therein and force it laterally out, the second ends 86 being beneath the surface when the cylinders are not pressurised whereby the pipe can slide lengthwise not to obstruct the second ends. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pipe handling machine Background of the Invention This invention relates to a machine for handling pipe and similar tubular goods between a drilling rig and a pipe rack. It relates more particularly to a pipe handling machine adapted for use at onshore locations as well as to a machine that can be easily disassembled, transported between drilling rig sites, and reassembled at the new site.

In the prior art there are various methods and devices for lifting and moving pipe to and from pipe racks and an elevated drilling rig floor. One of such methods simply attaches a wire cable to the pipe and then the cable is lifted by a hydraulic winch which is typically mounted on the truck parked near the rig.

Cranes and hydraulic driven chains have also been used to lift and move the pipe. These methods have proven to be very slow and thus very costly. They also have required additional personnel to handle the pipe at both the drilling rig site and at the pipe rack.

As the pipe was transferred it could become unattached from the pipe lifting structure or more commonly could swing about thereby injuring personnel, or damaging the pipe or adjacent structure.

More recently machines have been built which have reduced these problems. However, these machines have also proven to be slow and cumbersome, as well as proven to be unsafe.

Machines have been built in the past which included a fixed trough, devices for moving pipe from the pipe rack to that trough, a moving means for moving the pipe from the fixed trough to a movable trough, and means for removing the pipe from the movable trough to the drilling rig floor. But, as has been previously discussed, these machines have proven to be cumbersome and slow.

Additionally, a pair of pipe racking arms positioned on either side of the stationary trough have been used. A length of chain is reeved about appropriate sprockets connecting pipe cradling lugs on legs on opposing sides of the stationary trough. A similar chain and lug assembly was provided on the other opposing pair of arms. A heavy and expensive motor and a large, single shaft drive apparatus were employed to turn the sprockets.

Thus, as the shaft turned, both the cradling lugs on one side of the stationary trough would be moving upwardly while the opposing lugs on the other side of the trough would be moving in a downward direction. This often proved to be unnecessary and unsafe since only the arms of one side of the trough or the other were being used at any one time.

To move the pipe from the stationary trough to the racking arms a dump trough system has been used. This system employed a tiltable segment of trough tilted by two pair of hydraulic cylinders positioned at either ends thereof. This system proved to be very fragile because the pivot point for the dump trough portion was at one end of the hydraulic cylinder, and because the hydraulic cylinders had to lift an entire trough section as well as the pipe.

The operator's station in prior machines was a separate unit connected by appropriate control lines. This unit was difficult to lift onto a transporting vehicle when being moved between drilling rig sites and would have to be lifted separately from the troughs.

Another problem present in prior art machines was that no suitable method had been developed for moving the pipe between the fixed trough and the inclined trough and then from the inclined trough to the drilling rig floor. Some past devices even required personnel to be positioned adjacent to the movable trough to hook the pipe to suitable lifting means. This, of course, proved to be slow, costly and dangerous. Mechanical devices used to move the pipe were slow and often mechanically complicated. They also would bang the pipe about damaging the pin ends thereof or the pipe handling apparatus's drive chains.

Objects of the Invention Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved machine for transferring pipe between a pipe rack and the floor of a drilling rig, and conversely during other sequences in the drilling operation to transfer pipe from the drilling floor to the pipe rack.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pipe handling machine which can be readily moved to and from a flatbed truck and the catwalk without requiring a crane or similar hoisting machinery.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pipe handling machine which does not require that the pipe racking arms on both sides be extended when only one is in use.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a pipe handling machine which allows the pipe racking arms to be easily pivoted to a position adjacent and parallel the stationary trough for easier transport of the machine.

Another object is to provide a pipe handling machine that has an operator's station attached thereto which can be folded down against the pipe handling machine for easier transport.

A further object is to provide a pipe handling machine which can transfer pipe from the pipe racks to the drilling rig with a short cycle time.

