Modular apparatus for assembling tubular goods

Abstract

A modular pipe gripping assembly has a universal actuator assembly having a control fluid swivel. An external pipe gripping assembly can be attached to the actuator assembly for gripping the external surface of a section of pipe. Alternatively, the external pipe gripping assembly can be quickly and easily removed and replaced with an internal pipe gripping assembly for gripping the internal surface of a section of pipe. Control fluid pressure is trapped within the actuator assembly, but relieved from a fluid swivel, permitting high speed rotation of the modular pipe gripping assembly and preserving swivel seal life.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of gripping pipe comprising:
 a) connecting a modular pipe running assembly to a top drive assembly, said modular pipe running assembly comprising:
 i) an actuator assembly comprising:
 aa) a control fluid swivel assembly having at least one fluid sealing element; 
 bb) a control manifold detachably connected to said swivel assembly for supplying control fluid to said swivel assembly; 
 cc) at least one fluid actuated piston; 
 dd) a check valve disposed between said swivel assembly and said at least one fluid actuated piston; 
 
 ii) an interchangeable pipe gripping assembly connected to said actuator assembly, wherein said interchangeable pipe gripping assembly is actuated by said actuator assembly; and 
   b) gripping pipe with said pipe gripping assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said interchangeable pipe gripping assembly grips said pipe on the external surface of said pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said interchangeable pipe gripping assembly grips said pipe on the internal surface of said pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a) supplying control fluid to said at least one fluid actuated piston through said swivel assembly and check valve;   b) applying a predetermined gripping pressure to said pipe with said pipe gripping assembly;   c) bleeding off control fluid pressure upstream of said check valve.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising applying torque to said gripped pipe using said top drive assembly. 
     
     
         6 . A method of gripping pipe comprising:
 a) connecting a modular pipe running assembly to a top drive assembly, said modular pipe running assembly comprising:
 i) a fluid operated actuator assembly comprising:
 aa) a control fluid swivel assembly comprising:
 1) a swivel sleeve member having an outer surface, a central bore defining an inner surface, a plurality of fluid channels disposed along said inner surface, and at least one bore extending from a channel to said outer surface defining a port; 
 2) a body member rotatably received within the central bore of said swivel sleeve, wherein said body member has at least one bore aligned with and in fluid communication with a channel of said swivel sleeve; 
 3) at least one sealing element disposed between fluid channels of said swivel sleeve, wherein said at least one sealing element forms a fluid pressure seal between said swivel sleeve and said body member; 
 
 bb) a control manifold detachably connected to said swivel assembly for supplying control fluid to said swivel assembly though said at least one port in said swivel sleeve; 
 cc) at least one fluid actuated piston; 
 dd) a check valve disposed between said swivel assembly and said at least one fluid actuated piston; and 
 
 ii) an interchangeable pipe gripping assembly connected to said actuator assembly, wherein said interchangeable pipe gripping assembly is actuated by said actuator assembly; and 
   b) gripping pipe with said pipe gripping assembly.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said interchangeable pipe gripping assembly grips pipe on the external surface of said pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said interchangeable pipe gripping assembly grips pipe on the internal surface of said pipe. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a) supplying control fluid to said at least one fluid actuated piston through said swivel assembly and check valve;   b) applying a predetermined gripping pressure to said pipe with said pipe gripping assembly;   c) bleeding off control fluid pressure upstream of said check valve.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising applying torque to said gripped pipe using said top drive assembly.