Pipe position locator
AssigneeFrank's Casing Crew and Rental Tools, Inc.
InventorsCharles Michael Webre, Michael Wayne Olivier, Jeremy Richard Angelle, Vernon Joseph Bouligny, Mark Stephen Sibille
Life of this patent
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Abstract
At least one sensor is mounted for monitoring the vertical position of an elevator relative to selected features on a pipe string. Mounting for a variety of sensor types is provided. Optional mounting arrangement permits the sensors to be situated close to a pipe free to move laterally, excess lateral movement of the pipe to move the mounting with reduced shock to the sensors.
Claims15
A pipe string feature locator for detecting the vertical position of a pipe string suspended in a well relative to the rig elevator, the locator comprising:
- a) a drilling rig elevator to function as a carrier for pipe feature sensors and related mounting means;
- and
- b) at least one said pipe feature sensors mounted on said elevator and arranged to sense selected characteristics of pipe extending through the elevator and to produce an output signal indicative of the presence of selected pipe characteristics.
A pipe string feature locator for detecting when a selected characteristic on a pipe string suspended in a well has a preseleced vertical relationship to the rig elevator, the locator comprising:
- a) sensor means to detect at least one characteristic of the pipe that has a known vertical relationship to a location on the pipe selected for gripping with elevator mounted pipe gripping means and to produce an output signal when the characteristic is sensed;
- b) a sensor mounting arrangement that places the sensor means the same distance and direction from the elevator pipe gripping means as the known distance and direction between the characteristic to be sensed and the location on the pipe selected for gripping.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.