Apparatus and methods for wedge lock prevention
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsMartin Liess, Bernd-Georg Pietras
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one embodiment, a tubular handling apparatus is provided with a wedge lock release mechanism that creates a clearance to allow movement by the mandrel having mating wedge surfaces relative to the tubular to release the wedge slips. In another embodiment, a tubular handling apparatus for handling a tubular includes a mandrel; a carrier coupled to the mandrel; a gripping element for engaging the tubular; an engagement member coupled to the carrier for engaging an upper portion of the tubular; and an abutment device adapted to engage the engagement member, wherein a length of the abutment device is adjustable to allow movement of the engagement member.
Claims20
A release apparatus for releasing a gripping element of a tubular handling apparatus, comprising:
- an engagement member for engaging a top end surface of a tubular;
- an anchor attached to the tubular handling apparatus;
- an abutment device for limiting movement of the engagement member, wherein the abutment device is selectively movable along an inclined surface of the anchor;
- and
- a connection device coupling the abutment device to the anchor, wherein the connection device is adjustable to move the abutment device relative to the anchor.
A tubular handling apparatus for handling a tubular, comprising:
- a mandrel;
- a gripping element for gripping the tubular;
- an actuator coupled to the mandrel and axially movable relative to the mandrel for engaging or disengaging the gripping element from the tubular;
- an engagement member for engaging a top end surface of the tubular;
- and
- an abutment device adapted to limit axial travel of the engagement member, wherein movement of the abutment device is independent from movement of the mandrel.
A method of releasing from a wedge lock condition during a tubular handling operation, comprising:
- providing a tubular handling apparatus having a mandrel, a gripping element movable along the mandrel, and an engagement member for contacting a tubular;
- attaching a release mechanism to the mandrel, wherein the release mechanism includes an anchor, an abutment device axially movable relative to the anchor, and a connection device coupling the abutment device to the anchor;
- engaging the tubular to the engagement member and the engagement member to the abutment device;
- adjusting the connection device to move the abutment device away from the engagement member;
- moving the mandrel relative to the engagement member;
- and
- releasing the gripping element.
A release apparatus for releasing a gripping element of a tubular handling apparatus, comprising:
- an engagement member for engaging a top end surface of a tubular;
- an anchor attached to the tubular handling apparatus;
- an abutment device for limiting movement of the engagement member, wherein the abutment device is disposed between the anchor and the engagement member;
- and
- a connection device coupling the abutment device to the anchor, wherein the connection device is adjustable to move the abutment device relative to the anchor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.