Patent ID: 8875365
Filing Date: 2014-11-04
Classification: E21B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tongs system for making a tubular connection during an initial tightening period and a final tightening period following the initial tightening period, the tong system comprising: a hydraulic system selectively operable in a high-pressure mode and a low-pressure mode, the hydraulic system providing hydraulic pressure variable up to a selected maximum pressure, the selected maximum pressure being greater in the high-pressure mode than in the low-pressure mode; a tongs tool comprising a rotatable set of jaws, a hydraulic motor, and a transmission coupling the hydraulic motor to the rotatable set of jaws, the rotatable set of jaws being connectable to the tubular connection, the hydraulic motor being connected in fluid communication with the hydraulic system, the transmission rendering the tongs tool selectively operable in a high-gear mode and a low-gear mode, the tongs tool having a speed ratio of jaws speed to motor speed that is higher in the high-gear mode than in the low-gear mode, the tongs tool being in the high-gear mode and the hydraulic system being in the high-pressure mode during the initial tightening period, the tongs tool being in the low-gear mode and the hydraulic system being in the low-pressure mode during the final tightening period, and the hydraulic motor of the tongs tool being driven by greater hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic system during the high-pressure mode than during the low-pressure mode; and a clamp below and spaced apart from the tongs tool, the clamp having selectively a clamp mode and a release mode, the clamp in the clamp mode being in clamping engagement with a tube associated with the tubular connection, the clamp in the release mode being unclamped from the tube, the hydraulic motor being inhibited from rotating when the clamp is in the release mode while the tongs tool is above the clamp.