Winch overload protection system
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsMichael Stephen Oser, Mickie James Theriot, Robert Alexander Lyons, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides a winch overload protection system, a workover system, and a method for operating a workover system. The winch overload protection system, in one embodiment, includes an overload detection unit operable to detect when a load on a winch of a workover system exceeds a safety load limit. The winch overload protection system, in this embodiment, further includes an overload control unit configured to receive an overload signal from the overload detection unit, and in response thereto release a brake on the winch.
Claims19
A winch overload protection system, comprising:
- an overload detection unit operable to detect when a load on a winch of a workover system exceeds a safety load limit;
- and
- an overload control unit configured to receive an overload signal from the overload detection unit, and in response thereto disengage a brake on the winch, wherein the overload detection unit includes a pivotable frame for supporting the winch, a pre-loaded anti pivot device coupled to the frame, the pre-loaded anti pivot device configured to hold the frame in a substantially fixed position until the winch exceeds the safety load limit, and a movement sensor for detecting movement of the frame when the winch exceeds the safety load limit.
A workover system, comprising:
- a hydraulic workover unit elevated over a wellbore, the hydraulic workover unit including:
- a stationary slip;
- a travelling slip coupled to one or more hydraulic jack cylinders, the one or more hydraulic jack cylinders configured to cycle the travelling slip in a linear path relative to the stationary slip;
- and
- a winch having a cable and brake associated therewith, the winch configured to provide downhole tools and or pipe to the travelling slip for inclusion within or removal from the wellbore;
- and
- a winch overload protection system associated with the hydraulic workover unit, the winch overload system including:
- an overload detection unit operable to detect when a load on the winch exceeds a safety load limit;
- and
- an overload control unit configured to receive an overload signal from the overload detection unit, and in response thereto disengage the brake on the winch.
A method of operating a workover system, comprising:
- tripping downhole tools and or pipe into or out of a wellbore using a workover system, wherein the workover system includes;
- a hydraulic workover unit elevated over the wellbore, the hydraulic workover unit including:
- a stationary slip;
- a travelling slip coupled to one or more hydraulic jack cylinders, the one or more hydraulic cylinders configured to cycle the travelling slip in a linear path relative to the stationary slip;
- and
- a winch having a cable and brake associated therewith, the winch configured to provide the downhole tools and or pipe to the travelling slip for inclusion within the wellbore;
- and
- detecting winch overload situations during the tripping using a winch overload protection system associated with the hydraulic workover unit, the winch overload system including:
- an overload detection unit operable to detect when a load on the winch exceeds a safety load limit;
- and
- an overload control unit configured to receive an overload signal from the overload detection unit, and in response thereto disengage the brake on the winch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.