Upper mast fixture for positioning tubular and method

Abstract

An upper mast fixture for positioning a tubular received from a pipe handling system for use with a top drive having a rotor utilized to connect with pipe. The upper mast fixture is utilized to assist and/or provide alignment of a threaded connection on a top of said pipe with said top drive rotor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An upper mast fixture for positioning a pipe comprising a threaded connection, comprising:
 a rig carrier;   a mast assembly carried by said rig carrier, said mast assembly being movable between a lowered position with respect to said rig carrier and an upright position with respect to said rig carrier;   rails on said mast assembly;   a top drive being slidably moveable along said rails in said mast assembly when said mast assembly is in said upright position such that top drive is moveable along a fixed path in said mast assembly;   a rotor for said top drive operable for threadably connecting with said pipe; and   a clamping member moveably mounted within an upper portion of said mast assembly operable for clamping to said pipe, said clamping member being positionable for aligning said threaded connection of said pipe with said rotor.   
     
     
         2 . The upper mast fixture of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one hydraulic actuator for remotely operating said clamping member. 
     
     
         3 . The upper mast fixture of  claim 1 , further comprising a pipe arm operable for moving pipe into said mast to said clamping member. 
     
     
         4 . The upper mast fixture of  claim 1 , further comprising a pipe arm stop mechanism for limiting movement of said pipe arm. 
     
     
         5 . The upper mast fixture of  claim 1 , wherein said clamping member is retractable to a recessed position to allow said top drive connection unobstructed movement within said mast assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The upper mast fixture of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one electronic transmitter mounted to at least one of said clamping member, said mast assembly, and said top drive and being operable to align said clamping member with said rotor. 
     
     
         7 . An upper mast fixture for positioning a pipe comprising a threaded connection, comprising:
 a mast assembly;   rails on said mast assembly;   a top drive being slidably moveable along said rails in said mast assembly such that top drive is moveable along a substantially fixed path in said mast assembly;   a rotor for said top drive operable for threadably connecting with said pipe;   a pipe arm moveable to an upright position for moving pipe to said mast assembly; and   a stop mechanism operable for stopping movement of said pipe arm in said upright position.   
     
     
         8 . The upper mast fixture of  claim 7 , wherein said stop mechanism is operable for stopping said pipe arm in a predetermined upright position for alignment of said threaded connection of said pipe with respect to said rotor. 
     
     
         9 . The upper mast fixture of  claim 7 , further comprising a kick out arm moveable with respect to said pipe arm, and wherein said stop mechanism is operable for stopping said pipe arm in a predetermined upright position, such that said kick out arm is moveable for alignment of said threaded connection of said pipe with respect to said rotor. 
     
     
         10 . The upper mast fixture of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one receiving member mounted to said mast assembly operable for clamping with said pipe received from said pipe arm. 
     
     
         11 . The upper mast fixture of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one receiving member is retractable once said pipe is connected to said top drive connection to allow said top drive unobstructed movement within said mast assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The upper mast of  claim 7 , wherein said stop mechanism further comprises a transmitter that emits a signal defining a barrier after which said pipe arm will stop movement towards said mast assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The upper mast fixture of  claim 7 , wherein stop mechanism comprises a mast engagement element for stopping movement of said pipe arm in said upright position. 
     
     
         14 . A method for an upper mast fixture for positioning a pipe comprising a threaded connection, comprising:
 utilizing a rig carrier;   utilizing a mast assembly pivotally mounted to said rig carrier;   utilizing a top drive mounted within said mast assembly, said top drive comprising a rotor for said top drive operable for threadably connecting with said pipe; and   utilizing at least one receiving member movably mounted within an upper portion of said mast assembly for receiving said pipe to align said threaded connection with said rotor.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing that said at least one receiving member is retractable. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing that said receiving member comprises at least one of a clamp, a gripper, a guide, and a support for stabilizing said pipe to mate with said top drive connection. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing at least one transmitter mounted to said mast assembly to align said receiving member with said rotor.