GB2099053A - Improved apparatus for driving pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved apparatus is disclosed for the driving of a string of pipe joints into the earth. A derrick is erected with a hammer 33, a self- propelled gear driven carriage 26 for the hammer, and an independently controlled pipe handling mechanism 41 mounted on the carriage. Pipe joints stacked at the base of the derrick are lifted up by the pipe handling mechanism and positioned under the hammer. The carriage continuously positions the hammer near the top of the pipe joint as it is being driven into the earth. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved apparatus for driving pipe The present invention relates to an improved pile driving rig. Specifically, it reiates to a derrick or tower mounted on a platform, including a selfpowered, gear-driven carriage supporting a hammer and an independently controlled but simultaneously and jointly carried pipe handling mechanism mounted thereon.

Derricks supporting a hammer have, of course, been known and used in the past. Typical of them is the type illustrated and taught in U.S. Patent 3,825,076, issued to Kolb, and wherein there is shown a pile drilling rig suspended from a crane by a cable and pulley support mechanism.

Arrangements of this type suffer from several inefficiencies. First, if the cable holding the pile drilling rig slips or breaks, the rig will fall, thus doing itself and surroundings potential irreparable damage. Secondly, the use of a separate crane not only ties up a valuable piece of equipment, but occupies a great deal of surface area on the platform. These inefficiencies are magnified into significant disadvantages that portend of real obstacles when operations occur on offshore platforms.

For example, U.S. Patent 3,451,493, issued to Storm, teaches the use of a derrick to support a pile drilling rig by a cable and pulley system, and suffers from the same safety problems described above. Additionally, Storm requires disconnection of the pile drilling mechanism from the cable and pulley system and connection to a "pipe elevator".

The pipe elevator is then used to lift up sections of pipe for insertion or retrieval from the bore hole.

This is an extremely time consuming and inefficient operation.

The present invention discloses a new pile driving rig in which the hammer and all pipe handling equipment are integrated in a derrick, or tower, specifically designed for pile driving. The pipe handling equipment is capable of providing controlled powered movement of pipe joints within 6 degrees of freedom. The entire rig is capable of being positioned on the surface of the oil platform while erect and also of operations in non-vertical orientations, thus permitting ramming operations. The derrick may be constructed of modules with inherent ease of transportation and installation and which heretofore has not been accomplished. The hammer is mounted on a selfpropelled, gear-driven carriage which also supports an independently powered and operated pipe handling mechanism.

Therefore, a principai feature and advantage of the invention is the elimination of the need for a separate crane or barge to support the pipe handling mechanism or the hammer.

A further advantage of the invention is to provide a rapid, labor efficient and flexible mechanism for lifting and positioning pipe joints.

Yet another feature and advantage of the invention is to provide a safer and more reliable carriage mechanism.

A further feature and advantage of the invention is to provide a more reliable and effective support for the pipe handling mechanism.

Yet another feature and advantage of the invention is to provide a pile driving rig which is easier to transport and install on offshore platforms than existing devices.

A further feature and advantage of the invention is to automatically position the pipe joints underneath the hammer and over the pipe stream.

Yet another feature and advantage of the invention is to provide means for positioning the hammer and derrick over a series of openings in the offshore platform while the apparatus is erected thereon.

A further feature and advantage of the invention discloses a combination hammer and pipe handling mechanism capable of slant operation.

Yet another feature and advantage of the invention is to allow independent operation of the hammer and pipe handling mechanism.

Therefore, these and numerous other features and advantages of the invention will become more cleariy evident upon a careful reading of the following detailed description, claims and drawings, wherein like numerals denote like parts in the several views, and wherein: Fig. 1 shows a frontal elevation of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the carriage mechanism and hammer along plane 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the carriage along plane 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a frontal view of the carriage mechanism along plane 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 shows a cross sectional view of the carriage along plane 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the pipe handling mechanism.

