BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE
Field of the Disclosure
[0001] Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to methods and apparatus to guide tubular
members. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus that
is used to guide one or more tubular members, such as oilfield tubular members as
the tubular members are disposed downhole.
Background Art
[0002] In oilfield exploration and production operations, various oilfield tubular members
are used to perform important tasks, including, but not limited to, drilling the wellbore
and casing a drilled wellbore. For example, a long assembly of drill pipes, known
in the industry as a drill string, may be used to rotate a drill bit at a distal end
to create the wellbore. Furthermore, after a wellbore has been created, a casing string
may be disposed downhole into the wellbore and cemented in place to stabilize, reinforce,
or isolate (among other functions) portions of the wellbore. As such, strings of drill
pipe and casing may be connected together, such as end-to-end by threaded connections,
in which a female "pin" member of a first tubular member is configured to threadably
engage a corresponding male "box" member of a second tubular member. Alternatively,
a casing string may be made-up of a series of male-male ended casing joints coupled
together by female-female couplers. The process by which the threaded connections
are assembled is called "making-up" a threaded connection, and the process by which
the connections are disassembled is referred to "breaking-out" the threaded connection.
As would be understood by one having ordinary skill, individual pieces (or "joints")
of oilfield tubular members may come in a variety of weights, diameters, configurations,
and lengths.
[0003] Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view is shown of one embodiment of a drilling
rig 101 used to run one or more tubular members 111 (
e.g., casing, drill pipe, etc.) downhole into a wellbore 113. As shown, the drilling
rig 101 includes a frame structure known as a "derrick" 102, from which a traveling
block 103 (which may include a top drive) suspends a lifting apparatus 105 (
e.g., an elevator or a tubular (e.g., casing) running tool connected to the quill of a
top drive) and a gripping apparatus 107 (
e.g., slip assembly or "spider") at the rig floor may be used to manipulate (
e.g., raise, lower, rotate, hold, etc.) a tubular member 111. The traveling block 103
is a device that is suspended from at or near the top of the derrick 102, in which
the traveling block 103 may move up-and-down (
i.e., vertically as depicted) to raise and/or lower the tubular member 111. The traveling
block 103 may be a simple "pulley-style" block and may have a hook from which objects
below (
e.g., lifting apparatus 105 and/or top drive) may be suspended. Drilling rig 101 can
be a land or offshore rig (e.g., drill ship) without departing from the spirit of
the invention.
[0004] Additionally, the lifting apparatus 105 may be coupled below the traveling block
103 (and/or a top drive if present) to selectively grab or release a tubular member
111 as the tubular member 111 is to be raised and/or lowered within and from the derrick
102. As such, the top drive may include one or more guiding rails and/or a track disposed
adjacent to the top drive, in which the guiding rails or track may be used to support
and guide the top drive as the top drive is raised and/or lowered within the derrick.
An example of a top drive is disclosed within
U.S. Patent No. 4,449,596, filed on August 3, 1982, and entitled "Drilling of Wells with Top Drive Unit".
[0005] Typically, a lifting apparatus 105 includes movable gripping members (
e.g., slip assemblies) attached thereto and movable between a retracted (e.g., disengaged)
position and an engaged position. In the engaged position, the lifting apparatus 105
supports the tubular member 111 such the tubular member 111 may be lifted and/or lowered,
and rotated if so equipped, e.g., by using a lifting apparatus that is a tubular (e.g.,
casing) running tool connected to the quill of the top drive. In the retracted position,
the lifting apparatus 105 may release the tubular member 111 and move away therefrom
to allow the tubular member 111 to be engaged with or removed from the lifting apparatus
105 and/or the gripping apparatus 107. For example, the lifting apparatus 105 may
release the tubular member 111 after the tubular member 111 is threadably connected
to a tubular string 115 supported by the gripping apparatus 107 (
e.g., slip assembly or "spider") at the rig floor at the floor of the drilling rig 101.
[0006] Further, in an embodiment in which the drilling rig 101 includes a top drive and
a tubular running tool, the tubular member 111 may be supported and gripped by the
tubular running tool connected to the quill of the top drive. For example, the tubular
running tool may include one or more gripping members that may move radially inward
and/or radially outward. In such embodiments, these gripping members of a tubular
running tool may move radially outward to grip an internal surface of the tubular
member 111, such as with an internal gripping device and/or the gripping members of
the tubular running tool may move radially inward to grip an external surface of the
tubular member 111, such as with an external gripping device, however so equipped.
[0007] As such, the gripping apparatus 107 of the drilling rig 101 may be used to support
and suspend the tubular string 115, e.g., by gripping, from the drilling rig 101,
e.g., supported by the rig floor 109 or by a rotary table thereof. The gripping apparatus
107 may be disposed within the rig floor 109, such as flush with the rig floor 109,
or may extend above the rig floor 109, as shown. As such, the gripping apparatus 107
may be used to suspend the tubular string 115, e.g., while one or more tubular members
111 are connected or disconnected from the tubular string 115.
[0008] Referring now to Figures 2A and 2B, a gripping device 201 that may be included as
the lifting apparatus 105 and/or the gripping apparatus 107 of the drilling rig 101
is shown. As such, the gripping device may be the same or similar to that as illustrated,
or may be any other gripping or supporting device known in the art. For example, in
addition or in alternative to a gripping device, a lifting apparatus 105 and/or the
gripping apparatus 107 may comprise a supporting device may be used that supports
one or more tubular members within a drilling rig, such as supporting a tubular string
of tubular members suspended from a drilling rig. An example of a supporting device
is disclosed within
U.S. Patent No. 6,651,737, filed on January 24, 2001, and entitled "Collar Load Support system and Method".
[0009] The illustrated gripping device 201 includes a bowl 203 with a plurality of slip
assemblies 205 movably disposed therein. Specifically, the slip assemblies 205 may
be connected to a ring 207, in which the ring 207 may be connected to the bowl 203
through an actuator (e.g., actuator rods) 209. Actuator may be actuated, such as electrically
actuated and/or fluidly (e.g., hydraulically) actuated, to move up and/or down with
respect to the bowl 203, in which the slip assemblies 205 connected to the ring 207
may correspondingly move up and/or down with respect to the bowl 203.
[0010] The illustrated slip assemblies 205 are designed to engage and contact the inner
tapered surface of the bowl 203 when moving with respect to the bowl 203. Bowl 203
is shown as a continuous surface but may comprise non-continuous surfaces (e.g., a
surface adjacent to the rear of each slip assembly 205). Thus, as the slip assemblies
205 move up or down with respect to the bowl 203, the slip assemblies 205 may travel
down along an inner surface of the bowl 203. With this movement, an inner surface
(e.g., die) of the slip assemblies 205 will grip a tubular member 211 disposed within
the gripping device 201. The slip assemblies 205 may have a gripping surface (e.g.,
teeth) on the inner surface to facilitate the gripping of the tubular member 211.
After the tubular member 211 is supported by the gripping device 201, additional tubular
members may be connected or disconnected from the tubular member 211.
[0011] As shown with respect to Figures 2A and 2B, the gripping device 201 may be used to
grip tubular members 211 having multiple outer diameters. For example, as shown in
Figure 2A, the slip assemblies 205 may be positioned within the bowl 203 of the gripping
device 201 to grip a tubular member 211A having a first diameter D1. As discussed,
the slip assemblies 205 may be positioned using the ring 207 that may be vertically
moveable, e.g., through the actuator rods 209. Figure 2B shows gripping device 201,
in which the slip assemblies 205 are positioned vertically higher within the bowl
203 with respect to the positioning of the slip assemblies 205 shown in Figure 2A.
As such, this positioning of the slip assemblies 205 in Figure 2B enables the gripping
device 201 to grip another tubular member 211B, in which the tubular member 211B has
a second outer diameter D2 larger than the first outer diameter D1 of the tubular
member 211A (for example, where D1 and D2 are on a tubular body itself and not a connector
portion thereof). Thus, gripping device 201 may grip tubular members 211 having a
large range of outer diameters without the need of reconfiguration and/or adding supplemental
equipment to the gripping device 201. For example, in one embodiment, the second outer
diameter D2 may be at least 145 percent larger (or smaller) than the first outer diameter
D1.
[0012] A tubular string of tubular members may be heavy, in the magnitude of several hundreds
of thousands of pounds (1 pound = 0.453 Kg). As such, the gripping devices handling
these tubular strings, in addition to the drilling rig and other components thereof,
must be equipped to handle such weight. Further, tubular members of the tubular string,
such as casing, may have a relatively thin wall, in which the tubular members may
be crushed or partially deformed if excessive force is applied by the gripping device.
Additionally, the weight of the tubular string may be even further magnified, such
as when drilling offshore, as the tubular string may need to extend through the water
to reach the borehole, which may be in the magnitude of several hundreds of meters
(several thousands of feet), if not more. For example, the tubular string may have
one or more different tubular members or tubular sections, such as including a section
within the tubular string having casing, drill pipe, and/or a landing string, in which
each of these sections of the tubular string may have different dimensions (internal
diameter and/or external diameter) adding to the overall weight of the tubular string.
Adding length to the tubular string only further increases the weight that the gripping
devices, drilling rig, and other components thereof must be equipped to handle, an
equipping process that may significantly increase the cost of for drilling.
[0013] To offset at least some of the weight of the tubular string (which may include a
casing string or other tubular string hung from a distal end thereof), flotation modules
have been developed that may be connected to or otherwise disposed about (e.g., about
the OD of) a tubular member 311. One or more flotation modules 315 may be connected
to the tubular member 311, such as by having a hinge formed on one side of the flotation
module 315 that enables the flotation module 315 to, for example, clasp around the
tubular member 311 from a lateral side thereof. Additionally or alternatively, a flotation
module may be attached or applied to the tubular member, such as by applying as a
coating or attached via other means, e.g., adhesive, to retain the flotation module
stationary with respect to the tubular member. Depicted flotation modules 315 have
a generally circular profile (e.g., a cylinder). However, flotation modules 315 may
have any shape, such as a rectangular or hexagonal profile or spherical shape, that
enables the flotation modules to connect to the tubular member 311.
[0014] A flotation module is commonly formed from a buoyant material or buoyant structure,
such as having foam (
e.g., high density foam) or plastic and/or having a housing with a fluid (e.g., gas) disposed
therein for buoyancy. As such, this buoyant material or buoyant structure for the
flotation module 315 may be used to offset at least some of the weight of the tubular
member 311, e.g., from the drilling rig 101, and thus a tubular string altogether,
as the flotation module 315 may be connected to the tubular member 311. A flotation
module 315 may be used within the water, e.g., seawater of an offshore drilling operation,
and/or a flotation module 315 may be disposed within a wellbore, including the riser,
in land or offshore drilling operations. As such, a flotation module 315 may provide
a buoyancy force when disposed within water and/or mud of a drilling operation, in
which the buoyancy force of the flotation modules 315 may be used to offset at least
some of the weight of the tubular string, e.g., from the drilling rig 101.
[0015] Further, a flotation module, may be used with a landing string, such as when a landing
string is used to dispose (e.g., "land") one or more tubular members, such as casing,
within a wellbore in a deep water offshore operation. The landing string, which may
exceed three thousands of meter (tens of thousands of feet) in axial length to reach
between the sea floor and the drilling rig (e.g., a floating drilling platform or
ship), may include one or more flotation modules 315 connected thereto or otherwise
disposed about to offset some of the weight of the landing string and the other tubular
string (e.g., casing). As such, the flotation modules may relieve, at least a portion,
of the stress applied to the landing string, other tubular string, and drilling rig
equipment used for the operation.
[0016] However, as a flotation module may be formed from a generally buoyant material and/or
as a generally buoyant structure (e.g., forming the flotation module with, at least
a portion of, foam) a flotation module may lack strength and/or rigidity, e.g., the
flotation module may be easily damaged. For example, a flotation module may be particularly
susceptible to damage when assembling and/or disassembling a tubular string of tubular
members together and/or disposing (e.g., raising or lowering) the tubular string within
and/or through a gripping or supporting device (as discussed herein).
[0017] One example may be that, as a flotation module is disposed through a bore of a gripping
or supporting device of a drilling rig, one or more of the components of the gripping
or supporting device, such as the slip assemblies of the gripping device having a
gripping surface (e.g., teeth) or other damage inducing surface or component of a
gripping or supporting device, may contact and thus damage (e.g., dislodge) the flotation
module. For further example, a gripping surface of a slip assembly (e.g., teeth) contacting
a foam portion of a flotation module may damage (e.g., abrade or puncture) the flotation
module. As such, damage to a flotation module may be magnified if a tubular member
which the flotation module is connected to is not properly aligned within a bore of
a gripping or supporting device during movement therethrough. Accordingly, there exists
a need to prevent damage to a flotation module connected to a tubular member, as any
damage to the flotation module may increase the loads applied to the drilling rig.
[0018] US2004/253059 A1 describes a semi-submersible floating platform for offshore drilling and/or production
of petroleum product from the seabed. The platform supports a vertical riser system
comprising a plurality of vertical risers supported by a riser buoyancy apparatus
that is embodied as a central columnar buoy received in and guided within two moon
pools of the floating platform. The risers are received in a vertical passage disposed
through the central columnar buoy. A ball wear insert is able to move up and down
in the vertical passage.
WO2004/079154 A1 describes a method and apparatus for gripping one or more tubulars, which may include
casing, during a tubular handling operation, drilling operation, and/or drilling with
casing operation. The gripping apparatus comprises a housing having a bore extending
therethrough and one or more gripping members which extend radially within the bore
to grippingly engage a tubular or casing when activated. Adjustable guides attached
to a portion of the gripping apparatus facilitate rotational movement of the casing
during the drilling operation when the gripping members of the gripping apparatus
are deactivated.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0020] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus
to guide a tubular member according to claim 1 and dependent claims.
[0021] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method
to guide a tubular member according to claim 13 and dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022]
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a drilling rig.
Figures 2A and 2B show perspective views of a gripping apparatus disposed within a
drilling rig.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a tubular member having flotation modules connected
thereto.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a guiding apparatus in accordance with embodiments
disclosed herein.
Figure 5 shows a partial exploded view of a guiding apparatus in accordance with embodiments
disclosed herein.
Figures 6A-6D show multiple views of an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed
herein.
Figures 7A and 7B show multiple bottom perspective views of an apparatus guiding a
tubular member in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
Figures 8A-8C show multiple views of an apparatus gripping a tubular member in accordance
with embodiments disclosed herein.
Figures 9A-9D show multiple views of an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed
herein.
Figures 10A-10D show multiple views of a portion of an apparatus in accordance with
embodiments disclosed herein.
Figure 11 shows a computer system that may be used in accordance with an embodiment
disclosed herein.
Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a guiding apparatus in accordance with embodiments
disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference
to the accompanying Figures. Like elements in the various figures may be denoted by
like reference numerals for consistency. Further, in the following detailed description
of embodiments of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth
in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However,
it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments disclosed
herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the
description.
[0024] In various aspects disclosed herein, embodiments disclosed herein generally relate
to an apparatus that may guide a tubular member, such as guiding a tubular member
when assembling a string of tubular members together. For example, embodiments disclosed
herein relate to an apparatus that is used to guide a tubular member. The tubular
member, such as in one embodiment, may have one or more flotation modules disposed
about and/or connected to the tubular member. The flotation modules may be used to
manage the weight of the tubular member, in addition to manage the weight of the string
of tubular members altogether. As such, the apparatus is used to guide the tubular
member into and through, for example, a gripping apparatus. In such an embodiment,
the apparatus may thereby prevent, at least a portion of, damage from occurring to
the flotation modules and/or the tubular member.
[0025] For example, if a tubular member having one or more flotation modules connected thereto
is misaligned with a gripping apparatus when entering a gripping apparatus, one or
more of the flotation modules may contact and be damaged against one or more components
of the gripping apparatus (such as by having one or more of the flotation modules
contact one or more of the slip assemblies of a gripping apparatus). However, an apparatus
in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is used to guide and properly align
the tubular member when entering a gripping apparatus, thereby preventing, at least
a portion, of the damage from occurring to the tubular member and/or the flotation
modules connected thereto. Further, in one embodiment the apparatus may be used to
grip and support a tubular member, such as when suspending a string of tubular members
from a drilling string, independent if the tubular member has a flotation module connected
thereto.
[0026] Further, in one embodiment the apparatus is used to allow a tubular member having
one or more flotation modules connected thereto to pass through the apparatus, in
which the apparatus may then grip and support (e.g., an end of) the tubular member
after the one or more flotation modules have passed through the apparatus.
[0027] Thus, in one aspect, an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein
includes a bowl, a plurality of slip assemblies, and one or more guiding members.
