EP2650466B1 - Clamping jaw and clamping device comprising such a jaw - Google Patents

Clamping jaw and clamping device comprising such a jaw Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2650466B1
EP2650466B1 EP13163716.7A EP13163716A EP2650466B1 EP 2650466 B1 EP2650466 B1 EP 2650466B1 EP 13163716 A EP13163716 A EP 13163716A EP 2650466 B1 EP2650466 B1 EP 2650466B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
clamping
plates
stack
jaw
plate
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EP13163716.7A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2650466A2 (en
EP2650466A3 (en
Inventor
Michel COUDRY
François PHILIPPE
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Soletanche Freyssinet SA
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Soletanche Freyssinet SA
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Publication of EP2650466A3 publication Critical patent/EP2650466A3/en
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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
    • 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
    • E21B19/161—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of clamping jaws.
  • a clamping jaw according to the present invention is particularly adapted to be integrated in a device for clamping rods or drill pipes of a drilling machine, to allow the connection of successive rods or tubes prior to their introduction into the ground, or ensure their separation once drilling is complete.
  • a drilling machine comprising a clamping jaw of the aforementioned type is described below with reference to the figure 1 .
  • the drilling machine 100 comprises a frame 112 on which is mounted, generally in an articulated manner, a drillpole 114. On the frame 112 are mounted other equipment such as the control panel 116 of the drilling machine 100.
  • the drilling mast 114 serves as a guide rail for a drilling tool not shown in the figure and which is rotated and translated by a rotation head 118 via drill rods 120.
  • drill rods 120 constituting a drill string 122.
  • the connection between two successive drill rods 120 is then often made by screwing between a threaded end of one of the rods, and a threaded end complementary to the second.
  • a clamping device 126 (hereinafter lower clamping device), also known as “guillotine”, whose function will stand out better from the description which follows.
  • the clamping device 126 usually comprises a plurality of clamping jaws each having an engagement zone for contacting a drill pipe 120 and arranged relative to each other to take said rod 120 in a vice.
  • An example of a known clamping device is described in the patent application FR 2 549 892 .
  • US 6,931,965 B1 describes a tool according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • AU 531402 B2 discloses a key comprising rotating toothed disks. When a first drill pipe has been introduced into the ground, it is necessary that it is immobilized so that a second rod can be screwed onto its upper end. In the opposite case, the rotation of the second rod would cause the first rod to rotate simultaneously inside the borehole, preventing good screwing between the two rods.
  • the clamping device 126 ensures this immobilization of the first drill pipe.
  • the first rod being held firmly in position, the second rod can easily be screwed to it by rotating the rotation head 118.
  • This process is repeated as many times as necessary to achieve the desired drilling depth.
  • the operation of the machine 100 is slightly different during the extraction of the drill string 122.
  • the rotation head 118 is, initially, raised along the mast 114, taking with it the end rod of the drill string 122.
  • the penultimate rod still largely sunk into the ground, has its upper end facing the lower clamping device 126. It can, thus, be held in position.
  • the torque applied by the rotating head to the end rod of the drill string 122 is not sufficient to initiate its unscrewing relative to the penultimate rod.
  • the end rod is unscrewed from the rotating head, if the tightening torque at the head is less than that existing with the penultimate rod.
  • this preliminary unscrewing is provided by means of a second clamping device 124 (hereinafter upper device), located above the first device 126, and superimposed thereto. It is commonly called “double guillotine" the assembly formed by the two clamping devices 124, 126.
  • the end rod driven by the rotating head 118, can then be easily unscrewed, then removed completely and stored.
  • the rotation head 118 descends along the mast 114, cooperates with the threaded end of the drill pipe still held by clamping, raises the latter so as to recover the position described above and then repeats the same process until all the rods 120 of the drill string 122 are extracted.
  • clamping jaws currently used in clamping devices of the aforementioned type are not entirely satisfactory, both in terms of manufacturing costs, and difficulties in assembly and disassembly, especially during maintenance operations.
  • clamping jaws usually comprise plates, a main face of which has peaks or ridges made by machining and intended to penetrate into the steel of the drill rods for clamping. These plates, which form the engagement zone of the jaws, are fixed on supports.
  • the engagement zones have a generally flat shape, which does not marry the shape of the drill rods and thus limits the contact surface and the clamping efficiency.
  • the steel must therefore be chosen from less hard steels, which require, in order to achieve a sufficient hardness, that is to say greater than that of the rods, a complementary treatment.
  • This treatment generally consists of a hardening intended to harden the core material then a cementation, intended to harden it on the surface.
  • a hardening intended to harden the core material then a cementation, intended to harden it on the surface.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a clamping jaw to meet this need.
  • a clamping jaw for a drill pipe comprising an engagement zone intended to come into contact with the drill pipe to be clamped, the jaw being characterized in that it comprises a stack of distinct plates presenting , each, a slice comprising at least one toothed portion at which the plate is indented, and in that said toothed portions are arranged so as to reconstitute said engagement zone of the jaw.
  • the shape of the engagement zone of the jaw results from the profile chosen for the toothed portions of the plates of the stack.
  • the jaw according to the invention can be made easily and low cost, with an engagement zone perfectly adapted to the dimensions of the element to be clamped.
  • the clamping jaw according to the invention has, at its engagement zone, a generally concave shape. Therefore, the jaw forms a cavity adapted to receive at least a portion of the rod to be clamped.
  • Such a configuration makes it possible to increase the effective area of the jaw co-operating with the rod to be clamped, and thus to improve clamping.
  • each toothed portion has a generally curved profile, in particular in an arc.
  • each toothed portion has a general V-shaped profile.
  • each toothed portion comprises two substantially rectilinear branches, extending in two directions forming between them an angle greater than 0 ° and less than 180 °, for example included between 120 ° and 140 °.
  • each plate of the stack is provided with a fixing device comprising at least one fixing hole, each fixing hole being aligned with a fixing hole of each of the other plates of the same stack, so that forming a passage housing passing through the stack from one side to the other and adapted to receive a retaining pin.
  • the clamping jaw further comprises a support having a first and a second wall spaced from each other, in particular parallel to each other, the stack of plates being housed between said walls.
  • the first and second wall of the support may be spaced apart by spacers delimiting between the plates a housing adapted to receive the stack of plates.
  • the first and second walls each comprise at least one fixing hole aligned with a passage housing formed by the stack of plates, and a retaining pin introduced into said passage housing passes right through the assembly. formed by the two walls and the stack of plates.
  • the support can be, for example, mechanically welded.
  • two adjacent plates of the stack have their tooth portions offset with respect to each other.
  • the engagement zone of the jaw thus comprises a field of peaks for effective clamping.
  • the plates of the stack are identical, and two adjacent plates of the stack are arranged upside down.
  • This assembly is extremely simple to perform. If, in addition, the middle of the toothed portion is eccentric with respect to the middle of the plate, then it is possible to very easily obtain the aforementioned configuration in which two adjacent plates of the stack have their tooth portions staggered. one compared to the other.
  • the fixing device of each plate has a symmetry with respect to a median plane of the plate which is orthogonal to the main faces of the plate, whereby two adjacent plates of the stack, arranged back to back, have their aligned fasteners.
  • the edges of the teeth of a toothed portion are shifted inwardly of the plate relative to portions of the wafer located on either side of said toothed portion.
  • the material, in particular the steel, constituting the plates has a Vickers hardness of between 120 and 140.
  • the plates are made of untreated steel.
  • the support in the same way, may be untreated steel.
  • the present invention also relates to a clamping device for clamping a drill pipe, the device comprising at least two clamping jaws as described above, and a device for moving said clamping jaws between a remote position. and a clamping position.
  • each jaw comprises a support for the stack of plates, said support comprising a first and a second wall spaced from one another, the stack of plates is adapted to be housed between said walls, and the support is slidably mounted in a housing of the clamping device, whereby the jaw can be moved to and away from the rod to be clamped.
  • the two clamping jaws move along axisymmetric trajectories.
