Tubular handling system for oil drilling rigs
US4405022A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 1981 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B19/20
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Drilling apparatus includes an inclined mast, a drive carriage slidably mounted on the mast for rotating a tubular drilling member, and at least two positioning units secured to the mast at spaced positions therealong for positioning tubular drilling members. Each positioning unit has a frame which can be raised a preset distance above the mast and lowered from the preset distance. Grippers adjacent opposite sides of the frame can be raised a preset distance above the frame and lowered from the preset distance. The grippers can be moved towards one another to grip a tubular drilling member therebetween and moved away from one another to release the tubular drilling member. Locators adjacent opposite sides of the frame can be raised to cause the locators to engage and position lower parts of the tubular member, with the tubular member being movable away from the mast out of contact with the locators without moving the locators. The drive carriage is movable along the mast past at least one positioning unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.