EP0285386B1 - Internal wrench for a top head drive assembly - Google Patents
Internal wrench for a top head drive assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0285386B1 EP0285386B1 EP88302818A EP88302818A EP0285386B1 EP 0285386 B1 EP0285386 B1 EP 0285386B1 EP 88302818 A EP88302818 A EP 88302818A EP 88302818 A EP88302818 A EP 88302818A EP 0285386 B1 EP0285386 B1 EP 0285386B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- jaws
- tubular
- casing
- drag ring
- extended position
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 28
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000002457 bidirectional effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910000906 Bronze Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010974 bronze Substances 0.000 description 1
- KUNSUQLRTQLHQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper tin Chemical compound [Cu].[Sn] KUNSUQLRTQLHQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/16—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
- E21B19/161—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/16—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B3/00—Rotary drilling
- E21B3/02—Surface drives for rotary drilling
- E21B3/022—Top drives
Definitions
- the interior side wall is not sufficiently smooth or round to create an effective sealing surface.
- the internal gripping elements are designed to lock when the drive connection is rotated in a right hand sense, and no means are provided for selectively releasing the internal gripping elements while the drive connection is being rotated in a right hand sense. For these reasons, the sealing potential of the threaded upper end of the casing (which is machined to act as an excellent sealing surface) is not used and the associated advantages are lost.
- the present invention is directed to an improved apparatus for applying torque to a drilling tubular such as a large diameter casing, which overcomes the disadvantages described above.
- FIGURE 7 is an elevational view in partial cutaway of a second preferred embodiment.
- FIGURE 8 is a cross section taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
- FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of one of the jaws of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-13.
- a total of six jaws 60 and two shafts 62 are provided.
- Two diametrically opposed jaws 60 are mounted to the lower ends of the shafts 68 so as to rotate with the shafts 68.
- the remaining jaws 60 rotate about the pins 66 which are threadedly engaged with the lower end 46 of the body 42.
- the upper ends of the shafts 68 are provided with splines 88 shaped to engaged correspondingly shaped openings in torque arms 90.
- These torque arms 90 extend laterally away from the body 40 along a plane transverse to the axis of the passageway 48, and each of the torque arms 90 defines a slot 92 at its outer end.
- a drag ring 93 is positioned to encircle the body 40, as best shown in FIG. 5. This drag ring 93 is supported in place by fasteners 94 positioned to slide in the slots 92.
- a friction brake 96 is mounted to the top head drive assembly 14. This friction brake 96 includes brake shoes 98 positioned to engage the drag ring 93 frictionally.
- the lower end of the passageway 208 terminates in a mud nozzle 212, and the lowermost end of the mud nozzle 212 terminates in a basket made up of a flange 214 and a circumferential rim 216.
- the rim 216 defines an array of openings 218.
- first outer ends 230 engage an interior surface 30 of the casing 26 for clockwise rotation of the casing 26 (as seen from above), and the second outer ends 232 engage the interior surface 30 in order to rotate the casing 26 in a counter-clockwise direction.
Description
- The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying a torque to a drilling tubular in an earth drilling machine, and in particular to an apparatus for applying a torque to casing.
- After a bore hole has been drilled in an earth formation it is conventional in many applications to line the bore hole with a large diameter casing. Such casing is typically provided with threads at each end, and adjacent lengths of casing are threaded together to form a string of casing which is lowered into the bore hole. In assembling the string of casing it is necessary to apply a pre-determined torque to adjacent lengths of casing in order to make up the threaded joints properly.
- In the past, hydraulic chain tongs such as Model CH-20 of Weatherford Company have been used to make up threaded joints on large diameter casing. Such chain tongs grip the exterior of the casing to apply the desired torque. Though suitable for many applications, such hydraulic chain tongs suffer from severe disadvantages that make them inappropriate for certain applications. Hydraulic chain tongs for large diameter casing are unacceptably large, heavy, slow, and expensive for the use with modern top head drive drilling machines of the type that provide limited space on the drilling floor around the string.
- U.S. Patent 3,747,675 to Brown discloses another rotary drive connection for casing drilling string. This drive connection is intended to interconnect a rotary swivel with a string of casing in a drilling operation, and it includes internal slips for lifting the string, elements for gripping the interior of the casing to rotate the string, and a sliding seal for sealing off the interior of the string. In that the seal engages the interior side wall of the casing, it does not utilise the threaded end of the casing to prevent drilling fluid from escaping from the casing. A bushing of the drive assembly acts on a ring threaded to the upper end of the tubular. There is no provision for sealing between the bushing and the ring, nor a threaded connection therebetween. In many cases, the interior side wall is not sufficiently smooth or round to create an effective sealing surface. Furthermore, the internal gripping elements are designed to lock when the drive connection is rotated in a right hand sense, and no means are provided for selectively releasing the internal gripping elements while the drive connection is being rotated in a right hand sense. For these reasons, the sealing potential of the threaded upper end of the casing (which is machined to act as an excellent sealing surface) is not used and the associated advantages are lost.
- US 4,423,774 shows capping apparatus for a drilling tubular which is completely separate from the apparatus for applying torque to the tubular.
- The present invention is directed to an improved apparatus for applying torque to a drilling tubular such as a large diameter casing, which overcomes the disadvantages described above.
- According to a first aspect of the invention an apparatus for applying torque to a tubular in an earth drilling machine of the type having a top head drive assembly, wherein the tubular defines an upper threaded end, said apparatus comprising:
a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, said body defining a passageway which extends between the upper and lower portions;
means for supporting the upper portion of the body under the top head drive assembly;
means for releasably engaging the lower portion of the body with the interior surface of the tubular positioned below the threaded end, said engaging means being movable between a disengaged position in which the body is free to rotate independently of the tubular, and at least one engaged position, in which the body and the tubular are mechanically engaged with one another to rotate together, means for moving the engaging means away from the at least one engaging position to free the body for rotation with respect to the tubular, characterised by a plug being mounted to an intermediate portion of the body; said plug defining a set of threads configured to threadedly engage the threaded end of the tubular to seal off the tubular when rotated with respect to the tubular. - In the described embodiment at least one jaw is secured to the lower end of the body for movement between at least one extended position in which the jaw engages an interior surface of the tubular to rotate the tubular with the body, and a retracted position in which the jaw is out of engagement with the interior surface. Means are provided for selectively moving the jaw between the extended and retracted positions.
- The body also defines a central passageway in these preferred embodiments which extends between the upper and lower portions to allow drilling mud to be introduced into the casing through the body. These embodiments use a jaw actuating system which includes a drag ring coupled to the jaw and a friction brake engaged with the drag ring such that the jaw can be set and released by rotation of the body in the appropriate direction. Means can be provided for overriding the jaw actuating system when it is desired to engage the threaded plug with the upper end of the tubular.
- By engaging an interior surface of the tubular or casing, the apparatus of this invention provides a remarkably lightweight, compact, and inexpensive assembly which is well suited for use with top head drive drilling machines. Because the device is suspended from the top head drive assembly, a large working area on the drilling floor is not required. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiments described below the body can quickly be mated with the threaded upper end of the tubular or casing if there is a threat of a blowout, and drilling, mud can then be injected into the tubular as needed to prevent the blowout. In this way, the upper end of the tubular is used to provide a reliable high pressure seal. Thus, the embodiments described below provide important safety advantages over the hydraulic chain tongs described above.
- The invention itself, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description, taking in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- FIGURE 1 is an elevation of a portion of a top head drive drilling machine on which is mounted a first presently preferred embodiment of this invention.
- FIGURE 2 is a more detailed elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
- FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 4.
- FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, showing the jaws in the extended position, engaged with a length of casing.
- FIGURE 4a is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the jaws in the retracted position, out of contact with the length of casing.
- FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing the position of the torque arms with the jaws in the position of FIG. 4.
- FIGURE 5a is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5 showing the position of the torque arms with the jaws in the position of FIG. 4a.
- FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.
- FIGURE 7 is an elevational view in partial cutaway of a second preferred embodiment.
- FIGURE 8 is a cross section taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
- FIGURE 9 is a cross section taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.
- FIGURE 10 is a longitudinal section taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 7.
- FIGURES 11, 11a, and 11b are cross sections taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10, showing the jaws centered (FIG. 11), positioned to make up a length of casing (FIG. 11a), and positioned to break out a length of casing (FIG. 11b).
- FIGURE 12 is a partial longitudinal section taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.
- FIGURE 13 is a cross section taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12.
- FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of one of the jaws of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-13.
- Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an elevational view of a portion of a top head
drive drilling machine 10 on which is mounted a first presently preferred embodiment of this invention. In the conventional manner, thisdrilling machine 10 includes avertical mast 12 and a tophead drive assembly 14 which is mounted for movement along the length of themast 12. The tophead drive assembly 14 is supported on themast 12 bycables 16 which are controlled by conventional draw works (not shown) in order to position the tophead drive assembly 14 at any desired point along themast 12. - The top
head drive assembly 14 includes aload beam 18 which forms the principal structural component of the tophead drive assembly 14. Atransmission 20 is mounted above the load beam, and one or more hydraulic orelectric motors 22 supply power to thetransmission 20 to rotate aquill 24. Thequill 24 is used to suspend, lift and rotate down hole tubulars during drilling and casing operations. The foregoing features of thedrilling machine 10 are conventional and have been described merely to clarify the environment of this invention. Further details will therefore not be provided here. Copending U.S. patent applications Serial Nos. 07/035,021, 07/034,483, and 07/034,481 provide additional information concerning top head drive assemblies. - As shown in FIG. 1 an
internal wrench 40 is rigidly mounted to the lower end of thequill 24 so as to rotate in unison with thequill 24. Thisinternal wrench 40 represents the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and it is used to mechanically interconnect thequill 24 with a length ofcasing 26. As best shown in FIG. 2, thiscasing 26 is provided at its upper end with acoupling 28. As is conventional, both ends of thecasing 26 are provided with external threads sized to mate with internal threads on thecoupling 28. In use, adjacent lengths ofcasing 26 are secured together by means of thecoupling 28. Thecasing 26 defines aninternal surface 30 which as described below is engaged by theinternal wrench 40. - FIG. 2 shows a more detailed elevation of the
internal wrench 40. Thiswrench 40 includes acylindrical body 42 which defines anupper end 44 and alower end 46. As shown in FIG. 2 thebody 42 and in particular thelower end 46 are shaped to fit within thecasing 26. Thebody 42 defines a throughpassageway 48 which extends from theupper end 44 to thelower end 46. Theupper end 44 of thebody 42 defines a set ofupper threads 50 which are adapted to mate with an adapter sub which is in turn threaded to the lower end of thequill 24. Thus, theupper threads 50 support thewrench 40 beneath thequill 24. Amud nozzle 52 is secured to thelower end 46 of thebody 42 to direct drilling mud passing through thepassageway 48 away from thelower end 46. - A
plug 54 is securely and rigidly mounted to an intermediate portion of thebody 42. Thisplug 54 defines a set ofexternal threads 56 which are sized to mate with the uppermost threads of thecoupling 28. When theplug 54 is screwed into thecoupling 28 it seals off the upper end of thecasing 26. - Turning now to FIGS. 3-6, the
wrench 40 includes a set ofjaws 60 which are pivotably mounted to thelower end 46 to move in a plane transverse to thepassageway 48 between extended and retracted positions. Each of thejaws 60 defines anouter end 62 which is shaped to engage theinternal surface 30 mechanically. Preferably, the outer ends 62 of thejaws 60 are hardened and shaped (as for example with teeth or by means of knurling) so as to bite into and securely grip theinternal surface 30. In addition, each of thejaws 60 defines aninner end 64 as well as arespective slot 63 near theouter end 62. The inner ends 64 are pivotably mounted to thebody 42 by means ofpins 66 andshafts 68. In this embodiment a total of sixjaws 60 and twoshafts 62 are provided. Two diametricallyopposed jaws 60 are mounted to the lower ends of theshafts 68 so as to rotate with theshafts 68. The remainingjaws 60 rotate about thepins 66 which are threadedly engaged with thelower end 46 of thebody 42. - The
shafts 68 are each mounted in arespective bore 58 defined by thebody 42 to extend parallel to thepassageway 48. As explained in detail below, theseshafts 68 form part of a means for rotating thejaws 60 between the extended and retracted positions.Bushings 70 are provided around theshafts 68 and thepins 66 in order to reduce friction associated with movement of thejaws 60. Each of theshafts 68 is secured at its lower end to a respective one of thejaws 60 by means of abolt 72 and acap plate 74. A key 86 is provided between each of theshafts 68 and therespective jaw 60 to prevent thejaws 60 from rotating with respect to theshafts 68. - The
jaws 60 are linked together by upper andlower rings jaws 60 move in unison between the extended and retracted positions shown in FIGURES 4 and 4a, respectively, The upper andlower rings pins 80 which ride in the slots 83. As explained in detail below, theshafts 68 rotate two of thejaws 60, and thesejaws 60 in turn rotate the remainingjaws 60 by means of therings - The
bores 58 are sealed around theshafts 68 by O-ring seals 82. This is done to prevent high pressure fluids from escaping from thecasing 26 via thebores 58 when theplug 54 is mated with thecoupling 28. Theshafts 68 are held in place in thebores 58 by locking rings 84. - As best shown in FIG. 3, the upper ends of the
shafts 68 are provided withsplines 88 shaped to engaged correspondingly shaped openings intorque arms 90. Thesetorque arms 90 extend laterally away from thebody 40 along a plane transverse to the axis of thepassageway 48, and each of thetorque arms 90 defines aslot 92 at its outer end. Adrag ring 93 is positioned to encircle thebody 40, as best shown in FIG. 5. Thisdrag ring 93 is supported in place byfasteners 94 positioned to slide in theslots 92. Afriction brake 96 is mounted to the tophead drive assembly 14. Thisfriction brake 96 includesbrake shoes 98 positioned to engage thedrag ring 93 frictionally. - Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 6, a pair of
followers 100 are mounted, each to a respective one of theshafts 68. Each of thefollowers 100 includes aroller 102 rotatably mounted on a shaft at the end of thefollower 100. Each of thefollowers 100 is secured at a fixed rotational position with respect to therespective shaft 68 by means of aset screw 104 and a corresponding flat on theshaft 68. - The
wrench 40 operates as follows. When it is desired to apply a torque to acasing 26 in order to make up thecasing 26 with an adjacent coupling, thelower end 46 of thebody 42 is lowered into thecasing 26, to the approximate position shown in FIG. 2. Of course, at this time thejaws 60 are in the retracted position shown in FIGURE 4a. The tophead drive assembly 14 is then used to rotate thequill 24 so as to rotate theinternal wrench 40 to make up the lower threaded connection of thecasing 26. This rotation of thebody 40 causes thefriction brake 96 to shift thedrag ring 93 with respect to thebody 42 as shown in FIGURE 5, thereby rotating theshafts 68 by the means of thetorque arms 90. This rotation of theshafts 68 pivots thejaws 60 from the retracted position of FIGURE 4a to the extended position of FIGURE 4, thereby engaging the outer ends 62 of thejaws 60 with theinternal surface 30 of thecasing 26. Therings jaws 60 move in unison. - Once the
jaws 60 have engaged thecasing 26, further rotation of thewrench 40 cams or locks thejaws 60 into position, so that further slippage between thejaws 60 and thecasing 26 does not occur. Then the desired torque is applied via themotors 22 and thetransmission 20 to thequill 24. This torque is transmitted by thewrench 40 to thecasing 26 in order to make up the lower threaded connection of thecasing 26 to the desired torque. It has been found particularly advantageous to use shunt-wound DC electric motors for themotors 22. Such shunt-wound motors provide a torque which is substantially constant for a given amperage through the motor. Thus, by controlling motor amperage a pre-determined torque can be applied via thequill 24 and theinternal wrench 40 to thecasing 26. The shunt-wound electric motors supplied by the General Electric Company as Model No. 761 have been found particularly suitable. - After the
casing 26 has been made up and it is desired to remove theinternal wrench 40, themotor 22 is used to rotate thequill 24 in the reverse direction. This reverse rotation causes thefriction brake 96 to shift thedrag ring 93 with respect to thebody 42 as shown in FIGURE 5a, thereby rotating theshafts 68 in a reverse direction and pivoting the jaws from the extended position shown in FIG. 4 to the retracted position shown in FIGURE 4a. In the retracted position thejaws 60 are out of contact with theinternal surface 30 and thewrench 40 can easily be lifted out of thecasing 26 without damaging the threads of thecoupling 26. - In the event of a threat of a blowout during the time when the
wrench 40 is engaged with thecasing 26 as shown in FIG. 2, thewrench 40 can be used to prevent the blowout. The tophead drive assembly 14 is merely lowered to cause theinternal wrench 40 to move more deeply into thecasing 26. Thefollowers 100 normally ride in thecoupling 28 above the upper end of thecasing 26. In this position thefollowers 100 do not interfere with the proper setting of thejaws 60 as described above. However, when thewrench 40 is moved more deeply into thecasing 26, therollers 102 of thefollowers 100 engage the upper end of thecasing 26 and then move into thecasing 26. As this occurs, thefollowers 100 rotate theshafts 68 so as to move thejaws 60 to the retracted position, thereby overriding the forces applied to the jaws by thedrag ring 93 tending to engage the jaws with thecasing 26. Once thejaws 60 are out of engagement with thecasing 26, continued rotation of thequill 24 as the wrench is lowered makes up thethreads 56 of theplug 54 with the upper threads of thecoupling 28. In this way, the upper end of thecasing 26 can be sealed quickly. Once thecasing 26 has been sealed, drilling mud can be introduced into thecasing 26 by means of thecentral passageway 48 and themud nozzle 52 in order to stabilize the mud in the bore hole. - A number of features of the
wrench 40 cooperate to provide the advantages described above. Thedrag ring 93,torque arm 90 andshafts 68 cooperate to form means for pivoting thejaws 60 between the extended and retracted positions in response to rotation of thewrench 40. As explained above, rotation of thewrench 40 in the first direction sets thejaws 60 against thecasing 26, and rotation in the reverse direction disengages thejaws 60 from thecasing 26. This is a simple and effective method for controlling thejaws 60. The upper and lower rings operate as means for linking thejaws 60 together to insure that they move in unison. Of course, it should be understood that other means can be provided for pivoting thejaws 60, as for example hydraulic actuators or the like. - In addition, it should be noted that the
followers 100 act as means for automatically withdrawing thejaws 60 from thecasing 26 as thewrench 40 is moved beyond a pre-determined point into thecasing 26. Again, other means can be provided for performing this function, as for example a means for selectively releasing thefriction brake 96 so as to free thejaws 60 for movement away from theinternal surface 30. - Furthermore, it is not essential in all embodiments to provide the
passageway 48 and theplug 54. If thewrench 40 is adapted for uses where blowout prevention is not a concern, these elements can be eliminated. - Turning now to FIGURES 7-14, these figures show various views of a
wrench 200 which incorporates a second referred embodiment of this invention. Thiswrench 200 includes abody 202 which defines anupper end 204 and a lower end 206 (FIGURES 7 and 10). Acentral passageway 208 extends between the upper and lower ends 204, 206 to conduct drilling mud into a string of casing suspended by thewrench 200. Theupper end 204 defines a set ofupper threads 210 which are sized to mate with an adapter sub which is in turn threaded to the lower end of thequill 24 described above. Thus, theupper threads 210 support thewrench 200 beneath thequill 24. The lower end of thepassageway 208 terminates in amud nozzle 212, and the lowermost end of themud nozzle 212 terminates in a basket made up of aflange 214 and acircumferential rim 216. Therim 216 defines an array ofopenings 218. - The
body 202 defines aplug 220 at an intermediate position between the upper and lower ends 204, 206 (FIGURE 10). Thisplug 220 defines a set ofexternal threads 222 which are sized to mate with the internal threads of acylindrical coupling 28 threadedly mounted, to the upper end of a length ofcasing 26. Thebody 202 also defines an array ofupper bores 224 and an aligned array of lower bores 226. As shown in FIGURES 7 and 9 thewrench 200 includes fourjaws 228, each of which defines a firstouter end 230 and a secondouter end 232. As explained in detail below, the first outer ends 230 engage aninterior surface 30 of thecasing 26 for clockwise rotation of the casing 26 (as seen from above), and the second outer ends 232 engage theinterior surface 30 in order to rotate thecasing 26 in a counter-clockwise direction. - As best shown in FIGURE 13 each of the
jaws 228 defines arespective dovetail flange 240, and thejaws 228 are positioned adjacent to respective sides of arectangular guide plate 242. Theguide plate 242 defines four dovetail shapedguide slots 244, each of which receives a respective one of thedovetail flanges 240. Thus, each of thejaws 228 is guided for sliding movement parallel to one of the sides of theguide plate 242. - Four
shafts 260 are rotatably mounted in thebores shafts 260 is coupled to a respective one of thejaws 228 by a set oflinks respective pins 250 which are secured to theguide plate 242. Each of the links 248a is coupled to a respective one of thejaws 228 by means of aslot 254 formed in the end of the link 248a and apin 246 secured to therespective jaw 228. Each of thelinks 248c is keyed to a respective one of theshafts 260, and each of thelinks 248b interconnects the associatedlinks 248a, 248c viapivots 252. Thus, rotation of theshafts 260 operates the linkage made up of thelinks jaws 228 between the extreme positions shown in FIGURES 11a and 11b. When thejaws 228 are in the position shown in FIGURE 11a, the outer ends 230 are in contact with theinterior surface 30 of thecasing 26 such that thejaws 228 transmit torque effectively to thecasing 26 to rotate thecasing 26 in a clockwise direction (as seen from above). Similarly, when thejaws 228 are in the position shown in FIGURE 11b, the outer ends 232 are in contact with thecasing 26 to rotate thecasing 26 in a counterclockwise direction (as seen from above). In each or these positions thejaws 228 are self-applying. Preferably, both of theends - Turning now to FIGURE 10, the
upper bores 224 are sealed around theshafts 260 by means ofbronze bearings 262 and chevron seals 264 which are held in place by snap rings 268. In addition, an O-ring 266 is provided to reduce contamination of thechevron seal 264. - The upper end of each of the
shafts 260 is keyed to arespective torque arm 270 which extends generally radially as shown in FIGURE 8. Each of thetorque arms 270 defines arespective slot 272 and thetorque arms 270 support anannular drag ring 274.Fasteners 276 extend between thedrag ring 274 and thetorque arms 270 through theslots 272 in order to allow limited sliding motion between thetorque arms 270 and thedrag ring 274. Afriction brake 278 such as a releasable air brake is schematically shown at 278. When applied, thisbrake 278 provides a frictional drag on thedrag ring 274 in order to rotate thedrag ring 274 with respect to thebody 202. A set ofsprings 280 are mounted between thedrag ring 274 and thebody 202 by means of spring anchors 282, as shown in FIGURE 8. Thesesprings 280 are balanced so as to bias thedrag ring 274 to the position shown in FIGURES 8 and 11, in which each of thetorque arms 270 is positioned at the midpoint of its travel. - In use, the
wrench 200 operates as follows. Thebody 202 is securely threaded in place to an adapter below the quill such that thebody 202 is supported and rotated by the quill. When thewrench 200 is out of engagement with thecasing 26 and thebrake 278 is in the off position thesprings 280 center thetorque arms 270, thereby biasing thejaws 228 to a central, retracted position, in which neither of theends lower end 206 of thebody 202 is lowered into thecasing 26 well past thecoupling 28. Thefriction brake 278 is then set, and the quill is used to rotate thewrench 200 in a clockwise direction. Rotation of thewrench 200 in a clockwise direction shifts thedrag ring 274 with respect to thebody 202 and thereby moves thejaws 228 to the position shown in FIGURE 11a, in which thejaws 228 grip theinternal surface 30 of thecasing 26 for clockwise rotation. - When it is desired to release the
wrench 200 from thecasing 26 thebrake 278 is released and thewrench 200 is rotated by about 20 degrees in the counter-clockwise direction. This counter-clockwise rotation frees thejaws 228 from thecasing 26 and allows thesprings 280 to center thejaws 228, out of contact with thecasing 26. Once thejaws 228 have been released, thewrench 200 can be withdrawn from thecasing 26. - In the event the
casing 26 must be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction (as for example when it is necessary to replace one or more casing joints in the event of damage to the casing joint resulting from overtorquing, damage to a coupling on the blowout preventer or the slips, or the like), thewrench 200 can be rotated in the counterclockwise direction while holding thebrake 278 in engagement with thedrag ring 274. When this is done thedrag ring 274 is shifted with respect to thebody 202 to move thejaws 228 to the position shown in FIGURE 11b, in which thejaws 228 grip thecasing 26 for counter-clockwise rotation. Thus, it can be seen that thewrench 200 is fully bidirectional and can be used both to make up and break out casing joints. - In the event of a kick or a threatened blowout the
wrench 200 can be quickly disengaged from thecasing 26 by releasing thebrake 278 and rotating thewrench 200 slightly, as described above, and then thewrench 200 can be rotated in the clockwise direction as it is lowered. In that thebrake 278 is disengaged from thedrag ring 274, thejaws 228 remain in the retracted position shown in FIGURE 11 and thethreads 222 of theplug 220 can readily be engaged with the uppermost threads of thecoupling 28 to form a fluid tight seal and thereby prevent a blowout. Drilling mud can be introduced as necessary through thepassageway 208 into the casing string. As pointed out above, thecoupling 28 is designed to create a fluid tight threaded seal, and thus theplug 220 provides a reliable and effective seal for thecasing 26. The seals including thechevron seal 264 and the O-ring 266 prevent the leakage of drilling fluid through theplug 220. - The
wrench 200 provides a number of important advantages. Perhaps most importantly thejaws 228 are fully bidirectional, up to the breakout torque of the threaded connections between thewrench 200 and thequill 24. As explained above thewrench 200 can be used both to make up and break out threaded connections with thecasing 26. Additionally, thejaws 228 contact thecasing 26 well into thecasing 26 and some distance from thecoupling 28. In this way the risk of damaging the threads near the upper end of thecasing 26 due to out of roundness or "egging" during torquing operations is minimized. In addition, theshafts 260 are positioned radially outside the structural portion of thebody 202 thereby eliminating stress risers. Thewrench 200 can safely rotate, support, and isolate the entire casing string during any kick requiring that the wrench be made up to the casing coupling to prevent a blowout. Finally, the basket made up of theflange 214 and therim 216 is configured to provide a stable base or support for thewrench 200 to allow thewrench 200 to be stored and transported in a vertical position. This basket also performs as a mud shield and as an extended mud injection pipe to reduce the amount of drilling mud that splashes onto thejaws 228 and the associated linkage. Finally, the basket substantially blocks the interior of thecasing 22 to prevent small pieces or parts from falling into the bore hole in the event of a catastrophic failure of the internal mechanism of thewrench 200. - From the foregoing description it should be apparent that the wrenches described above are relatively lightweight and compact, and are well-suited for use with top head drive drilling machines. They can make up quickly with a casing if necessary to control or prevent a blowout, and they allow drilling mud to be injected into the casing promptly in response to a problem. All of these advantages are obtained in a reliable device which is relatively straightforward to manufacture.
Claims (11)
- An apparatus for applying torque (10) to a tubular (26) in an earth drilling machine of the type having a top head drive assembly (14), wherein the tubular (26) defines an upper threaded end, said apparatus comprising:
a body (42, 202) having an upper portion (44, 204) and a lower portion (46, 206), said body defining a passageway (48, 208) which extends between the upper and lower portions;
means (50) for supporting the upper portion of the body under the top head drive assembly (14);
means (40, 60, 100) for releasably engaging the lower portion of the body with the interior surface (30) of the tubular (26) positioned below the threaded end, said engaging means being movable between a disengaged position in which the body is free to rotate independently of the tubular (26), and at least one engaged position, in which the body and the tubular (26) are mechanically engaged with one another to rotate together, means (28) for moving the engaging means (60) away from the at least one engaging position to free the body for rotation with respect to the tubular (26), characterised by a plug (54, 220) being mounted to an intermediate portion of the body; said plug defining a set of threads (56, 222) configured to threadedly engage the threaded end of the tubular to seal off the tubular when rotated with respect to the tubular. - An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the body is sized to fit within the tubular.
- An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting means comprises:
a set of threads (50, 222) formed on the upper portion (44, 204) of the body around the passageway (48, 208). - An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the releasable engaging means comprises:
a plurality of jaws (60, 228);
means for pivotably mounting the jaws to the lower portion of the body such that the jaws are pivotable between an extended position, in which the jaws engage the interior surface of the tubular, and a retracted position, in which the jaws are out of contact with the interior surface of the tubular; and
means (93,90,68; 248,260,270,274) for pivoting the jaws with respect to the body between the extended and retracted positions. - An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pivoting means comprises:
means for pivoting the jaws to the extended position when the body is rotated in a first direction and for pivoting the jaws to the retracted position when the body is rotated in a second direction, opposed to the first direction. - An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pivoting means comprises:
a drag ring (93);
a friction brake (96) engaged with drag ring (93); and means (68) for coupling the drag ring (93) to the jaws such that rotations of the body in a first direction causes the friction brake (96) to move the drag ring (93) to pivot the jaws (60) to the extended position, and rotation of the body in a second direction causes the friction brake (96) to move the drag ring (93) to pivot the jaws (60) to the retracted position. - An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the means for moving the engaging means (60) away from the engaged position comprises:
at least one follower; (100) and
means (68) for coupling the follower (100) to at least one of the jaws (60) such that the follower (100) normally extends above the tubular (26) when the jaws (60) are in the extended position and the follower (100) automatically moves the jaws (60) to the retracted position as the follower (100) moves into the tubular (26). - An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the releasably engaging means (200) comprises:
a plurality of jaws (228);
means for movably mounting the jaws (228) to the lower portion (206) of the body (202) such that the jaws are movable between a first extended position, in which the jaws (228) engage the interior surface (30) of the tubular (26) to rotate the tubular in a clockwise direction, a second extended position, in which the jaws (228) engage the interior surface (30) of the tubular (26) to rotate the tubular in a counter-clockwise direction, and a retracted position, in which the jaws (228) are out of contact with the interior surface (30) of the tubular (26); and
means for moving the jaws between the retracted position and the first and second extended positions. - An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the jaw moving means comprises:
means for moving the jaws (228) to the first extended position when the body (202) is rotated in the clockwise direction and for moving the jaws to the second extended position when the body is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction. - An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein the jaw moving means comprises:
a drag ring (274);
a friction brake (278) engaged with the drag ring (274); and means (260) for coupling the drag ring (274) to the jaws (228) such that rotation of the body (202) in the clockwise direction causes the friction brake (278) to move the drag ring (274) to move the jaws to the first extended position, and rotation of the body in the counter-clockwise direction causes the brake (278) to move the drag ring (274) to pivot the jaws (228) to the second extended position. - Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a mud nozzle mounted to the body in alignment with the passageway, said mud nozzle defining an enlarged lower end that simultaneously protects the jaws from impact and contamination, forms a stable support for the body, and acts as a basket to prevent objects from falling into the tubular.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AT88302818T ATE90141T1 (en) | 1987-04-02 | 1988-03-30 | INTERNAL CLAMP FOR AN OVERHEAD DRIVE DEVICE. |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US3448287A | 1987-04-02 | 1987-04-02 | |
US34482 | 1987-04-02 | ||
US07/079,024 US4762187A (en) | 1987-07-29 | 1987-07-29 | Internal wrench for a top head drive assembly |
US79024 | 1987-07-29 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0285386A2 EP0285386A2 (en) | 1988-10-05 |
EP0285386A3 EP0285386A3 (en) | 1989-03-29 |
EP0285386B1 true EP0285386B1 (en) | 1993-06-02 |
Family
ID=26711010
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP88302818A Expired - Lifetime EP0285386B1 (en) | 1987-04-02 | 1988-03-30 | Internal wrench for a top head drive assembly |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0285386B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR890002519A (en) |
AU (1) | AU1400188A (en) |
CA (1) | CA1299166C (en) |
DE (1) | DE3881429D1 (en) |
NO (1) | NO881445L (en) |
Cited By (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6745646B1 (en) | 1999-07-29 | 2004-06-08 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus and method for facilitating the connection of pipes |
US6814149B2 (en) | 1999-11-26 | 2004-11-09 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus and method for positioning a tubular relative to a tong |
US7650944B1 (en) | 2003-07-11 | 2010-01-26 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Vessel for well intervention |
US7654325B2 (en) | 2000-04-17 | 2010-02-02 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for handling and drilling with tubulars or casing |
US7665531B2 (en) | 1998-07-22 | 2010-02-23 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive |
US7669662B2 (en) | 1998-08-24 | 2010-03-02 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Casing feeder |
US7694744B2 (en) | 2005-01-12 | 2010-04-13 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | One-position fill-up and circulating tool and method |
US7707914B2 (en) | 2003-10-08 | 2010-05-04 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus and methods for connecting tubulars |
US7712523B2 (en) | 2000-04-17 | 2010-05-11 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Top drive casing system |
US7757759B2 (en) | 2006-04-27 | 2010-07-20 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Torque sub for use with top drive |
US7845418B2 (en) | 2005-01-18 | 2010-12-07 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Top drive torque booster |
US7861618B2 (en) | 1999-11-26 | 2011-01-04 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Wrenching tong |
US7874352B2 (en) | 2003-03-05 | 2011-01-25 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus for gripping a tubular on a drilling rig |
US7882902B2 (en) | 2006-11-17 | 2011-02-08 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Top drive interlock |
US7896084B2 (en) | 2001-05-17 | 2011-03-01 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus and methods for tubular makeup interlock |
USRE42877E1 (en) | 2003-02-07 | 2011-11-01 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for wellbore construction and completion |
DE102011056808A1 (en) * | 2011-12-21 | 2013-06-27 | Max Streicher Gmbh & Co. Kg Aa | FEED TUBE AND ADAPTER FOR MANUFACTURING A MECHANICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN A TOP DRIVE AND A FEED TUBE |
Families Citing this family (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA2068489A1 (en) * | 1991-05-16 | 1992-11-17 | Masaru Ishino | Aldol condensation dehydration catalyst, a process for preparing the same and a process for preparing an aldol condensation dehydrate using the process |
GB9425499D0 (en) * | 1994-12-17 | 1995-02-15 | Weatherford Lamb | Method and apparatus for connecting and disconnecting tubulars |
GB2299849A (en) * | 1995-04-10 | 1996-10-16 | Mono Pumps Ltd | Downhole pump drive head assembly with hydrodynamic retarder |
GB2315696A (en) * | 1996-07-31 | 1998-02-11 | Weatherford Lamb | Mechanism for connecting and disconnecting tubulars |
NO302774B1 (en) * | 1996-09-13 | 1998-04-20 | Hitec Asa | Device for use in connection with feeding of feeding pipes |
GB2340858A (en) | 1998-08-24 | 2000-03-01 | Weatherford Lamb | Methods and apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive |
GB2340859A (en) | 1998-08-24 | 2000-03-01 | Weatherford Lamb | Method and apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive |
GB2340857A (en) | 1998-08-24 | 2000-03-01 | Weatherford Lamb | An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars and alignment with a top drive |
GB2345074A (en) | 1998-12-24 | 2000-06-28 | Weatherford Lamb | Floating joint to facilitate the connection of tubulars using a top drive |
GB2347441B (en) | 1998-12-24 | 2003-03-05 | Weatherford Lamb | Apparatus and method for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive |
GB2346576B (en) | 1999-01-28 | 2003-08-13 | Weatherford Lamb | A rotary and a method for facilitating the connection of pipes |
GB2346577B (en) | 1999-01-28 | 2003-08-13 | Weatherford Lamb | An apparatus and a method for facilitating the connection of pipes |
US6412554B1 (en) | 2000-03-14 | 2002-07-02 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Wellbore circulation system |
CA2301963C (en) * | 2000-03-22 | 2004-03-09 | Noetic Engineering Inc. | Method and apparatus for handling tubular goods |
GB0131031D0 (en) * | 2001-12-31 | 2002-02-13 | Maris Tdm Ltd | Pipe handling apparatus |
US7909120B2 (en) | 2005-05-03 | 2011-03-22 | Noetic Technologies Inc. | Gripping tool |
EP1888871B1 (en) | 2005-06-10 | 2011-08-17 | Albert Augustus Mullins | Casing and drill pipe filling and circulation apparatus |
US7896111B2 (en) | 2007-12-10 | 2011-03-01 | Noetic Technologies Inc. | Gripping tool with driven screw grip activation |
EP2313601B1 (en) | 2008-07-18 | 2017-09-13 | Noetic Technologies Inc. | Grip extension linkage to provide gripping tool with improved operational range, and method of use of the same |
US11002086B2 (en) | 2018-04-26 | 2021-05-11 | Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. | Pipe handler |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1687808A (en) * | 1927-05-02 | 1928-10-16 | Thomas Idris | Fishing tool |
US1981656A (en) * | 1931-12-29 | 1934-11-20 | Hulbert I Masters | Back-up tool |
US3747675A (en) * | 1968-11-25 | 1973-07-24 | C Brown | Rotary drive connection for casing drilling string |
US3610640A (en) * | 1969-03-21 | 1971-10-05 | Curtis Mfg Co | Chuck assembly |
US3776320A (en) * | 1971-12-23 | 1973-12-04 | C Brown | Rotating drive assembly |
US4423774A (en) * | 1981-06-03 | 1984-01-03 | Joe Mefford | Method and apparatus for positioning a safety valve sub for connection in a threaded tubular member |
-
1988
- 1988-03-30 NO NO881445A patent/NO881445L/en unknown
- 1988-03-30 DE DE8888302818T patent/DE3881429D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-03-30 EP EP88302818A patent/EP0285386B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-03-30 AU AU14001/88A patent/AU1400188A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1988-03-31 CA CA000563016A patent/CA1299166C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-04-01 KR KR1019880003725A patent/KR890002519A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7665531B2 (en) | 1998-07-22 | 2010-02-23 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive |
US7669662B2 (en) | 1998-08-24 | 2010-03-02 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Casing feeder |
US6745646B1 (en) | 1999-07-29 | 2004-06-08 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus and method for facilitating the connection of pipes |
US7861618B2 (en) | 1999-11-26 | 2011-01-04 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Wrenching tong |
US6814149B2 (en) | 1999-11-26 | 2004-11-09 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus and method for positioning a tubular relative to a tong |
US7918273B2 (en) | 2000-04-17 | 2011-04-05 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Top drive casing system |
US7712523B2 (en) | 2000-04-17 | 2010-05-11 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Top drive casing system |
US7654325B2 (en) | 2000-04-17 | 2010-02-02 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for handling and drilling with tubulars or casing |
US7793719B2 (en) | 2000-04-17 | 2010-09-14 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Top drive casing system |
US7896084B2 (en) | 2001-05-17 | 2011-03-01 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus and methods for tubular makeup interlock |
USRE42877E1 (en) | 2003-02-07 | 2011-11-01 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for wellbore construction and completion |
US7874352B2 (en) | 2003-03-05 | 2011-01-25 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus for gripping a tubular on a drilling rig |
US7650944B1 (en) | 2003-07-11 | 2010-01-26 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Vessel for well intervention |
US7707914B2 (en) | 2003-10-08 | 2010-05-04 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus and methods for connecting tubulars |
US7694744B2 (en) | 2005-01-12 | 2010-04-13 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | One-position fill-up and circulating tool and method |
US7845418B2 (en) | 2005-01-18 | 2010-12-07 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Top drive torque booster |
US7757759B2 (en) | 2006-04-27 | 2010-07-20 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Torque sub for use with top drive |
US7882902B2 (en) | 2006-11-17 | 2011-02-08 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Top drive interlock |
DE102011056808A1 (en) * | 2011-12-21 | 2013-06-27 | Max Streicher Gmbh & Co. Kg Aa | FEED TUBE AND ADAPTER FOR MANUFACTURING A MECHANICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN A TOP DRIVE AND A FEED TUBE |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NO881445D0 (en) | 1988-03-30 |
AU1400188A (en) | 1988-10-06 |
DE3881429D1 (en) | 1993-07-08 |
EP0285386A2 (en) | 1988-10-05 |
NO881445L (en) | 1988-10-03 |
EP0285386A3 (en) | 1989-03-29 |
KR890002519A (en) | 1989-04-10 |
CA1299166C (en) | 1992-04-21 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0285386B1 (en) | Internal wrench for a top head drive assembly | |
US4762187A (en) | Internal wrench for a top head drive assembly | |
US4813493A (en) | Hydraulic top drive for wells | |
US7707914B2 (en) | Apparatus and methods for connecting tubulars | |
US5036927A (en) | Apparatus for gripping a down hole tubular for rotation | |
US3964552A (en) | Drive connector with load compensator | |
US5388651A (en) | Top drive unit torque break-out system | |
US3776320A (en) | Rotating drive assembly | |
US5297833A (en) | Apparatus for gripping a down hole tubular for support and rotation | |
US5839330A (en) | Mechanism for connecting and disconnecting tubulars | |
US6938709B2 (en) | Pipe running tool | |
CA2276517C (en) | Lockable swivel apparatus and method | |
US7451826B2 (en) | Apparatus for connecting tubulars using a top drive | |
US4650153A (en) | Oil well safety valve for use with drill pipe | |
CA2596282A1 (en) | Wellbore circulation system | |
US5231899A (en) | Drilling rig breakout wrench system | |
US5125148A (en) | Drill string torque coupling and method for making up and breaking out drill string connections | |
US4660634A (en) | Automatic drill pipe breakout | |
CN111886396B (en) | Ground clamp for drilling machine | |
WO1999010130A1 (en) | Duplex drill pipe wrench | |
US3915243A (en) | Rotary drive and joint breakout mechanism | |
CA2859352C (en) | Tubular engaging device and method | |
US11441366B2 (en) | Spinner with consumable sleeve | |
US4423647A (en) | Pipe alignment apparatus and method | |
US11572746B2 (en) | Rotary gripping apparatus for a power tong |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19890301 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19891219 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRE;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 19930602 Ref country code: NL Effective date: 19930602 Ref country code: AT Effective date: 19930602 Ref country code: DE Effective date: 19930602 Ref country code: FR Effective date: 19930602 Ref country code: ES Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY Effective date: 19930602 Ref country code: CH Effective date: 19930602 Ref country code: BE Effective date: 19930602 Ref country code: SE Effective date: 19930602 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 19930602 Ref country code: LI Effective date: 19930602 |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 90141 Country of ref document: AT Date of ref document: 19930615 Kind code of ref document: T |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 3881429 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19930708 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
EN | Fr: translation not filed | ||
NLV1 | Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act | ||
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Effective date: 19940330 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19940331 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19940330 |