Abstract: A revolver-type firearm has a barrel-cylinder gap created between its barrel and a rotatable cartridge cylinder. The cartridge cylinder has a plurality of cartridge chambers each with corresponding counterbore retaining a translatable shuttle. When a cartridge is fired, the shuttle expands and translates forward toward the breech-end of the barrel and seals the barrel-cylinder gap to prevent the escape of gases, flames, and residue through the barrel-cylinder gap. When pressure drops as the cartridge projectile exits the barrel, the shuttle contracts. The barrel-cylinder gap opens upon rotation of the cartridge cylinder as the shuttle translates away from the breech-end of the barrel. The shuttle has a thin cylindrical body, a beveled front end, and a conical central bore and is manufactured from a hard elastic metal or metal alloy such as one comprising titanium.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an integrated flush-mount spider and power-tong apparatus comprising a flush-mount spider integrated with an attached power-tong and electronic load cell torque monitor. The power-tong applies rotation in opposite directions to make-up and breakout the pipe string. The flush mount spider holds the lower pipe string in place and serves as a backup tong to prevent rotation of the lower pipe string. The addition of a pipe spinner allows the integrated flush-mount spider and power-tong apparatus to replace a top drive for advancing a wellbore.

Abstract: A duplex snubbing jack and method of snubbing pipe into a well bore which includes first and second gripping units that alternately and synchronously grip and release a length of pipe to be attached to a pipe string. The first and second gripping units are synchronously movable upward and downward toward and away from each other to push or pull the pipe through a BOP stack and into or out of a wellbore. Linear actuators are used to synchronously move the first and second gripping units. Guide rails are provided to laterally support the pipe as the pipe is pushed or pulled through the BOP stack into or out of the wellbore. The first and second gripping units are preferably slip-type spiders.

Abstract: A pipe gripping apparatus is disclosed having a plurality slips slidably mounted on corresponding slip support surfaces disposed radially the vertical axis of a central opening. The slip support surfaces include an upper region having a radially outwardly curved surface and a lower region having a flat inwardly tapered surface with respect to the vertical axis of the central opening. Powered actuators and a timing ring pivotally linked to the slips move the slips towards and away from each other along their corresponding slip support surfaces to engage and release a pipe. Move of the slips fully upward and outward along outwardly curved slip support surfaces will substantially remove the slips from the central opening to prevent obstruction of the central opening by the slips.

Abstract: A duplex snubbing jack and method of snubbing pipe into a well bore is disclosed. The duplex snubbing jack includes first and second gripping units that alternately and synchronously grip and release a length of pipe to be attached to a pipe string. The first and second gripping units are synchronously movable upward and downward toward and away from each other to push or pull the pipe through a BOP stack and into or out of a wellbore. Linear actuators are used to synchronously move the first and second gripping units. Guide rails are provided to laterally support the pipe as the pipe is pushed or pulled through the BOP stack into or out of the wellbore. The first and second gripping units are preferably slip-type spiders.

Abstract: A shoulder elevator having a gated pipe opening is disclosed. The elevator has a ringed body having unclosed sector creating an opening for receiving a pipe within the body ring. Pivotally mounted gates positioned on opposite sides of the unclosed sector of the ringed body, move in unison to an open and partially close the unclosed sector of the ringed body around the pipe in response to pipe contact with rearward end of the gates. A lever is provided to manually pivot the gates to an open and closed position around a pipe. Lifting lugs or ears are provided to attach the elevator to the lifting links of a hoist.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an integrated flush-mount spider and power-tong apparatus comprising a flush-mount spider integrated with an attached power-tong and electronic load cell torque monitor. The power-tong applies rotation in opposite directions to make-up and breakout the pipe string. The flush mount spider holds the lower pipe string in place and serves as a backup tong to prevent rotation of the lower pipe string. The addition of a pipe spinner allows the integrated flush-mount spider and power-tong apparatus to replace a top drive for advancing a wellbore.

Abstract: A top guide having an extendable and retractable guide plate for engaging and aligning lengths of pipe over a pipe gripping device is described. The top guide employs a linear actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder to extend and retract the guide plate into and out of a protective housing. The guide plate has a bumper with a V-shaped Stu face for engaging and aligning a pipe segment upon extension of the guide plate. The guide plate has an adjustment mechanism to allow the position of the guide plate to be changed to accommodate pipe of varying diameters.

Abstract: A low profile, high torque spider assembly for use on a rotary table of a drilling rig to secure a vertical pipe string such as a drill string is disclosed. The spider is comprised of a plurality of slips to engage with the drill string, a horizontal actuator, and a means for transferring the horizontal motion of the horizontal actuator to the vertical slips. Because of the horizontal orientation of the actuator means, this spider has a low deck profile and occupies less deck space, thereby making it particularly suitable for drilling rigs with small rotary table openings.

Abstract: A self-balancing, shoulder type elevator is comprised of two opposing jaws pivotally connected to a hinge plate. The jaws are engaged for rotation at the hinge plate by corresponding sets of gear teeth. Hangers on the jaws attach the elevator to suspending bails. An offset alignment linkage pivotally attaches each jaw to the hinge plate and a rotatable spindles pivotally attached perpendicular to the jaws. The alignment linkage maintains the spindles angularly congruent in orientation with the bails when the opposing jaws are pivoted open and closed.

Abstract: A pipe elevator having at least two pairs of opposing hanger ears is provided. One pair of hanger ears is sized to support the maximum load capacity of the elevator and these hanger ears are configured to match with draw-works lifting links having the maximum elevator load capacity. At least one pair of hanger ears is sized to support a desired subsequent elevator loading and these hanger ears are configured to match with a subsequent draw-works lifting links sufficient to support the desired subsequent elevator loading. A pipe support assembly is further provided for holding the pipe within the elevator.

Abstract: A self-balancing, shoulder type elevator is comprised of two opposing jaws pivotally connected to a hinge plate. The jaws are engaged for rotation at the hinge plate by corresponding sets of gear teeth. Hangers on the jaws attach the elevator to suspending bails. An offset alignment linkage pivotally attaches each jaw to the hinge plate and a rotatable spindles pivotally attached perpendicular to the jaws. The alignment linkage maintains the spindles angularly congruent in orientation with the bails when the opposing jaws are pivoted open and closed.

Abstract: A self-balancing, shoulder type elevator is comprised of two opposing jaws pivotally connected to a hinge plate. The jaws are engaged for rotation at the hinge plate by corresponding sets of gear teeth. Hangers on said jaws attach the elevator to suspending bails. An offset alignment linkage pivotally attaches each jaw to the hinge plate and a rotatable spindles pivotally attached perpendicular to the jaws. The alignment linkage maintains the spindles angularly congruent in orientation with the bails when the opposing jaws are pivoted open and closed.

Abstract: A pipe gripping apparatus is disclosed having a plurality slips slidably mounted on corresponding slip support surfaces disposed radially the vertical axis of a central opening. The slip support surfaces include an upper region having a radially outwardly curved surface and a lower region having a flat inwardly tapered surface with respect to the vertical axis of the central opening. Powered actuators and a timing ring pivotally linked to the slips move the slips towards and away from each other along their corresponding slip support surfaces to engage and release a pipe. Move of the slips fully upward and outward along outwardly curved slip support surfaces will substantially remove the slips from the central opening to prevent obstruction of the central opening by the slips.

Abstract: A self-balancing, shoulder type elevator is comprised of two opposing jaws pivotally connected to a hinge plate. The jaws are engaged for rotation at the hinge plate by corresponding sets of gear teeth. Hangers on said jaws attach the elevator to suspending bails. An offset alignment linkage pivotally attaches each jaw to the hinge plate and a rotatable spindles pivotally attached perpendicular to said jaws. The alignment linkage maintains said spindles angularly congruent in orientation with the bails when the opposing jaws are pivoted open and closed.

Abstract: A shoulder elevator having a gated pipe opening, is disclosed. The elevator has a ringed body having unclosed sector creating an opening for receiving a pipe within the body ring. Pivotally mounted gates positioned on opposite sides of the unclosed, sector of the ringed body, move in unison to an open and partially close the unclosed sector of the ringed body around the pipe in response to pipe contact with rearward end of the gates. A lever is provided to manually pivot the gates to an open and closed position around a pipe. Lifting lugs or ears are provided to attach the elevator to the lifting links of a hoist.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus and method for drilling fluid and cementing operations to set casing in a wellbore for use on either top drive or rotary type rigs. The apparatus and method includes a fill-up and circulating tool, a cementing head assembly, and a wiper plug assembly. The fill-up and circulating tool comprises a mandrel with a sealing element disposed about the outside diameter of the mandrel. The cementing head and wiper plug assemblies are useable on any fill-up and circulating tool capable of being inserted into a casing. To fill the casing, the assembly is lowered from the rig such that a portion of the fill-up tools inserted into the casing, the pumps are then actuated to flow fluid into the casing. To circulate fluid, the tool is lowered further such that the sealing element sealingly engages the inside diameter of the casing to allow fluid to flow through the casing, into the wellbore, and back to the fluid pumps.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus to fluidly couple to a casing string. The apparatus may include a fill-up and circulating tool having a flow path extending therethrough, in which the fill-up and circulating tool may be configured to fluidly seal internally within an upper end of the casing string. The apparatus may further include a cementing head assembly having a flow path extending therethrough, in which the flow path of the cementing head assembly is fluidly coupled to the flow path of the fill-up and circulating tool, and a releasing mechanism coupled to the cementing head assembly, in which the releasing mechanism is configured to release a fluid-conveyed sealing device through the cementing head assembly and into the fill-up and circulating tool.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus to fluidly couple to a casing string. The apparatus may include a fill-up and circulating tool having a flow path extending therethrough, in which the fill-up and circulating tool may be configured to fluidly seal internally within an upper end of the casing string. The apparatus may further include a cementing head assembly having a flow path extending therethrough, in which the flow path of the cementing head assembly is fluidly coupled to the flow path of the fill-up and circulating tool, and a releasing mechanism coupled to the cementing head assembly, in which the releasing mechanism is configured to release a fluid-conveyed sealing device through the cementing head assembly and into the fill-up and circulating tool.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus to fluidly couple to a casing string. The apparatus may include a fill-up and circulating tool having a flow path extending therethrough, in which the fill-up and circulating tool is configured to fluidly couple to an upper end of the casing string, a cementing head assembly having a flow path extending therethrough, in which the flow path of the cementing head assembly is fluidly coupled to the flow path of the fill-up and circulating tool, and a releasing mechanism coupled to the cementing head assembly, in which the releasing mechanism is configured to release a fluid-conveyed sealing device through the cementing head assembly and into the fill-up and circulating tool.