Automated drill stem guide and method
AssigneeFluor Corporation
InventorsSamuel A. Martin, Leslie P. Antalffy, Michael B. Knowles, William R. Sines
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a petroleum coking drum, a drill stem guide latches internally to a structure adjacent the drum opening, rather than externally to a flange about the drum opening. In preferred embodiments, the latching mechanism is spring loaded, and operated automatically as a function of raising and lowering the guide.
Claims15
A method of decoking a coke drum, the method comprising:
- providing a decoking drill and a drill guide which guides the drill into the coke drum, the drill guide having at least one latch;
- providing the coke drum with a receiver adjacent a passageway into the coke drum, the receiver receiving the stem guide and further having at least one catch adjacent the passageway;
- registering the drill guide into the receiver;
- extending the latch into the passageway to engage the catch;
- and
- extending the drill into the coke drum.
A coking drum adapted for use with a decoking drill guide;
- the adaptation comprising an upper opening fitted with a receiver having an internal latching mechanism for receiving and latching the decoking drill guide.
An improved drill stem guide for assisting in maintaining the position of a drill stem with respect to the inlet of a coking drum, the inlet defined by a rim having an inner diameter, the inlet further defining an opening of a passageway into the coking drum, the improvement comprising:
- the drill stem guide including a plurality of outwardly extending members which are moveable between retracted and extended positions, at least one of the members extending no further outwardly in its extended position than the inner diameter of the rim;
- the passageway having a latching mechanism;
- and
- the at least one of the members engaging the latching mechanism to assist in maintaining the position of the drill stem guide with respect to the coking drum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.