Automated pipe racking apparatus
US4725179A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1986 |
| Grant date | Feb 16, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B19/20
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Apparatus for use to facilitate threading and unthreading substantially vertical lengths of pipe on a drilling rig by moving the pipe between the well bore center line and a racking assembly. An arm having a gripping head mounted thereon is extendable and retractable relative to a carriage mounted on the drilling rig working board. When storing pipe, the lower end of each pipe is set on a support assembly which includes a plurality of switches which signal the position of each pipe thereon. The arm and carriage are moved under control of a computer to an appropriate slot for storing the upper end of the pipe stand. When running pipe into the well bore, the arm and carriage move the upper end of the pipe to the center line of the well and when the traveling block of the drilling rig picks up the pipe, a signal generated by the switch beneath the pipe causes the carriage and arm to move to the location for unracking the next stand of pipe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.