A still further object is to provide a pipe handling machine which brings the pipe end close to the center of the drilling rig and at a working level low enough to enable the pipe to be more accessible.

Another object is to provide a pipe handling machine which has an improved pipe tilting system for moving the pipe from a fixed trough to the pipe racking arms.

A further object is to provide a pipe handling machine having an improved pipe tilting system pivoting about a fixed point on the stationary trough.

A further object is to provide a pipe handling machine which smoothly moves the pipe along and between a horizontal fixed trough and an intersecting inclined trough to the drilling floor without damage to the pipe.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons having ordinary skiil in the art to which the present invention pertains from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the present invention in use at a drilling rig site.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the stationary trough of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the stationary trough of Fig. 2; the forward end of the movable trough is shown in phantom lines in its lower position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the tilting arms of the stationary trough or Fig. 1; one pair of tilting arms is shown in phantom lines in its raised or tilted position and the racking arms are shown in phantom lines in their down position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the tilting arms of Figs. 1 and 4.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view illustrating the tilting arms of Fig. 5; one tilting arm thereof is indicated in phantom lines in its raised or tilted position.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the stationary trough of Fig. 2 illustrating the tilting arms of Figs. 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the stationary trough of Fig. 7.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of one of the arm members of the tilting arms of Fig.

6, illustrated in isolation for clarity's sake.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary, partially broken away side elevational view of one of the racking arms of Fig. 1.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 11 wherein the movement of the cradling lug is illustrated in phantom lines.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the racking arm of Fig. 1 2 taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

Figure 14 is a side elevational view of the buggy in the stationary trough of Fig. 1 illustrating the movement thereof as it pushes a pipe along the stationary trough.

Figure 15 is a view similar to that of Fig.

14 further illustrating the pipe-holding shovel assembly thereof as it engages and rides up the movable trough.

Figure 16 is a top plan view taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 14.

Figure 1 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of Fig. 16.

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of Fig. 16.

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the carriage of Figs. 1 and 14.

Figure 20 is a fragmentary, perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating the shovel member as it moves onto the lower end of the movable trough of Fig. 1 when in its lower position; the arm members are shown in their open position.

Figure 21 is a perspective view similar to that of Fig. 20 illustrating the arms in their closed position as they move a length of pipe resting in the movable trough along that trough.

Figure 22 is a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lower end of the movable trough in its lower position.

Figure 23 is a view similar to that of Fig.

22 wherein the shovel member has engaged the carriage of the movable trough Description of the Invention General Description Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated an apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention shown generally at 30 for handling pipe P and other tubulars. This apparatus generally includes a main support frame 32 shown positioned on a catwalk C, a stationary trough 34 having ends 36 and 38 resting on and supported by support frame 32, and a movable trough 40 supoported at one end 42 on drilling rig D and at its other end 44 by a pair of masts 46, 46. Masts 46, 46 are mounted on opposite sides of stationary trough end 38. A mast drive system shown generally at 48 lifts and lowers movable trough end 44 between masts 46, 46. As movable trough end 44 is raised to its upper position, movable trough end 42 is caused to slide further on to drilling rig floor D and to be positioned generally lower relative to drilling rig floor D whereby a length of pipe may be more easily removed from movable trough 40. When movable trough end 44 is in its lower position, movable trough 40 and stationary trough 36 are adjacent each other and are in alignment so that pipe can slide between them.

The present invention also provides for a buggy 50 which is powered to ride in stationary trough 34 between ends 36 and 38 thereof. Buggy 50 engages a shovel member 52 which is adapted to hold one end of a length of pipe P. Shovel member 52 is also engageable with a carriage or similar means 53 positioned in movable trough 40. Carriage 53 is similarly powered to move along movable trough 40 between ends 42 and 44 thereof. Carriage 53 is likewise engageable with shovel member 52 whereby pipe P held by shovel member 52 may be moved between stationary trough 34 and drilling rig floor D along movable trough 40. When movable trough end 44 is in its lower position, shovel member 52 holding pipe P may be moved between the two trough.

The present invention also includes a racking arm assembly shown generally at 54 for moving pipe between pipe racks R, R and stationary trough 32. Pipe racks R, R are positioned on either side of stationary trough 32 and are illustrated in Fig. 1 as comprising triangular shaped structures though any suitable racks may be used. Racking assembly 54 is positionable on one or both sides of stationary troughs 34, as will be described in greater detail later. Also, a tilting arm assembly shown generally at 56 is provide This assembly 56 moves the pipe between stationary trough 34 and racking arms assembly shown generally at 54. Each of these racking arms is provided with a pivotal attachment 57 allowing pivotal movement in two directions so that the arms can be positioned alongside the stationary trough for easier transport of apparatus 30 and when not the particular arm is not being used.

Thus, as is readily apparent, pipe can be moved by apparatus 30 between pipe racks R, R and drilling rig floor D in one smooth operation. Pipe on drilling rig floor D is positioned in movable trough 40 and held therein by shovel member 52, which is then moved down movable trough 40 by carriage 53 as movable trough end 44 is moved down between masts 46, 46 by mast drive system 48 to stationary trough end 38. When movable trough end 44 is in its lower position shovel member 52 is disengaged from carriage 53 and engaged to buggy 50. Thus, as buggy 50 is moved in stationary trough 34 towards end 36, pipe P travels therewith until it reaches a position over tilting arm assembly 56. Tilting arm assembly 56 is then tilted toward racking arm assembly 54, as will be described in greater detail later.At that point, the pipe is moved by the racking arm assembly downward until it rests on pipe rack R. A similar procedure in reverse is used to move the pipe from pipe racks R, R to drilling rig floor D.

Only a single operator is needed to operate all of the aforementioned systems of apparatus 30. The present invention provides for a operator's station or cab 58 for that operator and an appropriate control panel disposed therein. Cab 58 is attached to stationary trough end 36. As best shown in Fig. 3, cab attachment 59 includes a pivoting means whereby cab 58 may be pivoted until it rest on stationary trough 34 for easier loading and transporting of apparatus 30.

Detailed Description The mast drive system shown generally at 62 in Fig. 3 is illustrated and described in further detail in commonly-owned U.S. application Serial No. 328,252, filed December 7, 1981, and corresponding PCT application Serial No. PCT/US 81/01552 filed November 20, 1 981, which disclosures are hereby incorporated in their entirety. Briefly, though, mast drive system 62 includes a chain 45 connected at one end to movable trough end 44 and at the other end to a hydraulic cylinder assembly, which in the preferred embodiment comprises two parallel hydraulic cylinders, positioned between and adjacent masts 46, 46.

As the cylinders are pressurized, the chain lifts movable trough end 44. Also, masts, 46 46 may be rotated between a vertical position and a horizontal position generally resting on trough 34 by a hydraulic lift system shown generally at 64. System 64 causes masts 46, 46 to pivot at 65 in a manner indicated by the arrows and phantom lines of Fig. 1.

Buggy 50 has a spine portion 66 depending therefrom and extending into slot 68 along the middle of stationary trough 34, as best shown in Fig. 2. Referring to Fig. 3, endless chain 70 is connected at opposite ends thereof to spine 66 and is powered to move buggy 50 along the stationary trough.

A shock absorber mechanism 72 is employed along chain 70 to absorb some of the impact forces as pipe P moves from movable trough 40 to stationary trough 34.

Tilting arm assembly 56 is illustrated in Figs. 4-10. Tilting arm assembly 56 comprises two sets of tilting arms 74 and each of these tilting arms 74 defines a wishbone shape, as well illustrated in Fig. 1 0. This wishbone shape includes arm portions 76 and 78 and hands 80 and 82. Hand surfaces 84 and 86 are shaped so that they lie flush with the surface of stationary trough 34 when the tilting arm is in the down or non-tilted position, as can seen in Fig. 4. The arm further includes holes 88 and 89 which provide pivotal connections.

As shown in Fig. 6, cylinder 90 is pivotally connected at each of its ends, lower end 92 and upper piston rod end 94. End 92 pivots about pin 96 which is mounted to ear 98. Ear 98 is securely mounted on cross member 100 of frame 32. End 94 pivots about pin 102 which passes through hole 89. Member 74, in addition to pivoting about pin 102, also pivots about pin 104. Pin 104 which passes through hole 88 is bolted to the stationary trough, as best shown in Fig. 6. Thus, as hydraulic cylinder 90 is pressurized by hydraulic fluid, its piston rod 105 extends arm 74 upward and thereby pivots it about pin 104. As it pivots, it extends through opening 106 (best shown in Fig. 4) in stationary trough 34 with surface 86 contacting a length of pipe P held therein and lifting it out of the stationary trough and rolling it towards the pipe rack R.Each set of arms is spaced a distance less then the length of a pipe and the hydraulic cylinders for them are pressurized at the same time so that the pipe is lifted in an even, horizontal manner.

Referring to Figs. 1 2 and 13, racking assembly 54 is shown. It basically comprises an arm 110, pivotally attached and its upper end to stationary trough 34 by pivotal attachment 57 and resting at its lower end on the ground, or similar surface, G. A hydraulic cylinder 11 2 is mounted in arm 110, which includes two interconnected box structures 111, 111, at its ends 114 and 11 6. A racking arm cross-head assembly 118 is attached at the end of piston rod 1 20 of hydraulic cylinder 11 2. A leaf chain 1 22 is attached at one end adjacent end 11 6 and at its other end to a lifting lug assembly shown generally at 1 24. It is lifting lug assembly 1 24 which cradles pipe P against arm 110 and, when pulled by leaf chain 122, lifts the pipe along the arm to stationary trough 1 34. Racking arm crosshead assembly 11 8 includes two parallel wheels 1 26, 1 26 which, when moved by piston 120, roll in arm 110 and about which leaf chain 1 22, 1 22 are reaved, as best shown in Fig. 11. Lifting lug assembly 124 includes two triangular shaped plates 128, 128, connected at one corner thereof by a roller tube 1 30. Roller tube 1 30 has welded thereto a pair of leaf chained devise assemblies 1 32, 1 32 to which leaf chains 122, 1 22 are attached. A roller shaft 1 34 also interconnects plates 128,128 at a second corner thereof. Rotatably secured to shaft 1 34 at either ends thereof and outside of plates 128, 128 are two weight members 1 36, 1 36 which are pivotally attached thereto and depending therefrom providing the needed weight to keep leaf chain 1 22 taut at all times.At the third corner of triangular plates 128, 1 28, a cam follower 1 38 is rotatably attached. As best shown in Fig. 1 2, and as lifting lug assembly is moved to the upper end of arm 110, cam follower 1 38 is cammed against surface 1 39 towards stationary trough 1 34 thereby causing a lifting lug assembly 1 24 to tilt towards stationary trough 34 and dumping pipe P into the trough.As hydraulic cylinder 11 2 is depressurized and piston 1 20 accordingly retracted, lifting lug assembly 1 24 aided by weight members 1 36, 1 36 is dropped down along the arm 110 past end 116 to ground G. Leaf chain 1 22 thus follows a path from point 11 6 down to point 114 and this allows for a racking arm assembly that does not require the piston to extend the full length of the arm member.

Referring to Fig. 1, it is seen that on either side of stationary trough 1 34 there are two racking arm assemblies 54, 54 on either side thereof. Each of the assemblies on one side of the stationary trough, or in the preferred embodiment on both sides of the stationary trough, are of identical construction and the hydraulic cylinders therefore are pressurized in parallel and identical manners so that the lifting lug assemblies travel up the respective arms at identical rates and the pipe moves in a level, horizontal manner. However, the racking arms assemblies on either side of the stationary trough are designed to operate independent of each other. Further, when the cradling lugs on one side of the stationary trough are dumping pipe into the trough, the cradling lugs on the other side can be in their upper position.This provides a safety stop so that when pipe is dumped into one side of the trough by the cradling lugs, it does not roll out the other side.

As previously mentioned, pivotal attachment 57 for the racking arm assembly allows for pivotal movement of arm 110 about two axes, as best shownc in Fig. 4. Pivotal attachment 57 includes a plate member 138 attached to the side of the stationary trough 34 by pivot assembly 140 which allows pivotal movement about axes 1 40a as shown in Fig.

4. Plate 1 38 further comprises two pair of ear members 142, 142 each having holes 144, 144 passing therethrough. Each pair of ears 142, 142 are spaced defining a slot therethrough in which tabs 145, 145 of structures 111, 111 can be placed. Tabs 145, 145 also have holes alignable with the holes in ears 142, 142 and through which pivot pins 146, 146 are positioned. Arm 110 is able to pivot about pins 146, 146, that is, about axis 146a. Arm 110, thus, may be moved between a down position resting on the ground and a horizontal or stored, position against the stationary trough.

As shown in Fig. 19, buggy 50 has a spine portion 66 depending therefrom which passes through the slot in stationary trough 34. On opposing sides of spine portion 66 and at either ends thereof are two sets of rotatably mounted wheel assemblies 1 50. Wheel assemblies 1 50 are adapted to ride in channel 1 51 extending the length of and beneath stationary trough 34. Thus, the endless chain mounted at either end of the spine pulls buggy 50 which then rolls on its wheel assemblies 150, 1 50. Buggy 50 also has a horizontal member 1 52 which has a bottom contour similar to that of the stationary trough.At the rear edge of member 1 52 and mounted perpendicular thereto is a vertical member 1 54 and mounted on the back side of member 1 54 are two hooks 1 56, 1 56 having their hook portion extending over the top of member 1 54. It is hooks 1 56, 1 56 which engage shovel member 52.

As best shown in Fig. 20, shovel member 52 has a horizontal base member 1 60 contoured so that it can freely slide in stationary trough 34 and in movable trough 40. The forward tip of member 1 60 has, as best shown in Fig. 16, a beveled cutout 162 at the location that would be exposed to the greatest impact or damaging contact forces.

Mounted vertically in a central section of member 1 60 is a striker plate 1 64. A resilient material or coating 1 66 is added to the forward face of plate 1 64. Coating 1 66 is added to provide a resilient surface against which pipe P can impact thereby absorbing some of the impact forces as well as preventing damage to the pin end of pipe P. Attached to the rear edge 168 of member 1 60 and at a angle to the horizontal arm members 1 70, 1 70, is a bar 172, which is mounted between arms 1 70, 1 70 at their uppermost ends. It is bar 1 72 which can be held by hooks 156,156 of buggy 50 when shovel member 52 is moved by buggy 50.Shovel member 52 further includes a vertical spine 1 74 mounted in the center of plate 1 60 between plate 1 64 and arms 1 70. Spine 1 74 provides needed structural support. Thus, as shovel member 52 is moved by buggy 50, bar 1 72 is held by hooks 156, as shown in Fig. 1 4. Referring now to Fig. 15, it is seen that as buggy 50 pushes shovel member 53 and thus pipe P up movable trough end 44, shovel member 53 rotates about edge 1 68 thereby rotating bar 1 72 down and out of engagement with hooks 1 56 so that it can move up the movable trough.The present invention teaches two methods for holding shovel member 53 and moving it along movable trough 40.

One method is illustrated in Figs. 20 and 21 and includes a bucket assembly shown generally at 1 80. Greater detail and explanation for the operation of one suitable bucket assembly 1 80 is found in the previously incorporated applications. Briefly, though, it includes a chain drive (not shown herein), which pulls mast structure 182, 1 82. A plurality of arm segments 1 84, 1 84 are attached to mast structure 1 82. Bucket assembly 1 80 further includes a mechanism (not illustrated herein) for closing and opening arm segments 1 84 when bucket 180 is adjacent movable trough end 44.This mechanism provides a camming action which closes arm segments 1 84 as buckets assembly 1 80 is pulled by the chain drive away from end 44, and also opens the arms as the bucket assembly approaches end 44. Arm segments 1 84 close around plate 1 64 holding shovel member 53 therein for travel along movable trough 40.

The second embodiment is shown Figs. 22 and 23. It provides for a carriage 1 86 driven by continuous chain 188, which reeves about drive sprocket 189, along the length of movable trough 40. This embodiment further includes a slightly modified shovel member 1 90 having a longer forward plate member 1 92 and also having a first latch portion 1 94 depending therefrom at a forward location of plate 1 92. First latch portion 1 94 is adapted to engage a second mated latch portion 1 96 mounted on carriage 1 86. As shown in Fig.

23, these two latch portions engage as shovel member 53 is moved onto movable trough 40 and carriage 186 is pulled by chain 1 88 up movable trough 40. This latching and unlatching procedure is activated by the aforementioned rotating action of the shovel member about its edge 1 68 as it moves between the two troughs.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the aforementioned invention pertains. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appended

Claims (3)

claims. CLAIMS

1. An apparatus for moving pipe laterally in and out of a trough comprising: a frame, a trough which is adapted to receive and support a length of pipe supported on said frame, said trough providing a surface along which said pipe can move lengthwise, a first arm means positioned laterally beneath said surface, said first arm means having one end pivotally connected at one edge of said trough and a second end adapted to engage the pipe, a first cylinder means having a lower end pivotally attached to said frame beneath said trough and an upper end pivotally attached to said first arm means between said one end and said second end, said first arm means pivoting about said one end when said first cylinder means is pressurized and raising said second end through an opening in said trough surface thereby engaging a pipe held therein and forcing the pipe laterally out of said trough along said one side, said second end being positioned beneath said surface when said first cylinder means is not pressurized whereby pipe positioned in said trough does not contact said second end and pipe can slide lengthwise in said trough.

2. An apparatus for moving pipe according to claim 1 further comprising: a second arm means positioned laterally beneath said surface and spaced a distance less than the length of pipe from said first arm means, said second arm means having one end pivotally connected at said one edge of said trough and a second end adapted to engage the pipe, a second cylinder means having a lower end pivotally attached to said frame beneath said trough and an upper end pivotally attached to said second arm means between said one end and said second end, said second arm means pivoting about said one end when said second cylinder means is pressurized and raising said second end through an opening in said trough surface engaging a pipe held therein and forcing the pipe laterally out of said trough along said one side, said second end being positioned beneath said surface when said second cylinder means is not pressurized whereby pipe positioned in the trough does not contact said second end and pipe can slide lengthwise in said trough, said first and second cylinder means acting in a parallel manner whereby said second ends of said first and second arm means move a length of pipe in a level manner into and out of said trough.

3. An apparatus for moving pipe according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising: a third arm means positioned laterally beneath said surface, said third arm means having one end pivotally connected at the edge of said trough opposite said one edge and a second end adapted to engage the pipe, a third cylinder means having a lower end pivotally attached to said frame beneath said trough and an upper end pivotally attached to said third arm means between said one end and said second end, said third arm means pivoting about said one end when said third cylinder means is pressurized and lifting said second end through an opening in said trough surface thereby engaging a pipe held therein and forcing the pipe laterally out of said trough along the side opposite said one side, said second end being positioned beneath said surface when said third cylinder means is not pressurized whereby pipe positioned in said trough does not contact said second end and pipe can slide lengthwise in said trough.