Implementations described herein include a hoisting device and method for handling, coupling and recovery of tubular members such as drill string components. The hoisting device has a self-energizing gripping means configued to releasably engage a drill string component. In one aspect, the self-energizing gripping means can be operable to increase at least one of a radial biasing force and a contact friction force applied to a drill string component, causing the gripping means to increase the overall gripping force applied to the component with minimal effort exerted by a hoisting device operator.

A pile upending device for large diameter tubular elements includes; an annular base ring for extending along substantially the entire circumference of the tubular element, a central lifting arm for coupling the pile upending device to a hoisting element, which lifting arm is hingeably coupled with the base ring, a number of wedge assemblies disposed along the outside circumference of the base ring for facing the inside surface of the tubular element and frictional engagement with the tubular element.

A pile upending device for large diameter tubular elements includes; an annular base ring for extending along substantially the entire circumference of the tubular element, a central lifting arm for coupling the pile upending device to a hoisting element, which lifting arm is hingeably coupled with the base ring, a number of wedge assemblies disposed along the outside circumference of the base ring for facing the inside surface of the tubular element and frictional engagement with the tubular element.

Implementations described herein include a hoisting device and method for handling, coupling and recovery of tubular members such as drill string components. The hoisting device has a self-energizing gripping means configured to releasably engage a drill string component. In one aspect, the self-energizing gripping means can be operable to increase at least one of a radial biasing force and a contact friction force applied to a drill string component, causing the gripping means to increase the overall gripping force applied to the component with minimal effort exerted by a hoisting device operator.

A transport apparatus for use in the transport of a heavy structure includes a shape-adjustable adapter realized to adjust between an initial shape and a mating shape; and an actuator configured to effect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into its initial shape to facilitate positioning of the adapter relative to the structure; and to effect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into its mating shape to engage the shape-adjustable adapter with a surface of the structure. A method of securing a frustoconical structure during transport is further provided.

A transport apparatus for use in the transport of a heavy structure includes a shape-adjustable adapter realized to adjust between an initial shape and a mating shape; and an actuator configured to effect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into its initial shape to facilitate positioning of the adapter relative to the structure; and to effect a change in shape of the shape-adjustable adapter into its mating shape to engage the shape-adjustable adapter with a surface of the structure. A method of securing a frustoconical structure during transport is further provided.

The present invention consists of a lifting tool (1) for internally flanged bodies comprising: a body (8) consisting of a solid supporting structure; means (19) to ensure the rotation of a lever (10); means (10) for moving rods (9): these means consist of a lever (10) placed in rotation on the pin (19) by at least one hydraulic cylinder (14), which is connected to said lever (10) by means of a hinge (13) and to said body (8) by means of a hinge (11); means (14) for moving the lever (10); means (9) for pushing petals (5) radially outwards: these means consist of a rod (9) for each petal (5): said rods (9) are connected to the lever (10) by means of hinges (12) and to the petals (5) by means of hinges (20); means (5) to ensure the centering of the body (8) with respect to the pipe (2); to also ensure the lifting of said pipe (2) by engaging the flange (3), welded to the pipe (2): such means consist of at least three petals (5), constrained in movement by at least one sliding block (16) for each petal (5): each such sliding block (16) being slidable in a guiding slot (15) machined into the body of the petal (5); means (16) to ensure the radial movement of the petal (5) with respect to the geometric axis of the body (8); these means consist of at least one sliding block (16) for each petal (5): each such sliding block (16) being slidable relative to the petal (5) in a guiding slot (15) machined into the body of the petal (5) itself; means (6) to ensure that during the lifting of the petals (5) the petals (5) do not leave their seat; these means consist of supports (6) able to counteract the upward force that is generated on the back of the petal (5) during the lifting operation.

The present invention consists of a lifting tool (1) for internally flanged bodies comprising: a body (8) consisting of a solid supporting structure; means (19) to ensure the rotation of a lever (10); means (10) for moving rods (9): these means consist of a lever (10) placed in rotation on the pin (19) by at least one hydraulic cylinder (14), which is connected to said lever (10) by means of a hinge (13) and to said body (8) by means of a hinge (11); means (14) for moving the lever (10); means (9) for pushing petals (5) radially outwards: these means consist of a rod (9) for each petal (5): said rods (9) are connected to the lever (10) by means of hinges (12) and to the petals (5) by means of hinges (20); means (5) to ensure the centering of the body (8) with respect to the pipe (2); to also ensure the lifting of said pipe (2) by engaging the flange (3), welded to the pipe (2): such means consist of at least three petals (5), constrained in movement by at least one sliding block (16) for each petal (5): each such sliding block (16) being slidable in a guiding slot (15) machined into the body of the petal (5); means (16) to ensure the radial movement of the petal (5) with respect to the geometric axis of the body (8); these means consist of at least one sliding block (16) for each petal (5): each such sliding block (16) being slidable relative to the petal (5) in a guiding slot (15) machined into the body of the petal (5) itself; means (6) to ensure that during the lifting of the petals (5) the petals (5) do not leave their seat; these means consist of supports (6) able to counteract the upward force that is generated on the back of the petal (5) during the lifting operation.

The invention relates to a handling device for gripping and inserting a pile tube into a borehole in the ground to form a foundation pile, comprising a base frame, a gripping device for gripping and holding the pile tube, and a holding element for releasably connecting the base frame to a hoist, in particular a suspension rope. According to the invention, it is provided that at least one inlet device for supplying a curable medium is arranged on the base frame in an upper region and at least one outlet device for the curable medium to the pile tube is arranged in a lower region.