Patent Publication Number: US-2023134100-A1

Title: Passive spacer system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to an organizing system for tubulars on a drill rig. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a jig, holder, rack, or other organizing system adapted to control the position of the top end of tubulars arranged in a setback area of a drill rig. Still more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a spacing mechanism incorporated into a racking board of a drill rig to control the spacing and, thus, the position of the top ends of tubulars arranged in the setback area. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventor, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
     Tubulars on a drill rig may be placed in a setback area of the drill rig when first creating the pipe stands for a drilling operation, when tripping drill pipe out of a well, or in other circumstances. When the well is being drilled or when otherwise tripping pipe into the well, the pipe stands may be picked from the setback area and added to the drill string as the drill string is fed into the wellbore. As such, the setback area may be loaded and unloaded from time to time throughout drilling operations. 
     When drill pipe, pipe stands, or other tubulars are loaded into the setback area, they may be set in selected positions within the setback area on the drill floor and the tops of the tubulars may be guided into a racking board or finger board. The racking board or finger board may include a rack arranged high above the drill floor that includes a series of slots for placing the tops of the tubulars. Each slot may be arranged to hold a row of tubulars, for example, and the tubulars may be placed so that they lean away from well center and toward the back end of the slots to help keep each row of tubulars supported and stationary. The slots in the racking board may be larger than the diameter of the tubulars and may be sized to accommodate varying diameters of tubulars including various diameters of drill pipe and various diameters of drill collar, for example. As such, when the tubulars are placed in the slots, the tubulars may tend to nest alongside one another and rotate around the top of adjacent tubulars similar to several shovel/rake/broom handles stacked in a corner. This somewhat tangled arrangement of tubulars may make it difficult to free the tubulars from the racking board, More particularly, when using robotics, the position of the top end of the tubulars may be relatively unknown and difficult to find with a programmed robotic pipe handling device. For example, where a series of 10 six-inch pipes are anticipated to be arranged alongside one another, the first pipe may be thought to be 60 inches, or so, from the back of the racking board slot. However, where each pipe is nested in against an adjacent pipe, the first pipe may vary from its anticipated position by several inches and potentially up to 8-12 inches from its anticipated location. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments, nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. 
     In one or more embodiments, a passive spacer system may include a racking board comprising a slot and a spacer arranged along the slot such that a portion of the spacer impinges on the slot. The spacer may be biased in a neutral position and configured to move to a spacing position due to motion of tubulars into and out of the racking board, which interact with the portion of the spacer that impinges on the slot. 
     In one or more embodiments, a passive spacer system may include a frame adapted for securing to a finger of a racking board and adjacent a slot. The system may also include a spacer pivotally arranged on the frame such that when the frame is positioned adjacent the slot, a portion of the spacer impinges on the slot. The spacer may be biased in a neutral position and configured to move to a spacing position due to motion of tubulars into and out of the racking board, which interact with the portion of the spacer that impinges on the slot. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the various embodiments of the present disclosure are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of a drill rig having a racking board with a passive spacer system, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is a top side perspective view of the drill rig of  FIG.  1   , according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of a racking board of the drill rig of  FIGS.  1  and  2    showing the passive spacer system, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a finger of a racking board with a passive spacer system, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  5    is a top down, partially transparent, view thereof. 
         FIG.  6    is a side view thereof. 
         FIG.  7    is an exploded view thereof. 
         FIG.  8    is an isolated perspective view of a single spacer from the passive spacer system of  FIGS.  4 - 7   , according to one or embodiments. 
