Pipe handling apparatus

Abstract

An elevator usable on a drilling rig is modified by attaching a swing arm and related structure to at least one accessory mounting provision on the elevator. The swing arm is tiltable to allow a single section elevator, carried by the swing arm, to engage a pipe extending near the well centerline. While the pipe section is being lifted, the swing arm pivots to allow the section to assume a vertical position under the elevator. When the pipe section is being rotated to run threads to join the section to the string the swing arm can extend to accommodate thread-run dimension changes. An elevator equivalent, without pipe gripping features, may be used.

1 . A pipe handling apparatus for use on drilling rigs to assemble drill strings suspended in wells, the apparatus comprising:
 a) an elevator suspendable from elevator bails of a traveling block, and having accessory mounting provision;   b) a mounting base secured to said accessory mounting provision, the mounting base having shaft extensions with horizontal axes;   c) a swing arm arranged to pivot about the axes and to extend downward to support a single section elevator, the swing arm being variable in length, controlled in length by a first motor;   d) a mounting bracket arranged for mounting on the axes;   e) a mounting bracket extension to attach to the mounting bracket and to extend upward to be secured to the bails for stabilization;   f) a second motor arranged to force and control rotation of the swing arm relative to the mounting bracket extension; and   g) said single section elevator.   
   
   
       2 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said second motor is a fluid powered motor connected to a crank arm extending from said swing arm and connected to a second crank arm extending from said mounting bracket extension. 
   
   
       3 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said swing arm comprises an upper part and a lower part arranged for telescoping action, said variable in length controlled by said first motor. 
   
   
       4 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said swing arm comprises telescoping lengths of tubing, one length enclosing said first motor. 
   
   
       5 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said second motor is a fluid powered linear motor. 
   
   
       6 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said mounting base is supported by structure that extends to brace the mounting base by additional contact on the elevator structure. 
   
   
       7 . A pipe handling apparatus for use on drilling rigs to assemble drill strings suspended in wells, the apparatus comprising:
 a) an elevator suspendable from elevator bails, with a pipe guide mounting ring, attached to a traveling block;   b) a mounting base secured to said pipe guide mounting ring, the mounting base having shaft extensions with horizontal axes;   c) a swing arm arranged to pivot about the axes and to extend downward to support a single section elevator, the swing arm being variable in length controlled in length by a first motor;   d) a mounting bracket arranged for mounting on the axes;   e) a mounting bracket extension to attach to the mounting bracket and to extend upward to be secured to the bails for stabilization;   f) a second motor arranged to force and control rotation of the swing arm relative to the mounting bracket extension; and   g) said single section elevator.   
   
   
       8 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said second motor is a fluid powered motor connected to a crank arm extending from said swing arm and connected to a second crank arm extending from said mounting bracket extension. 
   
   
       9 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said swing arm comprises an upper part and a lower part arranged for telescoping action, said variable in length controlled by said first motor. 
   
   
       10 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said swing arm comprises telescoping lengths of tubing, one length enclosing said first motor. 
   
   
       11 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said second motor is a fluid powered linear motor. 
   
   
       12 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said mounting base is supported by structure that extends to brace the mounting base by additional contact on the elevator structure. 
   
   
       13 . A pipe handling apparatus for use on drilling rigs to assemble drill strings suspended in wells, the apparatus comprising:
 a) an elevator suspendable from elevator bails of a traveling block, and having accessory mounting provision;   b) a mounting base secured to said accessory mounting provision;   c) a fluid powered rotary motor attached to each side of said mounting base, and having an output shaft extending to rotate about a horizontal axis;   d) a swing arm attached to each said output shaft and to extend downward to support a single section elevator, said swing arm being variable in length controlled in length by a linear motor; and   e) said single section elevator.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said rotary motor is a partial-turn hydraulic motor. 
   
   
       15 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said swing arm comprises telescoping lengths of tubing, one length enclosing said linear motor. 
   
   
       16 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said accessory mounting provision is a flange arranged to support a pipe guide on a lower side of said elevator. 
   
   
       17 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said mounting base has a flange arranged to receive a pipe guide. 
   
   
       18 . The pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said mounting base is supported by structure that extends to brace the mounting base by additional contact on the elevator structure.