Methods and apparatus for supporting tubulars
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsBenson Thomas, Karsten Heidecke, Delaney Michael Olstad, Michael Hayes, Doyle Frederic Boutwell, JR.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention relate to a gripping apparatus for supporting a tubular. The gripping apparatus may include a housing, a slip assembly disposed in the housing, and a leveling ring operable to move the slip assembly in the housing. The gripping apparatus may further include a guide member and a mating member operable to couple the slip assembly to the leveling ring. The longitudinal movement of the leveling ring directs the mating member along the guide member to radially displace the slip assembly relative to the housing.
Claims23
A gripping apparatus for supporting a tubular, comprising:
- a housing;
- a slip assembly disposed in the housing;
- a leveling ring operable to move the slip assembly in the housing;
- and
- a guide member and a mating member operable to couple the slip assembly to the leveling ring, wherein longitudinal movement of the leveling ring directs the mating member along the guide member to radially displace the slip assembly relative to the housing.
A gripping apparatus for supporting a tubular, comprising:
- a housing;
- a slip assembly disposed in the housing and having a slip bracket to radially project and retract the slip assembly relative to the housing;
- and
- a leveling ring having a slot and a pin, wherein the pin is disposed through the slot and the slip bracket, wherein vertical displacement of the leveling ring moves the pin along the slot and thereby moves the slip bracket to radially project and retract the slip assembly relative to the housing.
A gripping apparatus for supporting a tubular, comprising:
- a housing;
- a slip assembly disposed in the housing and having a slip bracket;
- and
- a displacement member coupled to the slip bracket, wherein a longitudinal displacement of the displacement member relative to the housing allows the slip bracket to move the slip assembly a lateral distance that is greater than the longitudinal displacement of the displacement member.
A method for supporting a tubular using a gripping apparatus, comprising:
- providing the tubular through the gripping apparatus, wherein the gripping apparatus includes a housing, a slip assembly disposed in the housing, and a leveling ring operable to actuate the slip assembly;
- actuating the leveling ring to actuate the slip assembly, wherein a longitudinal displacement of the leveling ring relative to the housing allows the slip assembly to move a lateral distance that is greater than the longitudinal displacement of the leveling ring;
- and
- engaging the tubular using the slip assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.