Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MOBILE ERECTOR SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] To facilitate the recovery of hydrocarbons from oil and gas
wells, the subterranean
formations surrounding such wells can be hydraulically fractured. Hydraulic
fracturing may be
used to create cracks in subsurface formations to allow oil and/or gas to move
toward the well.
The formation is fractured by introducing a specially engineered fluid,
sometimes referred to as
fracturing fluid or fracturing slurry, at high pressure and high flow rates
into the formation
through one or more wellbores. The fracturing fluids may be loaded with
proppant, which are
sized particles that may be mixed with the liquids of the fracturing fluid to
help form an efficient
conduit for production of hydrocarbons from the formation to the wellbore.
Proppant may
comprise naturally occurring sand grains or gravel, man-made proppants (e.g.,
fibers or resin-
coated sand), high-strength ceramic materials (e.g., sintered bauxite), and/or
other suitable
= materials. The proppant collects heterogeneously or homogeneously inside
the fractures to prop
open the fractures formed in the formation.
[0002] At the wellsite, proppant and other fracturing fluid components
are blended at a low-
pressure side of the pumping system. The oilfield materials often are
delivered from storage
facilities to a blender by pneumatic systems, which use air to convey the
oilfield materials.
Water and/or other liquids are then added, and the resulting fracturing fluid
is delivered
downhole under high pressure. Handling the proppant prior to blending may
include
transporting the proppant to the wellsite via trucks, then to holding silos or
bins, and
subsequently to the blending equipment. Prior to blending, the proppant
handling and dispensing
assemblies are assembled at the wellsite from equipment transported by trucks.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts
that are further
described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to
identify
indispensable features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for
use as an aid in
limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
100041 The present disclosure introduces a mobile support structure
(MSS) that includes a
trailer-mounted support base, a frame structure connected to and extending
above the support
base to define silo-receiving regions each able to receive a corresponding
modular silo, and an
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extendable base moveable between a transportation configuration and a support
configuration.
The MSS also includes silo connectors each disposed on the extendable base to
couple with a
corresponding modular silo.
[0005] The present disclosure also introduces an apparatus that includes a
mobile chassis,
a lift structure coupled to the chassis and rotatable between a transportation
orientation and a
mounting orientation while detachably engaged with a modular silo, and a
positioning
assembly carried by the lift structure. The positioning assembly includes an
engagement
structure movable between a first position and a second position while
detachably engaged
with the modular silo, as well as an actuator coupled between the lift
structure and the
engagement structure to move the engagement structure between the first
position and the
second position, thereby moving the modular silo engaged by the engagement
structure,
including lifting the modular silo away from the chassis when the lift
structure is in the
mounting orientation.
[0006] The present disclosure also introduces a method that includes
coupling a modular
silo to a mobile erector assembly of an oilfield material container transport
assembly in a
transportation orientation. The mobile erector assembly is then aligned
relative to a mobile
support structure (MSS) by engaging an alignment member of the mobile erector
assembly
with a chassis alignment post of the MSS. The mobile erector assembly is then
operated to
move the modular silo from the transportation orientation to a mounting
orientation and
couple the modular silo to the MSS.
[0006a] The present disclosure also introduces a method, comprising:
providing a mobile
support structure (MSS), wherein the MSS comprises a support base, a frame
structure
connected to and extending above the support base to define a plurality of
silo-receiving
regions each configured to receive a corresponding one of a plurality of
modular silos, an
extendable base moveable between a transportation configuration and a support
configuration,
and a plurality of silo connectors each disposed on the extendable base and
operable to couple
with a corresponding one of the plurality of modular silos; coupling the
modular silo to a
mobile erector assembly of an oilfield material container transport assembly
in a
transportation orientation; aligning the mobile erector assembly relative to
the mobile support
structure (MSS) by engaging an alignment member of the mobile erector assembly
with a
chassis alignment post of the MSS; operating the mobile erector assembly to
move the
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modular silo from the transportation orientation to a mounting orientation;
and coupling the modular
silo to the MSS.
10006b1 The present disclosure also introduces a system for use at a well,
comprising:
a mobile support structure (MSS), comprising: a trailer-mounted support base;
a frame structure
connected to and extending above the support base to define a plurality of
silo-receiving regions
each configured to receive a corresponding one of a plurality of modular
silos; an extendable base
moveable between a transportation configuration and a support configuration;
and a plurality of silo
connectors each disposed on the extendable base and operable to couple with a
corresponding one of
the plurality of modular silos; a mobile erector assembly of an oilfield
material container transport
assembly; and an alignment system having an alignment member of the mobile
erector assembly
which slidingly engages a chassis alignment feature of the MSS, the alignment
system holding the
mobile erector assembly in place with respect to the MSS to enable operation
of the mobile erector
assembly to properly place at least one of the modular silos in a
corresponding silo-receiving region.
[0007] These and additional aspects of the present disclosure are set forth
in the description that
follows, and/or may be learned by a person having ordinary skill in the art by
reading the materials
herein and/or practicing the principles described herein. At least some
aspects of the present
disclosure may be achieved via means recited in the attached claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present disclosure is understood from the following detailed
description when read
with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the
standard practice in the
industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of
the various features may
be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of at least a portion of apparatus
according to one or more
aspects of the disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 1.
2a
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[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 in
another stage of
operation.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 in
another stage of
operation.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 6.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 6.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 in
another stage of
operation.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9 in
another stage of
operation.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 10.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 11 in
another stage of
operation.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 12.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 in
another stage of
operation.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 14.
[0024] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 15 in
another stage of
operation.
[0025] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 14 in
another stage of
operation.
[0026] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 17.
[0027] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 17 in
another stage of operation.
[0028] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 14 in
another stage of
operation.
[0029] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 20 in
another stage of operation.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many
different
embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various
embodiments.
Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to
simplify the present
disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be
limiting. In
addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters
in the various
examples. This repetition is for simplicity and clarity, and does not in
itself dictate a relationship
between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. Moreover, the
formation of a
first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may
include embodiments
in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may
also include
embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first
and second
features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct
contact.
[0031] The present disclosure generally introduces a system and methodology
to facilitate
handling of oilfield material using mobile structures. In some
implementations, modular silos
for holding the oilfield material may be transported to a wellsite by suitable
trucks. The modular
silos may be carried to the wellsite by an over-the-road truck before being
erected and mounted
in a generally upright position on a mobile support structure (MSS). Once
transported to the
wellsite, the modular silos may be erected onto the MSS via operation of a
mobile erector
assembly on the truck. In the context of the present disclosure, a truck
refers to a transport
vehicle, such as an articulated truck having a trailer pulled by a tractor, in
which example the
modular silo is carried by the trailer of the truck. However, although not
illustrated as such in
the figures described below, the truck may also be a straight truck or other
suitable truck
operable to transport the modular silo over public roadways. The trailer,
chassis, and/or other
portion of the truck may include the mobile erector assembly operable to erect
the modular silo
in conjunction with mounting the modular silo on the MSS, such as via
operation of various
hydraulic cylinders, winches, and/or other actuator assemblies.
[0032] The chassis may include various displacement mechanisms operable for
aligning the
modular silo with the MSS despite the presence of misalignment between the
modular silo and
the MSS. For example, the mobile erector assembly may comprise one or more
positioning
assemblies operable to lift and/or lower the modular silo and to at least
partially align the
modular silo with the MSS. When the modular silo has been aligned with the MSS
and erected
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to the mounting orientation, the positioning assemblies may lower the modular
silo onto the MSS
and disengage from the modular silo, thereby mounting the modular silo on the
MSS.
[0033] The MSS may be operable to permit the modular silo to be erected
from its
transportation orientation on the mobile erector assembly to a mounting (e.g.,
vertical)
orientation at the wellsite for mounting the modular silo on the MSS. The MSS
may permit fully
integrated gel-processing/slurry-blender units to be transported (e.g.,
driven) into the MSS, such
as under the mounted modular silos, and thereafter receive oilfield materials
directly from the
modular silos through gravity feed.
