Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
7S~ 1)
_IL WELL DRILLING RIG
ASSEMBLY AND APPARAT~S THEREFOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to oil well drilling
rig assemblies and in particular to an arrangement
for transferring sections of drill pipe between a supply
of such pipe to a position adjacent the main drill mast.
Furthermore, the invention relates to an improved clamping
mechanism on the supply mast for releasable clamping the
pipe sections thereon for transfer between the main mast
and supply racks.
BACKGROUND ART
Various mechanisms have been devised for
transferring sections of drill pipe between a supply
of such pipe and the main drill mast for either installing
the pipe sections in the drill oil or for pulling the
sections from the well. These prior pipe transfer devices
move the pipe from its normal horizontal stored position
adjacent the base of the main drill mast or derrick to
a vertical yosition for installation in the drill hole
by the equlpment mounted on the main mast. Examples of
such prior transEer masts and associated equipment are
shown in Unitecl States Patent Nos. 3,177,944 (Kni~hts)
issued April 13, 1965; 3,613,905 (Woolslayer et al) issued
October 19, 1971; 3,633,771 (Woolslayer et al) issued
January 11, 1972; 3,702,640 (Cintract et al) issued November
14, 1972; 4,109,800 (Howard et al) issued August 29, 1978;
and 4,172,6~4 (Jenkins) issued October 30, 1979.
Although these prior constructions may perform
satisfactorily, they are relatively expensive and difficult
to operate and provide a safety problem in that movement
of the supply mast or pipe transfer device toward the
main drill mast, a workman in the vicinity between the
main mast and pipe supply apparatus could be crushed.
/~,t ~ .
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A further problem with known pipe trans-
fer devices ls tlle inabillty of the device to accom-
modate pipes oE various siæe aiameters. ~lthough
certc~in ~ransfer devices have adjustablc clamps, the
centerline of the pipe with respect to the transfer
mechanism will vary depending upon the size of the
pipe. This presents alignment problems when the
pipe is raised to a pipe installation position with
the main mast due to the relocation of the supply pipe
centerline. A still further problem with known pipe
clamps is that the clamping pressure can damage the pipes
secured thereby where relatively thin-walled pipe is
used Eor a particular well installation in contrast to
other installations using a heavy-walled pipe. Heretofore
the clamps will maintain a constant clamping force
regardless of the slze and wall thickness of the pipe
being clamped thereby.
~ further problem with known drilling mast
assemblies is that the pipe secti.ons may require manual
movement and relocation :~o~ placing the pipe sections on
the transfer mechan:ism, all of which increases -the
number oE men required at a drill s:ite as well as the
amount Oe time Eor loading or unloading the transfer
mechanism with a pipe sec-tion. Furthermore, this
manual handling of the pipe increases the safety risk
for the workmen.~
~ Another problem with prior drill assemblies
having pipe transfer devices is that the pipe sections
are stored on the drilling platform or in the main
drilling mast increasing the danger to the workmen
~and possible damage to -the equipment, especially when
high winds are encountered due to the excess weight at
an elevated position and resulting moment force that
is applied to -the base of the drilling mast. Therefore,
there is the need for an improved drilling mast assembly
S~
and pipe -transfer mechanism which eliminates these
problems which have existed in the art.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Objectives of the invention include
providing an improved oil well drilling assembly
having an improved transfer mas-t for transferrin~
sections of pipe between the main derrick, and a
horizontal position adjacent a storage rack in a safe
manner; and in which the transfer mast has an offset
base mounting arrangement which provides a sufficient
spacing from the base of the ma.in mast when in a
raised position Eorming a catwalk between the main
mast and supply mast preventing a workman from being
cruslled therebe~tween as in some p.rior constructions.
~nother objective is to p:rov.ide such assembly in
which the s~pply mast is ra.ised and lowered by tele-
scopically extendable and retractable cy~inders
providlng ~or a controlled, smooth movement of the
mast; in wh.lch improved pipe clamping members are
mounted on the supply mast; and in which the supply
mast is formed by telescopically extendable members
to permit adjustment to the length of the mast to
match the particular length of the pipe sections being
transEerred thereby.
~ further objective of the invention is
to provide an improved clamping mechanism for the
transfer mast which is adjustable to accommodate
pipe sections of different diameters while maintaining
the same axial centerline of the pipe with respect to
the mast whereby -the pipe sections remain axially
aligned wi-th the centerline of the main drilling mast
when raised to the vertical position; and in which
the clamping pressure of the pipe clamps is adjustable
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to con:For.m with the thickness and strength o-E the
pipe walls to adequately gr.ip the p.ipe sections to
prevent rotation thereof when being installed in
the main d~ill pipe string, without damaging the pipe
walls by excessive clamping pressure.
A still further objective of the invention
is to provide such an assembly in which the pipe
sections are loaded automatically onto the pipe clamps
of the transfer mast from either side of the supply
. mast either by a pair of power-driven pickup arms which
will raise the pipe sections from a lower level on a
trailer and place the same onto the clamps, or by means
of a pair,of spaced indexi.ng wheels which automatically
discharges indivi.dual pipes from a sloped supply trailer
on-to the clamps; and in which the indexing wheels are
power driven by a pressure cylinder enabling the pipes
to be transEerred .Erom the mast onto the trailer in a
revers~ op~ration, iE desired.
~ st.~ll Eurther objec~i.ve oE the invention is
to provide such a drillin~ assembly and tr~ns:~er mast
which eliminates the storage of the pipe sect.ions on
the main d~il].ing mast or drilling platform thereby
increasing the safety to the workmen and drilling
e~uipment, which eliminates manual transfer or placement
of th~s pipe sections onto and off of the transfer mast,
and ln which an improved shock absorbing alignment
mechanism is provided by the supply mast clamps in
combination with the main drill mas-t to automatically
center the supply mast with respect to the open side
of the main drill mast for transferring the pipe sections
therebetween.
~ further objective of the invention provides
such an improved drilling mast assembly which reduces
the number of workmen required at a drill site; provides
a less e~pensive drilling unit; reducing the expense
and time required for installing and removing sections
~;Z47S'~
oE drill pipe :Erom a well hole; increases the safety
Eor the workmen; and reduces problems existing ln
the well drilling art and solves problems that have
long existed in -the art.
These objectives and advantages are obtained
by the improved well dr.illing assembly, the general
nature oE which may be s~.ated as including a main
drilling m~st having a base and an upper structure,
said upper structure being adapted to receive sections
of drill pipe; a pipe supply mast adapted to releasably
hold a section of drill pipe, said supply mast having
upper, intermediate and lower sections, said lower
section being pivotally mounted in a spaced relationship
~om the base of the main mast for movement between a
horizontal pipe receivinc~ position and a ra.ised pipe
dischar~e pOSitiOIl; storage rack means Eor holding a
plurality o:~ drill pipe sectlons~ and pipe dispensing
means operclt:ively communicatirlg with the pipe supply
mast and storage rack mean~ for .ind.ividually dispensing
a pipe section onto the upper section of the pipe supply
mast when said s~lpply mast is in a horizontal position
or subse~uent delivery by the supply mast to the
upper structure oE the main drilling mast.
BRIEF nESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
. A preferred embodiment of the invention,
illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has
contemplated applying the principles, is set forth
in the following description and is shown in the
: drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed
out and set forth in the appended claims.
