US20190316427A1 - Drill rod handler - Google Patents
Drill rod handler Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20190316427A1 US20190316427A1 US16/454,521 US201916454521A US2019316427A1 US 20190316427 A1 US20190316427 A1 US 20190316427A1 US 201916454521 A US201916454521 A US 201916454521A US 2019316427 A1 US2019316427 A1 US 2019316427A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- handler
- arm
- bed
- rod
- working arm
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- E21B19/14—Racks, ramps, troughs or bins, for holding the lengths of rod singly or connected; Handling between storage place and borehole
- E21B19/15—Racking of rods in horizontal position; Handling between horizontal and vertical position
- E21B19/155—Handling between horizontal and vertical position
-
- 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
- E21B19/14—Racks, ramps, troughs or bins, for holding the lengths of rod singly or connected; Handling between storage place and borehole
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the transport and use of pipes and rods used in on-shore drilling applications, such as in the sinking of bores into aquifers.
- Drilling operations such as the sinking of bores into aquifers require the use of vertically aligned pipes or rods.
- a drill string is provided in rods or pipes above a drill stem, each of which is joined in turn to the drill string as the drill stem is lowered into the ground.
- the present invention seeks to provide a means of transporting and/or erecting drill string rods which addresses these concerns.
- a handler for elongate members including a bed on which the elongate members can be located in a generally horizontal configuration, and a working arm, the working arm having a grasping means, the working arm being moveable relative to the bed such that the grasping means is moveable between a horizontal configuration and a vertical configuration.
- the elongate members may be drill rods as used in a drill string.
- the working arm is moveable through at least two degrees of freedom. This may be rotation about a horizontally aligned axis, and rotation about a vertical axis.
- the bed may include at least one inclined surface, inclined in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal direction of the elongate members when located horizontally. It is preferred that the bed includes two inclined surfaces, arranged in a ‘V-shape’. In this way, the bed includes a primed position lower than the surrounding areas, into which a single drill rod is encouraged to roll by the action of gravity.
- the bed may be associated with a selector, associated with the primed position.
- the selector may be arranged to elevate a drill rod from the primed position into an elevated position.
- the selector preferably includes a cradle arranged to support a drill rod, and legs arranged to raise the cradle relative to the bed.
- the grasping means may be associated with a grabbing arm.
- the grabbing arm may be fixed to the working arm.
- the grabbing arm is detachably connected to the working arm at a pivot, and includes an angle adjustment means enabling the relative angle of the working arm and the grabbing arm to be altered.
- the handler may be arranged for use with a number of interchangeable grabbing arms, for instanced sized for use with different sized drill rods.
- a grabbing arm for use in the movement and manipulation of elongate members, such as drill rods, the grabbing arm being generally elongate and including at least two grasping means arranged to selectively locate about an elongate member.
- each grasping means includes two grasping members, a first grasping member having a first effective circumference and the second grasping member having a second effective circumference.
- the first effective circumference is similar to the circumference of the elongate member to be moved.
- the second effective circumference is larger than the first effective circumference.
- each grasping means has a grasping member which is able to hold the drill rod, and a grasping member which is able to locate around the drill rod, and act as a back-up holding mechanism.
- Each grasping means may include a set of jaws operated by a linking structure.
- the linking structure may be arranged such that the operation of an operating cylinder causes opening and closing of the jaws. It is preferred that the operating cylinder is arranged to operate radially relative to the area bounded by the jaws.
- the grabbing arm may have a moveable foot.
- the moveable foot may be arranged to move in an elongate direction, for instance to engage the base of a drill rod.
- the grabbing arm preferably includes a detection means to indicate whether an elongate member is in position to be grasped by the grasping means. This may be a proximity detector.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective of a drill rod handler in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the drill rod handler of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective of a selector within the drill rod handler of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective of a grabbing arm within the drill rod handler of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 a is an enlarged view of a portion of the grabbing arm of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective of the grabbing arm of FIG. 4 , shown during use;
- FIG. 6 is a cross section through a grasping means within the grabbing arm of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective of the drill rod handler of FIG. 1 shown immediately prior to operation;
- FIG. 8 is a cross section through the drill rod handler in the configuration of FIG. 7 ;
- FIG. 9 is a cross section through the drill rod handler of FIG. 1 , shown following raising of a selector;
- FIG. 10 is a perspective of a portion of the drill rod handler of FIG. 1 , shown following grasping of a rod;
- FIG. 11 is a cross section through the drill rod handler in the configuration of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 12 is a perspective of the drill rod handler of FIG. 1 , shown following raising of a rod;
- FIG. 13 is a perspective of the drill rod handler of FIG. 1 , shown following slewing of a boom arm assembly;
- FIG. 14 is a side view of the drill rod handler of FIG. 1 , shown as a rod is being lowered into position;
- FIG. 15 is a perspective of the drill rod handler of FIG. 1 , shown with a rod ready to be deployed;
- FIG. 16 is a perspective of the drill rod handler of FIG. 1 , shown following return of a rod to the drill rod handler.
- FIG. 1 shows a handler 10 for the transportation of drilling rods, being elongate members.
- the handler 10 is in the form of a trailer arranged for attachment to a prime mover or tractor unit in known fashion.
