LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR DRILLING RIG

Abstract

A lighting system for a drilling rig including a lighting frame attached to a crown of the drilling rig, wherein the lighting frame includes an adjustable frame portion attached to the crown of the drilling rig and a light bearing frame portion supported by the adjustable frame portion. Also provided is at least one light support post attached to the light bearing frame portion for holding a lighting fixture and at least one lighting fixture attached to each light support post.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a drilling rig comprising: a lighting frame attached to a crown of the drilling rig, wherein the lighting frame includes an adjustable frame portion attached to the crown of the drilling rig and a light bearing frame portion supported by said adjustable frame portion; at least one light support post attached to said light bearing frame portion for holding a lighting fixture; and, at least one lighting fixture attached to each said light support post.

2. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said adjustable frame portion includes at least four support posts for rigidly fixing said adjustable frame portion to the crown, and further comprises, between at least two adjacent support posts: a first tubular load bearing member connected to one of said adjacent support posts; a second tubular load bearing member connected to the other of said adjacent support posts; an extendable frame member extending between and into each of said first and second tubular members; means for fixing each of said first and second tubular members with respect to said extendable frame member; such that said first and second tubular load bearing members are moveable with respect to said extendable frame member to thereby adjust a distance between adjacent support posts.

3. The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein said means for fixing comprises a pin extending through said respective tubular load bearing member and said extendable frame member.

4. The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein said at least two adjacent support posts comprises all of said at least four support posts; wherein said at least four support posts are arranged to form a generally rectangular shape.

5. The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein said light bearing frame portion comprises an outer structural frame consisting of a plurality of connected beams forming a perimeter around which said at least one light fixture is attached.

6. The lighting system according to claim 5, wherein said light bearing frame portion further comprises: at least two cross-braces connecting a first side of said outer structural frame to a second side of said outer structural frame; said first and second sides being generally parallel to each other; at least one support brace connecting said at least two cross-braces to each other; a locating brace connecting one of said at least one support brace to a third side of said outer structural frame; said third side being generally perpendicular to said first and second sizes.

7. The lighting system according to claim 6, further comprising a second locating brace connecting a second of said at least one support brace to a fourth size of said outer structural frame; said fourth side being generally perpendicular to said first and second sizes.

8. The lighting system according to claim 6, wherein at least one of said extendable frame members comprise a recess at a midpoint thereof sized and otherwise dimensioned to receive a main body portion of said locating brace, such that said recess restricts movement of said locating brace in a direction parallel to said extendable frame member.

9. The lighting system according to claim 8, wherein at said at least of said extendable frame members comprises two of said extendable frame members positioned parallel to each other.

10. The lighting system according to claim 5, wherein said light bearing portion further comprises a plurality of light holding platforms spaced around a perimeter of said outer structural frame; said light holding platforms each comprising a first portion for attaching to said outer structural frame and a second portion for holding said light support posts.

11. The lighting system according to claim 10, wherein said each of said light support posts are adapted to hold at least two light fixtures.

12. The lighting system according to claim 11, where said at least two light fixtures are spaced vertically from each other.

13. The lighting system according to claim two, wherein said corner support posts are rigidly affixed to said crown by a bracket positioned proximate a bottom end of each said corner support posts; said bracket being attachable to a body of the crown, proximate a base of the crown.

14. A frame for holding at least one light fixture in a drilling rig arrangement; the frame comprising: an adjustable frame portion; a light bearing frame portion supported by said adjustable frame portion; at least one light support post attached to said light bearing frame portion for holding a lighting fixture; and, at least one lighting fixture attached to each said light support post.

15. The frame according to claim 14, wherein said adjustable frame portion includes at least four support posts for rigidly fixing said adjustable frame portion to the crown, and further comprises, between at least two adjacent support posts: a first tubular load bearing member connected to one of said adjacent support posts; a second tubular load bearing member connected to the other of said adjacent support posts; an extendable frame member extending between and into each of said first and second tubular members; means for fixing each of said first and second tubular members with respect to said extendable frame member; such that said first and second tubular load bearing members are moveable with respect to said extendable frame member to thereby adjust a distance between adjacent support posts.

