Abstract: A pipe running tool for use in an oil drilling system and the like comprises a lower drive shaft adapted to engage a drive shaft of a top drive assembly for rotation therewith. The pipe running tool further includes a lower pipe engagement assembly which is driven to rotate by the lower drive shaft, and is designed to releasably engage a pipe segment in such a manner to substantially prevent relative rotation between the two. Thus, when the lower pipe engagement assembly is actuated to securely hold a pipe segment, the top drive assembly may be actuated to rotate the top drive output shaft, which causes the lower drive shaft and lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate, which in turn rotates the pipe segment.

Abstract: A system for coupling a pipe segment to a pipe string is provided that includes a top drive assembly having a threaded output shaft; and a pipe running tool threadingly coupled to the threaded output shaft of the top drive assembly such that the primary load of the pipe running tool is supported by the threads of the output shaft of the top drive assembly, and wherein the pipe running tool is rotatable by the output shaft and further includes a pipe engaging portion for grippingly engaging the pipe segment sufficient to transmit a torque from the top drive output shaft to the pipe segment.

Abstract: A system for coupling a pipe segment to a pipe string is provided that includes a top drive assembly having an output shaft; and a pipe running tool coupled to the top drive assembly and rotatable by the output shaft of the top drive assembly. The pipe running tool includes an internal gripper for insertion within an internal diameter of the pipe segment and a tapered slip cone section, which slidably receives corresponding tapered surfaces of a plurality of slips, such that a vertical force on the slips causes the slips to move radially outwardly into gripping engagement with the internal diameter of the pipe segment, and wherein the vertical force applied to the slips is sufficient to allow the gripping engagement of the slips with the internal diameter of the pipe segment to transmit a torque from the top drive output shaft to the pipe segment.

Abstract: A system for coupling a pipe segment to a pipe string is provided that includes a top drive assembly having a threaded output shaft; and a pipe running tool threadingly coupled to the threaded output shaft of the top drive assembly such that the primary load of the pipe running tool is supported by the threads of the output shaft of the top drive assembly, and wherein the pipe running tool is rotatable by the output shaft and further includes a pipe engaging portion for grippingly engaging the pipe segment sufficient to transmit a torque from the top drive output shaft to the pipe segment.

Abstract: A system for coupling a pipe segment to a pipe string is provided that includes a top drive assembly having a threaded output shaft; and a pipe running tool threadingly coupled to the threaded output shaft of the top drive assembly such that the primary load of the pipe running tool is supported by the threads of the output shaft of the top drive assembly, and wherein the pipe running tool is rotatable by the output shaft and further includes a pipe engaging portion for grippingly engaging the pipe segment sufficient to transmit a torque from the top drive output shaft to the pipe segment.

Abstract: A system for measuring desired drilling parameters of a pipe string during an oil and gas well drilling operation is provided that includes a top drive assembly; a pipe running tool engageable with the pipe string and coupled to the top drive assembly to transmit translational and rotational forces from the top drive assembly to the pipe string; and one or more measurement devices mounted to the pipe running tool for measuring the desired drilling parameters of the pipe string during the oil and gas well drilling operation.

Abstract: An oil and gas well drilling system is provided that includes a top drive assembly having an output shaft; and a pipe running tool having a top drive extension shaft connected to the top drive output shaft and engageable with a pipe string to transmit translational and rotational forces from the top drive assembly to the pipe string, wherein the pipe running tool further includes a cementing pipe connected to the top drive extension shaft and having a fluid passageway which receives cement during a cementing operation.

Abstract: A pipe running tool for use in an oil drilling system and the like comprises a lower drive shaft adapted to engage a drive shaft of a top drive assembly for rotation therewith. The pipe running tool further includes a lower pipe engagement assembly which is driven to rotate by the lower drive shaft, and is designed to releasably engage a pipe segment in such a manner to substantially prevent relative rotation between the two. Thus, when the lower pipe engagement assembly is actuated to securely hold a pipe segment, the top drive assembly may be actuated to rotate the top drive output shaft, which causes the lower drive shaft and lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate, which in turn rotates the pipe segment.

Abstract: A pipe running tool for use in an oil drilling system and the like comprises a lower drive shaft adapted to engage a drive shaft of a top drive assembly for rotation therewith. The pipe running tool further includes a lower pipe engagement assembly which is driven to rotate by the lower drive shaft, and is designed to releasably engage a pipe segment in such a manner to substantially prevent relative rotation between the two. Thus, when the lower pipe engagement assembly is actuated to securely hold a pipe segment, the top drive assembly may be actuated to rotate the top drive output shaft, which causes the lower drive shaft and lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate, which in turn rotates the pipe segment.

Abstract: A load compensator is disclosed for use in connection with a pipe running tool. The load compensator includes an outer housing connected to the portion of the pipe running tool that holds the pipe segment. A piston is disposed within the housing, and is connected to a top drive system of the pipe running tool. The housing is formed with a first port through which pressurized air is delivered inside the housing to drive the piston within the housing. A second port is disposed at a selected location on the housing, such that when the piston is advanced past the second port, pressurized air passes through the port, and causes the control circuit to stop delivering air through the first port. Once pressurized air no longer flows through the second port, the control circuit causes air to be delivered to the first port.

Abstract: A pipe running tool for use in an oil drilling system and the like comprises a lower drive shaft adapted to engage a drive shaft of a top drive assembly for rotation therewith. The pipe running tool further includes a lower pipe engagement assembly which is driven to rotate by the lower drive shaft, and is designed to releasably engage a pipe segment in such a manner to substantially prevent relative rotation between the two. Thus, when the lower pipe engagement assembly is actuated to securely hold a pipe segment, the top drive assembly may be actuated to rotate the top drive output shaft, which causes the lower drive shaft and lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate, which in turn rotates the pipe segment. The pipe running tool having a greater slip back offset such that drill pipe and drill pipe tool joints may be passed through the central passageway of the tool without interfering with the front of the slip.

Abstract: A pipe running tool for use in an oil drilling system and the like comprises a lower drive shaft adapted to engage a drive shaft of a top drive assembly for rotation therewith. The pipe running tool further includes a lower pipe engagement assembly which is driven to rotate by the lower drive shaft, and is designed to releasably engage a pipe segment in such a manner to substantially prevent relative rotation between the two. Thus, when the lower pipe engagement assembly is actuated to securely hold a pipe segment, the top drive assembly may be actuated to rotate the top drive output shaft, which causes the lower drive shaft and lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate, which in turn rotates the pipe segment.

Abstract: A pipe running tool for use in an oil drilling system and the like comprises a lower drive shaft adapted to engage a drive shaft of a top drive assembly for rotation therewith. The pipe running tool further includes a lower pipe engagement assembly which is driven to rotate by the lower drive shaft, and is designed to releasably engage a pipe segment in such a manner to substantially prevent relative rotation between the two. Thus, when the lower pipe engagement assembly is actuated to securely hold a pipe segment, the top drive assembly may be actuated to rotate the top drive output shaft, which causes the lower drive shaft and lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate, which in turn rotates the pipe segment. The pipe running tool having a greater slip back offset such that drill pipe and drill pipe tool joints may be passed through the central passageway of the tool without interfering with the front of the slip.

Abstract: A pipe running tool for use in an oil drilling system and the like comprises a lower drive shaft adapted to engage a drive shaft of a top drive assembly for rotation therewith. The pipe running tool further includes a lower pipe engagement assembly which is driven to rotate by the lower drive shaft, and is designed to releasably engage a pipe segment in such a manner to substantially prevent relative rotation between the two. Thus, when the lower pipe engagement assembly is actuated to securely hold a pipe segment, the top drive assembly may be actuated to rotate the top drive output shaft, which causes the lower drive shaft and lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate, which in turn rotates the pipe segment.

Abstract: A pipe running tool for use in an oil drilling system and the like comprises a lower drive shaft adapted to engage a drive shaft of a top drive assembly for rotation therewith. The pipe running tool further includes a lower pipe engagement assembly which is driven to rotate by the lower drive shaft, and is designed to releasably engage a pipe segment in such a manner to substantially prevent relative rotation between the two. Thus, when the lower pipe engagement assembly is actuated to securely hold a pipe segment, the top drive assembly may be actuated to rotate the top drive output shaft, which causes the lower drive shaft and lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate, which in turn rotates the pipe segment.

Abstract: A load compensator is disclosed for use in connection with a pipe running tool. The load compensator includes an outer housing connected to the portion of the pipe running tool that holds the pipe segment. A piston is disposed within the housing, and is connected to a top drive system of the pipe running tool. The housing is formed with a first port through which pressurized air is delivered inside the housing to drive the piston within the housing. A second port is disposed at a selected location on the housing, such that when the piston is advanced past the second port, pressurized air passes through the port, and causes the control circuit to stop delivering air through the first port. Once pressurized air no longer flows through the second port, the control circuit causes air to be delivered to the first port.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring the torque applied to the drum shaft of a hoist. By measuring the torque on the drum shaft, the force or tension on the fast line can be accurately determined. If the force or tension on the dead line is also measured, the forces on the fast line and dead line can be used to determine the force applied to the load. One embodiment of the invention uses a transmission coupled to the drum shaft as a moment arm. The transmission is coupled to a fixed point by a strain-sensing element located some distance from the center of the drum shaft. The distance between the center of the drum shaft and the point along the transmission where the strain-sensing element is mounted provides the moment arm for measuring the torque on the drum shaft. Another embodiment of the invention provides “C”-shaped side plates to support and mount the main bearings of the drum shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic disk brake apparatus especially useful for braking the rotation of a hoisting drum used to support a drill string in a well. The apparatus comprises a hydraulic fluid pump having an actuating lever, a pair of brake calipers having hydraulically actuated friction pads for engaging a brake disk coupled to the drum for rotation therewith, hydraulic fluid lines interconnecting the pump and the friction pads, and a mechanism for converting the braking reaction force caused by the torque applied to the calipers, when the pads engage the rotating disk, to an additional hydraulic force proportional to the amount of torque so applied to the calipers and applying this additional hydraulic force to the pads. This renders the braking action self-energized and provides a physical indication, i.e., a "feel", in the brake actuating lever reflecting the braking action actually take place on the drum.

Abstract: Anchoring systems, of the type comprising an anchor chain and a wire rope, characterized by a connector between the chain and rope which makes it possible to haul in without stopping to disconnect the hauling line, without requiring preorientation of the connector relative to the combination wheel or wheels over which it passes, and with a smooth transition between chain and rope on the wheel. Advantageous embodiments make it possible for the anchor line, including wire rope, connector, and chain, to traverse a more than 90.degree. change in direction on a single combination wheel without overstressing any component, particularly the end of the wire rope located at the rope-to-chain connection.