Abstract:
A pipe handling system is disclosed with an elongated base that is dimensioned to receive and support a movable tray in a position parallel to the base with at least two degrees of freedom of movement. The movable tray is also dimensioned to receive at least one section of pipe, and one end of the movable tray is separable from the base with a pipe positioner slidably disposed in the movable tray for transporting pipe and with a loader disposed adjacent to the movable tray that receives and feeds a section of pipe into the tray. The pipe handling system may include a movable tray having at least three degrees of freedom of movement The pipe handling system may include loaders that are extendable from the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The inventive subject matter of this application is related to pipe handling systems in general, and swing out support systems for oil well pipe handling systems in particular. 
         [0002]    Drilling rig platforms and derricks require a steady supply of joints of pipe to be transported both on and off the platform. Drilling rigs are well known in the arts and are typically configure with a derrick structure, a work platform (e.g. derrick floor) within the lower part of the derrick structure that is elevated above ground, and an area known as the pipe rack area where joints of drill pipe are stored prior to, during, and after drilling operations. 
         [0003]    The installation of joints of drill pipe during drilling operations is a continuous process. The pipe that is inserted into the hole is known as a drill string. The drill string consists of individual pipe that are coupled together and inserted into the hole. Each pipe is approximately 30 feet to 40 feet in length. In a drilling operation that requires a hole of 10,000 feet, from 300-400 joints of drill pipe are in the drill string. 
         [0004]    Joints of drilling pipe are typically transported to the drilling site by trucks that place the joints of pipe adjacent the derrick floor in the pipe rack are that store the pipe in a horizontal manner. These joints of drill pipe are then hoisted to the derrick platform (e.g. rig floor) by a number of methods. A common method to move a pipe to the derrick platform is to use a chain or wire rope to hoist the pipe to the derrick floor. The use of chain or wire rope has inherent difficulties in controlling the pipe as it is hoisted to and from the derrick floor, such, as a lack of support of the far end of the chain and the rotation of the pipe around the chain. Also, the attachment of pipe to a chain requires an operator on the ground, increasing labor costs. 
         [0005]    There is an increased risk of operator injuries as a consequence of an uncontrolled drill pipe on the derrick floor if the drill pipe strikes the operator. Also, due to the weight of the pipe, the drilling rig itself may be damaged. Also, an uncontrolled string of pipe requires that the assembly and/or disassembly of the pipe string be stopped while the uncontrolled pipe is placed in the drill string or lowered to the ground. This stoppage of drilling operations ultimately results in lower productivity and higher drilling costs. 
         [0006]    Recognizing the need to automate the movement of joints of drill pipe from the ground to the derrick floor, prior art solutions have been developed over the years. One class of prior art solutions supply joints of drill pipe to the derrick floor using a stationary system (e.g. a “skipjack”) that provides a pipe section to a feeder mechanism which then conveys the pipe sections to the derrick floor. The prior art lifting systems adjust the feeder mechanism to the level of the derrick floor using a variety of means. For example the prior art describes a pipe handling systems that use a pair of platforms mounted in a stacked manner with independently operable pistons in a scissor-like manner. Prior art solutions also depict pipe handling systems with mechanisms for the control of pipe using a side mounting apparatus. 
         [0007]    There is a need to continuously improve pipe handling systems to more efficiently transport pipe from the ground or pipe rack area to the derrick and rig floor. As most pipe handling systems are rented from oil field services companies, there is a need to have pipe handling systems that can be quickly and easily deployed near the derrick. Also, since the drill pipe typically ranges in standard sizes that range up to 16″, there is a need for indexers to control the movement of pipe onto the drilling platform. Also to reduce the risk of drill pipe from falling during movement from the ground to the derrick floor, a latching glove provides support to one end of the drill pipe. 
         [0008]    Mobility of the pipe handling system is of considerable importance requiring the use of adjustable and retractable stabilizers in addition to adjustable and retractable loaders. 
         [0009]    These improvements result in the reduction of cost in drilling operations and ultimately the cost to extract oil from the ground. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The present inventive subject matter overcomes problems in the prior art by providing a swing out pipe handling system with the following qualities, alone or in combination. 
         [0011]    In one possible embodiment the inventive subject matter is directed towards a drill pipe handling system, having an elongated base being dimensioned sufficient to receive and support a movable tray in a position parallel to the base with a movable tray being movably coupled to the base at one end so as to provide at least one degrees of movement, also with a movable tray being dimensioned to receive at least one section of pipe and also with one end of the movable tray that is separable from the base; and a pipe positioner slidably disposed in the movable tray for transporting pipe; and with a loader disposed adjacent to the movable tray and when the tray is parallel to the base, and with the loader configured to receive and feed a section of pipe into the tray and with the loader in a position that is nested in or against the base or in a deployed position extending from the base. In this and other embodiments, the pipe handling system may have stabilizers for supporting the movable tray. In this and other embodiments, the apparatus for lifting the pipes to a drilling platform is done by lifting the movable tray away from the base. In this and other embodiments, the movable tray is bifurcated into right and left hand sides that are tilted inwards towards the pipe positioner in a v-like fashion. In this and other embodiments, the drill pipe is moved up and down the tray using a glove, the glove potentially incorporating a pipe holder. In this and other embodiments, the pipe positioner is moved by a chain or a cable. In this and other embodiments, the loader has a number of retractable stops for sequencing the drill pipe onto the movable tray. In this and other embodiments the movable tray is rotatable about the center axis. 
         [0012]    In another possible embodiment the inventive subject matter is directed towards a method of moving pipe to the floor of a derrick, then: placing a drill pipe onto a side loader that is extendable perpendicularly from an elongate base, then rolling or sliding the drill pipe from the side loader onto a tray that is parallel the base and configured to receive the pipe in parallel with the base; then rotating the movable tray from the parallel position to vertically support the pipe; then raising one end of the tray with pipe to the derrick floor; and then transporting the pipe forward on the movable tray to the derrick floor. In this and other embodiments, the method includes the sequencing the drill pipes being loaded one pipe at a time. In this and other embodiments, the method describes the movement of pipes as held by a pipe holder. In this and other embodiments, the method is described where the movement of pipes are under programmatic control. 
         [0013]    In another possible embodiment the inventive subject matter is directed towards a drill pipe handling system having an elongated base being dimensioned sufficient to receive and support a movable tray in a position parallel to the base so that the movable tray is movably coupled to the base at one end so as to provide at least three degrees of movement, wherein the movable tray is adjustable along one degree of freedom and so that the movable tray is dimensioned to receive at least one section of pipe and so that one end of the movable tray is separable from the base and a pipe positioner that is slidably disposed in the movable tray for transporting pipe and so that a loader is disposed adjacent to the movable tray and so that the tray is parallel to the base and so that the loader is configured to receive and feed a section of pipe into the tray and so that the loader is movable from a position nested in or against the base to a deployed position extending from the base. 
         [0014]    The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of embodiments and features of the present inventive subject matter. Persons skilled in the art are capable of appreciating other embodiments and features from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The following figures show various embodiments of the inventive subject matter (except where prior art is noted). 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of the mobile pipe handling system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the mobile pipe handling system with the movable tray extended upwards. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the mobile pipe handling system with the pipe positioner transporting the pipe up the movable tray. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the mobile pipe handling system positioned near the derrick floor and the pipe connected to an elevator. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of the mobile pipe handling system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows the front view of the mobile pipe handling system depicting the movable tray and one embodiment of the pipe positioning system. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  depicts a front view of the mobile pipe handling system and the swing out loading rack. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  depicts a top view of the mobile pipe handling system showing the pipe glove connected to the chain drive. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of the mobile pipe handling system with the pipe glove and the rotating pipe holder. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  shows a close up side view of the rotating pipe holder as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of the loadable rack system positioned near the movable tray. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Representative embodiments according to the inventive subject matter are shown in  FIGS. 1-11 , wherein the same or similar features share common reference numerals. For clarity, each reference number may refer to an item considered generally and abstractly, as well as to instances of the item in the context of one or more embodiments. 
         [0028]    The mobile drill pipe handler is designed to be taken to a drilling location, quickly deployed, and then provide transportation of the joints of pipe from the ground to the derrick platform. Certain embodiments of the mobile drill platform provide improved movement of joints of pipe on and off the platform. Certain embodiments of the mobile drill platform also stabilize the drill pipe handler to prevent tipping or tilting of the unit. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  depicts a mobile drill pipe handler having a base  110 , a movable tray  120 , loaders  130 , a control station  140 , a mobile support base  150 , and a hitch  160 . An outline image of the drill pipe  170  is shown supported by the movable tray  130 . 
         [0030]    The movable tray  120  transports the drill pipe  170  from the ground level to the derrick platform (not shown) by one end of the movable tray  120  lifting to a level close to the derrick platform. The movable tray  120  can be configured within or on the base  110 . The base  110  providing structural support to the movable platform and the associated lifting elements and also integrating wheels for mobility. The loaders  130  are depicted as pairs of loaders  130 A-D on each side that swing out from the side of the base, but, the loaders may be configured in other embodiments as a single continuous surface or multiple spaced surfaces. The loaders  130 A-D support the drill pipe  170  prior to movement onto the movable tray. Increased depth of the loaders  130 A-D allow for the support of multiple pipes to allow for a continuous feed. The adjustment of the loaders may be manually or automatically operated. Automatic operation may be enabled by the installation of drive mechanisms near the pivot point  180  located on the base. The drive mechanism near the pivot point  180  may use an electric gear drive or a hydraulically operated piston. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  depicts the base  110 , the movable tray  120 , drill pipe loaders  130  positioned near the base, and a drill pipe resting on the movable tray  120 . When the lifter  210  is extended, the movable tray  120  tilts upwards separated from the base  110 . The movable pipe tray  120  is connected to the lifter  210  and a pivot point  220  located at one end of the movable tray  120 . In one possible embodiment, the lifter  210  is configured as two hydraulic cylinders, but may also be other lifting devices that are well known in the arts, such as, single cylinder configurations or electrically powered lifts. 
         [0032]    The movable tray  120  is connected to a pivot point  220 . The pivot point  220  is part of the adjuster  230 , which is connected to the base. The adjuster  230  extends inwards and outwards in a direction parallel to the base  110 . In one possible embodiment, the adjuster  230  is configured as one hydraulic cylinder, although other configurations may include more than one element which is used to adjust the movable tray  120 . 
         [0033]    The drill pipe  170  is also shown inserted into a glove  240 . The glove  240  is connected to a pipe positioner  530  that supports the drill pipe  170  as it progresses up and down the movable tray  120 . The glove  240  is configured to inset in the movable tray  120  and receive an end of the drill pipe  170 . Accordingly, a glove is a receptacle for pipes or something that otherwise secures the ends of the pipes, such as a mechanism that compressively engages the pipe or fits into and abuts the or can serve as a stop as the movable tray  120  is lifted upwards. In some embodiments the drill pipe  170  is held into position by gravity force or a pipe holder  810  (see  FIGS. 9 ,  10 ). The pipe holder  810  is connected to the glove  240 . 
         [0034]    From the foregoing it can be appreciated that the tray provides three degrees of freedom when moving the drill pipe  170 . The first degree of freedom is the adjuster  230  which moves the entire tray along one axis  250 , the second degree of freedom is the lifter  210 , which moves the movable tray up and down along the second axis  260 , and the pipe positioner  530 , which transports the pipe along the third axis  270  parallel to the movable tray  120 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows the pipe handling system with the drill pipe  170  transported farther up the movable tray such that a portion of the drill pipe  170  extends over the derrick floor  320  and the derrick platform  310 . On the derrick floor  320  is usually an operator  330  who is monitoring the movement of the drill pipe  170  to the derrick floor  320 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  depicts where the operator  330  has attached an elevator  410  to an end  420  of the drill pipe  170 . The elevator  410  then raises the pipe away from the movable tray  120 . The glove  520  is then moved back down the movable tray  120  and the movable tray is lowered to be parallel with the base. The cycle time of this process varies, but generally can occur in a period from 10 seconds to 120 seconds. 
         [0037]    When drill pipe  170  is moved from the derrick to the ground, the reverse process occurs. The drill pipe is lowered to an operator  330  and the glove  520  is brought up to the end of the movable tray  120  and the drill pipe is placed inside the glove  520 . The drill pipe  170  is then lowered down the movable tray  120  to the ground where it is unloaded. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the pipe handling system and shows the movable tray  120 , the loaders  130 , the control system  140 , and the hitch  160 . Also attached to the pipe handling system are stabilizers  510 . The stabilizers  510  provide lateral support to the pipe handling system when the movable tray  120  is extended to the drilling floor, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In one possible embodiment, the stabilizers are shown as four separate “swing-out” stabilizers  510 A,  510 B,  510 C, and  510 D that are pivotably connected to base  110 . On each side of the base, there is a pair of spaced-apart stabilizers. Of course, there may be a single elongate stabilizer on one side or more than two stabilizers on a side, consistent with the objective of providing lateral stability at each side of the base. The stabilizers may swing-out from the base or otherwise movable from compact position against or in the base. The stabilizers may be nested within the base such that the stabilizers are in actual contact with the base or are in close physical proximity to the base without necessarily coming into contact with the base. This arrangement facilitates the mobility of the overall pipe handling system. The loaders may also be arranged on with the base in a similar nested base. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  depicts a close-up end view of the movable pipe tray  120  that supports the glove  240 . Inset in the glove is the drill pipe  170  which abuts the inside of the glove  240 . The glove  240  is attached to a positioner  530 . In one possible embodiment, the positioner  530  is chain that is able to move the glove  240  up and down along the movable tray. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , each side of the movable tray is bifurcated into a left panel and a right panel. The bifurcation allows a groove for the positioner to operate. 
         [0041]    Attached to one side of the movable tray is a rotator  540 . The rotator  540  adjusts the movable tray relative to the base (not shown). In one position the rotator  540  is adjusted such that the right panel and the left panel of the movable tray are approximately equidistant (the level position) from the base. This is a suitable position for raising and lowering the movable tray  120  to minimize a loss of drill pipe  170  from rolling out of the movable tray  120 . In one position, the rotator  540  is retracted to allow the right and left panel of the movable tray  120  to accept the drill pipe  170 . In the other position the rotator  540  is extended to allow the right and left panel of the movable tray  120  to eject the drill pipe  170 . 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 7 , the rotator  540  is rotated to accept the drill pipe  170  from the loading rack  130 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  is a top side view of the pipe handling system is shown with the glove  520 , the positioner  530  and the loaders  130 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 9 and 10  shows a side view of the pipe handling system  810 . The movable tray  120  supports the glove  240 , which also includes a pipe holder  810 . The pipe holder  810  has a pipe holder clip  820  and a pipe holder pivot point  830 . The pipe holder clip  820  is placed over the drill pipe  170  by rotating the pipe holder clip  820  on the pivot point  830 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 11  depicts a drill pipe sequencer  1110 . The drill pipe sequencer prevents multiple joints of the drill pipe  170  from being loaded on the movable tray  120  at a single time. The drill pipe sequencer  1110  is integrated as part of the loaders  130 . The loader  130  incorporates a sequencer  1110  with of retractable stops  1110 A,  1110 B. The retractable stops  1110 A,  1110 B restrict the movement of the drill pipe  170 A,  170 B, onto the movable tray  120 . The retractable stops  1110  are separated by approximately one drill pipe diameter. 
         [0046]    The number of retractable stops  1110 A,  1110 B may be increased to any number of retractable stops depending on the length of the loader  130 . 
         [0047]    When the drill pipe  170  is first loaded on the loader  130 , all but the closest retractable stop  1110 A is depressed), the next closest retractable stop  1110 B is then raised. The first drill pipe  170 A is then loaded, by lowering the closest retractable stop  1110 A. The first drill pipe then rolls onto the movable tray  120 . This process is repeated, shifting the drill pipe along the loader. 
         [0048]    The approximate dimensions of the typical drill pipe range in size from 2¾″ to 16″ in diameter. Drill pipes of larger diameters or smaller diameters may also be used in situations where there are unique design requirements in downhole operations. To accommodate these non-standard situations, certain components of the loader  130  may be sized accordingly. 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  depicts a control station  140  for controlling the operation of the pipe handling system. The control station may consist of a switch or a lever (not shown) that enables an actuator to operate an individual component. For example, a switch may enable the positioner  530  to move forward and backward. Likewise, a switch may operate the lifters  210  up to reach the level of the platform  310 . 
         [0050]    These switches may be connected to a computer controlled system and are under programmatic control. The computer controlled system would read the state of each individual drill pipe on the pipe handling system and then determines which switch to enable in an automatic manner. The system may include machine vision technology to recognize and load pipes in an automated fashion. Also, the pipe handling system can be operated wirelessly. 
         [0051]    An example embodiment of the inventive subject matter has the overall length of the pipe handling system  100  from the hitch  160  along the length of the base is approximately 59 feet. The length of the movable tray  120  is approximately 41½ feet. The width of the pipe handling system  100  is approximately 3½ feet. The pipe handling system  100  maybe constructed from structural tube steel A500 grade B. In this example embodiment, the pipe handling cycle time (e.g., moving a pipe from the loading tray to the derrick floor) is approximately 40 seconds in which to move a 16″ drill pipe from 3 feet to a 25 foot height. 
         [0052]    Persons skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and actions which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this inventive concept and that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit and scope of the teachings and claims contained therein.