Patent ID: 9248976
Filing Date: 2016-02-02
CPC Classification: B08B,B23Q,B65G,E21B,G01M,G01N,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A method for handling cylindrical tubulars in a handling machine, the method comprising the steps of: (a) queuing first and second tubulars in load-side storage; (b) extending a plurality of load-side cantilevers from the handling machine to the load-side storage; (c) releasing the first tubular from the load-side storage to roll over the load-side cantilevers and onto the handling machine; (d) retracting the load-side cantilevers; (e) lowering the first tubular onto a plurality of indexing rollers; (f) indexing the first tubular; (g) lowering the first tubular further onto a plurality of drive rollers; (h) securing the first tubular onto the drive rollers with a plurality of pressure rollers; (i) selectably rotating the first tubular with the drive rollers; (j) discontinuing step (i); (k) releasing the pressure rollers from the first tubular; (l) raising the first tubular off the drive rollers; (m) extending a plurality of unload-side cantilevers from the handling machine to unload-side storage; (n) ejecting the first tubular from the handling machine by causing the first tubular to roll over the unload-side cantilevers onto the unload-side storage; (o) re-extending the load-side cantilevers from the handling machine to the load-side storage; and (p) releasing the second tubular from the load-side storage to roll over the load-side cantilevers and onto the handling machine; wherein steps (h), (i), (j) and (k) are performed by a plurality of cooperating roller machines deployed on the handling machine; and wherein further each roller machine further comprises a plurality of pairs of sets of drive rollers and pressure roller assemblies, each set in a pair thereof comprising one drive roller opposing one pressure roller assembly.