FIG. l is a diagrammatic top plan view
showiny the improved well drilling assembly with the
pipe supply mast being in a horizontal, lowered
.,
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position located between storage racks containing
sections of drill pipe and pipe casing;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational
view showing the main drill mast in a vertical raised
position and the supply mast in full lines in a
hori.~ontal pipe receiving position and in a raised
vertical position engaged with the main drill mast,
with an intermediate position of -the supply mast being
shown in dot dash lines;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the
pipe supply mast in a horizontal pipe receiving position
with the e~tended end of the mast being shown in dot
dash lines in an outwardly adjusted position;
FIG. ~ is a top plan view of the pipe supply
mast of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a ~sect:ional v.iew taken on line 5-5,
FIG. 2 showin~ one of the improved pipe clamping
assemblies gripping a pipe which is shown in section,
and also showing the improved shock absorbing and
alignment mechanism;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the stationary
pipe clamping jaw removed from the mounting plates;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view, portions of
which are broken away and in section, showing the other
of the pipe clamping jaws removed Erom the movable
mounting pla-tes;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional
view taken on line 8-8, FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the
support frame for the pipe supply mast which is shown
in dot dash lines in FIG. 2;
FIG. 10 is an eleva-tional view of the suppor-t
frame of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the
support frame of FIGS. 9 and 10;
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FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view looking in
the direct:ion o:E arrows 12-12, FIG. 1 showing the
improved pipe load.ing and unloading arrangemen-t in
combination Witll the pipe supply mast shown in dot
dash lines mounted within the support frame;
FIG. 13 is an elevational view of the
transfer indexing wheel for the drill pipe sections
looking in the direction of arrows 13-13, FIG. 12; and
: FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line
14-14, FIG. 8.
Similar numerals refer to similar parts
throughout the d.rawinys.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION
, ... . . ... ..
~Ihe improved oil well drilling assembly
is lncl.icated generally at 1, and ls shown diagram-
matically in FIGS. 1 and 2. ~ssembly 1 includes a
mc~in drill.ing mast indicatetl generally at 2, which
received sec~t.tolls oE dr.l].l pipe 3 .Eo.r placi.ng the
same in a drilled well hole in a usual manner. An
improved pipe supply mast i.s indicated generally at
5, and is shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. Supply
mast 5 includes a lower section 6 which is pivotally
mounted on a pair of pivot blocks 7, an intermediate
section 8, and a top section 9. Lower section 6 is
formed by a plurality of structural members 6a and 6b
and ex-tends generally parallel with upper section 9
with intermediate section 8 extending in an angled
fashion therebetween.
Supply mast 5 is raised by a pair of hydraulic
cylinders 10 between a lowered horizontal pipe receiving
position and a vert.ical raised pipe discharged position,
both of said positions being shown in full lines in
FIG. 2. An intermediate supply mast position is shown
in dot dash lines in FIG. 2. Cylinders 10 have a
telescopically expandable and retractable construction
to provide the necessary amount of swinging movement
for moviny supply mast 5 between the raised and lowered
positions. The lower end of cylinders 10 will be
pivotally mounted by pins 11 to a main support beam 12.
The up~er end of cylinders 10 are pivotally mounted by
pins 13 to a brace 14 attached to intermediate mast
section 8.
Upper mast section 9 preferably is formed
by a pair of telescopically joined inner and outer
sections 16 and 17 with outer section 17 being tele-
scopically slidably mounted wi-thin inner section 16.
~his telescopic mounting arrangement enables supply
. 15 mast 5 to accommodate various leng-ths oE dxill pipes 3
for transfer between main drilling mast 2. Outer
section 17 is shown ln an extended posi-tion by dot dash
lines .in FIGS. 3 ancl ~.
In accordance wlth one of the features of
the inventioll, a plurality of pipe clamp mounting
assemblies, indicated generally at 20, 21 and 22, are
mounted on pipe s~lpply Mast 5 Eor releasably clamping
a section Oe drill pipe 3 thereon for transferring the
pi.pe between a horizontal .lowered position and a
vertical raised position adjacent main drilling mast 2.
Pipe clamp moun-ting assemblies 20 and 21 are mounted
on opposite ends of mast section 16 wi-th mounting
assembly 22 being mounted on the extended end of
mast section 17.
Clamp mounting assemblies 20, 21 and 22 are
generally similar to each o~her. Therefore only
intermediate mounting assembly 21 is shown in detail
in FIGS. 5 through 8 and FIG. 14. Assembly 21 in-
cludes a pair of spaced plates 24 formed with aligned
rectangular-shaped openings 25 for receiving supply
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mast sections 16 and 17 therein. Mast section 16
is :firmly attached to plates 27 w.ith mast section 17
being slidably mounted with respect to the plates
within mast section 16. ThUs, pla-tes 29 in addition
to prov.iding the support for mounting a pipe clamping
mechanism thereon, also serves as the connection for
telescopically slidably mounting inner mast section 17
withln mast section 16.
A pipe clamping mechanism indicated generally
at 26, is mounted on each pair of plates 24. Each
mechanism 26 includes a pressure actuated cylinder 28
which is pivotally mounted by pin 29 on one end of plates
24 and is located in the space between the plates to
protect the cylinder from damage or interference with
other struc~ures. Preferably cylinder 28 is pneu-
matically opera-ted and is controlled from an operator
control panel located on the drilling plat:Eorm. Cylinder
r.ocl 30 is pivotally mounted by pin 31 between a pair of
movable spaced pipe jaw holding plates 32 (FIGS. 5 and 8).
Jaw pla~s 32 ar~ pivotally moun~ed by a pin 33 between
plates 24 ad~acent semicyl:indr.ical-shaped recesses 45
Eormed in an end o.E plates 2Q. ~ pipe holding jaw
indicated generally at 35 (FIGS. 7 and 8), has a
generally T-shaped configuration and is slidably ad-
justably mounted between jaw holding plates 32 by a
locking pin 36. A plurality of holes 37 are formed in
the T-shaped base portion 38 of jaw 35 through which pin
36 is inserted when jaw hole 37 is aligned with one of
a plurality of holes 39 formed in jaw holding plates 32
to maintain jaw 35 in the desired adjusted position.
Another pipe holding jaw indica-ted generally
at 42 (FIGS. 6, 8 and 14), is adjustably mounted within
a slide 43 formed between spaced plates 24 adjacent to
and in communication with semicylindrical-shaped re-
cesses 45 formed in the ends of plates 24. Pipe holding
s~
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jaw 42 includes an outer, rectangular-shaped housing
46 having a pair oE spaced internal reinforcing
plates 47. A V-shaped top plate 48 is mounted on one
end of hou~ing 46 and has a plurality of spaced pipe
gripping tong dies 49 slidably mounted within dovetail-
shaped grooves 50 formed in top plate 48. Housing 46
and reinforcing plates 47 are formed with a plurality
of aligned spaced holes 52 and 53 respectively. A
locking pin 54 extends through holes 52 and 53 when
aligned with holes 55 and 56 which are formed, in
space plates 24 and inner slide plates 51, respectively,
to lock jaw 42 i.n a predetermined pipe holding position.
Pla-tes 51 are firmly connected by welds or other
fastening means to plates 24 to provide a slide for
housing 46.
~ tong die mounting block 57 is secured to
the outer end oE base 38 of jaw 35 (FIG. 7) and is
Eormed with a dovetail-shaped groove 58 Eor slidably
mounting a pipe gripping tong die 59 therein.
Pipe clamping mechanism 26 provides one of
the improved advantages and Eeatures oE drilling rig
assembly 1 since it provides a constan-t centerline 60
(FIG. 5) Eor drill pipe 3 regardless of the particular
diameter of the drill pipe. Jaws 35 and 42 are adjusted
toward or away from a pipe section 3 dependiny upon the
particular diameter oE the pipe. Tlle amount of adjustment
is the same Eor both jaws thereby maintaining the pipe
centerline 60 a-t the same position. This elimina-tes
any additional realignment or manipulation of the pipe
sections upon supply mast 5 being raised to the transfer
position with drilling mast 2. Pipe section 3 will be
firmly gripped by jaws 35 and 42 within a circular
opening formed by semicircular recess 45 of plates 24
and semicircular recess 41 formed in jaw plates 32.
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In accordance with another Eeature oE the
invention, the outer corners of plates 24 are formed
with a pair of angled surfaces 62 which merge into
surfaces 63 which are parallel w.ith plate edges 64
(FIG. 5) for cooperative engagement with a pair of
rubber blocks 6~. Blocks 68 are secured to the outer
frame members 65 of main drilling mast 2 and extend
inwardly toward each other. Blocks 68 are provided
with outer surfaces 66 and 67 which are complementary
with plate edge surfaces 62 and 63, respectively. Thus,
as clamping assemblies 20 and 21 approach main mast 2,
angled surfaces 66 of rubber blocks 68 will engage
angled surfaces 62 of plates 24 causing plates 24 to
move -transversely into correct alignment until sur:Eace
. 15 67 oE blocks 68 engage complementary plate surfaces 63.
This sliding movement between surfaces 62 and 66 will
transversely alic3n m~st 5 with respect to ma.in mast 2.
In addltion, rubber blocks 68 will stop the pivo~al
movement oE mast 5 at the desired position agalnst main
mast 2 wher~by cente.rline 60 oE p.ipe section 3 will be
at the c1~sired position.
Thus, re~ardless oE the number o:E times that
trans~er rnast 5 is ra:ised and lowered for transferring
new pipe sections Erom a supply thereof to main mast 2,
the centerllne of the pipe section will xemain constant
due to adjustable pipe clampi.ng mechanisms 26 and the
self-aligning feature of rubber blocks 68. Likewise,
in addition to aligning supply mast 5 with respect to
mast 2, blocks 68 function as shock absorbers to absorb
the impact energy oE mast 5 as it engages mast 2.
Another advantage of improved pipe clamp
mechanisms 26 is that the force exerted on cyl.inder rod
30 is adjustable whereby the pipe clamping pressure
exerted by jaw 35 can be adjusted to a predetermined
pressure. This prevents excess pressure being applied
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to a relatively thin wall pipe section 3 which could
damage the same, and will enable sufficient clamping
pressure to be exerted on a pipe section 3 preventing
rotation thereo~ when a collar or other installation
device ls applied or removed from the pipe section.
The pressure e~erted on rod 30 is controlled easily
from a control panel (not shownj which is located on
the main mast platform through hydraulic or pneumatic
lines extending thereto.
Pipe supply mast 5 is supported by a frame
assembly indicated generally at 70, when in a horizontal
pipe receiving position as shown particularly in FIGS.
9~12 and in dot dash lines in FIG. 2. E`rame 70 is
mounted on a plurality of spaced I-beam 71 and includes
a latticework Oe vertical, horizontal and diagonal
frame members 72, 73 and 7~ respectively. Innermost
vertical Erame membe.rs 73 form a cradle opening 75 in
which upper mast sectlon 9 rests when in the horizontal
position.
~not}ler oE ~lle main features oE improved oil
well drill:ing assembly 1 is the mechanism Eor trans-
Eerring sect:ions of dri.ll pipe 3 onto and oEf of pipe
supply mast 5. This arrangement is shown particularly
in FIGS. 1, 12 and 13. Drill pipes 3 are delivered to
the well site on a pipe trailer 78 having a pipe rack 79.
Rack 79 is movable vertically and at a forward or reverse
inclined angle by a plurality of spaced hydraulic or
` pneumatic cylinders 80. A pair of indexing wheels 81
are mounted in a spaced relationship on a pivot rod 77
on one side of pipe trailer 78 by brackets 84 and are
rotated by a pressure cylinder 82.
An individual pipe will by gravity roll into
one quadrant 83 of indexing wheel 81. Actuation of
cylinder 82 will rotate wheels 81 in a counterclockwise
direction (FIG. 12) which will discharge pipe section 3
:~L24'75~
onto top fr~me members 76 of frame assembly 70
whereupon the pipe section will roll downwardly onto
and across edges 64 of spaced plates 24 and onto V-
shaped plate 48 of pipe clamping jaw 42 within recess
45. Cylinder 28 then is actuated pivotally moving
clamping jaw 35 into engagement with pipe section 3.
