Combination power and backup tong support and method
AssigneeBilco Tools, Inc.
InventorDennis J. Penisson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support 10 is provided for supporting both a power tong PT and a backup tong BT during makeup of a threaded connection TC between a lower oilfield tubular LT and an upper oilfield tubular UT. The support 10 includes a plurality of legs 12 and 14 each extending upwardly from the backup tong BT, a support plate 18 affixed to an upper end of the plurality of legs for engagement with the upper oilfield tubular, and a compensation member 32, 44, 60 secured to the support plate 18 for supporting the power tong PT relative to the backup tong BT while allowing vertical movement of the power tong relative to the backup tong during makeup or break out of the threaded connection.
Claims22
An apparatus for supporting a power tong and a backup tong to makeup a threaded connection between a lower oilfield tubular and an upper oilfield tubular, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of legs each extending upwardly from the backup tong, each leg fixed to the backup tong;
- a support plate positioned vertically above the power tong and fixed to an upper end of each of the plurality of legs for engagement with the upper oilfield tubular;
- and
- a compensation member secured to the support plate for supporting the power tong relative to the backup tong while allowing vertical movement of the power tong relative to the backup tong during makeup of the threaded connection.
An apparatus for supporting a power tong from a backup tong securable to a lower oilfield tubular while the power tong rotates an upper oilfield tubular, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of legs each extending upwardly from the backup tong, each leg fixed to the backup tong;
- a support plate fixed to the plurality of legs and positioned vertically above the power tong for supporting a compensation member;
- a torque plate fixed to one of the plurality of legs for engagement with a load cell supported on the power tong to provide a torque measurement;
- and
- the compensation member supporting the power tong relative to the backup tong while allowing vertical movement of the power tong relative to the backup tong during makeup of the threaded connection.
A method of supporting a power tong from a backup tong during makeup of a threaded connection between a lower oilfield tubular and an upper oilfield tubular, the method comprising:
- fixedly securing a plurality of legs to the backup tong, each leg extending upward from the backup tong;
- fixing a support plate to the plurality of legs at a position vertically above the power tong;
- and
- supporting the power tong from the support plate while allowing vertical movement of the power tong relative to the backup tong during makeup of the threaded connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.