US3799364A

US3799364A - Automatic racker board finger pivot system

Info

Publication number: US3799364A
Application number: US00321488A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Kelly; J Tomashek
Original assignee: Borg Warner Corp
Current assignee: Varco International Inc
Priority date: 1973-01-05
Filing date: 1973-01-05
Publication date: 1974-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-26

Abstract

Pipe racker apparatus for a well drilling unit including a pipe racking finger board having finger latch mechanisms which are locally operative to pivot individual latches in response to an actuator extending in discrete movements from a pipe racker head; the finger latch mechanisms may be automatically cycled in association with the actuator as the racker head engages and disengages pipe.

Description

United States Patent [191 Kelly et al.

AUTOMATIC RACKER BOARD FINGER PIVOT SYSTEM Inventors: Robert R. Kelly, Hoffman Estates;

James R. Tomashek, Wood Dale, both of Ill.

Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago,

Filed: Jan. 5, 1973 Appl. No.: 321,488

Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 232,376, March 7, 1972, abandoned.

US. Cl. 214/2.5, 175/85 Int. Cl. E2lb 19/00 Field of Search 214/1 P, 2.5; 175/85;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1937 Nash 214/25 X [4 1 Mar. 26, 1974 2,162,653 6/1939 Umphres 214/2.5 2,628,725 2/1953 Stone 214/25 3,501,017 3/1970 Johnson 214/2.5 X

Primary Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Donald W. Banner [57] ABSTRACT Pipe racker apparatus for a well drilling unit including a pipe racking finger board having finger latch mechanisms which are locally operative to pivot individual latches in response to an actuator extending in discrete movements from a pipe racker head; the finger latch mechanisms may be automatically cycled in association with the actuator as the ra'cker head engages and disengages pipe.

26 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures Pmmmmzsm 7 3799.364

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AUTOMATIC RACKER BOARD FINGER PIVOT SYSTEM REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed generally to the field of oil well drilling and related equipment as adapted to offshore drilling. In such drilling, stable platforms are used in shallow water but'floating platforms are desirable or necessary for deep water drilling.

Such floating platforms generally comprise a barge or ship on' which is mounted the rig or derrick. These floating platforms and ships tend to be unstable, with respect to the subsurface earth formation, making it extremely difficult to mount the equipment and perform the operations-in a manner which will most efficiently permit drilling.

Particularly, for the purpose of this disclosure, the pipe handling equipment must be devised so that the pipe may be positioned quickly and accurately for placing in the well hole, or may be stacked or racked in such a manner that it cannot yield to the forces created by the roll or pitch of a vessel or by the force of wind or other forces which normally might be no problem in drilling from a stable platform.

In handling the pipe, the sections are ordinarily cou pled into what is termed stands made up of several sections for handling purposes. It is customary to work a stand of three sections of pipe or drill collars, which stand of pipe must be from time to time racked in position away from the center of the derrick so as to be out of the way of the drilling operations, but readily available to be picked up and lowered into the hole or well.

Heretofore, various methods have been devised for placing'the pipe over the well opening or for racking the stands. Particular attention hasbeen given to the question of locking the pipe against displacement. Previous methods have most often consisted of laying the stands down in horizontal fashion for racking. How ever, some attempts have been made to rack the stands of pipe vertically, especially where the drilling platform is stable. Reference is .made to U.S. Pats. No. 2,507,040, No. 2,619,234, No. 2,628,725 and No. 2,703,178, as showing some of the activity in providing equipment for vertical racking. More recent development is reflected in U.S. Pats. No. 3,498,586, No. 3,501,017, No. 3,503,460, No. 3,550,466, No. 3,592,347 No. 3,561,811 and No. 3,615,027. There are other examples.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION substantial portion of the components which are proven and employed with such present apparatus.

The foregoing and other provisions and advantages are provided by vertical well pipe racking apparatus having a finger board with horizontally disposed fingers spaced apart to accommodate well pipe racked vertically between the fingers, a racker head means for supporting a pipe and guiding the pipe to an appropriate space between the racker fingers, and a pipe retaining latch means mounted in pivotal relation to each of the fingers and movable between a vertical position leaving the space clear between the fingers and a horizontal position extending laterally between the fingers to retain said pipe as being retained between said fingers adjacent the latch means when so extended. The improvement comprises pivoting means associated with each of the latch means to selectively pivot the latch means through a cycle between the vertical position and the horizontal position responsive to discrete applications of external mechanical force, and an actuator means mounted with the racker head to apply discrete mechanical forces to the pivoting means to selectively pivot the latch means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a drilling derrick assembly adapted for installation on a ship or barge and illustrating an installation of apparatus utilizing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating some of the racking equipment forming the subject matter of the present invention, the view being fragmentary and taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale showing details of the finger board and racking equipment of FIG. 2 as taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary partly sectional elevational view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a portion of the finger board with a drill pipe in place therein;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the fluid pressure actuating system for the actuating and latch pivoting mechanisms best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a mechanical alternate of the latch pivoting mechanism shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a partial plan view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 10 with parts broken away to illustrate details;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14l4 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is an exploded partial sectional view of a part of the mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and '14;

FIG. 16 is a partial enlarged sectional view of a portion of the mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, '13 and 14;

view taken on line 13-13 of FIGS. 17 and 18 are enlarged views of portions of the mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 11, l2, l3 and 14;

FIG. 19, is a sectional view taken on lines 1919 of FIG. 16;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are bottom views of the parts illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 respectively;

FIG. 22 is a partial developed view of the action of the parts illustrated in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18; and

FIG. 23 is a schematic hydraulic circuit for operating the embodiment of FIGS. to 22.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to FIG. 1, a well drilling derrick 10 is shown somewhat schematically, sway braces, guy wires and similar structural members being omitted to enable working apparatus to be shown more clearly. The derrick has generally vertical corner posts supported on a drilling platform 12 through base members as shown. A water table near the top of the derrick (not shown) carries the usual crown block which is aligned with the vertical center line of the derrick. Suspended from the crown block by cable is a travelling block suspending a hookstructure 14. Elevator links are swingably suspended from ears on the hook structure, and the links have a pipe elevator swingably attached as shown.

The general reference numeral 16 denotes apparatus for positioning and guiding the block and hook structure through a stabilizing device (not shown).

A stand 18 of drill pipe is shown as being supported by pipe-handling equipment including rackers and 22. Other stands 18' of drill pipe and a stand 26 of drill collars are shown at rest in a pipe rack having a finger board 28, a base 30, and an intermediate rack member 32. The upper end of the string of drill pipe 24 is shown projecting above the power tongs 34, the pipe slips 36, and the rotary table 38. Projecting outwardly as shown from the derrick and positioned under the racker 20 is a horizontal stage upon which an operator may stand to adjust or repair the racker.

Associated with the racker 20 is a cable 40 actuated by a fluid-powered piston-and-cylinder motor 42 for raising and lowering a component of the racker 22.

Referring next primarily to FIG. 2, the finger board 28 is shown as being in two sections; one 46, located on the right-hand (shown as upper) side, and the other,

44, located on the left-hand (shown as lower) side of central opening 48 extending laterally with respect to the center of the well between the rack sections 46 and 44. It is noted that this finger board assembly 28 is positioned at a considerable height in the derrick 10, for example, approximately 90 feet above the platform 12.

The finger board assembly 28 has the side rail 50 extending across and forming what may be termed the rear of the combined finger board assembly. Extending across the outer or closed side of the left-hand finger board section 44 is what may be termed an end rail 52, and extending across the left-hand outer end of the finger board section (not shown) is another end rail. Extending inwardly from the endrail 52 is a front rail 54. Another front rail 56 is similarly extending from finger board section 46 as shown. The rails comprise the framework for supporting the finger board sections, and are sometimes referred to as a walkaround. The front rails 54 and 56 have appropriate bracing as shown.

Mounted on the end rail 50 are the drill pipe fingers 58 as shown and the drill collar finger 60. These fingers are mounted on their left-hand ends to extend horizontally across the derrick, and are spaced apart laterally from the front rail 54 to the drill collar finger 60 a distance sufficient to accommodate the size of drill pipe to be racked therein. The drill collar finger 60 is spaced from the side rail 50 a distance sufficient to accomodate the diameter of the drill collar to be racked therein. Appropriate details of these racking fingers will be described later. The space between the front rail 54 and the adjacent finger 58 is here shown at 62. This space extends from the outer end of the finger to the base of the finger near the rail 52 and has sufficient horizontal depth to accommodate a selected number of stands or joints of pipe, in the illustration here shown as twelve. The same holds true with respect to the spaces defined between the remaining fingers 58. The space 64 between the drill collar finger 60 and the side rail 50 is greater than that between the other fingers, but the depth of the space is shown as being such that it will accommodate six stands or joints of drill collars. The left-hand end of the'space is shown-as being closed by a gusset 66 which is preferably attached between the side rail and the drill collar finger and extends horizontally outward a distance to provide a support and reinforcement for the assembly and a stop for the first drill collar 26 racked therein.

Each of the fingers 58 has a series of pipe retaining latches 68 which are spaced apart a sufficient distance to accommodate the diameter of a drill pipe, and extending from end to end of the fingers, there being shown in the illustration twelve such latches for each finger. The first eight latches on each finger are indicated in their opened or raised position, for example, and the remaining four latches are shown in the closed position. In the opened position, pipe may be moved freely into and out of the openings between the fingers.

