apparatus for suspending a well column

专利摘要:
device to suspend a well column. a fixing device for supporting a well column in a borehole includes a base plate with a central opening and primary clamp body supporting for linear movement in relation to the base plate. the clamping device also includes other clamping bodies supported for linear motion independent of the base plate. in certain embodiments, the fastening bodies are supported for pivoting movement to open and close the central opening. each of the fastening bodies contains a gripping member on one side of them to engage a well column component received at the central opening. a drive mechanism is coupled to the fastening bodies and configured to move the fastening bodies in relation to the base plate.
公开号:BR112012026952B1
申请号:R112012026952
申请日:2011-04-21
公开日:2020-01-21
发明作者:Krijnen Anton；De Keijzer Niels；Mulder Rene；Verhoef Richard
申请人:Nat Oilwell Varco Lp；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

“APPLIANCE FOR SUSPENDING A WELL COLUMN” Field of Invention [0001] The invention generally relates to the drilling, investigation and maintenance of wells. More particularly, the invention relates to a clamping device and methods for adding components (e.g., drill pipe, stabilizers, other borehole components) to and removing them from a borehole column below . Even more particularly, the present invention relates to the gripping and suspension of well column components over a borehole.
Background of the Invention [0002] Hydrocarbon drilling is an example of an operation involving the use of a downhole well column in a borehole formed in the earth. In the case of drilling, the hole column below is referred to as a drilling column. Other types of bore columns below are known in the oil and gas industry, e.g. eg, column of completion tubes for completion work and production column for production work. Drilling involves inserting a drill string into a drill hole and operating the drill string to drill the drill hole. The borehole is typically drilled using a top drive or rotary table arranged above the borehole to engage the top of the drill string and to rotate it. When the drill string is rotated, a drill bit at the bottom of the drill string cuts into the ground.
[0003] During drilling operations, it is necessary from time to time to add or remove lengths of drill pipe (“joints”) in / from the drill string. One reason to add joints is to lengthen the drill string to make it possible to drill deeper into the earth. One reason for removing drill column joints is to recover the drill column from the borehole so that the drill bit can
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 4/218 / 64 can be changed or other changes can be made to the borehole unit that is attached to the bottom of the drill string.
[0004] Joints can be added to or removed from the drill string in the form of brackets, where each bracket is made up of multiple connected joints. While a joint, support, or other component is being added to or removed from the drill string, the entire weight of the drill string must be suspended from a position above the drill hole. Conventionally, a suspension unit arranged on the rotary table is used to suspend the drill string and includes components such as bushings, insert carriers and blades. Typically, a bushing is mounted in a rotary table opening. The bushing has an opening that receives the drill string. The blades are inserted into the sleeve and the drill column component that is adjacent to the sleeve. Blades are wedges and can have grip surfaces, e.g. teeth, to secure the drill string component. The blades rest on a tapered seat provided by the bushing. In some cases, the blades will not completely occupy the gap between the bushing and the drill string and thus an insert holder is inserted into the bush and the drill string to enable the blades to engage the drill string component. Due to their wedge shape, the blades exert a radial clamping force on the suspended column. The clamping force is dependent on the weight of the suspended column, so that as more joints are added to the column, the clamping weight and strength increases. This effect can result in excessive clamping force and can limit the length of the column, which can be suspended without crushing the component that is directly held by the blade. [0005] Borehole units attached to the bottom of drill columns are usually composed of many tools or components. Examples of such components include the drill bit, drill collars, sub shocks, jugs, mud engines, drilling tools
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 5/218 / 64 while measuring, stabilizers and others. These components have different diameters, so that in order to suspend the borehole unit (“BHA”), many different configurations of the suspension unit are required on the rotary table. During a single BHA operation in a borehole, blades, bushings, insert carriers and other components of the suspension unit may have to be removed and replaced multiple times to accommodate the different diameters of the BHA components. These multiple removals and replacements usually require manual handling of heavy components with lifting cables, which is a time-consuming and labor intensive operation, in which procedures aiming at personal safety must be consistently followed. In addition, the cost of using a modern device is in the order of many thousands of dollars an hour, so time-consuming operations should be avoided whenever possible. Thus, there remains a need in the art for improved methods of efficiently and safely securing and suspending well tube columns in a borehole.
Brief Description of the Invention [0006] In this way, an apparatus for suspending a column of well tubes along a generally vertical axis, such as along a well axis, is described here. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a base plate having an opening for receiving a component of a well column, a fixing mechanism supported by the base plate and having a plurality of supported fixing bodies for linear movement relative to the plate base and having gripping surfaces to engage the well column. The device also includes a drive mechanism for moving the fastening bodies and bringing their gripping surfaces in engagement with the well column. At least one of the fastening bodies is adapted to move between a first position, in which it blocks the opening for receiving the column component, and a
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 6/218 / 64 second position where it does not block the opening.
[0007] In certain embodiments, the suspension apparatus is adapted to support the weight of the entire well column when, in a first operational mode, the fastening bodies are engaging with the well column. Also, in certain embodiments, the apparatus includes an adapter member, which is attached to the base plate and is configured to couple the base plate to an external structure, such as a drill rig floor, and to transfer weight from the well column of the attachment mechanism to that external structure.
[0008] In some embodiments, the fastening bodies include gripping members, which are self-adjusting to the size of the well column component. The fixing bodies may, in certain embodiments, include at least one receiving recess having a concave surface and include a carrier member having a convex surface arranged on the receiving recess with the convex surface of the conveyor facing the concave surface of the recess receiving. In such embodiments, the transport member can also have at least one receiving recess with a concave surface that receives a gripping insert that has a concave surface facing the concave surface of the carrier member.
[0009] Also described are certain embodiments in which a suspension apparatus includes a plurality of bellows that are coupled to the base plate and configured to provide a visual indication of the operating mode of the apparatus, the bellows expanding in a mode in that the clamping mechanism does not support the weight of the well column and contracting in a way in which the clamping mechanism supports the weight of the well column.
[00010] In some of the described embodiments, the clamping mechanism includes a primary clamp body supported for movement
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 7/218 / 64 linear relative to the base plate, and a pair of auxiliary fastening bodies, supported for independent linear and circular movements relative to the base plate. The auxiliary fastening bodies can be pivoted in order to swing in a first position blocking the opening and to swing from the first position to the second position, in which they do not block the opening. When in the first position, the auxiliary fastening bodies can be attached together with pins to secure them in the first position, the pin being removable to allow the auxiliary fastening bodies to move to the second position.
[00011] In some embodiments, the drive mechanism includes at least a pair of cylinder units, each of the pair having a first end pivotally connected to the base plate and a second end configured to releasably engage a clamp body which blocks the base plate opening when the fastening bodies are in a first operating mode. The cylinders, in certain embodiments, are configured so that their second ends oscillate out of the base plate opening at least in the second mode of operation.
[00012] In embodiments that include a primary clamp body and a pair of auxiliary clamping bodies, the drive mechanism may include a pair of spindles, in which the first and second clamping bodies are rotatably attached to the front ends of the spindles and where the primary clamp body is slidably supported on the rear ends of the spindles. In certain embodiments, the drive mechanism may further include a pair of drive motors and a gear arrangement for transferring the rotary movement of the drive motors for linear translation of the spindles. Likewise, in such embodiments, the drive mechanism may also include a pair of cylinders coupled to the first and second
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 8/218 / 64 auxiliary clamping and it is operable to independently give linear and circular movements to the first and second auxiliary clamping bodies.
[00013] Thus, the embodiments described here comprise a combination of details and advantages designed to resolve various drawbacks associated with certain devices, systems and prior methods. The various details described above, as well as others, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art when reading the following detailed description, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings [00014] The following is a description of the figures in the accompanying drawings.
[00015] Figure 1 is a schematic elevation view of an embodiment of a well operation system, including drilling. [00016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a fixing device for suspending a well column in accordance with the principles described here.
[00017] Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the fixture of Figure 2.
[00018] Figure 4 is a top view of the fixture of Figure 2 in a fully open position, also referred to as the removal mode.
[00019] Figure 5 is a top view of the fixation device of Figure 2 in an operationally open position.
[00020] Figure 6 is a top view of the fixation device of Figure 2 in an operationally closed position.
[00021] Figure 7 is a horizontal cross section of the fixture of Figure 2 in an operationally open position.
[00022] Figure 8 is a horizontal cross section of the fixing device of Figure 2 in an operationally closed position.
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 9/218 / 64 [00023] Figure 9 is a schematic of a drive control system to control the operation of the fixture in Figure 2.
[00024] Figure 10A is a perspective view from the front of a second embodiment of a fixing device for suspending a well column in accordance with the principles described here.
[00025] Figure 10B is an enlarged view of the double L latch, part of the fixing device shown in Figure 10A.
[00026] Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of the fixture of Figure 10A.
[00027] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the compensating unit, including first base plate and second base plate, which are components of the fixing device of Figure 10A.
[00028] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the second base plate of the fixture of Figure 10A.
[00029] Figure 14 is a top view of the fixture of Figure 10A in stage 1 of the removal mode, in a partially open position.
[00030] Figure 15 is a top view of the fixture of Figure 10A in stage 2 of the removal mode, in a fully open position.
[00031] Figure 16 is a top view of the fixture of Figure 10A in an operationally open position.
[00032] Figure 17 is a side view of the fixing device of Figure 10A in an operationally open position.
[00033] Figure 18 is a top view of the fixture of Figure 10A in an operationally closed position.
[00034] Figure 19 is an extreme sectional view of the fixture of Figure 10A, when the fixture is not supporting the weight of the well column, taken along line 19 - 19 shown in Figure 17.
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 10/218 / 64 [00035] Figure 20 is an extreme sectional view of the fixture in Figure 10A, when the fixture is supporting the weight of the well column, taken along line 19 - 19, shown in Figure 17.
[00036] Figure 21 is a top leakage view of a clamp body with a partially mounted insert holder and a matrix insert for fixing the fixing device of Figure 10A.
[00037] Figure 22 is a leakage view of a clamp body with a partially mounted insert holder and a matrix insert for the fixation device of Figure 10A.
[00038] Figure 23 is a schematic of a drive control system for controlling the operation of the fixing device of Figure 10A.
[00039] Figure 24 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a stroke limiting baseplate guide unit shown in Figure 19.
[00040] Figure 25 is a perspective view of a traction block used to join fluid-powered cylinders with fastening bodies in the fastening device of Figure 10A.
Detailed Description of the Described Embodiments [00041] The following argument is directed to various embodiments of the invention. The described embodiments should not be interpreted or otherwise used as limiting the scope of the description, including the claims. In addition, a person skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application and the argument for any embodiment is intended only to be exemplary of that embodiment and not intended to suggest that the scope of the description, including the claims, be limited to that embodiment.
[00042] Certain terms are used in the following description and claims to refer to particular details or components. As a person skilled in the art will observe, different people can report
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 11/218 / 64 if the same detail or component by different names. This document is not intended to distinguish between components that differ in name but not in function. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain details and components here can be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements cannot be shown in the interests of clarity and conciseness. In addition, similar or identical reference numerals can be used to identify common or similar elements.
[00043] In the following argument and in the claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended mode and, thus, should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to ...". The term "coupling" or "couplings" is also intended to mean an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device is coupled to a second device, that connection can be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection, via other devices, components and connections. In addition, as used herein, the terms "axially" and "axially" generally mean along or parallel to a given geometric axis (eg, central geometric axis of a body or an orifice), while the terms "radial" and "radially" generally mean perpendicular to the geometric axis. For example, an axial distance refers to a distance measured along or parallel to the geometry axis and a radial distance means a distance measured perpendicular to the geometry axis.
[00044] A borehole column below is a series of tubes and components joined together, configured to work in a borehole. The total length of the well column is determined by the depth of the borehole where the column will be used. The particular configuration of the well column is determined by its intended use. Examples of downhole well columns from the
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 12/218 / 64 oil and gas are drilling columns, completion columns and production columns. The columns may include well joints, pipe supports, drill bits, stabilizers or other borehole components, which are connected together. These components can have different diameters. Thus, the diameter of a well column can vary along its length.