         FIG.  9    is an isolated perspective view of a centralizing spring of a spacer assembly, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  10    is a top down view of the centralizing spring in place on a spacer assembly, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  11 A  is a top down view of a slot in a finger board with a passive spacer system showing a first pipe fully within the slot and an additional pipe entering the slot, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  119    is an additional view thereof with the additional pipe arranged adjacent the first pipe, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  11 C  is an additional view showing removal of the additional pipe, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  11 D  is an additional view showing further removal of the additional pipe, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  11 E  is an additional view showing still further removal of the additional pipe, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  12    is a block diagram of a method of operation of a passive spacer system, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  13    is a top down view of an adjustable passive spacer system, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view thereof with the spacers in a spacing orientation. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view thereof with the spacers in a neutral position. 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective cross-sectional view of an adjustment link end of the adjustment mechanism, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  17 A  is a close up top down view of a plurality of links of the adjustment mechanism shown in a collapsed position for smaller tubular, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  17 B  is a close up top down view of a plurality of links of the adjustment mechanism shown in an extended position, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  18    is a block diagram of a method of adjustment of a passive spacer system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure, in one or more embodiments, relates to a passive spacer system for controlling the relative position of tubulars arranged in a racking board on a drill rig. The system may be adapted to maintain the relative spacing of the tubulars in the racking board by preventing adjacent tubulars from nesting around one another, for example. Moreover, the system may be passive and avoid the need for electrical, hydraulic, pressurized air, or other power for operation. As such, a respective power source and power lines such as electrical lines, hydraulic lines, air lines, or other power transport lines may not be necessary for operation of the system. The passive spacer system may provide for an organized arrangement of tubulars in the setback area that are more readily accessible by personnel or robotics at or near the racking board due to the spacing between the tubulars. Moreover, in the case of robotic handlers, the position of the top of each tubular in the racking board may be more consistent allowing for engagement by a robotic handler more readily. 
       FIG.  1    is an elevation view of a drill rig  50  having a passive spacer system  100 , according to one or more embodiments. As shown, the drill rig  50  may include a support structure  52  supporting a drill floor  54  and a mast  56 . The drill rig  50  may include a racking board  58  extending laterally from the mast  56 . In one or more embodiments, robotic pipe handlers may be arranged on the drill floor and at the racking board or human pipe handlers may be present. The drill rig  50  may include a top drive  60  with a pipe elevator. The top drive  60 , top drive elevator and the robotic handlers may operate in a coordinated tripping process to trip drill pipe or other tubulars  66  into and out of a well bore. As shown in  FIG.  2   , tubulars  66  in the form of pipe stands made up of two to three lengths of drill pipe may be assembled and arranged in a setback area. The pipe stands may rest on a setback area of the drill floor and extend upward and through the racking board  58 , where each row of pipe stands is arranged in a slot of the racking board  58  formed by a series of fingers. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  3   , a top-down view of a portion of a racking board  58  is shown. The racking board  58  may be configured to laterally support the tops of the tubulars arranged in the setback area. As shown, the racking board  58  may include a frame structure  68  that extends laterally from the mast along an outboard side of the setback area and a series of fingers  70  may extend from the frame structure  68  and across the setback area forming slots  72  between the fingers  70 . The slots may be sized to receive several tubulars  66  and, as such, may have widths ranging from approximately 6 inches to approximately 10 inches and lengths ranging from approximately 30 inches to approximately 72 inches. The size of the racking board  68  may correspond with the size of the drill rig and the size of the setback area provided. Without more, the racking board  58  may function to receive the top ends of tubulars  66  where the bottoms of the tubulars are placed on the drill floor  54  within the setback area and the top ends of the tubulars  66  are placed in the slots  72  and leaned toward the back of the slots  72 . However, as mentioned, the top ends of the tubulars  66  may nest around each other, particularly where the slot width is relatively large relative to the tubular size. 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  3   , and to address the problem of nesting tubulars, the racking board  58  may be equipped with a passive spacer system  100 . The passive spacer system  100  may be configured to control the spacing between the top ends of the tubulars  66  in the racking board  58 , preventing the tubulars  66  from nesting around each other and, thus, providing a consistent location for the top end of each of the tubulars  66  positioned in the setback area. As shown in  FIGS.  4 - 7   , the passive spacer system  100  may include a frame  102  and a series of spacer assemblies  104  arranged along the length of the frame. 
     The frame  102  may be configured for arrangement on a finger  70  of the racking board  58  to hold the spacer assemblies  104  in spaced apart position along the length of the fingers  70  and the corresponding slots  72 . As shown, the frame  102  may be a ladder type frame  102  with upper and lower runners  106 A/ 106 B having spindles  108  extending therebetween at each of the spacer assembly positions. The upper and lower runners  106 A/ 106 B may include relatively rigid elongate elements such as bars, tubes, or other relatively rigid, long, and slender elements. 
     The spindles  108  may extend generally orthogonally between the upper and lower runners  106 A/ 106 B and may be adapted to sleevably receive the spacer assemblies  104 . The spindles  108  may be generally cylindrically shaped to allow for rotation of the spacer, biasing mechanisms, or other items sleevably arranged thereon. The spindle  108  may include a hollow cylinder secured to the bottom runner  106 B by welding, for example, and secured to the top runner with a bolt extending through the top runner and into the spindle  108 . For this purpose, the upper end of the spindle may include threads on an inner surface thereof. The spindle  108  may, alternatively, be secured to the top runner by welding and be bolted to the bottom runner or bolted to both the top and bottom runner. Still other methods of fastening the spindles between the runners may be used. For example, the spindle may include a shoulder bolt or other fastener extending through the top/bottom runners  106 A/B. The spindle may extend generally orthogonally between the upper and lower runners and may define an axis of rotation of one or more aspects of the spacer assembly  104 . 
     The frame  102  may also include one or more frame posts  110  configured to assist a biasing mechanism of the spacer assemblies  104  in performing a centering function for the spacers (e.g., a function of returning the spacer to a neutral position). As shown, the one or more frame posts  110  may extend away from a respective upper or lower runner  106 A/ 106 B generally parallel with, but spaced apart from, a respective spindle  108 . The frame posts  110  may cantilever upward or downward from a respective runner  106 A/ 106 B toward an opposing runner (e.g., in a same direction as the spindle), That is, the frame posts  110  may be rigidly secured to the runner  106 A/ 106 B and extend upward or downward therefrom and resist tipping, bending, or other deformation, In one or more embodiments, the frame posts  110  may threadably engage the runner  106 A/ 106 B, or otherwise extend through the runner  106 A/ 106 B. In one or more embodiments, the frame posts  110  may be welded to the runner  106 A/ 106 B. The frame posts  110  may extend away from the runner  106 A/ 106 B and may include an enlarged crown, onion dome, flange, or other enlarged end portion. adapted to prevent prongs of the biasing mechanism from slipping off the end of the frame post  110 . 
     It is to be appreciated that while upper and lower runners  106 A/ 106 B have been provided, one or more embodiments may include a single sided frame  102  having spindles  108  and frame posts  110  extending upward or downward therefrom. Still further, integration of the upper and/or lower runners  106 A/ 106 B into an existing racking board  58  may also be provided, where, for example, the finger  70  of the racking board serves as the upper or lower runner  106 A/ 106 B, for example, and the spindle  108  and frame posts  110  extend in an upward or downward direction from the finger  70  of the racking board  58 . Still other approaches to providing a framework for the spacer assemblies  104  may be provided. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  4 - 7   , the spacer assemblies  104  may include a spacer  112  and a biasing mechanism  116 . The spacer  112  may be adapted to perform a spacing operation where actuation is automatically performed due to the motion of the tubulars  66  into and out of the racking board  56 . A spacer  112  is shown in isolation in  FIG.  8   . As shown, the spacers  112  may include a generally L-shaped element having a toe  118  configured for catching on a tubular  66  when a tubular  66  is placed in the racking board  56  or removed from the racking board  56  and a leg  120  configured for arrangement between the tubulars  66  in the racking board  56 . Each of the leg  120  and the toe  118  may extend from a central body or heel portion  122  adapted to sleevably and pivotally engage a spindle  108  of the frame  102 , The portion of the spacer  114  between the toe  118  and the heel  122  may form a foot having a bottom surface  124 . However, as shown, the toe/heel/leg assembly may be arranged on its side, so to speak, with the bottom  124  of the foot directed toward an inward portion of the racking board slots  72  (e.g., toward the end of the slots  72  against which the tubulars  66  lean). The frame  102  may be arranged on the fingers  70  of the racking board  56 , as mentioned above, and the toe  118  may extend laterally from the frame  102  and into the slots  72  of the racking board  56 . As the toe  118  extends away from the heel  122 , the toe  118  may be tapered where a bottom side (e.g., anatomical bottom) of the toe  118  is generally flat and a top side (e.g., anatomical top) is curved in a concave fashion extending outward to a bullnose tip at the toe  118 . The concave curvature of the toe  118  may continue inwardly along the central body portion  122  and upwardly (e.g., anatomical upward) giving way to a relatively flat front face of the leg portion  120 . The leg portion  120  may have a thickness selected depending on the desired spacing of the tubulars  66  and may include generally flat front and back surfaces adapted to space the tubulars  66  from one another. The relatively flat front and back surfaces may extend upwardly (e.g., anatomically upward) to a bullnose top end of the leg  120  of the spacer  114 . 
     The central body portion or heel  122  of the spacer  114  may include a spindle bushing  126  adapted to sleevably engage the spindles  108  and maintain the position of the toe  118 , leg  120 , and body portion  122  of the spacer  114  generally centered between the upper and lower runners  106 A/ 106 B. The spindle bushing  126  may also be adapted to provide a location for and/or avoid inhibiting operation of the biasing mechanism  116 . As shown, the spindle bushing  126  may include a generally cylindrical element extending out the sides (e.g., anatomical sides) of the spacer  114  and through the body portion  122  of the spacer  114 . It is to be appreciated that the bushing  126  may take the form of two separate parts arranged on each side of the body portion  122  where a bore extends through the body portion  122  with an inner diameter matching that of the bushing  126  or a bushing  126  may extend through the body portion  122 . Either way, the bushing  126  and body portion  122  may be adapted to sleevably and slidably engage the spindle  108  to rotate substantially freely on the spindle  108  about the axis of rotation and while holding the body portion  122  generally centered or spaced from the upper and lower runners  106 A/ 106 B. The portions of the bushing  126  extending laterally away from the body portion  122  may be sized and adapted for sleevably receiving a biasing mechanism  116  discussed in more detail below. 
     The spacers  114  may also include spacer posts  128  adapted for engaging the biasing mechanism  116 . As shown, the spacer posts  128  may extend laterally (anatomically lateral) out the sides of the legs  120  to engage prongs of the upper and lower biasing mechanisms  116 . The spacer posts  128  may be cantilevered from the leg  120  and may extend through the leg  120  or be attached to the surface of the leg  120 , but may be generally rigidly arranged to avoid tipping or bending or having other substantial deformation relative to their cantilevered position on the leg  120 . 
     The spacers  114  may be spaced along the runners  106 A/ 106 B in particular positions relating to the size of the pipe being placed in the racking board. That is, as shown in  FIGS.  1 . 1 A- 11 E , the last spacer  114  nearest the end of the racking board slot  72  may be positioned such that a stopped tubular  66  in the end of the slot  72  maintains contact with the toe  118  of the spacer  114  so as to hold the spacer  114  in a rotated position (e.g., see  FIG.  11 A ) The remaining spacers  114  may also be spaced such that a tubular  66  that is held in a position corresponding to that spacer  114  maintains the spacer  114  in a rotated position. (e.g., see  FIG.  119    where second tubular maintains second spacer in rotated position). In one or more embodiments, the spindles  108  on the runners  106 A/ 1069  may define the spacer spacing. The spacing may be determined by summing an outer tubular diameter with a gap dimension  130 , which may be equal to the leg thickness, for example. The last spacer along the slot  70  (e.g., the one closest to the closed end of the slot) may be spaced from the end by the outside tubular diameter plus half of the gap dimension  130 . Further discussion of this is included below with respect to  FIGS.  11 A- 11 E . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the biasing mechanism  116  of the spacer assemblies  104  are shown. The biasing mechanism  116  may be configured to provide a two-way biasing force on the spacer  114  such that forces causing the spacer to rotate in either direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) away from neutral are resisted and when external forces are not present, the spacer  114  stays or returns to a neutral position. As shown, the biasing mechanism  116  may include a centralizing spring. The centralizing spring may be sized to fit over the spacer bushing  126  relatively loosely to allow for constriction of the centralizing spring without binding on the spacer bushing  126 . The centralizing spring may include prongs  132  extending from each end of the centralizing spring. The prongs  132  may each extend upwardly or downwardly, as the case may be (e.g., bottom one extends upwardly/top one extends downwardly), toward a mid-height of the centralizing