[0034] An example implementation introduced in the present disclosure
includes an oilfield
material container transport assembly having a mobile erector assembly and a
silo sized for over-
the-road transport by the mobile erector assembly. The mobile erector assembly
may have a
chassis and an erecting mast. The chassis may have a first end, a second end,
and a support
beam extending between the first end and the second end. The erecting mast may
have a lift
structure with a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side. The
lift structure may be
movably coupled to the chassis proximate the second end of the chassis. The
lift structure may
move from a transport orientation to a mounting orientation. The lift
structure may be sized and
dimensioned to support the silo in the transport orientation. The erecting
mast may have a
plurality of first retaining structures. The silo may have an outer housing
and a silo frame. The
housing may have at least one sidewall defining a hollow interior to hold
oilfield material. The
silo frame may be connected to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls of
the silo. The silo
frame may have a plurality of second retaining structures, and the first and
second retaining
structures may be joined together to secure the silo frame to the erecting
mast for over-the-road
transport.
[0035] An example implementation introduced in the present disclosure
includes an MSS
that supports at least one modular silo having at least two connectors. The
modular support
structure may have a support base, a frame structure connected to the support
base, a first
extendable base, and a first set of silo connectors on the first extendable
base. The support base
may have a first end, a second end, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first
side, and a second side.
The frame structure may extend above the support base to define a passage
between the support
base and the frame structure. The frame structure may have at least one silo-
receiving region
sized to receive at least one modular silo proximate the first side of the
support base. The first
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set of silo connectors may have non-pivotable connections sized and
dimensioned to mate with
the connectors of the at least one modular silo to the first extendable base.
[0036] An example implementation introduced in the present disclosure
includes an MSS for
supporting at least one modular silo transported to the MSS on a chassis. The
modular silo and
the chassis may have a predetermined configuration. The MSS may have a support
base, a frame
structure extending above the support base, and a plurality of trailer
alignment posts extending
substantially vertically upward from the support base. The support base may
have a first end, a
second end, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side, and a second side.
The frame structure
may define a passage between the top surface of the support base and the frame
structure. The
frame structure may have at least one silo-receiving region sized to receive
at least one silo. The
plurality of trailer alignment posts may be proximate the at least one silo
receiving region. Each
of the plurality of trailer alignment posts may be positioned relative to the
frame structure based
on the predetermined configuration of the modular silo and the chassis to
align with the frame
structure.
[0037] An example implementation introduced in the present disclosure
includes a mobile
erector assembly for erecting at least one silo. The mobile erector assembly
may have a chassis,
an erecting mast, and a positioning assembly. The chassis may have a first
end, a second end,
and a support beam extending between the first end and the second end. The
erecting mast may
have a lift structure with a first end, a second end, a first side, and a
second side. The lift
structure may be movably coupled to the chassis, proximate the second end of
the chassis, to
move from a transportation orientation to a mounting orientation. The lift
structure may be sized
and dimensioned to support a silo in the transportation orientation. The
positioning assembly
may be connected to the lift structure, and may have at least one rail
connected to the lift
structure, at least one engagement structure connected to the at least one
rail, and at least one
actuator connected to the lift structure and the at least one engagement
structure. The rail may
extend between the first and second ends of the lift structure. The at least
one engagement
structure may be movable on the rail between a first position and a second
position. The at least
one engagement structure may engage at least a portion of a silo, and may
support the silo when
the lift structure is in the mounting orientation. The at least one actuator
may move the at least
one engagement structure in relation to the lift structure between the first
position and the second
position with a sufficient amount of force to lift the silo when the lift
structure is in the mounting
orientation.
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[0038] An example implementation introduced in the present disclosure
includes a mobile
erector assembly having a chassis, a cradle structure, an erecting mast, a
first actuator, and a
positioning assembly. The chassis may have a first end, a second end, and at
least one support
beam extending between the first end and the second end. The cradle structure
may be supported
by the support beam of the chassis, and may define an erecting mast void. The
cradle structure
may have a top surface for supporting at least one silo in a transportation
orientation. The
erecting mast may have a lift structure connected to at least one of the
cradle structure and a
portion of the chassis. The lift structure may move vertically beyond the top
surface of the
cradle structure from the transportation orientation to a mounting
orientation. In the
transportation orientation, the lift structure may be positioned within the
erecting mast void. The
first actuator assembly may engage the lift structure and at least one of the
support beam, the
chassis, and the cradle structure. The actuator may move the lift structure
from the
transportation orientation to the mounting orientation. The positioning
assembly may be
= connected to the lift structure, and may have at least one rail, at least
one engagement structure,
and at least one second actuator assembly. The at least one rail may be
connected to and extend
along at least a portion of the lift structure. The at least one engagement
structure may be
connected to the at least one rail, and may be movable on the rail between a
first position and a
second position. The at least one second actuator assembly may be connected to
the lift structure
and the at least one engagement structure. The at least one engagement
structure may engage at
least a portion of a silo, and may support the silo when the lift structure is
in the mounting
orientation. The at least one actuator may move the at least one engagement
structure from the
first position to the second position with a sufficient amount of force to
lift the silo when the lift
structure is in the mounting orientation.
[0039] An example implementation introduced in the present disclosure
includes a modular
silo comprising a silo frame, an outer housing, and at least one lift
structure. The silo frame may
have a first end, a second end, and a side between the first end and the
second end. The silo
frame may be sized for over-the-road transport in a transportation
orientation. The silo frame
may have a plurality of first struts connected together to define a material
space proximate the
first end of the silo frame, and a plurality of second struts connected
together to form a silo
support structure proximate the second end of the silo frame. At least some of
the second struts
may be connected to corresponding ones of the first struts. The first struts
may extend along the
side of the silo frame. The outer housing may have an enclosed interior
overlapping the material
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space. The at least one lift structure may be connected to at least one of the
first struts within the
set of first struts. The at least one lift structure may have a strength
sufficient to lift the silo
frame and the housing when the silo frame is in a mounting orientation.
[0040] An example implementation introduced in the present disclosure
includes a method
comprising positioning a silo in a transportation orientation on a chassis
connected to an erecting
mast operable to move the silo vertically from the transportation orientation
to a mounting
orientation. A positioning assembly may be connected to the erecting mast, and
may have at
least one engagement structure engaging and securing the silo to the erecting
mast. The method
may further comprise backing the chassis toward an MSS until a portion of the
silo and a portion
of the MSS overlap. The erecting mast and the silo may be moved from the
transportation
orientation to the mounting orientation, and the at least one engagement
structure may be moved
to place the silo onto the MSS.
[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example implementation of a
proppant delivery
system 10 for forming a slurry suitable for fracturing formations according to
one or more
aspects of the present disclosure. The proppant delivery system 10 may
comprise various
equipment, including vehicles, storage containers, material handling
equipment, pumps, control
systems, and other equipment operable to facilitate the fracturing process,
including as described
below and depicted in the accompanying figures. However, the implementation
depicted in FIG.
1 and the remaining figures is an example, and many other implementations also
fall within the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0042] The proppant delivery system 10 is illustrated in position at a
wellsite 12 having a
well 14 with at least one wellbore 16 extending into a subterranean
reservoir/formation (not
shown). The proppant delivery system 10 may comprise an MSS 18 for supporting
one or more
modular silos 20, such as may be transported over-the-road by trucks able to
operate on public
roadways. The modular silos 20 may be transported and mounted onto the MSS 18
by mobile
erector assemblies, which will be described in more detail below. The modular
silos 20 may be
utilized at the wellsite 12 to store oilfield material such as a proppant,
guar (utilized to increase
the viscosity of a hydraulic fracturing fluid), and/or other suitable oilfield
materials.
