Abstract:
An elevator apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a circular member comprising a first and second semi-circular half and a hinge pin(s) for pivoting the first and second semi-circular half together. The elevator apparatus further includes a hinge rotary actuator(s) for activating the hinge pin(s) so that the first and second semi-circular half pivot to form the circular member, a latch rotary actuator for latching the first semi-circular half and the second semi-circular half. In one preferred embodiment, the hinge rotary actuator(s) comprises: a first cylinder; a first rack disposed within the cylinder, the first rack being responsive to a pressure within the cylinder; and a first roller having teeth disposed thereon, wherein the first rack and the teeth are engaged and wherein the roller is connected to the hinge pin.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to an apparatus for handling tubulars. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to an elevator apparatus and method for lifting tubular members on a rig.  
         [0002]     Most oilfield tubular connections have a larger outer diameter than the tubular body. This difference in diameter creates a shoulder that can be utilized for lifting the tubular. To lift up the tubular, a tool called an elevator wraps around the tubular body. Upon hoisting the elevator having been wrapped around the tubular, the upper section of the elevator makes contact with the corresponding shoulder of the connection. The contact area between the elevator and shoulder creates an interference providing a lifting surface for the tubular.  
         [0003]     Elevators are comprised of a body, one or more hinged doors and a latch. To close the elevator around the tubular, it is lowered adjacent to the tubular (usually suspended from the traveling block) and the two portions are hingedly closed around the tubular below the connection. The latch closes after the portions come together and locks it shut.  
         [0004]     Automation of tubular handling devices is a useful technique to incorporate safety and efficiency in the handling of tubular members. Prior art devices have attempted to automate the handling of tubular members with elevators. However, these prior art devices suffer from several deficiencies such as reliability, cost of manufacture, repair, maintenance, simplicity of operation, etc.  
         [0005]     Most existing remote operated elevators are comprised of an elevator of conventional design, utilizing hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, attached to the elevator, to offer the feature of remote operation. These mounted cylinders create operational and ergonomic issues that must be addressed to assure proper functionality.  
         [0006]     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for handling a tubular member. Another object is to provide an elevator apparatus and method that can be activated remotely. Yet another object is an elevator apparatus that can be remotely opened or closed. Still yet another object is an elevator apparatus and method that can latch or unlatch remotely. These objects and many other objects will become apparent from a reading of the present disclosure.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     An elevator apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a circular member comprising a first and a second portion and a hinge pin means operatively associated with the first portion and the second portion, for pivoting the first portion relative to the second portion. The elevator apparatus further includes a first rotary actuator for activating the hinge pin so that the first and second portion pivot to form a circular member, a latch mechanism for latching the first portion and the second portion, and a second rotary actuator for actuating the latch mechanism.  
         [0008]     In one preferred embodiment, the first rotary actuator comprises: a first cylinder; a first rack disposed within the cylinder, the first rack being responsive to a pressure within the cylinder; and a first roller having teeth disposed thereon, wherein the first rack and the teeth are engaged and wherein the first roller is connected to the hinge pin means.  
         [0009]     The first cylinder, in the most preferred embodiment, is a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure cylinder receiving pressure from a source such as a hydraulic or pneumatic control unit. Also, in the most preferred embodiment, the second rotary actuator comprises: a second cylinder; a second rack disposed within the second cylinder, with the second rack being responsive to a pressure within the second cylinder; and a second roller having teeth disposed thereon, wherein the second rack and teeth are engaged and wherein the second roller is connected to a first pin so that lateral movement of the second rack causes extension of the first pin.  
         [0010]     The second roller, in one preferred embodiment, is connected to a second pin offset from the first pin and wherein lateral movement of the second rack causes extension of the second pin in a direction opposite from the first pin.  
         [0011]     The apparatus may further comprise an indicator means for detecting the extension of the first pin. In one preferred embodiment, the indicator means comprises a relay switch that is controlled by the position of the first pin.  
         [0012]     In another preferred embodiment, the first pin has a first position that is recessed within an aperture within a housing and a second position that extends from the housing, and wherein the indicator means comprises a projection that is positioned within the aperture and a relay switch operatively connected to the projection, and wherein upon movement of the first pin from the recessed position to the extended position, the projection is lifted from the aperture which trips a relay switch.  
