Abstract: The present invention generally provides an insert for a clamping device or gripping apparatus for conducting translational forces and/or torque into a moveable object, such as a tubular, casing, liner, pipe, expandable tubular, tubing, drill pipe. In one aspect, the insert comprises a base material and a plurality of gripping elements forming an object gripping surface. Gripping elements are at least partially embedded in the base material. The gripping elements in one embodiment are curved to correspond to an outer circumference of an object to be gripped. In one embodiment, the gripping elements are inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the insert. In another aspect, the gripping elements may comprise grains or particles of a hardened or super-hard material. The present invention also provides a method of making the insert and using the insert in a gripping apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides an insert for a clamping device or gripping apparatus for conducting translational forces and/or torque into a moveable object, such as a tubular, casing, liner, pipe, expandable tubular, tubing, drill pipe. In one aspect, the insert comprises a base material and a plurality of gripping elements forming an object gripping surface. Gripping elements are at least partially embedded in the base material. The gripping elements in one embodiment are curved to correspond to an outer circumference of an object to be gripped. In one embodiment, the gripping elements are inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the insert. In another aspect, the gripping elements may comprise grains or particles of a hardened or super-hard material. The present invention also provides a method of making the insert and using the insert in a gripping apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety switching system for a clamping device, provided with clamping wedges and operable by a flowing medium for holding and/or lowering or raising a pipe string, with which a borehole is lined in order to support the rock and create a transport line, characterized in that there is attached to a clamping wedge holder of the clamping device a trip cam for a safety switching valve which is mounted at the basic body of the clamping device and is actively connected to the trip cam when the clamping wedges assume their prescribed clamping position on the pipe string.

Abstract: The measuring arrangement consists of successive workstations which comprise a stock of paper samples, a balance, a mechanized moistening means for the sample and a blotting means, likewise mechanized, for the moistened sample. An industrial robot controllable by a program and equipped with a gripping apparatus is provided for carrying out the measurement. This arrangement determines the liquid absorbed by paper using the Cobb method and permits the measuring method to be carried out in a fully mechanized manner.