Pivoted Jaw Patents (Class 81/57.2)
  • Patent number: 11572746
    Abstract: A power tong including a rotary gripping apparatus having a rotary base having a first jaw and at least one rotary arm movable relative to the rotary base between an open position and a closed position, the at least one rotary arm having a second jaw. A gap is present between the rotary base and the at least one rotary arm for receiving the tubular when the at least one rotary arm is in the open position. The gap is closed when the at least one rotary arm is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Arne Tjark Becker, Kevin Wood
  • Patent number: 11559862
    Abstract: A power tool includes a wrench head having a rotary socket, and a spanner tool mounted in the rotary socket, wherein the rotary socket grips a first component and the spanner tool grips a second components, the first and second component being adjacent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yong Cheol Lee, Hyung Jong Kim
  • Patent number: 10518393
    Abstract: A uniquely designed torque wrench having a torque body, the torque body attached to a frictional squeezing clamp, and a lug socket which is rotationally connected to the frictional squeezing clamp. The frictional squeezing clamp entering a contracted stated during extension of a rod of a hydraulic cylinder, and entering an expanded state during the retraction of the rod of a hydraulic cylinder, the lug socket turning the wing nut of a hammer union.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TORQ/LITE, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Francis, Nic Francis, William P. Bernard, Oswald J. Bernard
  • Patent number: 10407497
    Abstract: A stuffing box loosening device for loosening a locking collar securing a stuffing box to a well head. The device includes a rotatable clamping tool having a clamp securable to an external surface of the locking collar. The clamp prevents relative rotational movement between itself and the locking collar. A force-receiving body extends away from the clamp. A main frame has a mounting portion securable to the well head, and the mounting portion prevents relative rotational movement between the main frame and the well head. A force-supporting body is attached to the mounting portion. An actuator is mounted to the force-supporting body and in operation extends to displace a second end to engage the force-receiving body of the clamping tool and apply a force thereto. The force rotates the clamp to loosen the locking collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MCCANN EQUIPMENT LTD.
    Inventors: David Raessler, Cameron Richard Green
  • Patent number: 9782876
    Abstract: A uniquely designed torque wrench having a torque body, the torque body attached to a frictional squeezing clamp, and a lug socket which is rotationally connected to the frictional squeezing clamp. The frictional squeezing clamp entering a contracted stated during extension of a rod of a hydraulic cylinder, and entering an expanded state during the retraction of the rod of a hydraulic cylinder, the lug socket turning the wing nut of a hammer union.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: TORQ/LITE, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Francis, Nic Francis, William P. Bernard, Oswald J. Bernard
  • Patent number: 9217303
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting or disconnecting a threaded coupling between two riser joints, comprising: —a frame (11) provided with a space (12) for receiving the coupling; —a first drive wheel set (20) carried by the frame and comprising one or more drive wheels (21, 22) driven by a first drive motor (23) for rotating a main nut of the coupling; and —a second drive wheel set (40) carried by the frame and comprising one or more drive wheels (41, 42) driven by a second drive motor (43) for rotating a locking nut of the coupling. The drive wheels of the second drive wheel set are located on a level above the drive wheels of the first drive wheel set to allow them to engage with and rotate the locking nut when the drive wheels of the first drive wheel set are in engagement with the main nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Jon Olav Aarhus, Øystein Windsland
  • Patent number: 8942845
    Abstract: A robot includes a gripping section and a main body section to which the pair of finger sections are attached, having one end sections of the pair of finger sections rotatably connected to each other around a first rotating shaft disposed at a position separate from the main body section, and adapted to open and close the pair of finger sections by swinging the other side of the pair of finger sections on a plane parallel to a mounting surface on which an object is mounted centered on the first rotating shaft to thereby grip the object, a moving device adapted to relatively move the object and the gripping section, and a control device adapted to control the moving device to move the gripping section relatively toward the object, and grip the object with the gripping section at at least three contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Yamaguchi, Tatsuya Hosoda, Kazuhiro Kosuge, Yasuhisa Hirata
  • Patent number: 8875365
    Abstract: A tongs system and method for making and breaking threaded joints of a string of tubing for an oil well involves, in some examples, the use of a set of tongs with a two-speed transmission and a hydraulic system selectively operable in a high-pressure mode and a low-pressure mode. During an initial tightening period, the tongs system operates in high-gear and high-pressure for maximum speed. During a subsequent final tightening period, the tongs system operates in low-gear and low-pressure to controllably tighten the joint to a predetermined target torque. In some examples, to allow the transmission to shift speed without jamming gears, the tongs system pauses for an instant between the initial and final tightening periods. In some examples, the tongs system is interlocked with a hoist and/or other tube-holding and handling equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventors: Jonathan V. Huseman, Kasia L. Robnett, Frederic M. Newman
  • Patent number: 8601910
    Abstract: An apparatus for making and/or breaking a threaded connection between a first tubular and a second tubular includes a spinner operable to spin the first tubular relative to the second tubular; a zero-side-load (“ZSL”) device operable to relieve the transverse force induced on the threaded connection in response to the spinner spinning the first tubular; a torque wrench operable to rotate the first tubular relative to the second tubular; and a back-up wrench operable to grip the second tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Frank's Casing Crew and Rental Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D Begnaud
  • Patent number: 8601911
    Abstract: A tong assembly from manipulating a tubular, wherein, the assembly has a make-up/break-out arm or a backup arm. The make-up/break-out arm or backup arm engages a tubular. The make-up/break-out arm or backup arm is connected with one or more cylinders grips the tubular using either rocker jaws or chain links containing tong dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Scorpion Oil Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Baryam
  • Patent number: 8490520
    Abstract: Spin-in and spin-out apparatus and methods are presented wherein an oilfield tubular spinner used in combination with a wrench detects the shouldering-up of tubulars during make-up and tubular thread disengagement during break-out. Sensors are employed to quantify measurables indicative of shouldering-up and thread disengagement, the measurables being used to shutdown spin-in and spin-out operations. Thresholds are employed to detect measurable values of interest. Timers may be employed to monitor and control the spin-in and spin-out operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Hunter
  • Patent number: 8490519
    Abstract: An attachment is described that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of heavy construction equipment. The attachment is configured to rotate a section of pipe during break out (i.e. disconnection or disassembly) from another section of pipe and/or make up (i.e. connection or assembly) with another section of pipe. The attachment is configured to break the joint or torque the joint to a predetermined torque value, unthread or thread pipe, and lift the pipe under the power of the heavy construction equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: LaValley Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Lavalley, Daniel L. Larson, Roger Lavalley, Marvin N. Larson, Rodney Wurgler, Christopher G. Kay, Matthew J. Michel, Jesse J. Kilde
  • Patent number: 8479614
    Abstract: A power tong jaw comprising a jaw body having upper and lower flange sections with flange apertures formed through the upper and lower flange sections. The power tong jaw will further have a jaw roller including a pin aperture and a roller pin positioned through the pin aperture in the jaw roller and through at least one of the upper or lower jaw flange apertures. The power tong jaw will further include a flexible retaining mechanism (i) positioned between outer surfaces of the upper and lower flange and (ii) engaging the roller pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: McCoy Corporation
    Inventors: Murray Gerwing, Steven Hargreaves, Jeremy Vaughan, Kelvin Isaacson
  • Patent number: 8453542
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wrench for use with drilling apparatus and which serves for loosening adjacent drill bit segments of a drill bit during drilling of extended holes into the ground and where this involves the insertion of, or the removal of, extension segments from the drill bit. The wrench includes a pair of carrier members whereby it is supported on the support structure of a drilling apparatus, as well as a pair of gripping members, displaceably supported between the carrier members and between which a drill bit segment can be gripped, and piston/cylinder mechanisms whereby the carrier members, and hence the wrench, can be displaced between an inoperative stowed configuration and an operative configuration and whereby the gripping members can be displaced for gripping a drill bit segment and for loosening the segment with respect to an adjacent segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Petrus Christiaan Gouws
  • Patent number: 8234957
    Abstract: A power tong jaw comprising a jaw body having upper and lower flange sections with flange apertures formed through the upper and lower flange sections. The power tong jaw will further have a jaw roller including a pin aperture and a roller pin positioned through the pin aperture in the jaw roller and through at least one of the upper or lower jaw flange apertures. The power tong jaw will further include a flexible retaining mechanism (i) positioned between outer surfaces of the upper and lower flange and (ii) engaging the roller pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: McCoy Corporation
    Inventors: Murray Gerwing, Steven Hargreaves, Jeremy Vaughan, Kelvin Isaacson
  • Patent number: 8161846
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for rotating or spinning a tubular. In some embodiments, the apparatus, referred to herein as a pipe spinner, includes a body, an arm pivotally coupled to the body, and an actuator coupled to the arm. The arm has a cam roller coupled thereto. The actuator is operable to pivot the arm relative to the body between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the cam roller engages the tubular. In the open position, the cam roller is disengaged from the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Lopek Drzewiecki
  • Patent number: 8074537
    Abstract: Spin-in and spin-out apparatus and methods are presented wherein an oilfield tubular spinner used in combination with a wrench detects the shouldering-up of tubulars during make-up and tubular thread disengagement during break-out. Sensors are employed to quantify measurables indicative of shouldering-up and thread disengagement, the measurables being used to shutdown spin-in and spin-out operations. Thresholds are employed to detect measurable values of interest. Timers are employed to monitor and control the spin-in and spin-out operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Hunter
  • Patent number: 8015901
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism includes a pair of contact portions facing each other which is capable of directly contacting a tie rod hexagonal portion, and an open-close drive mechanism that causes the both contact portions to move away from and approach the tie rod hexagonal portion. By appropriately changing the distance between surfaces of the mutually facing pair of contact portions, the tie rod hexagonal portion will be securely clamped by the pair of contact portions, regardless of the size of the diameter of the tie rod. Then, the tie rod hexagonal portion is rotated to adjust the toe angle, by rotating the clamping mechanism via the rotation drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Shinmei Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kanazawa, Hiroharu Kato
  • Patent number: 8006590
    Abstract: An open-faced rod-spinning device configured for making and/or breaking joints between threaded drill rods. The rod-spinning device may include a drive gear with an open face. The drive gear may also be coupled to a plurality of drive pins. The rod-spinning device may include a carriage assembly including an open face for receiving and rotating about a drill rod. The carriage assembly may include a plurality of gripping lobes configured to be engaged and rotated by the drive pins about pivot pins. The drive gear may be configured to rotate relative to the carriage assembly to cause the drive pins to engage and rotate the gripping lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor Lyndon Light, Emil Kolev, Michael Andreas Kontou
  • Patent number: 7975572
    Abstract: A gripping apparatus and a method apparatus for making up and breaking out tubular connections. In one embodiment, the gripping apparatus comprises an outer gear, a plurality of rollers coupled to the outer gear, an inner ring, a passive jaw, and a pair of active jaws pivotably coupled to the inner ring. The active jaws include camming surfaces for positioning, securing, actuating, and retracting the active jaws upon rotation of the outer gear. The gripping apparatus may further include a control switch operable to maintain the gripping apparatus in a make up mode or a break out mode regardless of rotation of the outer gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7849929
    Abstract: A drill rod spinner device includes a mount, a first base half having a first end and a second end in which the first base half at the first end is rotatably coupled to the mount and a first clamping roller operatively associated with the second end of the first base half. A second base half includes a first end and a second end in which the second base half at the first end is coupled to the mount. A second clamping roller is operatively associated with the second end of the second base half. A rotary actuator assembly is secured to the mount. A flexible belt is operatively associated with the rotary actuator assembly. An idler roller assembly maintains engagement between the flexible belt and the rotary actuator as the first base half is rotated relative to the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith William Littlely
  • Patent number: 7836795
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Wellquip AS
    Inventor: Per A. Vatne
  • Patent number: 7707913
    Abstract: A method of using a power tong (2) for use in the pipe make-up and pipe break-out of pipe lengths (22) during drilling in the ground as it is known from, for example, the recovery of petroleum, the power tong (2) being part of an assembly (1) which includes a back-up tong (4) movable relative to the power tong (2) in the longitudinal direction of the pipe length (22), and at least one guide column (10). The tong is releasably connected to a chassis and is arranged to be lifted up from a drill floor to a level higher up in order to break out a pipe from a pipe string, should the pipe string get stuck in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: V-Tech AS
