US20160032665A1 - Apparatus for lifting and/or moving operations of drilling equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting and/or moving operations of drilling equipment on a deck, the apparatus includes a load-bearing device, a synchronizing device, a synchronizing linkage comprising at least one guide which receives the synchronizing device, and a suspension device comprising at least one lifting arm. The at least one lifting arm comprises a first torque arm and a second torque arm. The first torque arm comprises a first end connected to the suspension device, and a second end connected to the synchronizing linkage so as to provide a first synchronizing link. The second torque arm comprises a first end connected to the synchronizing linkage so as to provide a second synchronizing link, and a second end connected to the load-bearing device. The first torque arm and the second torque arm are respectively further connected via the first synchronizing link and the second synchronizing link to the synchronizing device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
• This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2014/057169, filed on Apr. 9, 2014 and which claims benefit to Norwegian Patent Application No. 20130477, filed on Apr. 10, 2013. The International Application was published in English on Oct. 16, 2014 as WO 2014/167006 A2 under PCT Article 21(2).
FIELD
• The present invention relates to an apparatus for lifting and/or moving operations on a deck, such as a drilling deck, comprising at least one lifting arm. The apparatus is especially useful for lifting and/or moving loads, such as pipes, between different stations.
BACKGROUND
• The present invention can be used both onshore and offshore.
• In the oil and gas industry, pipes are used to create a fluid connection between a platform and a borehole. The pipe forming the fluid connection can, for example, be a drill string in addition to being other types of pipe. The drill string is used to form a borehole as the drill string penetrates further and further into the earth's crust. A drill string is usually formed by screwing together drill pipes in threes or fours (three to four drill pipes=one stand, 27 to 40 meters in length) for interim storage in a fingerboard before one stand at a time is screwed to the existing drill string to then follow the drill string into the earth's crust. So-called “iron roughnecks” are used to screw and unscrew the drill pipes, and a number of companies supply these devices. An iron roughneck generally consists of a two-piece wrench unit and a spinning device. The spinning device rotates a joint of drill pipe relative to another joint of drill pipe in order either to screw the two joints of drill pipe together or to unscrew them from each other. The wrench unit provides the torque necessary for the screwing or unscrewing operation.
• Because limited space is available on a typical drill floor, it is often necessary to be able to move equipment, such as iron roughnecks, guide devices, gripping devices etc., ahead of, during, or after drilling operations. It may be necessary to move equipment between different locations, for example, to and from the well center, to and from a storage location for pipes, such as a fingerboard, or into a stowed position.
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,612 B2 describes an apparatus to move an iron roughneck into position to allow for the making-up or breaking-out of threaded joints in a drill string. The apparatus may be configured as a dual parallelogram arm. U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,612 B2 shows a plurality of embodiments of how the point of connection between a lower and an upper support arm is arranged. In all illustrated embodiments, the torque is transferred “transversely” through the point of connection, from a lower support arm, via the point of connection point having different configurations for torque transfer, to a diagonally opposite upper support arm. The torque arms are described to furthermore be in direct contact with each other or, alternatively, the torque armes are in contact with each other via a single linkage.
• US 2011/0108264 A1 describes an articulated apparatus for handing drilling equipment, the apparatus comprising a base, a first set of arms pivotally connected at one end to the base, a joint member pivotally connected to another end of the first set of arms, a second set of arms pivotally connected at one end to the joint member, and a carrier assembly pivotally connected to an opposite end of the second set of arms. A drive system cooperates with the first and second sets of arms to move the drilling tool between a stowed position and a deployed position.
• A disadvantage of the prior art is that the movement of the parallelogram arm is not parallel to the floor or the underlying surface, and that the parallelogram arm will thus have different heights during deployment. This requires an extra clearance below the load to prevent a collision with the underlying surface. The tool furthermore does not necessarily encounter the load each time at the same height, which in some situations will require a height adjustment of the tool (the parallelogram arm).
• Other prior art embodiments will cause the torque transfer to take place in that the lower support arm must be made to have an elongated arm to fix the point of connection between the arms, which point of connection is fixed to the elongated arm of the upper support arm. This will set specific requirements regarding a minimum size of the load transfer connection, which in turn sets design-limiting requirements as to the height between the arms, the distance between the attachment of the lower and upper support arms, and as to how much torque can be transferred due to gearing.
SUMMARY
• An aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that provides a rectilinear movement of the lifting arm, parallel with the drill floor, while providing greater freedom in relation to the design of the lifting arm.
• In an embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for lifting and/or moving operations of drilling equipment on a deck, the apparatus comprising a load-bearing device, at least one common synchronizing device, a synchronizing linkage comprising at least one guide which is configured to receive the least one common synchronizing device, and a suspension device comprising at least one lifting arm. The at least one lifting arm comprises at least one pair of torque arms comprising a first torque arm and a second torque arm. The first torque arm comprises a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the suspension device, and the second end being connected to the synchronizing linkage so as to provide a first synchronizing link. The second torque arm comprises a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the synchronizing linkage so as to provide a second synchronizing link, and the second end being connected to the load-bearing device. The first torque arm and the second torque arm are respectively further connected via the first synchronizing link and the second synchronizing link to the at least one common synchronizing device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The present invention is described in greater detail below on the basis of embodiments and of the drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a lifting arm according to the present invention;
• FIG. 2 shows the position of the synchronizing device where the lifting arm is in a fully extended position;
• FIG. 3 shows the position of the synchronizing device where the lifting arm is in a partially extended position;
• FIG. 4 shows the position of the synchronizing device where the lifting arm is in a partially retracted position;
• FIG. 5 shows the position of the synchronizing device where the lifting arm is in a wholly retracted position;
• FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the synchronizing linkage;
• FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the synchronizing linkage;
• FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a lifting arm according to the present invention;
• FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which the first torque arm and the second torque arm are arranged above the first synchronizing arm and the second synchronizing arm; and
• FIG. 10 shows an embodiment in which the first torque arm and the second torque arm are arranged below the first synchronizing arm and the second synchronizing arm.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The present invention relates to an apparatus for lifting and/or moving operations of drilling equipment on a deck comprising a suspension device having at least one lifting arm, wherein the at least one lifting arm comprises at least one pair of torque arms comprising at least a first torque arm and a second torque arm, wherein a first end of the first torque arm is connected to the suspension device, and a second end of the first torque arm is connected to a synchronizing linkage; wherein a first end of the second torque arm is connected to the synchronizing linkage, and a second end of the second torque arm is connected to a load-bearing device, and wherein the first and the second torque arm, through their respective synchronizing link, are further connected to at least one common synchronizing device.
• The present invention disclosed herein will provide that all arm attachment points are always parallel to each other, which in turn means that the load-bearing device will remain parallel to the floor, for example, a drill floor.
• The torque transfer in the synchronizing linkage according to the present invention has at least three separate elements: the two synchronizing links that are connected to their respective torque arm, and the synchronizing device. The suspension device, to which the lifting arm is connected, can shift the lifting arm in a vertical movement, up or down, to raise or lower a load above the floor.
• In an embodiment of the present invention, the lifting arm can, for example, further comprise at least a first and a second synchronizing arm, the first torque arm being arranged parallel to at least the first synchronizing arm, and wherein a first end of the first synchronizing arm is connected to the suspension device, and a second end of the first synchronizing arm is connected to the synchronizing linkage, wherein the second torque arm is arranged parallel to at least the second synchronizing arm, and wherein a first end of the second synchronizing arm is connected to the synchronizing linkage, and a second end of the second synchronizing arm is connected to the load-bearing device.
• In an embodiment of the present invention, the synchronizing linkage can, for example, comprise at least one guide to receive the at least one synchronizing device.
• In an embodiment of the present invention, the synchronizing linkage can, for example, be arranged perpendicular to a motive device for the at least one lifting arm.
• In an embodiment of the present invention, the synchronizing device can, for example, comprise at least one wheel, at least one slide block, or at least one roller bearing.
• In an embodiment of the present invention, the synchronizing device can, for example, comprise a shaft to which the synchronizing links can be connected.
• In an embodiment of the present invention, the synchronizing link can, for example, comprise one or more beams.
• In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one lifting arm can, for example, further comprise a motive device to move the at least one lifting arm. In an embodiment, the motive device can, for example, comprise a cylinder, or an electric motor, or another device that causes the lifting arm to move.
• In an embodiment of the present invention, the motive device can, for example, be connected to the suspension device at its first end and to the first or the second torque arm at its second end. The motive device can alternatively be connected to the first or the second synchronizing arrangement.
• In an embodiment of the present invention, the lifting arm can, for example, further comprise at least one other synchronizing linkage connected to the second end of the second torque arm, and a third torque arm connected to the second synchronizing linkage at one end thereof, and where the second and third torque arms, through their respective synchronizing link, are further connected to at least one common synchronizing device.
• Several non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals.
• FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of alifting arm1 according to the present invention. The liftingarm1 is connected to asuspension device6 at one end thereof. The liftingarm1 has a first pair of torque arms comprising afirst torque arm2 and asecond torque arm3. A first end of thefirst torque arm2 is connected to thesuspension device6, and a second end of thefirst torque arm2 is connected to a synchronizinglinkage9 at a first point ofattachment14. A first end of thesecond torque arm3 is connected to thesame synchronizing linkage9 as thefirst torque arm2 at a second point ofattachment15 to allow a transfer torque from thefirst torque arm2 to thesecond torque arm3. A second end of thesecond torque arm3 is connected to a load-bearing device7 at a fifth point ofattachment18.
• The synchronizinglinkage9 comprises afirst synchronizing link10 and asecond synchronizing link11, where thefirst synchronizing link10 is connected to thefirst torque arm2 at one end thereof and to a synchronizingdevice12 at its other end, and thesecond synchronizing link11 is connected to the synchronizingdevice12 at one end thereof and thesecond torque arm3 at its other end. At least oneguide13, for receiving the synchronizingdevice12, is arranged in the synchronizinglinkage9. In the illustrated embodiment, theguide13 is arranged vertically, and will thus allow a vertical movement, but prevent a horizontal movement, of the synchronizingdevice12.
• There is further shown afirst synchronizing arm4 and asecond synchronizing arm5. Thefirst synchronizing arm4 is arranged parallel to thefirst torque arm2. A first end of thefirst synchronizing arm4 is connected to thesuspension device6, and a second end of thefirst synchronizing arm4 is connected to the synchronizinglinkage9 at a third point ofattachment16. Thesecond synchronizing arm5 is arranged parallel to thesecond torque arm5. A first end of thesecond synchronizing arm5 is connected to the synchronizinglinkage9 at a fourth point ofattachment17, and a second end of thesecond synchronizing arm5 is connected to the load-bearing device7 at a sixth point ofattachment19.
• Amotive device8, shown as acylinder8, is connected to thesuspension device6 at one end thereof and to thesecond synchronizing arm5 at its other end. In other embodiments, themotive device8 may be connected to any of thefirst torque arm2, thesecond torque arm3, or thefirst synchronizing arm4. Themotive device8 may alternatively be connected to a synchronizing linkage or between arms, such as between thefirst torque arm2 and thesecond torque arm3, or between thefirst synchronizing arm4 andsecond synchronizing arm5. If thelifting arm1 comprises more torque arms or synchronizing arms than those that can be seen from the Figure, themotive device8 can be connected to each of them.
• In operation, themotive device8 will control the movement of thesecond synchronizing arm5, which will move thesecond torque arm3 in parallel. A rotary movement of thesecond torque arm3, as a result of motion of themotive device8, will force thesecond synchronizing link11 to push on the synchronizingdevice12, which will force thefirst synchronizing link10 into an opposite rotary movement relative to thesecond synchronizing link11, and thereby an opposite movement to thefirst torque arm2. Thefirst torque arm2 and thesecond torque arm3 will therefore essentially, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, always form the same angle relative to a vertical plane through the synchronizing linkage9 (i.e., mirror-symmetrical about the synchronizing linkage9).
• FIGS. 2 to 5 show the position of the synchronizingdevice12 in different positions of thelifting arm1.FIG. 2 shows thelifting arm1 in a fully extended position. In this position the synchronizingdevice12 will be uppermost in theguide13 while thefirst torque arm2 andsecond torque arm3 are in a deployed position, each of thefirst torque arm2 and thesecond torque arm3 having an angle of extension of about 60 degrees. InFIG. 3, the liftingarm1 is in a partially extended position compared to that which can be seen inFIG. 2.FIG. 4 shows thelifting arm1 in a partially retracted position, while inFIG. 5, the liftingarm1 is in a wholly retracted position.
• FIGS. 6 and 7 show alternatives of the synchronizinglinkage9.FIG. 7 shows the inside of the synchronizinglinkage9 and the connections between thefirst synchronizing link10 and thesecond synchronizing link11, thefirst torque arm2 and thesecond torque arm3, the synchronizingdevice12 in theguide13 etc.FIG. 7, moreover, shows details of a first connectinglug20 arranged on thefirst torque arm2, which first connectinglug20 connects thefirst torque arm2 to thefirst synchronizing link10, and a second connectinglug21 on thesecond torque arm3, which second connectinglug21 connects thesecond torque arm3 to thesecond synchronizing link11.
• Although the illustrated embodiments are shown with thefirst torque arm2 and thesecond torque arm3 arranged below thefirst synchronizing arm4 and thesecond synchronizing arm5, it should be understood that thefirst torque arm2 and thesecond torque arm3 can also be arranged above thefirst synchronizing arm4 and thesecond synchronizing arm5. An example of such an embodiment is shown inFIG. 8. A person of skill in the art will furthermore understand that although the illustrated embodiments show thelifting arm1 to have a “V-shape”, it is also possible to turn thelifting arm1 the other way so that it will form an inverted “V-shape”; examples of this are shown inFIGS. 5 and 6.FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which thefirst torque arm2 and thesecond torque arm3 are arranged above thefirst synchronizing arm4 and thesecond synchronizing arm5, whileFIG. 10 shows thefirst torque arm2 and thesecond torque arm3 to be arranged below thefirst synchronizing arm4 and thesecond synchronizing arm5.
• The embodiments described herein should be regarded as non-limiting. A person of skill in the art could make modifications or changes to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims. Although the lifting arm described herein is described in connection with an iron roughneck, it should be understood that the apparatus could also be used to move or lift other elements, such as a mud box, casing tong, grease for pipe threads, a centering arm etc. There may furthermore be more torque arms and the synchronizing arm synchronizing arms connected to the illustrated examples, so that a lifting arm can comprise at least three torque arms, with associated higher number of synchronizing linkages. Reference should be had to the appended claims.

Claims (10)

What is claimed is:

1-10. (canceled)

11. An apparatus for lifting and/or moving operations of drilling equipment on a deck, the apparatus comprising:

a load-bearing device;

at least one common synchronizing device;

a synchronizing linkage comprising at least one guide which is configured to receive the least one common synchronizing device; and

a suspension device comprising at least one lifting arm, the at least one lifting arm comprising at least one pair of torque arms comprising a first torque arm and a second torque arm,

the first torque arm comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the suspension device, and the second end being connected to the synchronizing linkage so as to provide a first synchronizing link,

the second torque arm comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the synchronizing linkage so as to provide a second synchronizing link, and the second end being connected to the load-bearing device, and

the first torque arm and the second torque arm being respectively further connected via the first synchronizing link and the second synchronizing link to the at least one common synchronizing device.

12. The apparatus as recited inclaim 11, wherein the at least one lifting arm further comprises:

a first synchronizing arm comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the suspension device, and the second end being connected to the synchronizing linkage, and

a second synchronizing arm comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the synchronizing linkage, and the second end being connected to the load-bearing device,

wherein,

the first torque arm is arranged parallel to the first synchronizing arm, and

the second torque arm is arranged parallel to the second synchronizing arm.

13. The apparatus as recited inclaim 11, wherein the at least one guide is arranged perpendicular to a direction of travel of the at least one lifting arm.

14. The apparatus as recited inclaim 11, wherein in that the at least one common synchronizing device comprises at least one wheel, at least one slide block or at least one roller bearing.

15. The apparatus as recited inclaim 11, wherein the at least one common synchronizing device comprises a shaft to which each of the first synchronizing link and the second synchronizing link are connected.

16. The apparatus as recited inclaim 11, wherein the first synchronizing link and the second synchronizing link each comprise at least one beam.

17. The apparatus as recited inclaim 11, wherein the at least one lifting arm further comprises a motive device configured to move the at least one lifting arm.

18. The apparatus as recited inclaim 17, wherein the motive device comprises a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the suspension device, and the second end being connected to the first torque arm or to the second torque arm.

19. The apparatus as recited inclaim 17, wherein the motive device comprises a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the suspension device, and the second end being connected to the first synchronizing arm or to the second synchronizing arm.

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