Abstract: A combination tubular handler and power swivel unit having an extendable trough to raise a tubular to a rig floor height. A raising leg connected with the trough assembly. A following leg movingly coupled with an end of the trough assembly. This handler is configured to move the power swivel and other miscellaneous tools and equipment to the rig floor without winches or cables. A hydraulic swivel rack allows parking the swivel out of the way in a storage location when not in use.

Abstract: A combination tubular handler and power swivel unit having an extendable trough to raise a tubular to a rig floor height without extensions. A raising leg is connected with the trough assembly through an easily installed height adjustment pin which requires no dangerous pinning. A following leg is pivotably coupled with an end of the trough assembly. This handler also moves the power swivel and other miscellaneous tools and equipment to the rig floor without winches or cables. A hydraulic swivel rack allows parking the swivel out of the way in a storage location when not in use.

Abstract: A combination tubular handler and power swivel unit having an extendable trough to raise a tubular to a rig floor height without extensions. A raising leg is connected with the trough assembly through an easily installed height adjustment pin which requires no dangerous pinning. A following leg is pivotably coupled with an end of the trough assembly. This handler also moves the power swivel and other miscellaneous tools and equipment to the rig floor without winches or cables. A hydraulic swivel rack allows parking the swivel out of the way in a storage location when not in use.

Abstract: A combination hydraulic pipe handler and power swivel for providing services normally requiring two machines, two hydraulic systems, two engines, two spaces at a rig site, and two costs to the user. Now only one machine is required. The combination hydraulic pipe handler and power swivel can pick up tubulars, present tubulars safely to the rig floor at an adjustable angle, and provide a tilting power swivel which tilts to the same adjustable angle allowing the rig operator to threadably engage tubulars and lift the tubulars to vertical. Tailing of tubulars with a rope and manpower is not required, thus the operation is much safer than normal.

Abstract: A top drive or a power swivel with a high pressure washpipe and seal assembly receives high pressure drilling fluid from a mud pump and provides high pressure drilling fluid to the drilling fluid side of a dual fluid reservoir. A separating piston in the dual fluid reservoir moves toward the oil side as hydraulic oil is used for lubrication. This dual fluid reservoir with separating piston provides hydraulic oil at drilling mud pressure as required by the set of unique high pressure seals which are continuously lubricated and which generate minimal heat.

Abstract: A dual control hydraulic circuit for a tilting power swivel having a main hydraulic pump providing an operational supply of hydraulic fluid causing a clockwise or counter clockwise rotation of the tilting power swivel. A hydraulic cylinder used to hydraulically power an angular change between a bail and a body, wherein a local control valve can enable extension and retraction of a rod of the hydraulic cylinder. An auxiliary hydraulic pump providing hydraulic fluid at a low pressure, a hydraulic reservoir fluidly connected to the main hydraulic pump and the auxiliary hydraulic pump, an engine connected to the main hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic fluid return line from a local control valve to the hydraulic reservoir used for dual control for operating the hydraulic cylinder to tilt the tilting power swivel and a remote control connected to the local control valve for controlling the local control valve.

Abstract: This oilfield drilling rig uses a top drive with a hydraulic actuated drill pipe handling tool known as a dual opening elevator. This tool eliminates the need for a typical complicated elevator rotation mechanism with troublesome concentric hydraulic seals. In operation, after opening the front, picking up a stand at the racking board and putting it in the string, the back may then be opened to allow moving the elevator off the drill pipe toward the front of the rig to prevent elevator wear while drilling and to allow drilling down close to the rig floor. Time is saved because no rotation is required, and down time is saved because there are no troublesome concentric seals which commonly leak.

Abstract: This dual opening elevator is a hydraulic actuated drill pipe handling tool for use with oilfield top drives. This tool eliminates the need for a typical complicated elevator rotation mechanism with troublesome concentric hydraulic seals. In operation, after opening the front, picking up a stand at the racking board and putting it in the string, the back may then be opened to allow moving the elevator off the drill pipe toward the front of the rig to prevent elevator wear while drilling and to allow drilling down close to the rig floor. Time is saved because no rotation is required, and down time is saved because there are no troublesome concentric seals which commonly leak.

Abstract: A top drive control system with a remote control having a processor and data storage connected to a torque pin sensor, a speed sensor, a remote control, which enables a user to actuate automatic remote rocking, drilling, orienting and making-up of a drill string using the top drive and provides simultaneous right hand and left hand torque applied to the drill string while simultaneously controlling speed of turning of the drill string. The top drive control system includes computer instructions for automated orienting of drill pipe, automated drilling with drill pipe and automated making-up of drill pipe into a drill string.

Abstract: A method for using a power swivel with tilt capable of being tilted to any angle up to an adjustable maximum tilt angle. The method allows adjusting the tilting power swivel's angle of tilt to line up with pipe staged at various angles as required by different rigs. The method allows for adjusting the maximum extension of the tilt cylinder, and further allows the power swivel to be repeatedly positioned at a desired angle for the duration of a job. The method requires the addition of only one hydraulic fluid supply hose, thereby allowing a simple live hose reel with four hoses. The method for using a power swivel with tilt promotes safety, efficiency, and saves time by eliminating the need for a stabbing man hanging in the derrick.

Abstract: A remote controlled tilting power swivel capable of being tilted to any angle up to an adjustable maximum tilt angle. The tilting power swivel angle of tilt can be adjusted to line up with pipe staged at various angles as required by different rigs. Adjusting the maximum extension of the tilt cylinder allows the power swivel to repeat a desired angle for the duration of a job. The system requires the addition of only one hydraulic fluid supply hose, thereby allowing a simple live hose reel with four hoses. The tilting power swivel promotes safety, efficiency, and saves time by eliminating the need for a stabbing man hanging in the derrick.

Abstract: A torque measuring device for top drives, which includes plates mounted to a top drive. A torque measuring pin and a hinge pin can be engaged with the plates and a torque slide assembly. Bosses can be connected to the top drive, and can have the torque measuring pin engaged therethrough to restrain vertical and axial movement between the plates. A boss can be connected to the top drive and engaged with the torque measuring pin to bend the torque measuring pin when torque is applied to the top drive. One or more bosses can be connected to the top drive, and can have the hinge pin engaged therethrough to hinge the plates to the top drive. A strain gauge sensor can be engaged with the torque measuring pin. A controller can be in communication with the strain gauge sensor to receive signals therefrom.

Abstract: A drilling rig for use in drilling wells having a top drive with a slide assembly configured to engage, slide on, and react torque to a modular torque track assembly. The modular torque track assembly connects between the top of a derrick and lower structure of the drilling rig. The modular torque track assembly can have a top track, one or more middle tracks, and a bottom track allowing the modular torque track to be various lengths for various applications. The torque track sections are connectable with unique locking devices which allow a man in a suspended sling to quickly and safely make or break each connection. There are no loose parts in the design to accidentally drop and hurt a person below.

Abstract: A drilling rig with a top drive having a torque measuring load cell made from a strain gauged bending pin. When the unit torques up, the bending pin can be arranged to bend slightly in proportion to torque, and a strain gauge on the bending pin provides measurement that can be calibrated electronically in foot-lbs of torque.

Abstract: A top drive assembly arranged to travel in a derrick. An important use of this assembly is to manipulate tubulars in a wellbore, so it includes a traveling block housing and sheaves disposed about a compensating airbag. The airbag is arranged to prevent damage to the threads during screwing and unscrewing operations of tubulars in a wellbore. The arrangement of the airbag requires only a single air valve thus having only a single leak path.

Abstract: A drilling rig with top drive assembly consisting of a traveling block housing, sheaves, with axles connected to a pair of links supporting a top drive, and a compressible extendable airbag as a thread compensator for running tubulars into a wellbore, making up tubulars, or breaking tubulars out of a wellbore.

Abstract: A drilling rig with a top drive having an inside blowout preventer for drilling in a wellbore, the drilling rig having a derrick and a crown, a torque track suspended from the crown, a travelling block hanging from a cable, a drawworks for raising or lowering the travelling block, and a top drive with a rotatable stem suspended from the travelling block. The top drive has a motor mounted to the top drive housing and is connected to the rotatable stem. An inside blowout preventer with a rotatable stem is connected to the top drive rotatable stem. The inside blowout preventer has a hydraulically actuatable arm, a hydraulic cylinder, a tubular body having a tubular bore, and a valve operator assembly surrounding the tubular body.

Abstract: This invention is a top drive having an inside blowout preventer connected with a rotatable stem. The inside blowout preventer includes a hydraulically actuatable arm. An inside blowout preventer with a rotatable stem is connected to the top drive rotatable stem. The inside blowout preventer has a hydraulically actuatable arm, a hydraulic cylinder, a tubular body having a tubular bore, and a valve operator assembly surrounding the tubular body.

Abstract: A drilling rig for automatically executing rocking of a drill string with a moveable top drive using a control system having a processor and data storage connected to a torque pin sensor, a speed sensor; a remote control enabling a user to actuate automatic remote rocking, drilling, orienting and making up of a drill string using the top drive that provides simultaneous right hand and left hand torque applied to the drill string while simultaneously controlling speed of turning of the drill string. A drilling rig for orienting drill pipe, drilling with drill pipe and making up drill pipe into a drill string using the automated control system.

Abstract: A top drive track and slide assembly for use in drilling wells having a torque track slide assembly configured to connect to a top drive, and a modular torque track assembly configured to engage the torque track slide assembly. The modular torque track assembly can connect on a drilling rig. The modular torque track assembly can have a top track, one or more middle tracks, and a bottom track. One of the middle tracks can connect to the top track, and one of the middle tracks can connect to the bottom track using locking devices and connecting pins. The modular torque track assembly can be configured to be various lengths for various applications. The torque track slide assembly can have inserts retained therein without fasteners, allowing the inserts to be completely worn down before requiring replacement.