Rotation inhibiting apparatus

A system to inhibit rotation within a drilling rig, comprising:

• the drilling rig, comprising:
• a top drive having a vertical axis defined therethrough;
• and
• a tubular handling mechanism supported from a quill of the top drive;
• and
• a rotation inhibiting apparatus, comprising:
• a first member connected to a rotationally stationary component of the top drive;
• a second member connected to the first member and to the tubular handling mechanism;
• and
• a pivoting device to allow a first component and a second component of the drilling rig to tilt relative to each other,
• wherein the first member is movable with respect to the second member in a direction along the vertical axis of the top drive,
• wherein the first member and the second member are configured to remain rotationally stationary with respect to each other about the vertical axis of the top drive, and
• wherein the first member has a first end and a second end, wherein the second member has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first member is connected to the top drive, wherein the second end of the first member is connected to the first end of the second member, and wherein the second end of the second member is connected to the tubular handling mechanism.

An apparatus to inhibit rotation of a component connected to a top drive, comprising:

• a first member and a second member connected to each other;
• wherein the first member and the second member connect between a component of a drilling rig, the component of the drilling rig remaining rotationally stationary with respect to an axis of the top drive, and a component connected to a quill of the top drive,
• wherein a pivoting device is configured to allow tilting of at least one of the component of the drilling rig and the component connected to the quill of the top drive with respect to each other,
• wherein at least one of the first member and the second member is configured to move vertically with respect to the drilling rig,
• wherein the first member and the second member are configured to remain rotationally stationary with respect to each other about the axis of the top drive, and
• wherein the first member has a first end and a second end and the second member has a first end and a second end, and wherein the second end of the first member is connected to the first end of the second member.

A method to inhibit rotation within a drilling rig, the method comprising:

• coupling a first member of a rotation inhibiting apparatus to a first component of the drilling rig;
• coupling a second member of the rotation inhibiting apparatus to a second component of the drilling rig, the second component configured to move vertically with respect to the first component and configured to rotate with respect to the first component;
• connecting the first member and the second member of the rotation inhibiting apparatus to each other such that the first member is able to move vertically with respect to the second member within the drilling rig and the first member and the second member substantially inhibit rotation between each other;
• and
• tilting, by a pivoting device, at least one of the first component and the second component with respect to each other,
• wherein the first member and the second member are pivotally connected to each other.

A method to at least one of make-up and break-out a threaded connection with a string of tubular members, the method comprising:

• rotating a tubular member with respect to the string of tubular members with a tubular running tool;
• moving a first member of a rotation inhibiting apparatus with respect to a second member of the rotation inhibiting apparatus along an axis of the tubular running tool, the rotation inhibiting apparatus being coupled between a tubular handling mechanism and a component of a drilling rig;
• and
• tilting, by a pivoting device, the tubular handling mechanism with respect to the component of the drilling rig,
• wherein the first member and the second member are pivotally connected to each other.

An apparatus to inhibit rotation within a drilling rig, comprising:

• a first member having a first end and a second end;
• the first end of the first member connected to at least one bail ear of a top drive of the drilling rig;
• the second end of the first member connected to a first component rotationally connected to a quill of the top drive;
• a second member;
• and
• a pivoting device to allow at least one of the top drive and the first component rotationally connected to the quill of the top drive to tilt with respect to each other,
• wherein one of the first member and the second member is connected to the first component and a second component of the drilling rig, respectively, using at least one of a pivot and a U-joint.

A method to inhibit rotation within a drilling rig, the method comprising:

• coupling a first end of a first member of a rotation inhibiting apparatus to at least one bail ear of a top drive of the drilling rig;
• coupling a second end of the first member of the rotation inhibiting apparatus to a component rotationally coupled to a quill of the top drive of the drilling rig;
• and
• tilting, by a pivoting device, at least one of the top drive and the component rotationally coupled to the quill of the top drive with respect to one another,
• wherein the quill is configured to rotate about a rotational axis of the top drive,
• wherein at least one of the first member and a second member comprises a pivot for connection.

An apparatus to allow tilting between components of a drilling rig, comprising:

• a first member having a first end and a second end;
• a second member;
• a pivoting device;
• the first end of the first member connected to a first component of the drilling rig;
• the second end of the first member connected to the pivoting device, the pivoting device connected to a second component of the drilling rig;
• and
• a third member, wherein the third member is connected between the first member and the second member such that the first member and the second member connect to each other through the third member,
• wherein the pivoting device allows at least one of the first component and the second component to tilt with respect to each other.

A method to inhibit rotation within a drilling rig, the method comprising:

• coupling a first end of a first member of a rotation inhibiting apparatus to a first component of the drilling rig;
• coupling a second end of the first member of the rotation inhibiting apparatus to a pivoting device;
• coupling the pivoting device to a second component of the drilling rig;
• and
• tilting, by the pivoting device, at least one of the first component and the second component with respect to each other,
• wherein the first member and a second member are pivotally connected to each other.