- the handler 10 as shown in the drawings is part of a six-wheeled trailer.
- the handler 10 has a forward end 12 , a rear end 14 and two side edges 16 .
- the handler 10 includes two stabilizers or outriggers 18 along each side edge 16 , which can be deployed for use or retracted for transportation in known fashion.
- the handler 10 has a generally rectangular bed 20 , having an elongate direction extending from near the forward end 12 to the rear end 14 , and a transverse direction extending from one side edge 16 to the other side edge 16 .
- a hydraulic lifting device or boom arm assembly 22 is mounted towards the rear end 14 of the bed 20 .
- the boom arm assembly 22 has a base post 24 , arranged to slew about a vertical axis, and a working arm 26 , pivotally connected to the base post 24 and arranged to rotate relative to the base post 24 about a horizontal axis.
- the working arm 26 is generally elongate, with an angled distal end portion 28 .
- the arrangement is such that when the boom arm assembly 22 is in the rest position, as shown in FIG. 1 , the working arm 26 extends in the elongated direction, parallel to and spaced from the bed 20 .
- the distal end portion 28 is angled towards the bed 20 at an angle of about 120°.
- a rotational coupling 30 is mounted to an outer end of the distal end portion 28 .
- a grabbing arm 40 is mounted to the rotational coupling 30 .
- the rotational coupling 30 is arranged such that the particular grabbing arm 40 can be readily exchanged for an alternative grabbing arm 40 , for instance for use in the deployment of drill rods of different sizes.
- the grabbing arm 40 is elongate, with a first end 42 and a second end 44 .
- the grabbing arm 40 is generally rectangular prismatic in shape, with an inner face 41 , an outer face 43 and two side faces 45 extending between the first end 42 and the second end 44 .
- the rotational coupling 30 is mounted to the grabbing arm 40 on the outer face 43 , about one third of the way from the first end 42 to the second end 44 .
- a hydraulically operated telescopic end portion 46 extends from the second end 44 in an elongate direction.
- the telescopic end portion 46 is controlled by a hydraulic ram 48 . Operation of the hydraulic ram 48 acts to increase or decrease the effective length of the grabbing arm 40 .
- the end portion 46 terminates in a foot 50 which extends inwardly; that is, extends generally perpendicular to the grabbing arm 40 on the inner face 41 .
- the grabbing portion includes two grasping means or grabbers 52 , one located near the first end 42 and one located near the second end 44 .
- Each grasping means 52 has a first grasping member 54 and a second grasping member 56 . Operation of the first grasping member 54 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 , with operation of the second grasping member 56 being substantially similar.
- the first grasping member 54 has a set of grasping jaws 58 which are arranged to open and close by relative rotation of the jaws 58 about a pivot point 60 .
- the pivot point 60 is fixed on the inner face 41 of the grabbing arm 40 .
- An operating hydraulic cylinder 62 is fixed on the outer face 43 of the grabbing arm 40 , and has a ram 64 arranged to move in a direction perpendicular to the outer face 43 .
- the ram 64 is fixed to a linking mechanism 66 , which is in turn attached to the jaws 58 .
- the arrangement is such that movement of the ram 64 away from the outer face 43 causes the jaws 58 to close, forming a generally circular enclosure having a nominal circumference. Movement of the ram 64 towards the outer face 43 causes the jaws 58 to open.
- the plane of the generally circular enclosure is perpendicular to the elongate direction of the grabbing arm 40 .
- the direction of operation of the cylinder 62 is generally radial relative to the enclosure formed by the jaws 58 .
- the first grasping member 54 and the second grasping member 56 are located next to each other, with their respective jaws 58 being parallel.
- the nominal circumference of the jaws 58 of the first grasping member 54 is smaller than the nominal circumference of the jaws 58 of the second grasping member 56 .
- the grabbing arm 40 includes detection means to determine whether or not a rod 100 is in the correct position for grasping by the grasping means 52 .
- the detection means may be an optical detector, such as a proximity sensor 68 located on the inner face 41 of the grabbing arm 40 .
- the grabbing arm 40 is arranged such that the nominal circumference of the jaws 58 of the first grasping member 54 is similar to the circumference of the rod 100 .
- the first grasping members 54 will hold the rod 100 in position relative to the grabbing arm 40 .
- the second grasping members 56 will extend around the rod 100 with a small clearance, and act to prevent detachment of the rod 100 from the grabbing arm 40 in the event of failure of a first grasping member 54 .
- the hydraulic ram 48 is actuated to bring the end portion 46 and the foot 50 into position near the end of the rod 100 , in order to prevent loss of the rod 100 through slippage.
- the bed 20 of the handler 10 includes three transversely extending raised supports 70 which support the rods 100 during transport.
- the raised supports 70 are arranged to telescope outwards from the side edges 16 to a distance even beyond that of the outriggers 18 , such that during use rods 100 can be arrayed across the bed 20 not just from side edge 16 to side edge 16 , but across the span of the supports 70 .
- the supports 70 each include a central portion 72 defined by two inclined surfaces which meet to form a concave V-shape. It will be appreciated that a rod 100 will readily come to rest across the base of this V-shape, in a stable position. This position can be considered a primed position.
- the bed 20 includes an elongate selector 80 aligned with the central portion 72 of the supports.
