CA2179816C - Power tong wrench - Google Patents
Power tong wrench Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2179816C CA2179816C CA002179816A CA2179816A CA2179816C CA 2179816 C CA2179816 C CA 2179816C CA 002179816 A CA002179816 A CA 002179816A CA 2179816 A CA2179816 A CA 2179816A CA 2179816 C CA2179816 C CA 2179816C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hydraulic
- rotary jaw
- power tong
- rotary
- clamp
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 244000309464 bull Species 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000009987 spinning Methods 0.000 abstract description 8
- JGFZNNIVVJXRND-UHFFFAOYSA-N N,N-Diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) Chemical compound CCN(C(C)C)C(C)C JGFZNNIVVJXRND-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 4
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- XUKUURHRXDUEBC-KAYWLYCHSA-N Atorvastatin Chemical compound C=1C=CC=CC=1C1=C(C=2C=CC(F)=CC=2)N(CC[C@@H](O)C[C@@H](O)CC(O)=O)C(C(C)C)=C1C(=O)NC1=CC=CC=C1 XUKUURHRXDUEBC-KAYWLYCHSA-N 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000003638 chemical reducing agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- JJLJMEJHUUYSSY-UHFFFAOYSA-L Copper hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[OH-].[Cu+2] JJLJMEJHUUYSSY-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 101000800807 Homo sapiens Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 8 Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 102100033649 Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 8 Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 101150047356 dec-1 gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/16—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
- E21B19/161—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe
- E21B19/164—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe motor actuated
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Abstract
A power tong wrench having an open slot to accommodate a range of pipe diameters, capable of making and breaking pipe threads and spinning in or out the threads and in which hydraulic power is supplied with a pump disposed within a rotary assembly (10) which pump is powered through a preferably magnetic coupling (42) to a motor (41) disposed outside the rotary assembly (10).
Description
~ WO 9S/20471 217 9 816 PCTIUS95/0126~
POWER TONG WRENCH
Backaro~n~9 of the Invention This invention relates to a power wrench and wrench assembly for making and breaking threads in sections of pipe and pipe couplings.
In oil and gas well drilling the drill pipe in assembled in lengths joined with threaded joints. As the lO pipe is fed into a well the sections of pipe are threaded together through couplings. When removing pipe the threaded sections must be ~i~connPrted and the sPc~i-mc of pipe stored. Inserting and removing the sections of drill pipe is called "tripping". It will be appreciated lS that threading and unthreading sections of pipe on tripping in and out of the well hole can be a difficult and cumbersome job. To make up the threads (or unscrew or break the threads) requires relatively high toraue (rotational force). "Spinning" the pipe section after 20 breaking (or before) making up the joints reauires much less toraue and is A ~ hP~l at much higher speed.
Tightening and breaking joints requires the wrench to be tightly clamped on the pipe. In the early days tightening and breaking was done manually with hand wrenches (more 25 recently with power assisted wrenches). Spinning was a separate operation, done by wrapping a chain around the pipe and pulling the chain with a winch. Today, power tong wrenches are used. These ( ~roll~hnPrkC~ ) have an open slot for pipe insertion and hydraulically powered clamps 30 to grip the pipe. The wrench is rotated by a motor mechanically attached to the wrench. Nechanical attachment of the turning r- ~n; ~~~ limits the turn of such wrenches to about 45. Such wrenches can develop high torque and work very well f or breaking and breaking Wo95/20~71 ~ 1261 2~9~6 thread joints. It will be appreciated that these wrenches work in combination with a backup wrench that holds fast the other section of threaded joint. The wrench must be removed after making or breaking the 5 threads and a spinner (or top drive unit) attached to spin out the threaded joint. Such wrenches are exemplified by the description in U.S. Patent No.
4,348,920. Some types of these wrenches lack the capacity of h~n-ll ;ng different diameter pipe without 10 changing pipe clamps. Since drill pipe, couplings and tapered pipe and joints are of different diameter a s~ c~ ful wrench must handle widely varying (liA~ S -from about 3 . 5 to about 9 . 5 in diameter. It is a great advantage for a wrench to be able to ~ '-te a range 15 of diameters without having to change the clamps . U. S .
