Combined multi-coupler for top drive

• US 10,527,104 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2017
• Issued: 01/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Liess, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Kenneth L
• Application Number:
  US15/656,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20190024721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/043 with locking means
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/16 Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints E21B19/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 3/022 Top drives
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/00 Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/08 with clamping hub; with hub and longitudinal key
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/116 the interengaging parts including a continuous or interrupted circumferential groove in the surface of one of the coupling parts circlips for retaining hubs on shafts F16B21/18

Abstract

In one embodiment, a coupler system for coupling a top drive and a tool, including a drive member of the top drive configured to transfer torque. The drive member having a housing with a bore therethrough and a window formed substantially laterally through the housing. An adapter of the tool is configured to be inserted through the window of the housing. In another embodiment, a method for coupling a top drive to a tool includes moving, the tool adjacent to the top drive, the tool including an adapter and the top drive including a housing having a window formed therethrough. The method also includes aligning the adapter with the window and inserting the adapter substantially laterally into the window of the housing, thereby longitudinally and torsionally coupling the top drive and the tool.

Claims

1. A coupler system for coupling a top drive and a tool, comprising:

a drive member of the top drive configured to transfer torque, having;

a housing with a bore therethrough; and

a window formed substantially laterally through the housing;

an adapter of the tool configured to be inserted through the window of the housing; and

one or more utility connectors longitudinally movable relative to the housing.

2. The coupler system of claim 1, wherein the one or more utility connectors are configured to transfer at least one of power, data, electronics, hydraulics, and pneumatics.

3. The coupler system of claim 1, wherein the adapter includes a bore configured to fluidly communicate with the bore of the housing when the adapter is inserted through the window.

4. The coupler system of claim 1, further comprising a lock plate disposed in the housing.

5. The coupler system of claim 4, wherein the lock plate is longitudinally movable relative to the housing.

6. The coupler system of claim 4, wherein the lock plate is configured to connect to the adapter.

7. The coupler system of claim 1, further comprising a compensation assembly configured to support a weight of the tool.

8. The coupler system of claim 7, the compensation assembly comprising:

an actuator configured to move a lock plate disposed in the housing; and

a fastener configured to couple the adapter to the lock plate.

9. A method for coupling a top drive to a tool, comprising:

moving the tool adjacent to the top drive, the tool including an adapter and the top drive including a housing having a window formed therethrough;

aligning the adapter with the window; and

inserting the adapter substantially laterally into the window of the housing, thereby longitudinally and torsionally coupling the top drive and the tool.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

moving a lock plate disposed within the housing; and

connecting the lock plate to the adapter.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

moving one or more utility connectors at least partially disposed within the housing.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

supporting a weight of the tool using a compensation assembly.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising connecting the one or more utility connectors to the adapter to transfer at least one of power, data, electronics, hydraulics, and pneumatics.

14. A coupler system for coupling a top drive and a tool, comprising:

a drive member for a top drive configured to transfer torque and support a weight of the tool, having;

a housing with a bore therethrough;

an adapter of a tool;

a lock plate disposed in the housing and longitudinally movable relative to the housing, wherein the lock plate is configured to connect to the adapter; and

one or more utility connectors longitudinally movable relative to the housing with the lock plate.

15. The coupler system of claim 14, wherein the one or more utility connectors are configured to connect to the adapter.

16. The coupler system of claim 15, wherein the one or more utility connectors are configured to transfer at least one of power, data, electronics, hydraulics, and pneumatics.

17. The coupler system of claim 14, further comprising an actuator disposed in the housing and configured to move and connect the one or more utility connectors to the adapter.