# US 2013/0153244 A1 · Tubular engaging device and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153244 A1 - Document ID: US20130153244A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/329,069 - Filed: 2011-12-16 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Assignees: Tesco Corporation - Inventors: Kevin James Nikiforuk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153244A1 ## CPC - E21B 19/16: Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints (E21B19/20 takes precedence) - E21B 3/022: {Top drives} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Present embodiments are directed to a device for a top drive drilling system. The device includes a movable sleeve configured to be disposed around at least a portion of a sub. The movable sleeve is configured to be selectively disposed around a tubular by sliding axially along the sub. The device also includes a plurality of engagement features extending inwardly from an inner circumference of the movable sleeve. When the movable sleeve is disposed around the tubular, the plurality of engagement features are configured to engage the tubular when the movable sleeve is rotated in a first direction and to not engage the tubular when the movable sleeve is rotated in a second direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for a top drive drilling system comprising: a sub having a first coupling end configured to mate with the top drive drilling system and a second coupling end configured to mate with a tubular; a movable sleeve disposed around at least a portion of the sub, the movable sleeve configured to be selectively disposed around the tubular by sliding axially along the sub; and a plurality of engagement features extending inwardly from an inner circumference of the movable sleeve, wherein, when the movable sleeve is disposed around the tubular, the plurality of engagement features are configured to engage the tubular when the movable sleeve is rotated in a first direction and to not engage the tubular when the movable sleeve is rotated in a second direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, comprising a first sealing device disposed between the movable sleeve and the sub. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the first sealing device comprises an o-ring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of engagement features include geometric characteristics and coupling features configured to be reversible. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein reversing the subset of the plurality of engagement features causes the subset of the plurality of engagement features to engage the tubular when the movable sleeve is rotated in the second direction and to not engage the tubular when the movable sleeve is rotated in the first direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of engagement features comprises teeth to grip the tubular when engaged with the tubular. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, comprising a second sealing device configured to provide a seal between the movable sleeve and the tubular, when the movable sleeve is disposed around the tubular. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the movable sleeve comprises a spline and the sub comprises a groove, the spline configured to slidably engage the groove to allow the movable sleeve to slide axially along the sub. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of engagement features comprises a crescent shape. ### Claim 10 A device for a top drive drilling system comprising: a movable sleeve configured to be disposed around at least a portion of a sub, the movable sleeve configured to be selectively disposed around a tubular by sliding axially along the sub; and a plurality of engagement features extending inwardly from an inner circumference of the movable sleeve, wherein, when the movable sleeve is disposed around the tubular, the plurality of engagement features are configured to engage the tubular when the movable sleeve is rotated in a first direction and to not engage the tubular when the movable sleeve is rotated in a second direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the movable sleeve is configured to manually slide along the sub. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the movable sleeve is configured to receive a control signal to slide along the sub. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the movable sleeve comprises a spline configured to enable the movable sleeve to slide within a groove of the sub. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of engagement features comprises a hinged end configured to allow the subset of the plurality of engagement features to engage or not engage the tubular. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of engagement features comprises wickers to grip the tubular when engaged with the tubular. ### Claim 16 A method for coordinating tubulars in a top drive drilling system comprising: sliding a movable sleeve axially along a sub; disposing a plurality of engagement features around a tubular, wherein the plurality of engagement features extend inwardly from an inner circumference of the movable sleeve; rotating the plurality of engagement features around the tubular in a first direction; and engaging the plurality of engagement features with the tubular to cause the plurality of engagement features to apply a frictional force to the tubular, wherein the frictional force is configured to cause the tubular to rotate in the first direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, comprising disengaging the plurality of engagement features from the tubular to cause the plurality of engagement features to discontinue applying the frictional force to the tubular. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, comprising rotating the plurality of engagement features around the tubular in a second direction such that the plurality of engagement features slip past the tubular. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, comprising sliding the movable sleeve axially along the sub to move the plurality of engagement features from being disposed around the tubular. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, comprising sliding the movable sleeve axially along the sub to cause the movable sleeve to not be disposed around the tubular.