POWERED CLAMP CLOSURE MECHANISM

Abstract

A powered clamp assembly for use on managed pressure drilling rig comprising: a first jaw and a second jaw, each one of said jaws comprising a pivot extremity and a locking extremity, each one of said pivot extremity comprising a structural member jutting outwardly from its respective jaw and pivotally connected to a bridging means; each one of the locking extremities is connected to one another through a closure means; wherein the movement of said first jaw and said second jaw allows movement of said jaws between a proximal position in relation to each other and a distal position.

Claims

1. A powered clamp assembly for use on a rotating control device on a managed pressure drilling rig comprising: a first jaw and a second jaw, each one of said jaws comprising a pivot extremity and a locking extremity, each one of said pivot extremity comprising a structural member jutting outwardly from its respective jaw and pivotally connected to a bridging means; each one of the locking extremities is connected to one another through a closure means; wherein the movement of said first jaw and said second jaw allows movement of said jaws between a proximal position in relation to each other and a distal position.

2. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 1 wherein said closure means maintains contact with the locking extremity of each one of said first and second jaw when such are in said distal position in relation to each other.

3. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a load holding and locking means selected from the group consisting of: a threaded screw mechanism; and a breech lock mechanism.

4. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 1 wherein said closure means are actuated remotely.

5. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 1 wherein the closure means comprise a linkage and cylinder arrangement.

6. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 1 wherein the linkage and cylinder arrangement is solely used only to open/close the two clamp halves

7. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 1 wherein the means of load holding/locking and closure are two different components.

8. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 1 wherein the linkage is operated by a linear actuator.

9. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 1 wherein the linkage is operated by a linear actuator selected from the group consisting of: a hydraulic actuator; an electric actuator; and a mechanically-driven actuator.

10. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 1 wherein the load holding and locking means is operated by a rotary actuator.

11. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 3 wherein the load holding and locking means is operated by a rotary actuator selected from the group consisting of: a hydraulic actuator; an electric actuator; and a mechanically-driven actuator.

12. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a threaded screw mechanism connecting the closing extremities of said first and second clamp jaw.

13. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 1 wherein a threaded screw mechanism comprises the sole load holding and locking component associated with the closure of said clamp.

14. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 1 further comprising an inner circumferential shape created by the first and second jaw when in a closed position such that it frictionally engages the tubing around which it is disposed.

15. The powered clamp assembly according to claim 13, where an internal surface of the first and second jaw comprises at least one groove adapted to contour a specific type RCD accessory set-up.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the powered clamp according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a closed position;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the powered clamp according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a closed position;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the powered clamp according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an open position; and

[0026] FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the powered clamp according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] As seen in FIGS. 1 to 4, the powered clamp assembly (10) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a first (20) and a second jaw (30). Each one of said jaws comprising a pivot extremity (22, 32) and a locking extremity (24, 34). Each one of said pivot extremity (22 and 32) comprising a member (25, 35) jutting outwardly from the jaw (20, 30) and pivotally connected to a bridging means (40) through a pin (26, 36) or any equivalent mechanical component which permits rotation. Optionally, and as illustrated, the bridging means (40) may comprise a second bridging element (42) located under the members (25, 35). Alternatively, the bridging means may extend from the top side (27, 37) of the members (25, 35) to the bottom side (not shown) as a single piece. According to an alternative embodiment, the bridging means can comprise a single pivot point onto which both members jut thereonto.

[0028] As shown in the preferred embodiment, the locking extremities (24, 34) of the jaws (20, 30) are in permanent connection with one another through a double clasp mechanism (50) which allows the opening and closing of the jaws all the while maintaining them in alignment. Correct alignment of the two jaws upon closure of the clamp is highly desirable as the internal surfaces of each jaw must contour the tubing with as much surface as possible to ensure effectiveness of the clamp. Thus, the inner circumferential shape created by the first and second jaw when in a closed position should be such that it frictionally engages the tube around which it is disposed. Preferably, the profile of the clamps matches the profile formed by the body neck and RCD or accessory. According to a preferred embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one notes that the internal surface of the jaws is not flat but rather it has grooves (80 and 90) adapted to contour a specific type of RCD and/or accessories set-up. The internal surface of the jaws (grooves or no grooves) in no way affects how the clamp assembly operates, it just determines RCD body, RCD, and accessory compatibility.

[0029] The closing mechanism is a double latch mechanism (50) comprises a link (51) connecting the two symmetrical latch assemblies together. Each latch assembly is connected to its respective locking extremity (24, 34) through member (52, 52′). Member (52) is pivotally connected at pivot point (53, 63) an element (54, 64) which also rotates at point (55, 65). Member (52) is in connection with element (56) through pivot point (55, 65) and in rotational connection with link (51) through the two-part pivot point (57). Meanwhile, element (56) also has a pivot connection (not shown) with link (51) to allow for the toggle latch to operate as such.

[0030] According to the illustrated embodiment, the closing mechanism is a double latch mechanism (50) and is equipped with a second locking mechanism comprising a threaded screw mechanism (60) connecting the locking extremities (24, 34) of each jaw together over and above the double latch mechanism. According to the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 4, the threaded screw mechanism (60) employs a threaded screw (70) having a threaded portion (72) which portion has a non-threaded section (74). The non-threaded section (74) allow for the mechanism (60) to slip over the threaded screw (70) more easily prior to tightening of the mechanism (6) to ensure a secure locking of the jaws together during the performance of the hydraulic clamp assembly (60).

[0031] Preferably, the powered clamp comprises an actuator to move the two jaws between a first closed position (see FIGS. 1 and 2) where the clamp is fully shut and a second position where the two jaws are in an open position where their respective locking extremity are in a position distal from each other (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Preferably, the actuator can be mechanically driven, electrically-driven or hydraulically-driven. An actuator operates the mating socket displacement onto and along the threaded screw to tighten or release the jaws. Preferably, also, the latch clasp may also be activated through the operation of a second actuator. This allows the operator to remotely operate the hydraulic clamp and heighten the security of workers. Moreover, it is believed that only one of the two locking mechanisms (latch and threaded screw) is necessary to maintain the two jaws in alignment. The redundancy of this preferred embodiment increases the safety of its use in various operations and allows operators to remotely operate the clamp.

[0032] As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the locking mechanism is a latching mechanism and is made up of a sequence of articulated elements acting in concert to perform a latch closure. The latching mechanism is believed to be highly desirable as it can provide a safe closure all the while providing the operator to actuate it remotely. Preferably, the latch mechanism permanently connects the jaws to each other and therefore ensures the alignment thereof when the clamp is closed. In addition to remote operation, position indication sensors are used to remotely indicate the status of the two operation stages with either “open” or “closed”. This removes the need for visual confirmation of apparatus position which also enhances safety and operational efficiency.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, there is no need for a safety pin or any additional manual safety device. This is achieved through the self-locking nature of the treaded rod/socket interface as well as the ability to trap pressure applied to the rotary actuator.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the clamp assembly comprises two factors which negate the need for a safety latch. One being the thread geometry selected for the main rod/nut is inherently self-locking, the other factor being that the hydraulic valving used is directly mounted to the rotary actuator which will prevent any movement until the actuator direction is reversed. This can be achieved since the rotary actuator in question has no internal leakage (as compared to a motor, which does have internal leakage).

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, one of the means of motion to achieve clamp opening and closing is using opposing dual acting cylinders as compared to a screw drive in the prior art document discussed earlier. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the open/close cylinders move the clamp through a linkage which allows the powered clamp assembly to be much more compact when in the closed position and shields the moving parts from any possible damage which could be potentially caused by impacts from other objects being lifted or moved. Contrary to the prior art, where the mechanism disclosed has the primary load acting through the open/close cylinder, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the primary load never goes through the movement cylinders. This is one of the reasons the clamp assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is compact.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when in use the clamp can be tightened around a tube remotely either wirelessly or through a cable connected to the powered clamp. The operator, which is located at a safe distance from the wellbore and hence the powered clamp, enters instructions or operates controls which are meant to release the lock mechanism, once the lock mechanism has been operated, the closure is opened and the clamp's grip is loosened to allow the RCD or accessories to be removed or installed into the RCD body.

[0037] As is understood by the person skilled in the art to which this disclosure is addressed, the pivot extremity, the locking extremity, and the locking mechanism can take different forms but still be considered to be part of the inventive concept as described and illustrated herein. The embodiments described herein are to be understood to be exemplary and numerous modification and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the claims appended hereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein.