U.S. patent number 3,799,009 [Application Number 05/225,191] was granted by the patent office on 1974-03-26 for apparatus for threading and unthreading vertical lengths of drill pipe.
Invention is credited to William Guier.
United States Patent |
3,799,009 |
Guier |
March 26, 1974 |
APPARATUS FOR THREADING AND UNTHREADING VERTICAL LENGTHS OF DRILL
PIPE
Abstract
An apparatus for threading together two vertical lengths of
drill pipe, one having a female thread and the other having a male
thread at the ends to be threaded, including a backup tong
removably positioned around the lower drill pipe having means of
grasping and holding the lower drill pipe, s spinner removably
positioned around the upper drill piping including means of
rotating the upper drill pipe to threadably engage it with the
lower drill pipe, and a lead tong removably positioned around the
upper drill pipe including means of grasping the upper drill pipe
and rotating it relative to the lower drill pipe to securely
threadably set the upper to the lower drill pipe.
Inventors: |
Guier; William (Tulsa, OK) |
Family
ID: |
22843903 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/225,191 |
Filed: |
February 10, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
81/57.16;
81/57.34; 81/57.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
19/164 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
19/16 (20060101); E21B 19/00 (20060101); B25b
017/00 (); B25b 013/50 () |
Field of
Search: |
;81/57.16,57.2,57.34,54 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Jones, Jr.; James L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Head & Johnson
Claims
What is claimed:
1. Apparatus for use on a rotary drilling rig for threading
together and unthreading the vertical lengths of drill pipe, the
upper length being rotatably supported above a derrick floor from a
drilling mask and the lower length being supported on a rotary
table, comprising in combination:
a backup tong having a jaw portion movable between an opened and
closed position wherein in the opened position the backup tong may
be positioned to engage the lower length of drill pipe and in the
closed position the backup tong encompasses the lower drill pipe,
and including means when in the closed position of grasping the
lower drill pipe to prevent the rotation thereof;
a spinner having a jaw portion movable between an opened and a
closed position wherein in the opened position the spinner may be
positioned to engage the upper length of drill pipe and in the
closed position the spinner encompasses the upper drill pipe, and
including means when in the closed position of grasping and
rotating the second drill pipe to threadably engage the lower drill
pipe;
a lead tong having a jaw portion movable between an opened and a
closed position wherein in the opened position the lead tong may be
positioned to engage the upper length of drill pipe and in the
closed position the lead tong encompasses the upper drill pipe, and
including means when in the closed position of grasping the upper
drill pipe;
means of rotating said lead tong relative to said backup tong to
threadably set the upper drill pipe to the lower drill pipe;
independent hydraulic cylinder means provided for selectively
opening and closing the spinner jaw, the lead tong jaw and the
backup tongs and for selectively grasping and releasing the backup
tongs with said lower drill pipe and grasping and releasing the
spinner and lead tong with the upper drill pipe;
a source of hydraulic pressure;
hydraulic actuating valve manifold means between the said source of
hydraulic pressure and the said independent hydraulic cylinder
means for selectably and sequentially controlling said independent
hydraulic cylinder means to sequentially actuate said backup tong
jaw and grasping means, said spinner jaw and grasping means, and
said lead tong jaw and grasping means for selectably threading and
unthreading said lengths of drill pipe; and
valve actuating lever means pivotally connected with said manifold
means whereby pivoting of the lever means in one direction actuates
the valves of the manifold in sequence to cause said spinner and
said tongs to engage said lengths of drill pipes for threadably
engaging and setting said upper length of drill pipe to said lower
length of drill pipe, and wherein pivoting of the lever means in an
opposite direction actuates the independent cylinder means to cause
said spinner and said tongs to disengage from said lengths of drill
pipe.
2. Apparatus for use on a rotary drilling rig for threading
together and unthreading lengths of drill pipe according to claim 1
including:
means of rotating said lead tong relative to said backup tong to
threadably break out the upper drill pipe from the lower drill
pipe;
means of releasing said backup tong from said lower drill pipe;
and means of rotating said lower drill pipe by said rotary table to
unthread said lower drill pipe from said upper drill pipe.
3. Apparatus for use on a rotary drilling rig for threading
together and unthreading two vertical lengths of drill pipe
according to claim 1 including:
hydraulic cylinder means of closing and unclosing said backup tong
jaw portion;
hydraulic cylinder means of closing and unclosing said spinner jaw
portion;
hydraulic cylinder means of closing and unclosing said lead tong
jaw portion;
hydraulic cylinder means with said backup tongs of grasping and
releasing said lower drill pipe;
hydraulic cylinder means with said spinner of grasping and
releasing said upper drill pipe; and
hydraulic cylinder means with said lead tong of grasping and
releasing said upper drill pipe.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 including hydraulic means of
simultaneously selectably positioning said backup tong, said
spinner, and said lead tong to engage and to disengage said upper
and lower lengths of drill pipe.
5. Apparatus according to claim 3 including:
a source of hydraulic pressure;
a manifold of hydraulic actuating valves between said source of
hydraulic pressure and said hydraulic cylinder means for selectably
and sequentially controlling said hydraulic cylinder means to
sequentially actuate said backup tong jaw and grasping means, said
spinner jaw and grasping means, and said lead tong jaw and grasping
means for selectably threading and unthreading said lengths of
drill pipe.
6. Apparatus for use on a rotary drilling rig for threading
together and unthreading the vertical lengths of drill pipe, the
upper length being rotatably supported above a derrick floor from a
drilling mask and the lower length being supported on a rotary
table, comprising in combination:
a backup tong having a jaw portion movable between an opened and
closed position wherein in the opened position the backup tong may
be positioned to engage the lower length of drill pipe and in the
closed position the backup tong encompasses the lower drill pipe,
and including means when in the closed position of grasping the
lower drill pipe to prevent the rotation thereof;
a spinner having a jaw portion movable between an opened and a
closed position wherein in the opened position the spinner may be
positioned to engage the upper length of drill pipe and in the
closed position the spinner encompasses the upper drill pipe, and
including means when in the closed position of grasping and
rotating the second drill pipe to threadably engage the lower drill
pipe;
a lead tong having a jaw portion movable between an opened and a
closed position wherein in the opened position the lead tong may be
positioned to engage the upper length of drill pipe, and in the
closed position the lead tong encompasses the upper drill pipe, and
including means when in the closed position of grasping the upper
drill pipe;
means of rotating said lead tong relative to said backup tong to
threadably set the upper drill pipe to the lower drill pipe;
hydraulic cylinder means of closing and unclosing said backup tong
jaw portion;
hydraulic cylinder means of closing and unclosing said spinner jaw
portion;
hydraulic cylinder means of closing and unclosing said lead tong
jaw portion;
hydraulic cylinder means with said backup tongs of grasping and
releasing said lower drill pipe;
hydraulic cylinder means with said spinner of grasping and
releasing said upper drill pipe;
hydraulic cylinder means with said lead tong of grasping and
releasing said upper drill pipe;
a source of hydraulic pressure;
a manifold of hydraulic actuating valves between said source of
hydraulic pressure and said hydraulic cylinder means for selectably
and sequentially controlling said hydraulic cylinder means to
sequentially actuate said backup tong jaw and grasping means, said
spinner jaw and grasping means, and said lead tong jaw and grasping
means for selectably threading and unthreading said lengths of
drill pipe; and
a valve actuating lever pivoted at one end and when pivoted in one
direction engages said manifold of hydraulic actuating valves, said
lever and said actuating valve being arranged such that as said
lever is pivoted in one direction said valves are actuated in
sequence to actuate said cylinders to cause said spinner and said
tongs to engage said lengths of drill pipes, whereby said upper
length of drill pipe may be threadably engaged and threadably set
to said lower length of drill pipe, and when said valve actuating
lever is pivoted in the opposite directions said cylinders are
actuated to cause said spinner and said tongs to disengage from
said lengths of drill pipe.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said valve actuating
lever is rotatable 180.degree. to a break out position in which
position the pivotation of said lever in one direction engages said
manifold of hydraulic actuating valves in a manner such that said
valves are actuated in sequence to actuate said cylinders to cause
said tongs to engage said lengths of drill pipe, whereby said upper
length of drill pipe may be threadably broken out of said lower
length of drill pipe, and said lower length of drill pipe
unthreaded from said upper length of drill pipe, and when said
valve actuating lever is pivoted in the opposite direction said
cylinders are actuated to cause said tongs to disengage from said
lengths of drill pipe.
8. Apparatus for use on a rotary drilling rig for threading
together and unthreading two vertical lengths of drill pipe
according to claim 1 including:
a rotatable vertical pivot post supported on said derrick floor
adjacent to and spaced from said upper and lower lengths of drill
pipe, said backup tong, said spinner and said lead tong being
affixed to and extending from said pivot post; and
means of selectably rotating said pivot post to engage and
disengage said backup tong, said spinner, and said lead tong to and
from said upper and lower lengths of drill pipe.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 including hydraulic means of
rotating said pivot post and thereby positioning said backup tong,
said spinner and said lead tong to and from engagement with said
length of drill pipe.
10. Apparatus for use on a rotary drilling rig for threading
together and unthreading two vertical lengths of drill pipe
according to claim 1 including:
means of rotatably positioning said lead tong relative to said
backup tong about said lengths of drill pipe to cock said tongs to
grasp said lengths of drill pipe whereby said lead tong may be
rotated in the opposite direction relative to said backup tong to
threadably set said upper drill pipe to said lower drill pipe.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said means of rotatably
positioning said lead tong relative to said backup tong including a
coching hydraulic cylinder means connected between said backup tong
and said lead tong.