- the selector 80 as shown in FIG. 3 , includes an elongate cradle 82 arranged to support a rod 100 , and two legs 84 which are associated with a hydraulic activation means within the bed 20 (not shown) to raise or lower the selector 80 relative to the bed 20 .
- the supports 70 include outer portions 74 hinged to the central portion 72 .
- the arrangement is such that the outer portions 74 , in conjunction with the outriggers 18 , can be arranged to be generally horizontal; to be inclined away from the central portion 72 ; or to be inclined towards the central portion 72 . In this way rods located on the outer portions 74 can be rolled towards or away from the central portion 72 .
- the bed 20 includes additional V-shaped members 76 aligned with the central portion 72 .
- the additional V-shaped members 76 are each hinged at a side, and associated with a hydraulic activation means such that selected additional V-shaped members can be raised in order to provide impetus to a rod 100 to roll the rod 100 away from the central portion 72 .
- FIGS. 7 and 8 show the rod handler 10 in position ready for deployment of a rod 100 .
- the rod 100 is located in the central portion 72 of the supports 70 .
- One of the outer portions 74 is arranged in a holding position for further rods 102 , being inclined away from the central portion 72 . It will be observed that the outriggers 18 are deployed, and that the rods 100 extend from the base post 24 of the boom arm assembly 22 right to the forward end 12 of the bed 20 .
- the working arm 26 and the grabbing arm 40 are both located directly above the rod 100 .
- the first action is the raising of the rod 100 using the selector 80 .
- the rod 100 is held in the cradle 82 , and as the legs 84 are lifted the rod 100 is moved into position within the grasping means 52 . This is shown in FIG. 9 .
- the selector 80 is disabled unless the grasping means 52 is open.
- the grabbing arm 40 is then operated to grasp the rod 100 . This includes the closing of the jaws 58 , and the operation of the hydraulic ram 48 to bring the foot 50 against a base of the rod 100 . This position is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 .
- the rod 100 can be moved into position using the boom arm assembly 22 .
- the first action is to raise the rod 100 to a vertical position, by rotating the working arm 26 by 90°. This is shown in FIG. 12 .
- the working arm 26 cannot be operated unless the hydraulic pressure operating the grasping means 52 is above a predetermined limit (for instance, 2500 psi); the proximity sensor 68 shows the rod 100 to be securely in place; and the foot 50 is against the base of the rod 100 .
- a predetermined limit for instance, 2500 psi
- the base post 24 can then be slewed 180°, placing the rod behind the rear end 14 of the handler 10 . This is shown in FIG. 13 . As a safety precaution, the base post 24 can only slew if the working arm 26 is in a vertical position.
- the rod 100 can then be lowered into position above the drill string (not shown), by rotating the working arm 26 .
- the rotational coupling 30 is also rotated by a corresponding angle. This is shown in FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 15 shows the final stage of deployment of the rod 100 , where the hydraulic ram 48 is operated to displace the foot 50 from the rod 100 , freeing the base of the rod 100 for connection to the drill string.
- Rods 100 can be returned to the handler 10 using the reverse procedure.
- FIG. 16 shows a rod 100 which has just been returned to the handler 10 . Additional V-shaped members 76 have been engaged in order to ‘kick’ the rod 100 away from the central portion 72 towards the outer portions 74 .
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Manipulator (AREA)
Abstract
A drill rod handler provides rods to be used to form a drill string in on-shore drilling operations. The drill rod handler includes side arms which are moveable to encourage drill rods to roll towards or away from a centre line of the drill rod handler. A working arm is arranged to grasp a centrally located drill rod, and to raise it from a horizontal to a vertical configuration. The working arm may then slew to correctly position the drill rod at the correct location for use.
Description
- The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/304,222, filed Oct. 14, 2016, which is a U.S. National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/AU2015/050162, filed Apr. 10, 2015, which claims priority from Australian Patent Application No. 2014901358, filed Apr. 14, 2014, said patent applications hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to the transport and use of pipes and rods used in on-shore drilling applications, such as in the sinking of bores into aquifers.
- Drilling operations such as the sinking of bores into aquifers require the use of vertically aligned pipes or rods. In general, it is not practical above the ground to erect a drill string which is sufficiently long to achieve the required depth once inserted into the ground. Instead, a drill string is provided in rods or pipes above a drill stem, each of which is joined in turn to the drill string as the drill stem is lowered into the ground.
- Transportation of rod sections and on-site handling of rods represent difficult operations. Generally a truck is required to transport the rods (horizontally), and then a crane is required to lift each rod and to manoeuver it into position. These operations are both time consuming and labour intensive.
- The present invention seeks to provide a means of transporting and/or erecting drill string rods which addresses these concerns.
- According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a handler for elongate members, the handler including a bed on which the elongate members can be located in a generally horizontal configuration, and a working arm, the working arm having a grasping means, the working arm being moveable relative to the bed such that the grasping means is moveable between a horizontal configuration and a vertical configuration.
- The elongate members may be drill rods as used in a drill string.
- Preferably the working arm is moveable through at least two degrees of freedom. This may be rotation about a horizontally aligned axis, and rotation about a vertical axis.
