Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1 "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HANDLING WELLBORE TUBULARS"
2
3 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
4 The invention relates to an apparatus and method for handling
tubulars and in particular to an apparatus and method for transferring
wellbore
6 tubulars between a stack of wellbore tubulars on the apparatus and the work
floor
7 of an oil or gas well service rig.
8
9 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the servicing of gas and oil wells, sectional wellbore tubulars
11 such as drill pipe, collars and the like must be transferred to and from a
well
12 service rig. At the service rig, the tubulars are installed in or removed
from the
13 well, as necessary. Such tubulars are very heavy and service rig procedures
14 require the tubulars to be raised or lowered approximately ten to twenty
feet, thus
requiring the use of mechanical aids for personnel to handle the tubulars for
use
16 and for stacking the tubulars for storage and transport. Some prior art
tubular
17 handling apparatus use slings and winches to raise and lower tubulars;
however,
18 these may be difficult to control, may not properly secure the tubular, and
do not
19 necessarily permit personnel to manipulate the tubular ends with the
required
precision and speed.
21 Alternatively, it is well known to utilize a trough for carrying tubular
22 whereby the trough can be raised or lowered at a proximal end positioned
23 adjacent a service rig to assist in transferring tubular to and from the
rig floor,
24 commonly referred to as "pick up" and "lay down", respectively. In general,
the
trough is longitudinally positioned along a base and an elevation of the
proximal
1
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1 end is adjusted by an actuator positioned between the base and the trough.
The
2 trough thereby moves between a lower horizontal position and an inclined
3 position. Typically, a distal end of the trough, remote from the rig, is
longitudinally
4 movable along the base, such as by attachment of the trough to a roller or
slide
assembly in the base, to further adjust the position of the inclined trough
toward
6 the rig. When the trough is in the inclined position, a proximal end of a
tubular
7 received therein is generally positioned at the height of the rig floor.
Workers on
8 the rig can then attach the proximal end of the tubular to an elevator to
pull the
9 tubular off the trough for installation in the well. In the reverse
operation, tubular
that has been tripped out of the well is positioned on the inclined trough,
which is
11 then lowered to the base where the tubular can be unloaded and returned to
12 storage racks or to a transport vehicle. Typically, cranes or other
overhead lifting
13 means are used for moving tubular between the pipe handler and other
locations.
14 A variety of trough-base apparatus have been disclosed which have
additional features to further assist in the mechanical handling of tubular.
For
16 example, US patent 4,426,182 to Frias ("Frias") provides a carriage or push
17 member that is adapted to be driven bi-directionally between the ends of
the
18 trough for moving a tubular, such as pipe, up or down the inclined trough.
Frias
19 further discloses a discrete transferring assembly for transferring pipe
between
the trough and a storage rack. The transferring assembly is positioned on the
21 side of the base and adjacent a rack located adjacent to the base. Pipe
from the
22 trough is rolled across the base to a tilt tray. The tilt tray tilts to
receive pipe
23 rolled over from the base and tilts to dump pipe to the rack or vice versa.
Further,
24 tilt tray is arranged as a four-bar linkage to adjust its height while
remaining
horizontal.
2
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1 Canadian patent 2,224,638 to Morelli ("Morelli") discloses a kicker
2 nestably positioned within the trough for ejecting pipe out of the trough
and onto
3 the base. The kicker is operated by a rod that engages the underside of the
4 kicker to laterally tip the kicker to roll the pipe out of the trough. A
dump
assembly is also provided to clear pipe from the base after it has been
ejected
6 from the trough. The dump assembly comprises a secondary trough nestably
7 positioned in the base alongside the pipe trough. The secondary trough
receives
8 the ejected pipe and is moveable in an arc above the base to a point at
which the
9 pipe falls from the secondary trough and away from the base. Morelli also
discloses a pivoting leg member that passively raises the end of the trough
11 remote from the rig in response to longitudinal and vertical movement of
the other
12 end of the trough, to thereby permit further adjustment of the position of
the
13 inclined trough.
14 While Frias and Morelli generally reduce the manual labor required
to- use a trough-based handler, Frias has multiple discrete components and is
16 complicated in design, while Morelli does not provide for transfer of
tubulars
17 between a stack and the trough. Further, prior art handling apparatus do
not
18 secure the ends of a tubular as it is being guided between the trough and
the
19 service rig, thereby risking injury to workers in the vicinity of the
tubular. In
addition, prior art pipe handling apparatus require that separate storage
racks be
21 provided for storing tubulars and separate transport vehicles be used for
hauling
22 pipe to and from the worksite.
23 Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved apparatus for
24 handling tubulars.
3
CA OI2517630 2005-08-30
1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
2 Applicant has provided an improved apparatus for handling tubulars
3 that is simple in design and efficient in operation. The apparatus not only
4 provides for transfer of tubulars to and from an elevated position, but also
stacks
and unstacks tubulars on the apparatus itself. Advantageously, the apparatus
6 eliminates the need for a separate stacking rack, cranes and other equipment
7 used for removing tubulars from the apparatus for storage and transport. In
a
8 preferred embodiment, the apparatus can be used both for transport of
tubulars
9 to the work site and for manipulation of tubulars for pick-up and lay-down
operations. Further, the apparatus is capable of manipulating both ends of a
11 tubular during tubular handling operations, thereby increasing versatility,
12 increasing worker safety, minimizing components and reducing the
requirement
13 for manual handling of the tubular.
14 In one embodiment of the invention, stacking apparatus for handling
tubulars on a base is provided comprising: a base for supporting a stack of
one or
16 more layers of a plurality of tubulars, the base preferably being a
trailer; a trough
17 having a longitudinal axis positioned along the base and having an open top
for
18 receiving a tubular; a first actuator for adjusting the elevation of the
trough
19 relative to the base and for at feast maintaining the trough substantially
parallel to
the base; and a second actuator for orienting the open top of the trough
between
21 an upright supporting position and tipped transfer position for transfer of
tubulars
22 to and from an uppermost layer of the stack.
23 Preferably the first actuator is a trough control assembly
24 comprising: a lift actuator for adjusting the elevation of a first distal
end of the
trough; an angle actuator connected between the base and the trough and
4
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1 spaced apart from the trough's distal end for adjusting the elevation of a
second,
2 proximal end of the trough wherein coordinated movement of the lift actuator
and
3 the angle control actuator permits elevation of the trough substantially
parallel to
4 the layers of tubulars, inclination of the trough through pivoting about the
first and
second pivots, or both elevation and inclination of the trough.
6 Further, longitudinal manipulation of tubulars is enhanced using a
7 grabber spaced apart from the distal end of the trough, the grabber having a
8 pivotal end connected to the base for pivotal movement of the grabber and
9 having a grabber end for releasably grabbing a tubular supported in the
trough
and extending beyond the proximal end of the trough; and a third grabber
11 actuator for pivoting the grabber towards and away from the distal end of
the
12 trough, whereby coordinated actuation of the trough control assembly and
13 grabber actuators permits the grabber to manipulate tubulars longitudinally
14 towards and away from the trough respectively through grabbing and pivoting
of
the grabber.
16 The apparatus enables a methodology for moving tubulars
17 longitudinally to and from an off-base location such as a pick-up and lay-
down
18 operation in well servicing comprising: positioning the base with the
proximal end
19 of the trough adjacent the off-base location; unloading tubulars from the
base
comprising manipulating a tubular supported in the trough to the off-base
location
21 by elevating the proximal end of the trough with the tubular supported
therein,
22 pivoting the grabber end toward the trough to position the grabber end
below the
23 proximal end of the supported tubular, lowering the proximal end of the
trough to
24 engage the proximal end of the tubular with the grabber end, grabbing the
tubular
with the grabber end, and pivoting the grabber end away from the trough to
5
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1 manipulate the tubular longitudinally towards the adjacent off-base
location, and
2 releasing the tubular from the grabber end; and loading tubulars to the base
3 comprising manipulating the tubular suspended at the off-base location to
the
4 trough by lowering the distal end of the tubular from the off-base location
towards
the base, grabbing the distal end of the tubular with the grabber end, guiding
the
6 distal end of the tubular with the grabber end to the trough, and pivoting
the
7 grabber end toward the trough to further guide the distal end of the tubular
8 slidably and supportably into the trough.
6
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1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
2 The following drawings are intended to illustrate embodiments of
3 the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention:
4 Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus
of the present invention illustrated having a tubular loaded on the trough;
6 Figures 2a-c are side elevational views of the apparatus of Fig. 1
7 with the trough shown in a lower horizontal position (Fig. 2a), an upper
horizontal
8 position (Fig. 2b) and an inclined position (Fig. 2c);
9 Figures 2d-g are side elevational views of the apparatus of Fig. 1
shown having a tubular supported in the trough in an upper horizontal position
11 (Fig. 2d); an inclined position (Fig. 2e); an inclined position (Fig. 2f)
with a
12 grabber arm positioned for engaging the tubular; and an inclined position
with the
13 grabber arm engaged with the tubular for longitudinal manipulation of the
tubular
14 (Fig.2g);
Figure 3a is a partial perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1
16 with a control box removed to view components of the lift actuator and tip
17 actuator;
18 Figure 3b is a proximal end view of the trough of Fig. 1 illustrating
19 bi-lateral tipping movement of the trough, shown in dotted lines;
Figures 4a -4d are end views of a base and trough of the apparatus
21 of Fig. 1 illustrating stacking of tubulars on the base, more particularly
22 Fig. 4a illustrates a tipping movement of the trough for stacking
23 tubulars on the base;
7
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1 Fig. 4b. illustrates a tipping movement of the trough for unsticking
2 tubulars from the base and illustrates spacers positioned between layers
3 of tubulars therein;
4 Fig. 4c illustrates a securing connection between the spacers and
the base; and
6 Fig. 4d illustrates a lower spacer for use directly on the base;
7 Figures 5a - 5c are schematic side elevational views of the
8 apparatus of Fig. 1, showing manipulation of the trough between a horizontal
9 elevated, a horizontal lowered and an inclined position respectively, and
illustrating pivotal movement of the grabber arm and a grabber head (Fig. 5c);
11 Figures 6a and 6b are perspective views of an embodiment of the
12 grabber head, the grabber head shown opened (released) and closed (grabbing
13 or gripping) respectively;
14 Figures 7a and 7b are perspective views of another embodiment of
the grabber head having roller bars, the grabber head shown opened and closed
16 respectively;
17 Figures 8a - 8g are schematic and side elevational views of the
18 apparatus of Fig. 1 showing a sequence of operation for unloading pipe from
the
19 base to a service rig; and
Figures 9a - 9e are side elevational views of the apparatus of Fig. 1
21 showing a sequence of operation for loading pipe from the service rig to
the base.
8
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1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
2 With reference to Fig. 1, an embodiment of an apparatus 20 for
3 handling tubulars 21 comprises an elongated base 22 having a transfer or
4 proximal end 24 for the loading and unloading of the tubulars to and from
the
base 22. For wellbore-related equipment, the proximal end 24 is generally
6 positioned adjacent to a service rig (not shown). The base 22 extends
7 longitudinally from the proximal end 24 to a distal end 26. When stored on
the
8 base 22, tubulars 21 are aligned longitudinally therealong. Tubulars 21 are
9 transferred on and off of the base 22 through longitudinal and elevational
manipulation of the tubulars 21. Elevational manipulation of a tubular 21 is
11 provided in part using a longitudinally-extending, elevation and angle-
variable
12 trough 28. Longitudinal manipulation of the tubular is provided in part
through a
13 pivoting member or grabber 34 located adjacent the proximal end 24 of the
base
14 22.
The trough 28 is generally V-shaped having an open top 29 for
16 receiving and supporting a tubular 21 such as drill and production pipe.
The
17 trough 28 extends longitudinally along the base 22. A first actuator is
provided
18 for adjusting the elevation of the trough 28 relative to the base and for
at least
19 maintaining the trough substantially parallel to the base 22. The first
actuator
comprises a trough control assembly 32 generally positioned at the distal end
26
21 of the base 22 and connected to the trough 28 for assisting with
elevational
22 control of the trough 28. The first actuator further comprises an angle
control
23 actuator 50 positioned along the trough 28 for further assisting with
elevational
24 control of the trough 28.
9
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1 Tubulars 21 are loaded and unloaded between a stack 30 (Figs. 4a
2 and 4b) of one or more layers of a plurality of tubulars 21 supported on the
base
3 22.
4 The grabber 34 is positioned adjacent the proximal end 24 of the
base 22 and is spaced apart from the trough 28. As described in more detail
6 below, operation of the apparatus 20 requires coordinated repositioning of
the
7 elevation, the inclination, or both the elevation and inclination of the
trough 28 by
8 the trough control assembly 32 and the angle control actuator 50 and
additionally
9 with the grabber 34 for transferring a tubular 21 between the base 22 and an
off
base location such as an elevated location including a gas or oil well service
rig.
11 A control box 36 houses control levers 38 for operating the apparatus 20
and is
12 positioned at the distal end 26 of the base 22 to provide a convenient and
safe
13 location for manipulating tubulars 21 to and from the base 22 at the
proximal end
14 24. Although the base 22 as illustrated is a mobile trailer, other
varieties of a
mobile or non-mobile base 22 can be used. It is to be understood that the term
16 tubular(s) 21 includes any elongated member of circular cross-section or
17 cylindrical member that is suitable for use with the apparatus 20.
18 Referring to Figs. 2a-g, the trough 28 includes a first distal end 42
19 and an second and open proximal end 40, with the ends 42, 40 being adjacent
the distal end 26 and proximal end 24 of the base 22, respectively. Both ends
21 42, 40 of the trough 28 are vertically moveable to elevate one or both ends
of the
22 trough 28 between a lowered horizontal position (Fig. 2a), a raised
horizontal
23 position (Fig. 2b), and an inclined position in which the proximal end 40
typically
24 becomes elevated relative to the distal end 42 (Fig. 2c). As shown in Figs.
