1. Field of the Invention
A pneumatically operated vertical clam shell mud bucket attaches to a pipe joint connection in a drill stem on a drilling rig, the mud bucket defining a first tubular section forming a half cylinder hingably attaching a second tubular section forming a half cylinder, the tubular sections forming a sealed cylinder which is forcibly closed together by a plurality of pneumatic cylinders, each tubular section providing a perimeter groove within which is places a composition compression material forming a liquid seal containing drilling fluids from escaping the mud bucket when the mud bucket is closed during the drilling stem separation and connection process, each tubular section containing a floor and an outlet aperture slightly below each floor including an outer evacuation hose fitting for the evacuation of contained drilling fluids to an external recirculating system on the drilling rig.
2. Description of Prior Art
A preliminary review of prior art patents was conducted by the applicant which reveal prior art patents in a similar field or having similar use. However, the prior art inventions do not disclose the same or similar elements as the present mud bucket, nor do they present the material components in a manner contemplated or anticipated in the prior art.
The pneumatic mud bucket is a device delivered by an overhead suspension cable, extension arm or portable wheeled means to a drill stem on a drilling rig, the pneumatic mud bucket attaching to the drill stem over a pipe joint to contain drilling fluids, commonly referenced as drilling mud, which would otherwise leak onto the deck floor posing a hazard to the persons performing work on the deck. The mud bucket secures to the drill stem by two half cylindrical sections closing using a pneumatic means, each half cylinder defining a perimeter groove within which a compressible composition material strip is places to prevent leakage of the drilling fluids which are released from the drilling stem during the disconnection and connection of the drill stem sections from the joint. The fluids are withdrawn from the inner cylinder halves when closed and sealed by at least one fluid aperture forming an external fluid outlet in at least one cylinder half. These withdrawn fluids are sent via an external hose to the mud pump for recycling and reuse in the drilling rig operations.
The following drawings are informal drawings submitted with this provisional patent application.
A pneumatic mud bucket assembly applied to a joint section of drill stem from a drilling rig, provides a secure fitting over a joint during disconnection and reconnection of the joint section to contain the drilling fluids and prevent them from contaminating the drill rig deck, the pneumatic mud bucket comprising a upright half right cylinder section,
When the left and right sections are attached, they form a vertical cylindrical clam-shell enclosure connected together at a pivotal rear margin by a plurality of hinges, the pneumatic mud pump assembly appearing as shown in
It is preferred that the pneumatic mud bucket assembly be further equipped with a back guard assembly, shown in FIGS. 6 and 15-16, which provides a retractable safety screen over the pneumatic cylinders, the hinges, the rear extension panels and the air channel system. This rear guard assembly comprises a screen panel, at least two spring tensioning support arms and a solid cover panel which is slidably engaged with the screen panel to adjust the width of the back guard assembly during the operation of the mud bucket assembly as the assembly opens and closes. This rear guard may be opened and closed by at least two hinges from one of the extension panels, right or left section, for servicing of the hinges, the pneumatic cylinders, the compressed air channel system and for cleaning and routine servicing.
The pneumatic mud bucket assembly is generally suspended from the drilling rig and may be swung or otherwise moved into place by an overhead chain system or other suspensory system, or by some movement in relationship to the drilling platform deck. In
Although the embodiments of the invention have been described and shown above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as herein described.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61964010 | Dec 2013 | US |