Patent US3840128A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3840128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Racking arm for pipe sections, drill collars, riser pipe, and the like used in well drilling operations
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-09
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Granted: 1974-10-08
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Expires: 1993-07-09
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a racking arm having a telescoping boom with a supported end and a free cantilevered end. A pipe gripping head is secured to the cantilevered end of the boom for clamping about elongated members such as pipe sections, drill collars, riser pipes or the like. The supported end of the boom is mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and a motor is provided to selectively rotate the boom about the vertical axis. Hydraulic cylinders are provided to selectively raise and lower the free cantilevered end of the boom. Hydraulic cylinders also are provided to extend and retract the boom to selectively vary the length thereof. In operation, the boom is disposed on a drilling rig with the supported end spaced above the working platform of the drilling rig and the vertical axis spaced away from the well bore axis. The boom may then be employed to move elongated pipe members from various storage positions to the well bore or other areas and vice-versa. The pipe gripper head is normally automatically maintained horizontal during vertical movement of the boom. A first embodiment of the pipe gripper head clamps pipe sections, drill collars and the like for lateral movement while allowing the pipe sections and drill collars to slide vertically along their axes. In a second embodiment of the gripper head, riser pipe having an irregular cross-section may be tightly gripped by the gripper head.
Inventors
- 👤 J Swoboda
- 👤 N Swoboda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:41
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J15/00; B25J15/02; B25J15/0206; B25J9/00; B25J9/02; B25J9/04; B25J9/045; E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A racking arm for mounting on a drilling rig at a point spaced above the working platform of the drilling rig and spaced away from the well bore axis and for being employed to move elongated members such as pipe sections, drill collars, riser pipe and the like used in rotary drilling of earth formations and being in combination with said dulling rig comprising: a pedestal for being mounted on said working platform away from said well bore axis, a multisection telescoping boom having a supported end pivotally connected to said pedestal and having a cantilevered end, gripping means secured to said cantilevered end of said boom for engaging the exterior surface of ssaid elongated members, means for mounting said supported end of said boom for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, power means connected between said pedestal and said boom for selectively rotating said boom about said vertical axis, means connected between said pedestal and said boom for selectively raising and lowering said cantilevered end, and means in said boom for extending and retracting said boom to selectively vary the length thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A racking arm for mounting on a drilling rig at a point spaced above the working platform of the drilling rig and spaced away from the well bore axis and for being employed to move elongated members such as pipe sections, drill collars, riser pipe and the like used in rotary drilling of earth formations and being in combination with said dulling rig comprising: a pedestal for being mounted on said working platform away from said well bore axis, a multisection telescoping boom having a supported end pivotally connected to said pedestal and having a cantilevered end, gripping means secured to said cantilevered end of said boom for engaging the exterior surface of ssaid elongated members, means for mounting said supported end of said boom for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, power means connected between said pedestal and said boom for selectively rotating said boom about said vertical axis, means connected between said pedestal and said boom for selectively raising and lowering said cantilevered end, and means in said boom for extending and retracting said boom to selectively vary the length thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The racking arm of claim 1 and further comprising: an automatic parallel arm interposed between said free cantilevered end of said boom and asid gripping means, said parallel arm operable to maintain said gripping means in a constant position relative to the horizontal during vertical movements of said boom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The racking arm of claim 1 wherein said gripping means is adapted to grip pipe for lateral movement while permitting such pipe to slide vertically on its own axis, and wherein said boom is mounted to swing to a different vertical position if said pipe becomes stuck in said gripping means so that said pipe cannot so slide axially.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The racking arm of claim 1 wherein said gripping means is constructed to grip riser pipe having a generally irregular cross-sectional shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The racking arm of claim 1 and further comprising: means operatively associated with said raising and lowering means for allowing floating movement of said boom when a force is applied to said boom through said elongated member being gripped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
The racker arm of claim 1 wherein said means for raising and lowering comprises: a first hydraulic cylinder mounted between said pedestal and said boom for raising and lowering said boom, a second hydraulic cylinder mounted to sense the vertical load applied to the free cantilevered end of said boom, and control valve means operable in response to said second cylinder to cause said first cylinder to move said boom up or down upon the occurrence of a predetermined load.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The racker arm of claim 1 and further comprising: means attached between said gripping means and said boom for moving said gripping means vertically relative to said boom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The racker arm of claim 7 and further comprising: means for sensing the vertical position of the cantilevered end of said boom, said means for sensing being slaved to said means for moving said gripping means vertically.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
183 words
A racker arm system for guiding elongated pipe members used in well drilling operations comprising: a pedestal for being rigidly mounted on a drilling platform, an extendable boom pivotally mounted at one end portion on said pedestal and having a free cantilevered end, a pipe gripper mounted on said cantilevered end for encircling pipe members, means for selectively pivoting said boom about a vertical axis relative to said pedestal, means for selectively raising and lowering said cantilevered end, means for selectively extending and retracting said boom, wherein pipe members may be encircled by said gripper and guided by said boom to desired locations, a supply of pressurized fluid connected to a plurality of supply lines in said pedestal, a swivel assembly having an inner housing rigidly connected to said pedestal and an outer housing pivotally movable with said boom, conduits formed through said inner housing and communicating with said supply lines, ports in said outer housing communicating with said conduits, and fluid lines connected to said ports for supplying pressurized fluid to said means for pivoting, raising and lowering, and extending and retracting.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
183 words
A racker arm system for guiding elongated pipe members used in well drilling operations comprising: a pedestal for being rigidly mounted on a drilling platform, an extendable boom pivotally mounted at one end portion on said pedestal and having a free cantilevered end, a pipe gripper mounted on said cantilevered end for encircling pipe members, means for selectively pivoting said boom about a vertical axis relative to said pedestal, means for selectively raising and lowering said cantilevered end, means for selectively extending and retracting said boom, wherein pipe members may be encircled by said gripper and guided by said boom to desired locations, a supply of pressurized fluid connected to a plurality of supply lines in said pedestal, a swivel assembly having an inner housing rigidly connected to said pedestal and an outer housing pivotally movable with said boom, conduits formed through said inner housing and communicating with said supply lines, ports in said outer housing communicating with said conduits, and fluid lines connected to said ports for supplying pressurized fluid to said means for pivoting, raising and lowering, and extending and retracting.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The racking arm of claim 1 and further comprising: relief protection means operatively associated with said raising and lowering means for allowing said boom to pivot independently of said means for pivoting upon the occurrence of a predetermined overload condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The racking arm of claim 1 wherein said means for pivoting comprises: a motor mounted for movement with said boom, first gear means carried by said motor, second gear means carried by said pedestal, said first and second gear means meshing to provide rotation of said boom relative to said pedestal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
181 words
A racking arm for guiding elongated pipe members used in rotary drilling of wells comprising: a pedestal for being affixed to a working platform of a drilling rig, a swivel platform pivotAlly mounted above said pedestal, means for pivoting said platform about a vertical axis relative to said pedestal, a telescoping boom pivotally connected at a supported end about a horizontal pivot axis to said platform, said boom having an outwardly extending free cantilevered end, a first hydraulic cylinder connected at the lower end to said platform and at the upper end to a location on said boom between said pivot axis and said cantilevered end, a second hydraulic cylinder connected at the lower end to said platform and at the upper end to said boom opposite said pivot axis from said first hydraulic cylinder, a gripper assembly pivotally connected on said cantilevered end of said boom, and a third hydraulic cylinder connected between said cantilevered end and said gripper assembly, said second and third cylinders being slaved together wherein said gripper assembly may be maintained at a desired constant attitude.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
181 words
A racking arm for guiding elongated pipe members used in rotary drilling of wells comprising: a pedestal for being affixed to a working platform of a drilling rig, a swivel platform pivotAlly mounted above said pedestal, means for pivoting said platform about a vertical axis relative to said pedestal, a telescoping boom pivotally connected at a supported end about a horizontal pivot axis to said platform, said boom having an outwardly extending free cantilevered end, a first hydraulic cylinder connected at the lower end to said platform and at the upper end to a location on said boom between said pivot axis and said cantilevered end, a second hydraulic cylinder connected at the lower end to said platform and at the upper end to said boom opposite said pivot axis from said first hydraulic cylinder, a gripper assembly pivotally connected on said cantilevered end of said boom, and a third hydraulic cylinder connected between said cantilevered end and said gripper assembly, said second and third cylinders being slaved together wherein said gripper assembly may be maintained at a desired constant attitude.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
81 words
The racker arm system of claim 9 wherein said means for raising and lowering comprises: a first hydraulic cylinder mounted between said pedestal and said boom for raising and lowering said boom, a second hydraulic cylinder mounted to sense the vertical load applied to the free cantilevered end of said boom, and control valve means operable in response to said second cylinder to cause said first cylinder to move said boom up or down upon the occurrence of a predetermined load.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The racker arm system of claim 9 and further comprising: means for moving said gripper vertically relative to said boom.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The racker arm system of claim 14 and further comprising: means for sensing the vertical position of the cantilevered end of said boom, said means for sensing being slaved to said means for moving said gripper vertically.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The racking arm system of claim 9 and further comprising: relief protection means operatively associated with said raising and lowering means for allowing said boom to pivot independently of said means for pivoting upon the occurrence of a predetermined overload condition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
The racking arm system of claim 9 wherein said means for pivoting comprises: a motor mounted selectively movement with said boom, first gear means carried by said motor, second gear means carried by said pedestal, said first and second gear means meshing to provide rotation of said boom relative to said pedestal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The racking arm system of claim 9 and further comprising: an automatic parallel arm interposed between said free cantilevered end of said boom and said pipe gripper, said parallel arm operable to maintain said pipe gripper means in a constant position relative to the horizontal during vertical movements of said boom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
The racking arm system of claim 9 wherein said pipe gripper is adapted to grip pipe for lateral movement while permitting such pipe to slide vertically on its own axis, and wherein said boom is mounted to swing to a different vertical position if said pipe becomes stuck in said gripper so that said pipe cannot so slide axially.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The racking arm system of claim 9 wherein said pipe gripper is constructed to grip riser pipe having a generally irregular cross-sectional shape.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The racking arm of claim 9 and further comprising: means operatively associated with said raising and lowering means for allowing floating movement of said boom when a force is applied to said boom through the pipe member being gripped.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
185 words
A racking arm for mounting on a drilling rig at a point spaced above the working platform of the drilling rig and spaced away from the well bore axis and which may be employed to move elongated members such as pipe sections, drill collars, riser pipe and the like used in rotary drilling of earth formations and being in combination with said drilling rig comprising: a multisection telescoping boom having a supported end and a cantilevered end, pipe gripping means secured to said cantilevered end Of said boom for engaging the exterior surface of said elongated members, means for mounting said supported end of said boom for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, power means for selectively rotating said boom about said vertical axis, power means for selectively rotating said boom about said vertical axis, power means secured to said boom for selectively raising and lowering said cantilevered end, means operatively associated with said power means allowing floating movement of said boom when forces are applied through elongated member being gripped, and means for extending and retracting said boom to selectively vary the length thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
185 words
A racking arm for mounting on a drilling rig at a point spaced above the working platform of the drilling rig and spaced away from the well bore axis and which may be employed to move elongated members such as pipe sections, drill collars, riser pipe and the like used in rotary drilling of earth formations and being in combination with said drilling rig comprising: a multisection telescoping boom having a supported end and a cantilevered end, pipe gripping means secured to said cantilevered end Of said boom for engaging the exterior surface of said elongated members, means for mounting said supported end of said boom for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, power means for selectively rotating said boom about said vertical axis, power means for selectively rotating said boom about said vertical axis, power means secured to said boom for selectively raising and lowering said cantilevered end, means operatively associated with said power means allowing floating movement of said boom when forces are applied through elongated member being gripped, and means for extending and retracting said boom to selectively vary the length thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
169 words
A racking arm for mounting on a drilling rig at a point spaced above the working platform of the drilling rig and spaced away from the well bore axis and which may be employed to move elongated members such as pipe sections, drill collars, riser pipe and the like used in rotary drilling of earth formations and being in combination with said drilling rig comprising: a multisection telescoping boom having a supported end and a cantilevered end, means secured to said cantilevered end of said boom for engaging the exterior surface of said elongated member and limiting lateral movement of said member while permitting said member to vertically move in the direction of its axis, means for mounting said supported end of said boom for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, power means for seectively rotating said boom about said vertical axis, means secured to said boom for selectively raising and lowering said cantilevered end, and means for extending and retracting said boom to selectively vary the length thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
169 words
A racking arm for mounting on a drilling rig at a point spaced above the working platform of the drilling rig and spaced away from the well bore axis and which may be employed to move elongated members such as pipe sections, drill collars, riser pipe and the like used in rotary drilling of earth formations and being in combination with said drilling rig comprising: a multisection telescoping boom having a supported end and a cantilevered end, means secured to said cantilevered end of said boom for engaging the exterior surface of said elongated member and limiting lateral movement of said member while permitting said member to vertically move in the direction of its axis, means for mounting said supported end of said boom for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, power means for seectively rotating said boom about said vertical axis, means secured to said boom for selectively raising and lowering said cantilevered end, and means for extending and retracting said boom to selectively vary the length thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |