Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02224638 2002-08-27
IMPROVED PIPE HANDLING APPARATUS
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to pipe handling systems and in particular to a pipe
handling
catwalk assembly for use in providing and receiving drill pipe, collars and
the like to the work
floor of a derrick or rig.
Background of the Invention
Catwalk assemblies are used at drilling locations and are normally located
close to a
rig floor to assist in the handling of drill pipe and the like from storage
areas to the rig
platform. In the drilling of a well, supplies such as drill pipe must be
transported between a
pipe storage rack at ground level and the raised work floor of a derrick.
Typically, sections of
drill pipe are laid down in horizontal rows on a pipe rack at a location near
the derrick. There
is a need to move these sections of drill pipe safely and quickly to the
derrick floor using
mechanical apparatus.
US 3,706,347 to Brown teaches a conveyor design having a pipe carrying trough
fixed at one end to a catwalk. Brown teaches means for swivelling a conveyor
for better
alignment with loading equipment in addition to means for raising and lowering
the end of a
trough closest to the work floor, both based on a design according to which
the distal end of
the tough remains at a fixed elevation.
US 4,403,898 to Thompson ('898') teaches one solution to the problem of a
fixed end
trough which eliminates the expense and complexity of a conveyor. Such patent
teaches
means for allowing the pipe trough to move longitudinally towards the work
floor together
with means for raising the rear end of the trough in order to reduce the force
needed to
withdraw a section of pipe from the trough onto the work floor of a derrick.
Notably, the
means by which Thompson accomplishes longitudinal motion of the pipe trough is
itself
complex requiring the installation of an inclined track on which to guide a
carriage that
supports and guides the tough during its longitudinal motion the distance of
which must be
adjusted by varying the track length to custom fit a particular work floor
height to avoid the
inclined track interfering with unloading the trough. Similarly, Thompson
teaches an
unnecessarily complex means for raising the rear end of a trough according to
which
additional tracks are required at the rear of the trough to guide a pivoting
leg forward with the
trough until the leg reaches a pre-set position at which its proximal end
engages a stop such
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that the leg member rocks forward with its rear end pivotally fastened to the
rear end of the
trough which rises to a height determined by the length of the leg member.
Requiring the
longitudinal motion of the rear leg member as well as the trough that it
supports requires
more moving and more expensive parts. The higher mass of the moving assembly
also
results in a greater impact on the stop means such that a more robust stop
design is
dictated. The track means in which is it guided also tends to make the 898
embodiment of
the pivoting leg member prone to lateral motion and wear resulting in an
increasingly less
stable mechanism over time.
At Figure 10 US 4,386,883 to Hogan, in Fig. 10 thereof, teaches a variation on
898 to
Thompson in which a carriage on top of a track rather than rollers in a track
is used to permit
a pivoting leg member at the rear of the pipe trough to move longitudinally
with the trough
until it reaches a stop member causing the leg member to rock forward with its
rear end
pivotally fastened to the rear end of the trough which rises to a height
determined by the
length of the leg member. The leg member is telescopic such that the height to
which the
rear of the trough may be raised is partially adjustable. Hogan's track
engaging assembly
slidably engages the track and supports the pipe trough as it moves between
its lowered
position and one of its raised, longitudinally shifted positions. Hogan's
preferred embodiment
teaches a first linkage member and a parallel, spatially disposed second
linkage member
pivotally connecting the trough to the track engaging assembly that rides on
the center rail of
a track rather than the wider (potentially more stable) dual outer tracks of
the Thompson
design. In any event, both Hogan and Thompson teach means for lifting the rear
or distal
end of a moving trough based on a pivoting leg member that is connected to and
moves with
the trough resulting in the complexity and stability disadvantages set out
above.
None of the prior art reviewed teaches any means for clearing sections of pipe
from
the catwalk after the kicker assembly has ejected pipe from the trough.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides improvements in catwalk assemblies over that
which
is conventionally practiced. The apparatus of the present invention
contemplates connecting
the pivoting leg member to the frame component of the catwalk assembly rather
than to the
pipe trough, and then integrating into the catwalk assembly a novel dumping
assembly to
clear sections of pipe from the catwalk work area after the kicker assembly
ejects pipe from
the trough. Novel means for "catching" the distal end of the trough as it
moves towards the
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pivoting leg member (used to raise the distal end of the trough) are
contemplated in order
that a releaseable coupled engagement with said trough results that is stable
and secure as
soon as the pivoting leg member begins to raise the trough above the catwalk
assembly.
Mating assemblies on the distal end of the leg member as well as on the trough
engage one
another as soon as the trough moves a predetermined longitudinal distance
along its dual
track mounted to the frame component of the catwalk assembly. The pivoting leg
member
may also be telescopic, by, for example, installing an assembly of
interdigitating slots and
rods on the end of a hydraulic ram.
In accordance with the invention, a self-contained pipe-handling catwalk
assembly is
provided. The assembly may obtain power from various sources such as dedicated
generators and the like but it may also use rig electricity to power an
electric motor of
sufficient power to drive its hydraulic system.
The catwalk assembly incorporates a pipe handling trough that extends down the
centre of the catwalk. The rear of the trough, i.e. the end remote from the
adjacent rig floor,
glides in a track using suitable bearings such as cam follower bearings. The
front end of the
trough, i.e. the end adjacent the rig floor, is directed to the rig floor by
use of an hydraulic
powered arm and this presents the drill pipe, collars, etc. to the rig floor
to be picked up by
the rigs elevators. This is known as a "pick up" sequence.
In the "lay down" sequence, the end of the pipe or collar is lowered into the
trough at
the rig floor and it glides down the trough and comes to rest at the butt
plate positioned near
the rear of the trough. The hydraulic mechanism then returns the trough and
the pipe back
to the catwalk. After the trough is in the resting position, "kickers" are
activated within the
trough to kick the pipe from the trough and roll it out either left or right
so as to roll the pipe
onto the pipe racks.
The assembly according to the invention may also feature rollers on both outer
sides
of the catwalk, which rollers enable workers to position sections of pipe
accurately into the
trough in the pick up sequence or accurately onto the pipe racks in the lay
down sequence.
A basket may also be installed on the front end of the trough to be used for
transportation of tongs, slips, elevators and other equipment to the rig
floor. This will
eliminate this type of equipment being dragged up the V doors with a winch
line.
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According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a pipe
handling
apparatus for providing sections of drill pipe to a raised derrick work floor,
said apparatus
comprising: a catwalk assembly having a longitudinally extending base support
frame
adapted to be set in a generally horizontal position for receiving at least
one section of pipe;
a movable trough, having a proximal end and a distal end, for positioning a
section of drill
pipe in proximity to said catwalk assembly; means for guiding said trough
through
longitudinal movement relative to said frame; means for raising said proximal
end of said
trough above said catwalk assembly to a point proximate said floor for the
purpose of
presenting said at least one section of pipe to said floor; pivoting leg means
for raising said
distal end of said trough above said catwalk assembly, said leg means being
both pivotally
and non-slidingly fastened at one end to said catwalk assembly; and a kicker
assembly for
ejecting said pipe out of said trough.
In a further embodiment of one aspect of the present invention the pivoting
leg
means comprises a leg member having one end adapted for releaseable coupled
engagement with said distal end of said trough, and an opposing end pivotally
connected to
said frame. In a further embodiment the leg member is responsive to operation
of said
means tar raising said proximal end of said trough, such that no independent
vertical assist
means is required to lift said distal end, said lift resulting from the
forward and upward
movement of said trough causing pivoting motion of said leg member so as to
upwardly raise
said distal end of said trough.
In a particular refinement of one aspect of the present invention, the end of
said leg
member for releaseable coupled engagement with said trough comprises an
assembly of
interdigitating slots and rods situate on the distal end of said leg member
for engagement
with a complementary assembly of interdigitating slots and rods on said distal
end of said
trough. In yet a further embodiment of the present invention the engagement
with said
complementary assembly of interdigitating slots and rods on said distal end of
said trough
comprises a rotating engagement upon said pivoting motion of said leg member,
thereby
causing said leg member to securely engage said trough member at said distal
end thereof.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a
pipe
handling apparatus for providing sections of drill pipe to a raised derrick
work floor, said
apparatus comprising: a catwalk assembly including an integrated dump assembly
and
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having a longitudinally extending base support frame adapted to be set in a
generally
horizontal position for receiving at least one section of pipe; a movable
primary trough,
having a proximal end and a distal end, for positioning a section of drill
pipe in proximity to
said derrick floor; means for guiding said primary trough through longitudinal
movement
relative to said catwalk assembly; means for raising said proximal end of said
primary trough
above said catwalk assembly to a point proximate said floor; and a kicker
assembly for
ejecting said pipe out of said primary trough into said integrated dump
assembly. In a further
embodiment the integrated dump assembly comprises a secondary trough adapted
to
receive at least one section of pipe ejected from said primary trough by said
kicker; a dump
arm coupled at one end thereof to said secondary trough and pivotally coupled
at an
opposing end to said catwalk assembly; and means for returnably raising said
dump arm
above said catwalk assembly to a point at which said pipe falls from said
secondary trough.
In a further embodiment of one aspect of the present invention the integrated
dump
assembly further comprises an actuating arm member coupled to said secondary
trough;
and trigger means adapted to cause said secondary trough to pivot so as to
eject said drill
pipe therefrom.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of raising sections of
drill pipe to
a derrick floor. Accordingly, in such aspect the present invention comprises
the steps of
raising one end of a moveable trough, and at the same time longitudinally and
horizontally
moving an opposite end of said moveable trough towards a pivoting leg means;
engaging
said opposite end of said moveable trough with said pivoting leg means; and
upon continued
longitudinal movement of said trough causing said pivoting leg means to pivot
and thereby
raising said opposite end of said moveable trough.
In a further refinement, said pivoting leg means is releaseably engaged to
said
opposite end of said moveable trough upon said pivoting leg member being
caused to pivot.
In a plurality of embodiments of the apparatus aspect of the present invention
the
means for raising the proximal end of a trough above the catwalk assembly
comprises
hydraulic lift means pivotally connected to the trough for moving the trough
upwardly and
downwardly from a position nested in the frame to a position proximate a rig
floor, with the
hydraulic lift means further pivotally connected to said frame.
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Description of the Drawings
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the catwalk assembly of the present invention
with
the trough in a raised position;
FIGURE 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with the trough in a lowered
position;
FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines A-A of Figure 1;
FIGURE 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing one embodiment of a kicker
mechanism;
FIGURE 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing another embodiment of
kicker
mechanism;
FIGURE 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing a still further embodiment
of a
kicker mechanism;
FIGURE 7 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing one embodiment of an
integrated
dumping assembly installed on one side of a kicker assembly;
FIGURE 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing an alternate embodiment of
integrated dumping assembly;
FIGURES 9 and 10 are side elevations of a further embodiment of the assembly
with
the trough in raised and laid down positions respectively;
FIGURES 11 and 12 are side elevations of another embodiment of the assembly
with
the trough in raised and lowered positions respectively;
FIGURES 13 and 14 illustrate a further embodiment of the assembly again with
the
trough in raised and lowered positions respectively;
FIGURES 15 and 16 illustrate an embodiment of the catwalk assembly according
to
which the distal or rear end of the trough is raised by a pivoting leg member
connected to the
frame after catching the trough; and
FIGURES 17 and 18 illustrate a further embodiment of the assembly, Figure 17
showing the trough in a raised position and Figure 18 in a laid down position.
Description of the Invention
Referring to Figures 1-3, the catwalk assembly illustrated generally as 10
comprises
suitable framework 12 for supporting a pipe handling trough 14 that extends
along the center
of assembly 10. Figure 1 shows pipe trough 14, of catwalk assembly 10 (also
known as a
hydraulically operated pipe handling assembly) in a raised position with the
proximal end 22
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of trough 14 at a level near that of the rig floor 16. The distal end 21 of
trough 14 remote
from rig floor 16 glides in a track 18 using any suitable bearing means 20 (as
shown in
Figure 3), such as an assembly including cam follower bearings. The proximal
end 22 of
trough 14 is raised to rig floor 16 by any suitable actuating means 25, one
embodiment of
which comprises pivoting arm 24 and suitable linkage 28 actuated by hydraulic
ram 26, for
the purpose of presenting drill pipe, collars, et cetera (not shown) laying in
trough 14, to rig
floor 16 for further handling, commonly referred to as the "pick up" sequence.
To return from
rig floor 16 to ground, a pipe is lowered into proximal end 22 of trough 14 at
the level of rig
floor 16 and glides down trough 14 until it comes to rest at butt plate 30
positioned near the
distal end 21 of trough 14. Actuating means 25 then lowers trough 14 with pipe
therein to a
lower level, in the fully lowered or "laid down" position of the illustrated
embodiment of
catwalk assembly 10, as shown in Figure 2, trough 14 nests inside catwalk
assembly 10.
Figure 3 further illustrates by cross-section one embodiment of the shape of
trough 14 and
how at distal end 21 trough 14 is carried by bearing means 20 in track 18. The
manner in
which trough 14 nests in catwalk assembly 10, and the optional availability of
pipe adjusting
roller means 36 (to enable workers to position sections of pipe accurately
during either the
pick up or lay down sequence) on one or both sides of frame 12 are disclosed
in Figure 3.
As shown in Figure 4, when trough 14 is in the laid down position, a kicker
assembly
31 may be operated to eject pipe 32 from trough 14 and roll pipe 32 out of
trough 14 onto
catwalk assembly 10 typically for the purpose of returning pipe 32 to pipe
storage racks (not
shown). It will be obvious to a person of skill in the art of machine design
that kicker
assembly 31 may be adapted to eject pipe 32 to either side of catwalk assembly
10. In one
of its embodiments, kicker assembly 31 a comprises kicker 34 located within
trough 14,
actuated by hydraulic ram 38, pivotable arm 40, suitable linkage 41, and rod
means 42 all
sized and arranged in any suitable manner according to the design capacity and
direction of
ejection required for the subject installation. Pivotable arm 40 is pivotally
connected on one
end to hydraulic ram 38 and on its opposing end pivotable arm 40 is pivotally
connected to
rod means 42 that engages the underside of kicker 34. Pivotable arm 40 further
pivotally
connects to frame 12 at a point intermediate said ends and about which point
it may pivot in
response to the operation of hydraulic ram 38, which causes rod means 42 to
raise or lower
kicker 34 for the purpose of ejecting pipe 32 from trough 14.
Although not illustrated, it is also contemplated to incorporate a basket
means to be
located on proximal end 22 of trough 14 adjacent rig floor 16. This basket
would be used to
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transport tongs, slips, elevators, and similar equipment to the level of rig
floor 16 eliminating
the practice of dragging such equipment using a winch line.
In Figure 5, a different embodiment of kicker assembly 31 b is illustrated,
comprising
kicker 34 located within trough 14, actuated by hydraulic ram 46, kicker rod
48, and bell
crank 50 with suitable linkage, all sized and arranged in any suitable manner
according to
the design capacity and direction of ejection required for the subject
installation.
In Figure 6, a different embodiment of kicker assembly 31c is illustrated,
comprising
kicker 34 located within trough 14, actuated by hydraulic ram 52 and kicker
rod 54, with
suitable linkages 56 and 58, all sized and arranged in any suitable manner
according to the
design capacity and direction of ejection required for the subject
installation.
In Figures 7 and 8 an integrated dump assembly 55 is disclosed for clearing
sections
of pipe 32 from catwalk assembly 10 after kicker assembly 31 has ejected pipe
32 from
trough 14. In Figure 7 dump assembly 55a is illustrated comprising secondary
trough 60,
dump arm 62, pivotal connection means 64, and hydraulic ram 66. Dump arm 62 is
coupled
at an end thereof to secondary trough 60 and pivotally coupled at an opposing
end to frame
12 of catwalk assembly 10 by pivotal connection means 64. Hydraulic ram 66
drives dump
assembly 55a and together with suitable linkage means causes dump arm 62 to
pivot about
connection means 64 returnably raising dump arm 62 above catwalk assembly 10
to a point
at which pipe 32 falls from secondary trough 60, for further handling, but
typically to storage.
Also in Figure 7, dump arm 62 is illustrated with a removable ramp integrated
therein
for the purpose of stopping the rolling motion of pipe 32 ejected from trough
14 by reflecting
pipe 32 into secondary trough 60 for holding. By stopping the motion of an
ejected pipe 32 it
may be held in secondary trough 60 until workers are ready to pickup pipe 32
at which point
dump assembly 55 may be operated. A person of skill in the art of machine
design would
understand that such pipe motion stopping and reflection functionality could
be achieved by
other structures including a simple, sufficiently robust, pin suitably
positioned.
In Figure 8 a more sophisticated embodiment of dump assembly 55 is illustrated
in
dump assembly 55b comprising secondary trough 60, dump arm 62, pivotal
connection
means 64, hydraulic ram 66, trigger means 68, and actuating arm member 70.
Dump arm 62
is pivotally connected at an end thereof to actuating arm member 70, which is
coupled to
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secondary trough 60. Dump arm 62 is further pivotally coupled at an opposing
end to frame
12 of catwalk assembly 10 by pivotal connection means 64. Hydraulic ram 66
drives dump
assembly 55b and together with suitable linkage means causes dump arm 62 to
pivot about
connection means 64 returnably raising dump arm 62 above catwalk assembly 10
to a point
at which trigger means 68 contacts frame 12 or any other suitable portion of
catwalk
assembly 10 thereby causing arm member 70 to actuate a pivoting motion of
secondary
trough 60 about dump arm 62 so as to cause said secondary trough 60 to eject
drill pipe 32
therefrom, for further handling, but typically to storage.
Figures 9 through 18 inclusive show various embodiments of the means for
moving
trough 14 between its raised and laid down positions.
Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment of the means for moving trough 14
according to which trough 14 is raised by horizontally disposed hydraulic ram
72 the piston
rod 74 of which actuates propulsion arm 76 pushing against or relaxing under
trough 14
through a pivotal arrangement with rollers 78 following track 80. Propulsion
arm 76 is
pivotally connected at its lower end to rollers 78 and also at its upper end
to the bottom of
trough 14, which is also pivotally connected to support arm 82 which is
pivotally connected
at its lower end to frame 12.
Figures 11 and 12 illustrate an embodiment of the means for moving trough 14
according to which winching cable 84, driven by hydraulic winch 85 and
optionally braced at
position 83 to frame 12, is connected by any suitable means to distal end 21
of trough 14 for
the purpose of moving trough 14 longitudinally. Further, hydraulic ram 86
pivotally connects
at one end to frame 12 and at an opposing end to propulsion arm 88 at one end
thereof an
opposing end of propulsion arm 88 being pivotally connected at point 87 to
frame 12. Lifting
arm 90 is fastened at one end situated at point 87 to propulsion arm 88
permitting propulsion
arm 88 to cause lifting arm 90 to pivot about point 87 in response to movement
of propulsion
arm 88 caused by hydraulic ram 86, and lifting arm 90 is rotatingly connected
to any suitable
roller means 91 at an opposing end of lifting arm 90. While hydraulic winch 85
moves trough
14 longitudinally, hydraulic ram 86 causes lifting arm 90 to pick up trough 14
lifting it to a
raised position with roller means 91 rollingly engaging trough 14.
Figures 13 and 14 illustrate an embodiment of the means for moving trough 14
according to which curved track 92 extends from the proximal end 94 of frame
12 to rig floor
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16 and the proximal end 22 of trough 14 is propelled along track 92 to a
raised position by
hydraulic winch 96 operating winch cable 98 that is secured at any suitable
location to frame
12 and at an opposing end cable 98 is also connected to the distal end 21 of
trough 14. Any
suitable guiding roller means 95 engages said proximal end 22 of trough 14 to
track 92.
Figures 15 and 16 illustrate an embodiment of the pipe handling apparatus of
the
present invention according to which the distal end 21 of trough 14 may also
be raised
above catwalk assembly 10 by pivoting leg means comprising a novel pivoting
leg assembly
100 that is both pivotally and non-slidingly fastened at one end to any
suitable location on
catwalk assembly 10. Further, it is to be understood that since a plurality of
embodiments of
the means for raising the proximal end 22 of trough 14 have been set out
above, any of such
means is contemplated as optionally comprising lift means 106 and may be
adapted to
operate in conjunction with the means described below for raising the distal
end 21 of trough
14.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 15 pivoting leg assembly 100 comprises
a leg
member 104 having one end 107 adapted for releaseable coupled engagement with
distal
end 21 of trough 14, and an opposing end pivotally connected to frame 12 at
any suitable
location by any suitable connection means 103. Releaseable coupled engagement
between
leg member 104 and the distal end 21 of trough 14 is achieved in a preferred
embodiment by
complementary engaging means 102a and 102b, which each comprise an assembly of
interdigitating slots and rods, but numerous other configurations permitting
releaseable
coupleable engagement, whereby the one end 107 of the leg member 104 is
releaseably
coupled to distal end 21 of trough 14, will be readily apparent to those
skilled in the art.
Engaging means 102a is situate on one end of leg member 104 an opposing end
thereof
pivotally connected to frame 12. Complementary engaging means 102b is situate
on the
distal end 21 of trough 14 in longitudinal axial alignment with engaging means
102a for the
purpose of permitting engaging means 102a to releasaby engage engaging means
102b as
trough 14 moves towards leg member 104, such that as trough 14 moves
longitudinally in
response to operation of lift means 106, leg member 104 engages the distal end
21 of trough
14 in releaseable coupled engagement.
Once releaseable coupled engagement occurs between engaging means 102a and
102b, in the preferred embodiment they further lockingly engage as their
mating assemblies
of interdigitating slots and rods rotate relative to one another, which
rotation occurs upon the
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pivoting motion of leg member 104 about connection 103, thereby causing roller
means
102a in association with leg member 104 to lockingly engage roller means 102b
in
association with the distal end 21 of trough 14. The pivoting motion of leg
member 104 about
connection 103 results because leg member 104 is responsive to operation of
lift means
106, having the further advantage that no independent vertical assist means is
necessary to
lift distal end 21 with the lift of distal end 21 resulting from the
longitudinal and vertical
movement of trough 14 causing pivoting motion of leg member 104 so as to raise
the distal
end 21 of trough 14.
Figures 17 and 18 illustrate an embodiment of a means to adjust the level of
the
raised position of the proximal end 22 of trough 14 according to which a
hydraulic ram 108
that incorporates a hydraulic extension ram 110 may be used to further adjust
the proximal
end 22 of trough 14 to adapt for different levels at which a rig floor 16 may
be set.
The terms and expressions employed in this specification are used as terms of
description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of
such terms and
expressions to exclude any equivalents of the features shown and described or
portions
thereof, and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within
the scope of the
invention claims. Although the disclosure describes and illustrates various
embodiments of
the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
these particular
embodiments. Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilled
in the art of
machine design. For full definition of the scope of the invention, reference
is to be made to
the appended claims.
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