         [0013]     A method of lifting a tubular member on a drilling rig is also disclosed. The method comprises suspending an elevator apparatus from the rig. The elevator apparatus includes: a first portion and a second portion; a hinge pin member operatively associated with the first portion and the second portions, for pivoting the first portion relative to the second portion; a hinge rotary actuator for moving the hinge pin; and, a latch member for latching the first portion and the second portion in order to form a circular member about the tubular.  
         [0014]     The method further comprises surrounding the elevator apparatus about the tubular member, with the tubular member being suspended in a rotary table on the rig with a slip device or in a more horizontal position from the v-door, pipe rack or catwalk, and activating the hinge rotary actuator so that the first portion and the second portion pivots about the hinge pin. The method further includes latching the first portion and the second portion—together thereby forming the circular member, releasing the tubular member from the slip device, and lifting the tubular with the elevator apparatus. In one preferred embodiment, the method also includes detecting whether the first portion and the second portion are latched.  
         [0015]     The method may further comprise suspending the tubular member within the rotary table on the rig, and unlatching the first portion from the second portion by activating a latch rotary actuator operatively associated with the latch member. Next, the hinge pin is activated via the first hinge rotary actuator, and the first portion and the second portion is pivoted in order to separate and open up the two portion.  
         [0016]     In one preferred embodiment, the hinge rotary actuator comprises: a pressure cylinder; a rack disposed within said cylinder and responsive to a pressure; a roller having teeth thereon, with the teeth engaging the rack. In this embodiment, the step of activating the hinge rotary actuator comprises: selectively applying a pressure in the cylinder; moving the rack in response to the pressure; rotating the roller; and pivoting the hinge pin thereby separating the first portion from the second portion.  
         [0017]     The second rotary actuator, in one preferred embodiment, comprises: a pressure cylinder; a rack disposed within the cylinder and responsive to a pressure; a roller having teeth thereon, with the teeth engaging the rack; and wherein the step of activating the door rotary actuator(s) comprises: selectively applying a pressure to the cylinder; moving the rack in response to the pressure; and rotating the roller so that the latching pin contracts so that the first and the second portion are no longer latched together.  
         [0018]     An advantage of the present invention includes the device that can be remotely controlled. Another advantage is that the door mechanism and latch mechanism is dependable and can be activated numerous times. Yet another advantage is that the device provides a safety means to determine if the device is latched.  
         [0019]     Another advantage is that the design incorporates rotary actuator(s) solidly affixed to the hinge boss area/areas, which is directly attached to the hinge pin/pins. Yet another advantage is that the design reduces the size and complexity of conventionally designed units. By minimizing the fabricated attachment areas and hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders, it also reduces the risk of failure in the attachment and linkage areas.  
         [0020]     A feature of the elevator apparatus includes a rotary actuated hinge. Another is the use of a rotary actuated latch. Still yet another feature is the rotary actuator uses rack and pinion, and wherein the movement of the rack is initiated via a pressure. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the elevator apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is the elevator apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  wherein the elevator apparatus has been pivoted to the open position.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the elevator apparatus seen in  FIG. 1  depicting a partial cut-away illustration of the rotary actuator for the hinge means.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the rotary actuator for the hinge means seen in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the opened elevator apparatus and the latch means in the unlatched position.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the rotary actuator for the latch means seen in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of the closed elevator apparatus depicting a cut-away illustration of the latch means.  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a sequential view of the closed elevator apparatus seen in  FIG. 7  depicting the closed latch means.  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustrating a drilling rig, with an elevator apparatus suspended from the drilling rig derrick. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the elevator apparatus  2  (sometimes referred to as the apparatus  2 ) of the present invention will now be described. In the most preferred embodiment, the apparatus  2  has a first semi-circular half  4  (also referred to as the first portion  4 ) and a second semi-circular half  6  (also referred to as second portion  6 ), and wherein the first semi-circular half  4  and the second semi-circular half  6  are hinged together via hinge pin  8 . The hinge pin  8  will be turned by the hinge rotary actuator  10  (sometimes referred to as the first rotary actuator  10 ). The hinge rotary actuator  10  includes an internal rack and pinion that are housed within a pressure cylinder  12  that will be described later. The rotary actuator is commercially available from Parker Hannifin Corp. under the name Parker Rotary Actuator.  
