Abstract: An automated roughneck may include a backup tong and a makeup tong. The makeup tong and backup tong may be selectively movable relative to one another. The makeup tong and backup tong may include spinner and gripper assemblies respectively adapted to make up and break out threaded connections. The automated roughneck may be configurable to be removable from the drill string in a lateral direction.

Abstract: A spinner wrench for use on a drilling rig is provided. In some embodiments, the wrench can comprise three or more spinning rollers that can be disposed around a tubular. The three or more rollers can be connected to three or more hydraulic rams. In some embodiments, each ram can be connected to a single roller and the axis of the ram can be in a plane perpendicular to the pipe axis but not intersecting the pipe axis. For improved performance during make-up, in planar view, each ram axis can be offset to a counterclockwise direction around the drill pipe axis. For improved performance during break-out, in planar view, each ram axis can be offset to the clockwise direction. In some embodiments, the three or more rollers can be disposed around the drilling pipe or other tubular by a main body and one or more latching bodies.

Abstract: A gearbox for a roller in a spinner wrench is provided. In some embodiments, the gearbox can be disposed internally to the roller and can include a sun and planet type epicyclical gear-reduction assembly. In further embodiments, the gearbox can include a second sun and planet type epicyclical gear-reduction assembly to provide for a second, or final, stage reduction. Some embodiments can provide for reduction-ratios close to 3:1 and can be driven by a relatively small motor. The planet gears can be used to drive an annular gear which can spin the roller. In some embodiments, the gearbox can use high-capacity bearings.

Abstract: A floor wrench for a drilling rig floor is provided. The wrench can include a tong assembly having upper and lower tongs made up of articulated tong blocks that can move and lock together to enclose and make or break a joint between sections of drilling pipe. Each tong block can include a pair of die ram assemblies wherein each tong can have dies to grip the drilling pipe around its circumference. The tong assembly can be mounted in a frame configured for horizontal and vertical movement to and from the pipe joint. In some embodiments, the wrench can further include a pipe spinner having motorized spinners that can spin the upper pipe to form the joint prior to torqueing the joint together, or for uncoupling the upper pipe after the joint is broken.

Abstract: An automated roughneck may include a backup tong and a makeup tong. The makeup tong and backup tong may be selectively movable relative to one another. The makeup tong and backup tong may include spinner and gripper assemblies respectively adapted to make up and break out threaded connections. The automated roughneck may be configurable to be removable from the drill string in a lateral direction.

Abstract: An automated pipe slips includes a pipe slips body having a generally frustoconically tapered inner wall. A plurality of wedges is positioned to slide along the tapered inner wall and may be hydraulically driven. In some embodiments, the wedges alternate between long and short wedges, such that only long wedges are used to engage a tubular member having a small diameter, and both long and short wedges are used to engage a tubular member having a large diameter. In some embodiments, the automated pipe slips may include a centralizer assembly. In some embodiments, the automated pipe slips may include a wiper assembly.

Abstract: A fluid driven rotary prime mover assembly including a turbine, a first generator, a second generator and a speed increaser is provided. The gear assembly includes a first epicyclic and a second epicyclic. The first epicyclic includes a first carrier rotationally connected to the turbine, a first sun rotationally connected to the first generator, a first annulus, and a first planet in meshing engagement with the first sun and the first annulus. The second epicyclic includes a second carrier rotationally grounded, a second sun rotationally connected to the second generator, a second annulus connected to the first annulus, and a second planet in meshing engagement with the second sun and the second annulus.

Abstract: A multi-throw reciprocating pump is provided. The pump provides active stroke control. Fluid flow is controlled by canceling out at least a portion of a discharge stroke of one plunger with a suction stroke of another plunger. Controlling the degree to which the discharge stroke is cancelled out is used to control the actual volume of fluid being pumped.

Abstract: A hoisting device including a cable drum, a first motor, a second motor and a gear assembly is provided. The gear assembly includes a first epicyclic and a second epicyclic. The first epicyclic includes a first carrier rotationally connected to the cable drum, a first sun rotationally connected to the first motor, a first annulus, and a first planet in meshing engagement with the first sun and the first annulus. The second epicyclic includes a second carrier rotationally grounded, a second sun rotationally connected to the second motor, a second annulus connected to the first annulus, and a second planet in meshing engagement with the second sun and the second annulus.

Abstract: A speed changer assembly for changing the rotational speed of an engine's (or other prime mover's) output to that required by the input of a process machine. In operation, a first gear is in meshing engagement with an idler gear, which in turn, is in meshing engagement with a second gear. When operation of the speed changer assembly is halted, the idler gear is pivotable about one of the first and second gears. A center distance between the idler gear and the gear about which the idler gear is pivoted remains constant while the center distance between the idler gear and the other gear is varied. The idler gear is taken out of meshing engagement with the other gear, permitting replacement of said other gear. The idler gear is then pivoted to establish meshing engagement with the replacement gear and the speed changer is configured with a new speed ratio.

Abstract: A hoisting device including a cable drum, a first motor, a second motor and a gear assembly is provided. The gear assembly includes a first epicyclic and a second epicyclic. The first epicyclic includes a first carrier rotationally connected to the cable drum, a first sun rotationally connected to the first motor, a first annulus, and a first planet in meshing engagement with the first sun and the first annulus. The second epicyclic includes a second carrier rotationally grounded, a second sun rotationally connected to the second motor, a second annulus connected to the first annulus, and a second planet in meshing engagement with the second sun and the second annulus.

Abstract: A fluid driven rotary prime mover assembly including a turbine, a first generator, a second generator and a speed increaser is provided. The gear assembly includes a first epicyclic and a second epicyclic. The first epicyclic includes a first carrier rotationally connected to the turbine, a first sun rotationally connected to the first generator, a first annulus, and a first planet in meshing engagement with the first sun and the first annulus. The second epicyclic includes a second carrier rotationally grounded, a second sun rotationally connected to the second generator, a second annulus connected to the first annulus, and a second planet in meshing engagement with the second sun and the second annulus.

Abstract: A multi-throw reciprocating pump is provided. The pump provides active stroke control. Fluid flow is controlled by canceling out at least a portion of a discharge stroke of one plunger with a suction stroke of another plunger. Controlling the degree to which the discharge stroke is cancelled out is used to control the actual volume of fluid being pumped.

Abstract: A clutching device that achieves torque modulation and/or speed trimming by manipulating only a fraction of torque transferred, but over a wider speed range, is provided. The clutching device has a planetary gear set connected to a prime mover. The planetary gear set includes a ring gear, a planet carrier with at least one planet and one sun gear disposed in the planet carrier the said planet gear engaged at one side with the ring gear, and at the other side with the sun gear. The device further includes a modulating device connected to the sun gear, and an output device connected to the planet carrier. Speed modulation between the prime mover and the output device is controlled by controlling the speed of rotation of the sun gear. Energy from the speed modulation is recoverable by the modulating device.

Abstract: A speed changer assembly for changing the rotational speed of an engine's (or other prime mover's) output to that required by the input of a process machine. In operation, a first gear is in meshing engagement with an idler gear, which in turn, is in meshing engagement with a second gear. When operation of the speed changer assembly is halted, the idler gear is pivotable about one of the first and second gears. A centre distance between the idler gear and the gear about which the idler gear is pivoted remains constant while the centre distance between the idler gear and the other gear is varied. The idler gear is taken out of meshing engagement with the other gear, permitting replacement of said other gear. The idler gear is then pivoted to establish meshing engagement with the replacement gear and the speed changer is configured with a new speed ratio.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump including a sleeve comprising a first flow path element and a plunger receivable in the sleeve is provided. The plunger includes a fluid contact face and second flow path element in fluid communication with the fluid contact face. The sleeve and the fluid contact face define a compression chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet. The sleeve and the plunger are moveable relative to one another for adjusting overlap between the first flow path element and the second flow path element for diverting flow of fluid from the compression chamber and out of the second flow path element during a discharge stroke to control flow of fluid pumped out of the outlet.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump including a sleeve comprising a first flow path element and a plunger receivable in the sleeve is provided. The plunger includes a fluid contact face and second flow path element in fluid communication with the fluid contact face. The sleeve and the fluid contact face define a compression chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet. The sleeve and the plunger are moveable relative to one another for adjusting overlap between the first flow path element and the second flow path element for diverting flow of fluid from the compression chamber and out of the second flow path element during a discharge stroke to control flow of fluid pumped out of the outlet.

Abstract: A clutching device that achieves torque modulation and/or speed trimming by manipulating only a fraction of torque transferred, but over a wider speed range, is provided. The clutching device has a planetary gear set connected to a prime mover. The planetary gear set includes a ring gear, a planet carrier with at least one planet and one sun gear disposed in the planet carrier the said planet gear engaged at one side with the ring gear, and at the other side with the sun gear. The device further includes a modulating device connected to the sun gear, and an output device connected to the planet carrier. Speed modulation between the prime mover and the output device is controlled by controlling the speed of rotation of the sun gear. Energy from the speed modulation is recoverable by the modulating device.

Abstract: An integrated speed changer assembly for increasing or decreasing the rotational speed of the output of an engine, or other prime mover, to that required by the input of a process machine. The assembly includes a housing, a flywheel assembly, an internal ring gear and a pinion. The housing has a shaft opening and a flywheel opening. The flywheel assembly is coupled to the crankshaft of an engine and positioned to substantially cover the flywheel opening of the housing. In an integrated speed increaser embodiment, the internal ring gear is coupled to the flywheel assembly and has ring gear teeth on its inner surface and is positioned concentric with the flywheel assembly for rotation therewith. The pinion has a driven shaft that extends axially and which projects through the shaft opening of the housing. The pinion has pinion gear teeth on its outer surface which are suited for meshing engagement with the ring gear teeth of the internal ring gear.