Draw-works and method for operating the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016289052-A1
Application number	US-201615074489-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 18, 2016
Priority date	Mar 30, 2015
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Disclosed is a draw-works and a method of operation. The draw-works includes a first drum configured to store and reel in an elongated hoisting member, such as a hoisting cable, a second drum configured to store and reel in the elongated hoisting member, and a rotation device configured to rotate the first and second drums, wherein at least one of the drums is selectively connectable to and disconnectable from the rotation device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A draw-works comprising:
a first drum for storing and reeling an elongated hoisting member; a second drum for storing and reeling said elongated hoisting member; and a rotation means for rotating said first drum and said second drum; wherein at least one of said first drum and said second drum is selectively connectable to and disconnectable from said rotation means.

2 . The draw-works according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one of said first drum and said second drum is selectively connectable to and disconnectable from said rotation means by means of a remotely operateable connection.

3 . The draw-works according to claim 2 herein said remotely operateable connection is a remotely operateable spline connection.

4 . The draw-works according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one of said first drum and said second drum is lockable to a draw-works support structure when the at least one of said first drum and said second drum is disconnected from said rotation means.

5 . The draw-works according to claim 2 wherein said rotation means comprises a first rotation means for rotating said first drum and a second rotation means for rotating said second drum, said first and second rotation means being selectively, mechanically connectable to and disconnectable from each other.

6 . The draw-works according to claim 5 , wherein said first rotation means comprises one or more motors and a first rotatable shaft, wherein said second rotation means comprises one or more motors and a second rotatable shaft, and wherein said first rotatable shaft is selectively, mechanically connectable to and disconnectable from said second rotatable shaft.

7 . The draw-works according to claim 6 , wherein said first rotatable shaft is selectively, mechanically connectable to and disconnectable from said second rotatable shaft by means of a remotely operateable connection.

8 . The draw-works according to claim 7 wherein said remotely operateable connection is a remotely operateable spline connection.

9 . The draw-works according to claim 6 wherein said first drum is suspended on said first rotatable shaft on a plurality of bearings and wherein said second drum is suspended on said second rotatable shaft on a plurality of bearings.

10 . The draw-works according to claim 5 , wherein the draw-works further comprises a heave compensation means.

11 . A draw-works comprising:
a hoisting cable having first and second ends; a first drum configured to store said first end of said hoisting cable and to reel in said hoisting cable when said first drum is rotated; a second drum configured to store said second end of said hoisting cable and to reel in said hoisting cable when said second drum is rotated; a first rotation means configured to rotate said first drum and comprising one or more motors coupled to a first rotatable shaft; a second rotation means configured to rotate said second drum and comprising one or more motors coupled to a second rotatable shaft; wherein at least said first drum is selectively connectable to and disconnectable from said first rotatable shaft.

12 . The draw-works of claim 11 wherein said first and second rotation means is configured to be selectively, mechanically connectable to and disconnectable from each other.

13 . The draw-works of claim 12 wherein said first rotatable shaft is selectively, mechanically connectable to and disconnectable from said second rotatable shaft.

14 . The draw-works of claim 11 wherein at least said first drum is selectively connectable to and disconnectable from said first rotatable shaft by means of a remotely operateable spline connection.

15 . A method for operating a draw-works wherein the draw-works comprises:
a first drum configured to store and reel in an elongated hoisting member; a second drum configured to store and reel in said elongated hoisting member; and a rotation means configured to rotate said first drum and said second drum; wherein at least one of said first drum and said second drum is selectively connectable to and disconnectable from said rotation means; wherein the method comprises: connecting both said first drum and said second drum to said rotation means so as to rotate the two drums synchronously.

16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:
disconnecting one of said first drum and said second drum from said rotation means so as to only rotate one of the drums.

17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the method further comprises switching between a mode where both said first drum and said second drum are connected to said rotation means, and a mode where only one of said first drum and said second drum is connected to said rotation means.

18 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises disconnecting a first rotation means that is configured to rotate said first drum from a second rotation means that is configured to rotate said second drum so as to operate said first and second drums independently.

Assignees

• Nat Oilwell Varco Norway As

Inventors

• Sørensen Rune
• Watson Timothy
• Rajic Ivan

Classifications

• B66D1/14

  Power transmissions between power sources and drums or barrels {(including brakes, one-way brakes, one-way clutches, clutches activated alternately with brakes, fixed ratio gearing unless otherwise provided for in B66D1/16 - B66D1/24)} · CPC title

• B66D1/26 Primary

  having several drums or barrels · CPC title

• E21B19/084

  with flexible drawing means, e.g. cables · CPC title

• E21B19/008 Primary

  Winding units, specially adapted for drilling operations · CPC title