    Inventor: Helge-Ruben Halse
  • Patent number: 7707914
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling tubulars is provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides a spinner having a first arm having a first roller and a second arm having a second roller, the first arm and the second arm simultaneously adjustable to retain the tubular. The apparatus also includes a third roller capable of urging the tubular against the first and second rollers, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third rollers is actuatable to rotate the tubular. In one embodiment, the spinner further comprises a fluid operated cylinder for adjusting the first arm and the second arm. The arms are adjusted by actuating the cylinder extend or retract the first arm and the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd-Georg Pietras, Martin Liess
  • Publication number: 20090229422
    Abstract: A back-up tong for assembling or disassembling threaded joints of tubing for use in oil and gas wells is provided. The back-up tong has both a first and second gripping mechanism. The first gripping mechanism has a plurality of jaws for engaging the tubing to prevent rotation of the tubing in a clockwise direction and the second gripping mechanism has a plurality of jaws for engaging the tubing to prevent rotation of the tubing in a counter-clockwise direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Westco International, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Robert Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20090211405
    Abstract: An oilfield tubular torque wrench and a tong therefore is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas A. HUNTER, Thieme H. Martin, Friedhold Brost
  • Publication number: 20090211404
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a tubular, the apparatus, in at least certain aspects including having a plurality of tubular-contacting rollers with one or more pairs of interlaced rollers. 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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Jan Erik Pedersen, Jonathan Webb, Roar Berge
  • Patent number: 7506564
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a gripping system for a tong for making up and breaking out tubulars is provided. The gripping system is coupled to the rotary of the tong. The gripping system includes an active jaw and two passive jaws disposed interior to the rotary. Preferably, the two passive jaws are separately by less than 120 degrees from each other and are pivotally connected to rotary. The gripping system is adapted and arranged to allow each passive jaw to react the same amount of force as the gripping force applied by the active jaw. In another embodiment, a rotary locking apparatus is provided to lock or unlock the rotary of the tong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Joerg E. Schulze-Beckinghausen
  • Publication number: 20080257116
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Per A. Vatne
  • Patent number: 7275463
    Abstract: A manual tong is disclosed which includes a continuous composite continuous belt, a handle assembly, and a jaw assembly, where the continuous composite continuous belt is designed to take the place of the convention linked chains used currently in manual tongs. The continuous composite continuous belt is held in place by a set of pins associated with the handle and jaw assemblies. Replacement of the linked chains with the continuous composite continuous belts improve tong safety, improve ease of use, lower cost, make adjustment easier and make continuous belt replacement easier reducing down time and increasing tong utility (one tong can be used for different pipe diameters with a simply adjustment of the continuous belt or a simple replacement of the continuous belt with a different size continuous belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Orbix Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Sipos, Patrick Johnson, Donald E. Mosing
  • Patent number: 7246541
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Robin M. Divack
  • Patent number: 7204173
    Abstract: Power tong jaws comprising one or more dies which are rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: David A. Buck
  • Patent number: 7069817
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: William E. Wesch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7036396
    Abstract: In spinner tongs, a so-called spinner (30), incorporated in an iron roughneck and thus serving to rotate a drill pipe during connection thereof to a drill string or during division of the drill string into individual pipes, the aim has been to reduce damage on the threaded connections (the pin-and-box joints) in the screwing/unscrewing operations. This is realised in an operation for the simultaneous centering and rotating of the drill pipe. Four spinner rollers (42) known in themselves, which are brought to bear on the drill pipe when surrounding it, are mounted according to the invention, preferably in pairs, at the outer ends of driven clamping arms (46), by bogies (50). At their opposite outer ends the clamping arms (46) are pivotally supported on a fixed frame part/structure (56) and are jointed to each other by means of a piston and cylinder (48) driven by pressure fluid and arranged to carry the clamping arms (46) towards and away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: National Oilwell Norway AS
