Pipe-handling apparatus

• US 7,832,974 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2005
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nabors Drillling Technologies USA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology Limited (Nabors Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Brost, Friedhold, Fikowski, Larry M., Hunter, Douglas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams; Gregory W
• Application Number:
  US10/908,951
• Publication Number:
  US 20060285941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,994 Days
• Field of Search: 414/22.57, 414/22.59, 414/22.62, 414/746.1, 414/745.9, 414/746.2, 414/746.4, 414/746.8, 414/742, 414/743, 414/589, 414/22.58, 414/430, 414/480, 254/10.R, 254/10.C, 254/8.R, 254/8.C, 254/9.C, 254/3.R, 175/113, 89/18.15
• US Class Current: 414/22.54
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/155 Handling between horizontal and vertical position

Abstract

A pipe-handling apparatus for moving a pipe to and from a drilling floor of a drilling rig includes a main support structure, a ramp extendable between the main support structure and the drilling floor, a pipe carrier mounted on the main support structure for moving relative thereto between a lower position and an elevated position over the ramp, the carrier including a ramp end adjacent the ramp, an far end, and an elongate indentation on its upper surface to accommodate a pipe therein, a lift arm including a first end and a second end, the lift arm being pivotally connected at its first end adjacent the far end of the carrier and operable below the carrier to lift and support the carrier'"'"'s far end to an elevated position, a track on the main support structure for supporting axial sliding motion of the carrier and the lift arm therealong, the track including a stop for limiting axial movement of the second end of the lift arm along the track toward the ramp, and a drive system for pulling the carrier from the lower position to ride along the ramp to an elevated position, the drive system capable of pulling the lift arm along the track until it is stopped against the stop in track and to continue pulling to cause the lift arm to be pivoted up about the stop to lift the far end of the carrier.

Claims

1. A pipe handling apparatus for conveying pipe joints to and from a drilling rig floor, comprising:

a ramp interconnecting a main support structure with the drilling rig floor;

a fixed-length unitary pipe carrier having a ramp end adjacent the ramp, a far end opposite the ramp end, and an elongate indentation defined by opposing ramped side surfaces and configured to receive a pipe joint; and

a drive system configured to move the pipe carrier between a lower position and an elevated position;

wherein the drive system includes a winch, a cable extending between the winch and the pipe carrier, and a lift arm pivotally coupled adjacent the far end of the pipe carrier;

wherein the main support structure includes a track positioned in a longitudinally extending, upwardly opening recess configured to accommodate the pipe carrier;

wherein the pipe carrier and the lift arm are configured to ride along the track during elevation and lowering of the pipe carrier;

wherein the ramp is configured to accept and support the ramp end of the pipe carrier, and includes an upper end having a bearing surface configured to support movement of the pipe carrier thereover; and

wherein the winch is operable to pull the cable, thereby elevating the pipe carrier from the lower position towards the elevated position as the pipe carrier moves along the ramp, including to continue to pull the pipe carrier up over an upper end of the ramp such that the pipe carrier ramp end disengages from the ramp and is adapted to be supported by the bearing surface while being extended over the drilling rig floor as the lift arm, through its pivotal coupling with the pipe carrier, pivots upwards to lift the far end of pipe carrier.

2. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pipe carrier further includes a pipe stop member configured to support the pipe joint in the elongate indentation and thereby prevent the pipe joint from sliding down the pipe carrier when the pipe carrier is positioned in the elevated position.

3. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 2 wherein the pipe stop member is further configured to abut against the pipe joint and push the pipe joint axially along the pipe carrier.

4. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 3 wherein the pipe stop member is driven by an endless cable for movement along the pipe carrier.

5. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 4 wherein the pipe stop member includes a pipe engagement device configured to engage the pipe joint and, when the pipe joint is positioned in the pipe carrier, to facilitate movement of the pipe joint axially away from the ramp end with the pipe stop member.

6. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ramp is hinged to the main support structure through a bearing such that the ramp is operable to be folded relative to the pipe carrier.

7. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pipe-dumping apparatus including a plurality of kickers located at spaced-apart locations along the pipe carrier.

8. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 7 wherein the plurality of kickers includes a first kicker set operating on a first one of the opposing ramped side surfaces of the elongate indentation and a second kicker set operating on a second one of the opposing ramped side surfaces of the elongate indentation.

9. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of the plurality of kickers is mounted in a recess of one of the opposing ramped side surfaces of the elongate indentation, and each of the plurality of kickers has an upper surface coinciding with or recessed below one of the opposing ramped side surfaces of the elongate indentation when the kicker is retracted.

10. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of the plurality of kickers is connected to a drive that is operable to move the kicker to protrude above the corresponding one of the opposing ramped side surfaces of the elongate indentation.

11. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of kickers is mounted on a pivot pin and is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder that is coupled to the pipe carrier.

12. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a catwalk positioned adjacent the pipe carrier.

13. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a pipe indexing apparatus that includes a plurality of indexers located at spaced-apart locations along the catwalk.

14. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 13 wherein each of the plurality of indexers includes a body having an end that is configured to be flush with or recessed below an upper surface of the catwalk, wherein the body of the indexer is coupled to a plurality of hydraulic cylinders that are each operable to raise one end or the other end of the body relative to the catwalk such that the raised end of the body protrudes above the upper surface of the catwalk.

15. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 13 wherein the pipe indexing apparatus includes a plurality of stop pins positioned adjacent a pipe rack end of each of the indexers, with the pipe rack being positioned adjacent the catwalk.

16. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 15 wherein the plurality of stop pins are releasably mountable in corresponding positions on the catwalk that overlap the operational area traced by the plurality of indexers by a distance substantially equal to a diameter of each pipe joint.

17. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a programmable controller configured to control actuation of the drive system.

18. The pipe handling apparatus of claim 17 wherein the controller includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit operator commands.

19. A pipe handling apparatus for conveying pipe joints to and from a drilling rig floor, comprising:

a ramp interconnecting a main support structure with the drilling rig floor;

a pipe carrier having a ramp end adjacent the ramp, a far end opposite the ramp end, and an elongate indentation defined by opposing ramped side surfaces and configured to receive a pipe joint;

a drive system configured to move the pipe carrier between a lower position and an elevated position;

a pipe-dumping apparatus that includes a plurality of kickers located at spaced-apart locations along the pipe carrier;

a catwalk positioned adjacent the pipe carrier; and

a pipe indexing apparatus that includes a plurality of indexers located at spaced-apart locations along the catwalk;

wherein the drive system includes a winch, a cable extending between the winch and the pipe carrier, and a lift arm pivotally coupled adjacent the far end of the pipe carrier;

wherein the main support structure includes a track positioned in a longitudinally extending, upwardly opening recess configured to accommodate the pipe carrier;

wherein the pipe carrier and the lift arm are configured to ride along the track during elevation and lowering of the pipe carrier;

wherein the ramp is configured to accept and support the ramp end of the pipe carrier, and includes an upper end having a bearing surface configured to support movement of the pipe carrier thereover;

wherein the winch is operable to pull the cable, thereby elevating the pipe carrier from the lower position towards the elevated position as the pipe carrier moves along the ramp, including to continue to pull the pipe carrier up over an upper end of the ramp such that the pipe carrier is extended over the drilling rig floor as the lift arm, through its pivotal coupling with the pipe carrier, pivots upwards to lift the far end of pipe carrier;

wherein the pipe carrier further includes a pipe stop member configured to support the pipe joint in the elongate indentation and thereby prevent the pipe joint from sliding down the pipe carrier when the pipe carrier is positioned in the elevated position;

wherein the pipe stop member is driven by an endless cable for movement along the pipe carrier;

wherein the pipe stop member includes a pipe engagement device configured to engage the pipe joint and, when the pipe joint is positioned in the pipe carrier, to move the pipe joint axially with the pipe stop member;

wherein each of the plurality of kickers is mounted in a recess of one of the opposing ramped side surfaces of the elongate indentation, each of the plurality of kickers has an upper surface coinciding with or recessed below one of the opposing ramped side surfaces of the elongate indentation, each of the plurality of kickers is connected to a drive that is operable to move the kicker to protrude above the corresponding one of the opposing ramped side surfaces of the elongate indentation, and each of the plurality of kickers is mounted on a pivot pin and is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder that is coupled to the pipe carrier;

wherein each of the plurality of indexers includes a body having an end that is configured to be flush with or recessed below an upper surface of the catwalk, and the body of the indexer is coupled to a hydraulic cylinder that is operable to raise the body relative to the catwalk such that the end of the body protrudes above the upper surface of the catwalk; and

wherein the pipe indexing apparatus includes a plurality of stop pins positioned adjacent a pipe rack that is positioned adjacent the catwalk.