- The bed may include at least one inclined surface, inclined in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal direction of the elongate members when located horizontally. It is preferred that the bed includes two inclined surfaces, arranged in a ‘V-shape’. In this way, the bed includes a primed position lower than the surrounding areas, into which a single drill rod is encouraged to roll by the action of gravity.
- The bed may be associated with a selector, associated with the primed position. The selector may be arranged to elevate a drill rod from the primed position into an elevated position. The selector preferably includes a cradle arranged to support a drill rod, and legs arranged to raise the cradle relative to the bed.
- The grasping means may be associated with a grabbing arm. The grabbing arm may be fixed to the working arm. Preferably, the grabbing arm is detachably connected to the working arm at a pivot, and includes an angle adjustment means enabling the relative angle of the working arm and the grabbing arm to be altered. The handler may be arranged for use with a number of interchangeable grabbing arms, for instanced sized for use with different sized drill rods.
- In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a grabbing arm for use in the movement and manipulation of elongate members, such as drill rods, the grabbing arm being generally elongate and including at least two grasping means arranged to selectively locate about an elongate member.
- Preferably each grasping means includes two grasping members, a first grasping member having a first effective circumference and the second grasping member having a second effective circumference. The first effective circumference is similar to the circumference of the elongate member to be moved. The second effective circumference is larger than the first effective circumference. In this way each grasping means has a grasping member which is able to hold the drill rod, and a grasping member which is able to locate around the drill rod, and act as a back-up holding mechanism.
- Each grasping means may include a set of jaws operated by a linking structure. The linking structure may be arranged such that the operation of an operating cylinder causes opening and closing of the jaws. It is preferred that the operating cylinder is arranged to operate radially relative to the area bounded by the jaws.
- The grabbing arm may have a moveable foot. The moveable foot may be arranged to move in an elongate direction, for instance to engage the base of a drill rod.
- The grabbing arm preferably includes a detection means to indicate whether an elongate member is in position to be grasped by the grasping means. This may be a proximity detector.
- It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective of a drill rod handler in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the drill rod handler ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective of a selector within the drill rod handler ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective of a grabbing arm within the drill rod handler ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4a is an enlarged view of a portion of the grabbing arm ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective of the grabbing arm ofFIG. 4 , shown during use; -
FIG. 6 is a cross section through a grasping means within the grabbing arm ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective of the drill rod handler ofFIG. 1 shown immediately prior to operation; -
FIG. 8 is a cross section through the drill rod handler in the configuration ofFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 9 is a cross section through the drill rod handler ofFIG. 1 , shown following raising of a selector; -
FIG. 10 is a perspective of a portion of the drill rod handler ofFIG. 1 , shown following grasping of a rod; -
FIG. 11 is a cross section through the drill rod handler in the configuration ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 12 is a perspective of the drill rod handler ofFIG. 1 , shown following raising of a rod; -
FIG. 13 is a perspective of the drill rod handler ofFIG. 1 , shown following slewing of a boom arm assembly; -
FIG. 14 is a side view of the drill rod handler ofFIG. 1 , shown as a rod is being lowered into position; -
FIG. 15 is a perspective of the drill rod handler ofFIG. 1 , shown with a rod ready to be deployed; and -
FIG. 16 is a perspective of the drill rod handler ofFIG. 1 , shown following return of a rod to the drill rod handler. - Referring to the Figures,
FIG. 1 shows ahandler 10 for the transportation of drilling rods, being elongate members. Thehandler 10 is in the form of a trailer arranged for attachment to a prime mover or tractor unit in known fashion. Thehandler 10 as shown in the drawings is part of a six-wheeled trailer. - The
handler 10 has aforward end 12, arear end 14 and two side edges 16. Thehandler 10 includes two stabilizers oroutriggers 18 along eachside edge 16, which can be deployed for use or retracted for transportation in known fashion. - The
handler 10 has a generallyrectangular bed 20, having an elongate direction extending from near theforward end 12 to therear end 14, and a transverse direction extending from oneside edge 16 to theother side edge 16. - A hydraulic lifting device or
boom arm assembly 22 is mounted towards therear end 14 of thebed 20. Theboom arm assembly 22 has abase post 24, arranged to slew about a vertical axis, and a workingarm 26, pivotally connected to thebase post 24 and arranged to rotate relative to thebase post 24 about a horizontal axis. - The working
arm 26 is generally elongate, with an angleddistal end portion 28. The arrangement is such that when theboom arm assembly 22 is in the rest position, as shown inFIG. 1 , the workingarm 26 extends in the elongated direction, parallel to and spaced from thebed 20. Thedistal end portion 28 is angled towards thebed 20 at an angle of about 120°. - A
