Method of and apparatus for disposing of drilling waste

Abstract

A receptacle for disposing of drilling waste includes a frame, a body coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame, a flap movable relative to the body between closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position for receiving waste and releasing the waste, and an actuator. The actuator acts between the body and the frame to rotate the body relative to the frame and cause the body to move relative to the flap for releasing the waste at a dump site.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of disposing of drilling waste utilizing a waste receptacle, the waste receptacle including a frame, a body coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame, the body including an opening to receive and release waste, the method comprising:
 receiving the waste in the opening of the receptacle;   coupling the frame of the receptacle to a helicopter;   transporting, by the helicopter, the receptacle to a dump site; and   rotating the receptacle relative to the frame to cause the body to rotate relative to the frame to release the waste at a dump site.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the waste receptacle includes a flap to cover the opening, wherein the flap is in an open position during receiving the waste. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the flap is moved to a closed position to cover the opening for transporting the receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the body moves relative to the flap when rotating the receptacle relative to the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein rotating the receptacle comprises controlling an actuator from the helicopter to rotate the receptacle to release the waste. 
     
     
         6 . A receptacle for disposing of drilling waste, the receptacle comprising:
 a frame;   a body coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame, the body including an opening therein to receive and release waste;   a flap movable relative to the body between closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position for receiving waste and releasing the waste;   an actuator acting between the body and the frame to rotate the body relative to the frame and cause the body to move relative to the flap for releasing the waste at a dump site.   
     
     
         7 . The receptacle according to  claim 6 , wherein the flap is movable relative to the frame to move the flap between the open position and the closed position without rotating the body relative to the frame. 
     
     
         8 . The receptacle according to  claim 7 , wherein the body is movable relative to the frame without moving the flap relative to the frame, thereby moving the flap relative to the body. 
     
     
         9 . The receptacle according to  claim 6 , wherein the flap is coupled to the frame by a cable to facilitate movement of the flap relative to the frame and to facilitate movement of the body relative to the flap when the body is moved relative to the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The receptacle according to  claim 6 , wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic mechanism that is controlled remotely. 
     
     
         11 . The receptacle according to  claim 10 , wherein the actuator is controllable from a helicopter that is utilized to transport the receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The receptacle according to  claim 6 , wherein the body includes a bottom and front that curves from the bottom to form a generally smooth, curved surface to facilitate sliding of waste within the body when releasing the waste. 
     
     
         13 . The receptacle according to  claim 6 , wherein the body rotates relative to the frame, about a shaft that is coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The receptacle according to  claim 6 , wherein the frame includes a crossmember that includes connectors for coupling cables thereto for transporting the receptacle by helicopter. 
     
     
         15 . The receptacle according to  claim 14 , wherein the flap is coupled to the crossmember by a cable to facilitate movement of the flap relative to the frame and to facilitate movement of the body relative to the flap when the body is moved relative to the frame.