A pipe string conveyor for a drilling and workover rig platform

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of oil drilling and workover well automation equipment, and proposes a pipe column conveyor for drilling and workover well operation platform; the pipe column conveyor comprises a base, a ramp and a conveying mechanism, one end of the ramp is hinged to the end of the base, and the conveying mechanism comprises a first conveying frame, a second conveying frame, a first conveying trolley, a second conveying trolley, a first supporting oil cylinder and a second supporting oil cylinder; the lower end of the first conveying frame is hinged to the base, and the other end is a movable end; one end of the first supporting oil cylinder is hinged to the base, and the other end is hinged to the first conveying frame; the second conveying frame is hinged to the ramp near the upper end position, and the other end is a movable end; one end of the second supporting oil cylinder is hinged to the ramp, and the other end is hinged to the second conveying frame; the first conveying trolley and the second conveying trolley are respectively arranged on the first conveying frame and the second conveying frame; the oil cylinder lifting technology is adopted to replace the steel wire rope, the double conveying frames and trolleys improve the efficiency, the double oil cylinders adjust the height to adapt to different drilling platforms, and the designed grabbing type feeding mechanical hand realizes accurate carrying.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated equipment technology for oil drilling and workover, and proposes a tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform. Background Technology

[0002] In drilling and workover operations, the tubing conveyor enables the automatic transfer of tubing between the pipe rack and the drill table. It is a key component of the drilling and workover rig and is widely used in the field of automated drilling and workover technology. Currently, tubing conveying equipment is generally a powered catwalk, consisting of a base, ramp, and conveying arm. The conveying arm is lifted and transported along the ramp by a steel cable driven by a roller. This catwalk structure exhibits the following problems during use: 1. The structure of the catwalk dictates that when the conveying mechanism passes the center of the wellhead, the height of the tubing end from the center of the wellhead on the drill table is fixed and cannot be adjusted. Since the height of the tubing at the wellhead is lower during manual operation than that of automated equipment, this catwalk structure cannot meet the requirements for switching from automated equipment to manual operation in emergency situations; 2. Conventional powered catwalks use a roller winch drive and a steel cable traction conveying mechanism to lift or lower along the ramp. When the roller starts, stops, or its rotation speed changes too rapidly, the steel cable is prone to tangling on the roller, posing a safety hazard. 3. In highly corrosive atmospheric environments, wire ropes are prone to rust and breakage, resulting in a relatively shorter service life. Maintenance and replacement cycles are frequent and costly, and the replacement process is cumbersome, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. 4. Conventional power catwalks use a single conveying arm, and the entire conveying process—from loading, lifting, and lowering back—can only transport one pipe. This long conveying time leads to situations where automated wellhead equipment waits for the pipe to be loaded onto the catwalk, resulting in low operational efficiency. 5. Existing catwalks use a hook-and-roll loading method. When the pipe rolls along the loading arm into the conveying mechanism, the high speed and impact cause premature damage to the trough and generate significant impact noise. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a new type of pipe conveyor for drilling and workover platforms that can solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by proposing a tubing delivery machine for drilling and workover platforms, thus solving the following technical problems: ① When the conveying mechanism sends the pipe through the center of the wellhead, the height of the pipe end from the center of the wellhead on the drilling platform is fixed and cannot be adjusted, so it cannot meet the requirements of both manual and automated operations at the same time. ② Drum-wound wire ropes are prone to tangling, corrosion, and breakage, requiring regular maintenance or replacement, posing significant safety hazards. ③Low work efficiency; only one pipe can be transported per workflow. ④ The impact noise is loud when feeding materials.

[0004] With the increasing demand from users for upgrading drilling and workover equipment, there is an urgent need to design a tubing delivery device that is highly efficient, widely applicable, and stable in performance.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform, comprising a base, a ramp, and a conveying mechanism. One end of the ramp is hinged to the end of the base. The conveying mechanism includes a first conveying frame, a second conveying frame, a first conveying trolley, a second conveying trolley, a first support cylinder, and a second support cylinder. The lower end of the first conveying frame is hinged to the base, and the other end is a movable end. One end of the first support cylinder is hinged to the base, and the other end is hinged to the first conveying frame. The second conveying frame is hinged to the ramp near its upper end, and the other end is a movable end. One end of the second support cylinder is hinged to the ramp, and the other end is hinged to the second conveying frame. The first conveying trolley and the second conveying trolley are respectively mounted on the first conveying frame and the second conveying frame.

[0006] Furthermore, it also includes a pipe-laying mechanism, which is arranged on one side of the conveying mechanism.

[0007] Furthermore, it also includes a flipping robot arm, which is arranged on the other side of the conveying mechanism. Furthermore, the second conveyor is also equipped with auxiliary clamps.

[0008] Furthermore, the first conveying trolley and the second conveying trolley are respectively mounted on the first conveying frame and the second conveying frame via a sprocket and chain transmission mechanism.

[0009] Furthermore, the second conveying trolley includes a trolley frame, a clamping mechanism, and a baffle mechanism. The clamping mechanism and the baffle mechanism are mounted on the trolley frame. The clamping mechanism is used to clamp or release the tubing, and the baffle mechanism is used to support the tubing when it is conveyed upward. The structure of the first conveying trolley is the same as that of the second conveying trolley.

[0010] Furthermore, the clamping mechanism includes clamp jaws, forward and reverse screws, and a hydraulic motor. The clamp jaws are hinged to the trolley frame, and the hydraulic motor is connected to the forward and reverse screws for driving the screws to rotate in both directions. The clamp jaws perform clamping or releasing actions under the drive of the forward and reverse screws.

[0011] Furthermore, the clamp jaws include clamping arms, clamping discs, guide shafts, and mounting plates, all of which are arranged in pairs. One end of each clamping arm is provided with a guide shaft, and the other end is provided with a clamping disc. A guide shaft is also provided in the middle of each clamping arm, with one end of the guide shaft fixedly connected to one clamping arm and the other end slidably engaged with another clamping arm. The guide shafts at the ends of the clamping arms extend from the clamping arms and are hinged to the mounting plates. The mounting plates are fixed to the trolley frame.

[0012] Furthermore, the clamping disc is rotatably mounted on the end of the clamping arm.

[0013] Furthermore, the baffle mechanism includes a movable baffle and a baffle cylinder. The movable baffle is hinged to the trolley frame, and the working end of the baffle cylinder is hinged to the movable baffle. The movable baffle performs a flipping action under the drive of the baffle cylinder.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: 1. The use of hydraulic cylinder lifting to replace the existing steel wire rope lifting conveyor frame technology eliminates the need for periodic replacement of the steel wire rope.

[0015] 2. The use of double conveyor frames and double conveyor trolleys for transporting pipes enables the transfer of pipes between the two conveyor frames, realizing the automatic transfer of two pipes alternately between the pipe rack and the drilling platform during the same pipe loading or unloading process, thereby improving equipment efficiency and shortening the drilling and well repair operation cycle.

[0016] 3. The conveyor adopts a dual-cylinder drive dual-conveyor frame design. By adjusting the extension distance of the cylinders, the applicable drilling platform height can be adjusted, which improves the overall applicability of the conveyor and meets the requirements of both manual and automated operations.

[0017] 4. Design a feeding robot to change the tube column feeding from rolling feeding to gripping feeding, so as to realize the tube column being picked up and placed gently from the material rack to the conveyor. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the tubing delivery machine for drilling and workover of offshore platforms according to this invention; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second conveyor trolley; Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the movable baffle avoiding the pipe in the second conveying trolley; Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing the state of the pipe being blocked by the movable baffle in the second conveying trolley; Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the initial state during the tubular conveyor connection process; Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the flipping robot gripping and releasing pipe; Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the docking state of the first and second conveyor frames; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the first conveying trolley pushing the tube at the end of the first conveying frame, indicating that the tube has stopped moving. Figure 9 Diagram showing the clamping status of auxiliary clamps on pipes; Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the tail position of the second conveying trolley retracting and clamping the pipe; Figure 11A schematic diagram showing the state of two pipe fittings simultaneously on the conveyor frame; Figure 12 A schematic diagram showing the first conveyor frame waiting to dock with the second conveyor frame; Figure 13 A schematic diagram showing the first and second conveyor frames successfully docking again.

[0019] In the diagram, 1-base, 2-ramp, 3-first conveyor frame, 4-second conveyor frame, 5-first conveyor trolley, 6-second conveyor trolley, 7-first support cylinder, 8-second support cylinder, 9-auxiliary clamp, 10-tilting manipulator, 11-support leg, 12-pipe tool, 13-pipe rack, 14-trolley frame, 15-clamp jaws, 16-movable baffle, 17-baffle cylinder, 18-positive and negative lead screws, 19-hydraulic motor, 1401-wheel, 1501-left clamping arm, 1502-right clamping arm, 1503-clamping plate, 1504-upper guide shaft, 1505-lower guide shaft, 1506-sliding nut. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0021] Example 1

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, a pipe string conveyor for a drilling and workover platform mainly consists of a base 1, a ramp 2, a first conveyor frame 3, a second conveyor frame 4, a first conveyor trolley 5, a second conveyor trolley 6, a first support cylinder 7, a second support cylinder 8, an auxiliary clamp 9, a tilting manipulator 10, outriggers 11, a hydraulic system, and an electrical system.

