Power Tong Apparatus and Method for Using Same

Abstract

A power tong assembly has a transmission box having a plurality of speeds. A gear train of the tong assembly completely encircles a rotary gear by including idler gears, fluid lines and actuating mechanisms within a tong door, which itself can be remotely operated. Cam roller assemblies can be inversely mounted into cage plates and a support race can be mounted into an opening, thereby eliminating the need to cut a groove in a rotary gear. Filler blocks can be inserted adjacent to gears to catch and redirect slung grease from gears back to said gears, while dampening noise and reducing the misuse of grease, thereby increasing effectiveness of lubrication. A make and break actuator assembly of the present invention can be housed on the power tong body such that it is completely covered from external damage except when momentarily activated. A symmetric rotary gear, rotary gear inserts, cam shoe inserts and over-travel cam stops are provided.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A power tong apparatus for selectively applying torque forces to tubulars comprising:
 a) a body section defining an opening;   b) a gear train disposed within said body;   c) plurality of dies moveably disposed within said body around said opening and operationally attached to said gear train, wherein said plurality of dies are configured to grip a tubular;   d) a transmission assembly configured to selectively apply force to said gear train, wherein said transmission assembly further comprises:
 i) a housing removably attached to said body; and 
 ii) a plurality of drive gears disposed within said housing. 
   
     
     
         2 . The power tong apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein housing of said transmission assembly can be selectively removed and replaced with a separate housing. 
     
     
         3 . The power tong apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a door hingedly attached to said body, wherein at least one idler gear of said gear train is disposed within said door. 
     
     
         4 . The power tong apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein opening and closing of said door can be remotely controlled from a desired distance away from said tong body. 
     
     
         5 . The power tong apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said door further comprises a rotary actuator, or rack and pinion.