US 2010/0163248 A1 · Pipe handling apparatus

Abstract

An arbor arranged for attachment to overhead support, such as a top drive or main rig hoist, is arranged to resiliently support a main body. The main body is arranged to support a wedge-lock type pipe gripper assembly on a second arbor that is resiliently supported by the main body. The two arbors are rotationally connected but only indirectly connected axially and, to a limited extent, can move independently. The actuator, or linear motor, that actuates the wedge-lock system has the ability to force release of the wedge-lock system when it has been set by massive pipe loads. The forced release actuation is independent of the load supporting features of the main body. Full range actuation of the main body and main arbor assembly length will not actuate the wedge-lock release system. The length of the overall assembly can be oscillated to vibrate a supported pipe string.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A pipe handling apparatus for assembling and dismantling pipe strings used in wells, the apparatus comprising:

a) a main arbor arranged for attachment to an overhead support;
b) a main body situated on said main arbor for axial movement thereon;
c) an active arbor supported by said main body, extending therefrom, arranged for axial movement relative thereto, and rotationally connected to said main arbor;
d) a first fluid powered linear motor arranged to vary the assembled length of said main arbor and said main body in response to fluid power selectively supplied by a separate source;
e) a second fluid powered linear motor arranged to adjust the assembled length of said main body and said active arbor in response to fluid power selectively supplied by a separate source;
f) a wedge-lock pipe gripper situated on said active arbor for gripping pipe by contact with said pipe's inner surface when said assembled length of said main body and said active arbor is selectively said adjusted;
and
g) fluid conducting galleries, at least partly in said main body, arranged conduct fluid to enable said separate source of fluid power to selectively actuate said first and said second fluid powered linear motors.

5 more elements

A pipe handling apparatus for assembling and dismantling pipe strings being installed in or removed from wells, the apparatus comprising:

a) a main arbor and a main body having a telescoping relationship, said main arbor extending from said main body and having a connector for attachment to an overhead support;
b) an active arbor telescopingly received in said main body, and extending some variable distance therefrom;
c) a first fluid powered linear motor, responsive to fluid power manipulation at a separate location, to vary the extension of said main arbor from said main body;
d) a second fluid powered linear motor, responsive to fluid power manipulation at a separate location, to vary the extension of said active arbor from said main body;
e) a pipe gripping arrangement on said active arbor for insertion into a pipe bore to grip or release pipe in response to change in the distance said active arbor extends from said main body;
f) a fluid conducting conduit situated to receive drilling fluid from said drilling rig, conduct it along said main and active arbors and to inject said drilling fluid into said pipe bore;
g) a fluid handling gallery arrangement, at least partly situated in said main body, to deliver said fluid power and control to said first and said second motors when said main arbor is rotating and said fluid power manipulation is provided from a stationary installation;
and
h) a telescoping relationship between said main arbor and said active arbor comprising mating non-circular surfaces to conduct torque between the two arbors.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pipe handling apparatus

Life of this patent

Pipe handling apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18