Pipe handling device, method and system

An apparatus for handling well pipe, comprising:

• a support member;
• a pair of link arms, the arms having upper ends that are rotatably mounted to opposite sides of the support member;
• a pair of fluid-powered cylinders, each having one end pivotally mounted to one of the arms between the upper and the lower ends;
• an actuator assembly mounted to and extending downward from the support member;
• a quill having threaded upper end that is connectable to a rotatable stem of a top drive of a drilling rig, the quill extending through and being rotatable relative to the support member;
• a gripping assembly mounted to the quill and connected to the actuator assembly, the gripping assembly being movable in response to the actuator assembly between a gripping position in engagement with a pipe and a disengaged position;
• and
• a pipe elevator pivotally mounted to lower ends of the link arms below the gripping assembly.

An apparatus for handling well pipe, comprising:

• a top drive adapted to be mounted to a derrick of a drilling rig, the top drive having a rotatable stem;
• a quill having threaded upper end that connected to the stem for rotation therewith,
• a support member carried by the quill below the top drive, the support member being nonrotatable relative to the top drive, the quill being rotatable relative to the support member;
• a pair of link arms, the arms having upper ends that are pivotally mounted to opposite sides of the support member for rotation relative to the support member about an axis perpendicular to an axis of the quill;
• a pair of fluid-powered cylinders, each having a lower end pivotally mounted to one of the arms between the upper and the lower ends;
• an actuator assembly mounted to and extending downward from the support member;
• the quill extending through and being rotatable relative to the actuator assembly;
• a gripping assembly mounted to the quill and connected to the actuator assembly, the gripping assembly having a plurality of grapples;
• and
• a pipe elevator pivotally mounted to lower ends of the link arms below the gripping assembly.

A method for running pipe into a well, comprising:

• mounting a pipe handling and engaging apparatus to a drive stem of a top drive assembly of a drilling rig, the apparatus comprising:
• a quill extending rotatably through a support member, a pair of link arms attached to the support member;
• power cylinders connected to the link arms;
• a pipe engaging device;
• and a pipe elevator pivotally mounted to lower ends of the link arms below the pipe engaging device;
• supplying power to the cylinders to pivot the link arms;
• placing an end of a pipe into the elevator, moving the top drive upward to lift the pipe and allowing the pipe to swing into axial alignment with the pipe engaging device;
• engaging an upper end of the pipe with the pipe engaging device;
• connecting a lower end of the pipe to a string of pipe suspended at a rig floor;
• rotating the pipe about its axis with the top drive while preventing axial rotation of the link arms to connect the pipe to the string of pipe;
• then
• lowering the pipe into the well while connected to the string of pipe.