[00045] Referring first to Figure 1, an embodiment of a well operating system 300 is schematically shown. The well operating system 300 includes a drilling rig 305 schematically represented as a rig on land, but other rigging (eg, off-shore rig and platforms, jack suspension devices, semi-submersibles, drilling vessels and the like) are within the scope of the description. Apparatus 305 includes a crane 310, which is supported above an apparatus floor 314. Apparatus 305 also includes a lifting apparatus comprising a crown block 316 mounted on crane 310 and a displacement block 318 interconnected by a cable 319 which is driven by a crane 320 (with an engine or motors 320) to control the upward or downward movement of the displacement block 318. The displacement block 318 contains a hook 322, which suspends a top drive system 324. A power link can be used instead of a top transmission. The top drive system 324 spins a drive gear 332, which rotates a drill column 330 into a borehole 334. The top drive system 324 can be operated to rotate the drill column 330 in one or the other direction . Optionally, the drill string can be rotated by a 338 motor-driven turntable, arranged on a drill floor (eg, device floor 314). The drilling column 330 is coupled to the top drive system 324 through an instrumented subsystem 340, which includes sensors that provide
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 13/218 / 64 drilling parameter information. A 312 control system and user interface controls the operations of the 305 device.
[00046] The well system 300 also includes fixing device 1 for attaching and suspending the drill column 330 and / or drive gear 332 during assembly and disassembly. The fixture 1 is positioned and fixed around the borehole 334 on the apparatus floor 314 or is coupled to another component, such as a rotary table 338. The fixture 1 can be installed or removed during well operations , as may be necessary.
[00047] Drill column 330 can be any typical drill column and, in one aspect, includes a plurality of interconnected sections of drill pipe 342, a base bore unit (BHA) 344, which can include stabilizers, collars drill bit and / or a set of drilling instruments while measuring (MWD) including a 346 direction tool to provide drill face angle information. Optionally, a folded sub 348 is used with a borehole or mud 350 engine and a drill 352. Drillhole 334 may have borehole liner 336 comprising mainly cement and pipe.
[00048] With reference also to Figure 1, drilling fluid is supplied to the drilling column 330 through a mud hose 362 by mud pumps 360, which are driven by the motor or motors 360 m. The drilling column 330 is rotated into the borehole 334 by the top drive system 324, the turntable 338, the mud motor 350 or combinations thereof. The cuts produced when the drill 352 drills into the ground are made from the borehole 334 by the drilling mud supplied by the mud pumps 360.
Physical description of a first embodiment of the fixation device [00049] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a fixation device
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 14/218 / 64 fixture 1 to support components of a downhole well column. The clamping device 1 comprises a clamping mechanism 8, a driving mechanism 10 and a support structure 3. The driving mechanism 10 operates the clamping mechanism 8 to engage or disengage a component of the well column 330 (here a drill pipe joint 2). The support structure 3 holds the clamping mechanism 8 and drive mechanism 10 together and supports them and the joint 2 against a rotating table 338, the apparatus floor 314 or other receiving structure. Support Structure [00050] Referring now to Figure 3, the support structure 3 includes a substantially rigid rectangular base plate 4, a substantially annular base plate adapter 12 attached to the base plate base 4 and a plurality of studs adapters 14 attached to and extending downward beyond the bottom surface of the baseplate adapter plate 12.
Base Plate Adapter [00051] The annular shaped base plate adapter 12 of Figure 3 is configured to fit within a receiving frame, such as a master bushing on a rotary table, p. eg rotary table 338. The baseplate adapter 12 can take on several different configurations to engage any receiving frame. Some part of the base plate 4 may also come into contact with and be supported directly by the receiving structure. The baseplate adapter 12 includes a slot 5 'corresponding to the slot 5 of the baseplate 4, which will be described later. The spacing and cross-sectional shape of the adapter pins 14 are configured to engage the receiving holes or slits (not shown) of the receiving structure.
Base Plate [00052] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the base plate 4 has a slot 5 extending in the direction of the largest dimension of the base plate 4. A
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 15/218 / 64 slot 5 is formed into a keyhole and includes a central opening 7 and an intersecting side opening 9. The central opening 7 is located at or near the center of the base plate 4 and is contiguous with the side opening 9. The side opening 9 runs from the central opening 7 to an outer edge 11 of the base plate 4. The diameter of the central opening 7 is larger than the larger diameter component that will be retained by the fixture 1. The base plate 4 has two outer edges 11 'that are parallel to the side opening 9 and perpendicular to the edge 11.
[00053] Returning to Figure 2, the top surface 14 of the base plate 4 is horizontally arranged and includes two symmetrical partial depth slits, or “base plate channels” 6, one on each side of the side opening 9 Most of the length of each baseplate channel 6 runs parallel to the side opening 9, but the end of the baseplate channel 6, which is closest to the outer edge 11, extends away from the side opening 9 to the edges 11 'at an obtuse angle. On the top surface 15 of the base plate 4, the guide strips 200, 201, 202, 203 are fixed in the middle of and parallel to the side opening 9 and the two channels of the base plate 6.
Clamping Mechanism [00054] Referring to Figure 5, the clamping mechanism 8 comprises a plurality of clamps that oppose and radially engage in joint 2 (Figure 2) to suspend inside the central opening 7 joint 2 and the column components of well that are fixed. The clamping mechanism 8 is slidably attached to the top surface 15 of the base plate
4. In the embodiment of Figure 5, the clamping mechanism 8 has a primary clamping body 17 and two auxiliary clamping bodies 73, 75. Auxiliary clamping bodies 73, 75 are positioned opposite the primary clamping body 17 and interconnected by pin 109 when they are configured to secure the joint. As will be described in more detail
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 16/218 / 64 below, the fastening bodies 17, 73, 75 are retained and controlled by the drive mechanism 10 and move parallel to the top surface 15 of the base plate 4.
[00055] With reference to Figures 5 and 7, the primary clamp body 17 has a generally rectangular shape with recesses for receiving the components of the drive mechanism 10, as described below. The primary clamp body 17 has a front face 19 facing the central opening 7, a top face 23, a rear face 39 and two through holes 16, 18 with central geometric axes 16 ', 18' which extend parallel to the side opening 9 of slot 5 of the base plate 4. A hole 16 and its central geometric axis 16 'is on one side of the side opening 9 and the other hole 18 and its central geometric axis 18' is on the other side of the side opening
9. As shown in Figure 7, a plurality of pivotable die insert holders 24, with embedded die inserts 25, are fixed within the recessed curved surfaces 19 'of the front face 19 of the primary staple body 17. The die inserts 25 secure the joint 2 which is received in the central opening 7.
[00056] With reference again to Figure 5, the matrix inserts 25 are held in position by two end plates 21. One end plate 21 is attached to the top face 23 of primary clamp body 17 and the other end plate (not shown) ) is attached to the base side of the primary clamp body 17. Adjacent to the rear face 39, the primary clamp body 17 incorporates a hydraulic control block 20, described in more detail below.
[00057] Auxiliary clamping bodies 73, 75, shown in Figures 5 and 7, are joined by bolt 109 to form a structure of similar size and purpose to that of primary clamp body 17. Auxiliary clamping bodies 73, 75 they are arranged on the opposite side of the central opening 7 of the primary clamp body 17 and span through the side opening 9 of the base plate 4 when joined by bolt 109. As best shown in Figure
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 2/17/64
2, auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75 include interlocking ribs 78, 80, respectively. The bolt 109 is arranged through the ribs 78, 80. The auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75 also include pivot joints 99, 100, which are arranged near the central opening 7 of the base plate 4 and rotating joints 104, 114 closest to the outer edges of the base plate 4, that is, edges 11 and 11 '. The rotating joint bases 104, 114 include extended pins (not shown) that extend downwardly into the base plate channels 6. In this embodiment, the extended pivot joint pins 104, 114 do not pass through the base plate 4, but they move within the base plate channels 6. The pivot joints 99, 100 and rotary joints 104, 114 all have vertical geometric axes that are perpendicular to the top face 15 of the base plate 4.
[00058] With reference to Figure 7, in the region that includes the pivot joints 99, 100, horizontal slits (ie parallel to the top face 15) and generally rectangular 74, 76 are machined in auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75, a in order to separate the pivot joints 99, 100 in an upper and a lower section to receive a member of the drive mechanism 10. The pivot joints 99, 100 are independent of and not fixed to the base plate 4. In the region of the rotating joints 104 , 114, horizontal, rectangular slots 74 ', 76' (Figure 2) are machined into auxiliary clamping bodies 73, 75 in order to separate the pivot joints 104, 114 into an upper and a lower section to receive a member of the mechanism drive 10.
[00059] With reference to Figure 7, the auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75 have concave surfaces, vertically extending 79, 81 on which the insert carriers 83, 85, respectively, are mounted. The rear surface of the insert carriers 83, 85 conforms to the vertical concave surfaces 79, 81. The insert carriers 83, 85 generally face the central opening 7 of the base plate 4 and are generally circumferentially aligned with the opening central 7. Carriers of
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 18/218 / 64 insert 83, 85 have a plurality of vertically extending concave surfaces 87, 89, which face the central opening 7. A plurality of smaller matrix insert supports 90, 92 are mounted on surfaces 87, 89, respectively. The matrix insert supports 90, 92 retain the matrix inserts 91, 93, which have toothed surfaces to secure the joint circumference 2. The rear surface of the insert supports 90, 92 conforms to concave vertical surfaces 87, 89 of insert carriers 83, 85.
[00060] The gripping elements described and the curved surfaces incorporated within the primary clamp body 17 and auxiliary clamping bodies 73, 75 allow the orientation of the matrix inserts 25, 91, 93 to automatically adjust to the curved surfaces of the joint 1 if gasket 2 is within a prescribed diameter range. The gripping elements are shown and described in US Patents ^Nos 6,971,283 and 7,748,297, the entire description of each being incorporated herein by this reference.
Drive Mechanism [00061] Referring to Figure 7, the drive mechanism 10 comprises a pair of parallel spindles 45, 47, a pair of drive motors 27, 29, a pair of drive gears 41, 43, a pair of locknuts 61, 63 and a pair of fluid powered cylinders 103, 105. The drive gears 41, 43 are most easily seen in Figure 6. The drive control system for the drive mechanism 10 will be described subsequently. Components that are used in pairs in this embodiment can be used in greater numbers in other embodiments. [00062] Spindles 45, 47 have front ends 95, 97, rear ends 96, 98 and central geometric axes 45 ', 47', which are coaxial with the central geometric axes 16 ', 18' in the primary clamp body 17 and are therefore parallel to the side opening 9 of the base plate 4. The threads 49, 51 extend from the rear ends 96, 98 through
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 19/218 / 64 most spindle lengths 45, 47. The front end 95 of spindle 45 is inserted into the rectangular slot 74 into the auxiliary clamp body 73 and the front end 97 of spindle 47 is inserted into a rectangular slot 76 inside the auxiliary clamp body 75. The front ends 95, 97 are coupled to the auxiliary fixing bodies 73, 75 via pivot joints 99, 100. With this arrangement, the spindles 45, 47 are fixed to prevent rotation with respect to the central geometric axes of spindle 45 'and 47'.
[00063] The rear end 96 of spindle 45 is inserted into a through hole 16 of the primary clamp body 17, and the rear end 98 of spindle 47 is inserted into the through hole 17 of the primary clamp body 17. Therefore, the spindles 45, 47 are coaxial with holes 16, 18. Spindles 45, 47 slidably engage the smooth, unthreaded through holes 16, 18 and can move linearly with respect to the primary clamp body 17. Similarly, the body primary clamp 17 can slide axially with respect to spindles 45, 47. The rear ends 96, 98 of spindles 45, 47 also slide into the mounting support holes 32, 34 in the vertical part of the L-shaped mounting brackets 31, 33, which are fixed near the end of the base plate 4, which is further away from the outer edge 11, as best shown in Figure 2. Holes 16, 18 and mounting support holes 32, 34 can include a plain bushing to reduce friction .
[00064] With reference also to Figure 7, the drive mechanism 10 includes two drive motors 27, 29 that operate simultaneously, but rotate in opposite directions. The drive motors 27, 29 are mounted on the top surface 15 of the base plate 4 and include drive shafts that extend parallel to the spindle geometry axes 45 ', 47' and are arranged close to the rear spindle ends 96, 98 The drive motors 27, 29 can be attached to the base plate 4 using fixing brackets 31, 33 or other fixing accessories
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. Appropriate 20/218 / 64. In the embodiment shown, the drive motors 27, 29 are hydraulically powered motors, however, other types of motors, e.g. electrically powered motors can be used instead. The drive gears 41, 43, respectively, are coupled to the drive motors 27, 29 and are arranged close to the rear spindle ends 96, 98. Locknuts 61, 63 are mounted on spindles 45, 47 and have internal threads which engage with the shaft threads 49, 51. As a result, locking nuts 61, 63 rotate and translate on spindles 45, 47. Locking nuts 61, 63 are also adjacent to and latching together with the drive gears 41, 43. As more clearly shown in Figure 6, locking nuts 61, 63 have outer teeth 65, 67 that engage with and slide along the surface of the elongated outer teeth 69, 71 of drive gears 41, 43 and remain engaged with teeth 69, 71 while sliding. Thus, when drive gears 41, 43 are rotated by drive motors 27, 29, drive gears 41, 43 rotate lock nuts 61, 63 and rotating lock nuts 61, 63 move along the spindles 45, 47 while simultaneously sliding along the elongated outer teeth 69, 71. Drive gears 41, 43 are positioned on opposite sides of their respective spindles 45, 47. That is, a drive gear is on the right side of its spindle and the other drive gear is on the left side of your spindle. As a result, drive motors 27, 29 must rotate in opposite directions for locking nuts 61, 63 to move in the same direction simultaneously. The threads 49, 51 on the spindles 45, 47 and the internal matching threads of the lock nuts 61, 63 have a small enough thread angle, so that the lock nuts 61, 63 will only turn on the respective spindle 45 or 47 when a tangential force is applied, such as the tangential force applied by a
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 21/218 / 64 rotary drive gear 41 or 43. Locking nuts 61, 63 will not turn when an axial force is applied, such as the reaction force exerted by the clip body 17, while hanging joint 2. As a result , the term “lock nut” is used to describe components 61 and 63.
[00065] As understood by Figures 7 and 8, the lock nuts 61, 63 can move along the spindles 45, 47 in a forward direction, towards the central opening 7, driving the rear face 39 of the body of primary clamp 17. The movement of the primary clamp body 17 stops when it engages a joint 2 of the central opening 7. As shown in Figure 7, the lock nuts 61, 63 can also move in a backward direction until they to be stopped by engaging with mounting accessories 31, 33. Because lock nuts 61.63 are not attached to primary clamp 17, lock nuts 61, 63, in this embodiment, do not pull clamp 17 to retract it. Instead, the clamp 17 is retracted away from the central opening 7 by the force of the fluid powered cylinders 103, 105.
[00066] Referring again to Figure 5, the drive mechanism 10 further includes fluid powered cylinders 103, 105. The fluid powered cylinder 103 is coupled at one end to the primary clamp body 17, via a pivot joint 102, and at the other end to the auxiliary clamp body 73, via a rotating joint 104. Similarly, the fluid-powered cylinder 105 is also coupled at one end to the primary clamp body 17, via a second pivot joint 114. The fluid-powered cylinders 103, 105 are hydraulic cylinders in the embodiment shown, but they can be pneumatic cylinders. Fluid powered cylinders 103, 105 are examples of linear actuators. In general, linear actuators, including those not powered by fluid, can be used to accomplish the same purpose as cylinders
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 22/218 / 64 fluid powered 103, 105. In some operating modes, described more fully below, fluid powered cylinders 103, 105 are aligned in parallel with spindles 45, 47.
Drive control system [00067] Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, drive control system 180 provides hydraulic fluid to drive the sometimes simultaneous movements of fluid powered cylinders 103, 105, drive motors 27, 29 and to detect and react when a gasket 2 is attached to the central opening 7. The fixture 1 includes a force sensing mechanism 115 (figure 8) for reading when the lock nuts 61, 63 are driving the primary fixing body 17 towards the central opening 7 and when, at the same time, one of the matrix insert supports 24 is closed against a joint (matrix insert support 24a in Figure 8). The force sensing mechanism 115 is incorporated into a primary clamp body 17 near the rear face 39 and comprises hydraulic control block 20, cartridge valves 116,118, 120, thrust pins 122, 124, 126, levers 128, 130, wear elements 132, 134, spring loaded pin 136 and pilot line 138 for handling high pressure hydraulic fluid. Wear elements 132, 134 are attached to the front end of locknuts 61, 63.
[00068] Hydraulic control block 20 incorporates the aforementioned cartridge valves 116, 118, 120, push pins 122, 124 and hydraulic passages for control signals, including pilot line 136. Pilot line 136 transmits hydraulic fluid from high pressure within the force detection mechanism 115 to provide a signal to the other positions of the drive control system 180, when a joint 2 was secured by the clamping mechanism 8 (Figure 2).
[00069] When the locking nuts 61, 63 drive the primary clamp body 17 towards the central opening 7, wear elements
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 2/23/64
132, 134 contact levers 128, 130 which, in turn, exert force on the thrust pins 122, 116 and thereby open cartridge valves 116, 120. As the displacement continues, the matrix insert holder 24, contained in the primary clamp body 17, eventually contacts and presses against the joint 2, which causes the insert holder 24 to also press against an adjacent spring loaded pin 136 embedded in the primary clamp body 17. The loaded pin by spring 136 it presses against the thrust pin 124, which pushes and opens the third valve, cartridge valve 118. The cartridge valves 116, 120 remain open as described above. Once all three cartridge valves 116, 118, 120 are open, high pressure hydraulic fluid, via pilot line 138, passes to another part of the drive control system 180 for a response (described below). The three cartridge valves 116, 118, 120 are hung vertically in series, so that all valves must be opened simultaneously before a hydraulic signal is sent. Alternatively, each of the levers 128, 130 and spring loaded bolt 136 could drive against a dedicated proximity sensor to send separate electrical signals to drive control system 180 when joint 2 is attached. The drive control system 180 could easily be adapted to accept and use these signals.
[00070] Figure 9 shows a schematic of a drive control system 180 for controlling the operation of the clamping device 1. Fluid supply line 139 carries pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pump or supply reservoir (not shown) for pressure reduction valve 141 (adjusts the operating pressure of the system), which supplies a directional control valve (four directions, three positions, four orifices) 140. A pressure relief valve 143 (adjusts the safety pressure system) is arranged between pressure reduction valve 141 and directional control valve 140 to protect the system against
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 24/218 / 64 excess pressurization. For example, in the shown embodiment, valves 141, 143 can be adjusted to 2000 psi (140 kg / cm ² ) and 2200 psi (154 kg / cm ² , respectively. Directional control 140 is also connected to cylinders powered by fluid 103, 105 via fluid lines 142, 144. Directional control valve 140 determines whether fluid powered cylinders 103, 105 extend or retract, and determines the rotational direction of drive motors 27, 29. When the directional control valve 140 supplies pressurized fluid to the fluid line 142, the fluid enters the rod ends of the fluid powered cylinders 103, 105, which retract, causing the clamping bodies 17, 73, 75 to be pulled together towards joint 2 (Figure 8). Alternatively, when pressurized fluid is supplied to fluid line 144, the fluid enters the ends of the fluid powered cylinder covers 103, 105, which extend, causing the mechanism d and clamping 8, that is, clamping bodies 17, 73, 75 move apart and thus releasing joint 2. A pressure reducing valve 145 is arranged in fluid lines 144 and 144 ', resulting in the end of the cap the fluid powered cylinders 103, 105 and drive motors 27, 29 (via valve 153) provide low pressure fluid when opening the clamping bodies 17, 73 and 75. In this example, the reduction valve 145 can be adjusted in 500 psi (35 kg / cm ² ). However, when closing the clamping mechanism 8, the fluid flowing in the opposite flow direction, that is, returning from line 144 'to line 144, bypasses valve 145, choosing to move through check valve 164.
[00071] A directional control valve (three directions, two positions, three orifices) 146 is arranged in the fluid line 142 to control the rate at which the fluid fills the cap end of cylinders 103, 105, while cylinders 103, 105 extend to open the clamping mechanism 8. To do this, the first directional control valve 140 supplies
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 25/218 / 64 fluid for fluid lines 144 and 144 '. Simultaneously, the directional control valve 146 is changed to a first or “open” position by the integrated spring inside the valve 146, as configured in the position shown in Figure 9. Thus, the “open” position of valve 146 is equivalent to its “starting” position. In this open position, the directional control valve 146 discharges fluid through the rod ends of cylinders 103, 105 through a spring loaded check valve 149 and into the pressurized line 144 ', which is filling the cap ends. This is possible because at the rod ends of cylinders 103, 105 the area of the pistons, which impels and discharges hydraulic fluid is annular. Therefore, the rod end area is smaller than the total circular area of the same piston as the cap end. When pressure from the fluid line 144 enters the fluid line 114 'and then pressurizes the cap end of the cylinders 103, 105, a force is exerted on the cap end of the pistons (The force exerted by the fluid on the cap end of the piston equals the pressure in the fluid line 144 'multiplied by the area of the piston cap end). With some friction loss, an almost equal force is exerted on the fluid at the ends of the rods. However, because the stem ends have a smaller area, although the same force is exerted by the piston, the resulting pressure at the stem end is greater than the pressure at the cap end it is filling (the resulting fluid pressure in the rod end is equal to the force exerted by the piston, divided by the rod end area of the piston). With high pressure, fluid from the stem end is then able to travel through the directional control valve 146, through a spring loaded check valve and into the fluid line 144 '. The additional volumetric flow of the fluid to the cap end of the cylinders 103, 105 increases the rate of extension. It should be noted that for each unit displacement distance (eg, an inch (2.54 cm) of a piston, the
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 26/218 / 64 rod end will discharge less fluid than is needed to fill the expanding end cap, so that fluid can continue to flow from both check valve 149 and fluid line 144. [00072] When switched to a second or “closed” position, directional control valve 146 is close to clamping mechanism 8 directing fluid to the rod ends of cylinders 103, 105. Naturally, directional control valve 140 must first supply pressurized fluid to fluid line 142. Line 142 then pressurizes fluid pilot line 168, which changes the position of directional control valve 146. Described with reference to Figure 9, the inner piston of valve 146 would be shifted to the right . At the same time, in-line fluid 142 is ready to enter valve 146. In the second position, directional control valve 146 allows fluid from line 142 to pass, but has no other influence on the rate of fluid flow to the cylinders. 103, 105. Therefore, cylinders 103, 105 tighten (retract) at a “normal” speed, a speed influenced by system pressure. The clamping body 17 and the coupled pair of clamping bodies 73, 75 are close together.
[00073] Alternatively, while opening the clamping mechanism 8, the directional control valve 146 could remain in the second position, so that line 142 is always in communication with the rod end of cylinders 103, 105. In this alternative scenario, the extension and retraction of cylinders 103, 105 would occur at the same “normal” speed, a speed influenced by the pressure of the system.
[00074] Fluid lines 148 and 148 'connect fluid line 142 to one side of each of the drive motors 27, 29. The other sides of the drive motors 27, 29 are connected to the fluid line 144' via fluid line 152. For a given mode of operation - opening and closing - engines 27, 29 both receive pressurized fluid from the
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 27/218 / 64 same source, line 148 or line 152. However, the motors are individually verticalized so that for a given operating mode they rotate in opposite directions. The motors 27, 29 each rotate in opposite prescribed directions in response to fluid pressure in the fluid line 148 to close the clamping mechanism 8. Both drive motors 27, 29 reverse their directions in response to the fluid pressure in the fluid line 152, to open the clamping mechanism 8. After both motors 27, 29 have reversed, the drive mechanism 27 once again rotates in the opposite direction of the drive mechanism 29.
[00075] Shut-off valves 151, 153 are arranged in fluid lines 148, 152 to isolate drive motors 27, 29, when operating in the “removal mode” (Figure 4), described below. Returning to Figure 9, a pressure reduction valve 150 is disposed between fluid line 148 and fluid line 148 'to limit the pressure reaching the drive motors 27, 29 to a predetermined value, e.g. 500 psi (35 kg / cm ² ) while closing the clamping mechanism 8. In the opposite flow direction, when opening the clamping mechanism 8, the engine return fluid 27, 29 enters line 148 'but diverts up from valve 150, choosing instead to travel through check valve 166 in order to reach line 148. Pressure reduction valve 150 has no effect on the pressure and speed of cylinders 103, 105 It has already been mentioned that another pressure reduction valve, valve 145, reduces the pressure for both the drive motors 27, 29 and cylinders 103, 105, while opening the locking mechanism 8.
[00076] While the fastening mechanism 8 closes and before joint 2 or another component has been attached, motors 27, 29 operate at a low pressure, regulated by valve 150. After contacting and securing a joint, as detected by cartridge valves 116, 118, 120, engines 27, 29 are switched to a high torque setting mode via the pilot line (138 in Figure 8). To describe how the high torque clamping mode operates, the
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 28/218 / 64 required piping will be explained first. Each of the cartridge valve 116, 118, 120 has three active ports “A”, “B” and “C”. The first orifice, orifice A, is shown at the top of each cartridge valve 116, 118, 120 of Figure 9. The first orifice, orifice A, acts as a normally connected discharge port and is connected to a fluid return line 154, which is connected to a fluid return line 156, leading back to the hydraulic fluid reservoir. The second port or inlet of cartridge valve 116, B-port, receives fluid from the supply line of cartridge valve 142 ', which is fed from directional control valve 140 via fluid line 142. Then the third port of cartridge valve 116, C-port, is connected in series with the B-port of the cartridge valve 118. In turn, the C-port of the cartridge valve 118 is connected in series to the B-port of the cartridge valve 120. Finally, the C-port of valve cartridge 120 is connected to pilot line 138 and sequence valve 155. The other end of pilot line 138 is connected to the control signal input of pressure reduction valve 150, which controls the fluid pressure in the line 148 ', which is supplied to drive motors 27, 29.
[00077] While the clamping mechanism 8 closes around the joint 2, the high torque clamping mode is initiated when the cartridge valves 116, 118, 120 are simultaneously activated by the lever 130, the spring loading bolt 136 and the lever 128, respectively. This coincidence of events causes the high pressure hydraulic fluid from the cartridge valve supply line 142 ”to pass sequentially through each cartridge valve 116, 118, 120 and finally reach pilot line 138 and sequence valve 155. The fluid high pressure valve on pilot valve 138 adjusts pressure reduction valve 150 and increased fluid pressure is allowed to pass from fluid line 148 to drive motor supply line 148 ', increasing the torque of motors 27, 29 and , thereby increasing the grip of the fastening bodies 17, 73, 75 on the joint 2. While the fastening mechanism 8 closes around the joint 2, the hydraulic fluid of
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 29/218 / 64 high pressure is always available for fluid powered cylinders 103, 105.
[00078] Continuing with the high torque clamping mode, the sequence valve 155, which is placed at a predetermined pressure, p. 1750 psi (123 kg / cm ² ), passes through the high pressure signal via a fluid line 160 to a grip indication device 158 and control panel 170, notifying the operator and / or other components of the drive control 180 that a gasket 2 is being secured by clamping device 1. Subsequently, drive control system 180 could transmit the message from the sequence valve 155 or the grip indication device 158 to the control and interface system User 312 of well operation system 303.
[00079] Later, on an occasion after an operator sends a signal and the actuation mechanism starts to invert and release the joint 2, the lever 130, spring loaded pin 136 and lever 128 release their force against the cartridge valves loaded by spring 116, 118, 120, which close. Each cartridge valve 116, 118, 120 again connects its own C-port to its own A-port, releasing high pressure to the fluid return line 154 and finally to the fluid return line 156. In this process, the high pressure fluid drains from pilot line 138 through cartridge valve 120, returning pressure reducing valve 150 to its lowest normal set point and reducing the fluid pressure supplied to drive motors 27, 29. At the same time , pressurized fluid from the grip indicator device 158 flows back through the indicator fluid line 160 and a check valve 162, bypassing the sequence valve 155, moving through the cartridge valve 120 and finally reaching the line fluid return 156.
[00080] In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the grip indication device 158 is a spring return cylinder, single acting.
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 2/30/64
However, other types of indicating devices can be used instead, e.g. eg a pressure switch. The location of the control valve 140, pressure reduction valve 141, relief valve 143 and signaling or gripping indication device 158 can be on a separate control system control panel 170, which can be equipped with several options for control safety “couplings” for fixture 1 or to communicate with the control system and user interface 312, which has full control of the well operation system 300. The drive system control panel 170 can be equipped with the ability to control other tools like Power Slips (not shown). If a separate drive system control panel 170 is used, only two lines of high pressure fluid are required between the clamping device 1 and the drive system control panel 170. These lines are fluid lines 142, 144, which alternate between supply and return for cylinders powered by drive fluid 103, 105 and drive motors 27, 29. Two additional low pressure lines are also provided. One is the dedicated fluid return line 156 and the other is the indicator fluid line 160.
General Operation of the First Fixture Embodiment [00081] Additional details about the operation of the fixture described above 1 will now be described. The clamping device 1 has three primary modes within its sequence or operating cycle. These modes are operationally closed, operationally open, and removed. The modes will be discussed sequentially. The physical arrangement and purpose of the mode will be described first. Then the method of transitioning to the previous mode will be described.
Operationally-Closed Mode [00082] The operationally closed clamping mode, device 1, is best understood with reference to Figures 2, 6 and 8. In this mode, the
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 31/218 / 64 clamping mechanism 8 radially engages a pipe joint 2, which can be a component of a well column, such as a drill pipe column 330 in Figure 1. There would be additional components attached below and possibly above the gasket 2. The additional components attached below the joint 2 could extend into the borehole 334 below the fixture 1. The fixing mechanism 8 is capable of securing joints and other components with diameters located within a predefined diameter range, p. 6 to 10 inches, in one embodiment. This grip range is particularly useful in the case of a borehole unit, which can include components with different diameters. The predefined range can cover all the different diameters present in the borehole unit. The clamping mechanism 8 would simply be further opened or closed more by the drive mechanism 10 to secure the different parts of the borehole unit, e.g. eg when a borehole unit 344 goes into the borehole 334 or recovery of the borehole unit 344 from the borehole 334. Adjusting the clamping mechanism 8 does not require replacement or removal of any parts of the clamping mechanism 8 for diameters falling within the predefined range. For a new predefined range, parts of the clamping mechanism 8, such as insertion carriers 83, 85, can be replaced. After replacing parts, the clamping mechanism 8 would hold the joints with diameters within the new predefined range. As an example, for the described embodiment, the predefined diameter ranges that can be selected for attachment include 4 to 6 inches (10.16 to 15.24 cm), 6 to 10 inches (15.24 to 25.4 cm) and 8 to 12 inches (20.32 x 30.48 cm); however, other ranges are possible.
[00083] The clamping device 1 can retain vertical loads (eg the weight of gasket 2 and other gaskets and components attached to gasket 2),
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 32/218 / 64 horizontal forces and torque in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction, applied along the geometric axis of the joint 2. Thus, the clamping device 1 can be used as a support tool as connection connections or loosening between joints.
[00084] The clamping force retaining joint 2 is determined by the hydraulic pressure applied to the drive mechanism 10 and is independent of the weight of the joint 2 and independent of the weight of the drill pipe column, which can be fixed to the joint 2. This ability to specify the load-independent clamping force is provided to allow the system to support higher load weights without crushing the stuck component, e.g. ex. joint
2. This differs from conventional use of blades in that the grip force on the component is directly related to the weight being supported and where excessive radial force is sometimes applied to the supporting component.
[00085] Using the base plate 4, the fixing device 1 can be attached to any suitable structure, e.g. rotary table 338 or appliance floor 314 above the borehole 334. When the fixture 1 is mounted to a receiving frame via the baseplate adapter 12 under the baseplate 4, the base plate 12 will be able to transfer the vertical, horizontal and torque loads to the receiving structure concomitantly or separately applied to the clamping mechanism 8 by the supported load. Alternatively, a part or all of the base plate 4 may come into contact with and be supported directly by the receiving structure.
[00086] The load forces and torque of the supported load will be transferred from the fastening mechanism 8 to the guide strips 200, 201, 202, 203 (Figure 7) and to the drive mechanism 10, including the fastening supports 31, 33, and joints 104, 114. The loading forces and torque are then transferred to the base plate 4, including the base plate channels 6, on which the joints 104, 114 rest, and then to the adapter
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 33/218 / 64 base plate 12 and the receiving structure.
Operationally Open Mode [00087] The operationally open mode of clamping device 1 is best described with reference to Figure 5. In this mode, matrix inserts 25, 91, 93 disengaged from the joint, which is no longer shown in the central opening 7. Carried by the primary fixation body 17 and auxiliary fixation bodies 73, 75, the matrix inserts 25, 91, 93 moved away from the center of the central opening 7 to its periphery. To move from the operationally-closed mode to the Operationally Open mode (from Figure 6 to Figure 5), cylinders 103, 105 are moved to the extended position. The extension of the cylinders 103, 105 moves the pair of auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75 and the single primary fastening body 17 away from each other, in a direction parallel to the base plate 4 and away from the center of the central opening 7. At the same time, the drive gears 41, 43 rotate to drive the lock nuts 61, 63 in a reverse direction. When locking nuts 61, 63 are driven in the reverse direction, they rotate and move along spindles 45, 47 until they contact the fixing brackets 31, 33. As stated earlier, locking nuts 61, 63 are not attached to the primary clamping body 17 and therefore do not pull the primary clamping body 17 away from the central opening 7. Instead, when fluid-powered cylinders 103, 105 extend, the pair of auxiliary clamping bodies 73, 75 and the only primary fixing body 17 are pushed away from each other and therefore away from the central opening 7. Because the fixing mechanism 8 and the drive mechanism 10 are not rigidly fixed to the base plate 4, but preferably float laterally on the base plate 4, the movement pattern of the fastening bodies 17, 73, 75 during retraction is not prescribed until the pins extended at the base of the rotating joints 104, 114 reach the end and far (left side, as seen in Figure 5) from the baseplate channels
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 34/218 / 64
6, or until the lock nuts 61, 63 contact the locking brackets 31, 33 and the primary locking body 17 reach and contact the lock nuts 61, 63. That is, when the fluid powered cylinders 103, 105 extend if, the primary fixing bodies 73, 75 can first reach the left side of the base plate 4 or the primary fixing body 17 can first reach the right side of the base plate 4, or these events could happen simultaneously. Later, when switching to operationally closed mode, this lateral “float” allows the clamping mechanism 8 and the drive mechanism 10 to self-center in a joint 2 arranged in the central opening 7, even if the joint 2 is not in the middle from the central opening 7. In operationally open mode, cylinders 103, 105 remain parallel to spindles 45, 47.
Removal Mode [00088] The removal mode or fully open position of the fixture 1 is shown in Figure 4. In this mode, the connecting pin 109 (Figure 2) has been removed from the auxiliary fixing bodies 73, 75, and the auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75 have been rotated around pivot joints 99, 100 and in relation to the base plate 4. As a result, the slot 5 in the base plate 4 is not obstructed and the lateral access to the central opening 7 is possible via the side opening 9. Although in removal mode, the entire fixture 1 can be removed from or placed over the borehole 334, whether or not a column of drill pipes 330 is already arranged in the borehole 334 and possibly extending out of the borehole 334. The central opening 7, when aligned with the borehole 334, can receive the joint 2 of the drill pipe column 330, which is disposed within the borehole 334 or being rush to inside or removed from the borehole 334.
[00089] Before switching to the removal mode, the fixture 1 must first be placed in the operationally open mode, in order to
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 35/218 / 64 so that the auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75 are fully positioned on the left side of the base plate 4. To move from the operationally open mode to the removal mode (from Figure 5 to Figure 4), the drive motors 27, 29 are isolated from hydraulic fluid pressure by shut-off valves 151, 153 and do not rotate in order to keep pivot joints 99, 100 in their current positions without moving laterally. The pin 109 is removed from the auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75. The fluid powered cylinders 103, 105 are then retracted. This provides a rotational movement in the auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75 around the pivot joints 99, 100, and the auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75 move out and away from the slot 5. When the auxiliary fastening bodies 73 , 75 rotate, the extended bolts (not shown) of the rotating joints 104, 114 move out of the side openings of the base plate channels 6 and away from the base plate 4. In removal mode, the central opening 7 it is accessible through the side opening 9, and the matrix inserts 25, 91, 93 are not positioned to hold a joint arranged in the central opening 7.
[00090] In removal mode, the fixture 1 can be removed from a position above the borehole 334 by moving it laterally. This detail is particularly useful if there are other structures or pieces of equipment above the borehole 334. The design of the fixture 1 makes it possible to remove the fixture 1 from a position above the borehole 334 with little or no disturbance to the other structures or equipment vertically aligned and suspended. The same is true when installing the fixture 1 above the borehole 334, which is also accomplished using the “removal mode”. In removal mode, cylinders 103, 105 move to a position that is inclined and thus no longer parallel to spindles 45, 47.
[00091] To switch from removal mode back to mode
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 36/218 / 64 operationally open (from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5). cylinders 103, 105 are extended while drive motors 27, 29 are insulated and non-rotating. This rotates the auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75 towards the slot 5. The extended bolts of the rotating joints 104, 114 enter and move through the side openings of the base plate channels 6 and towards the side opening 9 of the slot 5. The auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75 return to their previous position in the operationally open mode (Figure 5). The auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75 can then be fastened together using the connecting pin 109. Once the operationally open mode is achieved, the fastening mechanism 8 avoids lateral access to the central opening 7 of the side opening 9.
[00092] To move from the operationally open mode to the operationally closed mode (from the position shown in Figure 5 to the position shown in Figure 6, cylinders 103, 105 contract and move the auxiliary fastening bodies 73, 75 with respect to primary clamping body 17. In this way, the clamping bodies 17, 73, 75 move towards the central opening 7. At the same time, the drive gears 41, 43 rotate the lock nuts 61, 63, so that the lock nuts move along spindles 45, 47 towards the central opening 7. lock nuts 61, 63 engage and drive the primary fixing body 17 in the same direction. These simultaneous actions pull the clips 17, 73 75 together around joint 2.
[00093] With reference to Figure 6, while in operationally closed mode, the matrix inserts 25, 91, 93, associated with the fixing bodies 17, 73, 75, radially secure the joint 2 which is arranged in the central opening 7. The positions of the die inserts 25, 91, 93 are self-adjusting to accommodate a large diameter well column component or a small diameter component within a predefined diameter range. When the fastening bodies 17, 73, 75 move
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 37/218 / 64 parallel to the base plate 4 and towards or away from the center of the central opening 7, the positions of the matrix inserts 25, 91, 93 adjust to correspond to the diameter of the joint to be fastened. Spindles 45, 47 and guide strips (200, 201, 202, 203) define the parallel linear paths along which the fastening bodies 17.73, 75 move. In operationally closed mode, cylinders 103, 105 are parallel to spindles 45, 47 and with each other and are in the stowed position. Both fluid powered cylinders 103, 105 and drive motors 27, 29 apply clamping force to the clamping bodies 17, 73, 75, when the clamping bodies 17, 73, 75 engage with a joint. As shown in Figure 8, the lock nuts 61, 63 are engaged with the rear face 39 of the primary fixture body 17. The lock nuts 61, 63 and spindles 45, 47 mechanically lock the fixture bodies 17, 73, 75 in any (variable) position to accommodate the size of the joint. Locknuts 61, 63 retain their position along spindles 45, 47, even if the force to drive motors 27, 29 is lost. This locking is a safety detail of mechanical support in the event of a power failure in the drive control system 180.
[00094] Returning to Figures 8 and 9, the indicating device 158 is used to indicate when the fixture 1 is in the operationally closed mode, that is, the joint 2 is hanging. The fixture 1 is in the operational mode. closed when all valves 116, 118, 120 are activated. In this mode, the high pressure fluid is supplied to the drive motors 27, 29 (via pilot line 138) to enable the clamping mechanism 8 to tighten its gripping means at joint 2.
[00095] Clamping device 1 can be used in conjunction with the well operating system 300 during any one or during several stages (s) of operation. For example, it can be during investigative drilling, during initial drilling, during continuation drilling
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 38/218 / 64 after coating and cement tubes have been added to part of or all of the borehole, and / or during production. Consequently, the fixture 1 can be used with exploratory wells, production wells or other well related operations.
Physical Description of the Second Fixation Device Embodiment [00096] Figure 10A is a perspective view from the front of a fixation device 500 for supporting components of a borehole column below. Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of a fixture 500. The fixture 500 generally comprises the support structure 505, a fixation mechanism 650 and a drive mechanism 800. The drive mechanism 800 operates the locking mechanism. attachment 650 for engaging or disengaging a well column component. The support structure 505 couples the clamping mechanism 650 and the drive mechanism 800 together and supports them and the column component of well tubes against a rotating table 338 or the apparatus floor 314 (Figure 1) or other structure of receivement.
Support Structure [00097] Referring now to Figure 12, support structure 505 includes an upper, substantially rigid, generally rectangular base plate 510, a substantially rigid, lower base plate, generally rectangular 570, a slot-shaped slit lock 520, a plurality of pneumatic bellows 590, a plurality of stroke limiting base plate guide units 605 and a plurality of adapter handles 508 attached to and extending downwardly beyond the base surface of the lower base plate 570 The keyhole shaped slot 520 receives the components of a downhole well column. The configuration of the keyhole shaped slot 520 will be described in more detail below.
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Top Base Plate [00098] Referring also to Figure 12, the top base plate 510 includes a horizontal top surface 512, an outer edge 514 (the front edge), two long outer edges 516 and a slot-shaped slot. lock 520a. The keyhole shaped slot 520a extends towards the largest dimension of the upper base plate 510 and includes a central opening 522a and one intersecting the side opening 524a. The center 523a (Figure 14) of the central opening 522a is located at or near the center of the upper base plate 510. The central opening 522a is contiguous with the side opening 524a. The side opening 524a runs from the central opening 522a to the outer edge 514 and divides the outer edge 514 into two parts. The diameter of the central opening 522a is larger than the larger diameter joint to be retained by the fixing device 500. The top surface 512 includes two T-slots 535, one on each side of the side opening 524a and running the entire length of the upper base plate 510. On the top surface 512, two L-shaped recesses 540 are formed close to and including the entire outer edge 514, one on each side of the side opening 524a. The L 540 shaped recess intersects and thus removes a part of the T-slot 535. Equivalently exposed, the T-slot 535 ends at the L 540 shaped recesses. Each L 540 shaped recess includes a vertical V shaped 542 indentation. near the end of the T-slot 535. Together, the recess 540 and the indentation 543 provide free space to lower a double-T latch 690 at the base of a fixture body 655 before removing the fixture body 655. The components 690 and 655 appearing in Figure 10A are described below.
[00099] Arranged along all edges of the upper base plate 510, p. eg, outer edge 514 and outer edge 516, as shown in Figure 12, there are a plurality of small threaded holes 532 for threaded engagement with the machine screws used to secure the
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 40/218 / 64 side covers of plate 530 (Figure 10A).
[000100] As best shown in Figure 12, the upper base plate 510 includes additional details for receiving and securing other members of the fixing device 500. On each side of the side opening 524a, three recesses 546 are formed on the surface 512 to receive stops extremes 547, discussed below. The end stop recess 546a is arranged along the outer edge 514 and in line with the T-slots 535. The end stop recess 546b is almost aligned with the center 523 of the central opening 522a in one direction and is evenly spaced between the T-slots 535 and the nearest outer edge 516 in the other direction. The extreme stop recess 546c is arranged close to the edge of the upper base plate 510, which is opposite the outer edge 514. Two slots 548 are formed to engage the guide strips 550 (figure 15). The guide strips 550 and their slots 548 run parallel to the T-slot 535 and are almost tangent to and are located on opposite sides of the central opening 522a. The center of each guide strip 550 is aligned with the center 523a of the central opening 522a. As such, the guide strips 550 are positioned adjacent to the region where the T-slots 535 intersect the central opening 522a. The guide strips 550 assist the movement of the fastening bodies 655, in regions where the T-slots 535 do not exist and, therefore, cannot provide direction.
[000101] Continuing with Figure 12, the holding recess 552 for pneumatic bellows 590 is a third receiving detail formed on the top surface 512. Five of such recesses 552 are formed. Within each bellows clamping groove 552, a central hole 554 and four bore holes (not shown) are machined through the upper base plate 510, to access and secure a 590 pneumatic bellows. Of the five, four clamping grooves bellows 552a are arranged uniformly around the central opening 522a in a rectangular pattern. Each of these four is joined in the middle on one side by an L 556 shaped channel, which is provided
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 41/218 / 64 for a pneumatic communication line. A fifth bellows retaining recess 552b is formed on the opposite side of the central opening 522 from the side opening 524a and has no air supply channel. Four oblong holes or slots 562, with central geometrical axes 563 (Figure 17) are arranged close to the four outer corners of the upper base plate 510 to receive and secure the stroke limiting base plate guide units 605 (Figure 19), to described later. Slots 562 are used instead of round holes, to avoid the potential for 605 units to attach while being extended or retracted. The upper base plate 510 also includes the borehole 564 and a concentric slot 566 for receiving the weight sensor 760, which is described below and arranged near the fifth bellows retaining recesses 522b on the opposite side of the central opening 522a. Lower Baseplate [000102] Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the lower baseplate 570 is arranged under and coupled to the upper baseplate 510. The lower baseplate 570 has a horizontal top surface 572, an outer edge 574 (the leading edge), two long outer edges 576 and a keyhole shaped slot 520b extending towards the largest dimension of the lower base plate 570. The keyhole shaped slot 520b includes a central opening 522b and an intersecting side opening 524b. The center 523b of the central opening 522b is located at or near the center of the lower base plate 570. The central opening 522b is contiguous with the lateral opening 524b. The side opening 524b runs from the central opening 522 to the outer edge 574 of the lower base plate 570 and divides the outer edge 574 into two parts. The central opening 522b has a frustoconical shape: it has an upper diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the corresponding central opening 522a on the upper base plate 510 and a lower diameter that is larger than its upper diameter. In other words, the diameter of the central opening 522b expands towards the base.
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 42/218 / 64 [000103] With reference also to Figures 12 and 13, four adapter wings 578 extend horizontally away from the long outer edges 576 and are arranged in a rectangular pattern around the central opening 522b. A fifth adapter wing 578 extends horizontally away from the center of the edge opposite the outer edge 574. Three of the adapter wings 578 have recesses on which hinged suspension rings 579 are attached, best shown in Figure 2. The adapter handles 508 are attached to the base of the adapter wings 578 in order to provide a means for engaging and transferring force and torque to a receiving structure, such as a rotary table 338, force blades or other such support structure.
[000104] Now focusing on Figure 13, the lower base plate 570 includes five bellow receiving countersinks 580, which are axially aligned with the corresponding central holes 554 in the upper base plate 510. Each countersink 580 has four drill holes 581 of studs evenly spaced, circumferentially positioned to receive studs to receive bellows 590. Four guide cylinder bores 584 are arranged in the lower base plate 570 and are axially aligned with the corresponding central geometric axes 563 of the slots 562 of the upper base plate 510. In addition, a plurality of short cylindrical protrusions 582 is circumferentially arranged around the central opening 522b on the top surface 572. These cylindrical protrusions 582 join with the countersink holes (not shown) on the base surface of the upper base plate 510 and stabilize the upper base plate 510 against horizontal translation, when the clamping device 500 supports the weight of a well column component, such as a pipe joint 2.
Pneumatic Bellows and Guide Units [000105] Again with reference to Figure 12, a plurality of pneumatic bellows 590 and a plurality of travel limiting base plate guide units 605 couple and support the upper base plate 510
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 43/218 / 64 above the lower base plate 570. Pneumatic bellows 590 give a visual indication of when the clamping device 500 is and is not supporting the weight of a well column 330. The visual indication is a safety detail . When the weight of a column of well tubes 330 is applied to the clamping device 500, the weight in the pneumatic bellows 590 increases. Then the bellows 590 is vented through the exhaust relief valves (not shown) and the bellows 590 compresses. The upper base plate 510 rests on the lower base plate 570 as shown in Figure 20. When the weight is removed from the clamping device 500, by cranes 320 (Figure 2), the pneumatic bellows 590 expands and upper base plate 510 rises to the configuration shown in Figure 19. Concomitantly, guide units 605 limit the stroke, that is, the vertical travel distance, and reduce the horizontal movement of the upper base plate 510 when the weight of a well column is added to or removed from the fixture 500.
[000106] In the clamping device 500 there are five pneumatic bellows 590 which are fixed at their base end to the appropriate countersinks 580 and at their top end of the clamping recesses 522, as described with reference to Figs. 12 and 13. In the embodiment shown, pneumatic bellows 590 includes two air pockets, however, the bellows having a greater or lesser number of air pockets can be employed. The pneumatic bellows 590 has a circular base plate with four pins for countersinking 580 of the lower base plate 570. The pins pass through the drill holes 581 of the lower base plate 570 to be threadedly engaged with the nuts (not shown) ). At the top end, the pneumatic bellows 590 have bolts that pass through the upper base plate 510 and are threadedly engaged and retained by nuts (not shown) inside the bellows retaining recess 552. Bellows 590 can be secured by other means also. Also within the bellows retaining recess 552, a pneumatic 90 degree elbow coupling 594 attaches to
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 44/218 / 64 one end to the pneumatic bellows 590 through the central hole 554. The other end of the pneumatic coupling 594 faces the L-shaped channel 556 for attachment to a pneumatic air line (not shown). [000107] As shown in Figures 19 and 24, the guide unit 605 is a series of axially aligned cylinders, which telescopically extends and, alternatively, collapses when the upper base plate 510 rises and accommodates under load perforation column 330. Best seen in Figure 24, the guide unit 605 comprises a lower guide sleeve 608, an intermediate guide sleeve 614, an upper guide rod 620 and a travel stop pin 626. The lower guide sleeve 608 has a hole upper bore 609 and lower countersink 610, leaving an internal circular overhang 612 facing downwards. At the top of the guide cylinder 608, a pin groove 611 (Figure 13) is arranged perpendicular to and extending through the central geometric axis of the guide cylinder 608. The intermediate guide sleeve 614 has the first outer diameter 615 defining most of the outer surface and a larger second outer diameter 616 confined to a small base section. The differing diameters 615 and 617 create an upward circular outer projection 617, which contacts the inner circular projection 612 and limits the extent of vertical movement when the guide unit 605 extends. The intermediate guide sleeve 614 also has an axial bore hole 618 and a radially aligned pin hole 619 passing horizontally through its side wall, to receive the travel stop pin 626. The upper guide rod 620 engages slidingly inside the bore hole 618 of the intermediate guide sleeve 614. The upper guide rod 620 has a radially aligned pin slot 612 to receive the stroke limiting pin 626. The upper guide rod 620 also has a radially aligned engagement hole 622 to receive the rod retaining pin. guide 628 and connects with the upper base plate 510 (Figure 19). How the components of the 605 guide unit are assembled and the relative sizes of the various components are better
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 45/218 / 64 shown in Figure 24. The stroke limiting pin 626 predominantly passes through the intermediate guide sleeve 614 and upper guide rod 620 to limit the upward extension of the guide unit 605 [000108] The fixing device 500 incorporates four units guides 605 fixed at their upper end to slots 562 of the upper base plate 510. The lower guide sleeves 608 are fixed within the guide cylinder boreholes 584 and extend beyond the top surface 572 of the lower base plate 570. The upper extended part of each of the lower guide sleeves 608 has an upper outer diameter 613 which is smaller than the inner diameter of the borehole 584, but equals a corresponding recess (not shown) of the base of the upper base plate 510. Each corresponding recess in the base of the plate 510 is round and shares a central geometric axis 563 with a joint slot 562.
Clamping mechanism of the Second Clamping Device Embodiment [000109] Referring to Figure 18, the clamping mechanism 650 comprises two clip bodies 655 which are moved together to engage one and suspend a well column component (p eg, joint 2) inside the central opening 522. With reference to Figure 10A, the clamping mechanism 650 is slidably attached to the top surface 512 of the upper base plate 510. The clamping mechanism 650 has two similar clamping bodies 655. The first or front fastening body 655a extends through the side opening 524 and faces the central opening 522 of the keyhole shaped slot 520 of the support structure 505. The second or rear fastening body 655b is positioned on the side opposite of the central opening 522. The rear fixing body 655b faces the opposite direction of the front fixing body 655a and therefore also faces the opening central break 522. Fixing bodies 655a, 655b include gripping matrix inserts 722 that engage with joint 2. Fixing bodies 655a,
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655b are retained and controlled by the drive mechanism 800 and move parallel to the top surface 512.
[000110] With reference to Figures 10A and 15, each fixing body 655 is generally rectangular in shape and includes two pairs of horizontally disposed arms 680. Each pair of arms 680 includes an upper and lower arm. Each pair of arms 680 forms a generally rectangular recess 681 (best shown in Figure 19) at the outwardly facing ends of the fixing body 655 for receiving components of the drive mechanism 800, as discussed more fully below. The fixing body 655 also includes a top face 656, an inner face 660 generally facing towards the central opening 522, an outer face 670 and two vertical axes 685.
[000111] Referring to Figures 15 and 21, the inner face 660 includes flat regions and two vertically concave extending surfaces 662, which share a common center edge 663 in the middle of the inner face 660. As seen in the top view of the Figure 21, the vertically extending, concave surfaces 662 partially face each other and partially face towards the central opening 522. Surfaces 662 start at the top face 656 and extend almost to the base of the fixing body 655, leaving a centrally located base protrusion 667, best shown in Figure 21 and also shown in the elevation view of Figure 22. A vertically oriented carrier retaining pin 668 (Figure 21) is coupled with and extended if above base protrusion 667. The horizontal distance from the common center edge 663 to carrier retaining pin 668 is greater than the distance from carrier retaining pin 668 to the outer vertical edge 664 of the concave vertical surface 662.
[000112] Referring again to Figure 10A, the upper arms 680 and the fixing body 655 are flush or coplanar with the top face 656
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 47/218 / 64 and are horizontal metal plates extending outward and away from the side opening 524a. The lower arms 680 are similar, but are coplanar or flush with the base of the fixing body 655. The lower and upper arms 680 of the fixing body 655 extend towards the outer edges 516 of the upper base plate 510. In one On the one hand, the lower and upper arms 680 define a narrow part of the outer face 670 of the fixing body 655. Face 670 includes almost semicircular grooves 682a, which are defined in part by a vertical central geometric axis 698 (Figure 15). [000113] As best shown in Figure 10A, the top face 656 of the fixing body 655 has rectangular recesses 658, which are adjacent to the upper edges of the concave vertical surfaces 662.
[000114] With reference also to Figure 10A, the vertical axes 655 are embedded within the fixing body 655 generally above the T-slots 535 of the upper base plate 510. The vertical axes 685 are positioned sufficiently close to the outer face 670, so so that the outer face 670 includes an outwardly curved protrusion. As best shown in Figure 10B, a small tongue slit gap 686 is arranged in the fixing body 655 intersecting the outer face 670 below the top face 656. The tongue slit gap 686 leaves a gap around a portion of the vertical axis 685. In total, four tongue gap slits 686 are thus arranged at both the upper and lower corners of the clamping body 685. Each slot 686 slidably receives a double L-690 tongue. The tongue members 690 provide clearance for the unit. cylinder cylinder 805 to move laterally away from the fastening body 655, which comprises the side opening 524, as described below. The 685 tongue gap slits are long enough to leave a connecting member of a 690 double-L tongue enough space to slide vertically. Four slide fasteners 672 are attached to the outer face 670. The axes of slide fasteners 672 move horizontally and are aligned with and received
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 48/218 / 64 through the four tongue slots 686 on the two vertical axes 685 of the fixing body 655.
[000115] With reference again to Figure 10A, the doubleL tongue 690, arranged in the upper outer corners of the fixing body 655, engagably receives and couples the drive block 820 of the cylinder unit 805. The double-L tongue 690 moves vertically away from the fixture body 655 in order to provide clearance before removing a cylinder unit 805 from the fixture body 655. The double-L 690 tongue is formed to have two L-shaped arms 692, 694 , each located in a plane perpendicular to the other and joined at the top end of each "L". A large L-shaped arm 692 is parallel to and close to the top face 656 and is generally positioned to extend beyond the outer face 670. However, the "foot" part of the large L-shaped arm 692 extends backwards, along the side of the lower or upper arm adjacent 680 of the fixation body 655 and includes a rectangular protrusion 693 that reaches a cut in the middle of the lower or upper arm 680. The top of the "L" of the large L-shaped arm 692 is positioned near the top of the vertical axis 685. The upper end of the small L-shaped arm 694 starts at this same location and extends generally vertical, with the "foot" or the lower part of the small "L" reaching towards the body attachment 655 to the outer face 670 and extending into the tongue slit gap 686 around the vertical axis 685. The vertical axis 685 slips in with a vertical drill hole at the bottom of the small conforming arm ado-L 694. The tongue slit gap 686 is large enough to have an open gap even after the vertical axis 685 receives the small L-shaped. This gap of the tongue slit gap 686 allows the entire double-L tongue 690 to be raised and lowered to engage and uncouple the fixing body 655 from the cylinder unit 805. For a double-L tongue 690 arranged at the base of the fixing body 655, the travel directions for coupling and
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 49/218 / 64 uncouple are reversed. In order to couple with the cylinder unit 805, the large L-shaped arm 692 of each double-L tongue 690 has a semicircular groove 682b, which shares the vertical central geometric axis 698 with the semicircular groove 682a of the lower adjacent arm upper 680. Together, the semicircular grooves 682a and 682b form a generally circular hole, which receives the cylindrical pin 822 in the drive block 820 of the cylinder unit 805.
Pivotable Grips of the Second Fixture Embodiment [000116] The grip capacity of the fixture 500 is now described with reference first to Figures 15, 21 and 22. Each fixture body 655 is coupled to a plurality of pivotable gripping device 720 on vertical concave surfaces 662 and rectangular recesses 658. Each matrix holding device 720 comprises a plurality of matrix inserts 722, a plurality of pivotable matrix insert holders 724, a plurality of retaining pins support 730, an insert carrier 725, a plurality of carrier retaining pins 668 and a retaining plate 734. These will generally be described in reverse order.
[000117] Each insert holder 725 generally faces and is generally circumferentially aligned with the central opening 522 of the support structure 505. The convex rear surface of insert holder 725 conforms and slidably joins with the concave vertical surface 622 of a fixing body 655. Both ends of the insert carrier 725 have a curved vertical slot 732, which engagably receives a carrier retaining pin 668. Therefore, each insert carrier 725 is coupled by two carrier retaining pins. 668 in this embodiment. As previously described, one of these carrier retaining pins 668a is coupled with and extends above the base protrusion
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667. The other carrier retaining pin 668b (Figure 22) is coupled with and extends downwardly from part of the retaining plate 734. The opposite end, on the retaining plate 734, is fixed within the rectangular recesses 658 below the top face 656 of the fixing body 655. In addition, the width, length and curvature of the curved vertical slot 732 allow insert holder 725 to pivot on carrier retaining pins 668 and slide along the concave vertical surfaces 662. In this way, insert holder 725 is retained by and coupled to the attachment body 655.
[000118] In a similar manner, the insert holder 725 slidably and pivotally engages with a plurality of insert holders 724. To facilitate this arrangement, the insert holder 725 has a plurality of concave vertical channels 728, which face the opening 522. The convex rear surface of a matrix insert holder 724 conforms to and is fixed in the concave vertical channel 728. Both ends of the matrix insert holder 724 have a curved vertical slot 723, which engagably receives a pin insert holder 730 of the insert holder 725. The width, length and curvature of the curved vertical slot 723 allow the matrix insert holder 724 to pivot on the holder retainer pins 730 and slide into the vertical channel 728. Each insert holder of matrix 724 retains and engages a plurality of matrix inserts 722 which, in turn, have toothed surfaces to secure the circumference of the joint 2.
[000119] The described details of the pivotable gripping device 720 and the complementary vertical concave surfaces 622, incorporated within the fixing body 655, allow the orientation of the matrix inserts 722 to automatically adjust to the joint surfaces 2, if the joint 2 be within a prescribed range of diameters. On each fixing body 655, a plurality of lamellar springs 738 are attached to the inner face 660, so that a free end extends beyond the vertical edges
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 51/218 / 64 external 664 of the vertical concave surfaces 662. The free end of each lamellar spring 738 presses against an insert carrier 725, pushing or requesting it towards the common center edge 663 of the vertical concave surfaces 662. When the device clamp 500 is not engaging at joint 2, the two adjacent insert carriers 725 are pushed together close to the common center edge 663. When joint 2 is attached, the compressive force pushing against matrix inserts 722 causes the supports inserts 724 slide and pivot along vertical concave channels 728 and also causes insert carriers to slide and pivot along vertical concave surfaces 662 until the compressive force is more evenly distributed across all gripping surfaces, i.e. , all matrix inserts. In this way, the pivotable gripping devices 720 automatically adjust to the particular diameter of the joint 2 disposed within the clamping mechanism 650 of the clamping device 500.
Weight sensor in the Second Fixture Embodiment [000120] With reference to Figure 19, a weight sensor 760 indicates when the fixture 550 is supporting the weight of a joint 2 or other well column component. The weight sensor 760 comprises a spring loaded contact pin 762, a retaining cover, a position switch 766 with hydraulic channels and a wheel and lever unit 768. The spring loaded contact pin 762 slips in with the recess vertical formed by the borehole 564 and countersink 566 in the upper base plate 510 and extends above and below the upper base plate 510. The spring loaded contact pin 762 is held inside the upper base plate 510 by a cover retainer 764. The upper part of the spring loaded contact pin 762 is tapered and contacts the wheel and lever unit 768 which is rotatably coupled with a
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 52/218 / 64 proximity that is attached to the outer face 670 of the second attachment body 655b. When attached by the clamping mechanism 650, the weight of a joint 2 causes the air in the pneumatic bellows 590 to be relieved (released) through a pressure relief valve (not shown). Consequently, the entire bellows 590 compresses and the upper base plate 510 rests on the lower base plate 570. This action causes the contact pin 762 to rise in relation to the upper base plate 510, to the second fixing body 655b, the position switch 766 and the wheel and lever unit 768. As a result, the tapered end of the contact pin 762 pushes the wheel and lever unit 768 to the position switch 766, to change the configuration of the fluid channels. on switch 766 and control the behavior of the clamping device 500, as described later with the drive control system 900. In another embodiment, the position switch 766 could be coupled with a similar electrical position switch, in such a way that a signal could also be sent to the control system and user interface 312. When the weight is released by the clamping device 550, the pneumatic bellows reinflows with the supplied air o via the pneumatic coupling 594 and the upper base plate 510 rises, allowing the contact pin 762 to fall and cease pressing the wheel and lever unit 768 against the position switch 766, canceling the weight signal.
Drive mechanism of the Second Fixture Embodiment [000121] With reference to figures 10, 15 and 17, the drive mechanism 800 comprises a plurality of cylinder units 805. In this embodiment, each cylinder unit 805 comprises one or more of the fluid powered cylinders 810, one or more of the drive blocks 820, a load element 840 for each cylinder 810 and cylinder covers 842 and 844. During most operations, the cylinder unit
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805 is parallel to the side opening 524 of the keyhole-shaped slot 520. The front end of the cylinder unit 8095 is close to the front outer edge 514 of the upper base plate 510. The drive block 820 is positioned on the front end of drum unit 805. As shown in Figure 25, drive block 820 is a generally rectangular block, with its largest dimension arranged vertically. Generally cylindrical legs 822 are positioned at the top and bottom of drive block 820. The front face of drive block 820 has a plurality of combination holes 824 (two are shown) formed by a borehole that receives the threaded rod end of the fluid powered cylinder 820 and a countersunk that receives a load element 840. The rear vertical face (not shown) of the drive block 820 is flat. The assembly of these components is shown in Figure 17.
[000122] Referring now to Figure 17, at the rear end of the cylinder units 805, the inner cylinder cover 842 surrounds the cap end of the fluid powered cylinder 810. At the front entrance, the cylinder rod 814 extends to and beyond the front edge 514. In this region, the cylinder rod 814 is coupled with the drive block 820 and load element 840, as previously indicated. A large nut and washer 816 threadedly engages the end of the cylinder rod 814, tightly coupling the load element 840 and drive block 820 to the cylinder rod 814. As seen in several views, such as figures 10 and 15, an outer cover cylinder 824 is arranged around cylinder rod 814 and is attached to drive block 820. The outer cover 844 slides over the outer side of the inner cover 842 when the fluid powered cylinder 810 expands and retracts.
[000123] Shown in Figure 16, the studs 822 of the drive block 820 mate with the semicircular grooves 682a, 682b of the front fixing body 655a, to form separable upper and lower front joints 826. The
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 54/218 / 64 front joints 826 couple the drum unit 805 with the front fixing body 655a. At the other end of the cylinder unit 805, the end furthest from the front edge 514, the cylindrical pins 812 engage the upper and lower surfaces of the cylinder unit 805. More specifically, the pins 812 engage with the semicircular grooves 681a, 682b of the rear fixing body 655b, to form upper and lower pivoting rear joints 828. Rear joints 828 couple the cylinder units 805 with the front fixing body 655b.
Control System of the Second Fixation Device Realization [000124] Figure 23 shows a schematic of the control system 900, which includes directional control valve 910, fluid lines 912, 912a, 912b communicating with the rod ends of cylinders 810, fluid lines 922, 911a, 922b communicating with the cap ends of cylinders 810, sequence valve 926, position switch 766 (previously introduced), pilot lines (signal) 942, 942a, 942b, time delay cylinder 944, check valves 950 and 955 and other support components. Check valves 950 and 955 are local to cylinder units 805. Check valves 950 and 955 are piloted to receive a pressure signal to command the valve to allow reverse flow when needed. Each fluid powered cylinder 810 has a 955 cylinder safety check valve to ensure that the fluid pressure at the rod end of the cylinder is not lost in the event of a loss of force. The cylinder unit 805 includes a plurality of cylinders 810 (e.g., two as described in this embodiment). For each cylinder unit 805, a secondary safety check valve 950 is upright in series with a T-coupling 952, which connects the two safety check valves 955 of the adjacent cylinders 810.
[000125] Miscellaneous of the other components of the control system of
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 55/218 / 64 drive 900 are attached to a control distribution tube 905 (Figures 11 and 23). The drive control system 900 receives power from a pump (not shown) or other medium of pressurized hydraulic fluid. Fluid is received and returned via directional control valve 910, shown at the bottom of Figure 23. Valve 910 determines the direction of travel for cylinders 810 by adjusting the direction of fluid flow accordingly. When cylinders 810 are to be retracted to pull the two fastening bodies 655a and 655b together, pressurized fluid is directed to the fluid lines 912, which communicate with the rod ends of the cylinders 810. The fluid first passes through a first filter 914. A portion of the fluid is directed to a fluid line 943 as a pilot or control signal to reset the time delay cylinder 944. That is: line 943 becomes pressurized. The purpose of the 944 time delay cylinder will become apparent later. A mode of operation for cylinder 944 will be explained here. The appropriate end of 944 fills, propelling its plunger or inner membrane and discharging fluid on the other side and counter-current through orifice 948. The discharge fluid travels through fluid line 942, until it reaches and passes through switch 766 which, on this occasion, is positioned to indicate “no weight on the clamping device 500”, so the discharge fluid moves to and through fluid line 941 to line 922 and joins another fluid in line 922 ( to be explained later), traveling back through valve 910 to the hydraulic reservoir. At the same time, the fluid from the pilot hole of the sequence valve 926 drains through line 942 together with the fluid from the time delay cylinder 944. The integral spring inside valve 926 changes valve 926 from the open position to the closed position.
[000126] Continuing with the pressurized flow line 912, in addition to the filter 914, the primary flow of the fluid is divided into two paths,
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 56/218 / 64 fluid 912a and 912b, to supply the cylinder units 805 arranged on the opposite sides of the slot formed into a keyhole 520. From this point forward, only the fluid path “a” for a cylinder unit 805 will be discussed. The fluid path “b” is identical.
[000127] The pressurized fluid moves in the fluid line 912a, reaching the clamping device and its 805 cylinder unit. Here, the fluid is divided again. While most of the fluid remains in line 912 and passes through the secondary safety check valve 950a. After valve 950, the fluid divides for a final time with a portion going to each of the cylinder safety check valves 955a and finally to the stem end of a coupled cylinder 810. The pressure at the end of The rod causes the cylinders 810 to retract, pulling the front and rear attachment bodies 655a and 655b together. In the described operating mode, check valves 950a and 955a ensure that the fluid can travel to the stem end of cylinders 810, but cannot return.
[000128] When cylinders 810 retract, fluid is released from the cap ends through fluid lines 922a and joins fluid line 922b when reaching fluid line 922 of control manifold 905. O fluid passes through a check valve to bypass the sequence valve 926 and passes through another check valves to bypass a second fluid filter 924. The fluid then passes through the directional control valve 910 and finally back to the fluid reservoir (not shown).
[000129] After the clamping device 500 has firmly attached the joint 2, operators allow the lifting machines 320 to transfer the weight of the joint 2 and the fixed drill column 330 to the clamping device 500. On this occasion and even changed , the position switch 766, which acts as a weight indicator sequence valve, is triggered by the weight of the column
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 57/218 / 64 drilling 330 by pulling down the top plate 510. Position switch 766 moves (to the left according to the configuration in Figure 23) and isolates line 941, so that no fluid can pass from line 922 to line 941 and through the position switch 766. Otherwise, in some situations while the fixture 500 is supporting weight, the fluid from line 922 and 941 could otherwise pass through the switch 766 and lines pressurized fluid pilot 942 and 946, which lead to the control hole of the sequence valve 926. Instead, as a result of isolation of line 941 by switch 766, sequence valve 926 remains in a closed position previously reached when the line 943 was pressurized. While the position switch 766 senses that there is weight in the clamping device 500, pilot line 942 is connected to fluid line 958, which can drain to line 912 or line 922 if and when the pressure in line 958 is greater. Line 958 is protected by check valves, so line 958 cannot be pressurized by line 912 or line 922.
[000130] Still with reference to Figure 23, later, when cylinders 810 are to be extended in order to propel the two separate fastening bodies 655a and 655b, the pressurized fluid follows almost the opposite path, however events happen in two stages . In the first stage, a pressurized control signal is sent to the check valves 950 and 955 to command them to allow reverse flow, so that the rod end of the cylinders 810 can be drained. To accomplish this, the control valve 910 directs the pressurized fluid to line 922 and allows return flow from line 912. The pressurized fluid from line 922 passes through filter 923 and reaches the sequence valve 926, which is closed in this occasion, so that the primary flow of the fluid cannot yet reach the cap ends of the cylinders 810 to expand them. However, a portion of the fluid is directed to a 941 pilot fluid line
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 58/218 / 64 to act as a control signal. Line 941 directs the fluid to the switch in position 766. If the clamping device 500 is not supporting weight, p. eg, the weight of joint 2, as indicated by weight sensor 760 (Figure 19), then position switch 766 allows fluid from line 941 to enter pilot fluid line 942. Fluid in line 942 follows two paths . Along the first path, the fluid from line 942 travels via line 942a and 942b to safety control valves 950, 955, located near the two cylinder units of the clamping device 500, and releases them to allow flow reverse. As a result, the rod ends of the cylinders 810 are depressurized, but little fluid leaves them because the cap ends have not yet been pressurized. The cylinder pistons 810 are stationary during this first stage of operation. Along the second switch leaving path 766, the fluid passes through an orifice 948, reducing the flow rate when the fluid enters the fluid line 946 and causing a reduction in fluid pressure. The purpose of the fluid in line 946 is to activate the sequence valve 926 so that the primary fluid flow continues to travel in line 922 to each of the cap ends of cylinders 810. However, some pressure in line 946 is required in order to activate the sequence valve 926, but the fluid in line 946 must first fill the time delay cylinder 944. When cylinder 944 fills, the pressure in line 946 remains lower than the activation pressure of the valve 946 sequence 926. When the time delay cylinder 944 is full, the pressure rises in line 946, eventually reaching the activation pressure required by valve 926. This starts stage 2 of the cylinder extension sequence. On this occasion, the sequence valve 926 switches and allows fluid to pass through to the other section of line 922, where it divides and travels on line 922a and 922b to reach the end cap of the cylinders and to extend to the cylinder rods 824. The fluid at the ends of the
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 59/218 / 64 cylinder cover 810 returns via lines 912a, 912b. This direction of travel is possible because all safety check valves 950 and 955 have been released to allow reverse flow as previously explained. The fluid joins line 912 and reaches the control panel. The fluid passes through a check valve to bypass the first fluid filter 914 and then returns through the directional control valve 910 to reach the fluid reservoir.
General Operation of the Second Fixture Embodiment [000131] The fixture 500 has three primary modes or positions within its sequence or operating cycle. These modes are operationally-closed, Operationally Open, and removal. The modes will be discussed sequentially. The required performance of the 900 drive control system has already been explained. Now, in this section, the purpose of each operating mode and the physical arrangement taken by the various components during each mode will be described. The method of transitioning to each mode from the previous mode will be described subsequently.
Operationally-Closed Mode [000132] The operationally closed mode or position of the clamping device 500 is best understood with reference to Figure 18. In this mode, the clamping mechanism 650 radially engages a component of a well column, such as a gasket. tube 2, which may be a component of the drill column 330 in Figure 1. There would be additional components attached below and possibly above the joint 2. The additional components attached below the joint 2 could extend into the borehole 334 below the clamping device 500. The clamping mechanism 650 is capable of holding joints and other components with diameters within a predefined range of diameters, e.g. 6 to 10 inches (15.24 to 25.4 cm) in one embodiment. This grip band is particularly useful in the case of a borehole unit that
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 60/218 / 64 can include components with different diameters. The predefined range can cover all the different diameters present in the borehole unit. The clamping mechanism 650 would simply be opened further or closed more by the drive mechanism 800 to secure the different parts of the borehole unit, e.g. eg when traveling from a borehole unit 344 to the borehole 334 or recovery of the borehole unit 344 from the borehole 334. Adjusting the clamping mechanism 650 does not require replacement or removal of any parts of the clamping mechanism 650 for diameters within the predefined range. For a new predefined range, parts of the attachment mechanism 650, such as insert carriers 725, can be replaced. Adjusting the clamping mechanism 650 does not require replacement or removal of any parts of the clamping mechanism 650 to diameters within the predefined range. For a new predefined range, parts of the attachment mechanism 650, such as insert carriers 725, can be replaced. After replacing parts, the clamping mechanism 650 would hold the joints with diameters within the new predefined range. As an example, for the described embodiment, the predefined diameter ranges that can be selected for attachment include 4 to 6 inches (10.16 to 15.24 cm), 6 to 10 inches (15.24 to 25.4 cm) and 8 to 12 inches (20.32 to 30.48 cm); however other tracks are possible. While in the operationally closed mode, the matrix inserts 722, associated with the fastening bodies 655, radially secure the joint 2 which is arranged in the central opening 522. As used here, the expression “radially secure” means to exert force on a component of well column by applying force in a radial direction.
[000133] The clamping device 500 can contain the vertical loads (eg, the weight of the joint 2 and other joints and components attached to the joint 2), horizontal forces and torque in the clockwise direction or counterclockwise.
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 61/218 / 64 clock applied to the geometric axis of the joint 2. Thus, the clamping device 500 can be used as a support tool when making or breaking connections between joints. When the weight of a joint 2 and well column 330 is applied to the clamping device 500, air is released from the pneumatic bellows 590, causing the bellows 590 to compress and the upper base plate 510 to rest on the plate. lower base 570. This transition can be seen with Figure 19 and Figure 20. In operationally closed mode, cylinders 810 remain parallel to the side opening 524 of the support structure 505.
[000134] The clamping force retaining joint 2 is determined by the applied hydraulic pressure of the drive mechanism 800 and is independent of the weight of the joint 2 and independent of the weight of the well column that can be fixed on the joint 2. This ability to specifying the load-independent clamping force is provided to allow the system to support larger pile shafts without crushing the fixed component, e.g. eg, joint 2. This differs from conventional use of blades in that the grip force on the component is directly related to the weight being supported and where excessive radial force is sometimes applied to the supported component.
[000135] Using the lower base plate 570, the fixing device 500 can be attached to any suitable structure, e.g. eg rotary table 338 or device floor 314 above borehole 334. When mounting device 500 is mounted on a receiving frame via bottom base plate 570, adapter wings 578, and adapter handles 508 , or similar components, these components (570, 508 and 587) will be able to transfer to the receiving structure the vertical, horizontal and torque loads concomitantly or separately applied to the clamping mechanism 650 by the supported load. The load forces and torque of the load supported will be transferred from the clamping mechanism 650 to the
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 62/218 / 64 drive mechanism 800. Loading forces and torque are then transferred to the upper base plate 510 through guide strips 550 and T-slots 535 (Figure 15). Horizontal loads are transferred from the upper base plate 510 to the lower base plate 570 through cylindrical protrusions 581 (Figure 13) and lower guide sleeves 608. Rotation, ie torques, are transferred to the lower base plate 570 through the lower guide sleeves 608. From the lower base plate 570, the wings 578 and flaps 508 transfer the loads to the receiving structure.
Operationally Open Mode [000136] The operationally open mode of the clamping device 500 is best described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. In this mode, the matrix inserts 722 disengaged from joint 2, which is no longer shown in the central opening 522. Transported by the fastening bodies 655, the matrix inserts 722 moved away from the center of the central opening 522 to the periphery of the opening. Before moving from the operationally closed to the operationally open mode (from Figure 18 to Figure 16), the weight must be transferred from the clamping device 500 to the lifting equipment 320 (Figure 1). As a visual indication of this event, the pneumatic bellows 590 expand and the upper base plate 510 rises to the configuration shown in Figure 19, indicating to operators that the clamping device 500 can be opened. At this point, cylinders 810 can be moved to the extended position. The extension of the cylinders 810 moves the clamping body 655a and the clamping body 655b away from each other, in a direction parallel to the upper base plate 510 and away from the center of the central opening 522.
[000137] When the fluid powered cylinders 810 extend, the clamping body 655a and the clamping body 655b are pushed away from each other and therefore away from the central opening 522. Due to the clamping mechanism 650 and the drive mechanism 800 are not
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 63/218 / 64 rigidly attached to the upper base plate 510, but more precisely to float laterally on the upper base plate 510, the movement pattern of the attachment bodies 655 during retraction is not prescribed until the cylinders 810 reach the end stops external 547a, 547c (Figure 15). That is, when the fluid powered cylinders 810 extend, the clamping body 655a can first reach the left side of the upper base plate 510, or the clamping body 655b can first reach the right side of the upper base plate 510, or these events could happen simultaneously. Later, when switching to operationally closed mode, this lateral “float” allows the clamping mechanism 650 and drive mechanism 800 to self-center in a joint 2 arranged in the central opening 522, even if the joint 2 is not in the middle of the central opening 522. In the operationally open mode, such as the operationally closed mode, the cylinders 810 remain parallel to the side opening 524 of the support structure 505.
Removal Mode [000138] The removal mode or fully open position of the fixture 500 is shown in Figures 14 and 15. In this mode, the cylinder units 805 were rotated around the pivoting rear joints 828 and the fixture body 655a has been removed from the rest of the fixture 500. As a result, the side opening 524 of the keyhole-shaped slot 520 is unobstructed and the side access to the central opening 522 is possible via the side opening 524. While in the removal mode, the entire clamping device 500 can be removed from or placed over the borehole 334, whether or not a drill column 330 is already arranged in the borehole 334 and possibly extending out of the borehole 334. The opening center 522, when aligned with the borehole 334, it can receive the joint 2 of the drilling column 330, which is arranged in the borehole 334 or being
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 64/218 / 64 placed into or removed from borehole 334. In removal mode, cylinders 810 are moved to a position where they are angled and thus no longer parallel to the side opening 524.
[000139] The clamping device 500 can be moved from the operationally open mode to the removal mode (from Figure 16 to Figure 14 and Figure 15). Before changing to the removal mode or position, the fixing body 655b is locked in position with respect to the upper base plate 510. Then, the front fixing body 655a must be positioned on the left side away from the upper base plate. 510 extending the fluid powered cylinders 810. Then, the slide locks 672 on the outer face 670 of the front fixing body 655a are retracted. Subsequently, the two double-L 690 tongues on top of the fixing body 655a are raised and the two double-L 690 tongues on the base of the fixing body 655a are lowered. Then, a gap is created between the cylindrical pins 822 on the drive blocks 820 and semicircular grooves 682 on the lower and upper arms 680. This gap is created in two steps. First, now that the base of two double-L tabs has been lowered, the cylinders 810 are slanted inward (contracted), causing the two double-L tabs of the base to be seated tightly on the V-shaped indentations of the upper base plate 510. Second, the opposite action is performed. The 810 cylinders are driven in an outward (extended) direction. Clearance is now available and each cylinder unit 805 is rotated around the pivoting rear joints 828, away from the front clamping body 655a. The front clamping body 655a remains in position while rotating the drum unit 805. When the rotation is performed, the front clamping body 655a can be removed. To switch from removal mode back to operationally open mode (from the position shown in Figure 15 to the position shown in Figure 16), the opposite procedure is followed.
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 65/218 / 64 [000140] To move from the operationally open to the operationally closed mode (from the position shown in Figure 16 to the position shown in Figure 18), the cylinders 810 contract and move the clamping body 655a relative to to the fixing body 655b. In this way, the fastening bodies 655a, 655b move to the central opening 522 and to a well column component 330, for example, a drill pipe joint 2. When the fastening bodies 655a, 655b move , the joint alignment wedges 740 propel the joint 2 to the center 523 of the central opening 522 if the joint 2 is closer to a long outer edge 516 or the other. Engaged with pivotable gripping devices 720, the positions of the matrix inserts 722 are self-adjusting to accommodate a large diameter well column component or a small diameter component within a range of predefined diameters. When the fastening bodies 655 move parallel to the upper base plate 510, continue towards the center of the central opening 522, and begin to contact the joint 2, the positions of the matrix inserts 722 adjust to correspond to the diameter of the gasket to be attached. This adjustment is facilitated by the multiplicity of curved surfaces, associated with the pivotable gripping devices 720, as previously described. Fluid powered cylinders 810 apply clamping force to the 655 clamping bodies when engaging a gasket.
[000141] The clamping device 500 can be used in conjunction with the well operating system 300 during any one or during several stages (s) of operation. For example, it can be used during investigative drilling, during initial drilling, during continuation drilling after casing and cement pipes have been added to part or all of the drilling hole and / or during production. Consequently, the clamping device 500 can be used with exploratory wells, production wells or other well-related operations. Furthermore, although
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 66/218 / 64 the fixing devices 1 and 500 have been described with reference to a well used for the exploration and final recovery of oil and gas, the fixing device 1 and 500 and methods of their use can be used in wells of water, geothermal wells and any application where a borehole is formed in the earth.
[000142] Although preferred embodiments have been shown and described, their modifications can be made by a person skilled in the art without deviation from the scope or teachings here. The embodiments described here are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the systems, apparatus and processes described here are possible and are within the scope of the invention. For example, the relative dimensions of various parts, the materials of which the various parts are made, operating pressures and other parameters can be varied. As another example, hydraulic power and controls are primarily discussed, but other hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electrical arrangements are possible and adapt to this description. Therefore, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described here, but is only limited by the claims that follow, whose scope will include all equivalents of the subject of the claims.

权利要求:
Claims (15)
[1]
1. Apparatus (1, 500) for suspending a well column, along a generally vertical geometric axis, comprising:
a base plate (4, 505) having an opening (5, 520) for receiving a well column component; and, a clamping mechanism (8, 630) supported by the base plate (4, 505), where clamping mechanism (8, 630) includes a first clamping body (17, 655a) supported for linear movement relative to the plate base (4) and positioned on a first side of the axis, and a second fixing body (73, 75, 655b) supported for linear movements in relation to the base plate (4, 505) and positioned on a second side of the axis, where the first and the second fastening bodies (17, 73, 75, 655a, 655b) include gripping surfaces to engage the well column component received at the opening (5), characterized by the fact that:
the clamping mechanism (8, 630) has a closed position with the gripping surfaces of the first and second clamping bodies (17, 73, 75, 655a, 655b) engaging the well column, and an open position with the surfaces gripping the first and second fastening bodies (17, 73, 75, 655a, 655b) disengaging the well column;
the apparatus further comprises a drive mechanism (10, 800) coupled to the fastening bodies (17, 73, 75, 655a, 655b) and configured to move the fastening bodies (17, 73, 75, 655a, 655b) and change the clamping mechanism (8, 630) between the closed position and the open position.
[2]
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the clamping mechanism (8, 630) is configured to support the weight of the well column in the closed position.
[3]
Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the base plate (4, 505) comprises an upper plate (510), a lower plate (570) and a plurality of bellows (590) arranged between the plates
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 68/218
2/4 upper (510) and lower (570), whose bellows (590) are configured to expand when the clamping mechanism (630) is in the open position and to contract when the clamping mechanism (630) is in the closed position .
[4]
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive mechanism (10, 800) is configured to move the first and second fastening bodies (17, 73, 75, 655a, 655b) linearly along parallel paths.
[5]
5. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that it further comprises an adapter (12, 508) coupled to the base plate (4, 505), the adapter (12, 508) being configured to couple the base plate ( 4, 505) to an external structure and transfer the weight of the well column from the clamping mechanism (8, 630) to the external structure when the clamping mechanism (8, 630) is in the closed position.
[6]
Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive mechanism (10, 800) comprises a cylinder unit (103, 105, 805) having a first end pivotally connected to the first fixing body (17, 655a) and a second end configured to releasably engage the second fastening body (73, 75, 655b).
[7]
Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the cylinder unit (805) is configured to swing the second end of the cylinder unit (805) away from the opening (520) of the base plate (505) .
[8]
8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing bodies (17, 73, 75, 655a, 655b) include gripping members (25, 91, 93, 722) that are self-adjusting to the component size of well column.
[9]
9. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the drive mechanism (10) comprises at least one
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 69/218
3/4 spindle (45, 47) and a locking nut (61, 63) threadedly engaging the spindle (45, 47), where the second fastening body (73, 75) is pivotally attached to one end front (95, 97) of the spindle (45, 47) and where the first fixing body (17) slidably engages the spindle (45, 47).
[10]
10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the drive mechanism (10, 800) further comprises a drive motor (27, 29) and a drive gear (41, 43) coupled to the drive motor (27, 29) and disposed adjacent to the lock nut (61, 63), where the drive gear (41, 43) and the lock nut (61, 63) have teeth (65, 67, 69, 71) that interlock to provide rotational and translational movements to the lock nut (61, 63).
[11]
Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the opening (5, 520) includes a central opening (7, 522) and a side opening (9, 524) extending from the central opening (7, 522) to the edge of the base plate (4, 520), the second fixing body (73, 75, 655b) having a first position blocking the lateral access to the central opening (7, 522) from the side opening (9 , 524).
[12]
Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that the second fixing body (73, 75, 655b) has a second position allowing lateral access to the central opening (7, 522) from the side opening (9 , 524).
[13]
13. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that at least one of the fixing bodies (73, 75, 655a, 655b) comprises:
at least one receiving recess having a concave surface (79, 81, 622);
a carrier member (83, 85, 725) arranged in the receiving recess and having a convex surface facing the concave surface (79,
Petition 870190075174, of 05/08/2019, p. 70/218
4/4
81, 622) of the receiving recess, and having at least one receiving recess having a concave surface (87, 89, 728); and, an insert member (90, 92, 724) disposed on the carrier member (83, 85, 725) and having a convex surface facing the concave surface (79, 81, 728) of the carrier member (83, 85, 725 ).
[14]
14. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a drive control system (900) coupled to the drive mechanism (800) and configured to control the operation of the drive mechanism (800), where the system drive control (900) includes a valve (950, 955) attached to the cylinder unit (805), the valve (950, 955) being configured to maintain pressure at one end of the cylinder unit (805) and configured to be triggered to relieve pressure from such an end.
[15]
Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive mechanism (10, 800) comprises a first linear actuator (103, 105, 810) arranged on a first side of the opening (5, 520) and a second linear actuator (103, 105, 810) disposed on a second side of the opening (5, 520), where the first and second linear actuators (103, 105, 810) are coupled to the first and second clamping bodies (17 , 73, 75, 655a, 655b).

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同族专利:

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公开号 | 公开日

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EP2561173B1|2018-09-26|

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EP2561173A4|2017-06-21|

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WO2011133821A2|2011-10-27|

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WO2011133821A3|2011-12-22|

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法律状态:
2018-12-26| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

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2019-06-25| B06T| Formal requirements before examination [chapter 6.20 patent gazette]|

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2019-12-03| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

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2020-01-21| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 21/04/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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US32644210P| true| 2010-04-21|2010-04-21|

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PCT/US2011/033502|WO2011133821A2|2010-04-21|2011-04-21|Apparatus for suspending a downhole well string|

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