Abstract: A pipe gripping assembly to selectively engage and disengage a pipe segment includes first and second jaws configured to clamp together around the pipe segment, at least one splined shaft fixedly housed in each of the first and second jaws; and at least one self-aligning piston housed in each of the first and second jaws and configured to slide and to rotate along the splined shaft. The self-aligning pistons each include a piston body, a cam, and a roller assembly coupled to the piston body and to the splined shaft. Each one of the roller assembly is configured to rotate relative to one of the cams.

Abstract: A pipe gripping assembly to selectively engage and disengage a pipe segment includes first and second jaws configured to clamp together around the pipe segment, at least one splined shaft fixedly housed in each of the first and second jaws; and at least one self-aligning piston housed in each of the first and second jaws and configured to slide and to rotate along the splined shaft. The self-aligning pistons each include a piston body, a cam, and a roller assembly coupled to the piston body and to the splined shaft. Each one of the roller assembly is configured to rotate relative to one of the cams.

Abstract: A self-aligning piston is configured to selectively engage and disengage a pipe segment to permit a top drive output shaft to be coupled to the pipe segment. In one embodiment, the self-aligning piston includes a piston body configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, at least one resilient, energy-storing member coupled to the piston body, a roller assembly coupled to the piston body, and a cam disposed between the at least one resilient, energy-storing member and the roller assembly. The resilient, energy-storing member is configured to bias the piston body into the first position by rotating the roller assembly along the cam.

Abstract: A system configured to seal at least one flexible longitudinal member is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a sealing member having at first set of apertures, a second set of apertures, and inner and outer interface surfaces. The system also includes a clamping member having a first set of apertures and an interface surface. The first set of apertures in the clamping member is configured to align with the first set of apertures in the sealing member. The first sets of apertures are configured to receive the at least one flexible longitudinal member. The interface surface of the clamping member is configured to abut the inner interface surface of the sealing member. The system also includes at least one threaded blind bore in the interface surface of the clamping member, and at least one fastener configured to draw the clamping member into engagement with the sealing member.

Abstract: A self-aligning piston is configured to selectively engage and disengage a pipe segment to permit a top drive output shaft to be coupled to the pipe segment. In one embodiment, the self-aligning piston includes a piston body configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, at least one resilient, energy-storing member coupled to the piston body, a roller assembly coupled to the piston body, and a cam disposed between the at least one resilient, energy-storing member and the roller assembly. The resilient, energy-storing member is configured to bias the piston body into the first position by rotating the roller assembly along the cam.

Abstract: An internal blowout preventer used in drilling rigs for the discovery and production of hydrocarbons from the earth is disclosed. The internal blowout preventer has two independently and remotely operable blowout preventer valves in the same body, providing for greater service life and higher reliability during drilling operations. The two valves are loaded into the internal blowout preventer housing from a single end, and are operable by an actuator assembly.

Abstract: A system configured to seal at least one flexible longitudinal member is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a sealing member having at first set of apertures, a second set of apertures, and inner and outer interface surfaces. The system also includes a clamping member having a first set of apertures and an interface surface. The first set of apertures in the clamping member is configured to align with the first set of apertures in the sealing member. The first sets of apertures are configured to receive the at least one flexible longitudinal member. The interface surface of the clamping member is configured to abut the inner interface surface of the sealing member. The system also includes at least one threaded blind bore in the interface surface of the clamping member, and at least one fastener configured to draw the clamping member into engagement with the sealing member.

Abstract: A staple cartridge including first and second staple cavities therein where the first cavity can define a first axis and the second cavity can define a second axis. In various embodiments, the first axis can be transverse to the second axis. In one embodiment, the first and second cavities can extend in directions which are not parallel to each other. In various embodiments, staples deployed from such first and second staple cavities can produce a staple pattern which can better constrict blood vessels in soft tissue and reduce blood flow therethrough.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping to two tubulars, each of the two tubulars including a component of a top drive system, the two tubulars threadedly connected together, the clamp for inhibiting relative rotation of the two tubulars, each of the two tubulars having at least one tubular projection projecting therefrom, the clamp including a clamp body having an interior surface, a plurality of clamp projections projecting inwardly from the interior surface of the clamp body for holding the at least one tubular projection projecting from each of the two tubulars.

Abstract: An internal blowout preventer used in drilling rigs for the discovery and production of hydrocarbons from the earth is disclosed. The internal blowout preventer has two independently and remotely operable blowout preventer valves in the same body, providing for greater service life and higher reliability during drilling operations. The two valves are loaded into the internal blowout preventer housing from a single end, and are operable by an actuator assembly.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping to two tubulars, each of the two tubulars including a component of a top drive system, the two tubulars threadedly connected together, the clamp for inhibiting relative rotation of the two tubulars, each of the two tubulars having at least one tubular projection projecting therefrom, the clamp including a clamp body having an interior surface, a plurality of clamp projections projecting inwardly from the interior surface of the clamp body for holding the at least one tubular projection projecting from each of the two tubulars.

Abstract: A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system including motor apparatus, a main shaft driven by the motor apparatus, and sensing apparatus for sensing bending of the main shaft; and, in certain aspects, the system providing information regarding the extent of main shaft bending and/or for warning an operator of an undesirable amount of main shaft bending. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: A clamp for clamping to two threadedly-connected items, and, in one aspect, two threadedly-connected components of a top drive system.

Abstract: A bail support and a top drive system for an oilfield drill rig. The top drive system includes a drive apparatus, and the bails have bodies with upper head portions and two spaced-apart legs. Each leg includes an upper leg portion and a lower leg portion. The upper leg portions are non-parallel to each other and extend from the head portion at an angle to a centerline of the bail. Each lower leg portion extends down from its corresponding upper leg portion in a reverse bend.

Abstract: A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system including motor apparatus, a main shaft driven by the motor apparatus, the main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a quill connected to the main shaft, a gear system interconnected with the quill and the motor apparatus, and a multi-seal system for sealing against the quill. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: An apparatus for use in wellbore operations and a method for using it is provided. The apparatus includes a main body, two support ears spaced-apart and projecting from the main body, each having an inner ear part and an outer ear part. The inner ear part is able to support more weight than the outer ear part. In certain aspects, structure for preventing a large support link from being positioned on an outer ear part is provided. The apparatus, may be any of a link adapter, a block adapter, a becket, an elevator, and a drilling hook.

Abstract: A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system including motor apparatus, a main shaft driven by the motor apparatus, and sensing apparatus for sensing bending of the main shaft; and, in certain aspects, the system providing information regarding the extent of main shaft bending and/or for warning an operator of an undesirable amount of main shaft bending. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: A tubular gripping system and a top drive drilling system with such a tubular gripping system, in at least some aspects, the gripping system beneath the top drive unit and, in at least some aspects, the gripping system having a body with four spaced-apart grippers movably connected thereto and piston/cylinder devices movably interconnected with each gripper for moving the grippers to clamp the tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in wellbore operations and a method for using it is provided. The apparatus includes a main body, two support ears spaced-apart and projecting from the main body, each having an inner ear part and an outer ear part. The inner ear part is able to support more weight than the outer ear part. In certain aspects, structure for preventing a large support link from being positioned on an outer ear part is provided. The apparatus, may be any of a link adapter, a block adapter, a becket, an elevator, and a drilling hook.

Abstract: A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system including motor apparatus, a main shaft driven by the motor apparatus, the main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a quill connected to the main shaft, a gear system interconnected with the quill and the motor apparatus, and a multi-seal system for sealing against the quill. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).