Alarm systems and methods for preventing improper lifting of tubular members

Abstract

Systems and methods for preventing improper lifting of tubular members are described, in which sensing devices are used to detect when a tubular reaches a selected position within a lifting device suitable for engagement, and/or to detect when a lifting operation is initiated that would exceed the capacity of a lifting device. Operators are engaged with the tubular member and provided with a preselected force corresponding to the weight of one or more tubular members, such that when the weight of a lifting operation exceeds the preselected force, an audible device may be actuated responsive to sensor output, to immediately alert individuals, such that the improper lifting operation may be halted. Similarly, an audible device may be actuated responsive to sensor output when a tubular member reaches a selected position within the lifting device, such that additional movement may be ceased.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An audible alarm system for preventing damage as a result of engaging or moving tubular members, the system comprising:
 a lifting device configured to engage and move a tubular member;   an operator configured to couple to the lifting device and the tubular member, whereby a force of a lifting operation is applied to the operator when the lifting device engages and moves the tubular member, and wherein the operator is provided with a predetermined set-point that corresponds to a weight associated with at least one of the tubular member, the lifting device, and combinations thereof; and   an audible device operatively engaged with the operator, wherein the audible device produces an audible alarm when the force of the lifting operation exceeds the predetermined set-point, thereby providing the alarm sound to prevent damage as a result of engaging or moving the tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The audible alarm system of  claim 1 , wherein the lifting device comprises a tubular running tool having an internal bore for receiving the tubular member and a gripping member for engaging the tubular member when the tubular member is received in the internal bore. 
     
     
         3 . The audible alarm system of  claim 2 , wherein the lifting device comprises a sensing device for detecting a selected position of the tubular member within the internal bore. 
     
     
         4 . The audible alarm system of  claim 3 , wherein the sensing device comprises a mechanical member disposed within the internal bore and adapted to contact the tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The audible alarm system of  claim 3 , further comprising an additional audible device operatively engaged with the sensing device, wherein the additional audible device produces an additional audible alarm when the sensing device detects the selected position of the tubular member, thereby providing an additional audible alarm to prevent damage as a result of improper contact between the lifting device and the tubular member. 
     
     
         6 . The audible alarm system of  claim 5 , wherein the additional audible device comprises a horn. 
     
     
         7 . The audible alarm system of  claim 1 , wherein the operator comprises at least one of a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a mechanical biasing member, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The audible alarm system of  claim 1 , wherein the audible device comprises a horn. 
     
     
         9 . An audible alarm system for preventing damage from improper alignment, engagement, or lifting of tubular members, the system comprising:
 a lifting device configured to engage and lift a tubular member;   an operator secured to the lifting device and the tubular member, wherein a weight of a lifting operation is applied to the operator when the lifting device engages and pulls the tubular member, and wherein the operator is provided with a preselected force corresponding to a weight associated with the tubular member, a maximum weight of the lifting device, or combinations thereof;   a sensing device configured to detect a position of the tubular member relative to the lifting device;   a first audible device operatively engaged with the operator, wherein the first audible device produces a first audible alarm when the weight of the lifting operation exceeds the preselected force for preventing improper lifting of the tubular member; and   a second audible device operatively engaged with the sensing device, wherein the second audible device produces a second audible sound when the sensing device detects the selected position of the tubular member for preventing improper alignment between the lifting device and the tubular member.   
     
     
         10 . The audible alarm system of  claim 9 , wherein the lifting device comprises a tubular running tool having an internal bore for receiving the tubular member and a gripping member for engaging the tubular member when the tubular member is received in the internal bore, and wherein the sensing device detects the selected position of the tubular member within the internal bore. 
     
     
         11 . The audible alarm system of  claim 10 , wherein the sensing device comprises a mechanical member disposed within the internal bore and adapted to contact the tubular member. 
     
     
         12 . A method for preventing damage during lifting or engagement of tubular members, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an operator, wherein the operator is configured with a predetermined set-point that corresponds to a weight associated with a tubular member;   coupling the operator and a lifting device to the tubular member;   initiating a lifting operation with the lifting device, wherein a weight of the lifting operation is applied to the operator; and   setting an audible device to provide an audible alarm when the weight of the lifting operation exceeds the predetermined set-point to thereby prevent damage during lifting of the tubular member.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of engaging the lifting device with the tubular member comprises receiving the tubular member within an internal bore of the lifting device and engaging a gripping member of the lifting device with the tubular member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of detecting a selected position of the tubular member within the internal bore and providing an audible sound if the tubular member occupies the selected position. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of detecting the selected position of the tubular member comprises contacting the tubular member with a mechanical member disposed within the internal bore. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of initiating the lifting operation further comprises receiving the weight of the lifting operation by at least one of a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a mechanical biasing member, and combinations thereof, and applying the preselected force in a direction opposite the direction of the weight of the lifting operation using at least one of the hydraulic cylinder, the pneumatic cylinder, the mechanical biasing member, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A method for preventing damage as a result of lifting, engagement, or alignment of tubular members, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an operator with a predetermined set-point that corresponds to a weight associated with a tubular member;   initiating an operation to engage the tubular member with a lifting device;   detecting a position of the tubular member relative to the lifting device;   providing an audible sound when the tubular member occupies the selected position, whereby the sound provides a warning to prevent improper alignment between the lifting device and the tubular member;   coupling the operator and the lifting device to the tubular member;   initiating a lifting operation with the lifting device, wherein a force associated with the lifting operation is applied to the operator; and   setting an audible device to provide an audible alarm when the force of the lifting operation exceeds the predetermined set-point to thereby prevent damage during lifting of the tubular member.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of initiating the operation to engage the tubular member with the lifting device comprises receiving the tubular member within an internal bore, and wherein the step of engaging the tubular member with the lifting device comprises engaging a gripping member of the lifting device with the tubular member. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of detecting the selected position of the tubular member comprises contacting the tubular member with a mechanical member disposed within the internal bore.