US3734208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well drill transfer mechanism
Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
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Filing: 1971-08-19
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A mast extends vertically from the front of a truck, and supports a drive unit which operates to simultaneously drive a drill pipe and casing segment into a well. Drill pipe segments each with a surrounding casing segment are carried in a three tiered storage rack located along the right side of the truck. A selected drill-casing segment is discharged from the storage rack onto a pair of carriages which lift the selected drill-casing segment to a position where it is picked up by a transfer arm. The transfer arm is pivotally attached to the front of the truck and hydraulically actuated to lift the drill-casing segment to a vertical ready station alongside the mast. The transfer arm is then rotated by a hydraulic motor mounted at its base, swinging the drill-casing segment from the ready station to a drive position over the well where it is connected to the drive unit.
Inventors
- 👤 G Otto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:31
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A transfer mechanism for simultaneously transporting a drill and a surrounding casing segment from a storage position on the drilling rig to a drilling position beneath a drive unit mounted on an upright drilling rig mast, the combination comprising: selection means on the drilling rig for removing a drill-casing segment from its storage position and placing it in a pick station; and a transfer arm pivotally attached to the drilling rig and operable to pick the selected drill-casing segment and raise it to a ready station alongside the upright drilling rig mast, said transfer arm also being operable to swing the selected drill-casing segment from the ready station to said drilling position where the drill-casing segment is attached to a drive unit, wherein the transfer arm includes: a pedestal section pivotally connected to the drilling rig; a body section rotatably connected to the pedestal section; a cap section rotatably connected to the body section; lower mandibles connected to the body section and operable to grasp a casing segment; upper mandibles connected to the cap section and operable to grasp a drill segment; swing drive means connected to the transfer arm and operable to rotate the body and cap sections with respect to the pedestal section to transfer the drill-casing segment from the ready station to the drilling position; and second drive means connected to the transfer arm and operable to rotate the cap section with respect to the body section to swing the upper mandibles clear of the drive unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
A transfer mechanism for simultaneously transporting a drill and a surrounding casing segment from a storage position on the drilling rig to a drilling position beneath a drive unit mounted on an upright drilling rig mast, the combination comprising: selection means on the drilling rig for removing a drill-casing segment from its storage position and placing it in a pick station; and a transfer arm pivotally attached to the drilling rig and operable to pick the selected drill-casing segment and raise it to a ready station alongside the upright drilling rig mast, said transfer arm also being operable to swing the selected drill-casing segment from the ready station to said drilling position where the drill-casing segment is attached to a drive unit, wherein the transfer arm includes: a pedestal section pivotally connected to the drilling rig; a body section rotatably connected to the pedestal section; a cap section rotatably connected to the body section; lower mandibles connected to the body section and operable to grasp a casing segment; upper mandibles connected to the cap section and operable to grasp a drill segment; swing drive means connected to the transfer arm and operable to rotate the body and cap sections with respect to the pedestal section to transfer the drill-casing segment from the ready station to the drilling position; and second drive means connected to the transfer arm and operable to rotate the cap section with respect to the body section to swing the upper mandibles clear of the drive unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
207 words
A transfer mechanism for simultaneously transporting a drill and a surrounding casing segment from a storage position on the drilling rig to a drilling position beneath a drive unit mounted on an upright drilling rig mast, the combination comprising: selection means on the drilling rig for removing a drill-casing segment from its storage position and placing it in a pick station; and a transfer arm comprised of tubular shaped sections connected end to end and including; a pedestal section pivotally connected to the drilling rig and having and upper end, a body section having a lower end rotatably connected to the upper end of the pedestal section, mandibles connected to the body section and being operable to grasp the selected drill-casing segment, and swing drive means connected to the transfer arm and being operable to rotate the body section with respect to the pedestal section, wherein said transfer arm is operable to pivot in a vertical plane between said pick station and a ready station alongside said upright drilling rig mast to pick up the selected drill-casing segment and raise it to said ready station, and wherein said swing drive means is operable to swing the selected drill-casing segment from the ready station to said drilling position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
207 words
A transfer mechanism for simultaneously transporting a drill and a surrounding casing segment from a storage position on the drilling rig to a drilling position beneath a drive unit mounted on an upright drilling rig mast, the combination comprising: selection means on the drilling rig for removing a drill-casing segment from its storage position and placing it in a pick station; and a transfer arm comprised of tubular shaped sections connected end to end and including; a pedestal section pivotally connected to the drilling rig and having and upper end, a body section having a lower end rotatably connected to the upper end of the pedestal section, mandibles connected to the body section and being operable to grasp the selected drill-casing segment, and swing drive means connected to the transfer arm and being operable to rotate the body section with respect to the pedestal section, wherein said transfer arm is operable to pivot in a vertical plane between said pick station and a ready station alongside said upright drilling rig mast to pick up the selected drill-casing segment and raise it to said ready station, and wherein said swing drive means is operable to swing the selected drill-casing segment from the ready station to said drilling position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The transfer mechanism as recited in claim 2 wherein the selection means includes: a multiple tiered storage rack on said drilling rig operable to discharge a drill-casing segment from one of its tiers; and carriage means connected to said drilling rig and being operable to move to a selected unload position adjacent said storage rack to receive a drill-casing segment discharged from a tier of the storage rack, and to transfer said discharged drill-casing segment to the pick station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
The transfer mechanism as recited in claim 3 in which said storage rack includes a pair of spaced upright base portions which rigidly fasten to said drilling rig, and each tier includes: a pair of spaced brackets, each rigidly fastened to one of said base portions and extending outward therefrom in cantilevered fashion; a pair of spaced rocker arms, each pivotally connected to one of said brackets for motion in a vertical plane; and a pair of unload cylinders, each connected to one of said base portions and its associated rocker arm, wherein a stored drill-casing segment is disposed on said spaced rocker arms and it is removed from storage by the operation of said unload cylinders which tilt said rocker arms to allow said stored drill-casing segment to roll off said tier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The transfer mechanism as recited in claim 3 in which said carriage means includes a pair of spaced carriages each connected through drive means to said drilling rig and each is operable to move in a vertical plane adjacent the storage rack between unload positions adjacent each tier of the storage rack and a pick station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |