Actuator, Elevator with Actuator, and Methods of Use

Abstract

Disclosed is an actuator device for remotely engaging, in fail-safe fashion, the slip segments on a slip-type elevator used in connection with a drill pipe, casing, or other object being lowered into or pulled out an oil, gas, geothermal, water, mining or other subsurface well. An actuator drive mechanism is provided and capable of extending a cylinder to engage the top surface of a slip segment or slip setting plate to cause the slips to be pushed into gripping engagement against the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other object. The slips may be equipped with retention springs to move the slips back to their non-engaged positions when the actuator drive is disengaged or to urge continued engagement. The actuator drive cylinder can also be directly attached to the slips or slip setting plate and is capable of moving the slips into and out of their engaged position.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An actuator mechanism for actuating, as desired, one or more slip segments in a slip-type elevator used in connection with an oil, gas, geothermal, water, mining or other subsurface well, the elevator comprising a central slip bore between the slip segments permitting the passage therethrough of a drill pipe, casing, or other object being lowered into or pulled out of the well, the one or more slips capable of being actuated on a slip actuation surface to move between a static, non-engaged first position away from an outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other cylindrical object being lowered into or pulled out from the well to a second position in gripping engagement with the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other object being lowered into or pulled out of the well, the actuator mechanism comprising:
 a. a mounting flange attachable to the elevator,   b. a housing attached to the mounting flange, the housing positioned so that it does not extend into the elevator central slip bore,   c. an actuator drive mechanism mounted within the housing,   d. a retractable piston extending from the actuator drive mechanism, the piston having a proximal end attached to the actuator drive mechanism and a distal end extendable therefrom,
 the actuator drive mechanism capable of being activated to engage the piston with the slip actuation surface, 
 the actuator drive mechanism capable of being activated to cause the piston to extend outwardly in engagement with the slip actuation surface to move the slips from the slip static, non-engaged first position into the slip second position to grippingly engage the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other object, 
 the actuator drive mechanism capable of maintaining the piston in its extended position to maintain the slips in such grippingly engaging position, and 
 the actuator drive mechanism being further capable of being deactivated to move the slips from the slip engaged second position to the slip disengaged first position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the elevator is a floor spider type elevator or a lifting and hoisting type elevator. 
     
     
         3 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the actuator mechanism is activated hydraulically, pneumatically, magnetically and/or mechanically. 
     
     
         4 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 3  wherein the mechanical activation is an electrical motor. 
     
     
         5 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the other cylindrical object being lowered into or pulled out of the well comprises a wireline. 
     
     
         6 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 1  further comprising at least one additional actuator device mounted in a housing attached to the mounting flange in spaced apart relationship from the other one or more actuator devices. 
     
     
         7 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 6  wherein the one or more actuator devices are mounted in the same housing in spaced-apart relationship. 
     
     
         8 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the slip activation surface comprises the top surfaces of the one or more slips. 
     
     
         9 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the elevator further comprises a slip setting plate that links together the movement of the one or more slips, and wherein the slip activation surface comprises a top surface of the slip setting plate. 
     
     
         10 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the one or more slip segments comprise spring-loaded slip segments,
 wherein the actuated movement of the one or more spring-loaded slips to their second positions causes the one or more springs in the one or more slips to be compressed, and 
 wherein when the actuator is deactivated, the actuator piston is permitted to retract, and the one or more compressed springs in the one or more slips urge the one or more slips to return to their non-engaged first positions. 
 
     
     
         11 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the distal end of the retractable piston is attached directly to a point of attachment on the slip actuation surface,
 wherein as the piston is engaged to extend outwardly, the one or more slips are pushed into their second positions, 
 wherein the actuator piston is capable of being held in its extended position to maintain the one or more slips in their second, engaged positions, and 
 wherein as the piston is retracted inwardly, the one or more slips are pulled into their first positions. 
 
     
     
         12 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 11  wherein the piston is fixably, hingably, swivelly or flexibly attached to the point of attachment on the slip actuation surface. 
     
