Apparatus and methods for spinning a pipe

Apparatus and methods for rotating or spinning a tubular. In some embodiments, the apparatus, referred to herein as a pipe spinner, includes a body, an arm pivotally coupled to the body, and an actuator coupled to the arm. The arm has a cam roller coupled thereto. The actuator is operable to pivot the arm relative to the body between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the cam roller engages the tubular. In the open position, the cam roller is disengaged from the tubular.

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for rotating a tubular member, such as a drill pipe. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for spinning a drill pipe during connection and disconnection of the drill pipe in a drill string.

In rotary drilling applications, a tubular drill string is formed from a series of connected lengths of drill pipe. The individual lengths of drill pipe are joined end-to-end by threaded connections. During the drilling and completion of a well, the drill string must occasionally be pulled from the well and reinstalled. The process of pulling or installing the drill string is referred to as “tripping.” During tripping, the threaded connections between the lengths of drill pipe are connected and disconnected, as needed. The connecting and disconnecting of adjacent sections of drill pipe (referred to as making or breaking the connection, respectively) involves applying torque to the connection and rotating one of the pipes to fully engage or disengage the mating threads.

In modern wells, a drill string may be thousands of feet long and typically is formed from individual thirty-foot sections of drill pipe. Even if only every third connection is broken, as is common, hundreds of connections have to be made and broken during tripping. Thus, it can be seen that the tipping process is one of the most time consuming and labor intensive operations performed on a drilling rig.

Currently, there are a number of devices that seek to speed tripping operations by automating or mechanizing the process of making and breaking a threaded pipe connection. These devices include tools such as power tongs, iron roughnecks, and pipe spinners. Many of these devices are complex pieces of machinery that require two or more people to operate and require multiple steps, either automated or manual, to perform the desired operations. Additionally, many of these devices grip the pipe with teeth that can damage the drill pipe and often cannot be adjusted to different pipe diameters without first replacing certain pieces, or performing complex adjustment procedures.

Thus, the embodiments described herein are directed to apparatus and methods for gripping and spinning a pipe for making or breaking a connection that seek to overcome these or various other limitations of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Apparatus for spinning a pipe, referred to herein as a pipe spinner, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the pipe spinner includes a body, an arm pivotally coupled to the body, and an actuator coupled to the arm. The arm has a cam roller coupled thereto. The actuator is operable to pivot the arm relative to the body between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the cam roller engages the tubular. In the open position, the cam roller is disengaged from the tubular.

In other embodiments, the pipe spinner includes a body with a drive assembly coupled thereto, a tensioning member pivotally coupled to the body, a flexible belt coupled between the tensioning member and the drive assembly, and an actuator coupled between the body and the tensioning member. The actuator is operable to displace the tensioning member between a first position and a second position. When the tensioning member is displaced toward the second position, the tensioning member increases a tension load to the flexible belt. When the tensioning member is displaces toward the first position, the tensioning member reduces the tension load to the flexible belt.

In still other embodiments, the pipe spinner includes a body having a longitudinal centerline, a first arm and a second arm each pivotally coupled to the body, a linkage system coupled between the first and second arms, and a first actuator and a second actuator each coupled to the body. The first and second arms are disposed on opposing sides of the longitudinal centerline. The first actuator is operable to pivot the first arm relative to the body, and the second actuator is operable to pivot the second arm relative to the body. The linkage system is configured such that movement of the second arm mirrors of movement of the first arm, and movement of the first arm mirrors movement of the second arm.

Some methods for spinning a pipe include receiving the pipe between two arms, pivoting the arms to engage and lock the pipe between the arms and a flexible belt, displacing a tensioning member to tighten the flexible belt about the pipe, and rotating the flexible belt, whereby the pipe rotates. The methods may further include displacing the tensioning member after pivoting the arms.

Thus, the disclosed embodiments comprise a combination of features and advantages that enable substantial enhancement of pipe spinners and their associated methods. These and various other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and by referring to the accompanying drawings

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for rotating a tubular member, such as a pipe. The disclosure is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. There are shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that illustrated and described herein. In particular, various embodiments provide a number of different spinner configurations. Reference is made to the application of the concepts of the present disclosure to rotating drill pipe, but the use of the concepts of the present disclosure is not limited to these applications, and can be used for any other applications including the rotation of cylindrical bodies and in particular to the manipulation of other members having threaded connections. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a pipe spinner assembly100includes a body150, two pivoting arms200, a motor250, two linear actuators300, two tensioning members350, a flexible belt400, and two equalizer linkages450. The structure of spinner assembly100is substantially mirrored about its longitudinal centerline500.

Body150includes a flat, generally rectangular base152with a wall154extending normally from base152along a portion of its periphery. Base152includes two body slots160, two throughbores156, and an equalizer shaft slot162. Throughbores156are positioned on opposite sides of equalizer shaft slot162and centerline500and are each configured to receive a pivot pin158(FIG. 3). Each body slot160has a first or forward end164and a second or rearward end166. Each body slot160is configured to slidingly receive a connecting pin168, which moves within body slot160between forward end164and rearward end166. In this embodiment, each body slot160includes a straight portion170and two angled portions172,174. Straight portion170extends from forward end164to angled portion172and is substantially parallel to longitudinal centerline500. Angled portion174extends from rearward end166to angled portion172. In other words, angled portion172is disposed between straight portion170and angled portion174. In some embodiments, either or both of angled portions172,174may be linear or straight, while in other embodiments, either portion172,174may be curved. Referring briefly toFIG. 2, which illustrates an enlarged portion of body150with a linear actuator300coupled thereto, angled portion172is oriented at an acute angle α1measured between centerline500and a line182tangent to its surface. Angled portion174is oriented at an acute angle α2measured between centerline500and a line184tangent to its surface. In this embodiment, angle α2is greater than angle α1.

Referring again toFIG. 1, equalizer shaft slot162extends linearly along longitudinal centerline500, and has a first or forward end176and a second or rearward end178. Equalizer shaft slot162is configured to slidingly receive an equalizer shaft180(FIG. 3), which moves within equalizer shaft slot162between forward end176and rearward end178. Body150also preferably includes a top (not shown) that has similar features to base152. The top portion is mounted to base152by connecting the wall of the top portion to wall154of base152, such that body150substantially encloses motor250, linear actuators300, and portions of pivoting arms200and tensioning members350coupled thereto.

Each pivoting arm200includes a substantially flat base202extending between a first or forward end222and a second or rearward end224. Base202includes an enclosed portion204and a curved portion210. Enclosed portion204generally extends from first end222to curved portion210, and curved portion210extends from rearward end224to enclosed portion204. Enclosed portion204is surrounded and defined by all external guide wall206that extends normally from the periphery of base202. External glide wall206includes an outer portion226and an inner portion228extending therefrom. Pivoting arm200further includes a cam roller216rotatably coupled to base202within enclosed portion204, all internal guide wall208extending normally from base202within enclosed portion204, a throughbore212extending through rearward end224, and an arm slot214formed in base202generally at the intersection of enclosed portion204and curved portion210. Throughbore212is configured to receive a pivot pin158(FIG. 3). Arm slot214has a first or forward end218and a second rearward end220. Arm slot214is configured to slidingly receive a connecting pin168, which moves within arm slot214between forward end218and rearward end220. In this embodiment, arm slot214is substantially linear. Each pivoting arm120preferably includes a top portion (not shown) that has similar features to base202. The top portion is mounted to base202by connecting the external and internal guide walls of the top portion to external guide wall206and internal guide wall208, respectively, of base202, such that pivoting arm200substantially encloses pipe cam roller216.

Referring again toFIG. 1, each tensioning member350includes a substantially flat base352having a first or forward end360and a second or rearward end362. A guide wall354extends normally from a portion of its periphery generally distal centerline500. Base352further includes a throughbore356extending through rearward end362. Throughbore356is configured to receive a connecting pin168. Tensioning member350further includes an idler roller358rotatably coupled to base352. Each tensioning member350preferably includes a top portion (not shown) that has similar features to base352. The top portion is mounted to base352by connecting the guide wall of the top portion with guide wall354of base352, such that tensioning member350substantially encloses idler roller358.

Each tensioning member350is coupled to one of pivoting arms200by positioning tensioning member350such that forward end360is disposed between internal guide wall208, outer portion226of external guide wall206, and inner portion228of external guide wall206. Further, throughbore356of tensioning member350is aligned with connecting pin168and connecting pin168is inserted coaxially therethrough. Once assembled, as shown inFIG. 3, tensioning member350may pivot about connecting pin168relative to arm200. Pivoting of tensioning member350relative to arm200is limited by contact between guide wall354of tensioning member350and guide walls206,208of arm200. For example, when connecting pin168slides within angled portions174,172of body slot160from rearward end166toward forward end164and arm200closes, as described above, tensioning member350also pivots toward longitudinal centerline500by virtue of its coupling to connecting pin168via throughbore356and its confinement between guide walls206,208of arm200. Alternatively, when connecting pin168slides within angled portions172,174of body slot160toward rearward end166and arm200opens, as described above, tensioning member350also pivots away from longitudinal centerline500by virtue of its coupling to connecting pin168via throughbore356and its confinement between guide walls206,208of arm200.

When linear actuator300is actuated to extend rod304, rod304displaces connecting pin168along body slot160from rearward end166toward forward end164. Due to the angular nature of portions174,172of body slot160, linear actuator300pivots about pivot pin310generally toward longitudinal centerline500as connecting pin168slides along angled portions174,172. Conversely, when linear actuator300is actuated to retract rod304, rod304displaces connecting pin168along angled portions172,174of body slot160toward rearward end166. Due to the angular nature of portions172,174, linear actuator300pivots about pivot pin310generally away from longitudinal centerline500as connecting pin168slides along angled portions172,174. Further, due to the coupling of connecting pin168with pivoting arm200and tensioning member350, arm200and tensioning member350pivot in response to movement of connecting pin168along angled portions172,174of body slot160, as described above.

Each equalizer linkage450includes two substantially identical J-shaped rigid links452. Each link452includes a forward end462, a rearward end464, a straight portion454, and a curved portion456. Straight portion454extends from forward end462to curved portion456, and curved portion456extends from rearward end464to straight portion454. Forward end462of each straight portion454includes a throughbore458that receives connecting pin168. Further, rearward end464of each curved portion includes a throughbore460that receives equalizer shaft180(FIG. 3).

Each equalizer linkage450is assembled by axially aligning throughbores460of links452and inserting equalizer shaft180(FIG. 3) therethrough, such that one linkage450is coupled to shaft180proximate base152of body150and the other linkage450is coupled to shaft180proximate the top of body150. Each equalizer linkage450is then coupled to body150by inserting one end of equalizer shaft180into equalizer shaft slot162in base152of body150and the other end of equalizer shaft180into the equalizer shaft slot in the top of body150. In other words, linkages450are both disposed between base152and the top of body150, rearward ends464of links452are pivotally coupled together with shaft180via throughbores460, and rearward ends464of links452are coupled to body150with shaft180via equalizer shaft slot162in base152and the equalizer shaft slot in the top. Forward end462of each link452is coupled to body150with one of connecting pins168.

Once assembled, as shown inFIG. 3, each equalizer linkages450are translatable with connecting pins168relative to body150as connecting pins168slide within body slots160of body150, as described above. This translational movement is enabled by equalizer shaft180, which is free to slide linearly within equalizer shaft slot162in base152and the equalizer shaft slot in the top of body150. For example, when connecting pins168slide within body slots160from rearward ends166toward forward ends164, equalizer shaft180, with equalizer linkages450coupled thereto, translates within equalizer shaft slot162from rearward end178toward forward end176. Conversely, when connecting pins168slide within body slots160from forward ends164toward rearward ends166, equalizer shaft180translates within equalizer shaft slot162from frontward end176toward rearward end178. Further, each link452is pivotable about equalizer shaft180and its respective connecting pin168as the connecting pin168, with link452coupled thereto, slides within angled portions172,174of body slot160.

Because each half of one equalizer linkage450, defined relative to longitudinal centerline500, is a mirror image of the other and because links452are rigid, equalizer linkages450ensure that any motion of one pivoting arm200relative to body150is mirrored by the other pivoting arm200. For example, when one arm200opens to a degree, the other arm200also opens to substantially the same degree. Furthermore, by utilizing two equalizer linkages450coupled to equalizer shaft180some distance apart, any moments imparted to arms200by equalizer linkages450is minimized.

Referring again toFIG. 1, motor250is coupled to body150such that motor250does not move translationally relative to body150. Motor250is configured to drive a belt pulley255around which flexible belt400extends, and is preferably a hydraulic or air motor. Belt400is preferably constructed from a flexible, durable, and strong material such as Kevlar®, or some other durable, high strength, woven, composite material. In addition to belt pulley255, belt400also extends around idler rollers358of tensioning members350, as shown inFIG. 3.

When pivoting arms200open, as shown inFIG. 3, a pipe may be received between arms200and engaged by belt400. When pivoting arms200subsequently close, as shown inFIG. 4, belt160extends around pipe600, gripping pipe600without damaging its outer surface and locking pipe600within pipe spinner100in engagement with belt400. Further, when linear actuators300are actuated to extend rods304, tensioning members350with idler rollers358coupled thereto move generally away from motor250, thereby stretching and tensioning belt400and increasing the frictional engagement between belt400and pipe600to enable rotation of pipe600. Conversely, when linear actuators300are actuated to retract rods304, tensioning members350with idler rollers358coupled thereto move generally towards motor250, thereby relaxing belt400and decreasing the frictional engagement between belt400and pipe600.

Returning toFIG. 3, pipe spinner100is shown in the fully open position. Linear actuators300have been actuated to fully retract rods304within barrels302. Due to the coupling of rods304with connecting pins168, connecting pins168are displaced to rearward ends166of body slots160in body150. Equalizer linkages450are translated such that equalizer shaft180is at rearward end178of equalizer shaft slot162. Pivoting arms200, with tensioning members350disposed therein, are open. Belt400is fully relaxed and ready to receive pipe600.

Referring next toFIG. 4, pipe spinner100is shown in the fully closed position. Linear actuators300have been actuated to fully extend rods304from barrels302. Due to the coupling of rods304with connecting pins168, connecting pins168are displaced to forward ends164of body slots160in body150. Equalizer linkages450are translated such that equalizer shaft180is at forward end176of equalizer shaft slot162. Pivoting arms200, with tensioning members350disposed therein, are closed. Tensioning members350are extended relative to pivoting arms200and body150. Pipe cam rollers216engage pipe600to hold pipe600against belt400. Belt400is wrapped around pipe600and in tension, ready to spin pipe600. In this closed position, motor250rotates pulley255, which transfers motion through belt400to pipe600.

In order for pipe spinner100to move from the open position shown inFIG. 3to the closed position shown inFIG. 4, pipe600is positioned between arms200against belt400, and linear actuators300are actuated. As actuators300begin to extend rods304from barrels302, rods304displace connecting pins168along body slots160away from rearwards ends166toward forwards ends164. As connecting pins168slide along angled portions174of slots160, linear actuators300pivot inward relative to body150about pivot pins310. Due to the angular nature of portions174of body slots160, arms200pivot rapidly inward relative to body150about pins158as connecting pins168displace along arm slots214. Moreover, as arms200pivot inward, or close, tensioning members350also pivot inward, constrained by guide walls206,208of arms200. As arms200and tensioning members350pivot inward, the extension of rods304pushes connecting pins168and therefore tensioning members350generally away from motor250, thereby beginning to tension belt400.

Once connecting pins168reach angled portions172of body slots160, the pivoting motion of arms200, and tensioning members350disposed therein, toward the closed position continues but at a slower rate due to the smaller angular offset of portions172in comparison to that of portions174. However, the continued extension of rods304and associated travel of connecting pins168results in the continued movement of tensioning members350generally away from motor250, thereby continuing to increase the tension on belt400.

When connecting pins168reach straight portions170of body slots160, arm slots214align with straight portions170and arms200cease to pivot relative to body150. Arms200are now fully closed, and pipe cam rollers216engage pipe600to hold it in place against belt400. Also, tensioning members350cease to pivot inward, but continue to extend relative to arms200, body150, and motor250. From this point, further extension of rods304of linear actuators300translates connecting pins168through straight portions170of body slots160toward forward ends218of body slots160. Tensioning members350continue to be displace with connecting pins168, thereby continuing to stretch and tension belt400. This translational movement of tensioning members350enables pipe spinner100to remove any remaining slack in belt400.

Once connecting pins168reach forward ends164of body slots160, tensioning members350cease to translate, belt400is fully tensioned, and arms200are essentially locked in place. Forces on arms200from tensioning of belt400and operation of pipe spinner100will tend to pivot arms200toward the open position. However, these forces will be resisted by connecting pins168retained within straight portions170of body slots160and held in position by rods304of linear actuators300.

After pipe spinner100is in the closed position shown inFIG. 4, motor250can be actuated so as to rotate pulley255, which moves belt400and in turn rotates pipe600. Body slots160and arm slots214constrain connecting pins168to operate as a safety lock preventing arms200from opening as pipe600is pushed by belt400against pipe cam rollers216. Once arms200are locked in the fully closed position, they may only open after rods304, with connecting pins168coupled thereto, are retracted by linear actuators300.

Returning pipe spinner100to the open position ofFIG. 3from the closed position ofFIG. 4, which allows the release of pipe600, operates in the opposite sequence. Linear actuators300are actuated to retract rods304. As rods304begin to retract, connecting pins168translate along straight portions170of body slots160. Although arms200do not yet pivot, and thus remain in the closed position, tensioning members350translate within arms200with connecting pins168and belt400begins to relax. Further retraction of rods304displaces connection pins168along angled portions172of body slots160, causing arms200to pivot outward relative to body150and begin to open. As arms200begin to open, tensioning members350also pivot outward, thereby farther relieving the tension load to belt400. Still further retraction of rods304displaces connections pins168along angled portions174of body slots160, causing arms200to continue pivoting outward, but more quickly, again due to the increased angular offset of portions174relative to that of portions172. When connecting pins168reach rearwards ends166of body slots160, arms200are fully open, and pipe600is released. Pipe spinner100is then ready for a new operation.

The above-described actuation sequence of pipe spinner100, which encloses and locks pipe600within pipe spinner100before fully tensioning belt400, is unique at least because it allows pipe spinner100to receive and rotate a wide range of pipe sizes with a single belt length and without any additional adjustment by an operator. Moreover, the arrangement of body slots160and arm slots214provide a self-locking feature that eliminates the need for a separately engaging lock feature and its associated complexities typically included in conventional belt-type pipe spinners.

The embodiments set forth herein are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or the details therein. It will be appreciated that many other modifications and improvements to the disclosure herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or the inventive concepts herein disclosed. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, including equivalent structures or materials hereafter thought of, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.