Patent No. 4,979,356 is an example of a solution to this problem. It describes a power tong wrench which can not only ~ te the desired range of pipe diameters but which is also capable of both making and breaking pipe 20 sections and of spinning the pipe as well. The ability to do both with the same wrench is highly desirable since it accomplishes with one c,nn~tinn step what previously required two or more connections with a wrench and spinner. The U.S. 4,979,356 wrench comprises an inner, 25 im~ediate, and outer annuli which consist of halves that can be split to mount around the pipe. Gripping is accomplishes by clamps hydraulically driven by an actuator which has a reach suf f icient to A~ ' te various pipe diameters. The difficulty with this wrench 30 is that it must be manually clamped around the pipe and manually ~ i ç:c~nn~rted . It lacks the open slot pipe entrance of the "ronghnc~--k~
It would be very desirable to have a power tong unit that can A~ Ate various pipe diameters and that 35 has the making, breaking and Spinnin~ r~rAhility of the 21~9816 P~T/I~S95t 012 64 - 3 - IP~4/US 13 DEC l99S
POWER TONG WRENCH
Backaro~n~9 of the Invention This invention relates to a power wrench and wrench assembly for making and breaking threads in sections of pipe and pipe couplings.
In oil and gas well drilling the drill pipe in assembled in lengths joined with threaded joints. As the lO pipe is fed into a well the sections of pipe are threaded together through couplings. When removing pipe the threaded sections must be ~i~connPrted and the sPc~i-mc of pipe stored. Inserting and removing the sections of drill pipe is called "tripping". It will be appreciated lS that threading and unthreading sections of pipe on tripping in and out of the well hole can be a difficult and cumbersome job. To make up the threads (or unscrew or break the threads) requires relatively high toraue (rotational force). "Spinning" the pipe section after 20 breaking (or before) making up the joints reauires much less toraue and is A ~ hP~l at much higher speed.
Tightening and breaking joints requires the wrench to be tightly clamped on the pipe. In the early days tightening and breaking was done manually with hand wrenches (more 25 recently with power assisted wrenches). Spinning was a separate operation, done by wrapping a chain around the pipe and pulling the chain with a winch. Today, power tong wrenches are used. These ( ~roll~hnPrkC~ ) have an open slot for pipe insertion and hydraulically powered clamps 30 to grip the pipe. The wrench is rotated by a motor mechanically attached to the wrench. Nechanical attachment of the turning r- ~n; ~~~ limits the turn of such wrenches to about 45. Such wrenches can develop high torque and work very well f or breaking and breaking Wo95/20~71 ~ 1261 2~9~6 thread joints. It will be appreciated that these wrenches work in combination with a backup wrench that holds fast the other section of threaded joint. The wrench must be removed after making or breaking the 5 threads and a spinner (or top drive unit) attached to spin out the threaded joint. Such wrenches are exemplified by the description in U.S. Patent No.
4,348,920. Some types of these wrenches lack the capacity of h~n-ll ;ng different diameter pipe without 10 changing pipe clamps. Since drill pipe, couplings and tapered pipe and joints are of different diameter a s~ c~ ful wrench must handle widely varying (liA~ S -from about 3 . 5 to about 9 . 5 in diameter. It is a great advantage for a wrench to be able to ~ '-te a range 15 of diameters without having to change the clamps . U. S .
Patent No. 4,979,356 is an example of a solution to this problem. It describes a power tong wrench which can not only ~ te the desired range of pipe diameters but which is also capable of both making and breaking pipe 20 sections and of spinning the pipe as well. The ability to do both with the same wrench is highly desirable since it accomplishes with one c,nn~tinn step what previously required two or more connections with a wrench and spinner. The U.S. 4,979,356 wrench comprises an inner, 25 im~ediate, and outer annuli which consist of halves that can be split to mount around the pipe. Gripping is accomplishes by clamps hydraulically driven by an actuator which has a reach suf f icient to A~ ' te various pipe diameters. The difficulty with this wrench 30 is that it must be manually clamped around the pipe and manually ~ i ç:c~nn~rted . It lacks the open slot pipe entrance of the "ronghnc~--k~
It would be very desirable to have a power tong unit that can A~ Ate various pipe diameters and that 35 has the making, breaking and Spinnin~ r~rAhility of the 21~9816 P~T/I~S95t 012 64 - 3 - IP~4/US 13 DEC l99S
4,979,356 power tong and the ease of assembly of the slotted roughneck wrench. This is difficult to accomplish, because of the mechanical connection of the clamp actuators and rotating assemblies.
