US2253487A - Portable well derrick - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 19, 1941.

G. K. CLAIRE PORTABLE WELL DERRICK Filed Feb. 27, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 19, 1941. G. K. CLAIRE PORTABLE WELL DERRIGK 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 27, 1940 Aug. 19, 1941. G. K. CLAIRE l PORTABLE WELL DERRICK Filed Feb. 27, 1940 14 Shets-Sheet 3 y@ f/ We a j f7 Aug. 19, 1941. Q K C;| A|REv 2,253,487

PORTABLE WELL. DERRICK Filed Feb. 27, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aus- 197 1941'. a. .*CLAIRE 2,253,481

PORTABLE WELL. DERRIGK Filed Feb. 2'7, 1940' 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 mezza/az Aug. 19, 1941. vG. K. CLAIRE oBTABLE WELL DERRIGK Filed Feb. 27, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 Allg. 19, 1941. G K, CLMRE l2,253,487

l 7 1 PORTABLE WELL DERRIQK Filed Feb. v2'?, -1940 14 vsneaks-sheet 7 l @m2 a@ fr 3/ far f5 2A/ef- .Aug.1l9, 19141. v j G, K. CLAIRE l L 2,253,487

- PORTABLE WELL DERRI CK j Fi1ed'Feb. 27, 1940 u 14 sheets-sheets Aug. .119, 1941. G. K. CLAIRE 2,253,487

PORTABLE wELL DERRIcx Filed Feb. Y27, 1940' 14 sheets-sheet 9 Aug. 19, 194i` G. K. CLAIR-E I PORTABLE WELL DERRICK Filed Feb. 2 7, 1940 14 4Shvee'cs-SheetlO fdp@ Aug 19, 1941 G. K. CLAIRE PORTABLE WELL DERRICK Filed Feb. 27, 1940 14 sheets-sheet i1 G. K. CLAIRE .PORTABLE WELL DERRI-CK I Aug. 19, 1941.

14 sheets-sheet 12 Filed Feb. 27, 1940 w llllllxlv r G. K. CLAIRE PORTABLE WELL DERRICK Aug. 19, 1941.

Filed Feb. 27, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 n n n PORTABLE WELL DERRICK File-d Fehn-,27. 1940 I 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 .Patented Aug. 19, 1941 third to Arthur L. Armentrout, one-third to Elwin B. Hall, and one-third to Virgil P. Baker,

LosvAngeles, Calif.

Application February 27, 1940, Serial No. 321,058

21 claims.

'I'his invention relates to improvements in Well derricks, and primarily concerns the construction of a Well derrick used for drilling wells but may be advantageously used as hereinafter set forth in derricks used for servicing wells.

An object of the invention is to provide a well derrick digned for use with Well drilling equipment which may be either the rotary typev of well drilling equipment or cable tools, the derrick being so constructed that it is readily portable and yet when set up will be of the conventional size and arrangement enabling conventional items of equipment such as a draw-works, rotary table, crown block, travelling blocks, band wheels, bull wheels, etc., to be installed therein at their conventional locations. The standard orv conventional steel derrick that is now generally erected for oil or gas well drilling purposes has a base or substructure substantially 24 feet square. It has long been desirable, however, to have a well drilling derrick that is readily portable from place to place so that the derrick may be used for drilling a well at one location and thereafter transported to another locationv for drilling another well. Certain difficulties, however, are presented with respect to constructing a derrick which is readily portable and which at the same time is of such design that it will accommodate the items of equipment conventionally employed and have them. arranged at their conventional locations.

In many states there are laws prohibiting the transportation of equipment over the state highways where the equipment exceeds 8 feet in width without the securing of a special permit for this purpose and complying with certain specified regulations. Consequently, it is impracticable to attempt to bodily transport a conventional well drilling yderrick over any considerable distance for the reason that the span of the substructure is frequently as great as the width of the average highway. It is of course common practice to skid the rig but this practice usually has been restricted to situations where the derrick may be transported from place to place without requiring transportation across or via highways.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a -portable well derrick which can be divided into sections any of which may be transported via highway, each section being of such a width that it will not exceed the maximum width regulations imposed by the abovementioned state laws. vAt the same time, the derrick is so designed that when parts thereof are assembled itl conforms in size and shape and in arrangement to the standard or conventional well drilling derrick that is now generally assembled part by part at the well site.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Well drilling derrick construction of improved design Which materially reduces the number of parts required in its construction, and particularly the numberof parts that must be assembled together at the site of its erection. In the standard or conventional well drilling derrick the legs of the derrick are joined together by means of gusset plates, girts, and braces, these being assembled and bolted together during the process of erection of the derrick. The vertical distance between adjacent girts has generally been approximately 7 feet, this-beingthe maximum vertical spacing of girts that is generally regarded permissible within the limitsof economic leg weights, and further because of the fact that it is about the distance at which a man standing on one girt can bolt on a girt tothe legs of the derrick thereabove. By means of the present invention the derrick is so constructed that the limitation on vertical girt spacing greatly exceeds 7 feet and the manner of assembling the parts during erection of the derrick eliminates any limitation arising from the relationship between girt spacing and the height of an A BVelage man.

mounted and erected thereon and the central part or section has certain of the members forming its construction readily removable from adjacent its center to one end so that this center .section can be moved onto or oi of a-'well hole without disturbing pieces of equipment therein. A still further object of the invention is to 'provide a well drilling derrick wherein ythe legs are in the form of teleseoped sections which may assume collapsed positions or may be independently hydraulically extended, and to provide means for mechanically locking each section in its extended position against collapse within its supporting section.

Itis also an object of the invention to provide a derrick having telescopic legs wherein gusset plates are permanently attached to the tops of the telescopic sections and additional gusset plates are adjustable along the length of said sections so as to be capable of either assuming positions near the permanently attached gusset plates when the legs are collapsed or positions intermediate the ends thereof when the sections forming the legs are extended.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved gin pole construction wherein the gin -pole legs are capable of telescoping within their respective derrick legs or assuming positions projecting therefrom, the gin pole legs being jointed to permit of their being swung inwardly from the tops of the derrick legs and suitably connected together.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a Water table for a well derrick with plates positioned at each of the corners thereof both above and below the water table beams thereby providing a construction which 'is adequately braced and which adequately braces the derrick against deformation by torsional forces or forces which would tend to Warp the derrick from a rectangular cross section into a diamond cross section.

Many of the features embodied in the present invention have been designed primarily for use with portable derrick constructions but may be adopted and employed in the construction of the conventional or standard derrick which may be generally regarded as a permanent installation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the lower portion of a portable derrick embodying the present invention, 'the derrick being shown in assembled and erected position;

Fig. 1a is a partial view in elevation illustrating the vtop of the derrick shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of one of the outer sections of the derrick substructure, lthe derrick legs being illustrated in collapsed and in reclining position thereon and the section of the substructure being shown as having been suitably mounted so as to be susceptible of being readily transported to the desired new location;

Fig. 3 is a view in rear elevation of the section shown in Fig. 2 and may be considered as taken in the direction of the arrow 3 upon Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the section shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the central section of the derrick base or substructure, the same being shown in position wherein it may be transported;

Fig. 6 is a view in end elevation of the same taken in the direction of the arrow 6 upon Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially upon the line 1-1 upon Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a view in end elevation of the derrick substructure4 illustrating the manner in which the sections thereofv are assembled together to form a completed base or substructure; y

Fig. 9 is a transverse section taken through the h base or substructure and may be considered as having been taken substantially upon the line 9 9 upon Fig. 11;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a prey ferred form of anchoring means for anchoring the assembled substructure in position:

Fig.11 is a top plan view of the assembl substructure, the legs being illustrated as in their folded and collapsed position thereon;

Fig. 12 is a. view in side elevation illustrating the manner in which the legs of the derrick are erected into their substantially upright positions;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a suitable ladder that may be employed to facilitate the assembling of the various parts of the derrick in the course of its erection;

Fig. 14 is 4a View of a clamp that may be employed to hoist girts and braces;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view illustrating the manner in which the sections of the legs are held ltogether so that upon being extended the sections will be progressively extendedso that the top section is the last to be projected into its extended position;

Fig. 16 is a view in side elevation of the derrick illustrating the legs as having been erected into upright positions and the iirst girts and braces installed; this view also illustrates the manner in which additional braces and girts may be elevated to their desired positions;

Figs. 17 to 21, inclusive, are views in side elevation of the derrick illustrating the progressive steps that are accomplished in the erection of the completed derrick;

Fig. 22 is a view in side elevation, parts being broken away and shown in section, illustrating the top of the derrick and the-construction of the gin pole thereon; l

Fig. 23 is a horizontal section taken substantially upon the line 23-23 upon Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a horizontal section taken substantially upon the line 24-24 upon Fig. 22;

Fig. 25 is a sectional View through a portion of the derrick leg when in fully collapsed position illustrating the constructions of the lower portions of the sections of the leg;

Fig. 26 is a horizontal section taken substantially upon the line 26-26 upon Fig. 27, illustrating the locking means preferably employed for locking each section in its extended position both against collapse and clamping the same against rotation;

Fig. 27 is a vertical section taken substantially upon the line 21-21 upon Fig. 26;

Fig. 27a is a horizontal section taken substantially upon the line 21a-21a on Fig. 27;

Fig. 28 is a horizontal section taken through one of the sections of the derrick legs and illustrating the `construction of one of the adjustable gussets which is adjustable along the length thereof;

Fig. 29 is a view in side elevation of the same';l

Fig. 30 is a horizontal section through the bottom of one of the derrick legs illustrating the manner of its attachment to the substructure;

Fig. 31 is a view in side elevation of the bottom of the derrick leg, the derrick leg being shown in upright position in full lines and in reclining position in dotted lines;

Fig. 32 is a top plan view illustrating the assembly of sections of a modified form of derrick construction that may be employed, this form of construction being primarily designed f or the erection of a derrick for pumping purposes and Fig. 35 is a sectional view taken substantially upon the line 35-35 upon Fig. 34;

Fig. 36 is a horizontal section through one of the derrick legs illustrating an alternative form of adjustable gusset construction that may be employed and may be considered as taken on the line 36-36 upon Fig. 37 in the direction indicated;

Fig. 37 is a view in side elevation of the same; Fig. 38 is a horizontal section through a derrick leg illustrating an alternative form of stationary or permanent gusset construction that may be optionally employed and may be considered as taken on the line 38-38 upon Fig. 39; and

Fig. 39 is a View in side elevation of the same.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the improved derrick comprises a base or substructure divided longitudinally into preferably three independent unitized structures separately transportable from place to place. When the site for a well yhas been selected a concrete mat indicated at Ill, see Fig. 9, is rst poured to provide an adequate foundation l on which the derrick may be erected In pouring this concrete mat the so-called cellar is dug so as to be arranged around the well hole and is preferably lined with the concrete. Also, provision is made for the conventional rat hole to receive the kelly. A timber or metal mat may be used when desired in place of the concrete mat but as a concrete mat will usually be found the most suitable, the invention will be described in connection with the use of that type of mat.

In the concrete mat as shown in Fig. 9, there are embedded suitable anchor bolts II, those being shown having angular lower ends and threaded upper ends which receive internally threaded sockets I2. These anchor bolts are so positioned in the mat that the sockets I2 will line of the base or substructure of the derrck.

As the conventional well drilling dex-rick has a base or substructure 24 feet square and it is the.

purpose of the present invention to provide a derrick that will conform thereto in size, shape, and arrangement, each section of the substructure is preferably made 8 feet wide by 24 feet long so that the three sections when assembled together will provide a derrick floor 24 feet by 24 feet. It

will be understood, however, that the present in- 8 feet in width.

