Combined multi-coupler
AssigneeWeatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
InventorWinfried Mollin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide combined multi-coupler assembly for quickly connecting a top drive to a tool. The combined multi-coupler assembly includes a drive stem and a tool dock that may be coupled to each other. When the drive stem and the tool dock are connected, axial loads, torsional loads, and hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, optical, or other types of communications may be transferred between the drive stem and the tool dock.
Claims20
A combined multi-coupler for connecting to a top drive, comprising:
- a stem for connecting to the top drive;
- a first coupling plate fixedly attached to the stem, wherein the first coupling plate has one or more notches formed therethrough;
- a securing plate movable relative to the first coupling plate, wherein the securing plate has one or more securing keys aligned with the one or more notches in the first coupling plate, and each securing key is movable between a locked position in the corresponding notch and an unlocked position out of the corresponding notch;
- and
- a second coupling plate adapted to connect to a tool, wherein the second coupling plate has one or more interlock keys, and each interlock key is alignable with a corresponding notch in the first coupling plate.
A method of operating a top drive coupler, comprising:
- aligning an interlock key of a first coupling plate with a notch of a second coupling plate, wherein a securing key of a securing plate is disposed in the notch;
- placing the interlock key in the notch, wherein placing the interlock key in the notch displaces the securing key from the notch and moves the securing plate relative to the second coupling plate;
- interlocking the interlock key with the second coupling plate by either rotating the first coupling plate relative to the second coupling plate or rotating the second coupling plate relative to the first coupling plate;
- inserting the securing key into the notch to lock the interlock key in the notch.
A combined multi-coupler for connecting to a top drive, comprising:
- a stem for connecting to the top drive;
- a first coupling plate fixedly attached to the stem, wherein the first coupling plate has one or more notches formed therethrough;
- a securing plate movable relative to the first coupling plate, wherein the securing plate has one or more securing keys aligned with the one or more notches in the first coupling plate, and each securing key is movable between a locked position in the corresponding notch and an unlocked position out of the corresponding notch;
- a biasing element coupled to the securing plate to bias the securing plate to push the securing keys into the notches;
- and
- one or more actuators coupled to the securing plate to move the securing keys out of the notches.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.