EP2503092B1 - Locking device for tubular elements - Google Patents
Locking device for tubular elements Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2503092B1 EP2503092B1 EP12159469.1A EP12159469A EP2503092B1 EP 2503092 B1 EP2503092 B1 EP 2503092B1 EP 12159469 A EP12159469 A EP 12159469A EP 2503092 B1 EP2503092 B1 EP 2503092B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- rotary
- casing pipe
- piston
- bolt
- thrust
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004321 preservation Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009412 basement excavation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010720 hydraulic oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B3/00—Rotary drilling
- E21B3/02—Surface drives for rotary drilling
- E21B3/04—Rotary tables
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/16—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/02—Drilling rigs characterised by means for land transport with their own drive, e.g. skid mounting or wheel mounting
- E21B7/021—With a rotary table, i.e. a fixed rotary drive for a relatively advancing tool
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a locking device for tubular elements.
- the present invention relates to a locking device for tubular elements, such as, for example, casing pipes to be driven into bores drilled in the ground for the installation of foundation piles.
- Said casing pipes are used for consolidating the bore walls and prevent them from collapsing, and are coupled to one another in pieces several metres long.
- the drill string excavates the hole during the pipe driving steps and also during the next steps, even when the pipe has already reached its required drive height, because the pile generally goes in deeper.
- the pipes are driven one by one into the ground by a drilling machine that comprises at least one guiding mast (or tower), which is substantially vertical, and at least one tool head for handling both the drill string and the surrounding casing pipes, which are slideable along the mast and are operated by a mechanism exerting a pull and a thrust.
- a drilling machine that comprises at least one guiding mast (or tower), which is substantially vertical, and at least one tool head for handling both the drill string and the surrounding casing pipes, which are slideable along the mast and are operated by a mechanism exerting a pull and a thrust.
- a rotary table is connected internally to the drill string and externally to the first casing pipe piece, thus allowing rotation thereof.
- the casing pipe performs the main function of stabilizing the bore walls and to allow drilling even in particularly hard ground or through water-bearing strata.
- the casing pipe is also fitted with excavating teeth at its edge, in order to bit the ground at the annular portion. It is also characterized by a diameter as large as several metres.
- the excavation equipment further comprises a control cabin for an operator, which cabin contains all the manipulators necessary for operating the machine.
- the connections between the various pieces can be effected by welding, if the casing must not be recovered, or through joints of various types, if the casing must be recovered prior to installation of the foundation pile.
- the male and female joints are characterized by being fitted one into the other with relative ease, while being able to transmit torque and axial movement, i.e. to exert a pull and, if necessary, also a thrust onto the whole string, of which they are essential components. They are provided with devices that allow transmission of torque and axial thrust between one piece and the other: in this particular case, between the pipe piece connected to the rotary table and the string driven into the ground.
- This height corresponds to the length of the pipe piece to be coupled (or decoupled) to (from) the casing string driven into the ground.
- mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic mechanisms have been developed which replace, whether totally or partially, the work of man.
- locking devices comprise so-called “bolts”, which are driven linearly by electric, hydraulic or pneumatic power sources.
- patent DE19621849 and patent DE3721448 describe hydraulic bolts in which the fluid that causes the linear movement of the bolts is moved from the generating source, which is located on a static part of the machine, to the bolt region, which is located on a rotary part.
- the Applicant has observed that in such systems the fixed part, i.e. the one associated with the frame of the rotary table, is totally constrained to the rotary part. If, for any reasons, the two parts should be set apart axially from each other, the power fluid flow would be interrupted and the system would no longer be able to ensure that the bolts can be driven into their seats and held in position or removed therefrom. Power transmissions using fluids flowing into rotary joints are expensive and difficult to implement in equipment requiring a large-diameter gap around the axis of rotation.
- patent publication DE 10 2006 022613 A1 describes a system for engaging and disengaging drill pipes, consisting of a fixed portion, connected to the fixed part of the rotary head, and a rotary portion, connected to the rotary part of the rotary head.
- the system is held in the engaged position by springs arranged on the rotary part, the action of which is countered by actuators mounted on the fixed portion of the system. Therefore, these springs cause the system to have a monostable behavior, i.e. it tends to remain in only one stable condition of engagement because of the elastic action exerted by the springs, from which position it can be temporarily moved in an "unstable” manner only as long as the actuators stay activated in an extended position, thus exerting a countering thrust.
- the springs will automatically pull the system back into the engaged position.
- the fixed actuators are permanently in contact with the rotary part, so that in this condition rotation is prevented or wear is generated between the contacting and relatively moving parts, which may then fail over time.
- the manoeuvre requires no human intervention in the bolt area.
- Each one of these movable and fixed parts is sealed, autonomous and independent of the other, and communicates therewith via an interface of planes which are abutted, pushed or pulled relative to each other.
- the two parts of the device can be moved apart with no consequences other than that of "freezing” the state of the bolts in the position they are in when disconnection occurs, i.e. they remain stable.
- the manoeuvres of the "bolts" are therefore of the stable and held type, i.e. fully open or fully closed.
- the fixed part of the device i.e. the one mounted on the fixed part of the rotary head (frame) may be hydraulic, pneumatic or electric.
- the second part, mounted on the rotary members requires, in order to operate, the displacement of a fluid contained therein in an idle state, which is pressurized by the thrust exerted by members of the device arranged on the fixed part, which come in contact with members of the movable part.
- the second part must necessarily be hydraulic or pneumatic. Therefore, in the light of the above, the second part or movable portion of the device operates in a bistable manner, controlled by the first part or fixed portion of the device. More in detail, the movable portion can selectively and alternately switch between a stable locked condition and a stable unlocked condition every time the fixed portion of the device exerts a thrust on a fluid contained in the movable portion, in accordance with predefined operating modalities (e.g. as a function of the relative angular positions taken by the fixed portion and by the movable portion).
- predefined operating modalities e.g. as a function of the relative angular positions taken by the fixed portion and by the movable portion.
- the movable portion can thus remain in said stable locked condition or in said stable unlocked condition until the fixed portion of the device exerts again a thrust on a fluid contained in the movable portion in accordance with said predefined operating modalities.
- said movable portion moves and holds the bolts in the locked configuration, wherein they are adapted to lock a tubular element or casing pipe to the rotary part of the rotary head.
- said movable portion moves and holds the bolts in the unlocked configuration, wherein they are adapted to release a tubular element or casing pipe from the rotary part of the rotary head. This allows the actuating elements to not stay in contact during the rotations.
- One aspect of the present invention relates to a device having the features set out in the appended claim 1.
- the portion of the drilling machine illustrated therein shows a rotary table 1, slideable along the guides of a guiding mast (tower) 2, which supports the mechanical members that rotate the rotary part or tubular elements 3 connected to the drill strings (not shown) and to rotary part 15 of the locking device, which is directly connected to pipe pieces 19, about the axis of rotation 4.
- the locking device is arranged on said rotary table 1 and comprises a fixed portion, indicated by the closed dashed line 50, associated with the fixed part of the rotary table, and a movable portion, indicated by the closed dashed lines 51, associated with rotary part 3 of table 1.
- the fixed part of rotary table 1 (frame) is meant to be that non-rotating part which can move axially along the axis of rotation 4 through the guides of tower 2.
- rotary part of rotary table 1 is meant to be that part which includes the mechanical members that comprise and rotate said tubular elements 3.
- Fixed portion 50 of the device comprises at least one drive actuator 5, preferably a linear one, e.g. of the electric, hydraulic or pneumatic type, the axis of which is preferably parallel to the axis of rotation 4, which is adapted to handle a thrust member 11-11', preferably a linear actuator, through contact with movable portion 51 of the device.
- drive actuator 5 preferably a linear one, e.g. of the electric, hydraulic or pneumatic type, the axis of which is preferably parallel to the axis of rotation 4, which is adapted to handle a thrust member 11-11', preferably a linear actuator, through contact with movable portion 51 of the device.
- Said movable portion 51 comprises at least one handling member 16-16' acting upon at least one bolt 17 - 17', which receives the thrust from said thrust member 11-11' when the latter is in contact with actuator 5, and which is adapted to insert or extract, in a stable and held manner, said at least one bolt into/from at least one coupling sleeve defined between the rotary part of the table and the tubular element, fitted or joined one over the other.
- Said actuator 5 is preferably powered by power hoses or cables 6, 6' connected to a power assembly of the drilling machine; said thrust member comprises a thrust plate 7, which is driven by the actuator for a stroke 8 along the axis of rotation.
- the handling member comprises at least one locking counterplate 9 and at least one unlocking counterplate 9', adapted to receive the thrust from the thrust plate, e.g. when they are near the same vertical axis, in such a way as to insert or extract said at least one bolt in order to lock or unlock the tubular element to/from the rotary part of the table.
- the handling member is preferably of the hydraulic type, e.g. a hydraulic linear actuator, and comprises at least one first fluid-containing locking chamber 10 that is pressurized by the downward movement of locking plate 9, through at least one first locking piston 11.
- At least one pair of locking ducts 12 and 12' carry the fluid from the locking chamber to at least one pair of opposite second locking chambers 13 and 13' of respective cylinders 14 and 14'.
- the pressure of the fluid in said second chambers pushes pairs of second pistons 16 and 16', which in turn push bolts 17 and 17' along channels 18 and 18', until they enter into holes 20 and 20' of casing pipe 19, thus constraining rotary portion 15 connected to rotary part 3 of table 1 to the same casing pipe 19.
- matching the holes may be facilitated by radial striker elements ensuring coaxiality of the holes.
- At least one pair of safety valves 22 or 22' are mounted in line on the pair of locking ducts 12 or 12' to ensure a positive and constant locking of the bolts.
- the handling member comprises at least one first unlocking chamber 10', which is pressurized by the downward movement of the unlocking plate 9', through at least one first unlocking piston 11'.
- each cylinder 14 or 14' there is a second unlocking chamber 23 or 23', located on the opposite side of piston 16 or 16' with respect to the second locking chamber 13 or 13'. At least one pair of unlocking ducts 21 and 21' carry the fluid from the first unlocking chamber to the pair of opposite unlocking chambers 23 and 23'.
- Additional safety valves 24 and 24' mounted in line on ducts 21 and 21' ensure a positive and constant unlocking of the bolts, which have now fully returned into the respective ducts, after having released positively and definitively, i.e. in a stable and held manner, casing pipe 19 from rotary portion 15 connected to rotary part 3 of rotary table 1.
- both the first locking chamber 10 and the first unlocking chamber 10' have a dual-piston configuration with return springs 25.
- Volume compensation tank 26 thus allows reducing the quantity of working fluid in rotary part 51 and handling the differential volumes which are created while the bolts are being actuated.
- unlocking counterplate 9' i.e. the one for releasing bolts 17 and 17', instead of counterplate 9, under thrust plate 7.
- thrust plate 7 will sink by unlocking quantity 8'.
- the system will provide for pressurizing unlocking chambers 23 and 23' which, by displacing pistons 16 and 16' in cylinders 14 and 14', will disengage the bolts in a stable and held manner.
- the number of bolts may be increased; likewise, components 9, 10, 11 (9', 10', 11') of the "movable" secondary part are at least two, but there may be more of them as well.
- the bolts (two of which are shown herein because this is the minimum number of components in opposing balance) may even be three (arranged at 120°) or more, or anyway in a number sufficient to transmit the required pull and thrust. If the number of bolts increases, they can carry lighter forces and their dimensions can be decreased, resulting in increased radial compactness, reduced dimensions of the fittings to be provided on the casing pipes, and reduced minimum thickness of the bolts themselves.
- the number of drive actuators 11-11' on the rotary part 51 may be reduced to at least one.
- a remotely controlled selector valve may divert the flow from a first system, including devices 14-17 adapted to control the locking of bolts, to a second system, including devices 14'-17' adapted to control the unlocking of bolts.
- the other system elements present in rotary part 51 will be common to both locking and unlocking systems, exactly as shown in Fig. 2 .
- the simplest embodiment includes at least one linear actuator 5 integral with fixed part 50, which drives at least one linear actuator 11 integral with rotary part 51 via (direct or indirect) mechanical contact that generates the insertion or extraction movement of at least one bolt 17, which thus remains inserted in or extracted from seats 18, 20 of tubular elements 15 and 19 in a stable and held manner.
- Bolts 17 and 17' have preferably a conical shape in the portion thereof penetrating into holes 20, 20' of casing pipes 19.
- the same holes 20, 20' may thus have a conical seat, the conicity of which may be equal to or greater than that of bolts 17, in order to facilitate the extraction of the latter.
- At least one of the two holes may be elliptic in shape, the hole elongating in the horizontal direction. This particular shape will aid the insertion of the bolt into the seat and will allow for less accuracy of the holes themselves (diameter and angular pitch).
- Bolts 17 and 17' may therefore have a cylindrical shape, with the advantage of a much larger area of contact with the thickness of pipe 19.
- Cylinders 14 and 14' are preferably but not necessarily arranged radially relative to axis 4, and may also be connected indirectly via suitable links.
- cylinders 14 and 14' are mounted tangentially to the circumference of the coupling sleeve between the casing pipe and the rotary part of the table.
- a toroidal chamber 29 is obtained partially (e.g. for one half) in rotary part 15 connected to rotary part 3 of table 1 and partially in casing pipe 19.
- Said chamber may be of the full-circumference or sector type, as shown in the drawing.
- piston 16 or 16' pushes into toroidal chamber 29 a bolt consisting of a flexible element 28, e.g. a "chain” made out of rollers (or a rope, or a spring...), said rollers being connected together, the first one of which being connected at one end to the stem of piston 16 or 16'.
- Said rollers have, preferably but not necessarily, an axis parallel to the axis of rotation 4.
- Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein actuator 5 mounted on the fixed part, preferably of the linear type, does not carry the typical thrust plate 7, but an abutment surface 30, represented without limitation herein as a roller.
- Locking chamber 10 and unlocking chamber 10' are mounted horizontally and tangentially with respect to axis 4. Pressurization of the fluid contained in said chambers still occurs through the sliding motion of the first linear actuator or locking piston 11 and unlocking piston 11', which are secured to counterplates 9 and 9', the surface of which abutting against the sliding part of actuator 5 being now vertical.
- roller 30 in direction K which is substantially parallel to the direction of axis 4, and the rotation of the rotary part of the table in direction R about axis 4, bring components 30 and 9 or 9' in contact with each other.
- a further rotation R about axis 4 generates a thrust from counterplate 9 or 9' against roller 30 in direction C-C.
- This thrust displaces piston 11 or 11' in the fluid chamber 10 or 10', thus locking or unlocking the bolts, as shown in Fig. 1 .
- Yet another variant concerns the shape of plates 7, 9 and 9'.
- One of them, e.g. thrust plate 7, may be implemented by means of an idle wheel supported by the actuator. The contact between the plates will be in this case a rolling contact (as opposed to the sliding contact of the previous solution), and this may promote relative radial movements which could be necessary to aid the insertion of bolts 17 and 17', also when the surfaces are in contact with each other.
- the system is pressurized by an in-line valve, which is needed to increase the pressure upstream of the cylinders, and which also allows charging accumulator 27. In this manner, the energy produced is released all of a sudden, thereby having an impulsive effect upon the bolts, which can thus enter into the respective seats more rapidly.
- Bolt 17 and 17' normally cylindrical in shape, may be modified to become an actuating cylinder. At the outermost part in the radial direction, there may be an increased diameter allowing insertion and extraction movements. This will result in the elimination of cylinders 16 and 16'.
- bolts 17 and 17' may also be prismatic and elongated, so as to transmit also the transversal loads generated by torque transmission, thereby avoiding the need for radial strikers mounted on the casing pipes specifically for this purpose.
- the first locking and unlocking cylinders 10, 10' may be single, as shown in Fig. 1 , or double (or more), as shown in the diagram of Fig. 2 ; they may also be arranged horizontally, tangential to the rotary part of the table. In this manner, plate 7 may no longer be horizontal, but substantially vertical, and the same layout should also be applied to counterplates 9 and 9'.
- at least one of them (7 or 9 and 9') may be shaped like a plate positioned parallel to a radial axis, and the countering plate should also be shaped like a plate or, as aforesaid, like a wheel in order to exploit the rolling effect.
- Machine secondary system part 51 is completely separated from the machine, in that it is autonomous, sealed and independent. All components (tank, cylinders, valves, accumulator) are mounted on the rotary part of the string and require no power connection to the remaining part of the equipment.
- the fluid that powers the secondary system may be different from the one that powers the primary system.
- the application of the invention to the "movable" secondary system may be hydraulic, thus avoiding those problems which are typical of the sliding contacts employed in prior-art solutions, which are not compatible with the working environment of the present machinery, i.e. drilling machines.
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Description
- The present invention relates to a locking device for tubular elements. In particular, the present invention relates to a locking device for tubular elements, such as, for example, casing pipes to be driven into bores drilled in the ground for the installation of foundation piles.
- Said casing pipes are used for consolidating the bore walls and prevent them from collapsing, and are coupled to one another in pieces several metres long. Within these casing pipes, the drill string excavates the hole during the pipe driving steps and also during the next steps, even when the pipe has already reached its required drive height, because the pile generally goes in deeper.
- The pipes are driven one by one into the ground by a drilling machine that comprises at least one guiding mast (or tower), which is substantially vertical, and at least one tool head for handling both the drill string and the surrounding casing pipes, which are slideable along the mast and are operated by a mechanism exerting a pull and a thrust.
- At the end of said tool head, a rotary table is connected internally to the drill string and externally to the first casing pipe piece, thus allowing rotation thereof. The casing pipe performs the main function of stabilizing the bore walls and to allow drilling even in particularly hard ground or through water-bearing strata. The casing pipe is also fitted with excavating teeth at its edge, in order to bit the ground at the annular portion. It is also characterized by a diameter as large as several metres.
- The excavation equipment further comprises a control cabin for an operator, which cabin contains all the manipulators necessary for operating the machine.
- The connections between the various pieces can be effected by welding, if the casing must not be recovered, or through joints of various types, if the casing must be recovered prior to installation of the foundation pile. The male and female joints are characterized by being fitted one into the other with relative ease, while being able to transmit torque and axial movement, i.e. to exert a pull and, if necessary, also a thrust onto the whole string, of which they are essential components. They are provided with devices that allow transmission of torque and axial thrust between one piece and the other: in this particular case, between the pipe piece connected to the rotary table and the string driven into the ground.
- Radial locking is normally ensured by interpenetrating fretted profiles, keys, bayonet-style joints or the like, capable of transmitting rotational torque. Axial locking is ensured by screws or pins going through the thickness of both joints and capable of transmitting pull or thrust. Screws and pins are normally driven or screwed in manually. When the casing pipe has been fully driven into the ground, the coupling with the next pipe can be easily accomplished by hand, in that this operation can be carried out at ground level. On the contrary, the connection between the top of the casing pipe still to be driven into ground and the rotary table of the machine must be made several metres above ground. The personnel entrusted with this task must therefore work in uncomfortable positions at a height of several metres from ground level. This height corresponds to the length of the pipe piece to be coupled (or decoupled) to (from) the casing string driven into the ground. In order to facilitate and make safer the work of the people who must install and remove the accessories used for joining two contiguous pieces of casing pipe, mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic mechanisms have been developed which replace, whether totally or partially, the work of man. In the prior art, such locking devices comprise so-called "bolts", which are driven linearly by electric, hydraulic or pneumatic power sources.
- More specifically,
patent DE19621849 andpatent DE3721448 describe hydraulic bolts in which the fluid that causes the linear movement of the bolts is moved from the generating source, which is located on a static part of the machine, to the bolt region, which is located on a rotary part. There is only one power fluid supply system, continuous from the fixed part to the rotary part, which uses hydraulic or pneumatic joints or sliding electric contacts. - The Applicant has observed that in such systems the fixed part, i.e. the one associated with the frame of the rotary table, is totally constrained to the rotary part. If, for any reasons, the two parts should be set apart axially from each other, the power fluid flow would be interrupted and the system would no longer be able to ensure that the bolts can be driven into their seats and held in position or removed therefrom. Power transmissions using fluids flowing into rotary joints are expensive and difficult to implement in equipment requiring a large-diameter gap around the axis of rotation.
- Furthermore,
patent publication DE 10 2006 022613 A1 describes a system for engaging and disengaging drill pipes, consisting of a fixed portion, connected to the fixed part of the rotary head, and a rotary portion, connected to the rotary part of the rotary head. The system is held in the engaged position by springs arranged on the rotary part, the action of which is countered by actuators mounted on the fixed portion of the system. Therefore, these springs cause the system to have a monostable behavior, i.e. it tends to remain in only one stable condition of engagement because of the elastic action exerted by the springs, from which position it can be temporarily moved in an "unstable" manner only as long as the actuators stay activated in an extended position, thus exerting a countering thrust. In fact, as soon as the actuators are deactivated, the springs will automatically pull the system back into the engaged position. In addition, in the extended configuration the fixed actuators are permanently in contact with the rotary part, so that in this condition rotation is prevented or wear is generated between the contacting and relatively moving parts, which may then fail over time. - It is the object of the present invention to provide a locking device for rotary tubular elements, wherein bolts are driven in to securely and stably constrain together two half-joints belonging to two contiguous tubular element pieces by means of a linear movement generated by a pressurized fluid or through magnetic or electric means, wherein the connection between the fixed part of the device and the movable part is accomplished exclusively by means of mechanical thrust between linear actuators, generated by physical contact between the two parts.
- The manoeuvre requires no human intervention in the bolt area.
- Each one of these movable and fixed parts is sealed, autonomous and independent of the other, and communicates therewith via an interface of planes which are abutted, pushed or pulled relative to each other.
- The two parts of the device can be moved apart with no consequences other than that of "freezing" the state of the bolts in the position they are in when disconnection occurs, i.e. they remain stable. The manoeuvres of the "bolts" are therefore of the stable and held type, i.e. fully open or fully closed. The fixed part of the device, i.e. the one mounted on the fixed part of the rotary head (frame), may be hydraulic, pneumatic or electric. The second part, mounted on the rotary members, requires, in order to operate, the displacement of a fluid contained therein in an idle state, which is pressurized by the thrust exerted by members of the device arranged on the fixed part, which come in contact with members of the movable part. For the above reasons, the second part must necessarily be hydraulic or pneumatic. Therefore, in the light of the above, the second part or movable portion of the device operates in a bistable manner, controlled by the first part or fixed portion of the device. More in detail, the movable portion can selectively and alternately switch between a stable locked condition and a stable unlocked condition every time the fixed portion of the device exerts a thrust on a fluid contained in the movable portion, in accordance with predefined operating modalities (e.g. as a function of the relative angular positions taken by the fixed portion and by the movable portion). The movable portion can thus remain in said stable locked condition or in said stable unlocked condition until the fixed portion of the device exerts again a thrust on a fluid contained in the movable portion in accordance with said predefined operating modalities. In the stable locked condition, said movable portion moves and holds the bolts in the locked configuration, wherein they are adapted to lock a tubular element or casing pipe to the rotary part of the rotary head. Conversely, in the stable unlocked condition said movable portion moves and holds the bolts in the unlocked configuration, wherein they are adapted to release a tubular element or casing pipe from the rotary part of the rotary head. This allows the actuating elements to not stay in contact during the rotations.
- One aspect of the present invention relates to a device having the features set out in the appended
claim 1. - One exemplary but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:
-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of that portion of a drilling machine where the connection is made between the rotary table and a tubular element in accordance with a first embodiment of the locking device of the present invention; -
Figure 2 shows the hydraulic circuit of the device ofFig. 1 ; -
Figures 3a-3e diagrammatically show the connection between the rotary table and a tubular element in accordance with a second embodiment of the locking device of the present invention; -
Figure 4 is a perspective view of that portion of a drilling machine where the connection is made between the rotary table and a tubular element in accordance with a variant of the present invention. - With reference to the above-mentioned drawings, the portion of the drilling machine illustrated therein shows a rotary table 1, slideable along the guides of a guiding mast (tower) 2, which supports the mechanical members that rotate the rotary part or
tubular elements 3 connected to the drill strings (not shown) and to rotarypart 15 of the locking device, which is directly connected topipe pieces 19, about the axis ofrotation 4. - With particular reference to
Fig. 1 , the locking device according to the present invention is arranged on said rotary table 1 and comprises a fixed portion, indicated by the closeddashed line 50, associated with the fixed part of the rotary table, and a movable portion, indicated by the closeddashed lines 51, associated withrotary part 3 of table 1. - For the purposes of the present invention, the fixed part of rotary table 1 (frame) is meant to be that non-rotating part which can move axially along the axis of
rotation 4 through the guides oftower 2. - For the purposes of the present invention, the rotary part of rotary table 1 is meant to be that part which includes the mechanical members that comprise and rotate said
tubular elements 3. - Fixed
portion 50 of the device comprises at least onedrive actuator 5, preferably a linear one, e.g. of the electric, hydraulic or pneumatic type, the axis of which is preferably parallel to the axis ofrotation 4, which is adapted to handle a thrust member 11-11', preferably a linear actuator, through contact withmovable portion 51 of the device. Saidmovable portion 51 comprises at least one handling member 16-16' acting upon at least one bolt 17 - 17', which receives the thrust from said thrust member 11-11' when the latter is in contact withactuator 5, and which is adapted to insert or extract, in a stable and held manner, said at least one bolt into/from at least one coupling sleeve defined between the rotary part of the table and the tubular element, fitted or joined one over the other. - Said
actuator 5 is preferably powered by power hoses or cables 6, 6' connected to a power assembly of the drilling machine; said thrust member comprises athrust plate 7, which is driven by the actuator for astroke 8 along the axis of rotation. - Preferably, the handling member comprises at least one
locking counterplate 9 and at least one unlocking counterplate 9', adapted to receive the thrust from the thrust plate, e.g. when they are near the same vertical axis, in such a way as to insert or extract said at least one bolt in order to lock or unlock the tubular element to/from the rotary part of the table. - Furthermore, the handling member is preferably of the hydraulic type, e.g. a hydraulic linear actuator, and comprises at least one first fluid-containing
locking chamber 10 that is pressurized by the downward movement oflocking plate 9, through at least onefirst locking piston 11. At least one pair oflocking ducts 12 and 12' carry the fluid from the locking chamber to at least one pair of oppositesecond locking chambers 13 and 13' ofrespective cylinders 14 and 14'. The pressure of the fluid in said second chambers pushes pairs ofsecond pistons 16 and 16', which in turn pushbolts 17 and 17' alongchannels 18 and 18', until they enter into holes 20 and 20' ofcasing pipe 19, thus constrainingrotary portion 15 connected torotary part 3 of table 1 to thesame casing pipe 19. In this respect, matching the holes may be facilitated by radial striker elements ensuring coaxiality of the holes. - At least one pair of
safety valves 22 or 22' are mounted in line on the pair oflocking ducts 12 or 12' to ensure a positive and constant locking of the bolts. - The handling member comprises at least one first unlocking
chamber 10', which is pressurized by the downward movement of the unlocking plate 9', through at least one first unlocking piston 11'. - Within each
cylinder 14 or 14' there is a second unlockingchamber 23 or 23', located on the opposite side ofpiston 16 or 16' with respect to thesecond locking chamber 13 or 13'. At least one pair of unlockingducts 21 and 21' carry the fluid from the first unlocking chamber to the pair of opposite unlockingchambers 23 and 23'. - The pressure against unlocking counterplate 9', exerted by
thrust plate 7, is then transmitted to piston 11', which causes fluid to move from the first unlockingchamber 10' to the second unlockingchambers 23 and 23'. This moves thesecond pistons 16 and 16' in the direction opposite to that which allows locking the bolts. In this manner, the bolts are moved backwards inchannels 18 and 18', until they releaserotary portion 15 connected torotary part 3 of table 1 onadjacent casing pipe 19. -
Additional safety valves 24 and 24' mounted in line onducts 21 and 21' ensure a positive and constant unlocking of the bolts, which have now fully returned into the respective ducts, after having released positively and definitively, i.e. in a stable and held manner,casing pipe 19 fromrotary portion 15 connected torotary part 3 of rotary table 1. - The hydraulic diagram of
Fig. 2 is recommended for the case wherein the power transmission fluid selected for use in the "movable" handling member ofrotary part 51 is hydraulic oil. In the solution shown, both thefirst locking chamber 10 and the first unlockingchamber 10' have a dual-piston configuration with return springs 25. There are also avolume compensation tank 26 and at least onepressure accumulator 27.Pressure accumulator 27 ensures pressurization of the system when the bolts are closed and preservation of the energy received via the thrust ofactuator 5. -
Volume compensation tank 26 thus allows reducing the quantity of working fluid inrotary part 51 and handling the differential volumes which are created while the bolts are being actuated. - Once the bolts have been locked inside holes 20, thrust
plate 7 is withdrawn along itsstroke 8, ensuring that, when in operation, there is always asafety distance 8" betweenplate 7 andcounterplate 9 or 9'. From this moment onwards, the casing pipe pieces can be rotated and pushed or pulled while the bolts remain firmly in position. - When an additional casing pipe piece must be coupled onto
casing pipe piece 19, it will be sufficient to stop the rotation and place unlocking counterplate 9', i.e. the one for releasingbolts 17 and 17', instead ofcounterplate 9, underthrust plate 7. During itsstroke 8, thrustplate 7 will sink by unlocking quantity 8'. This time, the system will provide for pressurizing unlockingchambers 23 and 23' which, by displacingpistons 16 and 16' incylinders 14 and 14', will disengage the bolts in a stable and held manner. - In the embodiment shown in all of the annexed drawings there are two bolts. In particular, in the embodiment shown in
Fig. 1 they are arranged radially relative to the cross-section of the tubular element, whereas in the embodiment shown inFigs. 3a-3e they are tangential to the circumference of the cross-section of the coupling sleeve. - Of course, within the scope of the present invention, the number of bolts may be increased; likewise,
components - Also the number of drive actuators 11-11' on the
rotary part 51 may be reduced to at least one. In such a case, a remotely controlled selector valve may divert the flow from a first system, including devices 14-17 adapted to control the locking of bolts, to a second system, including devices 14'-17' adapted to control the unlocking of bolts. In this simplified variant, the other system elements present inrotary part 51 will be common to both locking and unlocking systems, exactly as shown inFig. 2 . - Therefore, the simplest embodiment includes at least one
linear actuator 5 integral withfixed part 50, which drives at least onelinear actuator 11 integral withrotary part 51 via (direct or indirect) mechanical contact that generates the insertion or extraction movement of at least onebolt 17, which thus remains inserted in or extracted fromseats 18, 20 oftubular elements Bolts 17 and 17' have preferably a conical shape in the portion thereof penetrating into holes 20, 20' ofcasing pipes 19. The same holes 20, 20' may thus have a conical seat, the conicity of which may be equal to or greater than that ofbolts 17, in order to facilitate the extraction of the latter. - As an alternative to this solution, at least one of the two holes, e.g. 20 and 20', may be elliptic in shape, the hole elongating in the horizontal direction. This particular shape will aid the insertion of the bolt into the seat and will allow for less accuracy of the holes themselves (diameter and angular pitch).
Bolts 17 and 17' may therefore have a cylindrical shape, with the advantage of a much larger area of contact with the thickness ofpipe 19. - The residual play between elliptic hole 20, 20' and the dimensions of
bolts 17, 17' will be completely eliminated by the first setting rotation occurring as the casing pipe starts operating. -
Cylinders 14 and 14' are preferably but not necessarily arranged radially relative toaxis 4, and may also be connected indirectly via suitable links. - In the embodiment shown in
Figs. 3a-3e ,cylinders 14 and 14' are mounted tangentially to the circumference of the coupling sleeve between the casing pipe and the rotary part of the table. - A
toroidal chamber 29 is obtained partially (e.g. for one half) inrotary part 15 connected torotary part 3 of table 1 and partially incasing pipe 19. Said chamber may be of the full-circumference or sector type, as shown in the drawing. As it travels incylinder 14 or 14',piston 16 or 16' pushes into toroidal chamber 29 a bolt consisting of aflexible element 28, e.g. a "chain" made out of rollers (or a rope, or a spring...), said rollers being connected together, the first one of which being connected at one end to the stem ofpiston 16 or 16'. Said rollers have, preferably but not necessarily, an axis parallel to the axis ofrotation 4. - The stroke of
pistons 16 and 16' intoroidal chamber 29 causes "chain" 28 to follow a path identified in the drawing by angle α. The heads of the rollers that make upchain 28, which are in contact with the horizontal walls oftoroidal chamber 29, prevent any axial sliding, de facto making said rollers axially constrained to each other with absolute certainty. -
Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention, whereinactuator 5 mounted on the fixed part, preferably of the linear type, does not carry thetypical thrust plate 7, but anabutment surface 30, represented without limitation herein as a roller. - Locking
chamber 10 and unlockingchamber 10', unlike those shown inFig. 1 , are mounted horizontally and tangentially with respect toaxis 4. Pressurization of the fluid contained in said chambers still occurs through the sliding motion of the first linear actuator or lockingpiston 11 and unlocking piston 11', which are secured tocounterplates 9 and 9', the surface of which abutting against the sliding part ofactuator 5 being now vertical. - The sliding of
roller 30 in direction K, which is substantially parallel to the direction ofaxis 4, and the rotation of the rotary part of the table in direction R aboutaxis 4, bringcomponents - A further rotation R about
axis 4 generates a thrust fromcounterplate 9 or 9' againstroller 30 in direction C-C. This thrust displacespiston 11 or 11' in thefluid chamber Fig. 1 . Yet another variant concerns the shape ofplates e.g. thrust plate 7, may be implemented by means of an idle wheel supported by the actuator. The contact between the plates will be in this case a rolling contact (as opposed to the sliding contact of the previous solution), and this may promote relative radial movements which could be necessary to aid the insertion ofbolts 17 and 17', also when the surfaces are in contact with each other. - As the bolt is being inserted (i.e. when
plate 7 comes in contact with counterplate 9), the system is pressurized by an in-line valve, which is needed to increase the pressure upstream of the cylinders, and which also allows chargingaccumulator 27. In this manner, the energy produced is released all of a sudden, thereby having an impulsive effect upon the bolts, which can thus enter into the respective seats more rapidly. -
Bolt 17 and 17', normally cylindrical in shape, may be modified to become an actuating cylinder. At the outermost part in the radial direction, there may be an increased diameter allowing insertion and extraction movements. This will result in the elimination ofcylinders 16 and 16'. - The shape of
bolts 17 and 17' may also be prismatic and elongated, so as to transmit also the transversal loads generated by torque transmission, thereby avoiding the need for radial strikers mounted on the casing pipes specifically for this purpose. - The first locking and unlocking
cylinders Fig. 1 , or double (or more), as shown in the diagram ofFig. 2 ; they may also be arranged horizontally, tangential to the rotary part of the table. In this manner,plate 7 may no longer be horizontal, but substantially vertical, and the same layout should also be applied tocounterplates 9 and 9'. In particular, at least one of them (7 or 9 and 9') may be shaped like a plate positioned parallel to a radial axis, and the countering plate should also be shaped like a plate or, as aforesaid, like a wheel in order to exploit the rolling effect. - The present invention achieves the following advantages:
- its application allows casing pipes to be mounted automatically under the rotary table, without human intervention except for the operator at the controls.
- "Fixed"
primary power system 50 on board the machine, i.e. on the frame of rotary table 1, requires no invasive modifications. A single piston, representinglinear actuator 5, is sufficient to make any excavation equipment suitable for supporting the device of the present invention. - "Movable"
secondary system part 51, as shown inFig. 2 , is completely separated from the machine, in that it is autonomous, sealed and independent. All components (tank, cylinders, valves, accumulator) are mounted on the rotary part of the string and require no power connection to the remaining part of the equipment. The fluid that powers the secondary system may be different from the one that powers the primary system. - Contact between fixed and rotary parts only occurs as the bolts are being locked/unlocked, and for a very short time compared to the duration of the operation for inserting the casing pipes, because the drives are of the stable and held type. The stresses generated by mutual contact between the two parts are also limited to the same short time. Advantageously, the application of the invention to the "movable" secondary system may be hydraulic, thus avoiding those problems which are typical of the sliding contacts employed in prior-art solutions, which are not compatible with the working environment of the present machinery, i.e. drilling machines.
Claims (16)
- A device for locking casing pipes (19) to a drilling machine adapted to drive said casing pipes (19) into the ground,
said drilling machine essentially comprising at least one guiding mast (2) and at least one rotary tool head (1) for handling said casing pipes (19) which are slideable along the guiding mast (2) and are operated by a mechanism that causes axial movement,
said rotary head (1) comprising at least one fixed part slideable along the guides of said mast or tower (2) and one rotary part (3) connected to the first casing pipe piece (19), allowing rotation thereof about an axis of rotation (4),
wherein said locking device is arranged on said rotary head (1) and comprises a fixed portion (50) associated with a fixed part of said rotary head (1) and a movable portion (51) associated with said rotary part (3) of said rotary head (1),
wherein said fixed portion (50) is hydraulic or pneumatic or electric;
characterized in that said movable portion (51) is hydraulic or pneumatic; said portions (50, 51) being provided with separate power systems independent of each other. - Device according to claim 1, wherein said fixed portion (50) comprises at least one drive actuator (5) adapted to handle a piston (11, 11') through contact with said movable portion (51).
- Device according to claim 2, wherein said drive actuator (5) and said piston (11, 11') are linear actuators.
- Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said movable portion (51) operates in a bistable manner, controlled by said fixed portion (50) and is able to selectively and alternately switch between a stable locked condition and a stable unlocked condition every time said fixed portion (50) exerts a thrust on a fluid contained in said movable portion (51), in accordance with predefined operating modalities.
- Device according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein said movable portion (51) comprises at least one handling member (16, 16') which receives the thrust from said piston (11, 11') when they are in contact, and which is adapted to insert or extract at least one bolt (17, 17') into/from at least one coupling sleeve, defined between the rotary part (3) of the table and the casing pipe (19), fitted or inserted one over the other.
- Device according to claim 5, wherein said actuator (5) is powered by a power assembly of the drilling machine.
- Device according to claim 5, wherein the handling member comprises at least one locking counterplate (9) and at least one unlocking counterplate (9'), which are adapted to receive the thrust from said piston (11, 11') in such a way as to insert or extract said at least one bolt (17, 17') in order to lock or unlock the casing pipe (19) of the rotary part of the table.
- Device according to claim 7, wherein said at least one bolt (17, 17') is inserted or extracted in a stable and held manner.
- Device according to claim 5, wherein said at least one bolt (17,17') has a conical shape and is inserted into at least one hole (20,20') of said casing pipe (19).
- Device according to claim 5, wherein said at least one bolt (17,17') has a prismatic shape and is inserted into at least one hole (20,20') of said casing pipe (19).
- Device according to claim 5, wherein said at least one bolt (17,17') has a cylindrical shape and is inserted into at least one hole (20,20') of said casing pipe (19).
- Device according to claim 5, wherein said at least one bolt consists of a flexible element (28) which is inserted into a toroidal chamber (29) obtained partially in a rotary part (15) connected to the rotary part (3) of the table (1) and partially in the casing pipe (19).
- Device according to claim 7, wherein said locking (9) and unlocking (9') counterplates receive the thrust from said piston (11, 11') in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation (4).
- Device according to claim 7, wherein said locking (9) and unlocking (9') counterplates receive the thrust from said piston (11, 11') in a horizontal direction through the rotation of the rotary part of the table.
- Device according to claim 1, wherein the system of the rotary part is constituted by at least one volume compensation tank (26) and at least one pressure accumulator (27), which ensure pressurization of the system when the bolts are closed and preservation of the energy received through the thrust exerted by the actuator (5).
- Device according to claim 7, wherein the said piston (11, 11') provides for the movement of at least one second piston (16, 16') which in turn pushes said at least one bolt (17, 17') along a channel (18, 18'), until it enters into a hole (20, 20') of said casing pipe (19), thus constraining said rotary portion (15), which is connected to said rotary part (3), to the same casing pipe (19).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT000248A ITTO20110248A1 (en) | 2011-03-22 | 2011-03-22 | LOCKING DEVICE FOR TUBULAR ELEMENTS. |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2503092A1 EP2503092A1 (en) | 2012-09-26 |
EP2503092B1 true EP2503092B1 (en) | 2016-04-27 |
Family
ID=43977482
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP12159469.1A Active EP2503092B1 (en) | 2011-03-22 | 2012-03-14 | Locking device for tubular elements |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP2503092B1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITTO20110248A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN103075109B (en) * | 2013-03-13 | 2014-11-19 | 三一重工股份有限公司 | Rotary drilling rig and follow-up rack thereof |
DE102013020761B4 (en) * | 2013-12-09 | 2018-01-04 | Stahl- und Apparatebau Hans Leffer GmbH & Co. KG | Locking device and method for the tool holder of a rotary drilling rig |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1812721A (en) * | 1927-07-09 | 1931-06-30 | Sheldon Machinery Corp | Well drilling apparatus |
DE3642387A1 (en) * | 1986-12-11 | 1988-06-30 | Delmag Maschinenfabrik | Device for setting drill stems in rotational motion and for axially moving drill stems |
DE3721448A1 (en) * | 1987-06-30 | 1989-01-19 | Bilfinger Berger Bau | Casing adaptor |
DE19621849C2 (en) * | 1996-05-30 | 1997-07-31 | Bilfinger Berger Bau | Device for rotating and axially moving drill pipe strings |
DE10023467C1 (en) * | 2000-05-12 | 2001-09-27 | Bauer Spezialtiefbau | Boring device, to form bores using borer tubes, has holder unit with rotation plate for borer tube having radial locking opening and has locking unit on plate with locking bolt to lock borer tube |
US6488094B1 (en) * | 2001-07-25 | 2002-12-03 | Delmc, Inc. | Method and apparatus for shutting off upward flow from a conduit |
DE102004034703A1 (en) * | 2004-07-17 | 2006-02-16 | Abf-Bohrtechnik Gmbh & Co. Kg | Device for actuating the locking bolts of the tool holder of a drilling device |
ATE398227T1 (en) * | 2006-04-26 | 2008-07-15 | Bauer Maschinen Gmbh | CLUTCH DEVICE |
DE102006022613B4 (en) * | 2006-05-15 | 2008-08-07 | Klemm Bohrtechnik Zweigniederlassung Der Bauer Maschinen Gmbh | Drill drive unit and drill |
-
2011
- 2011-03-22 IT IT000248A patent/ITTO20110248A1/en unknown
-
2012
- 2012-03-14 EP EP12159469.1A patent/EP2503092B1/en active Active
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EP2503092A1 (en) | 2012-09-26 |
ITTO20110248A1 (en) | 2012-09-23 |
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