Tool carrier for a well rig

Abstract

A tool carrier, which is also known as a top drive or a power swivel, for a well operation rig includes link arms coupled between the rotating hook assembly and the lower pipe gripping structure, the link arms each secured to the rotating hook assembly by a first rigid connection and secured to the lower pipe gripping structure by a second rigid connection such that the link arms can extend along well center even when operating in slant. Another tool carrier includes a hinge between the mast and the main housing. The hinge permits the tool carrier to be moved into a more central position when folded onto the rig chassis for transport.

1 . A tool carrier for a well operation rig, comprising:
 tool support structures; and   a bracket to connect the tool support structures into a mast of the well operation rig, the bracket including: a first portion mountable onto the mast; a second portion connected to the tool support structures; and a hinge configured to permit the second portion to pivot away from the first portion, while the first portion remains connected to the second portion.   
     
     
         2 . The tool carrier of  claim 1  wherein the tool support structures include a rotating hook assembly and pipe gripping structures. 
     
     
         3 . The tool carrier of  claim 1  wherein the first portion is a mounted leaf including drive assembly connectors and the second portion is a swing leaf. 
     
     
         4 . The tool carrier of  claim 1  wherein the tool support structures include a long axis and the hinge includes a hinge pin oriented along a height of the bracket and defining a pivot axis substantially parallel to the long axis. 
     
     
         5 . The tool carrier of  claim 1  wherein the hinge includes a releasable lock to hold the hinge against pivoting around the hinge pin and the releasable lock being releasable to permit the first portion to pivot relative to the second portion. 
     
     
         6 . The tool carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a linear actuator for driving the second portion relative to the first portion. 
     
     
         7 . A truck-conveyed well operation rig comprising:
 a truck with a chassis, the chassis having a front, a back, a left side and a right side;   a rig mast folded in a transport position on the chassis, the rig mast including an upper mast section supported on and extending along a length of the chassis and a lower mast section extending alongside the upper mast section; and   a tool carrier connected to the rig mast and carried in a substantially central position between the left side and the right side.   
     
     
         8 . The truck-conveyed well operation rig of  claim 7 , further comprising a hinge frame between the tool carrier and the rig mast, the hinge configured to pivot the tool carrier to assume the substantially central position. 
     
     
         9 . A method for storing a well operation rig for transport, the method comprising:
 folding an upper mast section about a pivotal connection down against a lower mast section;   pivoting a tool carrier on a hinge connected between the tool carrier and the lower mast section to move the tool carrier away from the lower mast section toward the upper mast section; and   lowering the lower mast section and the upper mast section onto a chassis of the well operation rig, wherein the tool carrier is positioned above the lower mast section and the upper mast in a substantially central position between a left side and a right side of the chassis.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein pivoting the tool carrier includes unlocking a releasable lock on the hinge and driving the tool carrier to pivot on the hinge. 
     
     
         11 . A tool carrier for a well operation rig, comprising:
 a main housing;   a mounting bracket configured to mount the main housing to a rig mast;   a drive system for imparting rotational drive through a quill;   a rotating hook assembly;   a lower pipe gripping structure; and   link arms coupled between the rotating hook assembly and the lower pipe gripping structure, the link arms each secured to the rotating hook assembly by a first rigid connection and secured to the lower pipe gripping structure by a second rigid connection.   
     
     
         12 . The tool carrier of  claim 11  wherein the first rigid connection includes a bolt and plate clamp assembly securing an upper end of the link arm to a hook on the rotating hook assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The tool carrier of  claim 11 , further comprising a rigid strut connected between each link arm and the rotating hook assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The tool carrier of  claim 11  wherein the second rigid connection is a multipoint connection. 
     
     
         15 . The tool carrier of  claim 11  wherein the lower pipe gripping structure is travelling slips. 
     
     
         16 . The tool carrier of  claim 11  wherein the drive system includes a cushion sub within a slew bearing and a centralizer ring encircling the cushion sub and positioned in a space between the cushion sub and the slew bearing. 
     
     
         17 . The tool carrier of  claim 11 , further comprising a pipe gripping wrench coupled to the rotating hook assembly and positioned between the lower pipe gripping structure and the quill.