rotational coupling 30 is mounted to an outer end of thedistal end portion 28. A grabbingarm 40 is mounted to therotational coupling 30. Therotational coupling 30 is arranged such that the particular grabbingarm 40 can be readily exchanged for analternative grabbing arm 40, for instance for use in the deployment of drill rods of different sizes. - The grabbing
arm 40, as best seen inFIG. 4 , is elongate, with afirst end 42 and asecond end 44. The grabbingarm 40 is generally rectangular prismatic in shape, with aninner face 41, anouter face 43 and two side faces 45 extending between thefirst end 42 and thesecond end 44. Therotational coupling 30 is mounted to the grabbingarm 40 on theouter face 43, about one third of the way from thefirst end 42 to thesecond end 44. - A hydraulically operated
telescopic end portion 46 extends from thesecond end 44 in an elongate direction. Thetelescopic end portion 46 is controlled by ahydraulic ram 48. Operation of thehydraulic ram 48 acts to increase or decrease the effective length of the grabbingarm 40. Theend portion 46 terminates in afoot 50 which extends inwardly; that is, extends generally perpendicular to the grabbingarm 40 on theinner face 41. - The grabbing portion includes two grasping means or
grabbers 52, one located near thefirst end 42 and one located near thesecond end 44. - Each grasping
means 52 has a first grasping member 54 and a second graspingmember 56. Operation of the first grasping member 54 will be described with reference toFIG. 6 , with operation of the second graspingmember 56 being substantially similar. - The first grasping member 54 has a set of grasping
jaws 58 which are arranged to open and close by relative rotation of thejaws 58 about apivot point 60. Thepivot point 60 is fixed on theinner face 41 of the grabbingarm 40. - An operating
hydraulic cylinder 62 is fixed on theouter face 43 of the grabbingarm 40, and has a ram 64 arranged to move in a direction perpendicular to theouter face 43. The ram 64 is fixed to alinking mechanism 66, which is in turn attached to thejaws 58. - The arrangement is such that movement of the ram 64 away from the
outer face 43 causes thejaws 58 to close, forming a generally circular enclosure having a nominal circumference. Movement of the ram 64 towards theouter face 43 causes thejaws 58 to open. The plane of the generally circular enclosure is perpendicular to the elongate direction of the grabbingarm 40. - It will be appreciated that the direction of operation of the
cylinder 62 is generally radial relative to the enclosure formed by thejaws 58. - The first grasping member 54 and the second grasping
member 56 are located next to each other, with theirrespective jaws 58 being parallel. The nominal circumference of thejaws 58 of the first grasping member 54 is smaller than the nominal circumference of thejaws 58 of the second graspingmember 56. - The grabbing
arm 40 includes detection means to determine whether or not arod 100 is in the correct position for grasping by the graspingmeans 52. The detection means may be an optical detector, such as aproximity sensor 68 located on theinner face 41 of the grabbingarm 40. - In use, the grabbing
arm 40 is arranged such that the nominal circumference of thejaws 58 of the first grasping member 54 is similar to the circumference of therod 100. When arod 100 is in the appropriate position, and the graspingmeans 52 are activated, the first grasping members 54 will hold therod 100 in position relative to the grabbingarm 40. The secondgrasping members 56 will extend around therod 100 with a small clearance, and act to prevent detachment of therod 100 from the grabbingarm 40 in the event of failure of a first grasping member 54. - The
hydraulic ram 48 is actuated to bring theend portion 46 and thefoot 50 into position near the end of therod 100, in order to prevent loss of therod 100 through slippage. - The
bed 20 of thehandler 10 includes three transversely extending raisedsupports 70 which support therods 100 during transport. The raised supports 70 are arranged to telescope outwards from the side edges 16 to a distance even beyond that of theoutriggers 18, such that duringuse rods 100 can be arrayed across thebed 20 not just fromside edge 16 toside edge 16, but across the span of thesupports 70. - The supports 70 each include a
central portion 72 defined by two inclined surfaces which meet to form a concave V-shape. It will be appreciated that arod 100 will readily come to rest across the base of this V-shape, in a stable position. This position can be considered a primed position. - The
bed 20 includes anelongate selector 80 aligned with thecentral portion 72 of the supports. Theselector 80, as shown inFIG. 3 , includes anelongate cradle 82 arranged to support arod 100, and twolegs 84 which are associated with a hydraulic activation means within the bed 20 (not shown) to raise or lower theselector 80 relative to thebed 20. - The supports 70 include
outer portions 74 hinged to thecentral portion 72. The arrangement is such that theouter portions 74, in conjunction with theoutriggers 18, can be arranged to be generally horizontal; to be inclined away from thecentral portion 72; or to be inclined towards thecentral portion 72. In this way rods located on theouter portions 74 can be rolled towards or away from thecentral portion 72. - The
bed 20 includes additional V-shapedmembers 76 aligned with thecentral portion 72. The additional V-shapedmembers 76 are each hinged at a side, and associated with a hydraulic activation means such that selected additional V-shaped members can be raised in order to provide impetus to arod 100 to roll therod 100 away from thecentral portion 72. - Use of the
rod handler 10 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 7 to 15 . -
