Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/844,777, filed Jul. 10, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to a frame, a system and/or a method for deploying a compact skid. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for deploying a skid that transitions between a storage position and an operational position using an air bladder. In the storage position, the skid is compact and may be shipped or stored. 
         [0003]    In the field of on-shore oil drilling, drilling sites are often located in remote areas. Constructing a drilling rig in these remote areas has several challenges. The drilling rig often has multiple systems, such as fluid control systems, divided into subsystems. Because of the remoteness, the subsystems are designed and assembled off-site. These subsystems are then transported and deployed at the drilling site. 
         [0004]    Additionally, the available footprint for the drilling rig is limited. To fit into the limited area, the subsystems often have vertical components. To avoid additional costs, these subsystems are designed to be compact and ready to be shipped. As a consequence, the subsystems are not designed to have tall vertical components. Therefore, the subsystems often have frames that allow the subsystems to be stacked. 
         [0005]    However, in these remote areas, some support equipment, such as cranes, may not be available. Even if cranes are available, a construction bottle neck may form if multiple subsystems have vertical components that require lifting and stacking A heavier subsystem requires a larger crane. Therefore, if a crane is available, the crane must be designed for the heaviest subsystem. Building a bigger crane requires more space and resources. 
         [0006]    Hydraulic or pneumatic lifts may be built into the frame of the subsystem. Using the lifts, a portion of the subsystem may be lifted off the ground to provide more vertical room. For example, a subsystem that required conduits below the equipment of the subsystem may lift itself to make more space to fit the conduits. However, this approach becomes more impractical as the subsystem gets heavier. Heavier subsystems require larger hydraulic or pneumatic lifts. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of a skid. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of an outer shell of the skid. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of an inner shell of the skid. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the skid in an operational position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the skid in a storage position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the skid with a fully inflated air bladder. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The present disclosure generally relates to a frame, a system and/or a method for deploying a compact skid. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for deploying a skid that transitions between a storage position and an operational position using an air bladder. The storage position may be compact while the operational position may be expanded. 
         [0014]    Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts,  FIG. 1  and  FIGS. 4-6  generally illustrate a skid  10  that may have a storage position and an operational position.  FIGS. 1 and 4  illustrate an embodiment of the skid  10  in the operational position.  FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the skid  10  in the storage position. The skid  10  may have an outer shell  12 , an inner shell  14  and an air bladder  16 . 
         [0015]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the outer shell  12  may have a base  18 , a front end frame  20  and a back end frame  22 . Together, the base  18 , the front end frame  20  and the back end frame  22  may define a volume with the outer shell  12 , an outer length  13 , an outer width  15 , an outer height  17 , an inner length  19  and an inner width  21 .
       a. The base  18  may have a front end  24  and a back end  26 . The base  18  may be formed by a first side rail  28 , a second side rail  30 , a front cross member  32  and a back cross member  34 . The first side rail  28 , the second side rail  30 , the front cross member  32  and the back cross member  34  may be orthogonally connected together. The first side rail  28  may be parallel to the second side rail  30 . Additionally, the front cross member  32  may be parallel to the back cross member  34 . The front cross member  32  may be attached to the first side rail  28  and the second side rail  30  at the front end  24  of the base  18 . The back cross member  34  may attached to the first side rail  28  and the second side rail  30  at the back end  26  of the base  18 . In an embodiment, the base  18  may also have one or more support cross members connecting the first side rail  28  and the second side rail  20  between the back cross member  34  and the front cross member  32 .       
 
         [0017]    The front end frame  20  may have a top  38  and a bottom  40 . The front end frame  20  may be formed by a first corner post  42 , a second corner post  44  and a first top cross member  46 . The first corner post  42  and the second corner post  44  may be orthogonally connected to the first top cross member  46  at the top  38  of the front end frame  20 . The first corner post  42  may be parallel to the second corner post  44 . A plurality of front gussets  48  may reinforce the connection between the first corner post  42  with the first top cross member  46 . Additionally, the plurality of front gussets  48  may reinforce the connection between the second corner post  44  with the first top cross member  46 . 
         [0018]    The back end frame  22  may have a top  50  and a bottom  52 . The back end frame  22  may be formed by a third corner post  54 , a fourth corner post  56  and a second top cross member  58 . The third corner post  54  and the fourth corner post  56  may be orthogonally connected to the second top cross member  58  at the top  50  of the back end frame  22 . The third corner post  54  may be parallel to the fourth corner post  56 . A plurality of back gussets  60  may reinforce the connection between the third corner post  54  with the second top cross member  58 . Further, the plurality of back gussets  60  may reinforce the connection between the fourth corner post  56  with the second top cross member  58 . 
         [0019]    The front end frame  20  may be connected to the front end  24  of the base  18 . The front cross member  32  of the base  18  may be parallel to the first top cross member  46  of the front end frame  20 . The back end frame  22  may be connected to the back end  26  of the base  18 . The back cross member  34  of the base  18  may be parallel to the second top cross member  58  of the back end frame  22 . A plurality of support gussets  62  may reinforce the connection between the base  18  and the front end frame  20 . Additionally, the plurality of support gussets  62  may reinforce the connection between the base  18  and the back end frame  22 . 
         [0020]    The outer shell  12  may have a plurality locking supports  64 . One of the plurality of locking supports may be attached to the first corner post  42  of the front end frame  20  and the first side rail  28  of the base  18 . One of the plurality of locking supports may be attached to the second corner post  44  of the front end frame  20  and the second side rail  30  of the base  18 . The plurality of locking supports  64  connected to the front end frame  20  may extend from the bottom  40  to the top  38  of the front end frame  20 . Additionally, one of the plurality of locking supports  64  may be attached between the third corner post  54  of the back end frame  22  and the first side rail  28  of the base  18 . Finally, one of the plurality of locking supports  64  may be attached between the fourth corner post  56  of the back end frame  22  and the second side rail  30  of the base  18 . Each locking support  64  may have a plurality of primary pin holes  66 . The plurality of locking supports  64  connected to the back end frame  22  may extend from bottom  52  to the top  50  of the back end frame  22 . The plurality of primary pin holes  66  of each locking support  64  may be used to lock the skid  10  into either the storage position or the operational position. 
         [0021]    The outer length  13 , the outer width  15  and the outer height  17  of the outer shell  12  may conform to size requirements of the ISO 6346 standard. For example, in an embodiment, the outer length  13 , outer width  15  and the outer height  17  of the outer shell  12  may conform the dimensions of a twenty foot intermodal shipping container. Alternatively, the outer length  13 , outer width  15  and the outer height  17  of the outer shell  12  may conform to the dimensions of a forty foot intermodal shipping container. However, the outer length  13 , the outer width  15 , and/or the outer height  17  of the outer shell  12  are not limited to the dimensions of the twenty foot intermodal container or the dimensions of the forty foot intermodal container. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of the inner shell  14  of the skid  10 . The inner shell  14  may have a top frame  68 , a bottom frame  70  and a plurality of corner posts  72 . The plurality of corner posts  72  may connect the top frame  68  to the bottom frame  70 . The top frame  68  and the bottom frame  70  may be parallel. A plurality of gussets  74  may reinforce the connection between the plurality of corner posts  72  and the top frame  68 . Similarly, the plurality of gussets  74  may reinforce the connection between the plurality of corner posts  72  and the bottom frame  70 . The top frame  68 , the bottom frame  70  and the plurality of corner posts  72  may define an inner volume, an outer length  71 , an outer width  73  and an outer height  75 . 
         [0023]    The top frame  68  may be formed by two end cross members  76  orthogonally connecting opposite ends of two parallel side rails  78 . A support cross member  80  may connect the parallel side rails  78  between the two end cross members  76 . Each end of each of the two parallel side rails  78  may have a plurality of storage pin holes  102 . The storage pin holes  102  may be used to lock the skid  10  into the storage position. 
         [0024]    The bottom frame  70  may be formed by two end cross members  82  orthogonally connected to opposite ends of two parallel side rails  84 . A plurality of support cross members  86  may connect the two parallel side rails  84  between the two end cross members  82 . A floor panel  88  may be attached to the plurality of support cross members  86 . Each end of each of the two parallel side rails  84  may have a plurality of operational pin holes  90 . The operational pin holes  90  may be used to lock the skid  10  into the operational position. 
         [0025]    The outer length  71 , the outer width  73  and the outer height  75  of the inner shell  14  may be configured so that the inner shell  14  fits within the inner volume of the outer shell  12 . The outer width  73  of the inner shell  14  may substantially equal the inner width  21  of the outer shell  12 . Similarly, the outer length  71  of the inner shell  14  may substantially equal the inner length  19  of the outer shell  12 . 
         [0026]    Equipment  92  may be situated on the floor panel  88  of the bottom frame  70  of the inner shell  14 . In one embodiment, the equipment  92  may be one or more shale shakers and/or one or more dryers. The equipment  92  may also include mud mixers, chemical storage and/or control systems. 
         [0027]    The air bladder  16  may be situated between the inner shell  14  and the outer shell  12 . In the storage position, the air bladder  16  may be located within a volume defined by the first side rail  28 , the second side rail  30 , the front cross member  32  and the back cross member  34  of the base  18  of the outer shell  12  and the floor panel  88  of the bottom frame  70  of the inner shell  14 . When the skid  10  is not in the storage position, the air bladder  16  may expand to fill at least a portion of the inner volume of the outer shell  12 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the storage position, the inner shell  14  may be located within the inner volume of the outer shell  12 . Additionally, the equipment  92  may be contained within the volume of the inner shell  14 . In the storage position, the skid  10  may be loaded onto a flat bed truck, transported to the intended destination, and unloaded. The skid  10  may be shipped by truck, train, airplane, boat or any other means of transportation normally used to ship intermodal containers. Additionally, the skid  10  may be stored on-site or off-site in the storage position. Further, a cover may be placed over the inner shell  14  and the outer shell  12  above the base  18  to protect the skid while in the storage position. 
         [0029]    In an embodiment, when the skid  10  is in the storage position, a portion of the bottom frame  70  of the inner shell  14  may sit on top of a portion of the base  18  of the outer shell  12 . Additionally, the top frame  68  of the inner shell  14  may be substantially flush with the top  38  of the front end frame  20  of the outer shell  12  and the top  50  of the back end frame  22  of the outer shell  12 . In the storage position, the storage pin holes  102  of the two parallel side rails  78  of the top frame  68  of the inner shell  14  may align with the primary pin holes  66  of the plurality of support members  64  of the outer shell  12 . A plurality of pins  96  may be inserted into the primary pin holes  66  of the plurality of support members  64  of the outer shell  12  and the storage pin holes  102  of the two parallel side rails  78  of the top frame  68  of the inner shell  14  to lock the skid  10  into the storage position. 
         [0030]    To transition the skid  10  from the storage position to the operation position, an air compressor  94  may be connected to the air bladder  16 . The air compressor  94  may inflate the air bladder  16 . The air compressor  94  may supply a relatively small amount of pressure. In an embodiment, the air compressor may supply seven to ten PSI of pressure. The air bladder  16  may lift the inner shell  14 . As the air bladder  16  inflates, the plurality of locking members  64  may guide the inner shell  14  to ensure that the inner shell  14  stays within the inner length  19  and the inner width  21  of the outer shell  12 . 
         [0031]    The air bladder  16  may lift the inner shell  14  until the plurality of operational pin holes  90  on the two parallel side rails  84  of the bottom frame  70  of the inner shell  14  align with the plurality of primary pin holes  66  on the plurality of locking members  64  of the outer shell  12 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the air bladder  16  fully inflated. The plurality of pins  96  may be inserted into the primary pin holes  66  and the operation pin holes  90  to lock the skid  10  into the operational position. Subsequently, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the air bladder  16  may be partially deflated. 
         [0032]    In an embodiment, the plurality of pins  96  may be manually installed. Alternatively, the plurality of pins  96  may be spring loaded so that the plurality of pins  96  automatically insert into the primary pin holes  66  and the operation pin holes  90  when the primary pin holes  66  and the operation pin holes  90  are aligned. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1 and 4  illustrate an embodiment of the skid  10  in the operational position with the air bladder  16  partially deflated. In the operational position, the bottom frame  70  of the inner shell  14  may be aligned with the first top cross member  46  of the front end frame  20  of the outer shell  12  and the second top cross member  58  of the back end frame  22  of the outer shell  12 . Additionally, the equipment  92  may be expanded or connected to other systems so that a portion of the equipment  92  is no longer contained within the volume of the inner shell  14 . In an embodiment, the equipment  92  may be connected to conduit to deliver a slurry to the equipment  92  and to remove drilling fluid from the equipment  92 . A power connection may also be connected to the equipment  92 . Additionally, safety equipment, such as walkways, guard rails and/or stairs, may be installed onto the skid  10 . Other support equipment, such as a shaker pit to collect the solids separated by a shale shaker, may be installed next to the skid  10 . 
         [0034]    To transition the skid  10  from the operational position to the storage position, the air bladder  16  may be reinflated with the air compressor  94  until the air bladder  16  supports the inner shell  14 . The equipment  92  may be adjusted to fit completely within the volume of the inner shell  14 . The plurality of pins  96  may be removed from the primary pin holes  66  and the operational pin holes  90 . The air bladder  16  may be deflated until the inner shell  14  is within the volume of the outer shell  12  and the primary pin holes  66  and the storage pin holes  102  are aligned. The plurality of pins  96  may be inserted into the primary pin holes  66  and the storage pin holes  102  to lock the skid  10  into the storage position. 
         [0035]    While the present disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure should be limited only by the attached claims.

Technology Category: 2