Patent Publication Number: US-9422777-B2

Title: Elevator assembly with reversible insert

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/011,302, filed Jun. 12, 2014, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
     STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     None 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to a pipe elevator assembly, primarily for use in the oil and gas drilling industry. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an elevator assembly having a reversible inner insert member that permits said elevator assembly to grip and accommodate multiple different types and configurations of pipe and/or threaded connections. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     In the oil well drilling industry, an elevator assembly (sometimes also referred to as a “set of elevators”) is a mechanism that can be used to lift and support pipe and/or other tubular members. The elevator assembly, which is typically suspended from a rig&#39;s traveling block or other hoisting device using bails or linkages, is typically used to grip the external surface of pipe other tubular goods to be lifted within a drilling rig derrick. Once the elevator assembly is securely locked in place around the external surface of the pipe, the traveling block or other hoisting device can be raised in order to lift such pipe within a rig derrick and/or lower such pipe into a wellbore. 
     Although elevator assemblies come in many different shapes, sizes and configurations, one common style of elevator assembly is a latching-type elevator. Such an elevator generally comprises two opposing semi-cylindrical body members that are hingedly attached to each other; said members can be selective latched in a closed (joined) configuration, or unlatched in an open or spread apart configuration. 
     When unlatched, said opposing body members can be spread apart or swung open relative to each other to permit placement of such elevator body members around the outer or external surface of a section of pipe. When latched, said hinged opposing members can be temporarily locked together in mating relationship to form a ring-like load bearing structure that can be used to securely grip against the external surface of a section of pipe. 
     When multiple pipe sections are screwed together or otherwise joined to form an elongate pipe string, an elevator assembly can be used to grip an uppermost pipe section of the string and support the entire weight of such pipe string. In such cases, an elevator assembly typically must be capable of supporting relatively heavy loads, since such pipe strings can often be quite heavy. However, in certain instances, elevator assemblies are used to grip and support single pipe sections or very short pipe strings; in such cases, so-called single joint elevators are particularly useful for gripping and hoisting relatively light pipe sections. 
     Such single joint elevator assemblies, which are frequently smaller and lighter than conventional elevator assemblies, typically comprise removable components known as inserts; a separate insert is disposed on the inner surface of each opposing elevator member. Such inserts cooperate to form a desired profile that generally conforms to the shape of the outer surface of the particular section of pipe to be gripped by said elevator assembly. Further, such inserts each typically define at least one upwardly facing load-bearing shoulder or support surface designed to support the weight of a pipe section (and, more specifically, typically the lower surface of a threaded connection or threaded collar of such pipe section) to be gripped and lifted by said elevators. Elevator inserts are typically removable so that a single elevator assembly can be used with multiple sets of interchangeable inserts in order to fit many different types of pipe, or tubular goods having different outer profiles. 
     Thus, in order to function properly, a single set of opposing inserts must cooperate in order to closely conform to the outer surface of a particular type or style of pipe (including, without limitation, any integral threaded connection member or threaded collar). As such, a single set of inserts that conforms to one particular type of pipe section may not conform to another type of pipe section having a different outer configuration. For example, a single set of conventional elevator inserts designed for use with coupled pipe (that is, externally threaded pipe sections joined using internally threaded pipe couplings) will not work with pipe equipped with so-called premium or integrally formed threaded connections, and vice versa. 
     Thus, there is a need for an elevator system having interchangeable inserts. Said inserts should be quickly and efficiently removed and replaced. Further, such inserts should be compatible with multiple different styles or configurations of pipe. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises an elevator assembly (including, without limitation, as single-joint elevator assembly) having removable inner insert members. As with conventional elevator inserts, the insert members of the present invention are replaceable and can be selectively removed from elevator body members and replaced in order to accommodate various pipe sizes and configurations. However, unlike conventional elevator inserts, a single set of inner insert members of the present invention can accommodate multiple pipe sizes and/or configurations. 
