Pipe joint apparatus and method

Abstract

A pipe joint apparatus includes a stabbing guide configured to protect a rim of a box of a first pipe end while guiding a second pipe end into the first pipe end. At least one actuator is configured to move the stabbing guide between a non-working position where the stabbing guide does not guide the second pipe end into the first pipe end and a working position where the stabbing guide guides the second pipe end into the first pipe end.

1 . A pipe joint apparatus, comprising:
 a stabbing guide configured to protect a rim of a box of a first pipe end while guiding a second pipe end into the first pipe end; and   at least one guide actuator configured to move the stabbing guide between a non-working position where the stabbing guide is not vertically aligned with the box of the first pipe end and a working position where the stabbing guide is vertically aligned with the box of the first pipe end.   
     
     
         2 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lubricator configured to provide lubricant to the box of the first pipe; and   at least one lubricator actuator configured to move the lubricator between a non-working position where the lubricator is not vertically aligned with the box of the first pipe end and a working position where the lubricator is vertically aligned with the box of the first pipe end.   
     
     
         3 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a positioning mechanism coupled to the stabbing guide and the lubricator and is configured to position the stabbing guide and the lubricator in their non-working and working positions.   
     
     
         4 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the positioning mechanism further comprises:
 a conveyor configured to vertically move the stabbing guide and the lubricator; and   a fixture coupled to the stabbing guide and the lubricator, wherein the fixture is coupled to the conveyor and is configured to move vertically along the conveyor.   
     
     
         5 . A pipe joint apparatus, comprising:
 a stabbing guide comprising a pipe guard having an inner wall including an upper tapered section, an upper vertical section and a lower vertical section, wherein a horizontal shoulder is formed between the upper vertical section and the lower vertical section; and   at least one guide actuator configured to move the stabbing guide between a non-working and a working position   wherein the horizontal shoulder of the inner surface of the pipe guard at least partially covers a rim of a box end of a first pipe.   
     
     
         6 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the pipe guard comprises two jaws that are configured to encircle the box of the first pipe, wherein the jaws include an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising an actuator configured to transition the pipe guard between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . A method for guiding one pipe into another, comprising:
 vertically aligning a stabbing guide of a pipe joint apparatus vertically over a box of a first pipe;   covering a rim of the box of the first pipe with a pipe guard of the stabbing guide; and   inserting a pin of a second pipe into the box of the first pipe.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising vertically aligning a lubricator of the pipe joint apparatus vertically over the box of the first pipe. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising lubricating the box of the first pipe using the lubricator of the pipe joint apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stabbing guide comprises a pipe guard having an inner wall including an upper tapered section configured to receive a pin end of a pipe. 
     
     
         12 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the inner wall of the pipe guard comprises an upper vertical section and a lower vertical section, wherein a horizontal shoulder is formed between the upper vertical section and the lower vertical section. 
     
     
         13 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the horizontal shoulder of the inner wall of the pipe guard at least partially covers a rim of the box of the first pipe end. 
     
     
         14 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the pipe guard comprises two jaws that are configured to encircle the box of the first pipe end, wherein the jaws include an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising an actuator configured to transition the pipe guard between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         16 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide actuator comprises a rotary actuator configured to impart rotary motion to the stabbing guide. 
     
     
         17 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the rotary actuator is coupled to a linear actuator configured to move the stabbing guide linearly along a vertical axis of the linear actuator. 
     
     
         18 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one guide actuator is configured to vertically align the stabbing guide with the box end of the first pipe. 
     
     
         19 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one guide actuator comprises a rotary actuator configured to impart rotary motion to the stabbing guide. 
     
     
         20 . The pipe joint apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the rotary actuator is coupled to a linear actuator configured to move the stabbing guide linearly along a vertical axis of the linear actuator.