US20160161023A1 - Powered Slip Actuation - Google Patents
Powered Slip Actuation Download PDFInfo
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- US20160161023A1 US20160161023A1 US15/010,866 US201615010866A US2016161023A1 US 20160161023 A1 US20160161023 A1 US 20160161023A1 US 201615010866 A US201615010866 A US 201615010866A US 2016161023 A1 US2016161023 A1 US 2016161023A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- rod string
- slip bowl
- slips
- actuator
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000009172 bursting Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
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- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 244000208734 Pisonia aculeata Species 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
- F16L1/024—Laying or reclaiming pipes on land, e.g. above the ground
- F16L1/028—Laying or reclaiming pipes on land, e.g. above the ground in the ground
- F16L1/036—Laying or reclaiming pipes on land, e.g. above the ground in the ground the pipes being composed of sections of short length
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/10—Slips; Spiders ; Catching devices
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/02—Rod or cable suspensions
- E21B19/06—Elevators, i.e. rod- or tube-gripping devices
- E21B19/07—Slip-type elevators
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/08—Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables; Apparatus for increasing or decreasing the pressure on the drilling tool; Apparatus for counterbalancing the weight of the rods
- E21B19/083—Cam, rack or like feed mechanisms
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/08—Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables; Apparatus for increasing or decreasing the pressure on the drilling tool; Apparatus for counterbalancing the weight of the rods
- E21B19/086—Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables; Apparatus for increasing or decreasing the pressure on the drilling tool; Apparatus for counterbalancing the weight of the rods with a fluid-actuated cylinder
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/04—Directional drilling
- E21B7/046—Directional drilling horizontal drilling
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/20—Driving or forcing casings or pipes into boreholes, e.g. sinking; Simultaneously drilling and casing boreholes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
- F16L55/16—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders
- F16L55/162—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe
- F16L55/165—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe a pipe or flexible liner being inserted in the damaged section
- F16L55/1658—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe a pipe or flexible liner being inserted in the damaged section the old pipe being ruptured prior to insertion of a new pipe
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Abstract
A system for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground or an underground pipe. The apparatus has a downhole tool attached to the distal end of the rod string. The push/pull machine has a stationary frame that is placed against the ground to provide a reaction surface. The stationary frame has an opening for the rod string to pass through. A grip assembly is supported on the stationary frame and moveable relative to the stationary frame. The grip assembly has a slip bowl, a plurality of slips, and an actuator. The actuator does not engage the internal surface of any slip and powers relative axial movement between the slip bowl and the slips. A positioning assembly carries the grip assembly and powers its reciprocating and straight-line movement to urge the grip assembly in either a first or second direction.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/242,546, tiled Apr. 1, 2014, which claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/807,004, filed on Apr. 1, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates generally to machines for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground and specifically to machines used to replace underground pipe and utilities.
- The present invention is directed to a system comprising a grip assembly and a positioning assembly. The grip assembly comprises a slip bowl having a tapering internal passage, a plurality of slips, and an actuator. Each slip has an external surface conformable with the internal passage of the slip bowl. The actuator does not engage the internal surface of any slip and powers relative axial movement between the slip bowl and the slips. The positioning assembly carries the grip assembly and powers its reciprocating and straight-line movement.
- The present invention is likewise directed to a method of using the system described herein to position a portion of a rod string section within the slip bowl, powering the actuator to urge the slips in a first direction within the slip bowl toward a narrow end of the slip bowl and into a gripping relationship with the rod string section. The positioning assembly is powered to urge the grip assembly and gripped rod string section in the first direction.
-
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one possible use of the rod string grip assembly of the present invention in a utility installation operation. -
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a rod string pushing/pulling device with the external housing and hydraulics removed. -
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the rod string pushing/pulling device ofFIG. 2 shown from the opposite end with several hydraulic pathways shown. -
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a grip assembly of the device ofFIGS. 2 and 3 . -
FIG. 5 is a top view of the grip assembly ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view of the grip assembly ofFIG. 4 taken along line 6-6. -
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an alternative grip assembly. -
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention in which the rod string section passes through the actuator. -
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the gripping assembly ofFIG. 8 showing the slips in a gripping relationship with the rod string section. -
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the gripping assembly ofFIG. 8 showing the slips in a non-gripping relationship with the rod string section. - As the infrastructure of underground utilities has aged the need to replace these underground utilities has grown. However, home and business owners do not like to have their landscaping and streets dug up during the replacement of underground utilities. Thus, systems and methods for the replacement of underground utilities with minimal surface disruption have been developed. For example, horizontal directional drills are regularly used to install new and replace old utilities. Another technology widely used is a pit launched rod string pushing and pulling machine. These machines push a rod string, comprised of a series of rod string sections attached end-to-end, through the existing pipeline from the launch pit to an exit point remote from the machine. The rod string sections may comprise solid rods, tubular members, or partially hollowed out sections of rod string. Rod string sections are added to the rod string as the rod string is pushed into the existing utility pipe.
- One skilled in the art will appreciate that a downhole tool comprising a drill bit could be attached to the far end of the rod string to allow the rod string to cut through the ground or an existing pipe. Once the far end of the rod string reaches the target location a different downhole tool may be attached to the far end of the rod string and used to burst the old utility pipe and guide the new replacement product pipe into the hole. The new product pipe to be installed may be connected to the downhole tool so that the new pipe follows the downhole tool back through the ground or old pipe to the launch pit. The machine grips the rod string and, using hydraulic cylinders, pulls the rod string, downhole tool, and new pipe toward the launch pit. The downhole tool may comprise a pipe bursting head configured to either burst or slice the old pipe and push it into the surrounding soil.
- Oil rigs use gravity assisted slips to hold the drill string off the bottom of the bore, such as when tripping out to change the drilling tooling, or to provide torsional restraint when adding or removing the top from the string. Gravity assisted slips have a heavy walled outer slip bowl, slips, and jaws. The slip bowl is generally mounted on a structure that passes reaction forces to the ground. The slip bowl is ring shaped and has a conical inside surface running for its functional length; both ends of the bowl are open. The drill pipe is disposed at cylindrical centerline of the slip bowl. The angle of the conical side relative to the centerline is on the order of five (5) to fifteen (15) degrees with a preferred angle of ten (10) degrees per side. Without the slips engaged with the rod string, the rod string is free to move in either direction along the axial centerline. Slips are generally thin walled segments having a conical surface on a first side and a cylindrical surface on a second side. The conical surface of the slip is configured to slide with low friction against the conical inner surface of the slip bowl. The cylindrical inner surface of the slip is intended to produce a high coefficient of friction against the matching cylindrical surface of the rod and may have a hardened and serrated finish intended to bite into the mating rod surface. The inner surface is the jaw and may be a replaceable component within the slip. There is generally a minimum of two slips and often there are more, up to a dozen.
- Gravity causes the slips to drop into the tapered annular space between slip bowl and the rod. This causes friction between the rod and the slips. As the rod string moves down under the force of gravity the slip moves with it deeper toward the small diameter end of the slip bowl. Movement continues until at least two opposing slips apply normal forces to the slip bowl cone and the rod string. At this point the rod will be centered in the bowl and both the normal forces and the friction forces of the components rises quickly with slight distances of rod string travel.
- The rod string and slips move deeper into the slip bowl until the friction forces on the rod string are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the weight (or other) forces pulling the rod string and causing movement. The rod will stop when the normal force around the bowl has caused the bowl to grow slightly within its elastic nature allowed by the geometry of all the components involved adjacent to and including the slip bowl. The present invention provides a system to induce slip movement toward the small end of the slip bowl without requiring the force of gravity. Such a system clamps the rod string in either the vertical or horizontal orientation. The system of the present invention also allows the rod string to be clamped when it is being pushed in a direction that would typically cause the slips and jaws to release their grip. Additionally, the system allows the rod string to be clamped for resisting torsional loads when no tensile or compressive load exists on the rod string to cause the jaws to grip the rod string. The powered gripping system of the present invention also provides a residual force on the rod string in the event the rod string is suddenly unloaded. The powered grip maintains the clamp load on the rod string and will cause the mass of the machine to absorb at least some of the stored energy to reduce the likelihood of the rod string traveling backwards through the machine unimpeded.
- Turning now to the figures,
FIG. 1 shows a rod string pushing/pulling machine generally referred to herein as athrust unit 10 intended for horizontal pipe bursting. Thethrust unit 10 is connected to arod string 12 for pushing the rod string horizontally into the ground or an existing pipe 14 and pulling back adownhole tool 16 and a new pipe 18. As show, thedownhole tool 16 may comprise a pipe burster and swivel 17 for connecting the downhole tool to the new pipe 18. However, when therod string 12 is being thrust into the borehole the downhole tool may comprises a drill bit used to cut through the ground or other debris blocking the path of the rod string to the target location. Therod string 12 may be threaded, or may be hooked together by turning or fitting rod string sections 160 (FIG. 9 ) together. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the process of pushing therod string 12 into the existing pipe 14 will require thrust force. - Turning now to
FIG. 2 , thethrust unit 10 is shown withrod string 12. Thethrust unit 10 comprises apositioning assembly 22 that carries agrip assembly 24 and powers its reciprocating and straight-line movement. Thepositioning assembly 22 may comprise arail 20,cylinders 26, and rams 28. A slip bowl assembly 56 (FIG. 4 ) is movable along therail 20 relative to astationary frame 32. Theslip bowl assembly 56 may support thegrip assembly 24 and is connected to thecylinders 26 and engages rams 28. - The
slip bowl assembly 56 compriseswheels 34 for interaction with therail 20. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that rack-and-pinion, pulley, or other systems are appropriate for movement of theslip bowl assembly 56 relative to thestationary frame 32. Further, thethrust unit 10 may be operable with different numbers ofcylinders 26 and rams 28. Twocylinders 26 and rams 28 are chosen for convenience in the figures and are not limiting on this invention. An appropriate thrust unit and positioning assembly for use with the present invention is disclosed in co-pending and co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/206,5.48, filed Mar. 12, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated fully herein. - The
grip assembly 24 reciprocates in a straight-line toward and away from thestationary frame 32 along therails 20. Thecylinders 26 are connected on a first end to theslip bowl assembly 56 and on a second end to thestationary frame 32. Eachcylinder 26 comprises acylinder rod 36. Thecylinder rods 36 are movable between a retracted and extended position in response to flow of hydraulic fluid to and from thecylinders 26. As shown,cylinder rods 36 of thecylinders 26 are in the extended position. Thecylinders 26 expand and retract to increase or decrease the distance between thestationary frame 32 and theslip bowl assembly 56, causing therod string 12 to either push into the ground or be pulled out of the ground. As shown, thecylinders 26 are diagonally disposed about theslip bowl assembly 56 and therefore therod string 12. - With continued reference to
FIG. 2 , therams 28 provide additional pull back load when the pull back ofcylinders 26 alone is insufficient. Therams 28 comprise a contact surface or thrustnose 38 for contacting thestationary frame 32. As shown, thethrust nose 38 is a rounded nose, though a flat end or other configuration may be used. Therams 28 are hydraulically actuated and mechanically retracted cylinders moveable between a retracted and extended position in response to the flow of hydraulic fluid. Therams 28 are attached at a first end to theslip bowl assembly 56 but not attached to thestationary frame 32. - The
rod spinner 30 threads on or off rod string sections 160 (FIG. 9 ) of therod string 12 to make up or break out therod string 12 during pushing or pulling operations. Therod spinner 30 may alternatively connect sections of the rod string without threading, if unthreaded sections are utilized. Asupport frame 40 travels with theslip bowl assembly 56 and maintains alignment between arod string section 160 about to be added or a newly removed rod string section. - The
stationary frame 32 is a reaction plate that is positioned to ground thethrust unit 10 and allow the extension of thecylinders 26 to cause theslip bowl assembly 56 to pull or push therod string 12. Thestationary frame 32 comprises acentral aperture 42 and jacks 44. Therod string 12 travels through thecentral aperture 42 and through thegrip assembly 24.Jacks 44 stabilize thestationary frame 32 to the ground such that the operation of thethrust unit 10 does not cause excessive movement in the stationary frame. - Turning now to
FIG. 3 , the device ofFIG. 2 is shown from the opposite end.Rails 20 and jacks 44 (FIG. 2 ) have been removed for clarity. However,hydraulic lines cylinders 26 and rams 28. Thecylinders 26 are shown retracted so that theslip bowl assembly 56 is disposed immediately adjacent thestationary frame 32. Thegrip assembly 24 is shown disposed between thecylinders 26 and rams 28. Anactuator 50,thrust member 52, and rails 54 are the only visible components of thegrip assembly 24. Each of these components will be discussed hereinafter. - Turning now to
FIG. 4 , thegrip assembly 24 is shown in detail with other components of thethrust unit 10 stripped away for clarity. Thegrip assembly 24 comprises aslip bowl 92, a plurality ofslips 96, and theactuator 50. Thegrip assembly 24 may also comprise jaws 58 (FIG. 6 ) supported on theslips 96 and athrust member 60 aligned with aslip bowl 92. - A
slip bowl assembly 56 that comprises afront flange 62 and arear flange 64 supports theslip bowl 92. Thefront flange 62 and therear flange 64 may comprise a fiat steel plate each having a set of fourpockets 66 formed around the plates' periphery. Thepockets 66 receive thecylinders 26 or rams 28 (FIG. 2 ) and connect the cylinder and ram housings to theslip bowl assembly 56 for movement therewith. Bolt oncaps 68 secure thecylinders 26 orrams 28 to theflanges Wheels 34 are attached to theflanges FIG. 2 ). - A
bracket 70 is attached to therear flange 64 to support theactuator 50 in alignment with theslip bowl 92. Thebracket 70 may be fastened to therear flange 64 withbolts 72. Theactuator 50 is supported by thebracket 70 and comprises a hydraulic cylinder having anopening 74, which allows the rod string section 160 (FIG. 9 ) to pass through the actuator. - The
grip assembly 24 may have a pair ofshafts 76 to support thefront flange 62, a slip bowl 92 (FIG. 6 ), therear flange 64 and theactuator 50. Grenade pins 78 secure the rod support 40 (FIG. 3 ) to theshafts 76 for optional quick removal of the rod support. Ayoke 80 is connected to theactuator 50 and is secured to theshafts 76 to fix the actuator housing on the shafts. - Turning now to
FIG. 5 , thegrip assembly 24 is shown from a top view. Thefront flange 62,rear flange 64, andyoke 80 are all shown supported onshafts 76. Althoughcylinders 26 and rams 28 are not shown inFIG. 5 , bolt oncaps 68 are shown secured to the flanges withbolts 82.Spacers 84 are disposed between the front andrear flange shafts 76 to provide structural support between the outer peripheries of the two flanges. Abowl ring 88 is also supported between thefront flange 62 and therear flange 64. Thebowl ring 88 is supported within apocket 90 formed in thefront flange 62 and secures the slip bowl 92 (FIG. 6 ) between thefront flange 62 and therear flange 64. - The
bracket 70 is supported on a side of therear flange 64 opposite thebowl ring 88. Thebracket 70 supports theactuator 50 in-line with thecenterline axis 93 of thegrip assembly 24. Theslip bowl 92 is symmetric about thecenterline axis 93. Thepositioning assembly 22 moves thegrip assembly 24 such that theslip bowl 92 moves along theaxis 93. Theyoke 80 is connected to theactuator 50 and supports the actuator on theshafts 76. - Referring now to
FIG. 6 , thegrip assembly 24 is shown in longitudinal section along line 6-6. Thegrip assembly 24 comprises theslip bowl 92 the plurality ofslips 96, and theactuator 50. Thefront flange 62,rear flange 64, and abowl ring 88 disposed between the front flange and the rear flange support theslip bowl 92. Theslip bowl 92 has a tapering internal passage 94. A wide end proximate therear flange 64 and a narrow end proximate thefront flange 62 defines the boundaries of the tapering internal passage 94. - The
slips 96 each have an external surface conformable with the slope of the internal passage 94 of theslip bowl 92. The outer surface of theslips 96 may be angled to cause the slips to move toward each other as they are urged toward the narrow end of the slip bowl along the internal passage 94. As previously discussed, the angle of slips is between 5 and 15 degrees and preferably 10 degrees. Theslips 96 may be connected to a thrust member 98 usingfasteners 100. Alternatively, theslips 96 may be integrally formed with thrust member 98. The thrust member 98 is aligned with the opening 94 of theslip bowl 92. - The
slips 96 each support ajaw 58 that is disposed within theslip bowl 92 and configured to engage a portion of a rod string section disposed within the slip bowl. Thus, eachjaw 58 has a partially curved inner profile conforming to the cylindrical outer profile of the rod string section 160 (FIG. 9 ). Thejaws 58 may comprise a hardened and serrated insert used to bite into the rod string section surface. Thejaws 58 may be a replaceable component within eachslip 96. Of course, one skilled in the art will appreciate the slips and jaws may be integral formed. - The
actuator 50 is a dual-action device that urges theslips 96 in a first direction “A” (FIG. 6 ) within theslip bowl 92 toward the narrow end of the slip bowl and into a gripping relationship with therod string section 160. As shown, the “first direction” means toward the narrow end of theslip bowl 92 and toward the borehole 14 (FIG. 1 ). Theactuator 50 does not engage the internal surface of anyslip 96 and powers relative axial movement between theslip bowl 92 and the slips. In operation, theactuator 50 urges the thrust member 98, slips 96, and thejaws 58 in the first direction “A” relative to theslip bowl 92 toward the narrow end of theslip bowl 92 to grip therod string section 160. Once therod string section 160 is gripped, thepositioning assembly 22 may be powered to urge thegrip assembly 24 and the gripped rod string section 160 (SeeFIG. 9 ) in the first direction “A” to thrust therod string 12 into the borehole 14 while theslips 96 are in the gripping relationship with the rod string section. -
Actuator 50 may also be powered in a second direction “B”, opposite the first direction, away from the narrow end of theslip bowl 92 and into an ungripped relationship with therod string section 160. With theslips 96 in an ungripped relationship with therod string section 160 thepositioning assembly 22 may be powered to move thegrip assembly 24 in the second direction “B” (FIG. 6 ) without the formerly gripped rod string section. When thepositioning assembly 22 has moved the grip assembly to the desired location, theactuator 50 may be powered again to urge theslips 96 toward the narrow end of theslip bowl 92 to grip the rod string section again, or a newly added rod string section, for another thrust stroke of thepositioning assembly 22. - The
actuator 50 may comprise a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder or an electric motor used to push and pull theslips 96. Theactuator 50 shown inFIG. 6 is a hydraulic cylinder comprising ahollow piston 104 that is coaxial with theaxis 93 about which theslip bowl 92 is symmetric. In operation, pressurized fluid enterschamber 101 ofactuator 50 through port 102. The increase in fluid pressure inchamber 101 pushes thepiston 104 in direction A. This action urges theslips 96 toward the narrow end of theslip bowl 92. To move thepiston 104 in the second direction, pressurized fluid enterschamber 105 throughport 106 and the fluid pressure inchamber 101 is reduced to allow thefluid entering chamber 105 to push thepiston 104 in the second direction “B”. Moving the piston in the second direction partially withdraws theslips 96 from theslip bowl 92 and the grip on the rod string section is released. - Turning now to
FIG. 7 , an alternative embodiment of the grip assembly of the present invention is shown. The embodiment ofFIG. 7 comprises afront flange 108 and arear flange 110. Theflanges flanges FIG. 2 ) to facilitate movement of the entire assembly along rails 20 (FIG. 2 ). Abowl 112 is positioned betweenflanges bowl 112 has a conical inner surface 114 having a lesser diameter proximate thefront flange 108 and a greater diameter proximate therear flange 110. A centeringflange 115 guides the rod string throughbowl 112 whenjaws 138 are clamped. Centeringflange 115 helps maintain the alignment of the rod string with thecentral axis 93 of the assembly. -
Actuators 116 are secured betweenflanges rod 120 of each actuator extending through a hole inflanges spacer 122 facilitates the assembly ofactuators 116 into theflanges thrust member 124 viafasteners 126. In the embodiment ofFIG. 7 , thethrust member 124 comprises ayoke 125. Compression springs 128 are disposed within aspring cup 130 and function to extendrods 120 and thereforeyoke 125 out and away frombowl 112 when no hydraulic fluid is present on the rod side ofactuators 116. When pressurized fluid entersactuators 116 throughports 132, thesprings 128 are compressed andyoke 125 moves closer tobowl 112. Asyoke 125 moves, so too do slips 134. The spring cups 130 compriseair vent ports 131 to allow air to escape from the chamber containing thesprings 128 when therods 120 are moved to the left inFIG. 7 . -
Slips 134 are bolted in the tension/compression directions to the thrust member/yoke 125 byfasteners 136.Jaws 138 may be affixed to theslips 134.Jaws 138 are susceptible to wear and are therefore easily replaced.Slips 134,jaws 138 andfastener 136 make up an assembly that moves as a unit. Whilefastener 136 extends throughyoke 125, the shouldering configuration causes theslips 134 to be loose in the obround holes 140 through which thebolts 136 extend. - The conical inner profile 114 of the
bowl 112 causes a reduction in the distance betweenjaws 138 when slips 134 are thrust deeper intobowl 112. This reduction in distance causesjaws 138 to squeeze down and clamp on the rod string (FIG. 1 ). - Turning now to
FIG. 8 , agrip assembly 142 very similar to he gripassembly 24 ofFIGS. 2-6 is shown in exploded view. Thegrip assembly 142 differs fromgrip assembly 24 in that it does not require the pair ofshafts 76 and theyoke 80. - The
front flange 62,rear flange 64, and thebowl ring 88 support the slip bowl 92 (FIG. 9 ). Theslips 96 are partially disposed within the slip bowl and moveable toward and away from thenarrow end 144 of the slip bowl. Each of the plurality ofslops 96 may be connected to thethrust member 146 usingfasteners 148. - In the
grip assembly 142 thethrust member 146 comprises a metal ring that is supported withinbracket 70.Thrust member 146 is moveable withinbracket 70 along axis 93 (FIG. 5 ). Thethrust member 146 comprises acentral opening 150 coaxial withaxis 93 and configured to allow a rod string section to pass through. Thethrust member 146 may comprise a plurality ofears 152 corresponding to slots within thebracket 70. The slots andears 152 prevent rotational movement of thethrust member 146 and theslips 96 relative thegrip assembly 142. - The
actuator 50 comprises acylinder housing 154,piston 104, andcylinder cap 156. Thecylinder housing 154 is affixed to thebracket 70 and may be threaded thereto or integrally formed. An O-ring 158 is disposed within thehousing 154 and around thepiston 104 to seal the housing at the end from which the piston extends. Thepiston 104 is hollow and disposed within thehousing 154 for axial sliding movement along axis 93 (FIG. 6 ). Thecylinder cap 156 is threaded onto the housing and seals the second end of theactuator 50. - Turning now to
FIG. 9 , thegrip assembly 142 is shown in sectional view with a portion of arod string section 160 positioned within theactuator 50 and theslips 96 in a gripping relationship with the rod string section. As shown inFIG. 9 , the actuator has ahollow piston 104 through which therod string section 160 to be gripped passes. However, thepiston 104 does not itself engage therod string section 160 to grip the rod string section. Rather, thepiston 104 urges theslips 96 toward the narrow end of theslip bowl 92 to cause thejaws 58 supported on theslips 96 to grip therod string section 160. InFIG. 9 , the actuator has been powered to urge the piston in direction “A” toward the narrow end of the slip bowl. Urging thepiston 104 in direction “A” pushes theslips 96 into a gripping relationship with therod string section 160. With the slips in a gripping relationship with therod string section 160 thepositioning assembly 22 may be powered to urge thegrip assembly 142 and the grippedrod string section 160 in the direction “A”. Thepositioning assembly 22 carries thegrip assembly 142 and powers reciprocating and straight-line movement of the grip assembly along the rails 20 (FIG. 2 ) in direction “A” with the slips in the gripping relationship. - With reference now to
FIG. 10 , thegrip assembly 142 is shown with the slips in an ungripped relationship with therod string section 160. InFIG. 10 , theactuator 50 has been powered to move thepiston 104 in the second direction “B”. Moving thepiston 104 in direction B urges theslips 96 away from the narrow end of theslip bowl 92 and into the ungripped relationship with the rod string section. Thus, theslips 96 have been partially withdrawn from the slip bowl to pull thejaws 58 away from therod string section 160. In the ungripped relationship there is a gap between therod string section 160 and thejaws 58. In this relationship, thepositioning assembly 22 may be powered to move thegrip assembly 142 alongaxis 93 without pulling therod string section 160 in the second direction, direction “B”. - One skilled in the art will appreciate that during pull back operations the
grip assembly 142 is urged in direction B by the positioning assembly 22 (FIG. 2 ) with theslips 96 in the gripping relationship shown inFIG. 9 to pull therod string 12 and product pipe through the bore 14. Likewise, during pullback operations the positioningassembly 22 moves thegrip assembly 142 in direction “A” with the slips in the ungripped relationship to move thegrip assembly 142 to a location to grip the rod string section for the pull back stroke of the positioning assembly. - In operation, the
thrust unit 10 is positioned at a desired location such as a launch pit and arod string section 160 is placed within theactuator 50 andslip bowl 92 and started into the bore 14. Rod string sections are positioned within theactuator 50 and threaded to therod string 12 using thespinner 30. After a new rod string section has been connected to the up-hole end of the rod string, theactuator 50 is operated to urge the slips in the first direction relative to theslip bowl 92 to place the slips in a gripping relationship with therod string section 160. Once the rod string section has been gripped, thepositioning assembly 22 is powered to urge the grip assembly and the gripped rod string section in the first direction, “A”. Thepositioning assembly 22 usescylinders 26 to urge the grip assembly in the first direction. - When the
cylinder 26 reaches the end of its push stroke theactuator 50 is powered to urge theslips 96 in a second direction “B”, opposite the first direction, away from the narrow end of theslip bowl 92 and into the ungripped position to release therod string section 160. Thepositioning assembly 22 is powered to move the grip assembly, without the formerly gripped rod string section, in the second direction. The rod string may be repeatedly gripped and released with the grip assembly in coordination with operation of thepositioning assembly 22 to push the rod string to the target location. - Upon reaching the target location a downhole tool and a new pipe may be connected to the distal end of the
rod string 12. The downhole tool and new pipe are then pulled through the ground toward thethrust unit 10 by repeatedly gripping and releasing the rod string to pull the rod string until it is removed from the ground and the new pipe has been pulled into its desired location. - Various modifications can be made in the design and operation of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, while the principle preferred construction and modes of operation of the invention have been explained in what is now considered to represent its best embodiments, which have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.
Claims (12)
1. A system, comprising:
a grip assembly comprising:
a slip bowl having a tapering internal passage;
a plurality of slips, each slip having an external surface conformable with the internal passage of the slip bowl; and
an actuator that does not engage the internal surface of any slip and powers relative axial movement between the slip bowl and the slips; and
a positioning assembly that carries the grip assembly and powers its reciprocating and straight-line movement.
2. The system of claim 1 in which the slip bowl is symmetric about an axis and in which the positioning assembly moves the grip assembly such that the slip bowl moves along that axis.
3. The system of claim 2 in which the actuator comprises a piston that is coaxial with the axis about which the slip bowl is symmetric.
4. The system of claim 1 in which the tapering internal passage of the slip bowl terminates at a narrow end and the actuator, in a powered state, urges the slips toward the narrow end of the slip bowl.
5. The system of claim 4 in which the actuator is a hydraulic cylinder having an extendable piston and in which the piston in a powered state urges the slips toward the narrow end of the slip bowl.
6. The system of claim 5 in which the piston is hollow and coaxial with the slip bowl.
7. A method of using the system of claim 1 , comprising:
positioning a portion of a rod string section within the slip bowl;
powering the actuator to urge the slips in a first direction within the slip bowl toward a narrow end of the slip bowl and into a gripping relationship with the rod string section; and
powering the positioning assembly to urge the grip assembly and gripped rod string section in the first direction.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising positioning a portion of the rod string section within the actuator before powering the actuator to urge the slips in a first direction.
9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:
powering the actuator to urge the slips in a second direction, opposite the first direction, away from the narrow end of the slip bowl and into an ungripped relationship with the rod string section.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
powering the positioning assembly to move the grip assembly, without the formerly gripped rod string section, in the second direction.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:
after moving the grip assembly in the second direction, powering the actuator to urge the slips in the first direction within the slip bowl toward the narrow end of the slip bowl and into the gripping relationship with the rod string section; and
thereafter, powering the positioning assembly to urge the grip assembly and gripped rod string section in the first direction.