[0023] The upper end of the ramp 2 is hinged to the second conveyor frame 4, and the lower end is hinged to the base 1.

[0024] The first conveyor frame 3 is hinged to the base 1. A first support cylinder 7 is also installed between the base 1 and the first conveyor frame 3. By extending and retracting the piston rod of the first support cylinder 7, the first conveyor frame 3 can be controlled to be in the docking receiving position or in a horizontal state.

[0025] The second conveyor frame 4 and the ramp 2 are hinged together. A second support cylinder 8 is also installed between the second conveyor frame 4 and the ramp 2. By extending and retracting the piston rod of the second support cylinder 8, the second conveyor frame 4 can be controlled to be in the docking receiving position, the upper feeding position, or close to the ramp.

[0026] The first conveying trolley 5 moves along the track of the first conveying frame 3, and the second conveying trolley 6 moves along the track of the second conveying frame 4. Through the relay feeding of the first conveying trolley 5, the second conveying trolley 6 and the auxiliary clamp 9, the pipe tool 12 can be transported to the wellhead for pipe connection operation, or the pipe tool 12 can be transported from the wellhead to the pipe rack to complete the pipe throwing operation.

[0027] The flipping robot 10 can grab the pipes 12 at the loading position on the pipe rack 13 and transport them to the first conveyor frame 3 in a horizontal state, or it can grab the pipes 12 on the first conveyor frame 3 in a horizontal state and transport them to the unloading position on the pipe rack 13.

[0028] The support leg 11 is installed on the base 1. When the support leg 11 is opened, it can provide auxiliary support for the conveyor and improve the overall stability of the conveyor.

[0029] The conveying mechanism of this invention uses a double conveyor frame and a double conveyor trolley to transport pipes. The first conveyor trolley 5 moves on the track of the first conveyor frame 3, and the second conveyor trolley 6 moves on the track of the second conveyor frame 4. Both are driven by sprockets and chains. The first conveyor trolley 5, the second conveyor trolley 6, and the auxiliary clamp 9 work together to complete the transfer of the pipe 12 on the conveyor frame.

[0030] The auxiliary clamp 9 of this invention can be a hydraulically controlled or electrically controlled clamp. The specific design of the clamp for clamping pipe fittings is conventional technology, and will not be described in detail here.

[0031] Example 2

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, a tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform includes the aforementioned conveying mechanism.

[0033] The second conveying trolley 6 is mainly composed of a trolley frame 14, clamp jaws 15, movable baffle 16, baffle cylinder 17, positive and negative lead screws 18, and hydraulic motor 19.

[0034] The trolley frame 14 is L-shaped, with a wheel 1401 at one bottom and a baffle cylinder 17 hinged to the other end. A movable baffle 16 is hinged to the front end of the baffle cylinder 17.

[0035] The clamp jaws 15 are hinged to the trolley frame 14 and located in front of the baffle cylinder 17. They include a pair of clamping arms, a pair of clamping discs 1503, a pair of guide shafts, a pair of mounting plates 1507, and a positive and negative screw 18. The mounting plates 1507 are fixed to the trolley frame 14, and the upper ends of the two mounting plates 1507 have first shaft holes facing each other. The pair of clamping arms includes a left clamping arm 1501 and a right clamping arm 1502. A first guide shaft 1504, a positive and negative screw 18, and a second guide shaft 1505 are sequentially installed between the two clamping arms from top to bottom. Correspondingly, the left clamping arm 1501 has a first guide hole, a nut mounting hole, and a second guide hole from top to bottom, and the right clamping arm 1502 has a first guide fixing hole, a second shaft hole, and a second guide fixing hole from top to bottom. The two ends of the first guide shaft 1504 pass through the first guide hole and the first guide fixing hole, respectively, through the two clamping arms. An external rotating insert is fitted into the first shaft hole. The first guide shaft 1504 is clearance-fitted with the first guide hole and interference-fitted or fixedly connected to the first guide fixing hole (e.g., by welding). A floating nut 1506 is threaded onto the positive and negative lead screws 18, and the floating nut 1506 is fixed in the nut mounting hole (e.g., interference fit or welding). The front end of the positive and negative lead screws 18 is rotatably mounted in the second shaft hole via a bearing, and the rear end passes through the nut mounting hole and connects to the power output end of the hydraulic motor 19. The front end of the second guide shaft 1505 is fixed in the second guide fixing hole, and the rear end is clearance-fitted with the second guide hole. Two clamping plates 1503 are mounted facing each other on the inner side of the lower end of the two clamping arms. One side of each clamping plate 1503 is a plate surface, and the other side is provided with a rotating shaft. Correspondingly, the lower end of each clamping arm is machined with a shaft hole for mounting a bearing, and the rotating shaft is rotatably mounted in the shaft hole via a bearing.

