Pipe handling apparatus

Abstract

An arbor arranged for attachment to overhead support, such as a top drive or main rig hoist, is arranged to resiliently support a main body. The main body is arranged to support a wedge-lock type pipe gripper assembly on a second arbor that is resiliently supported by the main body. The two arbors are rotationally connected but only indirectly connected axially and, to a limited extent, can move independently. The actuator, or linear motor, that actuates the wedge-lock system has the ability to force release of the wedge-lock system when it has been set by massive pipe loads. The forced release actuation is independent of the load supporting features of the main body. Full range actuation of the main body and main arbor assembly length will not actuate the wedge-lock release system. The length of the overall assembly can be oscillated to vibrate a supported pipe string.

1 . A pipe handling apparatus for assembling and dismantling pipe strings used in wells, the apparatus comprising:
 a) a main arbor arranged for attachment to an overhead support;   b) a main body situated on said main arbor for axial movement thereon;   c) an active arbor supported by said main body, extending therefrom, arranged for axial movement relative thereto, and rotationally connected to said main arbor;   d) a first fluid powered linear motor arranged to vary the assembled length of said main arbor and said main body in response to fluid power selectively supplied by a separate source;   e) a second fluid powered linear motor arranged to adjust the assembled length of said main body and said active arbor in response to fluid power selectively supplied by a separate source;   f) a wedge-lock pipe gripper situated on said active arbor for gripping pipe by contact with said pipe's inner surface when said assembled length of said main body and said active arbor is selectively said adjusted; and   g) fluid conducting galleries, at least partly in said main body, arranged conduct fluid to enable said separate source of fluid power to selectively actuate said first and said second fluid powered linear motors.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said fluid conducting galleries, at least in part, are in a swivel bearingly and sealingly mounted on said main body, to allow said main body to rotate relative thereto to enable a stationary said separate source of fluid power to selectively control said linear motors. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said attachment to an overhead support is accomplished by a tool joint on said main arbor. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said main body is free to rotate relative to said main arbor. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a baffle plate is provided and supported on said main body and arranged to engage the top end of pipe to be handled by said gripper, said baffle is biased in a direction opposite force applied to said active arbor to change said assembled length of said main body and said active arbor. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least one accumulator is arranged to exchange fluid flow surges with said galleries that supply fluid to move said first linear motor. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least one accumulator arranged to exchange fluid flow surges with said galleries that supply fluid to move said second linear motor. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein valving is provided to cause pressure changes delivered to said first linear motor to cause oscillatory cycling of said length of said assembled main arbor and said main body. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said first linear motor is in the form of a hydraulic cylinder and a pulse generator is arranged to deliver fluid volume pulses to said first linear motor to cause vertical oscillation to a pipe string supported by the apparatus. 
   
   
       10 . A pipe handling apparatus for assembling and dismantling pipe strings being installed in or removed from wells, the apparatus comprising:
 a) a main arbor and a main body having a telescoping relationship, said main arbor extending from said main body and having a connector for attachment to an overhead support;   b) an active arbor telescopingly received in said main body, and extending some variable distance therefrom;   c) a first fluid powered linear motor, responsive to fluid power manipulation at a separate location, to vary the extension of said main arbor from said main body;   d) a second fluid powered linear motor, responsive to fluid power manipulation at a separate location, to vary the extension of said active arbor from said main body;   e) a pipe gripping arrangement on said active arbor for insertion into a pipe bore to grip or release pipe in response to change in the distance said active arbor extends from said main body;   f) a fluid conducting conduit situated to receive drilling fluid from said drilling rig, conduct it along said main and active arbors and to inject said drilling fluid into said pipe bore;   g) a fluid handling gallery arrangement, at least partly situated in said main body, to deliver said fluid power and control to said first and said second motors when said main arbor is rotating and said fluid power manipulation is provided from a stationary installation; and   h) a telescoping relationship between said main arbor and said active arbor comprising mating non-circular surfaces to conduct torque between the two arbors.   
   
   
       11 . A pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said fluid handling gallery arrangement includes a swivel bearingly and sealingly situated on said main body. 
   
   
       12 . A pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said pipe gripping arrangement comprises pipe grippers that extend a variable radial distance from said active arbor and change said radial distance when said active arbor is moved relative to said body. 
   
   
       13 . A pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said first fluid powered motor varies the length of the apparatus to compensate for run of threads when pipe is being connected or disconnected by threads. 
   
   
       14 . A pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said non-circular surfaces are splines. 
   
   
       15 . A pipe handling apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said main arbor is terminated at an upper end by a tool joint. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein valving is provided to cause pressure changes delivered to said first linear motor to cause oscillatory cycling of said length of said assembled main arbor and said main body. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said first linear motor is in the form of a hydraulic cylinder and a pulse generator is arranged to deliver fluid volume pulses to said first linear motor to cause vertical oscillation to a pipe string supported by the apparatus. 
   
   
       18 . A method for the installation of pipe strings in wells wherein at least one linear motor used between the rigs pipe string load support gear and the pipe string is subjected to input power variations to cause the upper end of the pipe string to experience axial vibration.