Pipe handling boom pretensioning apparatus
AssigneeT&T Engineering Services, Inc.
InventorKeith J. Orgeron
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pre-loading system for a pipe handling apparatus in which a boom is pivotally mounted at one end to a skid and in which an arm is connected to an opposite end of the boom. The pre-loading system has a tensioning assembly with one end affixed to the arm and an opposite end fixedly mounted so as to apply tension to the arm when the arm has a load applied to an end of the arm opposite the boom. The tensioning assembly includes a first cable assembly having one end connected to the arm and an opposite end fixedly mounted, and a second cable assembly connected to the arm and having an opposite end fixedly mounted. The first and second cable assemblies extend from opposite sides of the arm.
Claims21
A pipe handling apparatus comprising:
- a boom pivotally mounted on a surface structure, the boom movable between first and second positions;
- a lever pivotally mounted to the boom, and having an outboard portion and an inboard portion;
- an arm connected at one end to the outboard portion of the lever;
- a gripper carried by an opposite end of the arm, the gripper configured to selectively grip and release a tubular;
- and,
- a first tensioning assembly comprising:
- a first line having a first end connected to the arm, and an opposite second end connected to a first connector;
- a first lower cable offset from linear alignment with the first line, and having a first end connected to the surface structure, and an opposite second end connected to the first connector;
- and,
- a first actuator having a first end connected to the surface structure, and an opposite second end connected to at least one of the first line, first lower cable and the connector, the first actuator being controllable to alter an angular relationship between the first line and the first lower cable.
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 arm, 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 arm when the boom is in the first position;
- and,
- the first line, first lower cable and actuator applying tension to the arm 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 arm, 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 arm when the boom is in the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.