FIGS. 7 and 8 show therod handler 10 in position ready for deployment of arod 100. Therod 100 is located in thecentral portion 72 of thesupports 70. One of theouter portions 74 is arranged in a holding position forfurther rods 102, being inclined away from thecentral portion 72. It will be observed that theoutriggers 18 are deployed, and that therods 100 extend from thebase post 24 of theboom arm assembly 22 right to theforward end 12 of thebed 20. The workingarm 26 and the grabbingarm 40 are both located directly above therod 100. - As a safety precaution, the flow of hydraulic fluid to the
boom arm assembly 22 and grabbingarm 40 is disabled unless all fouroutriggers 18 are properly deployed. - The first action is the raising of the
rod 100 using theselector 80. Therod 100 is held in thecradle 82, and as thelegs 84 are lifted therod 100 is moved into position within the graspingmeans 52. This is shown inFIG. 9 . As a safety precaution, theselector 80 is disabled unless the graspingmeans 52 is open. - The grabbing
arm 40 is then operated to grasp therod 100. This includes the closing of thejaws 58, and the operation of thehydraulic ram 48 to bring thefoot 50 against a base of therod 100. This position is shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 . - Once the
rod 100 has been grasped, it can be moved into position using theboom arm assembly 22. The first action is to raise therod 100 to a vertical position, by rotating the workingarm 26 by 90°. This is shown inFIG. 12 . As a safety precaution, the workingarm 26 cannot be operated unless the hydraulic pressure operating the graspingmeans 52 is above a predetermined limit (for instance, 2500 psi); theproximity sensor 68 shows therod 100 to be securely in place; and thefoot 50 is against the base of therod 100. - The
base post 24 can then be slewed 180°, placing the rod behind therear end 14 of thehandler 10. This is shown inFIG. 13 . As a safety precaution, thebase post 24 can only slew if the workingarm 26 is in a vertical position. - The
rod 100 can then be lowered into position above the drill string (not shown), by rotating the workingarm 26. In order to maintain therod 100 in a vertical configuration, therotational coupling 30 is also rotated by a corresponding angle. This is shown inFIG. 14 . -
FIG. 15 shows the final stage of deployment of therod 100, where thehydraulic ram 48 is operated to displace thefoot 50 from therod 100, freeing the base of therod 100 for connection to the drill string. -
Rods 100 can be returned to thehandler 10 using the reverse procedure.FIG. 16 shows arod 100 which has just been returned to thehandler 10. Additional V-shapedmembers 76 have been engaged in order to ‘kick’ therod 100 away from thecentral portion 72 towards theouter portions 74. - Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.
Claims (15)
1. A handler for elongate members, the handler comprising:
a bed on which the elongate members can be located in a generally horizontal configuration,
a boom arm assembly, the boom arm assembly being mounted on the bed, the boom arm assembly having a base post arranged to slew about a vertical axis, and
a working arm, the working arm having at least one elongate member grabber,
the working arm being moveable relative to the bed such that the an elongate member held within the grabber is moveable between a horizontal configuration and a vertical configuration, the working arm being pivotally connected to the base post and being arranged to rotate relative to the base post about a horizontal axis.
2. A handler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the elongate members are drill rods.
3. A handler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the working arm is moveable through at least two degrees of freedom.
4. A handler as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the two degrees of freedom are rotation about a horizontally aligned axis, and rotation about a vertical axis.
5. A handler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the bed includes at least one inclined surface, inclined in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal direction of the elongate members when located horizontally.
6. A handler as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the bed includes two inclined surfaces, arranged in a ‘V-shape’.
7. A handler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the bed includes a selector, associated with a particular position, the selector being arranged to elevate an elongate member from the particular position into an elevated position.
8. A handler as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the selector includes a cradle arranged to support an elongate member, and legs arranged to raise the cradle relative to the bed.
9. A handler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the grabber is associated with a grabbing arm.
10. A handler as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the grabbing arm is connected to the working arm at a pivot, and includes an angle adjustment means enabling the relative angle of the working arm and the grabbing arm to be altered.
11. A handler as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the grabbing arm is generally elongate and includes at least two grabbers arranged to selectively locate about a drill rod.
12. A handler as claimed in claim 11 , wherein each grabber includes first and second grasping members, the first grasping member having a first effective circumference and the second grasping member having a second effective circumference.
13. A handler as claimed in claim 12 , wherein each grabber includes a set of jaws operated by a linking structure, the linking structure being arranged such that the operation of an operating cylinder causes opening and closing of the jaws.
14. A handler as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the operating cylinder is arranged to operate radially relative to the area bounded by the jaws.