     
         13 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 11  wherein the one or more slips further comprise one or more pretensioned springs biased to provide a force urging the one or more slips into their second, engaged positions,
 wherein as the piston extends outwardly, the one or more slips are pushed into their second positions assisted by the force of the one or more pretensioned springs, 
 wherein as the piston is retracted inwardly, the one or more slips are pulled into their first positions, and the one or more springs are compressed into their pretensioned bias, and 
 wherein, when the piston is holding the one or more slips in their second, engaged positions, the pretensioned springs serve as a fail-safe to maintain the one or more slips in their engaged positions in the event that the piston becomes detached from the point of attachment on the slip actuation surface. 
 
     
     
         14 . An actuator mechanism for actuating, as desired, one or more spring-loaded slip segments in a slip-type elevator used in connection with an oil, gas, geothermal, water, mining or other subsurface well, the elevator comprising a central slip bore between the slip segments permitting the passage therethrough of a drill pipe, casing, or other object being lowered into or pulled out of the well, the one or more spring-loaded slips capable of being actuated on a slip actuation surface to move between a static, non-engaged first position away from an outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other cylindrical object being lowered into or pulled out from the well to a second position in gripping engagement with the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other object being lowered into or pulled out of the well, the movement of the slip to the second position causing the slip spring to compress and load the slip spring, the actuator mechanism comprising:
 a. a mounting flange attachable to the elevator,   b. a housing attached to the mounting flange, the housing positioned so that it does not extend into the elevator central slip bore,   c. an actuator drive mechanism mounted within the housing,   d. a retractable piston extending from the actuator drive mechanism, the piston having a proximal end attached to the actuator drive mechanism and a distal end extendable therefrom,
 the actuator drive mechanism capable of being activated to place the piston into contact with the slip actuation surface, 
 the actuator drive mechanism capable of being activated to cause the piston to extend outwardly to push against the slip actuation surface to move the slips from the slip static, non-engaged first position into the slip second position to grippingly engage the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other object while also compressing the slip springs, 
 the actuator drive mechanism capable of maintaining the piston in its extended position to maintain the slips in such grippingly engaging position, and 
 the actuator drive mechanism being further capable of being deactivated to permit the compressed slip springs to move the slips from the slip engaged second position to the slip disengaged first position. 
   
     
     
         15 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 14  wherein the elevator is a floor spider type elevator or a lifting and hoisting type elevator. 
     
     
         16 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the actuator mechanism is activated hydraulically, pneumatically, magnetically and/or mechanically. 
     
     
         17 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the mechanical activation is an electrical motor. 
     
     
         18 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 14  wherein the other cylindrical object being lowered into or pulled out of the well comprises a wireline. 
     
     
         19 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 14  further comprising at least one additional actuator device mounted in a housing attached to the mounting flange in spaced apart relationship from the other one or more actuator devices. 
     
     
         20 . The actuator mechanism of  claim 19  wherein the one or more actuator devices are mounted with the same housing in spaced-apart relationship. 
     
     
         21 . A slip-type elevator used in connection with a drill pipe, casing, or other object being lowered into or pulled out an oil, gas, geothermal, water, mining or other subsurface well, the elevator comprising:
 a. a main body with a central elevator bore,   b. a plurality of slip segments mounted on slip guide pins spaced about the central elevator bore, the pins guiding the downward and upward movement of the slip segments about the elevator central bore, the slip segments capable of being actuated on a slip actuation surface to move between a static, non-engaged first position away from the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other object being lowered into or pulled out from the well to a second position in gripping engagement with the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other cylindrical object being lowered into or pulled out of the well,   c. a central slip bore between the slip segments permitting the passage therethrough of a drill pipe, casing, or other cylindrical object being lowered into or pulled out of the well,   d. at least one actuator mechanism mounted to the elevator in a location that does not interfere with the desired passage of the drill pipe, casing, or other cylindrical object through the central slip bore, the at least one actuator mechanism comprising:
 i. an actuator drive mechanism, 
 ii. a retractable piston extending from the actuator drive mechanism, the piston having a proximal end attached to the actuator drive mechanism and a distal end extendable therefrom,
 the actuator drive mechanism capable of being activated to engage the piston with the slip actuation surface, 
 the actuator drive mechanism capable of being activated to cause the piston to extend outwardly in engagement with the slip actuation surface to move the slips from the slip static, non-engaged first position into the slip second position to grippingly engage the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other object, 
 the actuator drive mechanism capable of maintaining the piston in its extended position to maintain the slips in such grippingly engaging position, and 
 the actuator drive mechanism being further capable of being deactivated to move the slips from the slip engaged second position to the slip disengaged first position. 
 
   
     
     
         22 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 21  wherein the main body is a hinged body, a solid body, or a solid body with a side door. 
     
     
         23 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 21  wherein the elevator is a floor spider elevator or a lifting and hoisting elevator. 
     
     
         24 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 21  wherein the actuator mechanism is activated hydraulically, pneumatically, magnetically, mechanically and/or electro-mechanically. 
     
     
         25 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 21  wherein the mechanical or electro-mechanical activation is an electric motor. 
     
     
         26 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 21  wherein the other cylindrical object being lowered into or pulled out of the well comprises a wireline. 
     
     
         27 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 21  further comprising at least one additional actuator device mounted in a housing attached to the mounting flange in spaced apart relationship from the other one or more actuator devices. 
     
     
         28 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 27  wherein the one or more actuator devices are mounted in the same housing in spaced-apart relationship. 
     
     
         29 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 21  wherein the slip activation surface comprises the top surfaces of the one or more slips. 
     
     
         30 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 21  wherein the elevator further comprises a slip setting plate that links together the movement of the one or more slips, and wherein the slip activation surface comprises a top surface of the slip setting plate. 
     
     
         31 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 21  wherein the one or more slip segments comprise spring-loaded slip segments,
 wherein the actuated movement of the one or more spring-loaded slips to their second positions causes the one or more springs in the one or more slips to be compressed, and 
 wherein when the actuator is deactivated, the actuator piston is permitted to retract, and the one or more compressed springs in the one or more slips urge the one or more slips to return to their non-engaged first positions. 
 
     
     
         32 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 21  wherein the slip segments further comprise retention springs located on the slip pins, the movement of the slip segments into the second position causing the slip retention springs to compress, the compressed slip springs capable of moving the slips from the slip engaged second position to the slip disengaged first position. 
     
     
         33 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 21  wherein the distal end of the retractable piston is attached directly to a point of attachment on the slip actuation surface,
 wherein as the piston is engaged to extend outwardly, the one or more slips are pushed into their second positions, 
 wherein the actuator piston is capable of being held in its extended position to maintain the one or more slips in their second, engaged positions, and 
 wherein as the piston is retracted inwardly, the one or more slips are pulled into their first positions. 
 
     
     
         34 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 33  wherein the piston is fixably, hingably, swivelly or flexibly attached to the point of attachment on the slip actuation surface. 
     
     
         35 . The slip-type elevator of  claim 33  wherein the one or more slips further comprise one or more pretensioned springs biased to provide a force urging the one or more slips into their second, engaged positions,
 wherein as the piston extends outwardly, the one or more slips are pushed into their second positions assisted by the force of the one or more pretensioned springs, 
 wherein as the piston is retracted inwardly, the one or more slips are pulled into their first positions, and the one or more springs are compressed into their pretensioned bias, and 
 wherein, when the piston is holding the one or more slips in their second, engaged positions, the pretensioned springs serve as a fail-safe to maintain the one or more slips in their engaged positions in the event that the piston becomes detached from the point of attachment on the slip actuation surface. 
 