[0043] The modular silos 20 may receive oilfield material via one or more
conveyors. For
example, a trailer 22 may be positioned (e.g., backed by a tractor 23) over a
first conveyor 24,
such as may be a substantially horizontal belt or other conveyor positioned
along the ground or
otherwise operable to receive gravity-fed oilfield material from a chute or
other outlet 26 of the
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trailer 22. The first conveyor 24 may transport the oilfield material to a
second conveyor 28,
such as may transport the oilfield material to an intermediate hopper 30. A
third conveyor 32
may then transport the oilfield material into the top of a corresponding
modular silo 20. The
third conveyor 32 may be integral to the corresponding modular silo 20, and is
thus partially
obscured from view in the example implementation depicted in FIG. 1.
[0044] The proppant delivery system 10 may include other conveyors, in
addition to or
instead of those depicted in FIG. 1. One or more of the conveyors may operate
by carrying the
oilfield material, instead of blowing the oilfield material, such as may aid
in avoiding dust
generation and/or erosion of associated components. One or more of the
conveyors may also be
at least partially enclosed, such as may also aid in reducing dust generation
as the oilfield
material is delivered from the trailers 22 and into the modular silos 20.
[0045] The conveyor 24 may have a height (relative to the ground) of less
than about twelve
inches (or about 0.3 meters) or otherwise sufficient to permit the trailer 22
to be positioned over
at least a portion of the conveyor 24. The length (along the ground) of the
conveyor 24 may
range between about eight feet (or about 2.4 meters) and about fifty feet (or
about 15.2 meters).
However, other dimensions are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
The conveyors
24, 28, 32, and/or others may also be transported by truck.
[0046] The proppant delivery system 10 may also comprise various other
components, such
as water tanks (not shown) for supplying water that is mixed with the oilfield
material to form
the hydraulic fracturing fluid (e.g., proppant slurry) that may then be pumped
downhole into the
wellbore 16 via operation of a pumping system (not shown). The tanks and/or
pumping system
may also be truck-mounted, skid-mounted, or otherwise transportable over-the-
road. The
pumping system may comprise one or more pumps, such as may be coupled to a
common
manifold (not shown) operable to deliver the hydraulic fracturing fluid to the
wellbore 16.
[0047] The proppant delivery system 10 may also comprise a blending system
34 operable to
blend oilfield material delivered from the modular silos 20 with water and/or
other materials.
The blending system 34 may be or comprise a portable blender, such as a truck-
mounted or skid-
mounted blender. In the example implementation depicted in FIG. 1, the
blending system 34 is
mounted on a truck chassis 36, such as may be implemented as a trailer that
may be positioned
(e.g., backed up) in a common area 38 that is positioned underneath or
proximate the modular
silos 20. The proppant delivery system 10 may also comprise a control facility
40 and/or other
components operable to facilitate a given fracturing operation. The common
area 38 may be
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located at least partially below the modular silos 20, and may be at least
partially formed by the
MSS 18. In such implementations, the modular silos 20 may be supported over at
least a portion
of the common area 38 by the MSS 18.
[0048] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the MSS 18 shown in FIG. 1, but in a
transportation
configuration by which the MSS 18 may be transported on roadways, such as via
a truck 42.
FIG. 3 is a different perspective view of the MSS 18 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
after conversion
into the operational configuration for supporting the modular silos 20, and
after being detached
from the truck 42. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the MSS 18 in the
configuration
shown in FIG. 3. The following description applies to FIGS. 1-4, collectively,
where applicable.
[0049] In general, the MSS 18 may comply with various state, federal, and
international
regulations for transport over roadways and highways. In this regard, the MSS
18 may have a
width equal to or less than about 12 feet (or about 3.7 meters), a height
equal to or less than
about 13.5 feet (or about 4.1 meters), and a length equal to or less than
about 53 feet (or about
16.2 meters).
[0050] The MSS 18 comprises one or more connectors 44 each operable to
engage a portion
of a corresponding modular silo 20 to be mounted to the MSS 18. The MSS 18 is
depicted as
being able to support up to four modular silos 20. However, the MSS 18 may
support another
number of modular silos 20.
[0051] The MSS 18 may include a gooseneck portion 46 and a plurality of
wheels 48. The
gooseneck portion 46 may be attached to the truck 42 such that the truck 42
may move the MSS
18 between various locations, such as between the wellsite 12 and another
wellsite. The MSS 18
may thus be transported to the wellsite 12 and then set up to support one or
more modular silos
20.
[0052] The MSS 18 comprises a support base 50, a frame structure 52
connected to the
support base 50, an extendable base 54, and a number of silo connectors 56
disposed on the
extendable base 54. The support base 50 may include a first end 58, a second
end 60, a top
surface 62, a first side 66. and a second side 68. The frame structure 52
extends above the
support base 50 to define a passage 70 generally located between the top
surface 62 of the
support base 50 and the frame structure 52. The frame structure 52 includes
one or more silo-
receiving regions 72 each configured to receive a modular silo 20. For
example, the frame
structure 52 may define four silo-receiving regions 72 each configured to
support a
corresponding one of the modular silos 20.
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[0053] The gooseneck portion 46 may extend from the first end 58 of the
support base 50.
Axles 74 for the plurality of wheels 48 may be located proximate the second
end 60 of the
support base 50, as shown in FIG. 3, proximate the first end 58 of the support
base 50, and/or at
various locations relative to the support base 50 to support the components of
the MSS 18.
[0054] The extendable base 54 may include a first extendable base 76 on
the first side 66 of
the support base 50, and a second extendable base 78 on the second side 68 of
the support base
50. In such implementations, the first and second extendable bases 76 and 78
may aid in
laterally supporting the modular silos 20 and the frame structure 52, such as
may aid in
preventing the modular silos 20 and the frame structure 52 from falling over.
The first and
second extendable bases 76 and 78 may also serve as a loading base for a truck
during mounting
of the modular silos 20 onto the MSS 18, as explained below.
[0055] The first and second extendable bases 76 and 78 may be movably
connected to at
least one of the frame structure 52 and the support base 50 via one or more
mechanical linkages
= 80 such that the first and second extendable bases 76 and 78 may be
selectively positioned
between the transportation configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, and the support
configuration, as
shown in FIG. 3. In the transportation configuration, the first and second
extendable bases 76
and 78 may extend substantially vertically and adjacent to at least a portion
of the frame structure
52, such as to be within acceptable size limits for transporting the MSS 18 on
public roads and
highways. However, in the support configuration, the first and second
extendable bases 76 and
78 may extend substantially horizontally from the frame structure 52, such as
may aid in laterally
supporting the modular silos 20 and/or to provide a loading base for trucks
mounting the
modular silos 20 to the MSS 18.
[0056] In the transportation configuration, the support base 50 may be
located above a lower
portion (e.g., a lower half) 82 of the wheels 48. In the support
configuration, at least a portion of
the support base 50 may be positioned on the ground, and at least a portion of
the support base
50 may be substantially aligned with the lower portion 82 of the wheels 48.
When at least a
portion of the support base 50 is positioned on the ground and the first and
second extendable
bases 76 and 78 are positioned in the support configuration, the support base
50 and the first and
second extendable bases 76 and 78 may be substantially coplanar. The support
base 50 and the
first and second extendable bases 76 and 78 may also be positioned on a pad
(not shown), such
as may aid in stabilizing the support base 50 and the extendable bases 76 and
78 on the ground at
the wellsite 12 prior to erecting the modular silos 20 onto the MSS 18.
