U.S. patent application number 17/735027 was filed with the patent office on 2022-08-18 for internal latch release mechanism for externally-gripping casing running tools.
The applicant listed for this patent is NOETIC TECHNOLOGIES INC.. Invention is credited to Maurice William SLACK.
Application Number | 20220259930 17/735027 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220259930 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SLACK; Maurice William |
August 18, 2022 |
INTERNAL LATCH RELEASE MECHANISM FOR EXTERNALLY-GRIPPING CASING
RUNNING TOOLS
Abstract
A rotary latch release mechanism includes axially-aligned upper
and lower rotary latch components carried on and rotationally
coupled to upper and lower latch assemblies, respectively. The
latch release mechanism is movable from an axially-latched position
to an axially-unlatched position in response to relative rotation
between the upper and lower rotary latch components. The latch
release mechanism has a movable land surface that acts in response
to relative axial displacement to induce the relative rotation
required to release the latch. The latch release mechanism may be
configured such that the axial movement of the movable land surface
will cause the relative axial movement required to release the
latch in combination with the required rotation. Accordingly, the
rotary latch mechanism operates in response to
externally-controlled axial movement of a movable land surface
carried by the latch release mechanism, without requiring
externally-induced rotation.
Inventors: |
SLACK; Maurice William;
(Edmonton, CA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NOETIC TECHNOLOGIES INC. |
Edmonton |
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CA |
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Appl. No.: |
17/735027 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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17726442 |
Apr 21, 2022 |
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17735027 |
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17294048 |
May 14, 2021 |
11313183 |
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PCT/CA2020/000003 |
Jan 19, 2020 |
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17726442 |
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62794619 |
Jan 19, 2019 |
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International
Class: |
E21B 19/16 20060101
E21B019/16; E21B 19/07 20060101 E21B019/07; E21B 23/00 20060101
E21B023/00 |
Claims
1. A latch release mechanism having a longitudinal axis and acting
between an upper latch assembly and a lower latch assembly, said
upper and lower latch assemblies being coaxially aligned with the
latch release mechanism, and wherein: (a) the upper and lower latch
assemblies are operable between: a latched position, in which
relative axial separation of the upper and lower latch assemblies
is constrained; and an unlatched position, in which relative axial
motion of the upper and lower latch assemblies is permitted within
a defined range; in response to application of relative rotation,
and an associated torque, between the upper and lower latch
assemblies in a first rotational direction; (b) the upper latch
assembly defines one or more trigger reaction dog pockets; and (c)
the upper latch assembly axially carries a generally cylindrical
main body assembly having a main body bore; wherein the latch
release mechanism is coaxially disposed within the main body bore
and comprises: (d) a bumper element coupled to the lower latch
assembly, such that when the bumper element is moved axially
relative to the lower latch assembly, the bumper element will also
rotate relative to the lower latch assembly; and (e) a trigger
element coupled to the bumper element and the lower latch assembly
so as to be at least axially movable relative to the bumper
element, and so as to be axially and rotationally movable relative
to the lower latch assembly within a defined range, wherein the
trigger element defines one or more trigger dog teeth configured
for axial engagement and disengagement with the one or more trigger
reaction dog pockets of the upper latch assembly; such that when
the one or more trigger dog teeth are disposed within the one or
more trigger reaction dog pockets: application of an axial force to
the bumper element will tend to cause axial stroking of the bumper
element relative to the lower latch assembly so as to urge relative
rotation between the upper and lower latch assemblies in the first
rotational direction to move the upper and lower latch assemblies
from the latched position to the unlatched position with the
associated torque transmitted through the trigger element; and
application of additional axial force and the resultant axial and
rotational displacement of the bumper element relative to the lower
latch assembly will cause withdrawal of the one or more trigger dog
teeth from the one or more trigger reaction dog pockets.
2. The latch release mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the bumper
element and the trigger element are configured as a
coaxially-nested group of closely-fitting generally cylindrical
components.
3. The latch release mechanism as in claim 2, wherein the bumper
element is axially movable relative to the trigger element by means
of a spline coupling.
4. The latch release mechanism as in claim 1, further comprising a
trigger follower coupled to the lower latch assembly and movably
disposed within a trigger pocket formed in the trigger element,
such that the range of axial and rotational movement of the trigger
element relative to the lower latch assembly is defined by the
configuration of said trigger pocket.
5. The latch release mechanism as in claim 4, wherein the trigger
follower is also movably disposed within a bumper cam slot formed
in the bumper element, such that the range of axial and rotational
movement of the bumper element relative to the lower latch assembly
is defined by the configuration of the bumper cam slot.
6. The latch release mechanism as in claim 1, further comprising a
bumper follower coupled to the lower latch assembly and movably
disposed within a bumper cam slot formed in the bumper element,
such that the range of axial and rotational movement of the bumper
element relative to the lower latch assembly is defined by the
configuration of the bumper cam slot.
7. The latch release mechanism as in claim 5, wherein the bumper
cam slot is configured as an elongate slot having a slope relative
to the longitudinal axis of the latch release mechanism.
8. The latch release mechanism as in claim 7, wherein the slope of
the bumper cam slot relative t the longitudinal axis varies along
the length of the bumper cam slot.
9. The latch release mechanism as in claim 1, further comprising a
trigger biasing means urging the trigger element axially upward
toward the upper latch assembly and thus urging the one or more
trigger dog teeth toward engagement with the one or more trigger
reaction dog pockets.
10. The latch release mechanism as in claim 9, wherein the trigger
biasing means acts between the trigger element and the bumper
element so as to urge the bumper element axially downward away from
the trigger element.
11. The latch release mechanism as in claim 1, further comprising a
bumper biasing means urging the bumper element axially downward
away from the trigger element.
12. The latch release mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the upper
latch assembly is coupled to a top drive quill of a
top-drive-equipped drilling rig, and the lower latch assembly is
coupled to a grip assembly of a casing running tool coaxially
disposed within the main body bore.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates in general to devices and
mechanisms for releasably latching two coaxially-positioned and
mating rotary components such that relative axial displacement of
the rotary components is prevented when in the latched position,
but axial displacement is allowed when the rotary components are in
the unlatched position.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Power tongs have for many years been used to "make up"
(i.e., assemble) threaded connections between sections (or
"joints") of tubing, and to "break out" (i.e., disassemble)
threaded connections when running tubing strings into or out of
petroleum wells, in coordination with the hoisting system of a
drilling rig. Tubing strings typically comprise a number of tubing
sections having externally-threaded ends, joined end-to-end by
means of internally-threaded cylindrical couplers mounted at one
end of each tubing section, forming what is commonly called the
"box" end, while the other externally-threaded end of the tubing
section is called the "pin" end. Such tubular strings can be
relatively efficiently assembled or disassembled using power tongs
to screw additional tubing sections into a tubing string during
make-up operations, or to unscrew tubing sections from a tubing
string being pulled from a wellbore (i.e., break-out
operations).
[0003] However, power tongs do not simultaneously support other
beneficial functions such as rotating, pushing, or fluid filling,
after a pipe segment is added to or removed from the string, and
while the string is being lowered or raised in the wellbore.
Running tubulars with tongs, whether powered or manual, also
typically requires the deployment of personnel in comparatively
high-hazard locations such as on the rig floor and on so-called
"stabbing boards" above the rig floor.
[0004] The advent of drilling rigs equipped with top drives has
enabled another method of running tubing strings, and casing
strings in particular, using tools commonly known as casing running
tools or CRTs. These tools are configured to be carried by the top
drive quill, and to grip the upper end of a tubing section and to
seal between the bore of the tubing section and the bore of the top
drive quill. In coordination with the top drive, CRTs support
hoisting, rotating, pushing, and filling of a casing string with
drilling fluid while running casing into a wellbore.
[0005] Ideally, these tools also support make-up and break-out
operations traditionally performed using power tongs, thereby
eliminating the need for power tongs entirely, with attendant
benefits in terms of reduced system complexity and increased
safety. As a practical matter, however, obtaining these benefits
without negatively impacting running rate or consistency requires
the time taken to make up connections using CRTs to be at least
comparable to that required for the running rate and consistency
achievable using power tongs. In addition, it is a practical
reality that making up tubing strings using CRTs does increase the
risk of damage to the connection threads, or to seals in so-called
"premium connections" where these are present.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,120 (Slack) [the contents of which are
incorporated herein in their entirety] teaches a prior art CRT in
the form of a gripping tool that includes a body assembly
comprising: [0007] a load adaptor coupled for axial load transfer
to the remainder of the body assembly, and adapted for structural
connection to either a drive head or a reaction frame; [0008] a
gripping assembly carried by the body assembly and having a grip
surface, wherein the gripping assembly is provided with activating
means to radially stroke or move the grip surface from a retracted
position to an engaged position in which the grip surface
tractionally engages either an interior surface or an exterior
surface of a tubular workpiece in response to relative axial
movement or axial stroke of the body assembly in at least one
direction relative to the grip surface; and [0009] a linkage acting
between the body assembly and the gripping assembly, wherein
relative rotation of the load adaptor in at least one direction
relative to the grip surface will result in axial displacement of
the body assembly relative to the gripping assembly, so as to move
the gripping assembly from the retracted position to the engaged
position in accordance with the action of the actuation means.
[0010] For purposes of this patent document, a CRT configured for
gripping an internal surface of a tubular workpiece will be
referred to as a CRTi, and a CRT configured for gripping an
external surface of a tubular workpiece will be referred to as a
CRTe.
[0011] CRTs as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,120 utilize a
mechanically-actuated gripping assembly that generates its gripping
force in response to axial load with corresponding axial stroke,
either together with or independently from externally-applied axial
load and externally-applied torque load applied by either
right-hand or left-hand rotation. These loads, when applied, are
carried across the tool from the load adaptor of the body assembly
to the grip surface of the gripping assembly, in tractional
engagement with the workpiece.
[0012] Additionally, such CRTs or gripping tools may be provided
with a latch mechanism acting between the body assembly and the
gripping assembly, in the form of a rotary J-slot latch having a
hook-and-receiver arrangement acting between first and second latch
components, where the first latch component is carried by the body
assembly and the second latch component is carried by the grip
assembly (for example, see FIGS. 1 and 14 in U.S. Pat. No.
7,909,120, showing the latch in externally-gripping and
internally-gripping full-tool assemblies respectively, and also
FIGS. 4-7 in U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,120, describing how mating latch
teeth 108 and 110 act as a hook and receiver with respect to each
other).
[0013] When in a first (or latched) position, with the hook in the
receiver, this latch prevents relative axial movement between the
body assembly and the gripping assembly so as to retain the grip
mechanism in a first (or retracted) position. However, relative
rotation between the body assembly and the gripping assembly (which
rotation is typically resisted by some amount of torque, which will
be referred to herein as the "latch actuation torque") will move
the mating hook and receiver components to a second (or unlatched)
position, thereby allowing relative axial movement between the body
assembly and the gripping assembly, with associated movement of the
grip surface into the second (or engaged) position. Accordingly,
when in the latched position, this latch mechanism will support
operational steps that require the gripping assembly to be held in
its retracted position, to enable positioning of the tool relative
to the workpiece preparatory to engaging the grip surface, and
conversely retaining the grip surface in its retracted position
enabling separation of the CRT from the workpiece.
[0014] Operationally, achieving this relative movement where the
CRT is attached to the top drive quill requires the development of
sufficient reaction torque, through tractional engagement when the
"land surface" of the CRT is brought into contact with the upper
end of a tubular workpiece and axial "set-down" force is applied,
to resist the latch actuation torque arising from the rotation
applied to move the latch into the unlatched position (typically
arranged as right-hand rotation) and to cause axial movement if
required (i.e., to move the hook up the "slot" of a J-slot). Any
operational step moving the latch from the latched position to the
unlatched position is said to "trigger" the tool, thus allowing the
tool to be "set".
[0015] To re-latch, this same requirement for sufficient tractional
resistance between the tool's land surface and the workpiece must
be met, with the applied torque direction reversed (i.e., typically
left-hand rotation) to "un-set" the tool. For mechanically-set CRTs
such as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,120, the tractional resistance
required to re-latch is less than that required to unlatch.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 9,869,143 (Slack) [the contents of which are
incorporated herein in their entirety, in jurisdictions where so
permitted] discusses how it may be difficult in some applications
to achieve sufficient tractional resistance between the land
surface of a CRT and a workpiece, such as in cases where both the
CRT land surface and the contact face of the workpiece are smooth
steel, particularly when rotating to release the latch in such
tools. U.S. Pat. No. 9,869,143 teaches means for increasing the
effective friction coefficient acting between the workpiece and
tool under application of compressive load (i.e., the ratio of
tractional resistance to applied load). While these teachings
disclose effective means for managing this operational variable and
thus reducing operational uncertainty, operation of the tool still
requires the steps of first setting down a somewhat controlled
amount of axial load and then applying rotation with the top drive
to move the latch into its unlatched position. Therefore, when the
CRT is used to for make-up operations, the time, load, and rotation
control to carry out these steps on certain rigs may result in
slower cycle times than achievable using power tongs for
make-up.
[0017] Tubing sections in a tubing string are typically oriented
"pin down, box up". Accordingly, during make-up operations, the
upper end of the uppermost section in the string, as supported by
rig floor slips or a "spider", presents as "box up" in the
so-called "stump" into which the pin end of the next tubing section
(i.e., workpiece) is stabbed. When using a CRT for make-up, it may
be difficult to control the amount of top drive "set-down" load on
the stabbed pin and similarly the amount of rotation applied with
set-down load present, introducing the possibility of the
undesirable situation where the pin end of the workpiece is rotated
in the box in the stump before the pin-end and box-end threads are
properly engaged, with the attendant risk of galling damage to the
threads. While these risks can be ameliorated by careful control of
the top drive by the driller, they contribute to both additional
uncertainty and increased cycle time.
[0018] Accordingly, there is a need for methods and means for
reducing the risk of thread damage when using CRTs for make-up, and
for providing greater assurance of cycle times comparable to or
less than cycle times achievable using power tongs for make-up and
other aspects of casing running operations.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0019] In general terms, the present disclosure teaches
non-limiting embodiments of a rotary latch mechanism (alternatively
referred to as a trigger mechanism) comprising upper and lower
latch assemblies, plus a latch release mechanism comprising an
upper rotary latch component carried on and rotationally coupled to
the upper latch assembly, and a lower rotary latch component
carried on and rotationally coupled to the lower latch assembly.