spring. As shown from above in  FIG.  10   , the prongs  132  may cross paths and may extend laterally away from the coiled spring in parallel fashion. In extending parallel away from the coiled spring, the prongs  132  may be spaced apart from one another by a distance wide enough to accommodate the frame posts  110  on the runners and the spacer post  128  on the leg  120  of the spacer  114 . The prongs  132  may also be spaced close enough to define a gap narrower than the crown, onion dome, flange, or other capping element on the runner frame posts  110 . As shown, a biasing mechanism  116  may be provided above and below the spacer  114  and, as such, two biasing mechanisms for each spacer may be provided. Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS.  14 - 16   , a single biasing mechanism  216  may be provided on each spindle  208 . Moreover, as shown, the spacers  214  may be staggered between high and low positions along the runners  206 A/ 206 B where, when the spacer  214  is in a high position, the biasing mechanism  216  is below the spacer  214  and when the spacer  214  is in a low position, the biasing mechanism  216  is above the spacer  214 . It is to be appreciated that while a biasing mechanism in the form of a centralizing spring is shown, other biasing mechanisms such as torsion bars, elastic flaps, or other biasing mechanism adapted to perform a centralizing function may be provided. 
     As may be appreciated from a review of  FIGS.  4 - 10   , the rotation of the spacer  114  about the spindle  108  may cause a biasing force to build up in the spring and when the spacer  114  is released, the biasing force may rotate the spacer  114  back to a neutral position. In particular, and with reference to  FIG.  5   , when a force is applied to the toe  118  of the spacer  114  in a direction extending into the slot  72 , the spacer  114  may rotate counterclockwise. In doing so, the spacer post  128  on the spacer  114  may press counterclockwise on the prong  132  nearest the slot  72 . The prong  132  on the outboard side away from the slot  72  may engage the frame post  110  on the runner  106 A/ 106 B. As such, as the spacer  114  rotates counterclockwise, the centralizing spring may tighten and when the spacer  114  is released, the centralizing spring may return to a neutral position rotating the spacer post  128  on the spacer  114  clockwise and back into position adjacent the outboard prong  132 . Similarly, when a force is applied to the toe  118  of the spacer  114  in a direction extending out of the slot  72 , the spacer  114  may rotate clockwise. In doing so, the spacer post  128  on the spacer  114  may press clockwise on the prong  132  on the outboard side away from the slot  72 . The inboard prong  132  may engage the frame post  110  on the runner  106 A/ 106 B. As such, as the spacer  114  rotates clockwise, the centralizing spring may tighten and when the spacer  114  is released, the centralizing spring may return to a neutral position rotating the spacer post  128  on the spacer  114  counterclockwise and back into position adjacent the inboard prong  132 . In this manner, the spacer  114  may be moved out of a neutral position by tubulars  66  entering and exiting the racking board  56  and may attempt to return to a neutral position unless an obstruction prevents it from doing so. 
     In an assembled condition, the spacers  114  may be arranged on the spindles  108  of the frame  102  and may have a leg  120  of the spacer  114  arranged generally parallel to the frame  102  or parallel to the fingers  70  of the racking board  56 . The biasing mechanisms  116  may be arranged with the prongs  132  arranged on either side of the spacer post  128  and on either side of the frame posts  110  on the frame  102  as shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   . In this position, when the frame  102  is arranged alongside a slot  72  in the racking board  56 , the toe  118  of the spacer  114  may impinge or extend partially across the slot  72 . This position of the toe  118  of the spacer  114  may allow the spacer to interact passively with the tubulars  66  as the tubulars  66  are moved along the corresponding slot  72  in the racking board  56 , This passive interaction is discussed in more detail immediately below. 
     In operation and use, a method of operation  300  of a passive spacer system may be provided as illustrated by  FIGS.  11 A-E . That is a method  300  may include inserting a tubular into a slot of a racking board  302 . As the tubular is moved into the slot, the tubular may contact the toe of the spacers arranged along the slot and continued motion of the tubular along the slot may rotate the spacers as the tubular passes by. Once the tubular passes fully by a particular spacer, the spacer may return to its neutral position. When the tubular reaches the end of the slot, the toe of the last spacer may maintain contact with the tubular as the tubular rests against the end of the slot. That is, the position of the last spacer and the toe length may be such that the toe of the spacer maintains contact with the tubular when it reaches the end of the slot. The last spacer may, thus, be held in a counterclockwise staging position by the tubular such that the leg of the last spacer extends into or impinges on the slot. The other spacers, being no longer in contact with the tubular, may have returned to their neutral position with the toe extending into the slot. The method may also include receiving a second tubular into the slot in the racking board  304 . This step may include contacting the tubular with a toe of the spacers arranged along the slot wherein continued motion of the tubular along the slot rotates the spacers as the tubular passes by, Once the tubular passes fully by a particular spacer, the spacer may return to its neural position. When the tubular contacts the leg of the last spacer, the tubular may rotate the last spacer further counterclockwise bring the leg into position between the first tubular in the slot and the second tubular. As shown, this may “square up” the spacer causing the spacer to extend generally orthogonally across the slot and be arranged between the first and second tubular and in a spacing position and establishing the gap dimension between the tubulars. The second tubular may remain in contact with the toe of the second to last spacer and, thus, the second to last spacer may be held in a counterclockwise position with its leg extending across the slot. The other spacers, being no longer in contact with the tubular, may have returned to their neutral positions. The process may continue until the slot is full of tubulars  306  and each tubular is spaced from the next tubular by a gap dimension defined by the thickness of the spacer leg. 
     When the racking board is being unloaded, much the opposite may occur. As shown in  FIG.  11 C , the second tubular that was loaded in  FIG.  11 B  is being removed from the slot. As shown, the motion of the second tubular out of the slot may allow its corresponding spacer to roll clockwise  308 . As the tubular is removed from the slot, the method may include contacting the bottom sides of the toes of the remaining spacers as the tubular moves out of the slot. As shown in  FIGS.  11 D and  11 E , the moving tubular may cause the spacers to rotate in clockwise fashion until the toe clears the tubular, when the spacer may return to its neutral position under the biasing force of the biasing mechanism. As each tubular is removed, its corresponding spacer may be allowed to return to its neutral position and the remaining spacers may be rotated by the tubular in a clockwise direction as each tubular passes each spacer and then each spacer may return to its neutral position. 
     In one or more examples, a passive spacer system  200  may be provided that has an adjustable spacer spacing to accommodate different tubular diameters. In this example, the spindles  208  extending between the upper and lower runners  206 A/ 206 B may be secured to the runners  206 A/ 206 B in an adjustable fashion. As with the above-described spacer system  100 , the system  200  may include a frame  202  and a series of spacer assemblies  204  arranged along the length of the frame  202 . 
     As before, the frame  202  may be configured for arrangement on a finger  70  of the racking board  56  to hold the spacer assemblies  204  in spaced apart position along the length of the fingers  70  and the corresponding slots  72 . As shown, and like the system above, the frame  202  may be a ladder type frame with upper and lower runners  206 A/ 206 B having spindles  208  extending therebetween at each of the spacer assembly positions. Moreover, the upper and lower runners  206 A/ 206 B may include relatively rigid elongate elements such as bars, tubes, or other relatively rigid, long, and slender elements. However, as mentioned, the spindles  208  may have adjustable positions to accommodate different tubular diameters. For this purpose, the upper and lower runners may be U-shaped or C-shaped channels to provide a rail for movement of the spindles and corresponding spacer assemblies along the runners. As shown, the U-shaped or C-shaped channels may include a back side member  234  having a series of holes or slotted holes. Moreover, the front side of U-shaped or C-shaped channel may include a lip and/or J-lip  236  for securing or holding elements of the assembly within the cavity of the member formed by the U or C shape. In one or more examples, the upper and lower runners  206 A/ 206 B may include framing channels such as those manufactured and sold by Unitstrut, for example. Still other types of upper and lower runners  206 A/ 206 B may be provided. 
