US 7,921,939 B1Granted

Method for using a top drive with an air lift thread compensator and a hollow cylinder rod providing minimum flexing of conduit

AssigneeLarry G. Keast

InventorsLarry G. Keast, James Strickland, Alan Shem

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Abstract

A method for using a top drive is disclosed herein. The method can include: actuating a motor to provide power to the top drive, thereby rotating a stem with a saver sub mounted to a top drive housing having a bearing disposed about the rotatable stem; grabbing, lifting, and positioning tubulars using an elevator; and suspending weight of the top drive to prevent damage to threads of the tubulars during threadable engagement and disengagement of the tubulars using an airbag of an airlift thread compensator. The method can further include: positioning a torque wrench assembly along the tubulars for connecting the tubulars using a hydraulic cylinder disposed inside a torque supporting telescoping tubes; and movably positioning a single hollow cylinder rod of the hydraulic cylinder to extend into a first and second protected area, thereby preventing axial movement of a flexible hose during operation of the torque wrench assembly.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for using a top drive having an airlift thread compensator and a hollow cylinder rod for providing minimum flexing of conduits, the method comprising:

a. connecting a bail to an airlift enclosure of an airlift thread compensator having a first enclosure side with a first pin slot, and a second enclosure side with a second pin slot;
b. disposing a bail pin within the first pin slot and the second pin slot;
c. disposing an airbag within the airlift enclosure and inflating the airbag with air;
d. connecting the airbag to the bail pin;
e. connecting a first upper link and a second upper link to the bail pin;
f. connecting the first upper link and the second upper link to a top drive housing supporting a rotatable stem;
g. connecting the rotatable stem to a motor;
h. disposing a heavy thrust bearing about the rotatable stem;
i. connecting a first lower link and a second lower link to the top drive housing;
j. connecting an inside blow out preventer to the rotatable stem;
k. connecting a saver sub to the inside blow out preventer;
l. connecting a torque wrench assembly to the top drive housing;
and
m. connecting an elevator to the first lower link and to the second lower link.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.