The bowl has a bore or opening formed therethrough, and the plurality of slip assemblies
is movably connected to the bowl. Further, the apparatus includes at least two guiding
members, such as having one or more guiding members disposed adjacent to one opening
of the bore (e.g., defined by the bowl) of the apparatus and having one or more guiding
members disposed adjacent to another opening of the bore. One or more guiding members
may be disposed in the bore (e.g., defined by a bowl) of the apparatus, for example
between adjacent slip assemblies. One or more guiding members are used to guide a
tubular member, such as when a tubular member is being disposed within or through
the apparatus. For example, the tubular member may have one or more flotation modules
disposed thereabout and/or connected thereto, in which one or more of the guiding
members may engage a surface of the flotation module to guide the flotation module
into and/or through the apparatus. In one embodiment, one or more guiding members
may guide a flotation module into and/or through an apparatus (e.g., spider) and also
may guide the tubular that the flotation module is connected to through the apparatus
(e.g., spider).
[0028] At least one of the guiding members includes a roller. A roller may be rotatably
connected to the apparatus. As such, as when a roller engages a surface of a flotation
module, the roller may rotate and roll against a surface of the flotation module.
This movement may enable the roller to guide the flotation module and tubular member
into and/or through the apparatus, thereby assisting in preventing, at least a portion,
of damage occurring to the flotation module and/or tubular member by the apparatus.
[0029] As such, the plurality of guiding members may be substantially equally spaced from
one another about the longitudinal axis of the bowl. This configuration may enable
the guiding members to apply substantially equal pressure to the flotation module
and tubular member disposed within the apparatus. Further, the guiding members may
be movable with respect to the apparatus, such as movable with respect to the longitudinal
axis of the bore (e.g., bowl) of the apparatus. As such, the guiding members may be
able to move radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bowl. Further,
the guiding members may be able to move axially with respect to the longitudinal axis
of the bowl.
[0030] As used herein, "connected" may refer to not only having two or more elements directly
attached to each other, but connected may additionally refer to having two or more
elements indirectly attached to each other. For example, as discussed more below,
an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein has a guiding member
connected to a bowl of the apparatus. As such, it should be understood that the present
disclosure contemplates not only having the guiding member directly attached to the
bowl, but the present disclosure additionally contemplates other structures and/or
arrangements for the apparatus, such as by having a structure or member disposed between
the guiding member and the bowl, in which the guiding member and the bowl are connected
to each other through the other structure or member.
[0031] Referring now to Figure 4, a perspective view of an apparatus 401 to guide a tubular
member in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is shown. In this embodiment,
the apparatus 401 is disposed within a surface 491, such as within a rotary table
109 of a drilling rig 101 (
e.g., shown in Figure 1). Particularly, as shown, the apparatus 401 may be disposed within
an adapter ring, in which the adapter ring may be disposed, and thus suspended, within
a rotary table of a drilling rig. Those having ordinary skill in the art, however,
will appreciate that the present disclosure is not so limited, as the apparatus may,
in other embodiments, be disposed above or on the surface without departing from the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0032] Guiding apparatus 401, which may be a spider as illustrated or an elevator, e.g.,
with the attachment of lifting bail or link eyes, includes a bowl 403 defining a bore
405 therein. The bore 405 may be formed about an axis 400 extending longitudinally
through the apparatus 401. Specifically, the bowl 403 may be formed such that a top
opening 407 of the bore 405 is formed at a top side of the bowl 403, and a bottom
opening of the bore 405 is formed at the bottom side of the bowl (depicted in Figure
5). Further, the depicted bowl 403 has an inner wall that extends between the top
opening 407 of the bowl 403 to the bottom opening. Although the bowl is shown as being
a continuous surface, the term bowl may also refer to a plurality of discrete surfaces
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The depicted inner wall
of the bowl 403 is skewed at an angle (
e.g., tapered) with respect to the axis 400. For example, the bowl 403 may have a smooth,
non-stepped profile, tapered inner wall, in which the bowl 403 may be used to enable
the apparatus 401 to grip a range of tubular members having different dimensions (
e.g., different outer diameters), with the slip assemblies moving along the bowl 403.
However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure
is not so limited, as other shapes and profiles, such as a stepped (e.g., "rapid advance")
profile, may be used for the inner wall of the bowl without departing from the scope
of the present disclosure.
[0033] The depicted apparatus 401 further includes a plurality of slip assemblies 421, in
which the slip assemblies 421 are movable with respect to the bowl 403 (
e.g., in- and-out of the bowl 403), such as by having the slip assemblies 421 movably connected
to the bowl 403. Specifically, the depicted slip assemblies 421 are movable in a radial
direction with respect to the axis 400 as well as being movable in a longitudinal
direction along the axis 400. For example, by having the slip assemblies 421 movably
connected to the bowl 403, the slip assemblies 421 may be able to "slide" towards
and/or away from the axis 400, e.g., move along the inner wall of the bowl 403. As
such, the slip assemblies 421 may be used to grip a tubular member, such as gripping
an outer surface of a tubular member received within the apparatus 401. Slip assemblies
421 may be restricted from lateral movement in the bore (e.g., bowl), for example,
while still allowing for movement towards and/or away from axis 400 (e.g., radial
movement relative to axis 400 of the bore).
[0034] As shown, the slip assemblies 421 may be movably connected to a support ring 431.
Support ring may be a "timing ring". For example, by using a slide mechanism 433,
the slip assemblies 421 may be able to move in the radial direction with respect to
the axis 400, in addition to the longitudinal direction along the axis 400, such as
when the support ring 431 moves in the longitudinal direction. However, those having
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other mechanisms or connections may
be used to movably connect the slip assemblies to a support ring and/or the bowl.
For example, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, a pin-and-link mechanism
may be used to movably connect the slip assemblies to the support ring. As such, the
present disclosure contemplates other structures and/or arrangements for the apparatus
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0035] Apparatus 401 may include one or more guiding members 441, in which the guiding member(s)
441 may be disposed adjacent to one or more ends or openings of the bore (e.g., defined
by bowl 403), slip assemblies 421, and/or support ring 431. In Figure 4, the guiding
member(s) 441 are depicted as connected to the support ring 431, in which the guiding
member(s) 441 may be disposed adjacent to the top side 407 of the bowl 403, e.g.,
when the slip assemblies 421 are received within the bowl 403. The guiding member(s)
441 may be substantially equally spaced (e.g., laterally and/or circumferentially)
from one another about the axis 400, e.g., three or more guiding member(s) 441 substantially
equally spaced from one another. This arrangement may enable the guiding member(s)
441 to provide guidance from multiple directions for a tubular member received within
the apparatus 401 (discussed more below). For example, the guiding member(s) may guide
a tubular member when being received into and/or being extracted from the apparatus,
and/or the guiding member(s) may guide a lateral movement of the tubular member with
respect to the apparatus. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that the present disclosure is not so limited, as guiding member(s) may be disposed
at other locations (e.g., within the bore of the bowl 403 or on the slip assemblies
421) and/or connected to other components, such as by having guiding member(s) connected
to the drilling rig rather than connected to the apparatus itself (e.g., support ring
as discussed above), without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0036] As discussed above, the guiding member(s) 441 may be used to guide a tubular member
into the apparatus 401. As such, the guiding member(s) 441 may be disposed adjacent
to the bore of the apparatus 401 having axis 400 such that as a tubular member is
received within the apparatus 401, the guiding member(s) 441 may engage a surface
of the tubular member, or in other embodiments, a surface of a component connected
to the tubular member such as a flotation module, to guide the tubular member into,
out of, and/or through the apparatus 401. For example, in an embodiment in which a
tubular member has a flotation module disposed thereabout and/or connected thereto,
the guiding member(s) 441 may engage a surface of the flotation module to guide the
tubular member into, out of, and/or through the apparatus 401. Though not particularly
stated, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure
contemplates use with guiding a tubular member into, out of, through, and/or any other
movement with an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0037] As such, in one embodiment, the guiding member(s) 441 comprise one or more rollers,
though those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate any type of guiding
member may be used to guide a tubular member within an apparatus in accordance with
embodiments disclosed herein. For example, a guiding member may include a conveyor
belt (not shown), such as a top and/or bottom set of three or more conveyor belts
disposed about the bore of the apparatus 401. Rollers may be able to rotate, such
as by having the roller rotatably connected (e.g., by bearing) to the support ring
431, as shown in Figure 4. In such an embodiment, the rollers may be able to rotate
about an axis thereof, in which the axis of rotation for the rollers may be disposed
transverse with respect to the axis 400 of the apparatus 401. As such, the axis of
rotation for one or more of the rollers may be skewed with respect to the axis 400
of the apparatus 401. Guiding member(s) (e.g., roller) may be mounted to the apparatus
401 in any manner and/or means without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.
