Tubing injector for variable diameter tubing
First Claim
1. A tubing injector apparatus comprising:
- a pair of carriages that are transversely and pivotally movable with respect to one another, wherein the carriages are adapted for receiving a length of tubing therebetween;
a gripper chain on each of the carriages;
a hydraulic actuator cylinder connected to the carriages for providing transverse movement thereof so that the gripper chains provide a lateral load on the tubing and thus gripping engagement of the tubing by the gripper chains; and
a relief valve in communication with the hydraulic actuator cylinder to relieve pressure therein to prevent the lateral load from damaging the tubing as the diameter of the tubing increases.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tubing injector apparatus for use with variable diameter tubing. The apparatus comprises a pair of carriages which may be moved transversely and pivotally with respect to one another by actuating hydraulic actuator cylinders. A hydraulic control system uses relief valves to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the actuator cylinders when a tapered connector in the tubing passes between the carriages. A gripper chain in each carriage has gripper blocks to grippingly engage the tubing. A linear beam supports the gripper chain and has a plurality of resiliently biased segments therein to help maintain better contact with the tubing when the tapered connector passes through.
36 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A tubing injector apparatus comprising:
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a pair of carriages that are transversely and pivotally movable with respect to one another, wherein the carriages are adapted for receiving a length of tubing therebetween;
a gripper chain on each of the carriages;
a hydraulic actuator cylinder connected to the carriages for providing transverse movement thereof so that the gripper chains provide a lateral load on the tubing and thus gripping engagement of the tubing by the gripper chains; and
a relief valve in communication with the hydraulic actuator cylinder to relieve pressure therein to prevent the lateral load from damaging the tubing as the diameter of the tubing increases. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A tubing injector apparatus comprising:
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a pair of carriages that are transversely and pivotally movable with respect to one another, wherein the carriages are adapted for receiving a length of tubing therebetween;
a gripper chain on each of the carriages;
a linear beam supporting one of the gripper chains, wherein the linear beam defines a recess therein; and
a plurality of resiliently biased beam segments disposed in the recess. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A tubing injector apparatus comprising:
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a pair of carriages that are transversely and pivotally movable with respect to one another, wherein the carriages are adapted for receiving a length of tubing therebetween;
a gripper chain on each of the carriages;
a hydraulic actuator cylinder connected to the carriages for providing transverse movement thereof so that the gripper chains provide a lateral load on the tubing and thus gripping engagement of the tubing by the gripper chains; and
a hydraulic control system connected to the hydraulic actuator cylinder, wherein the hydraulic control system is adapted for maintaining a substantially constant pressure in the hydraulic actuator cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A tubing injector apparatus comprising:
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a pair of carriages that are transversely and pivotally movable with respect to one another, wherein the carriages are adapted for receiving a length of tubing therebetween;
a gripper chain on each of the carriages;
a hydraulic actuator cylinder connected to the carriages for providing transverse movement thereof so that the gripper chains provide a lateral load on the tubing and thus gripping engagement of the tubing by the gripper chains; and
a relief valve in communication with the hydraulic actuator cylinder to relieve pressure therein to prevent the lateral load from damaging the tubing as the diameter of the tubing increases.
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Specification