Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
64~39X3
This is a division of copendlng Canadian application
Serial No. 232,705 filed Allgust 1, 1975.
~ of the Inventlon ?In the production of hydrocarbons from underground
formations located in Alaska, Canada9 Peru, Indonesia? and any
region where ground transportation is restricted or non-existent
~ during all or part of the year, and in drilling for oil from off-; shore locations, and in remote jungle locations, it often becomes
necessary to transport by air the materials and equipment needed
to drill and explore for the oil.
Due to the cumbersome size and weight of the equipment
comprising the average drilling rig, much of the rig must be
~; tediously disassembled piece-by-piece and flown in by large air
transport. This normally requires disassembly of the heavy chain
drive units, the final drive unit, and the drawworks for movement
to the drilling site. This requires a timely and expensive
reassembly at the site with a complicated realignment of the
reassembled machinery. It often necessitates disassembly of each
of the chain case assemblies which means draining of the oil and -~-
extensive protection to prevent contamination of the chains and
sprockets with dirt, water, and other debris. Then the chain
cases must be reassembled on site, often a task near impossible
in subzero bliz~ard conditions or during heavy storms at sea.
~ Even though the art has progressed enough to place many -~
f individual components each on their own portable skid, these must
be moved by ship to offshore locations or by large air transpor~
I - to northern regions because of their extreme weight.
When weather conditions or lack of roads and airfields
prevent the use of ships or airplanes, the driller must resort to
dap/~
~ .::: ~: ... . . .. .. . .
~489~
helicopter transportation of thc rigs whicll requires that each of
the usual skid packages must be broken down even further due to
the relatively light carrying capacity of the helicopters available.
This cancels the portability advantage of the normal skid units
since reassembly of their components requires almost as much time
as that of the older rigs did.
i~r P ~rr S
, ~",1
9~
The present invention overco~es the liMltatlona of the
prior devlces by providlng a drilling rlg compound comprlssd
entirely of subcomponents each ~f whlch ls an lntegral package
transportable by hellcopter and caslly asslmllated together
to form a drllling rlg of any desirable size or capaclty. Each
subcomponent is fully portable and is below the maxlmum welght
transportable by hellcopter, and each subcomponent ls easily
~ ~oined wlth the others wlthout lengthy adjustment or re- ;
- alignment needed. In the present inventlon, the chain drive
assemblies, often termed chain cases, are integral, sealed units
each hellcopter transportable without re~uiring any disassembly
of the chains or sprockets from the cases. Also the final drive
assembly utilizes a split transmission drive, wlth each
transmlssion being an lntegral unit whlch is helicopter ~rans~
- portable. The drawworks also utilizes a drum drive and brake
assemblles which can be broken up lnto separate transportable
units capable of qulck reconnection on site wlthout need for
;~ alignment or adjustment.
,.: The invention according to the parent application ~;:
may be deflned as providing a main drawworks and drawworks drive ~ -
assembly comprised of integral, self-contained, fully portable
subcomponents adapted to receive power from an adjacent power `~
system; said drawworks and drawworks drive assembly comprising
, :
power lnput means connected to the power system by easily
disconnectable coupllng means; transmission means connected to
.
~; the power input means and comprising a fully portable, self-
contained high speed transmlsslon assembly and a fully portable,
: self-con~ained low speed transmission assembly; a drum drive
assembly ~rranged to receive power from both the transmission
.~ 30 assemblies and being a fully portable self-contained unit having:. :
a power output station; clutch means releasably connecting the
two transmlssion assemblies to the drum drive a~sembly; and,
a main drawworks drum assembly attached to the power output
~ 2 -
'., :`~ d ap /,
: :.
~`i .
,,.. : - : ~ : . :. .... .. . . :. . .~.
. - : : . . - , ,. : . . , :.. .. .
:, . . . . , . . . , , .. , . , - .
station by easily dlscollnectable co-lpli~gs, and comprising a main
drawworks drum alld a ma:in dru~ brake assembly; each bein~ an
inte~ral, self-contalned, portabl~ subcomponent of the drum
assembly.
The present appl:ication, on the other hand, broadly
provides a brake assembly for applying retarding forces to a
rotating element of a drawworks mechanism, the assembly comprising
rotatable hub means attached to a shaEt extending from one end o~
the rotating element and arranged to rotate therewith; brake drum
means releasably attached to the hub means and coactively rotatable
therewith; and brake means releasably mounted to the drawworks
mechanism and arranged to partially encircle the exterior periphery .
of the drum means and operable to temporarily and intermittently
engage the brake drum means in a radially contracting direction
to apply retardation forces thereto; the brake means and drum : .
means arranged to be temporarily removed from the hub means and
the drawworks mechanism as a self-contained subcomponent for
helicopter transport separate from the hub means and drawworks
mechanism and later remounted with the hub means and drawworks
mechanism for use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
~igure 1 is a plan view of the drilling rig layout;
Figure 2 is-a side view of the main drum assembly; ~
Figure 3 is an end view of the main drum assembly and :
a portion of the power drive assembly;
Figure ~ is an axial end view of the main brake assembly;
Figure 5 is a front view of the main brake equalizing
linkage;
Figure 6, appearing on the same sheet as Figure 2, is
-2a -
dap/ . ~.
..... ... .
... .. :.:;; . .. ~
10~i~8~
a cross-sect::Lonal v:iew of the main drum brake assembly;
Fig~lre 7, appearing on the same sheet as Figure 2 ls a
partially cut-away view of the a:Lignmerlt mech.~ ism on the chain
case assemblies.
DESCNTPTION_F TIIE PREFE RED EMBODIMENrrS
The present invention comprises a drilling rig comprised :~
of component packages each of whic}l is an integral unit trans-
portable by helicopter to the
dap/` ;.
~ ' .
: ~ ~ . . -:
, . -~
': '- ' ~ ' ' :. ~ . .
. . ::
489~
drilling site and ~aslly reassimilated into a drllling rig of
almost any capacity desirable. The number of prime movers may be
increased or decreased without diEf:iculty and without changing the
portability of the unit.
Figure 1 illustates the unique structure and layout of
the cGmpound 10 and the drawworks and the components making up
these assemblies. In the figure, a compound is shown utilizing
six internal combustion engines for power, arranged in a unique
compact arrangement particularly suited for offshore rigs and
~ountainous areas or any place where space is at a premium.
In the compound 10, half of the engines ~11, 12, and 13)
are aligned adjacent to each other and the other half of the
engines (14, 15, and 16) lie adjacent to each other opposite ~ `
engines 11, 12, and 13. As pictured, the engines will provide
rotary power through transmissions attached thereto, with the
transmissions lla, 12a, and 13a engaged in forward speeds while
the transmissions 14a, l5a and 16a are engaged in reverse. Since
all the engines rotate in the same direction initially, by having
half of them opposed to the other half, three of the transmissions
must run in reverse to obtain all final rotation in the same
direction.
Engines 11 and 12, working through their transmissions,
drive propeller shafts llb and 12b which, acting through disconnect-
able couplings llc and 12c, turn sprocket shafts lld and 12d. The
sprocket shafts are permanently mounted in bearings 17 which in
turn are secured in the side of the chain case 18. The sprocket
shafts lld and 12d extend laterally through the chain case 18
through bearings 19 securedly attached in the opposite wall of the
chain case. Each of the shafts lld and 12d carry chain drive
- 3 -
dap/,if~
.,. , .:
~6~
In op~ration, the prime-mover motlve power accun~ulateS
in chain case 41 and is routed either through the high speed trans-
mission 47 and clutch 49 or the low speed transmission 48 and
clutcll S0 to the drum drive case 45. There the power is transferred
to main shaft 52 which in turn is connected to auxiliary brake
assembly 55 and to the drum drlve shaft 57 which turns the main
drawworks drum 62. Rotation of the drum can be controlled by the
various clutches in the above described system as well as by the
main drum brake 64 and auxiliary brakes 55 and 65.
I0 The catworks is driven through the high speed transmission
input shaft 47a in case 47. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate grollnd
level views of the main drum assembly and the catworks drive
assembly, respectively.
Figure 4 illustrates an axial end view of the main brake
assembly 64 inside the drum housing 63 and operating on the main
drum shaft 57.
The ~ain brake assembly comprises a central hub 66 on
shaft 57 securedly attached thereto, a radial web 67 integrally
formed-on the outer perimeter of hub 66, and the brake drum 69
attached peripherally to web 67 by means of a radially inward
projecting flange 68 connected to web 67 by means of fasteners 70
or by other means such as welding. The brake shoe comprises a
plurality of arcuate brake pads 71 of suitable material such as
asbestos aligned in a double row peripherally around the drum 69
and contactable therewith. Arcuate brake bands 72 and 73 pass
around each row of the brake pads 71 in order to clamp the pads
against the drum when braking is desirable. The pads preferably ~A'
are bonded or riveted to the inside surface o~ the brake bands.
A suitable linkage 74 is attached to bands 72 and 73 to allow
,
~,.~ dap/ ~l ~ "~
... . . .. . .... .. . .. . .
tightening of the bands at the op~rator's command.
