Patent ID: 9303469
Filing Date: 2016-04-05
CPC Classification: E21B

Claim Text:
1. A dual opening elevator suspended by at least one link attached to a top drive, wherein the dual opening elevator comprises: a. a first elevator segment with a first cavity; b. a second elevator segment with a second cavity, wherein the first elevator segment is adapted to be: c. a first fastener assembly for engaging the first elevator segment with the second elevator segment forming a first opening when unfastened, and for locking the first elevator segment closed to the second elevator segment when fastened; d. a second fastener assembly for engaging the first elevator segment with the second elevator segment forming a second opening when unfastened, and for locking the first elevator segment closed to the second elevator segment when fastened; and e. at least one rotary actuator connected to a power source of the top drive, wherein the rotary actuator applies a force to the first elevator segment or the second elevator segment to displace the corresponding elevator segment to open or close the corresponding elevator segment and create the first opening or the second opening between the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment; and wherein the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment are locked closed when the first fastener assembly and the second fastener assembly are concurrently fastened, and the first fastener assembly or the second fastener assembly can be selectively unfastened to allow the first elevator segment or the second elevator segment to form the first opening or the second opening alternatingly to support or release the drill pipe held in the drill pipe opening wherein the power source is used for moving the fastener assemblies, the rotary actuator, and the elevator rotators; and wherein the power source is at least one of: a. a hydraulic system; b. a mechanical system; c. a pneumatic system; and d. an electrical system, said power source comprising: a. a retractable hinge pin in a hinge pin housing; b. a bore inside of the retractable hinge pin; c. a piston cylinder comprising a piston chamber; d. a first seal positioned between the piston cylinder and the retractable hinge pin; e. a hinge pin housing head in communication with the piston chamber; f. a retract passage between the piston chamber and a retract area; g. a retract port in the hinge pin housing head for retracting said pin into the hinge pin housing; h. an extend port in the hinge pin housing head for extending said pin into at least one of the first elevator segment and the second elevator segment; i. a second seal positioned between the piston cylinder and the retractable hinge pin, wherein the second seal is mounted within a second seal groove formed in the retractable hinge pin.