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[00571 The one or more mechanical linkages 80 movably connecting the frame
structure 52
and/or the support base 50 with the first and second extendable bases 76 and
78 may include a
first set of hinges connecting the first extendable base 76 to the frame
structure 52 and/or the
support base 50, and a second set of hinges connecting the second extendable
base 78 to the
frame structure 52 and/or the support base 50. To automate the movement of the
first and second
extendable bases 76 and 78 between the support configuration and the
transportation
configuration, the one or more mechanical linkages 80 may include a first set
of actuators 84 and
a second set of actuators 86, respectively. The first set of actuators 84 may
be connected to the
frame structure 52 and/or the support base 50 and the first extendable base
76. The second set of
actuators 86 may be connected to the frame structure 52 and/or the support
base 50 and the
second extendable base 78. The first and second sets of actuators 84 and 86
may be operable to
selectively move the first and second extendable bases 76 and 78,
respectively, between the
support configuration and the transportation configuration. Each set of
actuators 84 and 86 may
be constructed in a variety of manners, such as may comprise a hydraulic
cylinder, a pneumatic
cylinder, a solenoid, and/or a manual activation mechanism. The first and
second sets of
actuators 84 and 86 may each comprise two actuators, as shown in FIG. 3,
although other
numbers of actuators may also be provided depending, for example, on the size
of the actuators
and the first and second extendable bases 76 and 78.
[0058] The frame structure 52 may comprise multiple frames 91-94
interconnected by
multiple struts 90. The frames 91-94 may be substantially parallel to each
other, and may be
substantially similar in construction and function. Each frame 91-94 may
comprise a top
member 96, a bottom member 98, and two side members 100 and 102, such as may
be connected
to form a closed structure surrounding at least a portion of the passage 70.
Two or more of the
members 96, 98, 100, and 102 within each frame 91-94 may be integrally formed.
The side
members 100 and 102 and the top member 96 may form an arch, such as may
increase the
structural strength of each frame 91-94. The top member 96 may include an apex
104 that may
be centrally located between the side members 100 and 102. The connectors 44
may be
connected to each frame 91-94 at the apex 104 such that each connector 44 may
connect to at
least a portion of the corresponding modular silo 20 at the top of each frame
91-94. The top
member 96 may include a first leg 106 and a second leg 108, which may be
connected together
at the apex 104. The first leg 106 may be connected to the side member 100,
and the second leg
108 may be connected to the side member 102. The top member 96 may also
comprise or be
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connected to a support beam 110. The support beam 110 may reinforce the first
leg 106 and the
second leg 108, such as may aid in preventing relative deflection of the first
and second legs 106
and 108 when the modular silos 20 are being supported. Each frame 91-94 may be
formed from
suitable materials able to support the load from the modular silos 20. For
example, the frames
91-94 may be constructed form tubular steel, I-beams, channel, and/or other
suitable material,
and may be connected together via various mechanical fastening techniques,
such as may utilize
one or more bolts, plates, welds, and/or other connection means.
[0059] One of the struts 90 may connect the frames 91 and 92 in a manner
pennitting jointly
supporting two modular silos 20 in the corresponding silo-receiving regions
72. Likewise,
another strut 90 may connect the frames 93 and 94 in a manner permitting
jointly supporting two
additional modular silos 20 in the corresponding silo-receiving regions 72.
The connectors 44
may also be disposed within corresponding silo-receiving regions 72. For
example, two
connectors 44 may be provided at the apex 104 of each of the frames 91-94,
where each
connector 44 may attach to a corresponding modular silo 20.
[0060] The extendable base 54, such as the first and second extendable
bases 76 and 78, may
comprise the silo connectors 56. For example, one or more pairs of silo
connectors 56, with each
pair corresponding to one of the modular silos 20, may be positioned on the
corresponding first
or second extendable base 76, 78 proximate the corresponding silo-receiving
region 72. The silo
connectors 56 may each comprise non-pivotable connections operable to mate
each modular silo
20 to the corresponding extendable base 76, 78. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
silo connectors
56 may be coupled to the first or second extendable base 76, 78, and may be
positioned at a
lower elevation than the connectors 44 located on the apex 104 of the frames
91-94, in a manner
permitting the connectors 44 and the silo connectors 56 to cooperatively
engage each modular
silo 20 as each modular silo 20 is mounted on the MSS 18.
[0061] When the first and second extendable bases 76 and 78 are extended
into the support
configuration, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the silo connectors 56 may extend
vertically upward
from the first and second extendable bases 76 and 78. Each silo connector 56
may comprise a
post 114 and one or more struts 116 coupled to the corresponding extendable
base 76, 78, such
that each silo connector 56 may support at least a portion of the weight of
the modular silo 20
when mounted onto the MSS 18. The post 114 and struts 116 may be formed from
steel pipe, I-
beams, channel, and/or other suitable materials, and may be connected together
via various
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suitable connection methods, such as mechanical fastening via bolt and nut
connectors, welding,
plates, other suitable mechanical fastening techniques, and combinations
thereof
[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, each silo connector 56 may comprise a top end
118, a bottom
end 120, and sidewalls 122 each extending at least partially between the top
and bottom ends 118
and 120. The sidewalls 122 may at least partially surround a receiving space
or passageway 124
for receiving a lower end of the corresponding modular silo 20. Each silo
connector 56 may also
have a flared portion 126 at the top end 118, such as may accommodate
insertion of the lower
end of the modular silo 20 while the modular silo 20 is being mounted to the
MSS 18.
[0063] The first and second extendable bases 76 and 78 may also comprise
one or more
chassis guides 130. Each chassis guide 130 may be positioned on one of the
first and second
extendable bases 76 and 78, and may be spaced apart by a predetermined
distance. For example,
in implementations in which a truck with a trailer is transporting the modular
silo 20, the truck
may be provided with first and second wheels having outer sidewalls spaced
apart by a wheel
clearance, and the space between each pair of chassis guides 130 may
correspond (e.g., be
slightly larger than) the wheel clearance. The chassis guides 130 may be
coupled to or formed
integral with the first and second extendable bases 76 and 78 in positions
corresponding to the
wheel clearance, perhaps spaced apart at a distance of about 5% to about 20%
more than the
wheel clearance. Each chassis guide 130 may comprise a first portion 132 and a
second portion
134 disposed at an angle with respect to the first portion 132. For example,
the first and second
portions 132 and 134 of the chassis guides 130 may be implemented as raised
portions of the
first and second extendable bases 76 and 78, or as portions of pipe, channel,
or other suitable
materials connected to the first and second extendable bases 76 and 78 via
various suitable
connection mechanisms, such as welding, plates, and/or nut and bolt
connectors.
[0064] The MSS 18 may also comprise a number of chassis alignment posts 136
extending
vertically upward from the first and second extendable bases 76 and 78. For
example, two
chassis alignment posts 136 may be positioned proximate each silo-receiving
region 72. Each
chassis alignment post 136 may be positioned relative to the frame structure
52 based on a
predetermined configuration of the modular silo 20 and a chassis used to
transport and mount the
modular silo 20, such that the chassis alignment posts 136 may at least
partially align the chassis
with the frame structure 52. For example, a pair of chassis alignment posts
136 may be
positioned a predetermined distance apart within each silo-receiving region
72, where such
distance may be based on the width of the chassis transporting the modular
silo 20 and/or
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dimensions of the first and second extendable bases 76 and 78. Each chassis
alignment post 136
may be implemented as steel tubing, pipe, channel, blocks, or other suitable
materials that may
be connected to the first and second extendable bases 76 and 78 and that have
sufficient strength
to engage and withstand alignment of at least a portion of the chassis.
[0065] The first and second extendable bases 76 and 78 may also comprise
one or more
extendable ramps 138 at outer ends 140 thereof The extendable ramps 138 may be
connected to
the first and second extendable bases 76 and 78 via one or more pivot joints
142 and/or other
manner permitting the extendable ramps 138 be collapsed into a compact
position when the MSS
18 is in the transportation configuration, and subsequently pivoted into the
depicted extended
position when the MSS 18 is in the support configuration. In the extended
position, the
extendable ramps 138 may also aid in aligning the chassis transporting the
modular silos 20 and
positioning a portion of the chassis over the extendable bases 76 and 78.
[0066] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the MSS 18 shown in
FIG. 1 and an
oilfield material container transport assembly 144 according to one or more
aspects of the
present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the oilfield material
container transport
assembly 144 shown in FIG. 5 in another stage of operation. FIGS. 7 and 8 are
perspective
views of different portions of the oilfield material container transport
assembly 144 as shown in
FIG. 6 (although the actuator assembly 154 described below has been removed
from FIGS. 7 and
8 for the purpose of clarity). The following description refers to FIGS. 5-8,
collectively, perhaps
with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-4, where applicable and indicated by like
reference
numerals.
[0067] The oilfield material container transport assembly 144 may comprise
a mobile erector
assembly 146 operable for erecting a modular silo 20. The oilfield material
container transport
assembly 144 may comply with various state, federal, and international
regulations for transport
over roadways and highways. In this regard, the oilfield material container
transport assembly
144 may have a width of less than about 9.5 feet (or about 2.6 meters), a
height of less than about
fourteen feet (or about 4.3 meters), and a length of less than about 53 feet
(or about 16.2 meters).
[0068] The mobile erector assembly 146 may comprise a chassis 148, an
erecting mast 150, a
positioning assembly 152, and an actuator assembly 154. The chassis 148 may
support the
modular silo 20 and be operable for being pulled by a truck, such as the truck
23 shown in FIG. 1
and/or the truck 42 shown in FIG. 2, to transport the modular silo 20 to the
wellsite 12.
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= [0069] The chassis 148 comprises a first end 156 (e.g., a front
end), a second end 158 (e.g., a
rear end), and a support beam 160 extending between the first end 156 and the
second end 158.
In implementations in which the chassis 148 is to be pulled by a truck, the
chassis 148 may also
comprise a plurality of wheels 162 located at least partially underneath and
operably connected
to the support beam 160 and/or another portion of the chassis 148. The wheels
162 may be
located at least partially underneath a horizontal plane intersecting and
parallel to the support
beam 160. In implementations in which the chassis 148 is implemented as a
trailer, the chassis
148 may further comprise a trailer hitch 164 located proximate the first end
156. The trailer
hitch 164 may be a gooseneck hitch and/or other types of hitches. However, it
should be
understood that the chassis 148 may also or instead be implemented as a sled,
skid, and/or other
transportation means.
[0070] The support beam 160 may be formed from two or more support
beams 166
connected together to by support members 168 to collectively form a
substantially horizontal
structural support. The support members 168 may be spaced a distance apart
from one another
between the first and second ends 156 and 158 of the chassis 148. The
components of the
support beam 160 may be formed from steel beam, channel, plate, and/or other
materials having
sufficient strength and durability to transport the modular silo 20 as
described herein.
[0071] The chassis 148 may comprise at least one alignment member 170
connected to the
support beam 160 and extending generally downward from the second end 158 of
the chassis
148. For example, the chassis 148 may comprise two alignment members 170 on
opposing sides
of the second end 158 of the chassis 148. Each alignment member 170 may
comprise an upper
portion 172 and a lower portion 174. The upper portion 172 may be connected to
the support
beam 160 by a connection beam 176, for example, and the lower portion 174 may
telescope or
otherwise extend down from the upper portion 172 for engagement with a
corresponding chassis
alignment post 136 of the MSS 18 (see FIG. 3). Engaging the chassis alignment
post 136 with
the lower portion 174 of the alignment member 170 may aid in aligning at least
a portion of the
chassis 148 with the MSS 18. The upper and lower portions 172 and 174 of the
alignment
member 170 and the connection beam 176 may be formed from steel beam, channel,
plate,
and/or other materials, and may be connected to each other and the support
beam 160 by nut and
bolt connectors, plates, welding, and/or other suitable connection mechanisms.
[0072] The erecting mast 150 is connected to the chassis 148 in a
manner permitting
movement of the erecting mast 150 relative to the chassis 148. The erecting
mast 150 comprises
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a lift structure 178 with a first end 180, a second end 182, a first side 184,
and a second side 186.
The second end 182 of the lift structure 178 may be movably coupled to the
chassis 148
proximate the second end 158 of the chassis 148. The lift structure 178 is
operable to move from
a substantially horizontal transportation orientation to a substantially
vertical mounting
orientation. Thus, the lift structure 178 supports the modular silo 20 in the
transportation
orientation for transporting the modular silo 20 to the wellsite 12, and lifts
the modular silo 20
during assembly of the modular silo 20 onto the MSS 18.
[0073] The lift structure 178 may comprise a first end member 188 forming
or otherwise
proximate the first end 180, two or more support beams 190 extending between
the first and
second ends 180 and 182, and a number of lateral support members 192 extending
between the
support beams 190 at various intervals between the first and second ends 180
and 182. The first
end member 188 may be supported (at least vertically) by a support post 189
extending upward
from the chassis 148. The components of the lift structure 178 may be formed
from steel beam,
channel, plate, and/or other materials, and may be connected to each other by
nut and bolt
connectors, plates, welding, and/or other suitable connection mechanisms.
However, it will be
understood that the lift structure 178 may have other configurations and still
permit the lift
structure 178 to support at least a portion of the modular silo 20 when moving
from the
transportation orientation to the mounting orientation.
[0074] The support beams 190 or other portion of the lift structure 178 at
or near the second
end 182 may be connected to (or near) the second end 158 of the chassis 148
via a pivot
connection 194 (see FIG. 15). The actuator assembly 154 may extend between the
lift structure
178 of the erecting mast 150 and the support beam 160 of the chassis 148, such
that extension
and retraction of the actuator assembly 154 moves the lift structure 178 in a
substantially arc-
shaped path 196 between the transportation (e.g., substantially horizontal)
orientation and the
mounting (e.g., substantially vertical) orientation. As depicted in FIGS. 5
and 6, the actuator
assembly 154 may comprise multiple actuators 198 operable to cooperatively
move the lift
structure 178 between the transportation and mounting orientations. The
actuator assembly 154
may comprise one or more hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, electrical
actuators,
mechanical actuators, and/or other suitable mechanisms capable of moving the
lift structure 178
and an accompanying modular silo 20 from the transportation orientation to the
mounting
orientation.
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[0075] The erecting mast 150 may also comprise a number of first
retaining structures 200
each configured to mate with a corresponding second retaining structure
(described below) to
prevent movement of the modular silo 20 relative to the erecting mast 150. As
shown in FIG. 8,
each first retaining structure 200 may have a first end 202, a second end 204,
and sidewalls 206
extending between the first and second ends 202 and 204. The sidewalls 206 may
define and
extend at least partially around a receiving space 208 with an entrance 210
facing the second end
158 of the chassis 148 and configured to receive and engage at least a portion
of the
corresponding second retaining structure of the modular silo 20. Such
engagement may aid in
positionally fixing the modular silo 20 relative to the erecting mast 150. The
first retaining
structures 200 may be formed from steel beam, channel, plate, and/or other
materials, and may
be connected to the erecting mast 150 by nut and bolt connectors, plates,
welding, and/or other
suitable connection mechanisms. Each first retaining structure 200 may also be
or comprise a
clamp, a claw-like connection, a pin or loop for a pin-and-loop connection, or
other suitable
= connections.
[0076] The first retaining structures 200 may each be connected to the
erecting mast 150
directly or via an offset structure 212. The offset structures 212 may each
aid in positioning the
first retaining structures 200 away from the erecting mast 150, whether in or
offset from a
common plane of the erecting mast 150.