    Inventors: Magne Moe, Per Olav Haughom, Jørn Pollestad
  • Patent number: 7017450
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Daniel S. Bangert
  • Patent number: 7000502
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved drill pipe spinner. The improved spinner may be used as a stand-alone piece of pipe handling equipment or may be used in an Iron Roughneck. The spinner comprises a pair of clamping arms that are movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the arms will clamp about a pipe to be made up or broken out and in the open position, the spinner may be moved away from or towards the pipe. The arms are preferably moved between the open and closed positions by a hydraulically actuated clamping cylinder. Attached to the distal ends of each arm is a roller bracket. The roller brackets are preferably attached to the clamping arms by a roller bracket pin. Each roller bracket includes a pair of drive roller assemblies, which together form the spinning unit. Each drive roller assembly preferably comprises a pair of drive rollers, with each roller rotated by a pair of hydraulic motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: National-Ollwell
    Inventor: Jaroslav Belik
  • Patent number: 6990876
    Abstract: A power tong apparatus for rotating a pipe comprises a tong housing and a ring gear, rotatably mounted in the tong housing. A top cage plate is positioned above an inner portion of the ring gear and a corresponding bottom cage plate is positioned below the inner portion of the ring gear. The cage plates form a cage rotatable with respect to the tong housing and the ring gear. A jaw is pivotally attached to the cage and grips the pipe when the ring gear is rotated with respect to the cage. The cage plates are fastened together by a fastener extending through a slot in the ring gear located between the inner and outer peripheries of the ring gear, such that the cage plates can rotate with respect to the ring gear through a limited arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Larry Mardian
  • Patent number: 6988428
    Abstract: In a pivoting-jaw power tong, each primary camming surface of the rotary gear has a substantially linear rather than curved configuration. Each primary camming surface forms an acute angle with a radial line extending from the rotary gear centerline to the point where the primary camming surface transitions to its associated neutral recess. Accordingly, the radial distance to a point on any of the primary camming surfaces reduces linearly with increased distance from the neutral recess. Rotation of the rotary gear in either direction away from the neutral position thus results in a linearly progressive reduction in the distance from the center of rotation to the points where the pivoting jaws' cam followers contact the camming surfaces, thus increasing the force exerted by the dies of the jaws upon a tubular disposed within the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Murray Kathan
  • Patent number: 6966385
    Abstract: A tong positioning system positions a power tong about an oilfield tubular connection to make up or break out a threaded connection. An extendable arm and a retainer device on the extendable arm. In a preferred embodiment, the retainer device comprises opposing laterally-movable retainer arms defining an adjustable opening for at least partially enclosing one of the upper tubular and the lower tubular. The extendable arm is retractable for thereafter moving the power tong laterally toward the tubular connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Eckel Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lance L. Hemphill, Randolph L. Stuart
  • Patent number: 6920808
    Abstract: An adjustable power wrench is provided for spinning together, and apart, sections of pipe used in long drill strings such as are typically seen in water well and oil drilling. The wrench is preferably designed for use with large diameter drill pipes or rods, including casings. Two sturdy engaging arms, each containing a pair of serrated power rollers driven by a hydraulic motor, are manually positioned about the subject pipe length. The arms are closed about the pipe by two air rams, one for each engaging arm, to engage the serrated rollers and impart spin to the pipe. The apparatus is preferably supported by wire cable in a balanced fashion from the mast of an available drill rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventor: Vernon Rauch
  • Patent number: 6910402
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spinning a pipe using a flexible belt. The spinner utilizes a single actuation mechanism contained within a rigid body to engage the pipe and tension the belt. The pipe is engaged by one or more pivoting arms that are locked into place by pins attached to the actuation mechanism interfacing with slots in the pivoting arm and spinner body. Once the arms are locked in place, the belt is tensioned and can be driven to rotate the pipe. The single actuation mechanism is preferably embodied by a linear actuator connected between a pivoting arm and a moveable motor. The pivoting arm is spring biased so that the arm pivots before the motor is moved. The spinner may use two pivoting arms, or one pivoting arm and one stationary arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: National-Oilwell, L. P.
    Inventor: Lopek Drzewiecki
  • Patent number: 6880430
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robin W. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6851335
    Abstract: A manual tong is disclosed which includes a composite belt, a handle assembly, and a jaw assembly, where the composite belt is designed to take the place of the conventional linked chains used currently in manual tongs. The composite belt is held in place by a set of pins associated with the handle and jaw assemblies. Replacement of the linked chains with the composite belts improve tong safety, improve ease of use, lower cost, make adjustment easier and make belt replacement easier reducing down time and increasing tong utility so that one tong can be used for different pipe diameters by simply adjusting a length of the belt or a simple replacement of the belt with a different size belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Orbix Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick Johnson
  • Patent number: 6829967
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Terry L. Kemp
  • Patent number: 6814149
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Liess, Jorg Erich Schulze-Beckinghausen, Andreas Carlsson, Bernd-Georg Pietras
  • Patent number: 6752043
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robin W. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20030177870
    Abstract: An open throat power tong 10 as commonly used for making up and/or breaking apart an oilfield tubular connection, comprising a tong body 20, a tong door assembly 40, a partial ring member 30 and a ring segment 150. The partial ring member 30 and ring segment 150 may not be structurally connected and each may support one or more jaw members thereon for gripping a tubular 11. The partial ring member 30 and ring segment 150 may rotate substantially in unison along a substantially common plane and about a common axis, along a defined rotation course through the tong body 20 and door 40. The ring segment 150 may be substantially secured within the door when the door 40 is opened. An improved latch mechanism 100 is included for securing the door 40 to the tong body 20 to facilitate relatively easy closing and latching and unlatching of the door 40 with the tong body 20, and to prevent expansion of the open throat 25 during application of high torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Billy W. Neves, Randolph L. Stuart
  • Patent number: 6619160
    Abstract: A jaw adapter for use in a pivoting jaw power tong having a cage plate designed to house a pivoting jaw member. The jaw adapter includes an adapter body shaped to fit between the cages plates of a pivoting jaw power tong. The adapter body further includes a pin assembly for engaging at least one of the cage plates, and the adapter body still further includes a sliding jaw passage. A jaw assembly is then positioned within the sliding jaw passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: David A. Buck, Daniel S. Bangert
  • Publication number: 20030164071
    Abstract: In spinner tongs, a so-called spinner (30), incorporated in an iron roughneck and thus serving to rotate a drill pipe during connection thereof to a drill string or during division of the drill string into individual pipes, the aim has been to reduce damage on the threaded connections (the pin-and-box joints) in the screwing/unscrewing operations. This is realized in an operation for the simultaneous centring and rotating of the drill pipe. Four spinner rollers (42) known in themselves, which are brought to bear on the drill pipe when surrounding it, are mounted according to the invention, preferably in pairs, at the outer ends of driven clamping arms (46), by bogies (50). At their opposite outer ends the clamping arms (46) are pivotally supported on a fixed frame part/structure (56) and are jointed to each other by means of a piston and cylinder (48) driven by pressure fluid and arranged to carry the clamping arms (46) towards and away from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Magne Moe, Per Olav Haughom, Jorn Pollestad
  • Patent number: 6327938
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernd-Georg Pietras