Well pipe handling machine.

摘要

A well pipe handling machine (10) for removing a series of stands (23) of pipe from the upper end of a well pipe string and storing the stands (23) in a rack (24) offset to a side of the well axis and/or returning the stands (23) sequentially from the rack (24) for reconnection to the string. The machine (10) includes a support which carries means for holding a pipe in vertical condition and is movable between a position in which the pipe is in alignment with the well axis and a location near the storage rack (24), and which preferably takes the form of a vertically extending column structure (31) movable horizontally by two synchronized drive mechanisms (43) at the top and bottom of the column structure (31). The pipe holding means are desirably shiftable upwardly and downwardly relative to the support and also generally horizontally toward and away from the support for placement of the pipe stands (23) in the rack (24) and removal therefrom. The pipe holding means may include two vertically spaced pipe gripping units (38, 39) mounted by a parallelogram mechanism (35) for movement toward and away from the support. A control station (42) for carrying an operator and having controls for operating the machine is mounted to said support column structure (31) for movement therewith.