# US 2018/0023346 A1 · Automated drilling/service rig apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0023346 A1 - Document ID: US20180023346A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/706,199 - Filed: 2017-09-15 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-19 - Assignees: Prostar Manufacturing Inc. - Applicants: Prostar Manufacturing Inc. - Inventors: MARK CHARLES TAGGART; DOUGLAS ANDREW HUNTER; DANIEL HARVARD KUSLER; COLIN REYNOLD KNAPP - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180023346A1 ## CPC - E21B 7/023: {the mast being foldable or telescopically retractable} - E21B 3/022: {Top drives} - E21B 7/022: {Control of the drilling operation; Hydraulic or pneumatic means for activation or operation (control circuits for drilling masts E21B15/045)} - E21B 15/00: Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts - E21B 19/083: Cam, rack or like feed mechanisms - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract An automated rig apparatus for drilling or servicing a well is provided. The apparatus can include a motor vehicle having a frame, and a hinged derrick mast pivotally attached to the frame. The apparatus can further include a rack disposed in the mast and a carriage assembly with pinion motors configured to travel up and down the rack when the mast is raised to a vertical position. A tool carrier configured to receive a top drive unit or a power swivel unit can be attached to the carriage assembly. The apparatus can further include a movable platform and an operators cab configured to be moved to a desired position relative to the derrick mast when the mast is raised to a vertical position. The apparatus can further include a hydraulic drive assembly to operate the apparatus, and a mud pump and manifold for pumping drilling mud. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rig apparatus for drilling or servicing a well, the apparatus comprising: a) a substructure comprising a frame; b) a derrick mast comprising a lower mast section pivotally attached to the frame and an upper mast section pivotally attached to the lower mast section, the derrick mast configured to move from a lowered substantially horizontal position relative to the frame, wherein the upper mast section is folded against the lower mast section, to a raised substantially vertical position relative to the frame, wherein the upper mast section is pivoted relative to the lower mast section until the upper and lower mast sections are substantially axially aligned to form the derrick mast; c) a rack assembly disposed in the derrick mast; d) a carriage assembly configured to travel up and down the derrick mast along the rack assembly, the carriage assembly further configured to receive a tool; e) a platform configured to move to a first predetermined position relative to the derrick mast when the derrick mast is moved to the substantially vertical position; and f) a hydraulic drive assembly configured to provide hydraulic power for the apparatus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rack assembly further comprises an upper rack section disposed in the upper mast section and a lower rack section disposed in the lower mast section, the upper and lower rack sections configured for coupling to each other when the derrick mast is in the substantially vertical position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a first load cell operatively disposed between an upper end of the rack assembly and an upper end of the derrick mast, the load cell configured to measure pull force. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a first hydraulic cylinder for pivotally raising and lowering the lower mast section relative to the frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one second hydraulic cylinder for pivoting the upper mast section relative to the lower mast section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the carriage assembly further comprises a plurality of trolley wheels configured to travel along tracks or guides disposed along the upper and lower mast sections. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the carriage assembly further comprises a plurality of pinion motors configured to engage the rack assembly wherein operation of the pinion motors cause the carriage assembly to travel along the rack assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the pinion motors are disposed on the carriage assembly in two vertical columns and configured to engage the rack assembly on opposing sides of the rack assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein each pinion motor comprises a pinion gear and each opposing side of the rack assembly comprises teeth disposed thereon, the teeth configured to engage the pinion gears. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tool comprises at least one of a group consisting of a top drive, a power swivel, a coil tubing injector, a continuous rod injector, a pipe gripper, push slips, a wobble drive, a rotating pipe handler, links and elevators. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic drive assembly further comprises a hydraulic drive motor, a hydraulic fluid pump, a hydraulic tank, a supply of hydraulic fluid and at least one hydraulic fluid control valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a mud pump system, further comprising a mud pump, a mud pump motor and a mud pump manifold. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a programmable logic controller configured to control the hydraulic drive assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one tugger winch disposed on a crown disposed on the upper mast section. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the substructure further comprises one or both of a motor vehicle and a rig mat. ### Claim 16 A method for drilling or servicing a well, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a rig apparatus, the apparatus comprising: i) a substructure comprising a frame, ii) a derrick mast comprising a lower mast section pivotally attached to the frame and an upper mast section pivotally attached to the lower mast section, the derrick mast configured to move from a lowered substantially horizontal position relative to the frame, wherein the upper mast section is folded against the lower mast section, to a raised substantially vertical position relative to the frame, wherein the upper mast section is pivoted relative to the lower mast section until the upper and lower mast sections are substantially axially aligned to form the derrick mast, iii) a rack assembly disposed in the derrick mast, iv) a carriage assembly configured to travel up and down the derrick mast along the rack assembly, the carriage assembly further configured to receive a tool, v) a platform configured to move to a first predetermined position relative to the derrick mast when the derrick mast is moved to the substantially vertical position, and vi) a hydraulic drive assembly configured to provide hydraulic power for the apparatus; b) moving the apparatus to a position adjacent to the well; c) raising the derrick mast to the substantially vertical position; d) moving the platform to the first predetermined position; e) placing the tool on the carriage assembly; and f) drilling or servicing the well. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the rack assembly further comprises an upper rack section disposed in the upper mast section and a lower rack section disposed in the lower mast section, the upper and lower rack sections configured for coupling to each other when the derrick mast is in the substantially vertical position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the step of raising the derrick mast to the substantially vertical position further comprises the steps of: a) first raising the lower mast section from the substantially horizontal position to the substantially vertical position, wherein the upper mast section is folded against the lower mast section; and b) then pivoting the upper mast section relative to the lower mast section until the upper and lower mast sections are substantially axially aligned to form the derrick mast. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises a first load cell operatively disposed between an upper end of the rack assembly and an upper end of the derrick mast, the load cell configured to measure pull force with the rack hanging between the load cell and the tension cylinder. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises a first hydraulic cylinder for pivotally raising and lowering the lower mast section relative to the frame. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one second hydraulic cylinder for pivoting the upper mast section relative to the lower mast section. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the carriage assembly further comprises a plurality of trolley wheels configured to travel along tracks or guides disposed along the upper and lower mast sections. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the carriage assembly further comprises a plurality of pinion motors configured to engage the rack assembly wherein operation of the pinion motors cause the carriage assembly to travel along the rack assembly. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method as set forth in claim 23 wherein the pinion motors are disposed on the carriage assembly in two vertical columns and configured to engage the rack assembly on opposing sides of the rack assembly. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method as set forth in claim 24, wherein each pinion motor comprises a pinion gear and each opposing side of the rack assembly comprises teeth disposed thereon, the teeth configured to engage the pinion gears. ### Claim 26 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the tool comprises at least one of a group consisting of a top drive, a power swivel, a coil tubing injector, a continuous rod injector, a pipe gripper, push slips, a wobble drive, a rotating pipe handler, links and elevators. ### Claim 27 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the hydraulic drive assembly further comprises a hydraulic drive motor, a hydraulic fluid pump, a hydraulic tank, a supply of hydraulic fluid and at least one hydraulic fluid control valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid. ### Claim 28 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises a mud pump system, further comprising a mud pump, a mud pump motor and a mud pump manifold. ### Claim 29 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises a programmable logic controller configured to control the hydraulic drive assembly. ### Claim 30 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one tugger winch disposed on a crown disposed on the upper mast section. ### Claim 31 (depends on 16) The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the substructure further comprises one or both of a motor vehicle and a rig mat.