'I'he two outer sections of the substructure are in the main counterparts of each other consist-` ing of an upper'rectangular frame formed of channel irons I3 and I4 vconnected by cross members I5 which serve to support the planks IS of the derrick floor. The cross members I5 that connect the channel irons I3 and I4 are preferably welded or otherwise rigidly and permanently fastened thereto. Each outer section of the substructure also includes a' pair of lower channel irons I'l and I8 having bolt holes formed therein which receive threaded studs I9 adapted to be screwed into the sockets I2 on the anchor bolts II to firmly fasten each section of the substructure to the concrete mat I0. Supporting posts 'up with bolt holes in the bottom frame members `portion as indicated at Ila, see Fig. 1l.

the end supporting posts being indicated by the l reference character 2l and the intermediate supporting posts being indicated by the reference character 22. The end supporting posts may be connected to their adjacent intermediate supporting posts 22 as by diagonal braces 23 welded or otherwise permanently fastened in place. Diagonal bracing 24, see Fig. 9, may connect intermediate supporting posts 22 across the Section of the substructure. This cross bracing preferably is in the form of channel irons arranged backlto back with gusset plates 25 connecting the lower ends of the braces to their adjacent supporting posts 22. On the undersides4 of the braces there are welded or otherwise fastened sections of either angle iron or I-beam as indicated at 26 to provide rests or footings for jacks 21, see Fig. 8. The rear pair of end supporting posts 2I are connected together by means of an I-beam 28, see Fig. 2, which provides footing for the forward ends of rails 29 of a Wheeled dolly. This dolly preferably has upwardly and forwardly inclined `members 30 connected to the rear ends of-the rails and these members are designed to be detachably fastened as by bolts to the top frame of the substructure at the rear thereof. The forward ends of the rails are adapted to be positioned beneath the I-beam 28 and bolted or otherwise fastened thereto to support the section above the ground surface so that it may be transported from place to place. At the forward end of the section there is detachably mounted a suitable frame generally designated at 3l which likewise serves to support the forward end of the section in transporting position on the pivot plate 32 of a truck or tractor 33.

i The above-described construction is applicable generally to the two outer sections generally indicated at 34 and 35 of the substructure of the derrick as these two sections are largely counterparts of each other. There is one difference that should be noted with respect to the two outer sections 34 and 35. At least one of these sections in the preferred form of construction has one of its channel irons forming a part of the top frame provided with a readily removable This readily removable portion of the channel iron is normally bolted in place through' brackets I4b. Portions of the cross members indicated at I5a which connect this removable section with longitudinal vbraces I5b are also readily removable. These parts are made readily removable by merely having them bolted in place. The purpose of having this portion of one of the outer units of the base or substructure readily removable is to provide space for moving in a draw-works where the draw-works is supported at a level below that of the derrick floor. If there is no occasion for installing a draw-Works in this manner then these portions are allowed to remain in place. The central or intermediate `section generally indicated at 36 and illustrated in detail in Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 9 comprises bottom channel irons 3lr anci 38 vequipped with bolt holes for the reception of studs adapted to be screwed into the sockets I2 oi its corresponding-anchor bolts that are embedded in the Vconcrete mat III. These channel irons are adapted to assume positions side by side with the channel irons of the outer sections 34 and 35 and to be bolted thereto as by bolts 39. In this section of the substructure the intermediate supporting posts indicated at 40 and 4I serve to support relatively heavy I-beams 42 and 43 on which are supported transversely extending rotary table supports 44 and 45 which arer designed to support the conventional rotary table of a rotary well drilling apparatus. The I-beams 42 and 43 are connected by transverse members 46, at least one of which is readily removable for a purpose hereinafter to be explained. l

In order to render the mentioned transverse member removable it is preferably bolted in place as distinguished from riveting or welding. Theend supporting posts of the central section indicated at 41 and 48 cooperate with the tops of the I-beams 42 and 43 to support upper I- beams 49 and 50 and these supporting posts may be braced as by diagonal braces I. The I-beams 49 and 56 extend from their respective ends of the central section inwardly onto the I-beams 42 and 43 but terminate short of the rotary table supports 44 and 45. On these upper I- beams 49 and 50 there are rigidly and permanently secured sections of channel irons 52 and 53 adapted to assume abutting relationship with lthe channel irons I4 of the two outer sections 34 and 35, and to be bolted thereto as by bolts 54. together by means of transverse members 55 and at least from the center of the section to one end thereof all of these transverse members are readily removable, being merely bolted in place rather than riveted or welded. These transverse members as Well as the transverse members 46 are readily removable so that on completion of the well they may be taken out to permit of the central section being drawn olf of the mat H) without interfering with the structure that may be aflixed to the `well head such as for example the Christmas tree. Usually ,the Christmas tree will not be arranged so high as to interfere with parts disposed at the level of the channel irons 52 and 53, and consequently if desired, the transverse members 56 which conneet the channel irons 52 and 53 and serve to support the derrick floor on opposite sides of the rotary table -need not be made removable unless desired.

In the construction of this center section .the rear supporting posts 41 are preferably connected by a removable transverse I-beam 51 which provides a footing for the forward ends of a welded dolly 58 which is similar in construction to the welded dolly heretofore described in connection with the outer sections 34 and 35. The forward end of the central section 36 is likewise equipped with a removable framework 59 by which it may be supported on the pivot plate of a truck or tractor 60 whereby the central section may be supported in elevated position for transporting itfrom place to place.

When the concrete mat has hardened the three sections 34, 35, and 36 may be moved thereon by means of their tractors and dollies and low' ered into proper position with respect to the anchor bolts. The studs may then be inserted into the sockets and the three sections tightened in place and bolted to each other as by means of the bolts 39 and 54. The. lowering of the sections in place is accomplished by means of the jacks 21, see Fig. 8. These jacks may be placed beneath the respective sections and the sections elevated sufficiently to permit of detachment of the dollies and of the frameworks 3| and 53 so as to release these parts for transportation of The upper I- beams 49 and 50 are connected other derricks. When the dollies and tractors have been detached the jacks 21 are used to lower the sections in place following which the jacks may be removed.

With the sections of the substructure thus as sembled and installed on the concrete mat the construction is then ready for the erection of the derrick itself.

Adjacent each outer corner of the outer sections 34 and 35 there is hingedly mounted a.

footing 6l for a derrick leg, the hinge therefor r being indicated at 62, see Figs. 30 and 31. These footings when swung into the full line position shown in Fig. 31 are adapted to be rigidly fastened in this position such as by bolts 63. Each footing has mounted thereon a tubular section 64 which constitutes the lowermost and outermost section of a telescopic leg adapted to be hydraulically extended or projected. To this end the outermost section is preferably equipped with a suitable fitting 65 providing for the attachment of a tubular means that will convey liquid under pressure to the interior of the telescopic leg. The construction of the footing 6I is such that when it is in the full line position shown in Fig. 1 that the leg will not be vertically arranged but instead will be merely upright inclining somewhat inwardly over the derrick floor in conformance with conventional derrick construction.

Adjacent the corners of the outer sections 34 and 35 of the substructure suitable provision is made for mounting thereon a gin pole construction 86 which can be used to swing the telescopic legs from their reclining positions into their upright positions, see Fig. 12. This gin pole construction may be equipped with block and tackle 81 adapted to be connected to the lowermost section 64 of each leg. The gin pole construction 66 may be moved from corner to corner to erect each leg and following the bolting down of the footing 6l the leg is in a position to be extended.

Each leg is preferably formed of four telescopic tubular sections indicated respectively at 64, 66, 61, and 68 capable of assuming collapsed positions one within the other. At the lower end of each section there is provided a suitable tubular type piston, the pistons being generally designated at 69, which are preferably equipped With annular packing leathers 16. The packing leather 10' on piston |01 may be of the cup type as the projecting fiuid need not pass therethrough. Each piston is designed to snugly fit within the section of the leg in which it is disposed so that when hydraulic pressure is forced into the lower leg 64 through fitting 65 the sections may be extended upwardly.

At the upper end of each leg section 64, 66, 61,

.and 6B there are welded or otherwise rigidly o1' permanently fastened angular gussets, the wings of which are indicated at 1l and 12. TheSe gussets are designed to have attached thereto girts 13 and braces 14. Adjustable gussets 15 are also disposed on the sections 66. 61 and 68. 'I'hese adjustable gussets, as shown in Fig. 28, have wings 16 and 11 which Iare rigid with a body 18 which may be loosened or tightened by means of a bolt 19. The sections 66, 61, and 68 of each leg are equipped with small collars which are equal in diameter to the pistons 69 on these sections. It will be understood that each section 66, 61, and 68 is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the section in which it is disposed so that there will be a minimum of frictional engagement between each section and the next outer section within which it is telescoped. When the legs are in collapsed position the adjustable gussets shown in Fig. 28 are loosened and occupy positions adjacent the permanent gussets 12. However, when the legs are projected the adjustable gussets may slide down on their respective sections until they encounterr the collars 80 and may then be. tightened in place providing for attachment of some of the girts 13 and braces. The lowermost leg is preferably provided with step spikes 8| permanently attached thereto and this section of the leg preferably has gussets 82 permanently fastened thereto intermediate its ends.

It is desirable in extending each leg to have the sections progressively extended, that is, to have sections y66 extended from section 64 while sections 81 and 68 remain in theirv collapsed positions. Then, when section 66 has been extended to extend section 61 with section 68 remaining in its collapsed position, and finally, to extend section 68 after section 61 has been fully extended. v

To this end a series of ties or connectors are provided as illustrated' in Fig. 15. These ties or connectors are in the form of turnbuckles 83.

having angular ends -as at 84 which may be inserted in bolt holes formed in the permanently attached gussets o f the sections of the telescopic legs. Thus, when a leg is erected and is about to be extended the lowermost connector may be disconnected permitting section 66 to be extended from section 64 while the remaining sec'- tions remain fastened together. Then the additional4 connectors can be progressively detached and removed. Prior to the extension of the leg it is customary to install the lower girt 13 and the various lower braces 88 leaving the conventional opening or window 88 as illustrated in Fig. 16. The lowermost connectors or turnbuckles 83 are then removed and` section 68 extended from section 64 by introducing hydraulic pressure through tting 65. On extension of the section 66 the adjustable gussets 15` slidev downwardly thereon until they encounter the collar 80. A ladder 80, see Fig. 13, equipped with hangars 8| may be hooked'over the stationary gussets at the top of section 66 enabling a man to iclimb the ladder to the location of collar 80 to tighten the adjustable gussets in place against the collars. l

Provision is made for locking the projected or extended sections of the telescopic legs against collapse and clamping' them against rotation relatively to each other. To this end the top of each of sections 64, 66, and 61 of the legs are equipped with collars 82, see Figs. 26, 27, and 27a. .On each collar there is positioned a split collar, the sections of which are indicated at 83 and 94. The sections of the split icoilar are equipped with siots 85 through which 'bolts 86 extend. These sections may be expanded 'as indicated by the section 83 on Fig. 26 to permit the extension. of the inner section of the leg. When the inner section has been fully extended by the hydraulic pressure the sections 93 and 84 which have been loosened by the unscrewing of the bolts 96 are urged toY slide toward each other or to contract by means of a tension spring 81. When the inner section reaches its fully extended position the sections of the split collar that are on the outer section of the leg contract and enter a groove located on the piston of the inner section. These sections 83 and 84 have upwardly inclined shoulders which ilt in t-he undercut top of the groove as shown in Fig.

27, thereby resisting outward movement of the sections of the split collars when the leg is subjected to loading. Bolts 88 extend loosely through holes in ears formed on the sections of the split collar and can then be tightened to clamp the sections of the split collar about the extended section and hold it against rotation. Following this the bolts 86 are tightened, to fasten the split collar Ailrnlly on collar 82.

The sections 83 and 84 must be capable of passing over the collars and any other minor shoulders that may be present on the leg sections.

To this end, the bottom internal corners of the v sections 83 and 84 are beveled oi as indicated at 83a so that as a leg section is :being extended when the collar 80 or any other corresponding shoulder thereon encounters these beveled corners it will merely separate the sections 83and 84 overcoming the contracting action of the tension spring 81. When the groove is encountered these sections snap into the groove to prevent Athe leg sections from being extended too far. As clearly vshown on Figs. 27 and 27a each piston 68 has a circumferential row of sockets formed therein within which balls 69a. are disposed.' These sockets may be formed with a round-ended boring tool to the proper depth and when the balls are disposed therein the balls are intended to snugly fit and roll against the interior of the outer leg section thus forming a type of anti-friction bearing facilitating the telescopic movement of the leg sections. The ballsmay be retained in their' respective sockets by slightly peening over the metal of the piston adjacent each socket. In a similar manner, sockets 68h may be formed in the top of each outer section extending into the collar 82 and balls 68o may be positioned therein and retained by peening the metal adjacent the sockets. These balls need only be arranged opposite that portion of the leg section that is to be innermost as clearly shown in Fig. 27a, it being understood that the legs oi? the derrick incline inwardly over the substructure. Balls located at these points will ordinarily sumce as the inclination of the legs that are being projected causes the load to be concentrated in this direction. These balls likewise serve to reduce friction during extension of the legs.

On top of each uppermost section 68 of the telescopic legs there is disposed a top plate |00 which is angular in plan (see Figs. 23 and 24) and which is welded not only to the top of the uppermost section 68 but also to the top permanent gussets thereon. The angle is located adjacent the top of the leg so that the top plate extends in two directions at substantially right angles from the leg. Mountedpreferably -on these top plates on the derrick legs are suitable clevises for the attachment of blocks |01 'which enable the various braces and girts to be hoisted by means of lines |02 as illustrated on Fig. 16. The lines employed preferably have clevises |03 having spring actuated plungers |04 thereon as illustrated in Fig. 14. These plungers are adapted to be inserted into bolt holes in the braces and girts and being urged by means of springs into closed position, there is little danger of the bracing or girts becoming loosened and dropped during the hoisting thereof.

In Figs. 1'1 to 21, inclusive, I have illustrated the various steps of erecting the derrick progressively from the initial position wherein the telescopic legs are erected into upright positions fhile collapsed and then progressively extended. twill be appreciated that the derrick progresses .pwardly section by section, each section being qual in height to one of the telescopic sections hat form the legs. In erecting av derrick emodying the invention it will be understood that he distance between adjacent derrick girts may xceed considerably the distance of 7 feet. In .ddition the present invention permits eflicient .ssembly of derrick girts spaced well in excess f llil feet apart inasmuch as the ladder illustrated n Fig. 13 may be progressively shifted from ower to upper sections to enable the tightening I the adjustable gussets on the sections and the olting of girts and braces thereto. The pre- 'erred manner of using the ladder is to position yhe ladder against the outer side of a leg section, looking its hangers over the tops of the wings if the permanent plates of a leg section telescoped ;herein. This results in the ladder being raised with the telescoped leg section as that section is extended or elevated and permits workmen climbng thereon to tighten the adjustable gusset plate Jn the extended section and to attach the girts and braces 13 and 14 to the gusset plates. When the girts are attached to the permanent gusset plates at the top of the extended leg section workmen may stand on such girts and left ladder and hang its hangers on the wings of the permanent gusset plates of the leg section that is to be next extended so as to be raised therewith.