         [0031]      FIG. 1  further shows the latch rotary actuator  14  (sometimes referred to as the second rotary actuator  14 ). The latch rotary actuator  14  includes an internal rack and pinions that are housed within a pressure cylinder  16  that will be described later. As noted earlier, rotary actuators are commercially available.  FIG. 1  further depict the eyelets  18 ,  20  for attaching a cable to the apparatus  2  in order to suspend the apparatus  2  from a derrick of a drilling rig, as readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0032]     A handle  22  is attached so that a roughneck can aid in opening, closing and/or handling the apparatus  2 . The internal portion of the apparatus  2  is configured to receive a tubular member, such as a drill pipe.  FIG. 1  depicts that each of the semi-circular halves  4 ,  6  have an inner concave surface which in turn extends to the top radial surface  24 ,  26 , respectfully, and wherein the lower section of the connection will rest on the radial surfaces  24 ,  26  as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.  FIG. 1  further shows the wedge member  28 , which is attached to the first portion, as well the brackets  30 ,  32  of the hinge boss, which are attached to the second portion  6 . The wedge member  28  contains a cylindrical end portion  34 , and the brackets  30 ,  32  contain apertures. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the hinge pin  8  is configured to be inserted into the cylindrical end portion  34 , and bracket apertures. The control unit  36  for delivering a hydraulic fluid or pneumatic pressure to the hinge rotary actuator  10  and the latch rotary actuator is depicted. The hydraulic control unit  36  is commercially available. The control unit  36  is remotely controlled by an operator.  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the elevator apparatus  2  is shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the apparatus  2  has been pivoted to the open position. It should be noted that like numbers appearing in the various figures refer to like components. Hence, the operator would have activated the latch rotary actuator  14  so that the apparatus  2  is unlatched. Additionally, the hinge rotary actuator  10  has also been activated so that the hinge pin  8  has rotated thereby separating the first semi-circular half  4  from the second semi-circular half  6 . In this way, a tubular can be inserted into the apparatus  2 , or the tubular can be taken-out of the apparatus  2 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the apparatus  2  seen in  FIG. 1  depicting a partial cut-away illustration of the hinge rotary actuator  10  for the hinge means  8 . More specifically, the hinge rotary actuator  10  comprises the pressure cylinder  12  and the rack  40 , wherein the rack contains the teeth  42 , and the roller  44 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the roller  44  contains teeth  46  that will engage with teeth  42 . The roller  44  has the stem  48  which is connected to the hinge pin  8 . The brace means  50  connects the hinge rotary actuator  10  to the apparatus  2 , and in particular to the first semi-circular half  4  and to the hinge pin(s)  
         [0035]     The hinge rotary actuator further has a first end  52  connected to the cylinder  12  and a second end  54  connected to the cylinder  12 , wherein end  52  can allow a hydraulic fluid in and the end  54  can allow hydraulic fluid out . . . thereby providing for the later movement of the rack  40 . The hydraulic fluid (or pneumatic pressure) is controlled from the control unit  36  as seen in  FIG. 1 . As the rack  40  moves from one end to the other end, rotational movement is imparted to the roller  44  which in turn causes the hinge pin  8  to rotate.  FIG. 3  further illustrates the housing  56  which sealingly encases the roller  44  and rack  40  as shown. The housing  56  forms part of the cylinder  12  so that the roller  44  and rack are sealingly encased. A plurality of protective bars  58  surround the cylinder  12 . The bars  58  are tie rods and used to keep the cylinder/end caps together and is common in most cylinders. As per the teachings of this invention, the operator will control, via the selective application of hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, the opening and closing of the apparatus  2  with the control unit  36 , such as seen in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the hinge rotary actuator  10  for the hinge pin  8  will be described. The stem  48  is connected to the hinge pin  8 . Hence, as the stem  48  is turned, the hinge pin  8  also turns.  FIG. 4  also shows the opening  60  in the first end  52  and the opening  62  in the second end  54 , wherein the openings  60 ,  62  allow for the input and output of the hydraulic fluid for supplying pressure to the rack  40  (not seen in this view) in order to move the rack laterally. As noted earlier, the lateral movement of the rack  40  causes the rotation of the stem  48 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the opened elevator apparatus  2  and the latch means in the unlatched position. More specifically,  FIG. 5  depicts the latch rotary actuator  14  that contains a rack and roller (not seen in this view). The latch rotary actuator  14  is commercially available from Parker Hannifin Corp. under the name Parker Rotary Actuators, as previously described. The latch means generally comprises a pin housing  66 , that contains the pin means, and wherein the pin housing  66  is operatively attached with the latch rotary actuator  14 , and wherein the latch rotary actuator  14  extends and contracts a set of pins (not seen in this view), as will be more fully described. The pin housing  66  is mounted to the first semi-circular half  4 .  
         [0038]     The pin housing  66  will cooperate and engage a receptacle member  68 . The receptacle member  68  has a prong member  70  that contains a first prong  72  and a second prong  74 . The first prong  72  has an aperture  76  and the second prong  74  has an aperture  78 . The pins from the pin housing  66  will engage the apertures  76 ,  78 , as will be more fully explained below.  FIG. 5  further depicts the indicator means  80  for indicating whether the pin means have engaged the apertures  76 ,  78 .  
         [0039]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of the latch rotary actuator  14  will now be described. The latch rotary actuator  14  has a pressure cylinder  84  that will contain the rack and pinion (not seen in this view). The latch rotary actuator  14  contains a first end  86  with the opening  88  and a second end  90  with the opening  92 , and wherein the openings provide an inlet and outlet for the hydraulic pressure. The latch rotary actuator  14  further contains the housing  94 , operatively associated with the cylinder  84 , which sealingly houses the rack and pinion. Also,  FIG. 6  depicts the roller  96  that contains the teeth  98 . The roller  96  is operatively associated with the pinion as noted in the discussion of the hinge rotary actuator. A set of pins is included, namely the pin  100  and the pin  102 , and wherein the pin  100  contains the teeth  104  and the pin  102  contains teeth (not seen in this view). The teeth on the pins  100 ,  102  will engage the teeth  98  so that movement of the roller  96  effects lateral movement of the pins  100 ,  102 . The pins  100 ,  102  are offset relative to the roller  96 , and when activated, the pins  100 ,  102  travel in opposite directions. In other words, pin  100  is on one side of roller  96  and pin  102  is on the other side of roller  96 . In the extended position, the pins  100 ,  102  will engage the apertures in the prongs of the receptacle member  68  thereby latching the apparatus  2 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of the closed elevator apparatus  2  depicting a cut-away illustration of the latch means. More specifically, the pins  100 ,  102  have been recessed within the pin housing  66  due to the linear actuation of the roller  96 . In the view of  FIG. 7 , the elevator  2  is unlatched.  FIG. 7  shows how the prongs  72 ,  74  are disposed about the housing extension  106 , and wherein that extension  106  contains cavities  108 ,  110  for placement of the pins  100 ,  102 .  
         [0041]     The indicator means  80  is also shown. The indicator means  80  has a pivoting arm  112  that contains the projection  114 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , the projection  114  is disposed through the aperture  78  since the pin  102  is recessed within the aperture  108 . The pivoting arm  112  is connected to the relay switch housing  116  via member  118 . In the position seen in  FIG. 7 , the relay switch is connected, and therefore, a light is activated and wherein the operator can tell that the latch is in the open position by the light. The relay switch is commercially available from Rexroth Bosch Group under the name Directional Valve.  
         [0042]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a sequential view of the closed elevator apparatus  2  seen in  FIG. 7  depicting the closed latch means will now be described. In other words, the apparatus  2  is latched. More specifically, the rotation of the roller  96  has caused the pins  100 ,  102  to extend through the apertures  76 ,  78  of the receptacle member  68  thereby latching the apparatus  2 . Additionally, the pin  102  has caused the projection  114  to pivot upward (via the pivoting arm  112 ). Hence, the pivoting arm  112  will cause the relay switch (located within the switch housing  116 ) to cause the light to go off, which in turn informs the operator that the apparatus  2  is now latched. Other types of signals are possible, including sound and electromagnetic radio signals.  
         [0043]     In order to unlatch the apparatus  2 , the operator may simply activate the latch rotary actuator  14 , and in particular the rack, which in turn will cause the roller  96  to rotate thereby contracting the pins  100 ,  102 . Next, the hinge rotary actuator  10  (seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) can be activated in a similar fashion, i.e. the rack moves thereby causing the roller and stem to rotate the hinge pin  8 , which would open the apparatus  2 .  
         [0044]     As seen in  FIG. 9 , when the apparatus  2  is in the latched position, the apparatus  2  can be used to lift, lower, and/or suspend a tubular  122  from a rig  124 , with the tubular  122  being suspended within a subterranean well  126 .  
         [0045]     Although the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is anticipated that alterations and modifications thereof will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the following claims be interpreted as covering all such alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.