Patent ID: 7857044
Filing Date: 2010-12-28
Classification: E21B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tool manipulator apparatus for an onshore or offshore drilling platform, for carrying and positioning a drillstring connecting tool for clamping and/or screwing pipe connections of drill pipes of a drillstring of the drilling platform, said manipulator apparatus comprising a height-adjustable column and a variably-extendable work arm carried by said column, wherein: a free end of said work arm extending away from said column is adapted to carry the drillstring connecting tool; said column comprises two first U-profile members and a first H-profile member received slidably between said two first U-profile members so that said first H-profile member is telescopically slidably extendable relative to said two first U-profile members; said column further comprises at least one first hydraulic cylinder with opposite ends thereof respectively connected to said first H-profile member and to said two first U-profile members; said work arm comprises two second U-profile members and a second H-profile member received slidably between said two second U-profile members so that said second H-profile member is telescopically slidably extendable relative to said two second U-profile members; said work arm further comprises at least one second hydraulic cylinder with opposite ends thereof respectively connected to said second H-profile member and to said two second U-profile members; said two first U-profile members each respectively have a base web and two leg flanges extending from said base web, said first H-profile member has a center web and two end flanges at opposite edges of said center web, said two first U-profile members are arranged back-to-back with said base webs thereof facing one another, extending parallel to one another, and spaced apart from one another with a first space therebetween, said center web of said first H-profile member is received telescopically slidably in said first space between said base webs of said two first U-profile members, and said two leg flanges of each respective one of said two first U-profile members are nested telescopically slidably between said two end flanges of said first H-profile member respectively on each side of said center web of said first H-profile member; and said two second U-profile members each respectively have a base web and two leg flanges extending from said base web, said second H-profile member has a center web and two end flanges at opposite edges of said center web, said two second U-profile members are arranged back-to-back with said base webs thereof facing one another, extending parallel to one another, and spaced apart from one another with a second space therebetween, said center web of said second H-profile member is received telescopically slidably in said second space between said base webs of said two second U-profile members, and said two leg flanges of each respective one of said two second U-profile members are nested telescopically slidably between said two end flanges of said second H-profile member respectively on each side of said center web of said second H-profile member.