20. A pipe handling apparatus for conveying pipe joints to and from a drilling rig floor, comprising:

a ramp interconnecting a main support structure with the drilling rig floor;

a pipe carrier having a ramp end adjacent the ramp, a far end opposite the ramp end, and an elongate indentation defined by opposing ramped side surfaces and configured to receive a pipe joint; and

a drive system configured to move the pipe carrier between a lower position and an elevated position;

wherein the drive system includes a winch, a cable extending between the winch and the pipe carrier, and a lift arm pivotally coupled adjacent the far end of the pipe carrier;

wherein the main support structure includes a track positioned in a longitudinally extending recess configured to accommodate the pipe carrier;

wherein the pipe carrier and the lift arm are configured to ride along the track during elevation and lowering of the pipe carrier;

wherein the ramp is configured to accept and support the ramp end of the pipe carrier, and includes an upper end having a bearing surface configured to support movement of the pipe carrier thereover;

wherein the winch is operable to pull the cable to elevate the pipe carrier from the lower position towards the elevated position as the pipe carrier moves along the ramp; and

wherein the winch is operable to pull the pipe carrier up over the bearing surface of the ramp such that the pipe carrier ramp end disengages from the ramp and is adapted to be supported by the bearing surface while being extended over the drilling rig floor simultaneously with the lift arm rotating to lift the far end of pipe carrier.

21. A pipe handling apparatus for conveying pipe joints to and from a drilling rig floor, comprising:

a ramp interconnecting a main support structure with the drilling rig floor;

a pipe carrier having a ramp end adjacent the ramp, a far end opposite the ramp end, and an elongate indentation defined by opposing ramped side surfaces and configured to receive a pipe joint;

a catwalk positioned adjacent the pipe carrier;

a pipe indexing apparatus that includes a plurality of indexers located at spaced-apart locations along the catwalk; and

a drive system configured to move the pipe carrier between a lower position and an elevated position;

wherein the drive system includes a winch, a cable extending between the winch and the pipe carrier, and a lift arm pivotally coupled adjacent the far end of the pipe carrier;

wherein the main support structure includes a track positioned in a longitudinally extending, upwardly opening recess configured to accommodate the pipe carrier;

wherein the pipe carrier and the lift arm are configured to ride along the track during elevation and lowering of the pipe carrier;

wherein the ramp is configured to accept and support the ramp end of the pipe carrier, and includes an upper end having a bearing surface configured to support movement of the pipe carrier thereover;

wherein the winch is operable to pull the cable, thereby elevating the pipe carrier from the lower position towards the elevated position as the pipe carrier moves along the ramp, including to continue to pull the pipe carrier up over an upper end of the ramp such that pipe carrier is extended over the drilling rig floor as the lift arm, through its pivotal coupling with the pipe carrier, pivots upwards to lift the far end of pipe carrier;

wherein the pipe indexing apparatus includes a plurality of stop pins positioned adjacent a pipe rack that is positioned adjacent the catwalk;

wherein the plurality of stop pins are releasably mountable in corresponding positions on the catwalk that overlap the operational area traced by the plurality of indexers by a distance substantially equal to the pipe joint'"'"'s diameter; and

wherein a back surface of an outboard end of each of the plurality of indexers includes a tongue that extends down and is configured to prevent a next adjacent pipe joint from rolling toward the elongate indentation until at least one of the plurality of indexers is retracted, at which time the next adjacent pipe joint is free to roll to against at least one of the plurality of stop pins while the initial pipe joint rolls down the at least one of the plurality of indexers, across the catwalk, and into the elongate indentation.

22. A pipe handling apparatus for conveying pipe joints to and from a drilling rig floor, comprising:

a ramp interconnecting a main support structure with the drilling rig floor;

a fixed-length pipe carrier having a ramp end adjacent the ramp, a lower end opposite the ramp end, and an elongate indentation defined by opposing ramped side surfaces and configured to receive a pipe joint; and

a drive system configured to move the pipe carrier between a lower position and an elevated position;

wherein the main support structure includes a track positioned in a longitudinally extending, upwardly opening recess configured to accommodate the pipe carrier;

wherein the drive system includes a winch, a cable extending between the winch and the pipe carrier, and a lift arm pivotally coupled adjacent the far end of the pipe carrier where the lift arm has a length less than half a length of the pipe carrier and has a roller for engagement with the track in the main support structure;

wherein the pipe carrier and the lift arm are configured to ride the roller along the track during elevation and lowering of the pipe carrier;

wherein the ramp has a bearing surface at an upper end, wherein the pipe carrier is engagingly supported thereon as a portion of the pipe carrier is pulled up and over the drilling rig floor and the lift arm traverses the track until stopping so as to raise the pipe carrier rear end and wherein the track extends substantially over the length of the main support structure; and

a pipe stop member configured prevent the pipe joint from sliding down the pipe carrier when the pipe carrier is positioned in the elevated position.