     Each elevator insert of the present invention defines a first pipe profile in a first axial direction, and a second pipe profile in a second axial direction. Thus, when a mating pair of inserts of the present invention is installed in one direction, said inserts can accommodate one size or style of pipe (including, without limitation, one size or type of threaded connection). However, when said inserts are removed, inverted (“flipped”) and reinstalled, the same set of inserts can also accommodate a different size or style of pipe (including, without limitation, a threaded connection). By way of illustration, but not limitation, when installed in an elevator assembly in a first direction, a single set of inserts of the present invention can grip and support a section of coupled pipe (for example, 2-⅜″ 8-round tubing having threaded collars between joints). When such inserts are removed, inverted and reinstalled, the same set of inserts can also accommodate a section of pipe having premium or integrally formed threaded connections (such as, for example, so-called “CS-Hydril” threads). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as any detailed description of the preferred embodiment, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings and figures contained herein. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings and figures show certain preferred embodiments. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and devices disclosed in such drawings or figures. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a side perspective view of an elevator assembly of the present invention in a closed and latched configuration. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side view of an elevator assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts an overhead view of an elevator assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side perspective view of an elevator assembly of the present invention in an open and substantially spread apart configuration. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a side view of an insert member of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an overhead view of an insert member of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a side perspective view of an insert member of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a side perspective view of a retainer pin of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a side sectional view of an elevator assembly along line C-C of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  depicts a side perspective view of an elevator assembly  10  of the present invention in a closed and latched configuration. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , said elevator assembly  10  generally comprises first semi-cylindrical body member  11  having inner surface  111  and opposing second semi-cylindrical body member  12  having inner surface  112 . Said first body member  11  and second body member  12  are hingedly attached to each other using hinge pin  13  that is disposed through hinge body  16 . In a closed configuration depicted in  FIG. 1 , said first body member  11  and second body member  12  cooperate to form a substantially circular inner through bore  17 . 
     Said opposing first and second members can be selectively latched in a closed (joined) configuration, or unlatched in an open configuration, using latch assembly  40 . In a preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , latch assembly  40  includes safety latch  41  having a lug member (not visible in  FIG. 1 ) that can releasably mate with latch receptacle  43 , which is pivotally mounted on latch pin  44 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , said elevator assembly  10  also comprises lateral lifting eyelet members  15 , each having an aperture  18 . Elevator assembly  10  can be operationally attached to a top drive unit or other hoisting apparatus (such as, for example, a traveling block of a drilling rig) using conventional bails or other linkage members disposed through said apertures  18  and operationally attached to said elevator assembly  10  using said lifting eyelet members  15 . 
     Opposing first body member  11  and second body member  12  each further comprise retainer pin receptacles  14 . A retainer pin  30  is disposed through a transverse bore extending through each of said retainer pin receptacles  14 . Pipe supporting insert members  20  are disposed along opposing inner arcuate surface  111  of first body member  11  and inner arcuate surface  112  of second body member  12 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side view of an elevator assembly  10  of the present invention in a closed position. Elevator assembly  10  generally comprises first semi-cylindrical body member  11  and opposing second semi-cylindrical body member  12  hingedly attached to each other. Said first and second body members are selectively connected using safety latch  41  that can releasably mate with latch receptacle  43 . Lateral lifting eyelet members  15  having apertures  18  extend from the sides of said first body member  11  and second body member  12 . Eyelet members  15  provide an attachment means for mounting elevator assembly  10  to a top drive unit or other hoisting assembly (such as, for example, a traveling block of a drilling rig) using conventional bails or other linkage members. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an overhead view of elevator assembly  10  of the present invention. Elevator assembly  10  generally comprises first semi-cylindrical body member  11  having inner surface  111  and opposing second semi-cylindrical body member  12  having inner surface  112  that are hingedly attached using hinge pin  13  disposed through hinge body  16 . In a closed configuration depicted in  FIG. 3 , said first body member  11  and second body member  12  cooperate to form a substantially circular inner through bore  17 . Said elevator assembly  10  also comprises lateral lifting eyelet members  15 . 
     Opposing first body member  11  and second body member  12  each further comprise retainer pin receptacles  14 , each having a transverse bore extending therethrough. A retainer pin  30  is disposed through each of said transverse bores extending through said retainer pin receptacles  14 . Pipe supporting insert members  20  are disposed along opposing inner arcuate surface  111  of first body member  11  and inner arcuate surface  112  of second body member  12 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a side perspective view of an elevator assembly  10  of the present invention in an open and substantially spread apart configuration. As depicted in  FIG. 4 , when unlatched, opposing body members  11  and  12  can pivot about hinge pin  13 , and can be spread apart or swung open relative to each other in order to permit placement of said opposing body members  11  and  12  around the outer or external surface of a section of pipe. 
