Apparatus for positioning and stabbing pipe in a drilling rig derrick

Abstract

A remotely controlled apparatus for positioning and stabbing pipe within a drilling rig derrick is provided. A support base assembly is mounted to a structural member of a drilling rig derrick. A jointed articulating boom having a boom base member and a boom arm member is attached to the support base assembly and can be pivoted about vertical and horizontal axes. The jointed articulating boom extends and retracts by cooperative motion between the boom base member and the boom arm member. A pipe gripper assembly having opposing arcuate jaws is mounted at the outer extent of the jointed articulating boom and can be pivoted about a horizontal axis. A remote control panel subassembly is used to control the movement of jointed articulating boom and pipe gripper assembly.

1 . An apparatus for positioning and stabbing pipe within a drilling rig derrick comprising: 
 a. an articulating boom having a first end, a second end and at least one joint between said first and second ends, wherein each such at least one joint is pivotal about a horizontal axis intersecting said joint, and wherein said first end of said articulating boom is pivotally mounted inside a drilling rig derrick and is rotatable within said derrick about vertical and horizontal axes intersecting said first end;    b. a pipe gripper attached to the second end of said articulating boom;    c. means for selectively moving said boom about said vertical and horizontal axes intersecting said first end of aid articulating boom;    d. means for selectively extending and retracting said articulating boom; and    e. means for selectively increasing or decreasing the length of said articulating boom.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for positioning pipe within a drilling rig derrick comprising: 
 a. a mounting apparatus attached to said derrick;    b. an articulating boom, pivotally attached to said mounting apparatus, comprising: 
 i. a first rigid member having a base and a distal end, wherein said base of said first rigid member rotates about vertical and horizontal axes intersecting said base; and  
 ii. a second rigid member having a base and a distal end, wherein the base of said second member is pivotally attached to the distal end of said first rigid member, and said second rigid member pivots about a horizontal pivot axis between said first and second rigid members; and  
   c. a pipe gripper attached to the distal end of said second rigid member.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said pipe gripper is pivotally attached to the distal end of said second rigid member, and said pipe gripper pivots about a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said pipe gripper comprises a pair of opposing arcuate jaws.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for positioning pipe within a drilling rig derrick comprising: 
 a. a mounting apparatus attached to said derrick;    b. a vertical shaft rotatably attached to said mounting apparatus, wherein said vertical shaft rotates about a vertical axis;    c. a first boom member having a base and a distal end, wherein said base of said first boom member is pivotally attached to said vertical shaft, and said first rigid member pivots about a horizontal axis between said base and said vertical shaft.    d. a second boom member having a base and a distal end, wherein the base of said second boom member is pivotally attached to the distal end of said first boom member, and said second boom member pivots about a horizontal axis between said first and second boom members; and    e. a pipe gripper attached to the distal end of said second rigid member.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said pipe gripper is pivotally attached to the distal end of said second rigid member, and said pipe gripper pivots about a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said pipe gripper comprises a pair of opposing arcuate jaws.