~ ~ry of the Invention I have developed a wrench which accomplishes this combinations of features. It provides a slotted opening to ~ te various pipe diameters (e.g. 3.5 to 9.5 inches), can develop high torque for making and breaking, 10 and can spin at high speed. This is accomplished by providing a releasable coupling of a drive motor mounted in a wrench housing to a hydraulic pump mounted in a spinning unit. The hydraulic pump pressures a hydraulic ator to provide power for the clamp actuators. By 15 releasably coupling the motor to the pump any limitation on rotation is eliminated. It is preferred that the coupling be r-~net;~.
In one aspect, the invention relates to a power tong wrench comprising a rotary jaw frame having a cut-20 out formed therein for receiving an object, a rotatableassembly rotatably mounted in the rotary jaw frame, the rotatable assembly comprising a rotary jaw clamp adapted to clamp the object and an energy storage device arranged to selectively apply energy to the rotary jaw clamp; and 25 an energy source mounted on the rotary jaw frame to supply energy to the energy storage device.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a power tong assembly comprising a power tong wrench including a rotary jaw frame having a cut-out formed 30 therein for receiving an object; a rotatable assembly rotatably mounted in the rotary jaw frame, the rotatable assembly comprising a rotary jaw clamp adapted to clamp the ob j ect and an energy storage device arranged to selectively apply energy to the rotary jaw clamp; and an 35 energy source mounted on the rotary jaw frame to supply p~N\ENDED St~
217981~ PCT~S9~/ 0~ ~ 64 IPEA/US 1 3 ~c 1995 energy to the energy storage device. The assembly further comprises a back-up wrench, including a back-up jaw frame arranged to support the rotary jaw frame, and a back-up clamp fixedly mounted to the back-up jaw frame.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of actuating a rotary jaw clamp of a power tong wrench having a rotatable assembly on which the rotary jaw clamp, a hydraulic Al'_ l~tor, and a hydraulic reservoir are mounted, comprising the steps of: charging 10 the hydraulic ~c~ l Ator; closing the rotary jaw clamp by applying hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic A~-(_ lAtor to the rotary jaw clamp; and opening the rotary jaw clamp by rPleAcin~ hydraulic ~)Le:sr~uLt~ from the rotary j aw clamp to the reservoir Brief Descrit~tion of the Drawi na Figure 1 is a side view of a power tong assembly according to one ~mhofl i - - L showing details of the backup wrench .
Figure 2 and Figure 3 are end and top views, 20 respectively, of the power tong assembly of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a top view of the power tong wrench according to one ~mhot~ t.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wrench of Figure 4 taken along the line 5-5 showing the drive 25 motor, planetary reducers and hydraulic motor and pump.
Figures 6A and 6B are schematic views of portions of a control panel.
Descrintinn of the Preferred F~ho~ c In one ~m~ o~lir-nt the invention is a power tong 30 assembly comprising the following Ls as illustrated in the Figures:
1. A rotary jaw frame (lo) and a back-up jaw frame (11) (Figs. 1 and 2).
EEi 2179816 PCr~.~S~ 4 JP~ 7~ L~L~ ~9g5 - 4a -2. Within the rotary jaw frame (10), a bull gear (20 in Figs. 4 and 5~ with a cut-out (32) on one side to allow it to be positioned around pipe such as a drill string when aligned as shown in Fig. 4 with a 5 corrDcp~n~linq cut-out (32) in the rotary jaw frame (10).
3. A series of rollers (21 in Figs. 4 and 5) mounted around the circumference of the bull gear (20) to support it, laterally locate it and allow it to rotate.
These rollers are mounted in the rotary jaw frame (10).
2179816 PC~/US 95/ ~)1 26~-.~r .~ :i 13 DEC lgg~
4. opposing clamp jaws (22 in Fig. 4) driven by hydraulic cylinders (24) mounted within the bull gear (20) and forming a rotary jaw clamp.