In the uppermost section 60 of each leg there is telescoped a gin pole member, see Fig. 22. Each gin pole member comprises a tubular section |05 capable of telescoping within the upper section and having a pivoted or hinged joint at |06 connecting it to a piston |01 similar in construction to the pistons on. the telescopic leg sections. On the upper ends of the tubular sections |05 there are eyes |08 or the equivalent engageable by latches |09 on the top plates |00 to hold these sections in collapsed position until the latches are released. These gin pole members can then be hydraulically extended from the tops of the derrick legs and when they reach their fully extended position the tubular` sections |05 can be swung inwardly by means of the pivoted joint |06 so that their upper ends will be disposed adjacent each other. A cap having studs i|| capable of entering the tops of the gin pole members is then applied and the adjustable gussets ||2 are attached thereon and tightened in a position intermediate the ends of the gin pole members and are thereafter connected by braces |i3. The cap i0 is equipped with a hook ||4 enabling the water table beams ||5 to be brought up and placed on the top plates |00. These water table beams are bolted to the top plates |00 and as the top plates are angular they serve to resist deformation of the derrick by torsional forces, or in other words, they resist the derrick lbecoming diamond-shaped in cross section when under load.

On top of the water table beams there are additional angular plates |00a which cooperate with the angular plates |00 in resisting warping or deformation of the derrick f-rom its correct rectangular shape.

Asy clearly shown in Fig. 22, it is unnecessary to provide any particular locking means for locking the gin pole members in their uppermost positions in asmuch as the lower ends of the sections |05 when they are swung out of alignment with the legs will have their lower ends shouldering on the top plates |00. With the water table beams installed and bolted to the top plates and angular corner plates |00a bolted thereto, the crown block ||1 may be elevated and installed which completes the erection of the derrick.

It will be noted from the above-described construction that although the der-rick is portable l in three separate sections these may be assembled together and the derrick erected in such a manner as to employ conventional cable tool or rotary well drilling equipment such as the conventional rotary table, draw-works, etc., and as the door plan is of the same size and shape of the conventional derrick the various positions of the equipment may be arranged at the same locations as in the conventional derrick.

When the well has been completed the derrick can be transported, where the configuration of the ground and other conditions will permit, to a new location without dismantling as all of the sections of the substructure may be allowedto remain fastened ltogether and the substructure with the derrick thereon may be bodily lifted by means of jacks onto the dollies and tractors and the entire structure moved as desired. On the other hand, if conditions are such that the derrick need be transported via highway, or it is otherwise unfeasible to transport the derrick in its erected position, it may be easily and quickly dismantled by unbolting girts and braces and allowing the gin pole members to collapse within the legs and the leg sections to collapse within each other. When the legs are fully collapsed they may be swung downwardly by means of the gin pole construction 86 into positions lying lengthwise along the outer sections. These reclining collapsed legs occupy only a small portion of the i'loor space on the outer sections 34 and 35 and the remaining space may be utilized to carry various girts and braces and other pieces of equipment while the sections of the substructure are being individually transported from place to place. Usually the derrick will not be .removed f-rom the well until after the installation of the Christmas tree which, as above explained, is positioned normally below the top channel members of the center section 36 of the substructure. As all transverse members of the center section from its center to one end below these upper channel members are readily lremovable the center section can be easily withdrawn from the well over the installed Christmas tree without disturbing the "Christmas tree. It will thus be appreciated thatby means of the improved derrick the total number of parts required for the construction of the derrick is greatly reduced from that of the conventional derrick and in. addition there is present the important advantage of having the construction lreadily portable and capable of being easily and quickly erected.

In Figs. 32 to 35, inclusive, I have illustrated a modified or alternative form of construction primarily designed for servicing a well which has been drilled and once placed on production. In Fig.v 32 there is illustrated a concrete mat |25 which may have had thereon concrete pillars |26 which serve as foundations for a conventional well drilling derrick which on completion .of the well was torn down and removed. The invention has been illustrated as applied to this type of mat to illustrate that this form of derrick may be used either where the well has been drilled by means of a portable well drilling derrick as previously described, or in situations where the well has been drilled by a conventional well drilling

Images