Abstract: A load transfer system includes a load transfer bushing having a first and second arcuate segments configured to engage a load surface of a tubular or of a collar connected to the tubular, and an elevator configured to receive the load transfer bushing. Moving the elevator from its closed position to its open position while the elevator engages the load transfer bushing moves the first and second arcuate segments apart, permitting the elevator and the load transfer bushing to be received around the tubular. Moving the elevator from the opened position to the closed position with the load transfer bushing and elevator surrounding the tubular forms an axial engagement load surface for the load surface of the tubular or the collar. The load transfer bushing is disengageable from the elevator.

Abstract: A load transfer system includes a load transfer bushing having a first and second arcuate segments configured to engage a load surface of a tubular or of a collar connected to the tubular, and an elevator configured to receive the load transfer bushing. Moving the elevator from its closed position to its open position while the elevator engages the load transfer bushing moves the first and second arcuate segments apart, permitting the elevator and the load transfer bushing to be received around the tubular. Moving the elevator from the opened position to the closed position with the load transfer bushing and elevator surrounding the tubular forms an axial engagement load surface for the load surface of the tubular or the collar. The load transfer bushing is disengageable from the elevator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a method to grip a tubular member and sense wear for a pipe handling apparatus. The system includes a pipe handling apparatus having a bore formed therein with an axis defined therethrough, a pipe guide disposed adjacent to an opening of the bore of the pipe handling apparatus, and a wear sensor coupled to the pipe guide.

Abstract: An elevator to manipulate a tubular segment includes an elevator body with a bore formed therethrough having an axis therein, the elevator body including a first elevator segment and a second elevator segment, in which each of the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment includes a plurality of openings extending from an outer surface of the elevator body to the bore of the elevator body. The elevator also includes a plurality of slip assemblies disposed inside the plurality of openings of the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment and coupled to the elevator body, each of the plurality of slip assemblies including a slip, the slip including an engagement surface disposed orthogonal to the axis of the bore of the elevator body that engages the tubular segment.

Abstract: An apparatus to limit movement of gripping members relative to an elevator includes a locking arm coupled to the gripping members and a first engagement arm. The locking arm includes a set of teeth disposed longitudinally thereon, and the first engagement arm includes a first set of complimentary teeth configured to engage with the set of teeth of the locking arm. The first engagement arm is moveable between a disengaged position, in which the first engagement arm and the locking arm are relatively moveable, and an engaged position, in which the first engagement arm allows the locking arm to move in a first direction but prevents the locking bar from moving in a second direction by more than a selected distance. The teeth of the locking arm engage the first set of complimentary teeth of the first engagement arm when the first engagement arm is in the engaged position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to wipe a tubular member includes a first wiper section and a second wiper section, in which the first wiper section and the second wiper section are movable with respect to each other towards a point of convergence. The apparatus may further include a base having an aperture formed therein to receive the tubular member such that the first wiper section and the second wiper section are connected to the base and movable with respect to the base between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: An elevator to manipulate a tubular segment includes an elevator body with a bore formed therethrough having an axis therein, the elevator body including a first elevator segment and a second elevator segment, in which each of the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment includes a plurality of openings extending from an outer surface of the elevator body to the bore of the elevator body. The elevator also includes a plurality of slip assemblies disposed inside the plurality of openings of the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment and coupled to the elevator body, each of the plurality of slip assemblies including a slip, the slip including an engagement surface disposed orthogonal to the axis of the bore of the elevator body that engages the tubular segment.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to guide a tubular member are described herein. The apparatus includes a bore with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and configured to support a tubular member, the apparatus having a first opening formed at a first side thereof, a second opening formed at a second side thereof, and an inner wall extending from the first opening to the second opening. The apparatus further includes a first guiding member disposed adjacent to the first opening of the bowl and a second guiding member disposed adjacent to the second opening of the bowl.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for limiting movement of gripping members of an elevator are provided. The apparatus includes a locking arm coupled to one or more of the gripping members and configured to move in a first direction when the gripping members move toward engagement with a tubular and to move in a second direction when the gripping members move away from engagement with the tubular. The apparatus also includes a first engagement member configured to move between a disengaged position, in which the first engagement member and the locking arm are relatively moveable, and an engaged position, in which the first engagement member allows the locking arm to move in the first direction but restrains the locking bar from moving in the second direction by more than a selected distance.

Abstract: An elevator to manipulate a tubular segment includes an elevator body with a bore formed therethrough having an axis therein, the elevator body including a plurality of openings extending from an outer surface of the elevator body to the bore of the elevator body, and a base member coupled to a bottom surface of the elevator body, the base member having a guide portion that directs the tubular segment into the bore of the elevator body. The elevator also includes a plurality of slip assemblies disposed inside the plurality of openings and coupled to the elevator body, each of the plurality of slip assemblies including an actuator body coupled to the elevator body, a slip, the slip including an engagement surface disposed orthogonal to the axis of the bore of the elevator body that engages the tubular segment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a method to grip a tubular member and sense wear for a pipe handling apparatus. The system includes a pipe handling apparatus having a bore formed therein with an axis defined therethrough, a pipe guide disposed adjacent to an opening of the bore of the pipe handling apparatus, and a wear sensor coupled to the pipe guide.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to guide a tubular member are described herein. The apparatus includes a bore with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and configured to support a tubular member, the apparatus having a first opening formed at a first side thereof, a second opening formed at a second side thereof, and an inner wall extending from the first opening to the second opening. The apparatus further includes a first guiding member disposed adjacent to the first opening of the bowl and a second guiding member disposed adjacent to the second opening of the bowl.

Abstract: A system to grip a tubular member and sense wear for a pipe handling apparatus including the pipe handling apparatus having a bore formed therein with an axis defined therethrough, a pipe guide disposed adjacent to an opening of the bore of the pipe handling apparatus, and a wear sensor coupled to the pipe guide.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to guide a tubular member are described herein. The apparatus includes a bore with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and configured to support a tubular member, the apparatus having a first opening formed at a first side thereof, a second opening formed at a second side thereof, and an inner wall extending from the first opening to the second opening. The apparatus further includes a first guiding member disposed adjacent to the first opening of the bowl and a second guiding member disposed adjacent to the second opening of the bowl.

Abstract: An elevator to manipulate a tubular segment includes an elevator body with a bore formed therethrough having an axis therein, the elevator body including a plurality of openings extending from an outer surface of the elevator body to the bore of the elevator body, and a base member coupled to a bottom surface of the elevator body, the base member having a guide portion that directs the tubular segment into the bore of the elevator body. The elevator also includes a plurality of slip assemblies disposed inside the plurality of openings and coupled to the elevator body, each of the plurality of slip assemblies including an actuator body coupled to the elevator body, a slip, the slip including an engagement surface disposed orthogonal to the axis of the bore of the elevator body that engages the tubular segment.

Abstract: An apparatus to limit movement of gripping members relative to an elevator includes a locking arm coupled to the gripping members and a first engagement arm. The locking arm includes a set of teeth disposed longitudinally thereon, and the first engagement arm includes a first set of complimentary teeth configured to engage with the set of teeth of the locking arm. The first engagement arm is moveable between a disengaged position, in which the first engagement arm and the locking arm are relatively moveable, and an engaged position, in which the first engagement arm allows the locking arm to move in a first direction but prevents the locking bar from moving in a second direction by more than a selected distance. The teeth of the locking arm engage the first set of complimentary teeth of the first engagement arm when the first engagement arm is in the engaged position.

Abstract: An oilfield elevator is disclosed and has first and second body halves pivotally-coupled at a hinge and moveable between an open position and a closed position to receive and move a tubular segment. Slips are slidably received within corresponding tapered slots in the elevator and are configured to translate vertically within the tapered slots and, at the same time, radially so as to be able to capture a wider range of tubular having varied outside diameters. Tension handles are pivotally-coupled to the first and second body halves and moveable between locked and unlocked positions. Locking the tension handles engages the slips via biasing members, and forces the slips into radial contact with the tubular segment. Unlocking the tension handles releases the biasing members.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an adjustable guide 10a to steer the end 90 of a pipe string 88 into position to be engaged and supported by a pipe gripping apparatus such as, for example, an externally gripping elevator assembly 10. The adjustable guide 10a may comprise a plurality of angularly distributed guide inserts 30, each having a sloped surface 30A to engage a pipe end 90. Another embodiment provides an adjustable guide 60a to steer a pipe connection into position to pass through a spider 60. The guide inserts 30, 80 of an adjustable guide may be controllably positionable to together form a guide that is concentric with the bore of the tapered bowl of an elevator assembly or a spider. One embodiment comprises a guide insert retainer 11 having a plurality of channels 28, each slidably receiving a guide insert 30 and positionable by rotation of a threaded shaft 40.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an adjustable guide 10a to steer the end 90 of a pipe string 88 into position to be engaged and supported by a pipe gripping apparatus such as, for example, an externally gripping elevator assembly 10. The adjustable guide 10a may comprise a plurality of angularly distributed guide inserts 30, each having a sloped surface 30A to engage a pipe end 90. Another embodiment provides an adjustable guide 60a to steer a pipe connection into position to pass through a spider 60. The guide inserts 30, 80 of an adjustable guide may be controllably positionable to together form a guide that is concentric with the bore of the tapered bowl of an elevator assembly or a spider. One embodiment comprises a guide insert retainer 11 having a plurality of channels 28, each slidably receiving a guide insert 30 and positionable by rotation of a threaded shaft 40.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method to wipe a tubular member. The apparatus includes a first wiper section and a second wiper section, in which the first wiper section and the second wiper section are movable with respect to each other towards a point of convergence. The apparatus may further include a base having an aperture formed therein to receive the tubular member such that the first wiper section and the second wiper section are connected to the base and movable with respect to the base between an open position and a closed position.