The upper and lower rotary components are configured to move from a
first (or axially-latched) position to a second (or
axially-unlatched) position in response to rotation of the lower
rotary component relative to the upper rotary component in a first
(or unlatching) direction. Such rotation induces the development of
an associated latch actuation torque.
[0020] The latch release mechanism has a movable land element
(alternatively referred to as a "cushion bumper") which carries a
downward-facing land surface that acts in response to relative
axial displacement to urge relative rotation between the upper and
lower rotary latch components, so as to exert the latch actuation
torque required to move the latch components from the latched
position to the unlatched position. Where needed for latch
configurations requiring both relative axial compression movement
and rotation (such as commonly required for a J-slot latch), the
mechanism may be configured such that the axial movement of the
movable land element will cause the relative axial movement
required to release the latch in combination with the required
rotation. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments in accordance with the
present teachings are directed to means for inducing the rotation
and latch actuation torque required to move the component forming a
rotary latch from the latched position to the unlatched position
using externally-controlled axial movement of a movable land
element carried by the latch release mechanism, without requiring
externally-induced rotation sufficient to move the mechanism from
the latched position to the unlatched position.
[0021] Latch release mechanisms as disclosed herein eliminate the
need for externally-applied rotation after applying set-down force
when using a tool such as a mechanical CRT that employs a J-latch
type mechanism to move from a first (latched) to a second
(unlatched) position, by transforming relative axial movement
between the tubular workpiece and a component of the tool so as to
produce the relative rotation needed to release the latch. This
enables a mechanical CRT equipped with such a latch release
mechanism (or trigger mechanism) to produce comparable or shorter
cycle times with reduced risk of connection thread damage while
running casing, as compared to using power tongs for such
operations.
[0022] In one aspect, the present disclosure teaches embodiments of
a rotary latch release mechanism comprising: [0023] an upper latch
assembly and a lower latch assembly, said upper and lower latch
assemblies being in axial alignment; [0024] an upper rotary latch
component carried on and rotationally coupled to the upper latch
assembly, and a lower rotary latch component carried on and
rotationally coupled to the lower latch assembly; [0025] a bumper
element defining a downward-facing land surface, with the bumper
element being coupled to the lower latch assembly so as to be both
axially movable and rotationally movable relative to the lower
latch assembly; and [0026] a trigger element coupled to the bumper
element and the lower latch assembly so as to be movable at least
axially relative to the bumper element, and so as to be axially and
rotationally movable relative to the lower latch assembly; wherein:
[0027] the upper and lower rotary latch components are configured
to move from an axially-latched position to an axially-unlatched
position in response to relative rotation between the upper and
lower rotary latch components in a first rotational direction;
[0028] the upper latch assembly defines one or more downward-facing
trigger reaction dog pockets; and [0029] the trigger element
defines one or more upward-facing trigger dog teeth configured for
engagement with the one or more trigger reaction dog pockets of the
upper latch assembly; such that when the one or more trigger dog
teeth are disposed within the one or more trigger reaction dog
pockets, an upward force applied to the land surface of the bumper
element will tend to cause relative axially-upward displacement of
the bumper so as to urge rotation of the lower latch assembly,
wherein the trigger element acts between the bumper element and
through engagement with the trigger dogs with the upper latch
assembly so as to force relative rotation between upper and lower
latch components to induce axial disengagement of the upper and
lower rotary latch components, whereupon continued application of
the upward force and resultant axial and rotary displacement of the
bumper element relative to the lower latch assembly will cause
withdrawal of the trigger dog teeth from the trigger dog reaction
pockets.
[0030] The rotary latch release mechanism may include a first
axially-oriented biasing means acting between the upper and lower
latch assemblies so as to bias the latch release mechanism toward
the latched position, and a second axially-oriented biasing means
acting between the movable bumper element and the trigger element
so as to bias the bumper element axially downward relative to the
trigger element.
[0031] The upper latch assembly may define a downward-facing upper
ramp surface that is matingly engageable with an upward-facing
lower ramp surface defined by the lower latch assembly, such that
the application of an upward force to the land surface of the
bumper element will bring the upper and lower ramp surfaces into
sliding engagement so as to constrain the relative axial approach
of the upper and lower latch assemblies while allowing relative
rotation between the upper and lower latch assemblies.
[0032] In another aspect, the present disclosure teaches
embodiments of a rotary latch release mechanism acting between (1)
a generally cylindrical main body having a main body bore, and (2)
a generally cylindrical load adaptor coaxially disposed within the
main body bore and both axially and rotatably movable therein, with
a lower end of the load adaptor being operatively engageable with
an axial-load-actuated latching linkage disposed within the main
body. In one embodiment, the latch release mechanism comprises:
[0033] a load adaptor extension coaxially mounted to an upper
region of the load adaptor and having a lower portion forming a
skirt defining a first annular space between the load adaptor
extension and an outer cylindrical surface of the load adaptor;
[0034] a primary trigger element having a primary trigger bore, in
which: [0035] an upper portion of the primary trigger element is
coaxially disposed within said first annular space, and is mounted
to and carried by the skirt so as to be axially and rotationally
movable relative to the skirt within defined constraints; [0036] a
lower portion of the primary trigger element extends over an upper
region of the main body and is axially movable relative thereto;
and [0037] the primary trigger element carries a downward-facing
primary trigger reaction surface; [0038] a secondary trigger
element coaxially disposed within a secondary annular space defined
by the skirt and the primary trigger element, wherein: [0039] the
secondary trigger element is mounted to and carried by the skirt so
as to be axially movable, within defined constraints, relative to
the skirt, but non-rotatable relative to the skirt; and [0040] the
secondary trigger element is coupled to the primary trigger element
so as to be axially and rotationally movable relative to the
primary trigger element within defined constraints; [0041] a
secondary trigger extension having a secondary trigger extension
bore and being coaxially mounted to a lower end of the secondary
trigger element; [0042] a main body extension coaxially and fixedly
mounted to an outer cylindrical surface of the main body, said main
body extension having a cylindrical upper portion coaxially
disposed within the secondary trigger extension bore, wherein:
[0043] the inner and outer diameters of the cylindrical upper
portion of the main body extension substantially correspond to the
inner and outer diameters of the primary trigger element; [0044]
the cylindrical upper portion of the main body extension defines an
upward-facing first reaction surface (alternatively referred to
herein as an "upward-facing dog reaction surface") configured for
mating engagement with the primary trigger reaction surface; [0045]
an external shoulder defining an upward-facing second reaction
surface is provided on a lower region of the main body extension;
[0046] the main body extension is axially movable relative to, and
is co-rotatable with, the secondary trigger extension; and [0047]
the lower end of the secondary trigger extension is configured to
be engageable with the second reaction surface. In this embodiment,
the primary and secondary trigger elements are configured such that
axial compressive load applied to the load adaptor will be reacted
by contact and engagement of the first reaction surface with the
primary trigger reaction surface and the second reaction surface
with the secondary trigger extension, causing corresponding axial
displacement between the load adaptor and the main body, thereby
inducing rotation and axial movement of the secondary trigger
element relative to the primary trigger element, thus generating
torque and corresponding rotation to unlatch the latching
linkage.
[0048] Optionally, in alternative embodiments, a plurality of
primary trigger dog teeth each comprising a primary trigger dog
tooth load flank, a primary trigger dog tooth crest, and a primary
trigger dog tooth lock flank, may be provided on the
downward-facing reaction surface on the primary trigger element,
with a corresponding plurality of mating reaction dog pockets, each
defining a reaction pocket load flank, a reaction pocket crest, and
a reaction pocket lock flank, being provided on the upward-facing
dog reaction surface provided on the main body extension.
[0049] Several exemplary embodiments of latch release mechanisms in
accordance with the present disclosure are described below, in the
context of use with a CRT utilizing a J-latch to retain the grip
surface of the CRT in its retracted position, and providing means
for triggering the J-latch by application of set-down load without
requiring the application of external rotation and latch actuation
torque through the load adaptor.
EMBODIMENT #1
Rotary Cushion Bumper Reacted by Casing Friction (both CRTi and
CRTe)
[0050] Embodiment #1 relies on tractional resistance to react latch
actuation torque. In this embodiment, the latch release mechanism
is carried by the lower latch assembly (comprising the grip
assembly of a CRT), and has a movable land element (or cushion
bumper) with a generally downward-facing land surface adapted for
tractional engagement with the upper end of a tubular workpiece.
Upward axial compressive movement of the movable land element
relative to the lower rotary latch component, in response to
contact with a tubular workpiece, causes the latch release
mechanism to rotate the lower rotary latch component relative to
the upper rotary latch component in the unlatching direction.
[0051] The latch release mechanism is further provided with biasing
means (such as but not limited to a spring), for biasing the land
surface to resist axial compressive displacement relative to the
lower rotary latch component, correspondingly producing tractional
resistance to rotary sliding between the land surface and the
tubular workpiece. Thus arranged, with the upper and lower rotary
latch components initially in the axially-latched position, and
with the upper latch assembly (comprising the body assembly of a
CRT) supported through the load adaptor to resist rotation relative
to the tubular workpiece, axial compressive movement transmitted
through the load adaptor to the upper rotary latch component
relative to the tubular workpiece tends to urge rotation (as well
as axial compressive stroke, if required) of the lower rotary latch
component relative to the upper rotary latch component, and where
tractional resistance between the land surface and the tubular
workpiece is sufficient to exceed the latch actuation torque, the
axial compressive movement causes rotation relative to the upper
rotary latch component to move the lower rotary latch component to
the unlatched position.
EMBODIMENT #2
Frictional Trigger Acting Between a Floating Load Adaptor and Main
Body: CRTe with Stroke
[0052] Embodiment #2, like Embodiment #1, relies on tractional
resistance to react latch actuation torque. In this embodiment, the
upper latch assembly has a load adapter slidingly coupled to a main
body to carry axial load while still allowing axial stroke. The
upper rotary latch component is axially carried by the main body,
but is rotationally coupled to the load adaptor. The lower latch
assembly is carried by and is rotationally coupled to the main
body, while allowing axial sliding, over at least some range of
motion, when in the unlatched position. The lower latch assembly is
further configured to carry a land surface for contact with a
tubular workpiece to support set-down loads and to provide
tractional resistance to rotation.
[0053] The latch release mechanism is carried by a selected one of
the load adaptor and the main body, and has a generally
axially-facing movable clutch surface adapted for tractional
engagement with an opposing reaction clutch surface on the other of
the load adaptor and the main body. Axial compressive stroking
movement of the latch release mechanism after contact and
engagement of the movable clutch surface with the reaction clutch
surface, as urged by set-down force applied to the load adaptor,
causes the latch release mechanism to urge rotation between the
load adaptor and the main body in the unlatching direction. The
latch release mechanism is further provided with biasing means
(such as but not limited to a spring), for biasing the movable
clutch surface to resist axial compressive displacement relative to
the component on which it is carried (i.e., either the load adaptor
or the main body), correspondingly producing tractional resistance
to rotary sliding between the contacting movable clutch surface and
the reaction clutch surface (or clutch interface).
[0054] Thus arranged, with the upper and lower rotary latch
components initially in the axially-latched position, and with the
load adaptor supported to generally allow free rotation relative to
the main body and hence the tubular workpiece, axial compressive
movement within the axial stroke allowance of the load adaptor
relative to the main body tends to urge rotation (and axial
compressive stroke, if required) of the upper rotary latch
component relative to the lower rotary latch component. Where the
tractional resistance of the clutch interface is sufficient to
exceed the latch actuation torque (and perhaps some external
resistance torque of the generally freely-rotating load adaptor),
the axial compressive movement induces rotation of the upper rotary
latch component relative to the lower rotary latch component to
move to the unlatched position.
[0055] Where free rotation of the load adaptor is inhibited, the
rotation urged by set-down load tends to urge sliding at the clutch
interface and at the land-to-workpiece interface. The corresponding
torque induced at these two interfaces, upon application of
sufficient set-down load, will thus tend to induce sliding on one
interface or the other. If sliding occurs on the land-to-workpiece
interface, the rotation necessary to release the latch will occur.
However, if sliding occurs at the clutch interface, then relative
rotation of the latch components will not occur, rendering the
latch release mechanism ineffective for its intended purpose in
these particular circumstances. It may therefore be advantageous to
provide means for increasing the torsional resistance of the clutch
interface to increase the effective tractional resistance under
application of axial load, such as by providing these mating
surfaces as conically-configured surfaces to increase the normal
force driving rotational tractional resistance, for a given axial
load. Such modifications may be provided in the absence of or in
combination with contouring or other surface treatments for
increasing frictional resistance.
[0056] However, in all cases where it is desired to allow for
re-latching, the tractional resistance to rotation occurring at the
clutch interface will tend to impede the relative rotation of upper
and lower rotary latch components if set-down load is required to
effect re-latching. For certain applications it may be possible to
reliably control the tractional response of these two interfaces by
providing a selected combination of biasing spring force, contact
surface geometry, and surface treatment of the clutch and
land-to-workpiece surfaces, in coordination with load control
sufficient to reliably prevent clutch interface slippage in support
of latch release rotation for a first compressive load, while
simultaneously allowing clutch interface slippage without resultant
land-to-workpiece slippage to support re-latching, for a second
selected compressive load in combination with applied rotation.
[0057] As described above, Embodiments #1 and #2 rely on the
presence of sufficient tractional engagement between contacting
components for reliable unlatching with set-down movement. In
Embodiment #1, the only limiting tractional resistance is between
the tubular workpiece and the cushion bumper, with the additional
constraint that the latch actuation torque is further resisted by
external support carrying the upper latch assembly. To state this
otherwise, relative rotation between the upper rotary latch
component and the tubular workpiece must be largely prevented (at
least in the unlatching direction) to support grip engagement
without externally-applied rotation.
[0058] In Embodiment #2, sufficient tractional resistance of the
clutch interface is required, typically with the added constraint
of free rotation of the load adaptor of the upper latch assembly.
For applications where these boundary conditions can be readily and
reliably met, Embodiments #1 and #2 can provide the benefits of
faster cycle times and reduced risk of connection thread damage,
plus the benefit of comparative mechanical simplicity. However, for
applications where these boundary conditions cannot be readily
achieved, means can be provided for releasing a J-latch independent
of available tractional resistance or control of top drive
rotation, as in alternative embodiments described below.