[0077] The positioning assembly 152 may comprise at least one rail 214
connected to the lift
structure 178, at least one engagement structure 216, and at least one
actuator 218. The
engagement structure 216 is connected to and moveable on the at least one rail
214 between a
first position shown in FIG. 7 and a second position shown in FIG. 19. The
actuator 218 is
operable to move the engagement structure 216 relative to the lift structure
178 between the first
and second positions.
[0078] Each rail 214 may be connected to and substantially parallel
with a corresponding
support beam 190, and may have a smooth outer surface or may be toothed.
Brackets 220 may
connect each rail 214 to the corresponding support beam 190, perhaps in a
manner permitting the
rail 214 to be spaced outward from yet perhaps substantially coplanar with the
lift structure 178,
such as may permit each engagement structure 216 to at least partially
encircle at least a section
of the corresponding rail 214. For example, the portion of each engagement
structure 216 that
encircles the corresponding rail 214 may travel (substantially vertically in
the orientation
depicted in FIG. 7) along the rail 214 between the first and second positions.
In some
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implementations, one or more engagement structures 216 may comprise gearing
(not shown) that
engages with a toothed portion (not shown) of the corresponding rail 214, such
as may form a
rack and pinion arrangement.
[0079] Each engagement structure 216 may engage a portion of the modular
silo 20 for
supporting the modular silo 20 when the lift structure 178 is in (or moving
to/from) the mounting
orientation. As depicted in the example implementation shown in the figures,
each engagement
structure 216 may comprise an outer end 222, an inner end 224, and a surface
226 extending at
least partially between the outer and inner ends 222 and 224. The outer end
222 includes an
upwardly (in the orientation shown in FIG. 7) extending projection 223 that
may aid in
detachably engaging a corresponding portion of the modular silo 20, as
described below. The
surface 226 may include a first portion 228 and a second portion 230. The
first portion 228 may
be angled with respect to the second portion 230, such as to provide greater
strength and rigidity
for connection with the moving end of the corresponding actuator 218. The
first portion 228
may also aid in aligning the modular silo 20 when supported by the lift
structure 178.
[0080] Each engagement structure 216 may be formed from solid and/or
tubular steel, such
as may be machined or cast into the example form depicted in FIG. 7. Each
engagement
structure 216 may also or instead comprise a number of struts. For example,
each engagement
structure 216 may comprise a first strut 232 extending along and at least
partially encircling a
corresponding rail 214, a second strut 234 extending outward substantially
perpendicularly from
the first strut 232, and a third strut 236 extending at an angle between the
first and second struts
232 and 234, such as may aid in bracing the first strut 232 while the
engagement structure 216 is
supporting at least a portion of the weight of the modular silo 20 in the
mounting orientation.
The struts 232, 234, 236 may be formed from steel tubing, pipe, channel, or
other suitable
materials.
[0081] Each actuator 218 may move the corresponding engagement structure
216 between
the first and second positions with a sufficient amount of force to also move
the modular silo 20
when the lift structure 178 is substantially vertical, including when the
modular silo 20 is
substantially full of oilfield material. A first end 238 of each actuator 218
may be connected to
the corresponding engagement structure 216, and a second end 240 of each
actuator 218 may be
connected to the lift structure 178, perhaps via one or more bracket members
241. Each actuator
218 may be or comprise a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a solenoid,
or other suitable
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actuator operable with sufficient force to lift at least a portion of the
modular silo 20 when the lift
structure 178 is substantially vertical.
[0082] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the mobile erector assembly 146 and
the modular silo
20 in the transportation orientation. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the
mobile erector assembly
146 and the modular silo 20 in the mounting orientation. FIG. 11 is a
perspective view of an
enlarged portion of the mobile erector assembly 146 and the modular silo 20 as
shown in FIG.
10. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an example implementation of the modular
silo 20. FIG. 13
is a perspective view of an enlarged portion of the modular silo 20 shown in
FIG. 12. The
following description refers to FIGS. 9-13, collectively, perhaps with
continuing reference to
FIGS. 1-8, where applicable and indicated by like reference numerals.
[0083] In the transportation orientation shown in FIG. 9, the modular silo
20 may be
supported in a substantially horizontal position on the lift structure 178.
For example, as
described below, structures on the mounting silo 20 may operate in conjunction
with the
positioning assembly 152 and the one or more first retaining structures 200 to
secure and retain
the mounting silo 20 to the mobile erector assembly 146 and the lift structure
178, such as may
prevent the modular silo 20 from lateral movement with respect to the mobile
erector assembly
146. In the mounting orientation shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the modular silo 20
may be
supported in a substantially vertical position by the mobile erector assembly
146 and the lift
structure 178. For example, as described below, structures on the mounting
silo 20 may operate
in conjunction with the positioning assembly 152 to support the modular silo
20 and lower the
modular silo 20 onto the MSS 18 to mount the modular silo 20 or to lift the
modular silo 20 from
the MSS 18.
[0084] The modular silo 20 may comprise a silo frame 242, an outer housing
244, and one or
more lift features 246. The outer housing 244 may define an enclosed interior
248 for holding
oilfield material. The silo frame 242 may support the outer housing 244. Each
lift feature 246
may be connected to the silo frame 242.
[0085] The silo frame 242 may have a first end 250, a second end 252, and
one or more sides
254 extending between the first and second ends 250 and 252. The silo frame
242 may be sized
for over-the-road transport in the transportation orientation. The
transportation orientation may
be substantially horizontal, such that the sides 254 may be substantially
parallel to at least a
portion of the chassis 148. The silo frame 242 may comprise a number of struts
256-265
connected together to collectively define a material space between the first
and second ends 250
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and 252. The silo frame 242 may also comprise a number of struts 268-272
connected together
to collectively form a silo support structure 274. The silo support structure
274 is proximate the
second end 252 of the silo frame 242, substantially underneath the silo 20 in
the mounting
orientation. The struts 256-265 and 268-272 may be formed from steel tubing,
beam, channel,
plate, or other suitable materials, and may be connected by welds, bolt and
nut fasteners, and/or
other suitable types of fastening methods to support at least a portion of the
outer housing 244
and the modular silo 20.
[0086] One or more of the struts 256-265 may collectively form at least a
portion of the silo
frame 242 as a cuboid or other shape surrounding the outer housing 244. For
example, the silo
frame 242 may include struts 260-262 (and another strut hidden from view in
FIG. 12) extending
along the sides 254 of the silo frame 242 between the first and second ends
250 and 252. The
struts 261 and 262 may terminate at or below the second end 252 of the silo
frame 242, and may
engage with corresponding silo connectors 56 of the MSS 18. For example, when
the
positioning assembly 152 in the mounting orientation lowers the modular silo
20, the struts 261
and 262 may be inserted into the corresponding silo connectors 56. In
implementations in which
the silo connectors 56 include flared portions 128, the flared portions 128
may aid in guiding
ends of the struts 261 and 262 into the silo connectors 56, thereby at least
partially aligning at
least a portion of the modular silo 20 while the modular silo 20 is being
mounted onto the MSS
18.
[0087] The outer housing 244 may include an upper portion proximate the
first end 250, and
a lower portion proximate the second end 252. The outer housing 244 may also
include a first
center plane 276 extending between the sides 254 substantially parallel to the
struts 260-262 and
substantially bisecting the struts 256, 258, and 264, and a second center
plane 278 substantially
perpendicular to the first center plane 276 and substantially bisecting the
struts 257, 259, and
265. The first and second center planes 276 and 278 may be considered to
partition the modular
silo 20, the silo frame 242, the outer housing 244, and/or the enclosed
interior 248 into quadrants
280-283. The outer housing 244 may comprise an inlet 286 located at the upper
portion of the
outer housing 244 and a feeder 288 located at the lower portion. The inlet 286
and the feeder
288 may be encompassed within the quadrant 280. The outer housing 244 may also
comprise an
outlet (not shown) encompassed within the quadrant 280, with the feeder 288
connected to and in
fluid communication with the outlet.
