RU2765774C2 - Self-mounting gantry crane - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: oil industry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to gantry cranes for use on an oil well. The gantry crane contains a crane beam suspended above a working site on an installation for drilling oil wells by means of a lifting structure that provides for lifting and lowering of the crane beam as needed. The gantry crane and the lifting structure can be installed on rails, which allows a gantry crane system to move from one place to another along rails to maintain a set of places on the drilling installation.

EFFECT: improvement of the gantry crane for mounting drilling installations, dismounting drilling installations and lowering-lifting pipes is achieved.

20 cl, 12 dwg

Description

[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/670,913 entitled "GANTRY CRANE FOR TRAIN RIG", filed May 14, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Mobile cranes used for mounting an oil drilling rig are designed to mount downhole equipment and move the equipment from one location to another. The standard design of the movable crane is to place it in various sites for the construction of oil drilling rigs as an independent unit, which must be independently built on the site. The use of mobile cranes requires numerous movements of the cranes during all the processes and operations for the installation and dismantling of drilling rigs, which are very time consuming and require retraction of jacking arms and cylinders, retraction of the boom, moving, positioning, preparing a stable jacking platform, jacking the crane, etc. e. Due to changing surface conditions, there may be situations where cranes get stuck in mud or the preparation of stable jacking pads is time consuming and material intensive.

[0003] In addition, depending on the weight of the individual container elements, cranes with different lifting capacities are needed. In some cases, there are not enough cranes with the required lifting capacity at a particular site. This can either lead to delays or create dangerous situations when using equipment not designed for certain tasks due to tight deadlines. Due to the size and weight of the cranes, it is impractical to transport a fully assembled crane from one site to another. The time and cost associated with operating such mobile cranes is relatively high and a more efficient solution is required.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a gantry crane system for an oil drilling rig. The system comprises a crane beam having a first end and a second end, wherein the crane beam supports a load mass to move the load from the first end to the second end. The crane beam has a first side and a second side. The system comprises a first support arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being rotatably connected to the first end and extending down to the first side of the runway beam; a second support arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being rotatably connected to the second end and extending downward to the first side of the runway; a third support arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being rotatably connected to the first end and extending down to the first side of the runway; and a fourth support arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being rotatably connected to the second end and extending down to the second side of the runway. The system also includes wheel connectors attached to the distal ends of the support arms and movable on rails that run transverse to the runway beam. The support arms and the crane beam are movable along the rails. The system also contains a lifting device functionally connected to the crane beam and configured to raise and lower the crane beam. The support arms rotate relative to the crane beam and rails as the crane beam is raised and lowered by the lifting device.

[0005] In additional embodiments, the present invention relates to a gantry crane for an oil drilling rig, comprising two parallel rails extending along a path between work sites on an oil drilling rig, and a plurality of wheeled connectors configured to move along the rails. . The wheel connectors are arranged in pairs moving along two parallel rails. The gantry crane also includes a plurality of support arms connected to the wheel connectors by means of a hinge that rotates the support arms relative to the wheel connectors, and a crane beam connected to the support arms opposite the wheel connectors. The support arms can rotate relative to the crane beam. The gantry crane additionally comprises a lifting device connected to the crane beam and configured to raise and lower the crane beam by moving up and down. Movement of the lifting device up and down causes the support arms to rotate relative to the wheel connectors and the crane beam so that the pairs of wheel connectors move towards and away from each other along the rails, and the crane beam remains in a horizontal position, the crane beam supporting levers and wheel connectors are made with the possibility of simultaneous movement as a whole along the rails.

[0006] Additional embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of operating a gantry crane on an oil drilling rig, including placing bollards on the surface of the earth, placing rails on the bollards, and the rails are parallel and pass between work platforms on the oil drilling rig, and also the placement of a crane beam supported by a lifting structure on rails. The lifting structure is made with the possibility of lifting and lowering the crane beam. The method also includes moving the crane beam and lifting structure along the rail between work sites in an oil drilling rig and operating the crane beam as a crane for performing oilfield operations such as drilling rig installation, drilling rig dismantling and pipe tripping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] In FIG. 1 depicts a self erecting faucet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] In FIG. 2 is a view of rails and pedestals in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0009] In FIG. 3 depicts lifting devices in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] In FIG. 4 shows a crane beam attached to lifting devices.

[0011] In FIG. 5 shows support arms attached to rails by wheel connectors and to a crane beam by hinged connectors, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] In FIG. 6 shows the lifting devices beginning their upward movement by lifting the crane beam upward from the rails, which causes the support arms to rotate relative to wheel couplers and swivel couplers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] In FIG. 7 shows a mounted crane with hoists fully raised and a crane beam positioned at its highest point, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] In FIG. 8 and 9 are side views of a crane in a half-raised and fully-raised position, respectively, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] In FIG. 10 is a side view of a lifting device in various states between collapsed and extended positions, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] In FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the lifting device shown in FIG. 10 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] In FIG. 12 shows a faucet in accordance with additional embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The following is a detailed description in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The systems and methods of the present invention can replace mobile cranes for erection and dismantling of modular echelon type container drilling rigs and thus make the erection and dismantling operations safer and faster. Drilling of oil and gas wells is carried out from a drilling rig installed at the drilling site. Each drilling site provides drilling of multiple wells. Often the pad is constructed with large amounts of unconsolidated sand to raise the surface, usually above the water level that would be present during the warmer months. The surface of the drilling site is quite flat and horizontal. A drilling rig with all its equipment, as a rule, is built in the form of an echelon moving along rails. The rails are supported by long and wide ground support structures, sometimes referred to as "bollards", which support and distribute the mass of the rig and auxiliary equipment over a larger area so that uncompacted soil can support the mass.

[0019] The rig assembly may include a central unit and an auxiliary section, which may include a mud flushing system, a pumping system, an electrical power control system, a pressure control system, etc. Such an auxiliary section is relatively long. Its length can even be up to 50 meters. The auxiliary section may be composed of a plurality of mechanical elements attached to each other and properly supported as a unit. This auxiliary section and the central unit can be equipped with wheels to move the drilling rig on rails to other well locations.

[0020] In FIG. 1 depicts a self erecting faucet 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The crane 100 is supported by rails 102 on the ground. In many cases, the ground on which the crane is to be used is unstable to support the mass of the rails and the crane, so the rails 102 are mounted on bollards 104, which are above ground structures made of metal material and having a width sufficient to distribute the mass over a larger surface to support rails 102. Sand or soil can be placed on the ground to provide a surface for bollards 104 and rails 102. Bollards 104 can be modular blocks interconnected to form a support for the length of rail that is required at a particular drilling site. If necessary, any number of rails can be provided. In this example, the two rails are spaced apart and parallel to the third, center rail 106. In some embodiments, the distance between the rails 102 is greater than the length of the truck 108 shown here for reference. Other embodiments may have smaller or larger rails and rigs. Truck 108 may drive into place to deliver a payload to crane 100.

[0021] The crane 100 includes wheel couplers 110 that have wheels movable on rails 102. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four such wheel couplers 110; two for each rail. The wheel couplers 110 may also include a pivot 112. A support arm 114 is coupled to the pivot 112 to allow rotation relative to the wheel coupler 110 from a low position, in which the pivot arm 114 is substantially parallel to the rail 102, to an elevated position, as shown here. At the upper end of the support arm 114 is a hinged connector 116 and a crane beam 118 rotatably coupled to all four hinged connectors 116. The crane beam 118 is substantially flat and can be large enough to span the rails and provide support for a crane that will hang from the beam 118. The elements of the crane, such as the hook or other fasteners and the motor for moving the hook laterally between the rails, are not shown in detail so as not to obscure aspects of the present invention. In some embodiments, there may be four articulated connectors 116, while in other embodiments, one articulated connector on each side may provide the same functionality.

[0022] The support arms 114 are rotatable about the wheel couplers 110, and the pivot couplers 116 allow the crane beam 118 to be raised and lowered. The wheel couplers on each rail are movable from and to each other to lower and raise, respectively, the crane beam 118. The crane 100 includes a locking element 117, which is connected between the support arms 114 to fix the crane 110 in a certain position and prevent lifting and lowering until the locking element 117 is released. The mounted crane 100 can be moved along the rails 102 to serve a large area along the rails at the well site. If necessary, the crane 100 can also be moved in the lowered state. The crane 100 may be large enough to be used for rig installation, rig removal, and other well site tasks such as pipe tripping.

[0023] In FIG. 2-7 show the faucet 100 at various stages of assembly. On FIG. 2 is a view of the rails 102 and the pedestals 104. The pedestals 104 can be modular and thus can be assembled as needed to a desired length. Central rail 106 may be used as desired. Any number of rails and pedestals can be used. In some embodiments, sleepers may be installed instead of bollards if ground conditions permit.

[0024] In FIG. 3 depicts lifting devices 120 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Elevators 120 are sliding blocks configured to be coupled to rails 102. In some embodiments, elevators 120 are movable along rails 102. In other embodiments, elevators 120 are attached at a specific location adjacent to rails 102. Lifts 120 may be relatively compact for ease of transport. In some embodiments, lift devices 120 are less than twelve meters long (measured in the direction of the rails), three meters high, and three meters wide. The hoists 120 can be extended to raise the crane from a lowered position to a raised position such as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 4 shows a crane beam 118 attached to lifting devices 120. FIG. 5 shows the support arms 114 attached to the rails via wheel connectors 110 and to the crane beam 118 via articulated connectors 116. The crane is now in a compact position suitable for transportation along the rails 102. FIG. 6, the hoists 120 begin their upward movement by lifting the crane beam 118 up from the rail 102, which causes the support arms 114 to rotate about the wheel couplers 110 and the articulated couplers 116. In some embodiments, the hoists 120 are fixed in place on the rails 102 or bollards 104 such that the lifting devices 120 do not move along the rails 102 during the lifting operation. In other embodiments, support arms 114 on one side may be fixed to rails 102, and the other side and hoists 120 move toward the fixed side when the crane is raised. On FIG. 7 shows the crane 100 in the mounted state with the hoists 120 fully raised and the crane beam 118 located at its highest point. The support arms can be fixed in position with a locking element (see Fig. 1).

[0025] In FIG. 8 and 9 are side views of a faucet 100 in a half-raised and fully-raised position, respectively, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Lifting devices 120 are shown most advantageously here. In some embodiments, lift devices 120 are lever systems that can be folded and extended. When folded, the lifters 120 can be relatively short. In some embodiments, when folded, the lifts 120 are twelve meters long (measured along the rails) and three meters high. In the raised position, as shown in Fig. 9, the lifting devices 120 may be approximately seventeen meters high and 3.8 meters wide.

[0026] In FIG. 10 is a side view of an elevator 120 in various states between collapsed and extended positions, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The lifting device 120 consists of several elements connected to each other in a system of levers, which can move between the folded extended positions. There are many mechanically equivalent mechanisms that can provide the same folded and raised positions. In the illustrated embodiment, starting from the base 130 and moving clockwise around the perimeter of the elevator 120, the elevator includes a long element 132, a short element side 134, a second long element 136, a top 138, a third long element 140, a fourth long element 142 and a second short member 144. The transverse members 146 are located between the first long member 132 and the fourth long member 142, as well as between the second long member 136 and the third long member. The short members 134 and 144 are oriented vertically when the elevator 120 is in the stowed position. Elevator 120 also includes an elevating member 148 which is connected to base 130 and fourth long member 142. Elevator 120 is raised as shown and can reach a height of seventeen meters. It should be understood that the dimensions shown are not limiting, and other dimensions and mechanical equivalents are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0027] In FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the lifting device 120 shown in FIG. 10, which shows positions from a different viewpoint. Elevator 120 may include transverse members 150 located between the long and short members shown in FIG. 10 providing stability and support for the lifting devices 120.

[0028] In FIG. 12 shows a faucet 160 in accordance with additional embodiments of the present invention. The crane 160 includes a base unit 162, a link mechanism 164, consisting of a plurality of levers connected to each other with the possibility of rotation, and a crane beam 166 connected to the upper part of the lever mechanism 164. The lever mechanism 164 can be configured to maintain the crane beam 166 in a horizontal position as it moves between the lowered position and the raised position, as shown in FIG. 12. The runway 166 may have hooks 168 that can be moved along the span of the runway 166. The crane 160 may be large and strong enough to lift a block, such as the container 170 shown here below the runway 166.

[0029] Base units 162 may be located on the ground or on a suitable support surface. Although not shown here, they can also be mounted on rails in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 1-7 Container 170 may also be on rails.

[0030] The embodiments shown and described herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating cranes and associated components that enable faster, safer mounting and dismounting of a drilling rig. The lever systems shown are non-limiting and show how certain functionality can be achieved. Mechanical equivalents of these lever systems and other mechanisms, which may not be specifically shown, are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the lifting devices shown in FIG. 2-11 can be replaced by interconnected elements such as a scissor lift. Alternatively, a hydraulic system can be used to lift the telescopic column. Other mechanical equivalents are also contemplated.

[0031] The above description allows one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the described systems without undue experimentation. Certain examples are provided for purposes of explanation and are not intended to be limiting.

Claims (37)

1. A gantry crane system for an oil drilling rig, comprising: a runway beam having a first end and a second end, and the runway beam is configured to support the mass of the load and move the load from the first end to the second end, and the runway beam has a first side and a second side; a first support arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being rotatably connected to the first end and extending downward to a first side of the runway; a second support arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being rotatably connected to the second end and extending down to the first side of the runway; a third support arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being rotatably connected to the first end and extending down to the first side of the runway; a fourth support arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being rotatably connected to the second end and extending downward to the second side of the runway; wheel connectors attached to distal ends of the support arms and movable on rails that extend transverse to the runway, the support arms and runway being movable along the rails; and a lifting device functionally connected to the crane beam and configured to raise and lower the crane beam, wherein the support arms rotate relative to the crane beam and the rails when the crane beam is raised and lowered by the lifting device. 2. Gantry crane system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting device comprises a lever system. 3. Gantry crane system according to claim 2, characterized in that the lever system moves between a stowed position and a raised position, and moreover, in the folded position, the lever system has a length of twelve meters and a height of three meters, and in a raised position its height is seventeen meters. 4. The gantry crane system of claim. 1, characterized in that the lifting device includes a motor operatively connected to one or more of the wheel connectors, and is configured to move the wheel connectors to each other and from each other to raise and lower the crane beams, respectively. 5. The gantry crane system of claim. 1, characterized in that the distance between the first end and the second end of the crane beam and the height of the crane beam in the fully raised position are large enough to cover the height of the drilling site, the drilling control cabin (DCR), lifting equipment and height margin. 6. Gantry crane system according to claim 1, characterized in that the rails are supported by pedestals. 7. The gantry crane system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting device is configured to move the crane beam upward by applying an upward force to the crane beam. 8. The gantry crane system of claim. 1, characterized in that the lifting device includes a motor operatively connected to one or more of the wheel connectors, and is configured to move the wheel connectors to each other and from each other to raise and lower the crane beams, respectively, and wherein the gantry crane system comprises a second lifting device configured to move the crane beam upwards by applying an upward force to the crane beam. 9. The gantry crane system of claim 8, wherein the hoist and the second hoist work together to provide redundancy. 10. The gantry crane system of claim. 1, characterized in that the crane beam is large enough and strong enough to move equipment for the installation and dismantling of an oil drilling rig, as well as lowering and lifting pipes in an oil drilling rig. 11. The gantry crane system of claim. 1, further comprising a fixing beam connected between the support arms, essentially parallel to the rails, to prevent the lifting and lowering of the crane beam. 12. A gantry crane for an oil drilling rig, comprising: two parallel rails running along a path between work sites on an oil drilling rig; a plurality of wheel couplers movable along the rails, the wheel couplers being arranged in pairs moving along two parallel rails; a plurality of support arms connected to the wheel connectors via a pivot that rotates the support arms relative to the wheel connectors; a crane beam connected to the support arms opposite the wheel connectors, the support arms being rotatable relative to the crane beam; lifting device connected to the crane beam and configured to raise and lower the crane beam by moving up and down, and moving the lifting device up and down leads to rotation of the support arms relative to the wheel connectors and the crane beam in such a way that pairs of wheel connectors move to each other and from each other along the rails, and the crane beam remains in a horizontal position, and the crane beam, support arms and wheel connectors are made with the possibility of simultaneous movement as a whole along the rails. 13. Gantry crane according to claim. 12, characterized in that the lifting device includes a lever system configured to move between a compact position, in which the runway beam is lowered, and an elevated position, in which the runway beam is raised. 14. Gantry crane according to claim 13, characterized in that the lever system in a compact position has a height of less than three meters and a length of less than twelve meters. 15. The gantry crane according to claim 12, characterized in that the lifting device comprises a motor connected to the wheel connectors, which is configured to move the wheel connectors to and from each other along the rails to raise and lower the crane beam. 16. The gantry crane of claim 15, further comprising a second hoist comprising a lever system movable between a compact position and an elevated position. 17. The gantry crane according to claim 12, further comprising pedestals under the rails, configured to distribute the mass of the gantry crane over an area that is wider than the individual rails. 18. Gantry crane according to claim 12, characterized in that the gantry crane is large enough and strong enough to mount and dismantle an oil drilling rig, as well as running pipes. 19. A method of operating a gantry crane at an oil drilling rig, including: placement of pedestals on the surface of the earth; placing rails on pedestals, the rails being parallel and extending between work platforms on an oil drilling rig; placing a crane beam supported by a lifting structure on rails, the lifting structure being configured to raise and lower the crane beam; movement of the crane beam and lifting structure along the rails between sections at the drilling site; and operating the girder as a crane for oil field operations such as drilling rig erection, drilling rig dismantling and pipe tripping. 20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the lifting structure comprises a lever system configured to rise to a height of seventeen meters and lower to a height of less than three meters.

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