FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] This present invention relates generally to systems and apparatuses related to bore-holes and more particularly to an apparatus for facilitating the processes involved in bore-hole redevelopment using one single unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Well development or re-development, after the completion of drilling, is part of a normal drilling procedure. All drilling methods alter the hydraulic characteristics of formation materials in the vicinity of the borehole: fines and drilling fluid additives originating from the drilling process remain in the borehole and block the pores of the surrounding aquifer. Development procedures are designed to restore or improve these characteristics so that the performance of the well can be maximised. Borehole redevelopment allows the bore to operate at the full capacity by removing all growth, biofilms, scale etc. that may be blocking the draw area of the bore and redevelop the surrounding gravel pack.

[003] Borehole redevelopment involves multiple tasks that require several install and retrieval processes. Traditionally, a bore-hole redevelopment project may require multiple retrieval systems to complete each stage of the work or would involve a long-drawn-out process of unwinding all the client’s infrastructure before then loading the cleaning equipment, then unwinding the cleaning equipment, to load scrubbing equipment, before unloading the scrubbing equipment to then load the reinstall the bore assets. This longwinded and cumbersome process consistently takes days and sometimes weeks to complete the entire project. Further, if bore-hole testing is required then another truck is required to lower a pump and a hose down to test. This makes the task cumbersome and less efficient as it requires multiple trucks, trailers and cranes which further impinge on the health and safety of the staff members. It will be understood by a skilled addressee that the involvement of so many resources can never be cost effective.

[004] Therefore, there is a need in the art for an apparatus for facilitating processes involved in bore-hole redevelopment, that can complete a maintenance program using a single unit. Such that the apparatus should not suffer from the above-mentioned deficiencies and should be cost-effective as well as adaptable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] Embodiments of the present invention disclose an apparatus for facilitating processes involved in bore-hole re-development from one single unit. The apparatus comprises a frame having a horizontal member and two movable vertical arms extending downwards from two ends of the horizontal member, each vertical arm has one end connected with the horizontal member and another end of the vertical arm remains free; a respective hydraulic ram connected between the respective vertical arm and the horizontal member at both ends, configured to enable movement of the respective vertical arm, about the connected end; a hydraulic arm connected with the horizontal member at one end and connectable with a crane at another end; a drive unit in the combination with a motor disposed on a free end of one of the vertical arms and a free spool hub disposed on a free end of the other vertical arm; and one or more spools removably mountable on the frame one at a time, and connected with the drive unit on one side and the free spool hub on another side, each spool comprising a flexible rising main winding. Preferably, the drive unit is in combination with a hydraulic motor disposed on a free end of one of the vertical arms. Preferably, the drive unit includes two drive hubs.

[006] Herein, the apparatus is adapted to be mounted on the crane via the hydraulic arm and is configured to manoeuvre and operate via a hydraulic pump of the crane. Preferably, the apparatus is controlled by remote control. Further, the one or more spools are adapted to receive on the frame one at a time, between the vertical arms using the respective hydraulic rams, depending upon on what borehole redevelopment process needs to be performed.

[007] Additionally, the hydraulic arm is configured to lift the frame and the connected spool for positioning over the borehole to be worked on. Moreover, the motor and the drive unit are configured to rotate the connected spool in a forward or reverse direction for winding and unwinding the flexible rising main to complete a specific process involved in the borehole redevelopment.

[008] Furthermore, the hydraulic rams are actuated to move the vertical arms to release the connected spool and then collect a different spool suitable for the next process, thereby facilitating all the borehole redevelopment processes using a single apparatus. [009] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the processes involved in the borehole redevelopment and/or worked on are selected from retrieval of pumps and hoses from the borehole, airlift a bore, scrub a bore, jet clean a bore, lowering a pump, testing, installing and removing test pumps into and out of bore and spool out discharge hoses to pits, and the reinstallation of a replacement pump.

[0010] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more spools include, but not limited to, a first spool configured for the retrieval of in-situ bore pumps and risinng mains; a second spool configured for airlifting a bore-hole; a third spool configured for injecting a borehole cleaner into a bore screen prior to scrubbing; and a fourth spool configured for installing pumps, hoses and equipment to facilitate the pump testing and water sampling on the bores.

[0011] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic arm is a lifting arm of the apparatus that slides into a boom of the crane and is secured via one or more pins to ensure safety locking.

[0012] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the vertical arms are configured to extend outwards from the horizontal member using the hydraulic rams to release the connected spool and/or receive a new spool.

[0013] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the vertical arms are configured to move inwards from the horizontal member using the hydraulic rams for securing the received spool.

[0014] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the flexible rising main wound over the spool is selected from poly hose, crusader hose, well master hose and electrical cable.

[0015] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the crane is a knuckle boom crane.

[0016] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the drive unit is a planetary gear box.

[0017] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the motor is a hydraulic brake motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the example embodiments will become better understood when following the detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 A shows a front view of an apparatus for facilitating processes involved in bore-hole redevelopment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. IB shows a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows a side view of a replaceable spools of the apparatus of Fig. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows a front view of the replaceable spool of Fig. 2A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3A-3B illustrate an implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the apparatus, one or more components of the apparatus may have been represented in the figures by the conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the preferred embodiment of the present invention so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] While the present invention is described herein by a way of example using embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. It should be understood that the description herein is not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modification/s, equivalent/s and alternative/s falling within the scope of the present invention. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claim. As used throughout this description, the word "may" be used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" means "at least one” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including", "comprising", "having", "containing", or "involving" and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the likes are included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

[0021] In this disclosure, whenever an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element or group of elements with transitional phrases “consisting of’, “consisting”, “selected from the group of consisting of’, “including”, or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.

[0022] This invention described herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, a number of materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0023] In general, the embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for facilitating processes involved in a bore-hole redevelopment. The apparatus is mounted to a crane that can be driven with a hydraulic motor and a planetary gearbox utilizing the hydraulic pump that runs the crane. The apparatus with its hydraulic arms lifts a replaceable spool (with hose windings) that is suitable for a task, completes the task, releases the spool and collects a different spool for the next task. This makes it the first ever machine that is adaptable for facilitating the different processes. The apparatus of the present invention is capable of completing all the bore-hole redevelopment processes from one single unit with an intent of significantly increasing the process efficiency. The apparatus has the ability to, but not limited to, retrieve the pumps and hoses, airlift a bore, scrub a bore, jet clean a bore, lower a pump, testing pumps into bore and reel out discharge hoses to pits and the reinstallation of a replacement pump etc., without the requirement of multiple trucks, trailers or cranes.

[0024] The present invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Figure 1A shows a front view of an apparatus 100 for facilitating the processes involved in a bore-hole redevelopment (hereinafter referred to as “the apparatus 100”), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure IB shows a side view of the same, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] As shown in figure 1A, the apparatus 100 comprises a frame 102. The frame 102 may be identified as an inverted U-shaped component in the drawings. Herein, the frame 102 includes a horizontal member 1022 and two movable vertical arms 1024 extending downwards from two ends of the horizontal member 1022. Each vertical arm 1024 has one end connected with the horizontal member 1022 and another end of the vertical arm 1024 remains free. In the context of Figure 1A, the vertical arms 1024 are rotatable in a sideways direction about the respective connection means. Herein, the connected end of the vertical arm 1024 rotates about the connection means, whereas the free end 1026 of the vertical arm 1024 is adapted to move outwards or inwards. This movement is made possible by the respective hydraulic rams 106 connected between the respective vertical arm 1024 and the horizontal member 1022 at both the ends, as can be seen from figure 1 A. The hydraulic rams 106 operate in the same manner as known in the art. Upon actuation, the hydraulic rams 106 are configured to extend, thereby pushing the movable vertical arms 1024 of the frame 102 outwards. Similarly, when the hydraulic rams 106 are restored back to the original position, the vertical arms 1024 are pulled inwards. The movement of the vertical arms 1024 has already been explained above in detail.

[0027] Although, it will be appreciated by a skilled addressee that dimensions do not play a significant role in the understanding of the invention, however, for the sake of explanation, some exemplary dimensions are provided. These should not be considered in any limiting sense. For example: In one embodiment, the horizontal member 1022 may be 2000-2500 mm long member that has narrow central/middle portion (say, 90-110 mm wide) and wider ends (say, 140- 160mm) that are meant to receive/connect with vertical arms 1024. Similarly, the vertical arms 1024 may be, but not limited to, 1900-2100mm long and 100 mm wide. Additionally, the vertical arms 1024 may have an additional wider attachment at the free end 1026 to receive other components of the apparatus 100. The same has been shown in figure IB. Information regarding suitable materials of the above components includes: 150mm x 100mm x 5mm RHS (Rectangular Hollow Section) steel; 125mm x 75mm x 6mm RHS; 12mm plate; 200mm NB 8mm tube; 50mm round bar machined and bushes to suit; 75mm x 75mm solid square bar; 40mm x 2.5mm SHS (square Hollow Section); 50mm x 2.5mm SHS; UMC Planetary gear box; Eaton braked hydraulic motors; 2 x hydraulic rams 200mm stroke; Hydraulic hoses; Hydraulic quick connect couplings; Hydraulic priority valve; Connect lynch pin; 5/8mm shear pins; Split pins; 5/8mm x 1” high tensile bolts; 5/8mm spring washer; 5/8mm flat washer and 20mm anchor lugs.

[0028] Additionally, the apparatus 100 comprises a hydraulic arm 104 connected with the horizontal member 1022 at one end and connectable with a crane at the another end. The hydraulic arm 104 can be referred from Figure IB. The hydraulic arm 104 is envisaged to be capable of moving heavier loads as well as providing greater force than a mechanical, an electrical or an pneumatic systems. The hydraulic arm 104 enables the apparatus 100 to be mounted on the crane via the hydraulic arm 104 and is configured to manoeuvre and operate via a hydraulic pump of the crane. The crane herein, may be, but not limited to, knuckle boom crane. The hydraulic arm 104 of the apparatus 100 may slide into a boom of the crane and is secured via one or more pins to ensure safety locking. The hydraulic arm 104 is a long arm, having a length ranging from 1500- 1700mm, that enables the efficient manoeuvrability for positioning the apparatus 100 at a desired location.

[0029] Referring back to Figure 1A, the apparatus 100 further comprises a drive unit 108 in combination with a motor 110 disposed on a free end 1026 of one of the vertical arms 1024 and a free spool 120 hub disposed on a free end 1026 of the other vertical arm 1024. It will be understood by a skilled addressee, that although the drive unit 108 and the motor 110 have been shown to be disposed on the left vertical arm 1024 (in Fig. 1A), while the spool 120 hub is disposed on the right vertical arm 1024, the position of these components can be switched as well without hampering the working of the invention. In one embodiment, the drive unit 108 is, but not limited to, a planetary drive gearbox and the motor 110 is, but not limited to, hydraulic braked motor 110. [0030] Furthermore, the apparatus 100 comprises one or more spools 120 removably mountable on the frame 102 one at a time. The same has been illustrated in Figure 2A-2B. Each of the one or more spools 120 may be mounted/ connected with the drive unit 108 on one side and the free spool 120 hub on the another side. As generally understood, and as can be seen from the Figures 2A-2B, the spool 120 is a cylindrical device having a rim or ridge 1202 having spokes 1206 at each end and an axial hole 1210 for attaching a pin or spindle or any other rotation means. Additionally, each spool 120 comprises additional cross members between the two rims on which a material (such as thread, wire, tape and hoses) may be wound. Herein, each spool 120 comprising a flexible rising main winding. The flexible rising main wound over the spool 120 is selected from, but not limited to, poly hose, crusader hose, well master hose and electrical cable. Further attached with the axial hole 1210 are receiving members 1208 on both sides of the axial hole 1208. The receiving members are adapted to securely receive and connect with the drive unit 108 and the free spool 120 hub, thereby mounting the spool 120 on the frame 102.

[0031] It will be appreciated by a skilled addressee that each of the one or more spools 120 are designed for a specific processes or a tasks involved in the specific processes. For example: In one embodiment, the one or more spools 120 include a first spool 120 configured for the retrieval of in-situ bore pumps and raising mains; a second spool 120 configured for airlifting a bore-hole; a third spool 120 configured for injecting a bore-hole cleaner into a bore screen prior to scrubbing; and a fourth spool 120 configured for installing pumps, hoses and equipment to facilitate a pump testing and water sampling on the bores. So, the type of spool 120 is selected based on the process being performed. In one embodiment, the spool 120 is envisaged to be wound with hose of differencing diameters, say, but not limited to, four, five and six inch pipes in particular by adapting the spool 120 to have an adjustable guide to ensure that the hose is wound evenly.

[0032] Method of operation:

Before starting the method of operation, the hydraulic arm 104 of the apparatus 100 is connected with the boom of crane, such that the apparatus 100 is mounted/attached with the crane. It is secured by a pin. Hydraulic hoses of the apparatus 100 are then attached to the external remotes of the crane that allows the whole unit (apparatus 100) to be placed wherever the crane can be positioned, for example, directly over the bore hole. There is a preference valve which allows possibility of two mutually exclusive operations. Preference position 1 is associated with opening and closing the arms of the apparatus 100 in order to pick the different spools 120, while preference 2 allows the hydraulic braked motor 110 to rotate in either direction. The spools 120 are set up to be received on the frame 102 one at a time, between the vertical arms 1024, depending upon on a borehole redevelopment process to be performed.

[0033] This has been shown in FIG. 3A-3B that illustrate an implementation of the apparatus 100 of Fig. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 3 A, for receiving a spool 120 of the one or more spools 120, the hydraulic rams 106 are actuated. Upon actuation, the hydraulic rams 106 are configured to extend, thereby pushing the movable vertical arms 1024 of the frame 102 outwards. Then the desired spool 120 is oriented between the two vertical arms 1024 (extended) and the when the hydraulic rams 106 are again actuated to return back to the original position, thereby pulling the vertical arms 1024 inwards. Now referring to figure 3B, after this the drive unit 108 and free spool 120 hub connected at the respective free end 1026s of the vertical arms 1024 are slide into the receiving members connected with the axial hole of the spool 120, and are secured therein using one or more pins or any other locking mechanism. Kindly note that the dotted lines represent hidden components not visible from the outside.

[0034] Once the mounting/connections are completed, the hydraulic arm 104 is configured to lift the frame 102 and the connected spool 120 for positioning over a borehole to be redeveloped. Then the motor 110 and the drive unit 108 are actuated and which rotate the connected spool 120 in the forward or reverse direction for winding and unwinding the flexible rising main 1212 to complete a specific process involved in the borehole redevelopment. The apparatus 100 has the ability to wind and unwind any flexible rising main 1212, for example, poly hose, crusader hose, well master hose and electrical cable. In one embodiment, the spool 120 is capable of lengths up to, but not limited to, 500m with widths ofhose up to, but not limited to, 10 inches (250mm). Once the process associated with the connected spool 120 is complete, it may then be replaced with another spool 120 for subsequent the processes for example:

Spool 1 may be used to lift clients the flexible rising main and pump from out of bore;

Spool 2 may be used to lower/lift poly for airlifting, jetting and scrubbing the bore (used for cleaning the bore);

Spool 3 may be used to lower and lift hose and a test pump to complete the water flow capabilities on the bore.

Spool 4 may be used to install a new pump and well master hose if required by a client/previous testing, this spool 4 allows us not to have to unwind spool 1 to fit new pump etc. [0035] Depending on the spool 120 used depends on what the pipe 1212 will be connected to. For example:

Spool 1 may not be connected to anything above the surface.

Spool 2 may be designed to push air through the poly pipe that is already wound onto the spool 2. The poly pipe is lowered to the bore into the bore and an air compressor is attached to the spool end.

Spool 3 may be used lower the pump into bore with one end of the flexible rising main while the surface end is connected to a previously built headworks for record tests.

Spool 4, if required, may be used to lower client’s pump down hole and surface end would connect to client existing headworks on the site.

[0036] So, coming back to replacement of the connected spool 120 with another spool 120 for subsequent the processes, the hydraulic rams 106 are actuated to move the vertical arms 1024 outwards to release the connected spool 120. This is similar to Figure 3A. Then, a different spool 120 suitable for the next process is oriented between the vertical arms 1024 of the apparatus 100 such that axial hole is in line with the drive unit 108 and the free spool 120 hub. Accordingly, the vertical arms 1024 are moved inwards and the connections are secured again as shown in Figure 3B. These steps with different spools 120 are repeated until all the borehole redevelopment processes are complete. In this manner, the present invention is able to facilitate all the borehole re-development processes using a single apparatus 100 and a single crane, thereby making it a lot more efficient and cost-effective.

[0037] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in that art that the present invention provides a complete apparatus 100 that is fast, cost efficient and safe. The existing pump retrieval systems are skid mounted or on a trailer, that makes the ability to manoeuvre close to the bore more difficult. Whereas the present apparatus 100 can be positioned right over the borehole.

[0038] Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be providing the broadest scope, consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and the appended claims.