TOP DRIVE POWERED DIFFERENTIAL SPEED ROTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Certain embodiments include a system having a first grip configured to couple to a first tubular, a second grip configured to couple to a second tubular, where the first and second tubulars are connected by a threaded connection, and a gear assembly coupling the first and second grips, wherein the gear assembly has a speed ratio greater than 1.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/329,889, entitled “TOP DRIVE POWERED DIFFERENTIAL SPEED ROTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD,” filed Apr. 29, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDEmbodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of drilling and processing of wells. More particularly, present embodiments relate to a system and method for connecting or disconnecting lengths of tubular.
Top drives are typically utilized in well drilling and maintenance operations, such as operations related to oil and gas exploration. In conventional oil and gas operations, a well is typically drilled to a desired depth with a drill string, which includes drill pipe and a drilling bottom hole assembly (BHA). During a drilling process, the drill string may be supported and hoisted about a drilling rig by a hoisting system for eventual positioning down hole in a well. As the drill string is lowered into the well, a top drive system may rotate the drill string to facilitate drilling. The drill string may include multiple lengths of tubular that are coupled to one another by threaded connections or joints. In traditional operations, the lengths of tubular are coupled together and decoupled from one another using hydraulic tongs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONIn a first embodiment, a system includes a first clamping mechanism configured to couple to a first tubular, wherein the first clamping mechanism comprises a first opening extending from a first outer circumference of the first clamping mechanism to a first central passage of the first clamping mechanism, a second clamping mechanism configured to couple to a second tubular, wherein the second clamping mechanism comprises a second opening extending from a second outer circumference of the second clamping mechanism to a second central passage of the second clamping mechanism, and a coupling mechanism coupling the first and second clamping mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a gear assembly having a speed ratio greater than 1.
In a second embodiment, a method includes radially receiving a first tubular and a second tubular with a joint rotation system, rotating the first tubular at a first angular velocity in a radial direction with a top drive such that a first clamping mechanism of the joint rotation system coupled to the first tubular is rotated, rotating a first sprocket of the joint rotation system, the first sprocket engaged with the first clamping mechanism and configured to rotate as a result of rotating of the first clamping mechanism, rotating a second sprocket of the joint rotation system, the second sprocket fixedly coupled with the first sprocket and configured to rotate as a result of rotating of the first sprocket, rotating a second clamping mechanism of the joint rotation system, the second clamping mechanism engaged with the second sprocket and configured to rotate as a result of rotating the second sprocket, and rotating the second tubular at a second angular velocity in the radial direction, the second angular velocity being different from the first angular velocity, wherein the second tubular is rotated by the second clamping mechanism of the joint rotation system via coupling of the second clamping mechanism with the second tubular.
In a third embodiment, a system includes a joint rotation system. The joint rotation system includes a housing, a first clamping mechanism configured to clamp to a first pipe, wherein the first clamping mechanism comprises a first open mouth sprocket, a second clamping mechanism configured to clamp to a second pipe, wherein the second clamping mechanism comprises a second open mouth sprocket, and wherein the first and second pipes are coupled by a threaded connection, a first chain-driven sprocket configured to be driven by rotation of the first clamping mechanism, and a second chain-driven sprocket fixed to the first chain-driven sprocket, wherein a speed ratio of the first and second chain-driven sprockets is greater than one, and the second chain-driven sprocket is configured to drive rotation of the second clamping mechanism, wherein the housing supports the first clamping mechanism, the second clamping mechanism, the first chain-driven sprocket, and the second-chain driven sprocket.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a joint rotation system to enable assembly and disassembly of lengths of tubular to and from one another on a drilling rig. For example, the joint rotation system may be used to thread and unthread sections of drill pipe to and from one another to assemble or disassemble a drill string. As described in detail below, the joint rotation system is geared to grip and rotate two lengths of tubular at different speeds while a top drive or other rotational system rotates one of the lengths of tubular. As the joint rotation system rotates the two lengths of tubular at different speeds, the relative rotations (e.g., differential speeds) of the two lengths of tubular enable engagement (e.g., threading) or disengagement (e.g., unthreading) of the lengths of tubular to or from one another. As discussed below, the joint rotation system includes two or more clamping mechanisms configured to clamp the two lengths of tubular to be threaded or unthreaded. Additionally, the clamping mechanisms may have openings (e.g., enclosable openings) that enable efficient coupling of the joint rotation system to the two lengths of tubular to be connected or disconnected from one another. In other words, the configuration of the clamping mechanisms discussed below enables the joint rotation system to be quickly and readily engaged and disengaged with lengths of tubular to be connected or disconnected from one another.
The drill string 28 may include multiple sections or lengths of threaded tubular 38 that are threadably coupled together using techniques in accordance with present embodiments. It should be noted that present embodiments may be utilized with drill pipe, casing, or other types of tubular. After setting or landing the drill string 28 in place such that the male threads of one section (e.g., one or more lengths) of the tubular 38 and the female threads of another section of the tubular 38 are engaged, the two sections of the tubular 38 may be joined by rotating one section relative to the other section (e.g., in a clockwise direction) such that the threaded portions tighten together. Thus, the two sections of tubular 38 may be threadably joined. Furthermore, as the drill string 28 is removed from the wellbore 30, the sections or lengths of the tubular 38 may be detached by disengaging the corresponding male and female threads of the respective sections of the tubular 38 via relative rotation of the two sections in a direction opposite than used for coupling. In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a joint rotation system 50 may be used to decouple multiple lengths of the threaded tubular 38 as the drill string 28 is removed from the wellbore 30. More specifically, in the manner described below, the top drive 40 and the joint rotation system 50 are used to rotate two lengths of tubular 38 coupled to one another at different speeds such that the relative rotations result in disengagement of the two sections of the tubular 38. Indeed, the joint rotation system 50 is geared (or coupled together and driven at a ratio) to facilitate rotation of the two sections of tubular 38 at different speeds, thereby breaking or disconnecting the threaded coupling between the two sections of tubular 38. In some embodiments, the joint rotation system 50 may be employed in reverse to coupled separate lengths or sections of tubular.
It should be noted that the illustration of
When the drill string 28 is removed from the wellbore 30, it may be desirable to disconnect sections of tubular 38 that include multiple lengths of tubular. In other words, several lengths of tubular 38 may be left connected by the tubular connections 52 when the drill string 28 is removed from the wellbore 30 in sections (e.g., lengths of tubular 38 that are left connected to one another after removal from the wellbore 30 and drill string 28). For example, it may be desirable to remove sections of tubular 38 that each includes two or three lengths of tubular 38 that remain coupled together and thus limit trip times. The length of each section of tubular 38 kept intact (not decoupled at every tubular connection 52) may be limited by the rig height. For example, when removing the drill string 28 from the wellbore 30, every second, third, or fourth tubular connection 52 may be broken or disconnected depending on individual tubular 38 lengths and the height of the drilling rig 10. In this manner, sections of tubular 38 including multiple tubular connections 52 that remain connected may be set aside for later use with the drilling rig 10. As will be appreciated, this practice may result in faster re-assembly of the drill string 28, when the drill string 28 is assembled for use within the wellbore 30 at a later time.
To enable the disassembly of certain tubular connections 52 when the drill string 28 is removed from the wellbore 30, the joint rotation system 50 may be used. As mentioned above, the joint rotation system 50 is geared (or coupled together or driven at a ratio greater than one) to rotate two sections or lengths of tubular 38 at different speeds while the top drive 40 provides the motive force. Three lengths of tubular 38 are shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the joint rotation system 50 is positioned to disconnect the second threaded connection 64 as the three lengths 56, 58, and 60 of tubular 38 are rotated by the top drive 40, while maintaining the connection of the first threaded connection 62. In particular, as the top drive 40 rotates the three lengths 56, 58, and 60 of tubular 38 in the clockwise direction 54, the joint rotation system 50 creates a rotating speed differential between the second and third lengths 58 and 60 of tubular, thereby breaking or disconnecting the second threaded connection 64. Specifically, as the three lengths 56, 58, and 60 of tubular 38 are rotated in the clockwise direction 54, the joint rotation system 50 increases the rotational torque applied by the top drive 40 and applies the increased torque to the third length 60 of tubular 38. In this manner, the third length 60 of tubular 38 rotates in the clockwise direction 54 faster than the second length 58 of tubular 38 rotates in the clockwise direction 54, thereby unthreading the second threaded connection 64 and decoupling the second and third lengths 58 and 60 of tubular 38. Furthermore, as the first and second lengths 56 and 58 of tubular 38 are both rotated in the clockwise direction 54 and at the same speed, the first threaded connection 62 may not be at risk of becoming disconnected or unthreaded.
As mentioned above, present embodiments of the joint rotation system 50 include clamping mechanisms, each of which is configured to grip one of the lengths of tubular 38 of the drill string 28. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the joint rotation system 50 may have a first clamping mechanism configured to grip the second length 58 of tubular 38 and a second clamping mechanism configured grip the third length 60 of tubular 38. As described in detail below, each clamping mechanism may have an opening (e.g., an enclosable opening) that enables efficient and engagement and disengagement of the joint rotation system 50 to and from the drill string 28. For example, the openings of the clamping mechanisms may be open to receive the second and third lengths 58 and 60 of tubular 38 when the joint rotation system 50 is coupled to the drill string 28. In certain embodiments, the clamping mechanisms may have a clasp or latch that encloses the openings once the joint rotation system 50 is positioned about the drill string 28. Thereafter, the joint rotation system 50 may be used to unthread the second length 58 of tubular 38 from the third length 60 of tubular 38. Once the tubular connection 50 is broken (e.g., unthreaded), the clamping mechanisms may be reopened, and the joint rotation system 50 may be readily removed from the drill string 28 for later use. In the illustrated embodiment, the joint rotation system 50 is supported by an exterior lifting frame 66, which may enable efficient and ergonomic placement of the joint rotation system 50 about and/or away from the drill string 28 when desired. For example, the exterior lifting frame 66 may include linkages, tracks, bars, hinges, pulleys, and/or other components to enable manipulation of the joint rotation system 50 toward and away from the drill string 28.
The clamping mechanisms 100 and 102 may include various grips, braces, or other systems configured to secure the joint rotation system 50 to the joints of tubular 38. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the clamping mechanisms 100 and 102 include hydraulic cylinders 108. The clamping mechanisms 100 and 102 may each have a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 108 disposed about a central passage 110 of the joint rotation system 50 through which the lengths of tubular 38 may extend when the joint rotation system 50 is disposed about the drill string 28. The illustrated embodiment shows a first hydraulic cylinder 112 of the first clamping mechanism 100 and a second hydraulic cylinder 114 of the second clamping mechanism 102. The hydraulic cylinders 108 are configured to actuate radially inward (e.g., relative to a central axis of the drill string 28) to grip one of the lengths of tubular 38. As such, each of the first and second clamping mechanism 100 and 102 may have 2, 3, 4, 5, or more hydraulic cylinders 108 disposed about the central passage 110 to cooperatively grip the respective tubular 38.
As will be appreciated, in embodiments where the clamping mechanisms 100 and 102 include hydraulic cylinders 108, hydraulics hoses may be run to the joint rotation system 50 to enable actuation of the hydraulic cylinders 108 with hydraulic fluid. As shown in
Referring back to
The first plurality 120 of open mouth sprockets 118 may be rotationally fixed to one another. The first plurality 120 of open mouth sprockets 118 is also rotationally fixed to the hydraulic cylinders 108 of the first clamping mechanism 100 (e.g., first hydraulic cylinder 112). Similarly, the second plurality 122 of open mouth sprockets 118 may be rotationally fixed to one another, and the second plurality 122 of open mouth sprockets 118 is also rotationally fixed to the hydraulic cylinders 108 of the second clamping mechanism 102 (e.g., second hydraulic cylinder 114). Thus, when the first clamping mechanism 100 is coupled to one of the lengths of tubular 38 coupled via the tubular connection 52, rotational movement of the tubular 38 (e.g., driven by the top drive 40) will be transferred to the first plurality 120 of open mouth sprockets 118. In the manner described below, rotation of the first plurality 120 of open mouth sprockets 118 is transferred to the second plurality 122 of open mouth sprockets 118 via the gear assembly 104 (e.g., at a gear ratio greater than one). Thereafter, rotation of the second plurality 122 of open mouth sprockets 118 is transferred to the other length of tubular 38 coupled at the tubular connection 52 via the hydraulic cylinders 108 of the second clamping mechanism 102 (e.g., second hydraulic cylinder 114). As mentioned above, the gear ratio of the gear assembly 104 enables differential speed of rotation between the two tubulars 38 to enable disengagement of the tubular connection 52.
The gear assembly 104 contained within the housing 106 joins the first and second clamping mechanisms 100 and 102 (e.g., at a gear ratio greater than one). For example, the gear assembly 104 may be a sprocket assembly having sprockets, gears, chains, belts, and/or other components. The gear assembly 104 is configured to increase the rotational speed generated by the top drive 40 and apply the increased rotational speed to one of the lengths of tubular 38 (e.g., the lower of the two lengths of tubular 38) joined by the tubular connection 52. For example, the joint rotation system 50 is configured to increase the rotational speed of the third length 60 of tubular 38 shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the gear assembly 104 (e.g., sprocket assembly) includes a top portion 130 and a bottom portion 132. The top portion 130 includes a first sprocket 134, a second sprocket 136 (e.g., an idler sprocket), and a third sprocket 138, which are drivingly coupled to one another by a first chain 140 (e.g., a multi-link chain). The bottom portion 132 of the gear assembly 104 includes a fourth sprocket 142 and a fifth sprocket 144, which are drivingly coupled to one another by a second chain 146 (e.g., a multi-link chain). In certain embodiments, one or more of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sprockets 134, 136, 138, 142, and 144 may include multiple sprockets (e.g., stacked on top of one another) to improve or increase transfer of rotational movement between the other respective sprockets in the top portion 130 or bottom portion 132 via the first and/or second chains 140 and 146. As discussed in detail below, the first sprocket 134 of the top portion 130 of the gear assembly 104 and the fourth sprocket 142 of the bottom portion 132 of the gear assembly 104 are rotationally fixed to one another at a gear ratio greater than one. For example, the first sprocket 134 and the forth sprocket 142 may be integrally formed as one piece, may be connected to one another by a rod, or otherwise rotationally fixed to one another. As such, the first sprocket 134 of the top portion 130 will rotate at the same speed as the fourth sprocket 142 of the bottom portion 132. However, the first sprocket 134 and the fourth sprocket 142 are not the same size (e.g., same diameter). In particular, the first sprocket 134 is smaller (e.g., has fewer teeth) than the fourth sprocket 142.
To transfer rotational motion from the first clamping mechanism 100 to the second clamping mechanism 102, the top portion 130 of the gear assembly 104 engages with the first plurality 120 of open mouth sprockets 118, and the bottom portion 132 of the gear assembly 104 engages with the second plurality 122 of open mouth sprockets 118. Specifically, the first chain 140 of the top portion 130 engages with the teeth 124 of the first plurality 120 of open mouth sprockets 118. To enable this engagement, the first, second, and third sprockets 134, 136, and 138 are arranged (e.g., in a generally triangular arrangement) within the housing 106 such that the first chain 140 engages with a minimum portion (e.g., minimum arc length) 150 of the circumference 126 of the first plurality 120 of open mouth sprockets 118. For example, the minimum portion 150 may be approximately 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, or more of the circumference 126 of the first plurality 120 of open mouth sprockets 118.
In the illustrated embodiment, the position of the third sprocket 138 is also adjustable to enable tension adjustment of the first chain 140 and/or an amount of contact between the first chain 140 and the first plurality 120 of open mouth sprockets 118. Specifically, the third sprocket 138 may be coupled to a threaded knob 152 that extends through a slot 154 formed in the housing 106. To adjust the position of the third sprocket 138 within the housing 106, and thus adjust the tension in the first chain 140, the threaded knob 152 may be loosened and translated or slid along the slot 154 to a position that provides a desired tension in the first chain 140. Thereafter, the threaded knob 152 may be tightened (e.g., against the housing 106) to hold the third sprocket 138 in the desired position. In some embodiments, the second sprocket 136 may additionally or alternatively be adjustable to enable adjustment of the tension in the first chain 140.
Similar to the first chain 140 and the first plurality 120 of open mouth sprockets 118, the second chain 146 of the bottom portion 132 engages with the second plurality 122 of open mouth sprockets 118. Specifically, the second chain 146 of the bottom portion 132 engages with the teeth 124 of the second plurality 122 of open mouth sprockets 118. The fourth and fifth sprockets 142 and 144 are also arranged within the housing 106 and the second chain 146 is sized such that the second chain 140 engages with a minimum portion (e.g., minimum arc length) 156 of the circumference 126 of the second plurality 122 of open mouth sprockets 118. For example, the minimum portion 160 may be approximately 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, or more of the circumference 126 of the second plurality 122 of open mouth sprockets 118. As similarly discussed above with respect to the top portion 130, the fifth sprocket 144 may also be position-adjustable to enable adjustment of tension in the second chain 146 of the bottom portion 132 (e.g., via a threaded knob extending through a slot in the housing 106) and/or to adjust an amount of contact between the second chain 146 and the second plurality 122 of open mouth sprockets 118. While the illustrated embodiment of the bottom portion 132 does not include an idler sprocket (e.g., an additional sprocket similar to the second sprocket 136 of the top portion 130), other embodiments of the gear assembly 104 may include an additional idler sprocket in the bottom portion 132, and the additional sprocket may also be adjustable to further enable tension adjustment of the second chain 146.
Furthermore, although the illustrated embodiment includes the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sprockets 134, 136, 138, 142, and 144 of the gear assembly 104, other embodiments may include other or additional components. For example, the gear assembly 104 may include other sprockets, rollers, and so forth to enable adequate contact between the first and second chains 140 and 146 and the respective open mouth sprockets 118. Such components may also further enable tension adjustment of the of the first and second chains 140 and 146 to facilitate removal of the first and second chains 140 and 146 from the gear assembly 104 and/or to adjust a level or amount of contact between the first and second chains 140 and 146 and the respective open mouth sprockets 118.
As mentioned above, each of the open mouth sprockets 118 includes the opening 128 to enable efficient and ready positioning of the joint rotation system 50 about the drill string 28, but the embodiments shown in
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the torque applied to the first length 182 by the top drive 40 may be expressed as
where AB is the gear ratio between the first plurality 120 of open mouth sprockets 118 and the first sprocket 134, C/D is the gear ratio between the second plurality 122 of open mouth sprockets 118 and the fourth sprocket 142, Ttd is the torque acting on the first length 182 of tubular 38, Tds is the torque acting on the second length 184 of tubular 38 (e.g., the drill string 28), and Tj is the torque acting on the threaded connection 180. As mentioned above, the first and second pluralities 120 and 122 of open mouth sprockets 118 may be approximately the same size and have approximately the same number of teeth 124. Therefore, Equation (1) may be expressed as
When breaking or unthreading the threaded connection 180, the torque acting on the second length 184 (i.e., Tds) may be approximately 0 as frictional torque will arise once motion actually begins. As a result, the torque acting on the second length 184 (i.e., Tds) may not affect the top drive 40 output torque (i.e., Ttd) during the initial breaking or unthreading of the threaded connection 180. Consequently, Equation (2) reduces to
Similarly, once the threaded connection 180 begins to unthread and the threaded connection 180 torque (i.e., Tj) disappears, the top drive 40 may only experience the frictional torque, which may be expressed by
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, D/B may be considered the overall drive or speed ratio of the gear assembly 104. Indeed, the drive or speed ratio may be greater than one, thereby enabling faster rotation of the second length 184 relative to the first length 182, which results in the unthreading of the threaded connection 180. For example, in certain embodiments the gear or speed ratio of the gear assembly 104 (e.g., between the first sprocket 134 and fourth sprocket 142) may be between approximately 5:4 and 2:1.
In certain embodiments, the first and second clamping mechanisms 100 and 102 may be engaged with the first and second lengths 182 and 184, respectively to initially break the threaded connection 180 by rotating top drive 40 in a first direction. After the threaded connection 180 is partially broken (e.g., not completely unthreaded), the first clamping mechanism 100 may be disengaged from the first length 182 while leaving the second clamping mechanism 102 engaged with the second length 184. Then, the top drive 40 may be rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction to fully disengaged (e.g., unthread) the first length 182 from the second length 184.
For example,
The latch 200 also includes a toothed segment 206 coupled to the base portion 204. Specifically, a first side 208 of the toothed segment 206 is coupled to the base portion 204 (e.g., via pins, brazing, or other mechanical coupling), and a second side 210 of the toothed segment 206 includes teeth 212. The toothed segment 206 is a sized to fit within a radially outer space 214 of the opening 128 of the open mouth sprocket 118. More specifically, the toothed segment 206 is a sized to occupy or fill the radially outer space 214 of the opening 128. For example,
Additionally, when the latch 200 is in the closed position, the second side 210 of the toothed segment 206 aligns (e.g., circumferentially aligns) with the outer circumference 126 of the open mouth sprocket 118 to form a fully-toothed full circumference 220 of the open mouth sprocket 118. In other words, when the latch 200 is in the closed position, teeth (e.g., teeth 124 and 212) are arrayed about the full circumference (e.g., circumference 126) of the open mouth sprocket 118. As will be appreciated, this fully-toothed configuration enables improved transfer of rotational movement between the open mouth sprocket 118 and the first chain 140 when rotational movement is transferred from the first clamping mechanism 100 to the gear assembly 104. In particular, for any given angular position of the open mouth sprocket 118, the minimum portion 150 (e.g., minimum arc length) of the circumference 126 engaged with the first chain 140 will be fully arrayed with teeth (e.g., teeth 124 and/or 212), thereby improving transfer of rotational movement from the first clamping mechanism 100 to the gear assembly 104.
The embodiments shown in
Another feature shown in
As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward the joint rotation system 50 to enable assembly and disassembly of lengths of tubular 38 to and from one another on a drilling rig. For example, the joint rotation system 50 may be used to thread and unthread lengths of drill pipe to and from one another to assemble or disassemble the drill string 28. As described above, the joint rotation system 50 is geared to grip and rotate two lengths of tubular 38 at different speeds while the top drive 40 or other rotational system rotates one of the lengths of tubular 38. Specifically, the joint rotation system 50 transfers rotational movement of one of the lengths of tubular 38 (e.g., driven by the top drive 40) to another length of tubular 38 at a gear or speed ratio greater than one to enable differential speed rotation of the other length of tubular 38 relative to the first length of tubular 38. As the joint rotation system 50 rotates the two lengths of tubular 38 at different speeds, the relative rotations (e.g., differential speeds) of the two lengths of tubular 38 enable engagement (e.g., threading) or disengagement (e.g., unthreading) of the lengths of tubular 38 to or from one another. The joint rotation system 50 includes two or more clamping mechanisms 100 and 102 configured to clamp the two lengths of tubular 38 to be threaded or unthreaded. For example, the joint rotation system 50 may include the first clamping mechanism 100 to grip a top tubular 38 and a second clamping mechanism 102 to grip a bottom tubular 38. Additionally, the clamping mechanisms 100 and 102 may have openings 128 (e.g., enclosable openings) that enable efficient coupling of the joint rotation system 50 to the two lengths of tubular 38 to be connected or disconnected from one another. In other words, the configuration of the clamping mechanisms 100 and 102 discussed above enables the joint rotation system 50 to be quickly and readily engaged and disengaged with lengths of tubular 38 to be connected or disconnected from one another.
While only certain features of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A system, comprising:
- a first clamping mechanism configured to couple to a first tubular, wherein the first clamping mechanism comprises a first opening extending from a first outer circumference of the first clamping mechanism to a first central passage of the first clamping mechanism;
- a second clamping mechanism configured to couple to a second tubular,
- wherein the second clamping mechanism comprises a second opening extending from a second outer circumference of the second clamping mechanism to a second central passage of the second clamping mechanism; and
- a coupling mechanism coupling the first and second clamping mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a gear assembly having a speed ratio greater than 1.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the gear assembly comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the first clamping mechanism is configured to drive the top portion, the top portion is configured to drive the bottom portion, and the bottom portion is configured to drive the second clamping mechanism.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the top portion comprises a first sprocket, a second sprocket, a third sprocket, and a first chain drivingly engaged with the first, second, and third sprockets, the bottom portion comprises a fourth sprocket, a fifth sprocket, and a second chain drivingly engaged with the fourth and fifth sprockets, and the first and fourth sprockets are rotationally fixed to one another.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first clamping mechanism comprises a first open mouth sprocket, the second clamping mechanism comprises a second open mouth sprocket, the first chain is drivingly engaged with the first open mouth sprocket, and the second chain is drivingly engaged with the second open mouth sprocket.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first clamping mechanism comprises a first plurality of hydraulic cylinders configured to be actuated radially inward toward the first central passage, and the second clamping mechanism comprises a second plurality of hydraulic cylinders configured to be actuated radially inward toward the second central passage.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first clamping mechanism comprises a first plurality of open mouth sprockets rotationally fixed to one another, the second clamping mechanism comprises a second plurality of open mouth sprockets rotationally fixed to one another, each open mouth sprocket of the first plurality of open mouth sprockets comprises the first opening, and each open mouth sprocket of the second plurality of open mouth sprockets comprises the second opening.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein a first open mouth sprocket of the first plurality of open mouth sprockets comprises a first latch pivotably coupled to the first open mouth sprocket of the first plurality of open mouth sprockets, wherein the first latch is configured to selectively enclose the first opening, wherein a second open mouth sprocket of the second plurality of open mouth sprockets comprises a second latch pivotably coupled to the second open mouth sprocket of the second plurality of open mouth sprockets, wherein the second latch is configured to selectively enclose the second opening.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first latch comprises a first toothed portion comprising first teeth configured to radially align with second teeth of the respective open mouth sprocket of the first plurality of open mouth sprockets, and the second latch comprises a second toothed portion comprising third teeth configured to radially align with fourth teeth of the respective open mouth sprocket of the second plurality of open mouth sprockets.
9. The system of claim 1, comprising the first tubular, the second tubular, and a top drive configured to drive rotation of the first tubular in a clockwise direction.
10. A method, comprising:
- radially receiving a first tubular and a second tubular with a joint rotation system;
- rotating the first tubular at a first angular velocity in a radial direction with a top drive such that a first clamping mechanism of the joint rotation system coupled to the first tubular is rotated;
- rotating a first sprocket of the joint rotation system, the first sprocket engaged with the first clamping mechanism and configured to rotate as a result of rotating of the first clamping mechanism;
- rotating a second sprocket of the joint rotation system, the second sprocket fixedly coupled with the first sprocket and configured to rotate as a result of rotating of the first sprocket;
- rotating a second clamping mechanism of the joint rotation system, the second clamping mechanism engaged with the second sprocket and configured to rotate as a result of rotating the second sprocket; and
- rotating the second tubular at a second angular velocity in the radial direction, the second angular velocity being different from the first angular velocity, wherein the second tubular is rotated by the second clamping mechanism of the joint rotation system via coupling of the second clamping mechanism with the second tubular.
11. The method of claim 10, comprising driving rotation of the first sprocket with a first chain drivingly engaged with the first sprocket and a first open mouth sprocket of the first clamping mechanism.
12. The method of claim 11, comprising driving rotation of the second clamping mechanism with a second chain drivingly engaged with the second sprocket and a second open mouth sprocket of the second clamping mechanism.
13. The method of claim 11, comprising adjusting a tension of the first chain by adjusting a position of a third sprocket drivingly engaged with the first sprocket and the first open mouth sprocket of the first clamping mechanism.
14. The method of claim 11, comprising enclosing an opening of the first open mouth sprocket with a pivotable latch coupled to the first open mouth sprocket, wherein the opening extends from an outer circumference of the first open mouth sprocket to a central passage of the first open mouth sprocket, and wherein the pivotable latch comprises first teeth configured to circumferentially align with second teeth of the first open mouth sprocket.
15. The method of claim 10, comprising gripping the first tubular with a first plurality of hydraulic cylinders of the first clamping mechanism, and gripping the second tubular with a second plurality of hydraulic cylinders of the second clamping mechanism.
16. A system, comprising:
- a joint rotation system, comprising: a housing; a first clamping mechanism configured to clamp to a first pipe, wherein the first clamping mechanism comprises a first open mouth sprocket; a second clamping mechanism configured to clamp to a second pipe, wherein the second clamping mechanism comprises a second open mouth sprocket; a first chain-driven sprocket configured to be driven by rotation of the first clamping mechanism; and a second chain-driven sprocket fixed to the first chain-driven sprocket, wherein a speed ratio of the first and second chain-driven sprockets is greater than one, and the second chain-driven sprocket is configured to drive rotation of the second clamping mechanism, wherein the housing supports the first clamping mechanism, the second clamping mechanism, the first chain-driven sprocket, and the second-chain driven sprocket.
17. The system of claim 16, comprising a top drive configured to drive rotation of the first pipe.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein the joint rotation system comprises a first chain drivingly engaged with the first open mouth sprocket and the first chain-driven sprocket, wherein the first chain is engaged with at least 60 degrees of a circumference of the first open mouth sprocket.
19. The system of claim 16, wherein the first open mouth sprocket comprises an opening extending from an outer circumference of the first open mouth sprocket to a central passage of the first open mouth sprocket, and the first open mouth sprocket comprises a pivotable latch configured to enclose the opening.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the outer circumference of the first open mouth sprocket comprises a first plurality of teeth, the pivotable latch comprises a second plurality of teeth, and the first and second pluralities of teeth are circumferentially aligned when the pivotably latch is in a closed position.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 27, 2017
Publication Date: Nov 2, 2017
Inventors: Ryan Thomas Bowley (Calgary), Brent James-William Coombe (Calgary)
Application Number: 15/499,648