     The frame  202  may also include an adjustment mechanism  238  to provide for adjustability of the spindle locations along the runners  206 A/ 206 B. As shown, the adjustment mechanism  238  may include a plurality of sliding links  240  arranged along the mouth of the C-shaped or U-shaped channels. The sliding links  240  may include a rail engagement feature  242  allowing the links to be secured to the runners in sliding fashion as shown, for example in  FIG.  16   . That is, the links  240  may include a rail engagement feature  242  that corresponds with the lip and/or J-lip  236  on the U or C-shaped channel allowing the links  240  to slide along the channel, but remain secured to the channel. As shown, the rail engagement feature  242  may include a channel or jaw that receives the lip or J-lip of the runner  106 A/ 106 B. A rail engagement feature  242  may be positioned on each end of the links  240  as shown or a more full length engagement feature  242  may be provided. The rail engagement feature  242  may be provided on some or all of the links  240 . That is, in one or more embodiments, rail engagement features  242  may be provided on alternating links  240  rather than on all of the links  240 . 
     The links  240  may be generally plate like elements and may be arranged in consecutive overlapping fashion. For example, a series of primary links  240 A may be arranged substantially adjacent to and engaged with the runner  206 A/ 206 B and series of secondary links  240 B may be arranged to alternate along the length of the runner  206 A/ 206 B with the primary links  240 A. The secondary links  240 B may be spaced apart from the runner  206 A/ 206 B by the primary links  240 A. That is, the secondary links  240 B may overlay and overlap the primary links  240 A on each end and on a side of the primary link  240 A opposite the runner  206 A/ 206 B. In this example, the primary links  240 A may include rail engagement features  242  and the secondary links  240 B might not. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  17 A and  17 B , the links  240 A/ 240 B may include a hole at one end and a slotted hole at an opposite end. The lengths of the links  240 , the spacing of the holes, and the length of the slotted hole may be selected to allow the links  240  to be adjusted to accommodate differently sized tubulars  66 . That is, as shown, when the series of links  240  on the runner  206 A/ 206 B is compressed or adjusted to the left as shown in  FIG.  17 A , the spindles  208  may be spaced from one another by a distance A. However, when the series of links  240  on the runner  206 A/ 206 B is fully stretched or adjusted to the right as shown in  FIG.  17 B , the spindles  208  may be spaced from one another by a distance B. In one or more examples, distance A may be selected to accommodate 4 inch tubulars while distance B may be selected to accommodate 5 inch tubulars. Still other tubular sizes and corresponding spacings may be selected to allow the passive spacer system  200  to accommodate different sizes of tubulars. 
     An adjustment mechanism  238  in the form of the described consecutive and overlapping series of links  240  may be provided on the top runner  206 A and the bottom runner  206 B. An adjustment link  244  that ties the two adjustment mechanisms  236  together and provides for adjustment of the same may be provided on the free end of the adjustment mechanisms  238 . That is, as shown in  FIG.  16   , the adjustment link  244  may include a main body  246  extending between the top runner  206 A and the bottom runner  206 B, the adjustment link  244  may be slidable along the runners, and may include a rail engagement feature  248  at a top and bottom of the main body  246 . The rail engagement feature  248  may be the same or similar to the rail engagement feature  242  of the links  240 . In one or more embodiments, the rail engagement feature  248  may include a lug that extends from the adjustment link  244  and is arranged within the C-shaped or U-shaped channel. The main body  246  may be in the form of a generally vertically arranged and cylindrically shaped handle allowing for a user to grasp the adjustment link  244  and adjust the adjustment link position to change the spacing of the spacer assemblies  214 , A pair of tines  250  may extend from the main body  246 , one along each runner, and toward the plurality of links  240 . The tines  250  may each be secured to a respective end of an upper or lower plurality of links  240  to tie movement of the main body or handle  246  to the plurality of links  240 . As shown, a bore or passageway  252  may be provided vertically through the adjustment link  244 . The bore or passageway  252  may be arranged in the main body or handle  246 . In one or more examples, depending on the spacing of the holes or slotted holes in the back side member  234  of the U-shaped or C-shaped channel runners, the bore  252  may be a cylindrical bore or a slotted bore may be provided. While the bore  252  has been shown to extend through the main body  246  of the adjustment link  244 , in one or more examples, the bore or passageway  252  may also extend through the tines  250  in the form of a pair of aligned hole or slotted holes in the tines  250 . The bore or passageway  252  may be configured to receive an adjustment control. 
