Guide rails for mobile drilling rig
First Claim
1. A system for supporting and transporting a drilling rig, the system comprising:
- a pair of rails, each rail comprising a plurality of rail segments and a plurality of connections between the segments, such that each rail comprises a continuous rail system;
wherein each connection comprises;
a plurality of interlocking lugs secured with a shear pin and arranged between a first segment and a second segment of the plurality of rail segments; and
an abutment face arranged on an end of the first segment, above or below the plurality of interlocking lugs, and configured to abut an abutment face on an end of the second segment;
such that each connection is configured to transfer moment and shear forces between adjacent rail segments and reduce beam deflection.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for supporting and transporting a drilling rig. The system may have a pair of rails, wherein each rail has a plurality of rail segments and a plurality of connections between the segments. Moreover, each connection may have a plurality of interlocking lugs secured with a shear pin and opposing abutment faces, such that each connection may be configured to transfer moment and shear forces between adjacent rail segments. In some embodiments, the each rail segment may be configured to support a point load of up to 1000 kips. In some embodiments, each rail segment may have a protruding connector and a receiving connector, and each connection may include the protruding connector of a first segment and the receiving connector of a second segment. In some embodiments, a portion of each connection may be configured for tension loading and another portion may be configured for compression loading.
112 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for supporting and transporting a drilling rig, the system comprising:
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a pair of rails, each rail comprising a plurality of rail segments and a plurality of connections between the segments, such that each rail comprises a continuous rail system; wherein each connection comprises; a plurality of interlocking lugs secured with a shear pin and arranged between a first segment and a second segment of the plurality of rail segments; and an abutment face arranged on an end of the first segment, above or below the plurality of interlocking lugs, and configured to abut an abutment face on an end of the second segment; such that each connection is configured to transfer moment and shear forces between adjacent rail segments and reduce beam deflection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A rail for supporting and transporting a drilling rig, the rail comprising a plurality of rail segments, each segment comprising:
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a base layer comprising; a protruding connector arranged at a first end of the rail segment and configured to engage a receiving connector of an adjacent rail segment; and a receiving connector arranged at an opposing second end of the rail segment and configured to engage a protruding connector of an adjacent rail segment; a roller assembly guide configured to engage with one or more rollers coupled to a drilling rig; and an intermediary layer arranged between the base layer and the rail assembly guide. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A connection between first and second rail segments of a rail for supporting and transporting a drilling rig, the connection comprising:
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a tension connector configured for tension loading, such that the tension component of a moment load is transferred between the two rail segments; and an abutment face arranged on an end of the first segment, above or below the tension connector, and configured to abut an abutment face on an end of the second segment, the opposing abutment faces configured for compression loading, such that the compression component of a moment load is transferred between the two rail segments. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification