Alignment apparatus and method for a boom of a pipe handling system
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorKeith J. Orgeron
Life of this patent
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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, and a gripper affixed to the end of the arm opposite the boom. A pair of arm-tensioning mechanisms is connected to the arm and provide for tensioning of the arm. A pair of boom-lateral-adjustment mechanisms is connected to the upper portion of the boom and provide for lateral adjustment of the boom. A pair of rocker-arm-adjustment mechanisms is connected to the link and provide for adjustment of the link.
Claims8
A tensioning apparatus comprising:
- a frame;
- a boom pivotally movable between a first position and a second position;
- a lever having a first and second portion, the lever pivotally connected to the boom;
- an arm pivotally connected at one end to the first portion of the lever, the arm movable between a stowed position and a deployed position;
- a gripper assembly affixed to an opposite end of the arm, the gripper assembly for gripping a diameter of a pipe;
- a link having a first end pivotally connected at one end to the second portion of the lever, the link having a second end pivotally connected to the frame;
- and,
- a tensioning assembly having one end connected to the arm and an opposite end connected to the frame, the tensioning assembly configured to apply a tension to the arm.
A boom-lateral-adjustment apparatus comprising:
- a frame;
- a boom pivotally movable between a first position and a second position;
- a lever having a first and second portion, the lever pivotally connected to the boom;
- an arm pivotally connected at one end to the first portion of the lever, the arm movable between a stowed position and a deployed position;
- a gripper assembly affixed to an opposite end of the arm, the gripper assembly for gripping a diameter of a pipe;
- a link having a first end pivotally connected at one end to the second portion of the lever, the link having a second end pivotally connected to the frame;
- and,
- a pair of boom-lateral-adjustment mechanisms each having one end connected to the upper portion of the boom and an opposite end connected to the frame, the boom-lateral-adjustment mechanism configured to selectively adjust the alignment of the boom.
A rocker-arm-adjustment apparatus comprising:
- a frame;
- a boom pivotally movable between a first position and a second position;
- a lever having a first and second portion, the lever pivotally connected to the boom;
- an arm pivotally connected at one end to the first portion of the lever, the arm movable between a stowed position and a deployed position;
- a gripper assembly affixed to an opposite end of the arm, the gripper assembly for gripping a diameter of a pipe;
- a link having a first end pivotally connected at one end to the second portion of the lever, the link having a second end;
- and,
- a rocker-arm-adjustment mechanism having one end connected to the second end of the link and an opposite end connected to the frame, the rocker-arm-adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the alignment of the link.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.