U.S. patent application number 12/081151 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-15 for apparatus for tubular drill string making or breaking.
Invention is credited to Yaogen Ge.
Application Number | 20090255662 12/081151 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41163024 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090255662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ge; Yaogen |
October 15, 2009 |
Apparatus for tubular drill string making or breaking
Abstract
An apparatus for tubular drill string making or breaking
including top wrench assembly, bottom wrench assembly, support
structure, and control device. The top wrench assembly includes two
top wrench bracket assemblies, top pair of movable gripping arms,
top arm actuator, and top wrench camming actuator. The arm actuator
allows the gripping arms to be closed or opened around the outer
circumference of the pipe section, allowing top wrench assembly to
engage differing casing sizes. The bottom wrench assembly includes
two bottom wrench bracket assemblies, bottom pair of movable
gripping arms, and bottom arm actuator. The bottom arm actuator
allows the gripping arms to be closed or opened. The top wrench
assembly is directly mounted on top of the bottom wrench assembly
to allow relative rotation of the drill pipe section therewith.
Once a pair of rollers is rotated by a hydraulic motor in the top
wrench, or a pair of stationary rollers in the bottom wrench are
both engaging with outer surface of the drilling string, the
rollers automatically and naturally centralize or align a die
insert to the most desirable central position. At this point the
maximum number of die insert teeth evenly bite into the outer
surface of the drill string.
Inventors: |
Ge; Yaogen; (Katy,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RONALD E. GREIGG;GREIGG & GREIGG P.L.L.C.
1423 POWHATAN STREET, UNIT ONE
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
41163024 |
Appl. No.: |
12/081151 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/77.51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 19/164
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/77.51 |
International
Class: |
E21B 19/18 20060101
E21B019/18 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for making or breaking a tubular drill string,
having a wrenching mechanism integrated with a rotating mechanism,
comprising: a first wrench assembly (10) including a first bracket
means (12) for carrying a die insert (54); actuating means (57) for
actuating the die insert (54) within the first bracket means (12)
to position the die insert relative to a pipe section (2) during a
drill string making process; and a pair of rotatably driven rollers
(55) mounted rotatably on the first bracket means (12), wherein the
die insert (54) is disposed on the bracket means (12) at a
symmetrical center between the pair of rotatably driven rollers
(55).
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first wrench
assembly (10) further includes a pair of movable gripping arms (14)
pivotally connected together, wherein a first bracket means (12) is
pivotably mounted to each of the movable gripping arms (14).
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a camming
means (18, 50) for rotating the first wrench assembly (10) relative
to a support member around a centerline of a pipe section 2 during
a drill string making process.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second
wrench assembly (20) including a second bracket means (22) for
carrying a die insert (64); actuating means (67) for actuating the
die insert (64) within the second bracket means (22) to position
the die insert relative to a pipe section (2) during a drill string
breaking process; and a pair of rotatably fixed rollers (65)
fixedly mounted on the second bracket means (22), wherein the die
insert (64) is disposed on the second bracket means (22) at a
symmetrical center between the pair of rotatably fixed rollers
(55).
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second wrench
assembly (20) further includes a pair of movable gripping arms (24)
pivotally connected together, wherein a second bracket means (22)
is pivotably mounted to each of the movable gripping arms (24) of
the second wrench assembly (20).
6. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second wrench
assembly (20) embodies the support member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention is an automated apparatus having a wrenching
device integrated with a rotating device. The apparatus is used
here for making and breaking tubular drill string.
SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention includes three major components of a top
wrench, a bottom wrench, and a support structure. The top wrench
can advantageously rotate clockwise or counter clockwise about the
centerline of the drill string while being supported on the bottom
wrench by a hydraulic actuator.
[0003] The top wrench has a clamping wrench assembly and a rotating
assembly integrated into a single unit through a common structural
frame or bracket. The top wrench assembly includes a wrench
clamping actuator, a die insert holder and die insert, mounted at a
geometrically symmetrical center between a pair of rotatable
rollers through a common structural frame or bracket. The
integrated top unit is pivotally mounted to the front end of an arm
which is also pivotally mounted at the rear end of the arm. The top
pair of arms carrying the unit can open or close at the front end
while pivoting about the rear end through a hydraulic cylinder
connecting both arms to engage the surface of a pipe section.
[0004] The bottom wrench has a clamping wrench assembly and a pair
of stationary rollers integrated into a single unit through a
common structural frame or bracket. The bottom clamping wrench
assembly includes a wrench clamping actuator, a die insert holder
and die insert, mounted at a geometrically symmetrical center
between the pair of stationary rollers through a common structural
frame or bracket. The integrated bottom unit is pivotally mounted
to the front end of an arm which is also pivotally. The bottom pair
of arms can open or close at the front end while pivoting about the
rear end through a hydraulic cylinder connecting both arms through
a pin to engage the outer surface of the drill pipe section.
[0005] Advantageously, once the pair of rollers is rotated by a
hydraulic motor in the top wrench, or the pair of stationary
rollers in the bottom wrench are both engaging with outer surface
of the drilling string, the rollers automatically and naturally
centralize or align the die insert to the most desirable central
position. At this point the maximum number of die insert's teeth
evenly bite into the outer surface of the drill string. This is
desirable for producing an optimum and maximum making or breaking
torque once the wrench clamping actuator pushes the die holder out
to position the die insert against the pipe section.
[0006] The apparatus according to the invention permits usage with
a range of pipe sized without having to change parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention
are described in further detail below in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. In which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to
the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2A is a schematic view of the top wrench assembly
according to the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2B is plan view of the top wrench assembly shown in
FIG. 2A;
[0011] FIG. 3A is a schematic view of the bottom wrench assembly
according to the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2B is plan view of the bottom wrench assembly shown in
FIG. 3A;
[0013] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the top and bottom wrench
assemblies together;
[0014] FIG. 4B is a side view of the top and bottom assemblies
shown in FIG. 4A;
[0015] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the top wrench bracket
assembly;
[0016] FIG. 5B shows a plan view of the top wrench bracket assembly
shown in FIG. 5A; and
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the bottom wrench bracket
assembly;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, the apparatus 1 for tubular drill
string making or breaking according to the invention is shown. The
apparatus 1 includes a top wrench assembly 10, a bottom wrench
assembly 20, a support structure 30, and a control device 40.
[0019] The top wrench assembly 10 is described in greater detail
with reference now to FIGS. 2A and 2B. The top wrench assembly 10
includes two top wrench bracket assemblies 12, a top pair of
movable gripping arms 14, a top arm actuator 16, and a top wrench
camming actuator 18. It can been seen that the top wrench
assemblies 12 are mounted at an open end of each top arm 14 and are
shown in contact with a section of drill pipe 2. Details of the top
wrench bracket assembly 12 will be described hereinafter in greater
detail. The movable arms 14 are mounted to an arm bracket 13 at a
closed end of the movable arms 14 and are pivotable with respect to
the arm bracket by means of pivot mounting pins 15. The gripping
arms 14 pivotally connected either jointly with a single pin for
both arms or in the preferred embodiment shown, with each arm 14
having the pivot pin 15 pivotally connecting each movable gripping
arm 14 to the arm bracket 13. The top arm actuator 16 is pivotably
linked to each arm 14 by arm actuator pivot pins 17. The arm
actuator 16 allows the gripping arms 14 to be closed or opened
around the outer circumference of the pipe section 2, in order for
top wrench assembly 10 to engage differing casing sizes. The arm
actuator 16 is preferably a hydraulic cylinder of a known type
recognized in the field, therefore detailed explanation of such an
actuator is unnecessary, although it will be understood other types
of linear actuator may be employed. The top wrench camming actuator
18 is attached on one end to the arm bracket 13 at pin 19.
[0020] The bottom wrench assembly 20 is described in greater detail
with reference now to FIGS. 3A and 3B. The bottom wrench assembly
20 includes two bottom wrench bracket assemblies 22, a bottom pair
of movable gripping arms 24, and a bottom arm actuator 26. It can
been seen that the bottom wrench assemblies 22 are mounted at an
open end of each bottom arm 24 and are shown in contact with a
section of the drill pipe 2. Details of the bottom wrench bracket
assembly 22 will be described hereinafter in greater detail. The
movable arms 24 are mounted by means of pivot mounting pins 15 to a
bracket section (not shown) of the support structure assembly 10.
The gripping arms 24 may be pivotally connected either jointly with
a single pin for both arms. It will be understood that the bottom
arms 24 may be connected in the same manner as the top arms,
described above.
[0021] The bottom arm actuator 26 is pivotably linked to each arm
24 by arm actuator pivot pins 27. The arm actuator 26 allows the
gripping arms 24 to be closed or opened around the outer
circumference of the pipe section 2, in order for the bottom wrench
assembly 20 to engage differing casing sizes. The arm actuator 26
is preferably a hydraulic cylinder of a known type recognized in
the field, therefore detailed explanation of such an actuator is
unnecessary, although it will be understood other types of linear
actuator may be employed.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the top wrench assembly 10
is shown directly mounted on top of the bottom wrench 20 assembly.
Due to the top wrench bracket assemblies 12, the top wrench
assembly is able to allow relative rotation of the drill pipe
section 2 therewith, enabling a drill string making operation. Due
to the bottom wrench bracket assemblies 22, relative rotation of
the drill pipe section is not allowed therewith, enabling a drill
string breaking operation.
[0023] The top wrench bracket assembly 12 is shown in greater
detail in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Each top wrench bracket assembly 12
includes a bracket 52 which carries a die holder 53, a die insert
54 in a slot (not shown) in the die holder 53, at least two
rotatable rollers 55, motors 56 for driving the rotatable rollers
55, and an actuator 57 such as a hydraulic cylinder, for the die
insert 54 to provide the wrenching action of the die insert 54
within the slot against the pipe section 2. Such die actuators used
in such particular applications are known in the art and therefore
further explanation thereof is unnecessary. The top wrenching
assemblies 12 are mounted to the top arms 14 by means of a pivot
connection 58. The pivot connection 58 allows for the bracket 52 to
pivot relative to the pipe section 2 to allow for the rotatable
rollers 55 to easily engage the circumference of the pipe section
2.
[0024] The bottom wrench bracket assembly 22 is shown in greater
detail in FIG. 6. Each bottom wrench bracket assembly 22 includes a
bracket 62 which carries a die holder 63, a die insert 64 in a slot
(not shown) in the die holder 63, at least two fixed rollers 65,
and an actuator 67 such as a hydraulic cylinder, for the die insert
64 to provide the wrenching action of the die insert 64 within the
slot against the pipe section 2. Such die actuators used in such
particular applications are known in the art and therefore further
explanation thereof is unnecessary. The bottom wrenching assemblies
22 are mounted to the bottom arms 24 by means of a pivot connection
68. The pivot connection 68 allows for the bracket 62 to pivot
relative to the pipe section 2 to allow for the fixed rollers 55 to
easily grip the circumference of the pipe section 2.
[0025] The assembled apparatus as seen in FIG. 1, includes a
camming mechanism 50 attached to the support structure 30. A cam 72
having an arcuate path is attached to a top portion of the support
structure 30. A cam follower 74 is engaged in the cam 72 and is
supported relative to the cam 72 by means of a cam follower bracket
75. The top wrench camming actuator 18 is attached to the cam
follower bracket 75, and as will be understood by those familiar in
the art, through a series of linkages 76 connected to the cam
follower bracket 75, and by the connection of the top wrench
camming actuator to the top wrench assembly 10, the entire top
wrench assembly 10 may be cammed or rotated relative to the
centerline of the pipe section 2. The top wrench bracket assemblies
12 as described herein previously, allow for the relative rotation
of the rotatable rollers 55 on the surface of the pipe section 2.
While the top wrench assembly 12 is being cammed about the pipe
section 2, the die insert actuators 57 move the die insert within
the brackets 52 to engage the surface of the pipe section, thereby
forming or making the drill pipe string.
[0026] The top wrench assembly 10 sits on the bottom wrench
assembly 20 and can be rotated freely about the center of the
string 2 by the actuator 18 which is attached to the back end of
the top wrench assembly 10 at one side thereof and to the support
structure 30 on the end 32 thereof. The cam 72 and the cam follower
74 guide the rotation and provide additional support for the top
wrench assembly rotation on top of the bottom wrench assembly. The
top wrench assembly 10 is also guided by a cam follower which may
be embodied as in the preferred embodiment by a pair 74 of cam
followers mounted on the top wrench 10 and engaged with the cam 72.
The cam 72 attached to the support frame has the same diametric
center as the pipe section or string 2 so that once the top wrench
assembly 10 rotates thereabout the cam follower 74 rotate about the
center of the string within the cam 72.
[0027] It will be understood that the control device 40 provided is
capable of controlling all of the motors, actuators, etc.,
associated with the apparatus 1 described herein.
[0028] The foregoing relates to the preferred exemplary embodiment
of the invention, it being understood that other variants and
embodiments thereof are possible within the spirit and scope of the
invention, the latter being defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *