Abstract: A tubular gripping assembly for handling a tubular includes a housing; a plurality of gripping members for gripping the tubular; a first fluid line for opening the gripping members, the first fluid line having a one-way valve; and second fluid line for closing the gripping members. The tubular gripping assembly also includes an indicator assembly attached to the housing. The indicator assembly has an indicator movable relative to the housing. The indicator assembly also includes a sensor valve configured to open the check valve for fluid communication through the first fluid line in response to relative axial movement between the indicator and the housing.

Abstract: A tubular gripping assembly for handling a tubular includes a housing; a plurality of gripping members for gripping the tubular; a first fluid line for opening the gripping members, the first fluid line having a one-way valve; and second fluid line for closing the gripping members. The tubular gripping assembly also includes an indicator assembly attached to the housing. The indicator assembly has an indicator movable relative to the housing. The indicator assembly also includes a sensor valve configured to open the check valve for fluid communication through the first fluid line in response to relative axial movement between the indicator and the housing.

Abstract: A modular top drive system for construction of a wellbore includes a motor unit. The motor unit includes: a drive body; a drive motor having a stator connected to the drive body; a trolley for connecting the drive body to a rail of a drilling rig; and a drive ring torsionally connected to a rotor of the drive motor and having a latch profile for selectively connecting one of: a drilling unit, a casing unit, and a cementing unit to the motor unit.

Abstract: A load cell for use with a tong assembly includes a body; a chamber formed in the body; and a strain gauge disposed in the chamber. The load cell also includes a first eye for pivotal coupling to the tong assembly, and a second eye for pivotal coupling to the tong assembly. An optional biasing member is disposed around the second eye for biasing the body relative to the tong assembly.

Abstract: A load cell for use with a tong assembly includes a body; a chamber formed in the body; and a strain gauge disposed in the chamber. The load cell also includes a first eye for pivotal coupling to the tong assembly, and a second eye for pivotal coupling to the tong assembly. An optional biasing member is disposed around the second eye for biasing the body relative to the tong assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for coupling a first component to a second component of a tool coupler. A first component includes a ring coupler having mating features and rotatable between first and second positions; an actuator to rotate the ring coupler between the positions; and a second component comprising a profile complementary to the ring coupler. A method includes inserting a central shaft of the first component into a housing of the second component; rotating a ring coupler around the central shaft; and engaging mating features of the ring coupler with a profile. A method also includes clamping a profile using the ring coupler and a second ring coupler. A method also includes moving a second ring coupler vertically relative to the housing to engage a profile.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a drive stem having first friction surfaces and a load coupling, wherein the load coupling is a threaded coupling. The drive unit also includes a transmission unit having second friction surfaces parallel to the first friction surfaces; and shoulders proximate a bottom of the transmission unit. The drive unit further includes a transmission selector movable to an “on” position or an “off” position, wherein the drive stem moves synchronously with the transmission unit when the transmission selector is in the “on” position.

Abstract: An electronic control system comprises a first tubular handling tool, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to an operational characteristic of the first tubular handling tool. The electronic control system functions as an electronic interlock system to prevent mishandling of a tubular. A method of controlling a tubular handling tool comprises measuring an operational characteristic of the tubular handling tool, communicating the operational characteristic to a controller in the form of an electronic signal, and using the controller to control actuation of the tubular handling tool in response to the measured operational characteristic.

Abstract: A downhole tool coupling system, comprising a drive stem, a sleeve, and a plurality of locking clamps. The sleeve is longitudinally movable relative to the drive stem. The locking clamps are at least partially encompassed by the sleeve. The locking clamps are adjustable between an open position and a locked position. The sleeve is oriented relative to the locking clamps to adjust the locking clamps from the open position to the locked position as the sleeve moves longitudinally from an upper position to a lower position. Each locking clamp has an interior recessed region configured to clamp the drive stem to a tool stem when in the locked position.

Abstract: An electronic control system comprises a first tubular handling tool, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to an operational characteristic of the first tubular handling tool. The electronic control system functions as an electronic interlock system to prevent mishandling of a tubular. A method of controlling a tubular handling tool comprises measuring an operational characteristic of the tubular handling tool, communicating the operational characteristic to a controller in the form of an electronic signal, and using the controller to control actuation of the tubular handling tool in response to the measured operational characteristic.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tubular stabbing guides are presented. One example tubular stabbing guide includes a frame, a clamping assembly mounted to the frame, the clamping assembly including a plurality of guide members configured to receive a tubular and movable between an open position and a closed position, and a support plate configured to support a weight of the tubular, the support plate movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A modular top drive system for construction of a wellbore includes an identification reader for automatically identifying tools during operation for rig up and tool exchange. The identification reader may be disposed in one of a tool storage unit, a tool change unit or a top drive unit. Drilling tools, cementing tools and casing tools with one or more identification devices may be used with the modular top drive system. The one or more identification devices may be radio frequency identification devices, barcodes, text tags, micro-controllers, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a modular connection system for a top drive. The modular connection system may include two tubular components, each having a bore, a seal profile, and two or more load transfer features. The first tubular component may be inserted to the second tubular component to make a connection to transfer fluid, axial loads, and torsional loads. Each of the two tubular components may also include a coupler configured to transfer pressured fluid, data, or other signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus for positioning a tool at a well site. The positioning tool includes a retractable arm assembly having a tool adaptor and a leveling assembly. The leveling assembly includes a rigid leveling link pivotably coupled to a tool adaptor. The leveling assembly is coupled to the last two arms in the retractably assembly and uses the relative movement of the last two arms to level and stabilize the tool adaptor and the tool attached thereto.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a coupler system for coupling a top drive and a tool, including a drive member of the top drive configured to transfer torque. The drive member having a housing with a bore therethrough and a window formed substantially laterally through the housing. An adapter of the tool is configured to be inserted through the window of the housing. In another embodiment, a method for coupling a top drive to a tool includes moving, the tool adjacent to the top drive, the tool including an adapter and the top drive including a housing having a window formed therethrough. The method also includes aligning the adapter with the window and inserting the adapter substantially laterally into the window of the housing, thereby longitudinally and torsionally coupling the top drive and the tool.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide combined multi-coupler assembly for quickly connecting a top drive to a tool. The combined multi-coupler assembly includes a drive stem and a tool dock that may be coupled to each other. When the drive stem and the tool dock are connected, axial loads, torsional loads, and hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, optical, or other types of communications may be transferred between the drive stem and the tool dock.

Abstract: A modular top drive system for construction of a wellbore includes an alignment assembly configured to align a tool with a top drive unit to facilitate automatic tool installation during rig up.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide combined multi-coupler assembly for quickly connecting a top drive to a tool. The combined multi-coupler assembly includes a drive stem and a tool dock that may be coupled to each other. When the drive stem and the tool dock are connected, axial loads, torsional loads, and hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, optical, or other types of communications may be transferred between the drive stem and the tool dock.

Abstract: A top drive system for use with a tool for handling tubulars on a drilling rig includes a motor unit; a coupling unit that transfers torque to the tool; a torque measurement device (TMD) coupled to at least one of the motor unit, the tool, or the coupling unit, wherein the TMD includes a sensing member coupled to an evaluation unit, wherein the sensing member is configured to measure a magnetostrictive effect and the evaluation unit is configured to calculate a magnitude of the torque reaction force based on the magnetostrictive effect.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tubular stabbing guides are presented. One example tubular stabbing guide includes a frame, a clamping assembly mounted to the frame, the clamping assembly including a plurality of guide members configured to receive a tubular and movable between an open position and a closed position, and a support plate configured to support a weight of the tubular, the support plate movable between an extended position and a retracted position.