Abstract: The example automated roughneck system herein includes a base module, a removable spinner module for spinning pipe to connect or disconnect drill pipes at threaded interfaces, and a removable torque module for torqueing drill pipe. The spinner module is adapted to automatically self-center itself around a drill pipe and adjust to a varied range of drill pipe diameters. A centering device of the torque module automatically senses drill pipe of varied diameters and moves around the drill pipe until the spinner and torque modules are centered on the drill pipe. An extension module of the system is connected between the base module and the spinner and torque modules. A plurality of arms thereon are adapted to be extended and retracted from/to the extension module to move the spinner and torque modules toward and away from the base module. Each of these modules are remotely controlled.

Abstract: An insert slot for a slip segment of a rotary slip assembly is described. The insert slot includes a generally rectangular recess formed by milling a single piece of metal which is to be the slip segment, the milled recess thereby forming the insert slot, and a circular hole formed at each of two lower corner locations of the milled recess. The circular corner holes allow a dovetail cutter access into and removal from the recess to make a dovetail cut that creates an angled grove along lengthwise sides of the insert slot, the insert slot having a flat bottom adapted to support a bottom of a tool or grip insert, the insert slot formed in a single piece of metal with no other materials attached thereto, so as to permit an accurate load rating to be determined for the slip assembly.

Abstract: A combination for making up and breaking out pipe at an oil rig site includes a torque module and at least one pipe clamp apparatus. The torque module includes a pair of hydraulic motors, a torque transmission driven by the motors, a herringbone gear segment driven by the transmission to rotate the torque module, and a pair of clamp cylinders actuated by the transmission. The at least one pipe clamp apparatus is actuated by at least one of the clamp cylinders to apply a uniform gripping load around a pipe that is pipe diameter independent.

Abstract: A combination for making up and breaking out pipe at an oil rig site includes a torque module and at least one pipe clamp apparatus. The torque module includes a pair of hydraulic motors, a torque transmission driven by the motors, a herringbone gear segment driven by the transmission to rotate the torque module, and a pair of clamp cylinders actuated by the transmission. The at least one pipe clamp apparatus is actuated by at least one of the clamp cylinders to apply a uniform gripping load around a pipe that is pipe diameter independent.

Abstract: An automated roughneck system is described which includes a base module, a removable spinner module for spinning pipe to connect or disconnect drill pipes at threaded interfaces, which automatically self-centers itself around a drill pipe and automatically adjusts to a varied range of drill pipe diameters, a removable torque module for torqueing drill pipe and which automatically self-centers itself around a drill pipe and automatically adjusts to a varied range of drill pipe diameters, an extension module including a first plurality of extension arms that extend between a central hub of the extension module and the base module, and a second plurality of extension arms that extend between the central hub and supporting structure that supports the spinner and torque modules thereon, with each of the base, extension, spinner, and torque modules being hydraulically powered, and being controlled by controls at the remote operator control console.

Abstract: An insert slot for a slip segment of a rotary hand slip is described. The insert slot includes a milled recess cut into a metal slip segment so as to form a rectangular-shaped insert slot designed to receive an insert therein used in the hand slip, and circular corners drilled into the slip segment at a lower corner locations of the insert slot so as to relieve two bottom end corners of the slot.