15. A handler as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the grabbing arm has a moveable foot.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/454,521 US20190316427A1 (en) | 2014-04-14 | 2019-06-27 | Drill rod handler |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2014901358A AU2014901358A0 (en) | 2014-04-14 | Drill rod handler | |
AU2014901358 | 2014-04-14 | ||
PCT/AU2015/050162 WO2015157815A1 (en) | 2014-04-14 | 2015-04-10 | Drill rod handler |
US201615304222A | 2016-10-14 | 2016-10-14 | |
US16/454,521 US20190316427A1 (en) | 2014-04-14 | 2019-06-27 | Drill rod handler |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU2015/050162 Division WO2015157815A1 (en) | 2014-04-14 | 2015-04-10 | Drill rod handler |
US15/304,222 Division US10385634B2 (en) | 2014-04-14 | 2015-04-10 | Drill rod handler |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20190316427A1 true US20190316427A1 (en) | 2019-10-17 |
Family
ID=54323277
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/304,222 Expired - Fee Related US10385634B2 (en) | 2014-04-14 | 2015-04-10 | Drill rod handler |
US16/454,521 Abandoned US20190316427A1 (en) | 2014-04-14 | 2019-06-27 | Drill rod handler |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/304,222 Expired - Fee Related US10385634B2 (en) | 2014-04-14 | 2015-04-10 | Drill rod handler |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US10385634B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3132109B1 (en) |
AU (2) | AU2015246649A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2945664A1 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2016144508A (en) |
TR (1) | TR201910881T4 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2015157815A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA201607835B (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2017192531A1 (en) * | 2016-05-02 | 2017-11-09 | Cameron International Corporation | Catwalk and crane system |
CN107269235B (en) * | 2017-07-25 | 2024-04-05 | 江苏谷登重型机械科技股份有限公司 | Drill rod grabbing device for non-excavation drilling machine |
EP3665358A4 (en) * | 2017-08-09 | 2021-04-21 | Wallis Engineers Pty Ltd | A drill rod handler |
CN109339702B (en) * | 2018-11-09 | 2023-10-27 | 山东中天泰和实业有限公司 | Digital multifunctional vehicle-mounted drilling and repairing machine |
US11486209B2 (en) | 2020-07-06 | 2022-11-01 | Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. | Robotic pipe handler systems |
US11643887B2 (en) | 2020-07-06 | 2023-05-09 | Canrig Robotic Technologies As | Robotic pipe handler systems |
US11408236B2 (en) | 2020-07-06 | 2022-08-09 | Canrig Robotic Technologies As | Robotic pipe handler systems |
CN116134208A (en) * | 2020-09-01 | 2023-05-16 | 坎里格机器人技术有限公司 | Tubular member handling system |
IT202000022483A1 (en) * | 2020-09-24 | 2022-03-24 | Drillmec Spa | INNOVATIVE MULTIFUNCTIONAL MANIPULATOR FOR THE HANDLING OF DRILLING ELEMENTS IN A DRILLING PLANT AND RELATED DRILLING PLANT. |
CN113404448A (en) * | 2021-07-19 | 2021-09-17 | 北京三一智造科技有限公司 | Automatic rod loading and unloading device and horizontal directional drilling machine |
CN113982507B (en) * | 2021-09-30 | 2023-09-19 | 张家口市宣化金科钻孔机械有限公司 | Drill rod grabbing mechanism |
CN115450576B (en) * | 2022-09-16 | 2023-07-25 | 北京科技大学 | Continuous drilling device for detecting deep stress field of coal seam |
Family Cites Families (35)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3112830A (en) * | 1961-10-17 | 1963-12-03 | Utility Body Company | Pole handling device |
US3322456A (en) * | 1965-05-17 | 1967-05-30 | Strakhal Vladimi Alexandrovich | Pipe-gripping device used for pulling and running operations in the boring of wells |
US3491811A (en) * | 1968-02-12 | 1970-01-27 | Beloit Corp | Reciprocal blade slasher |
US3561615A (en) * | 1969-07-16 | 1971-02-09 | Terry A Forsberg | Pipe positioning and handling device |
US3734209A (en) * | 1971-08-20 | 1973-05-22 | Bucyrus Erie Co | Well drilling rod and casing assembling method |
US4403897A (en) * | 1980-08-29 | 1983-09-13 | Walker-Neer Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Self-centering clamp for down-hole tubulars |
CA1240664A (en) * | 1985-09-13 | 1988-08-16 | Floyd W. Becker | Pipe handling apparatus |
US5423390A (en) * | 1993-10-12 | 1995-06-13 | Dreco, Inc. | Pipe racker assembly |
FI108913B (en) * | 1998-01-20 | 2002-04-30 | Kari Aulis Koponen | Logging method and harvester head for its implementation |
US5941324A (en) * | 1998-01-27 | 1999-08-24 | Schramm, Inc. | Drilling apparatus |
GB2334270A (en) * | 1998-02-14 | 1999-08-18 | Weatherford Lamb | Apparatus for attachment to pipe handling arm |
SE523654C2 (en) * | 1998-04-29 | 2004-05-04 | Hardab Sweden Ab | Device for drilling units |
AUPP009999A0 (en) | 1999-04-28 | 1999-05-20 | Boart Longyear Pty Ltd | Drill rod handling device |
US6860694B2 (en) * | 2000-01-13 | 2005-03-01 | Maritime Hydraulics As | Horizontal pipe handling device |
US6298927B1 (en) * | 2000-03-17 | 2001-10-09 | Laibe Corporation | Pipe storage and handling system for a drilling rig |
NO20011324L (en) * | 2001-03-15 | 2002-09-16 | Maritime Hydraulics As | Grip claw for pipe products |
AU2005202267B2 (en) * | 2004-06-04 | 2011-07-14 | Sandvik Mining And Construction Australia (Production/Supply) Pty Ltd | Handling apparatus |
CA2508157A1 (en) * | 2004-06-04 | 2005-12-04 | Graham Little | Handling apparatus |
US8221049B1 (en) * | 2005-09-09 | 2012-07-17 | Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Independent hydraulic pinching fingers with detachable secondary implement |
ITPD20050350A1 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2007-06-01 | Comacchio Srl | WELL PITCHING MACHINE, PARTICULARLY FOR PERFORATION SYSTEMS WITH SINGLE RODS, WITH NEW TILTING ROD LOADER |
US7469749B2 (en) * | 2006-02-22 | 2008-12-30 | Live Well Service, A Division Of Precision Drilling Corporation | Mobile snubbing system |
US8186926B2 (en) * | 2006-04-11 | 2012-05-29 | Longyear Tm, Inc. | Drill rod handler |
US7503606B2 (en) * | 2006-06-05 | 2009-03-17 | Hall David R | Lifting assembly |
US20080296063A1 (en) * | 2007-05-28 | 2008-12-04 | Pantano Energy Services Inc. | Low ground pressure and amphibious coring system |
US20090060685A1 (en) * | 2007-08-30 | 2009-03-05 | Howard Godfrey | All-Terrain Log Forwarder |
AU2008292850B2 (en) * | 2007-08-31 | 2013-05-02 | Lavalley Industries, Llc | Grapple attachment for use with drill pipes |
US7946795B2 (en) * | 2007-10-24 | 2011-05-24 | T & T Engineering Services, Inc. | Telescoping jack for a gripper assembly |
US8469648B2 (en) * | 2007-10-24 | 2013-06-25 | T&T Engineering Services | Apparatus and method for pre-loading of a main rotating structural member |
WO2009055861A1 (en) * | 2007-10-31 | 2009-05-07 | Sandvik Mining & Construction Australia Pty Ltd | Handling apparatus |
DK2274546T3 (en) * | 2008-04-29 | 2013-06-10 | Itrec Bv | Pipe gripping device |
US8328258B2 (en) * | 2008-09-16 | 2012-12-11 | Rolls-Royce Marine As | Gripping tool for a crane |
US8240968B2 (en) * | 2008-10-27 | 2012-08-14 | Laibe Corporation | Automated rod handling system |
EP2675742B1 (en) * | 2011-02-17 | 2015-07-08 | Lavalley Industries, LLC | Position adjustable grapple attachment |
NO20110638A1 (en) | 2011-04-29 | 2012-10-30 | Seabed Rig As | Rorhandteringsmaskin |
US20130343838A1 (en) * | 2012-06-21 | 2013-12-26 | Complete Production Services, Inc. | Walkway with pipe moving elements mechanism and method |
-
2015
- 2015-04-10 WO PCT/AU2015/050162 patent/WO2015157815A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-04-10 EP EP15779340.7A patent/EP3132109B1/en active Active
- 2015-04-10 TR TR2019/10881T patent/TR201910881T4/en unknown
- 2015-04-10 AU AU2015246649A patent/AU2015246649A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-04-10 US US15/304,222 patent/US10385634B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2015-04-10 RU RU2016144508A patent/RU2016144508A/en unknown
- 2015-04-10 CA CA2945664A patent/CA2945664A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2016
- 2016-11-14 ZA ZA2016/07835A patent/ZA201607835B/en unknown
-
2019
- 2019-06-27 US US16/454,521 patent/US20190316427A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2019-07-31 AU AU2019210592A patent/AU2019210592A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
RU2016144508A3 (en) | 2018-11-14 |
AU2015246649A1 (en) | 2016-12-01 |
ZA201607835B (en) | 2019-06-26 |
EP3132109A4 (en) | 2017-05-31 |
AU2019210592A1 (en) | 2019-08-22 |
WO2015157815A1 (en) | 2015-10-22 |
EP3132109B1 (en) | 2019-04-24 |
US10385634B2 (en) | 2019-08-20 |
TR201910881T4 (en) | 2019-08-21 |
RU2016144508A (en) | 2018-05-14 |
CA2945664A1 (en) | 2015-10-22 |
EP3132109A1 (en) | 2017-02-22 |
US20170044852A1 (en) | 2017-02-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20190316427A1 (en) | Drill rod handler | |
US8069592B2 (en) | Heavy equipment vehicle for laying pipe | |
US4652195A (en) | Casing stabbing and positioning apparatus | |
CN101040100B (en) | Tubular handling apparatus and a drilling rig | |
US20090101361A1 (en) | Tubular running system | |
JP6741346B2 (en) | Pile appending system | |
WO2017166915A1 (en) | Pipe processing device | |
US20150377409A1 (en) | Blowout preventer storage, transport and lift skid assembly | |
CA2957554A1 (en) | Injector head tilt mechanism | |
CN107109911A (en) | pipe handling system | |
US10144619B2 (en) | Attachment with vacuum and grab arms | |
US9506303B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for pipe pickup and laydown | |
AU2015101369A4 (en) | Drill Rod Handler | |
AU2019221089A1 (en) | Drill rod handling apparatus | |
US11767200B2 (en) | Holding device for load handling tool and hydraulic crane comprising such a holding device | |
WO2005123564A1 (en) | An attachment for a mobile material handler | |
JP2016210569A (en) | Boom attaching/detaching device and attaching/detaching method | |
US20160356103A1 (en) | Hydraulically Powered Trough Extension for a Pipe Handling, Pipe Laydown and Pipe Pickup Machine | |
AU2013202810A1 (en) | Rod loader attachment | |
WO2013110119A1 (en) | Rod loader attachment | |
US9624740B2 (en) | Hydraulic pipe handling apparatus | |
ES2946496T3 (en) | dredging cutter wheel | |
US11142112B1 (en) | Trailer mounted log loader | |
JP2010084341A (en) | Drilling unit, and drill pipe for the same | |
BR112016011989B1 (en) | pipelay ship equipped with a crane |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |