CA2097089C - Torque transfer apparatus - Google Patents
Torque transfer apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA2097089C CA2097089C CA002097089A CA2097089A CA2097089C CA 2097089 C CA2097089 C CA 2097089C CA 002097089 A CA002097089 A CA 002097089A CA 2097089 A CA2097089 A CA 2097089A CA 2097089 C CA2097089 C CA 2097089C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tong
- lead
- gripping
- torque
- lateral
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/16—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
- E21B19/161—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe
- E21B19/164—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe motor actuated
Abstract
An apparatus for making up of breaking out of two members having mating threaded connections, such as pipe joints or bolts for avoiding undesirable transverse forces relative to the two members during tightening (or loosening), thereby insuring the connection is made up (or broken out) by essentially pure torque loads. A power-driven lead tong rotatingly drives a first threaded member out of its axis. A back-up tong secures a second threaded member against axial rotation in response to the rotation of the first member. An interconnecting frame and isolation apparatus adapts the lead tong to the back-up tong in such a manner that their relative tendencies to rotate about the threaded members, in opposite directions, counteract each other. The interconnecting frame and isolation apparatus allowing relative movement along x, y and z axis between the lead tong and the back-up tong, but which does not allow relative rotation about the z axis, the interconnecting frame prevents undesirable transverse forces from occuring, between the lead tong and the back-up tong in response to the driving torque of the lead tong. The interconnecting frame and isolation apparatus eliminates transverse forces which would otherwise develop because of irregularities of the threaded members. A load cell cooperating with the isolation apparatus, internally disposed in the interconnecting frame, cooperates between the isolation apparatus and the tong housing to produce a torque measurement without inducing transverse forces on the threaded members.
Description
W092/06822 ~ PCT/US90/06895 I.lr~Ov~u TORQUE TRANSFER APPARA~US
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention:
5The invention relates to apparatus used for assembling or dis~ss~ hling members having mating threaded connections, such as pipe joints, threaded rods and bolts. More partic~ rly, the invention relates to ~uved means to interconnect power-driven lead tong and back-up tongs, ~ ly used to make-up and break-out tubular goods used in earth boreholes, part;c~ nly in oil and gas wells.
Addit1onAlty the invention relates to i ~ ov~d means to measure the torque applied to a threaded member by said tong u ination.
DescriDtion of Prior Art:
In virtually every industrial field there is at least some requi~ for ,A~S~ ng and ~SA~ '11ng 1 ~e s having - ' ng ~ aded co~e~-ions such as, plpe, rods and bolts. Perhaps the best known requlrement for making-up (or breaking-out) of such - ~ s exists in the earth boring indus~y, part~c~ rly that involving exploration for, and pluducLion o , oil and gas wells. In the oil and gas field, ~o~e~1ng on the phase of ope a~ions being corduc~ed,'miles of drill pipe, hole casing or ~ Lon tubing are ~c~6s- lly ~q~~ 'led at the su f~oe on a piece-by-piece b~sis. S1 ~lArly, each t~me it ~o_~ - 9 ~cess~-y to va plpe, c~s1n~ or tubing from the borehole (for bit changes, plpe repair, pipe salvage or many other reasons), the string of pipe is p~uy assively llfted from the hole, and ~ 9- 'le~ at the YU face on a piece-by-plece basis.
Rso~se of the need to repetively make and break threaded SU~SlllUlt SHET
... ' -.. - -'.. ~ .. . . . ..
.- . ........................... ~ .' .. ..
. ~ ~. ,' . .
- . .. . . . .
W092/06822 ~ ~ ~ 7 ~ 3 ~ PCT/US90/06895 member connections, various apparatus, generally referred to as tongs, more specifically lead tongs and back-up tongs, have been developed to facilitate that task.
A5 deeper wells are drilled the weight of the pipe string increases, as does the internal and external pressures the pipe must bear, thus greater d~ -n~S are placed on the pipe, part~c~ rly on its threaded connections. In deeper wells pipe joints are often tightened to a high, e~ ~ly critical torque. Too low a torque can lead to leakage of drilling fluids or even the flam~able fluids being produced. Too high a torque can damage the pipe ~oints and result in leakage or even separation of the pipe string in the hole. It i~ readily apparent that repla~- ~nt or repair of damaged pipe, sometimes not discovered until the pipe is set in the borehole, is time 15 con~ ~nq, dange~u~s and eYr~n-s~ve.
It is readily appa~en~ that during ~A~S ~ ly and diRA~5 'ly of a threaded co~s~ion there is no requi~
for ~ar.svc~e (or lateral) (normal to the pipe axis) forces to be applied to said oo~.n~ lon and, in fact such forces can have serious detrimental effects. Frictional forces due to lateral forces cause false torque reading and can cause ~ u.~ thread gAl 1 ~ng. Sald lateral forces can actually bend the pipe. ~ppl~c~Ation of lateral forces during tightening can also cause the oon~euLion to tighten off een~6 , which can result in loss of the conn~ion's fluid seal.
While much of the prior art addresses other prob~
regardlng use of tongs to a~~-. 'le and ~sass ~ 19 threaded eo~ lons, the problem of lateral stresses has, hiLhe~o, not been solved.
SU~Sllllll~ SHET
,~ . . .
.........
. -- ~ .
, .
W092/06822 2 o 9 7 o 8 3 PCT/US90/06895 KELLEY, U.S. Pat. No. 3, 545, 313, De~ r 8, 1970, discloses a combined lead tong("s~apple") and back-up tong.
The lead tong and back-up tong are movable relative to each other along the axis of the pipe and the back-up tong is slidable toward and away from that axis. Relative turning ~ VI - t of either the lead tong or the back-up tong is p.ev~n~ed by use of a single~ in~e connecting, rearwardly disposed shaft and sleeve a~angf L. As is readily apparent this means of interconnection in~Uces lateral forces on pipe joint during tightening or loosPni ng, No means is disclosed for measuring the torque these tongs apply to the pipe joint.
WEINER, U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,451, May 23, 1978, disclosed a method and apparatus for c~lcul~ting the torque being applied to a pipe joint and for counting the n_ '- of turns of one '- relative to the other. The invention ~1scloses~
in essPnce, a means for early de~e~L$on of a "bad Joint" being caused by lateral forces being Appl~e~ during tightening, which causes "ben~ng of one of the threaded ~e s relative to the other, such as when rotating pipe sways, creates a false indication of reference torque... n, This inventlon de ~e~ ~5 some of the problems caused by the ~ cation of lateral forces during tightening or loosP-n~ng~ but does not p-ev~.,~ the lateral forces from oc~u llng.
TRUE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,040 ~Iscloses an apparatus for auL- ? ~cally stopp~nq the ~ppl~c~tion of torque to a pipe ~oint when a p~~det nPd value has been achieved. The senC1~g means described is a strain gauge in a sn~hblng line.
With refelence to Fig. l(a) herein, as ls readlly appa,en~, use of a 5n~bbing line to restrain tong rotation about the pipe 1nduces lateral stresses on the pipe Joint during SU5SIII~TE S~ET
- ; . .; ~
W092/06822 ' PCT/US90/06895 20970'3~ 4 tightenin~ or loosening.
PEVETO, U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,908, October 16, 1979, discloses a combined lead tong and back-up tong which is improved by the addition of an automatic i~d~Ying e~h~n;sm S which aligns openings of the frame after make-up or break-put of a pipe joint. Also, disclosed is a pair of fasteners disposed on each side of the tong for purpose of Suep~n~i ng the back-up tong from the lead tong. Though not ~lscl~cs~, it appears that the fasteners are somewhat slidable in the direction of the pipe axis and toward and away from the pipe axis. No third slide, perp~n~icul~n to the slide allowing l v ~ t toward and away from the pipe axis, is provided.
Without such slide lateral forces would be 1 ~osed on the pipe connection during tightening or loosening.
ECKEL, U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,304, Sept '- 22, 1981, srlos~s a back-up tong 1 , oved by the addition of an appa ~us which a~t ~ically releaces the back-up tong if the dr1ll pipe begln~ to slip down lnto the borehole or the tongs are lifted prematurely. Dlcc~osed therein is a "stinger"
rearwardly ~1spos~d on the back-up tong frame which coope,ates with a load cell and the lead tong to p,od~ce a torque mea~u~ . With refe ence to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, sald stinger, either coop~.ating with a sn~hb1ng line or with a "reaction bar" a~ ed to the lead tong, would induce lateral Y~ esses on the pipe during tightening or ~ Qosen 1 ng .
KINZBACK, U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,629, Aug. 31, 1982, ~1 8cl 06es a lead tong for use in making-up and breaking-out of ~oints of varying ~ e No specific means of restraining tong .~ about the pipe or measuring tor~ue 30 is ~sclosed.
SUB~ ult SNET
, . , . ., . - - ,. .~ ~ - . -.
, . .. ~ , . . . .
:, . . . -:
$, . . ~ :.~. . : ' W092/06822 2 ~ 7 a 8 9 PCT/~S90/o6895 MOONEY, U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,239 discloses a combined lead tong and back-up tong which rearwardly cooperate with a load cell to produce a torque measurement. The back-up tong is suspended from the lead tong by a plurality of vertical shafts which cooperate with elongated apertures through the back-up tong to allow some relative rotational v~ _rt between the tongs. The ~SClOse~ means of inLc connecting the tongs does not prevent lateral forces on the pipe joint, in fact the rearwardly disposed rigid coopelation between the lead tong and back-up tong (through a load cell) induces lateral forces on the pipe joint during tightening or loosening.
REINHOLDT, U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,134, January 8, 1985, ~SCloses a combined lead tong and back-up tong slidably ~u Led to a platform. The lead tong and back-up are lr~e,.~onnected by a plurality of hydraulic cylinders each of which is movable in any direction in a horizontal plane, ,oLaLably or linearly, against "r~ ntn XUppo.L el- - Ls.
This invention does not p,cvc--L lateral forces from being Appl~e~ to the pipe ~oint during tightening or loosen~ng~ but aLt ,~s to n~ Le" for n LLaveL~e relative ~e ~r~s, which cannot be ~.c ,letely prevented".
SHEWMAKE, U.S. pat. No. 4,494,425, January 22, 19~5, ~sclos~s ~~ '~n~d sp~nn~ng tong and back-up tong having a 8l1d~hls in~cQ ~ction be~ e the tongs, along the pipe aX18, to allow the distance bet ~ the tongs to shorten or lcnyLhcn as the pipe ~oint sho.Lens during A --- 'ly or le,~LI.ens during ~sArs~ ~y. The disclosed means of inLe,oo~n-;Lion, comprising no L-~v~-se slides, does not ~.e~L lateral forces on the pipe joint during tightenlng or 30 loog~n1 nSI .
~l~B~l~U~E SHEEI
.. . . .. , . i .. .. . . . ..
,i ~ ;. ~.... .. . . . - . . ...
. ' . . . ~ . ~ . . - .
- . .. : . ~ . .. . ' : : .
.. . . . -. . . . . ~ . . . . . - .. .
wo 92,06822 ~ o 9 7 ~ PCT/US90/06895 None of these patent~ disclose the present invention.
In each of these patents the means used to "hold" the tongs "in place", that is, restrain them from rotating about the pipe axis during tightening or loosening, whether by snubbing lines or by the interconnecting means disclosed, produce lateral forces on the pipe joint during said torquing process.
Some of the patents disclose means of detecting the desirable effect of lateral forces and some attempt to "compensate" for some of the ~n~e~rable effects of lateral forces, but none are directed to preventing those forces from arising.
When a lead tong is operated, a rotary ~ nt contained within the tong body grasps a first threaded member. A motor, usually hydraulic, contained within the lead tong body yene,a~es a "driving torque" which is arp~ed to the ,GLa y ~le ~~ to rotate it, and the first threaded - -~ therein, in the desired direction. ~y operation of Newton's third law of physics (that is, in ess~nce, "for every force there exists an equal and opposite force~), creation of the "driving torque n ( which is applied to the threaded '- ) results in a "reacting torque", which is ~pplied to the lead tong body in the opposite direction. This reaction torque must be co~nLe,acted, to secure the lead tong body from sp~nn1~g about the pipe rather than driving the pipe itself.
Hitherto, prior art means for securing the lead tong body ~ n~t rotation about the pipe were by use of a snuhhi n~
line, a "reaction ~,ackeL n which rigidly coope, a L~s with back-up tongs, or multiple ~- a which rigidly (or resiliently) coop6~ale with the back-up tongs. All of these conventional means p,u~ce linear, laterally directed and unpaired force 5~BSIIIult SHET
.. . . .. ~
-: .. : . - - ~ .
.
.-. . . - ;
-. . ..
- .- . :.
- -: . . . - - -W092/06822 ~ ~ 9 7 0 8 9 PCT/US90/06895 vectors on the lead tong body. The lead tong body tends to move laterally in response to said linear force vectors, which said lateral , v -nt is resisted by the pipe. Fig. l(a) diagrams the lateral force vectors when a prior art snubbiny line was used to secure the lead tong body against -Vl -r~
a~out the pipe. Fig. l(b) diagrams the lateral force vectors when a prior art "reaction bracket", cooperating with the back-up tong, was used to secure the lead tong body agalnst -,v~ -nt about the pipe. Fig. l(c) diagrams the prior art lateral force vectors when a prior art multiple rigid interconnects, cooperating with the back-up tong, was used to secure the lead tong body against ~ -rt about the pipe.
With reference to prior art back-up tongs, a sim$1ar phe~ occurred. Means used hitherto to secure back-up tongs from rotating wlth the pipe resulted in lateral force being Appl~e~ to the second threaded e ~~ (lower pipe). The lateral force v~L~ arpl ~e~ to the second threaded ~ '~
(lower plpe) was equal in magnltude, but opposite in direction to the lateral force ~n~c~d by the lead tong above. A
_: 'in~tion of the lateral force ~ ,_sed on the upper pipe by the lead tong and on the lower pipe by the back-up tongs pro~ced a ben~ ~ ng moment across the pipe ~oint being tiyl.~ened or ~oose~-d. Fig. 2(a) diagrams the lateral force v~C Lol s, created by both the lead tong and the back-up tong, when prior art snubbing lines were used. Fig. 2(b) diagrams the lateral force ve~L~a created by both the lead tong and the back-up tong when a prior art "reaction bla~heL" was used.
Fig. 2 (c) diagrams the lateral force vecLGl created by both the lead tong and back-up tong, when prior art multiple rigid (or resilient) inLe~onne~L~ were used.
SU~SlllJlt SH~T
~ . - . - - . . ~
. ..
. . . --- . . - - ~ - -. - ~ i, .,,, " . ,, :
.. . . . .. . . .. . - .
. . . . ...
~. .. . . ... .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention:
5The invention relates to apparatus used for assembling or dis~ss~ hling members having mating threaded connections, such as pipe joints, threaded rods and bolts. More partic~ rly, the invention relates to ~uved means to interconnect power-driven lead tong and back-up tongs, ~ ly used to make-up and break-out tubular goods used in earth boreholes, part;c~ nly in oil and gas wells.
Addit1onAlty the invention relates to i ~ ov~d means to measure the torque applied to a threaded member by said tong u ination.
DescriDtion of Prior Art:
In virtually every industrial field there is at least some requi~ for ,A~S~ ng and ~SA~ '11ng 1 ~e s having - ' ng ~ aded co~e~-ions such as, plpe, rods and bolts. Perhaps the best known requlrement for making-up (or breaking-out) of such - ~ s exists in the earth boring indus~y, part~c~ rly that involving exploration for, and pluducLion o , oil and gas wells. In the oil and gas field, ~o~e~1ng on the phase of ope a~ions being corduc~ed,'miles of drill pipe, hole casing or ~ Lon tubing are ~c~6s- lly ~q~~ 'led at the su f~oe on a piece-by-piece b~sis. S1 ~lArly, each t~me it ~o_~ - 9 ~cess~-y to va plpe, c~s1n~ or tubing from the borehole (for bit changes, plpe repair, pipe salvage or many other reasons), the string of pipe is p~uy assively llfted from the hole, and ~ 9- 'le~ at the YU face on a piece-by-plece basis.
Rso~se of the need to repetively make and break threaded SU~SlllUlt SHET
... ' -.. - -'.. ~ .. . . . ..
.- . ........................... ~ .' .. ..
. ~ ~. ,' . .
- . .. . . . .
W092/06822 ~ ~ ~ 7 ~ 3 ~ PCT/US90/06895 member connections, various apparatus, generally referred to as tongs, more specifically lead tongs and back-up tongs, have been developed to facilitate that task.
A5 deeper wells are drilled the weight of the pipe string increases, as does the internal and external pressures the pipe must bear, thus greater d~ -n~S are placed on the pipe, part~c~ rly on its threaded connections. In deeper wells pipe joints are often tightened to a high, e~ ~ly critical torque. Too low a torque can lead to leakage of drilling fluids or even the flam~able fluids being produced. Too high a torque can damage the pipe ~oints and result in leakage or even separation of the pipe string in the hole. It i~ readily apparent that repla~- ~nt or repair of damaged pipe, sometimes not discovered until the pipe is set in the borehole, is time 15 con~ ~nq, dange~u~s and eYr~n-s~ve.
It is readily appa~en~ that during ~A~S ~ ly and diRA~5 'ly of a threaded co~s~ion there is no requi~
for ~ar.svc~e (or lateral) (normal to the pipe axis) forces to be applied to said oo~.n~ lon and, in fact such forces can have serious detrimental effects. Frictional forces due to lateral forces cause false torque reading and can cause ~ u.~ thread gAl 1 ~ng. Sald lateral forces can actually bend the pipe. ~ppl~c~Ation of lateral forces during tightening can also cause the oon~euLion to tighten off een~6 , which can result in loss of the conn~ion's fluid seal.
While much of the prior art addresses other prob~
regardlng use of tongs to a~~-. 'le and ~sass ~ 19 threaded eo~ lons, the problem of lateral stresses has, hiLhe~o, not been solved.
SU~Sllllll~ SHET
,~ . . .
.........
. -- ~ .
, .
W092/06822 2 o 9 7 o 8 3 PCT/US90/06895 KELLEY, U.S. Pat. No. 3, 545, 313, De~ r 8, 1970, discloses a combined lead tong("s~apple") and back-up tong.
The lead tong and back-up tong are movable relative to each other along the axis of the pipe and the back-up tong is slidable toward and away from that axis. Relative turning ~ VI - t of either the lead tong or the back-up tong is p.ev~n~ed by use of a single~ in~e connecting, rearwardly disposed shaft and sleeve a~angf L. As is readily apparent this means of interconnection in~Uces lateral forces on pipe joint during tightening or loosPni ng, No means is disclosed for measuring the torque these tongs apply to the pipe joint.
WEINER, U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,451, May 23, 1978, disclosed a method and apparatus for c~lcul~ting the torque being applied to a pipe joint and for counting the n_ '- of turns of one '- relative to the other. The invention ~1scloses~
in essPnce, a means for early de~e~L$on of a "bad Joint" being caused by lateral forces being Appl~e~ during tightening, which causes "ben~ng of one of the threaded ~e s relative to the other, such as when rotating pipe sways, creates a false indication of reference torque... n, This inventlon de ~e~ ~5 some of the problems caused by the ~ cation of lateral forces during tightening or loosP-n~ng~ but does not p-ev~.,~ the lateral forces from oc~u llng.
TRUE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,040 ~Iscloses an apparatus for auL- ? ~cally stopp~nq the ~ppl~c~tion of torque to a pipe ~oint when a p~~det nPd value has been achieved. The senC1~g means described is a strain gauge in a sn~hblng line.
With refelence to Fig. l(a) herein, as ls readlly appa,en~, use of a 5n~bbing line to restrain tong rotation about the pipe 1nduces lateral stresses on the pipe Joint during SU5SIII~TE S~ET
- ; . .; ~
W092/06822 ' PCT/US90/06895 20970'3~ 4 tightenin~ or loosening.
PEVETO, U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,908, October 16, 1979, discloses a combined lead tong and back-up tong which is improved by the addition of an automatic i~d~Ying e~h~n;sm S which aligns openings of the frame after make-up or break-put of a pipe joint. Also, disclosed is a pair of fasteners disposed on each side of the tong for purpose of Suep~n~i ng the back-up tong from the lead tong. Though not ~lscl~cs~, it appears that the fasteners are somewhat slidable in the direction of the pipe axis and toward and away from the pipe axis. No third slide, perp~n~icul~n to the slide allowing l v ~ t toward and away from the pipe axis, is provided.
Without such slide lateral forces would be 1 ~osed on the pipe connection during tightening or loosening.
ECKEL, U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,304, Sept '- 22, 1981, srlos~s a back-up tong 1 , oved by the addition of an appa ~us which a~t ~ically releaces the back-up tong if the dr1ll pipe begln~ to slip down lnto the borehole or the tongs are lifted prematurely. Dlcc~osed therein is a "stinger"
rearwardly ~1spos~d on the back-up tong frame which coope,ates with a load cell and the lead tong to p,od~ce a torque mea~u~ . With refe ence to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, sald stinger, either coop~.ating with a sn~hb1ng line or with a "reaction bar" a~ ed to the lead tong, would induce lateral Y~ esses on the pipe during tightening or ~ Qosen 1 ng .
KINZBACK, U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,629, Aug. 31, 1982, ~1 8cl 06es a lead tong for use in making-up and breaking-out of ~oints of varying ~ e No specific means of restraining tong .~ about the pipe or measuring tor~ue 30 is ~sclosed.
SUB~ ult SNET
, . , . ., . - - ,. .~ ~ - . -.
, . .. ~ , . . . .
:, . . . -:
$, . . ~ :.~. . : ' W092/06822 2 ~ 7 a 8 9 PCT/~S90/o6895 MOONEY, U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,239 discloses a combined lead tong and back-up tong which rearwardly cooperate with a load cell to produce a torque measurement. The back-up tong is suspended from the lead tong by a plurality of vertical shafts which cooperate with elongated apertures through the back-up tong to allow some relative rotational v~ _rt between the tongs. The ~SClOse~ means of inLc connecting the tongs does not prevent lateral forces on the pipe joint, in fact the rearwardly disposed rigid coopelation between the lead tong and back-up tong (through a load cell) induces lateral forces on the pipe joint during tightening or loosening.
REINHOLDT, U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,134, January 8, 1985, ~SCloses a combined lead tong and back-up tong slidably ~u Led to a platform. The lead tong and back-up are lr~e,.~onnected by a plurality of hydraulic cylinders each of which is movable in any direction in a horizontal plane, ,oLaLably or linearly, against "r~ ntn XUppo.L el- - Ls.
This invention does not p,cvc--L lateral forces from being Appl~e~ to the pipe ~oint during tightening or loosen~ng~ but aLt ,~s to n~ Le" for n LLaveL~e relative ~e ~r~s, which cannot be ~.c ,letely prevented".
SHEWMAKE, U.S. pat. No. 4,494,425, January 22, 19~5, ~sclos~s ~~ '~n~d sp~nn~ng tong and back-up tong having a 8l1d~hls in~cQ ~ction be~ e the tongs, along the pipe aX18, to allow the distance bet ~ the tongs to shorten or lcnyLhcn as the pipe ~oint sho.Lens during A --- 'ly or le,~LI.ens during ~sArs~ ~y. The disclosed means of inLe,oo~n-;Lion, comprising no L-~v~-se slides, does not ~.e~L lateral forces on the pipe joint during tightenlng or 30 loog~n1 nSI .
~l~B~l~U~E SHEEI
.. . . .. , . i .. .. . . . ..
,i ~ ;. ~.... .. . . . - . . ...
. ' . . . ~ . ~ . . - .
- . .. : . ~ . .. . ' : : .
.. . . . -. . . . . ~ . . . . . - .. .
wo 92,06822 ~ o 9 7 ~ PCT/US90/06895 None of these patent~ disclose the present invention.
In each of these patents the means used to "hold" the tongs "in place", that is, restrain them from rotating about the pipe axis during tightening or loosening, whether by snubbing lines or by the interconnecting means disclosed, produce lateral forces on the pipe joint during said torquing process.
Some of the patents disclose means of detecting the desirable effect of lateral forces and some attempt to "compensate" for some of the ~n~e~rable effects of lateral forces, but none are directed to preventing those forces from arising.
When a lead tong is operated, a rotary ~ nt contained within the tong body grasps a first threaded member. A motor, usually hydraulic, contained within the lead tong body yene,a~es a "driving torque" which is arp~ed to the ,GLa y ~le ~~ to rotate it, and the first threaded - -~ therein, in the desired direction. ~y operation of Newton's third law of physics (that is, in ess~nce, "for every force there exists an equal and opposite force~), creation of the "driving torque n ( which is applied to the threaded '- ) results in a "reacting torque", which is ~pplied to the lead tong body in the opposite direction. This reaction torque must be co~nLe,acted, to secure the lead tong body from sp~nn1~g about the pipe rather than driving the pipe itself.
Hitherto, prior art means for securing the lead tong body ~ n~t rotation about the pipe were by use of a snuhhi n~
line, a "reaction ~,ackeL n which rigidly coope, a L~s with back-up tongs, or multiple ~- a which rigidly (or resiliently) coop6~ale with the back-up tongs. All of these conventional means p,u~ce linear, laterally directed and unpaired force 5~BSIIIult SHET
.. . . .. ~
-: .. : . - - ~ .
.
.-. . . - ;
-. . ..
- .- . :.
- -: . . . - - -W092/06822 ~ ~ 9 7 0 8 9 PCT/US90/06895 vectors on the lead tong body. The lead tong body tends to move laterally in response to said linear force vectors, which said lateral , v -nt is resisted by the pipe. Fig. l(a) diagrams the lateral force vectors when a prior art snubbiny line was used to secure the lead tong body against -Vl -r~
a~out the pipe. Fig. l(b) diagrams the lateral force vectors when a prior art "reaction bracket", cooperating with the back-up tong, was used to secure the lead tong body agalnst -,v~ -nt about the pipe. Fig. l(c) diagrams the prior art lateral force vectors when a prior art multiple rigid interconnects, cooperating with the back-up tong, was used to secure the lead tong body against ~ -rt about the pipe.
With reference to prior art back-up tongs, a sim$1ar phe~ occurred. Means used hitherto to secure back-up tongs from rotating wlth the pipe resulted in lateral force being Appl~e~ to the second threaded e ~~ (lower pipe). The lateral force v~L~ arpl ~e~ to the second threaded ~ '~
(lower plpe) was equal in magnltude, but opposite in direction to the lateral force ~n~c~d by the lead tong above. A
_: 'in~tion of the lateral force ~ ,_sed on the upper pipe by the lead tong and on the lower pipe by the back-up tongs pro~ced a ben~ ~ ng moment across the pipe ~oint being tiyl.~ened or ~oose~-d. Fig. 2(a) diagrams the lateral force v~C Lol s, created by both the lead tong and the back-up tong, when prior art snubbing lines were used. Fig. 2(b) diagrams the lateral force ve~L~a created by both the lead tong and the back-up tong when a prior art "reaction bla~heL" was used.
Fig. 2 (c) diagrams the lateral force vecLGl created by both the lead tong and back-up tong, when prior art multiple rigid (or resilient) inLe~onne~L~ were used.
SU~SlllJlt SH~T
~ . - . - - . . ~
. ..
. . . --- . . - - ~ - -. - ~ i, .,,, " . ,, :
.. . . . .. . . .. . - .
. . . . ...
~. .. . . ... .