[0036] The clamp jaws 15, driven by the hydraulic motor 19 and the forward and reverse screws 18, can clamp or release the pipe 12; the rotatable chuck 1503 is used to accommodate the rotation of the pipe when the lifting clamp is used to lift the pipe; the movable baffle 16 can rotate around the hinge axis under the drive of the baffle cylinder 17.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, when the piston rod of the baffle cylinder 17 retracts, it moves the movable baffle 16 away from the clamp jaws 15, creating space so that when the first conveying trolley 5 transports the pipe from the first conveying frame 3 to the second conveying frame 4, the pipe passes through the middle of the trolley frame 14 of the second conveying trolley 6; when the piston rod of the baffle cylinder 17 extends, it moves the movable baffle 16 closer to the clamp jaws 15, such as... Figure 4 As shown, this facilitates the positioning of the pipe end when the drilling rig manipulator pushes the pipe to the transport trolley and inserts it into the second transport trolley 6, facilitating the retrieval of the pipe from the well.

[0038] The first conveying trolley 5 and the second conveying trolley 6 have basically the same structure and principle, except that the baffle cylinder 17 is removed and the movable baffle 16 is no longer movable, and the baffle is fixed at the jaw of the clamp.

[0039] Example 3

[0040] A tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform is hydraulically driven and can be controlled locally or remotely.

[0041] The work process is as follows: 1. Takeover process: The initial state of the tubular conveyor during the pipe connection process is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, with manual assistance, the pipe 12 on the pipe rack 13 is rolled to the loading position of the flipping robot 10. The flipping robot 10 grabs the pipe 12 and flips it onto the first conveyor frame 3. At this time, the first conveyor frame 3 is in a horizontal state. Additionally, when placing the pipe, the threaded end of the pipe should be placed within the clamping range of the first conveying trolley 5 to facilitate clamping the oil pipe. Figure 6 As shown.

[0042] After the pipe 12 is flipped and placed onto the first conveyor frame 3, the clamps of the first conveyor trolley 5 clamp the pipe, and then the first conveyor frame 3, driven by the first support cylinder 7, rotates upward to the receiving position, forming a certain angle with the horizontal base 1. Simultaneously, the second conveyor frame 4, driven by the second support cylinder 8, also rotates upward to the receiving position and aligns with the first conveyor frame 3, as shown below. Figure 7 As shown.

[0043] Then, the first conveying trolley 5 pushes the pipe 12 upward. As the pipe 12 moves upward, it passes through the second conveying trolley 6 and auxiliary clamp 9 on the second conveying frame 4, and moves along the second conveying frame 4. At this time, the second conveying trolley 6 is in a state where it uses a movable baffle to avoid the pipe. The first conveying trolley 5 stops moving when it reaches the tail of the first conveying frame 3. Figure 8 As shown.

[0044] The second conveying trolley 6 on the second conveyor frame 4 clamps the pipe 12, then the first conveying trolley 5 on the first conveyor frame 3 releases the tail of the pipe 12, and the second conveying trolley 6 pushes the pipe 12 to continue moving upward a certain distance, so that the pipe 12 is completely detached from the first conveyor frame 3 and is on the second conveyor frame 4. Then the second conveying trolley 6 stops moving, and then the auxiliary clamp 9 clamps the pipe 12. Figure 9 As shown.

[0045] like Figure 10As shown, after the auxiliary clamp 9 fully clamps the pipe 12, the clamp of the second conveying trolley 6 releases the pipe, and the second conveying trolley 6 retracts to the tail of the pipe 12 and lowers the movable baffle, so that the tail of the pipe 12 can rest against the movable baffle of the second conveying trolley 6. Then the auxiliary clamp 9 releases the pipe 12. The second support cylinder 8 of the second conveying frame 4 continues to extend, so that the second conveying frame 4 continues to rotate upward from the docking position to the final loading position. At the same time, the first support cylinder 7 drives the first conveying frame 3 to rotate downward, so that the first conveying frame 3 is in a horizontal state, and the first conveying trolley 5 returns to the initial position, so that the flipping robot 10 can grab the pipe 12 from the pipe rack 13 and transport it to the first conveying frame 3.