Fig. 8 shows a frontal view of the pipe handling mechanism along plane 8-8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 shows a side view of the pipe handling mechanism along plane 9-9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 Oa shows a module of the derrick being lifted onto an offshore platform during installation.

Fig. 1 Ob shows the derrick in slanted operation.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a surface 11 from which operations are to be performed, such as from the upper deck of an offshore oil platform. A rigid tower or derrick 12, which is mounted on the deck 11 over a desired location, thus requiring an opening 13 for insertion of the pipe joints 14. The derrick 1 2 may be mounted vertically or in a desired slanted posture to permit hammering of the pipe joints vertically or at an angle. Additionally, a skid 15 may be supplied and the derrick 1 2 attached directly to it.

A plurality of jacks 87 may be affixed to the skid 1 5 and the surface 11 for positioning of the derrick 12 with respect to a predetermined position on the platform or surface 11 while the derrick is in an erected position.

Mounted on the derrick 12 is a carriage 26 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which is slidably engaged with the derrick and movable in a parallel direction 90 with respect thereto. The carriage 26 supports and positions a hammer 33 for forceable insertion of the pipe joints 14. The carriage 26 also supports a pipe handling mechanism 41 which includes a hoist 80 for lifting pipe joints 14 from stacks 88 positioned at the base of the derrick 12 and means 89 for positioning the pipe joints in alignment with the center line 93 of the hammer 33 and the pipe joints 14 already inserted through the opening 13.

The derrick 12 is of conventional design to the extent that it may consist of two parallel plates 17 and 18, with a plurality of cross members 21 connecting the back edges of the plates 17 and 18. The side plates 17 and 18 further define a front 19 and a back 20 surface of the derrick.

Fig. 3 shows in detail the carriage 26 and hammer 33. The carriage 26 includes a rigid elongate frame 32 supporting a mechanical power source, such as an electric engine 31 mounted thereon. The engine 31, for example, rotatably powers a plurality of planetary pinion gears 30, said pinion gears engaging a plurality of aligned rack gears 28. The rack gears 28 are affixed to the inside surface 29 of the derrick 12, so that vertical movement of the carriage 26 may be accomplished by the relative movement of the pinion gears 30 and the rack gears 28. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the engine 31 and pinion gears 30 include a fail safe mechanism (not shown), which will prevent uncontrolled movement of the carriage and hammer in the event of a power failure or other malfunction of the engine 31.

The hammer 33 may be of conventional design and in the preferred embodiment is comprised of a reciprocating diesel piston having a cylinder 33a and a piston 33b. The piston 33b is so oriented as to extend downward towards the pipe joint 14 being driven. A helmet 34 of conventional design is attached to the end of the piston 33b so as to repeatedly engage the top of the pipe joint 14 and transfer the energy of the piston to the pipe joint, thereby forcibly inserting the pipe joint into the ocean floor. A fuel line 35 (not shown) may be provided to inject fuel 36 into the cylinder 33a from a pump 70 and a fuel tank 71 (not shown) to sustain the reciprocating motion of the piston 33b.

Fig. 4 illustrates in detail one embodiment of the carriage showing the engagement of the pinion gears 30 with respect to the rack gears 28.

As shown in Fig. 5, the frame 32 may be constructed of four elongate rectangular corner posts 115 at each corner 11 6 thereof. A plurality of cross members 75 rigidly affix the respective corner posts 11 5 so as to form the rigid load bearing frame thereby. A plurality of upright elongate hammer guide rods 39 are affixed to the frame 32 in parallel relationship thereto. An upright hammer positioning piston 40 is similarly mounted in parallel relationship with the frame 32. The lower end 40a of the hammer positioning piston 40 is fixedly attached to the hammer support bracket 76, said bracket being mounted on the frame 32.

Fig. 6 shows that the hammer 33 is affixed at a plurality of points 117 to the upper end 40b of the hammer positioning piston 40 by brackets 11 8.

Thus, extension and retraction of the hammer positioning piston 40 will correspondingly raise and lower the hammer 33 with respect to the carriage 26. Additionally, a plurality of hammer guide brackets 38 slidably engage the hammer guide rods 39, whereby alignment of the piston 33 with respect to the carriage 26 is maintained during relative vertical motion.

In operation, the hammer 33 is raised to the top of the carriage 26. The carriage 26 is lowered down the derrick 12 to a position above the pipe joint 14 within the reach of the stroke of the hammer 33. The hammer 33 begins to reciprocate and impact the pipe joint 14, gradually driving it further towards the earth. The hammer 33 is correspondingly lowered to match the pace of the pipe joint 14, so as to keep it within range thereof.

When the pipt joint 14 has been driven beyond the reach of the hammer 33, the carriage 26 is then lowered as previously described and the cycle is repeated until the carriage 26 has been lowered to the base of the derrick 1 2. At that point, the carriage 26 is raised to a point on the derrick 12 higher than the length of a pipe joint 14, whereupon it is necessary to position a new pipe joint 14 beneath the hammer.

As is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the carriage 26 also supports and positions a pipe handling mechanism 41. As shown in greater detail in Fig. 7, the pipe handling mechanism 41 includes a framework 42. The framework 42 consists of two side plates 43 and 44, respectively, in parallel alignment and connected by at least one front and back cross member 45 and 46, respectively. The side plates 43 and 44 are pivotally connected to the outside of the carriage 26 at corresponding intermediate points 73, whereby the entire framework 42 may be rotated with respect thereto. A piston 47 has a first end connected to the carriage 26 and a second end connected to a back cross member 45, whereby extension of the piston 47 will rotate the framework 42 with respect to the carriage 26. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate points 73 are located along the side plates 43 and 44 nearer the back cross member 46 than the front cross member 45, whereby a proportional increase in the linear movement of the cross member and accompanying hoist 80 and pipe joint 14 with respect to the back cross member 46 is achieved.

Attached to the front cross member 46 are a pair of upper flanges 48 and 49. As shown in Fig. 8, the upper flanges 48 and 49 pivotally engage a pair of lower flanges 50 and 51 , through a pair of pivot rods 52 and 53. The lower flanges 50 and 51 are affixed to an I-beam 54. The I-beam 54 extends horizontally in the front of the derrick 12, for a length significantly longer than the width of the derrick. The I-beam 54 defines a lower platform 55.

A hoist support mechanism 101 engages and rests on the lower platform 55. The hoist support mechanism 101 includes a frame 69 and a plurality of roller guides 57 affixed thereto. The roller guides 57 include a housing 60 which is mounted on the frame 69, and a plurality of rollers 58 rotatably engaged on axles 59. Said axles 59 are mounted on the housing 60, whereby the hoist support mechanism 101 is capable of horizontal rolling movement with respect to the I-beam 54 along the full length thereof. The frame 69 has a clearance 70 between itself and the I-beam 54, whereby movement thereon is not hindered, but relative alignment and guidance are provided.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, movement of the hoist support mechanism 101 with respect to the l-beam 54 is provided and controlled by a worm gear 62, which is powered by a rotatab!e mechanical power source 102 (not shown) located at least one end thereof. The worm gear 62 is horizontally mounted on the frame 42 in parallel alignment with the I-beam 54.

The worm gear 62 engages a worm gear nut 61 pivotally mounted on the frame 69, whereby rotation of the worm pear 62 with respecttathe worm gear nut 61 induces the hoist support mechanism 101 to move horizontally in direction 66.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the worm gear nut 61 is pivotally mounted on the frame 69 through a pair of axle pins 68 axially aligned with respect to each other and inserted into suitable openings 78 in the worm gear nut 61. A corresponding pair of bearings 64 are mounted on the frame 69 so as to support and position the axle pins 68 with respect thereto. The bearings 64 include bearing plates 63 affixed to the outside of the frame 69. A pair of retainer pins 65 affix the axle pins 68 with respect to the worm gear nut 61, whereby the nut is capable of pivotal movement with respect to direction 67, as shown in Fig. 8.

During operation, as the hoist support mechanism 101 travels the length of the I-beam 54 and worm gear 62, the weight of the hoist support mechanism 1 01, the hoist 80 and the pipe joint 14 carried thereon, will tend to deform the worm gear 62, particularly at the mid point thereof. The pivotal connection of the worm gear nut 61 is provided so as to allow the nut to continuously conform to the orientation of the worm gear 62 at various degrees of deformation.

Thus, the design of the present invention inherently reduces the possibility of the worm gear 62 binding with the worm gear nut 61 under powered operation.

Suspended from the frame 69 is a hoist 80. The hoist 80 includes a cable 81 and a set of hooks 82. As shown generally in Figs. 1 and 2, the hooks 82 engage a pair of ears 91 affixed to each pipe joint 1 4 near one end thereof. Thus, a pipe joint 14 may be lifted from the platform 11 by engaging the hooks 82 in the ears 91 and retracting the cable 81 around the hoist 80.

In operation, the hoist support mechanism 101 and the hoist 80 are driven to one edge of the I-beam 54. The hooks 82 are then lowered to pipe joint 14 in one of the stacks 88 at the base of the derrick 12. The pipe joint 14 is then lifted to a vertical orientation. The hoist 80 and pipe 1 4 are then driven to the center of the I-beam 54 by the powered worm gear 62 so as to be in paralleled alignment with the center line 93 of the hammer 33. The piston 47 is then extended so as to rotate the pipe handling mechanism 41 and bring the pipe joint 14 into vertical alignment with the hammer 33 along axis 93. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, automatic stop means (not shown) 103 may be provided so as to automatically interrupt the rotation of the frame 42 wherebe the pipe joint 14 is halted when in direct alignment with the axis 93.

The pipe joint 14 is then lowered so as to engage the top of a pipe joint previously inserted through the opening 13 Stabbing guides 89 may be affixed to the end of the pipe section 1 4 already inserted so as to assist in the alignment process, as shown in Fig. 1. The pipe joints 14 are then welded or otherwise mechanically affixed to each other so as to form an integral unit. Upon disengagement of the hooks 82, the piston 47 may be retracted so as to rotate the pipe handling mechanism 41 and the hoist 80 out of the way of the hammer 33. The operation of the hammer 33 may be commenced as previously described.

As shown in Fig. 1 Oa, an alternative embodiment of the invention, the derrick 1 2 may consist of a plurality of modules 83, which may be affixed to one another in linear alignment. While unassembled, the sections 83 may be easily transported to an offshore platform 11 by means of a barge 86. The unassembled sections may be lifted, one by one, by a crane 85 and cable 84 onto the surface of the offshore platform 11, where the derrick 12 may be assembled and erected thereon.

A base section 82 may include the carriage 26, the hammer 33 and the pipe handling mechanism 41.

As shown in Fig. 1 Ob, in a still further alternative embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the base section 82 may be pivotally attached to the skid 1 5 by a gusset 111. A pivot point 112 is eccentrically positioned, so that the base section 82 may be rotated into vertical or slanted orientation. In such case, the upper modules 83 are attached to the base section 82, which includes a powered piston 110. Upon actuation of the powered piston 110, the derrick 1 2 is erected to the desired angle.

It should be understood by the reader hereof that the description of the invention herein is set forth for exemplary purposes only and that various changes and/or modifications may be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention claimed hereafter. For example, it is within the scope and province of the invention to use another equivalent mechanism to induce lateral movement of the pipe handling mechanism other than the specific worm gear arrangement disclosed. Likewise, other positive drive gear arrangements for the carriage with respect to the derrick may be comprehended within the spirit and scope of the design recited herein.

Claims (14)

1.An apparatus mounted on a platform for handling and driving one or more pipe joints and which is characterized by an upright derrick mounted thereon comprising: (a) carriage means mounted on said derrick, for movable positioning of a hammer carried thereon; (b) a hammer carried by and slidably engaged with said carriage means for forcibly inserting pipe joints into the ground; (c) pipe handling means mounted on said carriage means, for lifting and positioning the pipe joints.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the carriage means comprises: (a) a rigid framework slidably mounted on the derrick; (b) a power unit mounted on the framework; (c) one or more rack gears mounted on the derrick; (d) one or more pinion gears rotatably mounted and powered by the power unit, whereby relative rotation of the rack and pinion gears will move the carriage means up and down with respect to the derrick; (e) lifting means for positioning the hammer with respect to the carriage means.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the rack and pinion gears are in non-slip engagement, whereby a malfunction of the power unit will not result in uncontrolled downward movement of the hammer and carriage means.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the lifting means comprises: an upright piston/cylinder having a first end mounted on the framework of the carriage means, and a second end connected to the hammer, where by extension and retraction of the piston will raise and lower the hammer.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the pipe handling means comprises: (a) a framework pivotally mounted on said carriage means, having a first and second ends, the pivotal mounting point located at an intermediate point between said first and second ends; (b) hoist means mounted on the first end of the framework for lifting pipe joints; (c) moving means for horizontally moving the hoist means with respect to the carriage means; (d) rotation means for rotating the framework with respect to the carriage means.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the hoist means comprises: (a) an electrically driven winch and cable; (b) gripping means for temporarily grasping the pipe joint being lifted, said gripping means being attached to an end of the cable.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the moving means comprises: (a) a hoist support frame pivotally mounted to the first end of the framework of the pipe handling means, said frame including a pivotally mounted worm gear nut mounted on said frame, said frame supporting the hoist means; (b) a powered gear rotatably engaged with said worm gear nut, whereby relative rotational movement of the worm gear and worm gear nut will induce the hoist support frame and hoist in the horizontal movement; (c) guide means mounted on said hoist support frame so as to guide and support the lateral movement thereof.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the rotation means comprises: one or more piston and cylinder assemblies, each having a first end mounted on the carriage assembly and a second end connected to the second end of the framework of the pipe handling means, whereby extension and retraction of the piston will raise or lower the second end of the framework, thereby rotating the framework around its pivotal connection with the carriage means.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising: stop means for automatically ceasing rotation of the pipe handling means when the pipe section is suspended directly underneath the central axis of the hammer.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising: (a) a skid attached to the derrick; (b) transportation means for positioning the base and derrick while in an erected position with respect to the platform.

11. An apparatus for driving pipe joints from a horizontal platform having an upright rigid derrick, a carriage mechanism movably mounted on the derrick, and a hammer slidably mounted on the carriage mechanism, the improvement comprising: (a) one or more upright rack gears mounted on the derrick; (b) one or more pinion gears rotatably mounted on the carriage mechanism, said pinion gears engaging said rack gears; (c) a power unit mounted on the carriage mechanism, said power unit axially connected to said pinion gears, whereby said pinion gears may be induced to rotate with respect to the rack gears so as to move the carriage mechanism and hammer with respect to the derrick.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, the further improvement comprising: a pipe handling mechanism pivotally mounted on the carriage mechanism, the pipe handling mechanism including a rigid frame, a hoist means mounted on the frame for lifting pipe joints, positioning means for moving the hoist means with respect to the carriage mechanism, a piston mounted on the carriage mechanism and connected to the frame, whereby the extension and retraction of the piston will rotate the frame around the pivotal connection with the carriage mechanism so as to bring the hoist means and pipe joint closer or farther away from the hammer, said piston having a stop so situated as to prevent movement of the hoist means and pipe joint past the center axis of the hammer, thereby aligning the pipe section and hammer.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, the further improvement comprising: means for inclining the derrick in a desired non-vertical orientation, whereby a ramming operation is permitted.

14. An apparatus mounted on a platform for handling and driving one or more pipe joints substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.