2 PCl/US90/06895 2~97~8~ 8 As is readily apparent, the appllcation of lateral forces on a pipe joint during tightening or loosening can have serious undesirable effects. Extra, and uneven, friction forces (see Fig. 3) caused by such side-loading can cause premature galling of the threads. ~he extra frictional forces can cause a false measurement which results on the joint being inadequately tightened. Further, the joint could "freeze"
with a lateral disp~ rL of the threads, which causes poor fluid sealing, or, if the lateral displ~ t later resolves, ~0 the joint may then be inadequately tightened.
The invention disclosed herein represents a vast i o~ ~rL over prior art.
Oblects of the Invention:
~ he general ob~ects of this invention are to provide a new and ~ , ~ved tong appala~s for A~ n~ and ~1 CA~ i ng t.lhUl ~r goods (or solld cyllndrical goods) havlng threaded conne~ions.
More part~cul~rly, one ob~ect of the p~~ser.~ invention is to in~e~conne.~ the lead tongs and back-up tong so that thelr relative ~dencies to rotate about the pipe axis, in opposite directions, co~l-ela- L each other and therefore the ~ '~ne~, inLe~conna~L d unit does not require external securlng means such as 8nubb1 ng llnes.
Ano~l.el ob~ect of the present invention ls to provlde a means of tong in~e~conn~ctlon whlch does not lnduce lateral forces on the pipe ~oint durlng torque ~pplic~tion (tightening or 1 oo~en i ng ) .
A fu~Lhe~ ob~ected of the p~~sen~ invention is to provide a means of tong irl~e ~onne~ion whlch e~ ~n~tes lateral forces whlch might otherwise occur beca~ce of lrregularities ~UBSTmJTE SHEFI' - - ~. : .... - ~ .
....
- :
.. - . -. ~- ~ . ~ .. .
.~ . . -. .
. . . .. , i - ~ . . .
...
wo g2/06822 2 o 9 7 o ~ ~ Pcr/US90,06895 g , . ..
of the threaded members, such as, bent pipe or eccentric lead.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means of tong interconnec~ion which allows the distance between the tong bodies to shorten or lengthen during tightening, to acc -~te the pipe ~oint bec i ng shorter as threads are taken up (or be~ i ng longer as the pipe joint loosens).
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a means by which the torque being applied to the pipe joint can be directly and accurately measured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The improved combined tong apparatus for assembling and ~sAc~- 'ling - '- s having mating threaded connections, according to the present invention, is characterized by a lead tong, a bA~-kup tong, and a means for in~e~conne~iny the lead tong to the back-up tong in such a manner that no s~ngle~
unpaired forces, but ~a~he~ only "coup~es" (paired forces of egual magnitude, but opposite direction) are created by the in~ or.nec~ing means; and, a load cell which coo~e~ates, in either tong, between a pivoting, internal - ~ arm and the tong hol-c~ ng to ~-~duce a torque meaau-. - t.
When the lead tong i8 ope-a~ed, its driving torgue tends to cause the lead tongs to rotate about the threaded - '~
in the directlon opposite to the driving torque. Since the back-up tong firmly grasps one of the threaded members, said driving torque also tends to cause the back-up tong to rotate in the same direction as the driving torque. By is.~e~conn~ing the lead tong body to the back-up tong body, each tong's reIative ~ende~;y to rotate about the threaded - '~ . Therefore, the A~- 'ly does not require ehL,aneous SU~5111 ~1~ SHET
... . ~ ; . . . - . - . . . .. . . .
- .. ~ . . . .
.. . . ~ ...
. .
.. ... ~ .
W092/06822 2 ~ 9 7 0 8 3 lo PCT/US90/06~9S
means for securing it in place, such as snubbing lines.
The back-up tongs are adapted to the lead tongs by means of an interconnecting structure, torsionally rigid, but which allows three dimensional linear -v~ -nt between the tongs.
~y being torsionally rigid, but slidable linearly, in the directions indicated, the interconnecting frame is therefore not capable (within all normal operating limits) of transferring any net lateral force ve~ocs between the two tong bodies, but rather resolves all such force vectors to "couples" external to the threaded member. By using only "couples" (the equivalent of "pure torque") to secure each tong from rotation abut the pipe axis, there is no ten~e~cy for tongs to impose lateral forces on the p1pe during tightening (or 1 oosen~ ng ) .
Either tong is equipped with a pivoting torgue arm which coo~e~a~es with the tong ho~ ng and a load cell to y.od~ce a torque mea-u,. :r~.
A second a ~ rL of the invention provides a variant ir.t~.~onne~Llng ~L~tu~e, which is tors1onAlly rigid but allows freedom of n ~ , relative linear ,~. ~rL, beL..e~
the tongs in three directions, one being ~-on~er~L,ic with the axis of the cylindrical body or -- s the tongs are adapted to be ut~l17ed with, and the other two directions being ps,~n~1c~ both to each other and the axis of the concerL.lc body. Instead of providing the x-slide, y-slide and z-slide as in the first.~ L, this second . '~1 ert u~1l1ze6 a connec~ion which permits both sl1~1ng and pivoting of the previous z-slide co~ecLion, and this second ~ - L
replaces the x and y-slides with a pivot arm 1 ~ nk~e and floating S~p~ncion Sy-4t which is so connected and al-anged SUBSllllllt SHET
- . . . . ,- .. :
- . . . : -: . .
-. . .. ..... .. ... ~ ..
-W092/06822 2 o ~ 7 o ~ 9 PCT/US90/0689s as to permit relative v -nt between the tongs in the ~ and y directions, and to provide a means for torque reading ~easurements. The ; ,_oved second ~ ~0~; ?nt provides more accurate torque readings due to less frictional losses, is simpler and less expensive to fabricate is smaller and lighter, more adaptable to various gripping -~h~ni! s, and more durable and thus easier to handle and ~se.
~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig's. l(a), l(b) and l(c) are schematical overhead views of PRIOR ART lead tong illustrating force vectors during tightening; l(a) showing the effect of a snubbing line, l(b) showing the effect of a reaction bracket; and, l(c) showing the effect of multiple rigid interconnects.
Fig. 2(a) is a schematical isometric view of PRIOR ART
5 _ ' t n~d tongs which use snl~hbing l$nes to restrain tong ~~ 3r~, Fig. 2(b) is a 8~~ lcal t , ~ iC view of PRIOR ART
S ~ ' t ned tongs which use a single n reaction b~ e~ n to restrain tong ~. t.
Fig. 2(c) is a s ' -~lcal t~ ~~ lc view of PRIOR ART
which uses a plurality of rigid ih~ero~nne~ing shafts to ir.~~ cQ~ne~ the lead tong and back-up tong.
Fig. 3 is a ss~ -tical sectional view of a threaded ~ co~e~ion being tiyl,Lenrd while under the lnfluence of lateral forces.
Fig. 4 is a t ~ ~$C view of the in~e~Q~o~ing frame (without a~ached tongs) of the ~I-fell~-d ~ t ~ L of the ~ases.L inventlon.
Fig. 5 is a s ~ e ~ical overhead view of the lead tongs of the ~,asenL invention showing force Ve~ on the x-slide.
S~BSIll~lt SUEFT
.. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . .
... ; . - - .. . .- . - .
.. . i. . .. . . ... ..
,~ . , .
- ' : - .. ~....... .. ....
..
.
~ . . . . - . .. - . .
W 0 92/0682' ~ 7 a ~ 9 12 PCT/US90/06895 Fig. 6 is a side elev~tional view of the apparatus of Fig. 4.
Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of the apparatus of ~ig. 4.
Fig. 8 is a schematical overhead view of the back-up tongs of the present invention, showing the force vectors on the y-slide.
Fig. 9 is an overhead plan view of the back-up tong of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a schematical view of the back-up tong of the present invention, showing the force vectors on the radial bearing load cell and moment arm.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of a section through the lower tong of the second - 'o~ t of the invention illustrating the torque isolating in~e,conne~ions be~ccn the tongs.
Fig. 12 is an elevation of a portion of the secon~
~ '0'~ - ~ of the p-esên~ lnvention illustrating the z freedom ~onne~ions.
Fig. 13 is a side elevation view of a complete ~s~ ed lead and torque isolating back-up tong apparatus.
Fig. 14 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 13.
Fig. 15 is a plan view of the x, y, and z ~--ed ~ :
c~ns~L~ons of the second - ~o~ of the present invention, and the torque transfer tube.
Fig. 16 is an elevational view of the torque transfer means be~ - the paired tongs of the second ~ ~-~l -- L of the ~ esen~ invention.
DESC~IPTION OF THE ~K~r~KK~ EMBODIMENT
The p-eser~ invention has three major c _re ~s; a SUBSTITUTE SHET
.... .. . .
. .
.. . - . . ..
. ~ .
. .
-, .
- . . .
. .
. . . ~ .
W092/06822 2 ~ ~ 7 o 8 ~ PCT/US90/0689s power-driven lead tong, an improved means fo~ interconnecting a lead tong, and, a back-up tong. Either the lead tong or the back-up tong has i ,.ov ents to allow for measurement of torque.
The first ma;or component of the combined tong apparatus is a power-driven lead tong. The lead tong contains elements for gripping and rotating a first threaded member (upper pipe) in threadable ~ nt with a second threaded member (lower pipe).
The preferred ~ ho~ ent of the present invention has power-driven lead tongs o$ the sort ordinarily used in the oilfield, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,014.
The second major ~ of the present invention is an i ~ ~ov~d means for conn~cting a lead tong to a back-up tong.
With referencè to Fig. l(a), showing prior art, it is seen that when a lead tong is ope-aL~d it produced a driving torque, TD~ which acts on a l~aly ele ~ which is grippingly ~a~ed to a first threaded member (upper pipe). In r~sponce 20 to the driving torque, TD~ a reaction torque, TR~ is ~ e~ -on the tong body in the direction opposite to that of pipe rotation. The led tong must be s~u,~d against rotation about the pipe axis, in reSpQnce to TR~ otherwise the tong would slmply rotate sbout the pipe rather than rotating the pipe lts~lf.
Wlth reference to Fig's. l(a), l(b) and l(c), showing prlor art, it is seen that corv~ ional means for securing a lead tong against rotation in reSpOnFe to TR, Wl-6 ~I-e by a ~n~bbt ng line (Fig. l(a)), reaction bracket (Fig. l(b)) or multiple rigid ir~elo~nec~s to the back-up tong (Fig. l(c)) ~SIIIllTE SHEET ' . .. .. . . . . . . .. . . . . .
~ . - . . , . -. ...... ... . . . .. - . .
.. .~ . . . ~ .
~ . . . ... .. ..... . :. . . . ~
.. . . . . - . ........ . . . .. .. .
. .
20~7a8~ 14 all involve lateral, linear forces, F~, being imposed on the tong housing. In response to Fs~ the tong housing tends to move laterally. Said lateral v~ ~rt of the tong causes deflection of the pipe, which gives rise to Px, which then counteracts F~. Therefore, while both rotational and linear equilibrium of the tongs was achieved by prior art means, it was at the ~Yr~n~e of lateral deflection of the pipe. As driving torque, TD~ increases; the reaction torque, T~, also increases; as doe the force required to secure the tong against rotation, Fx; and as does the force, P~, which is developed by the pipe in response to lateral deflection.
With reference to Fig's. 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c), showing prior art, it is seen that a si ~lAr (but opposlte direction) reaction occurs at the level of the back-up tong. The driving torque of the lead tongs, TD~ is transLe ed ~h ouyl, the threaded members to the back-up tong which is grippingly ~g~ged to the second threaded - '- (lower plpe). ~he back-up tongs therefore tend to rotate with the secon~ threaded ~ '~ , lns~ead of securing the second '- against rotation, unless the back-up tongs are restrained against ~ y ~ L. One prior art means to secure a back-up tong agalnst rotation lnvolves use of rearwardly a~ached sn~lhb~ng line (Flg. l(a)). Other prior art means to secure a back-up tong against rotation lnvolves use of a reaction bar (Flg.
2(b)) or use of multlple rlgld ln~elconnects (Fig. 2(c)).
Sald prlor art means ~ ,-9~ ~ llnear, lateral forces, Fx, on the back-up tong body, whlch caused lateral deflection of the plpe, which gave rise to P,. While rotational and llnear e~ hrium of the back-up tongs was achieved, again, same was achieved at the C~ ce of lateral deflection of the plpe.
SllBSllllllt SNEET
,. ~ .
. . . . . . . .. .. ... . ...... . . .
. . .
.
.. . . . .
- . .
.. . . . .
- . . .. . . ......
.. .
- ~ . . .. .. . . .. . ..
- - - .. . .
.
. . . , ~
W092/06822 ~ ~ 7 a8 ~ PCT/us9o/o689s The improved interconnecting means disclosed herein ~li ;n~tes the n~Gesslty of snubbing lines by making use of each tong's tendency to rotate about the pipe axis, in opposite directions, to counteract each other. The improved interconnecting means, however, avoids the imposition of any net lateral forces on the tong housing, thereby avoiding the imposltion of lateral forces on the threaded members.
In the preferred original P ~o'i --t of the present invention the interconnecting structure between the lead tong and the back-up tong is comprised of three pairs of slides interconnected in the series, each pair permittiny reIative v t between the lead tong and back-up tong in a certain llnear direction. By co~neo~ing each pair of slides ln a mutually perpendicular relationship to the other slldes, an isolated torsional-transfer "~oint~ (a joint which wlll allow relative, three ~ onAl linear ~ , but no relative rotary or angular ~ ~r~) $nLe,.~on~.e~4 the lead tong and back-up tong. By permitting linear .~ - t bet -- the two tongs, in any direction, the transferral of linear forces b~..ean the two tongs is el~ ~nated, becallce in order for a "force" to arise " ~. - L" must be resisted by an equal and opposite force. l~ L, since the isolated-torsiQn~l transfer structure is tors~on~lly rlgid, each tong is restralned from axial rotation about the work piece by an equal torsional force c.~a~d by the other tong. These tors~onAl, pure ~u~y~e and oppos~te, forces ~ ~ no lateral, b~1ng or deflection loads on the work piece being made up or b.. e- out. In the p,~fe~.ed ~ we have ch~sAn, as a ~1 Le, con~ nce, to orient one pair of slides parallel to the pipe axis (c~lled z-slide), one pair of slides parallel S~SIll~lt SHET
.- . ... . .. . .. . . ~ . , - ~ . . .-; - . ,- . : .
. . . . .. . ~ . , ...... ~ .
~ 7()8~ 16 to a radial of the pipe extending throu~h a point mid-way between this pair of slides (called y-sllde), and the third pair of slides parallel to a line tangential to the pipe at the same mid-way point (called x-slide). Any other mutually perpendicular orientations could be selected so long as the physical structure of the ITT ( isolated torsional transfer) joint does not interfere with operation of the tongs, and said joint is conveniently adaptable to the tong bodies.
The slide parallel to the pipe axis (called z-slide) allows the distance between the tong bodies to increase or decrease as the pipe joint loosens or tightens. The z-slide also cooperates with the lateral slides (called x-slide and y-slide, respectively) to plod~ce couples (paired forces of equal magnitude but opposite direction) to prevent relative rotational .. - L (torsional rigidity) beL ~r the tong hol~s t n!lS .
The lateral slides permit relative linear ~ ~rt in any direction in the lateral plane. The relative linear ~ L allowed ~ evenLs any net linear force from arising in the lateral plane (no force may arise unless something resists it). Corv~ sely by virtue of the fact that each slide is co~ Led to the adjacent ~ e (whether tong ho~C~ng or ad~acent slide) at more than one point, the lateral slides permlt the transfer of paired forces (couples) be~ the tong h~u~ngs, thereby providing torsional rigidity be~
said ho~C~ngs. By use of only couples (the equivalent of pure torque) to secure each tong against rotatlon about the threaded ~ -~ s, no lateral forces are i ,-se~ on the threaded '~ , and the col~ecLlon is made by essentially pure torque.
SU~Slll~lt SHET
.. . . ... . . . . .. .
. .... . . ~ . . : ..
.. - ~ ~ - .- ...
~ .. . . . . . .. .. . ... ... .. . . .
. . . .. .. . . . . . - . . . . ..
- . . . . . ~ , . .. . .
. ~ . . . ,' ' . . . ~
.
. - . . .- -- ..... . . . ' ,, W092/06822 2 o ~ 7 o ~ 9 PCT/US90/06895 17 ~
While there may be many embodiments of the ; ,Loved interconnecting means, with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, one embodiment is described below. Two cylindrical guides 1 are vertically adapted to the lead tong (Fig. 6) by means of adapting plates 2. Shafts 3 are slidably disposed within the cylindrical guides 2. The cylindrical guides 2 and shafts 3 sl~hly cooperate along the z-axis, and are called the z-slide. The lower part of shafts 3 sl1~1ngly cGope.ate (along the x-axis) with horizontal shafts 4. Horizontal shafts 4 are mounted to plate 5 by means of offset blocks 6, and are collectively called the x-slide. Plate 5 is adapted to tubes 7, which slidably cooperate (along the y-axis) with horizontal shafts 8 (called the y-slide). Horizontal shafts 8 are ~u ~ed to the back-up tong (not shown) by means of offset bloc~s 9.
Fig. 5 is a q ' -~ical overhead view of the lead tong dia~L 'ng the force ve~u.~ ~ _se~ on the lead tong, by the - x-sllde of the aforesaid partic~ ~ '~ r~ of Fig. 4.
Since the tongs are 5lid~hle relative to each other in the x-direction, no relative forces may be transfe--~d be~w~-- the tongs in that direction. Reaction torque of the lead tongs, T~, is co~-~e a~~d by a co~ple whose c: -~e~ forces, F"
are pe.~e~c~ r to the x-slide. , -Flg. 6 is a ~'~ -tical side elevation view of the 25 par~ l A- ; ~ of Fig. 4, showlng orlentatlon of the x, y and z-slldes.
Fig. 7 is a s~ lcal front elevation view of the part~c~ r~ of Fig. 4, showlng orientation of the x, y and z-slides.
Flg. 8 is a ~-h~ ~~ical overhead view of the back-up SU~Slll~lt SHEET
: '. . : '' ' :,; . : ' . ., 2Q97(~ 18 tongs diay~ ;ng the force vectors on the back-up tong, by the x-slide of the embodiment of Fig. 4. The driving torque, TD' ; ,~sed on the back-up tong through the threaded ~ , is counteracted by paired forces, F~, imposed on the y-slide perpendicularly.
Accordingly the driving torque, TD (; ,)~ sed on the back-up tong~ and the reaction torque, TR ( ~ ed on the lead tong) are made to counteract each other ~h~o~yll palred interconnected slides which provide torsional, but not linear rigidity. Consequently each tong is secured from rotating about the pipe by paired forces (couples) only, and, no lateral, linear forces exist between the tong h~l~;ngs. By el~ ~n~ting unpaired lateral, linear forces between tong housings, no such forces are ~ ,-sed on the pipe.
The third major ~_ , L of the invention is a back-up tong. The back-up tong secu-~s the second threaded (lower pipe) from rotation ln le~yonQe to rotation of the first threaded '- (upper pipe) threadably e~g.~ed Ll.e.~lth. An 1 , ~ved back-up tong is provided to allow a means, internal to the back-up tong, to p~duce a torque measu,. L. Prior art means for prod~cing a torgue ~~ ~ --L involved use of a load cell to measure the lateral forces ~ ,-se~ on one tong (for ~- le, by use of a load cell in a sn~hh~ng line) or bet the two tongs (for - le, by use of a load cell coope.~Llng with a reaction b ach~L).
~ec~se the ~ ~v~d irL~,~onne~Llng means ~l~ 'nAtes all lateral forces, other means for p~ c~ng a Lo-~ue meas~ rL
are provided.
With reference to Fig. 9, the back-up tong of the 30 preferred ~ L has an external hnl-Q~ng 10, which ~B~IIIIIIt SHEET
.
.
- . .:
~ .... . . . . . .
' .~ . ~ - . .
.
19 2~97~'~9 pivotally cooperates with inner frame 11, through radial bearing 12. In the preferred embodiment radial bearing 12 is simply a circular groove and ridge arrangement which has its center coincident with the axis of the work piece.
Alternatively, the external housing lO, can be made to pivotally cooperate with the inner frame 11 by any other conventional means, such as a pin and buch;ng arrangement, at any convenient point which is not coincident with the pipe axis, such as point A of Fig. 9. In the event a point not co;nr;dent with the pipe axis is chosen for pivotal engagement of the external housing lO, and inner frame 11, the load cell 17 will have a different calibration factor.
With further reference to Fig. 9, the gripping elements of the back-up tong; being dies 13, levers 14 and cylinders 15 are mounted to inner frame ll, and are the same as those found ln co.-ven~ional back-up tongs.
F~Ll.e referring to Fig. 9, the preferred e ~ - t of the plesel-~ invention has a - ~ arm 16, which is rigidly affixed to the inner frame 11 by conventional means. Rigidly affixed to the external ho~s~ng lO is plate 18. Load cell 17 coope.~es be~ moment arm 16 and plate 18 to produce a torque reading.
Fig. lO ls a s-he _tical overhead view of the ~ , ~Dved back-up tong of tke ~-esen- invention for ~ ose of lllustrating the force v~u.~ created in the back-up tong during operation. The pipe is grippingly e~J~3ed by the ~ arm/inner/frame/die ~ 'ly. As the lead tong rotates the upper pieCe of pipe, clockwise in this .- ,le, a clockwise ~que, TD~ is ~pplie~ to the lower pipe.
Conseq~en~ly torque TD is also ~ppl1ed to the ~r~ arm/inner SU6Sllllllt SHET
.. ..... " .
..
.. . . .
~ . - - . . . . . .
..
W O 92/06822 . ' . PCT/US90/06895 ' 2~97~39 20 frame/die assembly grippingly engaged with the lower pipe.
Torque T" tends to produce angular rotation of the moment arm/inner frame/die assembly, but said rotation is resisted by the load cell. In turn load cell mov~ ~rt is resisted by the plate affixed to the external housing. The forces generated by the load cell resisting angular rotation of the --~ arm/inner frame/die assembly, F~l and F~2, are transferred through the moment arm/lnner frame/die assembly and the external housing and give rise to forces F~3 and F~4 of equal magnitude, but opposite direction, at the radial bearing (or a such other pivot point which may have been chosen). F~
and F~3 constitute a "couple" (paired forces of equal magnitude but opposite direction) as doe F~2 and F~, hence the net effect of all forces is two opposing pure toque forces, without any net linear forces vau~u-s which would impose a lateral or h~n~ng force on the plpe.
Referring now to Fig's. 11 ~h-o~yll 16 there are illustrated alternate preferred ; 'o~ s of the present invention. These ~ 3rts provide a new torque isolating 20 S~LU~U~e which permits certain modifications to the housing and configuration of the previously described ~ 'o'~ ~rt, while maint~1n~ng the feature of isolating the torque transfer forces from the driving to the back-up tongs, while el~ 1natlng any other lateral or linear forces in the x, y or z directions, and the below described z '~ t provides more a_~u- a ~a torque rea~n~S.
Although the prevlously described ~ did permit f~ae~c of .._ ~ through the provision of the z-slide, x-slide, and y-slide ~ -~n~ -, the physical sL.~c~ral requi I ~s for a f. wo.h permitting use of the slides SU~ 11 lJTE SHEET
' .. . . . .
. . . ' -- . . ~ - -. , . ~ . , .. . . . . -. .
' - : :.
W092/0682~ 21 '~ 9 7 D 8 ~ PCT/US90~06895 while connecting the lead ~nd back-up ton~s in a manner to transmit torgue were such that the resulting framework was massive and cumbersome to use. The sec~nd embodiment of the present invention maintains the torque isolating features of the first embodiment in a much smaller, more refined package, that also eliminates additional interference with the torque readings.
Illustrated in Fig's. 13 through 16 are two different configurations are two different configurations for a torque transfer framework 20 made possible by the new and improved isolation -eh~ni ~ for the back-up tong which is best illustrated in Fig's. 11 and 15. Fig's. 13 and 14 illustrate in side and frontal elevational views respectively an entire lead and back-up tong apparatus which utilizes two torque L,ansfer legs 26 oppositely mounted on either side of the lower gripping appa~aL~s 43. ~ 26 in the s ~dl ~ L
~ sL~aL~d in Flg's. 13 and 14 are ohAnnel shaped '~-s which are securely attached to the upper tong houci~g 45 at co~e~Lion 46. The torque isolating means will be ~1scussed in further detail below, but as illustrated in Fig's. 13 and 14 when a cylindrical body (not shown) is secured by the lower gripping e~ -L 43, and sub~ected to torque by the upper gripping e-r - L 44 although the isolation housing 27 is free to "float", and is AllDwe~ a degree of lateral and vertical f~2e~ relative to the upper holleln~ 45, any pure torgue will be resisted by ~- ~ 26 Ll~o~ their co~Llon at 46 to the upper hn~e~ng 45.
Referring to Fig's. 15 and 16, in Fig. 15 there are illusL~L~d portions of the torque transfer f~ h 20 and a sectional view through tongs equipped with an alternative SU~3STITUTE SHEET
. . . . . . . .
. , . . ~ :
- . ... . .
.- . , , . , : . .
. . . " , . ~
- , - :; - , - . . , : .
.
W092~06822 2n97a~ 22 PCT/US90/06895 embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16 illustrates a frontal elevational view of the torque transfer framework wherein 21 is the main torque transfer tube, 22 is the mounting plate for the lead tong (not shown), and wherein 23 is a mounting frame for the back-up tong. Fig's. 15 throuyh 16 illustrate an alternative torque transfer framework to that illustrated in Fig's. 13 and 14 wherein - s 26 are not connected directly to the upper tong housing 45, but rather where members 26 are instead u~ zed with a torque transfer framework 20 connecting them to a central torque transfer tube 21 by vertical sliding connection 24.
23 is also shown in dashed view at the lower portion of Fig. 16 to illustrate that the entire fL- -work 23 ls free to move on the z axis which is illustrated in Fig. 15 as conce,-LLlc with the longit~lnAl axis of cylindrical ~s which are to be co~necLed by the tongs. The torque transfer appa~aL~s 23 as illustrated in Fig's. 15 through 16 for the lower tong compr~ses a slidable conne~Llon 24 adapted to slide about the main torque L.ansfe tube 21, and a torque transfer f, ~.wc ~ 25 which positions ~ s 26 which are ch~nn~l shaped - - ~ in the illu4L~aLed ~ c'l !nt at opposite sides of the back-up tong ~ L and torque isolatlon ho~$1ng 27.
In general, the : 'D~l ~J L ill~L.aLed in Fig's. 13 and 14 i8 p.~fe..~d as it provides a more ,--t overall ~A-&~us, the other c~l ~ of Fig's. 15 ~h.ouyl. 16 is glven for illusL.~Live pu.~oses. The lower tong torque isolation hol1~l ng 27 and other internal - ,~ ts utlll~e~
Ll-e-~ 1th, and the co~.e~Lion of the isolation hn~qln~ to the torque ~a~sfe~ f. ~ hs are the same, and the following ~l~c~qs~o~ could apply equally to either variant.
SU~STITUTE SH~ET
- - - . . ~ . .
.
.
W092/06822 ~ 2 0 9 q 0 ~ 9 PCT/US90~0689s Components (to be described below) fixed wlthin the isolation housing 27 are connected by a pivoting connection 28 to roller bearings 29, which reside in chAnn~l members 26 and thus permit both pivoting v- ~rL of the housing 27 relative to the channels 26, and a sUsp~nc; on means allowing linear ~ v~ --t of the roller bearings 29 and housing 27 in the z direction. The roller bearings 29 with their pivoting connections 28 to the isolation ho~c1 ng 27 thus permit -v~ -~nt of the housing 27 up and down along the lonyitudinal z axis as the rollers roll up and down in ch~nne~ S 26. The roller bearings 29 are components comprising part of a means allowing lateral slipping, they are co~figured to also permit ~ L of connections 28 and thus housing 27 to a limited degree in and out along the axis of the axle of the roller bearing, this translates to a limited degree of side to side ~ L of the hnUC1 ng 27, and also allows a limited degree of 1nC1 1n~tion of the housing 27 laterally, that is one roller bearlng could be relatively to the upper tong hnuc1 ng at its ~onn~Lion to the rh~nn~ s 46 as is illustrated in Fig.
