Positioning and spinning device

• US 7,509,722 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2003
• Issued: 03/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Reinholdt, Bernd, Hollingsworth, Jimmy Lawrence, Habetz, Jeff, Shahin, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Omgba; Essama
• Application Number:
  US10/382,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20040003490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,218 Days
• Field of Search: 294/070.9, 294/071, 294/072, 297/09, 294/56, 294/070.2, 166/77.51, 166/77.53, 166/85.1, 166/85.5, 175/256, 414/22.51
• US Class Current: 29/407.09
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/16 Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints E21B19/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/165 Control or monitoring arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/20 Combined feeding from rack and connecting, e.g. automatically
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/24 Guiding or centralising devices for drilling rods or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49766 torquing threaded assemblage or determining torque herein
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49778 with aligning, guiding, or instruction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4978 Assisting assembly or disassembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49881 of separate helix [e.g., screw thread]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for connecting a first tubular with a second tubular. The apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging the first tubular and a conveying member for positioning the gripping member. The apparatus also includes a spinner for rotating the first tubular. In one embodiment, the spinner includes a motor and one or more rotational members for engaging the first tubular. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a rotation counting member biased against the first tubular. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of connecting a first tubular to second tubular. The method includes engaging the first tubular using a gripping member connected to a conveying member and positioning the gripping member to align the first tubular with the second tubular. Thereafter, the first tubular is engaged with the second tubular, and the first tubular is rotated relative to the second tubular using the gripping member.

Claims

1. A method of connecting a first tubular to second tubular, comprising:

disposing a gripping member on a derrick, the gripping member having two adjustable jaws configured to accommodate varying tubular diameters and at least one drive roller;

engaging the first tubular using the gripping member connected to a conveying member;

moving the gripping member and the engaged first tubular to align the first tubular with the second tubular;

determining a position of the gripping member, wherein the position of the gripping member aligns the first tubular with the second tubular;

memorizing the position of the gripping member;

engaging the first tubular with the second tubular;

rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular using the at least one drive roller, wherein;

the first tubular moves along an axis thereof during rotation,

the gripping member is disposed on a rail, and

the gripping member moves along the axis with the first tubular by being moved alone the rail during rotation of the first tubular; and

rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular using a top drive until the connection is complete.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising recalling the memorized position to position a third tubular.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the gripping member comprises actuating the conveying member.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one drive roller rotates the first tubular relatively faster than a top drive.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising making up about 80% or less of a connection between the first tubular and the second tubular.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a rotation of the first tubular.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing a rotation counting member to detect the rotation of the first tubular.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the conveying member at an inclined position relative to a horizontal plane.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one drive roller comprises a motor and one or more rotational members for engaging the first tubular.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising biasing a rotation counting member against the first tubular.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the gripping member is remotely controllable.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the conveying member comprises a telescopic arm.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the telescopic arm is mounted on a rotor which is pivotally mounted on a base.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the gripping member is non-rotatable relative to the conveying member.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first tubular is rotated in an opposite direction of the at least one drive roller.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein 80% or less of the connection is made up using the gripping member.

17. A method of connecting a first tubular to second tubular, comprising:

disposing a gripping member on a derrick, the gripping member having two adjustable jaws configured to accommodate varying tubular diameters and at least one drive roller;

engaging the first tubular using the gripping member connected to a conveying member;

moving the gripping member and the engaged first tubular to align the first tubular with the second tubular;

determining a position of the gripping member, wherein the position of the gripping member aligns the first tubular with the second tubular;

memorizing the position of the gripping member;

engaging the first tubular with the second tubular;

rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular using the at least one drive roller, wherein;

the first tubular moves along an axis thereof during rotation,

the gripping member is mounted on a spring loaded base, and

the base accommodates movement of the gripping member along the axis with the first tubular during rotation of the first tubular; and

rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular using a top drive until the connection is complete.