     
     
         36 . A method of gripping and holding a drill pipe, casing, or other cylindrical object being lowered into or pulled out of an oil, gas, geothermal, water, mining or other subsurface well comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a slip-type elevator comprising:
 i. a main body with a central elevator bore, 
 ii. a plurality of slip segments mounted on slip pins spaced about the central elevator bore, the pins guiding the downward and upward movement of the slip segments about the elevator central bore, the slip segments capable of being actuated on a slip actuation surface to move between a static, non-engaged first position away from the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other object being lowered into or pulled out from the well to a second position in gripping engagement with the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other cylindrical object being lowered into or pulled out of the well, 
 iii. a central slip bore between the slip segments permitting the passage therethrough of the drill pipe, casing, or other cylindrical object being lowered into or pulled out of the well, 
 iv. at least one actuator mechanism mounted to the elevator in a location that does not interfere with the desired passage of the drill pipe, casing, or other cylindrical object through the central slip bore, the at least one actuator mechanism comprising:
 an actuator drive mechanism; 
 a retractable piston extending from the actuator drive mechanism, the piston having a proximal end attached to the actuator drive mechanism and a distal end extendable therefrom;
 the actuator drive mechanism capable of being activated to engage the piston with the slip actuation surface, 
 the actuator drive mechanism capable of being activated to cause the piston to extend outwardly in engagement with the slip actuation surface to move the slips from the slip static, non-engaged first position into the slip second position to grippingly engage the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other object, 
 the actuator drive mechanism capable of maintaining the piston in its extended position to maintain the slips in such grippingly engaging position, and 
 the actuator drive mechanism being further capable of being deactivated to move the slips from the slip engaged second position to the slip disengaged first position; 
 
 
   b. activating the actuator mechanism;   c. remotely signaling the actuator drive to move the slip segments into gripping engagement with the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other cylindrical object;   d. maintaining the slip segments in the gripping engagement for a desired length of time; and   e. deactivating the actuator drive mechanism to permit the slip segments to return to their first, non-engaged positions.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the slip segments are activated to grippingly engage the outer surface of the drill pipe, casing, or other cylindrical object being lowered into or pulled out of the well to prevent or mitigate a ratcheting event. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the actuator mechanism is activated hydraulically, pneumatically, magnetically, mechanically and/or electro-mechanically. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the mechanical or electro-mechanical activation is an electric motor. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising at least one additional actuator device mounted in a housing attached to the mounting flange in spaced apart relationship from the other one or more actuator devices, wherein each of the actuator devices are substantially simultaneously activated during the activation step or substantially simultaneously deactivated during the deactivation step. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the one or more actuator devices are mounted with the same housing in spaced-apart relationship. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the slip activation surface comprises the top surfaces of the one or more slips. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the elevator further comprises a slip setting plate that links together the movement of the one or more slips, and wherein the slip activation surface comprises a top surface of the slip setting plate. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the one or more slip segments comprise spring-loaded slip segments,
 wherein the actuated movement of the one or more spring-loaded slips to their second positions causes the one or more springs in the one or more slips to be compressed, and 
 wherein when the actuator is deactivated, the actuator piston is permitted to retract, and the one or more compressed springs in the one or more slips urge the one or more slips to return to their non-engaged first positions. 
 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the slip segments further comprise retention springs located on the slip pins, the movement of the slip segments into the second position causing the slip retention springs to compress, the compressed slip springs capable of moving the slips from the slip engaged second position to the slip disengaged first position. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the distal end of the retractable piston is attached directly to a point of attachment on the slip actuation surface,
 wherein as the piston is engaged to extend outwardly, the one or more slips are pushed into their second positions, 
 wherein the actuator piston is capable of being held in its extended position to maintain the one or more slips in their second, engaged positions, and 
 wherein as the piston is retracted inwardly, the one or more slips are pulled into their first positions. 
 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the piston is fixably, hingably, swivelly or flexibly attached to the point of attachment on the slip actuation surface. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the one or more slips further comprise one or more pretensioned springs biased to provide a force urging the one or more slips into their second, engaged positions,
 wherein as the piston extends outwardly, the one or more slips are pushed into their second positions assisted by the force of the one or more pretensioned springs, 
 wherein as the piston is retracted inwardly, the one or more slips are pulled into their first positions, and the one or more springs are compressed into their pretensioned bias, and 
 wherein, when the piston is holding the one or more slips in their second, engaged positions, the pretensioned springs serve as a fail-safe to maintain the one or more slips in their engaged positions in the event that the piston becomes detached from the point of attachment on the slip actuation surface.