The roller(s) may then be used to "roll" against a surface of, for example, a flotation
module disposed about a tubular member. This engagement with the flotation module
by the guiding member may be used to prevent, at least a portion of, damage from occurring
to the flotation module and/or tubular member, e.g., from contact with the slip assemblies.
[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the guiding member 441 may have multiple sections and/or outer
profiles, such as a middle section 443 disposed between two side sections 445 in the
depicted roller 441. As such, in one or more embodiments, the middle section 443 may
have a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of one or both of the two side sections
445. Guiding member 441 may comprise one or more frustoconical sections, for example,
two frustoconical sections wherein the tapered ends are adjacent and/or abut. This
configuration may provide the guiding member with an outer surface that compliments
the outer surface of a flotation module and/or tubular member for desirable engagement
with the flotation module and/or tubular member.
[0039] Those having ordinary skill in the art, however, will appreciate that the present
disclosure is not so limited, as the guiding member of the present disclosure may
have multiple sizes, shapes, arrangements, and/or configurations. In one embodiment,
one or more of the guiding member(s) may have a convex or a concave outer surface,
e.g., in which the convex or concave surface is used to engage with the outer surface
of a flotation module and/or tubular member. Alternatively, in another embodiment,
one or more of the guiding member(s) may have a substantially cylindrical outer surface.
Further, in yet another embodiment, one or more of the guiding member(s) may have
a low coefficient outer surface, in which the low coefficient surface may enable a
flotation module and/or tubular member to "slide" against the surface of the guiding
member(s). Furthermore, additionally or alternatively to a roller, one or more of
the guiding member(s) may have a sloped surface, such as by having a surface that
is sloped towards the axis of the apparatus (e.g., to form a generally convergent
surface, for example, converging towards an opening of the bore) to facilitate guiding
a tubular member into the apparatus. Furthermore still, in one embodiment, one or
more of the guiding member(s) may collectively comprise a ring, or at least a portion
of a ring, in which the guiding member(s) may be able to move between multiple radial
positions with respect to the axis of the apparatus. For example, in one embodiment,
one or more guiding members may be disposed about an axis of the apparatus such that
the guiding member(s) form a circular, or semi-circular, arrangement with respect
to the axis of the apparatus (e.g., laterally adjacent). In such an arrangement, one
or more of the guiding members may be movable with respect to the axis of the apparatus,
such as movable radially (e.g., only radially) with respect to the axis of the apparatus.
As such, multiple sizes, shapes, arrangements, and configurations are contemplated
for one or more guiding member(s) in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0040] One or more of the guiding member(s) may be connected to the apparatus such that
the guiding member(s) may move (e.g., be actuated) in the radial direction (e.g.,
at least the radial direction) with respect to the axis of the apparatus. In such
an embodiment, the guiding member(s) may be movable between multiple radial positions
with respect to the axis of the apparatus. Such guiding member(s) may be selectively
locked into one or more of the radial positions, as desired. For example, as shown
in Figure 4, the guiding member(s) 441 may be connected to the apparatus 401 such
that the guiding member(s) 441 are moveable between multiple radial positions with
respect to the axis 400 of the apparatus 401. Specifically, in this depicted embodiment,
the guiding member 441 is connected to the support ring 431 using a removable connector
447 (
e.g., a bolt or pin movable into multiple holes or a slot in a bracket), in which connector
447 may be removed to enable the guiding member 441 to adjust the radial position
of the guiding member 441 with respect to the axis 400. As such, the present disclosure
contemplates other structures and/or arrangements for the guiding member(s) without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0041] Guiding member(s) may be driven by an actuator, e.g., driven towards and/or away
from the bore of the apparatus. An actuator may be mounted to a guiding member(s)
via linkage or other ways known in the art. An upper and/or a lower set of laterally
adjacent guiding members may comprise an actuator, to drive guide member(s) towards
and/or away from the bore of the apparatus. As such, an actuator may have a sensor
and/or a controller coupled thereto and/or with each other, in which a sensor may
be able to communicate the position of a guiding member and the controller may be
able to send signals to control the actuator, thereby enabling the actuator to move
the guiding member to a desired position. Referring now to Figure 12, a perspective
view of an apparatus 1201 to guide a tubular member in accordance with embodiments
disclosed herein is shown. In this embodiment, the apparatus 1201 includes a plurality
of guiding members 1241, in which the apparatus 1201 includes one or more actuators
1249 operatively coupled to a guiding member(s) 1241 to move the guiding member(s)
1241. For example, an actuator 1249 may be coupled to each guiding member 1241, in
which the actuator may be used to move the guiding member 1241 toward and/or away
from the axis 1200 of the apparatus 1201. In the embodiment in Figure 12, one or more
of the guiding members 1241 may be slidably mounted within a slot at an end thereof,
in which the actuator 1249 may be attached to the end of the guiding members 1241
to move the guiding members. As such, as the actuators 1249 are actuated, the actuators
1249 may move the guiding members 1241 towards and/or away from the axis 1200. Further,
in this embodiment, one or more of the actuators 1249 may be attached adjacent the
top of the apparatus 1201 when coupled to the guiding members 1241. Further, as shown
in Figure 12B, guiding members 1241 disposed at the lower end of the apparatus may
also include an actuator 1249 to move guiding members (e.g., move towards and/or away
from the axis 1200), such as similar to the actuator(s) shown in Figure 12. An actuator
used in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein may be a hydraulic,
pneumatic, electric, and/or any other actuator known in the art. An actuator may be
remotely controlled. Further, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that other arrangements for an actuator to move a guiding member of an apparatus in
accordance with embodiments disclosed herein may be used without departing from the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0042] In one embodiment, guiding member(s) having actuators connected thereto may be controlled,
such as controlled by a processor or other control system, to dispose one or more
of the actuated guiding members to a desired location (e.g., a desired distance from
the axis of the bore of the apparatus or from the surface of a tubular disposed in
the bore the apparatus). For example, guiding members (e.g., laterally adjacent guiding
members) may be actuated, such as by a processor/computer or by an operator, to move
and dispose the guiding members to a substantially uniform radial distance relative
to the axis of the bore of the tool, such as shown in Figure 12. Further, in one embodiment,
a plurality of guiding members may be actuated (e.g., a guiding surface of the guiding
members may be actuated) to a radial distance relative to the axis of the bore that
is greater than the largest radial distance (e.g., outer diameter) of a flotation
module mounted to a tubular member being run into the apparatus, but may also be less
than the smallest radial distance of the apparatus, such as the radial distance of
the gripping surface of the slip assemblies when the slip assemblies are in a retracted
(thereby no longer gripping the tubular member) position or other position with the
apparatus. In one embodiment, one set (e.g., one or more guiding members of a laterally
adjacent set of guiding members or one of an upper and a lower set of laterally adjacent
guiding members) of guiding members may be actuated and another set may be non-actuated,
for example, three or more actuated guiding members interspersed with three or more
non-actuated guiding members. Further, in one embodiment, a plurality of guiding members
may be actuated (e.g., via a controller) to move to a radial distance relative to
the axis of the bore that is less than the radial distance of the gripping surface
of the slip assemblies (e.g., in a retracted position). The plurality of guiding members
may be actuated (e.g., via a controller) to move radially away from the axis of the
bore (e.g., only) to allow the slip assemblies (e.g., the gripping surface of the
slip assemblies) to be a radial distance relative to the axis of the bore that is
less than the radial distance of the plurality of guiding members, thereby enabling
a tubular member to be gripped by the slip assemblies when desired.
[0043] In one embodiment, in an inward radial position, the guiding member(s) may be extendable
further radially inward than the gripping portion of the slip assemblies with respect
to the axis of the apparatus. In an outward radial position, the guiding member(s)
may be extendable further radially outward than the gripping portion of the slip assemblies
with respect to the axis of the apparatus. Further, those having ordinary skill in
the art will appreciate that, though one or more guiding members may have an actuator
attached thereto, in other embodiments without actuators attached thereto, guiding
members may be movable, such as movable between an inward radial position and an outward
radial position. Further, in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein,
one or more guiding members may not be movable, such as with respect to the axis of
the apparatus. In such an embodiment, the guiding member(s) may be disposed in a desired
radial position, such as by having the guiding member(s) disposed in an inward radial
position. As such, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
present disclosure contemplates multiple orientation and arrangements for the guiding
members, as the guiding members may be movable, non-movable, and/or may include one
or more actuators.
[0044] Referring now to Figure 5, a partial exploded view of an apparatus 501 to guide a
tubular member in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is shown. Specifically,
in this embodiment, the apparatus 501 is shown partial and exploded to depict the
bore formed in the bowl 503 in more detail. As such, and as discussed above, the apparatus
501 includes a bore formed by illustrated section of bowl 503, in which the bore has
a first (e.g., top) opening 507 formed at one (e.g., a top) side of the bowl 503 and
a second, opposing (e.g., bottom) opening 509 formed at the other (e.g., bottom) side
of the bore defined by bowl 503. Further, the bowl 503 has an inner wall 505 that
extends between the top opening 507 of the bowl 503 to the bottom opening 509 of the
bowl. The inner wall 505 is illustrated as tapered with respect to the axis of the
bowl and shown as a circumferentially continuous inner surface but may comprise non-continuous
surfaces as noted previously.
[0045] The apparatus 501 may include one or more guiding members 541, in which, as discussed
above, the guiding member(s) 541 may be disposed adjacent to one or more sides of
the bowl 503. As shown in Figure 5, the guiding member(s) 541 are disposed adjacent
to the bottom opening 509 of the bottom side of the bowl 503. Apparatus 501 may include
a plate assembly 551, in which the plate assembly 551 may have the guiding member(s)
541 connected thereto and the plate assembly 551 may connect to the bowl 503. Although
shown adjacent to the bottom opening 509 of bowl 503, additionally or alternatively
plate assembly 551 can be disposed adjacent to top opening 507 of the bowl 503 or
anywhere else desired. The guiding member(s) 541 may be connected to the plate assembly
551 such that the guiding member(s) 541, or at least a portion thereof, may extend
(or may be extendable) further radially inward with respect to an axis of the bore
of the tool than any component of the plate assembly 551, such as discussed above.
This may enable the guiding member(s) 541 to engage a surface of a flotation module
and/or a tubular member when being disposed within the apparatus 501.
[0046] A plate assembly 551 may include one or more plates included therein, if desired,
to connect to the guiding member(s) 541. For example, in this embodiment, the plate
assembly 551 includes a first plate 555 and a second plate 557 connected to each other
using one or more struts 591. The first plate 555 and the second plate 557 may be
disposed substantially parallel with respect to each other, and a strut may be connected
between the first plate 555 and the second plate 557 such that a gap is formed between
the first plate 555 and the second plate 557 of the plate assembly 551. As such, this
arrangement may enable one or more guiding member(s) 541 to be disposed between the
first plate 555 and the second plate 557 of the plate assembly 551, such as disposed
within gaps formed within the plate assembly 551. However, those having ordinary skill
in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure is not so limited, as other
structures and/or arrangements may be used for the apparatus without departing from
the scope of the present disclosure, such as a plate assembly having only one plate
or more than two plates, or by not including a plate assembly at all and having the
guiding member(s) connect to the bowl of the apparatus.
[0047] Further, the plate assembly 551 may removably connect to the bowl 503 of the apparatus
501, if desired. As shown in Figure 5, the plate assembly 551 may removably connect
to the bowl 503 using a bolt or pin 561 that removably attaches to a shaft 553 of
the plate assembly 551 through the bowl 503. However, those having ordinary skill
in the art will appreciate that other mechanisms, devices, structures, and/or arrangements
may be used to removably connect the plate assembly to the bowl of the apparatus,
such as by latching a surface of the plate assembly to a surface of the bowl, without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0048] Furthermore, one or more components of an apparatus in accordance with embodiments
disclosed herein may be formed into one or more sections or unitary. For example,
in select embodiments, the bowl may be formed into more than one section. Specifically,
as shown in Figure 5, the bowl 503 may be formed into two sections (though only one
section is shown) such that the sections form two substantially similar halves. Similarly,
the support ring may be formed into more than one section and the plate assembly may
be formed into more than one section, as desired. Forming the apparatus into more
than one section may facilitate installation of the apparatus. For example, the size
and weight of the components of the gripping apparatus may be reduced when portioned
into sections. In such embodiments, the sections of the bowl, support ring, and any
other components of the apparatus, may be formed such that the sections are formed
along a plane intersecting with the axis of the apparatus. However, those having ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure is not so limited, as
the sections may be formed for the apparatus may be formed along any other lines,
if the sections are formed for the apparatus at all.
[0049] Referring now to Figures 6A-6D, multiple views of an apparatus 601 guiding a tubular
member 693 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is shown. Figure 6A shows
a top perspective view of the apparatus 601 guiding a tubular member 693, Figure 6B
shows a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 601 guiding a tubular member 693, Figure
6C shows an above view of the apparatus 601 guiding a tubular member 693, and Figure
6D shows a below view of the apparatus 601 guiding a tubular member 693.
[0050] As with the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the apparatus 601 shown here in Figure
6 may be disposed within a surface 691, such as disposed within an adapter ring included
within a rotary table of a drilling rig. Further, in this embodiment, the tubular
member 693 has a flotation module 695 disposed about the tubular member 693. The flotation
module 695 may be disposed about and connected to the tubular member 693. An example
of a flotation module is disclosed within
U.S. Patent No. 7,383,885, filed on September 22, 2004, and entitled "Floatation Module and Method". As such, flotation modules (e.g., positive
buoyancy modules) having other shapes, sizes, structures, and/or arrangements may
be used in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, such as by having a lower
density material, with respect to the tubular member and/or the fluid the buoyancy
module is disposed in, applied to and/or disposed about an outer surface of the tubular
member.
[0051] Further, the apparatus 601 may include a bowl 603 and a plurality of slip assemblies
621, in addition to a support ring 631 and one or more guiding member(s) 641. The
guiding member(s) 641 may be substantially equally spaced from one another about the
longitudinal axis of the bowl 603. As such, and as described above, the guiding member(s)
641 may be used to guide the tubular member 693 when the tubular member 693 is being
disposed adjacent to and/or within the apparatus 601. For example, as the flotation
module 695 is disposed about and connected to the tubular member 693, one or more
of the guiding member(s) 641 may engage a surface of the flotation module 695 to guide
the tubular member 693 into and/or through the apparatus 601.
[0052] As shown and discussed above, an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure
may be used to grip or support one or more tubular members. For example, as shown
in one or more embodiments discussed above, the apparatus may include one or more
slip assemblies, in which the slip assemblies may be used to grip a tubular member.
As such, an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may be any other gripping
or supporting apparatus known in the art. For example, in addition or in alternative
to a gripping apparatus, a supporting apparatus may be used in accordance with guiding
embodiments disclosed herein that supports one or more tubular members within a drilling
rig, such as supporting a tubular string of tubular members suspended from a drilling
rig. An example of a supporting apparatus is disclosed within
U.S. Patent No. 6,651,737, filed on January 24, 2001, and entitled "Collar Load Support system and Method". E.g., the supporting apparatus
of the
6,651,737 patent could be outfitted with guiding member(s), e.g., guiding members disposed
about the top and bottom openings of the apparatuses disclosed therein.
[0053] Referring now to Figures 7A and 7B, multiple bottom perspective views of an apparatus
701 guiding a tubular member 793 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is
shown. As with the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the depicted tubular member 793 has
a flotation module 795 disposed about and connected to the tubular member 793.
[0054] Further, the apparatus 701 may include one or more guiding members 741 disposed adjacent
to one (e.g., top or bottom) opening of a bore of the apparatus 701, or adjacent to
each of the two openings (e.g., top and bottom) of the apparatus 701. The apparatus
701 may include a plate assembly 751, in which the one or more guiding members 741
may be connected (e.g., fixed or movably (optionally movable via an actuator)) to
the plate assembly 751. As such, the guiding member(s) 741 may be used to guide the
tubular member 793 when the tubular member 793 is being disposed within the apparatus
701, such as by having the guiding member(s) engage a surface of the flotation module
795 connected to the tubular member 793. Further, the plate assembly 751 shown in
Figure 7A may only have one plate 755, whereas the plate assembly 751 shown in Figure
7B may have two plates 755 and 757. As such, as discussed above and in accordance
with embodiments disclosed herein, a plate assembly may have multiple structures and/or
arrangements, or a plate assembly may not be included within the apparatus at all.
In such an embodiment, the guiding member(s) may be attached to the apparatus and/or
may be disposed within the apparatus. Thus, the present disclosure contemplates other
structures and/or arrangements for the apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0055] Accordingly, in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein, as the
apparatus 741 may include guiding members 741 disposed adjacent to the openings of
the apparatus 701, the guiding members 741 are used to contact and guide a tubular
member into, within, and/or through the apparatus 741. As such, when guiding the tubular
member, guiding members 741 from the top of the apparatus 701 and guiding members
741 from the bottom of the apparatus 701 may be used to establish at least two points-of-contact
with the tubular member, such as axially and/or radially spaced points-of-contact.
For example, one point-of-contact with the tubular may be axially spaced from another
point-of-contact with respect to the axis of the apparatus. Further, in another example,
one point-of-contact with the tubular may be radially spaced from another point-of-contact
with respect to the axis of the apparatus. By establishing two points-of-contact with
the tubular member with the guiding members, this may prevent the tubular member,
and other components attached to the tubular member (
e.g., flotation module) from contacting the apparatus 701, such as from having the flotation
module from contacting a slip assembly (e.g., the gripping surface thereof) of the
apparatus 701. For example, at least two axially spaced points-of-contact may prevent
a tubular member from contacting a slip assembly of an apparatus 701. Further, at
least two radially spaced points-of-contact may be used to guide a tubular member
through the bore of an apparatus, for example, such that the guiding members 741 of
the apparatus 701 are the only elements that may be able to contact the tubular member
and/or buoyancy module(s) connected to the tubular member e.g., when the slip assemblies
are in the retracted position.. Accordingly, at least two points-of-contact with the
tubular member may be used to have a desired orientation and movement of the tubular
member into, within, and/or through an apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments
disclosed herein. The slip assemblies may be retractable to a radial distance from
the axis to prevent contact with any outer diameter protrusion of a tubular. For example,
as discussed below with reference to Figures 10A-10D.
[0056] Referring now to Figures 8A-8C, multiple views of an apparatus 801 gripping a tubular
member 893 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is shown. Specifically,
Figure 8A shows a perspective view of the apparatus 801 gripping the tubular member
893, Figure 8B shows a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 801 disposed about the
tubular member 893, and Figure 8C shows a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 801
gripping the tubular member 893.
[0057] As discussed above, an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein
may be used to grip and support a tubular member, such as when suspending a string
of tubular members. As such, in this embodiment, the apparatus 801 is used to grip
and support the tubular member 893. Specifically, the apparatus 801 may include a
bowl 803 with a plurality of slip assemblies 821 movably connected thereto (e.g.,
disposed therein), in which the plurality of slip assemblies 821 may move radially
inward and longitudinally downward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bowl
803, e.g., when the tubular member 893 is disposed within the apparatus 801. For example,
the slip assemblies 821 may move radially inward and longitudinally downward from
a first position, such as a retracted position shown in Figure 8B, to a second position,
such as an engaged position shown in Figure 8C. As such, the plurality of slip assemblies
821 may be used to grip an outer surface of the tubular member 893.
[0058] Further, the depicted tubular member 893 has a flotation module 895 disposed about
and connected to the tubular member 893. When a flotation module 895 is disposed into
the apparatus 801, the plurality of slip assemblies 821 may be disposed at a first
position, such as the retracted position shown in Figure 8B, which includes having
the plurality of slip assemblies 821 extended radially outward and longitudinally
upward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bowl 803. The flotation module
895 may pass through the apparatus 801, such as by having one or more guiding members
841 connected to the apparatus 801 engaging a surface of the flotation module 895
to guide the flotation module 895 and the tubular member 893, at least partially,
through the apparatus 801. After the flotation module 895 has passed through the apparatus
801, the plurality of slip assemblies 821 may be disposed at a second position, such
as the engaged position shown in Figure 8C, which includes having the plurality of
slip assemblies 821 extended radially inward and longitudinally downward with respect
to the longitudinal axis of the bowl 803. This arrangement may allow the plurality
of slip assemblies 821 to grip an outer surface of the tubular member 893. However,
as discussed above, an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may be
any other gripping or supporting apparatus known in the art, rather than only the
embodiment disclosed in Figures 8A-8C.
[0059] Further, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in accordance
with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more guiding member(s)
may be disposed adjacent any pipe gripping or supporting apparatus known in the art..
As such, the guiding member(s) may be used to guide tubular members, such as tubular
members having flotation modules attached thereto, through any gripping or supporting
apparatus. In an embodiment, in which guiding member(s) are disposed adjacent to the
top side of the apparatus and the bottom side of the apparatus, the guiding member(s)
on both the top side and bottom side of the apparatus may be used to guide and prevent
contact of the tubular member with other portions of the apparatus.
[0060] Further, as shown in Figure 8B, as the guiding member(s) 841 are disposed adjacent
to both the top side of the bowl 803 and the bottom side of the bowl 803, a tubular
member with a flotation module may be disposed through the apparatus 801 while preventing
contact with the retracted slip assemblies 821. As such, the tubular member and flotation
module may be able to contact the guiding member(s) 841 disposed adjacent to both
the top side of the bowl 803 and the bottom side of the bowl 803, such as by contacting
a guiding member disposed adjacent to the top side of the bowl 803 and a guiding member
disposed adjacent to the bottom side of the bowl 803 simultaneously. This may particularly
prevent contact of the tubular member and flotation module with the slip assemblies
821 of the apparatus 801.
[0061] Referring now to Figures 9A-9D, multiple views of a gripping apparatus 901 having
a plurality of slip assemblies 921 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein
are shown. Specifically, Figures 9A and 9B show multiple views of the gripping apparatus
901 with the plurality of slip assemblies 921 in an engaged position, in which Figure
9A shows a perspective view of the gripping apparatus 901 and Figure 9B shows an above
view of the gripping apparatus 901. Specifically, Figures 9C and 9D show multiple
views of the gripping apparatus 901 with the plurality of slip assemblies 921 in an
retracted position, in which Figure 9C shows a perspective view of the gripping apparatus
901 and Figure 9D shows an above view of the gripping apparatus 901.
[0062] As discussed above, the apparatus 901 may be used to grip and support a tubular member.
For example, the apparatus 901 may include a bowl 903 with the plurality of slip assemblies
921 movably connected thereto, in which the plurality of slip assemblies 921 may move
radially inward and outward and longitudinally upward and downward with respect to
the longitudinal axis of the bowl 903. As such, the slip assemblies 921 may move radially
inward and longitudinally downward from a first position, such as the retracted position
shown in Figures 9C and 9D, to a second position, such as the engaged position shown
in Figures 9A and 9B.
[0063] Further, a gripping apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed
herein may include one or more protectors coupled to the gripping apparatus, in which
the protectors may be used to protect one or more tools, flotation modules, and/or
any other component disposed within the gripping apparatus. For example, as shown
in Figures 9A-9D, the gripping apparatus 901 may include one or more protectors 971
coupled thereto. Particularly, as shown in this embodiment, the protectors 971 may
be movably coupled to the gripping apparatus 901, such as movably connected to or
within the bowl 903 of the gripping apparatus 901. The protectors 971 may connect
to one or more rods 973, in which the rods 973 may be disposed within and/or through
the bowl 903 of the gripping apparatus 901. Further, the rods 973 may be able to rotate
with respect to the bowl 903 of the gripping apparatus 901. Protector 971 connected
to a rod 973 (rotatable or not) may be able to rotate about the rod 973 with respect
to the bowl 903 of the apparatus 901.
[0064] As shown, as the protectors 971 are movable with respect to the apparatus 901, the
protectors 971 may move as the slip assemblies 921 move within the apparatus 901.
As such, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, with the plurality of slip assemblies 921
in an engaged position, the protectors 971 may enable the slip assemblies 921 to pass
between one or more of the protectors 971 to have the slip assemblies 921 move radially
inward and longitudinally downward with respect to the axis of the apparatus 901.
Further, as shown in Figures 9C and 9D, with the plurality of slip assemblies 921
in the retracted position, the protectors 971 may close about the slip assemblies
921 and cover at least a portion of the slip assemblies 921. One or more of the protectors
971, thus, may be biased, for example, an actuator, spring and/or other biasing mechanism
may be used to bias one or more of the protectors into the position as shown in Figures
9C and/or 9D. Protectors 971 thus may protect one or more tubular and/or flotation
modules that may be disposed within and/or through the apparatus 901, such as by preventing
a tubular and/or flotation module from contacting the slip assemblies 921 of the apparatus
901 when disposed within the apparatus 901. Protector 971 may extend axially the entire
length of a slip assembly 921, and/or may be less than the entire length of the slip
assemblies 921 (e.g., that part of the slip assembly having teeth or other gripping
surface).
[0065] As shown, a protector 971 may be disposed on each side of each slip assembly 921
included with the apparatus 901. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the present disclosure is not so limited, as the present disclosure
contemplates multiple structures and arrangements for protectors within a gripping
apparatus. For example, in one embodiment, a protector may be disposed on only one
side of a (e.g., each) slip assembly within the apparatus, or, in another embodiment,
only one protector may be included within the apparatus altogether. As such, multiple
structures and arrangements may be used for the protectors of an apparatus without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0066] Referring now to Figure 10A-10D, multiple views of a portion of a gripping apparatus
1001 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein are shown. Specifically, Figures
10A-10D show a portion of gripping apparatus 1001 with a tubular member 1093 disposed
therein.
[0067] The gripping apparatus 1001 may be used to guide the tubular member 1093 with one
or more guiding members 1041, in which the guiding members 1041 may be movably connected
to the apparatus 1001. For example, the guiding members 1041 may be able to rotate
with respect to the apparatus 1001. However, as discussed above, the guiding members
1041 may be able to move with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1001,
such as move radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1001.
As such, in Figures 10A and 10B, the guiding members 1041 are disposed at a first
radial position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1001, and in
Figures 10C and 10D, the guiding members 1041 are shown as disposed at a second radial
position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1001. Accordingly,
one or more of the guiding members 1041 may be movable between multiple radial positions,
such as movable between the first radial position shown in Figures 10A and 10B and
the second radial position shown in Figures 10C and 10D.
[0068] In one embodiment, as the guiding members may be radially movable with respect to
the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, the guiding members may be moved radially
to prevent damage to a tubular member, to prevent damage to a tool, to prevent damage
to a flotation module attached to a tubular member, and/or to prevent damage to any
other component that may be disposed within and/or through a gripping apparatus in
accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein. As such, as shown in Figures
10A and 10B, the guiding members 1041 are shown as disposed in the first radial position,
in which in this radial position, the flotation module 1095 attached to the tubular
member 1093 may interfere with one or more of the slip assemblies 1021 within the
apparatus 1001. Further, this interference may cause a component of or attached to
the tubular member 1093 to be damaged. For example, a collar 1097 of the tubular member
1093 (e.g., casing), which may have a larger outer diameter than the tubular member
1093, may interfere with the slip assemblies 1021, even though the tubular member
1093 is being guided by guide member 1041. Furthermore, the axial length of the component,
which may have a larger diameter than the tubular member, may be shorter than the
axial length between the guide members. This may enable the component attached to
the tubular member to interfere with one or more slip assemblies of the apparatus,
even though the tubular member is being guided by the guiding members.
[0069] As such, the guiding members 1041 may be moved further radially inward with respect
to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1001, and/or the slip assemblies 1021 may
be moved further radially outward, to prevent interference (e.g., damage) to the tubular
member 1093 and components thereof, such as the collar 1097 or a flotation module.
For example, the guiding members 1041 may be disposed in a second radial position,
which is closer to the longitudinal axis than the first radial position. In this radial
position, the tubular member 1093, and any component attached thereto, may be prevented
from interfering with the slip assemblies 1021 within the apparatus 1001. Further,
in one or more embodiments, the slip assemblies 1021 may be moved radially outward
with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1001 such that the tubular
member 1093, and any component attached thereto, may be prevented from interfering
with the slip assemblies 1021 within the apparatus 1001. Accordingly, even though
a component may be attached to a tubular member when in use with an apparatus or method
in accordance with the present disclosure, the guiding members and/or the slip assemblies
may be used to prevent interference with the tubular member (and components thereof)
and the slip assemblies of the apparatus. For example, in one embodiment, even though
a tubular member may have a component attached thereto, as the component passes within,
into, and/or through the apparatus, the guiding members and/or the slip assemblies
may be positioned to prevent interference with the component of the tubular member
and the slip assemblies.
[0070] Accordingly, in one embodiment, one or more of the guiding members of the present
disclosure may be disposed at a location that is radially closer to the longitudinal
axis of the apparatus than the location of one or more slip assemblies of the apparatus.
As such, the guiding members of the present disclosure may be used to prevent damage
to a tubular member, a tool, a flotation module, and/or any other component that may
be disposed within and/or through a gripping apparatus in accordance with one or more
embodiments disclosed herein. As discussed above, the guiding members may be movable
through the use of an actuator coupled thereto. Further, as discussed above, one or
more protectors may be disposed adjacent to one or more of the slip assemblies, such
as to prevent contact between the slip assemblies and a tubular member and/or a component
attached thereto. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that the present disclosure is not so limited, as other embodiments, arrangements,
and components may be used for an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed
herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0071] As discussed above, one or more (or all) of the guiding members may be driven by
an actuator, e.g., driven towards and/or away from the longitudinal axis of the bore
of the gripping apparatus. As such, in one embodiment, the guiding members may comprise
an actuator to move the guiding members between the first position, shown in Figures
10A and 10B, and the second position, shown in Figures 10C and 10D. Further, as also
discussed above, the guiding members having actuators connected thereto may be controlled
by a processor or other control system to dispose one or more of the guiding members
at a desired location (e.g., a desired distance from the axis of the bore of the tool).
[0072] Accordingly, aspects of embodiments disclosed herein, such as controlling and/or
moving one or more guiding members, slip assemblies, actuators and/or controlling
and moving any other components of a gripping apparatus, may be implemented on any
type of control system, e.g., hydraulic, pneumatic, electric and/or mechanical system.
A control system may comprise sensor(s) and/or actuator(s). A control system may comprise
a computer regardless of the platform being used. For example, as shown in Figure
11, a networked computer system 1110 that may be used in accordance with an embodiment
disclosed herein includes a processor 1120, associated memory 1130, a storage device
1140, and numerous other elements and functionalities typical of today's computers
(not shown). The networked computer system 1110 may also include input means, such
as a keyboard 1150 and a mouse 1160, and output means, such as a monitor 1170. The
depicted networked computer system 1110 is connected to a local area network (LAN)
or a wide area network (e.g., the Internet) (not shown) via a network interface connection
(not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these input and output
means may take many other forms. Additionally, the computer system may not be connected
to a network. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more elements
of aforementioned computer 1110 may be located at a remote location and connected
to the other elements over a network. As such, a computer system, such as the networked
computer system 1110, and/or any other computer system known in the art may be used
in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0073] It should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates a method to guide
a tubular member, such as when assembling a string of tubular members together, e.g.,
using a gripping apparatus. One or more of the tubular members may have a flotation
module disposed thereabout, in which the tubular member with the flotation device
may be guided through a bore of the apparatus. The present disclosure also contemplates
a method to assemble an apparatus used to guide a tubular member.
[0074] Further, it should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates using an
apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein within one, or multiple,
drilling rigs. For example, embodiments disclosed herein provide an apparatus that
may be used to guide a tubular member. As such, when assembling a string of tubular
members to each other, such as within a drilling rig, the apparatus may be used to
assist and support the string of tubular members.
[0075] Embodiments disclosed herein may provide for one or more of the following advantages.
First, embodiments disclosed herein may provide for an apparatus that may be used
to guide a tubular member, such as a tubular member having a flotation module connected
thereto. Further, embodiments disclosed herein may provide for an apparatus that is
used to support a tubular member and/or a string of tubular members. In such embodiments,
the apparatus may be used to prevent damage, at least partially, from occurring to
a tubular member and/or a flotation module connected to the tubular member.
[0076] While the present disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number
of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will
appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope
of the disclosure as described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should
be limited only by the attached claims.
1. Vorrichtung (401; 501; 601; 701; 801; 901; 1001; 1201) zum Führen eines röhrenförmigen
Elements (693; 793; 893; 1093) mit einem Flotationsmodul (695; 795; 895; 1095), welches
an einem äußeren Umfang des röhrenförmigen Elements (693; 793; 893; 1093) angebracht
ist, wobei die Vorrichtung (401; 501; 601; 701; 801; 1001) umfasst:
eine Schale (403; 503; 603; 803; 903; 1203), welche eine Bohrung (405; 505) mit einer
ersten Öffnung (407; 507), die an einer oberen Seite der Schale (403; 503; 603; 803;
903; 1203) gebildet ist, einer zweiten Öffnung (509), die an einer unteren Seite der
Schale (403; 503; 603; 803; 903; 1203) gebildet ist, und einer sich verjüngenden inneren
Wand (505), die sich von der ersten Öffnung (407; 507) zu der zweiten Öffnung (509)
über eine Längsachse (400; 1200) erstreckt, bildet;
eine Gleitanordnung (421; 621; 821; 921; 1021), welche bewegbar innerhalb der Schale
(403; 503; 603; 803; 903; 1203) angeordnet ist;
ein erstes Führungselement (441; 541; 641; 741; 841; 1041; 1241), welches benachbart
zu der ersten Öffnung (407; 507) der Schale (403; 503; 603; 803; 903; 1203) angeordnet
ist; und
ein zweites Führungselement (441; 541; 641; 741; 841; 1041; 1241), welches benachbart
zu der zweiten Öffnung (509) der Schale (403; 503; 603; 803; 903; 1203) angeordnet
ist,
wobei mindestens eines von dem ersten Führungselement (441; 541; 641; 741; 841; 1041;
1241) und dem zweiten Führungselement (441; 541; 641; 741; 841; 1041; 1241) einen
Wälzkörper umfasst, um das Flotationsmodul (695; 795; 895; 1095), welches innerhalb
der Bohrung angeordnet ist, zu berühren.
2. Vorrichtung (401; 601) nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend einen Stützring (431; 631),
welcher benachbart zu der oberen Seite der Schale (403; 603) angeordnet ist, wobei
das erste Führungselement (441) mit dem Stützring (431) verbunden ist.
3. Vorrichtung (401; 601) nach Anspruch 2, wobei der Stützring (431; 631) ein Zeitsteuerring
ist und entlang der Längsachse (400) der Schale (403; 603) in Bezug auf die Schale
(403; 603) bewegbar ist, um die Gleitanordnung (421; 621) zu bewegen.
4. Vorrichtung (401; 601) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend erste
mehrere Führungselemente (441; 641), wobei die ersten mehreren Führungselemente (441;
641) das erste Führungselement (441; 641) aufweisen, wobei die ersten mehreren Führungselemente
(441; 641) im Wesentlichen gleichmäßig voneinander um die Längsachse (400) beabstandet
sind.
5. Vorrichtung (501; 701) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei eines von dem
ersten Führungselement (541; 741) und dem zweiten Führungselement (541; 741) eine
Plattenanordnung (551; 751) umfasst.
6. Vorrichtung (401; 601) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend zweite
mehrere Führungselemente (441; 641), wobei die zweiten mehreren Führungselemente (441;
641) das zweite Führungselement (441; 641) aufweisen, wobei die zweiten mehreren Führungselemente
(441; 641) im Wesentlichen gleichmäßig voneinander um die Längsachse (400) beabstandet
sind.
7. Vorrichtung (501; 701) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei mindestens eines
von dem ersten Führungselement (541; 741) und dem zweiten Führungselement (541; 741)
mit der Schale (503) bewegbar verbunden ist.
8. Vorrichtung (1001) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei mindestens eines
von dem ersten Führungselement (1041) und dem zweiten Führungselement (1041) in Bezug
auf die Längsachse der Schale (1003) radial bewegbar ist.
9. Vorrichtung (1001; 1201) nach Anspruch 8, wobei mindestens eines von dem ersten Führungselement
(1041; 1241) und dem zweiten Führungselement (1041; 1241) mit einem Stellglied (1249)
der Vorrichtung (1021) verbunden ist, um in Bewegung versetzt zu werden.
10. Vorrichtung (401; 501; 601; 701; 801; 901; 1001; 1201) nach einem der vorhergehenden
Ansprüche, wobei mindestens eines von dem ersten Führungselement (441; 541; 641; 741;
841; 941; 1041; 1241) und dem zweiten Führungselement (441; 541; 641; 741; 841; 941;
1041; 1241) eingerichtet ist, um es dem röhrenförmigen Element (693; 793; 893; 1093)
mit dem Flotationsmodul (695; 795; 895; 1095), welches daran angebracht ist, zu ermöglichen,
entlang der und durch die Bohrung der Schale (403; 503; 603; 803; 903, 1203) zu laufen.
11. Vorrichtung (901) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend eine Schutzeinrichtung
(971), welche bewegbar innerhalb der Schale (903) und benachbart zu der Gleitanordnung
(921) angeordnet ist.
12. Vorrichtung (901) nach Anspruch 11, wobei die Schutzeinrichtung (971) zwischen einer
ersten Position und einer zweiten Position bewegbar ist, wobei die Schutzeinrichtung
(971) hin zu der ersten Position vorgespannt ist.
13. Verfahren zum Führen eines röhrenförmigen Elements (693; 793; 893; 1093), welches
ein Flotationsmodul (695; 795; 895; 1095) umfasst, wobei das Verfahren umfasst:
Bereitstellen einer Vorrichtung (401; 501; 601; 701; 801; 901; 1001; 1201), umfassend:
eine Schale (403; 503; 603; 803; 903; 1203), welche eine Bohrung (405; 505) mit einer
ersten Öffnung (407; 507), die an einer oberen Seite der Schale (403; 503; 603; 803;
903; 1203) gebildet ist, einer zweiten Öffnung (509), die an einer unteren Seite der
Schale (403; 503; 603; 803; 903; 1203) gebildet ist, und einer sich verjüngenden inneren
Wand (505), die sich von der ersten Öffnung (407; 507) zu der zweiten Öffnung (509)
über eine Längsachse (400; 1200) erstreckt, bildet; eine Gleitanordnung (421; 621;
821; 921; 1021), welche bewegbar innerhalb der Schale (403; 503; 603; 803; 903; 1203)
angeordnet ist; ein erstes Führungselement (441; 541; 641; 741; 841; 1041; 1241),
welches benachbart zu der ersten Öffnung (407; 507) der Schale (403; 503; 603; 803;
903; 1203) angeordnet ist; und ein zweites Führungselement (441; 541; 641; 741; 841;
10 1041; 1241), welches benachbart zu der zweiten Öffnung (509) der Schale (403; 503;
603; 803; 903; 1203) angeordnet ist, wobei mindestens eines von dem ersten Führungselement
(441; 541; 641; 741; 841; 1041; 1241) und dem zweiten Führungselement (441; 541; 641;
741; 841; 1041; 1241) einen Wälzkörper umfasst, um das Flotationsmodul (695; 795;
895; 1095), welches innerhalb der Bohrung angeordnet ist, zu berühren;
Anordnen des röhrenförmigen Elements (693; 793; 893; 1093) zumindest teilweise innerhalb
der Bohrung (405; 505) der Vorrichtung (401; 501; 601; 701; 801; 901; 1001; 1201);
und
Führen des Flotationsmoduls (695; 795; 895; 1095) mit dem ersten und zweiten Führungselement
(441; 541; 641; 741; 841; 1041; 1241).
14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, ferner umfassend:
bewegbares Anordnen einer Schutzeinrichtung (971) benachbart zu der Gleitanordnung
(921).
15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, ferner umfassend:
Berühren des Flotationsmoduls (695; 795; 895; 1095) mit einer Führungsfläche von mindestens
einem von dem ersten Führungselement (641; 741; 841; 1041) und dem zweiten Führungselement
(641; 741; 841; 1041), wodurch verhindert wird, dass das mindestens eine Flotationsmodul
(695; 795; 895; 1095) die Gleitanordnung (621; 1021) berührt.
16. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, ferner umfassend:
Bewegen mindestens eines von dem ersten Führungselement (441; 541; 641; 741; 841;
941; 1041; 1241) und dem zweiten Führungselement (441; 541; 641; 741; 841; 941; 1041;
1241) in Bezug auf die Längsachse (400; 1200) der Schale (403; 503; 603; 803; 903;
1203).
17. Verfahren nach Anspruch 16, ferner umfassend:
Betätigen eines Stellglieds (1249), welches mit mindestens einem von dem ersten Führungselement
(1241) und dem zweiten Führungselement (1241) verbunden ist, sodass das Stellglied
mindestens eines von dem ersten Führungselement und dem zweiten Führungselement (1241)
radial bewegt.