Vertically folding service arm for a movable platform offshore drilling or servicing rig
First Claim
1. An apparatus for maintaining a connection to a movable rig structure on a platform comprising:
- a support post having a first end and a second end;
a first arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is operatively connected to the second end of the support post such that the first arm is adapted for movement in a vertical plane;
a second arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second arm is operatively connected to the second end of the first arm and the second end of the second arm is operatively connected to the movable rig structure, the second arm being adapted for movement in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane;
a winch connected to the second arm;
a wireline extending from the winch to the second end of the support post; and
at least one supply line wherein the at least one supply line is supported by the first arm and the second arm such that the at least one supply line extends from the support post to the movable rig structure.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for maintaining electrical and hydraulic connections between a junction box (or junction boxes) located on or near an offshore platform'"'"'s floor and a movable drilling rig structure are disclosed. The disclosed invention is a unique vertically folding service arm capable of moving in both the horizontal and vertical directions in order to provide enhanced range of movement. The increased range of movement provided by the vertically folding service arm of the present invention allows electrical and hydraulic supply lines to remain connected between a junction box (or boxes) located on or near the platform floor and the rig structure even as the rig structure moves back-and-forth on the platform between multiple well centers. The vertically folding service arm of the present invention can also be easily disconnected and “folded” for transport without requiring the electrical and hydraulic supply lines to be disconnected from the drilling rig structure.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. An apparatus for maintaining a connection to a movable rig structure on a platform comprising:
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a support post having a first end and a second end; a first arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is operatively connected to the second end of the support post such that the first arm is adapted for movement in a vertical plane; a second arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second arm is operatively connected to the second end of the first arm and the second end of the second arm is operatively connected to the movable rig structure, the second arm being adapted for movement in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane; a winch connected to the second arm; a wireline extending from the winch to the second end of the support post; and at least one supply line wherein the at least one supply line is supported by the first arm and the second arm such that the at least one supply line extends from the support post to the movable rig structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A vertically folding service arm for use on a drilling platform, the service arm comprising:
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a support post connected to the drilling platform, wherein the support post is adapted to rotate; a first portion of the service arm operatively connected to the support post such that the first portion of the service arm is adapted for movement in a vertical plane and such that the service arm may be detached from the support post and lifted onto the movable rig to be stored; a second portion of the service arm, wherein the second portion of the service arm is operatively connected to the first portion of the service arm such that the service arm can extend away from the support post; a winch mounted on the second portion of the service arm and a wireline extending from the winch to the support post, wherein the winch and wireline are adapted to reduce the forces acting on the support post that are created by extension of the service arm away from the support post; a connector operatively connecting the second portion of the service arm to a rig that is movable on the drilling platform such that the second portion of the service arm is adapted for movement in both a vertical plane and a horizontal plane. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of connecting a supply line to a moveable rig on a platform comprising:
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operatively connecting a first arm to a support post such that the first arm is adapted for movement in a vertical plane; operatively connecting a first end of a second arm to the first arm and operatively connecting a connector to a second end of the second arm such that the second arm is adapted for movement in the vertical plane; operatively connecting the connector to the moveable rig such that the second arm is adapted for movement in a horizontal plane; and operatively connecting a supply line to the mobile rig such that the supply line extends from the platform and is supported by the first arm and the second arm. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of storing a service arm on a moveable rig of a platform comprising:
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detaching one or more supply lines from a junction box, the one or more supply lines extending from the junction box to the movable rig and supported by a first portion of the service arm and a second portion of the service arm; bringing together the first portion of the service arm and the second portion of the service arm by closing a hinge connecting the first portion to the second portion; detaching the first portion of the service arm from a support post connected to the platform; vertically rotating the service arm about a pin, wherein the pin operatively connects the second portion of the service arm to a connector that is attached to the moveable rig; and storing the service arm on the moveable rig. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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Specification