Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – With particular guide or guard
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-30
2001-07-24
Rivera, William A. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
With particular guide or guard
C242S157100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264128
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
A levelwind system for a coiled tubing reel to guide coiled tubing onto a reel when the coiled tubing is removed from an oil or gas well and to guide the coiled tubing from the reel when the coiled tubing is injected into an oil or gas well.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Heretofore, levelwind systems have been provided for wrapping or spooling coiled tubing onto a reel when the coiled tubing is removed from a well. Drive means are provided for rotation of the reel and the levelwind systems utilized heretofore have been mechanically or hydraulicly driven by rotation of the reel. Many prior art levelwind systems use a levelwind screw to move a tubing guide laterally across the reel in order to properly wrap the tubing. The screw is turned at a rate proportional to the rate of reel rotation in order that the tubing guide may move at approximately the rate of the current wrap position. The height of the tubing guide (as well as the threaded rod) is controlled by a hydraulic lifting mechanism, which in turn is controlled by the unit operator, who must determine an optimal height to transmit vertical forces which support the tubing properly. This lifting mechanism is typically pinned at or near the rotational axis of the reel, and requires package space outside the flanges of the reel.
Another system uses a chain loop between the sides or flanges of the reel to function in a manner similar to the levelwind screw. A further system moves the entire reel laterally to wrap the tubing onto the reel. The levelwind systems utilized heretofore require some connection or association with the reel drive system and to the reel supporting structure on opposed sides of the reel. Further, a predetermined controlled force is not applied to the coiled tubing by prior systems to minimize reverse bending of the coiled tubing. Also, the levelwind or guide head receiving the coiled tubing is not continually adjusted automatically in a vertical direction. A mechanical change is required in order to modify such a levelwind system for coiled tubing having different diameters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is particularly directed to a levelwind system for wrapping coiled tubing onto a reel when the coiled tubing is removed from an oil or gas well without being connected to the reel drive means in any manner. The levelwind system includes a single guide arm having a lower end mounted about a universal joint on a supporting structure at a position outside the reel and preferably between opposed sides or flanges of the reel. The arm is supported vertically by a so-called lift cylinder effective to provide a constant predetermined pressure on the arm and to move the arm in a vertical direction. A fluid circuit for the lift cylinder provides a constant vertical force on the coiled tubing guide regardless of its location.
A second fluid cylinder comprises a so-called balancing cylinder and is connected at one end to the arm to move the arm side ways from side to side of the reel and mounted at an opposed end to a supporting structure. The coiled tubing guide on an upper free end of the arm supports the coiled tubing being wound on the reel and is positioned at coordinates defined by a vertical angle and transverse angle at right angles to the vertical angle.
Levelwinding is accomplished by sensing the motion of the reel and moving the upper free end of the guide arm. A fluid regulator valve is utilized to move the balancing cylinder which in turn moves the guide arm a horizontal distance proportional to the motion of the reel and the size of the tubing. Manual control is provided by directly controlling the regulator valve. Vertical motion to accommodate various entry angles and tubing tensions is automatically accomplished as the guide arm moves vertically to maintain a constant upward force on the tubing. By disconnecting the levelwind arm from the coiled tubing, the arm may swing upwardly to a vertical relation allowing the reel to be removed and replaced using a simple vertical lift. The coiled tubing guide arm is not connected to the reel drive system and can easily be moved to a fully vertical position to permit the reel to be removed.
A position sensor for the guide arm is positioned in the balancing cylinder and feedback signals from the position sensor are received by a CPU which processes such input signals and then transmits output signals to solenoid operated regulator valves for positioning the balancing cylinder at a desired lateral position relative to the reel. The balancing cylinder is effective to move the free end of the arm having the coiled tubing guide thereon for positioning the coiled tubing being wound on the reel at a predetermined location. A manual override is provided for manual control of the balancing cylinder, if desired. Also, a manual override is provided for the lift cylinder.
An object of the present invention is to provide a levelwind system for a coiled tubing reel which is independent of the drive mechanism for rotation of the coiled tubing reel.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a levelwind system is which a guide member is mounted at its lower end to a supporting structure adjacent the reel and extends over the reel for guiding coiled tubing on and off the reel.
A further object of the invention is to provide a coiled tubing guide member mounted for movement both vertically and horizontally for positioning the upper free end of the guide member at a desired position relative to the coiled tubing reel.
An additional object is the provision of fluid cylinders for positioning of the guide member at a predetermined position including a lift cylinder for raising and lowering the guide member and a balancing cylinder for lateral movement of the guide member.
Another object is the provision of fluid pressure regulator means for such fluid cylinders including a position sensor for the guide member and a computer processing unit responsive to the position sensor controlling movement of the cylinders for positioning of the guide arm at a desired position and a desired force.
Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following specification and drawings.
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patent: 5183218 (1993-02-01), Gavagna
patent: 5385314 (1995-01-01), Hughes
patent: 5839514 (1998-11-01), Gipson
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Flowers Joseph K.
McCafferty Terry L.
McKee L. Michael
Shampine Rod W.
Welch Larry D.
Bani-Jamali Maryam
Rivera William A.
Ryberg John J.
Schlumberger Technology Corporation
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