US 12,158,045 B2
Counterbalance systems and related methods for catwalk systems
Gerardo Guerra, Spring, TX (US); and Jesse Goerlich, Tomball, TX (US)
Assigned to FORUM US, INC., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by FORUM US, INC., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Apr. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/295,905.
Prior Publication US 2024/0337164 A1, Oct. 10, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 19/087 (2006.01); E21B 19/084 (2006.01); E21B 19/089 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 19/087 (2013.01) [E21B 19/084 (2013.01); E21B 19/089 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
12. A method of deploying a catwalk system at a wellsite, comprising:
engaging a rig structure with a V-door ramp, the V-door ramp coupled to a counterbalance system comprising:
a first sheave suspended from the V-door ramp,
a second sheave independently suspended from the first sheave, and
a counterbalance rope wound at least partially about the first sheave and the second sheave, a first end of the counterbalance rope coupled to a trough at a coupling point;
actuating a main arm to slide the trough upward and along the V-door ramp toward the rig structure;
pulling the trough upward using the first end of the counterbalance rope while actuating the main arm;
positioning an outer end of the trough adjacent a platform of the rig structure; and
pulling the trough downward using the first end of the counterbalance rope.