Alignment apparatus and method for a boom of a pipe handling system
AssigneeT&T Engineering Services, Inc.
InventorKeith J. Orgeron
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pipe handling apparatus has a frame, a boom pivotally connected to the frame so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, an arm extending outwardly of the boom when the boom is in the second position, a gripper affixed to the end of the arm opposite the boom, a first line having a first end affixed to the boom, a second line interconnected to an opposite end of the first line and connected to the frame, and an actuator interconnected to the first and second lines. The actuator changes an angular relationship of the first and second lines so as to selectively tension the lines. The second line includes a first cable offset from linear alignment with the first line and a second cable extending in angular relationship with the first cable.
Claims18
A pipe handling device comprising:
- a frame;
- a boom pivotally connected to the frame, the boom movable between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertically position;
- an arm extending outwardly of the boom when the boom is in the second position, the arm having a gripper at an end thereof opposite the boom;
- a first line having a first end connected to the boom, and an opposite second end connected to a connector;
- a first lower cable offset from linear alignment with the first line, and having a first end connected to the frame, and an opposite second end connected to the connector;
- a second lower cable extending in angular relationship to the first lower cable, and having a first end connected to the frame, and an opposite second end connected to the connector;
- an actuator having a first end connected to the frame, and an opposite second end connected to at least one of the first line, first lower cable and the connector;
- the first line, first lower cable and actuator applying tension to the boom when the boom is in the second position;
- the first line and second lower cable applying tension to the boom when the boom is in the first position;
- and
- the actuator being controllable to alter an angular relationship between the first line and the first lower cable to increase or decrease the tension on the boom when the boom is in the first position.
A pipe handling device comprising:
- a frame;
- a boom pivotally connected to the frame, the boom movable between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertically position;
- an arm extending outwardly of the boom when the boom is in the second position, the arm having a gripper at an end thereof opposite the boom;
- a first line having a first end connected to the boom, and an opposite end connected to a connector;
- a first lower cable having a first end connected to the frame, and an opposite second end connected to the connector;
- a second lower cable having a first end connected to the frame, and an opposite second end connected to the connector;
- an actuator having a first end connected to the frame, and an opposite second end connected to the connector;
- the first line and second lower cable applying tension to the boom when the boom is in the first position;
- and,
- the first line, first lower cable and actuator applying tension to the boom when the boom is in the second position.
A pipe handling device comprising:
- a frame;
- a boom pivotally connected to the frame, the boom movable between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertically position;
- an arm extending outwardly of the boom when the boom is in the second position, the arm having a gripper at an end thereof opposite the boom;
- a first line having a first end connected to the boom, and an opposite end connected to a connector;
- a first lower cable having a first end connected to the frame, and an opposite second end connected to the connector;
- a second lower cable having a first end connected to the frame, and an opposite second end connected to the connector;
- and,
- an actuator having a first end connected to the frame, and an opposite second end connected to the connector, with the actuator being controllable to alter an angular relationship between the first line and the first lower cable to increase or decrease the tension on the boom when the boom is in the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.