Abstract: A power tong (1) device, in which the power tong (1) includes two housing halves (2), pivotable relative to each other, the housing halves (2) being arranged to be pivoted between a closed, active position and an open, inactive position, and in which a radially divided drive ring (6, 8), which is provided with hydraulically activated clamping dies (14) directed towards the centre axis (10) of the power tong (1), is placed in the housing halves, the drive ring (6, 8) being supported and connected to a driving motor (12) for the rotation of the drive ring (6, 8) about said axis (10), the drive ring (6, 8) being provided with at least one locking means (16) which is arranged to interconnect the parts of the drive ring (6, 8) in a releasable manner.

Abstract: An driver extension wrench having a pair of elongate housing members with openings at opposing ends of the housing members, with a plurality of interior posts at a predetermine spacing. The openings have sockets with exterior gear teeth. Gears are mounted on each of the posts and cooperate with each other and the sockets so that rotational force applied to the first opening is transmitted through the gears to the second opening to be applied to a fastener.

Abstract: Adjustable, torque compensating powered pipe wrench for the tightening and loosening of threaded pipe onto threaded pipe fittings. A portable wrench with size adjustable non-rotating grippers and size adjustable rotating grippers powered by a drive motor allows for the powered tightening and loosening of threaded pipe onto threaded pipe fittings.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a tubular with respect to a drill bit, e.g., for making or breaking a connection between a tubular and a drill bit, the apparatus, in at least certain aspects including a frame, gripper apparatus connected to the frame for gripping and rotating a primary tubular, and a torquing frame with plate apparatus for holding the drill bit.

Abstract: A power tong (1) or back-up tong has a sliding jaw assembly (6) that may be advanced into the throat (4) of the tong for engagement with a pipe. A camming surface (11) on the inside circumference of the ring gear (10) advances the sliding jaw assembly into full engagement with the well pipe when the ring gear (10) is rotated with respect to the jaw assembly.

Abstract: A pipefitting engaging tool assembly includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. A head is attached to the housing and has a circular opening extending therethrough. The opening is defined by an outer edge that has a slot therein continually extending around the outer edge. A ring member has an outer perimeter edge and an inner perimeter edge. The inner perimeter edge has a plurality of teeth attached thereto and extends inwardly of the ring member. The teeth are configured to engage a pipefitting. The ring member is positioned in the slot in the outer edge of the opening. A drive assembly is mounted in the housing and is mechanically coupled to the ring member to selectively rotate the ring member in a first direction or a second direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that permits sections of tubulars to be connected to or disconnected from a string of pipe during a drilling operation. The apparatus further permits the sections of drill pipe to be rotated and to be axially translated during the connection or disconnection process. The apparatus further allows for the continuous circulation of fluid to and through the tubular string during the makeup or breakout process. The apparatus defines a rig assembly comprising a top drive mechanism, a rotary drive mechanism, and a fluid circulating device. Rotation and axial movement of the tubular string is alternately provided by the top drive and the rotary drive. Additionally, continuous fluid flow into the tubular string is provided through the circulation device and alternately through the tubular section once a connection is made between an upper tubular connected to the top drive mechanism and the tubular string.

Abstract: Damage to pipe resulting from non-uniform application of gripping forces is minimized by modified power tongs employing pivoting jaws which automatically adjust to the circumference of the pipe. The pivoting jaws pivot about mounting pins which pass through an elongated aperture in the jaw. The aperture is elongated in a direction which allows the arcuate pipe-gripping surface on the jaw to align itself concentric with the outer surface of the pipe so that the gripping force applied by the jaw is uniformly distributed over the arcuate pipe-gripping surface of the jaw.

Abstract: An improved die insert for gripping oil field tubular members in tubular handling systems such as power tongs, slips, safety clamps and the like. The die insert has a gripping surface which comprises a backing surface adapted to contact the tubular member. The backing surface may be smooth or it may have a series of teeth formed thereon. The backing surface further has a granulated particle coating applied thereto which forms the gripping surface of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the gripping surface will include a refractory metal carbide selected from the group consisting of the carbides of silicon, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, and boron.

Abstract: A method for constructing a power tong jaw, including the steps of: (1) providing a substantially flat upper plate and a substantially flat lower plate; (2) providing at least two separately formed substantially elongated column members, at least one of the column members having a die insert groove formed therein; and (3) connecting the upper plate to the lower plate using the column members.

Abstract: A device for torquing a tubular connection. The device comprises an upper assembly having an upper jaw member, a lower assembly having a lower jaw member, an upper gear for advancing the upper jaw member, and a lower gear for advancing the lower jaw member. The upper jaw member includes a first jaw operatively associated with a first rack, a second jaw operatively associated with a second rack, and a third jaw operatively associated with a third rack. The lower jaw member includes a fourth jaw operatively associated with a fourth rack, a fifth jaw operatively associated with a fifth rack, and a sixth jaw operatively associated with a sixth rack. A method of torquing a first tubular with a second tubular is also disclosed.

Abstract: An insert for use in a gripping assembly is disclosed. The insert includes a base member having a plurality of gripping teeth. The teeth are arranged in at least two substantially adjacent rows, where at least one row of teeth is offset or staggered longitudinally from an immediately adjacent row of teeth. When the teeth engage a cylindrical member, a resistance profile is created that is substantially continuous and does not oscillate over a length of the insert approaching 100% of the length of the entire insert.

Abstract: A vise apparatus for use on a drilling machine to thread together pipe to form a drill string. The vise apparatus also for use on a drilling machine to break pipe threaded together in a drill string. The vise apparatus having scissor members that open to receive various size pipe diameters and close to contact the pipe around the pipe diameter at equally distanced locations.

Abstract: A power tong for coupling and uncoupling tubular members including relatively large diameter members and relatively small diameter members whether in a concentric or not configuration, wherein a housing mounts a rotary framework having a U-shaped cavity adapted to receive tubular member coaxially with the rotary framework. The rotary framework pivotally mounts three chordal segments each having a toothed arc and a chordal border spaced about the cavity and having two pair of recesses with adjustable gripping elements seated therein, one pair for coupling and uncoupling relatively large tubular members from a stationary member and the other for coupling and uncoupling relatively small tubular members from a stationary member. The power tong is capable of engaging and uncoupling an outer tubing member, disengaging therefrom and then engaging and uncoupling an inner tubing member of a tubing string without repositioning the power tong, as well as, the reverse process.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for positioning a tubular relative to a tong is provided. In one aspect, a positioning tool may be mounted on a lower portion of the tong. The positioning tool includes a positioning member for determining a position of the tubular and a centering member for engaging the tubular. The positioning tool further includes an actuation device for actuating the centering member. The position of the tubular may be actively adjusted by actuating the centering member.

Abstract: A power tong having an improved piston and cylinder assembly comprising retraction springs that are located inside the cylinder.

Abstract: An improved die insert for gripping oil field tubular members in tubular handling systems such as power tongs, slips, safety clamps and the like. The die insert has a gripping surface which comprises a backing surface adapted to contact the tubular member. The backing surface may be smooth or it may have a series of teeth formed thereon. The backing surface further has a granulated particle coating applied thereto which forms the gripping surface of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the gripping surface will include a refractory metal carbide selected from the group consisting of the carbides of silicon, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, and boron.

Abstract: A vise apparatus for use on a drilling machine to thread together pipe to form a drill string. The vise apparatus also for use on a drilling machine to break pipe threaded together in a drill string. The vise apparatus having scissor members that open to receive various size pipe diameters and close to contact the pipe around the pipe diameter at equally distanced locations.

Abstract: An improved die insert for gripping oil field tubular members in tubular handling systems such as power tongs, slips, safety clamps and the like. The die insert has a gripping surface which comprises a backing surface adapted to contact the tubular member. The backing surface may be smooth or it may have a series of teeth formed thereon. The backing surface further has a granulated particle coating applied thereto which forms the gripping surface of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the gripping surface will include a refractory metal carbide selected from the group consisting of the carbides of silicon, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, and boron.

Abstract: A tong as may be used for a continuous circulation system in a wellbore. The tong has a housing with a hollow interior. A plurality of spaced apart jaw assemblies reside within the housing's hollow interior for engaging a portion of a tubular to be gripped and rotated by the tong. A gear wheel is secured to the housing for rotating the housing and the jaw assemblies. The gear wheel includes a toothed outer circumference for mating with teeth of a drive shaft of a driving motor. A gear flange is movably mounted on the gear wheel such that rotation of the gear wheel does not rotate the gear flange.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that permits sections of tubulars to be connected to or disconnected from a string of pipe during a drilling operation. The apparatus further permits the sections of drill pipe to be rotated and to be axially translated during the connection or disconnection process. The apparatus further allows for the continuous circulation of fluid to and through the tubular string during the makeup or breakout process. The apparatus defines a rig assembly comprising a top drive mechanism, a rotary drive mechanism, and a fluid circulating device. Rotation and axial movement of the tubular string is alternately provided by the top drive and the rotary drive. Additionally, continuous fluid flow into the tubular string is provided through the circulation device and alternately through the tubular section once a connection is made between an upper tubular connected to the top drive mechanism and the tubular string.

Abstract: A jaw assembly for a power tong or back-up tong is provided with a jaw die plate and die seating surface that are shaped to permit radial insertion of the die plate onto its seating surface. Both vertical and horizontally aligned splines, or spline segments are present on the seating surface. Grooves between the protrusions on the mating surface of the die plate interfit between the splines and/or spline segments to stabilize the die plate and to absorb both rotational torque forces and vertical shearing forces without disengagement from its seating surface.

Abstract: A jaw assembly for a power tong or back-up tong is provided with a jaw die plate and die seating surface that are shaped to permit radial insertion of the die plate onto its seating surface. Both vertical and horizontally aligned splines, or spline segments are present on the seating surface. Grooves between the protrusions on the mating surface of the die plate interfit between the splines and/or spline segments to stabilize the die plate and to absorb both rotational torque forces and vertical shearing forces without disengagement from its seating surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the connection of pipes which apparatus comprises a rotary (1) and jaws (20, 21, 22), characterised in that all of said jaws (20, 21, 22) are active and are actuable by pressurised fluid.

Abstract: A latch device for a manual tong apparatus that incorporates a secondary catch mechanism is presented. Such a secondary catch would assist in maintaining the tong assembly in it's closed position during a reversing operation or at a time when load applied to the manual tong device in the gripping direction is very low. Additionally the secondary catch would also provide some additional protection by holding the tong assembly together in the event of a failure of certain tong components. The mechanism of the secondary catch is spring loaded and operates through two secondary up-down catch arms that are deactivated by swinging a handle in the direction that corresponds to the operator's natural motion to open the lug jaw.

Abstract: An improved die insert for gripping oil field tubular members in tubular handling systems such as power tongs, slips, safety clamps and the like. The die insert has a gripping surface which comprises a backing surface adapted to contact the tubular member. The backing surface may be smooth or it may have a series of teeth formed thereon. The backing surface further has a granulated particle coating applied thereto which forms the gripping surface of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the gripping surface will include a refractory metal carbide selected from the group consisting of the carbides of silicon, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, and boron.

Abstract: A jaw unit (102) for use in a tong which comprises a jaw holder (105) and a jaw (106) movable with respect to said jaw holder (105), characterised in that said jaw (106) is slidably mounted on said jaw holder (105).

Abstract: An improved power tong gear train which includes a ring gear having an open or closed throat. At least three idler gears are positioned such that at least two of the idler gears engage the ring gear through the ring gear's entire range of rotation. The gear train further has at least one stage of reduction gears engaging the idler gears and has a power gear transferring torque to a stage of the reduction gears. Also disclosed is a power tong gear train having a load equalizing gear. The gear train includes a ring gear which has at least one idler gear engaging the ring gear. At least one stage of reduction gears engages the idler gears and a power gear transfers torque to a stage of the reduction gears. A load equalizing mechanism is attached to at least one of the gears.

Abstract: An open throat power tong 10 for making up and/or breaking apart an oilfield tubular connection includes an open throat in the tong body 15. Motors 18, 20 rotate a partial ring member 12 and a pair of heads 16 with respect to the tong body. A door 40, 140 may be opened to expose the open throat of the power tong, and has a planar latch surface formed from arcuate groove 58 for receiving an arcuate boss 90. The door latch mechanism reduces the effort required to safely latch the door in the closed position before operating the tong, and provides a highly reliable mechanism to minimize spreading of the tong body under a relatively high torque.

Abstract: Closed head power tongs used to make up and break threaded pipe joints are disclosed herein. The closed head power tongs have removable mating inserts that allow the gripping aperture of the power tongs to be increased so that objects larger than the gripping diameter of the tongs can be raised or lowered through the center aperture of the power tong without removing the tongs from alignment with the drill string.