Level-wind system for coiled tubing

Abstract

A level-wind head and system for coiled tubing the head adapted for passing coiled tubing of various outside diameters without repositioning or replacing the rollers. A system of an embodiment of the present invention includes a coiled tubing reel mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a level-wind head comprising only one pair rollers mounted in spaced relation to one another to form a throat sized to pass various outside diameter coiled tubing, without replacement or repositioning of the pair of rollers, to or from the reel, and a positioning system in connection with the level-wind head for selectively positioning the level-wind head proximate the reel.

1 . A level-wind system for guiding coiled tubing to or from a reel, the system comprising: 
 an arm;    a roller head non-moveably connected to the arm, the roller head forming a throat for passing the coiled tubing.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further including: 
 a positioning system in connection with the arm for selectively positioning the roller head relative to the reel.    
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the positioning system comprises: 
 a vertical positioning mechanism for positioning the roller head vertically relative to the longitudinal axis of the reel; and    a horizontal positioning mechanism for positioning the roller head laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the reel.    
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least the vertical positioning mechanism operates independent of the reel's drive mechanism.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the arm comprises: 
 an elongated member having a first end pivotally connected to a support structure and a free end, the roller head connected to the free end.    
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a positioning system in connection with the arm for selectively positioning the roller head relative to the reel.    
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the positioning system is operated independent of the reel's drive mechanism.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further including an arm assembly comprising: 
 a pair of spaced apart extensions, each extension having a first end hingedly connected to a support structure and a distal end;    a leadscrew rotatably mounted between the distal ends of the extensions; and    an actuator in connection with the leadscrew for rotating the leadscrew;    wherein the arm is slidingly mounted on the leadscrew in a manner such that the arm moves substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reel in response to the rotation of the leadscrew.    
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator is independent of the reel's drive mechanism.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , further including: 
 a vertical positioning mechanism connected to the arm assembly for moving the arm vertically relative to the longitudinal axis of the reel.    
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the roller head comprises: 
 a pair of rollers mounted in spaced relation to one another to form a throat sized to pass various outside diameter coiled tubing without replacement or repositioning of the pair of rollers.    
     
     
         12 . A level-wind head for guiding coiled tubing to or from a reel, the level-wind head comprising: 
 a pair of rollers mounted in spaced relation to one another to form a throat sized to pass various outside diameter coiled tubing without replacement or repositioning of the pair of rollers.    
     
     
         13 . The level-wind head of  claim 12 , wherein the throat is sized to pass coiled tubing having an outside diameter from approximately 1 inch to 2.5 inches.  
     
     
         14 . The level-wind head of  claim 12 , wherein the throat is sized to pass coiled tubing having an outside diameter from approximately 1.25 inches to 2.375 inches.  
     
     
         15 . The level-wind head of  claim 12 , wherein the rollers are substantially one-sheet hyperboloid shaped.  
     
     
         16 . The level-wind head of  claim 12 , wherein the rollers are non-lubricated.  
     
     
         17 . The level-wind head of  claim 15 , wherein the rollers are non-lubricated.  
     
     
         18 . A coiled tubing system comprising: 
 a coiled tubing reel mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis;    a drive mechanism for rotating the reel;    a level-wind head comprising only one pair rollers mounted in spaced relation to one another to form a throat sized to pass various outside diameter coiled tubing, without replacement or repositioning of the pair of rollers, to or from the reel; and    a positioning system in connection with the level-wind head for selectively positioning the level-wind head proximate the reel.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the rollers are substantially one-sheet hyperboloid shaped.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the rollers are non-lubricated.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein: 
 the rollers are substantially one-sheet hyperboloid shaped; and    the rollers are non-lubricated.    
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18 , further including: 
 an elongated member having a first end pivotally connected to a support structure and a free end, the level-wind head connected to the free end.    
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the positioning system comprises: 
 a vertical positioning mechanism for positioning the level-wind head vertically relative to the longitudinal axis of the reel; and    a horizontal positioning mechanism for positioning the level-wind head laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the reel;    wherein at least the vertical positioning mechanism operates independent of the drive mechanism.    
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 18 , further including: 
 an elongated member having a first end pivotally connected to a support structure and a free end, the level-wind head rigidly connected to the free end.    
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the positioning system comprises: 
 a vertical positioning mechanism for positioning the level-wind head vertically relative to the longitudinal axis of the reel; and    a horizontal positioning mechanism for positioning the level-wind head laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the reel;    wherein at least the vertical positioning mechanism operates independent of the drive mechanism.    
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 18 , further including an arm assembly comprising: 
 a pair of spaced apart extensions, each extension having a first end hingedly connected to a support structure and a distal end;    a leadscrew rotatably mounted between the distal ends of the extensions;    an actuator in connection with the leadscrew for rotating the leadscrew; and    a nut that is slidingly mounted on the leadscrew, the level-wind head connected to the nut;    wherein the level-wind head moves substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reel in response to the rotation of the leadscrew.    
     
     
         27 . The arm assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the actuator is independent of the drive mechanism.