  • the displacement device comprises for example a hydraulic actuating cylinder for each clamping jaw.
  • the invention finally relates to a drilling machine, comprising a machine body, a guide mast, a rotation head mounted movably along said guide mast, and a clamping device as described above.
  • the two clamping jaws move along paths that are symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotation head.
  • the drilling machine further comprises a second clamping device, connected in series with the first, so that the two clamping devices can clamp a single drill string.
  • the drilling machine further comprises means adapted to rotate one of the clamping devices around the axis of rotation of the rotation head.
  • the figure 2 is a partial view of a drilling machine 10 according to the present invention.
  • the parts of the drilling machine 10 that are not visible in the figure or are not detailed below are identical to those shown in FIG. figure 1 and described in connection with this figure.
  • the rotation head 18 mounted to move in translation along the mast 14 and in rotation about an axis A parallel to the direction of the mast 14 (axis A which also corresponds to the axis of the drill string 22 when it is in place, as shown in dotted lines in the figure) and, at the lower end of the mast 14, two clamping devices 24, 26, aligned along the axis A of the drill string 22 and surmounted by a guide member consisting of two U-shaped pieces 90a, 90b with their apertures directed towards each other to form a substantially circular passage for the drill string.
  • the upper device means the clamping device 24 closest to the rotation head 18, and by lower device, the clamping device 26 furthest from it.
  • the lower device 26 is fixed in rotation with respect to the axis A of the drill string 22.
  • the upper device 24 is itself rotatable about the same axis A. In a manner known per se and not described further, the relative pivoting of the upper device 24 is provided by means of a hydraulic cylinder 28.
  • the clamping device 26 illustrated on the figure 3 comprises a housing 30 of generally U-shaped, defining between its branches 34a, 34b an interior space 36 for the passage of the rods 20.
  • the two branches 34a, 34b of the housing 30 extend orthogonally to the axis A drill string 22, as illustrated on the figure 2 .
  • the interior space 36 is delimited by a bar 38 forming a guide rail, connecting the distal ends of the two branches 34a, 34b of the housing 30.
  • a second guide rail 40 is provided opposite said bar 38, parallel thereto, at the central portion 32 of the housing 30.
  • Two jaws 50a, 50b which will be described in more detail with reference to the figure 4 , are guided between the two guide rails 38, 40 above. Their displacement between a remote position and a clamping position is provided by hydraulic cylinders 42a, 42b. The rods (not shown) of the cylinders 42a, 42b are not sufficiently strong, the housing 30 and the guide rails 38, 40 take up most of the shear forces during tightening.
  • the supply of hydraulic cylinders 42a, 42b is thus regulated so that the trajectories of the two jaws 50a, 50b are systematically symmetrical with respect to the axis A of the drill string 22.
  • the drill rods pass vertically through the interior spaces 36 delimited by the branches 34a, 34b of the housings and the guide bars 38.
  • each clamping jaw can then be attached to or integral with guides (eg flat irons) slidably mounted within grooves formed in the housing of the clamping device.
  • guides eg flat irons
  • a clamping jaw 50 according to the invention is illustrated in more detail on the figure 4 .
  • It comprises a support 52 comprising two parallel walls 54, 56 and several spacers 58 connected to these walls 54, 56 by mechano-welds and delimiting with them a housing 59.
  • the ends of the walls 54, 56 are adapted to slide along the guide rails 38, 40 provided on the housing 30 of the clamping device. More precisely, the ends of the walls 54, 56 form, with the spacers 58, two U-shaped sliders adapted to slide respectively along the rails 38, 40.
  • the housing 59 of the support 52 is intended to receive several plates 60 (here eight) stacked on each other to form a stack of plates 62.
  • the stack 62 is shown partially exploded.
  • the plates 60 can be made of raw, untreated steel.
  • Each plate 60 comprises two main faces 64, 66 and a slice 68 defining four main sides, of which, in the example, a first and a second small side 71, 72 opposite one another, and a third and a fourth big sides 73, 74 also opposed.
  • the plate 60 has, in the example, a substantially rectangular general section.
  • the plate On one of its sides 74 (here a large side), the plate has a toothed portion 76 made for example by laser cutting, perpendicular to its two main faces 64, 66.
  • the toothed portions 76 are arranged in the vicinity of each other and are all substantially superposed in the height direction of the stack 62. In this way, they reconstitute a zone of engagement of the clamping jaw 50 intended come into contact with the object to be clamped, in particular a drill pipe, the edges 78 teeth forming a plurality of pins adapted to penetrate into said drill pipe to hold it or rotate it without slipping.
  • each plate 60 is slightly indented at its toothed portion 76.
  • the ridges 78 of the teeth are shifted inwardly of the plate 60 relative to the outer portions 69a, 69b of the portion 68. located on either side of the toothed portion 76.
  • the engagement zone of the jaw has a concavity directed towards the outside of the stack of plates 62, which allows it to optimize the contact surface with the object to be clamped especially when it has a tubular shape.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 in particular show the concavity of each plate of the stack at its toothed portion (and thus of the jaw at its engagement zone), in section in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction, in other words in a parallel plane at the main plane of the plate.
  • the toothed portion 76 divides into two substantially rectilinear branches 77a, 77b, extend in two directions forming between them an angle W.
  • the angle W is chosen as a function of the diameter D of the object to be tightened.
  • the angle W may be chosen between 120 ° and 140 °, for rods with a diameter of between 30 and 400 mm.
  • the toothed portion of a plate may have a curved profile and preferably substantially semicircular, so as to adapt best to the diameter of the drill pipe to be clamped.
  • the curve connecting the edges of the teeth of a plate has a radius of curvature substantially identical to the radius of the drill pipe.
  • the walls 54, 56 of the support 52 are slightly indented at the location provided for the toothed portions 76 of the plates 60, so that said toothed portions 76 project out of the support 52.
  • the longitudinal direction x of a plate 60 is understood to mean a direction perpendicular to the sides 71, 72 of the plate 60 which are located on either side of that 74 comprising the toothed portion 76.
  • transverse direction y is meant a direction perpendicular to the side 74 comprising the toothed portion 76.
  • the median plane P of the plate 60 a plane passing through the middle of the plate 60 taken in its longitudinal direction x, and perpendicular to this longitudinal direction x.
  • each plate 60 comprises a fixing device 80 in the form of one or more fixing holes 81, opening on its two main faces 64, 66.
  • fixing holes 81 are configured so that at least one hole 81 of each plate 60 is opposite a fixing hole 81 of each of the other plates 60 once they are stacked. At least one passage housing 82 passing through the stack 62 from one side to the other is thus formed.
  • all the plates 60 of the stack are identical. It is thus easier to superpose the fixing holes 81 of the different plates 60 by matching their different sides 71, 72, 73, 74.
  • the housing 59 formed by the support 52 has dimensions such that once the stack 62 of plates 60 disposed inside, the toothed portions 76 being oriented towards the outside the housing 59, the other three sides 71, 72, 73 of each plate 60 cooperate with internal walls of the housing 59.
  • the support 52 has as many fixing holes 84 opening on each of its two walls 54, 56, that the plates comprise fixing holes 81.
  • each passage housing 82 formed by fixing holes 81 of the plates 60 is found facing a hole 84 of each wall 54, 56 of support 52.
  • a retaining pin 86 introduced into each passage housing 82 passes right through the assembly formed by the two walls 54, 56 and the stack of plates 62.
  • 86 is a bolt. Once the bolt has passed through each of the plates of the stack and through the two walls 54, 56, it can cooperate with a nut (not shown) to maintain the assembly.
  • the fixing holes 81 of the same plate 60 are symmetrical with respect to the median plane P.
  • each fixing hole 81 is aligned with a hole in each other plate 60 of the stack 62, even when the plates 60 are arranged upside down, as is the case in the figure.
  • the outer portions 69a, 69b of the wafer 68 of a plate 60, located right through its toothed portion 76, are not of the same length.
  • the toothed portion 76 is not centered on the middle of the plate 60 taken in its longitudinal direction x.
  • each plate 60 As the toothed portion 76 of each plate 60 is slightly eccentric, two adjacent plates 60 of the stack 62, arranged back to back, have their toothed portions 76 offset with respect to each other.
  • the peaks 88 of the engagement zone are therefore staggered, as illustrated in FIG. figure 4 .
  • This configuration is particularly suitable for use in the lower clamping device 26.
  • the figure 5 illustrates another embodiment in which two adjacent plates 60 are arranged, not head to tail, but in the same direction. In this case, the teeth of the two plates 60 are aligned, forming a series of striations 90 parallel to each other. This configuration is particularly suitable for use in the upper clamping device 24.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention concerne le domaine des mors de serrage.The present invention relates to the field of clamping jaws.

Un mors de serrage selon la présente invention est particulièrement adapté à être intégré dans un dispositif de serrage de tiges ou tubes de forage d'une machine de forage, pour permettre la liaison de tiges ou tubes successifs préalablement à leur introduction dans le sol, ou assurer leur séparation une fois le forage achevé.A clamping jaw according to the present invention is particularly adapted to be integrated in a device for clamping rods or drill pipes of a drilling machine, to allow the connection of successive rods or tubes prior to their introduction into the ground, or ensure their separation once drilling is complete.

Dans la suite, lorsqu'on parlera de tiges de forage, on désignera indifféremment des tiges de forage adaptées à entraîner l'outil de forage, ou des tubes de plus grand diamètre pouvant avoir une fonction de soutènement des parois de forage.In the following, when we talk about drill pipes, we will designate indifferently drilling rods adapted to drive the drilling tool, or larger diameter tubes that may have a function of supporting the drilling walls.

Arrière-plan de l'inventionBackground of the invention

Une machine de forage comprenant un mors de serrage du type précité est décrite ci-après en référence à la figure 1.A drilling machine comprising a clamping jaw of the aforementioned type is described below with reference to the figure 1 .

La machine de forage 100 comprend un châssis 112 sur lequel est monté, généralement de façon articulée, un mât de forage 114. Sur le châssis 112 sont montés d'autres équipements tels que le pupitre de commande 116 de la machine de forage 100.The drilling machine 100 comprises a frame 112 on which is mounted, generally in an articulated manner, a drillpole 114. On the frame 112 are mounted other equipment such as the control panel 116 of the drilling machine 100.

De façon connue, le mât de forage 114 sert de glissière de guidage pour un outil de forage non représenté sur la figure et qui est entraîné en rotation et en translation par une tête de rotation 118, par l'intermédiaire de tiges de forage 120.In known manner, the drilling mast 114 serves as a guide rail for a drilling tool not shown in the figure and which is rotated and translated by a rotation head 118 via drill rods 120.

Pour atteindre la profondeur de forage souhaitée, il est généralement nécessaire de monter successivement, l'une à la suite de l'autre, plusieurs tiges de forage 120 constituant un train de tiges de forage 122. La liaison entre deux tiges de forage 120 successives est alors souvent réalisée par vissage entre une extrémité filetée de l'une des tiges, et une extrémité filetée complémentaire de la seconde.To reach the desired drilling depth, it is generally necessary to successively mount, one after the other, several drill rods 120 constituting a drill string 122. The connection between two successive drill rods 120 is then often made by screwing between a threaded end of one of the rods, and a threaded end complementary to the second.

Pour réaliser cette liaison, on prévoit généralement, à l'extrémité inférieure du mât 114, un dispositif de serrage 126 (ci-après dispositif de serrage inférieur), aussi connu sous le nom de « guillotine », dont la fonction ressortira mieux de la description qui suit.To achieve this connection, is generally provided, at the lower end of the mast 114, a clamping device 126 (hereinafter lower clamping device), also known as "guillotine", whose function will stand out better from the description which follows.

Le dispositif de serrage 126 comprend habituellement plusieurs mors de serrage comportant chacun une zone d'engagement destinée à entrer en contact avec une tige de forage 120 et agencés l'un par rapport à l'autre pour prendre ladite tige 120 en étau. Un exemple de dispositif de serrage connu est décrit dans la demande de brevet FR 2 549 892 . US 6 931 965 B1 décrit un outil selon le préambule de la revendication 1. AU 531402 B2 décrit une clé comprenant des disques dentés rotatifs. Lorsqu'une première tige de forage a été introduite dans le sol, il est nécessaire qu'elle soit immobilisée pour qu'une seconde tige puisse être vissée sur son extrémité supérieure. Dans le cas contraire, la rotation de la seconde tige entraînerait la rotation simultanée de la première tige à l'intérieur du trou de forage, empêchant un bon vissage entre les deux tiges.The clamping device 126 usually comprises a plurality of clamping jaws each having an engagement zone for contacting a drill pipe 120 and arranged relative to each other to take said rod 120 in a vice. An example of a known clamping device is described in the patent application FR 2 549 892 . US 6,931,965 B1 describes a tool according to the preamble of claim 1. AU 531402 B2 discloses a key comprising rotating toothed disks. When a first drill pipe has been introduced into the ground, it is necessary that it is immobilized so that a second rod can be screwed onto its upper end. In the opposite case, the rotation of the second rod would cause the first rod to rotate simultaneously inside the borehole, preventing good screwing between the two rods.

Le dispositif de serrage 126 assure cette immobilisation de la première tige de forage.The clamping device 126 ensures this immobilization of the first drill pipe.

La première tige étant maintenue fermement en position, la seconde tige peut aisément être vissée sur celle-ci par mise en rotation de la tête de rotation 118.The first rod being held firmly in position, the second rod can easily be screwed to it by rotating the rotation head 118.

Ce processus est répété autant de fois qu'il est nécessaire pour atteindre la profondeur de forage désirée.This process is repeated as many times as necessary to achieve the desired drilling depth.

Le fonctionnement de la machine 100 est légèrement différent lors de l'extraction du train de tiges de forage 122.The operation of the machine 100 is slightly different during the extraction of the drill string 122.

La tête de rotation 118 est, dans un premier temps, remontée le long du mât 114, emmenant avec elle la tige d'extrémité du train de tiges de forage 122.The rotation head 118 is, initially, raised along the mast 114, taking with it the end rod of the drill string 122.

Dans cette position, l'avant-dernière tige, encore en grande partie enfoncée dans le sol, a son extrémité supérieure en regard du dispositif de serrage inférieur 126. Elle peut, ainsi, être maintenue en position.In this position, the penultimate rod, still largely sunk into the ground, has its upper end facing the lower clamping device 126. It can, thus, be held in position.

Le plus souvent cependant, le couple appliqué par la tête de rotation à la tige d'extrémité du train de tiges de forage 122 n'est pas suffisant pour amorcer son dévissage par rapport à l'avant-dernière tige. Il existe par ailleurs un risque que la tige d'extrémité se dévisse de la tête de rotation, si le couple de serrage au niveau de la tête est inférieur à celui existant avec l'avant-dernière tige.Most often, however, the torque applied by the rotating head to the end rod of the drill string 122 is not sufficient to initiate its unscrewing relative to the penultimate rod. There is also a risk that the end rod is unscrewed from the rotating head, if the tightening torque at the head is less than that existing with the penultimate rod.

Il est donc généralement nécessaire d'amorcer le dévissage des deux dernières tiges autrement que par le pivotement de la tête de rotation, manuellement (à l'aide d'une clé à griffes ou à chaîne opérée manuellement par exemple) ou de manière commandée.It is therefore generally necessary to initiate the unscrewing of the last two rods other than by pivoting the rotation head, manually (using a claw or chain key operated manually for example) or in a controlled manner.

Par exemple, ce dévissage préliminaire est assuré au moyen d'un second dispositif de serrage 124 (ci-après dispositif supérieur), situé au-dessus du premier dispositif 126, et superposé à celui-ci. On appelle couramment « double guillotine » l'ensemble formé par les deux dispositifs de serrage 124, 126.For example, this preliminary unscrewing is provided by means of a second clamping device 124 (hereinafter upper device), located above the first device 126, and superimposed thereto. It is commonly called "double guillotine" the assembly formed by the two clamping devices 124, 126.

Le principe est le suivant :
Une fois l'avant-dernière tige immobilisée par le dispositif inférieur 126 et la tige d'extrémité immobilisée par le dispositif supérieur 124, ce dernier pivote légèrement autour de l'axe du train de tiges 122, amorçant le dévissage des deux tiges.The principle is as follows:
Once the penultimate rod immobilized by the lower device 126 and the end rod immobilized by the upper device 124, the latter pivots slightly about the axis of the drill string 122, initiating the unscrewing of the two rods.

La tige d'extrémité, entraînée par la tête de rotation 118, peut alors être aisément dévissée, puis retirée entièrement et stockée.The end rod, driven by the rotating head 118, can then be easily unscrewed, then removed completely and stored.

Pour poursuivre l'extraction du train de tiges 122, la tête de rotation 118 redescend le long du mât 114, coopère avec l'extrémité filetée de la tige de forage encore maintenue par serrage, remonte cette dernière de sorte à recouvrer la position décrite précédemment puis réitère le même processus, jusqu'à ce que toutes les tiges 120 du train de forage 122 soient extraites.To continue the extraction of the drill string 122, the rotation head 118 descends along the mast 114, cooperates with the threaded end of the drill pipe still held by clamping, raises the latter so as to recover the position described above and then repeats the same process until all the rods 120 of the drill string 122 are extracted.

Les mors de serrage utilisés actuellement dans les dispositifs de serrage du type précité ne donnent pas entière satisfaction, tant en termes de coûts de fabrication, que de difficultés de montage et de démontage notamment lors d'opérations de maintenance.The clamping jaws currently used in clamping devices of the aforementioned type are not entirely satisfactory, both in terms of manufacturing costs, and difficulties in assembly and disassembly, especially during maintenance operations.

Ces mors de serrage comprennent usuellement des plaques dont une face principale comporte des pics ou des stries réalisé(e)s par usinage et destiné(e)s à pénétrer dans l'acier des tiges de forage pour le serrage. Ces plaques, qui forment la zone d'engagement des mors, sont fixées sur des supports.These clamping jaws usually comprise plates, a main face of which has peaks or ridges made by machining and intended to penetrate into the steel of the drill rods for clamping. These plates, which form the engagement zone of the jaws, are fixed on supports.

On comprend qu'avec des mors de ce type, pour adapter le dispositif de serrage à différents diamètres de tiges de forage, il est nécessaire de modifier l'agencement des supports et, pour cela, de démonter le dispositif de serrage, ce qui constitue une opération pénible.It is understood that with jaws of this type, to adapt the clamping device to different diameters of drill pipe, it is necessary to change the arrangement of the supports and, for this, to disassemble the clamping device, which is a painful operation.

Par ailleurs, en raison des frais liés à l'usinage, les zones d'engagement ont une forme généralement plane, qui n'épouse pas la forme des tiges de forage et limite ainsi la surface de contact et l'efficacité du serrage.Moreover, because of the costs associated with machining, the engagement zones have a generally flat shape, which does not marry the shape of the drill rods and thus limits the contact surface and the clamping efficiency.

De plus, lorsqu'un ou plusieurs pics (ou stries) sont endommagés, il est nécessaire de changer toute la plaque correspondante.In addition, when one or more peaks (or ridges) are damaged, it is necessary to change the entire corresponding plate.

En outre, sous l'effet des fortes sollicitations en fonctionnement, les plaques et leur support peuvent subir des déformations. Lorsqu'une plaque doit être remplacée, elle est souvent déformée, de sorte qu'il peut être difficile et même dangereux de la retirer de son support.In addition, under the effect of heavy stresses in operation, the plates and their support can undergo deformations. When a plate needs to be replaced, it is often deformed, so it can be difficult and even dangerous to remove it from its support.

Enfin, la réalisation de pics ou de stries par usinage est très couteuse sur des plaques en acier naturellement dur. L'acier doit donc être choisi parmi des aciers moins durs, qui nécessitent, pour parvenir à une dureté suffisante c'est-à-dire supérieure à celle des tiges, un traitement complémentaire. Ce traitement consiste généralement en une trempe destinée à durcir le matériau à coeur puis une cimentation, destinée à le durcir en surface. Parmi les aciers pouvant être envisagés, certains doivent encore être exclus du fait qu'ils se déforment à la trempe. Le choix de l'acier est donc limité.Finally, the achievement of peaks or striations by machining is very expensive on naturally hard steel plates. The steel must therefore be chosen from less hard steels, which require, in order to achieve a sufficient hardness, that is to say greater than that of the rods, a complementary treatment. This treatment generally consists of a hardening intended to harden the core material then a cementation, intended to harden it on the surface. Of the steels that can be considered, some still need to be excluded because they deform in the quench. The choice of steel is therefore limited.

Au vu de ce qui précède, il existe un besoin pour un mors de serrage de fabrication aisée et peu couteuse, facile à assembler puis à désassembler, et de forme facilement adaptable, notamment à différents diamètres de l'élément à serrer.In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a clamping jaw easy to manufacture and inexpensive, easy to assemble and then disassemble, and easily adaptable shape, including different diameters of the element to be clamped.

Objet et résumé de l'inventionObject and summary of the invention

Un but de l'invention est de proposer un mors de serrage permettant de répondre à ce besoin.An object of the invention is to provide a clamping jaw to meet this need.

Ce but est atteint avec un mors de serrage pour une tige de forage, comprenant une zone d'engagement destinée à entrer en contact avec la tige de forage à serrer, le mors étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un empilement de plaques distinctes présentant, chacune, une tranche comprenant au moins une portion dentée au niveau de laquelle la plaque est échancrée, et en ce que lesdites portions dentées sont agencées de sorte à reconstituer ladite zone d'engagement du mors.This object is achieved with a clamping jaw for a drill pipe, comprising an engagement zone intended to come into contact with the drill pipe to be clamped, the jaw being characterized in that it comprises a stack of distinct plates presenting , each, a slice comprising at least one toothed portion at which the plate is indented, and in that said toothed portions are arranged so as to reconstitute said engagement zone of the jaw.

Grâce à ces dispositions, la forme de la zone d'engagement du mors résulte du profil choisi pour les portions dentées des plaques de l'empilement.Thanks to these provisions, the shape of the engagement zone of the jaw results from the profile chosen for the toothed portions of the plates of the stack.

Or, ces portions dentées sont formées sur la tranche des plaques. Il est donc possible de les obtenir par simple découpage, ce qui, non seulement facilite la fabrication et abaisse les coûts, mais permet également d'utiliser, sans traitement particulier, des aciers naturellement durs qui étaient exclus dans les dispositifs de l'art antérieur.However, these tooth portions are formed on the edge of the plates. It is therefore possible to obtain them by simple cutting, which, not It only facilitates manufacture and lowers costs, but also makes it possible to use, without special treatment, naturally hard steels which were excluded in the devices of the prior art.

Ainsi, le mors selon l'invention peut-il être réalisé aisément et à faible coût, avec une zone d'engagement parfaitement adaptée aux dimensions de l'élément à serrer.Thus, the jaw according to the invention can be made easily and low cost, with an engagement zone perfectly adapted to the dimensions of the element to be clamped.

Par ailleurs, dans le mors selon la présente invention, lorsqu'une dent de la zone d'engagement est détériorée et nécessite d'être changée, il suffit de retirer et de changer la plaque portant cette dent, ce qui permet de limiter également les coûts de maintenance.Moreover, in the jaw according to the present invention, when a tooth of the engagement zone is deteriorated and needs to be changed, it suffices to remove and change the plate bearing this tooth, which also limits the maintenance costs.

Le mors de serrage selon l'invention présente, au niveau de sa zone d'engagement, une forme générale concave. Dès lors, le mors forme une cavité adaptée à recevoir au moins une partie de la tige à serrer. Une telle configuration permet d'augmenter la surface utile du mors coopérant avec la tige à serrer, et ainsi d'améliorer le serrage.The clamping jaw according to the invention has, at its engagement zone, a generally concave shape. Therefore, the jaw forms a cavity adapted to receive at least a portion of the rod to be clamped. Such a configuration makes it possible to increase the effective area of the jaw co-operating with the rod to be clamped, and thus to improve clamping.

Selon un exemple, chaque portion dentée présente un profil général courbe, notamment en arc de cercle.In one example, each toothed portion has a generally curved profile, in particular in an arc.

Selon un autre exemple, chaque portion dentée présente un profil général en V. Notamment, chaque portion dentée comporte deux branches sensiblement rectilignes, s'étendant selon deux directions formant entre elles un angle supérieur à 0° et inférieur à 180°, par exemple compris entre 120° et 140°.According to another example, each toothed portion has a general V-shaped profile. In particular, each toothed portion comprises two substantially rectilinear branches, extending in two directions forming between them an angle greater than 0 ° and less than 180 °, for example included between 120 ° and 140 °.

Selon un mode de réalisation, chaque plaque de l'empilement est munie d'un dispositif de fixation comprenant au moins un trou de fixation, chaque trou de fixation étant aligné avec un trou de fixation de chacune des autres plaques du même empilement, de façon à former un logement de passage traversant l'empilement de part en part et adapté à recevoir un axe de retenue. Avec ces dispositions, la fabrication du mors, par empilement et assemblage des plaques, est une opération facile et rapide.According to one embodiment, each plate of the stack is provided with a fixing device comprising at least one fixing hole, each fixing hole being aligned with a fixing hole of each of the other plates of the same stack, so that forming a passage housing passing through the stack from one side to the other and adapted to receive a retaining pin. With these provisions, the manufacture of the jaw, by stacking and assembly of the plates, is an easy and fast operation.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le mors de serrage comprend en outre un support comportant une première et une seconde paroi espacées l'une de l'autre, notamment parallèles entre elles, l'empilement de plaques étant logé entre les dites parois.According to one embodiment, the clamping jaw further comprises a support having a first and a second wall spaced from each other, in particular parallel to each other, the stack of plates being housed between said walls.

La première et la seconde paroi du support peuvent être maintenues espacées par des entretoises, délimitant entre les plaques un logement adapté à recevoir l'empilement de plaques.The first and second wall of the support may be spaced apart by spacers delimiting between the plates a housing adapted to receive the stack of plates.

De préférence, la première et la deuxième paroi comprennent chacune au moins un trou de fixation aligné avec un logement de passage formé par l'empilement de plaques, et un axe de retenue introduit dans ledit logement de passage traverse de part en part l'ensemble formé par les deux parois et l'empilement de plaques.Preferably, the first and second walls each comprise at least one fixing hole aligned with a passage housing formed by the stack of plates, and a retaining pin introduced into said passage housing passes right through the assembly. formed by the two walls and the stack of plates.

Cette mise en oeuvre étant rapide, pratique et bon marché, le support peut être, par exemple, mécano-soudé.This implementation being fast, practical and inexpensive, the support can be, for example, mechanically welded.

Selon un mode de réalisation, deux plaques adjacentes de l'empilement ont leurs portions dentées décalées l'une par rapport à l'autre. La zone d'engagement du mors comporte ainsi un champ de pics permettant un serrage efficace.According to one embodiment, two adjacent plates of the stack have their tooth portions offset with respect to each other. The engagement zone of the jaw thus comprises a field of peaks for effective clamping.

Selon une disposition préférentielle de l'invention, les plaques de l'empilement sont identiques, et deux plaques adjacentes de l'empilement sont disposées tête-bêche. Ce montage est extrêmement simple à réaliser. Si, en outre, le milieu de la portion dentée est excentré par rapport au milieu de la plaque, alors il est possible d'obtenir très facilement la configuration mentionnée précédemment dans laquelle deux plaques adjacentes de l'empilement ont leurs portions dentées décalées l'une par rapport à l'autre.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plates of the stack are identical, and two adjacent plates of the stack are arranged upside down. This assembly is extremely simple to perform. If, in addition, the middle of the toothed portion is eccentric with respect to the middle of the plate, then it is possible to very easily obtain the aforementioned configuration in which two adjacent plates of the stack have their tooth portions staggered. one compared to the other.

De préférence, le dispositif de fixation de chaque plaque présente une symétrie par rapport à un plan médian de la plaque qui est orthogonal aux faces principales de la plaque, ce par quoi deux plaques adjacentes de l'empilement, disposées tête-bêche, ont leurs dispositifs de fixation alignés.Preferably, the fixing device of each plate has a symmetry with respect to a median plane of the plate which is orthogonal to the main faces of the plate, whereby two adjacent plates of the stack, arranged back to back, have their aligned fasteners.

Selon un mode de réalisation, les arêtes des dents d'une portion dentée sont décalées vers l'intérieur de la plaque par rapport à des portions de la tranche situées de part et d'autre de ladite portion dentée.According to one embodiment, the edges of the teeth of a toothed portion are shifted inwardly of the plate relative to portions of the wafer located on either side of said toothed portion.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le matériau, en particulier l'acier, constituant les plaques présente une dureté Vickers comprise entre 120 et 140.According to one embodiment, the material, in particular the steel, constituting the plates has a Vickers hardness of between 120 and 140.

Selon un mode de réalisation, les plaques sont en acier non traité.According to one embodiment, the plates are made of untreated steel.

Le support, de la même manière, peut être en acier non traité.The support, in the same way, may be untreated steel.

La présente invention porte aussi sur un dispositif de serrage pour le serrage d'une tige de forage, le dispositif comprenant au moins deux mors de serrage tels que décrits ci-dessus, et un dispositif de déplacement des dits mors de serrage entre une position écartée et une position de serrage.The present invention also relates to a clamping device for clamping a drill pipe, the device comprising at least two clamping jaws as described above, and a device for moving said clamping jaws between a remote position. and a clamping position.

Selon un exemple de réalisation, chaque mors comprend un support pour l'empilement de plaques, ledit support comportant une première et une seconde paroi espacées l'une de l'autre, l'empilement de plaques est adapté à venir se loger entre les dites parois, et le support est monté coulissant dans un boîtier du dispositif de serrage, ce par quoi le mors peut être déplacé vers et éloigné de la tige à serrer.According to an exemplary embodiment, each jaw comprises a support for the stack of plates, said support comprising a first and a second wall spaced from one another, the stack of plates is adapted to be housed between said walls, and the support is slidably mounted in a housing of the clamping device, whereby the jaw can be moved to and away from the rod to be clamped.

Selon un mode de réalisation, les deux mors de serrage se déplacent selon des trajectoires axisymétriques.According to one embodiment, the two clamping jaws move along axisymmetric trajectories.

Le dispositif de déplacement comprend par exemple un vérin hydraulique d'actionnement pour chaque mors de serrage.The displacement device comprises for example a hydraulic actuating cylinder for each clamping jaw.

L'invention concerne enfin une machine de forage, comprenant un corps de machine, un mât de guidage, une tête de rotation montée mobile le long dudit mât de guidage, et un dispositif de serrage tel que décrit précédemment.The invention finally relates to a drilling machine, comprising a machine body, a guide mast, a rotation head mounted movably along said guide mast, and a clamping device as described above.

Selon un mode de réalisation, les deux mors de serrage se déplacent selon des trajectoires symétriques par rapport à l'axe de rotation de la tête de rotation.According to one embodiment, the two clamping jaws move along paths that are symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotation head.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la machine de forage comprend en outre un second dispositif de serrage, monté en série avec le premier, de telle sorte que les deux dispositifs de serrage puissent serrer un seul et même train de tige de forage.According to one embodiment, the drilling machine further comprises a second clamping device, connected in series with the first, so that the two clamping devices can clamp a single drill string.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la machine de forage comprend en outre des moyens adaptés à faire pivoter l'un des dispositifs de serrage autour de l'axe de rotation de la tête de rotation.According to one embodiment, the drilling machine further comprises means adapted to rotate one of the clamping devices around the axis of rotation of the rotation head.

Plusieurs modes de réalisation sont décrits dans le présent exposé. Toutefois, sauf précision contraire, les caractéristiques décrites en relation avec un mode quelconque peuvent être appliquées à un autre mode de réalisation.Several embodiments are described in this disclosure. However, unless otherwise stated, the features described in connection with any one mode may be applied to another embodiment.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui suit d'un mode de réalisation de l'invention donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif, en référence aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente un exemple de machine de forage ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue partielle d'une machine de forage selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue plus détaillée de la double guillotine représentée sur la figure 2 ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue détaillée d'un mors selon un exemple de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue détaillée d'un mors selon un second exemple de réalisation de l'invention.
The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • the figure 1 represents an example of a drilling machine;
  • the figure 2 is a partial view of a drilling machine according to the invention;
  • the figure 3 is a more detailed view of the double guillotine shown on the figure 2 ;
  • the figure 4 is a detailed view of a jaw according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 5 is a detailed view of a jaw according to a second embodiment of the invention.

La figure 2 est une vue partielle d'une machine de forage 10 selon la présente invention. Les parties de la machine de forage 10 qui ne sont pas visibles sur la figure ou ne sont pas détaillées ci-après sont identiques à celles représentées sur la figure 1 et décrites en liaison avec cette figure.The figure 2 is a partial view of a drilling machine 10 according to the present invention. The parts of the drilling machine 10 that are not visible in the figure or are not detailed below are identical to those shown in FIG. figure 1 and described in connection with this figure.

Sur la figure 2 on distingue le mât 14, la tête de rotation 18 montée mobile en translation le long du mât 14 et en rotation autour d'un axe A parallèle à la direction du mât 14 (axe A qui correspond également à l'axe du train de tiges 22 lorsque celui-ci est en place, comme illustré en pointillé sur la figure) et, à l'extrémité inférieure du mât 14, deux dispositifs de serrage 24, 26, alignés le long de l'axe A du train de tiges 22 et surmontés d'un élément de guidage constitué de deux pièces en U 90a, 90b avec leurs ouvertures dirigées l'une vers l'autre pour former un passage sensiblement circulaire pour le train de tiges de forage.On the figure 2 we distinguish the mast 14, the rotation head 18 mounted to move in translation along the mast 14 and in rotation about an axis A parallel to the direction of the mast 14 (axis A which also corresponds to the axis of the drill string 22 when it is in place, as shown in dotted lines in the figure) and, at the lower end of the mast 14, two clamping devices 24, 26, aligned along the axis A of the drill string 22 and surmounted by a guide member consisting of two U-shaped pieces 90a, 90b with their apertures directed towards each other to form a substantially circular passage for the drill string.

Dans la suite, on entend par dispositif supérieur le dispositif de serrage 24 le plus proche de la tête de rotation 18, et par dispositif inférieur, le dispositif de serrage 26 le plus éloigné de celle-ci.In the following, the upper device means the clamping device 24 closest to the rotation head 18, and by lower device, the clamping device 26 furthest from it.

Pour les raisons énoncées précédemment en liaison avec la figure 1, le dispositif inférieur 26 est fixe en rotation par rapport à l'axe A du train de tiges 22.For the reasons stated above in connection with the figure 1 , the lower device 26 is fixed in rotation with respect to the axis A of the drill string 22.

Le dispositif supérieur 24 est, lui, mobile en rotation autour de ce même axe A. De manière connue en soi et non décrite plus avant, le pivotement relatif du dispositif supérieur 24 est assuré au moyen d'un vérin hydraulique 28.The upper device 24 is itself rotatable about the same axis A. In a manner known per se and not described further, the relative pivoting of the upper device 24 is provided by means of a hydraulic cylinder 28.

Hormis ce point, et comme il ressort de la figure 2, les dispositifs supérieur et inférieur 24, 26 sont relativement semblables. Seul l'un d'eux 26 sera donc décrit plus en détail ci-dessous, en liaison avec la figure 3.Apart from this point, and as is apparent from the figure 2 the upper and lower devices 24, 26 are relatively similar. Only one of them 26 will therefore be described in more detail below, in connection with the figure 3 .

Le dispositif de serrage 26 illustré sur la figure 3 comprend un boîtier 30 de forme générale en U, définissant entre ses branches 34a, 34b un espace intérieur 36 destiné au passage des tiges 20. En position de fonctionnement, les deux branches 34a, 34b du boîtier 30 s'étendent orthogonalement à l'axe A du train de tiges de forage 22, comme cela est illustré sur la figure 2.The clamping device 26 illustrated on the figure 3 comprises a housing 30 of generally U-shaped, defining between its branches 34a, 34b an interior space 36 for the passage of the rods 20. In the operating position, the two branches 34a, 34b of the housing 30 extend orthogonally to the axis A drill string 22, as illustrated on the figure 2 .

L'espace intérieur 36 est délimité par une barre 38 formant rail de guidage, reliant les extrémités distales des deux branches 34a, 34b du boîtier 30.The interior space 36 is delimited by a bar 38 forming a guide rail, connecting the distal ends of the two branches 34a, 34b of the housing 30.

Comme illustré sur la figure 3, un second rail de guidage 40 est prévu en regard de ladite barre 38, parallèlement à celle-ci, au niveau de la partie centrale 32 du boîtier 30.As illustrated on the figure 3 a second guide rail 40 is provided opposite said bar 38, parallel thereto, at the central portion 32 of the housing 30.

Deux mors de serrage 50a, 50b, qui seront décrits plus en détail en référence à la figure 4, sont guidés entre les deux rails de guidage 38, 40 précités. Leur déplacement entre une position écartée et une position de serrage est assuré par des vérins hydrauliques 42a, 42b. Les tiges (non représentées) des vérins 42a, 42b n'étant pas suffisamment résistantes, le boîtier 30 et les rails de guidage 38, 40 reprennent la plus grande partie des efforts de cisaillement lors du serrage.Two jaws 50a, 50b, which will be described in more detail with reference to the figure 4 , are guided between the two guide rails 38, 40 above. Their displacement between a remote position and a clamping position is provided by hydraulic cylinders 42a, 42b. The rods (not shown) of the cylinders 42a, 42b are not sufficiently strong, the housing 30 and the guide rails 38, 40 take up most of the shear forces during tightening.

De préférence, l'alimentation des vérins 42a, 42b en fluide hydraulique est ainsi régulée que les trajectoires des deux mors 50a, 50b sont systématiquement symétriques par rapport à l'axe A du train de tiges de forage 22.Preferably, the supply of hydraulic cylinders 42a, 42b is thus regulated so that the trajectories of the two jaws 50a, 50b are systematically symmetrical with respect to the axis A of the drill string 22.

Avec les dispositifs de serrage de l'exemple illustré, les tiges de forage passent verticalement à travers les espaces intérieurs 36 délimités par les branches 34a, 34b des boîtiers et les barres de guidage 38.With the clamping devices of the illustrated example, the drill rods pass vertically through the interior spaces 36 delimited by the branches 34a, 34b of the housings and the guide bars 38.

Dans certains autres exemples de réalisation, il peut être préférable de mettre les tiges en place latéralement. Dans ce cas, les barres de guidage 38 doivent être omises. Pour assurer malgré tout son guidage en translation, le support de chaque mors de serrage peut alors être fixé à ou solidaire de guides (par exemple des fers plats) montés coulissants à l'intérieur de rainures formées dans le boîtier du dispositif de serrage.In some other embodiments, it may be preferable to put the rods in place laterally. In this case, the guide bars 38 must be omitted. To ensure despite all its guidance in translation, the support of each clamping jaw can then be attached to or integral with guides (eg flat irons) slidably mounted within grooves formed in the housing of the clamping device.

Un mors de serrage 50 selon l'invention est illustré plus en détail sur la figure 4.A clamping jaw 50 according to the invention is illustrated in more detail on the figure 4 .

Il comprend un support 52 comportant deux parois parallèles 54, 56 et plusieurs entretoises 58 reliées à ces parois 54, 56 par mécano-soudures et délimitant avec elles un logement 59.It comprises a support 52 comprising two parallel walls 54, 56 and several spacers 58 connected to these walls 54, 56 by mechano-welds and delimiting with them a housing 59.

Comme illustré sur la figure 3, les extrémités des parois 54, 56 sont adaptées pour coulisser le long des rails de guidage 38, 40 prévus sur le boîtier 30 du dispositif de serrage. Plus précisément, les extrémités des parois 54, 56 forment, avec les entretoises 58, deux coulisseaux en U adaptés à glisser respectivement le long des rails 38, 40.As illustrated on the figure 3 the ends of the walls 54, 56 are adapted to slide along the guide rails 38, 40 provided on the housing 30 of the clamping device. More precisely, the ends of the walls 54, 56 form, with the spacers 58, two U-shaped sliders adapted to slide respectively along the rails 38, 40.

Le logement 59 du support 52 est destiné à recevoir plusieurs plaques 60 (ici huit) empilées les unes sur les autres pour former un empilement de plaques 62. Sur la figure, pour une meilleure compréhension, l'empilement 62 est représenté partiellement éclaté.The housing 59 of the support 52 is intended to receive several plates 60 (here eight) stacked on each other to form a stack of plates 62. In the figure, for a better understanding, the stack 62 is shown partially exploded.

Les plaques 60, tout comme l'intégralité du support 52, peuvent être réalisés en acier brut, non traité. On choisira un acier dont la dureté naturelle est satisfaisante, notamment un acier présentant une dureté Vickers comprise entre 120 et 140.The plates 60, like the entire support 52, can be made of raw, untreated steel. One will choose a steel whose natural hardness is satisfactory, in particular a steel having a Vickers hardness of between 120 and 140.

Chaque plaque 60 comprend deux faces principales 64, 66 et une tranche 68 définissant quatre côtés principaux, dont, dans l'exemple, un premier et un second petits côtés 71, 72 opposés l'un à l'autre, et un troisième et un quatrième grands côtés 73, 74 également opposés.Each plate 60 comprises two main faces 64, 66 and a slice 68 defining four main sides, of which, in the example, a first and a second small side 71, 72 opposite one another, and a third and a fourth big sides 73, 74 also opposed.

La plaque 60 présente, dans l'exemple, une section générale sensiblement rectangulaire.The plate 60 has, in the example, a substantially rectangular general section.

Sur l'un de ses côtés 74 (ici un grand côté), la plaque comporte une portion dentée 76 réalisée par exemple par découpe laser, perpendiculairement à ses deux faces principales 64, 66.On one of its sides 74 (here a large side), the plate has a toothed portion 76 made for example by laser cutting, perpendicular to its two main faces 64, 66.

Lorsque plusieurs plaques 60 sont empilées les unes sur les autres, comme illustré sur la figure 2, les portions dentées 76 sont disposées au voisinage l'une de l'autre et sont toutes sensiblement superposées dans la direction de la hauteur de l'empilement 62. De cette façon, elles reconstituent une zone d'engagement du mors de serrage 50 destinée à venir en contact avec l'objet à serrer, notamment une tige de forage, les arêtes 78 des dents formant une pluralité de picots adaptés à pénétrer dans ladite tige de forage pour la tenir ou la faire tourner sans glissement.When several plates 60 are stacked on top of each other, as illustrated on the figure 2 , the toothed portions 76 are arranged in the vicinity of each other and are all substantially superposed in the height direction of the stack 62. In this way, they reconstitute a zone of engagement of the clamping jaw 50 intended come into contact with the object to be clamped, in particular a drill pipe, the edges 78 teeth forming a plurality of pins adapted to penetrate into said drill pipe to hold it or rotate it without slipping.

Dans l'exemple illustré, chaque plaque 60 est légèrement échancrée au niveau de sa portion dentée 76. Autrement dit, les arêtes 78 des dents sont décalées vers l'intérieur de la plaque 60 par rapport aux portions extérieures 69a, 69b de la tranche 68 situées de part et d'autre de la portion dentée 76. En conséquence, la zone d'engagement du mors présente une concavité dirigée vers l'extérieur de l'empilement de plaques 62, qui lui permet d'optimiser la surface de contact avec l'objet à serrer notamment lorsque celui-ci présente une forme tubulaire. Les figures 4 et 5 notamment montrent la concavité de chaque plaque de l'empilement au niveau de sa portion dentée (et ainsi du mors au niveau sa zone d'engagement), en section dans un plan perpendiculaire à la direction d'empilement, autrement dit dans un plan parallèle au plan principal de la plaque.In the illustrated example, each plate 60 is slightly indented at its toothed portion 76. In other words, the ridges 78 of the teeth are shifted inwardly of the plate 60 relative to the outer portions 69a, 69b of the portion 68. located on either side of the toothed portion 76. As a result, the engagement zone of the jaw has a concavity directed towards the outside of the stack of plates 62, which allows it to optimize the contact surface with the object to be clamped especially when it has a tubular shape. The Figures 4 and 5 in particular show the concavity of each plate of the stack at its toothed portion (and thus of the jaw at its engagement zone), in section in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction, in other words in a parallel plane at the main plane of the plate.

Dans l'exemple, la portion dentée 76 se divise en deux branches 77a, 77b sensiblement rectilignes, s'étendent selon deux directions formant entre elles un angle W. De préférence, l'angle W est choisi en fonction du diamètre D de l'objet à serrer. Dans le cas de tiges de forage par exemple, selon une disposition préférée, l'angle W pourra être choisi entre 120° et 140°, pour des tiges de diamètre compris entre 30 et 400mm.In the example, the toothed portion 76 divides into two substantially rectilinear branches 77a, 77b, extend in two directions forming between them an angle W. Preferably, the angle W is chosen as a function of the diameter D of the object to be tightened. In the case of drill pipes for example, according to a preferred arrangement, the angle W may be chosen between 120 ° and 140 °, for rods with a diameter of between 30 and 400 mm.

Selon un autre exemple et de manière optimale, la portion dentée d'une plaque peut présenter un profil courbe et de préférence sensiblement semi-circulaire, de façon à s'adapter au mieux au diamètre de la tige de forage à serrer. Selon une disposition préférée, la courbe reliant les arêtes des dents d'une plaque présente un rayon de courbure sensiblement identique au rayon de la tige de forage.According to another example and optimally, the toothed portion of a plate may have a curved profile and preferably substantially semicircular, so as to adapt best to the diameter of the drill pipe to be clamped. According to a preferred arrangement, the curve connecting the edges of the teeth of a plate has a radius of curvature substantially identical to the radius of the drill pipe.

On note en outre que les parois 54, 56 du support 52 sont légèrement échancrées à l'emplacement prévu pour les portions dentées 76 des plaques 60, de sorte que les dites portions dentées 76 font saillie hors du support 52.It is further noted that the walls 54, 56 of the support 52 are slightly indented at the location provided for the toothed portions 76 of the plates 60, so that said toothed portions 76 project out of the support 52.

Dans la suite, on entend par direction longitudinale x d'une plaque 60 une direction perpendiculaire aux côtés 71, 72 de la plaque 60 qui sont situés de part et d'autre de celui 74 comprenant la portion dentée 76.In the following, the longitudinal direction x of a plate 60 is understood to mean a direction perpendicular to the sides 71, 72 of the plate 60 which are located on either side of that 74 comprising the toothed portion 76.

On entend par direction transversale y une direction perpendiculaire au côté 74 comprenant la portion dentée 76.By transverse direction y is meant a direction perpendicular to the side 74 comprising the toothed portion 76.

Par ailleurs, on entend par plan médian P de la plaque 60, un plan passant par le milieu de la plaque 60 prise dans sa direction longitudinale x, et perpendiculaire à cette direction longitudinale x.Furthermore, the median plane P of the plate 60, a plane passing through the middle of the plate 60 taken in its longitudinal direction x, and perpendicular to this longitudinal direction x.

Pour permettre de fixer les plaques 60 entre elles une fois empilées, chaque plaque 60 comporte un dispositif de fixation 80 sous la forme d'un ou plusieurs trous de fixation 81, débouchant sur ses deux faces principales 64, 66.To enable the plates 60 to be fixed together once stacked, each plate 60 comprises a fixing device 80 in the form of one or more fixing holes 81, opening on its two main faces 64, 66.

Ces trous de fixation 81 sont configurés de sorte qu'au moins un trou 81 de chaque plaque 60 est en regard d'un trou de fixation 81 de chacune des autres plaques 60 une fois celles-ci empilées. Au moins un logement de passage 82 traversant l'empilement 62 de part en part, est ainsi formé.These fixing holes 81 are configured so that at least one hole 81 of each plate 60 is opposite a fixing hole 81 of each of the other plates 60 once they are stacked. At least one passage housing 82 passing through the stack 62 from one side to the other is thus formed.

De préférence, toutes les plaques 60 de l'empilement sont identiques. Il est ainsi plus facile de superposer les trous de fixation 81 des différentes plaques 60 en faisant correspondre leurs différents côtés 71, 72, 73, 74.Preferably, all the plates 60 of the stack are identical. It is thus easier to superpose the fixing holes 81 of the different plates 60 by matching their different sides 71, 72, 73, 74.

De manière encore plus préférentielle, comme dans l'exemple illustré, le logement 59 formé par le support 52 présente des dimensions telles qu'une fois l'empilement 62 de plaques 60 disposé à l'intérieur, les portions dentées 76 étant orientées vers l'extérieur du logement 59, les trois autres côtés 71, 72, 73 de chaque plaque 60 coopèrent avec des parois internes du logement 59.Even more preferably, as in the example shown, the housing 59 formed by the support 52 has dimensions such that once the stack 62 of plates 60 disposed inside, the toothed portions 76 being oriented towards the outside the housing 59, the other three sides 71, 72, 73 of each plate 60 cooperate with internal walls of the housing 59.

Sur la figure 4, on constate en outre que le support 52 présente autant de trous de fixation 84 débouchant sur chacune de ses deux parois 54, 56, que les plaques comprennent de trous de fixation 81.On the figure 4 , it is further found that the support 52 has as many fixing holes 84 opening on each of its two walls 54, 56, that the plates comprise fixing holes 81.

Ainsi, lorsque l'empilement de plaques 62 est en position à l'intérieur du logement 59, chaque logement de passage 82 formé par des trous de fixation 81 des plaques 60 se retrouve en regard d'un trou 84 de chaque paroi 54, 56 du support 52.Thus, when the stack of plates 62 is in position inside the housing 59, each passage housing 82 formed by fixing holes 81 of the plates 60 is found facing a hole 84 of each wall 54, 56 of support 52.

Pour l'assemblage du mors 50, un axe de retenue 86 introduit dans chaque logement de passage 82 traverse de part en part l'ensemble formé par les deux parois 54, 56 et l'empilement de plaques 62. Dans l'exemple, l'axe 86 est un boulon. Une fois le boulon passé à travers chacune des plaques de l'empilement et à travers les deux parois 54, 56, celui-ci peut coopérer avec un écrou (non-représenté) pour maintenir l'assemblage.For assembling the jaw 50, a retaining pin 86 introduced into each passage housing 82 passes right through the assembly formed by the two walls 54, 56 and the stack of plates 62. In the example, 86 is a bolt. Once the bolt has passed through each of the plates of the stack and through the two walls 54, 56, it can cooperate with a nut (not shown) to maintain the assembly.

Pour faciliter le désassemblage du mors 50, notamment pour le remplacement d'une plaque 60, un léger jeu est conservé entre les plaques 60, à l'intérieur du logement de réception 59To facilitate the disassembly of the jaw 50, in particular for the replacement of a plate 60, a slight clearance is maintained between the plates 60, inside the receiving housing 59

De préférence, comme c'est le cas sur la figure 4, les trous de fixation 81 d'une même plaque 60 sont symétriques par rapport au plan médian P.Preferably, as is the case on the figure 4 , the fixing holes 81 of the same plate 60 are symmetrical with respect to the median plane P.

Ainsi, chaque trou de fixation 81 est aligné avec un trou de chaque autre plaque 60 de l'empilement 62, même lorsque les plaques 60 sont disposées tête-bêche, comme c'est le cas sur la figure.Thus, each fixing hole 81 is aligned with a hole in each other plate 60 of the stack 62, even when the plates 60 are arranged upside down, as is the case in the figure.

Dans l'exemple particulier de la figure 4, les portions extérieures 69a, 69b de la tranche 68 d'une plaque 60, situées de part en part de sa portion dentée 76, ne sont pas de même longueur.In the particular example of the figure 4 , the outer portions 69a, 69b of the wafer 68 of a plate 60, located right through its toothed portion 76, are not of the same length.

En d'autres termes, la portion dentée 76 n'est pas centrée sur le milieu de la plaque 60 prise dans sa direction longitudinale x.In other words, the toothed portion 76 is not centered on the middle of the plate 60 taken in its longitudinal direction x.

Comme la portion dentée 76 de chaque plaque 60 est légèrement excentrée, deux plaques 60 adjacentes de l'empilement 62, disposées tête-bêche, ont leurs portions dentées 76 décalées l'une par rapport à l'autre.As the toothed portion 76 of each plate 60 is slightly eccentric, two adjacent plates 60 of the stack 62, arranged back to back, have their toothed portions 76 offset with respect to each other.

Les pics 88 de la zone d'engagement sont donc disposés en quinconce, comme illustré sur la figure 4. Cette configuration est particulièrement indiquée pour une utilisation dans le dispositif inférieur de serrage 26.The peaks 88 of the engagement zone are therefore staggered, as illustrated in FIG. figure 4 . This configuration is particularly suitable for use in the lower clamping device 26.

La figure 5 illustre un autre exemple de réalisation dans lequel deux plaques 60 adjacentes sont disposées, non pas tête-bêche, mais dans le même sens. Dans ce cas, les dents des deux plaques 60 sont alignées, formant une série de stries 90 parallèles entre elles. Cette configuration est particulièrement indiquée pour une utilisation dans le dispositif supérieur de serrage 24.The figure 5 illustrates another embodiment in which two adjacent plates 60 are arranged, not head to tail, but in the same direction. In this case, the teeth of the two plates 60 are aligned, forming a series of striations 90 parallel to each other. This configuration is particularly suitable for use in the upper clamping device 24.

Claims (17)

  1. A clamping jaw (50) for a drill pipe, comprising an engagement zone intended to enter into contact with the drill pipe to be clamped (20), the jaw (50) being characterized in that it comprises a stack (62) of separate plates (60), each having a wafer (68) having at least one toothed portion (76) at which the plate (60) is indented, and in that said toothed portions (76) are arranged so as to reconstitute said engagement zone of the jaw (50).
  2. The clamping jaw (50) according to claim 1, wherein each plate (60) of the stack (62) is provided with an attachment device (80) comprising at least one attachment hole (81), each attachment hole (81) being aligned with an attachment hole (81) of each of the other plates (60) of the same stack (62), so as to form a passage accommodation (82) passing through the stack (62) on either side and suitable for receiving a retaining shaft (86).
  3. The clamping jaw (50) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a support (52) including a first and a second wall (54, 56) spaced from one another, the stack of plates (62) being suitable to accommodate itself between said walls (54, 56).
  4. The clamping jaw according to claim 3, wherein the first and the second wall (54, 56) of the support each comprise at least one attachment hole (84) aligned with a passage accommodation formed by the stack of plates (62), and a retaining shaft (86) introduced into said passage accommodation passes from side to side through the assembly formed by the two walls (54, 56) and the stack of plates (62).
  5. The clamping jaw (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein two adjoining plates (60) of the stack (62) have their toothed portions (76) offset with respect to one another.
  6. The clamping jaw (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plates (60) of the stack (62) are identical, and two adjoining plates (60) of the stack (62) are disposed head to tail.
  7. The clamping jaw (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the attachment device (80) of each plate (60) has symmetry with respect to a median plane (P) of the plate (60) which is orthogonal to the main faces (64, 66) of the plate (60), by which means two adjoining plates of the stack (62), disposed head to tail, have their attachment devices (80) aligned.
  8. The clamping jaw (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the edges (78) of the teeth of a toothed portion (76) are offset inwardly of the plate (60) with respect to portions (69a, 69b) of the wafer (68) situated on either side of said toothed portion (76).
  9. The clamping jaw (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plates (60) are made of untreated steel.
  10. The clamping jaw (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the material, in particular the steel, constituting the plates, has a Vickers hardness comprised between 120 and 140.
  11. A clamping device (24, 26) for clamping a drill pipe (20), the device comprising at least two clamping jaws (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and a device (42a, 42b) for displacing said clamping jaws (50) between a spaced apart position and a clamping position.
  12. The clamping device (24, 26) according to claim 11, wherein the two clamping jaws are displaced according to axisymmetric trajectories.
  13. The clamping device (24, 26) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the displacement device (42a, 42b) comprises a hydraulic actuating cylinder for each clamping jaw (50).
  14. A drilling machine (10), comprising a machine body (12), a guide mast (14), a rotation head (18) movably mounted along said guide mast (14), and a clamping device (24, 26) according to any one of claims 11 to 13.
  15. The drilling machine (10) according to claim 14, wherein the two clamping jaws are displaced along symmetric trajectories with respect to the axis of rotation (A) of the rotation head (18).
  16. The drilling machine (10) according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising a second clamping device (24, 26), mounted in series with the first, so that the two clamping devices (24, 26) can clamp the same single drill pipe string.
  17. The drilling machine (10) according to claim 16, further comprising means (28) suitable for causing one of the clamping device (24, 26) to pivot around the axis of rotation (A) of the rotation head (18).
EP13163716.7A 2012-04-13 2013-04-15 Clamping jaw and clamping device comprising such a jaw Active EP2650466B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1253418A FR2989413B1 (en) 2012-04-13 2012-04-13 CLAMPING DEVICE AND CLAMPING DEVICE COMPRISING SUCH A THRUST

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2650466A2 EP2650466A2 (en) 2013-10-16
EP2650466A3 EP2650466A3 (en) 2017-04-26
EP2650466B1 true EP2650466B1 (en) 2018-06-06

Family

ID=48049909

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13163716.7A Active EP2650466B1 (en) 2012-04-13 2013-04-15 Clamping jaw and clamping device comprising such a jaw

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2650466B1 (en)
FR (1) FR2989413B1 (en)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR422032A (en) * 1910-07-04 1911-03-10 Adolf Vietor Gripping surface layout for clamping tools
GB394068A (en) * 1932-02-20 1933-06-22 Voucher Ltd Improvements in vices
AU531402B2 (en) * 1979-11-08 1983-08-25 Irwin, L.F. Ratchet pipe wrench
FR2549892B1 (en) 1983-07-28 1985-10-18 Brissonneau & Lotz MACHINE FOR APPLYING A TIGHTENING OR UNSCREWING TORQUE TO RODS, IN PARTICULAR DRILLING RODS
US6931965B1 (en) * 2003-08-18 2005-08-23 Robert P. Fanguy Portable pipe tong and method of use
NO327993B1 (en) * 2006-06-09 2009-11-02 Aker Mh As Tang Construction

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2650466A2 (en) 2013-10-16
FR2989413A1 (en) 2013-10-18
EP2650466A3 (en) 2017-04-26
FR2989413B1 (en) 2014-12-19

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