5. A hydraulic actuation assembly for the rotary 5 jaw clamp including:
a. A small hydraulic pump (40) (rotary clamp pump) and oil reservoir (25) mounted within the bull gear (20).
b . A stationary hydraul ic motor ( 41 ) lo mounted on the rotary jaw frame (10) which powers the rotary clamp pump (40).
c. A magnetic, no c.,l.Lact drive coupling (42) (r~ hle coupling) which transmits low level rotary power from the motor (41) on the rotary jaw frame to the pump (40) on the bull gear. The opposing coupling halves of the releasable coupling preferably include a series of magnets arranged in a circle with alternating polarity. The coupling halves are aligned only when the bull gear (20) is in its "home" position (with the cut-out section (32) aligned with cut-out (30) in the rotary jaw frame (10) to receive pipe). The rotary clamp pump is therefore driven only when the bull gear (20) is in the "home"
pos ition .
d. Hydraulic ~ tors (nitrogen charged) (23) that store the hydraulic energy from the rotary clamp pump for use when the bull gear (20) is not in the "home" position, mounted within the bull gear .
AMENOED SHE~
217981g PC~l)S95/ 0~ 2 64 IPEA/US 1 3 o~c Iggs - 5a -e. A hydraulic valve t70) to open or close the rotary jaw clamp and a means (72) to actuate .\lJ!~ r ~ .
2179816 Pc7~s 9~
IPEA/lJS 13 DEC 1995 this valve when the rotary j aw clamp is in any position.
~ ~ry of the Invention I have developed a wrench which accomplishes this combinations of features. It provides a slotted opening to ~ te various pipe diameters (e.g. 3.5 to 9.5 inches), can develop high torque for making and breaking, 10 and can spin at high speed. This is accomplished by providing a releasable coupling of a drive motor mounted in a wrench housing to a hydraulic pump mounted in a spinning unit. The hydraulic pump pressures a hydraulic ator to provide power for the clamp actuators. By 15 releasably coupling the motor to the pump any limitation on rotation is eliminated. It is preferred that the coupling be r-~net;~.
In one aspect, the invention relates to a power tong wrench comprising a rotary jaw frame having a cut-20 out formed therein for receiving an object, a rotatableassembly rotatably mounted in the rotary jaw frame, the rotatable assembly comprising a rotary jaw clamp adapted to clamp the object and an energy storage device arranged to selectively apply energy to the rotary jaw clamp; and 25 an energy source mounted on the rotary jaw frame to supply energy to the energy storage device.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a power tong assembly comprising a power tong wrench including a rotary jaw frame having a cut-out formed 30 therein for receiving an object; a rotatable assembly rotatably mounted in the rotary jaw frame, the rotatable assembly comprising a rotary jaw clamp adapted to clamp the ob j ect and an energy storage device arranged to selectively apply energy to the rotary jaw clamp; and an 35 energy source mounted on the rotary jaw frame to supply p~N\ENDED St~
217981~ PCT~S9~/ 0~ ~ 64 IPEA/US 1 3 ~c 1995 energy to the energy storage device. The assembly further comprises a back-up wrench, including a back-up jaw frame arranged to support the rotary jaw frame, and a back-up clamp fixedly mounted to the back-up jaw frame.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of actuating a rotary jaw clamp of a power tong wrench having a rotatable assembly on which the rotary jaw clamp, a hydraulic Al'_ l~tor, and a hydraulic reservoir are mounted, comprising the steps of: charging 10 the hydraulic ~c~ l Ator; closing the rotary jaw clamp by applying hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic A~-(_ lAtor to the rotary jaw clamp; and opening the rotary jaw clamp by rPleAcin~ hydraulic ~)Le:sr~uLt~ from the rotary j aw clamp to the reservoir Brief Descrit~tion of the Drawi na Figure 1 is a side view of a power tong assembly according to one ~mhofl i - - L showing details of the backup wrench .
Figure 2 and Figure 3 are end and top views, 20 respectively, of the power tong assembly of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a top view of the power tong wrench according to one ~mhot~ t.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wrench of Figure 4 taken along the line 5-5 showing the drive 25 motor, planetary reducers and hydraulic motor and pump.
Figures 6A and 6B are schematic views of portions of a control panel.
Descrintinn of the Preferred F~ho~ c In one ~m~ o~lir-nt the invention is a power tong 30 assembly comprising the following Ls as illustrated in the Figures:
1. A rotary jaw frame (lo) and a back-up jaw frame (11) (Figs. 1 and 2).
EEi 2179816 PCr~.~S~ 4 JP~ 7~ L~L~ ~9g5 - 4a -2. Within the rotary jaw frame (10), a bull gear (20 in Figs. 4 and 5~ with a cut-out (32) on one side to allow it to be positioned around pipe such as a drill string when aligned as shown in Fig. 4 with a 5 corrDcp~n~linq cut-out (32) in the rotary jaw frame (10).
3. A series of rollers (21 in Figs. 4 and 5) mounted around the circumference of the bull gear (20) to support it, laterally locate it and allow it to rotate.
These rollers are mounted in the rotary jaw frame (10).
2179816 PC~/US 95/ ~)1 26~-.~r .~ :i 13 DEC lgg~
4. opposing clamp jaws (22 in Fig. 4) driven by hydraulic cylinders (24) mounted within the bull gear (20) and forming a rotary jaw clamp.
5. A hydraulic actuation assembly for the rotary 5 jaw clamp including:
a. A small hydraulic pump (40) (rotary clamp pump) and oil reservoir (25) mounted within the bull gear (20).
b . A stationary hydraul ic motor ( 41 ) lo mounted on the rotary jaw frame (10) which powers the rotary clamp pump (40).
c. A magnetic, no c.,l.Lact drive coupling (42) (r~ hle coupling) which transmits low level rotary power from the motor (41) on the rotary jaw frame to the pump (40) on the bull gear. The opposing coupling halves of the releasable coupling preferably include a series of magnets arranged in a circle with alternating polarity. The coupling halves are aligned only when the bull gear (20) is in its "home" position (with the cut-out section (32) aligned with cut-out (30) in the rotary jaw frame (10) to receive pipe). The rotary clamp pump is therefore driven only when the bull gear (20) is in the "home"
pos ition .
d. Hydraulic ~ tors (nitrogen charged) (23) that store the hydraulic energy from the rotary clamp pump for use when the bull gear (20) is not in the "home" position, mounted within the bull gear .
AMENOED SHE~
217981g PC~l)S95/ 0~ 2 64 IPEA/US 1 3 o~c Iggs - 5a -e. A hydraulic valve t70) to open or close the rotary jaw clamp and a means (72) to actuate .\lJ!~ r ~ .
2179816 Pc7~s 9~
IPEA/lJS 13 DEC 1995 this valve when the rotary j aw clamp is in any position.
6. One or two drive motors (50), preferably hydraulic, and planetary gear reducers (51) mounted on 5 the rotary jaw frame and connected to pinions (51) which drive the bull gear. It is preferred (but not n~rc,cs_ that variable displ Al L hydraulic motors be used to avoid the need for a r^-hAn;~-A l gear shift to enable both high-torque/low-speed (for making and breaking) and low-10 torque/high-speed (spinning) operations. Mechanical shifting requirement slows down the operation of the tongs .
In one ' - '; r L, the invention also includes:
In one ' - '; r L, the invention also includes:
7. A back-up clamp ri~idly mounted in the ~ack-15 up jaw frame (11) and having two opposing clamp jaws (61)driven by hydraulic cylinders (60).
8 . ~ounting means whereby the rotary j aw f rame (10) is supported on the back-up jaw frame (11) on four (4) cylinders (62) (vertical float cylinders) that have 20 the following characteristics:
a. The rotary jaw frame (10) is allowed to float axially a few inches on the vertical float cylinders (62) to allow for thread advance.
b. The rotary jaw frame (10) is torsionally free of the back-up jaw frame (11) and the torque reaction is taken by a load cell for torque in-L,, -ntation. This torsional freedom of the mounting is accomplished by allowing the vertical float cylinders to pivot about a trunnion axis which is on a radius from the tong centerline.
a. The rotary jaw frame (10) is allowed to float axially a few inches on the vertical float cylinders (62) to allow for thread advance.
b. The rotary jaw frame (10) is torsionally free of the back-up jaw frame (11) and the torque reaction is taken by a load cell for torque in-L,, -ntation. This torsional freedom of the mounting is accomplished by allowing the vertical float cylinders to pivot about a trunnion axis which is on a radius from the tong centerline.
9. The back-up jaw frame (11) can be mounted in 35 a drilling rig in a number of ways, such as free hanging, ~MENDED SffE~
~ 79816 PCT/VS 95J~1 2 64 IPE~ S l 7 DEC 1~5 frame mounted with vertical and lateral positioning or f loor track mounted .