EMBODIMENT #3
Latch Release Mechanism Adapted for "Base Configuration": CRTs
Incorporating A Latching Tri-Cam Assembly
[0059] Embodiment #3 is configured to force relative rotation of
the upper and lower rotary latch components through the latch
release mechanism. In this embodiment: [0060] the upper rotary
latch component is rigidly carried by a main body of the upper
latch assembly; [0061] the lower rotary latch component is
rotationally and axially constrained and carried by the lower latch
assembly, which acts in coordination with the main body to prevent
relative rotary and axial movement when the upper and lower rotary
latch components are latched; [0062] the latch release mechanism
acts between the upper and lower latch assemblies and comprises
four main elements, as follows: [0063] a latching tri-cam assembly
as disclosed in International Publication No. WO 2010/006441
(Slack) and in U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,939 [the contents of which are
incorporated herein in their entirety, in jurisdictions where so
permitted]; [0064] a trigger reaction ring having one or more
downward-facing reaction dog pockets rigidly attached to the upper
latch assembly; [0065] a trigger element carried by the lower latch
assembly and having one or more upward-facing trigger dog teeth
generally mating and interacting with the downward-facing reaction
dog pockets; and [0066] a movable land element also carried by the
lower latch assembly, and provided with a generally downward-facing
land surface adapted for axial compressive engagement with the
upper end of a tubular workpiece.
[0067] The movable land element and the trigger element are coupled
to each other and to the lower latch assembly such that upward
axial compressive movement or stroke of the movable land element
relative to the lower latch assembly from a first (or land)
position to a second (or fully-stroked) position, as urged by
contact with a tubular workpiece, will urge rotation and downward
axial movement of the trigger dog teeth. Initially, rotation of the
trigger dog teeth is prevented by interaction with the reaction dog
pockets which causes rotation of the lower rotary latch component
relative to the upper rotary latch component to their unlatched
position, and when the movable land element is fully stroked, the
trigger dog teeth are fully retracted and disengaged from the
reaction dog pockets. The retraction of the trigger dog teeth from
the reaction dog pockets supports re-latching under application of
external rotation in the re-latching direction. This embodiment
preferably includes biasing means tending to resist both the axial
compression of the movable land element and the retraction of the
trigger element, so that the land and trigger elements return to
their initial positions upon unloading and withdrawal from the
tubular workpiece.
EMBODIMENT #4
Retracting Trigger Acting Between a Floating Load Adaptor and Main
Body: CRTe with Stroke
[0068] Embodiment #4, like Embodiment #3, is configured to force
relative rotation of the upper and lower rotary latch components
through the latch release mechanism. In this embodiment: [0069] the
upper latch assembly includes a load adapter, coupled to a main
body so as to carry axial load while allowing axial stroke; [0070]
the upper rotary latch component is axially carried by the main
body but is rotationally coupled to the load adaptor; [0071] the
lower latch assembly (comprising the grip assembly of a CRT) is
carried by and rotationally coupled to the main body while
permitting axial movement, over at least some range of motion, when
the latch is in its unlatched position; and [0072] the lower latch
assembly is further configured to carry a land surface for contact
with a tubular workpiece: [0073] to support set-down loads; [0074]
to enable relative rotation between the lower latch assembly and
the upper latch assembly by sliding at the contact with the
workpiece if the load adaptor resists rotation during set-down due
to restrictions imposed by the top drive; and [0075] to enable
moving from the unlatched to the latched position by providing
tractional resistance to rotation.
[0076] The latch release mechanism is configured to act between the
sliding load adaptor and main body, and, similar to Embodiment #3,
comprises three main elements: [0077] reaction dog pockets carried
by a selected one of the load adaptor and the main body; [0078] a
primary trigger element having trigger dog teeth; and [0079] a
secondary trigger element carried by the other of the load adaptor
and the main body.
[0080] In the following discussion, it is assumed that the reaction
dog pockets are upward-facing and are carried by the main body, and
that the primary trigger element (having downward-facing trigger
dog teeth) and the secondary trigger element (having a
downward-facing standoff surface) are carried by the load adaptor.
When the tool is in the latched position, the trigger dog teeth and
the reaction dog pockets are configured for aligned engagement upon
downward axial sliding movement of the load adaptor through its
axial stroke, as urged by contact with a tubular workpiece.
[0081] An upward-facing reaction surface is also provided with the
reaction dog pockets, and therefore is rigidly carried by the main
body and arranged to contact the downward-facing standoff surface
at an axial stroke position lower than required for engagement of
the trigger dog teeth with the reaction dog pockets. The secondary
trigger element and the primary trigger element are coupled to each
other and to the load adaptor assembly such that downward axial
compressive movement or stroke of the standoff surface relative to
the load adaptor from a first (land) position to a second
(fully-stroked) position, as urged by contact with a tubular
workpiece, will urge both rotation and upward axial movement of the
trigger dog teeth.
[0082] Initially, rotation of the trigger dog teeth is prevented by
interaction with the reaction dog pockets, which causes rotation of
the lower rotary latch component relative to the upper rotary latch
component to their unlatched position, and when the secondary
trigger element is fully stroked, the trigger dog teeth will be
fully retracted and disengaged from the reaction dog pockets, and
this retraction of the trigger dog teeth will support re-latching
under application of external rotation in the re-latching
direction. This embodiment preferably includes biasing means
tending to resist both axial compression of the secondary trigger
element and retraction of the primary trigger element, such that
upon unloading and withdrawal from the tubular workpiece, the
primary and secondary trigger elements return to their initial
positions.
[0083] To further support reverse rotation under set-down load as
needed to effect re-latching, the secondary trigger element may be
provided as a secondary trigger assembly comprising a secondary
trigger extension, having a downward-facing standoff surface,
threaded to the secondary trigger element but rotationally keyed to
the main body such that rotation in the direction of unlatching
tends to move the standoff surface lower, causing compressive
engagement of the standoff surface and the reaction surface at
axially-higher positions, which prevents the premature engagement
of the trigger dog teeth with the reaction dog pockets until the
rotational position for re-latching has been reached.
EMBODIMENT #5
Internal Trigger CRTe
[0084] In Embodiment #5, a latch release mechanism has a
longitudinal axis and acts between an upper latch assembly and a
lower latch assembly, said upper and lower latch assemblies being
coaxially aligned with the latch release mechanism, and wherein:
[0085] (a) the upper and lower latch assemblies are operable
between: [0086] a latched position, in which relative axial
separation of the upper and lower latch assemblies is constrained;
and [0087] an unlatched position, in which relative axial motion of
the upper and lower latch assemblies is permitted within a defined
range; in response to application of relative rotation, and an
associated torque, between the upper and lower latch assemblies in
a first rotational direction; [0088] (b) the upper latch assembly
defines one or more trigger reaction dog pockets; and [0089] (c)
the upper latch assembly axially carries a generally cylindrical
main body assembly having a main body bore; wherein the latch
release mechanism is coaxially disposed within the main body bore
and comprises: [0090] (d) a bumper element coupled to the lower
latch assembly, such that when the bumper element is moved axially
relative to the lower latch assembly, the bumper element will also
rotate relative to the lower latch assembly; and [0091] (e) a
trigger element coupled to the bumper element and the lower latch
assembly so as to be at least axially movable relative to the
bumper element, and so as to be axially and rotationally movable
relative to the lower latch assembly within a defined range,
wherein the trigger element defines one or more trigger dog teeth
configured for axial engagement and disengagement with the one or
more trigger reaction dog pockets of the upper latch assembly; such
that when the one or more trigger dog teeth are disposed within the
one or more trigger reaction dog pockets: [0092] application of an
axial force to the bumper element will tend to cause axial stroking
of the bumper element relative to the lower latch assembly so as to
urge relative rotation between the upper and lower latch assemblies
in the first rotational direction to move the upper and lower latch
assemblies from the latched position to the unlatched position with
the associated torque transmitted through the trigger element; and
[0093] application of additional axial force and the resultant
axial and rotational displacement of the bumper element relative to
the lower latch assembly will cause withdrawal of the one or more
trigger dog teeth from the one or more trigger reaction dog
pockets.
[0094] In variant embodiments, the latch release mechanism may
further comprise an over-running clutch (i.e., a clutch that
transfers torque in one rotational direction but does not transfer
torque in the opposite rotational direction) configured such that a
torque applied to the bumper element in the first rotational
direction will be transferred through the latch release
mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0095] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the
accompanying Figures, in which numerical references denote like
parts, and in which:
[0096] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art internally-gripping casing
running tool (CRTi) essentially corresponding to that shown in
FIGS. 48 and 49 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,939.
[0097] FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively, are isometric and sectional
views of a prior art CRTi as in FIG. 1, fitted with an embodiment
of a latch release mechanism in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0098] FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively, are schematic elevation and
isometric views of an exemplary embodiment of a latch release
mechanism in accordance with the present disclosure, shown in the
latched and unloaded position.
[0099] FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively, are schematic elevation and
isometric views of the latch release mechanism in FIGS. 3A and 3B,
shown after application of axial load causing axial movement to
initiate a latch release sequence.
[0100] FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively, are schematic elevation and
isometric views of the latch release mechanism in FIGS. 3A and 3B,
shown after application of axial load to stroke the latch release
mechanism so as to cause rotary movement sufficient to release the
latch.
[0101] FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively, are elevation and isometric
views of the latch release mechanism in FIGS. 3A and 3B, shown
after application of axial load to stroke the latch release
mechanism so as to cause axial movement sufficient to withdraw the
latch.
[0102] FIGS. 7A and 7B, respectively, are elevation and isometric
views of the latch release mechanism in FIGS. 3A and 3B, shown
after rotation to re-latch the latch, and after sufficient
reduction of axial load to partially reset the latch release
mechanism.
[0103] FIG. 8A is a cross-section through the tri-cam latching
linkage and latch release mechanism of the modified CRTi tool in
FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown in the latched and unloaded position.
[0104] FIG. 8B is a cross-section through the latch release
mechanism of the modified CRTi tool in FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown in
the latched and unloaded position.
[0105] FIG. 9A is a cross-section through the tri-cam latching
linkage and latch release mechanism as in FIG. 8A, shown after
application of axial load to stroke the latch release mechanism so
as to cause rotary movement sufficient to release the latch.
[0106] FIG. 9B is a cross-section through the latch release
mechanism in FIG. 8B, shown after the application of axial load so
as to stroke the latch release mechanism to cause rotary movement
sufficient to release the latch.
[0107] FIG. 10A is a cross-section through the tri-cam latching
linkage and latch release mechanism in FIG. 8A, shown after the
application of sufficient axial load to stroke the latch release
mechanism so as to withdraw the trigger dog.
[0108] FIG. 10B is a cross-section through the latch release
mechanism in FIG. 8B, shown after the application of sufficient
axial load to stroke the latch release mechanism so as to withdraw
the trigger dog.
[0109] FIG. 11A is a cross-section through the tri-cam latching
linkage and latch release mechanism in FIG. 8A, shown after
rotation to re-latch the latch release mechanism.
[0110] FIG. 11B is a cross-section through the latch release
mechanism in FIG. 8A, shown after rotation to re-latch the latch
release mechanism.
[0111] FIG. 12 illustrates a prior art CRTi fitted with an
embodiment of a latch release mechanism in accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0112] FIG. 13A is a cross-section through the tri-cam latching
linkage and latch release mechanism of the modified CRTi in FIG.
12.
[0113] FIG. 13B is a cross-section through the latch release
mechanism in FIG. 13A.
[0114] FIG. 14A is a cross-section through the tri-cam latching
linkage and latch release mechanism of the modified CRTi in in
FIGS. 13A and 13B, shown in the latched and unloaded position.
[0115] FIG. 14B is a cross-section through the latch release
mechanism in FIG. 14A.
[0116] FIG. 15 is a cross-section through a prior art CRTe.
[0117] FIG. 16 is a cross-section through a prior art
externally-gripping casing running tool (CRTe) fitted with an
embodiment of a latch release mechanism in accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0118] FIGS. 17A and 17B are cross-sections through the tri-cam
latching linkage and latch release mechanism in FIG. 16, shown in
an initial latched position.
[0119] FIGS. 18A and 18B are cross-sections through the tri-cam
latching linkage and latch release mechanism in FIGS. 17A and 17B,
shown after the application of sufficient set-down and
corresponding displacement to cause axially downward movement of
the floating load adaptor extension.
[0120] FIGS. 19A and 19B are cross-sections through the tri-cam
latching linkage and latch release mechanism in FIGS. 18A and 18B,
shown after continued application of set-down load and
corresponding displacement tending to unlatch the latching
linkage.
[0121] FIGS. 20A and 20B are cross-sections through the tri-cam
latching linkage and latch release mechanism in FIGS. 19A and 19B,
shown after further application of set-down load and corresponding
displacement tending to disengage the trigger dog teeth from the
reaction dog pockets so as to allow relative rotation between the
main body assembly and the floating load adaptor.
[0122] FIGS. 21A and 21B are cross-sections through the tri-cam
latching linkage and latch release mechanism in FIGS. 20A and 20B,
shown after the application of sufficient axial set-down load to
unlatch the tri-cam latching linkage, with the floating load
adaptor having moved upward to remove the set-down load.
[0123] FIGS. 22A and 22B are cross-sections through the tri-cam
latching linkage and latch release mechanism in FIGS. 21A and 21B,
showing right-hand rotation of the floating load adaptor causing
engagement of the standoff surface on the secondary trigger
extension to move downward toward the reaction surface on the main
body extension.
[0124] FIGS. 23A and 23B are cross-sections through the tri-cam
latching linkage and latch release mechanism in FIGS. 22A and 22B,
showing right-hand rotation applied after set-down load and
corresponding displacement to disengage the trigger dog teeth from
the reaction dog pockets.
[0125] FIGS. 24A and 24B are cross-sections through the tri-cam
latching linkage and latch release mechanism in FIGS. 23A and 23B,
showing set-down load reapplied to re-latch the latching
linkage.
[0126] FIGS. 25A and 25B are cross-sections through the tri-cam
latching linkage and latch release mechanism in FIGS. 24A and 24B,
showing the latching linkage in the re-latched position.