12. The method of claim 7 in which urging the slips in the first direction comprises pushing the plurality of slips toward a borehole.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/010,866 US20160161023A1 (en) | 2013-04-01 | 2016-01-29 | Powered Slip Actuation |
US15/585,295 US10161201B2 (en) | 2013-04-01 | 2017-05-03 | Powered slip actuation |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201361807004P | 2013-04-01 | 2013-04-01 | |
US14/242,546 US20140294512A1 (en) | 2013-04-01 | 2014-04-01 | Powered Slip Actuation |
US15/010,866 US20160161023A1 (en) | 2013-04-01 | 2016-01-29 | Powered Slip Actuation |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/242,546 Continuation-In-Part US20140294512A1 (en) | 2013-04-01 | 2014-04-01 | Powered Slip Actuation |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/585,295 Continuation US10161201B2 (en) | 2013-04-01 | 2017-05-03 | Powered slip actuation |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20160161023A1 true US20160161023A1 (en) | 2016-06-09 |
Family
ID=56093962
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/010,866 Abandoned US20160161023A1 (en) | 2013-04-01 | 2016-01-29 | Powered Slip Actuation |
US15/585,295 Active US10161201B2 (en) | 2013-04-01 | 2017-05-03 | Powered slip actuation |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/585,295 Active US10161201B2 (en) | 2013-04-01 | 2017-05-03 | Powered slip actuation |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US20160161023A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN111501961A (en) * | 2020-04-30 | 2020-08-07 | 朱庆辉 | Sewage pipe butt joint device capable of being positioned quickly |
WO2024010457A1 (en) * | 2022-07-07 | 2024-01-11 | Petro Well Services As | Jack for drilling |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11345005B2 (en) * | 2019-01-11 | 2022-05-31 | William Colburn | Split nut valve seat puller |
NL2031778B1 (en) * | 2022-05-04 | 2023-11-14 | Kormee B V | Directional drilling device |
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US4589802A (en) * | 1981-08-11 | 1986-05-20 | Sedco, Inc. | Slip assembly for subsea template |
US6220807B1 (en) * | 1992-04-30 | 2001-04-24 | Dreco Energy Services Ltd. | Tubular handling system |
US20140270970A1 (en) * | 2013-03-13 | 2014-09-18 | Earth Tool Company Llc | Stepped Load Pull Back Using Rams |
US8863846B2 (en) * | 2012-01-31 | 2014-10-21 | Cudd Pressure Control, Inc. | Method and apparatus to perform subsea or surface jacking |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA2123298C (en) * | 1991-11-13 | 2001-01-23 | Reginald G. Handford | Trenchless pipeline replacement |
US6568488B2 (en) | 2001-06-13 | 2003-05-27 | Earth Tool Company, L.L.C. | Roller pipe burster |
US7140806B2 (en) | 2004-08-11 | 2006-11-28 | Earth Tool Company, Llc | Rod pulling and pushing machine for pipe bursting |
US7891469B1 (en) | 2005-03-01 | 2011-02-22 | Sipos David L | Discrete element spider |
-
2016
- 2016-01-29 US US15/010,866 patent/US20160161023A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2017
- 2017-05-03 US US15/585,295 patent/US10161201B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4589802A (en) * | 1981-08-11 | 1986-05-20 | Sedco, Inc. | Slip assembly for subsea template |
US6220807B1 (en) * | 1992-04-30 | 2001-04-24 | Dreco Energy Services Ltd. | Tubular handling system |
US8863846B2 (en) * | 2012-01-31 | 2014-10-21 | Cudd Pressure Control, Inc. | Method and apparatus to perform subsea or surface jacking |
US20140270970A1 (en) * | 2013-03-13 | 2014-09-18 | Earth Tool Company Llc | Stepped Load Pull Back Using Rams |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN111501961A (en) * | 2020-04-30 | 2020-08-07 | 朱庆辉 | Sewage pipe butt joint device capable of being positioned quickly |
WO2024010457A1 (en) * | 2022-07-07 | 2024-01-11 | Petro Well Services As | Jack for drilling |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20170234084A1 (en) | 2017-08-17 |
US10161201B2 (en) | 2018-12-25 |
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