초록 ▼

In one aspect the invention provides a tubular handling system for use with a catwalk and a plurality of tubulars arranged in at least one tier and positioned substantially parallel adjacent the catwalk. The system comprises a tiering assembly positioned between said at least one tier and the catwal

In one aspect the invention provides a tubular handling system for use with a catwalk and a plurality of tubulars arranged in at least one tier and positioned substantially parallel adjacent the catwalk. The system comprises a tiering assembly positioned between said at least one tier and the catwalk and pipe rolling means adapted to move one or more of said tubular between said at least one tier and the tiering assembly in a sequential bi-directional manner. Preferably, the pipe rolling means comprises an auger, auger drive means and an auger positioning assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A tubular handling system for use with a catwalk and a plurality of tubulars arranged in at least one tier and positioned substantially parallel adjacent the catwalk, the system comprising: a tiering assembly positioned between said at least one tier and the catwalk and having a trough suitable f

1. A tubular handling system for use with a catwalk and a plurality of tubulars arranged in at least one tier and positioned substantially parallel adjacent the catwalk, the system comprising: a tiering assembly positioned between said at least one tier and the catwalk and having a trough suitable for receiving a tubular from said plurality of tubulars therein; andpipe rolling means adapted to move one or more of said tubulars between said at least one tier and the tiering assembly in a sequential bi-directional manner, said pipe rolling means comprising:an auger;auger drive means; andan auger positioning assembly;wherein, during tubular moving operations, the auger positioning assembly places the auger substantially horizontal on top of the tubulars being moved;wherein the pipe rolling means is suitable to be positioned over top of said plurality of tubulars;wherein the catwalk is suitable for service personnel to walk upon; andwherein the tiering assembly's trough may be raised or lowered to substantially align with the top of said at least one tier. 2. The tubular handling system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tubulars are arranged in a plurality of tiers and further comprising strapping placed between each tier of tubulars. 3. The tubular handling system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of tiers rests on one or more pipe racks. 4. The tubular handling system of claim 1, wherein the tiering assembly further comprises: a tubular receiving assembly for supporting said trough;at least one bridging member, pivotally coupled to the tubular receiving assembly so as to pivot about a point in the horizontal plane and capable of selectably bridging the gap between the tiering assembly and the at least one tier of tubular;at least one kicker capable of ejecting a tubular from the trough; andtiering assembly height adjustment means to raise and lower the tubular receiving assembly to align with the top of said at least one tier. 5. The tubular handling system of claim 4, wherein the tiering assembly height adjustment means is a scissor lift. 6. The tubular handling system of claim 1, wherein the auger is configured so that, during operations, the push point of the auger with the plurality of tubulars is at least one-third down from the outside diameter of said plurality of tubulars. 7. The tubular handling system of claim 1, wherein the auger positioning assembly comprises: a pair of base members; positioned substantially parallel to the catwalk, with one of each of the pair of base members placed at either end of the said at least one tier of tubulars;four support posts positioned generally upright at each end of said pair of base members, in a paired configuration;two spreader members positioned generally between each paired configuration of support posts. 8. The tubular handling system of claim 1, wherein the auger and auger drive means are supported by the spreader members above said at least one tier. 9. The tubular handling system of claim 7, wherein the spreader members are adjustably, securable vertically along the support posts. 10. The tubular handling system of claim 7, wherein the base members further comprise fluid containers. 11. The tubular handling system of claim 7, wherein during tubular moving operations, the tubulars are substantially parallel to the catwalk and wherein each paired configuration of support posts is sufficiently spaced apart to allow tubulars to be moved between said paired support posts. 12. A tiering assembly for use with a plurality of tubulars arranged in at least one tier, the tiering assembly comprising: a tubular receiving assembly having a trough suitable for receiving a tubular from one of said plurality of tubulars therein;at least one bridging member, maintained substantially horizontal and pivotally coupled to the tubular receiving assembly so as to pivot horizontally about a point in the horizontal plane, between a retracted position and an extended position, and capable of selectably bridging the gap between the tiering assembly and the at least one tier of tubulars when in the extended position;at least one kicker capable of ejecting a tubular from the trough; andtiering assembly height adjustment means to raise and lower the trough of the tubular receiving assembly to substantially align with the top of said at least one tier. 13. The tiering assembly of claim 12, wherein the tiering assembly height adjustment means is a scissor lift. 14. A tiering assembly for use with a plurality of tubulars arranged in at least one tier, and for use with a catwalk having a first trough with a first longitudinal axis and suitable for receiving a tubular from said plurality of tubulars therein, the tiering assembly comprising: a tubular receiving assembly having a second trough with a second longitudinal axis and suitable for receiving a tubular from said plurality of tubulars therein;at least one bridging member, maintained substantially horizontal and pivotally coupled to the tubular receiving assembly so as to pivot horizontally about a point in the horizontal plane, between a retracted position and an extended position, and capable of selectably bridging the gap between the tiering assembly and the at least one tier of tubulars when in the extended position;at least one kicker capable of ejecting a tubular from the second trough; and tiering assembly height adjustment means to raise and lower the second trough of the tubular receiving assembly between a first position to substantially align with the top of said at least one tier and a second position to substantially align with the catwalk. 15. The tiering assembly of claim 14, wherein the longitudinal axis of the second trough is kept substantially horizontal when the tiering assembly height adjustment means moves the second trough between the first and second positions. 16. The tiering assembly of claim 14, wherein the longitudinal axis of the second trough is kept substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the first trough when the tiering assembly height adjustment means moves the second trough between the first and second positions.