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[0088] The lift features 246 may each be connected to corresponding
ones of the struts (e.g.,
struts 261-263), and may extend towards the first and second ends 250 and 252
of the silo frame
242 at an angle ranging between about forty degrees and about sixty degrees.
The lift features
246 may have strength sufficient to support lifting the silo frame 242 and the
outer housing 244
when the silo frame 242 is in or moving to/from the mounting orientation. For
example, the lift
features 246 may be of sufficient strength to bear the weight of the modular
silo 20 when the
positioning assembly 152 engages the lift features 246 to lift the modular
silo 20 in a
substantially vertical direction with respect to the ground, including when
the modular silo 20 is
substantially full of oilfield material.
[0089] The modular silo 20 may also comprise second retaining
structures 290. The second
retaining structures 290 may be configured to mate with and/or engage with the
first retaining
structures 200 on the erecting mast 150, as described above, such that the
second retaining
structures 290 and the lift features 246 may cooperate with the first
retaining structures 200 and
= the positioning assembly 152, respectively, to aid in preventing movement
of the modular silo 20
relative to the mobile erector assembly 146 while in the transportation
orientation. The second
retaining structures 290 may be formed from steel tubing, plate, and/or other
suitable materials,
and may be connected to one or more struts (e.g., strut 265) of the silo frame
242 via welds, bolt
and nut fasteners, and/or other suitable types of fastening techniques.
[0090] Depending on the wellsite operation, the oilfield material
contained within each
modular silo 20 may comprise naturally occurring sand grains or gravel, man-
made proppants,
resin coated sand, high-strength ceramic materials (e.g., sintered bauxite),
other solids such as
fibers, mica, mixtures of different sized oilfield materials, mixtures of
different types of oilfield
materials, and/or other suitable oilfield materials. One or more of the
modular silos 20 may be
internally divided into a plurality of compartments, such as may correspond to
the quadrants
280-283, each holding different types of oilfield materials that may be
selectively released from
the modular silo 20 and blended via the blending system 34. The conveyor 32
that may be
enclosed within each modular silo 20 may lift oilfield material (e.g., with or
without blowing)
from an inlet 292 (such as an inlet hopper), disposed at the lower portion of
the modular silo 20,
to the upper portion of the modular silo 20 for release into the enclosed
interior 248, such as
through a vertical conveyor head 294. The conveyor head 294 may have a
pivotable or
otherwise moveable discharge, such as may be selectively controllable to
deliver the oilfield
material to the corresponding compartment within the modular silo 20.
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[0091] The vertical conveyor 32 may be positioned within the enclosed
interior 248 in a
manner that may aid in reducing the generation and/or escape of dust. For
example, the vertical
conveyor 32 may be mounted to the outer housing 244 and extend from the lower
portion to the
upper portion of the modular silo 20. The vertical conveyor 32 may be or
comprise a bucket
elevator 296 having a plurality of buckets 298 conveyed in a continuous loop
to lift oilfield
material from the inlet 292 to the conveyor head 294. However, the vertical
conveyor 32 may
also or instead be or comprise a screw auger, a pneumatic fill tube, and/or
other material transfer
means.
[0092] The outflow of oilfield material to the blending system 34 (e.g.,
through the feeder
288) may be controlled by a suitable outflow control mechanism (not shown).
For example, the
blending system 34 may include a hopper having an inlet positioned below the
feeder 288. The
inlet of the hopper may have a width of up to about twelve feet (or aboui 3.7
meters), such as a
width ranging between about eight feet (or about 2.4 meters) and about 8.5
feet (or about 2.6
meters). The hopper may also have an outflow control mechanism that may be
similar to the
outflow control mechanism of the modular silo 20. The oilfield material may be
gravity fed
through the feeder 288, and the amount of outflow may be governed by the
outflow control
mechanism of the modular silo 20. The oilfield material may flow into a
blender of the blending
system 34, and may be regulated by the outflow control mechanism of the hopper
and the
outflow control mechanism of the modular silo 20.
[0093] FIGS. 14-21 are perspective views of the apparatus described above
during various
stages of operation according to aspects of the present disclosure. For
example, FIGS. 14 and 15
depict the modular silo 20 positioned in the transportation orientation on the
chassis 148 of the
mobile erector assembly 146. The modular silo 20 has been connected to the
erecting mast 150,
such as via engagement of the first retaining structures 200 of the mobile
erector assembly 146
with the corresponding second retaining structures 290 of the modular silo 20,
and/or via
engagement of the engagement structures 216 with the lift features 246 of the
modular silo 20.
As more clearly shown in FIG. 15, the mobile erector assembly 146 may be moved
(e.g., backed)
toward the MSS 18 until a portion of the modular silo 20 and a portion of the
MSS 18 overlap.
For example, this may include aligning the wheels 162 of the chassis 148 with
the chassis guides
130 disposed on the extendable base 76, 78 of the MSS 18. Adequate alignment
of the chassis
148 with the MSS 18 may also or instead comprise positioning one or more of
the alignment
members 170 with the corresponding one or more chassis alignment posts 136
disposed on the
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extendable base 76, 78 of the MSS 18, such as by lowering the lower portions
174 of the
alignment members 170 onto the chassis alignment posts 136.
[0094] The erecting mast 150 and the modular silo 20 may then be moved from
the
transportation orientation to the mounting orientation, as shown in FIGS. 5,
10, and 16. For
example, the actuator assembly 154 of the erecting mast 150 may be extended,
thereby rotating
the erecting mast 150 and the modular silo 20 upward and away from the chassis
148. The
alignment of the chassis 148 relative to the MSS 18, and the subsequent
erection of the erecting
mast 150 and modular silo 20, may vertically align the lower ends of the silo
frame 242 (e.g., the
lower ends of the struts 261 and 262) over the corresponding silo connectors
56, as shown in
FIG. 16.
[0095] The one or more engagement structures 216 of the positioning
assembly 152 may
then be moved to place the modular silo 20 onto the MSS 18, as shown in FIGS.
17 and 18. For
example, the actuators 218 of the positioning assembly 152 may be extended,
thereby lowering
the modular silo 20 relative to the lift structure 178. The lower ends of the
silo frame 242 (e.g.,
the lower ends of the struts 261 and 262) may thus be inserted into the
corresponding silo
connectors 56. One or more pins and/or other locking devices (not shown) may
then be inserted
through the silo connectors 56 and the lower ends of the silo frame 242 to
retain the lower ends
of the silo frame 242 in the corresponding silo connectors 56. Lowering the
modular silo 20
relative to the lift structure 178 may also engage the connectors 44 of the
frame structure 52 with
corresponding portions of the modular silo 20. Such engagement may be
substantially
automatic, or may be aided via utilization of a tool (e.g., a wrench), locking
device, and/or other
means.
[0096] The modular silo 20 may then be disengaged from the lift structure
178. For
example, the actuators 218 of the positioning assembly 152 may be further
extended, thereby
disengaging the projections 223 of the engagement structures 216 from the lift
features 246 of
the modular silo 20, as shown in FIG. 19. Such action may also disengage the
first retaining
structures 200 of the mobile erector assembly 146 from the corresponding
second retaining
structures 290 of the modular silo 20.
[0097] The erecting mast 150 may then be lowered from the mounting
orientation to the
transportation orientation, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. For example, the
actuator assembly 154
of the erecting mast 150 may be retracted, thereby rotating the erecting mast
150, without the
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= Attorney Docket No.: I S13.3623-CA -NP
modular silo 20, downward toward the chassis 148. The chassis 148 may then be
removed from
the extendable base 76, 78, such as by driving away a truck attached to the
chassis 148.
[0098] In view of the entirety of the present disclosure, including the
figures and the claims,
a person having ordinary skill in the art should readily recognize that the
present disclosure
introduces a mobile support structure (MSS), comprising: a trailer-mounted
support base; a
frame structure connected to and extending above the support base to define a
plurality of silo-
receiving regions each configured to receive a corresponding one of a
plurality of modular silos;
an extendable base moveable between a transportation configuration and a
support configuration;
and a plurality of silo connectors each disposed on the extendable base and
operable to couple
with a corresponding one of the plurality of modular silos. The MSS may be
within
predetermined size limits for transportation on public roads and highways when
the extendable
base is in the transportation configuration but not when the extendable base
is in the support
configuration.
[0099] The extendable base may comprise first and second extendable bases
disposed on first
and second sides of the support base, respectively, wherein the first and
second extendable bases
may each be rotatable from a substantially vertical orientation in the
transportation configuration
to a substantially horizontal orientation in the support configuration. In
such implementations,
among others, the MSS may further comprise first and second actuators operable
to selectively
move the first and second extendable bases, respectively, between the support
configuration and
the transportation configuration.
[00100] The plurality of silo connectors may be a plurality of first silo
connectors, the frame
structure may comprise a plurality of frames, and the MSS may further comprise
a plurality of
second silo connectors each disposed proximate an apex of a corresponding one
of the plurality
of frames and operable to couple with a corresponding one of the plurality of
modular silos. In
such implementations, among others, two of the plurality of second silo
connectors may be
connected to the apex of each of the plurality of frames such that each of the
plurality of frames
partially supports two of the plurality of modular silos.
[00101] The extendable base may comprise a plurality of chassis guides each
corresponding to
a wheel clearance of an oilfield material container transport assembly
operable to transport and
mount one of the plurality of modular silos to the MSS.
[00102] The extendable base may comprise a plurality of chassis alignment
posts each
positioned to engage an alignment member of an oilfield material container
transport assembly
81784493
operable to transport and mount one of the plurality of modular silos to the
MSS, thereby
aligning the chassis relative to the frame structure.
[00103] The present disclosure also introduces an apparatus comprising: a
mobile chassis; a
lift structure coupled to the chassis and rotatable between a transportation
orientation and a
mounting orientation while detachably engaged with a modular silo; and a
positioning assembly
carried by the lift structure and comprising: an engagement structure movable
between a first
position and a second position while detachably engaged with the modular silo;
and an actuator
coupled between the lift structure and the engagement structure and operable
to move the
engagement structure between the first position and the second position,
thereby moving the
modular silo engaged by the engagement structure, including lifting the
modular silo away from
the chassis when the lift structure is in the mounting orientation. The
apparatus may be within
predetermined size limits for transportation on public roads and highways when
the lift structure
and the modular silo are in the transportation orientation but not when the
lift structure and the
modular silo are in the mounting orientation.
[00104] The lift structure may be substantially parallel to the chmssis when
in the
transportation orientation, and the lift structure may be substantially
perpendicular to the chassis
when in the mounting orientation.
[00105] The lift structure may comprise a plurality of first retaining
structures each detachably
engaging with a corresponding one of a plurality of second retaining
structures of the modular
silo.
[00106] The positioning assembly may comprise first and second opposing and
substantially
parallel rails coupled to, and disposed outwardly relatively to, first and
second opposing and
substantially parallel sides of the lift structure, respectively. In such
implementations, among
others, the engagement structure may comprise a first engagement structure
slidably coupled to
the first rail and a second engagement structure slidably coupled to the
second rail, and the
actuator may comprise: a first actuator operably coupled between the first
side of the lift
structure and the first engagement structure to move the first engagement
structure along the first
rail; and a second actuator operably coupled between the second side of the
lift structure and the
second engagement structure to move the second engagement structure along the
second rail.
[00107] The modular silo may comprise first and second lift features, and the
first and second
engagement structures may each comprise an angled surface operable in
conjunction with a
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-18
CA 02874358 2014-12-16
Attorney Docket No.: 1S13.3623-CA-NP
corresponding one of the first and second lift features to align the modular
silo relative to the lift
structure.
[00108] The apparatus may further comprise a plurality of wheels operably
coupled to the
chassis to transport the chassis and, thus, the lift structure, the
positioning assembly, and the
modular silo detachably engaged with the engagement structure.
[00109] The present disclosure also introduces a method comprising: coupling a
modular silo
to a mobile erector assembly of an oilfield material container transport
assembly in a
transportation orientation; then aligning the mobile erector assembly relative
to a mobile support
structure (MSS) by engaging an alignment member of the mobile erector assembly
with a chassis
alignment post of the MSS; and then operating the mobile erector assembly to
move the modular
silo from the transportation orientation to a mounting orientation and couple
the modular silo to
the MSS.
[00110] Coupling the modular silo to the mobile erector assembly may comprise
detachably
engaging each of a plurality of first retaining structures of the mobile
erector assembly with a
corresponding one of a plurality of second retaining structures of the modular
silo. Coupling the
modular silo to the mobile erector assembly may comprise detachably engaging a
lift feature of
the modular silo with an engagement structure of the mobile erector assembly,
including thereby
aligning the modular silo with the mobile erector assembly.
[00111] Aligning the mobile erector assembly relative to the MSS may comprise
aligning a
plurality of wheels of the mobile erector assembly relative to a corresponding
plurality of chassis
guides of the MSS.
[00112] Operating the mobile erector assembly to move the modular silo from
the
transportation orientation to the mounting orientation may comprise operating
an actuator
assembly of the mobile erector assembly to rotate the modular silo relative to
a chassis of the
mobile erector assembly along a substantially arc-shaped path.
[00113] The modular silo may comprise first and second lift features, and the
mobile erector
assembly may comprise: a mobile chassis; a lift structure coupled to the
chassis and rotatable
between a transportation orientation and a mounting orientation while engaged
with the modular
silo; first and second engagement structures each movable between a first
position and a second
position while engaged with the modular silo, and each comprising an angled
surface operable in
conjunction with a corresponding one of the first and second lift features to
align the modular
silo relative to the lift structure; and first and second actuators each
coupled between the lift
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CA 02874358 2014-12-16
Attorney Docket No.: IS13.3623-CA-NP
structure and a corresponding one of the first and second engagement
structures. In such
implementations, among others, operating the mobile erector assembly to move
the modular silo
from the transportation orientation to the mounting orientation and then
coupling the modular
silo to the MSS may include operating the first and second actuators to
position the modular silo
relative to a plurality of silo connectors of the MSS. Such method(s) may
further comprise
operating the first and second actuators to disengage the first and second
engagement structures
from the first and second lift features.
[00114] The MSS may comprise a support base, a frame structure connected to
and extending
above the support base to define a plurality of silo-receiving regions each
configured to receive a
corresponding one of a plurality of modular silos, an extendable base moveable
between a
transportation configuration and a support configuration, and a plurality of
silo connectors each
disposed on the extendable base and operable to couple with a corresponding
one of the plurality
of modular silos. In such implementations, among others, coupling the modular
silo to the MSS
= may comprise coupling the modular silo to two of the plurality of silo
connectors. Moreover, the
plurality of silo connectors may be a plurality of first silo connectors, the
frame structure may
comprise a plurality of frames, the MSS may comprise a plurality of second
silo connectors each
disposed proximate an apex of a corresponding one of the plurality of frames,
and coupling the
modular silo to the MSS may comprise coupling the modular silo to two of the
plurality of
second silo connectors.
[00115] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that a
person having
ordinary skill in the art may better understand the aspects of the present
disclosure. A person
having ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that they may readily use
the present disclosure
as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for
carrying out the same
functions and/or achieving the same benefits of the embodiments introduced
herein. A person
having ordinary skill in the art should also realize that such equivalent
constructions do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may
make various
changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the
present disclosure.
[00116] The Abstract at the end of this disclosure is provided to permit the
reader to quickly
ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the
understanding that it will
not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
28
