Pipe handling system for use in well drilling

Claim 2

A pipe handling system for wells comprising in combination with a derrick and hoist means supported thereby; a. elongate conveyor means adapted to receive pipe sections and to advance them into said derrick; b. primary pipe rack means alongside said conveyor means for horizontally supporting a plurality of pipe sections in parallel relation to each other and to said conveyor means; c. means operably arranged between said rack means and said conveyor means for successively transferring said pipe sections laterally from the rack means to the conveyor means; d. power-driven swivel means supported by said hoist means; e. connector means carried by the swivel means adapted for rotatable connection of said swivel means to the forward end of the pipe section entering the derrick; and f. pivoting means connecting said swivel means to said hoist means to enable angular movement of said swivel means to effect alignment of said connector mEans with said forward end of the pipe section.

Claim 3

A system according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises: a. a horizontally disposed rearward section pivoted for tilting movement about its longitudinal axis; b. a forward section pivotally connected to the forward end of said rearward section for vertical angular movement relative thereto; and c. power-operated pusher means mounted for movement longitudinally of said rearward section and thrustingly engageable with the rearward end of a pipe section.

Claim 4

A pipe handling system according to claim 1 wherein said hoist means includes a cable-supported travelling block, and wherein said pivoting means comprises: a. a fluid pressure-actuated extensible jack means including telescoping cylinder and piston members; b. means pivotally connecting the cylinder member to said travelling block; and c. means pivotally connecting said piston member to said power swivel means.

Claim 5

A pipe handling system according to claim 1 wherein said connector means comprises a spear-type member releasably insertible into the bore of said pipe section into non-threaded gripping engagement therewith.

Claim 6

A pipe handling system according to claim 1 wherein said connector means comprises a threaded pin member adapted for threaded connection with the box member of said pipe section.

Claim 7

A pipe handling system according to claim 1 including a pipe rack means along both sides of said conveyor means.

Claim 8

A pipe handling system according to claim 1 wherein said pipe rack means includes: a. a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart, horizontally disposed pipe-supporting bars; b. means pivotally mounting the inner ends of the bars adjacent said conveyor means; and e. vertically adjustable means supporting the outer ends of said rack bars.

Claim 9

A system according to claim 1 wherein said rack means comprises platform means disposed on at least one side of said conveyor means tiltable about an axis parallel to said conveyor means.

Claim 10

A system according to claim 3 including adjustable means secured to said platform means for varying the angle of tilt thereof.

Claim 11

A pipe handling system according to claim 1 including back-up clamp means positioned adjacent the derrick to grasp said forward end of the pipe section.

Claim 12

A pipe handling system according to claim 5 wherein said clamp means includes: a. a pair of arcuate jaw members hingedly connected together at one end; b. hook means for clamping the free ends of the jaw members about a pipe section; and c. a power-operated support means for raising and lowering said clamp.

Claim 13

A pipe handling system according to claim 5 wherein said clamp means includes: a. a pair of arcuate jaw members hingedly connected together at one end; b. a power-operated support means for raising and lowering said clamp means; and c. power-operated means mounted on said support means operable to open and close said jaw members about a pipe section.

Claim 14

A pipe handling system for wells comprising in combination with a derrick and hoist means supported thereby; a. primary pipe rack means for horizontally supporting a plurality of pipe sections in parallel relation to each other and pivotable about its longitudinal axis; b. elongate conveyor means disposed alongside said rack means and tiltable about its longitudinal axis to receive pipe sections from said rack means; c. pivoted detent means initially holding said pipe sections on said rack means and releasable in response to tilting of said conveyor means to free said pipe sections for rolling movement on to said conveyor means; d. means mounted on said conveyor means for advancing the pipe sections into the derrick; e. power-driven swivel means supported by said hoist means; f. connector means carried by said swivel means adapted for rotatable connection of said swivel means to the forward end of the pipe section entering the derrick; anD g. pivoting means connecting said swivel means to said hoist means to enable angular movement of said swivel means to effect alignment of said connector means with said forward end of the pipe section.

Claim 15

A pipe handling system for wells comprising in combination with a derrick and hoist means supported thereby; a. primary pipe rack means for horizontally supporting a plurality of pipe sections in parallel relation to each other and pivotable about its longitudinal axis; b. elongate conveyor means disposed alongside said rack means and tiltable about its longitudinal axis to receive pipe sections from said rack means; c. pivoted detent means initially holding said pipe sections on said rack means and releasable in response to tilting of said conveyor means to free said pipe sections for rolling movement on to said conveyor means; d. means mounted on said conveyor means for advancing the pipe sections into the derrick; e. power-driven swivel means supported by said hoist means; f. connector means carried by said swivel means adapted for rotatable connection of said swivel means to the forward end of the pipe section entering the derrick; anD g. pivoting means connecting said swivel means to said hoist means to enable angular movement of said swivel means to effect alignment of said connector means with said forward end of the pipe section.

Claim 16

A pipe handling system according to claim 13 wherein said conveyor means is articulated to provide a rearward section and a forward section pivotally connected to the forward end of said rearward section for vertical angular movement relative thereto.

Claim 17

A pipe handling system according to claim 13 including: a. auxiliary pipe rack means disposed alongside said primary pipe rack means arranged to store additional pipe sections in parallel horizontal relation thereto; and b. power-operated pipe transfer means positioned between said primary pipe rack means and said auxiliary pipe rack means and operable to transfer pipe sections from said auxiliary pipe rack means to said primary pipe rack means.

Claim 18

A pipe handling system according to claim 15, wherein said power-operated pipe transfer means includes: a. rack-and-pinion operated lifting fingers constructed and arranged to pick up pipe sections from said auxiliary rack means and transfer them to said primary pipe rack means.