16. The frame according to claim 15, wherein said means for fixing comprises a pin extending through said respective tubular load bearing member and said extendable frame member.

17. The frame according to claim 15, wherein said at least two adjacent support posts comprises all of said at least four support posts; wherein said at least four support posts are arranged to form a generally rectangular shape.

18. The frame according to claim 15, wherein said light bearing frame portion comprises an outer structural frame consisting of a plurality of connected beams forming a perimeter around which said at least one light fixture is attached.

19. The frame according to claim 18, wherein said light bearing frame portion further comprises: at least two cross-braces connecting a first side of said outer structural frame to a second side of said outer structural frame; said first and second sides being generally parallel to each other; at least one support brace connecting said at least two cross-braces to each other; a locating brace connecting one of said at least one support brace to a third side of said outer structural frame; said third side being generally perpendicular to said first and second sizes.

20. The frame according to claim 19, further comprising a second locating brace connecting a second of said at least one support brace to a fourth size of said outer structural frame; said fourth side being generally perpendicular to said first and second sizes.

21. The frame according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said extendable frame members comprise a recess at a midpoint thereof sized and otherwise dimensioned to receive a main body portion of said locating brace, such that said recess restricts movement of said locating brace in a direction parallel to said extendable frame member.

22. The frame according to claim 21, wherein at said at least of said extendable frame members comprises two of said extendable frame members positioned parallel to each other.

23. The frame according to claim 18, wherein said light bearing portion further comprises a plurality of light holding platforms spaced around a perimeter of said outer structural frame; said light holding platforms each comprising a first portion for attaching to said outer structural frame and a second portion for holding said light support posts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lighting system mounted on a drilling rig according one embodiment of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a detail perspective view of an example of how the lighting system may be connected to the drilling rig.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary lighting frame according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a prior art drawing depicting a general drilling rig.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, a crown 100 of a drilling rig is illustrated in combination with the lighting system 200 of the present invention. Crown 100 includes a base 105 and an outer frame structure 110 including vertical 115 and horizontal 120 frame members arranged to extend from the base 105 such that the base 105 provides an internal floor to the crown 100. Various drilling rig functional elements are illustrated, as previously described with respect to FIG. 9, but these are not described herein in additional detail. The invention is not limited to particular types of drilling rig functional elements and may be used in various drilling rig applications. The crown 100 as herein illustrated and described is an exemplary crown intended to show those features and elements interacting with the lighting system 200. The lighting system in combination with other crown arrangements as are known in the art are equally contemplated by the invention.

[0041] Lighting system 200 generally includes a lighting frame 205 (shown in FIG. 6, and described in more detail herein below), a plurality of light support posts 210 arranged around a perimeter of the lighting frame and extending vertically such that one or more light fixtures 215 may be connected to each light support post 210. The plurality of light fixtures 215 arranged and separated vertically from each other by their positioning on the light support posts 210 permits for light to be directed in a predetermined region proximate the crown 100 and at a predetermined region encompassing a ground area surrounding the drill rig. That is, one group of lights may be directed towards particular equipment on the drilling rig, while another group may be directed to an area surrounding the drilling rig to provide maximum lighting for personnel working in or around the drilling rig.

[0042] Referring also to FIG. 6, there is shown an exemplary lighting frame 205 includes four corner support posts 220 extending from the base of the crown, or from a position proximate the base of the crown. The corner support posts 220 prop up, or otherwise raise above the base of the crown an adjustable frame portion 225. The adjustable frame portion 225 supports a light bearing frame portion 230, which will be described in further detail below. Adjustable frame portion 225 is provided such that the lighting system can be employed on crowns of various sizes. Providing the adjustable frame portion 225 in a manner independent of the light bearing frame portion 230 permits adjustment of the lighting frame 205 to fit various sized crowns without having to adjust the attachment of the individual lights 215 or adjust the number of lights 215 being attached to the fixture. In this manner, the lighting system can be readily retrofitted to an existing crown for long term use, or moved from one crown to another where short term use is required.

[0043] More particularly, the adjustable frame portion 225, includes along each of its outer portions, a pair of load bearing members 235 rigidly connected to respective corner support posts 220. Each pair of load bearing members 235 has positioned therebetween an extendable frame member 240. Each of the load bearing members 235 are tubular, such as tubular steel, and are positioned and otherwise arranged such that the extendable frame member 240 extends into the tubular portion of each pair of load bearing members 235. A pin or other protruding element 247 is arranged on the load bearing members 235 and is adapted to extend through a hole in the extendable frame member 240 to thereby fix the positioning of the load bearing members 235 with respect to the extendable frame member. In operation, the load bearing members 235 are slidable along the extendable frame member 240 to a desired point, where they can be locked in place by extending the pin 247 through the hole in the extendable frame member 240, and though a rear portion of the load bearing member 235 to lock the load bearing member 235 with respect to the extendable frame member 240. This permits the lighting frame 205 to be linearly adjustable in a rectangular manner along the x and y axis shown in FIG. 6. For completeness and clarity, it will be apparent that the frame 205 includes four pairs of the load bearing members 235 described above, adjustable about four respective extendable frame members 240. Extendable frame members 240a and 240b located on the longer sides of the frame 205 include a recess 275 proximate a midpoint thereof, the purpose of which will be described further below. Optionally, a similar recess may be provided in each of the extendable frame members 240.

[0044] The light bearing frame portion 230 is positioned atop the load bearing members 235 which provide support for the light bearing frame portion 230. The light bearing frame portion 230 includes an outer structural frame 243 consisting of a plurality of tubular or solid beams 250 forming a perimeter around which the series of lights are to be mounted. The bearing frame portion 245 further includes cross-braces 255 holding the structure together, where such cross-braces 255 are preferably perpendicular to a side of the lighting system having a longer length, for example perpendicular to they axis shown in FIG. 6. Connecting the pair of cross-braces 255 are one, and preferably two support braces 260. The support braces 260 are positioned internally to the outer structural frame 245 and each have at a midpoint thereof a locating brace 265 connecting the support brace 260 to one member 270 of said outer structural frame 245.

[0045] In order to locate the light bearing frame portion 230 with respect to the adjustable frame portion 225, a recess 275 is provided in the extendable frame members 240a and 240b, into which the locating braces 265 are positioned. Fixing braces 280 connect the outer structural frame members 245 to the extendable frame members 240 along the shorter side of the frame, that is along the x axis of FIG. 6. With this arrangement, the adjustable frame portion 225 can be installed in a crown of varying sizes while the light bearing frame portion 230 is held centered upon the lighting frame, resulting in it being centered with respect to the crown on which it is placed. One skilled in the art will appreciate that various addition means for fixing the light bearing portion are also contemplated, including clamps, screws or additional locating pins.

[0046] Atop the light bearing frame portion 230, spaced along the perimeter of the tubular or solid beams 250 are a plurality of light holding platforms 285. The light holding platforms 285 are preferably welded, or otherwise attached, to the beams 250. The light holding platforms 285 generally comprise a portion attaching them to the beams 250 and a portion adapted to hold the light support posts 210, onto which each of the lights 215 are mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, the portion adapted to hold the light support posts 210 includes a recess or hole 290 into which the light support posts 210 can be friction-fit, clamped, screwed into, or otherwise attached. It is also contemplated that the light support posts 210 can be welded into the recess or hole 290.

[0047] Light support posts 210 preferably comprise a vertically extending post onto which a variety of styles of light fixtures 215 may be mounted. As discussed earlier, in a preferred embodiment two light fixtures may be mounted on each light support post 215, spaced vertically from each other, thus allowing light to be directed to a plurality of key positions around the drilling rig.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, in order to fix the lighting frame 205 with respect to the crown 100, brackets 300 may be provided proximate a bottom portion of each corner support post 220. The brackets 300 may be adapted to be connected to corresponding brackets (not shown) on the crown 100 or alternatively, to be attached directly to a portion of the crown itself. For example, bolts may fix the brackets 300 directly into a portion of the crown.

[0049] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in description of the preferred embodiments or in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.