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US 8,074,711 B2Granted
Tubular handling device and methods
AssigneeCanrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
InventorsBrian Ellis, Craig Weems
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tubular member handling apparatus including a tubular member running tool, an elevator, first actuators each extending between the running tool and the elevator, and second actuators each extending between the running tool and a corresponding first actuator. The running tool includes a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots, a recessed member slidably coupled to the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of rolling members each retained between one of the recesses and one of the slots. Each rolling member partially extends through an adjacent slot when located in a shallow end of a corresponding recess, and retracts to within an outer perimeter of the slotted member when located in a deep end of the corresponding recess.
Claims28
An apparatus for handling a tubular member, comprising:
- a tubular member running tool;
- a tubular member elevator;
- a plurality of first actuators each extending between the running tool and the elevator;
- and
- a plurality of second actuators each extending between the running tool and a corresponding one of the first actuators, wherein each of the first and second actuators is hydraulically-operable;
- wherein the running tool comprises:
- a preload member configured to apply an axial force, wherein the preload member comprises an actuator configured to provide an axial load, a running tool interface configured to couple the actuator to a structure of the running tool, and a tubular member interface configured to transfer the axial load provided by the actuator;
- a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots each extending in a direction;
- a recessed member operably associated with a slotted member and having a plurality of recesses each tapered in the direction from a shallow end to a deep end;
- and
- a plurality of rolling members associated with the plurality of recesses and the plurality of elongated slots;
- wherein each of the plurality of rolling members partially extends through an adjacent one of the plurality of elongated slots when located in the shallow end of the corresponding one of the plurality of recesses;
- wherein each of the plurality of rolling members retracts to within at least a portion of a slotted member when located in a deep end of the corresponding one of the plurality of recesses;
- wherein a portion of the plurality of rolling members is configured to engage the tubular member so that the engaged tubular member is lowered onto a stump;
- and
- wherein at least a portion of the axial load is transferred through the tubular to a portion of the plurality of rolling members.
13 more elements
A method of handling a tubular member, comprising:
- engaging at least one surface of an axially-intermediate portion of the tubular member with a tubular member elevator;
- operating a plurality of links extending between the elevator and a tubular member running tool to thereby position an end of the tubular member within the running tool;
- engaging at least one surface of another portion of the tubular member with the running tool;
- and
- then lowering the engaged running tool, and thereby lowering the tubular member onto a stump;
- and
- applying an axial force to the tubular member having an end within the running tool;
- wherein applying the axial force comprises engaging a second, different surface of the tubular member to move a plurality of recessed members of a gripping mechanism relative to a housing of the gripping mechanism, thereby causing the plurality of recessed members of the gripping mechanism to each engage and grip the tubular member.
5 more elements
An apparatus for handling a tubular member, comprising:
- means for engaging an outer surface of an axially-intermediate portion of the tubular member;
- means for positioning the engaging means to thereby position an end of the engaged tubular member within a running tool;
- means for applying an axial force to the end of the tubular member within the running tool to thereby engage an outer surface of another portion of the tubular member with the running tool;
- and
- means for lowering the engaged running tool, thereby lowering the tubular member onto a stump;
- wherein the means for engaging the outer surface of the axially-intermediate portion of the tubular member includes a plurality of rolling members of a gripping mechanism, the rolling members configured to move relative to a housing of the gripping mechanism, thereby causing the plurality of rolling members of the gripping mechanism to each engage the tubular member.
3 more elements
A tubular running tool for handling a tubular member, comprising:
- a preload member configured to apply an axial force, wherein the preload member comprises an actuator configured to provide the axial force, a running tool interface configured to operatively associate the preload member to a running tool, and a tubular member interface configured to transfer the axial force from the running tool to a tubular;
- a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots each extending in a direction;
- a recessed member operably associated with a slotted member and having a plurality of recesses each tapered in the direction from a shallow end to a deep end;
- and
- a plurality of rolling members;
- wherein each of the plurality of rolling members partially extends through an adjacent one of the plurality of elongated slots when located in the shallow end of the corresponding one of the plurality of recesses;
- wherein each of the plurality of rolling members retracts to within at least a portion of a slotted member when located in a deep end of the corresponding one of the plurality of recesses;
- and
- wherein at least a portion of the axial force is transferred through the tubular member to at least a portion of the plurality of rolling members.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.