Slip-type elevator adapter
AssigneeFrank's International, LLC
InventorsCharles M. Webre, Scott Arceneaux
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for adapting an elevator for use with a tubular are provided. The apparatus includes one or more axial extensions configured to engage one or more slip bodies of the elevator. The one or more axial extensions include a radial contact surface configured to slide along the tubular and an axial engagement surface configured to bear on an upset of the tubular. The one or more axial extensions are flexible such that the radial contact surface is radially displaceable with respect to the tubular.
Claims30
An apparatus for adapting an elevator for use with a tubular, comprising:
- one or more axial extensions configured to engage one or more slip bodies of the elevator, the one or more axial extensions comprising a radial contact surface configured to slide along the tubular and an axial engagement surface configured to bear on an upset of the tubular,
- wherein the axial engagement surface and the upset are substantially perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis through the tubular,
- wherein the axial engagement surface bearing on the upset of the tubular causes an axial force to be transmitted through the one or more axial extensions, which causes the slip bodies to be displaced radially inward, and
- wherein the one or more axial extensions are flexible such that the radial contact surface is radially displaceable with respect to the tubular.
An elevator, comprising:
- an elevator body;
- a plurality of slip bodies disposed at least partially within the elevator body and configured to move radially inwards when slid in an axial direction relative to the elevator body, so as to engage an outer diameter of a tubular;
- and
- an axial extension engaging at least one of the plurality of slip bodies and extending axially therefrom, the axial extension being flexible so as to flex radially outwards when the axial extension encounters a tapered section of the tubular, wherein, when the axial extension contacts an upset of the tubular, that is substantially perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis through the tubular, the axial extension bears upon the upset, which causes the axial extension to directly transmit a force to the plurality of slip bodies that causes the plurality of slip bodies to be displaced radially inwards and axially relative to the elevator body.
A method of manufacturing an elevator adapter, comprising:
- determining a height of a swaged box of a tubular;
- and
- selecting a height of the elevator adapter, such that the height is greater than the height of the swaged box, the elevator adapter comprising an axial extension that includes an axial engagement surface that bears on an upset of the tubular that is substantially perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis through the tubular, and wherein the axial extension is configured to radially expand when engaged with a tapered section of the tubular and to transfer an axial force to a plurality of slip bodies when the axial extension engages the upset of the tubular, wherein the axial force causes the plurality of slip bodies to extend radially inward.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.