     The adjustment control  254  may be configured to extend through the adjustment link and engage the runners via the one or more holes or slotted holes in the back side  234  of the U-shaped or C-shaped channel runners. As shown in  FIG.  16   , the adjustment control  254  may include a pin with a pull ring that extends vertically through the top runner  206 A, through the adjustment link  244 , and through the bottom runner  206 B. The pin may be a drop in that, for example, is placed by insertion through the top runner  206 A and drops into place, being stopped from passing through the system by the pull ring. Still other approaches to providing an adjustment control  254  may be provided. 
     The spindles  208  of the system may be the same or similar to the spindles  108  described with respect to the system of  FIGS.  4 - 10   . That is, the spindles  208  may extend generally orthogonally between the upper and lower runners  206 A/ 206 B and may be adapted to sleevably receive the spacer assemblies  214 . The spindles  208  may be generally cylindrically shaped to allow for rotation of the spacer  214 , biasing mechanisms  216 , or other items sleevably arranged thereon. However, rather than being relatively rigidly arranged between the upper and lower runners  206 A/ 206 B, the spindles  208  may be secured to upper and lower adjustment mechanisms  238  that slidably engage the upper and lower runners  206 A/ 206 B, In any case, the spindles  208  may extend generally orthogonally between the upper and lower runners  206 A/ 206 B and may define an axis of rotation of one or more aspects of the spacer assembly  214 . Likewise, the spacer assemblies  214  of the adjustable passive spacer system  200  may be the same or similar to the spacer assemblies  241  described above with respect to  FIGS.  4 - 10   . 
       FIG.  18    shows a method of adjustment of a passive spacer system  400 . The method  400  may be performed in isolation or the method  400  may be performed in conjunction with the method of operation  300  of the spacer system described with respect to  FIG.  12    and  FIGS.  11 A- 11 E . The method of adjustment  400  may include removing the adjustment control  402  by, for example, grasping the pull ring on the pin and removing the pin. The method may also include adjusting the spacing of the spacer system by moving the adjustment link inward or outward depending on whether a smaller or larger spacing is desired  404 . The moving may include moving the adjustment link as far as it will go in either direction such that the spindles along the spacing system fully seat in the respective slotted holes in the links and, as such, remain equally spaced along the runner. The method may also include replacing the pin by inserting the pin through a hole or slotted hole in the back side of the top runner, through the adjustment link, and into and through the bottom runner  406 . 
     It is to be appreciated that while a manual adjustment of the adjustment mechanism has been described, an automated adjustment may also be provided. For example, the adjustment link may engage the runners with a powered trolley, for example, allowing the position of the adjustment link along the runners to be automatically adjusted by powering the trolley to travel along the runners. A stop may be provided on each end of a trolley travel track such that the trolley may be moved between an inward most position and an outward most position by running the trolley until it encounters a stop, for example. Still other approaches to manually or automatically adjusting the spacing of the passive spacer system may be provided. 
     As used herein, the terms “substantially” or “generally” refer to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” or “generally” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have generally the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” or “generally” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an element, combination, embodiment, or composition that is “substantially free of” or “generally free of” an element may still actually contain such element as long as there is generally no significant effect thereof. 
     To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(t) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim. 
     Additionally, as used herein, the phrase “at least one of [X] and [Y],” where X and Y are different components that may be included in an embodiment of the present disclosure, means that the embodiment could include component X without component Y, the embodiment could include the component Y without component X, or the embodiment could include both components X and Y. Similarly, when used with respect to three or more components, such as “at least one of [X], [Y], and [Z],” the phrase means that the embodiment could include any one of the three or more components, any combination or sub-combination of any of the components, or all of the components. 
     In the foregoing description various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The various embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principals of the disclosure and their practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.