A lifting and straightening device for catwalk pipes with obstacle-crossing wheels and its working method

Abstract

This invention discloses a catwalk lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels, comprising a frame, a left arm, a right arm, an obstacle-crossing wheel assembly, a first hydraulic cylinder, and a second hydraulic cylinder. The frame is connected to the powered catwalk. The left and right arms are respectively located on the left and right sides of the frame, and the first and second hydraulic cylinders control the operation of the left and right arms respectively. The left arm includes a left arm body, a swing cylinder, and a roller assembly, with the swing cylinder connecting the roller assembly to the left arm body. The right arm includes a right arm body, a connecting seat, a stop arm, a fourth hydraulic cylinder, a stop rod, and a spring element. The stop arm is connected to the right arm body, and the two ends of the fourth hydraulic cylinder are respectively connected to the stop arm and the right arm body. The stop arm is connected to the stop rod, and a spring element is provided between the stop rod and the stop arm. The obstacle-crossing wheel assembly includes a four-bar linkage, a second roller, and a telescopic control component. The telescopic control component controls the height of the second roller through the four-bar linkage. This device has the advantages of being able to be configured for use on non-horizontal powered catwalks and being able to perform lifting, supporting, clamping, and straightening functions with a single arm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of offshore oil drilling and workover technology, specifically to a catway lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels. Background Technology

[0002] Marine horizontal powered catwalks transport pipes between the wellhead and the pipe deck. To improve operational efficiency, when the pipe enters the wellhead, the catwalk needs to lift the front end of the pipe for the lifting clamp to grip, and support the pipe before the rear end is lifted off the catwalk to prevent it from swinging and impacting personnel or equipment on the drilling platform. After the pipe is lifted vertically by the lifting clamp, the rear end needs to be clamped and straightened so that the male thread can align with the female thread reserved at the wellhead, and then the connection is established. Existing patents CN105201425B disclose a lifting arm for lifting the front end of the pipe, and CN208310716U discloses a straightening arm for lifting, clamping, and straightening the rear end of the pipe. Installing both on the horizontal catwalk can achieve the above functions, but the two arms are independent units, occupying two spaces on the catwalk, resulting in a wider catwalk size, and the two arms require two sets of hydraulic and electrical systems. Furthermore, with the application of automated equipment on drilling platforms, such as the patent with announcement number CN114961597B entitled "A Drilling Platform String Processing Device" and the patent with announcement number CN221761849U entitled "A Rail-Type Iron Drill for Oil Drilling," protruding guide rails have begun to appear in the distance from the edge of the drilling platform to the wellhead. This will hinder the catwalk from reaching the wellhead, requiring the corresponding catwalk to have the ability to cross the guide rails. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a lifting and straightening device and working method for catwalk pipes with obstacle-crossing wheels, so as to solve one or more of the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this invention discloses a catwalk pipe lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels, comprising a frame, a left arm, a right arm, an obstacle-crossing wheel assembly, a first hydraulic cylinder, and a second hydraulic cylinder. The frame is connected to the powered catwalk, and the left and right arms are respectively located on the left and right sides of the frame. One end of the first hydraulic cylinder is hinged to the left arm, and the left arm is controlled to work through the first hydraulic cylinder; one end of the second hydraulic cylinder is hinged to the right arm, and the right arm is controlled to work through the second hydraulic cylinder.

[0005] The left arm includes a left arm body, a third hydraulic cylinder, and a roller assembly. The third hydraulic cylinder is a swing cylinder. One side end of the left arm body is connected to one side end of the third hydraulic cylinder. The upper end of the third hydraulic cylinder is equipped with a roller assembly.

[0006] The right arm includes a right arm body, a connecting seat, a stop arm, a fourth hydraulic cylinder, a stop lever, and a spring component. One end of the stop arm is connected to the right arm body via a pin. The two ends of the fourth hydraulic cylinder are connected to the stop arm and the right arm body, respectively. The other end of the stop arm is connected to a stop lever. A spring component is provided between the stop lever and the stop arm. A connecting seat is provided on the end of the right arm body that is connected to the stop arm.

[0007] The obstacle-crossing wheel assembly includes a four-bar linkage, a second roller, and a telescopic control mechanism. The telescopic control mechanism controls the height of the second roller via the four-bar linkage.

[0008] In some embodiments, the frame includes a frame body, a first roller is provided at the front end of the top surface of the frame body, the top of the first roller protrudes from the top surface of the frame body, the other end of the first hydraulic cylinder is connected to the frame body, and the other end of the second hydraulic cylinder is connected to the frame body.

[0009] In some implementations...

[0010] The top surface of the main frame is V-shaped, and the first roller is located at the center of the top surface of the main frame. The left and right sides of the top surface of the main frame are symmetrically distributed about the first roller.

[0011] The first roller may be a tapered roller.

[0012] In some embodiments, the third cylinder can rotate ±90° under the drive of a hydraulic source, thereby driving the roller assembly to rotate ±90°.

[0013] In some embodiments, a reset seat is also provided on the right arm body corresponding to the stop bar.

[0014] In some embodiments, the connector is provided with a U-shaped connecting groove.

[0015] In some embodiments, an obstacle-crossing wheel assembly may be provided on each of the left and right sides of the frame.

[0016] In some embodiments, the obstacle-crossing wheel assembly includes a second roller, a wheel seat, a short rod, a long rod, and a fifth hydraulic cylinder. The fifth hydraulic cylinder serves as a telescopic control component. The wheel seat, short rod, long rod, and frame body form a four-bar linkage. One end of the long rod and one end of the fifth hydraulic cylinder are connected to the frame body. The other end of the fifth hydraulic cylinder is connected to the long rod. The other end of the long rod is connected to the wheel seat through the short rod. The bottom of the wheel seat is connected to the second roller.

[0017] A method for operating a catwalk pipe lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels, wherein the above-mentioned catwalk pipe lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels is used for drilling operations, and the method for drilling operations is as follows:

[0018] The powered catwalk transports the pipe into the drilling platform. When it encounters an obstacle, it stops on the guide rail. The obstacle-crossing wheel assembly folds, and the powered catwalk continues to move forward to the appropriate position. The obstacle-crossing wheel assembly is then lowered, and the second roller contacts the drilling platform to support the powered catwalk.

[0019] After the power cat walkway continues to the wellhead, the front end of the pipe is pushed into place, the first and second hydraulic cylinders extend at the same time, pushing the left and right arms to lift up at the same time, raising the front end of the pipe to a certain angle, waiting for the lifting clamp to grab it;

[0020] Before the pipe is lifted by the hoist to the point where it is about to leave the power catwalk, the first and second hydraulic cylinders continue to extend, pushing the left and right arms to lift up until they support the tail end of the pipe. The left and right arms follow the tail end of the pipe until the pipe is in a vertical position at the wellhead.

[0021] The stop arm cylinder extends, pushing the stop rod to contact the pipe, so that the stop rod and roller assembly clamp the pipe. Then, the power cat moves back and forth to align the male thread at the lower end of the pipe with the female thread reserved on the drill table.

[0022] After the engagement is completed, the left arm roller assembly opens, and the power cat track leaves the wellhead.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: the device has an independent frame, which can be configured for use in different horizontal power catwalks and has versatility; the lifting, lifting, clamping and straightening functions are all completed by one arm, with only one set of hydraulic and electrical systems; the front wheel can be folded and retracted, and after passing the obstacle guide rail, the support is lowered, and the horizontal power catwalk continues to transport the pipe to the wellhead. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is an axial view schematic diagram of a catwalk pipe lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the frame axis in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the left arm from an axial perspective in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the right arm from a side view in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the right arm from an axial perspective in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the obstacle-crossing wheel being lowered in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the obstacle-crossing wheel being lowered in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the guide rail when the horizontal dynamic cat walkway encounters an obstacle in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a horizontal dynamic catwalk obstacle crossing in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the front end of the lifting tube in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the tail end of the lifting tube in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the tail end of the lifting tube in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the left arm roller assembly in some embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram showing the exit of the power cat track from the wellhead in some embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] Please see Figures 1 to 14 The figure shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which discloses a catwalk pipe lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels, including a frame 1, a left arm 2, a right arm 3, an obstacle-crossing wheel assembly 4, a first hydraulic cylinder 5 and a second hydraulic cylinder 6.

[0040] The frame 1 includes a frame body 104. A first roller 101 is provided at the front end of the top surface of the frame body 104. The top of the first roller 101 protrudes from the top surface of the frame body 104. The top surface of the frame body 104 may be V-shaped. The first roller 101 may be located at the center of the top surface of the frame body 104. The left and right sides of the top surface of the frame body 104 may be symmetrically distributed about the first roller 101. The first roller 101 may be a tapered roller. The frame 1 is connected to the power cat walkway 7 via a first pin 102. Left arm 2 and right arm 3 are respectively located on the left and right sides of frame 1. Left arm 2 and frame 1, and right arm 3 and frame 1 can be connected by second pin 103. One end of first cylinder 5 is hinged to left arm 2. When first cylinder 5 extends and retracts, left arm 2 rotates up and down around second pin 103. The other end of first cylinder 5 can be connected to frame body 104. One end of second cylinder 6 is hinged to right arm 3. When second cylinder 6 extends and retracts, right arm 3 rotates up and down around second pin 103. The other end of second cylinder 6 can be connected to frame body 104.

[0041] The left arm 2 includes a left arm body 201, a third hydraulic cylinder 202, and a roller assembly 203. The third hydraulic cylinder 202 is a swing cylinder, and one end of the left arm body 201 is connected to one end of the third hydraulic cylinder 202. The upper end of the third hydraulic cylinder 202 is equipped with the roller assembly 203. The third hydraulic cylinder 202 can rotate ±90° under the drive of a hydraulic source, thereby driving the roller assembly 203 to rotate ±90°. The roller assembly 203 may include an intermediate shaft, a V-shaped cylinder sleeved on the intermediate shaft, and rolling bearing assemblies sleeved on the intermediate shaft and disposed on both sides of the V-shaped cylinder. When the intermediate shaft is fixed, the V-shaped cylinder can roll.

[0042] The right arm 3 includes a right arm body 301, a connecting seat 302, a stop arm 303, a fourth hydraulic cylinder 304, a stop rod 305, a spring element 306, and a reset seat 307. One end of the stop arm 303 is connected to the right arm body 301 via a pin. The two ends of the fourth hydraulic cylinder 304 are connected to the stop arm 303 and the right arm body 301, respectively. The other end of the stop arm 303 is connected to the stop rod 305. A spring element 306 is provided between the stop rod 305 and the stop arm 303. A reset seat 307 is also provided on the right arm body 301 corresponding to the stop rod 305. The end of the right arm body 301 connected to the stop arm 303 is provided with a connecting seat 302, which has a U-shaped connecting groove.

[0043] When the third cylinder 202 rotates 90° clockwise to the horizontal position, the roller assembly 203 contacts the connecting seat 302. At this time, part of the roller assembly 203 is embedded in the U-shaped connecting groove of the connecting seat 302, and the catwalk pipe lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels is in the closed state. When the third cylinder 202 rotates in the reverse direction, the contact between the roller assembly 203 and the connecting seat 302 is released, and the catwalk pipe lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels is in the open state.

[0044] When the fourth cylinder 304 extends, the stop arm 303 rotates forward, driving the stop lever 305 forward. After the stop lever 305 leaves the reset seat 307, it rotates 90° under the action of the elastic element 306. When the fourth cylinder 304 retracts, the stop lever 305 contacts and presses against the reset seat 307, overcoming the elastic force of the elastic element 306. The elastic element 306 described here can be a torsion spring.

[0045] An obstacle-crossing wheel assembly 4 can be installed on each of the left and right sides of the main frame 104. The obstacle-crossing wheel assembly 4 includes a second roller 401, a wheel seat 402, a short rod 403, a long rod 404, and a fifth hydraulic cylinder 405. The wheel seat 402, short rod 403, long rod 404, and the main frame 104 form a four-bar linkage. One end of the long rod 404 and one end of the fifth hydraulic cylinder 405 are connected to the main frame 104. The other end of the fifth hydraulic cylinder 405 is connected to the long rod 404. The other end of the long rod 404 is connected to the wheel seat 402 via the short rod 403. The bottom of the wheel seat 402 is connected to the second roller 401. When the fifth hydraulic cylinder 405 extends, the four-bar linkage operates, causing the wheel seat 402 to fold the second roller 401, forming a... Figure 7 The structure shown; when the fifth cylinder 405 retracts, the wheel seat 402 drives the second roller 401 downwards, and the second roller 401 contacts the bottom surface, forming as shown. Figure 6 The structure shown supports frame 1.

[0046] Drilling conditions, such as Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the powered catwalk 7 transports the pipe tool 8 into the drilling platform. Upon encountering an obstacle, the guide rail 9 stops, the obstacle-crossing wheel assembly 4 folds, and the powered catwalk 7 continues forward to a suitable position (at which point there is no obstacle at the corresponding position of the obstacle-crossing wheel assembly 4). The obstacle-crossing wheel assembly 4 lowers, and the second roller 401 contacts the drilling platform, supporting the powered catwalk 7. The powered catwalk 7 continues to the wellhead, where the front end of the pipe tool 8 is pushed into place. The first hydraulic cylinder 5 and the second hydraulic cylinder 6 extend simultaneously, pushing the left arm 2 and right arm 3 upwards, raising the front end of the pipe tool 8 to a certain angle, awaiting the gripper 10 to grasp it. Figures 11 to 14 As shown, before the pipe tool 8 is lifted by the hoist 10 and about to leave the power catwalk 7, the first cylinder 5 and the second cylinder 6 continue to extend, pushing the left arm 2 and the right arm 3 upward until they support the tail end of the pipe tool 8. Then the left arm 2 and the right arm 3 follow the tail end of the pipe tool 8 until the pipe tool 8 is in a vertical position at the wellhead. Then the stop arm cylinder 304 extends, pushing the stop rod 305 to contact the pipe tool 8, so that the stop rod 305 and the roller assembly 203 clamp the pipe tool 8. Then the power catwalk 7 moves back and forth to align the male thread at the lower end of the pipe tool 8 with the female thread reserved on the drill table. After the alignment is completed, the left arm 2 roller assembly 203 opens, and the power catwalk 7 leaves the wellhead.

[0047] The operation of the drill-dropping condition is the opposite of the drill-feeding condition described above.

[0048] All of the above-mentioned undisclosed matters can be implemented using existing technologies, so they will not be elaborated here.

[0049] The aforementioned hydraulic cylinders that perform telescopic and rotary operations can also be replaced with other existing pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric structures that can achieve the same function.

[0050] Finally, it should be noted that in the description of this invention, the terms "vertical," "upper," "lower," "horizontal," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0051] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set", "install", "connect", and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal connection of two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0052] The above description, in conjunction with specific embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of the present invention. It should not be construed that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, several simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and all such deductions or substitutions should be considered to fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims submitted herein.

Claims

1. A lifting and straightening device for catwalk pipes with obstacle-crossing wheels, characterized in that, It includes a frame, left arm, right arm, obstacle-crossing wheel assembly, first hydraulic cylinder and second hydraulic cylinder. The frame is connected to the power cat walkway. The left arm and right arm are located on the left and right sides of the frame respectively. One end of the first hydraulic cylinder is hinged to the left arm, and the left arm is controlled by the first hydraulic cylinder. One end of the second hydraulic cylinder is hinged to the right arm, and the right arm is controlled by the second hydraulic cylinder. The left arm includes a left arm body, a third hydraulic cylinder, and a roller assembly. The third hydraulic cylinder is a swing cylinder. One side end of the left arm body is connected to one side end of the third hydraulic cylinder. The upper end of the third hydraulic cylinder is equipped with a roller assembly. The right arm includes a right arm body, a connecting seat, a stop arm, a fourth hydraulic cylinder, a stop lever, and a spring component. One end of the stop arm is connected to the right arm body via a pin. The two ends of the fourth hydraulic cylinder are connected to the stop arm and the right arm body, respectively. The other end of the stop arm is connected to a stop lever. A spring component is provided between the stop lever and the stop arm. A connecting seat is provided on the end of the right arm body that is connected to the stop arm. An obstacle-crossing wheel assembly is provided on each of the left and right sides of the frame. The obstacle-crossing wheel assembly includes a second roller, a wheel seat, a short rod, a long rod, and a fifth hydraulic cylinder. The fifth hydraulic cylinder serves as a telescopic control component. The wheel seat, short rod, long rod, and frame body form a four-bar linkage. One end of the long rod and one end of the fifth hydraulic cylinder are connected to the frame body. The other end of the fifth hydraulic cylinder is connected to the long rod. The other end of the long rod is connected to the wheel seat through the short rod. The bottom of the wheel seat is connected to the second roller.

2. The catwalk pipe lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame includes a frame body, a first roller is provided at the front end of the top surface of the frame body, the top of the first roller protrudes from the top surface of the frame body, the other end of the first hydraulic cylinder is connected to the frame body, and the other end of the second hydraulic cylinder is connected to the frame body.

3. The catwalk pipe lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top surface of the main frame is V-shaped, and the first roller is located at the center of the top surface of the main frame. The left and right sides of the top surface of the main frame are symmetrically distributed about the first roller. The first roller is a tapered roller.

4. The catwalk pipe lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels according to claim 1, characterized in that: The third cylinder rotates ±90° under the drive of a hydraulic source, thereby driving the roller assembly to rotate ±90°.

5. A lifting and straightening device for catwalk pipes with obstacle-crossing wheels according to claim 1, characterized in that: A reset seat is also provided on the right arm body corresponding to the stop bar.

6. A method for operating a lifting and straightening device for catwalk pipes with obstacle-crossing wheels, characterized in that: The drilling operation is performed using the catwalk pipe lifting and straightening device with obstacle-crossing wheels as described in claim 1. The working method of this drilling operation is as follows: The powered catwalk transports the pipe into the drilling platform. When it encounters an obstacle, it stops on the guide rail. The obstacle-crossing wheel assembly folds, and the powered catwalk continues to move forward to the appropriate position. The obstacle-crossing wheel assembly is then lowered, and the second roller contacts the drilling platform to support the powered catwalk. After the power cat walkway continues to the wellhead, the front end of the pipe is pushed into place, the first and second hydraulic cylinders extend at the same time, pushing the left and right arms to lift up at the same time, raising the front end of the pipe to a certain angle, waiting for the lifting clamp to grab it; Before the pipe is lifted by the hoist to the point where it is about to leave the power catwalk, the first and second hydraulic cylinders continue to extend, pushing the left and right arms to lift up until they support the tail end of the pipe. The left and right arms follow the tail end of the pipe until the pipe is in a vertical position at the wellhead. The stop arm cylinder extends, pushing the stop rod to contact the pipe, so that the stop rod and roller assembly clamp the pipe. Then, the power cat moves back and forth to align the male thread at the lower end of the pipe with the female thread reserved on the drill table. After the engagement is completed, the left arm roller assembly opens, and the power cat track leaves the wellhead.

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