[0046] like Figure 11 As shown, the second conveying trolley 6 pushes the pipe tool 12 forward, so that the end of the pipe tool 12 reaches above the wellhead, making it easier for the lifting clamp to grab and lift the pipe tool. At the same time, the flipping manipulator 10 grabs another pipe tool from the pipe rack 13 and transports it to the first conveying rack 3.

[0047] like Figure 12 As shown, the lifting clamp grabs the pipe 12 and lifts it upwards to facilitate placing the pipe 12 into the oil well. At the same time, the clamps of the first conveying trolley 5 clamp the newly loaded pipe 12, and then the first conveying frame 3 rotates upwards under the drive of the first support cylinder 7 to reach the receiving position, forming a certain angle with the horizontal base 1, waiting to dock with the second conveying frame 4.

[0048] After the first pipe is disengaged from the second conveyor trolley 6 by the lifting clamp, the second conveyor trolley 6 returns to its initial position on the second conveyor frame 4. The second conveyor frame 4, driven by the second support cylinder 8, rotates downwards to the receiving position and aligns with the first conveyor frame 3, ready to receive material. Then, the next work cycle begins. Figure 13 As shown.

[0049] 2. Pipe-spinning process The principle of the pipe-spinning process is the same as that of the pipe-connecting process, but the order of actions is reversed, so I will not go into details again.

[0050] The tubing conveyor of this invention automatically delivers tubing from the ground to the drilling platform in a mechanized manner, improving the mechanization and automation of the workover rig, increasing operational efficiency, enhancing safety, and making the performance more reliable.

[0051] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform, comprising a base, a ramp, and a conveying mechanism, wherein one end of the ramp is hinged to the end of the base, characterized in that, The conveying mechanism includes a first conveying frame, a second conveying frame, a first conveying trolley, a second conveying trolley, a first support cylinder, and a second support cylinder; the lower end of the first conveying frame is hinged to the base, and the other end is a movable end; one end of the first support cylinder is hinged to the base, and the other end is hinged to the first conveying frame; the second conveying frame is hinged to the ramp near its upper end, and the other end is a movable end; one end of the second support cylinder is hinged to the ramp, and the other end is hinged to the second conveying frame; the first conveying trolley and the second conveying trolley are respectively mounted on the first conveying frame and the second conveying frame.

2. The tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a pipe-laying mechanism, which is arranged on one side of the conveying mechanism.

3. The tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a flipping robot, which is arranged on the other side of the conveying mechanism.

4. A tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second conveyor is also equipped with auxiliary clamps.

5. A tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first conveying trolley and the second conveying trolley are respectively mounted on the first conveying frame and the second conveying frame via a sprocket and chain transmission mechanism.

6. A tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The second conveying trolley includes a trolley frame, a clamping mechanism, and a baffle mechanism. The clamping mechanism and the baffle mechanism are mounted on the trolley frame. The clamping mechanism is used to clamp or release the tubing, and the baffle mechanism is used to support the tubing when it is conveyed upward. The structure of the first conveying trolley is the same as that of the second conveying trolley.

7. A tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform according to claim 6, characterized in that, The clamping mechanism includes clamp jaws, forward and reverse screws, and a hydraulic motor. The clamp jaws are hinged to the trolley frame, and the hydraulic motor is connected to the forward and reverse screws to drive them to rotate in both directions. The clamp jaws perform clamping or releasing actions under the drive of the forward and reverse screws.

8. A tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform according to claim 7, characterized in that, The clamp jaws include clamping arms, clamping discs, guide shafts, and mounting plates, all of which are arranged in pairs. One end of each clamping arm is provided with a guide shaft, and the other end is provided with a clamping disc. A guide shaft is also provided in the middle of each clamping arm, with one end of the guide shaft fixedly connected to one clamping arm and the other end slidably engaged with the other clamping arm. Both ends of the guide shaft at the end of the clamping arm extend out of the clamping arm and are hinged to the mounting plate. The mounting plate is fixed to the trolley frame.

9. A tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform according to claim 8, characterized in that, The chuck is rotatably mounted on the end of the chuck arm.

10. A tubing conveyor for a drilling and workover platform according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The baffle mechanism includes a movable baffle and a baffle cylinder. The movable baffle is hinged to the trolley frame, and the working end of the baffle cylinder is hinged to the movable baffle. The movable baffle performs a flipping action under the drive of the baffle cylinder.

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