Abstract:
A spinner assembly for threading or unthreading tubular members above the floor of a well site has a spinner with an open throat, a plurality of rollers rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a motor for driving the plurality of rollers, and a plurality of brackets supporting the plurality of rollers. The open throat is suitable for receiving one of the tubular members therein. The spinner housing has a common axis. The plurality of rollers are adapted to engage the tubular member received in the open throat. The brackets are disposed within the spinner housing on opposite sides of the open throat. The brackets are movable inwardly and outwardly of the spinner housing in opposite directions at a substantially straight line along the common axis.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/120,720, filed on May 3, 2005, and entitled “Spinner Assembly for Oilfield Tubular Connections”, presently pending. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIALS SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to equipment and techniques for threading and unthreading oilfield tubular members, such as drill pipe, which are run into and out of a well. More particularly, the invention relates to a spinner of a type used with a power tong and a backup tong supported on the floor of an oilfield rig. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98. 
     Various types of equipment has been devised for making up and breaking apart oilfield tubular members at a well site. U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,621 discloses a power tong for rotating tubular members. The power tong includes three circumferentially spaced jaws. A closed power tong with a plurality of jaws as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,065. 
     In other applications, a spinner tool having a plurality of rollers is used for engaging a tubular member to rotate the tubular member, with high torque for final making up and breaking apart the threaded connection being provided by other equipment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,761 discloses a spinner assembly for rotating oilfield tubular goods. U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,009 discloses an assembly comprising a spinner, a tong for making up or breaking apart the connection, and a backup tong for securing the lower pipe in position. U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,500 discloses a spinner assembly with toothed belts for driving rollers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,206 discloses a breakout wrench for making and breaking joints between successive lengths of drill pipe. More particularly, circumferentially spaced dies engage the drill pipe. 
     One type of assembly including an upper spinner, an intermediate power tong for making up and breaking apart the threaded connection, and a lower tong is referred to as an “iron roughneck.” U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,096 discloses an iron roughneck assembly, and more particularly a spinner with a plurality of rollers for rotating an upper tubular member. U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,845 discloses various embodiments for a roller of a spinner assembly. 
     The problems with the prior art equipment involved in threading and unthreading oilfield tubular members involve the high cost of manufacturing equipment, the complicated nature of the equipment which requires high maintenance, and the time and expense associated with replacing worn rollers in the spinner assembly. 
     The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention, and an improved spinner assembly is hereinafter disclosed for threading and unthreading oilfield tubular connections. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a spinner assembly for threading or unthreading tubular members above the floor at a well site. The spinner assembly includes a spinner housing having an open throat, a plurality of rollers rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a means for driving the plurality of rollers, and a plurality of brackets supporting the plurality of rollers. The spinner housing has an open throat suitable for receiving one of the tubular members therein. The spinner housing has a common axis. The plurality of rollers are adapted to engage with the tubular member received in the open throat. The brackets are disposed within the spinner housing on opposite sides of the open throat. These brackets are movable inwardly and outwardly of the spinner housing in opposite directions at a substantially straight line along the common axis. 
     In the present invention, there is also a plurality of actuators that are respectively connected to the plurality of brackets. Each of the actuators is connected to the spinner housing and is cooperative with the respective bracket such that the actuators serve to move the brackets in a substantially straight line. 
     In the present invention, a variety of techniques can be employed as the “means for driving”. In particular, a motor can be cooperative at the rollers so as to rotate the rollers. The motor can be connected to the plurality of rollers by at least one gear. The motor can be connected by at least one shaft to the plurality of rollers. The motor can also be connected to the plurality rollers by a plurality of shafts and a plurality of gears. 
     In the present invention, at least one of the plurality of rollers can be a cordless roller. Alternatively, or in conjunction therewith, at least one of the plurality of rollers can be a solid roller. 
     The shaft can have a polygonal-shaped cross section or a round cross section. In those circumstances where the shaft has a round cross section, the shaft can have a key extending therefrom so as to be engaged with a keyway of a central passageway of the roller. The roller can have a central passageway of a polygonal shape. Under those circumstances, the shaft can have a polygonal shape received within the central passageway of the roller. The roller can also the central passageway of a round shape with a key or a keyway formed therein. The shaft has a key or a keyway formed thereon. The shaft is received in the central passageway of the roller such that the key of the shaft is received by the keyway of the roller or in which the key of the roller is received by the keyway of the shaft. 
     Each of the rollers may have two or more axially-spaced cylindrical portions in which a lower end of an upper cylindrical portion engages an upper end of a lower cylindrical portion. Each cylindrical portion can have first and second arcuate members each having a generally semi-cylindrical exterior surface and end surfaces adjacent ends of a respective exterior surface. The end surfaces of the arcuate members are in planar engagement. The end surfaces of the upper cylindrical portion are circumferentially offset from the end surfaces of a lower cylindrical portion. A plurality of securing members each extend axially between the two or more axially spaced portions and interconnect the two or more cylindrical portions. 
     The spinner assembly includes a pair of opposing actuators each for moving a pair of rollers into and out of engagement with an oilfield tubular member. A mounting bracket is provided for supporting a pair of rollers and the corresponding motor. The mounting bracket is pivotal with respect to the respective actuator so as to obtain contact between the pair of rollers and the tubular member. 
     This foregoing Section is intended describe, with particularity, the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is understood that modifications to this preferred embodiment can be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention. As such, this Section should not be construed, in any way, as limiting of the broad scope of the present invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a simplistic side view of equipment according to the present invention for making up and breaking apart oilfield tubular connections. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the spinner generally shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the spinner shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the spinner shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a pictorial view of a bracket supporting a pair of rollers and a pair of motors. 
         FIG. 6  is a pictorial view of the bracket generally shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a pictorial view of a drive member rotatable by a motor for rotating a respective roller. 
         FIG. 8  is a pictorial view of a disassembled roller. 
         FIG. 9  is a pictorial view of the assembled roller. 
         FIG. 10  is pictorial view of another embodiment of a partially disassembled roller. 
         FIG. 11  is a pictorial view of the assembled roller. 
         FIG. 12  is a pictorial view of yet another embodiment of a partially disassembled roller. 
         FIG. 13  is a pictorial view of the assembled roller. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an alternative configuration for the driving of the rollers in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  shows this alternative embodiment of the present invention as used in Association with the actuators and the frame of the spinner assembly. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing the central passageway of an individual roller. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the interior passageway of the roller. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view showing the shaft is used for the driving of the roller of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a tubular makeup and breakout assembly  10  for positioning on a rig floor at a well site. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a substantially vertical oilfield tubular string comprising threaded joints or members may be received within a top spinner  20 , an intermediate power tong  12  for final makeup and breakout of the threads, and a lower backup tong  14 . Base  15 , vertical post  16 , and linkage arms  18  support the spinner and tongs, and allow both lateral and axial (vertical) movement with respect to the rig floor. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the spinner  20  generally shown in  FIG. 1  is illustrated in greater detail. The spinner comprises a frame  22  which substantially houses a pair of hydraulic cylinders  24 , with each hydraulic cylinder axis being substantially aligned and passing through a central axis of the tubular.  FIG. 2  also illustrates a plurality of rollers  26  each intended for frictional engagement with an outer surface of the tubular to rotate or spin the tubular. Each roller  26  is powered by a hydraulic drive motor  28 , which as shown in  FIG. 2  is positioned above the roller and is supported on a bracket  30 . 
     Rearward surface  32  of each cylinder  24  engages an end plate  34  of the housing  22 . A radially inward cylinder block  36  retains the cylinder at a fixed location within the housing  22  by engagement with a pair of pins  38 , which may be easily removed through a top or bottom surface of the housing  22  to replace the cylinder, if necessary. Plate  42  may be provided on the exterior surface of frame  22  to cover the pins  38 , and also has holes to receive fasteners  39 . A pin  40  interconnects the cylinder rod  25  with the bracket  30  (see  FIG. 4 ), such that the bracket may rotate relative to the axis of the cylinder. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of a spinner  20  shown in  FIG. 2 , illustrating the open throat  44  in the frame  22  for receiving a tubular member therein. Actuation of the cylinders  24  move the rollers  26  inward along common axis  46  to engage the tubular.  FIG. 4  illustrates the frame  48  for protecting the motors  28 , and further illustrates the pivotal connection of the frame  30  provided by the pin  40  at the rod end of each cylinder  24 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates in greater detail two motors  28 , each for powering a respective roller  26 , and the bracket  30  for supporting both the rollers and the motors. Bracket  30  includes a hole  31  in the radially outward plate  33  for receiving the rod end of a cylinder, and allows pivoting movement of the bracket  30  with respect to the axis of the cylinder  24 .  FIG. 6  illustrates in greater detail suitable configuration for the bracket  30 , with a lower plate  52  having a pair of apertures each for receiving a respective roller bearing assembly, and a similar cavity in the plate  54  housing an upper bearing assembly. A pair of end caps  56  are provided for rotatably supporting the rod  40 , which may be slid into position through a suitable hole in plate  54 . Upper plate  58  is supported on a pair of hollow posts  60 , which house the drive shafts interconnecting each motor with a respective roller. 
       FIG. 7  shows a suitable drive shaft  62  having a splined end  64  for coupling to the output shaft of the motor, and an elongate substantially rectangular block  66 . As explained subsequently, it is a feature of the invention that the roller have a center passageway with at least a portion having polygonal cross-sectional configuration for receiving an elongate polygonal portion of a drive shaft from the motor. Although a shaft with a square cross-section is depicted, the shaft and the mating passageway in the roller could have a hexagonal or octagonal cross-sectional configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the polygonal configuration of the drive shaft extends at least substantially through the length of the passageway through the roller. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a roller  26  composed of segments  72 ,  74  which together form an upper half of the roller, and segments  76  and  78  which together form a lower half of the roller. In a preferred embodiment, each of the segments  72 ,  74 ,  76  and  78  is identical in structure, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs. Each segment has an outer surface  80  which may be grooved or otherwise profiled for increasing frictional engagement with a tubular.  FIG. 9  illustrates a roller  26  having a rectangular passageway  82  extending therethrough for receiving the rectangular block  66  of the drive shaft  62 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the planar end faces of the arcuate portions engage, and the end surfaces of the lower segments are rotated 90 degrees with respect to the end surfaces of the upper segment. This allows suitable bolts to be passed through the underside of a lower segment and through an aligned bolt hole in the upper segment, and a nut placed on top of the bolt, such that four bolts hold the assembly together, as shown in  FIG. 5 . During disassembly, the bolts can be removed and one or all of the arcuate segments taken off the drive shaft  62  without removing the motor or the drive shaft. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates another embodiment of a roller  26  composed of segments  82  and  84  which together form an upper or a lower half of the roller. Each segment again is preferable identical in structure, and has an outer surface which may be profiled for increasing frictional engagement with the tubular. The  FIG. 10  embodiment differs from the  FIG. 8  embodiment in that the passageway  82  extending through the roller has substantially a hexagonal cross-sectional configuration. The assembled roller is shown in  FIG. 11 , and four bolts may be used to hold the roller assembly together. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates yet another embodiment of a roller  26  wherein each upper and lower layer is comprised of three segments  94 ,  96  and  98  which together form the upper or lower half of the roller. As with the other embodiments, the segments are identical in structure and have an outer surface for frictional engagement with a tubular. As shown in  FIG. 13 , a hexagonal shaped passageway  95  is provided through the roller, and six bolts passing through an underside of the lower segment and through an aligned bolt hole in the upper segment may be used in conjunction with six nuts to hold the assembly together. For this embodiment, the offset angle between planar surfaces would be approximately 60 degrees. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that each roller may be formed from two or more axially stacked cylindrical portions, with each cylinder portion formed from a pair of arcuate members with end surfaces positioned along a plane that passes substantially through the axis of the roller. A thin pad could be provided between these cylindrical portions to prevent their engagement, with a lower end of the upper cylindrical portion then spaced slightly above the upper end of a lower cylindrical portion. 
     The pair of arcuate members which form each cylindrical portion preferably have end surfaces in planar engagement, although the end surfaces could be spaced slightly from each other. The end surfaces of the cylindrical portions are circumferentially offset for an assembled roller, such that a plurality of bolts or other securing members may extend between and interconnect the axially spaced cylindrical portions. Each bolt or securing member may be removed from a respective roller through the bottom of the roller, such that the securing member is removed in a direction opposite the motor with respect to the roller. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a configuration of the rollers and driving assembly  100  as used in an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the assembly  100  includes a first roller  102  and a second roller  104  that are provided in rotatable relationship adjacent to each other. A frame  106  is provided so as to support the shafts  108  and  110  associated with the respective rollers  102  and  104 . In particular, the shafts  108  and  110  and can extend through the frame  106  so as to connect with a central passageway of each of the rollers  102  and  104 . The shaft  108  includes a gear  112  received within the gearbox  114 . Another gear  116  will be connected to the shaft  110  is also received within the gearbox  114 . The gears  112  and  116  have teeth extending therefrom. These teeth will engage with another gear  118  that is connected to a motor  120 . As such, when the motor  120  rotates the gear  118 , the gears  112  and  116  will correspondingly rotate so as to drive the rotation of the shafts  108  and  110  and the respective rollers  102  and  104 . 
       FIG. 15  shows the spinner housing  130  that serves to receive the assembly  100  and also another spinner assembly  132 . As can be seen, the spinner housing  130  defines an open throat  134 . The open throat  134  is formed between the spinner assembly  100  and the spinner assembly  132 . The spinner assembly  100  has a similar configuration to that described in association with  FIG. 14 . The spinner assembly  132  will have a corresponding spinner assembly. An actuator  136  serves to drive the rollers  102  and  104  along a common axis. Similarly, an actuator  138  serves to drive the spinners associated with the spinner assembly  132  along such a common axis. As such, the actuators  136  and  138  can be utilized so as to close the respective rollers of the spinner assemblies  100  and  132  upon the exterior surface of a tubular member. As such, the rollers will engage with this exterior surface. After the spinning is completed, the actuators  136  and  138  can move the rollers backwardly along the common axis so as to release the rollers from the exterior surface of the tubular member. 
     In  FIG. 15 , it can be seen that the motor  120  along with the gears  112 ,  116  and  118  are supported upon bracket  140 . Bracket  140  is configured so as to slide along with the spinner housing  130 . Similarly, the gears associated with the motor  142  of the spinner assembly  132  are positioned on a bracket  144 . Once again, the bracket  144 , along with its associated components, can move along the common axis about the spinner housing  130 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates one configuration of the roller  102 . It can be seen that roller  132  has teeth formed along an exterior surface thereof. The roller  142  can be a solid roller or it can be a cordless roller. The roller  102  has a central passageway  150  formed therein. Central passageway  150  is of a polygonal shape. In  FIG. 16 , this polygonal shape is a square configuration. As such, a shaft of a square cross section can be received within the central passageway  150  so as to drive the roller  102 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates the roller  102  as having a central passageway  152 . The central passageway  152  is of a generally round cross section having a first keyway  154  and a second keyway  156  extending diametrically therefrom. In the configuration of  FIG. 17 , the roller  102  is suitable for receiving a round shaft therein. Such a round shaft will have outwardly extending keys that are suitable for mating with the keyways  154  and  156  of the central passageway  152 . 
       FIG. 18  is an illustration of a shaft  160 . It can be seen that the shaft  160  has a generally cylindrical exterior surface  162 . The exterior surface  162  has a key  164  extending outwardly therefrom. Another key  166  is formed on the opposite side of the exterior surface  162 . In normal use, the keys  164  and  166  can be received within the respective keyways  154  and  156  of the roller  102  as shown in  FIG. 17 . A driving element  168  is located at the end of the shaft  160  so as to be connected to a gear. The outwardly extending portion  166  includes a keyway  170  that can mate with a key associated with a gear or with a motor. As such, a rotation can be imparted by the motor to the shaft  160  so as to drive the roller. 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.