Movable tong assembly

A tong assembly includes a power tong, a backup tong, and a carriage assembly operatively connecting the power tong and the backup tong. The carriage assembly includes a movable trolley assembly. The movable trolley assembly is axially located between the power tong and the backup tong. The movable trolley assembly is supported by the power tong. The movable trolley assembly is configured to axially move the power tong and backup tong relative to each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an apparatus for making up and breaking out tubular connections. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a tong assembly for use in making up and breaking out tubular connections within a tubular string of an oil or gas well.

Description of the Related Art

Construction of oil or gas wells usually requires making long tubular strings that make up casing, risers, drill pipe, or other tubing. Due to the length of these strings, sections or joints of tubulars are progressively added to or removed from the tubular strings as they are lowered or raised from a drilling platform. A tong assembly including a power tong and a backup tong is commonly used to make up or break out joints in the tubular strings.

The power tong and the backup tong are typically vertically spaced from each other by a fixed distance. In some situations, however, it is desirable to be able to adjust the vertical spacing between the power tong and the backup tong. Therefore, there is a need for a movable tong assembly in which the vertical spacing between the power tong and the backup tong is adjustable.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An embodiment of the present disclosure includes a tong assembly having a power tong; a backup tong; and a carriage assembly operatively connecting the power tong and the backup tong, the carriage assembly including a movable trolley assembly, the movable trolley assembly axially located between the power tong and the backup tong, wherein the movable trolley assembly is supported by the power tong, the movable trolley assembly being configured to axially move the power tong and backup tong relative to each other.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a tong assembly having a power tong; a backup tong; a support structure configured to support the power tong above a ground surface; and a carriage assembly operatively connecting the power tong and the backup tong, the carriage assembly configured to axially adjust a vertical distance between the power tong and the backup tong, the carriage assembly being distinct and separate from the support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a tong assembly for making up and breaking out a tubular connection between two tubulars in a tubular string. The tubular strings may be made of tubulars that form risers, casings, drill pipes, or other tubulars in oil and gas wells. An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a tong assembly including a power tong, a backup tong, and a carriage assembly operatively connecting the power tong and the backup tong. The carriage assembly is configured to axially move the power tong and the backup tong relative to each other.

FIGS. 1-6illustrate a tong assembly100according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The tong assembly100includes a power tong102and a backup tong104. The power tong102and the backup tong104may be operatively connected by a carriage assembly106. As shown inFIGS. 9-10, a support structure may be connected to the power tong102and/or the backup tong104in a manner to support a weight of the power tong102, the backup tong104, and the carriage assembly106. The carriage assembly106may be distinct and separate from the support structure such that the carriage assembly106may be implemented with an existing support structure without having to make substantial modifications to the support structure. As shown inFIGS. 9-10, in one embodiment, the support structure is a hydraulic lift stand200connected to the power tong102, with the carriage assembly106being supported by the power tong102and the backup tong104being supported by the carriage assembly106. In this manner, although the hydraulic lift stand200is connected only to the power tong102, the stand ultimately supports the weight of the power tong, the backup tong104, and the carriage assembly106. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that hydraulic lift stand200shown inFIGS. 9-10could be altered, for example, such that the stand is also connected to the backup tong104. Additionally, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that support structure could be a handling tool rather than a stand.

The power tong102may include a frame108with a central opening110for receiving a tubular. The frame108may include two or more sections movable relative to each other to open and close the central opening110. In one embodiment, the frame108may include two front sections108a,108band one back section108c.Each of the front sections108a,108bare connected to the back section108cin a manner such that the front sections are pivotable relative to the back section.

The power tong102may further include a rotor112disposed in the frame108. The rotor112may be a segmented rotor. The rotor112may be coupled to a motor assembly114. Jaws116may be attached to an inner diameter of the rotor112. The jaws116may rotate with the rotor112to rotate a tubular about a longitudinal axis101during make up and break out of a tubular connection. The jaws116may move radially relative to the frame108to secure and release a tubular or to accommodate tubulars of various diameters. In one embodiment, the jaws116may be driven using a hydraulic circuit.

The backup tong104may include a frame118with a central opening120for receiving a tubular. The backup tong104may be disposed underneath the power tong102in a manner such that the longitudinal axis101extends through central opening110of the power tong102and through central opening120of the backup tong. The frame118may include two or more sections movable relative to each other to open and close the central opening120. In one embodiment, the frame118may include two front sections118a,118band one back section118c.Each of the front sections118a,118bare connected to the back section118cin a manner such that the front sections are pivotable relative to the back section. The backup tong104may further include jaws122attached to the frame118to secure and release a tubular or to accommodate tubulars of various diameters. In one embodiment, the jaws122may be driven using a hydraulic circuit.

The backup tong104may further include support legs124. The frame118may be movably coupled to the support legs124. Lower ends125of the support legs124are configured to stand on a platform or other stationary surfaces. The support legs124are configured to support the frame118of the backup tong104and prevent the backup tong from rotating during operation of the tong assembly100. In one embodiment, the frame118has through openings for receiving support legs124therein. In one embodiment, sleeves128may provide a place for connection to support legs124. In one embodiment, the frame118may be coupled to two support legs that are symmetrically positioned about the longitudinal axis101. In one embodiment, the two support legs124and the longitudinal axis101may be within the same plane. Each support leg124may include a spring member126disposed at lower ends125. The weight and vertical load of the backup tong104may rest on the spring members126. The spring members126allow the backup tong104to be movable along the support legs124thus providing structural flexibility for the tong assembly100.

The power tong102and the backup tong104may be operatively connected by the carriage assembly106. The carriage assembly106may be adapted to adjust between a first configuration illustrated inFIGS. 1-3and a second configuration illustrated inFIGS. 4-6. In the first configuration, the power tong102is spaced from the backup tong104by a first vertical distance. In the second configuration, the power tong102is spaced from the backup tong104by a second vertical distance that is greater than the first vertical distance. Although the figures of the disclosure show only two configurations for the carriage assembly106, it is to be understood that the carriage assembly could be configured to be adjustable for additional configurations that either increase or decrease a vertical distance between power tong102and backup tong104. The carriage assembly106may connect the power tong102and the backup tong104in a manner such that the backup tong104remains substantially vertically aligned with the power tong102as the carriage assembly106adjusts from the first configuration to the second configuration.

As best seen inFIGS. 7-8, the carriage assembly106may include a movable trolley assembly138and a bracket assembly130. The movable trolley assembly138may include a pair of trolley wheels (not shown), a first trolley bracket142, a second trolley bracket156, a first bell crank144, a second bell crank146, a third bell crank158, a fourth bell crank160, a link148, and a link162. The link148and link162can be seen inFIG. 4. Bell crank146may be rigidly connected to trolley bracket142by a weld joint, and bell crank144may be pivotally connected to trolley bracket142. Bell crank160may be rigidly connected to trolley bracket156by a weld joint, and bell crank158may be pivotally connected to trolley bracket152.

The bracket assembly130of the carriage assembly106may include a first bracket132and a second bracket134. The first bracket132may include an attachment protrusion135, a channel136, and a gusset137. The second bracket134may include an attachment protrusion149, a channel150, and a gusset151.

The movable trolley assembly138and the bracket assembly130may be assembled such that one of the trolley wheels and trolley bracket142collectively sandwich a portion of the channel136, and the other trolley wheel and trolley bracket156collectively sandwich a portion of the channel150, with the trolley wheels located within grooves of channel136and channel150. In this manner, movable trolley assembly138may be movable relative to channel136and channel150by the pair of trolley wheels moving upwardly and downwardly within the grooves of the channels. As such, the movable trolley assembly138is slidably connected to channel136and channel150.

As best seen inFIG. 4, link148may be a torque measuring cell and link162may be a DMS electrical loadcell. In this manner, torque can be measured by these links. A person of ordinary skill in the art, however, will understand that148could be swapped with link162. Moreover, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that link148and link162could both be plain links, electric loadcells, hydraulic loadcells, or any combination thereof.

The carriage assembly106may further include a first horizontal torque bar164and a second horizontal torque bar166, with the first horizontal torque bar being spaced from the second horizontal torque bar. As best seen inFIGS. 7 and 8, the first and second horizontal torque bars164,166may be substantially horizontal. In one embodiment, the first horizontal torque bar164connects bell crank144to bell crank158, and the second horizontal torque bar166connects gusset137of the first bracket132to gusset151of the second bracket134. As illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, when the carriage assembly106is in the first configuration, the first torque bar164may be located vertically above the second torque bar166. As illustrated inFIGS. 3-6, when the carriage assembly106is in the second configuration, the second torque bar166may be located vertically above the first horizontal torque bar164. It is to be understood, however, that in some embodiments, the vertical arrangement of the first and second horizontal torque bars164,166could be adjusted. In one embodiment, the second horizontal torque bar166may be of a larger size than the first horizontal torque bar164, as torque counteracted by the second horizontal torque bar166when the carriage assembly106is in the second configuration may be greater than torque counteracted by the first horizontal torque bar164when the carriage assembly106is in the first configuration. It is to be understood, however, that the size of the first and second horizontal torque bars164,166could be adjusted without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the second horizontal torque bar166could be made of a different material than the first horizontal torque bar164such that the first and second horizontal torque bars may be the same size yet still enable the second horizontal torque bar to counteract a larger torque than the first horizontal torque bar. Alternatively, the bracket assembly130may include only a single torque bar that is capable of either being manually or automatically adjusted from one location of the bracket assembly to another location of the bracket assembly depending upon the configuration of the carriage assembly106. In such a situation, the single torque bar will be of a size sufficient to counteract the torque associated with operation of the tong assembly100regardless of whether the carriage assembly106is in the first configuration, the second configuration, or any other additional configuration not shown in the present disclosure.

The carriage assembly106may further include a suspension cable168a,168b.In one embodiment, the carriage assembly106may include two suspension cables168a,168b.When the carriage assembly106is in the first configuration, suspension cable168amay be stored on an outside surface of the first bracket132and suspension cable168bmay be stored on an outside surface of the second bracket134. It is to be understood that suspension cables168a,168bmay be stored at a different location on the first and second brackets when they are not in use. Alternatively, suspension cables168a,168bmay be stored at a location separate from the first and second brackets when they are not in use. When in use, suspension cables168a,168bmay connect the power tong102to the movable trolley assembly138.

As best seen inFIGS. 1 and 4, the carriage assembly106operatively connects the power tong102and the backup tong104during operation of the tong assembly100. Regardless of the configuration of the carriage assembly106, the bracket assembly130may attach to the power tong102via attachment protrusion135of the first bracket132and attachment protrusion149of the second bracket134. In this manner, each of the first and second brackets132,134may have a connecting end and a free end, with the connecting ends being pivotally connected to the power tong102via the attachment protrusions and the free ends being spaced below the power tong.

Additionally, regardless of the configuration of the carriage assembly106, the movable trolley assembly138may attach to support legs124of the backup tong104via link148and link162. link148may be attached to bell crank144and link162may be attached to bell crank158.

When the carriage assembly106is in the first configuration shown inFIGS. 1-3, movable trolley assembly138may be connected to the power tong102by adaptors109,111. More specifically, adaptor109may connect one side of frame108of the power tong102to bell crank146and adaptor111may connect another side of frame108to bell crank160. Adaptors109,111are best seen inFIGS. 7-8. In this manner, the power tong102supports the movable trolley assembly138in the first configuration. In one embodiment, bell cranks146,160are coupled to the power tong102via adaptors109,111such that bell cranks146,160are symmetrically positioned about the longitudinal axis101. Bell crank146may further be connected to a platform145that freely rests upon a first support leg124aof the backup tong104, and bell crank160may further be connected to a platform147that freely rests upon a second support leg124bof the backup tong104. Platforms145,147are not rigidly connected to the first and second support legs124a,124bso that the backup tong104may move relative to the bell cranks146,160. This helps alleviate torsion and force being transmitted between the power tong102and the backup tong104via adaptors109,111and bell cranks146,160during operation of the tong assembly100.

When the carriage assembly106is in the first configuration, the pair of trolley wheels of the movable trolley assembly138may be located at approximately the top of channels136,150. To adjust the carriage assembly106to the second configuration shown inFIGS. 4-6, adaptors109,111may be disconnected from bell cranks146,160. The pair of trolley wheels may be moved slightly downward within their respective grooves of channels136,150to lower movable trolley assembly138relative to the channels. Each of the suspension cables168a,168bmay be manually removed from the outside surfaces of the first and second brackets132,134. One end of the first suspension cable168amay be manually attached to adaptor109(which remains connected to the power tong102) and the other end of the cable may be manually attached to bell crank146. One end of the second suspension cable168bmay be manually attached to adaptor111(which remains connected to the power tong102) and the other end of the second suspension cable may be manually attached to bell crank160. In this manner, suspension cables168a,168bmay connect bell cranks146,160of the movable trolley assembly138to power tong102when the carriage assembly106is in the second configuration such that the power tong102supports the movable trolley assembly138. After suspension cables168a,168bare attached to the power tong102and bell cranks146,160, the trolley wheels of movable trolley assembly138may be moved further downward within their respective grooves of channels136,150until the carriage assembly106is in the second configuration. When the carriage assembly106is in the second configuration, the wheels of the movable trolley assembly138may be located at approximately the bottom of channels136,150.

Alternatively, the carriage assembly106may be adjusted from the first configuration to the second configuration by removing the carriage assembly from the power tong102and the backup tong104. The carriage assembly106may then be placed on a surface (e.g., ground surface of a rig) and the movable trolley assembly138manually adjusted upwardly or downwardly such that after the power tong102and the backup tong104are reconnected to the carriage assembly106, the vertical spacing between the power and backup tongs has either been increased or decreased.

By supporting the movable trolley assembly138, the power tong102may provide stability to the carriage assembly106to prevent the carriage assembly from pivoting about attachments protrusions135,149during the making up and breaking out tubular connections. When the carriage assembly106is in the first configuration shown inFIGS. 1-3, bell cranks146,160may be directly connected to adaptors109,111of the power tong102to enable the power tong102to support the movable trolley assembly138. When the carriage assembly106is in the second configuration shown inFIGS. 4-6, bell cranks146,160may be indirectly connected to the adaptors of the power tong102via suspension cables168a,168bto enable the power tong102to support the movable trolley assembly138.

In one embodiment, suspension cables168a,168bmay be chains of a fixed size. Alternatively, the suspension cables may be retractable cables housed within casings (not shown) to enable the cable length to automatically adjust (i.e., increase or decrease) as the carriage assembly moves from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa. In such an embodiment, one end of the suspension cables may be attached to adaptors109,111and the casings may be attached to bell cranks146,160when the carriage assembly106is in the first configuration. As the carriage assembly106adjusts from the first configuration to the second configuration, the cables remain attached to the adaptors109,111and the casings remain attached to bell cranks146,160, with the cable length increasing as additional cable is deployed from the casings while the vertical spacing between the power tong102and the backup tong104is increasing. In this manner, the power tong102would support the movable trolley assembly138via the retractable cables. Alternatively, the casings may be attached to adaptors109,111and one end of the suspension cables may be attached to bell cranks146,160. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other connecting mechanisms (for example, hydraulic cylinders or adjustable telescoping tubular links) could be used in place of suspension cables168a,168b.

In one embodiment, the carriage assembly106includes a drive motor (not shown) and programmable logic controller (PLC, not shown). The movable trolley assembly138may be attached to the drive motor such that by using the PLC, the drive motor will operate to either raise or lower the movable trolley assembly, thereby adjusting the carriage assembly106from one configuration to another configuration. In this embodiment, tong assembly100may be supported from a handling tool (not shown). The handling tool may be attached to the power tong102and hold the power tong stationary relative to the ground surface while the backup tong104moves upwardly and/or downwardly with the movable trolley assembly138upon operation of the drive motor. Alternatively, tong assembly100may be supported by a stand (not shown) that remains stationary relative to a ground surface. The stationary stand may be attached to the power tong102such that the power tong also remains stationary relative to the ground surface while the backup tong104moves upwardly and/or downwardly with the movable trolley assembly138upon operation of the drive motor.

In yet another embodiment shown inFIGS. 9-10, the tong assembly100may be attached to a stand having an adjustable upper portion and a stationary lower portion. The adjustable upper portion may be vertically movable relative to a ground surface while the stationary lower portion may remain stationary relative to the ground surface. The adjustable upper portion may be attached to the power tong102such that upon raising and/or lowering the adjustable upper portion, the power tong102moves upwardly and/or downwardly with the movable trolley assembly138to adjust the carriage assembly106from one configuration to another configuration.

To minimalize the vertical footprint of carriage assembly106, the carriage assembly may be designed such that movable trolley assembly138is located axially between the power tong102and backup tong104when the carriage assembly106is connected to the tong assembly100, regardless of the configuration of the carriage assembly. Such a design of the carriage assembly106enables the power tong102to connect and provide support to movable trolley assembly138during operation of the tong assembly100, which may help stabilize the carriage assembly106and alleviate some of the force placed upon the movable trolley assembly138via its connection to backup tong104during operation of the tong assembly.

An alternative embodiment of a movable tong assembly300with a vertical torque bar is illustrated inFIGS. 11-12. In the alternative embodiment, the tong assembly includes a power tong302and a backup tong304operatively connected by a carriage assembly306. The power tong and backup tong may be substantially similar to (or even identical to) power tong102and backup tong104the movable tong assembly100.

In this embodiment, the carriage assembly306may comprise a bracket assembly308and a trolley assembly310. As seen inFIG. 12, the bracket assembly308may comprise a vertical torque bar312and a bracket314. The bracket314may pivotally connect to opposite sides of the power tong302and may be pivotally connected to an upper portion of the vertical torque bar312by a pin311. The bracket assembly308may be arranged such that the bracket314and the vertical torque bar312are supported by the power tong302.

The trolley assembly310may comprise a first trolley member318and a second trolley member320. The first trolley member318may be slidably connected to the vertical torque bar312. The second trolley member320may be pivotally connected to the first trolley member318via a pin324. The second trolley member320may also be pivotally connected to the backup tong304, such that the second trolley member320and backup tong304are movable relative to the power tong302as the first trolley member318slides along the vertical torque bar312.

In this embodiment, the power tong302may be connected to the backup tong304via suspension cables326. The suspension cables326may be configured to compensate for a length adjustment as the backup tong304is moved relative to the power tong302. For example, the suspension cables326may be retractable cables housed within casings (not shown) to enable the cable length to automatically adjust (i.e., increase or decrease) as the carriage assembly306moves from a first configuration to a second configuration and vice versa. Alternatively, each of the suspension cables326may comprise a fixed length chain and a spring element, with the fixed length chain being attached to one of tongs and the spring element being attached to the other tong. Alternatively, each of the suspension cables326may comprise a spring element between two fixed length chains attached to the tongs, the spring element enabling the suspension cables to compensate for a length adjustment as the backup tong is moved relative to the power tong. Alternatively, the suspension cables326may be replaced with hydraulic cylinders.

In operation, the first trolley member318may be adjusted to slide upwardly or downwardly along the vertical torque bar312, thereby adjusting the vertical spacing between the power tong302and the backup tong304. In such a situation, the first trolley member318may be connected to a drive motor and PLC (not shown) to enable the member to be adjusted. As the adjustment of the vertical spacing between the power tong302and backup tong304is occurring, the suspension cables326compensate for the length adjustment. In this manner, the alternative embodiment shown inFIGS. 11-12allows for the vertical spacing between the power tong302and the backup tong304to be adjusted.

Another alternative embodiment of a movable tong assembly400with a power tong402, a backup tong404, and a carriage assembly406is shown inFIGS. 13-14. This alternative embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 11-12, with the exception that the carriage assembly406only includes one trolley member408that is connected to the backup tong404via a pair of links410. A bracket assembly412may include a bracket414and a vertical torque bar416. The trolley member408may be slidably connected to a vertical torque bar416, such that the backup tong404is movable relative to the power tong402as the trolley member408slides along the vertical torque bar416. The movable tong assembly400may further include spring elements418and suspension cables420.

During makeup of a pipe connection, the torque of the tong assembly400creates a reaction force pair at the location of the vertical torque bar416and the trolley member408. This in turn creates friction force acting at the backup tong404, thereby resulting in a bending moment at the pipe connection. The spring elements418and the links410may help reduce this bending moment. More specifically, if the friction force between the trolley408and the vertical torque bar416exceeds the spring force of spring elements418, the trolley member408will lock-up with the vertical torque bar416and links410will begin to rotate, limiting the bending moment at the pipe connection. Depending upon the vertical spacing needed, the trolley member408may be adjusted to slide upwardly or downwardly along the vertical torque bar416, thereby adjusting the vertical spacing between the power tong402and the backup tong404. The trolley member408may be connected to a drive motor and PLC (not shown) to enable the member to be adjusted. As the adjustment of the vertical spacing between the power tong402and backup tong404is occurring, the suspension cables420compensate for the length adjustment. In this manner, the alternative embodiment shown inFIGS. 13-14allow for the vertical spacing between the power tong402and the backup tong404to be adjusted. Like the other embodiments disclosed herein, the movable tong assembly400can be supported above a ground surface by a support structure (for e.g., a stand or a handling tool).

Another alternative embodiment of a movable tong assembly500including a power tong502, a backup tong504, and a carriage assembly506is shown inFIGS. 15-16. This alternative embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiments shown inFIGS. 11-14. A bracket assembly508includes a bracket510and a vertical torque bar512. The vertical torque bar512may contain a plurality of through-holes514that enable a trolley member516to be incrementally adjusted along the vertical torque bar. A through-pin518may connect the trolley member516to the vertical torque bar512. In addition, the trolley member516may indirectly connect to backup tong504via support legs520. In operation, the vertical spacing between the active tong502and the backup tong504can be adjusted incrementally by removing through-pin518and sliding the trolley member516upwardly or downwardly along the vertical torque bar512. After the desired vertical spacing is achieved, the through-pin518can be reinserted to fix the trolley member516to the vertical torque bar512. Alternatively, the trolley member516could contain an additional trolley member similar to trolley member318described above.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a tong assembly. The tong assembly includes a power tong, a backup tong, and a carriage assembly operatively connecting the power tong and the backup tong. The carriage assembly includes a movable trolley assembly connected to the power tong. The carriage assembly is connected to the power tong in a manner such that the power tong supports the movable trolley assembly. The movable trolley assembly is axially located between the power tong and the backup tong. The movable trolley assembly is configured to axially move the power tong and backup tong relative to each other.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the movable trolley assembly is connected to the backup tong and the carriage assembly further includes a bracket assembly pivotally connected to the power tong. The movable trolley assembly is slidably connected to the bracket assembly to operatively connect the power tong and the backup tong.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the carriage assembly includes a suspension cable connecting the power tong to the movable trolley assembly.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the bracket assembly includes first and second brackets spaced from each other. Each of the first and second brackets has a connecting end and a free end. The connecting end of each of the first and second brackets is pivotally connected to the power tong, and the free end of each of the first and second brackets is spaced below the power tong.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the bracket assembly includes a torque bar located between and connected to the first bracket and the second bracket.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the torque bar is a first torque bar and the carriage assembly includes a second torque bar spaced from the first torque bar, with the second torque bar being connected to the movable trolley assembly.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the first bracket includes a first channel and the second bracket includes a second channel. The movable trolley assembly is slidably connected to the first and second channels to enable axial movement of the movable trolley assembly relative to the first and second brackets. The movable trolley assembly is attached to first and second support legs of the backup tong.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the carriage assembly includes first and second suspension cables, with the first and second suspension cables connecting the movable trolley assembly to the power tong.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the carriage assembly is adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The power tong is spaced from the backup tong by a first vertical distance when the carriage assembly is in the first configuration and by a second vertical distance when the carriage assembly is in the second configuration. The second vertical distance is greater than the first vertical distance. The carriage assembly includes first and second torque bars arranged in a manner such that the first torque bar is located axially above the second torque bar when the carriage assembly is in the first configuration and the second torque bar is located axially above the first torque bar when the carriage assembly is in the second configuration.

In one more embodiments of the present disclosure, the tong assembly includes a power tong, a backup tong, a support structure, and a carriage assembly. The support structure is configured to support the power tong above a ground a surface. The carriage assembly operatively connects the power tong and the backup tong, with the carriage assembly configured to axially adjust a vertical distance between the power tong and backup tong. The carriage assembly is distinct and separate from the support structure.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the support structure is a stand.