Similarly, the side rail 50 has a series of drill collar latches 70 at spaced intervals along the opening 64. One of the drill collar latches 70 is indicated closed to retain a stand of drill collar 26, and opened over the remainder of space 64 for a purpose similar to the opened and closed latches 68 of the racking fingers 58 above described.

The right-hand racking board section 46 is provided with drill pipe fingers to accommodate drill pipe, and with a drill collar finger as described above, and functions in the same manner.

The derrickman (shown at 72 in FIG. 1) has a seat and control console 74 preferably centered between right and left-hand racking sections and facing toward the center of the drilling derrick 10. This console has appropriate toggle switches or levers schematically illustrated thereon.

There is also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a racker arm 76 having a racker head 78 with pipe-gripping means 80, herein referred to as a claw holding pipe 18. A latch pivoting actuating means or ram 82 is shown mounted with and extending downwardly from head 78. Ram 82 is later described with reference to FIGS. 4, 6 and 8. The racker arm 76 is mounted in the carriage of upper racker 20 and has means (not shown) for extending and retracting the arm longitudinally. In addition, the carriage is mounted in a horizontal track means extending horizontally along the side of the derrick, and has means under control of the derrickman for moving the carriage laterally in the track means from side to side of the derrick. Such racker arms and carriage means are actuated by the hydraulic motors under control of a'four-way valve included in the derrickmans console. The console 74 also has valve means for manipulating the racker head and claw for grasping and releasing the pipe 18. The details of the carriage, racker arm, racker head and claw means are shown schematically to indicate the general arrangement for this invention and are more specifically described in US. Pat. No. 3,561,811, specifically incorporated herein by reference.

Referring again briefly to FIG. 1, it is apparent that a similarly constructed intermediate racker arm and carriage assembly 22 is under control of a floorman 84 (see FIG. 1). The racker head (not numbered) of racker 22 differs as being shown as vertically movable by cable 40 and cylinder '42, with respect to the racker arm of the pipe racker 20. This enables the operator to grasp a stand of pipe and raise and guide it when it has been disconnected from the pipe in the rotary table 38. A similar console without the switches to control the latches is operated by the floorman 84 to operate the intermediate racker 22. Referring next primarily to the enlarged fragmentary views illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, there are here shown details of the racking fingers, latching means andlatch actuating or pivoting means 85. FIG. 3 illustrates primarily a portion of the left-hand racker section 44 as taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2.

As evident from FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the latches 68 are mounted in trunnions 86 for pivoting movement between a horizontal and vertical position. In FIG. 3, for example, the latch 68 on the left is shown in opened position in which position it will be vertical with respect to the top of the finger 58 and the latch on the right is shown in horizontal or latched position. The latches are all equipped with a clevis' assembly 88 at the rear thereof and which extends upwardly from the surface of the latch and receives the end of the plunger of the hydraulic cylinder 90 in pivoted relation. Movement of the plunger, in what may be termed a crank arm action, under the influence of the hydraulic cylinder 90 serves to movethe plunger outward from the cylinder, and push the latch to a horizontal position where it will be retained by the hydraulic fluid in the cylinder. Retraction of the plunger into the cylinder 90 by reversal of the hydraulic pressure therein will pull the clevis backward and downward, resulting in the latch 68 being pivoted to a vertical position. Here again it will be retained in vertical position by the fluid pressure in the cylinder which acts to retract the plunger or hold it retracted. Mounted in the finger 58, as in the case of all of the fingers, is a series of the hydraulic cylinders 90 extending vertically and mounted for rotary movement on a bracket in thewell-known manner. Hydraulic lines to each end of the cylinder are provided and as here illustrated, are the hydraulic line to the upper end of the cylinder and the hydraulic line to the lower end of the cylinder, the lines being connected as later described.

As shown in FIG. 3 (and reference may also be had to FIG. 2), a metal housing 92 is attached to the top of the side rail 50, one on each side of the derrickman 72, and the mechanism for manipulating the drill collar latches 70 is located in these housings. The drill collar latch has an upwardly extending clevis 88 between which is joumaled the end of the plunger of the hydraulic cylinder 90. The cylinder is rotatably joumaled to the back of the housing as shown. Hydraulic lines lead into the respective ends of the plunger and are connected into an actuating valve as later described. This arrangement is similar in its operation to the arrangement for operating the latches previously described for opening and closing the drill collar compartments, except that the plunger acts in a more or less horizontal position. The drill collar latch 70 is shown in its open position by dotted lines where it extends through a slot in the top forward edge of the housing 92.

Referring briefly to FIG. 2, there is indicated as visible between the fingers of the racking board, upstanding pipe bases 94 which comprise a hemispherical seat located on the derrick base on which the lower end of the stand of drill collars is placed to rack the stand properly aligned. As shown, these are directly below the racker sections and the stand of pipe would be positioned as vertical in such arrangement. However, as a practical matter, these base rackers may be offset from the vertical toward the adjacent sides of the derrick, so that the bottom of the stand of drill pipe or drill collar will be moved back from the center lines of the derrick to allow more room around the well hole. Thus, the stands of pipe and the stands of drill collar will slant inwardly at their tops toward both center lines of the derrick, placing additional weight on the fingers and latches.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 4 and 6, the extension and retraction chambers of each cylinder 90 are respectively connected through

conduits

96 and 98 into a normally closed manually actuated spring return two-way valve 100 which prevents fluid flow into or out of either chamber when in closed position and which permits fluid flow into one chamber and out of the other chamber of cylinder 90 when normally actuated into opened position by depression of the plunger face 102 of the ram 82 as apparent in FIGS. 4 and 6 taken in reference to FIG. 1. Valve 100 is respectively connected through conduits104 and 106 into fluid pressure supply and

exhaust conduits

108 and 110.

Manifold conduits

108 and 110 are similarly connected through valves 100 into all the cylinders 90 previously shown and described.

Referring particularly to FIG. 6,

manifold conduits

108 and 110 are connected into the outlets of a solenoid actuated two-position four-way valve 1 12 which is respectively switched into one position or the other by solenoids or other appropriate actuators which may be remotely energized. The inlets of valve 1 12 are respectively connected. through

conduits

114 and 116 to a source of fluid pressure 118 and to a sump return as shown. When valve 112 is in a first position and valve 102 is held open by plunger face 102, for example, fluid pressure is introduced through

conduits

114, 108, 104 and 96 into the retraction chamber of cylinder 96 and permits the exhaust of fluids from the extension chamber of cylinder 90 through

conduits

98, 106, 110 and 116 to the sump return. With the valve 112 in the first position and a designated valve 100 held open by ram 82, a designated cylinder 90 will retract and move a designated latch 68 or latch 70 to the vertical open position. The ram may be moved about by movement of racker head 78 to a position to actuate any valve 100 while valve 112 is in such first position.

When the valve 112 is switched to its second position, the fluid pressure and exhaust as available to each vale 100 is reversed to cause fluid pressure to extend a respective cylinder 90 and move a designated

latch

68 or 70 into a horizontal closed position.

As also shown in FIG. 2, the extension and retraction chambers of the latch pivoting ram 82 are connected through conduits 120 and 122 into the outlets of a manually or remotely actuated spring return two-position four-way valve 124. The inlets of valve 124 are respectively connected through a conduit 126 to pressure source 118 and through a conduit 128 to the return sump. The desirable connections are such that actuation of valve 124 causes extension of ram 82 and plunger face 102 to engage and open a designated valve 100, causing the respective cylinder 90 to move the

respective latch

68 or 70 to move from open to closed, or vice versa, depending on the position in which valve 112 is placed.

When valve 124 is released, the fluid flow through conduits 120 and 122 is reversed, causing ram 82 and plunger face 102 to retract to a rest position and allowing the respective valve 100 to shut off fluid flow into or out of cylinder 90.

Reference is now made to FIGS. to 23, inclusive, which illustrate another embodiment of the invention. Where possible, the same reference numbers are used to refer to like parts.

As illustrated, the latches 68 in this embodiment are mounted in trunnions 160 for pivoting movement between a horizontal and vertical position. In FIG. 11, for example, the latch 68 at the right is shown in opened position in which position it is vertical with respect to the top of the finger 58, the latch 68 in the center is in an intermediate position while the latch 68 at the left is shown in horizontal or latched position. The latches 68 are all equipped with a clevis 162 at the bottom thereof which is pivoted at 164 to an arm 166 which in turn is pivoted at 168 to a push rod 170 through a spacer 172. Movements of the push rod 170, in a manner to be described, causes the latch 68 to move between its vertical, unlatched position and its horizontal, latched position.

The push rod 170 extends vertically upwardly through an opening 176 in the finger 58 and receives a rotating cam 178 with a toothed periphery 180, the teeth 182 of which have beveled tops 184. The push rod 170 is urged upwardly by means of a surrounding compression spring 186 which is disposed between a base 188 attached to the finger 58 and a stop 190 attached to the push rod. The base 188 is externally threaded at 192 and has a cylindrical housing 194 screwed thereto. The housing 194 is formed with a plurality of slots 196 equal in number to the teeth 182 of the rotating cam 178 and of equal diameter and also with a plurality of slots 198 of less diameter (see FIG. 19).

The

slots

196 and 198 are separated by cam means terminating in beveled cam shoulders 200 which will, as will be explained, engage the beveled tops 184 of teeth 182 of the rotating cam 178. v

Axially slidable in the housing 194 is a plunger 202 having a non-rotatable driving cam 204 attached or made integral therewith. The driving cam 204 has a saw toothed bottom 206 which engages the teeth 182 of the rotating cam 178. The driving cam has guides 208 around its periphery to register with the slots 196 and 1980f the housing 194. The plunger 202 is fixed to a cylindrical sleeve 209 which is slidable over the housing 194.

METHOD OF OPERATION The operation of this device will be described in connection with the showing of a semi-automated arrangement, it being understood that the apparatus can be incorporated into a more nearly fully automated system.

Ordinarily, the drill pipe 18 will be pulled from the well (assuming that the operation calls for removing the pipe from the hole) through the rotary table 38 and tong 34 by means of the hook structure 14, until three sections of pipe have cleared the slip 36 and hook 14 is in its uppermost position. The pipe will be locked in the rotary table 38 by the slip 36 against downward movement, and the elevator will be removed from the pipe while it is being grasped by the racker head 78 on the top racker arm 76 for steadying the upper portion of the pipe. This operation is under control of the derrickman 72.

At the .same time, the intermediate head on the racker 22 will be in its lowermost position and will grasp the lower section of pipe at its upset or collar, as the case may be. While this is being done, the tong 34 will be operated to spin out and disconnect the stand 18 from the pipe 24 and the floorman 84 will actuate the hydraulic cylinder 42 to move the racker head on the intermediate racker arm 22 to its upper position. This will lift the stand of pipe 18 clear of the pipe 24 to which it was previously connected.

Racker 22 is then operated by floorman 84 to position the lower end of pipe stand 18 into registry with an appropriate pipe racker member 94 mounted on pipe base 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2) while concurrently lowering the stand into position.

While floorman 84 is performing the above described operations, the derrickman 72 is operating racker arm 76 and racker head 78 to move the upper end of pipe stand 18 into an appropriate pipe space 68, say at the lower end of the space between the left front rail 54 and adjacent finger 58, for example.

At the initiation of the pipe removal and racking operation, all the latches 68 and will have been previously moved to their vertical open position, allowing free entry of pipe into any of the

spaces

62 and 64. Also, valve 112 will be positioned to cause a designated latch to close when the appropriate valve is actuated. Thus, when the pipe stand 18 has been position as described above, latch pivoting ram 102 will be in appropriate position to open valve 100 which actuates the adjacent latch 68 to be moved into closed position. Ram 82 is then actuated to close the adjacent latch 68, the pipe gripping claw is released, and the racker 20 moved out to catch the next stand of pipe as is hoisted into position for racking.

The foregoing series of operations is repeated until all the pipe has been removed from the well, appropriately positioned in sequence in the space 62 and individually retained in position by the individual latches 68. The drill collars are subsequently removed in the same fashion and stored in spaces 64.

The above outlined procedure is reversed as the stands of pipe 18 are returned into the well. The drill 'collar stands 26 (last into the rack) are the first to return as the drill string is run into the well bore.

A mechanical alternate embodiment of a latch actuating or pivoting means 85 is illustrated in FIGS. 7-9. The pivoting mechanism as shown may utilize two hydraulic actuator rams 82 and 82 (only the plungers of which are shown) or, as will later become apparent, the mechanism mayutilize one ram 82 which may be movably mounted to rackerhead 78 in a manner permitting horizontal transverse movement between two positions with respect to racker head 78 and racker arm 76. For the purpose of this description the reference to

rams

82 and 82 is intended to identify two respective rams or one ram as moved between a first and a second lateral position.

As shown, the latch 86 is mounted in pivotal relation to finger 58 through trunnions 86 as previously described. The latch is shown horizontally closed to retain pipe in FIG. 8 and vertically open to permit passage of pipe between finger spaces 62 in FIG. 9. A clock type spring 126 is mounted in-biased relation between finger 58 and latch 68 in association with trunnion 86 to urge latch 68 into a normally closed position as shown in FIG. 8. 4

Extending at a suitable angle as shown from trunnion 86 as a portion of latch 68 is an actuating arm 128. A latch drive pin 130 is mounted from arm 128 at a right angle with respect to latch 68 and in parallel relation to the axis of trunnion 86. Drive pin 130 is of sufficient length to intercept downward movement of ram'82 as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8.

A bracket 132 is mounted to extend below the upper surface of finger 58 and support two catch

arms

134 and 136 through an arm pivot arrangement 138 as shown. Catch arm 134 defines a detent 140 which is adapted to receive drive pin 130 and thereby retain latch 68 in the closed. position shown in FIG. 8. Catch arm 136 defines'a detent 142 which is also adapted to receive drive pin 130 toretain latch 68 in the open position shown in FIG. 9. Catch

arm deflection plates

135 and 137 are respectively mounted in inclined relation on

arms

135 and 137 as shown to permit respective deflection of each arm by downward movement of ram 82 or 82' as later mentioned.

A springsupport pin 144-extends from arm bracket 132 to retain

coil springs

146 and 148 which are respectively connected in tension to

arms

134 and 136 as shown to bias and urge both arms toward drive pin 130 at all times.

Assuming latch 68 to be in closed position as shown in FIG. 8,'th'e drive pin 130 is retained in catch detent 140 of arm 134 to lock the latch closed. At such time arm 136 is urged into contact with pin 130 by spring 148. The latch 68 may be opened by moving ram 82 down to engage deflection plate 135 and moving detent 140 away from retention of drive pin 130. Further movement of ram 82 engages drive pin 130 and pushes the pin down until detent 142 has been pulled into retaining relation about pin 130 by the pull of spring 148 through arm l36. At such time as drive pin 130 is retained by detent 142, latch 68 has been pivoted into the upper locked position shown in FIG. 9 and arm-134 is clear of ram 82' but urged against pin 130 by spring 146. Ram 82' is thereon retracted to rest position as shown in FIG.;

As shown in' FIG. 8, the latch 68 is closed by depressing ram 82 against deflection plate 137 which deflects arm 136 and detent 142 away from retention of drive pin 130. Clock spring 126 thereon urges latch 68 into closed position with drive pin 130 sliding along spring biased arm 134 until detent 140 is reached and moves about the drive pin to retain the same as initially described and thereby lock latch 68 into the closed position shown in FIG. 8.

The sliding of pin 130 along arm 134 through its arcuate path about trunnion 86 causes flexure of spring 146 and a resulting toggle or snap action to the arm movement. The flexure of spring 148 as pin 130 slides along arm 136 during the opening of latch 68 serves the same purpose.

If two

rams

82 and 82 are employed as described then duplicate hydraulic systems such as described for ram 82 with reference to FIG. '6 may be employed. Altemately, one ram 82 may be employed and alternately shifted through conventional means (not shown) between an operative position over deflection plate 135 and over deflection plate 137.

The operation of removing and racking stands of pipe and drill collars would be the same as previously described with reference to FIGS. 1-6 with only such modification as needed to utilize the embodiment of pivoting means 85 as described with reference to FIGS. 7-9.

The operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 23 can best be described by references to FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 23. The hydraulic system for actuating the latches 68 comprises a hydraulically operated plunger 210 of a hydraulic cylinder 212 connected to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid by a reversing valve 214. To close a latch 68, the valve 214 is operated to apply hydraulic fluid to the plunger 210 to cause it to engage the top of the sleeve 209 to move plunger 202 and the driving cam 204 downwardly against the force of the compression spring 186. This causes the teeth 206 on the driving camto partially engage the rotating cam teeth 182. The rotating cam 178 moves downwardly guided by the housing slots 196. At the end of the slots 196, the cam 178 is free to rotate, being indexed by the driving cam teeth 206. During this time, the push rod is moved downwardly which causes the latch 68 to move from vertical to horizontal positions through the pivot 168, link 166, pivot 164 and clevis 162. When the hydraulic actuator or plunger 210 is released by reversal of the valve 214, the compression spring urges the rotating cam 178 and the nonrotating cam as well as the plunger 202 and the sleeve 209 upwardly. However, because the rotating cam has been indexed, the teeth 182 engage the shoulders 200 and the latch 68 remains in horizontal position. To release the latch 68, merely requires another hydraulic actuator operation, to index the rotating cam 178 so that the teeth can then slide in the slots 196, to a position as in FIG. 14.

The foregoing description and drawing will suggest other embodiments and variations to those skilled in the art, all of which are intended to be included in the spirit 'of the invention as herein set forth.

That being claimed is:

'1. Vertical well pipe racking apparatus having a finger board with horizontally disposed fingers spaced apart to accommodate well pipe racked vertically between the fingers, a racker head means for supporting a pipe and guiding the pipe to an appropriate space between the racker fingers, and a pipe retaining latch means mounted in pivotal relation to each of the fingers and movable between a vertical position leaving the space clear between the fingers and a horizontal position extending laterally between the fingers to retain said pipe adjacent said latch means when so extended, the improvement comprising: pivoting means associated with each said latch means to selectively pivot said latch means through a cycle between said vertical position and said horizontal position responsive to discrete applications of external mechanical force, and actuator means mounted with said racker head to apply discrete mechanical forces to said pivoting means to selectively pivot said latch means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pivoting means is operative responsive to fluid pressure applied through valve means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pivoting means comprises spring biased catch means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator means is actuated by fluid pressure applied through valve means.

5. The apparatus of claim l wherein said pivoting means comprises double acting hydraulic cylinder means cycled between two positions by fluid pressure applied through valve means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said valve means comprises latch valve means responsive to a mechanical force from said actuator means for admitting fluid under pressure into a first end of said cylinder means and exhausting fluid from a second end of said cylinder means and switch valve means to direct fluid under pressure through said latch valve respectively into said first end or said second end of said cylinder means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pivoting means comprises a spring means biasing said latch means toward one of said positions, drive means extending from said latch means to move said latch means responsive to force applied from said actuator means, first spring biased catch means to retain said drive means and said latch means in one of said positions and second spring biased catch means to retain said drive means and said latch means in the other of said positions, each of said catch means being respectively operable to release said drive means responsive to a discrete force applied by said actuator means while the other of said catch means operates to retain said drive means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said actuator means comprises two respectively operated cylinder means.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said actuator means is shiftable to apply force respectively to each of said catch means.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pivoting means comprises rotatable cam means connected to said latch means and indexed from one position in which said latch means is in said vertical position and another position in which said latch means is in said horizontal position, and means to index said cam means between said cam positions, said indexing means being actuated by said actuator means.

1 l. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein there is a push rod connected to said latch means and operatively associated with said cam means, means urging said push rod and said cam means in one direction, said actuator means urging said cam means and said push rod in the opposite direction to a position wherein said latch means is in said horizontal position, means guiding said cam means and preventing indexing and rotation thereof until said latch means is in said horizontal position, and means preventing rotation of said cam means after said indexing to retain said latch means in said horizontal position.

12. Vertical well pipe racking apparatus having a finger board with horizontally disposed fingers spaced apart to accommodate well pipe racked vertically between the fingers, a racker head means for supporting a pipe and guiding the pipe to an appropriate space between the racker fingers, and a pipe retaining latch means mounted in pivotal relation to each of the fingers and movable between a vertical position leaving the space clear between the fingers and a horizontal position extending laterally between the fingers to retain said pipe adjacent said latch means when so extended, the improvement comprising: hydraulically actuated pivoting means associated with each said latch means to selectively pivot said latch means through a cycle be tween said vertical position and said horizontal position responsive to discrete applications of external mechanical force, and hydraulic actuator means mounted with said racker head to apply discrete mechanical forces to said pivoting means to selectively pivot said latch means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said valve means comprises latch valve means responsive to a mechanical force from said actuator means for admitting fluid under pressure into a first end of a cylinder means and exhausting fluid from a second end of said cylinder means and switch valve means to direct fluid under pressure through said latch valve respectively into said first end of said second end of said cylinder means.

14. Vertical well pipe racking apparatus having a finger board with horizontally disposed fingers spaced apart to accommodate well pipe racker vertically between the fingers, a racker head means for supporting a pipe and guiding the pipe to an appropriate space between the racker fingers, and a pipe retaining latch means mounted in pivotal relation to each of the fingers and movable between a vertical position leaving the space clear between the fingers and a horizontal position extending laterally between the fingers to retain said pipe adjacent said latch means when so extended, the improvement comprising: mechanically actuated pivoting means associated with each said latch means to selectively pivot said latch means through a cycle be tween said vertical position and said horizontal position responsive to discrete applications of external mechanical force, and actuator means mounted with said racker head to apply discrete mechanical forces at two locations on said pivoting means to selectively pivot said latch means.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said pivoting means comprises spring biased catch means.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said pivoting means comprises a spring means biasing said latch means toward one of said positions, drive means extending from said latch means to move said latch means responsive to force applied from said actuator means, first spring biased catch means to retain said drive means and said latch means in one of said positions and second spring biased catch means to retain said drive means and said latch means in the other of said positions, each of said catch means being respectively operable to release said drive means responsive to a discrete force applied by said actuator means while the other of said catch means operates to retain said drive means.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said actuator means comprises two respectively operated cylinder means.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said actuator means is shiftable to apply force respectively to each of said catch means.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said pivoting means comprises rotatable cam means connected to said latch means and indexed from one position in which said latch means is in said vertical position and another position in which said latch means is in said horizontal position, and means to index said cam means between said cam positions, said indexing means being actuated by said actuator means.

20. Vertical well pipe racking apparatus having a finger board with horizontally disposed fingers spaced apart to accommodate well pipe racked vertically between the fingers, a racker head means for supporting a pipe and guiding the pipe to an appropriate space between the racker fingers, and a pipe retaining latch means mounted in pivotal relation to each of the fingers and movable between a vertical position leaving the space clear between the fingers and a horizontal position extending laterally between the fingers to retain said pipe between said fingers and adjacent said latch means when so extended, the improvement comprising: mechanically actuated pivoting means associated with each said latch means to selectively pivot said latch means through a cycle between said vertical position and said horizontal position responsive to discrete applications of external mechanical force, and hydraulic actuator means mounted with said racker head to apply discrete mechanical forces to said pivoting means to 14 selectively pivot said latch means.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said pivoting means comprises spring biased catch means.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said actuator means is actuated by fluid pressure applied through valve means.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said pivoting means comprises a spring means biasing said latch means toward one of said positions, drive means extending from said latch means to move said latch means responsive to force applied from said actuator means, first spring biased catch means to retain said drive means and said latch means in one of said positions and second spring biased catch means to retain said drive means and said latch means in the other of said positions each of said catch means being respectively operable to release said drive means responsive to a discrete force applied to said actuator means while the other of said catch means operates to retain said drive means.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said actuator means comprises two respectively operated cylinder means.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said actuator means is shiftable to apply force respectively to each of said catch means.

26. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said pivoting means comprises rotatable cam means connected to said latch means and indexed from one position in which said latch means is in said vertical position and another position in which said latch means is in said horizontal position, and means to index said cam means between said cam positions, said indexing means being actuated by said actuator means.

UNE'HEE) S'EATES PATENT 0mm @ERTWICATE OF CORRECTION 3,799,364 March 26, 1974 Patent No. Dated It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 14, line 18, "to" should read by Signed and sealed this 24th day of September 1974,

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR, co MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM'DC 60376-P69 k [L5, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1 I969 0-365-334,

M PO-1050 (10-69)

Claims

1. Vertical well pipe racking apparatus having a finger board with horizontally disposed fingers spaced apart to accommodate well pipe racked vertically between the fingers, a racker head means for supporting a pipe and guiding the pipe to an appropriate space between the racker fingers, and a pipe retaining latch means mounted in pivotal relation to each of the fingers and movable between a vertical position leaving the space clear between the fingers and a horizontal position extending laterally between the fingers to retain said pipe adjacent said latch means when so extended, the improvement comprising: pivoting means associated with each said latch means to selectively pivot said latch means through a cycle between said vertical position and said horizontal position responsive to discrete applications of external mechanical force, and actuator means mounted with said racker head to apply discrete mechanical forces to said pivoting means to selectively pivot said latch means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pivoting means comprises double acting hydraulic cylinder means cycled between two positions by fluid pressure applied through valve means.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein there is a push rod connected to said latch means and operatively associated with said cam means, means urging said push rod and said cam means in one direction, said actuator means urging said cam means and said push rod in the opposite direction to a position wherein said latch means is in said horizontal position, means guiding said cam means and preventing indexing and rotation thereof until said latch means is in said horizontal position, and means preventing rotation of said cam means after said indexing to retain said latch means in said horizontal position.

12. Vertical well pipe racking apparatus having a finger board with horizontally disposed fingers spaced apart to accommodate well pipe racked vertically between the fingers, a racker head means for supporting a pipe and guiding the pipe to an appropriate space between the racker fingers, and a pipe retaining latch means mounted in pivotal relation to each of the fingers and movable between a vertical position leaving the space clear between the fingers and a horizontal position extending laterally between the fingers to retain said pipe adjacent said latch means when so extended, the improvement comprising: hydraulically actuated pivoting means associated with each said latch means to selectively pivot said latch means through a cycle between said vertical position and said horizontal position responsive to discrete applications of external mechanical force, and hydraulic actuator means mounted with said racker head to apply discrete mechanical forces to said pivoting means to selectively pivot said latch means.

14. Vertical well pipe racking apparatus having a finger board with horizontally disposed fingers spaced apart to accommodate well pipe racker vertically between the fingers, a racker head means for supporting a pipe and guiding the pipe to an appropriate space between the racker fingers, and a pipe retaining latch means mounted in pivotal relation to each of the fingers and movable between a verTical position leaving the space clear between the fingers and a horizontal position extending laterally between the fingers to retain said pipe adjacent said latch means when so extended, the improvement comprising: mechanically actuated pivoting means associated with each said latch means to selectively pivot said latch means through a cycle between said vertical position and said horizontal position responsive to discrete applications of external mechanical force, and actuator means mounted with said racker head to apply discrete mechanical forces at two locations on said pivoting means to selectively pivot said latch means.

20. Vertical well pipe racking apparatus having a finger board with horizontally disposed fingers spaced apart to accommodate well pipe racked vertically between the fingers, a racker head means for supporting a pipe and guiding the pipe to an appropriate space between the racker fingers, and a pipe retaining latch means mounted in pivotal relation to each of the fingers and movable between a vertical position leaving the space clear between the fingers and a horizontal position extending laterally between the fingers to retain said pipe between said fingers and adjacent said latch means when so extended, the improvement comprising: mechanically actuated pivoting means associated with each said latch means to selectively pivot said latch means through a cycle between said vertical position and said horizontal position responsive to discrete applications of external mechanical force, and hydraulic actuator means mounted with said racker head to apply discrete mechanical forces to said pivoting means to selectively pivot said latch means.