Abstract: A power tong assembly has a transmission box having a plurality of speeds. A gear train completely encircles a rotary gear by including idler gears, fluid lines and actuating mechanisms within a tong door, which itself can be remotely operated. Cam roller assemblies can be inversely mounted into cage plates and a support race can be mounted into an opening, thereby eliminating the need to cut a groove in a rotary gear. Filler blocks can be inserted adjacent to gears to catch and redirect slung grease from gears back to said gears, while dampening noise and reducing the misuse of grease, thereby increasing effectiveness of lubrication. A make and break actuator assembly can be housed on the power tong body such that it is completely covered from external damage except when momentarily activated. A symmetric rotary gear, rotary gear inserts, cam shoe inserts and over-travel cam stops are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring torque comprising a pipe handling assembly configured to use fluid pressure to provide torque forces to set or release slips from a pipe. Set down force or other frictional measures on a pipe collar are not required. A method to create reactive torque force comprising a series of gears interconnected with each other through a clutch that can be engaged and disengaged. A link may be provided to a top drive rail via a gripperbox which provides reactive force to stop rotation of a power screw female (threaded nut) to facilitate threading action to set or release slips on pipe. Reactive force may be created using a plurality of axial pistons attached to a moveable half of a hirth coupling. Other friction-creating members (such as, for example, a brake pad material or similar material) may be used to create frictional forcesbetween two surfaces.

Abstract: An improved cementing tool is presented which allows for relatively easy removal and insertion of the tool through the use of non-threaded low-torque connections. The cementing tool uses a combination of threaded connections and non-threaded, low-torque connections configured to create a stack of components including plug launchers, ball launchers and plug launch indicator/counters. Use of non-threaded low-torque connections allows for breaking down the tool by hand, requiring no special torquing equipment.

Abstract: A pipe gripping assembly includes, among other components, a fluid conducting swivel, a fluid-powered linear actuator and a pipe gripping assembly. The linear actuator has a central rod mounted within a multi-stage, segmented barrel assembly. Each barrel segment acts as a piston, with control fluid forces being transmitted to the barrel assembly to selectively extend or retract the barrel assembly in order to engage or disengage the pipe gripping assembly. By aggregating such force, the total combined force generated by the barrel piston assemblies, the actuator assembly of the present invention can operate using pneumatic control fluid, and can operate at much lower control fluid pressures than other actuators.

Abstract: A mating connection assembly permits quick and efficient connection and disconnection of tubular goods and equipment. A female box-end connection member has a body, a central through-bore, a bowl-like receptacle section having a tapered internal surface and inwardly-extending load shoulder members along the tapered internal surface, grouped in stacks of spaced-apart rows. A mating male pin-end connection member has a body section, a tapered pin extension, a central through-bore and lug members on the outer surface of the tapered pin extension. The tapered pin extension of the male pin-end connection member can be stabbed into the female box-end connection member and partially rotated. When joined in mating relationship, the connection assembly provides a fluid pressure seal, supports high-tensile axial loading and permits the transmission of torque through the connection assembly.

Abstract: A down hole fluid conditioning assembly, includable within a drilling bottom hole assembly or other tool configuration, creates a vortex to separate fluids such as drilling mud and the like into a lower density first portion and higher density second portion. The lower density first portion is directed toward the bottom hole assembly or other equipment to improve operational performance of the bottom hole assembly or other equipment. The higher-density second portion is directed away from the bottom hole assembly or other equipment, typically into a well annulus with an upward velocity component.

Abstract: A casing running tool capable of handling pipe and tubing has fluid power conducting channels leading from stationary to rotating components, through a swivel. The swivel has a plurality of fluid channels, each confined by dynamic seals that rub peripherally on mating seal surfaces. The seals are carried on at least one piston that is movable, on command, to carry the seals out of contact with the peripherally rubbing surfaces.

Abstract: A floating shoulder ring is arranged to occupy the J.-space between pin ends of coupled pipe sections. The length of the ring is arranged to allow the pipe connection to approach the specified torque for shoulderless connections before the ring begins to function as an abutment between the approaching pipe ends: The torque accepted by the ring limits the radial force imposed by tapered threads on both pipe and coupling. The ring is provided with modified threads on the outer surface to engage the inner threads of the coupling, in the J-space, to retain the ring in the coupling during handling in preparation for assembly into a pipe string. The modified threads yield axially when substantially forced. Threads that slip axially, non-destructively, and threads that deform under sufficient axial force are provided.

Abstract: A fluid powered pipe tong fluid supply has a shunt that fluidly connects the tong input fluid line to the tong output fluid line. A flow control valve is installed in the shunt and is open when pipe joint make-up begins. The valve is slowly closed and the resulting fluid power made available to the tong causes it to make the low-resistance turns required of the pipe during the thread run. As the valve continues to close, the resulting pipe turn increases the resistance and causes the tong motor to demand more pressure, to achieve more turn. Torque demand continues to develop as the valve continues to close. Options include computer control, a graph reader to direct the computer, a recorder, a manually set by-pass relief valve to parallel the flow control valve as a secondary pressure limit assurance.

Abstract: An arbor, arranged for attachment to a drilling rigs overhead support and drilling fluid circuit, has a cross frame with axles that support telescoping link arms to carry a single stand elevator at their lower end. The link arms have provision, at their top end, to tilt about a horizontal axis. The link arms can extend an amount greater than their minimum length.

Abstract: An arbor arranged for attachment to overhead support, such as a top drive or main rig hoist, is arranged to resiliently support a main body. The main body is arranged to support a wedge-lock type pipe gripper assembly on a second arbor that is resiliently supported by the main body. The two arbors are rotationally connected but only indirectly connected axially and, to a limited extent, can move independently. The actuator, or linear motor, that actuates the wedge-lock system has the ability to force release of the wedge-lock system when it has been set by massive pipe loads. The forced release actuation is independent of the load supporting features of the main body. Full range actuation of the main body and main arbor assembly length will not actuate the wedge-lock release system. The length of the overall assembly can be oscillated to vibrate a supported pipe string.

Abstract: An elevator usable on a drilling rig is modified by attaching a swing arm and related structure to at least one accessory mounting provision on the elevator. The swing arm is tiltable to allow a single section elevator, carried by the swing arm, to engage a pipe extending near the well centerline. While the pipe section is being lifted, the swing arm pivots to allow the section to assume a vertical position under the elevator. When the pipe section is being rotated to run threads to join the section to the string the swing arm can extend to accommodate thread-run dimension changes. An elevator equivalent, without pipe gripping features, may be used.

Abstract: A vertical pipe column assembly procedure involves the simultaneous welding and ultrasonic testing activity by using a plurality of welders progressing peripherally around a joint with the ultrasonic testing work similarly progressing peripherally around the joint between the welders. The temperature rise from welding activity is reduced by only partially completing the weld at a selected joint, then lowering the joint by the usual process of lowering or driving it downward one section length and completing the weld deposit at a lower work station. At the lower work station, ultrasonic testing again proceeds simultaneously between the peripherally progressing welders. An optional step used to improve joint strength, usable at selected joints needing the most strength, involves the application of an axial pull on the section above the finish welding activity. This axial pull places an axial stress in the partially completed weld.

Abstract: Improved welding method and padeye processing speeds up the connection of individual joints by peripheral fusion welding while the joint to be added stands vertically atop an existing pipe string also standing vertical in the rig floor. A plurality of welders can operate to speed up completion of the weld by removing heat from the pipe during the welding process. Heat is removed by the use of fluid cuffs near the weld area and, optionally, by using a spool within the pipe string to dispense expansion cooled air against the inner pipe wall in the vicinity of the weld. A special improved padeye is provided for welding near the pipe ends for handling. The padeye has a divided profile, a hole for a lifting shackle, and it will be accepted within the skirt of the lead system of the driving hammer. The upper end of the padeye can be cut from the pipe while the pipe is resting, on rig related structure, on the lower surface of the padeye.

Abstract: Improved welding method and padeye processing speeds up the connection of individual joints by peripheral fusion welding while the joint to be added stands vertically atop an existing pipe string also standing vertical in the rig floor. A plurality of welders can operate to speed up completion of the weld by removing heat from the pipe during the welding process. Heat is removed by the use of fluid cuffs near the weld area and, optionally, by using a spool within the pipe string to dispense expansion cooled air against the inner pipe wall in the vicinity of the weld. A special improved padeye is provided for welding near the pipe ends for handling. The padeye has a divided profile, a hole for a lifting shackle, and it will be accepted within the skirt of the lead system of the driving hammer. The upper end of the padeye can be cut from the pipe while the pipe is resting, on rig related structure, on the lower surface of the padeye.