~ 79816 PCT/VS 95J~1 2 64 IPE~ S l 7 DEC 1~5 frame mounted with vertical and lateral positioning or f loor track mounted .
10. A hydraulic power unit }or supply to all hydraulic functions.
11. Elydraulic valves for control (as shown schematically in Figs. 6a and 6b) of all functions including the rotary clamp (61), the back-up clamp (60), forward/reverse rotation, vertical positioning, fore/aft positioning and vertical float.
12. A control console with electric over hydraulic for all functions and with torque in,i~LI ~ation as illustrated schematically in Figs. 6a and 6b.
In one ~mhQ~ the invention is the power tong 15 comprising only the rotary jaw frame (10) and the elements 2 through 6 above.
Operation of the power tong assembly in a drilling operation is as follows:
1. The power tong assembly normally rests in the "home" position with the open side of the bull gear to the front for access of the drill pipe. In this position, the magnetic coupling (42) is aligned, and the rotary clamp pump (40) is driven to charge the 2 5 accumulator ( 2 3 ) .
2. When the power tong assembly is needed it is positioned around the pipe of the drill string and elevated to the correct position with the rotary jaw clamps on one side of a threaded joint and the back-up clamp on the other .
3. The back-up clamp is closed by pressuring the hydraulic cylinders (60).
4 . The rotary j aw clamp is closed by actuating a rotary clamp valve (70) or ~ ni 1::m (72) A,~ E~ S~
PCT/~S9~ 64 2 1 ~ g 8 ~ 6 IPEA/US 7 s DEC 1995 which shifts the valve and allows hydraulic fluid to flow fro~ the A~cl~nnll~tors (23) to the hydraulic cylinders (24).
AM~NDED SH~I
21 798 PCT/U59 ~ ~ 12 6 16 IPEA/vs ~ ~ DE. ~99 5. The drive motors (50) are actuated to rotate the rotary j aw clamp to break the ~ nn~c~ n and subsequently spin it out.
6 . The rotary ; aw clamp is opened by actuating the rotary clamp valve r~Ahi~n; C;m (70) which shifts the valve and allows hydraulic fluid to flow from the hydraulic cylinders (24) to the reservoir (25) in the bu11 gear (20).
7. The drive motors (50) are used to return the bull gear to its "home" position ( the position shown in Fig. 4). This allows the power tong assembly to be removed from the drill string, and allows resumption of driving the rotary clamp pump (40) to charge the i~r ~ tors (23) in preparation for the neYt usage.
8. The back-up clamp (60) is opened and the tong is repositioned into its parking position, e . g . the desired position when not in use .
This power tong assembly has a number of advantages over other presently available systems including the following:
l. It can ~ te wide pipe diameter variation without clamp changes since the gripping elements of both the power tong wrench and the back-up wrench are hydraulically actuated.
2. Use of the hydraulic motor drive allows make-up or break out of threads at low speed (high torque) and subsequent spinning at lower torque and high speed without changing or shifting gears. A prototype unit, as illustrated on Figures 1 - 5, is designed to develop lOo,OOO foot pounds of torque (useful AM~riE~ StlEFI
~ 217981~ JPEA/vs 1~O~
to breakout 9 inch diameter collar) at low speed, but 40-50 RPM at low torque, as for ~ 217~816 ~ /US9~
IPE~q/US 1 3 0 spinning. The lack of shifting allows smoother and safer operation than ^hAnirAl shif ting .
3. The power tong assembly provides simple operation since it functions as both wrench and spinner, has no gates or latches that must be installed around or on the pipe, an open pipe mouth to AC -'Ate a range of pipe diameters and making it possible to mount the unit in a number of ways as convenient for use on the drilling rig. The entire operation can be operated from a single control panel as illustrated schematically in Figs. 61 and 6b.
Other means of accomplishing the functions explained above are within the scope of this description and the following claims.
What is claimed is:
~MENDED SHEEt
In one ~mhQ~ the invention is the power tong 15 comprising only the rotary jaw frame (10) and the elements 2 through 6 above.
Operation of the power tong assembly in a drilling operation is as follows:
1. The power tong assembly normally rests in the "home" position with the open side of the bull gear to the front for access of the drill pipe. In this position, the magnetic coupling (42) is aligned, and the rotary clamp pump (40) is driven to charge the 2 5 accumulator ( 2 3 ) .
2. When the power tong assembly is needed it is positioned around the pipe of the drill string and elevated to the correct position with the rotary jaw clamps on one side of a threaded joint and the back-up clamp on the other .
3. The back-up clamp is closed by pressuring the hydraulic cylinders (60).
4 . The rotary j aw clamp is closed by actuating a rotary clamp valve (70) or ~ ni 1::m (72) A,~ E~ S~
PCT/~S9~ 64 2 1 ~ g 8 ~ 6 IPEA/US 7 s DEC 1995 which shifts the valve and allows hydraulic fluid to flow fro~ the A~cl~nnll~tors (23) to the hydraulic cylinders (24).
AM~NDED SH~I
21 798 PCT/U59 ~ ~ 12 6 16 IPEA/vs ~ ~ DE. ~99 5. The drive motors (50) are actuated to rotate the rotary j aw clamp to break the ~ nn~c~ n and subsequently spin it out.
6 . The rotary ; aw clamp is opened by actuating the rotary clamp valve r~Ahi~n; C;m (70) which shifts the valve and allows hydraulic fluid to flow from the hydraulic cylinders (24) to the reservoir (25) in the bu11 gear (20).
7. The drive motors (50) are used to return the bull gear to its "home" position ( the position shown in Fig. 4). This allows the power tong assembly to be removed from the drill string, and allows resumption of driving the rotary clamp pump (40) to charge the i~r ~ tors (23) in preparation for the neYt usage.
8. The back-up clamp (60) is opened and the tong is repositioned into its parking position, e . g . the desired position when not in use .
This power tong assembly has a number of advantages over other presently available systems including the following:
l. It can ~ te wide pipe diameter variation without clamp changes since the gripping elements of both the power tong wrench and the back-up wrench are hydraulically actuated.
2. Use of the hydraulic motor drive allows make-up or break out of threads at low speed (high torque) and subsequent spinning at lower torque and high speed without changing or shifting gears. A prototype unit, as illustrated on Figures 1 - 5, is designed to develop lOo,OOO foot pounds of torque (useful AM~riE~ StlEFI
~ 217981~ JPEA/vs 1~O~
to breakout 9 inch diameter collar) at low speed, but 40-50 RPM at low torque, as for ~ 217~816 ~ /US9~
IPE~q/US 1 3 0 spinning. The lack of shifting allows smoother and safer operation than ^hAnirAl shif ting .
3. The power tong assembly provides simple operation since it functions as both wrench and spinner, has no gates or latches that must be installed around or on the pipe, an open pipe mouth to AC -'Ate a range of pipe diameters and making it possible to mount the unit in a number of ways as convenient for use on the drilling rig. The entire operation can be operated from a single control panel as illustrated schematically in Figs. 61 and 6b.
Other means of accomplishing the functions explained above are within the scope of this description and the following claims.
What is claimed is:
~MENDED SHEEt
Claims (10)
1. A power tong wrench, comprising:
a rotary jaw frame having a cut-out formed therein for receiving an object;
a rotatable assembly rotatably mounted in said rotary jaw frame, said rotatable assembly comprising a rotary jaw clamp adapted to clamp the object and an energy storage device arranged to selectively apply energy to said rotary jaw clamp;
an energy source mounted on said rotary jaw frame to supply energy; and a magnetic coupling for coupling said energy source to said energy storage device.
a rotary jaw frame having a cut-out formed therein for receiving an object;
a rotatable assembly rotatably mounted in said rotary jaw frame, said rotatable assembly comprising a rotary jaw clamp adapted to clamp the object and an energy storage device arranged to selectively apply energy to said rotary jaw clamp;
an energy source mounted on said rotary jaw frame to supply energy; and a magnetic coupling for coupling said energy source to said energy storage device.
2. The power tong wrench of claim 1, further comprising at least one drive motor for rotating said rotatable assembly relative to said rotary jaw frame.
3. The power tong wrench of claim 2, wherein said drive motor is hydraulic.
4. The power tong wrench of claim 1, wherein said rotatable assembly comprises a bull gear rotatably mounted in said rotary jaw frame by a plurality of rollers.
5. The power tong wrench of claim 1, wherein said energy source supplies energy to said energy storage device via a releasable coupling when a cut-out in said rotatable assembly is aligned with said cut-out in said rotary jaw frame.
6. The power tong wrench of claim 1, wherein said energy storage device comprises a hydraulic accumulator, and said rotary jaw clamp comprises a plurality of jaws driven by hydraulic cylinders.
7. The power tong wrench of claim 6, further comprising a hydraulic pump mounted on said rotatable assembly to charge said hydraulic accumulator.
8. The power tong wrench of claim 7, wherein said energy source comprises a drive motor arranged to drive said hydraulic pump via a releasable coupling when a cut-out in said rotatable assembly is aligned with said cut-out in said rotary jaw frame.
9. The power tong wrench of claim 6, further comprising a valve and a reservoir mounted on said rotatable assembly, said valve having a first position in which hydraulic fluid is supplied from said hydraulic accumulator to said hydraulic cylinders, and a second position in which hydraulic fluid is released from said hydraulic cylinders to said reservoir.
10. A method of actuating a rotary jaw clamp of a power tong wrench having a rotatable assembly on which the rotary jaw clamp, a hydraulic accumulator, and a hydraulic reservoir are mounted, comprising the steps of:
placing the rotary assembly in a home position wherein the rotary jaw clamp is positioned to receive an object to be clamped;
magnetically coupling a fixed drive motor to a hydraulic pump mounted on a rotatable assembly via a releasable coupling;
driving the fixed drive motor to charge the hydraulic accumulator;
closing the rotary jaw clamp by applying hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic accumulator to the rotary jaw clamp; and opening the rotary jaw clamp by releasing hydraulic pressure from the rotary jaw clamp to the reservoir.
placing the rotary assembly in a home position wherein the rotary jaw clamp is positioned to receive an object to be clamped;
magnetically coupling a fixed drive motor to a hydraulic pump mounted on a rotatable assembly via a releasable coupling;
driving the fixed drive motor to charge the hydraulic accumulator;
closing the rotary jaw clamp by applying hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic accumulator to the rotary jaw clamp; and opening the rotary jaw clamp by releasing hydraulic pressure from the rotary jaw clamp to the reservoir.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US18935694A | 1994-01-31 | 1994-01-31 | |
| US189,356 | 1994-01-31 | ||
| PCT/US1995/001264 WO1995020471A1 (en) | 1994-01-31 | 1995-01-31 | Power tong wrench |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2179816A1 CA2179816A1 (en) | 1995-08-03 |
| CA2179816C true CA2179816C (en) | 2001-01-02 |
Family
ID=22696976
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002179816A Expired - Lifetime CA2179816C (en) | 1994-01-31 | 1995-01-31 | Power tong wrench |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2179816C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995020471A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2346576B (en) | 1999-01-28 | 2003-08-13 | Weatherford Lamb | A rotary and a method for facilitating the connection of pipes |
| US6745646B1 (en) * | 1999-07-29 | 2004-06-08 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Apparatus and method for facilitating the connection of pipes |
| US7114235B2 (en) | 2002-09-12 | 2006-10-03 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Automated pipe joining system and method |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4649777A (en) * | 1984-06-21 | 1987-03-17 | David Buck | Back-up power tongs |
| US4696206A (en) * | 1986-04-10 | 1987-09-29 | Hughes Tool Company | Torque wrench |
| US4811635A (en) * | 1987-09-24 | 1989-03-14 | Falgout Sr Thomas E | Power tong improvement |
| NO163973C (en) * | 1988-04-19 | 1990-08-15 | Maritime Hydraulics As | MOMENT tong. |
| GB9107826D0 (en) * | 1991-04-12 | 1991-05-29 | Weatherford Lamb | Rotary for use in a power tong |
| GB9107788D0 (en) * | 1991-04-12 | 1991-05-29 | Weatherford Lamb | Power tong for releasing tight joints |
| GB9107813D0 (en) * | 1991-04-12 | 1991-05-29 | Weatherford Lamb | Tong |
-
1995
- 1995-01-31 CA CA002179816A patent/CA2179816C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-01-31 WO PCT/US1995/001264 patent/WO1995020471A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1995020471A1 (en) | 1995-08-03 |
| CA2179816A1 (en) | 1995-08-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20150202 |