Indexing wheels 81 also can be operated in
reverse to move a pipe section from transfer mast 5
onto pipe trailer 80 when the pipe sections are being
removed from a well. The right-hand end hydraulic
cylinders 80 (FIG. 12) of pipe trailer 78 would slope
pipe raclc 79 in the opposite direction from that shown
in FIG. 12 whereupon rotation of .indexing wheels 81 .in
a cloclcwise direction will move the pipe onto the trailer.
. 15 In aecordanee with sti:Ll another fea-ture o~
the lnvention, a p.ipe eas.ing transfer meehanism .indieated
generally at 87, is loeated on the oppos.ite side oE
transEer mast Erame supporting assembly 70 from p.ipe
trailer 78 (F~.G. 12). Caslng transfer meehan.ism 87
ineludes a eas:ing support raek 88 whieh is pivotally
mounted by pins 89 on braekets 86 whieh are connected
to Erame assembly 70 for supporting a plurality of
pipe easings 90. Raek 88 is inelined downwardly toward
frame assembly 70 by a hydraulie eylinder 91 attaehed
to the outer end of raek 88. A pair of spaeed lifting
arms 93 are pivotally mounted by pins 94 to braekets
95 mounted on frame assembly 70. Arms 93 are pivotally
moved with respect to bracket 95 by pressure eylinders
96 whieh are pivotally mounted by pins 89 to bracket 86
beneath bracket 95. The extended ends of piston rods
of~cylindexs 96 are pivotally connected by pins 99 -to
a midpoint of lifting arm 93.
The swinging end of each arm 93 is formed with
a no-tch 100. A casing 90 rolls down inelined support
raek 88 into notehes 100 of arms 93. Aetuation of
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~1~~
cylinders 96 will move arms 93 upwardly from their
~ull llne position oE ~IG. 12 to the dot dash line
position, whereupon the casing 90 will be discharged
onto top Erame member 76. Casing 90 will roll along
frame member 76 and onto top edges 64 of pipe clamp
assembly plates 24 and into recess 45 and onto pipe
holding jaw 42. Movable jaw 35 and plates 32 will be
pivoted below plate edges 64 until casing 90 has
entered recess 45 whereupon jaw holding plates 32
will pivot from between plates 24 to a clamping
position in the same manner as when a pipe section 3
is clamped by pipe clamp mechanisms 2~.
The operation of arm 93 will work in
reverse for transEerring a casing from transfer
mast 5 to a stored position on casing support rack 88.
During this operation, cylinder 91 will lower casing
rack 8~ downwardly to enable the transfer casings to
roll toward the outer end oE rack 88 aEter arm 93 has
moved to its lowered posit.ton. Cylinder 91 will. lower
the outer ell~ o.E rack 8R to ~Eoxm an outwardly downwardly
~xtend.tncJ r~clc.
The improved oil well drilling rig assembly
has a number oE advantages. The offset arrangement of
the lower por-tion oE the transfer mast Eorms a catwalk
between the transfer mast and main drilling mast pre-
venting the possibility of a workman being crushed or
injured during movement of the transfer mast toward
the main mast. Another advantage is that plates 24 of
the improved pipe clamp mounting assemblies, in addition
to supporting the pipe clamping mechanisms provide the
mounting for the transfer mast sections enabling the
transfer mast to be telescopically adjusted to various
lengths to accommodate different lengths of pipe sections.
Still another advantage is the adjustability of the pipe
clamping jaws which enable the jaws to clamp pipes of
'7S9~
-15-
different diameters and wall thicknesses for
transfering the pipe sections between the main mast
and a pipe supply rack while maintaining the
centerline of the pipe constant regardless of the
pipe size, and in addition regulates the clamping
pressure to prevent injury to thin wall pipes.
A further advantage i9 the ~elf-aligning
and shock absorbing arrangement between the
transfer mast and main derrick mast that is
provided by the spaced rubber bumpers or blocks
mounted along one side of the main mast which have
angled surE~ces which mate with
complementary-shaped surfaces formed at the corners
oE the plates of the pipe clamping assemblies,
which eliminates any minor transverse misalignment
oE the trans~er mast with respect to the main mast
to ensure exact alignment of the p;pe sections when
delivered to the main drilling mast.
~Rst section 16 and 17 can be manually
moved ln relation to each other, if desired, and be
suitab:ly Eixed in association as by use o set
screws or the like, as dèsired. Fig. 5 indicates
that the main Eixed mast 2 has an open side
indicated at 0 in Fig. 5 to facilitate moving the
pipe section into association with the drill pipe
and permitting ready acess to such fixed mast. It
also will be appreciated that the plates 24
primarily support the mast section 16 and aid in
positioning the telescopic section 17. A walkway w
is indicated in Fig. 2 that is formed between the
base of the main mast 2 and the support end of the
pipe supply mast 5.
59~
-16-
~nother feature of the invention is that
the mast sections 16 and 17 can be adjusted longi-
tudinally by power means if desired. A power
cylinder (not shown) would extend longitudinally of
the inner section 17 and be secured within it by
suitable brackets or equivalents. The piston rod
of the cylinder would extend the length of the
section 16 and preferably connect to it by a
bracket or equivalent adjacent its lower end. The
power cylinder would be long enough as to provide a
full telescoping closing or opening for the section
17 in relation to mast section 16. Power for such
power cylinder would be supplied from the apparatus
fluid power source.
Jaws 35 and 42 both are manually adjusted
in relation to each other in that the holes 37 in
jaw 35 are spaced equal distance from each other
which is the ~ame distance as the holes 52 are
spaced Erom each other in jaw 42 and that equiv-
alent holes are used in each of these jaws at all
times to maintai n the jaws properly on the center-
line of the drill stri ng .
~4'7S~3
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Lt ~Iso w;.ll be re~lized that the rul-ber blocl.s
~!~ c~n of course be m~de From any su;.table re.sillent
material normally these blocks must be quite stlEF but
wo~lld llave ~ome i.nherent resi.liency or .[lexibili.ty hut
would be made from high durometer rubber or plastic
materials. If desired, the blocks could even he formed
from metal but this would tend to wear and may not have
as long of li:Ee as use oE a plastic materia.l.
~e~ardin~ the automatic movement or rolling of
the ~ipe sections across the edges of the space plates
:lQ 24 as described in relation to Fig. 12, these associated
surfaces 76,76 could le slightly higher than the sur:Faces
64, or some manual push could be given to the pipe sec-
tlons to cause them to roll to or .Erom the recess 45 or
i.E desi.red, some other actuator of a conventional type
].5 could be provided. I,ikewise, when pipe secitons 90 are
ll.Ctecl up to the frarQe mecltls tlley ca.n be moved in a.ny
clesi.re(l manner to ~,el~ them to ro'll on to and over the
oul^(r s~.lrl':~lce 6ll. '.l~ w:i.l.l. be rea'.l.i7,ed that any desirecl
ty~e o~ a latcl-l means manu~lly or automa.ti.ca.lly actuated
~0 c~n be provided on the nrms ~3 to retain the pi.pe sec-
~ions 90 Ln enga~ement ~ h ~his arm when being movetl up
or do~n in the rack, as clesired,
Accordingly, the improved oil we].l drilli.ng rig
assembly is simpli.~i.ed, provides an e:Efective, saEe,
inexpensive, and ef:Eicient construction which achieves
all the enumerated objectives, provides Eor eliminating
dif:Eiculties encountered ~ith prior devices, and solves
problems and obtains new results in the art.
The description and illustration oE the inven-
tion is by way of example, and the scope of the invention
is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Having now described tlhe features, discove~ies and prin-
ciples oE the i.nvention, the manner in which the improved
oil well drilling rig assembly is constructed, the charac-
3.~ teristics o:E the construction, and advantageous, new ~ncl
use~ul results obtained are set forth in the appended claims.