[0127] FIG. 26 is a cross-section through an externally-gripping
casing running tool (CRTe) internally configured with an embodiment
of a latch release mechanism in accordance with the present
disclosure and a variable-length axial linkage in accordance with
International Application No. PCT/CA2021/000096.
[0128] FIG. 27 is a front elevation of the variable-length axial
linkage and latch release mechanism of the CRTe in FIG. 26.
[0129] FIG. 28 is an isometric view of the variable-length axial
linkage and latch release mechanism in FIG. 27, with the latch
release mechanism shown in exploded view.
[0130] FIG. 29A is a cross-section through the variable-length
axial linkage and latch release mechanism in FIG. 27, shown with
the trigger spring hidden, with the lower portion of the drive cam
body cut away to reveal the trigger dog teeth and trigger reaction
dog pockets, and with the variable-length axial linkage in the
latched position.
[0131] FIG. 29B is a front elevation of the variable-length axial
linkage and latch release mechanism in FIG. 27, shown with the
trigger spring hidden, with the lower portion of the drive cam body
cut away to reveal the trigger dog teeth and trigger reaction dog
pockets, with the drive cam body and cage extension sectioned, and
with the variable-length axial linkage in the latched position.
[0132] FIG. 30A is a cross-section through the variable-length
axial linkage and latch release mechanism in FIG. 27, shown with
the trigger spring hidden, with the lower portion of the drive cam
body cut away to reveal the trigger dog teeth and trigger reaction
dog pockets, and with the latch release mechanism sufficiently
stroked to move the variable-length axial linkage to an unlatched
position.
[0133] FIG. 30B is a front elevation of the variable-length axial
linkage and latch release mechanism in FIG. 27, shown with the
trigger spring hidden, with the lower portion of the drive cam body
cut away to reveal the trigger dog teeth and trigger reaction dog
pockets, with the drive cam body and cage extension sectioned, and
with the latch release mechanism sufficiently stroked to move the
variable-length axial linkage to an unlatched position.
[0134] FIG. 31A is a cross-section through the variable-length
axial linkage and latch release mechanism in FIG. 27, shown with
the trigger spring hidden, with the lower portion of the drive cam
body cut away to reveal the trigger dog teeth and trigger reaction
dog pockets, and with the latch release mechanism fully stroked to
retract the trigger dog teeth from the trigger reaction dog
pockets.
[0135] FIG. 31B is a front elevation of the variable-length axial
linkage and latch release mechanism in FIG. 27, shown with the
trigger spring hidden, with the lower portion of the drive cam body
cut away to reveal the trigger dog teeth and trigger reaction dog
pockets, with the drive cam body and cage extension sectioned, and
with the latch release mechanism fully stroked to retract the
trigger dog teeth from the trigger reaction dog pockets.
[0136] FIG. 32A is a cross-section through the variable-length
axial linkage and latch release mechanism in FIG. 27, shown with
the trigger spring hidden, with the lower portion of the drive cam
body cut away to reveal the trigger dog teeth and trigger reaction
dog pockets, and with the lower latch assembly rotated relative to
the upper latch assembly to relatch the variable-length axial
linkage.
[0137] FIG. 32B is a front elevation of the variable-length axial
linkage and latch release mechanism in FIG. 27, shown with the
trigger spring hidden, with the lower portion of the drive cam body
cut away to reveal the trigger dog teeth and trigger reaction dog
pockets, with the drive cam body and cage extension sectioned, and
with the lower latch assembly rotated relative to the upper latch
assembly to relatch the variable-length axial linkage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0138] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art internally-gripping CRT 100
essentially corresponding to the CRTi shown in FIGS. 48 and 49 of
U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,939. CRT 100 includes a body assembly 110, a
grip assembly 120, and a cage 500 linked to grip assembly 120. CRT
100 is shown in FIG. 1 as it would appear in the latched position
and inserted into a tubular workpiece 101 (shown in partial
cutaway). In this latched position, relative axial movement between
body assembly 110 and grip assembly 120 is prevented, such that
grip assembly 120 is held in its retracted position.
[0139] The upper end of body assembly 110 is provided with a load
adaptor 111, illustrated by way of non-limiting example as having a
conventional tapered-thread connection 112 for structural
connection to a top drive quill (not shown) of a drilling rig (not
shown). Grip assembly 120 includes a land surface 122 carried by a
fixed bumper 121 rigidly attached to cage 500 of grip assembly 120.
As described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,939 (but not shown herein),
body assembly 110 carries an upper rotary latch component, and grip
assembly 120 carries a lower rotary latch component, which is
linked to cage 500 so as to be generally fixed against rotation and
axial movement relative to cage 500 when in the latched position,
but configured for rotary movement to an unlatched position in
response to typically right-hand rotation of body assembly 110
relative to grip assembly 120, with the latch actuation torque
corresponding to this rotary movement being reacted by tractional
engagement of land surface 122 with tubular workpiece 101.
[0140] FIG. 2A illustrates a CRTi 130 generally corresponding to
CRT 100 in FIG. 1, but modified to incorporate an embodiment of a
rotary latch release mechanism (alternatively referred to herein as
a trigger mechanism) in accordance with the present disclosure.
CRTi 130 is shown in FIG. 2A as it appears in the latched position.
In this particular embodiment, CRTi 130 includes a latch release
mechanism 201 (schematically illustrated in figures that follow)
comprising: [0141] an upper rotary latch component provided in the
form of a trigger reaction ring 204 rigidly carried by body
assembly 110, and having one or more downward-facing trigger
reaction dog pockets 205, with each trigger reaction dog pocket 205
being generally defined by a reaction pocket load flank 206, a
reaction pocket crest 207, and a reaction pocket lock flank 208;
[0142] a trigger element 210 having one or more upward-facing
trigger dog teeth 211, with each trigger dog tooth 211 being
generally defined by a trigger dog tooth load flank 212, a trigger
dog tooth crest 213, and a trigger dog tooth lock flank 214,
wherein each trigger dog tooth 211 engages a corresponding trigger
reaction dog pocket 205 when latch release mechanism 201 is in the
latched position as shown in FIG. 2A; and [0143] a movable bumper
218 having a movable land surface 220, wherein trigger element 210
and movable bumper 218 are carried by a lower rotary latch
component provided in the form of a cage extension 222 rigidly
coupled to cage 500.
[0144] Cage extension 222, trigger element 210, and movable bumper
218 are generally configured as a coaxially-nested group of
closely-fitting cylindrical components, where relative rotary and
translational movements between these components are constrained to
keep them coaxially aligned, but also linked by cam pairs in the
manner of cam followers and cam surfaces as described later
herein.
[0145] FIGS. 3A and 3B, FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIGS. 5A and 5B, FIGS. 6A
and 6B, and FIGS. 7A and 7B schematically illustrate the operative
relationships of the various components of latch release mechanism
201, at sequential stages of the operation of latch release
mechanism 201. Although latch release mechanism 201 is a
three-dimensional rotary assembly, in order to facilitate a clear
understanding of the structure and operation of latch release
mechanism 201, the basic components of latch release mechanism 201
are shown in FIGS. 3A to 7B in a generally two-dimensional
schematic manner, with the tangential (rotary) direction being
transposed into the horizontal direction, and with the axial
direction being transposed into the vertical direction.
[0146] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate latch release mechanism 201 in
relation to a schematically-represented CRT, still in the
fully-latched position, with a schematically-represented tubular
workpiece 101 disposed slightly below movable bumper 218.
[0147] Reference number 301 represents an upper latch assembly
rigidly coupled to body assembly 110 of the CRT, and having a
trigger reaction dog pocket 205 and an upper rotary latch receiver
302. Reference number 310 represents a lower latch assembly
comprising a cage extension 222 incorporating a lower rotary latch
hook 312 shown in the latched position relative to upper rotary
latch receiver 302. Upper latch assembly 301 carries an internal
upper cam ramp surface 303, shown nearly in contact with an
internal lower cam ramp surface 304 on cage extension 222, with an
internal biasing spring 305 disposed and acting between body
assembly 110 and cage extension 222. These features are shown to
represent the internal reactions and forces operative between body
assembly 110 and grip assembly 120 of the CRT, to facilitate an
understanding the functioning of the CRT in coordination with latch
release mechanism 201.
[0148] Cage extension 222 carries a movable bumper 218 having a
movable land surface 220 and a trigger element 210. Movable bumper
218 is linked to trigger element 210 by a bumper-trigger cam
follower 314 rigidly fixed to movable bumper 218 and movable within
an axially-oriented bumper-trigger cam slot 315 (having an upper
end 316 and a lower end 317) formed in trigger element 210, such
that movable bumper 218 is axially movable relative to trigger
element 210. A bumper-cage cam follower 318, rigidly fixed to cage
extension 222, is constrained to move within a bumper-cage cam slot
319 formed in movable bumper 218 (with bumper-cage cam slot 319
having an upper end 320 and a lower end 321); and a trigger-cage
cam follower 322, rigidly fixed to cage extension 222, is
constrained to move within a trigger-cage cam pocket 324 provided
in trigger element 210.
[0149] Notwithstanding the particular and exemplary arrangement of
the components of the latch release mechanism 201 as described
above and illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, it will be apparent to
persons skilled in the art that the choice of fixing the cam
follower to one or the other of two components to be paired, and
the cam profile in the other, is arbitrary with respect to the
relative movement constraint, and corresponding freedom, associated
with such a mechanism. Similarly, the choice of cam follower/cam
surface as the means for providing the desired movement constraint
is not intended to be in any way limiting. Persons skilled in the
art will readily understand that generally equivalent mechanisms
can be provided in other forms without departing from the intended
scope of the present disclosure.
[0150] In the illustrated embodiment, bumper-trigger cam slot 315
is provided as an axially-oriented slot, closely fitting with the
diameter of the associated bumper-trigger cam follower 314, and
thus having a single degree of freedom to permit only relative
axial sliding movement between trigger element 210 and movable
bumper 218 but not relative rotation, with a trigger bias spring
326 being provided to act between trigger element 210 and movable
bumper 218, in the direction of axial sliding, to bias movable
bumper 218 downward relative to trigger element 210. Bumper-cage
cam slot 319 is sloped at a selected angle relative to the vertical
(shown by way of non-limiting example in FIGS. 3A and 3B as
approximately 45 degrees) and is closely-fitting with the diameter
of the associated bumper-cage cam follower 318 to provide a single
degree of freedom linking relative axial movement of movable bumper
218 to rotation of cage extension 222. However, free movement of
trigger-cage cam follower 322 is permitted within the trapezoidal
trigger-cage cam pocket 324, constrained only by contact against
cam constraint surfaces defining the perimeter of trigger-cage cam
pocket 324, as follows: [0151] a trigger advance cam surface 330,
defining a horizontal lower edge of trigger-cage cam pocket 324;
[0152] a trigger withdraw cam surface 332, defining a sloped
right-side edge of trigger-cage cam pocket 324, sloped at a
selected angle from the vertical; [0153] a trigger re-latch cam
surface 334, defining a horizontal upper edge of trigger-cage cam
pocket 324; and [0154] a trigger reset cam surface 336, defining a
vertical left-side edge of trigger-cage cam pocket 324.
[0155] During typical operations, the operative status of latch
release mechanism 201 may be characterized with reference to the
position of trigger-cage cam follower 322 within trigger-cage
pocket 324, as follows: [0156] Start position: with trigger-cage
cam follower 322 proximal to the intersection of trigger reset cam
surface 336 and trigger advance cam surface 330 (as seen in FIGS.
3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B); [0157] Advanced position: with trigger-cage
cam follower 322 proximal to the intersection of trigger advance
cam surface 330 and trigger withdraw cam surface 332 (as in seen
FIGS. 5A and 5B); [0158] Withdrawn position: with trigger-cage cam
follower 322 proximal to the intersection of trigger withdraw cam
surface 332 and trigger re-latch cam surface 334; and [0159] Reset
position: with trigger-cage cam follower 322 proximal to the
intersection of trigger re-latch cam surface 334 and trigger reset
cam surface 336.
[0160] When latch release mechanism 201 is in the latched position
(as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B), bumper-cage cam follower 318 is
positioned toward upper end 320 of bumper-cage cam slot 319, and
trigger-cage cam follower 322 is urged toward the start position
within trigger-cage cam pocket 324 by trigger bias spring 326. At
the same time, trigger bias spring 326 maintains the engagement of
trigger dog tooth 211 within trigger reaction dog pocket 205, which
engagement can position trigger dog tooth lock flank 214 in close
opposition with reaction pocket lock flank 208 of trigger reaction
dog pocket 205, as in this illustrated embodiment, so as to prevent
accidental rotation of upper latch assembly 301 relative to lower
latch assembly 310 as controlled by the selection of the mating
flank angle and gap, where a more vertically-inclined angle is
selected to more strongly resist rotation for a given trigger bias
spring 326 force.
[0161] It will be apparent that upper rotary latch receiver 302 and
lower rotary latch hook 312 (configured as a J-slot requiring axial
displacement) already provides some protection against accidental
rotation. However, for the type of J-latch typically employed in
CRTs where axial displacement is not required and unlatching with
only torque is allowed, the trigger dog tooth lock flank 214 and
mating reaction pocket lock flank 208 provide the additional
benefit of protection against accidental rotation.
[0162] In actual operation of the rotary latch release mechanism,
the contact force reacted by tubular workpiece 101 against movable
land surface 220 tends to build as CRTi 130 is lowered. However, as
a matter of convenience for purposes of illustration in FIGS. 3A to
7B, upper latch assembly 301 will be considered as the datum, with
tubular workpiece 101 being viewed as tending to move upward
relative to upper latch assembly 301, and correspondingly tending
to urge movable land surface 220 upward (rather than downward as in
actual operation).
[0163] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, where the force of trigger
bias spring 326 is sufficient to prevent relative movement between
the components of latch release mechanism 201, force applied to
movable land surface 220 will be transmitted through to cage
extension 222, with upward movement being resisted until the force
of internal biasing spring 305 is overcome, resulting in upward
movement of the entire lower latch assembly 310, and
correspondingly moving lower rotary latch hook 312 axially upward
relative to upper rotary latch receiver 302. This upward movement
is restricted by contact between internal upper cam ramp surface
303 and internal lower cam ramp surface 304, as illustrated in
FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0164] While such upward movement causing axial separation of lower
rotary latch hook 312 from upper rotary latch receiver 302 is not a
required movement for the type of J-latch typically employed for
all CRTs, as will be known to persons skilled in the art, mating
lower rotary latch hook 312 and upper rotary latch receiver 302 can
alternatively be configured to disengage in response to applied
torque only.
[0165] Independent of whether the applied load is first sufficient
to overcome the force of the internal biasing spring 305, when
sufficient force is applied by tubular workpiece 101 to overcome
the force of trigger bias spring 326, movable bumper 218 will move
upward, causing bumper-cage cam follower 318 to move downward
within sloped bumper-cage cam slot 319, as shown in FIGS. 5A and
5B. The upward movement of movable bumper 218 tends to cause
rotation of cage extension 222, but such rotation is resisted by
the actuation torque acting between upper latch assembly 301 and
lower latch assembly 310. This torque is transferred through
movable bumper 218 to trigger element 210 via bumper-cage cam
follower 318 and cam slot 319, and through trigger dog tooth load
flank 212 to reaction pocket load flank 206 and thence back to
upper latch assembly 301, thus internally reacting the latch
actuation torque and causing trigger-cage cam follower 322 to move
along trigger advance cam surface 330 to the advanced position
within trigger-cage cam pocket 324, thus moving the rotary latch to
its unlatched position as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. This movement
is illustrated as right-hand rotation of upper latch assembly 301
relative to lower latch assembly 310.
[0166] As may be understood with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B,
further upward movement of movable bumper 218 continues to urge
rotation of cage extension 222, causing: (1) movement of
trigger-cage cam follower 322 to the withdrawn position within
trigger-cage cam pocket 324, (2) resultant downward movement of
trigger element 210, and (3) corresponding withdrawal of trigger
dog tooth 211 from engagement with trigger reaction dog pocket 205.
The slope angle of trigger withdraw cam surface 332 of trigger-cage
cam pocket 324 is selected relative to the orientation of
bumper-cage cam slot 319 to promote the withdrawal of trigger dog
tooth 211 without jamming or otherwise inducing excess force
considering the operative trigger bias spring 326 force and
frictional forces otherwise tending to affect the withdrawal
movement. Furthermore, it will be apparent that with trigger
element 210 withdrawn from trigger reaction ring 204, upper latch
assembly 301 is free to rotate relative to the lower latch assembly
310, and, more specifically, allows left-hand rotation of upper
latch assembly 301 relative to lower latch assembly 310 to re-latch
the tool.
[0167] This rotation supports movement of lower rotary latch hook
312 into engagement with upper rotary latch receiver 302 (i.e., the
latched position), with corresponding actuation torque being
resisted by tractional engagement of movable land surface 220 with
tubular workpiece 101. In general, though, the portion of the
set-down load carried by contact between internal upper cam ramp
surface 303 and internal lower cam ramp surface 304, as a function
of the associated cam ramp angle, tends to require less tractional
engagement for this re-latching movement than required for
unlatching in tools having different types of latch release
mechanisms.
[0168] Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, it will be seen that as
the operational step to remove the tool from tubular workpiece 101
causes a reduction of the upward axial force acting on movable land
surface 220, trigger bias spring 326 urges movable bumper 218
downward and correspondingly causes rotation of movable bumper 218
relative to cage extension 222, possibly with associated sliding at
the interface between movable land surface 220 and tubular
workpiece 101, and resultant tractional frictional force acting in
the direction to maintain latching. This movement of movable bumper
218 and the force from trigger bias spring 326 tend to urge trigger
element 210 to reverse the withdrawal movement just described,
moving trigger dog tooth 211 upward. However, this upward movement
is prevented when trigger dog tooth crest 213 slidingly engages
reaction pocket crest 207, forcing trigger-cage cam follower 322 to
move from the withdrawn position toward the reset position within
trigger-cage cam pocket 324.
[0169] As movable bumper 218 continues to move downward, following
the movement of tubular workpiece 101, a point is reached where
trigger dog tooth crest 213 no longer engages (i.e., slides off)
reaction pocket crest 207, thereby allowing trigger-cage cam
follower 322 to move from the reset position and back toward the
start position within trigger-cage cam pocket 324, thus returning
latch release mechanism 201 to the operational state shown in FIGS.
3A and 3B, in which the tool is once again ready to initiate the
operational sequence illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B through 7A and
7B.
[0170] CRTi Embodiment
[0171] FIG. 2B illustrates a CRTi 130 modified to incorporate an
exemplary embodiment of a latch release mechanism 131 in accordance
with the present disclosure, and a tri-cam latching linkage 132
generally as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,939. FIGS. 8A and 8B,
FIGS. 9A and 9B, FIGS. 10A and 10B, and FIGS. 11A and 11B
illustrate sequential operational stages of latch release mechanism
131.
[0172] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2B, modified CRTi 130
comprises a body assembly 110 incorporating a load adaptor 111 for
structural connection to the top drive quill of a drilling rig (not
shown), a grip assembly 120 comprising a cage 500 and jaws 123,
latch release mechanism 131, and tri-cam latching linkage 132.
Tri-cam latching linkage 132 comprises an upper latch assembly 133
fixed to and carried by body assembly 110, and a lower latch
assembly 134 fixed to and carried by grip assembly 120.
[0173] As illustrated in FIG. 8A, latch release mechanism 131
includes an upper latch assembly 133 comprising a drive cam body
400 carrying a plurality of drive cam latch hooks 401, and a drive
cam housing 420, with drive cam body 400 being rigidly constrained
to body assembly 110 of CRTi 130. Latch release mechanism 131
further includes a lower latch assembly 134 comprising a driven cam
body 470, a driven cam housing 480, and a latch cam 490, with latch
cam 490 having a plurality of latch cam latch hooks 491, and being
rigidly constrained to grip assembly 120 of CRTi 130. Tri-cam
latching mechanism 132 also includes an intermediate cam body 430
having load threads 431 on the inside surface that engage with load
threads 402 on the outside surface of drive cam body 400.
[0174] A drive cam body-housing seal 403, a drive cam body-mandrel
seal 404, a drive housing-driven housing seal 421, a drive cam
body-cage seal 472, and a cage mandrel seal 501 define an annular
piston area and a gas spring chamber 422. When pressurized with a
gas, gas spring chamber 422 forms an internal gas spring that tends
to urge the separation of upper latch assembly 133 and lower latch
assembly 134, thereby tending to urge separation of body assembly
110 and grip assembly 120 to move latch release mechanism 131
between a first (unlatched) position and a second (latched)
position. Such separation is resisted by matingly-engageable drive
cam latch hooks 401 and latch cam latch hooks 491, which can be
disengaged by the application of sufficient right-hand torque
(i.e., latch actuation torque) and corresponding right-hand
rotation of body assembly 110 relative to grip assembly 120.
Tri-cam latching linkage 132 is considered to be in the latched
position when drive cam latch hooks 401 and latch cam latch hooks
491 are engaged, and in the unlatched position when drive cam latch
hooks 401 and latch cam latch hooks 491 are disengaged.
[0175] The following section details a mechanism that can be
employed to use only axial compression and corresponding axial
displacement to generate the right-hand torque and rotation
required to unlatch the tri-cam latching linkage 132, having
reference to FIG. 8B, which is a cross-section through latch
release mechanism 131 shown in the latched position. For purposes
of the discussion of this mechanism, the body assembly 110 will be
considered as the datum, and the tubular workpiece 101 will be
viewed as tending to move upward.
[0176] As illustrated in FIG. 8B, latch release mechanism 131
comprises a trigger reaction ring 410 fixed to body assembly 110, a
trigger element 440, a trigger bias spring 449, a movable bumper
450 having a movable land surface 451, a bumper cam follower 452,
and a cage extension 460 fixed to grip assembly 120. The components
of latch release mechanism 131 and tri-cam latching linkage 132 are
generally configured as a coaxially-nested group of closely-fitting
cylindrical components, with relative rotary and translational
movements between these components being constrained to first
maintain them in coaxial alignment.
[0177] In operation, CRTi 130 with latch release mechanism 131
would first be inserted or "stabbed" into tubular workpiece 101 and
lowered until movable land surface 451 contacts tubular workpiece
101, and the contact force resulting from tool weight and set-down
load applied by the top drive (not shown) increases above the
"trigger set-down load", at which point latch release mechanism 131
has applied the required latch actuation torque and the
displacement required to disengage drive cam latch hooks 401 and
latch cam latch hooks 491. The gas spring will cause axial
displacement of body assembly 110 relative to grip assembly 120,
transitioning CRTi 130 with latch release mechanism 131 from the
retracted position to the engaged position. This operational
sequence differs from prior art CRT 100 in two ways: [0178] First,
CRTi 130 with latch release mechanism 131 does not require
externally-applied right-hand rotation to transition between the
retracted and engaged positions, which simplifies the operational
procedure. [0179] Second, latch release mechanism 131 is designed
such that it does not rely on tractional engagement between movable
land surface 451 and tubular workpiece 101; instead, the latch
actuation torque is internally reacted, thus reducing operational
uncertainty.
[0180] As best understood with reference to FIG. 10B, trigger
reaction ring 410 has one or more downward-facing trigger reaction
dog pockets 411, each of which is generally defined by a reaction
pocket load flank 412, a reaction pocket crest 413, and a reaction
pocket lock flank 414, with each trigger reaction dog pocket 411
being engageable with a corresponding upward-facing trigger dog
tooth 441. Each trigger dog tooth 441 is generally defined by a
trigger dog tooth load flank 442, a trigger dog tooth crest 443,
and a trigger dog tooth lock flank 444 (when the tool is in the
latched position as shown in FIG. 8B). Movable bumper 450 and
trigger element 440 are linked by bumper cam follower 452, fixed to
movable bumper 450 and movable within a trigger cam slot 445
provided in trigger element 440, between an upper end 446 and a
lower end 447 of trigger cam slot 445. Additionally, movable bumper
450 is linked to cage extension 460 by bumper cam follower 452,
which is constrained to move within a bumper-cage cam slot 461
between an upper end 462 and a lower end 463 thereof. Trigger
element 440 is linked to cage extension 460 by a trigger cam
follower 448, which is fixed to trigger element 440 and is
constrained to move within a cage cam pocket 464 provided in cage
extension 460. Additionally, cage extension 460 is rigidly fixed to
driven cam body 470.
[0181] It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the
cam follower can be fixed to either of the two components to be
paired, with the cam profile defined in the other of the two paired
components, and that the design choice in this regard will
typically be based on practical considerations such as efficiency
of assembly, disassembly and maintenance. Similarly, the choice of
cam follower/cam surface as the means for providing the desired
movement constraint is not intended to be in any way limiting,
where persons skilled in the art will understand that generally
equivalent mechanisms can be provided in other forms.
[0182] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8B, trigger cam slot 445 is
provided as an axially-oriented slot, closely fitting with bumper
cam follower 452, and thus generally providing a single degree of
freedom to permit relative axial movement between trigger element
440 and movable bumper 450, but not permitting relative rotation.
Trigger bias spring 449 is provided to act between trigger element
440 and movable bumper 450 in the direction of axial sliding, to
bias movable bumper 450 downward. Bumper-cage cam slot 461 is
sloped at a selected angle relative to the vertical (shown by way
of non-limiting example in FIG. 8B as approximately 45 degrees),
and is closely-fitting with the associated bumper cam follower 452
to provide a single degree of freedom linking relative axial
movement of movable bumper 450 to rotation of cage extension 460.
However, free movement of trigger cam follower 448 is permitted
within trapezoidal cage cam pocket 464, constrained only by contact
against cam surfaces defining the perimeter of cage cam pocket 464,
as follows: [0183] an advance cam surface 466, defining a flat
upper edge of cage cam pocket 464; [0184] a withdraw cam surface
467, forming a helical path; and [0185] a reset cam surface 469,
defining an axially-oriented side edge of cage cam pocket 464.
[0186] During typical operations, the operative status of latch
release mechanism 131 may be characterized with reference to the
position of trigger cam follower 448 within cage cam pocket 464, as
follows: [0187] Start position: with trigger cam follower 448
proximal to the intersection of reset cam surface 469 and advance
cam surface 466; [0188] Advanced position: with trigger cam
follower 448 proximal to the intersection of advance cam surface
466 and withdraw cam surface 467; [0189] Withdrawn position: with
trigger cam follower 448 proximal to withdraw cam surface 467; and
[0190] Reset position: with trigger cam follower 448 proximal to
reset cam surface 469.
[0191] With the latch release mechanism in the latched position as
in FIG. 8B, with bumper cam follower 452 positioned at lower end
463 of bumper-cage cam slot 461, trigger bias spring 449 will urge
trigger cam follower 448 toward the start position within cage cam
pocket 464, while simultaneously maintaining the engagement of
trigger dog teeth 441 within corresponding trigger reaction dog
pockets 411. This engagement of trigger dog teeth 441 disposes
trigger dog tooth lock flanks 444 in close opposition to
corresponding reaction pocket lock flanks 414 so as to prevent
accidental rotation of upper latch assembly 133 relative to lower
latch assembly 134 as controlled by the selection of the mating
flank angle and gap. If necessary, a more axially-aligned camming
surface may be selected to more strongly resist rotation for a
given force exerted by trigger bias spring 449.
[0192] Referring now to FIG. 9B, when sufficient force is applied
by tubular workpiece 101 to overcome the force of trigger bias
spring 449, movable bumper 450 moves upward, causing bumper cam
follower 452 to move axially upward within bumper-cage cam slot
461. This axially-upward axial movement tends to rotate cage
extension 460, but such rotation is resisted by the latch actuation
torque acting between upper latch assembly 133 and lower latch
assembly 134, which torque is transmitted through movable bumper
450 to trigger element 440 via bumper cam follower 452 and trigger
cam slot 445, and through trigger dog tooth load flank 442 to
reaction pocket load flank 412 and to upper latch assembly 133.
This causes the latch actuation torque to be internally reacted,
and causes trigger cam follower 448 to move along advance cam
surface 466 to the advanced position within cage cam pocket 464,
thereby disengaging drive cam latch hooks 401 from latch cam latch
hooks 491 and changing the state of tri-cam latching linkage 132
from the latched position as in FIG. 8A to the unlatched position
as in FIG. 9A, through right-hand rotation of upper latch assembly
133 relative to lower latch assembly 134.
[0193] Once drive cam latch hooks 401 and latch cam latch hooks 491
have disengaged, the gas spring urges separation of upper latch
assembly 133 from lower latch assembly 134. It is at this point in
the operational sequence of casing running that a combination of
axial tension and rotation will be applied during the course of
connection make-up to induce right-hand rotation of upper latch
assembly 133 relative to lower latch assembly 134. During this
stage of operation, latch release mechanism 131 will not interfere
with the regular function of the casing running tool.
[0194] Further upward movement of movable bumper 450 continues to
urge rotation of cage extension 460 and, therefore, movement of
trigger cam follower 448 to the withdrawn position within cage cam
pocket 464, thereby moving trigger element 440 down and
correspondingly withdrawing trigger dog teeth 441 from engagement
with trigger reaction dog pockets 411 as shown in FIG. 10B. The
angle of withdraw cam surface 467 relative to sloped bumper-cage
cam slot 461 may be selected so as to promote the withdrawal of
trigger dog teeth 441 from engagement with trigger reaction dog
pockets 411 without jamming or otherwise inducing force in excess
of the operative trigger bias force and frictional forces otherwise
tending to affect the withdrawal movement.
[0195] With trigger element 440 withdrawn from trigger reaction
ring 410 as shown in FIG. 10B, trigger dog tooth lock flank 444 is
no longer opposite reaction pocket load flank 412, so upper latch
assembly 133 can be rotated relative to lower latch assembly 134 in
order to re-latch tri-cam latching linkage 132. As may be seen in
FIG. 11A, this rotation of upper latch assembly 133 relative to
lower latch assembly 134 causes latch cam latch hooks 491 to move
into engagement with drive cam latch hooks 401 (i.e., the latched
position), with the corresponding actuation torque induced by this
rotation being resisted by tractional engagement of movable land
surface 451 with tubular workpiece 101.
[0196] Referring now to FIG. 11B, with CRTi 130 thus in the
re-latched position, as the operational step of removing CRTi 130
from tubular workpiece 101 reduces the axial force acting on
movable land surface 451, trigger bias spring 449 urges movable
bumper 450 downward and correspondingly causes movable bumper 450
to rotate relative to cage extension 460, with possible attendant
sliding between movable land surface 451 and tubular workpiece 101.
Tractional frictional force from trigger bias spring 449 thus tends
to urge trigger element 440 to reverse the withdrawal movement
described above, moving trigger dog teeth 441 upward. However, this
upward movement of trigger dog teeth 441 is prevented by sliding
engagement of trigger dog tooth crests 443 with reaction pocket
crest 413, forcing trigger cam follower 448 to move from the
withdrawn position to the reset position within cage cam pocket
464. As movable bumper 450 continues to move downward, following
the movement of tubular workpiece 101, a point is reached where
trigger dog tooth crests 443 no longer engage (i.e., they slide
off) reaction pocket crest 413, thereby allowing trigger cam
follower 448 to move from the reset position to the start position
within cage cam pocket 464, thus returning latch release mechanism
131 to the position shown in FIG. 8A, from which position the
operational sequence shown in FIGS. 8A to 11B can be repeated.
[0197] Frictional/Inertial CRTi Embodiment
[0198] There will now be described a latch release mechanism which
in quasi-static operation relies on tractional resistance between
movable land surface 451 of movable bumper 450 and tubular
workpiece 101. This latch release mechanism is a modification to
the latch release mechanism 131 described previously herein under
the heading "CRTi Embodiment". As used in this disclosure, the
phrase "quasi-static operation" with respect to a latch release
mechanism is to be understood as referring to operation of the
mechanism such that axial load is applied in a sufficiently slow
manner that dynamic effects associated therewith are minimal or
negligible.
[0199] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a prior art CRTi 135 fitted
with a tri-cam latching linkage 132 and a latch release mechanism
136 carried by lower latch assembly 134 and comprising a movable
bumper 450, a bumper cam follower 452 fixed to movable bumper 450,
a trigger bias spring 520, and a cage extension 510, which are
generally configured as a coaxially-nested group of closely-fitting
cylindrical components, with relative rotary and translational
movements between these components being constrained so as to keep
them coaxially aligned. Tri-cam latching linkage 132, movable
bumper 450, and bumper cam follower 452 in FIG. 12 are identical to
those previously described under the "CRTi Embodiment" heading and
depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B.
[0200] As best understood with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B,
movable bumper 450 and cage extension 510 are linked by bumper cam
follower 452, which is movable within a cage cam slot 511 provided
in cage extension 510 and between an upper end 512 and a lower end
513 of cage cam slot 511. Cage cam slot 511 is sloped at a selected
angle (shown by way of non-limiting example in FIG. 13B as
approximately 45 degrees) relative to the longitudinal axis of the
tool, and is closely-fitting with the associated bumper cam
follower 452, which defines a translational-rotational relationship
between movable bumper 450 and cage extension 510. Additionally,
cage extension 510 is rigidly fixed to driven cam body 470, and
trigger bias spring 520 is provided to act between cage extension
510 and movable bumper 450 to bias movable bumper 450 axially
downward, as well as biasing bumper cam follower 452 to be in
contact with lower end 513 of cage cam slot 511.
[0201] It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that
bumper cam follower 452 can be fixed to either one of the two
components to be paired, with the cam profile being defined in the
other one of the paired components. The design choice in this
regard will typically be based on practical considerations
including efficiency of assembly, disassembly, and maintenance.
Similarly, the choice of cam follower/cam surface as the means for
providing the desired movement constraint is not intended to be in
any way limiting; persons skilled in the art will understand that
functionally effective alternative mechanisms can be provided in
other forms.
[0202] For purposes of the present discussion, body assembly 110
will be considered as the datum, relative to which tubular
workpiece 101 will be viewed as tending to move upward. As shown in
FIGS. 13A and 13B, when tri-cam latching linkage 132 is in the
latched position, bumper cam follower 452 will be positioned at
lower end 513 of cage cam slot 511 due to the axial downward force
applied by trigger bias spring 520. In operation, CRTi 135 with
latch release mechanism 136 will be lowered until movable land
surface 451 on movable bumper 450 contacts tubular workpiece 101,
and the contact force resulting from tool weight and set-down load
applied by the top drive (not shown) increases above the "trigger
set-down load", at which point latch release tubular workpiece 136
will have applied the required latch actuation torque and the
rotation required to disengage drive cam latch hooks 401 from latch
cam latch hooks 491.
[0203] As illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, when sufficient force
is applied in a quasi-static manner by tubular workpiece 101 to
overcome the force of trigger bias spring 520, movable bumper 450
will move upward, generating torque between itself and cage
extension 510 due to the interaction of bumper cam follower 452
within cage cam slot 511, which torque, for the movable bumper 450,
must be reacted by tractional engagement of movable land surface
451 with tubular workpiece 101, which tractional engagement, if
sufficient, will result in rotation of cage extension 510.
[0204] The rotation of cage extension 510 will be resisted by the
latch actuation torque acting between upper latch assembly 133 and
lower latch assembly 134. The latch actuation torque will be
transmitted from upper latch assembly 133 to load adaptor 111, and
in turn must be reacted by the top drive, thereby disengaging drive
cam latch hooks 401 from latch cam latch hooks 491, and resulting
in movement of tri-cam latching linkage 132 from a latched position
as shown in FIG. 13A to an unlatched position as shown in FIG. 14A,
through right-hand rotation of upper latch assembly 133 relative to
lower latch assembly 134. Once drive cam latch hooks 401 and latch
cam latch hooks 491 have disengaged, a gas spring associated with
latch release mechanism 136 (generally as previously described with
reference to latch release mechanism 131) will urge upper latch
assembly 133 to separate from lower latch assembly 134.
[0205] It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the
described latch release mechanism 136 will be able to generate the
latch actuation torque and corresponding rotation required to move
CRTi 135 from a disengaged position to an engaged position by means
of quasi-static application of axial set-down load and displacement
only, provided that the following two boundary conditions can be
readily met: [0206] 1. The tractional engagement between movable
land surface 451 and tubular workpiece 101 is sufficient to react
latch actuation torque; and [0207] 2. The top drive has sufficient
torque resistance to react latch actuation torque.
[0208] In instances where the above two conditions can be readily
and reliably met, latch release mechanism 136 can provide the
benefits of faster cycle times, operational simplicity, and
comparative mechanical simplicity.
[0209] Additionally, the nature of the tool's operation can be
taken advantage of to supplement the tractional engagement between
movable land surface 451 and tubular workpiece 101, i.e., movable
bumper 450 can be designed with a high moment of inertia about the
tool's axis relative to the combined moment of inertia of the cage
extension 510 and grip assembly 120, and when the set-down load is
applied with sufficient speed, the cage extension 510 and grip
assembly 120 will have a greater tendency to rotationally
accelerate, causing right-hand rotation of upper latch assembly 133
relative to lower latch assembly 134, and disengaging drive cam
latch hooks 401 from latch cam latch hooks 491.
[0210] To disengage CRTi 135 from tubular workpiece 101, set-down
load and left-hand torque are applied to load adaptor 111 and are
reacted between movable bumper 450 and tubular workpiece 101. When
the set-down load and left-hand torque are sufficient, upper latch
assembly 133 will rotate in the left-hand direction relative to
lower latch assembly 134, causing drive cam latch hooks 401 to move
into engagement with latch cam latch hooks 491 (i.e., into the
latched position), with the corresponding torque induced by this
rotation being resisted by tractional engagement of movable land
surface 451 with tubular workpiece 101.
[0211] The operational step of removing CRTi 135 from tubular
workpiece 101 will reduce the axial force acting on movable land
surface 451, with trigger bias spring 520 urging movable bumper 450
downward and correspondingly causing movable bumper 450 to rotate
relative to cage extension 510, with possible attendant sliding
between movable land surface 451 and tubular workpiece 101 and
resultant tractional frictional force acting in the direction to
maintain latching. With sufficient axial downward movement of
tubular workpiece 101, bumper cam follower 452 will contact lower
end 513 of cage cam slot 511, thus returning latch release
mechanism 136 to the position shown in FIG. 13A, from which
position the operational sequence shown in FIGS. 13A through 14B
can be repeated.
[0212] CRTe Embodiment
[0213] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a prior art
externally-gripping casing running tool (CRTe) 140 comprising a
main body assembly 150, which has a main body upper housing 151
rigidly fixed to a main body lower housing 152, a floating load
adaptor 160 for structural connection to the top drive quill of a
drilling rig (not shown), a grip assembly 170 that rigidly carries
a bumper 171, and a tri-cam latching linkage 180 comprising an
upper latch assembly 181 axially fixed to main body assembly 150,
and a lower latch assembly 183 fixed to and carried by grip
assembly 170. Upper latch assembly 181 is rotationally coupled to
floating load adaptor 160, and comprises a drive cam 184 that
carries a plurality of drive cam latch hooks 185, plus a drive cam
housing 186. Lower latch assembly 183 comprises a driven cam 187,
plus a latch cam 188 that carries a plurality of latch cam latch
hooks 189.
[0214] As shown in FIG. 15, an upper cam-housing seal 190, a main
body-housing upper seal 191, a lower cam-housing seal 192, a main
body-housing lower seal 193, a lower cam-cage seal 194, and a upper
cam-cage seal 195 define a gas spring chamber 196, with lower
cam-housing seal 192 and upper cam-cage seal 195 defining a piston
area carried by lower latch assembly 183. When pressurized with a
gas, gas spring chamber 196 forms an internal gas spring that tends
to urge separation of upper latch assembly 181 from lower latch
assembly 183, and thereby tending to urge separation of main body
upper housing 151 from grip assembly 170 so as to move CRTe 140
from a retracted position to an engaged position relative to
tubular workpiece 101.
[0215] Such separation is resisted by matingly-engageable drive cam
latch hooks 185 and latch cam latch hooks 189, which can be
disengaged by the application of sufficient right-hand torque
(i.e., latch actuation torque) and corresponding right-hand
rotation of floating load adaptor 160 relative to main body
assembly 150. In the prior art CRTe 140, latch actuation torque is
applied through floating load adaptor 160, and is reacted through
tractional engagement between tubular workpiece 101 and a land
surface 172 provided on bumper 171. The tri-cam latching linkage
180 is considered to be in the latched position when drive cam
latch hooks 185 and latch cam latch hooks 189 are engaged, and in
the unlatched position when drive cam latch hooks 185 and latch cam
latch hooks 189 are disengaged.
[0216] As also shown in FIG. 15, floating load adaptor 160 has a
floating load adaptor upper axial shoulder 161 that permits the
transfer of axial tension loads through contact with an axial
shoulder 154 of the main body assembly 150. Additionally, floating
load adaptor 160 has a floating load adaptor lower axial shoulder
162 that permits the transfer of axial compression loads through
contact with an axial shoulder 182 on upper latch assembly 181
which in turn transfers the axial compression loads to main body
upper housing 151. The axial distance between axial shoulder 154 on
main body upper housing 151 and axial shoulder 182 on upper latch
assembly 181 is greater than the axial distance between upper axial
shoulder 161 and lower axial shoulder 162 on floating load adaptor
160, thereby providing an axial range through which floating load
adaptor 160 can move without transferring axial tension or
compressive loads to main body assembly 150.
[0217] FIG. 16 illustrates a CRTe 197 substantially corresponding
to prior art CRTe 140 of FIG. 15 but fitted with a latch release
mechanism 198 that can be employed to use only axial compression
and corresponding axial displacement to generate the right-hand
torque (i.e. latch actuation torque) and rotation required to
unlatch the tri-cam latching linkage 180, allowing CRTe 197 to
transition from the retracted position to the engaged position and
then return to the retracted position to facilitate repetition of
the casing make-up and hoisting process involved in constructing an
oil and gas well.
[0218] FIG. 16 shows CRTe 197 in the latched position. Latch
release mechanism 198 comprises: [0219] a load adaptor extension
163, fixed to floating load adaptor 160 and comprising a
downward-extending skirt 165; [0220] a primary trigger element 600
(alternatively referred to as primary trigger 600) coaxially
disposed within load adaptor extension 163; a trigger bias spring
618; [0221] a secondary trigger element 620 (alternatively referred
to as secondary trigger 620); [0222] a secondary trigger extension
630; [0223] a main body extension 640; [0224] a clamp ring 650; and
[0225] a main body lock 660. These components of latch release
mechanism 198 are generally configured as a coaxially-nested group
of closely-fitting, generally cylindrical components, with relative
rotational and translational movements between these components
being constrained to keep them in coaxial alignment as will be
described in greater detail below.
[0226] In operation, CRTe 197 would first be inserted or "stabbed"
over tubular workpiece 101, and the contact force resulting from
tool weight and set-down load applied by the top drive (not shown)
would increase, causing corresponding axial displacement between
main body assembly 150 and floating load adaptor 160, enabling
latch release mechanism 198 to generate the required latch
actuation torque and corresponding rotation to unlatch tri-cam
latching linkage 180, with the gas spring causing axial
displacement between grip assembly 170 and main body assembly 150
transitioning CRTe 197 from the an initial retracted position to an
engaged position. This operational sequence for CRTe 197 differs
from the operation of prior art CRTe 140 in two ways: [0227] First,
CRTe 197 does not require externally-applied right-hand rotation to
transition between the retracted and engaged positions, thus
simplifying the operational procedure. [0228] Second, latch release
mechanism 198 of CRTe 197 is configured such that it does not rely
on tractional engagement between land surface 172 and tubular
workpiece 101; instead, the latch actuation torque is internally
reacted, thus reducing operational uncertainty.
[0229] The following discussion describes how latch release
mechanism 198 generates latch actuation torque and corresponding
rotation by means of set-down load and axial displacement only.
[0230] FIG. 17A is a cross-section through CRTe 197, with the grip
assembly 170, tubular workpiece 101, and main body lower housing
152 hidden for clarity, and FIG. 17B is a section through latch
release mechanism 198 of CRTe 197, shown in both views in an
initial latched position. Load adaptor extension 163 is rigidly
fixed to floating load adaptor 160 by one or more load adaptor lugs
164, and rigidly carries one or more load adaptor cam followers
601, each of which is constrained to move within a primary trigger
cam slot 606 provided by primary trigger 600 and within a secondary
trigger cam slot 621 provided by secondary trigger 620. Primary
trigger cam slot 606 also has a vertical lower portion 608
contiguous with upper portion 607. Upper portion 607 of primary
trigger cam slot 606 is sloped at a selected angle from the
vertical (which angle may vary along the length of upper portion
607). The relative axial and rotational movements between load
adaptor extension 163 and primary trigger 600 are therefore bounded
by upper and lower portions 607 and 608 of primary trigger cam slot
606.
[0231] Secondary trigger cam slot 621 is axially oriented and
closely fitting to load adaptor cam follower 601, thereby coupling
the rotation of load adaptor extension 163 and secondary trigger
620. Secondary trigger cam slot 621 has a lower end 623, plus an
upper end 622 which load adaptor cam follower 601 is biased to be
in contact with by trigger bias spring 618, which acts between
secondary trigger 620 and load adaptor extension 163 to apply an
axially-downward biasing force to secondary trigger 620. Relative
axial movement between load adaptor extension 163 and secondary
trigger 620 is therefore constrained within the upper end 622 of
secondary trigger cam slot 621 and secondary trigger cam slot lower
end 623.
[0232] Secondary trigger 620 rigidly carries one or more secondary
trigger cam followers 624, each of which is close-fitting within a
dog retraction cam slot 612 provided on primary trigger 600. Each
dog retraction cam slot 612 has an upper end 613, which is
circumferentially oriented and constrains secondary trigger 620 and
primary trigger 600 to initially be axially coupled, and which
transitions to a lower end 614 that is sloped at a selected angle
(which angle may vary along the length of lower end 614) from the
vertical, and is close-fitting to a corresponding secondary trigger
cam follower 624 to define a translational-rotational relationship
between secondary trigger 620 and primary trigger 600. Relative
axial and rotational movement between secondary trigger 620 and
primary trigger 600 is therefore constrained within upper and lower
ends 613 and 614 of dog retraction cam slots 612.
[0233] Referring still to FIGS. 17A and 17B, secondary trigger
extension 630 has a secondary trigger extension thread 632, with a
defining helix in the left-hand direction, that engages a secondary
trigger thread 625 provided on secondary trigger 620. Additionally,
secondary trigger extension 630 has a secondary trigger extension
lug 633 closely fitting to axially-oriented slots 647 provided on
main body extension 640 so as to couple the rotation of main body
extension 640 and secondary trigger extension 630. Main body lock
660 is held fixed to main body upper housing 151 by main body lock
lugs 661. Clamp ring 650 is axially bolted to main body lock 660,
with the axial load generated from the bolted connection being
transferred into a clamp ring load shoulder 651 provided on clamp
ring 650, to a main body extension load shoulder 648 provided on
main body extension 640, and in turn reacted between a main body
extension lock surface 649 and an upper housing lock surface 153
provided on main body assembly 150, which engagement allows main
body extension 640 to tractionally resist torsional loads that may
be generated by latch release mechanism 198. Thus arranged, main
body extension 640 can first be assembled onto main body assembly
150 and rotationally positioned, and then clamp ring 650 can be
secured, effectively rigidly connecting main body extension 640 to
main body assembly 150.
[0234] As shown in FIG. 17B, a plurality of primary trigger dog
teeth 602, each comprising a primary trigger dog tooth load flank
603, a primary trigger dog tooth crest 604, and a primary trigger
dog tooth lock flank 605, may be provided on a downward-facing
primary trigger reaction surface 615 on primary trigger 600, with a
corresponding plurality of mating reaction dog pockets 642, each
defining a reaction pocket load flank 643, a reaction pocket crest
644, and a reaction pocket lock flank 645 being provided on an
upward-facing dog reaction surface 646 provided on main body
extension 640. In this illustrated embodiment, primary trigger dog
teeth 602 initially are rotationally aligned with but axially
separated from corresponding mating reaction dog pockets 642.
[0235] FIG. 18A is a sectional view of CRTe 197, and FIG. 18B is a
sectional view of latch release mechanism 198, both shown after
contact between tubular workpiece 101 and bumper 171 has been
established and sufficient axial set-down load and corresponding
displacement have been generated to cause load adaptor extension
163, floating load adaptor lug 164, primary trigger 600, load
adaptor cam follower 601, secondary trigger 620, secondary trigger
cam follower 624 and secondary trigger extension 630 to translate
axially downwards until primary trigger dog tooth crests 604 and
their corresponding reaction pocket crests 644 initiate contact, at
which point a standoff surface 631 provided on secondary trigger
extension 630 is close to but not in contact with a second reaction
surface 641 provided on main body extension 640.
[0236] Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B, continued set-down load and
corresponding displacement will cause primary trigger 600 to begin
to move axially upwards, and to rotate in the right-hand direction,
tending to unlatch tri-cam latching linkage 180, as a result of the
constraints imposed on primary trigger 600 by the engagement of
load adaptor cam follower 601 in the upper portion 607 of primary
trigger cam slot 606. This rotation causes the engagement of
primary trigger dog tooth load flank 603 with reaction pocket load
flank 643, producing torque on main body extension 640 in the
direction tending to unlatch tri-cam latching linkage 180. The
torque applied to main body extension 640 is resisted by tractional
engagement between main body extension lock surface 649 and upper
housing lock surface 153 and is transferred into main body assembly
150. It will now be apparent that the latch release mechanism 198
is able to generate the torque and corresponding rotation in the
direction tending to unlatch the tri-cam latching linkage 180 with
the application of set-down load and displacement only.
[0237] Referring now to FIGS. 20A and 20B, further set-down load
and corresponding axial displacement will cause secondary trigger
cam followers 624 to engage lower ends 614 of dog retraction cam
slots 612. This engagement tends to move primary trigger dog teeth
602 axially upward relative to main body extension 640,
transferring the axial set-down load initially reacted between
primary trigger dog tooth crests 604 and reaction pocket crests 644
to be reacted between standoff surface 631 and second reaction
surface 641. With sufficient set-down load and corresponding
displacement, primary trigger dog teeth 602 will become completely
disengaged from reaction dog pockets 642, allowing relative
rotation between the main body assembly 150 and floating load
adaptor 160 in either direction.
[0238] FIGS. 21A and 21B, respectively, are sectional views of CRTe
197 and latch release mechanism 198, both shown after sufficient
set-down load has been applied to unlatch tri-cam latching linkage
180 whereupon floating load adaptor 160 has been moved axially
upwards, removing the axial set-down load. At this point,
right-hand (or left-hand) rotation can be applied to floating load
adaptor 160 to make up (or break out) the casing string connection.
As shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the application of right-hand
rotation between floating load adaptor 160 and main body assembly
150 will cause standoff surface 631 to move axially downwards due
to the left-hand thread formed by secondary trigger extension
thread 632 and secondary trigger thread 625, which downward axial
movement in turn causes standoff surface 631 to engage second
reaction surface 641 at relatively higher axial positions of
floating load adaptor 160.
[0239] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, right-hand
rotation can be applied immediately after the axial set-down load
and corresponding displacement are sufficient to disengage primary
trigger dog teeth 602 from the corresponding reaction dog pockets
642, rather than moving floating load adaptor 160 axially upwards
and then applying right-hand rotation. In this scenario, standoff
surface 631 engages second reaction surface 641, and the
application of right-hand rotation to floating load adaptor 160
will generate axially-upward force and corresponding displacement
of secondary trigger 620. The axially-upward displacement of
secondary trigger 620 causes load adaptor cam follower 601 to
engage lower portion 608 of primary trigger cam slot 606.
[0240] In either case, right-hand rotation will cause standoff
surface 631 to move axially downward, and when set-down load is
reapplied to re-latch tri-cam latching linkage 180, standoff
surface 631 will engage second reaction surface 641, thereby
preventing primary trigger dog teeth 602 from re-engaging reaction
dog pockets 642, and thus supporting the application of torque and
rotation in the left-hand direction tending to re-latch tri-cam
latching linkage 180, as depicted in FIGS. 24A and 24B. With
tri-cam latching linkage 180 in the latched position, grip assembly
170 will now be retracted from tubular workpiece 101, while bumper
171 is still in contact with tubular workpiece 101.
[0241] FIGS. 25A and 25B show CRTe 197 in the re-latched position.
As the operational step of removing CRTe 197 from tubular workpiece
101 reduces the axial force acting on land surface 172, trigger
bias spring 618 urges secondary trigger 620 downward, and
correspondingly causes primary trigger 600 to rotate in the
left-hand direction and to move axially downwards relative to
floating load adaptor 160. However, downward movement of primary
trigger 600 is impeded by sliding engagement of primary trigger dog
tooth crests 604 and dog reaction surfaces 646. As floating load
adaptor 160 continues to move upward, a point is reached where
primary trigger dog tooth crests 604 no longer engage (i.e., they
slide off) dog reaction surfaces 646, thus allowing primary trigger
dog teeth 602 to re-engage reaction dog pockets 642. Further
axially-upward movement of floating load adaptor 160 will leave
primary trigger dog teeth 602 rotationally aligned but axially
separated from reaction dog pockets 642, thus returning latch
release mechanism 198 to the position shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B,
from which position the operational sequence illustrated in FIGS.
17A through 25B can be repeated.
[0242] Having reference to the preceding description of the
operation of latch release mechanism 198, it will be apparent to
persons skilled in the art that: [0243] the shape of primary
trigger cam slot 606 determines the relationship between relative
rotational and axial motions between load adaptor extension 163 and
primary trigger 600; and [0244] the angle from vertical of primary
trigger cam slot 606 may be selected to vary along its length to
coordinate the relative rotational and axial motions, and to
control contact stresses and internal stresses generated as latch
release mechanism 198 is actuated.
[0245] It will also be apparent to persons skilled in the art that:
[0246] primary trigger cam slot 606 of CRTe 197 is functionally
equivalent to bumper-cage cam slot 319 of the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIGS. 3A to 7B, bumper-cage cam slot 461 of CRTi 130 shown
in FIGS. 8B, 9B, 10B, and 11B, and cage cam slot 511 of CRTi 135
shown in FIGS. 13B and 14B; and [0247] as with primary trigger cam
slot 606, the angle from vertical of bumper-cage cam slot 319,
bumper-cage cam slot 461, and cage cam slot 511 may be selected to
vary along their respective lengths to coordinate the relative
rotational and axial motions, and to control contact stresses and
internal stresses generated as the respective latch release
mechanisms are actuated.
[0248] Internal Trigger CRTe Embodiment
[0249] FIG. 26 is a cross-section through an externally-gripping
casing running tool (CRTe) 1000 configured to grip a tubular
workpiece 1001. CRTe 1000 comprises: [0250] a variable length axial
linkage 1100 in accordance with International Application No.
PCT/CA2021/000096 (Slack) [the contents of which are incorporated
herein in their entirety]; [0251] an embodiment 1200 of a latch
release mechanism in accordance with the present disclosure; [0252]
a main body assembly 1300 having a main body bore 1301; and [0253]
a grip assembly 1400 coaxially disposed within the main body bore
1301 of main body assembly 1300.
[0254] FIG. 27 is a front elevation of variable-length axial
linkage 1100 and latch release mechanism 1200 of CRTe 1000. FIG. 28
is an isometric view of variable-length axial linkage 1100 and
latch release mechanism 1200 with latch release mechanism 1200
exploded.
[0255] Variable-length axial linkage 1100 comprises a drive cam
body 1110, an intermediate cam body 1120, a driven cam body 1130, a
latch body 1140, a striker body 1150, and a striker spring 1160.
Drive cam body 1110 comprises: [0256] a load adaptor 1111 for
connecting CRTe 1000 to a top drive quill of a top-drive-equipped
drilling rig (not shown); and [0257] a plurality of downward-facing
trigger reaction dog pockets 1113. Latch release mechanism 1200
comprises a trigger element 1210, a bumper element 1220, a
plurality of trigger followers 1230, a cage connector 1240, and a
trigger spring 1250. Main body assembly 1300 comprises a main body
upper housing 1310, a main body lower housing 1320, and a main body
lock sleeve 1330. Grip assembly 1400 comprises a cage 1410, a
plurality of jaws 1420, and a plurality of dies 1430.
[0258] Main body assembly 1300 is axially carried by drive cam body
1110. Main body upper housing 1310 is threadingly engageable with
main body lower housing 1320, with main body lock sleeve 1330
preventing relative rotation between main body upper housing 1310
and main body lower housing 1320.
[0259] Each die 1430 has a grip surface configured for engagement
with tubular workpiece 1001. Cage connector 1240 is rigidly coupled
to both driven cam body 1130 and cage 1410. Extension of
variable-length axial linkage 1100 causes downward movement of grip
assembly 1400 relative to main body assembly 1300, and causes jaws
1420 and dies 1430 to move radially inward to engage tubular
workpiece 1001.
[0260] An upper latch assembly 1010 of CRTe 1000 comprises a drive
cam body 1110. A lower latch assembly 1020 of CRTe 1000 comprises
an intermediate cam body 1120, a driven cam body 1130, a latch body
1140, a striker body 1150, and a striker spring 1160.
Variable-length axial linkage 1100 has an internal latch that is
operable between a latched position and an unlatched position in
response to application of relative rotation, and an associated
torque, between upper latch assembly 1010 and lower latch assembly
1020 in a first rotational direction. In the latched position,
relative axial separation of upper latch assembly 1010 and lower
latch assembly 1020 is constrained. In the unlatched position,
relative axial separation of upper latch assembly 1010 and lower
latch assembly 1020 is permitted within a defined range for
operation of CRTe 1000. A gas spring 1030 formed within main body
bore 1301 of main body assembly 1300 acts to urge axial separation
of upper latch assembly 1010 and lower latch assembly 1020, and
thus to urge engagement of dies 1430 with tubular workpiece
1001.
[0261] Trigger element 1210, bumper element 1220, and cage
connector 1240 are generally cylindrical and coaxially nested.
Trigger element 1210 is coupled to bumper element 1220 by a spline
so as to be axially movable relative to bumper element 1220.
Trigger spring 1250 acts between trigger element 1210 and bumper
element 1220 to axially urge trigger element 1210 toward drive cam
body 1110, and thus bias trigger dog teeth 1212 toward engagement
with trigger reaction dog pockets 1113. Trigger spring 1250 urges
bumper element 1220 axially away from trigger element 1210 and
thus, away from axial linkage 1100. Trigger followers 1230 are
rigidly mounted to cage connector 1240. Trigger followers 1230 also
are slidingly disposed within corresponding bumper cam slots 1222
in bumper element 1220. Bumper cam slots 1222 are configured such
that when bumper element 1220 moves axially relative to cage
connector 1240, bumper element 1220 will also rotate relative to
cage connector 1240. Trigger followers 1230 also are disposed
within corresponding trigger pockets 1212 in trigger element 1210
such that trigger element 1210 is axially and rotationally movable
relative to cage connector 1240 within a range defined by trigger
pockets 1212.
[0262] Operation of the Latch Release Mechanism
[0263] Latch release mechanism 1200 is configured such that when
trigger dog teeth 1212 are disposed within trigger reaction dog
pockets 1113, an axial force applied to bumper element 1220 by
tubular workpiece 1001 will tend to cause axial stroking of bumper
element 1220 relative to lower latch assembly 1020 so as to urge
relative rotation between upper latch assembly 1010 and lower latch
assembly 1020 so as to move variable-length axial linkage 1100 from
the latched position to an unlatched position with the associated
torque transmitted through trigger element 1210; and such that
application of additional axial force and the resultant axial and
rotational displacement of bumper element 1220 relative to lower
latch assembly 1020 will cause withdrawal of trigger dog teeth 1212
from trigger reaction dog pockets 1113.
[0264] FIGS. 29A, 29B, 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, and 32B show
variable-length axial linkage 1100 and latch release mechanism 1200
with trigger spring 1250 hidden and the lower portion of drive cam
body 1110 cut away to reveal trigger dog teeth 1212 and trigger
reaction dog pockets 1113. FIGS. 29A, 30A, 31A, and 32A are
cross-sections through variable-length axial linkage 1100 and latch
release mechanism 1200. FIGS. 29B, 30B, 31B, and 32B are front
elevations of variable-length axial linkage 1100 and latch release
mechanism 1200 with driven cam body 1130 and cage extension 1240
sectioned to reveal trigger element 1210 and bumper element
1220.
[0265] FIGS. 29A and 29B show variable-length axial linkage 1100 in
the latched position. When CRTe 1000 is lowered onto tubular
workpiece 1001 by a top drive of a drilling rig, tubular workpiece
1001 applies an axial force to bumper element 1220 tending to
compressively stroke latch release mechanism 1200. Axial movement
of bumper element 1220 relative to cage connector 1240 causes
bumper element 1220 and trigger element 1210 to rotate relative to
cage connector 1240 through the movement of trigger followers 1230
within bumper cam slots 1222. Stroking of latch release mechanism
1200 thus urges relative rotation between upper latch assembly 1010
and lower latch assembly 1020, with the associated torque
transmitted through trigger element 1210 to upper latch assembly
1010 and through cage connector 1240 to lower latch assembly
1020.
[0266] FIGS. 30A and 30B show latch release mechanism 1200 stroked
sufficiently to move variable-length axial linkage 1100 to an
unlatched position. Application of additional axial force on bumper
element 1220 by tubular workpiece 1001 and continued stroking of
latch release mechanism 1200 causes further axial and rotational
displacement of bumper element 1220 relative to cage connector 1240
and lower latch assembly 1020. This further axial and rotational
displacement causes withdrawal of trigger dog teeth 1212 from
trigger reaction dog pockets 1113 through the action of trigger
followers 1230 within trigger pockets 1212 and bumper cam slots
1222. FIGS. 31A and 31B show latch release mechanism 1200 fully
stroked to retract trigger dog teeth 1213 from trigger reaction dog
pockets 1113.
[0267] Variable-length axial linkage 1100 may be relatched by
operating CRTe 1000 to apply compressive axial load to
variable-length axial linkage 1100 and to rotate upper latch
assembly 1010 relative to lower latch assembly 1020 to return
variable-length axial linkage 1100 to the latched position. FIGS.
32A and 32B show variable-length axial linkage 1100 returned to the
latched position. Trigger dog teeth 1213 are still retracted from
trigger reaction dog pockets 1113.
[0268] With variable-length axial linkage 1100 relatched, CRTe 1000
does not grip tubular workpiece 1001. When CRTe 1000 is raised away
from tubular workpiece 1001 by the drilling rig, trigger spring
1250 acts between trigger element 1210 and bumper element 1220 to
urge trigger element 1210 toward drive cam body 1110, and thus
biasing trigger dog teeth 1212 toward engagement with trigger
reaction dog pockets 1113. Trigger bumper spring 1250
simultaneously urges bumper element 1220 axially away from trigger
element 1210 and therefore away from axial linkage 1100. Bumper
element 1220 will move axially relative to cage connector 1240, and
the action of trigger followers 1230 within bumper cam slots 1222
will rotate bumper element 1220 and trigger element 1210 to align
trigger dog teeth 1213 with trigger reaction dog pockets 1113, thus
resetting latch release mechanism 1200 to the initial state shown
in FIGS. 29A and 29B.
[0269] It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art
that various alternative embodiments may be devised without
departing from the scope of the present teachings, including
modifications that may use equivalent structures or materials
subsequently conceived or developed.
[0270] It is to be especially understood that it is not intended
for apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure to be
limited to any described or illustrated embodiment, and that the
substitution of a variant of a claimed element or feature, without
any substantial resultant change in the working of the apparatus
and methods, will not constitute a departure from the scope of the
disclosure.
[0271] In this patent document, any form of the word "comprise" is
to be understood in its non-limiting sense to mean that any element
or feature following such word is included, but elements or
features not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference
to an element or feature by the indefinite article "a" does not
exclude the possibility that more than one of such element or
feature is present, unless the context clearly requires that there
be one and only one such element or feature.
[0272] Any use of any form of the terms "connect", "engage",
"couple", "latch", "attach", or any other term describing an
interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction
to direct interaction between the subject elements, and may also
include indirect interaction between the elements such as through
secondary or intermediary structure.
[0273] Relational and conformational terms such as (but not limited
to) "vertical", "horizontal", "coaxial", "cylindrical",
"trapezoidal", "upward-facing", and "downward-facing" are not
intended to denote or require absolute mathematical or geometrical
precision. Accordingly, such terms are to be understood as denoting
or requiring substantial precision only (e.g., "substantially
"vertical" or "generally trapezoidal") unless the context clearly
requires otherwise.
[0274] In particular, it is to be understood that any reference
herein to an element as being "generally cylindrical" is intended
to mean that the element in question may have inner and outer
diameters that vary along the length of the element.
[0275] Wherever used in this document, the terms "typical" and
"typically" are to be understood and interpreted in the sense of
being representative of exemplary common usage or practice only,
and are not to be understood or interpreted as implying
essentiality or invariability.
TABLE-US-00001 LIST OF ILLUSTRATED ELEMENTS Element Number
Description 100 (prior art) CRT 101 tubular workpiece 102 (tubular
workpiece) threaded coupling 110 body assembly 111 load adapter 112
tapered-thread connection 120 grip assembly 121 bumper 122 land
surface 123 jaws 130 CRTi 131 latch release mechanism 132 tri-cam
latching linkage 133 upper latch assembly 134 lower latch assembly
135 (prior art) CRTi 136 latch release mechanism 140 (prior art)
CRTe 150 main body assembly 151 main body upper housing 152 main
body lower housing 153 upper housing lock surface 154 axial
shoulder 160 floating load adaptor 161 upper axial shoulder 162
lower axial shoulder 163 load adaptor extension 164 lug 165 skirt
170 grip assembly 171 bumper 172 land surface 180 tri-cam latching
linkage 181 upper latch assembly 182 axial shoulder 183 lower latch
assembly 184 drive cam 185 drive cam latch hooks 186 drive cam
housing 187 driven cam 188 latch cam 189 latch cam latch hooks 190
upper cam-housing seal 191 main body-housing upper seal 192 lower
cam-housing seal 193 main body-housing lower seal 194 lower
cam-cage seal 195 upper cam-cage seal 196 gas spring chamber 197
CRTe (with latch release mechanism) 198 latch release mechanism 201
latch release mechanism 204 trigger reaction ring 205 trigger
reaction dog pocket 206 reaction pocket load flank 207 reaction
pocket crest 208 reaction pocket lock flank 210 trigger element 211
trigger dog tooth/teeth 212 trigger dog tooth load flank 213
trigger dog tooth crest 214 trigger dog tooth lock flank 218
movable bumper 220 movable land surface 222 cage extension 301
upper latch assembly 302 upper rotary latch receiver 303 internal
upper cam ramp surface 304 internal lower cam ramp surface 305
internal biasing spring 310 lower latch assembly 312 lower rotary
latch hook 314 bumper-trigger cam follower 315 bumper-trigger cam
slot 316 (bumper-trigger cam slot) upper end 317 (bumper-trigger
cam slot) lower end 318 bumper-cage cam follower 319 bumper-cage
cam slot 320 (bumper-cage cam slot) upper end 321 (bumper-cage cam
slot) lower end 322 trigger-cage cam follower 324 trigger-cage cam
pocket 326 trigger bias spring 330 trigger advance cam surface 332
trigger withdraw cam surface 334 trigger re-latch cam surface 336
trigger reset cam surface 400 drive cam body 401 drive cam latch
hooks 402 load threads 403 drive cam body-housing seal 404 drive
cam body-mandrel seal 410 trigger reaction ring 411 trigger
reaction dog pocket 412 reaction pocket load flank 413 reaction
pocket crest 414 reaction pocket lock flank 420 drive cam housing
421 drive housing-driven housing seal 422 gas spring chamber 430
intermediate cam body 431 load threads 440 trigger element 441
trigger dog tooth/teeth 442 trigger dog tooth load flank 443
trigger dog tooth crest 444 trigger dog tooth lock flank 445
trigger cam slot 446 (trigger cam slot) upper end 447 (trigger cam
slot) lower end 448 trigger cam follower 449 trigger bias spring
450 movable bumper 451 movable land surface 452 bumper cam follower
460 cage extension 461 bumper-cage cam slot 462 (bumper-cage cam
slot) upper end 463 (bumper-cage cam slot) lower end 464 cage cam
pocket 466 advance cam surface 467 withdraw cam surface 469 reset
cam surface 470 driven cam body 472 drive cam body-cage seal 480
driven cam housing 490 latch cam 491 latch cam latch hooks 500 cage
501 cage mandrel seal 510 cage extension 511 cage cam slot 512
(cage cam slot) upper end 513 (cage cam slot) lower end 520 trigger
bias spring 600 primary trigger (alternatively referred to as
primary trigger element) 601 load adapter cam follower 602 primary
trigger dog tooth/teeth 603 primary trigger dog tooth load flank
604 primary trigger dog tooth crest 605 primary trigger dog tooth
lock flank 606 primary trigger cam slot 607 (primary trigger cam
slot) upper portion 608 (primary trigger cam slot) lower portion
612 dog retraction cam slot 613 (dog retraction cam slot) upper end
614 (dog retraction cam slot) lower end 615 downward-facing primary
trigger reaction surface 618 trigger bias spring 620 secondary
trigger (alternatively referred to as secondary trigger element)
621 secondary trigger cam slot 622 (secondary trigger cam slot)
upper end 623 (secondary trigger cam slot) lower end 624 secondary
trigger cam follower 625 secondary trigger thread 630 secondary
trigger extension 631 standoff surface (lower end of secondary
trigger extension) 632 secondary trigger extension thread 633
secondary trigger extension lug 640 main body extension 641 second
reaction surface 642 reaction dog pocket 643 reaction pocket load
flank 644 reaction pocket crest 645 reaction pocket lock flank 646
dog reaction surface (alternatively referred to as first reaction
surface) 647 axially-oriented slots 648 main body extension load
shoulder 649 main body extension lock surface 650 clamp ring 651
clamp ring load shoulder 660 main body lock 661 main body lock lugs
1000 externally-gripping casing running tool (CRTe) 1001 tubular
workpiece 1010 upper latch assembly 1020 lower latch assembly 1030
gas spring 1100 variable-length axial linkage 1110 drive cam body
1111 load adaptor 1113 trigger reaction dog pockets 1120
intermediate cam body 1130 lower cam body 1140 latch body 1150
striker body 1160 striker spring 1200 latch release mechanism 1210
trigger element 1211 trigger spline 1212 trigger pocket 1213
trigger dog teeth 1220 bumper element 1221 bumper spline 1222
bumper cam slot 1230 trigger follower 1240 cage connector 1250
trigger spring 1300 main body assembly 1301 main body bore 1310
main body upper housing 1320 main body lower housing 1330 main body
lock sleeve 1400 grip assembly 1410 cage 1420 jaws
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