Adjustable turnbolts 75, 76, and 77 and l~nk~ 78 and 79
serve to equali~ the amount o~ braking attained from the two
brake pad assemblies. Also, the brake assembly is designed so
that with the normal counterclockwise rotatlon of the drùm the
brakes are self-energizing, meaning that the brakes utillze the
rotation of the drum to add increasing pressure to the brake pads
against the drum. This cuts down greatly the amount of force
required from the operator working the brake controls.
RollerY 80 and threaded rods 81 attached to the drum
housing supply support and alignmen~ to the brake pad assemblies
particularly while the brakes are not in use.
~ ,.
When the drilling rig is to be moved to the drilling
site by helicopter, the entire rig is quickly broken down into
integral components each below the ma~imum weight transportable
by helicopter. Reinstalling the rig on site requires no complicated
reassembly or adjustment. The rig of this invention is designed
so that all the components are placed easily and quickly back into
alignment and in operable condition almost instantaneously with ~
setting them down on the rig floor. - r
Referring to figure 7~ a detailed close-up of apparatus
for alignment of the chain cases is disclosed. As previously
described, each chain case is a separable, integral unit in itself
and can be moved by helicopter f~om one site to another without
disturbing the alignment of the chains or chain sprockets, without
having to drain the lubricant therefro~, and without exposing the
workings therein to contaminants or the environment.
Each chain case preferably has a plurality of "ears" 82
dap/
~0641~9~3
e:ctending outw~rd from several locations on the lowermost edges of
the case, consisting of flat plates or angle iron.
Likewise, the skid or platform receiving or supporting
each chain case has a corresponding "fence" 83 or rail attached
thereto sized and located to receive the "ears" of the chain cases.
~ach fence may comprise a rectangular or other shaped receptacle
having vertically extending sides and enclosing all of the exposed
sides of the "ears" on the chain casès. The fences are preferably
of the same general shape and slightly larger than the ears of the
chain cases. Different chain cases could have different sized or
shaped ears with matchlng fences to differentiate from the other
units and insure the same location for each unit respective to the
others when moving from one site to the next.
Each chain case generally has two sprocket shafts passing
transversely therethrough, generally in parallel alignment, each
being journaled in sidewall bearings in each side of the case and
each carrying chain sprocketsc ~plurality of chains transfer
power between the two sprockets carried by the shafts in each case.
The cases themselves are self-contained and fluid tight and the
sidewall bearings and sprocket shafts passing therethrough are
fluid tight in the case walls.
When the rig is being transported, the lift cable from
- the helicopter is usually hooked or tied in an eyebolt or similar
attachment secured to the top of each case after the couplings or
clutches at each end of the sprocket shafts have been disconnected.
Then the case can be lifted straight up and transported to the
new site in~act, whereupon it is set down in its proper place with -
the case ears sliding into the guide fences and the unit is ready
to go upon reconnection of the various propeller shafts to the
- 8
~i dap/ ~,~
lQ6~
; sprocket sllafts. The above operation applies generally to all of
the chain cases 18, 28, 33, 41, ~nd 45 as we]l as to the transmissions
47 and 48.
The individual engines 11-16 are provided with eyebolts
or other hook receptacle means and are helicopter transportable
independently of their transmissions; radiators, and skids. Each
engine is unbolted from the skid and transmission and disconnected
from fuel lines and roolant lines and picked up by the helicopter.
The skid, transmission, and fuel and coolant systems for each engine
then travel as a single unit by helicopter.
Th~ particular arrangement of engines is unique in that
it allows the maximum number of engines with the minimum amount of
space and the minimum number of power transferrance units such as
chain drives and pulley drives. This compact layout allows for
greater use of the limited amount of room on offshore rigs and the-
shortest exposure time to operating and maintenance personnel in
northern regions.
In addition to the compact design of the compound further
novelty resides in the layout and design of drawworks drive system
and of the main drum assembly.
In the drawworks drive system a unique split-transmission
arrangement to receive the accumulated prime mover force and trans-
mit it to the drawworks utili2es two compact transportable trans-
~issions as opposed to the old single unit two-speed transmission
system. The single unit, two-speed transmission is entirely too
heavy,and cumbersome to be transported by helicopter, whereas each -~
of the transmissions of this system are compact and light enough
to be moved by any means. including helicopter. The split trans-
mission includes a high speed unit and a low speed unit, each
_ ~ _
dap/ ~
. .
6~i59~il
with its own clutcll control into the drum drive case.
~ power take-of~ Erom the high speed transmission also
powers the catworks via a propeller shaft and right angle gear box.
Since the high speed transmission has a clutch between lt and the
drum drive, the catworks may be driven whether or not the drum
drive i6 being driven by the high speed or the low speed trans-
mission.
The main drum assembly is also novel in that it allows
quick, clean dissembly of the brake system from the main drum
without disturbing the adjustment or assembly of the individual
brake parts. The entire braking system is removed from the main
drum assembly intact and as a system rather than in pieces.
- This is possible because of the design of the main drum
wh-ich places both brake assemblies at one end of the drum rather `
than having one brake at each end of the drum as the prior devices
have.
Also, the design of the brake system with the brake bands,
pads, linkage and brake drum all remaining in one package, -~
completely assembled but separable from the main drawworks drum,
means that the brake assembly can be moved by helicopter separate
from the main drum and later quickly reunited therewith. This
also lightens the main drum to the point that it can be similarly
transported.
The auxiliary brakes preferably are both hydraulic
retarding mechanisms used to partially brake the drum drive. Each
is separately helicopter transportable.
- Although a specific preferred embodiment o~ the present
invention has been described in the detailed description above,
the description is not intended to limit the invention to the
.
-- 10 _
l J'"L"V
., . : - . :
,
~)6~391~3
particular for~ns of embodiments disclosed therein since they are to
be recognized a9 illustrative rather than restrictive and it will
be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention is not
so limited. For instance, the prime movers may be of internal
combustion type as shown or some other type such as electric
powered or turbines. Also the number of such engines could be
more or less than that shown. Furthermore, in some instances
belt drives could be used in place of the chain drives, and vice
versa. Also ~he catworks could be driven by be~t drive or chain
drive or could be electrically operated, rather than gear and
propeller shaft driven. Thus, the invention is declared to cover
all changes and modifications of the specific example of the ~ .
invention herein disclosed for purposes of illustration which do
not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the inven-
tion.
,~,
.
-- 11 --
d ap / l, ~? ' o
'1'~1~ E~IBODI~ N'I'S OEi TIIE INVENTION IN WtllCII AN I~XCLUSIVE
PROPERTY O~ PRIVILE(,b~' IS CLAIMED ARE DEF:[NED ~S ~0LLOWS:
1. ~ brake assembly for applying retard:Lng forces to a
rotating elen~ent of a draw~orks ~lechanism, salcl assembly co~nprislng:
rotatable hub mealls attached to ~ sh~ft extendi~g from
one end of the rotating element and arranged to rot~te therewith;
brake drum means releasably attached to said hub means
and coactively rotatable therewith; and
brake means releasably mounted to said drawworks
mechanism and arranged to partially encircle the exterior periphery
of said drum means and operable to temporarily and intermittently
engage said bralce drum means in a radially contracting direction
to apply retardation forces thereto; said brake means and drum
means arranged to be temporarily removed from said hub means and
said drawworks mechanism as a self-contained subcomponent for
helicopter transport separate from said hub means and drawworks
mechanism and later remounted with said hub means and drawworks
mechanism for use. ~ ~`
2. The brake assembly of claim 1 wherein: said hub
means comprises a central hub and an outer plate attached
peripherally thereto; said drum means comprises a cylindrical -
drum having an ~nner flange alignable with said outer plate and
connectable therewith; and said brake means comprises a plurality
of arcuate pads attached to curved brake band means; said brake
band means arranged to urge said pads in said radially contracting
direction against said drum.
3. A drawworks main drum assembly arranged for easy
and quick disassembly into integral, self-contained~ subcomponents,
each transportable by helicopter, said drawworks main drum assembly
'~
dap/
, ~ -: - : -, : . . : . . : : -
10 E;4898
compris:Lng:
a main rotatab:le drawworks drum;
a brake drllm sha~t means attaclled to said drum and extend-
ing past one end of s~id clrum;
a brake hub attached ~o said brake drum shaEt means
spaced from said main drawworks drum and rotatable therewith;
a rotatable, generally cylindrlcal brake drum coaxially
aligned with said Inain drum, spaced ].ongitudinally from sai.d main
drawworks drum along said brake drum shaft means, and attached to
said hub by releasable connection means;
a generally stationary brake means having a pair of brake
bands encircling said brake drum and arranged to be engaged there-
with temporarily and intermittently in a radially contracting
direction to retard rotation thereof;
said brake means adapted for removal from said drawworks ;
main drum assembly as a single unit by disconnecting said brake hub
from said brake drum such that said brake means with said brake :
drum can be separated as a self-contained subcomponent and removed
from said drawworks main drum assembly in order to temporarily
reduce the overall weight of said drawworks main drum assembly for
helicopter transportation and to temporarily separate said brake
means and said brake drum for helicopter transportation.
4. The main drum assembly of claim 3 wherein said
stationary brake means comprises:
a plurality of arcuate brake pads made of a friction
enhancing, heat resistant material and arranged on said pair of
brake bands to make surface contact with said brake drum;
brake band means carrying said pair of bra~e bands and
said brake pads, and arranged in close proximity to said brake
~i~'
dap/ ,-.