Description
BACKGROUND, SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The present techniques utilized in rotary oil and gas well
drillings have changed very little since rotary drilling was first
introduced. The present practice still utilizes a driller and at
least two workmen on the drilling floor to handle tongs and a
spinning chain for wrenching up and breaking out a drill pipe. The
work is tiring and inherently dangerous. The spinning of the chain
about rotating drill pipe and the manual handling of tongs to
thread up or break out the lengths of drill pipe frequently produce
serious injury.
The number of workmen required to operate a rotary drilling rig has
not been essentially reduced since rotary drilling was established.
Commonly used type of drilling rig equipment still requires, as a
minimum, a driller and two floormen to operate the manual tongs and
spinning chain. While significant advancements have been made in
other facets of drilling, including improved drill bits, drilling
muds, and so forth, the means of handling the assembly and
disassembly of lengths of the drill pipe have not basically
changed. Thus, the safety of rotary drilling has not significantly
improved since its introduction in the early 1900's nor has the
labor efficiency been materially improved.
This invention is directed to an apparatus for connecting and
disconnecting lengths of drill pipe on a drilling rig having as its
basic objects improved safety and efficiency of workmen.
More particularly, an object of this invention is to provide an
apparatus for threading and unthreading vertical lengths of drill
pipe in an arrangement wherein a driller and a single workman on
the drilling floor may constitute a complete drilling crew.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for
threading and unthreading vertical lengths of drill pipe including
the use of the backup tongs for retaining the lower drill pipe in
non-rotatable position, a spinner for rotating the upper drill pipe
to threadably engage it with the lower drill pipe, and a lead tong
for grasping the upper drill pipe and rotating it to threadably set
the upper to the lower drill pipe.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for
threading together and breaking out vertical lengths of drill pipe
including control means for hydraulically actuating the
apparatus.
Still more particularly, an object of this invention is to provide
an apparatus for threading and unthreading vertical lengths of
drill pipe having hydraulic controls and including composite
control means wherein all hydraulic signal actuations are
accomplished from an easily operated control mechanism.
These objects, as well as others, will be fulfilled in the
following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the
attached drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of apparatus forming an embodiment of
the invention for threading and unthreading vertical lengths of
drill pipe and showing an operator handling the control
portion.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of this invention, the
operator not being shown.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG.
1 showing the basic elements of the backup tong portion of the
apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG.
1 showing the basic elements of a lead tong portion of the
apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG.
1 showing the basic elements of a spinner portion of the
apparatus.
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the control box portion of the
apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a partial internal view of the control box of FIG. 6
showing the relationship between a valve actuating lever and a
valve manifold utilized to control the apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a diagram of a hydraulic system incorporating the valves
and cylinders of the various pieces of equipment making up the
apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the arrangement of the swing and
elevational control handle portion of the control box showing the
means of actuation of control valves to position and elevationally
control the apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a diagram of the hydraulic system actuated by the swing
and elevational control handle of FIG. 9 to control the position
and elevation of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, an operator is
shown utilizing the apparatus of this invention, the apparatus
being generally indicated by the numeral 10. The apparatus is used
to threadably connect and disconnect vertical lengths of drill
pipe, such as upper drill pipe 12 and lower drill pipe 14. Drill
pipes 12 and 14 are of the type utilized in rotary drilling of oil
and gas wells. The workman stands on drilling floor 16 in which is
positioned a rotary table 18 through which the lower drill pipe 14
extends. Drilling table 18 includes a cup 20 which receives slips
22.
Adjacent to the rotary table 18 is a mouse hole 24 which is drilled
to a depth sufficient to support one length of drill pipe and to
position the upper end of the drill pipe at a height so that the
drilling kelly (not shown) may be attached to it. The drilling
kelly is a length of pipe which has an irregular exterior
cross-section, usually of a square configuration, which fits in a
kelly bushing positioned in the drilling table cup 20. The drilling
bushing permits the kelly to slide up and down to permit downward
advance as the drilling bit penetrates to deepen the well hole but
nevertheless drilling bushing rotatably connects the kelly to table
18.
The elements 12 through 24 are standard items of a rotary drilling
rig. This invention is made up of apparatus 10 which has, as its
major components, a pivot post 26, a backup tong 28, a lead tong
30, a spinner 32, and a control box 34. The weight of the tongs 28
and 30, spinner 32 and control box 34, is supported by a cable 36
which extends over a pulley 38 to a counterweight 40. The pulley 38
is secured to an arm 42 extending from the drilling derrick (not
shown). A hydraulic elevational cylinder 44 is affixed to the arm
42 and has a piston rod 44A extending therefrom and attached to
weight 40. By controlling the extension or retraction of piston rod
44A the elevation of the apparatus 10 is controlled so that the
apparatus may be properly elevationally positioned to engage the
upper end of lower drill pipe 14 and the lower end of upper drill
pipe 12. The cylinder 44 is controlled by the up or down movement
of handle 46 which is a part of the control box 34. The means by
which handle 46 controls elevational cylinder 44 will be described
subsequently.
Referring to FIG. 3, the arrangement of backup tong 28 is shown.
The tong 28 is shown as clamped to lower drill pipe 14. For
detailed information on the construction and operation of backup
tong 28 and lead tong 30, reference may be had to copending
application Ser. No. 104,865 filed Jan. 8, 1971 , now U.S. Pat. No.
3,703,111, entitled: Pipe Tongs. Generally, the backup tong 28
includes a base portion 48 which is affixed at one end to turning
post 26. A jaw portion 50 pivots relative to base portion 48 and,
when in the opened position, the backup tong 28 may be pivoted in
position to encompass pipe 14. A backup tong latch cylinder 52,
having piston rod 52A extending therefrom, is positioned between
the base portion 48 and jaw 50. By hydraulic pressure to cylinder
52 the opening and closing of jaw 50 is controlled. When the backup
tong jaw 50 is in closed position the tong may be made to securely
grasp pipe 14 by means of a backup tong die set cylinder 54.
Generally, the die set cylinder 54, having piston rod 54A extending
therefrom, functions by imposing force relative to base plate 48 to
jaw portion 50 by levers 56 and 58. Securely closing the jaw
portion 50 cause dies 60 to set upon pipe 14.
Referring to FIG. 4, lead tong 30 is generally illustrated and is
substantially identical to backup tong 28. As with backup tong 28,
detailed information as to the arrangement, construction and
operation of a lead tong which may be used in the construction and
operation of the present invention is fully described in the above
referenced copending application. Lead tong 30 includes a sub-base
portion 62 upon which a base portion 64 is pivotally supported. The
sub-base portion 62 is attached to pivot post 26 and, by rotation
of the pivot post, may be swung to engage upper drill pipe 12 or
swung away from it as desired. Lead tong 30 includes a pivoted jaw
66 which may be swung open to receive the upper drill pipe 12 and
closed by means of lead tong latch cylinder 68. When in the closed
position dies 70 may be securely set on pipe 12 by means of lead
tong die set cylinder 72 which move levers 74 and 76 and causing
the jaw portion to securely force the dies into pipe 12. The lead
tong base portion 64 may be pivoted relative to the backup tong 28
to threadably set or break out the upper length of drill pipe 12
relative to the lower length of drill pipe 14. When the ends of
pipes 12 and 14 are engaged the pipes are threaded together by
rotation of spinner 32 detachably connected to drill pipe 12. The
final act of securely setting the threads of the drill pipe
requires the upper drill pipe 12 to be rotated only a relatively
few degrees, such as 20.degree. or less. In like manner, when it is
desired to break out or unthread the upper drill pipe from the
lower, the upper drill pipe need be rotated only approximately
30.degree. to break the threads loose. This is accomplished by
rotation of the lead tong 30 relative to the backup tong 28 which
is held in a stationary position. In breaking out, once the threads
of the pipe have been unset from each other, the lower drill pipe
may be spun by rotary table 18 to finish unthreading the lower from
the upper drill pipe.
Various means may be provided for rotating the lead tong 30
relative to the backup tong 28. One means includes the use of a
cable 78 (See FIG. 4) which extends to wrap around a cat head
portion of the drilling rig drawworks (not shown). The cable 78,
having one end wrapped around the cat head, extends to connect to
lead tong 30. When it is desired to pull the lead tong 30 to rotate
it relative to backup tong 28 the driller actuates the drawwork to
cause the cat head to rotate withdrawing cable 78.
In the illustrated arrangement cable 78, rather than being attached
directly to lead tong 30, is attached to one end of a pressure
intensifying cylinder 80 with the piston rod 80A extending from the
cylinder being affixed to lead tong 30. The purpose of cylinder 80
is to apply increased hydraulic pressure on lead tong die set
cylinder 72 and backup tong die set cylinder 54 as force is applied
on cable 78 to set or break out drill pipe. The means whereby
pressure from the intensifier cylinder 80 is applied to the lead
tong die set cylinder 72 will be described subsequently.
The arrangement of FIG. 4 is utilized in breaking out drill pipe,
that is, threadably separating the upper from the lower drill pipe.
When making up drill pipe it is obvious that the upper drill pipe
must be rotated in the opposite direction relative to the lower
drill pipe to firmly set the threads. When making up drill pipe the
pressure intensifier cylinder piston 88 is attached to one end of a
cable 82 which loops around a pivot post with the other end
attached to lead tong base portion 64. In making up the lead tong
portion 64 is cocked relative to the backup tong 28 by means of a
cocking cylinder 84 having piston 84A extending therefrom. The
piston rod 84A is connected to a bracket 86 extending from backup
tong base portion 48 (See FIG. 3). Cylinder 84 is attached to a
bracket 88 extending from the lead tong base portion 64 (See FIG.
4). When the lead tong is cocked counterclockwise relative to
backup tong 28, pull applied by cable 78, to intensifier cylinder
80, to cable 82, pulls the lead tong clockwise to apply torque to
the upper drill pipe 12 to threadably lock it to the lower drill
pipe 14.
Referring to FIG. 5 the basic concept of the spinner 32 is
illustrated. For a more detailed explanation of the construction
and operation of a spinner apparatus reference may be had to U.S.
Pat. No. 3,308,691 and to my copending application Ser. No.
189,689, filed Oct. 15, 1971, entitled "Apparatus For Rotating A
Member." Essentially the spinner 32 includes a base portion 90
which is affixed at one end to the pivot post 26. Pivotally secured
to base portion 90 are jaw portions 92A and 92B, although it can be
seen that in the simplest embodiment a single jaw portion may be
employed. With the jaws 92A, 92B opened the spinner 32 may be
pivoted by pivot post 26 to encompass the upper drill pipe 12. By
actuation of spinner latch cylinder 94 having piston rod 94A
extending therefrom, jaw portion 92A is moved into closed position.
By actuation of spin chain tensioning cylinder 96 having piston rod
96A extending therefrom jaw portion 92B is moved to the closed
position. In the closed position the jaws are held together by
lever 98. When in the closed position a chain 100 is caused to grip
the exterior surface of upper drill pipe 12. Tension is applied to
chain 12 against pipe 12 by the spin chain tensioning cylinder 96
operating in the opposite direction, that is, by withdrawing piston
96A. Thus the spin chain tension cylinder 96 serves the dual
function of closing jaw 92B when piston rod 96A is extended and,
after lever 98 locks the jaws together, the withdrawal of piston
rod 96A applies tension to chain 100. To increase the torque
applied by chain 100 on the drill pipe 12 a resilient pipe engaging
bushing 102 may be employed.
The purpose of spinner 32 is to rotate the upper drill pipe 12
relative to the lower drill pipe 14 during makeup operation to
threadably engage the upper and lower pipe together. The final step
of setting the upper to the lower drill pipe is accomplished by the
use of the tongs 28 and 30 as previously described.
CONTROL BOX
Supported to the mechanism, such as on a post 104 (See FIG. 3)
extending between the backup tong 28 and spinner 32, is a control
box generally indicated by the numeral 34. The control box contains
all of the actuating mechanisms to enable an operator working on
the drilling floor to control the mechanism for making up or
breaking out successive lengths of drill pipe. The operator
utilizing the control box 34 works in conjunction with a driller
which controls the drawworks to raise and lower drill pipe and
operate the cat head to pivot the lead tongs relative to the backup
tong as previously described.
The control box 34 includes swing and elevational control handle 46
which is rotatably supported at the outer end between yoke arms
106A and 106B. The inner end of arms 106A and 106B are pivotally
supported to a plate 108 extending from post 104. Attached to upper
arm 106B is the outer end of a control rod 110. Referring to FIG.
9, the relationship between the swing and elevational control
handle 46, yoke arms 106A and 106B, and control rod 110, is
diagrammatically illustrated. Rod 110 is pivotally affixed at one
end to a pivot rod 112. The other end of pivot rod 112 which is
pivotally secured to the interior of box 34. Positioned above and
below the control rod 110 are elevational control valves 114 and
116. When handle 46 is pushed upwardly the control rod 110 engages
upper control valve 114 to move the entire mechanism upwardly, and
correspondingly, when handle 46 is moved downwardly valve 116 is
actuated to move the mechanism downwardly, in an arrangement to be
described subsequently.
Positioned to one side of the pivot rod 112 is a clockwise turning
valve 118 and to the other side is a counterclockwise turning valve
120. When the operator moves handle 46 to the right, pivot rod 112
engages valve 120 to cause the pivot post to rotate
counterclockwise, that is, to move the spinner and tongs towards
engagement with drill pipes 12 and 14. Correspondingly when the
operator moves handle 46 to the left the pivot rod 112 engages
clockwise turning valve 118 to cause the entire mechanism to be
rotated clockwise, that is, away from drill pipe 14. Turning
control valves 118 and 120 function to cause rotation of the pivot
post 26 by the control of fluid pressure above and below a piston
122 (See FIG. 1) in a turning control cylinder 124. The piston rod
124A extending from cylinder 124 is connected to one end of a cable
126 while cylinder 124 is held in a steady position. Cable 126
loops about a pulley 128 at the upper end of post 26. The other end
of cable 126 is attached to a yoke 130 which in turn is attached to
piston rod 124A. As the piston 122 is caused to move in cylinder
124 in one direction cable 126 moves around the pulley 128 to
rotate post 26 in the clockwise direction, and as fluid pressure is
applied to the cylinder 124 in the other direction piston rod 124A
is withdrawn to cause cable 126 and pulley 128 to rotate post 26 in
counterclockwise direction. Means whereby turning valves 118 and
120 are employed to control turning cylinder 124 will be described
subsequently.
For more detailed information on the construction and arrangment of
a pivot post which functions in as an example of apparatus employed
to practice this invention. Reference may be had to copending
application entitled: "Pipe Tongs."
Thus it can be seen that the operator, by manipulation of swing
elevational control handle 46, can, with one hand, control the
elevational positioning of the apparatus to properly align the
apparatus so that the backup tong closes upon and grasps the upper
end of the lower drill pipe 14 and the lead tong closes upon and
grasps the lower end of upper drill pipe 12, and at the same time,
by moving the handle to the operator's right or left, the apparatus
can be swung into position to engage the drill pipe, or swung out
of the way so as not to interfere with other drilling
operations.
Extending from control box 34 is a valve actuating lever 132. The
outer end of lever 132 has a 90.degree. bend, being designated as
portion 132A. The purpose of end portion 132A is to give an
indication of the rotational position of lever 132 to the operator.
Valve actuating lever 132 is utilized to control the successive
steps in threading together or unthreading vertical lengths of
drill pipe. The sequence of steps is governed by the rotational
position of the lever 132. In the position as indicated in solid
outline in FIG. 7 wherein the portion 132A is pointed towards plate
108 the lever functions to control making up, that is, threadably
connecting joints of drill pipe. When the lever 130 is rotated
180.degree. to the position shown in dotted outline it functions to
control the breaking out or unthreading of lengths of drill
pipe.
Positioned in the control box are the following hydraulic actuating
control valves: (See FIG. 7) a holding control valve 134; a lead
tong latch valve 136; a spinner control valve 138; and a backup
tong latch valve 140. A lever block 142 is pivoted at 142A and
threadably receives the inner end of lever 132. The threads between
the lever and the block 142 enables the lever 132 to be rotated
180.degree.. Extending from block 142 is a leaf spring 144 which
engages backup tong latch valve 140 when lever 132 is moved
forwardly, that is, towards plate 108. Affixed to lever 132 is a
block 146 which supports a valve actuating clip 148. Clip 148
engages spinner control valve 138 when lever 132 is moved towards
plate 108 when the lever 132 is rotated to the makup position, as
shown in solid outline in FIG. 7. Further forward movement of lever
132 causes block 146 to engage lead tong latch valve 136. When
lever 132, when in the makeup position, is moved rearwardly, away
from the plate 108, valves 136, 138 and 140 are deactuated in the
enumerated sequence.
When lever 132 is rotated 180.degree. to the breakout position, as
shown in dotted outline, forward movement causes the actuation of
backup tong latch valve 140 by spring 144, followed by actuation of
lead tong latch valve 136. When the lever 132 is moved in the
rearward direction while in break-out position, valve 136 and 140
are deactuated followed by the actuation of holding control valve
134. This is accomplished by means of a rocker arm 150 pivoted at
150A connected by a linkage 152 to the holding control valve 134.
Clip 148 engages rocker arm 150 when the lever 134 is moved
rearwardly while in the break-out position to actuate the holding
control valve 134.
Positioned in the control box 34 is a die set valve 154. A lever
156 extends through an opening at the top of the control box 34
(See FIG. 6) to provide a means for the convenient control of the
die set valve by the operator.
The swing and elevational control handle 46 is preferably provided
with a bail 158 (See FIG. 6) extending from the rotatable handle
46. Handle 46 is formed about a bolt 160. The function of bail 158
is to maintain lever 132 in the forward position to hold the backup
tong latched in the closed position.
In addition to the control valves described to this point, the
control system of the apparatus includes a hydraulically actuated
valve, the physical position of which is not shown since such may
be located any place in the system, such as in the structure
supporting pivot post 26. Referring to FIG. 10 a three-position
spring centered hydraulic actuated valve 162 is utilized to control
elevational control cylinder 44. In all cases in the hydraulic
control diagrams of FIGS. 8 and 10 the letter P stands for the
pressure source and the letter T stands for tank or reservoir. As
lever 46 (FIG. 9) is raised and lowered control rod 110 actuates
valves 114 or 116 which in turn actuates the hydraulic control
valve 162 to apply fluid pressure to one side or the other the
piston of elevational control cylinder 44 to raise or lower the
mechanism. In a similar arrangement, the actuation of handle 46 to
the right or left pivots pivot rod 112 to engage valve 118 or 120
to hydraulically actuate control valve 164 to apply fluid pressure
to one side or the other of the piston 122 in turning cylinder 124
to rotate pivot post 26 to move the mechanism towards or away from
the drill pipe.
Referring to FIG. 8, a spin chain control valve 166 is actuated by
a cam (not shown) on the drilling rig. Cam 168 is automatically
actuated when the driller engages the mechanisms on the drilling
rig to rotate the cat head which, as previously described, rotates
the chain 100 of the spinner to threadably engage the pipe. Spinner
chain tensioning valve 170 is hydraulically controlled by the
spinner chain control valve 166 to apply hydraulic fluid pressure
to one side or other of the spinner chain tensioning cylinder 96
depending upon the position of the spinner control valve 138 as
determined by lever 132.
The tong die set cylinders 54 and 72 are controlled by hydraulic
pressures applied from an air-oil tank 172. Air pressure to the top
of the air-oil tank 172 is controlled by a tank pressurizing valve
174 which in turn is controlled by the die set control valve
154.
A die set cylinder holding valve 176 is hydraulically actuated by
the holding control valve 134 to hold the lead tong die set
cylinder in closed position. A pilot operated check valve 178
controls the flow of hydraulic fluid from air-oil tank 172 to the
die set cylinders 54 and 72.
OPERATION
With the apparatus in position as shown in FIG. 1, the sequence of
steps employed for making up, that is, threading together two
contiguous vertical lengths of drill pipe are the following:
1. With valve actuating lever 132 rotated to the makeup position as
shown in solid outline in FIG. 7, the operator moves it forward,
that is, towards plate 108, to the first position wherein leaf
spring 144 actuates backup tong control valve 140 which applies
hydraulic fluid pressure to backup tong latch lever 52 (FIG. 3)
latching the backup tong in closed position.
2. Further forward motion on valve actuating lever 132 actuates
spinner control valve 138 applying hydraulic fluid to the spinner
latch cylinder 94 latching the jaws of spinner in closed position,
and pressure is also applied to cocking cylinder 84 which cocks the
lead tong counterclockwise relative to the backup tong.
3. The driller engages the cat head on the drilling rig to pull on
cable 180 causing chain 100 to rotate to spin the upper drill pipe
12. This action by the driller automatically actuates cam 168 to
actuate spin chain control valve 166 applying fluid pressure to the
spin chain tensioning cylinder 96, applying tension on the chain
100 so that it securely grasps the exterior of drilling string 12.
Bushing 102 ensures a secure frictional engagement of the chain 100
to rotate pipe 12. The upper drill pipe 12 is spun into the lower
drill pipe 14.
4. Further forward motion of valve actuating lever 132 actuates
lead tong latch valve 136 to apply hydraulic force to lead tong
latch cylinder 68, latching the lead tong to the upper drill pipe
12.
5. The operator pushes lever 156 on the top of the control box 34
to actuate die set control valve 154 which in turn actuates the
tank pressurizing valve 174 so that air pressure is applied to
air-oil tank 172. This applies hydraulic fluid through pilot
operated check 178 to the tong die set cylinders 154 and 172
securely setting the tongs on pipes 12 and 14. At the same time,
hydraulic pressure is applied to pressure intensifier cylinder 80.
Pressure is trapped by the pilot operated check valve 178 in die
sets cylinders 54 and 72 and in the pressure intensifying cylinder
80.
6. A driller actuates the cat head pulling on cable 78, and thus on
intensifying cylinder 80, piston rod 80A, and cable 82, to rotate
lead tong 30 in a direction to securely threadably set the upper
drill pipe 12 to the lower drill pipe 14. As increased force is
applied on cable 78 the hydraulic pressure in intensifier cylinder
80 increases, the increased pressure is automatically applied to
die set cylinders 54 and 72. Thus, as the force tending to rotate
the lead tong 22 relative to the backup tong 28 increses the force
applied by the dies to grip the pipe is increased to ensure that
the dies do not slip on the pipe. This ensures positive threaded
locking of the upper to the lower drill pipe. The upper drill pipe
has now been threaded into and securely threadably set to the lower
drill pipe.
7. The operator moves lever 156 atop the control box 34 to
deactuate the die set control valve 154. This deactuates the
pressurizing valve 174, removing hydraulic pressure to the die set
cylinders 54 and 72 and the pressure intensifier cylinder 80. At
the same time, pressure is applied to open the pilot control valve
178 to allow hydraulic fluid in the die set cylinders and pressure
intensifier cylinder to return to the air-oil tank 172.
8. The operator moves valve actuating lever 132 to full rearward
position releasing valves 138 and 140 which releases all engagement
of the apparatus with the upper and lower drill pipes. The
apparatus may then be moved off the pipe by the operator moving
handle 46 to the left.
The steps which take place to threadably disengage or break out
adjacent vertical lengths of drill pipe will now be described:
1. The operator moves the apparatus from stored position to engage
the drill string by moving handle 46 to the right, actuating
counterclockwise turning valve 120 which applies pressure to
hydraulic control valve 164 and thereby to turning cylinder
124.
2. The operator rotates valve actuating lever portion 132A
180.degree. to the position shown in dotted outline in FIG. 7.
3. The operator pushes lever 132 forward, towards plate 108. Spring
144 engaging and actuating backup tong latch valve 140 applying
hydraulic pressure to backup tong cylinder 52, latching the backup
tong in position about lower drill pipe 14.
4. The operator pushes lever 132 forward to the next position
wherein lead tong latch valve 136 is engaged applying hydraulic
pressure to lead tong latch cylinder 68, latching the lead tong
about the upper drill pipe 12. (Note that in the break-out mode
spinner control valve 138 is not actuated since the spinner is not
utilized in breaking out the upper length from the lower length
drill pipe)
5. The operator actuates lever 156 on top of the control box to
engage the die set control valve 154 which applies pressure to die
set cylinders 72 and 84 in the same manner as described in step 5
of the makeup sequence.
6. The piston 80A of the pressure intensifier cylinder 80 is
attached directly to the base portion 64 of lead tong 30 (See FIG.
4). The operator rotates the cat head on the drilling rig (not
shown) withdrawing cable 78, and thereby causing the lead tong 30
to rotate counterclockwise relative to backup tong 28, threadably
breaking out the upper drill pipe 14 from the lower drill pipe
12.
7. The operator moves lever 132 to the full reverse position. This
deactuates backup tong latch valve 140 and lead tong latch valve
136. Clip 148 engages rocker arm 150 actuating the holding control
valve 134 which in turn actuates the die set cylinder holding
valves 176. This traps hydraulic pressure in lead tong die set
cylinder 72.
8. Operator moves lever 156 to open die set valve 154. This
deactuates the tank pressurizing 174 relieving pressure from backup
tong die set cylinder 54. Note, however, that pressure is not
relieved from the leading tong die set cylinder 72 because it is
blocked by holding valve 176. At the same time air pressure is
applied to operate check valve 178 to upset the check and apply
pressure on the front side of backup tong die set cylinder 54 to
make sure that the backup tong is fully released from the lower
drill pipe 14.
9. The driller rotates the rotary table 18. Slips 20 cause the
lower drill pipe 14 to rotate clockwise relative to the upper drill
pipe 12, unthreading the lower drill pipe from the upper drill
pipe.
10. The operator releases valve actuating lever 132 to the neutral
position, deactuating the holding control valve 134 which permits
the die set cylinder holding valve 176 to return to normal
position, allowing hydraulic fluid pressure to flow from lead tong
die set cylinder 72 and air pressure to be applied to the rearward
side of the piston forcing the dies to the open position. With the
die set cylinder relieved the lead tong 28 opens, releasing the
apparatus from engagement with the drilling string. The operator
then may move the apparatus off the drill string if required.
The sequence of steps had been described which are involved, in the
first instance, to threadably connect the upper to the lower drill
pipe and in the second instance to breaking out or threadably
disconnecting the drill pipe. In normal drilling operations when a
trip is being made into or out of the hole, such as is required
when necessary to change bits, successive lengths of drill pipe are
threaded together in the instance of going into the hole, and
contrarily, successive lengths of drill pipe are unthreaded from
each other in coming out of the hole. In all instances the operator
of the apparatus completely controls the threading together and
unthreading successive lengths of drill pipe in a manner requiring
only a floor operator and a driller. The use of the spinning chain
is completely eliminated and the use of a manually operated tong is
eliminated, thus, reducing the minimum requirement of men on the
drilling floor from two to one and at the same time substantially
increasing workmen safety. The exact hydraulic control system
required to operate the mechanisms of this invention may greatly
vary in detail. Auxiliary devices such as flow controls to slow
down certain operations relative to others may be employed in the
hydraulic system to control the exact timing of the sequence of
operation of various components, all employing known hydraulic
control technology. The means of rotating the spinning chain 100
may vary in many ways. The illustrated arrangement wherein a cable
180 actuated by the drilling rig drawworks is only one example. It
can be seen that hydraulic pneumatic or electric motors may be
equally as well employed. The same applies to the use of cable 78
as a means of setting or breaking out the pipe by rotation of the
lead tong relative to the backup tong. Such may be accomplished
utilizing hydraulic cylinders or other arrangements rather than the
cable-cat head arrangement as described.
Many other aspects of the invention may vary in considerable detail
without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It
is understood that the invention has been described by reference to
an exemplified embodiment for purposes only of illustrating one
arrangement of the invention. The invention is not limited to the
exemplified embodiment set forth herein but is encompassed only by
the attached claim or claims, including the full range of
equivalency to which each element or step thereof is entitled.
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