2d-2g,
a tubular 21 having proximal 44 and distal 46 ends is received within the
trough
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1 28. In one embodiment, so as to enable operation of the grabber 34 to engage
a
2 tubular 21 without interference with the trough 28, the trough 28 is
longitudinally
3 sized to be shorter than a tubular 21 supported thereon for enabling the
proximal
4 end 44 of the tubular 21 to project beyond the proximal end 40 of the trough
28
when the distal end 46 of the tubular 21 abuts the distal end 42 of the trough
28.
6 The trough 28 can be elevated to receive the tubular 21 (Fig. 2d). The
proximal
7 end 40 of the trough 28 can be manipulated to incline the proximal end 44 of
the
8 tubular 21 (Fig. 2e) such as for engaging the grabber 34. The grabber 34 can
be
9 positioned to receive the tubular 21 (Fig. 2f) and the trough 28 lowered to
engage
the tubular 21 with the grabber 34 for longitudinal manipulation of the
tubular 21
11 by the grabber 34. Referring also to Fig. 3a, to position or to prevent
damage,
12 such as to a threaded pin end of the distal end 46 of the tubular 21 when
slid onto
13 and along the open top 29 of the trough 28, a stop or bumper 41 made of
rubber
14 or other cushioning material can be positioned at the distal end 42 of the
trough
28.
16 Referring to Figs. 3a, 3b and Figs. 4a, 4b, a second actuator or tip
17 actuator 52 is provided for orienting and reorienting the open top 29 of
the trough
18 28 between an upright supporting position and tipped transfer position for
transfer
19 of tubulars to and from an uppermost layer 100a of the stack 30. The trough
28
is rotationally moveable about its longitudinal axis for laterally tipping the
open
21 top 29 of trough 28 for loading or unloading tubulars 21 in one or either
lateral
22 direction or side. Preferably the trough 28 is positioned along about a
midline of
23 the base 22 and the trough 28 can be tipped to either side for forming a
stack 30
24 on the base 22 on either side of the trough 28.
11
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1 TROUGH CONTROL ASSEMBLY
2 With further reference to Fig. 3a and Figs. 5a-5c, movement of the
3 trough 28 is controlled by the trough control assembly 32, which comprises a
lift
4 actuator 48 for adjusting the elevation of the distal end 42 of the trough
28, an
angle control actuator 50 for adjusting the elevation of the proximal end 40
of the
6 trough 28 including to adjust the angle of the trough 28, and the second tip
7 actuator 52 for tipping the traugh 28 to at least one side. The tip actuator
52 is
8 supported by the lift actuator 48 at the distal end 42 of the trough 28 so
that
9 elevation of the distal end 42 of the trough 28 is independent of the
operation of
the tip actuator 52.
11 The lift actuator 48 is positioned adjacent to the distal end 42 of the
12 trough 28 and comprises a trough tail-end guide plate 70 movable in a
13 substantially vertical track 71. The trough 28 is supported by a support
arm 74
14 which in turn is supported by the tail-end guide plate 70. The support arm
74 is
rotationally actuable for rotation of the trough 28 about its distal end 42.
16 The lift actuator 48 comprises generally vertical lift member or arm
17 56 that is vertically actuated relative to the base 22 by a lift hydraulic
cylinder 58
18 or other suitable actuator. In detail, a bottom end 60 of the lift
hydraulic cylinder
19 58 is securely attached to the base 22, while a top end 62 of the lift
hydraulic
cylinder 58 is connected to a top end 64 of the lift arm 56 by a cross-
connector
21 66. A bottom end 68 of the lift arm 56 is attached to, or is integrally
formed with,
22 the guide plate 70 that is slidably received between two opposing generally
23 vertical side rails 71a,7b of the track 71 to permit vertical movement of
the lift arm
24 56 while maintaining vertical alignment of the lift arm 56. Extending
through the
guide plate 70 is the T-shaped support arm 74. The T-shaped arm 74 is
rotatable
12
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1 about a longitudinal axis to enable tipping of the trough 28 and is
connected at
2 the laterally extending T-intersection to a yoke 76 extending outwardly from
the
3 trough 28. The yoke 76 forms a first pivot 97 for pivotal connection at the
T-
4 intersection for enabling inclination of the trough 28 about its distal end
42. In
this arrangement, extension and retraction of the lift hydraulic cylinder 58
causes
6 the distal end 42 of the trough 28 to be raised and lowered at the guide
plate 70,
7 respectively, as seen in Figs. 2a-c and Figs 5a-c.
8
9 TIPPING CONTROL
Referring also to Figs. 3a and 3b, the tip actuator 52 comprises a
11 crank arm 82 attached to the distal end 42 of the trough 28, with the crank
arm 82
12 being actuated by a generally vertical tip hydraulic cylinder 84 or other
suitable
13 actuator. In detail, the crank arm 82 generally includes T-shaped arm 74
14 attached at one end 88 to the yoke 76 extending from the trough 28. The
other
end 90 of the T-shaped arm 74 is connected to a lever 92 that is further
pivotally
16 connected to the tip hydraulic cylinder 84. The T-shaped arm 74 of the lift
17 actuator 48 is rotationally supported through a port 96 in the guide plate
70. The
18 tip hydraulic cylinder 84 is connected between the lift arm 56 and the
lever 92.
19 As such, the tip actuator 52 is supported by and carried by the lift arm 56
as the
lift arm 56 moves vertically. In use, extension and retraction of the tip
hydraulic
21 cylinder 84 causes rotational movement of the T-shaped arm 74 to tip the
trough
22 28 from an upright position to the left and right. In addition, as best
seen in Fig.
23 3b and also seen in Figs. 5a-5c, a lateral pivot connection 99a is provided
24 between the trough 28 and the angle control actuator 50 to permit tipping
of the
trough 28 by the tip actuator 52.
13
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1
2 ANGLE CONTROL
3 With reference to Figs. 5a-5c, the angle control actuator 50 is
4 connected to the trough 28 at a second pivot 99b positioned adjacent the
proximal end 40 or intermediate the proximal and distal ends 40, 42 of the
trough
6 28. The angle control actuator 50 is spaced away or apart from the lift
actuator
7 48 for adjusting the elevation, the inclination or both the elevation and
inclination
8 of the proximal end 40 of the trough 28 through pivoting of the first and
second
9 pivots 97,99b. The angle control actuator 50 comprises any suitable
actuator,
which in one embodiment comprises an angle control hydraulic cylinder 78
11 pivotally connected between the base 22 and the second pivot 99b at the
trough
12 28. As seen in Figs. 2a-2c, extension and retraction of the angle control
13 hydraulic cylinder 78 raises or lowers the proximal end 40 of the trough 28
14 relative to an elevation of the distal end 42 of the trough 28 as the
distal end 42 is
pivotally connected to the lift actuator 48. When the trough 28 is in the
fully
16 lowered position, as shown in Fig. 2a, the angle control hydraulic cylinder
78 is
17 housed in the base 22 to lay flat under the trough 28. The second pivot 99b
of
18 the angle control hydraulic cylinder 78 to the trough 28 happens to be
offset
19 toward the proximal end 40 of the trough 28 relative to the pivotal
connection to
the base 22. This arrangement can be reversed.
21 Although the lift actuator 48 and angle control actuator 50, and the
22 tip actuator 52 have been described with respect to the preferred
embodiment,
23 other suitable arrangements for adjusting the elevation and angle of the
trough 28
24 while providing for tipping of the trough 28 can be employed, as would be
contemplated by one skilled in the art.
14
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1
2 STACKING
3 In operation and with reference to Figs. 4a and 4b illustrating the
4 stack 30, Fig. 3a illustrating the tipping of the trough 28, and Figs. 5a
and 5b
illustrating the elevational manipulation of the trough 28, tubulars 21 can be
6 stacked and unstacked on the base 22, with the stack 30 including one or
more
7 layers 100 of one or more tubulars 21. The apparatus 20 thereby eliminates
the
8 need for a separate tubular or pipe storage rack. Further, when the base 22
is a
9 mobile base such as a trailer as shown in Fig. 1, the stack 30 can be hauled
to
and from a worksite without the need for a separate transport vehicle.
11 Generally, stacking and unsticking operations require coordinated
12 adjustment of the elevation of the trough 28 using the lift actuator 48 and
angle
13 control actuator 50. Tubulars 21 are typically loaded laterally into and
out of the
14 trough 28 when the trough 28 is oriented substantially parallel to the base
22,
tipping the trough 28 with the tip actuator 52, as necessary. Preferably, the
16 grabber 34 is used to manipulate tubulars 21 longitudinally on and off of
the
17 trough 28, as described later in more detail.
18 Referring now to Fig. 4a, tubulars 21 supported in the trough 28 are
19 stacked on the base 22 by adjusting the elevation of the trough 28 to
correspond
to an uppermost layer 100a of tubulars. The open top 29 of the trough 28 is
then
21 tipped to the side approximately ninety degrees to dump the tubulars 21
into the
22 uppermost layer 100a of the stack 30. The loading, adjusting and tipping
steps
23 can repeated as desired to form a stack 30 of tubulars 21. Referring to
Fig. 4b, to
24 unstick tubulars 21 from the stack 30, the elevation of the trough 28 is
adjusted
at or slightly below the height of the uppermost layer 100a. Each tubular 21
is
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1 then rolled off the stack 30 and into the trough 28 for subsequent unloading
2 longitudinally therefrom. Typically the open top 29 of the trough 28 is
oriented
3 upright prior to loading. The adjusting, rolling and unloading steps can be
4 repeated as desired for unsticking. The layers 100 are separated by spacers
which facilitate rolling of tubulars 21 within a layer 100. Preferably, the
trough 28
6 is positioned longitudinally along a midline of the base 22 for stacking
tubulars 21
7 on either side of the trough 28.
8 Alternatively (not shown), the trough 28 can be positioned along a
9 side of the base 22 such that tipping of the open top 29 of the trough 28 is
required to one side only. Positioned at the side of the base 22, the trough
28
11 can not only be used to stack tubulars 21 on one side of the base 22, but
can
12 also be used to stack tubulars 21 to a separate rack or other apparatus
13 positioned adjacent an opposing side of the base 22.
14 To retain the stack 30 on the base 22, the plurality of tubulars 21 in
a layer are constrained laterally. To prevent stacked layers of tubulars 21
from
16 rolling toward the trough 28 and to provide a rolling surface for the
tubulars 21
17 during stacking and unsticking operations, two or more of the spacers 104
can
18 be removeably positioned between adjacent stacked layers 100,100 of
tubulars
19 21. In particular, the spacers 104 comprise L-shaped bars having a
downwardly
depending retaining arm 108 adjacent the trough 28 so as to restrain tubulars
21
21 from rolling towards the trough 28. The spacers 104 are positioned to
extend
22 across each layer 100 transverse to the stack 30 and substantially
perpendicular
23 to the axes of the tubulars, with the retaining arm 108 adjacent the trough
28 and
24 extending downwards toward a lower layer 100. The spacers 104 thereby
provide a surface for rolling a tubular 21 of the plurality of tubulars within
the layer
16
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1 100 and between the layer and the trough 28. An opposing end 110 of the
2 spacers 104 are removeably secured to the base 22.
3 Having reference to Fig. 4c, preferably, the securing connection is a
4 collar 112 for engaging generally vertical side posts 114 which are securely
attached to the base 22. In this arrangement, the side posts 114 also serve to
6 prevent the tubulars 21 from rolling off the sides 116 of the base 22.
During
7 unsticking of tubulars 21, the collars 112 of the spacers 104 are removed
from
8 the posts 114 as each successive layer 100 is unstacked.
9 Preferably, as shown in Fig. 4d, a lower spacer 104a without a
retaining arm 108, can be positioned under a lowermost pipe layer 100 to raise
11 the tubulars 21 off the base 22 and permit tubulars 21 from the lowermost
layer
12 100 to be rolled onto the trough 28 during unsticking. Alternatively, the
trough
13 28 can be recessed within a trough cavity (not shown) in the base 22 such
that
14 the trough 28 is positioned slightly lower than the lowermost layer of pipe
100.
When a lower spacer 104a is used, the lower spacer 104a can be integrally
16 formed with a side post attachment member 118 for securing the side post
114
17 onto the base 22. In this arrangement, the weight of the tubulars 21 on the
lower
18 spacer 104a will add additional security for the attachment of the side
posts 114
19 to the base 22.
Other configurations and arrangements for the retaining and
21 spacing tubulars 21 on the base 22 can be used, as would be contemplated by
22 one skilled in the art. For example, the spacer 104 can be an extended
sheet
23 rather than a bar, in which case only a single spacer may be necessary.
24 Alternatively, the retaining pipe spacing functions may be provided as
separate
components, rather than as a unified component.
17
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1
2 LOADING AND UNLOADING OF TUBULARS
3 Having described the stacking and unstacking operation of the
4 apparatus 20, the apparatus 20 is now described with respect to moving
tubulars
21 between the trough 28 and a destination adjacent the proximal end 24 of the
6 base 22 such as the floor of a service rig. The stacking and unstacking are
also
7 generally referred to as "pick up" and "lay down", respectively. In general,
pick up
8 and lay down operations require the coordinated movement of the proximal end
9 40 of the trough 28 by the angle control actuator 50, previously described,
and
the grabber 34.
11 Referring now to Figs. 5a - 5c, the grabber 34 is positioned at the
12 proximal end 24 of the base 22 and spaced apart from the proximal end 40 of
the
13 trough 28. The grabber 34 comprises a grabber end 120 for releasably
engaging
14 or grabbing a tubular 21 and a pivot end 122 pivotally attached to the base
22 for
enabling a pivoting movement of the grabber 34 towards (Fig. 5c, dotted lines)
16 and away from the trough 28. In particular, the grabber end 120 comprises a
17 grabber head 124, as described in more detail below, and the pivot end 122
18 comprises a grabber arm 126 to which the grabber head 124 is connected
19 thereto.
The grabber arm 34 is pivotally moved by any suitable third
21 actuating means which, in one embodiment, is a grabber arm hydraulic
cylinder
22 128 that is pivotally connected to a midsection 130 of the grabber arm 126
and is
23 further pivotally connected to the base 22. Extension and retraction of the
24 grabber arm hydraulic cylinder 128 thereby pivotally moves the grabber arm
126
to move the grabber head 124 towards and away from the trough 28.
18
CA 02517630 2005-08-30
1 Preferably, the grabber arm 126 is further fit with a fourth actuator
2 such as a hydraulic cylinder (not shown) for adjusting the elevation of the
grabber
3 head 124.
4 With reference to Figs. 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b, the grabber head 124
generally comprises a lower jaw 132 connected to the grabber arm 126 and an
6 upper jaw 134 pivotally connected to the lower jaw 132. A grabber head
7 hydraulic cylinder 136 actuates the upper jaw 134 to pivotally move the
upper jaw
8 134 toward and away from the lower jaw 132. The jaws 132,134 thereby
9 releasably grab around a circumference of the tubular 21 positioned
therebetween. The upper jaw 134 can securely grab a tubular 21 to lock
relative
11 movement therebetween for manipulation of the tubular 21 by the grabber 34,
or
12 the upper jaw 134 can also be adjusted to loosely fit around a tubular 21
to permit
13 a guided or sliding of the tubulars 21 therethrough. Preferably, the lower
jaw 132
14 is also pivotally connected to the grabber arm 126 to permit the angle of
the
grabber head 124 to conform to the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the
16 tubular 21 supported therein.
17 In the preferred embodiment as shown in Figs. 6a and 6b, the
18 grabber head 124 comprises a generally U-shaped lower jaw 132, with the
lower
19 jaw 132 being sized to provide an enlarged area in which to catch a
tubulars 21.
In an alternative embodiment shown in Figs. la and 7b, the lower jaw 132
21 comprises one or more roll bars 137, which guide and support a tubular 21
22 positioned thereon as described in more detail below.
23 The apparatus 20 is suitable for conducting operations to move
24 tubulars longitudinally to and from an off-base location.
19
CA 02517630 2005-08-30
1 Referring now to Figs. 8a - 8g, pick up operations are illustrated
2 which move tubulars 21, loaded one-by-one, onto the trough 28 and
longitudinally
3 onto the floor 140 of the off base location such as a service rig 142. The
4 proximal end 24 of the base 22, and thus the proximal end of the trough 40,
is
positioned adjacent the service rig 142. Preferably, the tubulars 21 are
laterally
6 loaded on the trough 28 from a stack 30 according to the unstacking
operation of
7 the apparatus 20 previously described. The side view schematic drawings of
8 Figs. 8a-8g do not illustrate the stack 30 for clarity of the operation of
the trough
9 28 and a single manipulated tubular 21.
As shown in Fig. 8a, with the grabber 34 pivoted clear of the trough
11 28, the angle control actuator 50 inclines the trough 28 and elevating the
proximal
12 end 44 of the tubular 21 toward the floor 140 of the service rig 142,
preferably
13 with the distal end 42 of the trough 28 being in a fully lowered position.
As shown
14 in Fig. 8b, the grabber 34 is then pivoted toward the trough 28 to position
the
open grabber head 124 under the proximal end 44 of the tubular 21 which
16 extends from the proximal end 40 of the trough 28. In this position, the
open jaws
17 132,134 of the grabber head 124 form a U-shaped cradle for receiving the
tubular
18 21. As shown in Fig. 8c, the proximal end 40 of the trough 28 is then
lowered to
19 engage the grabber head 124 which closes to grab the proximal end 44 of the
tubular 21. The grabber 34 is pivoted away from the trough 28 to manipulate or
21 pull the tubular 21 longitudinally toward the floor 140 of the service rig
142.
22 At Fig. 8d, personnel on the service rig 142 are then able to lower
23 and engage a conventional elevator 143 to the proximal end 44 of the
tubular 21
24 so as to enable lifting of the tubular 21 into the rig 142. The grabber
head 124 is
opened to the release the tubular as the elevator 143 begins to lift. At Fig.
8e
CA 02517630 2005-08-30
1 and as the elevator 143 rises in the rig 142, the distal end 46 of the
tubular 21
2 slides longitudinally along the trough 28 and eventually to lift the distal
end 46 out
3 of the trough 28.
4 If desired, either personnel or, more preferably, the grabber 34 can
intercept the distal end 46 of the tubular 21 as it swings under gravity to
approach
6 the rig 142. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 8e, the grabber 34 is pivoted
toward
7 the trough 28 and the distal end 46 of the tubular 21. The grabber head 124
is
8 loosely positioned around the distal end 46 of the tubular 21 to guide the
tubular
9 21 as it moves away form the trough 28. The grabber 34 is pivoted, at Fig.
8f,
toward the rig 142 to help guide the distal end 46 of the tubular 21 as the
elevator
11 143 continues to lift the tubular 21 being guided through the grabber end
124 and
12 into the rig 142, until the tubular 21 is free of the trough 28 (Fig. 8g)
and is fully
13 supported in the rig 142.
14 Referring now to Figs. 9a-9g, after a tubular 21 has been tripped
out of a well, the top or proximal end 44 of the tubular 21 is suspended from
the
16 elevator 143 in preparation for laying down of a tubular 21 onto the trough
28,
17 with the proximal end 24 of the base 22 positioned adjacent the service rig
142.
18 At Fig. 9b, with the grabber 34 pivoted toward the rig 142, the elevator
143 is
19 lowered and the tubular 21 is slid downwards towards the base 22 guided the
lower jaw 132 of the open grabber head 124 and the grabber 34 is manipulated
21 or pivoted towards the trough 28 to position the bottom or distal end 46 of
the
22 tubular 21 thereon after which the grabber 34 is released and pivoted out
of the
23 way. As shown in Fig. 9e, the grabber 34 is then pivoted toward the rig
142. The
24 tubular 21 is lowered to the grabbing head 124 so as to support and guide
the
proximal end 44 of the tubular when the tubular 21 is released from the
elevator
21
CA 02517630 2005-08-30
1 143. The grabber head 124 is closed to grab the tubular 21. In Fig. 9f, the
2 grabber 34 is pivoted toward the trough 28 to further slide the tubular 21
along
3 the trough 28 such as until the tubular 21 abuts the distal end 42 of the
trough 28.
4 As shown in Fig. 9g, the proximal end 40 of the trough 28 is then raised to
support the tubular 21 thereon and to enable release of the grabber 34. The
6 grabber head 124 is opened to release from the tubular 21 and is moved away
7 from the trough 28. Thereafter, the trough 28 is adjusted and the tubular 21
is
8 stacked, completing the operation. Referring back to Fig. 4b, the trough 28
is
9 manipulated parallel with the uppermost layer 100a in the stack. The tubular
21
can then be unloaded from the trough 28 as previously described.
11 During the tubular handling operations described in Figs. 8a-9g, a
12 length of the grabber arm 126 and an angle of the grabber head 124 may also
be
13 adjusted, as required, to permit the grabber 34 to grab the tubulars 21 and
14 otherwise manipulate the ends of the tubulars 21.
While it is preferable that the pick up and lay down operations of the
16 apparatus 20 be pertormed in conjunction with the unsticking and stacking
17 operations, respectively, this is not required. For example, the grabber 24
can be
18 used with a trough 28 in which only the proximal end 40 of the trough 28
can be
19 lifted. In this case, other means must be used to stack and unstick
tubulars such
as pipe. In another example using the stacking embodiment, a carriage member
21 rather than the grabber 34 may be implemented for longitudinally moving
tubulars
22 21 along the trough 28.
23 While the preferred embodiment has described the use of the
24 apparatus 20 for handling wellbore tubulars 21 and in the context of a
service rig
142, the apparatus 20 can be used in any situation that requires stacking and
22
CA 02517630 2005-08-30
1 unstacking or picking up and laying down of tubulars 21. For example, the
2 apparatus 20 can be used at a construction site for handling rebar or
pilings, and
3 which are further handled by an elevator such as a crane.
4 The base 22 incorporates additional safety and environmental
features such as deck drip trays or catch basins which correspond to the
distal
6 and proximal ends 46,44 of the tubulars 21 for receiving fluids draining
therefrom
7 and minimizing spills. An operator control platform for manipulation of the
trough
8 28 and grabber 34 is located remote from the tubulars 21 themselves. Load
9 stabilizers are provided to secure the base 22 when incorporated in a
wheeled
trailer. Personnel safety is improved through minimization of worker contact
with
11 heavy tubulars 21 in motion through mechanization of tubular 21
manipulation.
12 Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
13 described in some detail herein above, those skilled in the art will
recognize that
14 various substitutions and modifications of the invention may be made,
without
departing from the scope of the invention.
23