12.
A weight supporting oonne~ion is made between the overall f.~ ~s ~ 20 and the hnuc1ng 27 by means of cables 30 which are se~u,ed to some portion of either the torque ~.ansfer El- ~w_ ~ or the mounting plate 22 for the lead tong or to the lead tong as best $11ustrated in Fig's. 11 through 14. The ~hl ~5 30 run through op~nings 31 provided at points on the hnlc1ng 27 and are conn~Led in the preferred en~hl1ng : 'o-1 L by means of a spring oonn~Lion 32 to the hnUc1ng 27, to permit the hnlls1ng 27 to "float" relative to the mounting plate 22 (and thus relative to the lead tong).
SUBSTITUTE SH~~T
. - .
: ; . . ........................... ~ ..
:.- ~ :-- . . -W092/06822 2 o 9 7 Q ~ 9 24 PCT/US90/06895 The back-up tong mounting housing 27 is connected in the embodiment illustrated in Fig's. 11 and 16 to the torque transfer framework 25 by a pivoting linkage arm arrangement.
As previously described, the housing is mounted within 5 ch~nnel s 26 (which are connected to the ~ work 25 or upper tong housing 45) by means of roller bearings 29. Referring to Fi~'s. 11 and 15, in addition to the rolle~ bearings 29 the ,-- p~ ents of the lateral slipping means fu~Ll~e- comprise a pivoting connection which attaches linkage arms 33 at their outer ends to the roller bearings 29. The linkage arms 33, connecting link 34, pivot link 35, and combination connecting/torque reading link 36 are lateral slip - pc-- ts ~ ed within a space 37 provided within housing 27 as illustrated in Fig. 12. This space can be f~sh~one~ by using flat plates for upper and lower surfaces to form the hol-~1 nq 27, and spacing the upper and lower plates a distance apart to form the space 37.
The arms 33 are pivotally ~u ~ad by pivot connec~lons 38 through the hou$~ ng 27. These pivoting co~ ions 38 2Q ~vellL any -.~ t other than a pivoting of the arm 33 in one plane about the connection points 38. S~ ~1 Arly, pivot link 35 is plvotally mounted at 39. The pivot arms 33, and plvot link 35 are ir.Le.co~neeLed by transfer link 34 and the ~ nAtion transfer/torque reading link 36. The torque reading is ~c~ shed by means of a load cell 40 which may be threA~e~ly attached as an int-. -~te - --L part of llnk 36 so as to read torque ln both tenC~on and comprs.ss~o~.
The l~nkA~e connec~ions 41 ir~elcolmect arms 33, pivot llnk 35, and the ~Lansfe~ links 34 and 36, these pivot cQ~scL~ons 41 are not secured to the frame 27, and in fact S~BSllllllt SHET ~ :
. - -- . . .
. .' . - . ' - . . .. . . . ..
.- ~ . . . - . . . . ... .. . .
W092/06822 25 2 D ~ 7 ~ ~ ~ PCT/US90/0689~
are positioned within openin~s 42 within the housing, so as to cooperate therefore with the suspension means 30, 31, 32 and pivot roller bearing connection means 28, 29, 26 to permit a limited degree of freedom of linear v ent of the housing 27 and thus the jaws of the back-up tong relative to the lead tong, in the x, y and z directions while maintaining a complete transfer of any pure torque applied between lead and back-up tongs The lateral slip thus is allowed side to side by the roller bearing and ~h~nn~l configuration, and front to back by the linkage arm arrangement, and up and down due to the roller bearing, channels, and cable and spring _ on~nts, and thus the tolerances permitted in the x, y and z directions are sufficient to a~ date any minor mis~ s, and the floating freedom of ,v~ ~rt is sufficient to prevent any l~nd~s~rable lateral loA~;ng, but any pure torque is directly L,ansfe.sed and mea~ of that torque is ac~u-~Lely read by the load cell lnco~G~a~ed in one of the connecting links Ano~l.e~ of the ~ oved back-up tongs, not shown, would be to eli ~n~te the radial bearing but provide anolhes point (not coincident with the pipe axis), through which the outer hol-q~ ng and inner frame would pivotally in~e.ac~
AnG ~he- ~ ~ L of the present invention (not shown) would be to use an ordinary lead tong and ordinary back-up tong and obtain a torque measus~ by indirect means such as measuring hydraulic ~-e~u-e acting on the lead tong moto'r Ano~lle. ~ c~ -L of the present invention (not shown) would be hn ordinary back-up tong, but an ~ ,roved lead tong to p-uduce a torque meas~ Said ~n~_uved lead tongs would be s~ r to the back-up tongs described fully herein, SlJ~lllUlt SHET
~.
.. . . .. . , ~ ~ .
.
.
.
W092/06822 ~ ~ 9~ O~ ~ 26 PCT/US90/06895 that is, the lead tong would have an outer housing pivotally engaged with an inner frame at or near a point coincident with the pipe axis, the gripping and rotating elements, as well as a moment arm, being disposed on the inner frame, which moment arm would cooperate with the outer housing, through a load cell, to produce a torque measurement.
Many other . ~a'~ --Ls of the prese~t invention are possible, without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention.
SU6S~ t SHET
- ' - , '. ~.: ,
with a lateral disp~ rL of the threads, which causes poor fluid sealing, or, if the lateral displ~ t later resolves, ~0 the joint may then be inadequately tightened.
The invention disclosed herein represents a vast i o~ ~rL over prior art.
Oblects of the Invention:
~ he general ob~ects of this invention are to provide a new and ~ , ~ved tong appala~s for A~ n~ and ~1 CA~ i ng t.lhUl ~r goods (or solld cyllndrical goods) havlng threaded conne~ions.
More part~cul~rly, one ob~ect of the p~~ser.~ invention is to in~e~conne.~ the lead tongs and back-up tong so that thelr relative ~dencies to rotate about the pipe axis, in opposite directions, co~l-ela- L each other and therefore the ~ '~ne~, inLe~conna~L d unit does not require external securlng means such as 8nubb1 ng llnes.
Ano~l.el ob~ect of the present invention ls to provlde a means of tong in~e~conn~ctlon whlch does not lnduce lateral forces on the pipe ~oint durlng torque ~pplic~tion (tightening or 1 oo~en i ng ) .
A fu~Lhe~ ob~ected of the p~~sen~ invention is to provide a means of tong irl~e ~onne~ion whlch e~ ~n~tes lateral forces whlch might otherwise occur beca~ce of lrregularities ~UBSTmJTE SHEFI' - - ~. : .... - ~ .
....
- :
.. - . -. ~- ~ . ~ .. .
.~ . . -. .
. . . .. , i - ~ . . .
...
wo g2/06822 2 o 9 7 o ~ ~ Pcr/US90,06895 g , . ..
of the threaded members, such as, bent pipe or eccentric lead.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means of tong interconnec~ion which allows the distance between the tong bodies to shorten or lengthen during tightening, to acc -~te the pipe ~oint bec i ng shorter as threads are taken up (or be~ i ng longer as the pipe joint loosens).
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a means by which the torque being applied to the pipe joint can be directly and accurately measured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The improved combined tong apparatus for assembling and ~sAc~- 'ling - '- s having mating threaded connections, according to the present invention, is characterized by a lead tong, a bA~-kup tong, and a means for in~e~conne~iny the lead tong to the back-up tong in such a manner that no s~ngle~
unpaired forces, but ~a~he~ only "coup~es" (paired forces of egual magnitude, but opposite direction) are created by the in~ or.nec~ing means; and, a load cell which coo~e~ates, in either tong, between a pivoting, internal - ~ arm and the tong hol-c~ ng to ~-~duce a torque meaau-. - t.
When the lead tong i8 ope-a~ed, its driving torgue tends to cause the lead tongs to rotate about the threaded - '~
in the directlon opposite to the driving torque. Since the back-up tong firmly grasps one of the threaded members, said driving torque also tends to cause the back-up tong to rotate in the same direction as the driving torque. By is.~e~conn~ing the lead tong body to the back-up tong body, each tong's reIative ~ende~;y to rotate about the threaded - '~ . Therefore, the A~- 'ly does not require ehL,aneous SU~5111 ~1~ SHET
... . ~ ; . . . - . - . . . .. . . .
- .. ~ . . . .
.. . . ~ ...
. .
.. ... ~ .
W092/06822 2 ~ 9 7 0 8 3 lo PCT/US90/06~9S
means for securing it in place, such as snubbing lines.
The back-up tongs are adapted to the lead tongs by means of an interconnecting structure, torsionally rigid, but which allows three dimensional linear -v~ -nt between the tongs.
~y being torsionally rigid, but slidable linearly, in the directions indicated, the interconnecting frame is therefore not capable (within all normal operating limits) of transferring any net lateral force ve~ocs between the two tong bodies, but rather resolves all such force vectors to "couples" external to the threaded member. By using only "couples" (the equivalent of "pure torque") to secure each tong from rotation abut the pipe axis, there is no ten~e~cy for tongs to impose lateral forces on the p1pe during tightening (or 1 oosen~ ng ) .
Either tong is equipped with a pivoting torgue arm which coo~e~a~es with the tong ho~ ng and a load cell to y.od~ce a torque mea-u,. :r~.
A second a ~ rL of the invention provides a variant ir.t~.~onne~Llng ~L~tu~e, which is tors1onAlly rigid but allows freedom of n ~ , relative linear ,~. ~rL, beL..e~
the tongs in three directions, one being ~-on~er~L,ic with the axis of the cylindrical body or -- s the tongs are adapted to be ut~l17ed with, and the other two directions being ps,~n~1c~ both to each other and the axis of the concerL.lc body. Instead of providing the x-slide, y-slide and z-slide as in the first.~ L, this second . '~1 ert u~1l1ze6 a connec~ion which permits both sl1~1ng and pivoting of the previous z-slide co~ecLion, and this second ~ - L
replaces the x and y-slides with a pivot arm 1 ~ nk~e and floating S~p~ncion Sy-4t which is so connected and al-anged SUBSllllllt SHET
- . . . . ,- .. :
- . . . : -: . .
-. . .. ..... .. ... ~ ..
-W092/06822 2 o ~ 7 o ~ 9 PCT/US90/0689s as to permit relative v -nt between the tongs in the ~ and y directions, and to provide a means for torque reading ~easurements. The ; ,_oved second ~ ~0~; ?nt provides more accurate torque readings due to less frictional losses, is simpler and less expensive to fabricate is smaller and lighter, more adaptable to various gripping -~h~ni! s, and more durable and thus easier to handle and ~se.
~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig's. l(a), l(b) and l(c) are schematical overhead views of PRIOR ART lead tong illustrating force vectors during tightening; l(a) showing the effect of a snubbing line, l(b) showing the effect of a reaction bracket; and, l(c) showing the effect of multiple rigid interconnects.
Fig. 2(a) is a schematical isometric view of PRIOR ART
5 _ ' t n~d tongs which use snl~hbing l$nes to restrain tong ~~ 3r~, Fig. 2(b) is a 8~~ lcal t , ~ iC view of PRIOR ART
S ~ ' t ned tongs which use a single n reaction b~ e~ n to restrain tong ~. t.
Fig. 2(c) is a s ' -~lcal t~ ~~ lc view of PRIOR ART
which uses a plurality of rigid ih~ero~nne~ing shafts to ir.~~ cQ~ne~ the lead tong and back-up tong.
Fig. 3 is a ss~ -tical sectional view of a threaded ~ co~e~ion being tiyl,Lenrd while under the lnfluence of lateral forces.
Fig. 4 is a t ~ ~$C view of the in~e~Q~o~ing frame (without a~ached tongs) of the ~I-fell~-d ~ t ~ L of the ~ases.L inventlon.
Fig. 5 is a s ~ e ~ical overhead view of the lead tongs of the ~,asenL invention showing force Ve~ on the x-slide.
S~BSIll~lt SUEFT
.. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . .
... ; . - - .. . .- . - .
.. . i. . .. . . ... ..
,~ . , .
- ' : - .. ~....... .. ....
..
.
~ . . . . - . .. - . .
W 0 92/0682' ~ 7 a ~ 9 12 PCT/US90/06895 Fig. 6 is a side elev~tional view of the apparatus of Fig. 4.
Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of the apparatus of ~ig. 4.
Fig. 8 is a schematical overhead view of the back-up tongs of the present invention, showing the force vectors on the y-slide.
Fig. 9 is an overhead plan view of the back-up tong of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a schematical view of the back-up tong of the present invention, showing the force vectors on the radial bearing load cell and moment arm.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of a section through the lower tong of the second - 'o~ t of the invention illustrating the torque isolating in~e,conne~ions be~ccn the tongs.
Fig. 12 is an elevation of a portion of the secon~
~ '0'~ - ~ of the p-esên~ lnvention illustrating the z freedom ~onne~ions.
Fig. 13 is a side elevation view of a complete ~s~ ed lead and torque isolating back-up tong apparatus.
Fig. 14 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 13.
Fig. 15 is a plan view of the x, y, and z ~--ed ~ :
c~ns~L~ons of the second - ~o~ of the present invention, and the torque transfer tube.
Fig. 16 is an elevational view of the torque transfer means be~ - the paired tongs of the second ~ ~-~l -- L of the ~ esen~ invention.
DESC~IPTION OF THE ~K~r~KK~ EMBODIMENT
The p-eser~ invention has three major c _re ~s; a SUBSTITUTE SHET
.... .. . .
. .
.. . - . . ..
. ~ .
. .
-, .
- . . .
. .
. . . ~ .
W092/06822 2 ~ ~ 7 o 8 ~ PCT/US90/0689s power-driven lead tong, an improved means fo~ interconnecting a lead tong, and, a back-up tong. Either the lead tong or the back-up tong has i ,.ov ents to allow for measurement of torque.
The first ma;or component of the combined tong apparatus is a power-driven lead tong. The lead tong contains elements for gripping and rotating a first threaded member (upper pipe) in threadable ~ nt with a second threaded member (lower pipe).
The preferred ~ ho~ ent of the present invention has power-driven lead tongs o$ the sort ordinarily used in the oilfield, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,014.
The second major ~ of the present invention is an i ~ ~ov~d means for conn~cting a lead tong to a back-up tong.
With referencè to Fig. l(a), showing prior art, it is seen that when a lead tong is ope-aL~d it produced a driving torque, TD~ which acts on a l~aly ele ~ which is grippingly ~a~ed to a first threaded member (upper pipe). In r~sponce 20 to the driving torque, TD~ a reaction torque, TR~ is ~ e~ -on the tong body in the direction opposite to that of pipe rotation. The led tong must be s~u,~d against rotation about the pipe axis, in reSpQnce to TR~ otherwise the tong would slmply rotate sbout the pipe rather than rotating the pipe lts~lf.
Wlth reference to Fig's. l(a), l(b) and l(c), showing prlor art, it is seen that corv~ ional means for securing a lead tong against rotation in reSpOnFe to TR, Wl-6 ~I-e by a ~n~bbt ng line (Fig. l(a)), reaction bracket (Fig. l(b)) or multiple rigid ir~elo~nec~s to the back-up tong (Fig. l(c)) ~SIIIllTE SHEET ' . .. .. . . . . . . .. . . . . .
~ . - . . , . -. ...... ... . . . .. - . .
.. .~ . . . ~ .
~ . . . ... .. ..... . :. . . . ~
.. . . . . - . ........ . . . .. .. .
. .
20~7a8~ 14 all involve lateral, linear forces, F~, being imposed on the tong housing. In response to Fs~ the tong housing tends to move laterally. Said lateral v~ ~rt of the tong causes deflection of the pipe, which gives rise to Px, which then counteracts F~. Therefore, while both rotational and linear equilibrium of the tongs was achieved by prior art means, it was at the ~Yr~n~e of lateral deflection of the pipe. As driving torque, TD~ increases; the reaction torque, T~, also increases; as doe the force required to secure the tong against rotation, Fx; and as does the force, P~, which is developed by the pipe in response to lateral deflection.
With reference to Fig's. 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c), showing prior art, it is seen that a si ~lAr (but opposlte direction) reaction occurs at the level of the back-up tong. The driving torque of the lead tongs, TD~ is transLe ed ~h ouyl, the threaded members to the back-up tong which is grippingly ~g~ged to the second threaded - '- (lower plpe). ~he back-up tongs therefore tend to rotate with the secon~ threaded ~ '~ , lns~ead of securing the second '- against rotation, unless the back-up tongs are restrained against ~ y ~ L. One prior art means to secure a back-up tong agalnst rotation lnvolves use of rearwardly a~ached sn~lhb~ng line (Flg. l(a)). Other prior art means to secure a back-up tong against rotation lnvolves use of a reaction bar (Flg.
2(b)) or use of multlple rlgld ln~elconnects (Fig. 2(c)).
Sald prlor art means ~ ,-9~ ~ llnear, lateral forces, Fx, on the back-up tong body, whlch caused lateral deflection of the plpe, which gave rise to P,. While rotational and llnear e~ hrium of the back-up tongs was achieved, again, same was achieved at the C~ ce of lateral deflection of the plpe.
SllBSllllllt SNEET
,. ~ .
. . . . . . . .. .. ... . ...... . . .
. . .
.
.. . . . .
- . .
.. . . . .
- . . .. . . ......
.. .
- ~ . . .. .. . . .. . ..
- - - .. . .
.
. . . , ~
W092/06822 ~ ~ 7 a8 ~ PCT/us9o/o689s The improved interconnecting means disclosed herein ~li ;n~tes the n~Gesslty of snubbing lines by making use of each tong's tendency to rotate about the pipe axis, in opposite directions, to counteract each other. The improved interconnecting means, however, avoids the imposition of any net lateral forces on the tong housing, thereby avoiding the imposltion of lateral forces on the threaded members.
In the preferred original P ~o'i --t of the present invention the interconnecting structure between the lead tong and the back-up tong is comprised of three pairs of slides interconnected in the series, each pair permittiny reIative v t between the lead tong and back-up tong in a certain llnear direction. By co~neo~ing each pair of slides ln a mutually perpendicular relationship to the other slldes, an isolated torsional-transfer "~oint~ (a joint which wlll allow relative, three ~ onAl linear ~ , but no relative rotary or angular ~ ~r~) $nLe,.~on~.e~4 the lead tong and back-up tong. By permitting linear .~ - t bet -- the two tongs, in any direction, the transferral of linear forces b~..ean the two tongs is el~ ~nated, becallce in order for a "force" to arise " ~. - L" must be resisted by an equal and opposite force. l~ L, since the isolated-torsiQn~l transfer structure is tors~on~lly rlgid, each tong is restralned from axial rotation about the work piece by an equal torsional force c.~a~d by the other tong. These tors~onAl, pure ~u~y~e and oppos~te, forces ~ ~ no lateral, b~1ng or deflection loads on the work piece being made up or b.. e- out. In the p,~fe~.ed ~ we have ch~sAn, as a ~1 Le, con~ nce, to orient one pair of slides parallel to the pipe axis (c~lled z-slide), one pair of slides parallel S~SIll~lt SHET
.- . ... . .. . .. . . ~ . , - ~ . . .-; - . ,- . : .
. . . . .. . ~ . , ...... ~ .
~ 7()8~ 16 to a radial of the pipe extending throu~h a point mid-way between this pair of slides (called y-sllde), and the third pair of slides parallel to a line tangential to the pipe at the same mid-way point (called x-slide). Any other mutually perpendicular orientations could be selected so long as the physical structure of the ITT ( isolated torsional transfer) joint does not interfere with operation of the tongs, and said joint is conveniently adaptable to the tong bodies.
The slide parallel to the pipe axis (called z-slide) allows the distance between the tong bodies to increase or decrease as the pipe joint loosens or tightens. The z-slide also cooperates with the lateral slides (called x-slide and y-slide, respectively) to plod~ce couples (paired forces of equal magnitude but opposite direction) to prevent relative rotational .. - L (torsional rigidity) beL ~r the tong hol~s t n!lS .
The lateral slides permit relative linear ~ ~rt in any direction in the lateral plane. The relative linear ~ L allowed ~ evenLs any net linear force from arising in the lateral plane (no force may arise unless something resists it). Corv~ sely by virtue of the fact that each slide is co~ Led to the adjacent ~ e (whether tong ho~C~ng or ad~acent slide) at more than one point, the lateral slides permlt the transfer of paired forces (couples) be~ the tong h~u~ngs, thereby providing torsional rigidity be~
said ho~C~ngs. By use of only couples (the equivalent of pure torque) to secure each tong against rotatlon about the threaded ~ -~ s, no lateral forces are i ,-se~ on the threaded '~ , and the col~ecLlon is made by essentially pure torque.
SU~Slll~lt SHET
.. . . ... . . . . .. .
. .... . . ~ . . : ..
.. - ~ ~ - .- ...
~ .. . . . . . .. .. . ... ... .. . . .
. . . .. .. . . . . . - . . . . ..
- . . . . . ~ , . .. . .
. ~ . . . ,' ' . . . ~
.
. - . . .- -- ..... . . . ' ,, W092/06822 2 o ~ 7 o ~ 9 PCT/US90/06895 17 ~
While there may be many embodiments of the ; ,Loved interconnecting means, with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, one embodiment is described below. Two cylindrical guides 1 are vertically adapted to the lead tong (Fig. 6) by means of adapting plates 2. Shafts 3 are slidably disposed within the cylindrical guides 2. The cylindrical guides 2 and shafts 3 sl~hly cooperate along the z-axis, and are called the z-slide. The lower part of shafts 3 sl1~1ngly cGope.ate (along the x-axis) with horizontal shafts 4. Horizontal shafts 4 are mounted to plate 5 by means of offset blocks 6, and are collectively called the x-slide. Plate 5 is adapted to tubes 7, which slidably cooperate (along the y-axis) with horizontal shafts 8 (called the y-slide). Horizontal shafts 8 are ~u ~ed to the back-up tong (not shown) by means of offset bloc~s 9.
Fig. 5 is a q ' -~ical overhead view of the lead tong dia~L 'ng the force ve~u.~ ~ _se~ on the lead tong, by the - x-sllde of the aforesaid partic~ ~ '~ r~ of Fig. 4.
Since the tongs are 5lid~hle relative to each other in the x-direction, no relative forces may be transfe--~d be~w~-- the tongs in that direction. Reaction torque of the lead tongs, T~, is co~-~e a~~d by a co~ple whose c: -~e~ forces, F"
are pe.~e~c~ r to the x-slide. , -Flg. 6 is a ~'~ -tical side elevation view of the 25 par~ l A- ; ~ of Fig. 4, showlng orlentatlon of the x, y and z-slldes.
Fig. 7 is a s~ lcal front elevation view of the part~c~ r~ of Fig. 4, showlng orientation of the x, y and z-slides.
Flg. 8 is a ~-h~ ~~ical overhead view of the back-up SU~Slll~lt SHEET
: '. . : '' ' :,; . : ' . ., 2Q97(~ 18 tongs diay~ ;ng the force vectors on the back-up tong, by the x-slide of the embodiment of Fig. 4. The driving torque, TD' ; ,~sed on the back-up tong through the threaded ~ , is counteracted by paired forces, F~, imposed on the y-slide perpendicularly.
Accordingly the driving torque, TD (; ,)~ sed on the back-up tong~ and the reaction torque, TR ( ~ ed on the lead tong) are made to counteract each other ~h~o~yll palred interconnected slides which provide torsional, but not linear rigidity. Consequently each tong is secured from rotating about the pipe by paired forces (couples) only, and, no lateral, linear forces exist between the tong h~l~;ngs. By el~ ~n~ting unpaired lateral, linear forces between tong housings, no such forces are ~ ,-sed on the pipe.
The third major ~_ , L of the invention is a back-up tong. The back-up tong secu-~s the second threaded (lower pipe) from rotation ln le~yonQe to rotation of the first threaded '- (upper pipe) threadably e~g.~ed Ll.e.~lth. An 1 , ~ved back-up tong is provided to allow a means, internal to the back-up tong, to p~duce a torque measu,. L. Prior art means for prod~cing a torgue ~~ ~ --L involved use of a load cell to measure the lateral forces ~ ,-se~ on one tong (for ~- le, by use of a load cell in a sn~hh~ng line) or bet the two tongs (for - le, by use of a load cell coope.~Llng with a reaction b ach~L).
~ec~se the ~ ~v~d irL~,~onne~Llng means ~l~ 'nAtes all lateral forces, other means for p~ c~ng a Lo-~ue meas~ rL
are provided.
With reference to Fig. 9, the back-up tong of the 30 preferred ~ L has an external hnl-Q~ng 10, which ~B~IIIIIIt SHEET
.
.
- . .:
~ .... . . . . . .
' .~ . ~ - . .
.
19 2~97~'~9 pivotally cooperates with inner frame 11, through radial bearing 12. In the preferred embodiment radial bearing 12 is simply a circular groove and ridge arrangement which has its center coincident with the axis of the work piece.
Alternatively, the external housing lO, can be made to pivotally cooperate with the inner frame 11 by any other conventional means, such as a pin and buch;ng arrangement, at any convenient point which is not coincident with the pipe axis, such as point A of Fig. 9. In the event a point not co;nr;dent with the pipe axis is chosen for pivotal engagement of the external housing lO, and inner frame 11, the load cell 17 will have a different calibration factor.
With further reference to Fig. 9, the gripping elements of the back-up tong; being dies 13, levers 14 and cylinders 15 are mounted to inner frame ll, and are the same as those found ln co.-ven~ional back-up tongs.
F~Ll.e referring to Fig. 9, the preferred e ~ - t of the plesel-~ invention has a - ~ arm 16, which is rigidly affixed to the inner frame 11 by conventional means. Rigidly affixed to the external ho~s~ng lO is plate 18. Load cell 17 coope.~es be~ moment arm 16 and plate 18 to produce a torque reading.
Fig. lO ls a s-he _tical overhead view of the ~ , ~Dved back-up tong of tke ~-esen- invention for ~ ose of lllustrating the force v~u.~ created in the back-up tong during operation. The pipe is grippingly e~J~3ed by the ~ arm/inner/frame/die ~ 'ly. As the lead tong rotates the upper pieCe of pipe, clockwise in this .- ,le, a clockwise ~que, TD~ is ~pplie~ to the lower pipe.
Conseq~en~ly torque TD is also ~ppl1ed to the ~r~ arm/inner SU6Sllllllt SHET
.. ..... " .
..
.. . . .
~ . - - . . . . . .
..
W O 92/06822 . ' . PCT/US90/06895 ' 2~97~39 20 frame/die assembly grippingly engaged with the lower pipe.
Torque T" tends to produce angular rotation of the moment arm/inner frame/die assembly, but said rotation is resisted by the load cell. In turn load cell mov~ ~rt is resisted by the plate affixed to the external housing. The forces generated by the load cell resisting angular rotation of the --~ arm/inner frame/die assembly, F~l and F~2, are transferred through the moment arm/lnner frame/die assembly and the external housing and give rise to forces F~3 and F~4 of equal magnitude, but opposite direction, at the radial bearing (or a such other pivot point which may have been chosen). F~
and F~3 constitute a "couple" (paired forces of equal magnitude but opposite direction) as doe F~2 and F~, hence the net effect of all forces is two opposing pure toque forces, without any net linear forces vau~u-s which would impose a lateral or h~n~ng force on the plpe.
Referring now to Fig's. 11 ~h-o~yll 16 there are illustrated alternate preferred ; 'o~ s of the present invention. These ~ 3rts provide a new torque isolating 20 S~LU~U~e which permits certain modifications to the housing and configuration of the previously described ~ 'o'~ ~rt, while maint~1n~ng the feature of isolating the torque transfer forces from the driving to the back-up tongs, while el~ 1natlng any other lateral or linear forces in the x, y or z directions, and the below described z '~ t provides more a_~u- a ~a torque rea~n~S.
Although the prevlously described ~ did permit f~ae~c of .._ ~ through the provision of the z-slide, x-slide, and y-slide ~ -~n~ -, the physical sL.~c~ral requi I ~s for a f. wo.h permitting use of the slides SU~ 11 lJTE SHEET
' .. . . . .
. . . ' -- . . ~ - -. , . ~ . , .. . . . . -. .
' - : :.
W092/0682~ 21 '~ 9 7 D 8 ~ PCT/US90~06895 while connecting the lead ~nd back-up ton~s in a manner to transmit torgue were such that the resulting framework was massive and cumbersome to use. The sec~nd embodiment of the present invention maintains the torque isolating features of the first embodiment in a much smaller, more refined package, that also eliminates additional interference with the torque readings.
Illustrated in Fig's. 13 through 16 are two different configurations are two different configurations for a torque transfer framework 20 made possible by the new and improved isolation -eh~ni ~ for the back-up tong which is best illustrated in Fig's. 11 and 15. Fig's. 13 and 14 illustrate in side and frontal elevational views respectively an entire lead and back-up tong apparatus which utilizes two torque L,ansfer legs 26 oppositely mounted on either side of the lower gripping appa~aL~s 43. ~ 26 in the s ~dl ~ L
~ sL~aL~d in Flg's. 13 and 14 are ohAnnel shaped '~-s which are securely attached to the upper tong houci~g 45 at co~e~Lion 46. The torque isolating means will be ~1scussed in further detail below, but as illustrated in Fig's. 13 and 14 when a cylindrical body (not shown) is secured by the lower gripping e~ -L 43, and sub~ected to torque by the upper gripping e-r - L 44 although the isolation housing 27 is free to "float", and is AllDwe~ a degree of lateral and vertical f~2e~ relative to the upper holleln~ 45, any pure torgue will be resisted by ~- ~ 26 Ll~o~ their co~Llon at 46 to the upper hn~e~ng 45.
Referring to Fig's. 15 and 16, in Fig. 15 there are illusL~L~d portions of the torque transfer f~ h 20 and a sectional view through tongs equipped with an alternative SU~3STITUTE SHEET
. . . . . . . .
. , . . ~ :
- . ... . .
.- . , , . , : . .
. . . " , . ~
- , - :; - , - . . , : .
.
W092~06822 2n97a~ 22 PCT/US90/06895 embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16 illustrates a frontal elevational view of the torque transfer framework wherein 21 is the main torque transfer tube, 22 is the mounting plate for the lead tong (not shown), and wherein 23 is a mounting frame for the back-up tong. Fig's. 15 throuyh 16 illustrate an alternative torque transfer framework to that illustrated in Fig's. 13 and 14 wherein - s 26 are not connected directly to the upper tong housing 45, but rather where members 26 are instead u~ zed with a torque transfer framework 20 connecting them to a central torque transfer tube 21 by vertical sliding connection 24.
23 is also shown in dashed view at the lower portion of Fig. 16 to illustrate that the entire fL- -work 23 ls free to move on the z axis which is illustrated in Fig. 15 as conce,-LLlc with the longit~lnAl axis of cylindrical ~s which are to be co~necLed by the tongs. The torque transfer appa~aL~s 23 as illustrated in Fig's. 15 through 16 for the lower tong compr~ses a slidable conne~Llon 24 adapted to slide about the main torque L.ansfe tube 21, and a torque transfer f, ~.wc ~ 25 which positions ~ s 26 which are ch~nn~l shaped - - ~ in the illu4L~aLed ~ c'l !nt at opposite sides of the back-up tong ~ L and torque isolatlon ho~$1ng 27.
In general, the : 'D~l ~J L ill~L.aLed in Fig's. 13 and 14 i8 p.~fe..~d as it provides a more ,--t overall ~A-&~us, the other c~l ~ of Fig's. 15 ~h.ouyl. 16 is glven for illusL.~Live pu.~oses. The lower tong torque isolation hol1~l ng 27 and other internal - ,~ ts utlll~e~
Ll-e-~ 1th, and the co~.e~Lion of the isolation hn~qln~ to the torque ~a~sfe~ f. ~ hs are the same, and the following ~l~c~qs~o~ could apply equally to either variant.
SU~STITUTE SH~ET
- - - . . ~ . .
.
.
W092/06822 ~ 2 0 9 q 0 ~ 9 PCT/US90~0689s Components (to be described below) fixed wlthin the isolation housing 27 are connected by a pivoting connection 28 to roller bearings 29, which reside in chAnn~l members 26 and thus permit both pivoting v- ~rL of the housing 27 relative to the channels 26, and a sUsp~nc; on means allowing linear ~ v~ --t of the roller bearings 29 and housing 27 in the z direction. The roller bearings 29 with their pivoting connections 28 to the isolation ho~c1 ng 27 thus permit -v~ -~nt of the housing 27 up and down along the lonyitudinal z axis as the rollers roll up and down in ch~nne~ S 26. The roller bearings 29 are components comprising part of a means allowing lateral slipping, they are co~figured to also permit ~ L of connections 28 and thus housing 27 to a limited degree in and out along the axis of the axle of the roller bearing, this translates to a limited degree of side to side ~ L of the hnUC1 ng 27, and also allows a limited degree of 1nC1 1n~tion of the housing 27 laterally, that is one roller bearlng could be relatively to the upper tong hnuc1 ng at its ~onn~Lion to the rh~nn~ s 46 as is illustrated in Fig.
12.
A weight supporting oonne~ion is made between the overall f.~ ~s ~ 20 and the hnuc1ng 27 by means of cables 30 which are se~u,ed to some portion of either the torque ~.ansfer El- ~w_ ~ or the mounting plate 22 for the lead tong or to the lead tong as best $11ustrated in Fig's. 11 through 14. The ~hl ~5 30 run through op~nings 31 provided at points on the hnlc1ng 27 and are conn~Led in the preferred en~hl1ng : 'o-1 L by means of a spring oonn~Lion 32 to the hnUc1ng 27, to permit the hnlls1ng 27 to "float" relative to the mounting plate 22 (and thus relative to the lead tong).
SUBSTITUTE SH~~T
. - .
: ; . . ........................... ~ ..
:.- ~ :-- . . -W092/06822 2 o 9 7 Q ~ 9 24 PCT/US90/06895 The back-up tong mounting housing 27 is connected in the embodiment illustrated in Fig's. 11 and 16 to the torque transfer framework 25 by a pivoting linkage arm arrangement.
As previously described, the housing is mounted within 5 ch~nnel s 26 (which are connected to the ~ work 25 or upper tong housing 45) by means of roller bearings 29. Referring to Fi~'s. 11 and 15, in addition to the rolle~ bearings 29 the ,-- p~ ents of the lateral slipping means fu~Ll~e- comprise a pivoting connection which attaches linkage arms 33 at their outer ends to the roller bearings 29. The linkage arms 33, connecting link 34, pivot link 35, and combination connecting/torque reading link 36 are lateral slip - pc-- ts ~ ed within a space 37 provided within housing 27 as illustrated in Fig. 12. This space can be f~sh~one~ by using flat plates for upper and lower surfaces to form the hol-~1 nq 27, and spacing the upper and lower plates a distance apart to form the space 37.
The arms 33 are pivotally ~u ~ad by pivot connec~lons 38 through the hou$~ ng 27. These pivoting co~ ions 38 2Q ~vellL any -.~ t other than a pivoting of the arm 33 in one plane about the connection points 38. S~ ~1 Arly, pivot link 35 is plvotally mounted at 39. The pivot arms 33, and plvot link 35 are ir.Le.co~neeLed by transfer link 34 and the ~ nAtion transfer/torque reading link 36. The torque reading is ~c~ shed by means of a load cell 40 which may be threA~e~ly attached as an int-. -~te - --L part of llnk 36 so as to read torque ln both tenC~on and comprs.ss~o~.
The l~nkA~e connec~ions 41 ir~elcolmect arms 33, pivot llnk 35, and the ~Lansfe~ links 34 and 36, these pivot cQ~scL~ons 41 are not secured to the frame 27, and in fact S~BSllllllt SHET ~ :
. - -- . . .
. .' . - . ' - . . .. . . . ..
.- ~ . . . - . . . . ... .. . .
W092/06822 25 2 D ~ 7 ~ ~ ~ PCT/US90/0689~
are positioned within openin~s 42 within the housing, so as to cooperate therefore with the suspension means 30, 31, 32 and pivot roller bearing connection means 28, 29, 26 to permit a limited degree of freedom of linear v ent of the housing 27 and thus the jaws of the back-up tong relative to the lead tong, in the x, y and z directions while maintaining a complete transfer of any pure torque applied between lead and back-up tongs The lateral slip thus is allowed side to side by the roller bearing and ~h~nn~l configuration, and front to back by the linkage arm arrangement, and up and down due to the roller bearing, channels, and cable and spring _ on~nts, and thus the tolerances permitted in the x, y and z directions are sufficient to a~ date any minor mis~ s, and the floating freedom of ,v~ ~rt is sufficient to prevent any l~nd~s~rable lateral loA~;ng, but any pure torque is directly L,ansfe.sed and mea~ of that torque is ac~u-~Lely read by the load cell lnco~G~a~ed in one of the connecting links Ano~l.e~ of the ~ oved back-up tongs, not shown, would be to eli ~n~te the radial bearing but provide anolhes point (not coincident with the pipe axis), through which the outer hol-q~ ng and inner frame would pivotally in~e.ac~
AnG ~he- ~ ~ L of the present invention (not shown) would be to use an ordinary lead tong and ordinary back-up tong and obtain a torque measus~ by indirect means such as measuring hydraulic ~-e~u-e acting on the lead tong moto'r Ano~lle. ~ c~ -L of the present invention (not shown) would be hn ordinary back-up tong, but an ~ ,roved lead tong to p-uduce a torque meas~ Said ~n~_uved lead tongs would be s~ r to the back-up tongs described fully herein, SlJ~lllUlt SHET
~.
.. . . .. . , ~ ~ .
.
.
.
W092/06822 ~ ~ 9~ O~ ~ 26 PCT/US90/06895 that is, the lead tong would have an outer housing pivotally engaged with an inner frame at or near a point coincident with the pipe axis, the gripping and rotating elements, as well as a moment arm, being disposed on the inner frame, which moment arm would cooperate with the outer housing, through a load cell, to produce a torque measurement.
Many other . ~a'~ --Ls of the prese~t invention are possible, without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention.
SU6S~ t SHET
- ' - , '. ~.: ,
Claims (7)
1. An apparatus for applying torque to a first longitudinal member about said member's longitudinal axis relative to a second longitudinal member, said members remaining free from any reactant lateral forces responsive to said torque, said apparatus comprising:
(a) first and second gripping and aligning means for securing said first and second members in substantial coaxial alignment along a longitudinal axis;
(b) means for applying a rotational force to impart rotational movement to said first gripping and aligning means;
(c) connection means comprising torque transfer means fixing rotationally stationary said second gripping and aligning means relative to rotation of said first gripping and alignment means; and, (d) first, second and third assembly means permitting independent triaxial and angular movement of said second gripping and alignment means relative to said first gripping and alignment means, wherein:
(i) said first assembly means comprises suspension means allowing longitudinal movement of said second gripping and aligning means relative to said first gripping and aligning means; and (ii) said second and third assembly means comprise first and second lateral slip means allowing lateral movement of said second gripping and aligning means relative to said first gripping and alignment means.
(a) first and second gripping and aligning means for securing said first and second members in substantial coaxial alignment along a longitudinal axis;
(b) means for applying a rotational force to impart rotational movement to said first gripping and aligning means;
(c) connection means comprising torque transfer means fixing rotationally stationary said second gripping and aligning means relative to rotation of said first gripping and alignment means; and, (d) first, second and third assembly means permitting independent triaxial and angular movement of said second gripping and alignment means relative to said first gripping and alignment means, wherein:
(i) said first assembly means comprises suspension means allowing longitudinal movement of said second gripping and aligning means relative to said first gripping and aligning means; and (ii) said second and third assembly means comprise first and second lateral slip means allowing lateral movement of said second gripping and aligning means relative to said first gripping and alignment means.
2. The invention of Claim 1 wherein said first gripping and aligning means and said means for rotating said first gripping and aligning means comprises a power driven lead tong and wherein said second gripping and aligning means comprises a backup tong.
3. The invention of Claim 1 wherein said connection means comprises a torque transfer frame comprising:
(a) a lead tong housing to which said first gripping and aligning means is connected, a backup tong housing to which said second gripping and aligning means is connected, and two elongate torque transfer leg members oppositely mounted across the longitudinal alignment axis and secure to the lead tong housing and extending downward in substantially parallel form relative to said first and second members;
(b) A connection member slidably secured to each of said torque transfer leg members so that each connection can move longitudinally along said leg members wherein said slidable connections are connected by pivoting connections to said first lateral slipping means within said slidable connections wherein said first lateral slipping means is further connected through said pivoting connections to said second lateral slip means which is secured to said backup tong housing.
(a) a lead tong housing to which said first gripping and aligning means is connected, a backup tong housing to which said second gripping and aligning means is connected, and two elongate torque transfer leg members oppositely mounted across the longitudinal alignment axis and secure to the lead tong housing and extending downward in substantially parallel form relative to said first and second members;
(b) A connection member slidably secured to each of said torque transfer leg members so that each connection can move longitudinally along said leg members wherein said slidable connections are connected by pivoting connections to said first lateral slipping means within said slidable connections wherein said first lateral slipping means is further connected through said pivoting connections to said second lateral slip means which is secured to said backup tong housing.
4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said suspension means comprises at least one cable secured to said lead tong housing at one end and secured by spring means to said backup tong housing at its second end.
5. The invention of Claim 4 wherein said second lateral slipping means comprises two pivot arms and a pivot link and two transfer links wherein said pivot arms and pivot link are connected to said backup tong housing and wherein each transfer link links one end of a pivot arm to one end of said pivot link and wherein said second lateral slipping means comprises slip connections at the connection of each pivot arm to said slidable connection secured to each torque transfer leg member so that front to back lateral freedom is allowed by the pivoting of the pivot arms and pivot link, and side to side movement is allowed by the slip means at the connection of the pivot arms to said slidable connection to said torque transfer leg members.
6. Invention of Claim 5 wherein one of said transfer links incorporates load cell means which gives a reading of the torque imparted by said rotation of said first gripping and aligning means which is transferred by said torque transfer means and resisted by said second gripping and aligning means.
7. A combined power tong apparatus for making up and breaking out members having threaded connections comprising:
(a) a lead tong for rotatably driving a first threaded member in a threadable alignment with a second member, said lead tong comprising a housing, and means for gripping said threaded member;
(b) a backup tong for securing said second threaded member against axial rotation in response to rotation of said first threaded member threadably engaged therewith;
and, (c) interconnecting means disposed between and lead tong housing and said backup tong housing which secures and fixes said lead tong housing to said backup tong housing to prevent rotary movement of said lead tong about the threaded member axis relative to said backup tong housing while concurrently permitting independent triaxial and angular movement of said backup tong housing relative to said lead tong housing to thereby prevent any bending movement resulting from lateral forces in reaction to the rotational torque applied by said lead tong to said first threaded member.
(a) a lead tong for rotatably driving a first threaded member in a threadable alignment with a second member, said lead tong comprising a housing, and means for gripping said threaded member;
(b) a backup tong for securing said second threaded member against axial rotation in response to rotation of said first threaded member threadably engaged therewith;
and, (c) interconnecting means disposed between and lead tong housing and said backup tong housing which secures and fixes said lead tong housing to said backup tong housing to prevent rotary movement of said lead tong about the threaded member axis relative to said backup tong housing while concurrently permitting independent triaxial and angular movement of said backup tong housing relative to said lead tong housing to thereby prevent any bending movement resulting from lateral forces in reaction to the rotational torque applied by said lead tong to said first threaded member.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US600,533 | 1990-10-19 | ||
| US07/600,533 US5099725A (en) | 1990-10-19 | 1990-10-19 | Torque transfer apparatus |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2097089A1 CA2097089A1 (en) | 1992-04-20 |
| CA2097089C true CA2097089C (en) | 1998-02-10 |
Family
ID=24403981
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002097089A Expired - Fee Related CA2097089C (en) | 1990-10-19 | 1990-11-26 | Torque transfer apparatus |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5099725A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0591157B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU6894191A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2097089C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69031393D1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1992006822A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8074537B2 (en) | 2006-09-08 | 2011-12-13 | Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. | Oilfield tubular spin-in and spin-out detection for making-up and breaking-out tubular strings |
Families Citing this family (44)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB9212723D0 (en) * | 1992-06-16 | 1992-07-29 | Weatherford Lamb | Apparatus for connecting and disconnecting threaded members |
| US5664310A (en) * | 1995-06-23 | 1997-09-09 | Bilco Tools, Inc. | Combination power and backup tong support and method |
| US6082224A (en) * | 1997-01-29 | 2000-07-04 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Power tong |
| CA2269393C (en) | 1999-04-21 | 2008-02-12 | Universe Machine Corporation | Power tong and backup tong system |
| US6142040A (en) * | 1999-06-11 | 2000-11-07 | Franks Casing Crew And Rental Tools, Inc. | Direct coupled tong and spider |
| US6505531B2 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2003-01-14 | Access Oil Tools, Inc. | Oil tool connection breaker and method |
| US6374706B1 (en) * | 2001-01-25 | 2002-04-23 | Frederic M. Newman | Sucker rod tool |
| US7413398B2 (en) * | 2003-04-01 | 2008-08-19 | Mccoy Corporation | Power tong positioner |
| WO2008022425A1 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2008-02-28 | Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. | Oilfield tubular torque wrench |
| WO2008022424A1 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2008-02-28 | Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. | Oilfield tubular torque wrench |
| CA2661405C (en) * | 2006-08-25 | 2013-01-08 | Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. | Methods and apparatus for automated oilfield torque wrench set-up to make-up and break-out tubular strings |
| US7891418B2 (en) * | 2007-11-20 | 2011-02-22 | Frank's Casing Crew & Rental Tools, Inc. | Slippage sensor and method of operating an integrated power tong and back-up tong |
| EP2235315B1 (en) | 2007-12-12 | 2012-03-28 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Top drive system |
| NO329991B1 (en) * | 2008-10-14 | 2011-02-07 | Seabed Rig As | Power pliers assembly for handling a threaded pipe connection |
| CA2686502C (en) | 2008-11-28 | 2017-12-19 | Key Energy Services, Inc. | Method and system for controlling tongs make-up speed and evaluating and controlling torque at the tongs |
| CA2686660C (en) * | 2008-11-28 | 2018-06-19 | Key Energy Services, Inc. | Method and system for monitoring the efficiency and health of a hydraulically driven system |
| WO2011017610A1 (en) * | 2009-08-06 | 2011-02-10 | Frank's International, Inc. | Tubular joining apparatus |
| WO2015061350A1 (en) | 2013-10-21 | 2015-04-30 | Frank's International, Llc | Electric tong system and methods of use |
| US9382768B2 (en) | 2013-12-17 | 2016-07-05 | Offshore Energy Services, Inc. | Tubular handling system and method |
| EA036175B1 (en) * | 2015-05-28 | 2020-10-09 | ВЕЗЕРФОРД ТЕКНОЛОДЖИ ХОЛДИНГЗ, ЭлЭлСи | Tong assembly with torque measurement |
| US10626683B2 (en) | 2015-08-11 | 2020-04-21 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Tool identification |
| US10465457B2 (en) | 2015-08-11 | 2019-11-05 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Tool detection and alignment for tool installation |
| BR112018003130A2 (en) | 2015-08-20 | 2018-09-18 | Weatherford Tech Holdings Llc | upper drive unit system and method for calculating the torque applied to a higher drive unit system |
| US10323484B2 (en) | 2015-09-04 | 2019-06-18 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Combined multi-coupler for a top drive and a method for using the same for constructing a wellbore |
| WO2017044482A1 (en) | 2015-09-08 | 2017-03-16 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Genset for top drive unit |
| US10590744B2 (en) | 2015-09-10 | 2020-03-17 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Modular connection system for top drive |
| US10167671B2 (en) | 2016-01-22 | 2019-01-01 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Power supply for a top drive |
| US11162309B2 (en) | 2016-01-25 | 2021-11-02 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Compensated top drive unit and elevator links |
| US10704364B2 (en) | 2017-02-27 | 2020-07-07 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Coupler with threaded connection for pipe handler |
| US10954753B2 (en) | 2017-02-28 | 2021-03-23 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Tool coupler with rotating coupling method for top drive |
| US11131151B2 (en) | 2017-03-02 | 2021-09-28 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Tool coupler with sliding coupling members for top drive |
| US10480247B2 (en) | 2017-03-02 | 2019-11-19 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Combined multi-coupler with rotating fixations for top drive |
| US10443326B2 (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2019-10-15 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Combined multi-coupler |
| US10247246B2 (en) | 2017-03-13 | 2019-04-02 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Tool coupler with threaded connection for top drive |
| US10711574B2 (en) | 2017-05-26 | 2020-07-14 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Interchangeable swivel combined multicoupler |
| US10526852B2 (en) | 2017-06-19 | 2020-01-07 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Combined multi-coupler with locking clamp connection for top drive |
| US10544631B2 (en) | 2017-06-19 | 2020-01-28 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Combined multi-coupler for top drive |
| US10527104B2 (en) | 2017-07-21 | 2020-01-07 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Combined multi-coupler for top drive |
| US10355403B2 (en) | 2017-07-21 | 2019-07-16 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Tool coupler for use with a top drive |
| US10745978B2 (en) | 2017-08-07 | 2020-08-18 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Downhole tool coupling system |
| US11047175B2 (en) | 2017-09-29 | 2021-06-29 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Combined multi-coupler with rotating locking method for top drive |
| US11441412B2 (en) | 2017-10-11 | 2022-09-13 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Tool coupler with data and signal transfer methods for top drive |
| US10808471B2 (en) | 2018-03-10 | 2020-10-20 | Frank's International, Llc | Power tong torque reaction system |
| US11613941B2 (en) | 2019-03-04 | 2023-03-28 | Frank's International, Llc | Power tong interlock system |
Family Cites Families (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3545313A (en) * | 1969-10-30 | 1970-12-08 | Benjamin F Kelley | Combined grapple and back-up tong |
| US4091451A (en) * | 1977-04-26 | 1978-05-23 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Method of and apparatus for making up a threaded connection |
| US4125040A (en) * | 1977-09-29 | 1978-11-14 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Power tong apparatus |
| US4170908A (en) * | 1978-05-01 | 1979-10-16 | Joy Manufacturing Company | Indexing mechanism for an open-head power tong |
| US4290304A (en) * | 1979-04-30 | 1981-09-22 | Eckel Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Back-up power tongs and method |
| US4402239A (en) * | 1979-04-30 | 1983-09-06 | Eckel Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Back-up power tongs and method |
| US4346629A (en) * | 1980-05-02 | 1982-08-31 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Tong assembly |
| DE3138870C1 (en) * | 1981-09-30 | 1983-07-21 | Weatherford Oil Tool Gmbh, 3012 Langenhagen | Device for screwing pipes |
| US4494425A (en) * | 1983-03-21 | 1985-01-22 | Shewmake Sr Hollis G | Backup tong |
| DE3608814C1 (en) * | 1986-03-15 | 1987-08-13 | Weatherford Oil Tool | Device for checking the gas tightness of connections between pipe pieces |
| CA1267005A (en) * | 1986-09-12 | 1990-03-27 | Joseph Roland Jean-Paul Laurent Charest | Apparatus for uncoupling the threaded connection of a pump impeller |
| DE3700384A1 (en) * | 1987-01-08 | 1988-07-21 | Weatherford Oil Tool | DEVICE FOR TESTING THE GAS TIGHTNESS OF CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HOLLOW BODIES |
| DE3710443A1 (en) * | 1987-03-30 | 1988-10-20 | Weatherford Oil Tool | DEVICE FOR TESTING THE GAS-TIGHTNESS OF CAVITY WALLS |
| US4972741A (en) * | 1988-10-13 | 1990-11-27 | Franks Casing Crew And Rental Tools, Inc. | Isolated torsional-transfer combined tong apparatus |
| GB8828084D0 (en) * | 1988-12-01 | 1989-01-05 | Weatherfor U S Inc | Apparatus for connecting & disconnecting threaded members |
-
1990
- 1990-10-19 US US07/600,533 patent/US5099725A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-11-26 DE DE69031393T patent/DE69031393D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-11-26 AU AU68941/91A patent/AU6894191A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-11-26 WO PCT/US1990/006895 patent/WO1992006822A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1990-11-26 CA CA002097089A patent/CA2097089C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-11-26 EP EP91900451A patent/EP0591157B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8074537B2 (en) | 2006-09-08 | 2011-12-13 | Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. | Oilfield tubular spin-in and spin-out detection for making-up and breaking-out tubular strings |
| US8490520B2 (en) | 2006-09-08 | 2013-07-23 | Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. | Oilfield tubular spin-in and spin-out detection for making-up and breaking-out tubular strings |
| US9404324B2 (en) | 2006-09-08 | 2016-08-02 | Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd. | Oilfield tubular spin-in and spin-out detection for making-up and breaking-out tubular strings |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1992006822A1 (en) | 1992-04-30 |
| US5099725A (en) | 1992-03-31 |
| DE69031393D1 (en) | 1997-10-09 |
| EP0591157B1 (en) | 1997-09-03 |
| CA2097089A1 (en) | 1992-04-20 |
| EP0591157A1 (en) | 1994-04-13 |
| EP0591157A4 (en) | 1994-01-24 |
| AU6894191A (en) | 1992-05-20 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2097089C (en) | Torque transfer apparatus | |
| US4972741A (en) | Isolated torsional-transfer combined tong apparatus | |
| US5664310A (en) | Combination power and backup tong support and method | |
| US8601910B2 (en) | Tubular joining apparatus | |
| US7861619B2 (en) | Power tong | |
| US3766991A (en) | Electric power swivel and system for use in rotary well drilling | |
| MX2008011530A (en) | Furnace atmosphere activation method and apparatus. | |
| NO316535B1 (en) | Device for recording weight and torque on a drill bit during drilling of a well | |
| US10392879B2 (en) | Tong assembly with torque measurement | |
| AU2017289474B2 (en) | Pipe wrench | |
| US5509316A (en) | System for measuring the torque applied to a threaded connection between sections of oilfield pipe | |
| US20080168827A1 (en) | Real time torque system | |
| CN104389582A (en) | Well logging pushing and leaning device | |
| EP4139557B1 (en) | Load cell for a tong assembly | |
| US20200063507A1 (en) | Compensation system for a tong assembly | |
| US4289021A (en) | Tongs having torque indicator thereon | |
| CN107478391B (en) | A kind of subsea wellhead equipment bending internal pressure combined loading test method | |
| SU1174558A1 (en) | Rack testing oilfield pipes and their joints | |
| Gormley | Experimental Stress Analysis of Tool Joints |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |