Apparatus for gripping a tubular on a drilling rig

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for running tubulars into and out of a wellbore. A tubular handling system having a tubular gripping apparatus having a gripping mechanism and a sensor adapted to track movement of the gripping mechanism, wherein the sensor sends a signal to a controller when the gripping apparatus is in a position that corresponds to the gripping apparatus being engaged with the tubular

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of handling a tubular, comprising:
 gripping the tubular with a gripping apparatus;   sending an electronic signal to a controller indicating that the gripping apparatus is gripping the tubular; and   controlling actuation of the gripping apparatus using the controller to prevent inadvertent release of the tubular.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coupling the tubular to a tubular string that is supported by a spider apparatus, and controlling actuation of the spider apparatus using the controller to prevent inadvertent release of the tubular string. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 releasing the tubular string from the spider apparatus while supporting the tubular and tubular string with the gripping apparatus;   lowering the tubular and tubular string through the spider apparatus;   gripping the tubular with the spider apparatus; and   using the controller to prevent the gripping apparatus from releasing the tubular prior to supporting both the tubular and tubular string with the spider apparatus.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising actuating the spider apparatus using the controller to thereby grip the tubular. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising sending an electronic signal to the controller indicating that the spider apparatus is gripping the tubular, and then actuating the gripping apparatus using the controller to thereby release the tubular. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring a position of the gripping apparatus relative to the tubular, and sending an electronic signal to the controller indicating the position of the gripping apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein monitoring the position of the gripping apparatus comprises tracking a position of a slip ring or a piston rod of a piston assembly operable to actuate the gripping apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein monitoring the position of the gripping apparatus comprises monitoring a distance of the gripping apparatus relative to the tubular. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring an amount of pressure or temperature in a piston assembly operable to actuate the gripping apparatus, and sending an electronic signal to the controller indicating the amount of pressure or temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising actuating a top drive to rotate the gripping apparatus and the tubular and thereby couple the tubular to the tubular string to form a tubular connection. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising actuating a hoisting assembly using the controller to thereby raise or lower the gripping apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . A tubular handling system, comprising:
 a gripping apparatus; and   a controller operable to receive an electronic signal indicating a position of the gripping apparatus, wherein the controller is operable to control actuation of the gripping apparatus to prevent inadvertent release of a tubular supported by the gripping apparatus.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a spider apparatus, wherein the controller is operable to control actuation of the spider apparatus to prevent inadvertent release of a tubular string supported by the spider apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a sensor operable to monitor a position of the spider apparatus, and operable to send an electronic signal to the controller indicating the position of the spider apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a sensor operable to monitor the position of one or more engagement members of the gripping apparatus, and operable to send the electronic signal to the controller indicating the position of the one or more engagement members. 
     
     
         16 . A method of handling a tubular, comprising:
 gripping the tubular with a gripping apparatus;   sending an electronic signal to a controller indicating that the gripping apparatus is gripping the tubular;   actuating a top drive using the controller to rotate the gripping apparatus and the tubular; and   actuating the gripping apparatus using the controller to prevent inadvertent release of the tubular.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising monitoring a position of the gripping apparatus relative to the tubular, and sending an electronic signal to the controller indicating the position of the gripping apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein monitoring the position of the gripping apparatus comprises tracking a position of a slip ring or a piston rod of a piston assembly operable to actuate the gripping apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . A tubular handling system, comprising:
 a gripping apparatus;   a controller operable to receive an electronic signal indicating a position of the gripping apparatus, wherein the controller is operable to actuate the gripping apparatus to prevent inadvertent release of a tubular supported by the gripping apparatus; and   a top drive, wherein the controller is operable to actuate the top drive to rotate the gripping apparatus.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a sensor operable to monitor an amount of torque supplied by the top drive, and operable to send an electronic signal to the controller indicating the amount of torque supplied by the top drive.