Patent ID: 8893825
Filing Date: 2014-11-25
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A telescoping derrick assembly and an improved top drive assembly for portable or stationary drilling rigs, comprising: said telescoping derrick assembly defining a lower derrick mast defining a pair of parallel rear legs attached by secondary support members, each rear leg further attaching a corresponding front leg by secondary support members, said front and rear legs forming a rectangular profile with a channel opening between said front legs defining a channel, and an upper derrick mast defining a pair of parallel rear legs attached by secondary support members, each rear leg further attaching a corresponding front leg by secondary support members, said front and rear legs forming a rectangular profile with a channel opening between said front legs defining a channel, said upper derrick mast slidably engaged within said lower derrick mast and extending upward from said lower derrick mast by at least one hydraulic ram positioned within said channel of said lower derrick mast, said at least one hydraulic ram further attached to a lower end of said upper derrick mast to raise and lower said upper derrick mast within said lower derrick mast, said front legs of said upper and lower derrick masts defining an inner facing surface upon which is welded a guide rail, with said guide rails of said lower derrick mast being parallel with one another, said guide rails of said upper derrick mast being parallel and said guide rails of said upper and lower derrick masts also being parallel, with an upper portion of said guide rails of said lower derrick mast overlapping a lower portion of said guide rails of said upper derrick mast, said upper derrick mast further defining an upper end attaching a crown pulley assembly, defining a crown frame secured to an upper end of each front and rear leg of said upper derrick mast, said crown frame rotatably suspending a series of specifically aligned crown cable pulleys; and said improved top drive assembly providing an upper support member defining an upper portion extending two top drive pulley assemblies, a lower portion depending a pair of body support members pivotally suspending a top drive mechanism from said upper support member, and two opposing lateral side portions, each lateral side portion attaching a set of guide tracks, each guide track defining a first vertical channel segment, a parallel second vertical channel segment, each channel segment lined with a friction reducing replaceable liner bearing, and each guide track extending an upper track wheel assembly providing an independent track wheel, each said upper track wheel assembly attached to a rear surface of said guide track directed to a respective upper end of each guide track above each vertical channel segment and a lower track wheel assembly providing an independent track wheel, each lower track wheel assembly attached to a rear surface of said guide track directed to a respective lower end said guide track below each vertical channel segment; and each guide track further defining a single rectangular channel member and said rear surface and an inner channel defining a longitudinal elevated channel divider, segregating said inner channel into said first and second vertical channel segments, each first and second channel segment having a rear portion, an inner side portion, and an outer side portion, each rear and side portion longitudinally securing one of said replaceable liner bearings, each liner bearing further facing and between an immediately adjacent lateral side and front surface of each respective guide rail to reduce contact friction between said guide tracks and said guide rails.