     After said spread apart opposing body members  11  and  12  are placed in a desired position relative to the external surface of a section of pipe, said opposing first and second members can be closed (again, by pivoting about hinge pin  13 ) and selectively latched in a closed (joined) configuration using a latch assembly  40  generally comprising safety latch  41  on clasp member  45 . When oriented in a closed latched and secure configuration, lug  42  can be received by said clasp member  45  and safety latch  41 . 
     Elevator assembly  10  also comprises lateral lifting eyelet members  15 , each having an aperture  18 , as well as retainer pin receptacles  14 . A retainer pin  30  is disposed through a transverse bore extending through each of said retainer pin receptacles  14 . Pipe supporting insert members  20  are disposed along opposing inner arcuate surface  111  of first body member  11  and inner arcuate surface  112  of second body member  12 . When closed and latched, said hinged opposing members  11  and  12  can be temporarily secured together in mating relationship to form a ring-like load bearing structure that can be used to securely grip against the external surface of a section of pipe. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a side view of an external surface of an insert member  20  of the present invention, while  FIG. 6  depicts an overhead view of said insert member  20  of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 6 , said insert member  20  has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape defining a curved outer surface  21  and curved inner surface  22 . In a preferred embodiment, outer surface  21  has a radius of curvature substantially equivalent to that of inner surface  111  of first body member  11  and inner surface  112  of second body member  12 . Further, inner surface  22  has a radius of curvature substantially equivalent to a section of pipe to be gripped by elevator assembly  10 ; thus, when two insert members  20  are joined in opposing relationship to form a substantially circular structure, opposing inner surfaces  22  of said insert members cooperate to form an opening having an inner diameter substantially equivalent to the outer diameter of a section of pipe to be gripped by elevator assembly  10 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , insert member  20  further comprises first circumferential outer rim member  23  and first load shoulder surface  24 . At least one retention pin receiving groove  26  is formed in said first outer rim member  23 . In a preferred embodiment, said at least one retention pin receiving groove  26  is oriented radially inward relative to semi-cylindrical insert member  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , outer surface  21  is formed by first flange extension member  50 , second flange extension member  51  and inner member  52  extending between said first and second flange extension members. Said components cooperate to form a circumferential groove or recess “x” between said first flange extension member  50  and second flange extension member  51 , and define first load shoulder  53  and second load shoulder  54  on either side of said groove or recess. At least one retention pin receiving groove  26  is formed on the upper surface of first flange extension member  50  (which corresponds with outer rim member  23  depicted in  FIG. 6 ). 
       FIG. 7  depicts a side perspective view of an insert member  20  of the present invention. Insert member  20  has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape defining a curved outer surface  21  and curved inner surface  22 . As previously noted, outer surface  21  has a radius of curvature substantially equivalent to that of inner surface  111  of first body member  11  and inner surface  112  of second body member  12  (see  FIG. 1 ), while inner surface  22  has a radius of curvature substantially equivalent to that of a section of pipe to be gripped by elevator assembly  10 . 
     First circumferential outer rim member  23  and first inner load shoulder surface  24  are formed at the upper end surface of insert member  20 , while second circumferential outer ring member  123  and second inner load shoulder  124  are formed on the opposite lower end surface of said insert member  20  (when insert member  20  is oriented as shown in  FIG. 7 ). In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7 , first inner load shoulder surface  24  has at least one tapered surface, while second inner load shoulder  124  defines a substantially flat or planar surface. 
     Outer surface  21  is formed by first flange extension member  50 , second flange extension member  51  and inner surface  52  extending between said first and second flange extension members. A circumferential groove or recess is formed between said first flange extension member  50  and second flange extension member  51 , which cooperate to define first load shoulder  53  and second load shoulder  54  on either side of said groove or recess. At least one retention pin receiving groove  26  is formed on the upper surface of first flange extension member through first outer rim member  23 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts a side perspective view of a retainer pin  30  of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, said retainer pin  30  comprises body member  31  having external threads  32 . Head  33  having a friction promoting surface  33   a  for gripping is disposed at one end of said body member  31 , while cylindrical extension  34  is disposed at the opposite end of said body member  31 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , it is to be observed that an insert member  20  can be removably mounted to each of said first body member  11  and second body member  12 . Specifically, a groove or slot  5  defining retention shoulder  6  is formed along the inner surface of first body member  11 . Although not visible in  FIG. 4 , a similar slot and retention shoulder are also formed along the inner surface of second body member  12 . First circumferential outer rim member  23  is received within said slot  5  and held in place against radial movement by retention shoulder  6 , while second circumferential outer ring member  123  is supported on support surface  8 . Unless restrained from rotational movement, it is to be observed that insert member  20  can be easily mounted to body member  11 , and selectively removed from said body member  11 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts a side sectional view of an elevator assembly  10  along line C-C of  FIG. 3 . Body member  11  has retainer pin receptacle  14  having a transverse bore  19 . A retainer pin  30  is disposed through said transverse bore  19  extending through retainer pin receptacle  14 . Pipe supporting insert member  20  is disposed along inner arcuate surface  111  of body member  11 . 
     Retention shoulder  6  is formed along the inner surface of body member  11 . First circumferential outer rim member  23  is held in place against radial movement by said retention shoulder  6 , while second circumferential outer ring member  123  is disposed on support surface  8 . Cylindrical extension  34  is at least partially received within a retention pin groove  26  to prevent rotational movement of insert member  20  relative to body member  11 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises elevator assembly  10  (which can be, but is not limited to, a single-joint elevator assembly) having removable inner insert members  20 . Insert members  20  of the present invention are replaceable and can be selectively removed from elevator body members and replaced in order to accommodate various pipe sizes and configurations. Unlike conventional elevator inserts, a single set of inner insert members  20  of the present invention can accommodate multiple pipe sizes and/or configurations. 
     Each elevator insert  20  of the present invention defines a first internal load shoulder  24  profile in a first axial direction, and a second internal load shoulder  124  profile in a second axial direction. Thus, when a mating pair of inserts  20  of the present invention is installed in one direction, first internal load shoulder profiles (which are identical or substantially similar to each other) match in a first axial direction, and second internal load shoulder profiles (which are identical or substantially similar to each other) match in a second axial direction. Said mating inserts, and their matching first load supporting shoulders, can accommodate a first size or style of pipe (including, without limitation, one size or type of threaded connection). However, when said inserts are removed, inverted (“flipped”) and reinstalled, the same set of mating inserts, and their matching first load supporting shoulders, can also accommodate a different size or style of pipe (including, without limitation, a threaded connection). 
     By way of illustration, but not limitation, when installed in an elevator assembly in a first direction, a single set of inserts of the present invention can grip and support a section of coupled pipe (for example, 2-⅜″ 8-round tubing having threaded collars between joints) using second internal load shoulder  124 ; in this configuration, said collar can be disposed on and supported by substantially flat or planar load shoulder  124  that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a section of pipe to be gripped by said elevator assembly. When such inserts are removed, inverted and reinstalled, the same set of inserts can also accommodate a section of pipe having premium or integrally formed threaded connections (such as, for example, so-called “CS-Hydril” threads) using first internal shoulder  24 ; in this configuration, the tapered outer shape of said connection can be disposed on and supported by tapered load shoulder  24 . It is to be observed that other load shoulder shapes, configurations or dimensions can be envisioned to accommodate and mate with other types or sizes of pipe and/or connections. 
     As such, a single set of elevator inserts of the present invention can be used to grip and lift multiple sections of pipe having markedly different outer profiles or threaded connections. The design of the present invention promotes efficiency and versatility of elevator assemblies equipped to use such inserts. Further, fewer total elevator inserts are required to be transported to, and stored at, drilling rigs or other installations, which can be particularly important for work sites situated in remote locations, such as offshore platforms or marine drilling vessels. 
     The above-described invention has a number of particular features that should preferably be employed in combination, although each is useful separately without departure from the scope of the invention. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.